Specs Comparison: OnePlus Nord 2 vs Google Pixel 5a 5G

If you are planning to purchase any high-end Android smartphone, two Major brands— OnePlus, and Google have their best to offer. The companies launched the Nord 2 5G and Pixel 5a 5G smartphones in Q2 of 2021. Here we have created a comparison that will help you to choose between the two devices based on their specifications.

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Before comparing the OnePlus Nord 2 and Google Pixel 5a 5G, let's know about the common grounds of smartphones.

Similarities

• The devices offer a screen resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 20:9 ratio


• Android 11 runs the smartphones out of the box


• Identical Connectivity and sensors: Wi-Fi 802.11, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot, GPS, NFC, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass.

These are the only homogenous aspects that the Nord 2 5G and Pixel 5a 5G share. However, the handsets differ on the major grounds including display, processor, storage configuration, battery capacity, and more.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Google Pixel 5a 5G

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Nokia G50 5G arrives on FCC with 4850 mAh battery, 10W charging

Last month, Nokia's official French account accidentally posted a device— Nokia G50 5G. Earlier this month, the smartphone surfaced on Geekbench and TENAA. And now, the phone has arrived on the FCC website hinting at an imminent launch. Here's what we know about the upcoming smartphone by HMD Global.

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The FCC listing reveals the key details about the connectivity, battery, charging details, and more. As per the listing, the device will have model numbers TA-1390 and TA-1370 depending upon the region. Nokia G50 5G will pack a 4,850 mAh battery with model number P660. Also, it will support 10W charging as revealed by the website. For connectivity purposes, the phone will have various WiFi and 5G bands onboard.

Talking about the design, the Nokia G50 5G will have a schematic design. Concluding, the handset is likely to have a power-cum-side-mounted fingerprint scanner and volume buttons on the right edge. On the other side, there's another button that can be used to invoke the Google Assistant.

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The arrival of the Nokia G50 5G on other certifications disclosed a 6.82-inch IPS LCD HD+ panel. The phone will measure measuring 173.83 x 77.68 x 8.85mm in dimension and weigh 220 grams in size. Snapdragon 480 SoC will run the device under the hood paired with up to 512GB storage and 8GB RAM. Furthermore, it will boost the Android 11 operating system out of the box.

For better image quality, Nokia G50 5G will house a triple rear camera module lead by a 48MP primary sensor. The other two lenses include a 5MP ultrawide snapper and a 2MP sensor to measure depth. While the front side carries an 8MP camera.

Price and Availability

Nokia G50 5G will be available in two color variants of Ocean Blue and Midnight Sun. It will cost EUR 259 (Rs 22,600) or EUR 269 (Rs 23,500) depending upon the storage variants.

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OnePlus ColorOS 12 update schedule: List of supported device

Like every OEM has its customized skin, ColorOS is the one for Oppo since 2013. This year in June, OnePlus and Oppo decided to integrate to work together as a brand. Also, OnePlus choose to unify its customized skin with the one of Oppo. This implies that OxygenOS is merging with Oppo’s ColorOS operating system.

Make sure to visit: Oppo ColorOS 12 official wallpapers are out for download!

Though ColorOS 12 was not released with the Android 12 Beta for Oppo Find X3 Pro. But as the stable version of the next operating system is approaching, Oppo has finally unveiled its new ColorOS 12 skin. To read about the Features, improvements, supported Oppo devices, eligibility, and other details, click on the button below.

All about ColorOS 12

According to OnePlus, the merger will “standardize the software experience and streamline process all coming together to improve the OxygenOS experience.”

Note that the timeline schedule below is for the Chinese version of ColorOS 12. While the update for the global variants can be expected in the coming weeks. Here is a detailed list of OnePlus devices that will receive the new ColorOS 12 update.

OnePlus ColorOS 12: Timeline and Supported Devices

• October 2021
  
  
  
  • OnePlus 9 Pro
  
  
  • OnePlus 9
  
  
  
  


• First Half of 2022
  
  
  
  • OnePlus 9R 5G
  
  
  • OnePlus 8T
  
  
  • OnePlus 8
  
  
  • OnePlus 8 Pro
  
  
  • OnePlus 7T
  
  
  • OnePlus 7T Pro
  
  
  • OnePlus 7
  
  
  • OnePlus 7 Pro
  
  
  
  

According to Oppo, the ColorOS 12 public beta will begin rolling out in early October. The Find X3 series will be the first to receive the update closely followed by the OnePlus 9 series.

