Vivo is aiming to compete with Apple and Samsung in the premium smartphone market in India

By: Priya Singh

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Updated on: 14-May-2022

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According to Raju Pullan, Senior Vice President, MX Business, Samsung India, the company's growth in March indicates a stronger double-digit increase in the current April-June quarter (Q2). The fact that Samsung is growing in India shows that it has overcome component shortages that have afflicted most of its competitors.

"This growth is impressive given that the entire sector is experiencing supply chain restrictions, and Samsung, by leveraging its vertically integrated supply chain experience and size, could better navigate the shortages," said Neil Shah, Vice President of Counterpoint Research.

Within a month of its sale, the Galaxy S22 series became Samsung's best-selling flagship smartphone in India. "Samsung's smartphone business grew by 9% in value in the first quarter compared to the same period last year," Pullan said.

Vivo is strengthening its attention on the premium part of the market in order to compete with Apple and Samsung in the country. In the previous 12 months, the business, which co-creates its premium phones with Zeiss, claimed to have gained 300 percent in the Rs 30,000 and above price range in the offline channel, and it expects the same development trajectory this year.

Paigam Danish's India director of business strategy said "In the previous 12 months, we have increased 300 percent in the offline channel for the premium sector because we launched the right product at the right time. It gives us hope to keep releasing new things. For premium phones, the online channel has expanded. We've grown a lot, but not as much as we did offline."

The premium market seems promising. We are certain that we will see tremendous growth this year. According to Danish, the premium smartphone market in the country is developing, with users searching for more than simply performance. "When looking for luxury phones to upgrade, consumers prioritise design and camera."

India is still a smartphone upgrading market, with most people looking to upgrade to the next price tier when purchasing a new phone. This is one of the primary reasons for the premium market's continued expansion. According to Counterpoint, Apple remained the top-selling premium brand in the Rs 30,000 and above price range in the first quarter, followed by Samsung and OnePlus. As a result of Apple's success, companies such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Realme are focusing more on the country's premium market.

"Many brands are introducing multiple goods in this price range. It's a market that will continue to expand," Danish added. According to Counterpoint, Vivo has a 15% market share in the Indian smartphone industry in the first quarter of 2022. "the Omicron wave in the country during the first month of the quarter, which impacted the offline market, focusing more on the mid and premium categories, and growing competitiveness affecting volumes in the mass-market segment," according to the research firm.

According to the Vivo CEO “Affordability and financing options, are also important factors in the premium segment's rise.” "Affordability is making expensive phones more accessible. Cashbacks were previously available, but now EMIs, subscriptions, and a variety of additional incentives are available," he noted.

The X series of premium smartphones is now being expanded by the corporation. It has co-engineered the camera technology with Zeiss once again, like with prior generation X series handsets.

"The Vivo X80 series is part of our overall plan to strengthen it... We conducted research in India and tailored the product to the Indian market," Danish explained.

The Vivo X80 series, the company's flagship device, will also be available in India.

It plans to invest an additional Rs 1,600 crore by 2023 to treble its annual domestic production capacity and establish India as a worldwide export powerhouse.

Itel Zeno 10 to Launch in India This January 2025

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 30-Dec-2024

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Itel is gearing up to expand its budget smartphone lineup with the launch of the Itel Zeno 10 in India this January 2025. Aimed at Gen-Z customers, the phone promises to deliver modern features at an affordable price, starting under ₹6,000. With an emphasis on style and functionality, the Zeno 10 is expected to be a game-changer in the entry-level smartphone market.

Launch and Pricing

The Itel Zeno 10 may be introduced in the Indian market in January 2025, with sales exclusively through Amazon. The teaser poster on the Amazon microsite hints at the starting price, showcasing the tagline "₹5XXX," which confirms the handset will cost less than ₹6,000. While this price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers, higher RAM and storage variants may come at slightly higher costs.

Design and Display

The Zeno 10 features a youthful and stylish design with a square rear camera module housing dual sensors and an LED flash. It comes in black with eye-catching red and white patterns. The phone has a centered waterdrop notch for the front camera, slim bezels, and a thicker chin, giving it a modern look. Volume and power buttons are conveniently placed on the right for easy access.

Performance and Software

The Itel Zeno 10 will run on Android 14, offering a smooth and updated user experience. It includes unique features like a Dynamic Island-like collapsible bar for multitasking. Powered by a 5,000mAh battery, the phone ensures long-lasting usage, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and everyday tasks.

