Apple May Launch Galaxy Note 8-Sized iPhone With 6.4-Inch OLED Display Next Year

While a few weeks remain until Apple is expected to unveil the so-called iPhone 8, widely rumored to be its first smartphone with an OLED display, the rumor mill has already turned its attention to next year.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 next to iPhone mockup by Benjamin Geskin
South Korea’s ETNews, citing unnamed industry sources, claims Apple is working with Samsung Display and its other suppliers on the development of next-generation OLED displays in 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch sizes.

The report said the displays are expected to be used in new iPhone models released in 2018, although Apple’s plans could change.

With a nearly 6.5 inch display, the so-called iPhone 9 would have an even larger screen than the 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 8 introduced earlier this month. Meanwhile, the 5.85-inch version would likely be the same size as the iPhone 8.

With reduced bezels, the overall physical size of the 5.85-inch and 6.46-inch iPhones could be similar to the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus respectively.

In May, South Korean publication The Bell reported that Apple was planning to launch new iPhones with 5.28-inch and 6.46-inch OLED displays next year, but ETNews claims development of the 5.28-inch size has been abandoned.

“This is because consumers have preferred to use a large screen, and technologies such as full-screen or bezel-less have been developed that can enlarge the display while keeping the overall size of the smartphone small,” it said.

The bottom line here is a second source lending support to rumors of a 6.4-inch iPhone launching next year. It might seem early in the cycle, but iPhone 8 rumors first surfaced in March 2016, nearly a year and a half ago.

Tag: etnews.co.kr
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Fairphone 2 owners can live the modular dream with new camera modules

Why it matters to you

The concept of replacing outdated components already fitted to your phone with new ones is the modular dream. Fairphone has put it into action.

The modular phone dream has always been about upgrading modules to improve a device, and to keep it from becoming outdated. The Fairphone 2 is one of the few modular phones you can actually buy, and for the first time the company has introduced new camera modules for the phone, ready for owners to swap out using nothing except a screwdriver.

Fairphone says this takes the phone past the usual two-year life cycle that has become normal in the mobile industry, and along with a software update, means your Fairphone 2 will have many more months of use for a comparatively small financial outlay.

It’s hard to argue with this kind of system, as upgrading parts of a phone will extend its usefulness — but don’t think you’re about to swap out the Fairphone 2’s old camera for a dual-lens setup ready to challenge the iPhone 7 Plus. The new module is a little more modest than that. The rear camera module now has 12 megapixels and a dual-flash system, and the front selfie camera has an improved, next-generation sensor retaining the original’s 5 megapixels. The 12-megapixel component is a sensible increase over the existing 8-megapixel rear camera, which took passable pictures when we reviewed the Fairphone 2 last year.

The software update came earlier this year, and although all updates are good, the already out-of-date Fairphone 2 is still, sadly, out of date. It received Android 6.0 Marshmallow in April, and nothing has changed since then. This is now two versions behind devices like the Google Pixel, although the Fairphone 2 does offer the benefit of allowing alternative operating systems to be installed, including a specially designed version of Jolla’s Sailfish. That’s some consolation, but the Fairphone 2 is still woefully behind the competition in its Android software.

However, people will likely buy the Fairphone 2 not because of its software, but because of how it was designed to reduce the environmental impact of mobile devices. This green commitment extends to everything from ethically sourced components, the use of recycled materials, and the ongoing intention to to make the phone last for up to five years using upgrades. All standard Fairphone 2 components can be purchased from the company, including a replaceable battery.

Owners of the Fairphone 2 will pay 70 euros ($84) for both of the new camera modules, or 45 euros ($54) for the rear camera and 35 euros ($42) for the selfie camera if purchased separately. Any new Fairphone 2 ordered will come with the new sensors already fitted. The modules will be sold through Fairphone’s online store and some retailers in September.

Learn to do pretty much anything with flashcard-based learning app TinyCards

It can be difficult to learn a new thing, whether it be a new language, math, or how to use a certain new technology. Apps to help in the learning process — especially the game-like Duolingo language-learning app.

Duolingo has been around for several years, and it’s one of the most downloaded educational apps out there. It’s also one of the few free language learning apps that offers practical lessons in a variety of languages. Now the folks behind Duolingo are looking to tackle other subjects. Actually, they’re looking to tackle all subjects.

How will Duolingo expand? Through the humble flashcard. Flashcards aren’t always the most exciting way to learn something new, but Duolingo is hoping to change that with Tinycards.