Read more: List of smartphones to get Android 12 based ColorOS 12

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Google Duo app is next in line to get the Material You design

In a couple of weeks, Pixel smartphones can finally receive the stable build of Android 12. Meanwhile, Google is transforming its apps to adjust to the new Material You design. Various stock apps by the company now feature the new layout. This includes Gmail, keep, Photos, and more. The latest platform to get in sync with the new theming system is the Google Duo.

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After flashing the update that arrives on version 149.0.395831535, the user can notice several changes with the design and theme. The screen will feature dynamic colors support and the font will be changed to Google Sans for better readability. Also, in July, Google decided to give a separate redesign to the platform, which now shows a floating action button to make a call.

Moreover, the “New Call” button will serve other tasks like creating a new group. Previously, the option had a dedicated button on the home screen. Likewise, the existing groups and contacts are now accessible via the search bar and the new calling button.

[gallery td_gallery_title_input="Google Duo" link="none" columns="5" size="full" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" ids="119369,119368,119367,119366,119365"]

To mention, Android 12 is all based on the “Material You” theme which is all based on personalization. Accompanying this is an engine code-named “monet” that brings a palette of color based on your home screen wallpaper. Thereafter, the apps can apply these colors to their UI in several ways, making it feel personal. All the major Google stock apps have adopted the theme as the stable version is approaching.

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Oppo unveils ColorOS 12: Features, Release Date and More

ColorOS is Oppo's custom operating system built over Android. Since its launch in 2013, ColorOS has been the face of every Oppo smartphone. It is now silently making its way to OnePlus devices. Oppo designed ColorOS 12 to be the best, and it's doing its best to hype it up. We never got to see the ColorOS 12 in Android 12 beta for Oppo Find X3 Pro. As Android 12 is nearing its release date, Oppo unveils the new ColorOS 12 after teasing it for the last few weeks.

Related: Oppo ColorOS 12 official wallpapers are out for download!

Oppo has finally put an end to the rumours and expectations and has finally given us some idea of how Android 12 will look and feel for OPPO, OnePlus, and Realme devices. So let's see what to expect from Oppo's new OS. We'll discuss the visual overhauls, feature additions and improvements, security improvements and optimizations that come with the new ColorOS 12.

ColorOS 12: All you need to know

As we said, Android 12 is all set to launch in the coming weeks, and smartphone manufacturers are rushing to introduce their custom interface. Earlier this week, Samsung started testing the beta version of their One UI 4 based on Android 12. Oppo is now on the run to catch up with Samsung with their new ColorOS 12. 

Features and Improvements

Visual Uplifts

Oppo seems obsessed with the Infinite Design concept, which introduces redesigned icons, avatar emoji, animations, etc. The screenshots shared by Oppo introduces us to their new squircle-shaped acrylic app icons with their consistent shape. The softer colours of these icons are balanced by their detail and texture.



The overall UI seems to be more focused on keeping the user in the centre of the action. Increased text contrast, distinguishing colours and a ton of white space ensures the user can grasp information a lot quicker. 

New tools to play around

ColorOS 12 brings everything promised for Android 12 in the Google I/O 2021 and a lot more. Oppo seems to have put quite an effort into improving their FlexDrop feature. The feature encourages multitasking by letting the user resize on-screen content between full screen, small window, or mini window modes. The Smart Sidebar 2.0 feature is similar to the Edge Panels Samsung have in their phones. Oppo has introduced six new tools in their Smart Sidebar. It will come in handy for playing music from the web in the Music Player app. The users could also use it to compare products and prices on multiple websites. 



ColorOS 12 also brings in Oppo's new Cross-Screen Interconnection feature, which simplifies connectivity between phones and PCs to a great extend. Cross-Screen Interconnection lets users control their phones using a PC, share files, or even edit documents stored on the phone. Oppo has also updated the animations in ColorOS with some fancy new names and gimmicks.



As said earlier, ColorOS 12 comes with Oppo's new avatar emoji feature called Omoji, which is somewhat similar to what Apple did way back in the old days. Omoji lets the users create precise 3D models using Oppo's new and advanced Face Capture algorithm. OPPO has also added a new Car Screen Projection feature in ColorOS 12. It offers support for third-party apps like Kuwo, AutoNavi, Ximalaya, Baidu Maps, etc.

