Author: Sandeep Sarkar

As the Assistant Editor, Sandeep is generating tech-oriented content and also monitoring the content published on the website. He has over six years of experience in tech journalism and has expertise in product reviews, news articles, listicles, and media campaigns.

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Tech Gadgets

YouTube Announces Annual Premium Subscription Plans For Indian Audience; How To Avail Discounts?

youtube

YouTube has been the most popular online streaming service for years despite new players making their ventures in this space. Google has been adding a new set of features to its in-house video streaming service online for a better user experience. The company has also introduced a mobile version (both Android and iOS) for this service which has been another factor for its popularity. But like other modern services, YouTube had also started charging its user base to get access to its premium services.

The paid premium subscriptions aren’t just for the YouTube video app, but also YouTube Music. Until now, the company has been offering only two subscription packages for users in India including one and three months. Google has now announced an annual subscription plan for YouTube fans in India along with an introductory offer to grab more audiences. So how much do you need to pay for YouTube and YouTube Music premium subscription plans in India and how can you avail of the plans? Let’s find out:

YouTube, YouTube Premium Annual Subscription Plans Cost In India

Google has announced the YouTube premium annual subscription plans in India starting at Rs. 889. This is the cost for YouTube Music premium subscription plans for an annual period. Likewise, for the YouTube video app, users will need to pay Rs. 1,159. It is worth mentioning that the rates announced by Google are discounted and will likely be increased in the future.

Notably, the discount offers on the YouTube annual subscription plan would be valid till January 23, 2022. As of now, Google has not announced by how much margin the new prices would be increased for both YouTube videos and the YouTube Music app’s annual subscription. Nevertheless, it is always a good option to grab a discount deal when offered.

So, if you have been planning to upgrade from monthly to quarterly subscriptions already, you should rather consider going for the cheaper annual subscription plan. It is also worth adding that already subscribed members won’t be able to avail this annual subscription discount. Rather, such users would need to cancel the existing subscription plan and then buy the new annual package.

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Leaks

Nokia G21 India Launch Likely In February 2022; Tp Offer 50MP Triple Camera, 5,050mAh Battery

Most of the smartphone OEMs have started revamping their product lineups with new launches in India. HMD Global is also gearing up to board the same bandwagon with its upcoming budget offering from the ‘G’ series dubbed the Nokia G21. The device is heading to the Indian shelves in the country by next month as per a fresh report via 91Mobiles. Some of the key features of the next Nokia budget handset have also been revealed by the publication.

Nokia G21 India Launch Timeline Key Features Revealed

The latest report via 91Mobiles in association with tipster Mukul Sharma tips the Nokia G21 February launch timeline for the Indian market. The report doesn’t reveal the exact date for the Nokia G21 India launch rather suggests the aforementioned timeframe. If this report is correct, the company will soon start dropping official teasers via its official social media handles.

It is not yet known if Nokia will host an online launch event for the G21 in India or will add this directly to the shelves via online and offline retail platforms. That’s something we need to wait to be sure of. That said, the report has also shared some of the highlight features of the Nokia G21.

The report hints the Nokia G21 will be packed with a 50MP min camera at the rear. The total number of sensors is tipped to three. However, the details related to the remaining two sensors are at large currently. Nevertheless, we will likely see the main camera combined with a macro and a portrait sensor (a pair of 2MP sensors as tipped via leaks).

The report further hints the Nokia G21 will be powered by a beefy 5,050 mAh battery with quick charging support. The report also suggests dual RAM and storage configuration. The exact variants are unspecified but we might see 4GB/ 6GB RAM and up to 12GB storage configuration.

Apart from this, the rumor mill separately has tipped some additional Nokia G21 features. An LCD display measuring 6.5-inches along with 720 x 1600 pixels resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio. The device might be powered by a Unisoc series processor and ship with Android 11 OS. We will update the spec sheet once it is leaked in its entirety or is teased officially.

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Mobile

Tecno Pova Neo Already Up For Grabs In India At Rs. 12,999

Tecno today launched a new budget handset in India called the Pop 5 Pro and is gearing up for yet another launch in the country. The next model from Tecno’s lot is going to be the Pova Neo which the brand has announced for January 20 launch in India. The arrival details were confirmed by the brand itself via its official Twitter handle. However, the device just went on sale ahead of the official launch in India. Check out the details below:

Tecno Pova Neo Available For Purchase In India Ahead Of Launch

The Tecno Pova Neo has apparently gone up for sale in India despite the official launch being a day away. As mentioned above, the official Pove Neo launch in India is slated for January 20. But, the handset is already made available to the masses via Mahesh Telecom.

The retailer has shared listed the device on its official website that confirms the pricing configuration, and color options. The listing mentions Rs. 12,999 price tag for the 6GB RAM and 128GB variant of the handset. It seems that the handset will be launched in a single configuration in India.