Tinycards, which launched on iOS last year and Android this month, is built like a kind of game. You unlock new levels as you go and fill up a strength bar by answering cards correctly, and earn bonus rewards by besting smart algorithms that adapt to your progress.

Tinycards includes more than 200,000 custom flashcard decks on topics ranging from geography and art history to the anatomy of Pokémon, and you can contribute decks yourself if you can’t find a deck pertaining to the topic you’re trying to learn about.

It won accolades last year for its design. In December 2016, Apple named Tinycards a top 10 best iPhone app of 2016.

“Duolingo redefined the way millions of people learn languages by making it fun, effective and free,” co-founder Luis von Ahn said in a statement. “We’re excited to bring that experience to flashcards in order to help school kids suffering through memorization for tests. We also hope this will motivate adults to learn new topics to enhance their lives.”

If you’re interested in checking it out, Tinycards is available to download on iOS and Android.

Download for iOS

Updated to reflect the release of Tinycards for Android.

Neato’s Botvac D7 Connected vacuum is stronger, smarter than previous models

Why it matters to you

If you don’t mind spending more for quality, Neato’s new Botvac D7 Connected is a top-of-the-line robotic vacuum.

Neato announced its new flagship robot vacuum, Botvac D7 Connected, at IFA 2017 in Berlin on Thursday. The device is stronger and smarter than previous models from the Connected series, with unique new features that make it attractive for anyone who has the money to buy one of the finest robotic vacuum cleaners around.

“Our commitment to delivering smart, helpful robots in every home has taken a significant step forward with the announcement of the Botvac D7 Connected, which is Neato’s smartest and most powerful vacuum yet,” Giacomo Marini, Neato Robotics CEO, told Digital Trends.

The D7 Connected features integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, and Apple Watch. Like previous models, it uses laser navigation to scan multiple rooms and plan the quickest way to clean up, even in the dark. It’s distinct D shape allows it to fit into crevices, around corners, and along walls. It can also cover 5,000 square feet on a single charge, the same as other models from the Connected series.

The D7 Connected adds a few new features including FloorPlanner functionality that gives users access through the app to designate “no go” areas and keep the vacuum out of certain spaces without having to set up physical boundaries. “This means that the Botvac D7 Connected only cleans the areas you want it to, without requiring the physical use of magnetic strips,” Marini said.

After each use, the D7 Connected provides a cleaning summary map, showing where the bot vacuumed and providing a report about obstacles that prevented it from doing its job.

“The Botvac D7 Connected is also ‘future proofed,’” Marini said, “and it will support wireless updates to new features so it can be upgraded when these are released.”

Beyond functionality, the D7 also got a makeover, with a new metallic finish designed to make it more resistant to scuffs and dings.

At launch, the Neato Botvac D7 Connected will cost $799. It isn’t cheap but it’s worth the cost for smart home enthusiasts who want the best robotic vacuum cleaner around. “No other brand offers this technology,” Marini said, “and we believe this commitment to innovation has been the key driver of our success to date.”

Philips is upgrading the Hue line in all the best ways

There’s a whole lot of great news coming for Hue owners today.

Philips has announced updates across the entire Hue line of smart bulbs, making it easier to fill either a single room or a whole house with lots of new options. It’s the biggest update to the Hue lineup since the switch to the new square sync box, complete with pricing options that are slightly easier for new users to swallow.

Everything starts with a starter kit in the Hue world, and Philips has replaced the classic three-bulb kit with your choice of either a two-bulb kit or a four-bulb kit. The new White-only bulb kits will be available for $99, while the White Ambiance and White and Color bulb kits will be available for $149 and $199 respectively.

Philips has also updated the E12 Candle bulbs and the classic Downlight bulb. The E12 bulbs will now be available in a White and Color option for $49.99 and match the standard A19 bulb for color and temperature options.

The new Downlight now comes in a recessed lighting option, which is sealed in a recessed container to match the standard flat look of those fixtures. This recessed design makes it possible for the bulbs to output up to 750 lumens, which is noticeably brighter than the standalone Downlight option.

Finally, Philips has expanded its line of sealed fixtures to include the new Cher Suspension light. It’s a 3000 lumen White Ambiance fixture built for dining rooms or kitchen islands, and it does an amazing job filing a space with light considering how thin and flush the fixture appears to be. It’s a very modern-looking fixture, and the $229 price tag isn’t nearly as bad as you might expect given what it is capable of.

