Gionee M7 Power Review

Gionee M7 Power

With ultra-wide screen being one of the key features dominating the smartphone industry this year, Chinese handset maker Gionee has also jumped on the bandwagon. Its latest offering, the M7 Power smartphone, has ditched the 16:9 aspect ratio screen in favour of an 18:9 ‘FullView display’.

The aluminium-clad Gionee M7 Power, true to its name, is primarily a powerful smartphone with a mammoth 5,000 mAh battery. The 3D photo is another key feature differentiating it with competitors.

Business Standard reviewed the Gionee M7 Power to test its display, battery and camera capabilities, besides the overall smartphone performance. Here are our observations:

Display

The M7 Power boasts a 6-inch IPS HD screen in the 18:9 aspect ratio, covered with a 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass. The display looks bright and covers almost the entire front, though the top and bottom bezels are still prominent.

For a 6-inch screen, the HD resolution panel looks pixelated at times, especially while watching multimedia content. The text also doesn’t look sharp and might make avid readers a little wary. But the addition of a software-based reading mode does help reduce the blue light glare that strains eyes while reading.

Overall, the screen offers good contrast and sunlight legibility. The ultra-wide screen means an 85 per cent screen-to-body ratio assuring high display area and limited bezels.

Camera

The M7 Power sports a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8MP front-facing selfie-camera. The primary camera comes equipped with several modes – text recognition, translation, slow-motion, time-lapse, professional, panorama, back light, card scanner and 3D photo.

The addition of a 3D Photo feature in the otherwise regular 13MP primary camera makes a difference. The 3D Photo feature allows users to capture a 3D picture that can be later viewed from different angles. The feature works as intended in most cases, but shows artificial stitching effects sometimes, ruining the 3D outlook.

Overall, the primary and selfie cameras are regular shooters delivering optimally in good daylight conditions but failing in low-light situations.

Battery

With a 5,000 mAh battery, the smartphone is a powerhouse that runs for more than a day. The phone, however, is full of pre-installed bloatware eating into precious internal storage and affecting the overall battery endurance.

Performance

The M7 Power is, foremost, a battery-centric device. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 processor, an octa-core SoC, the phone has 64 GB of internal memory and a 4GB RAM. The processor is no powerhouse and the result is visible while using the device. The phone performs basic tasks like calling, SMS, instant messages, social media and internet browsing with ease, but stutters while playing games or watching high-definition videos on YouTube for extended hours.

The phone boots the Android Nougat 7.1 operating system covered under the Amigo 5.0 theme. The theme offers several advantages over the stock Android, such as app clone feature, creating space for dual social media apps in phone. Other features include split screen, intelligent eye protection, smart gesture, black screen gesture, glove patterns.

Verdict

At a price of Rs 16,999, the Gionee M7 Power offers exceptional battery life, and a future-ready 18:9 aspect ratio screen. In its price segment, the phone competes with Nokia 6, Honor 9i, and LG Q6 Plus. 

Beware! Google collects your location data even when you turn off tracking

• Tech giant Google has accepted it taps data from Android devices even when the location is disabled but said the info is used only to manage push notifications and messages, and it is not stored
• Google might be gathering location data from your Android-based devices even when you turn off the location services or remove SIM from your phone, suggests a news report in the Quartz.
• According to the report, Google has been collecting location data using cellular towers near its Android devices – even when location is disabled in phones – since the beginning of 2017. The data provide Google access to individuals’ location and their movements which could be considered as breach of user privacy.
• The section of Google’s privacy policy that covers location sharing states, “When you use Google services, we may collect and process information about your actual location. We use various technologies to determine location, including IP address, GPS, and other sensors that may, for example, provide Google with information on nearby devices, Wi-Fi access points and cell towers.”
• The privacy policy mentions that the company will collect location information from devices, but does not clearly mention if the location data shall be collected from Android device even when location services are disabled.
• Google confirmed the practice to Quartz, says the report, additing that the information collected was neither used nor stored but only utilised for managing push notifications and messages sent to Android consumers. The company also reportedly confirmed it was planning to end the practice by the end of November.
• According to the report, the data sent to Google by Android devices were encrypted but they could be accessed by a third party if the phone security was with spyware or other methods of hacking. 