Key Specification

Conclusion

With its dual rear cameras, modern design, robust battery, and the latest Android 14, the Itel Zeno 10 offers an excellent value proposition for budget smartphone buyers. The affordable pricing under ₹6,000 ensures accessibility to a wide range of customers, particularly Gen-Z users looking for a stylish and feature-rich handset.

As Itel continues to strengthen its presence in the Indian smartphone market, the Zeno 10’s launch could further establish the brand as a go-to choice for budget-conscious buyers. Stay tuned for the official launch details and a closer look at what this promising handset has to offer.

Lava Yuva 2 5G Launched for ₹9,499 with 50MP Camera and Notification Light

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 27-Dec-2024

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Key Highlights

• Lava Yuva 2 5G launched in India for ₹9,499.
• Features a 50MP main camera, a 5000mAh battery, and a notification light.
• Comes in Marble Black and Marble White color options.

Lava has launched the Lava Yuva 2 5G, their newest low-cost 5G smartphone, in India. This phone, which costs ₹9,499, is unique because it has a notification light built into the back camera module. This light is distinct in its category since it blinks in response to incoming calls and app notifications.

The phone can be bought at physical retail outlets and comes in Marble Black and Marble White color options. For extra convenience, Lava also provides free at-home service and a one-year warranty.

Specifications and Features

Pricing and Availability

The Lava Yuva 2 5G is priced at ₹9,499 and is currently available at retail stores across India. The company has not yet confirmed its online availability. The introductory price makes it an excellent choice for users looking for an affordable 5G phone with standout features.

With its budget-friendly price, unique notification light, and solid performance, the Lava Yuva 2 5G is a promising option for buyers seeking value-for-money smartphones.

Google Partners with Anthropic to Improve Gemini AI, Using Claude

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 27-Dec-2024

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Key Highlights

• Google is using Anthropic’s Claude AI to compare and refine responses from its own Gemini AI.
• Contractors hired by Google analyze the outputs for quality, focusing on factors like truthfulness and clarity.
• Claude has stricter safety measures, while Gemini offers detailed but less rigid responses to unsafe prompts.

Google’s Collaboration with Anthropic’s Claude

Google is enhancing the functionality of its own AI system, Gemini, by collaborating with Anthropic's Claude AI model. Google has engaged contractors to assess the responses produced by Gemini and Claude. These contractors evaluate both models' responses to the same prompts and offer comments based on important criteria like:

• Truthfulness
• Clarity
• Verbosity

This feedback helps Google identify areas where Gemini needs improvement, ensuring it becomes more accurate and user-friendly.

How the Evaluation Process Works

Contractors follow a structured approach to assess the AI models:

1. They are given responses from Gemini and Claude for the same prompt.
2. Each response is carefully evaluated based on predefined criteria.
3. Contractors have up to 30 minutes to rate each answer.

This process enables Google to refine Gemini’s output quality and identify where it may fall short compared to Claude.

Claude vs Gemini: Key Differences

Unusual Patterns and Speculations

During the evaluations, the contractors observed some odd trends. Gemini's answers occasionally contained analogies such as "I am Claude, created by Anthropic," which raised questions regarding the connection between the two systems. Given that Google finances Anthropic, this initiated discussion about the possible proximity of Gemini and Claude.

Ethical and Competitive Concerns

To make these comparisons easier, Google provides an internal platform that lets contractors compare various AI models side by side. However, utilizing Claude to develop or train other AI systems is forbidden by Anthropic's terms of service. Given that Google is an investor in Anthropic, it is unclear if this restriction applies to Google.

In response, Shira McNamara, a spokesperson for Google DeepMind, clarified that comparing AI models is a standard practice in the industry. She firmly denied any claims that Google used Claude to train Gemini, calling these allegations inaccurate.

Competition in the AI Industry

This partnership shows the intense competition the AI market is becoming. Big companies like Google are improving their AI models by utilizing both external collaborations and internal innovation. However, it also calls into question how businesses strike a balance between cooperation and rivalry while navigating moral boundaries.