The tweet also has confirmed up to 11GB of total RAM with the help of 5GB virtual RAM support. Apart from this, the retailer has also revealed black and blue color options of the Tecno Pova Neo. The poster shared by the retailer seems authentic and the possibility of the handset arriving with the aforementioned price tag is higher.

Tecno Pova Neo Expected Specifications In India

The Tecno Pova Neo isn’t a new device and has been launched in Nigeria as an entry-level Android phone. The device is driven by the octa-core MediaTek Helio G25 processor combined with 6GB RAM. The 128GB storage configuration is already revealed by the retailer via the poster shared on Twitter.

The Tecno Pova Neo has an IPS LCD display with 720 x 1640 pixels HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The imaging setup offered by the Tecnp Pova Neo is a single rear and front camera. At the rear, it features a 13MP main camera. For selfies, it offers an 8MP sensor inside the waterdrop notch upfront.

The device is equipped with a fingerprint scanner on the side panel for biometrics and a massive 6,000 mAh battery for power backup. It also has 18W fast charging support.

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Mobile

Xiaomi 11T Pro Goes Official In India With 120W Fast Charging, SD 888 SOC; Full Features, Price

Xiaomi has finally unveiled the HyperPhone aka Xiaomi 11T Pro which is announced during the launch of the Xiaomi 11i series in India. The newest premium-range phone by the company brings the fastest 120W charging speeds along with some top-notch hardware. The remaining key highlights of the Xiaomi 11T Pro are the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and a 120Hz AMOLED display.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Full Features And Specifications

The Xiaomi 11T Pro bestows a tall 6.67-inch AMOLED screen. The display supports an FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, 10-bit true color, and Dolby Vision support. The panel further offers a 120Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits peak brightness, and has a punch-hole cutout at the center housing a 16MP selfie snapper with an f/2.45 aperture. For low-light selfies, the handset offers a Super night mode.

The rear camera setup on the Xiaomi 11T Pro packs a 108MP main lens which is a Samsung HM2 sensor with an f/1.75 aperture. The primary camera is clubbed with an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and 120-degree FoV and a 5MP telemacro sensor. The camera setup offers multiple modes for enhanced photography experience including 8K@30fps video recording, cinematic filters, audio zoom, and slow-motion video recording.

At its core, the Xiaomi 11T Pro uses the Snapdragon 888 processor octa-core chipset. The processor further combines Adreno 640 GPU and up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM along with 3GB virtual RAM for graphics and smooth multitasking respectively. The storage option offered by the new Xiaomi flagship is up to 256GB UFS 3.1.

In terms of connectivity, the Xiaomi 11T Pro comes with 5G, 4G LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth. It is equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner for security and a 120W fast charging supported battery to keep the lights on.

Xiaomi 11T Pro Price In India, Buying Details

Speaking of the prices, the Xiaomi 11T Pro 5G’s base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration has been priced at Rs. 39,999, while the mid-range model with 8GB RAM and 256B storage configuration will cost you Rs. 41,999.

The handset’s top-end variant with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration will be available at Rs. 43,999. The device will be up for grabs via Amazon, Mi.com, Mi Home stores, Mi Studios, and all major brick and mortar stores in the country in Meteorite Gray, Moonlight White, and Celestial Magic colors.

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Apps

WhatsApp Working On New Photo Feature Tool For Android; When To Expect Stable Version?

WhatsApp is consistently adding a new set of features to its platform to give its users a better user experience. Security has been one of the most prime aspects of this instant messaging application. Specifically, the end-to-end encryption is what gets this app all the popularity. In addition to the security and user-oriented features, the brand has also been adding its own sets of customizations. Now, the brand seems to be working on giving free rein to the users withdrawing tool which will be primarily an extension to the pencil app.

WhatsApp New Photo Feature Explained

As per a report via WABetaInfo, the Meta-owned instant messaging application is working on a new update that will add new drawing tools to the Android version of its app. The update has been spotted by the publication in the WhatsApp beta for the Android beta version 2.22.3.5. With this update, the application will get two additional pencils using which users will be able to draw not just on images but also on videos.

Currently, the app only allows the users to draw doodles and also highlight any specific part of an image using a single pencil. With this upcoming update, users will get the option to add customizations to their messages. The update is also said to bring along the option for thin as well as thick pencil options. In addition to this, the company is said to also add a new feature that will blur images. This tool will be added to the Android app in the coming months.

It is not yet known when the brand will be bringing the stable version of this update to the Android app. The details for its availability on the iOS app are also at large. WhatsApp is also said to be working on a new feature for its Desktop app. The upcoming update with the 2.2201.2.0 build number is said to bring new color schemes for the WhatsApp Desktop app on Windows and macOS. This feature is also in the testing phase. The brand is yet to announce the availability of the stable version for this feature as well.