How to link Aadhaar to various financial instruments

• The December 31 deadline for linking your Aadhaar number with various financial products is approaching fast.
• For linking of mobile number to Aadhaar, the deadline is February 6, 2018. But, the first step you need to take is link your mobile number to Aadhaar. 
• This will make the process of linking Aadhaar with other financial instruments easy as you will be able to receive a one-time password (OTP) on your mobile phone.

TO CHECK IF MOBILE NUMBER IS LINKED TO AADHAAR

Go to https://goo.gl/rv7w3v and

Step 1: Enter Aadhaar number, mobile number and security code; then click on ‘Get one-time password (OTP)’

Step 2: If your mobile is linked, you will receive an OTP. Enter it and verify your mobile number

Step 3: If it is not linked, you will get a message: “Your mobile is not enrolled in our records”

To link mobile number with Aadhaar

Step 1: Download Aadhaar update/ correction form from the UIDAI website or get it at the nearest Aadhaar centre

Step 2: Along with filled form, submit a copy of your Aadhaar card and a photo identification document (PAN card, passport, voter ID, etc)

Step 3: Your biometrics (thumb impression) will be verified

Step 4:You will be given an acknowledgement slip. Linking happens within 10 days

Step 5: At the telecom service provider’s store, give your Aadhaar card and mobile number

Step 6: After biometric verification, you will receive an OTP on your phone. Submit it to complete the verification process

From December 1, you will be able to go to the telecom service provider’s website and generate an OTP

• This will be received on a mobile number registered with UIDAI (at the time of enrollment) 
• Enter it and your Aadhaar number and authentication will get done
• An interactive voice response system (IVRS) from a registered mobile will also allow you to do the same.

LINKING BANK ACCOUNT

OFFLINE APPROACH:

Step 1:  Visit a branch with a copy of the Aadhaar card (along with original for verification) and passbook 

Step 2: Fill the form, submit it, along with a photocopy of your Aadhaar card. 

Step 3: You will be given an acknowledgement after which linking will happen 

THROUGH NET BANKING:

Step 1: Log into your internet banking account.

Step 2: Immediately a box will pop up. Click on ‘Link Aadhaar card details’. Enter required info and it will be linked

SMS BASED:

1. Type the following ‘Aadhaar XXXXXXXXXXXX AC XXXXXX’ 
2. The first number will be your Aadhaar number and the second will be the last six digits of your account number
3. Once the bank receives your SMS, it will process your request and notify you.

LINKING MF ACCOUNT

FROM THE REGISTRAR AND TRANSFER AGENT’S (RTA) WEBSITE:

There are four RTAs. CAMS, Karvy, Franklin Templeton International Services, and Sundaram BNP Paribas Fund Services

Step 1: Go to the website of the registrar and transfer agent used by your fund house

Step 2: Download the form, fill it, and submit it at the nearest branch of the RTA or fund house (use this option if you mobile number is not linked with Aadhaar)

Step 3: On the next page, again enter PAN, Aadhaar number, OTP and give the necessary permission to the RTA, and submit

FROM FUND HOUSES’ WEBSITES:

There is a link on some fund houses’ websites that take you to the Aadhaar linking page of RTA's web site

FROM DISTRIBUTOR’S PORTAL:

As soon as you login, you see a window prompting you to link. Click on ‘Link now’ 

Step 1: On the next page, enter your Aadhaar number twice 

Step 2: You will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar registered mobile number 

Step 3: Click on ‘Verify Aadhaar with OTP’ 

Step 4: If you have trouble getting the OTP, you can upload a copy of your Aadhaar card for verification, and they will do the needful

LINK BROKING ACCOUNT

OFFLINE

• Submit a scanned self-attested copy of Aadhaar to your broker

ONLINE:

• Log into the broker’s portal and enter your Aadhaar number. The broker's system will send this and a few of your demographic details to the UIDAI server, which will then authenticate you  

LINKING INSURANCE POLICY (ONLY OFFLINE)

• Send a scanned copy of their Aadhaar card to their agent, broker or relationship manager 
• No biometric authentication is required

OnePlus 5T Launch Event Starts at 9:30pm IST

The OnePlus 5T launch event will start in less than 2 hours, bringing to the fans the next flagship-class smartphone with bezel-less design and 18:9 aspect ratio. For those unaware, OnePlus 5T will be the refined version of this year's OnePlus 5 and features a new design language that brings it shoulder to shoulder with the iPhone X, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 and the likes. There should be some more upgrades too in order to keep the buyers interested and not to miff buyers of OnePlus 5. If you are excited about the OnePlus 5T launch too, you can catch all the action in real-time via the live stream.

