RDK Gadgets

Thursday, September 5, 2024

Xiaomi Redmi 14C? New affordable smartphone with improved display and battery!

 In the near future, Xiaomi is reportedly preparing its latest flagship line, which is expected to feature top-notch camera quality in collaboration with Leica. However, in a surprising move, the popular brand has first updated its entry-level smartphone offerings. Enter the Xiaomi Redmi 14C, featuring a more stylish design and a larger display with plenty of screen space.

Xiaomi is preparing to launch the Redmi 14C smartphone, which will impress with a larger display, a stronger battery and a 50 MP camera. Although the official launch has not yet taken place, thanks to leaked information we know what to expect. Redmi 14C offers HD+ resolution, up to 8 GB of RAM and a modern design.


Xiaomi Redmi 14C? New affordable smartphone with improved display and battery!


Xiaomi Redmi 14C Specs

  • Xiaomi redmi 14c is an upcoming 4G smartphone that will impress with its specifications.
  • show it has a size of 6.88 inches and has an HD+ resolution with a refresh rate of 90 Hz.
  • Main rear camera it has 50 MP, which guarantees quality photos.
  • The device is powered by processor MediaTek Helio G91 SoC.
  • Available memory variants include 4GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
  • Battery with a capacity of 5 mAh** supports charging via a 160 W cable.
  • For added security the phone has a fingerprint sensor on the side.
  • Color variants will be available: gradient blue, black and green with faux leather.

In recent generations, Xiaomi has brought the Redmi C Series up a notch in terms of specifications—while the more affordable options are now filled by the Redmi A Series. The Redmi 14C serves as an alternative to entry-level Android smartphones with comprehensive features, including the presence of an NFC sensor, which is especially important for users in large cities as a modern payment method.

In terms of appearance, the Redmi 14C’s design looks vastly different from its predecessor. The rear design, in particular, is reminiscent of the latest smartphone series from OPPO, such as the Reno12 F, or the realme Number Series, all of which feature a large camera module with multiple sensor circles. This gives the Redmi 14C a more premium look.

Expanding on the design, Xiaomi offers four different color options for the Redmi 14C. Besides Midnight Black and Dreamy Purple, there’s a Sage Green option with a surface that mimics vegan leather, and a Starry Blue version that combines two distinct colors. The device is slightly larger than its predecessor, with a thickness of 8.22mm.

The reason for the increased dimensions can be attributed to two upgraded features. First, the Redmi 14C now has a larger display, measuring 6.88 inches, making it the largest in the Redmi series. The resolution remains limited to HD+, but the refresh rate has been increased from 90Hz to 120Hz. The screen also supports up to 600 nits of brightness and meets TUV Rheinland standards for eye protection.

Another enhancement contributing to the larger size is the battery. The Redmi 14C now has a slightly larger capacity at 5,160 mAh, claimed to provide up to 22 hours of video playback and 42 hours of video calling. It also comes with 18W fast charging and Xiaomi’s Smart Charging Engine, designed to prolong battery life.

Xiaomi has also equipped the device with a refreshed chipset, the MediaTek Helio G81 Ultra octa-core processor, paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM (expandable to 16GB with RAM expansion) and eMMC 5.1 storage up to 512GB. Architecturally, this chipset is quite similar to the Helio G85 found in the Redmi 13C.

Redmi 14C’s Selfie Camera Supports Night Mode

Although the Redmi 14C’s camera module appears large, suggesting a focus on photography, the hardware upgrade is actually in the front camera. The rear features a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor, along with a secondary sensor and flash, while the other circles on the module are merely for text prints.

To enhance responsiveness when capturing moments, Xiaomi has included its Imaging Engine in this affordable Redmi model, which not only speeds up image capture but also improves overall image quality. On the front, the selfie camera has been upgraded from 8MP to 13MP f/2.0, with support for night mode.

Xiaomi has already listed the complete product page on its global website. Will it be even more affordable when it officially launches in Indonesia? We’ll have to wait and see in the coming weeks!

What does Siri need to learn in iOS 18 to finally become competitive?