Philips plans to make this new line available starting in October in all of the places you can currently buy Hue bulbs. Which one of these new updates excite you the most? Give us a shout in the comments!

RhinoShield Galaxy S8 CrashGuard Bumper Review: Sleek S8 protection

Surprisingly rugged for a bumper case.

I’ll be entirely honest from the outset : I did not think I would feel comfortable using the RhinoShield CrashGuard with my Galaxy S8. I’m a habitual phone dropper, so the idea of leaving that gorgeous glass of my phone exposed felt like a dangerous opportunity for the worst case scenario to occur.

And yet, after spending about a month using the Galaxy S8 with just the RhinoShield for protection, I feel quite confident recommending it to any Galaxy S8 owner — especially if you’re the type who hates cases because you can’t stand any added bulk on your phone. It really lets you show off the S8 in all its glory while offering great drop protection.

So what makes it so good? Well, for starters its precisely crafted to the dimensions of the phone and as such, it’s a bit tricky to install and remove — absolutely a good thing when we’re talking about a phone bumper. RhinoShield includes a little warning not to twist or bend the bumper before installing it and it’s a good thing they did as I instinctively wanted to pull and stretch at it to see how tough it really was as soon as I got it out of the box.

There’s a lot to admire despite its minimalist design.

There’s a lot to admire despite its minimalist design. On the inside of the bumper is a hexagonal pattern that makes contact with the phone itself, and greatly improves the CrashGuard’s ability to disperse the shock of a drop. It’s thick and rigid around the top and bottom of the phone and especially in the corners while managing to hug the side edges tight with raised covers for the power, volume, and Bixby buttons. The bumper is noticeably thinner than the phone along the sides, which allows the curved edge of the screen to accomplish that spill over effect as if the bumper wasn’t there.

I’m one of the people who think these all-glass flagship phones are too slippery, so I really appreciate the CrashGuard’s matte finish, and the little extra grip it provides without adding any bulk. Using the CrashGuard feels like an overall improvement on Samsung’s initial design of the phone, almost like an optional accessory that should come packaged with a new phone. It frames the nearly bezel-less display nicely and I’ve frequently forgotten that there’s even a case on it when I’m showing it off to friends and family.

I’ve never seriously considered a bumper case as a viable option for a phone, at least not since the days when I was rocking an iPhone 4, so just the idea of replacing my Spigen Rugged Armor for a bumper case in 2017 gave me pause. But I’ve been more than satisfied with the results of using the RhinoShield CrashGuard. While I’m not the type of reviewer to purposefully try and cause a case to fail, the CrashGuard has been called into duty on several occasions and has the battle scars to prove it. I shudder to think what may have happened to my phone if the CrashGuard wasn’t there.

The one downside with a bumper case, of course, is that it does leave much of the phone’s glass exposed. A falling phone will crash land violently and randomly, and the CrashGuard will offer protection in ideal situations — landing on a flat floor or sidewalk, for instance. But all bets are off if your phone clips a table’s edge or lands on an uneven surface like a gravel road. The CrashGuard isn’t the most screen protector-friendly case option for the Galaxy S8, but RhinoShield does sell its own protectors for both the screen and the back glass of the phone, which I did not test but would be the missing pieces for those looking for maximum protection.

At $25, the RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper certainly isn’t cheap, especially for a bumper case that doesn’t even cover the back. But it does work surprisingly well and will pay for itself when it takes the brunt of an otherwise phone-destroying drop. Furthermore, shedding my usual case for the RhinoShield CrashGuard has led me to fall back in love with the Galaxy S8’s design all over again. RhinoShield also has a bumper available for the larger Galaxy S8 Plus for the same price.

See at RhinoShield

Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact hands-on: Tiny upgrades

Sony is unveiling a pair of new high-end phones, including a new Compact variant that brings power down to a manageable size.

It’s almost September, which means that Sony is readying another duo of phones for the consumer market. And as Sony is wont to do, these phones are nearly visually identical to the ones that came before it.

Don’t think, from my dour tone, that I don’t respect this decision since Sony appears to be moving in the right direction from a financial perspective, but it’s difficult to view the company’s output as anything more than a by-the-books consideration of what it believes a smartphone should be. In other words, with such consistency comes a bankruptcy of creativity.

This leads to me the two phones on display: the Xperia XZ1 and Xperia XZ1 Compact. The former is an almost-perfect hybrid of the Xperia XZ from this time last year and the Xperia XZ Premium, which was unveiled at Mobile World Congress in March. The latter, the first to bear the Compact moniker in the XZ line, shrinks the XZ Premium’s qualities even further, and in doing so is sure to find a niche amongst smartphone users exasperated by the “bigger is better” trend in smartphones these days.

