In a blog post we at Revü stumbled upon while checking its site, Vivo Philippines has confirmed the local launch of its flagship Vivo X60 and Vivo X60 Pro in 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/256GB configurations, though no date was announced. And while the arrival of the X60 series is expected, we didn’t expect to see confirmation that another Vivo phone — this time, the Vivo Y31 — will be released soon in the country.
Here’s the easiest way to run Google apps on a Huawei device
Huawei has been effectively left without access to Google and many of its Android applications. Many of the company’s current models — including the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, which runs the latest EMUI 11 software and is an already excellent flagship smartphone sans Google’s help — would have been much easier to recommend if they could run the Play Store, YouTube, Drive, Photos, and a lot more first-party Google apps.
Vivo OriginOS beta recruitment goes live for these phones in China
Vivo, as some of you know, recently unveiled the new OriginOS update, which is based on Android 11 (for now, at least) and will replace Funtouch OS as its Android overlay of choice on its current and future smartphones.
Realme 7 Pro gets Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 beta in PH
Realme Philippines has announced an early access program for the Realme 7 Pro, allowing users to get a taste of the latest Realme UI 2.0 overlay based on Android 11 ahead of a public rollout. Currently, the phone ships with Android 10.
Smart bed most exciting product in Xiaomi PH 1st 2021 brochure
Xiaomi Philippines’ January to February 2021 brochure for its authorized Mi stores and kiosks has been published online, giving Xiaomi fans their first good look at what’s to come at offline Mi locations across the country. (You can see a copy of it, complete with prices, at the bottom of this article.)
Raffy Tulfo’s Idol Shopping Network to rival Lazada, Shopee
From broadcaster to media personality to… founder and operator of an online marketplace? Media-host-turned-businessman Raffy Tulfo launched his own online-retail platform Idol Shopping Network, vowing to compete with the likes of Lazada and Shopee in the Philippines. It will formally go live later this month, presumably via a desktop site and/or an app.
Best-performing midrange, flagship phones: Dec 2020, China edition
As we roll out a new month (well, a new year, actually), it’s once again time to name the best-performing Android smartphones in China’s high-end and midrange segments, according to the Antutu benchmark platform.
OPPO Find X3 leaks out with highest-ever Antutu score
The OPPO Find X3 series is expected to launch sometime this quarter, following last year’s Find X2 lineup global debut in March 2020.
Redmi Note 9T 5G phone to launch globally Jan 8
Xiaomi today confirmed that the Redmi Note 9T is launching internationally soon — on January 8, specifically. This development comes following its sighting on numerous certification agencies, including Thailand’s NBTC and Germany’s TÜV Rheinland.
Confirmed: Samsung Galaxy S21 series launching Jan 14
The Samsung Galaxy S21 series — possibly the worst kept secret on the internet today — has a launch date. The Korean electronics giant today officially announced that its next Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for January 14, just as earlier predicted.
SpaceX Starlink satellite internet could be in PH in Q3 2021
If 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic has taught us anything at all, it’s the importance of having access to fast and reliable internet. Unfortunately for many, this has remained elusive over the last several years despite the expanded availability of fiber-based broadband and rollout of next-generation technologies like 5G in key cities and locations across the Philippines.
Redmi 9 now up to P1,000 less at Xiaomi PH stores
The Xiaomi Redmi 9, one of the most value-packed smartphones to come out of 2020, is now more affordable than ever in the Philippines, thanks to a recent price cut. This makes it a more attractive and more attainable option, especially for mobile gamers looking for a budget handset that can play most modern games at decent frame rates.
Galaxy Buds Pro on PH site, could launch with Galaxy S21
Samsung is expected to announce its flagship Galaxy S21 series later this month, possibly as soon as January 14 — much earlier than usual, if rumors are to be believed. Whether the leaks are true, it’s likely that the Korean company will launch the Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro in the Philippines soon. Perhaps alongside the Galaxy S21 phones.
Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro to launch in February — report
In case you missed the announcement, we didn’t see a Pro variant launch alongside the Xiaomi Mi 11 that debuted in China a couple of days ago. And it might be a while before we get our hands on the more premium model in the lineup, if the recent rumblings are true.
Launched: Xiaomi Mi 11, world’s 1st Snapdragon 888 phone
Xiaomi just took the wraps off the Mi 11 in China, debuting the successor to its successful Mi 10 lineup. Unfortunately, we didn’t see a Pro variant during the launch’s keynote, but considering everything the latest Mi flagship has to offer, including a sizable quad-curved 2K screen and cutting-edge internals, we doubt anyone was seriously disappointed especially given the local pricing.
Like iPhone 12, Xiaomi Mi 11 won’t come with charger
Remember when Apple launched the iPhone 12 series without a charger in the box, and then a lot of rival companies mocked the U.S. tech giant online? One of those companies happened to be Xiaomi, which recently confirmed it would follow Apple‘s footsteps with its upcoming flagship smartphone. Just as we predicted two months ago.
MediaTek beats Qualcomm to become top chipmaker in Q3 2020
Following a strong third quarter in 2020, MediaTek has surpassed Qualcomm to be the top smartphone-chipset vendor for the first time, according to market analyst Counterpoint Research. The Taiwanese chipmaker expanded its market share to 31% last quarter from 26% in the same period as last year.
Mate vs Mate: Huawei outdoes self in camera-phone rankings
Well, this is quite expected. After climbing the top of DxOMark’s smartphone-camera rankings with the Huawei Mate 40 Pro, the technology giant has outdone itself in the imaging department. Once again.
Vivo S1 Pro P4,000 off original price for limited time
The Vivo S1 Pro is now more affordable than ever in the Philippines, thanks to a recent price cut. For a limited time, you can score one of Vivo‘s AMOLED-equipped, selfie-focused midrange smartphones at a more reasonable price of P11,999 (around $248 converted).
iPhone 12 chip beats Snapdragon 888 in benchmarks
Qualcomm announced its flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset earlier this month, and the 5nm chip is expected to power many of tomorrow’s top-end devices — some variants of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 series included. Xiaomi, OPPO, and Realme will launch their own Snapdragon 888-based devices as well.