OnePlus 5T launch event time

The OnePlus 5T launch event is scheduled to start at 11am GMT (9:30pm IST), and is being held in New York City. To keep the fans engaged, the company is hosting live screenings of the launch event in theatres in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune. In fact, OnePlus says all the tickets for the launch were sold out across all five cities soon after they became available.

OnePlus 5T launch live stream.

The handset maker will also be live streaming the launch on YouTube for those who are not able to attend the event in person. In addition, the launch event will be streamed in several theatres across India.

OnePlus 5T expected price and availability

OnePlus will be giving Amazon Prime users early access to buy the OnePlus 5T smartphone on November 21 in India. The 'early access sales' will start at 16.30 hours IST. The actual sales for the smartphone will begin from November 28 onwards. The smartphone will be eventually reaching to the partners across India at later dates. It can be purchased from Oneplusstore.in website as well.

There is no confirmed word on the pricing of the smartphone. However, according to some reports online, the price of the device is being said to be the same as the OnePlus 5. For reference, OnePlus 5 is priced at Rs 32,999 and Rs 37,999 in India.

OnePlus 5T specifications and features

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has already confirmed that the smartphone will feature a 3.5mm headphone jack and won't include wireless charging tech.

According to a leaked review guide of the smartphone, OnePlus 5T will sport a 6.01-inch full HD+ (1080x2160 pixels) Optic Amoled display with a pixel density of 401ppi and 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. It may run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box and get Android 8.0 Oreo later.

Powered by the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, the smartphone will come in 6GB and 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and Adreno 540 GPU. The 6GB RAM variant could come with 64GB inbuilt storage, while the 8GB RAM variant could feature 128GB storage.

According to the images showing the review guide, the OnePlus 5T will sport a 16MP Sony IMX398 sensor along with f/1.7 aperture. The secondary rear camera will come with a 20MP Sony IMX376K camera sensor with f/1.7 aperture and dual LED flash. At the front there is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with f/2.0 aperture. It has a 3300mAh battery, according to the review guide.

Nokia 5 with 3GB RAM launched

Nokia 5 with 3GB RAM has been announced for the Indian market at a price of Rs 13,499. The Nokia 5 will be Flipkart exclusive for a week and it will go on sale from tomorrow, which is November 7. After the first sale, Nokia 5 will also be made available in select retails stores from November 14 onward. Nokia 5 with 3GB RAM will come in two colour options: Matte Black and Tempered Blue.

As for pricing, the handset carries a launch price tag of INR 13,499 (around $210), which is already down INR 1,800 (around $27) from the usual pricing. Of course, there are some other launch-time discounts as well, including no cost EMIs and additional discounts on certain credit card

Like the Nokia 6, which is another mid-range option in the market from HMD Global, Nokia 5 has a full metal-unibody design. In terms of specifications, Nokia 5 is the same phone as the one launched earlier, except with more RAM. The display remains a 5.2-inch IPS LCD one with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution and Corning Gorilla Glass on top.

Nokia 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 processor and comes with 16GB on board storage with 128GB microSD card support. The rear camera is 13MP with PDAF and 1.12um pixel size along with f/2.0 aperture. It has a dual tone flash and the front camera is 8MP with f/2.0 aperture as well. Battery on the Nokia 5 is 3000 mAh.

Other features of Nokia 5 are:Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer (G-sensor), E-compass, Gyroscope, Fingerprint Sensor. It also has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC for sharing, ANT+, Micro USB (USB 2.0), OTG and 3.5 mm audio jack. The phone runs Android Nougat 7.0 with HMD Global saying the phone is Android Oreo ready and it will get the update soon.

Thank You

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