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Mobile

Redmi Note 11 Series Global Launch Slated For January 26; Key Features, Specs

Xiaomi had officially announced the Redmi Note 11 series back in 2021. Back then the company had introduced the Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ as a part of this lineup. All three models were introduced in China but no global launch timeline was revealed until now. Now, the company itself has confirmed the Redmi Note 11 series launch in the international markets.

Here Is When Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Global Launch Slated For

Xiaomi via its official Twitter handle has announced the upcoming Redmi Note 11 series global launch. The tweet shared by the company reveals an online launch event being hosted at the company’s official YouTube channel and other social media portals. The Redmi Note 11 series global launch is officially confirmed for January 26. The event will begin at 5.30 pm IST.

Xiaomi is expected to launch the vanilla Redmi Note 11, Redmi Note 11 Pro, and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ during the global launch event. All three models are expected to hit the shelves in the Indian market as well alongside the remaining global markets.

Xiaomi is yet to confirm if it is making hardware changes to any of the Redmi Note 11 series models. There are higher possibilities that we get to see a similar set of features offered by the Redmi Note 11 series compared to the Chinese counterparts in the remaining global markets including India.

Redmi Note 11 Series Key Features

The vanilla Redmi Note 11 features the MediaTek Dimensity 810 processor which has a 5G network and up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The device sports a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. The standard model equips a 50MP dual camera setup at the back along with a 16MP selfie snapper. This model uses a 5,000 mAh battery with 33W fast charging support.

Both Redmi Note 11 Pro and the Redmi Note 11 Pro+ use the same Dimensity 920 processor which is accompanied by up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration. The display and camera specifications are also identical on both models.

The Redmi Note 11 Pro and the Note 11 Pro+ sport a 6.67-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and up to 1200 nits peak brightness. The primary camera on both these variants is a 108MP lens. The battery capacity varies on both variants. The Pro model uses a 5,160 mAh battery, while the Pro+ features a 4,500 mAh battery.

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Leaks Mobile

Realme 9 Pro, Realme 9 Pro+ India Launch On Cards; What All To Expect?

Realme today launched its new mid-range for the Indian audience dubbed Realme 9i. It has arrived as the first model in the Realme 9 series with other models already being tipped to be in pipeline for a launch in the country. Amongst the recently tipped variants are the Realme 9 Pro and the Realme 9 Pro+. Both these upcoming Realme 9 models have been teased by the brand itself heading to the Indian stores.

Realme 9 Pro, Realme 9 Pro+ India Launch Officially Teased

The Realme 9 Pro and the Realme 9 Pro+ upcoming India launch have been tipped by an official tweet by Madhav Sheth. The post on Twitter is more of a poll where the company’s CEO has asked the audience to guess which one of the aforementioned models are coming to the Indian market. With the latest tweet being floated by Sheth, rumors surrounding the upcoming launch have started picking up pace.

It is worth mentioning that the cryptic tweet doesn’t reveal any detail on the launch timeline. Only the upcoming variants are mentioned and also it isn’t yet confirmed which variant will be brought first to the county. The Realme 9 Pro making a debut first makes more sense. The Realme 9 Pro+ will be likely be introduced later itself if not alongside the Realme 9 Pro.

Realme 9 Pro, Realme 9 Pro+ Rumored Specifications

The Realme 9 Pro is rumored to launch with the Snapdragon 695 processor which is supported by Adreno 619 GPU and up to 8GB RAM and 128GB storage support. The device is rumored to pack a 6.95-inch AMOLED display which supports 1080p FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate.

The camera setup used by the Realme 9 Pro will be a 64MP main sensor paired up with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 2MP additional lens. A 16MP selfie camera and a 5,000 mAh battery is also tipped by the leaks. The device will be offering 33W fast charging support.

The Realme 9 Pro+ processor detail is not revealed. However, this variant is tipped to feature an AMOLED panel with an FHD+ screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It might feature a 50MP main camera and 65W fast charging.   

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Mobile

OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T Breathes Last Of Android Updates

OnePlus is currently revamping its premium smartphone series and has launched the OnePlus 10 Pro in China. Rumors are rife the company is planning to discontinue a bunch of older flagships to make way for the new generation models. OnePlus isn’t known for adding high-end features to its devices. It also releases at least two major upgrades for all premium models. The OnePlus 6 series announced back in 2016 is one such lineup that has received major Android firmware updates since its official launch. The company in the latest announcement has confirmed the last run for the OnePlus 6 series.

OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6 Pro Won’t Get Future Android Updates

The OnePlus 6 series comprising the standard OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T won’t receive any major Android updates in the future. The company via its official online forum has shared the latest update confirming the discontinuation of future updates for both aforementioned OnePlus 6 units.