 Siri, Apple's virtual assistant, has been a staple feature of iOS since its introduction in 2011. However, despite being one of the first mainstream voice assistants, Siri has often lagged behind competitors like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa in terms of intelligence, adaptability, and overall functionality. As we look toward the future of iOS, especially with the anticipated iOS 18 release, there are several key areas where Siri must improve to become more competitive.

People have been complaining about Siri for years, saying that it lags behind Alexa and Google Assistant, the most widely used personal assistants available on various electronic devices. But we have a strong start in AI here and we have WWDC24 ahead of us, so a lot of things can change for the better.

Apple Siri has long since needed to make some significant improvements, and now it’s time to show its strength. But the company has a well-established strategy for adopting new technologies. It prefers to let other companies suffer the “birth pains” and will only enter a segment when it is confident that it will succeed in the competitive battle.

But now there is nothing and why wait. It is with WWDC that we expect that Apple will put its full power into AI, and this includes significant improvements to Siri, which probably would not be possible without this assistant. This is not only evident from leaks but also from Tim Cook himself. So what can you expect?


What does Siri need to learn in iOS 18 to finally become competitive?


App Access and Generative AI

One of Siri’s biggest weaknesses is that it can’t interact with other apps in any meaningful way. Sure, it can control smart home devices, and there are Siri Shortcuts, but generally speaking, Siri won’t help you if the thing you want to do requires a third-party app. This is based on the fact that Apple wanted Siri to do less, but do it better. Now it’s time to change that.

If Siri can figure out what we’re really trying to achieve, and connect with third-party apps and services like Uber, Booking.com, transportation companies, etc., it gives us the ability to use multiple apps to perform complex tasks, which is unavoidable without generative AI. We all know ChatGPT and how we can interact with this chatbot in such a way that we don’t get machine-like answers, but often answers that make it hard to believe that there isn’t a real person on the other end. Siri should be that way too.

Everything would work simply and intuitively. You would ask Siri to take you directly to point B at a certain time and she would do that with the company of your choice. So if I travel more by train than by bus, the second option is no problem. Moreover, he easily books a stay if I am there longer. He does not need to know the entrance, he knows where I am.

1. Enhanced Contextual Understanding

One of the most significant limitations of Siri is its poor ability to understand context in conversations. Google Assistant, for example, can remember previous queries and provide more nuanced responses based on the context of the ongoing conversation. Siri needs to adopt a more advanced contextual understanding in iOS 18 to stay competitive.

What Is Contextual Understanding?

Contextual understanding refers to Siri’s ability to track the conversation’s flow, remember previous commands or questions, and apply that knowledge to respond more intelligently. For example:

  • If you ask, “What’s the weather tomorrow?” followed by “Will it rain in the afternoon?” Siri should understand that "it" refers to tomorrow's weather without needing repeated details.

By learning to interpret multi-step interactions, Siri can become more conversational and natural to use.

2. Better Integration with Third-Party Apps

Currently, Siri’s integration with third-party apps is limited compared to other voice assistants. While Apple has made some progress with Siri Shortcuts, which allow users to create custom commands for apps, the system remains rigid and clunky.

What Siri Needs:

  • Open APIs for developers to create deeper integrations.
  • More robust app-specific commands and the ability for Siri to launch complex tasks within third-party apps without needing manual setup.

Improving third-party app support would allow Siri to offer a more seamless experience for users who depend on a variety of apps beyond Apple’s ecosystem.

3. Advanced Personalization and Learning

To compete with AI-powered assistants like Google Assistant, Siri must get smarter over time by learning from user behavior. Currently, Siri lacks the ability to learn preferences, make personalized recommendations, or adjust responses based on habits.

How Personalization Can Help:

  • Learning Daily Routines: Siri could offer personalized reminders, shortcuts, or notifications based on the user’s schedule or routines.
  • Recommendation Algorithms: By learning what type of content users prefer, Siri could recommend music, TV shows, or even news articles tailored to individual tastes.

Personalized AI assistants are becoming the norm, and Siri needs to leverage machine learning to offer more relevant and helpful recommendations.