Being miniature versions of the Xperia XZ Premium, these phones share much of that phone’s internal specifications, including a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of RAM and its MotionEye camera technology, though here we have a few software improvements. Speaking of software, these phones launch with Android 8.0 Oreo, and it’s likely that when the XZ1 comes out on September 19 that it will be the first new handset to ship with Google’s new version of Android.

Sony Xperia XZ1 + XZ1 Compact specs

Starting with the designs, the XZ1 eschews the shiny, scratch-prone glass of the XZ Premium for metal, which is more resilient and hides fingerprints a great deal better. If you’ve used any phone in the X or XZ line, this is a known quantity: smooth, brushed aluminum in a variety of colors (each phone launches with four hues) with LCD panels and dual front-facing speakers. The XZ1 Compact, on the other hand, is made up of a beautiful glass-fiber body. For what it’s worth, the XZ1 is slightly less boxy than the XZ; you can’t stand it up on its own anymore, given to a slight curvature of the perimeter bezels. The XZ1 Compact, on the other hand, is deliciously squared-off, and completely fantastic to use in one hand.

These phones are all-in on all the bezels.

Like all Sony phones of recent memory, the company is not conforming to the trend of minimizing bezels. Instead, it’s doubling down on dual front-facing speakers, which in this case are some 50% louder than in previous X-series phones. While I only listened to them for a few minutes in a bustling outdoor testing area, they did sound particularly crisp for phone speakers.

The new XZ1s support a stupefying mélange of audio acronyms and marketing terms, including DSEE HC (audio upscaler), LDAC (Sony’s new high-quality AptX-beating audio codec supported in Oreo), Clear Audio+ (a super equalizer of some sort), S-Force Front Surround (louder-than-average dual speakers).

Similarly, on the video side, you’ll see things like X-Reality for mobile and TRILUMINOS, which purport to improve video and photo quality, respectively. Over the years I’ve tried to determine whether these terms are actual differentiators or just variants of common algorithms, codecs and optimizations that are employed by nearly every Android manufacturer, and have come up with this: Sony makes some very good speakers, receivers, and televisions, and some of that innovation does trickle down to its mobile products, but phones can’t defy physics. No phone speaker is ever going to be as good as a set of towers, nor a camera as versatile as a DSLR, acronyms or no.

Sony has once again chosen power consumption over density with these screens; the XZ1 has a 5.2-inch 1080p LCD panel, so this year it’s certified for HDR playback, which should be nice for the handful of people that watch Netflix on their phone. The XZ1 Compact, on the other hand, keeps things familiar with a 4.6-inch 720p LCD panel; the Xperia Z3 Compact had the same screen specs when it debuted three years ago.

Things get interesting when we turn our attention to the cameras. On the rear of both these phones is Sony’s nascent Motion Eye technology, which pairs a 19MP 1/2.3″ Exmor RS sensor with the company’s now-famous f/2.0 G Lens and a bunch of extra RAM to process photos really quickly, or take stupid-cool bursts of 960 fps slo-mo video.

On paper that’s nothing new compared to the Xperia XZ Premium, which could take some excellent photos but was mainly underwhelming compared to rivals like the Pixel, HTC U11 and GS8, but Sony has some new software features in this phones (that may come to older models with an update). Autofocus burst is likely going to be the most useful of the bunch, as it lets the camera lock onto a moving target without losing focus; think trying to capture a moving kid or a dog or a person walking towards you.

Predictive capture has been beefed up, too. Instead of just taking a photo a few seconds before and after the shutter is pressed, Sony now looks out for specific bursts of motion along with emotions on peoples’ faces like smiles, to determine when to start capturing. We’ve yet to see this in action, but it looks promising.

We have, however, seen another crazy-cool camera feature in action. It’s called 3D Creator, and it’s one of the most insane things I’ve ever seen on a smartphone. It uses the camera to capture a full 3D model of something, be it a person’s head or face, a piece of food or, well, anything you can imagine. There are four distinct settings, and in the case of a human it requires him or her to sit still for about 90 seconds while someone else uses the phone’s on-screen guide to walk around and capture as much detail as possible.

I was skeptical at first, but the results induced actual shivers in me; using a phone with a single sensor capture such exquisite detail was exhilarating and slightly terrifying. Right now, the models can’t be used for much; Sony says they can be turned into videos or GIFs and shared using messaging apps, and soon you’ll be able to submit them to 3D printing companies to get your very own bust printed (!!).