As the AI sector develops, collaborations such as these show how businesses are continuously pushing the boundaries of technology while coming under scrutiny for their moral behavior. Google and Anthropic's partnership serves as a reminder of the prospects and difficulties in the competition to create the most cutting-edge AI systems.

iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition Set to Launch in January 2025

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 27-Dec-2024

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Key Highlights

• iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition launches in January 2025 in China.
• Features a 6,400mAh ultra-thin blue ocean battery with advanced tech.
• Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC for top-tier performance.
• Available in blue, black, and white color options.

iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance

In January 2025, the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition, a long battery-life version of the Z9 Turbo, is expected to make its formal debut in China. Although the precise release date is still unknown, tech fans are buzzing about the phone because iQOO has been teasing its interesting features on social media.

The original iQOO Z9 Turbo, which debuted in April 2024 with a 6,000mAh battery, was a hit, and this new version expands on that. By adding a 6,400mAh battery, the Endurance Edition goes one step further and promises better performance and longer usage.

Innovative Battery Technology

The notable characteristic of the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition is its ultra-thin blue ocean battery technology. Reports indicate that it might employ silicon-carbon anode technology, which is comparable to OnePlus' Glacier battery technology, though specifics are few. Benefits of this cutting-edge battery technology include:

• Longer battery life for extended usage.
• Stable voltage supply for consistent performance.
• Faster charging speeds to minimize downtime.

With these enhancements, the 6,400mAh battery positions the Endurance Edition as a powerhouse for users needing dependable, long-lasting performance.

High-Performance Hardware

The phone is equipped with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, a 4nm processor featuring:

• A Cortex X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz.
• Four Cortex A720 performance cores running at 2.8 GHz.
• Three Cortex A520 efficiency cores tuned at 2.0 GHz.

This combination ensures smooth multitasking, high-speed gaming, and efficient power usage.

Shared Features with iQOO Z9 Turbo

The Endurance Edition is expected to retain many features from the standard iQOO Z9 Turbo, including:

• A 6.78-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and an impressive 4,500 nits peak brightness.
• A 50MP + 8MP dual rear camera setup for versatile photography.
• Connectivity options like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4.
• Support for 80W fast wired charging, ensuring quick power-ups despite the large battery size.

Availability and Colors

In China, the phone will be pre-ordered via shop.vivo.com. It will be available in three attractive colors—white, black, and blue—to suit all kinds of style preferences. It is yet unknown, though, if the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition will be released in markets other than China, such as India.

Anticipation for January Launch

The iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Edition is positioned to be an important release because of its large battery capacity, cutting-edge technology, and high-end specifications. More information is anticipated to become available as the January launch draws near, heightening interest in this potentially powerful smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Expected to Launch on January 22: New Blue-Grey Colour Revealed

By: Bhumika

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Updated on: 27-Dec-2024

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Key Highlights

• Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event is rumored for January 22, 2024.
• Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to feature a new blue-grey color.
• Four smartphones are expected: Galaxy S25, S25 Plus, S25 Ultra, and S25 Slim.
• High-end specs include up to 16GB RAM and 1TB storage for the Ultra.

Samsung’s Upcoming Galaxy S25 Ultra

Samsung is preparing for its yearly Galaxy Unpacked, which may be scheduled for January 22. According to leaks, four new smartphones—the Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra, and the brand-new Galaxy S25 Slim—are going to be unveiled at this event. In addition to these, Samsung is anticipated to release the Galaxy Ring, a wearable of the future.

New Blue-Grey Color Variant Leaked

A new blue-grey color variation of the Galaxy S25 Ultra has been leaked ahead of its official launch. The phone's color is described as a delicate blend of grey and blue, which might appeal to consumers looking for a high-end, modern design. Space grey, deep blue, and light blue are among the other colors that have been talked about in earlier leaks.

Specs for Galaxy S25 Ultra

The Galaxy S25 Ultra is rumored to offer top-tier specifications:

• 16GB RAM will be exclusive to the 512GB and 1TB storage models.
• The base model with 256GB storage will come with 12GB RAM.

This sets the Ultra apart as the flagship model in the S25 lineup, focusing on performance for demanding users.

Pre-Order and Sales Timeline

In South Korea, pre-orders are anticipated to start on January 24 and may end on February 3, 2025. Similar timelines are anticipated for other markets, including the US, where devices will be available for sale by February 7, 2025.

Samsung's launch approach has been constant, as shown with the January 2024 release of the Galaxy S24 series.

Galaxy Unpacked Event

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked events have always been a highlight for tech enthusiasts. With the unveiling of smartphones and the innovative Galaxy Ring, the January 22 launch promises to set the tone for 2025’s tech landscape.