4. Multitasking and More Complex Commands

One of the major complaints from users is Siri’s inability to handle complex or multi-part commands. Google Assistant and Alexa can string together multiple actions in a single command, while Siri often falls short in these scenarios.

What Multitasking Could Look Like:

  • Chained Commands: Allow Siri to handle multiple requests within one command. For instance, “Turn on the lights, lower the thermostat, and play my morning playlist” should be a single, smooth action.
  • Task Execution in the Background: Siri could manage tasks like sending emails, updating social media, or running scripts in the background while users focus on other activities.

Improving Siri’s ability to handle multi-step tasks would dramatically enhance its usability and competitiveness.

5. Offline Functionality

Siri currently requires an internet connection to function properly. This makes it less reliable in situations where connectivity is limited. Competing assistants, like Google Assistant, offer limited offline capabilities for basic tasks.

Essential Offline Skills Siri Needs:

  • Basic commands like setting alarms, sending texts, or controlling music playback should be available offline.
  • Processing Speech Locally: With advances in local machine learning, Siri could handle voice recognition and simple tasks without needing the cloud.

By learning how to operate without a constant internet connection, Siri would become more versatile and dependable.

6. Improved Natural Language Processing (NLP)

Siri’s responses can sometimes feel robotic or overly formal, making conversations with the assistant less natural than with competitors like Alexa or Google Assistant.

How NLP Enhances Siri’s Experience:

  • More Natural Responses: Siri needs to improve its ability to respond in a conversational tone, using more human-like expressions.
  • Accurate Speech Recognition: Better NLP could lead to fewer errors when interpreting accents, slang, or casual language, improving Siri’s accuracy.

Improved NLP would make Siri easier to interact with, especially for users with different speech patterns or languages.

7. Cross-Platform Expansion

Apple has traditionally limited Siri to its own ecosystem, while other assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are available across various platforms. Expanding Siri’s capabilities to work better with non-Apple devices could give it a competitive edge.

What Cross-Platform Integration Could Look Like:

  • Siri on More Devices: Expanding Siri’s functionality to work with non-Apple smart home devices, TVs, or even Android systems would widen its appeal.
  • Cross-Device Continuity: Allowing Siri to offer seamless continuity between iPhones, iPads, Macs, and non-Apple devices could provide a more cohesive user experience.

Conclusion

Siri has been a reliable assistant within the Apple ecosystem, but to truly compete with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, it needs to evolve in several areas. From enhancing contextual understanding to improving third-party app integration, personalization, and multitasking, iOS 18 offers Apple a significant opportunity to transform Siri into a more competitive, intelligent assistant. By focusing on these key areas, Siri can finally become the smarter, more capable virtual assistant that Apple users deserve.

How to Change Siri Voice on iPhone

 Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, can be customized to speak in different voices and accents. Whether you're looking to change the accent or simply want Siri to sound different, it's easy to update the voice on your iPhone. Follow this guide to learn how to change Siri’s voice and personalize your experience.


How to Change Siri Voice on iPhone


Why Change Siri’s Voice?

Changing Siri’s voice can offer a fresh experience when interacting with your iPhone. You can select from various accents and gendered voices, depending on your preference. Apple allows users to choose voices that suit their style, region, or language needs.

Steps to Change Siri’s Voice

Here’s a step-by-step guide to changing Siri’s voice on your iPhone:

1. Open the Settings App

To begin, unlock your iPhone and locate the Settings app, represented by the gear icon. Tap on it to enter the main settings menu.

2. Navigate to Siri & Search

Scroll down the Settings menu until you see Siri & Search. Tap this option to access Siri's settings.

3. Tap on Siri Voice

In the Siri & Search menu, you’ll find an option labeled Siri Voice. Tap on it to see the available voices for your region.

4. Choose Your Preferred Siri Voice

In the Siri Voice settings, you will see two main options to customize:

A. Select a Variety (Accent)

Under the Variety section, you can choose from different accents, such as:

  • American
  • Australian
  • British
  • Indian
  • Irish
  • South African

Tap on the variety that best suits your preference.