You may one day find your perfectly detailed avatar walking around your favorite PlayStation 4 game.

Eventually, though, Sony sees plenty of augmented and virtual reality applications for 3D Creator, while gamers will look forward to having ultra-realistic avatars in their favorite RPG.

What’s interesting about these new features is that nothing precludes them from being backported to the Xperia XZ Premium given that they share the same hardware foundations, but Sony won’t comment on whether that will happen with an upcoming Oreo update.

Where the phones’ cameras differ is on the front: the Xperia XZ1 has a 13MP sensor with a “normal” 22mm lens — wide, but not fisheye wide. The XZ1 Compact has an 8MP sensor with an 18mm-equivalent lens, offering a 120° field of view. The Compact also has half the amount of storage as the XZ1: 32GB compared to 64GB.

Curiously, both phones have the same-sized 2700mAh battery, owing to a much thicker chassis on the Compact than the taller and thinner XZ1. Battery life should be nearly identical, too, given that they share the relatively efficient Snapdragon 835.

Another year, another year without fingerprint sensors on Sony phones.

Of course, all this is likely for naught for U.S. buyers if the phones once again omit fingerprint sensors, and unfortunately, I have to be the bearer of bad news. Once again, Sony isn’t saying why (though we probably know the reason), but neither the Xperia XZ1 nor the XZ1 Compact will have a functioning fingerprint sensor. These models sold in other countries will, though, and they should be relatively easy to import.

One potential wrinkle in that plan, though, at least for prospective XZ1 Compact buyers, is that Sony has certified the phone to work with T-Mobile’s VoLTE and VoWiFi services, making it at least partially more enticing than its larger counterpart. The move doesn’t mean that Sony will once again go back to selling phones at U.S. carriers, but the unlocked variant sold on Amazon and elsewhere should just work with T-Mobile once a SIM card is installed.

So when can you get these phones? The Xperia XZ1 will go on sale in the U.S. on September 19 for $699.99. For the Xperia XZ1 Compact, you’ll have to wait a little longer: until October 4 in the U.S., but you’ll be paying a slightly more reasonable $599.95 for the privilege.

Ultimately, buying a Sony phone today feels, despite being powerful and crammed full of technology, like taking a step backward. It’s ironic then that these are the first devices to actually ship with Android Oreo out of the box, even though Sony obfuscates so much of its beauty that it may as well be running KitKat. Even with fingerprint sensors, these phones feel pedestrian, though they check all the right boxes. While the fan in me wants the XZ1 Compact, my workflow has moved onto bigger screens and better cameras. My life relies on them, in fact.

Maybe next year.

See at Sony

Sony Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact specs: Snapdragon 835, Motion Eye camera, and dual speakers

Sony has refreshed its main Xperia line with upgraded specs and a bunch of new camera features.

As Sony is wont to do — it’s done it pretty much the same way since 2013 — it is giving its flagships a refresh during the IFA time period, and the Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact are impressive distillations of the company’s XZ Premium into smaller, cheaper packages.

Like the XZ Premium, the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact focus on audio and camera capabilities, with support for plenty of modern codecs and unique camera tricks that will be sure to turn an eye.

Unfortunately, U.S. buyers still have to contend with a lack of a fingerprint sensor, so there’s that.

This is why Sony phones in the U.S. don’t have fingerprint sensors

This has crossed into ‘ridiculous’ territory — but we now have a better idea of why.

This article was previously published in February 2017, but in light of Sony once again releasing phones in the U.S. with no fingerprint sensor, we thought we’d resurface it as a resource for those trying to understand what’s going on.

Another year, another Sony phone launching in the U.S. without a fingerprint sensor — despite the exact same model packing the biometric authentication process everywhere else in the world. With the announcement of the Xperia XZ Premium and XZs, Sony once again has a couple of enticing phones. And even though it seems to have made good strides in terms of cameras and a few other pain points, this one issue still plagues it. For whatever reason, Sony cannot bring a phone to the U.S. with a functioning fingerprint sensor.

The question of why this is the case has been a constant bugbear for us as we speak with Sony representatives time after time, and at MWC 2017 we got perhaps the most candid explanation of what’s going on.

Speaking with Don Mesa, who is Head of Marketing, North America for Sony Mobile U.S., we started to get a more concrete picture of what’s going on here. When asked about the exclusion of fingerprint authentication on the Xperia XZ Premium specifically, Mesa explained, “There are a lot of external and internal factors that contribute to us making a conscious decision not to include [fingerprint].”