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Performance improvements

We bet most of you will be here for this, and to be honest, Oppo has done a great job optimizing their new OS, at least for the presentation. ColorOS 12 will come equipped with Oppo's new anti-stutter AI engine. The Chinese tech giant claims that this new anti-stutter AI engine can reduce the generation of fragments by processing cold and hot data separately. They also made a bold claim based on a test conducted in their lab. Oppo said that a phone was simulated for 36 months of continuous use. The reduction of the read/write speeds were less than 5%. The overall ageing rate was only 2.75%. However, they didn't get into too much detail about this said simulation.

ColorOS 12: Privacy & Security Features

ColorOS will now notify users if an app uses the microphone, camera, or location. Users of the device will also receive notifications to prevent third-party apps from collecting background data. Detailed permission management is also a cool feature that helps users understand the various permissions and manage them.



ColorOS 12 will now let the user remove metadata from images/videos before sharing. Similar features were implemented by competing OEMs, and good to see Oppo joining the pack. 

ColorOS 12: Launch and Eligibility

As we said earlier, OPPO is on the run to meet up with other OEMs like Samsung. Opps said that the ColorOS 12 public beta will begin rolling out in early October. The Find X3 series will be the first to receive the update closely followed by the OnePlus 9 series. Find X2 series and Reno 6 series will receive the update in November. And for Reno 5 series, K9, A95, Ace 2 series, OnePlus 8 series, expect it to reach you by the end of December. 

Note that these timelines are for the Chinese version of ColorOS 12. News on the global ColorOS 12 rollout can be expected in the coming weeks. Here is a detailed list of Oppo devices that'll get the new ColorOS 12 update.

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Also Read: Google Photos adopt Material You theme without dynamic color

OPPO didn't give us a timeline for Realme phones. But we highly expect it to arrive soon. Above all, Realme has done well in markets like India compared to other Oppo phones. OnePlus users might find it hard digesting the new ColorOS 12 unless it does well from a performance perspective and keep a minimalist design. Oppo has been trying hard to cleanse its operating system, and the recent iterations of ColorOS indicate just that.

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Google Photos adopt Material You theme without dynamic color

The new Material You design by Google is promptly making way for more of its stock apps. Several platforms including Google Keep, Contacts, Gmail, and more now feature a new theming system. The next one to join the party is the Google Photos app.

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Reportedly, Google Photos is adopting the Material You theme, which will extract color from your wallpaper and apply the palette to the app. However, the process is not yet completed as it seems the work is still in progress. You can still notice a few changes though.

Firstly, the bottom bar is now taller, providing more space for the pill-shaped buttons to rest. Secondly, the highlight and other elements of Google Photos are now blue. This means that the app is not making use of the Dynamic color. In fact, it is similar to Google Phone’s Material You theme. But we expect this to change for Pixel owners in the future.

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Moreover, the top of the screen houses the pill-shaped Search bar. Plus, the theme integrates other elements of the app into the background. Also, the buttons including Favorites, Utilities, Archive, Trash, and the tool carousel in the image/video editor now have an elevated and filled look.

Furthermore, the album covers are have rounded corners. In a nutshell, the overall design of the Google Photos app is symmetrical with other stock apps that are in sync with the new Material You design.

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Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro joins the MIUI 21.5 Enhanced update list

The new skin by Xiaomi, MIUI 12.5 enhanced version is expanding to more devices. So far, the version has reached the Mi 11 series, Poco F3, and many more devices. The latest smartphone to get the latest software update is the Mi 10T duo— Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro.

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The new skin for Xiaomi Mi 10T duo is rolling out globally in s stable phase on the firmware version V12.5.4.0.RJDMIXM. Regarding changes, the package carries a month-old security patch, August 2021. The major attraction of the update is the extensive features of the MIUI 12.5 enhanced version. Moreover, the changelog claims to bring fixes in the lock screen, status bar, and notification shade. Refer to the changelog below for precise details.

Changelog

• MIUI12.5 Enhanced
  
  
  
  • Swift performance: More life between the charges.
  
  
  • Focused algorithms: Our new algorithms will dynamically allocate system resources based on specific scenes, ensuring a smooth experience on all models.
  
  
  • Atomized memory: Ultra-fine memory management mechanism will make RAM usage more efficient.
  
  
  • Liquid storage: New sensitive storage mechanisms will keep your system vibrant and responsive as time goes by.
  
  
  • Smart balance: Core system improvements allow your device to make the best of the flagship hardware specs.
  
  
  
  


• System
  
  
  
  • Updated Android Security Patch to August 2021. Increased system security.
  