B. Select a Voice (Gender and Tone)

Within each variety, there will be numbered voices like Voice 1, Voice 2, etc. These voices differ in gender and tone. For example, Voice 1 might be male, and Voice 2 female. Listen to the previews and select the one you prefer.

5. Wait for the Voice to Download

Once you've selected the new Siri voice, your iPhone will begin downloading the voice data. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet connection.

Tips for Customizing Siri

  • Change Siri’s Language: If you want Siri to speak a completely different language, you can also do so in the Language section under Siri & Search.
  • Test the Voice: You can test the new voice by activating Siri with a question, such as "What's the weather like today?"

Conclusion

Changing Siri’s voice on your iPhone is a quick way to personalize your device and make it more enjoyable. With a variety of accents and tones, you can select the voice that best fits your style. Follow the steps outlined above, and enjoy your new Siri experience!

Are we dealing with a new evil here? Hardware is ready before software

 Apple introduced iOS 18 to us at WWDC in June and will definitely release it officially in September. The problem is that this system won’t have the biggest appeal in the form of artificial intelligence. And it looks like even Google’s Android 15 might not keep up.

We expected a lot from iOS 18 in terms of redesign and AI. The former will come with the sharp release of the system in September, but we’ll have to wait for the latter. iOS 18, which iPhone 16 will also include by default, will not include these features Apple Intelligence simply because the company didn’t have time to debug them properly.

So if Apple’s AI is supposed to be the main selling point of the new product, this is a significant problem. Apple is thus the first example of software development becoming more annoying than hardware development.


Are we dealing with a new evil here? Hardware is ready before software


Samsung and Google

The second example is Samsung. It was supposed to release a beta version of its One UI 7 superstructure on Android 15 this week, but that didn’t happen. The company has delayed the release to the third week of August, as it doesn’t even have time to distribute the sharp One UI 6.1. 1 superstructure.

But that’s perhaps the least of the problems here, as One UI 7 isn’t tied to the release of new hardware. The One UI 6.1. 1 superstructure was first introduced to jigsaw puzzles in mid-July, though, and should also reach the company’s older flexible devices, tablets, and the Galaxy S series.

And thirdly, there is Google. He is currently preparing Android 15, but he has cut a bit of a branch under himself. In recent years he has presented the new Pixels in October, but this year he is doing it on August 13th. And with the new Pixels of course came the new Android, so this year it should be Android 15. But by moving the deadline, Google lost two months of testing.

Current news so they say that it is very possible that the Pixel 9 will come out with Android 14 and then get Android 15 as an update later. Basically it would be the same scenario as with iOS 18 and with iOS 18.1.

So it seems that companies have no problem developing and releasing new hardware, but with tuning their system to it. Google can take ugly revenge because it wants to catch up with the iPhone 9 with the Pixel 16.

Tuesday, August 8, 2023

Oppo Reno 10 Pro review: Looks high-end, but it is not!

 In this review we look at the Oppo Reno 10 Pro. That is a bit of a wolf in sheep's clothing: at first glance it looks like a high-end smartphone, but on closer inspection it is a bit disappointing.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro Phone Review

The Oppo Reno 10 series consists of three devices: the Reno 10, Reno 10 Pro and Reno 10 Pro Plus. Unfortunately, the latter variant does not appear on our market.

This makes the Oppo Reno 10 Pro that we discuss in this review the best smartphone that Oppo will release in the Netherlands this year. We will also not see the absolute flagships of the Chinese company, those in the Find X6 series, in Europe.

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space has a suggested retail price of 659 euros. That is cheaper than last year's Oppo Reno 8 Pro, which went for 749 euros. Moreover, the device gives a good first impression thanks to its sleek appearance. But there are a few snags.

Oppo Reno 10 Pro review: Looks high-end, but it is not!


Design is great

What a nice device. That was our first thought when we got our hands on the Reno 10 Pro. It feels sturdy, yet quite light. The back has a fine pattern that looks classy and is resistant to fingerprints. We are also pleased with the silver-grey color and oval shape of the camera island. It may look business-like, but at the same time very tight.

The second impression is also good, because the smartphone has very thin screen edges, which are bent at the sides. If you didn't know any better, you'd think the Reno 10 Pro is a true flagship.