For now, in order for Sony to sell phones in the U.S. it cannot include fingerprint sensors.

The “external” portion of that statement is the interesting part, and something that wasn’t previously disclosed. For the past couple of years, Sony’s stance on not including fingerprint sensors in the U.S. was that it didn’t see demand for them and there was a business decision made to not include the feature. This external factor, it seems, is something to do with deals it has made (or terminated) in the U.S. specifically. When asked further about those factors Mesa continued, “[…] that was very much about us consciously deciding that we want to continue our business here [in the U.S.], and [that’s] one of the conditions for us to be able to do business.”

So here’s the meat of the issue: based on some deal previously made relating specifically to the U.S., in order for Sony to sell phones in the country it cannot ship them with functioning fingerprint sensors. Taking the lesser of two evils, Sony chose to continue to sell phones with the fingerprint sensor disabled instead of give up on the U.S. entirely — and this seems to be the case still, as Sony has continued to sell a wide range of unlocked phones here. So despite this bizarre limitation against using fingerprint sensors, Sony still sees the U.S. as an important market and wants to keep selling its top-end devices here.

When pressed for specifics, Mesa acknowledged the rub with U.S. carriers in Sony’s transition from selling carrier-backed phones to going entirely unlocked, eventually leading to this fingerprint situation in some way. Events like the launched-then-canceled Xperia Z4V and various one-off carrier devices that never sold well seem to point to Sony having troubles dealing with the U.S. operators. It wouldn’t be surprising if a deal (or deals) gone bad led to some fingerprint exclusivity problems as a penalty of such a fallout. Of course the real rub here is the specifics of such deals are not — and may never be — disclosed.

So what can we take away from this? Well, the first part is that Sony confirms it is indeed consciously shipping its phones to the U.S. with fingerprint sensors … and that at the same time it is explicitly disabling them in software. Sony Mobile U.S. is, for the first time, also confirming that without these outside factors influencing these decisions, it would prefer to be shipping phones in the U.S. with fingerprint sensors enabled. That in no way completely lets Sony off the hook here, though — it takes two to tango, and Sony itself was obviously involved in whatever mechanism led to this odd limitation surrounding fingerprint sensors. Someone signed off on this, and it’s been a constant thorn in the side of the company since.

And no matter the mechanism of how this all came to be, it isn’t much solace for those of us in the U.S. who are big fans of Sony design and hardware but will continue to refuse to buy its phones until they have such a basic feature. U.S. customers deserve a fingerprint sensor just as much as anyone else in the world buying a Sony phone. And Sony itself seems to think this is a short-term limitation that, when lifted, will comfortably be put in the rear-view mirror as it continues to sell unlocked phones in the country.

Xiaomi sells 25 million phones in India in just over three years

There’s no stopping Xiaomi in India.

Xiaomi kicked off its journey in India with the Mi 3 back in July 2014, and the company has been on a tear ever since. The Redmi Note 4 and the Redmi 4A are two of the most popular devices in the country, and now Xiaomi VP and India head Manu Kumar Jain has announced that the manufacturer crossed the 25 million sales milestone. That’s an impressive feat considering it took Xiaomi just over three years to get to that figure, with the brand clocking around 22,000 phones every day on average.

#25MillionMi: that’s ~22K phones sold per day over last ~3 years! Fastest brand in India to cross the 25 Mn mark. @XiaomiIndia (2/2) pic.twitter.com/kC6ARbSww7

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) August 31, 2017

After a slow 2016, Xiaomi picked up the pace this year thanks to a slew of launches in the budget segment that have resonated with customers. The company sold over 5 million units of the Redmi Note 4 in six months, and the entry-level Redmi 4 and Redmi 4A are also selling incredibly well. With the dual camera-toting Mi 5X set to launch in the country next week, Xiaomi is looking to consolidate its position in the budget segment.

That said, the company hasn’t branched out into the mid-range category in India. The brand’s flagship devices — the Mi Note 2, Mi Mix, and this year’s Mi 6 — were limited to China and a few Asian markets, and it looks like Xiaomi will continue to focus exclusively on the budget segment, at least for the time being. That’s a shame considering the Mi 6 is more than a match for the OnePlus 5.

The Chinese manufacturer is also setting its sights on the offline segment, opening two Mi Home stores and partnering with large format retailers to get its devices into thousands of brick and mortar stores across the country.