India

Pocophone F1 offers flagship specs at incredibly affordable price

Taking on the big boys of tech

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If there’s one thing we learned from all the great smartphones that have launched this year, it’s that you don’t have to pay a premium for a flagship experience. Multiple phones have proven this, but the latest entry into the affordable flagship segment may be the most groundbreaking.

Produced by none other than Xiaomi, the Pocophone F1 takes some of the best specs you can find in any smartphone today, and crams it into a handset that costs only US$ 300.

For starters, it has a top-tier Snapdragon 845 processor with up to 8GB of memory and 256GB of expandable storage. These are numbers that rival the best we’ve reviewed, including the OnePlus 6 and Xiaomi’s own Mi Mix 2S.

Adding to the beastly specs is a 4000mAh battery that should last a whole day’s worth of usage. The phone comes with a 18W fast charger that works through its USB-C port. Speaking of connectivity, there’s a 3.5mm audio port, as well.

Since this is made by Xiaomi, MIUI 9.6 based on Android Oreo is in place. This isn’t their usual interface, however; this version has an app drawer like on stock Android so it’s easier to sort apps and widgets on the home screen.

The fingerprint sensor is found on the rear, but you have the option of using face unlock through the infrared camera and illuminator found on top of the 6.18-inch 1080p display, which has an unusual 18.7:9 aspect ratio and notch.

What’s the catch? The build quality isn’t premium; the F1 settles for an all-plastic build and feels really light in one’s hand. And although the cameras seem impressive on paper — an AI-powered 12- and 5-megapixel combo on the rear and 20-megapixel selfie shooter — the image quality is more on the midrange level.

In a way, you can think of the Pocophone F1 as a mix of Xiaomi’s Mi and Redmi series. You get the high-end hardware of the former with the build and camera quality of the latter. It’s an optimized mix that should appeal to both power users and gamers.

India will be the first market to receive this phone, which is locally named Poco F1 in the country. It’ll retail starting at INR 20,999 (US$ 300) for the variant with 6GB of memory and 64GB of storage. The available colors are Graphite Black, Steel Blue, Rosso Red, and a special Armored Edition (using Kevlar aramid fiber).

You can find the rest of the pricing here:

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India

India imposes a ban on imported laptops, tablets, and PCs

Personal orders are still allowed

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August 4, 2023

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There’s no doubt that India is a major market for technology. While the country has its own brand preferences outside of the world’s usual, everyone still wants to get a piece of the market. To the dismay of global companies, the country is realizing the potential of its own market. Effective immediately, India has started restricting imports for new laptops, tablets, and PCs.

Recently, India made some headlines in the smartphone industry. A few companies, including Apple, have poured funds into building factories in India. Locally produced devices will allow these companies to attract the Indian market better. With the new regulations out today, it looks like these brands are going to enjoy a head start over others who aren’t in the country yet.

The Indian government introduced a new restriction (via Reuters) against the importation of “laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, and ultra-small form factor computers and servers” made from other countries. Customers, however, will get an exemption. Airline passengers can still bring in these devices in their luggage. Additionally, a single imported device is allowable when bought through e-commerce platforms. Companies can import their products only by applying for a special license.

In a nutshell, bulk orders without a license are out. The government is instead encouraging users to buy locally produced products as part of its “Make in India” program. At the very least, it’s not a total ban on foreign brands. For example, Dell, HP, and Lenovo are exempt from the regulations since they already have production facilities built in the country.

SEE ALSO: Samsung overtakes Xiaomi as top phone brand in India

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India

Samsung overtakes Xiaomi as top phone brand in India

As of Q4 2022

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March 17, 2023

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Attacking a huge smartphone market is difficult. With preferences constantly evolving, it can get tricky to figure out the best lineup to capture most of a market. Samsung, however, has just done it. In the last quarter of 2022, Samsung has taken the crown from Xiaomi as the bestselling smartphone brand in India.

India is an important market for most smartphone brands. It’s one of the largest markets in the world. However, despite its size, the biggest players are often those who offer more affordable devices for consumers. Budget is the name of the game if a brand wants to make it big in the country.

Things are changing, though. According to new market data (via Reuters), Samsung has nabbed the throne from the former leader, Xiaomi. In the last quarter of 2022, the Korean brand grabbed 20 percent of the market, while the latter only got 18 percent.

In a trend dubbed as premiumization, Indian consumers are reportedly enjoying more disposable income, resulting in more willingness to buy pricier products. Additionally, the report hints that consumers have started equating lower prices with inferior quality.

With the market trending towards more premium products, Samsung took the lead with a lineup that consists more of midrange to premium devices. It will also be interesting to see if Apple, an even more premium brand, can also make a dent in the Indian market.

SEE ALSO: Buyer’s Guide: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

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Enterprise

Apple is preparing to open its first stores in India

Based on new job listings

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January 10, 2023

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For one of the largest smartphone markets in the world, India is one of the rarer countries where Apple does not outright dominate. Undoubtedly, the company is trying to change that. Ongoing job listings in India are suggesting that Apple is ready to open its first brick-and-mortar store in the country.

First reported by Financial Times, Apple has posted job openings in India for several retail roles including for the iconic Genius Bar. Another clue even indicates that some spots have already been filled ahead of time. A few employees in the country have reportedly posted about their new jobs on LinkedIn.

Unfortunately, none of the job listings show how many stores are planned and where they will be. Narrowing things down by a bit, a few of the confirmed employees are from Mumbai and New Delhi. The report also does not indicate when the stores will open. However, since a few have already been hired, a grand opening might be coming soon.

Apple has a lot to gain by strengthening its foothold in India. The country is an important stronghold for smartphone companies. However, the company might find things harder as time goes by. The country recently dictated that brands must switch to USB-C if they want to sell their devices in India. All over the world, Apple remains the last stalwart against adopting the more universal standard.

SEE ALSO: Google throws more RCS-flavored shade at Apple

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