We like the design better than that of the Oppo Reno 8 Pro, but strangely enough this new model is no longer officially water resistant. It has no IP certification.

Good and smooth screen

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro has a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2412 by 1080 pixels. That looks great in almost all circumstances.

Only when the sun shines very hard, which it rarely does this summer, can you have trouble reading the display. The maximum brightness is 950 nits, but that only applies to small parts of the screen. The entire display does not exceed 800 nits.

The refresh rate is 120Hz, which means that the pixels refresh 120 times per second. That looks very smooth. You can also choose to let the screen determine how often the pixels refresh.

Then it switches back to 60Hz if you type an e-mail, for example. That saves the battery somewhat. It is even possible to always run the display at 60Hz, but that looks very stuttery and we therefore advise against it.

There is no layer of Gorilla Glass on the screen, as with many other smartphones, but Asahi Glass AGC DT-Star2 glass. That should protect you from scratches. In addition, Oppo already applies a screen protector at the factory, which is nice.

For its price, hardware is below average

So far we've been pretty excited about the Oppo Reno 10 Pro, but that's about to change, unfortunately. The device runs on a Snapdragon 778G processor. That is an old beast that was already in the Samsung Galaxy A52s two years ago. A smartphone that then, in 2021, cost 449 euros. The Oppo Reno 8 Pro had a much faster MediaTek Dimensity 8100 Max chip.

Why Oppo dares to put a midrange processor from two generations ago in a smartphone of 659 euros, we do not know exactly. Perhaps the company wanted to make a luxury-looking phone for people who don't care much about performance. That's the only reason we can think of: Oppo had to cut back on the hardware because it put so much thought into the exterior.

Is the Reno 10 Pro a slow phone? Not that either. It currently processes most tasks smoothly, although we sometimes saw a small delay when switching between apps.

It gets a bit more difficult with heavy games and we wonder how this device will perform in two years. It especially stings that a much cheaper competitor such as the OnePlus Nord 3 is 50 to almost 90 percent (!) faster in various tests.

It has also been quite a long time since we saw a smartphone in this price range without stereo speakers. Still, the Reno 10 Pro really only has one speaker. It can be loud, but sounds very shrill, which actually forces you to use earplugs. Wireless then, because a headphone jack is missing. Fortunately, the fingerprint scanner under the screen works well.

Awesome main camera

On the back of the Reno 10 Pro we find three usable lenses, which is quite special for a mid-range smartphone. In addition to the 50 megapixel main camera, there is a wide-angle lens (8 megapixel) and a telephoto camera (32 megapixel).

The latter brings the image 'only' 2x closer. According to Oppo, this is a conscious choice. For example, the camera has a focal length of 46 millimeters. This brings it close to the 50 millimeter lens that many street photographers use.

Whether you believe that is of course the question. The camera may also be slightly cheaper than a copy that zooms in 3x or 5x.

Main camera

There is nothing wrong with the main camera. Photos have a nice contrast, shadows fortunately remain fairly dark and the HDR function also works well. In addition, the colors look very nice.

Wide angle lens

The wide-angle lens is a bit stark compared to that. Due to the low resolution, the level of detail is disappointing and the photos are downright blurry in the corners. It's a nice lens for the side, but you can't shoot more than pictures for social media with it. Because the software tries to compensate for the small sensor, they have an artificial look.

Telephoto lens

The telephoto lens is qualitatively in between the main camera and wide-angle lens. It shoots quite good photos, but we always have reservations about a camera that only zooms in 2x. With a good main camera, such as that of this Oppo Reno 10 Pro, you can easily zoom in 2x digitally without enormous loss of quality.

We would have preferred a lens that brings the image 3 or 4x closer. The app also offers the option to zoom in 5x, but that is purely digital and does not look nice.

Portrait function

On the other hand, the Oppo Reno 10 Pro has an excellent portrait mode that provides fine, blurred backgrounds. Even the photo on the right looks fine, while it must not be an easy job for the software to separate the layers in it.

Night mode

When night falls, we see the same pattern as during the day. The main camera shoots the best photos by far, but the telephoto lens also does quite well. The wide-angle lens falls through the basket. That photo is very out of focus and, moreover, the software has made it much too bright.