  
  
  


• Lock screen
  
  
  
  • New: New fingerprint options
  
  
  • Fix: Using Face unlock and Fingerprint unlock simultaneously led to crashes in some cases
  
  
  • Fix: Lock screen notifications disappeared after an ended call
  
  
  • Fix: Memory usage issues when charging animation was displayed
  
  
  • Fix: Lock screen items weren't displayed when super wallpapers and themes were combined
  
  
  
  


• Status bar, Notification shade
  
  
  
  • Optimization: Third-party theme compatibility for the Notification shade
  
  
  • Optimization: Dark mode adjustments for notifications
  
  
  • Fix: Notifications weren't displayed correctly when App lock was used
  
  
  • Fix: Cleaner animations weren't displayed correctly
  
  
  • Fix: Notification shade couldn't be opened in some cases
  
  
  • Fix: Issues with permissions after missed calls
  
  
  • Fix: Player controls weren't always displayed in the Notification shade
  
  
  • Fix: Notifications weren't always displayed correctly when "Raise to Wake" was used
  
  
  • Fix: Buttons weren't always displayed correctly on the notifications when Dark mode was on
  
  
  
  

As the OTA is rolling out in phases, it may take a while to reach all units. Meanwhile, you can manually track the update via the Settings app > Software update > Check for update. Alternatively, you can also apply for the here.

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Google adds snoring detection feature to the Fitbit watch

Snoring is one of the serious health issues yet ignored even if it's annoying. Finally, a tech giant has considered this, and it's none other than Google-owned Fitbit. The company is working to expand its suite of sleep monitoring systems by adding a snoring detection feature.

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Since this summer, Fitbit has been preparing a feature that will detect your excessive snoring and noise level. After a time, it is now finally rolling out in a stable phase via a software update to the app and devices.​

The feature can determine if the snoring is none or mild, moderate (10 to 40% of your time spent asleep), or frequent (more than 40%). However, the wearable can not differentiate individual sleepers despite isolating snoring and other noises. Therefore, there may be some awkward situation if there's any other snorer in the room.

The Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense supports Snore & Noise Detection using the in-built microphones on the device. However, the feature doesn't come for free. The user has to purchase a Fitbit Premium subscription for $10 a month to access it.

Before paying for the Fitbit Premium to access the snoring detection feature, Versa 3 and Sense owners can also sign up for a free trial. Also, keep in note that using a microphone for hours will drain the battery. So, the company recommends maintaining a 40% charge before testing the night trait.

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[Update: August 2021 Patch and more] Realme GT Updates Tracker

In March 2021, the BBK owned brand announced the Realme GT smartphone featuring a 6.43-inch Super AMOLED display. Under the hood, it is powered by an Octa-core processor-based Snapdragon 888 5G SoC. The smartphone ships with Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 out of the box paired with up to 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. Realme GT equips a triple-camera module at the rear with a 64MP primary sensor and a 16MP snapper for selfies.

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Note: We will keep this post updated with the latest updated information regarding the Realme GT  smartphone updates.

• [September 16, 2021]: The first update for the Realme GT in India adds the PC Connect feature, the August 2021 patch. Moreover, it resolves issues with the camera, battery, sensor. The package is bundled with the firmware version RMX2202_11_A.14. Here's the detailed changelog.

Changelog

Security
Integrates the August 2021 Android security patch.
Connection and sharing
Adds the PC Connect feature.
Power consumption
Reduces power consumption when the phone is idle at night.
Reduces power consumption when taking photos in Portrait mode.
Heating
Fixes a heating issue that might occur when your phone is connected to a network.
Sensors
Fixes an issue where the Raise to Wake feature might occasionally fail to work.
Camera
Fixes an issue where video recording at 60 fps might stutter when you open the rear camera from the Lock screen.

• [March 26, 2021]: Realme is pushing the very first software update for the Realme GT. The build brings various bug fixes in China. It can be identified by a firmware version number RMX2202_11_A.13. The package brings the function of automatically increasing the sampling rate of the screen touch in-game scenes to 360Hz. Also, it optimizes the sensitivity of the return gesture and carries several glitch fixes. Visit our dedicated article to read the changelog.

The update is rolling out in a phase-wise manner. Thus, the users may have to wait a while to get the build. You can also check the update status manually by heading over to Settings > Software updates > Check for the updates. Also, we suggest you switch over to a WiFi network to avoid carrier data charges.

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