Both units have been updated with the latest version of Android OS for three years. In a statement, the company said, “After 3 major updates and more than 3 years of updates, around 60 Closed Beta builds and over 30 Open Beta builds it’s now time to close a chapter and announce the end of OnePlus 6 and 6T official software support.”

The brand additionally confirmed both OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T last firmware update carries the build number 11.1.2.2.  This means both these handsets won’t be getting the Android 12 update. Only the OnePlus 7 and above models are eligible for the new OxygenOS 12-based Android 12 update going forward.

OnePlus has only confirmed the unavailability of major Android updates in the future for the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T Pro. But other older flagships will also join this list once they complete their run of Android updates. The OnePlus 7 series is probably the next in line for the same.

In related news, OnePlus is also confirmed to stop the production of the OnePlus 9 series going forward. There have been rumors suggesting the discontinuation of the OnePlus 9 following the OnePlus 9RT’s debut in India. The same is yet to be announced by the brand and we will be keeping you posted with the details.

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Tech Gadgets

Vivo Might Replace “Y” Series With T1 5G In India: Report

Vivo is consistently upgrading the Y series in India and across the globe. However, a new report suggests the company might be replacing this affordable lineup with the Vivo T1 series in India. The company had introduced this lineup with the T1 5G on China last year. The same handset is said to mark the arrival of the company’s new affordable smartphone lineup in the country going forward.

Vivo T1 5G India Launch On Cards

The Vivo T1 5G is said to break covers in India by March 2022. A report via 91Mobiles suggests the upcoming Vivo launch for the Indian market. The publication has not revealed the exact launch date for the upcoming handset. The handset will probably be launched with the same set of features it was announced in China. It is worth adding that Vivo has not confirmed the cancellation of the ‘Y’ series to make space for the ‘T’ smartphone lineup in India. We still are waiting for some official confirmation to be sure of this update.

Speaking of the expected specifications, the Vivo T1 5G would likely arrive in India with the same Snapdragon 778G processor. This premium mid-range SoC is clubbed with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB native storage capacity. The device will be launched with an Android11-based Color OS interface.

The Vivo T1 5G might be announced in India with a 6.67-inch LCD display. The panel supports an FHD+ screen resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and is HDR10 supported. The panel features a punch-hole camera cutout that houses a 16MP camera for selfies and video calling.

The Vivo T1 5G will also feature a triple-camera setup at the back with the primary sensor being a 64MP lens. The main camera will be combined with an 8MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The security aspects will be taken care of by a side-mounted fingerprint scanner along with Face Unlock feature. A 5,000 mAh battery would complete the setup.

The pricing details remain unspecified. Only the features and the upcoming India launch timeline has been tipped by the rumor mill as of now. We can’t be sure of the exact pricing, but we speculate a sub Rs. 30,000 price tag for the base model.

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Mobile

Oppo Reno6 Lite Silently Announced As Rebadged F19; Features To Check Out

Oppo recently expanded its Reno smartphone lineup by introducing the Reno7, Reno7 Pro, and the Reno7 SE last year. The company has now silently added a new member to its predecessor, i.e, the Reno6 series. The newest model added to this premium mid-range lineup is the Reno6 Lite which is essentially a rebranded version of the Oppo F19 which was also announced last year. The device has been introduced in Mexico currently and is yet to arrive in the remaining global markets.

Oppo Reno6 Lite Hardware And Software Features

The Oppo Reno6 Lite has been launched with the Snapdragon 662 chipset. The mid-range 4G octa-core processor supports Adreno 610 GPU and up to 6GB LPDDR4x RAM. It is announced with up to 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage. The device also features a dedicated microSD card slot for additional storage requirements.

The Oppo Reno6 Lite’s display measures 6.43-inches which is an AMOLED panel with 1080 x 2400 pixels FHD+ resolution and has an aspect ratio of 20:9. It sports a punch-hole cutout that packs a 16MP camera for selfies and video chats. The main camera setup at the back features a 48MP main lens. The remaining two sensors are a pair of 2MP lenses for macro and depth photography.

As for the additional features, the Reno6 Lite has been announced with Android 11-based ColorOS 11 UI and also an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. The device offers 4G VoLTE, single-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and a 3.5mm headphone. The battery packed inside the Reno6 Lite measures 5,000 mAh that takes charge over a USB Type-C port and is combined with 33W rapid charging support.  

Will Reno6 Lite Announced In Other Global Markets?

The Oppo Reno6 Lite has currently made it to the Mexican market with an asking price of MXN 8,799 which is around Rs. 32,000 as per Indian currency. The device is introduced in Glowing Starry Black and Glowing Rainbow Silver shades. We are uncertain of this premium mid-range phone’s availability in the international markets. That’s primarily due to the fact it is a rebranded variant of the F19. Until Oppo spills the beans on its availability, we will be sure of the exact markets it will make a debut.