Fairly short software support

The Oppo Reno 10 Pro runs on Android 13 with Oppo's own ColorOS skin over it. It fits a lot and looks very busy. Moreover, there are again many apps pre-installed on the phone that you are probably not waiting for.

We will not name them, because then we will advertise even more. That's it, of course: advertising, which these companies probably pay Oppo heavily for.

You only get two major upgrades, to Android 14 and 15. That's scant, just like the three years of security patches that Oppo promises. Competitors such as Samsung and OnePlus are doing better. For example, the aforementioned OnePlus Nord 3, which has a suggested retail price of 449 euros, will receive three new Android versions and four years of security patches.

Fast charging, good battery life

The battery of the Reno 10 Pro has a capacity of 4600 mAh. We achieved a screen time of about seven hours, spread over a day and a half. Of course, these figures depend on your use and how bright you set the screen.

Still, we dare to say that there is nothing wrong with the battery life. Even if you spend all day on your smartphone, you will almost always make it to the end of the day.

If that doesn't work, then there's no man overboard yet. Oppo puts an 80 Watt charger in the box, which takes the device from 0 to 100 percent battery in about 35 minutes.

Fifteen minutes on the charger means that you can go ahead for quite a few hours. Refueling battery juice wirelessly is unfortunately not possible.


Conclusion Oppo Reno 10 Pro review

Form over function. That's the best way to describe the Oppo Reno 10 Pro. The first impression of the device is very good, because the design and screen are fine. If you take a closer look, the smartphone unfortunately turns out not to be as high-end as hoped.

The Snapdragon 778 chip in particular is a disappointment. It is a lot slower than the processor of its immediate predecessor and that of its main competitors. In addition, the Reno 10 Pro no longer has stereo speakers and has to do without an official IP rating.

If you are very fond of the appearance, you can of course consider this device. It has a good main camera and charges nice and fast. Keep in mind the moderate update policy. Only two new Android versions and three years of security patches is on the thin side in this price range.

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Samsung Galaxy M20: its European launch is approaching

Samsung Galaxy M20: its European launch is approaching

Samsung introduced in January the first two models of its new range M. Marketed in India for a few days, the Galaxy M20 could benefit from an international launch, especially in Europe. It remains to be seen if he will arrive in Europe and when?

One of Samsung's great qualities is its incredible adaptability. When the need arises, the Korean group modifies its strategy to recreate a dynamic of growth. Twice, this was the case in telephony. First in 2008, when the advent of touch screens, with the iPhone as a source of inspiration, Samsung gradually abandoned the feature phones to quickly become number 1 worldwide, while Nokia and BlackBerry were sinking.

Then in 2014, the Galaxy S5, successor to the bestseller Galaxy S4, saw its sales figures drastically decline because considered less qualitative and less innovative than the iPhone. A disenchantment that led to an overhaul of Samsung's strategy with the Galaxy S, Galaxy A and Galaxy J. Four years later, the advent of Chinese brands like Huawei / Honor, Xiaomi, Oppo / OnePlus forced Samsung to review again its catalog and the speed of integration of new technologies in its catalog.

The mid-range better equipped and faster
The Galaxy M20 is a very good example of the result of this redesign. First member with the Galaxy M10 of a new family of products, the Galaxy M20 is a low cost smartphone that benefits from a notch screen and a dual photo sensor, two features we would not have seen arrive as fast in the low cost segment two years ago. And it's not its only assets: 5000 mAh battery, Exynos 7904 octo-core, up to 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, 8 megapixel webcam, and full connectivity.

Not to mention the price: between 135 and 160 euros in India, depending on the configuration. Made in India, the mobile is sold only on the Internet through flash sales. On the occasion of the presentation of the Galaxy M20, we wondered if the smartphone could benefit from a more traditional international marketing. And it seems that the answer is yes. The SamMobile website reveals that the smartphone could arrive in Europe.

Is it adaptable in Europe?
The specialized site has indeed received several versions of the Galaxy M20 firmware for the German, Spanish and Italian markets. If these versions have been developed, they will have to one day serve something. You will notice that in this short list Europe is not quoted. We do not think it will be forgotten. However, in the past, Samsung France has chosen not to market some models to avoid competing with others. And to believe the recent leaks, the Galaxy A30 could be technically very close to the Galaxy M20. So that one of the two could not be launched in the Hexagon.

Xiaomi accompanies the Mi 9 of a "lite" version, the Mi 9 SE

Xiaomi accompanies the Mi 9 of a "lite" version, the Mi 9 SE

Discovered recently, the Mi 9 SE was present at the press conference of Mi 9 Xiaomi. The mid-range premium smartphone promises to be an excellent alternative to the flagship 9 for those who are looking for a cheaper alternative.

Xiaomi introduced two smartphones today. Choosing the same day as the Unpacked conference was certainly a provocation, but it also confirms how much comparison with Samsung and with Huawei (whose goal is to assume the role of leader by the end of next year maximum) is important. We have already introduced the Mi 9 flagship model of the brand and successor of the Mi 8. It is a high-end smartphone, with all the finery and services expected, for a very modest price.

A value for money always very interesting
Yesterday, we discovered, thanks to the site Gizchina and the online merchant JD, that Xiaomi also expected to accompany the Mi 9 with a light version called Mi 9 SE. And that was confirmed today. This smartphone has been made official with the Mi 9. It succeeds the Mi 8 SE and could, like the latter, remain an exclusivity of the Chinese market. This may seem a shame as the price / quality ratio of Mi 9 SE is interesting. Because the Mi 9 SE presents an evolution facing the Mi 8 SE identical to that of the Mi 9 vis-à-vis the Mi 8.

On the design side, first of all, we find the mineral glass sandwich already crossed in the Mi 9. The two faces are of the Gorilla 5 of Corning. The slices are protected by aluminum. Here too, the fingerprint reader disappears to be reinstated on the inside of the screen. The notch becomes smaller to integrate only the webcam (there was no advanced facial recognition on the Mi 8 SE anyway). The photo block is adorned with a third eye and everything is here also underlined by an LED flash.

The first mobile under Snapdragon 712
The screen of the Mi 9 SE is smaller than that of the MI 9, but slightly larger than that of the Mi 8 SE: 5.97 inches against 5.88 inches. The ratio changes very slightly, the definition is identical (Full HD +) and the resolution too. The screen is Super AMOLED and HDR compatible. Under the screen hides the Snapdragon 712, replacing the Snapdragon 710. This is the first time that the new premium octo-core Qualcomm is integrated into a phone. It comes with 6 GB of RAM and 64 or 128 GB of storage, still without extension. The battery is a model of 3070 mAh (a little behind the Mi 8 SE), always compatible fast charge. But still not wireless charge.

Xiaomi accompanies the Mi 9 of a "lite" version, the Mi 9 SE

Photo side, we find a triple photo sensor. The main component is the same 48 megapixel model as the Mi 9. It is here also accompanied by a lens that opens at f / 1.8, but a phase-detection autofocus only (no laser for any of the sensors). The second sensor is a 13-megapixel model with wide-angle lens opening at f / 2.4 and phase-detection autofocus. It's a little less bright than the 16-megapixel Mi 9. And the last is an 8-megapixel model with telephoto lens opening at f / 2.4 and phase-detection autofocus. Again, less light. But the 2x optical zoom is always present.

Sold 300 euros in its best version
The whole film in 2160p at 30 frames per second and rises to 960 frames per second in 720p. At the front we find the webcam of Mi 9, Mi 8 and Mi 8 SE: a 20 megapixel model with lens opening at f / 2.0 and HDR compatibility. The overall equipment of the phone also includes an LTE modem, WiFi ac and Bluetooth 5.0, an NFC sensor, a USB type C port, a full GPS sensor and two SIM ports. No jack 3.5 mm here either (or adapter, good things are lost). The colors are three in number: purple, blue and gray.

The price of the phone is relatively low for such services: 1999 yuan (263 euros) version 6 + 64 GB and 2299 yuan (302 euros) version 6 + 128 GB.