Is this the future of medicine? Synthetic blood could buy patients 48 extra hours

Finding blood donors continues to present a challenge across the United States, with hospitals and medical professionals often citing a blood shortage in areas of the country. And while there’s no doubt that we still need folks to visit their local blood drives with hopes of saving a life with their donation, science has stepped in with a new temporary solution. Two scientists — Dr. Andre Palmer of the Ohio State University and Dr. Dipanjan Pan, an associate professor in the department of bioengineering at the University of Illinois — have now independently developed two synthetic blood technologies.

Dr. Pan’s product is called ErythroMer, and while it is not, in fact, a blood substitute, it is an “oxygen carrier that can be given as an oxygen-delivery vehicle that can kind of act as a stop-gap measure to keep the injured alive until they get to the hospital,” Pan told Engadget. Essentially, ErythroMer is a manmade hemoglobin — the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen to various parts of the body. Because ErythroMer is produced in powder form, it’s capable of being stored for up to six months, which is significantly longer than the shelf life of actual human blood — even when it’s stored properly on ice it can only last up to 42 days. Moreover, because this hemoglobin molecule is artificial, there is a reduced risk of transferring blood-borne diseases like HIV or Zika during transfusions.

As it stands, Pan and his colleagues are hoping to use ErythroMer in military applications, though if successful, the synthetic  blood could doubtless be used in civilian operations as well. Excitingly, NASA has already expressed interest in the synthetic blood, as it may come in handy as astronauts are sent to planets beyond our own.

Meanwhile, Dr. Palmer has created a polymerized hemoglobin, or PolyHb, that is quite similar to Erythromer. It is also based on natural hemoglobin, then encased in a polymer, and is meant “to give the patient enough time to get to a hospital to get a blood transfusion because ultimately, if you lose blood, the best thing you can be transfused with is blood,” as Palmer noted. Again, like Erythromer, PolyHb can be delivered in powdered form, which cuts down on its weight and mass by 50 percent.

This is important as it means that PolyHb is particularly portable, which could be hugely important when treating wounded soldiers on battlefields, or patients in difficult to access areas. All PolyHb needs to be reconstituted is some purified water — then, the powdered platelets can be transfused as needed. PolyHb buys patients up to 48 hours of extra time, which could be the difference between life or death in many medical situations.

While all of these advances are certainly met with excitement by the medical community, there are, of course, still shortcomings. Currently, neither ErythroMer nor PolyHb can do more than transport oxygen — while this is a major function of blood, it’s not the only function, which means  that you couldn’t replace your entire bloodstream with these synthetic solutions.

As Palmer told Engadget, “You’d have the oxygen-carrying therapeutic, and then you’d have something that initiates clotting, for example. So it is possible to mix two different therapeutics together to achieve extra functions.” We’re just waiting on that possibility to become a reality.

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Huawei plans to outdo Apple and Samsung in a really big way

Huawei is apparently in the process of designing a new, and very large, smartphone. According to a report from Korean source The Bell, Huawei has put in an order for 6.9-inch OLED screens with Samsung, and they’re destined for use on a smartphone, and not on a small tablet. This isn’t uncharted territory for Huawei, which is no stranger to oversize smartphones, or even tablets that are made to double as phones.

It’s then speculated the eventual device will be part of the Mate family, which has traditionally debuted near the end of the year. In 2017, the Mate 10 and Mate 10 Pro arrived in October, suggesting we should expect the replacement phones to come around the same time this year. The Mate 10 Pro is hardly a small phone with its 6-inch screen, but if the Mate 20 — or whatever the sequel will be called — increases this to nearly 7 inches, it’ll be larger than most other phones available today. It’s worth remembering that Huawei’s Mate series usually includes two devices, and the 6.9-inch model may be labeled Pro, and come alongside a slightly smaller phone.

If the Mate 20 does have a 6.9-inch screen, it will also be bigger than several other rumored devices coming this year. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9, which often takes the crown for the largest screen, is expected to be a little smaller than 6.4 inches, while the possible Apple iPhone X Plus may stretch to almost 6.5 inches. These two phones, along with the Pixel 3 XL, will set the trend for big-screen devices later this year, and Huawei doesn’t want to miss out on being able to say it has the largest screen when compared to the competition.

Big screens usually mean big bodies, but due to the P20 and P20 Pro, Huawei now has experience with slim bezels, alternative aspect ratios, and screen notches. While this won’t make the 6.9-inch phone very pocketable, it will hopefully keep the in-hand size manageable. The brief and ridiculous trend of tablets doubling as smartphones was short-lived, and anyone who handled Lenovo’s enormous 6.98-inch Phab Plus will know this type of device isn’t for those with dainty hands.

Huawei has a difficult task ahead with the Mate series. The P20 Pro is so accomplished, it eclipsed the Mate 10 Pro very quickly, leaving us less excited about future Mate phones than usual. A big screen is a start, but will it be enough to pull people away from the other 6-inch-plus phones coming this year? We’ll know more as 2018 progresses, and also discover whether Huawei is planning to use this screen on a Mate phone, or an entirely new line altogether.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Apple iPad (2018) review

Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 ‘urgent’ update calms noisy fans for quieter computing

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Dell has released a new BIOS update for its XPS 15 2-in-1 convertible laptop that fixes the problem of noisy fans when it’s plugged into a mains socket. Described as “urgent,” by the PC manufacturer, this is an update that XPS 15 2-in-1 owners will want to get a hold of as soon as they can.

Although rather experimental in its design, the XPS 15 2-in-1 has proven to be a hit with all sorts of PC users, ourselves included. We did note in our review though, that while powerful, the Intel G-series processor, which combines an Intel CPU and AMD GPU on the same die, did cause the system to get a little hot and by extension, quite loud. This update should fix that problem, at least when the laptop is plugged in.

That’s something that early testers have reported being the case, with Windows Central suggesting that fans now only really spin up when the laptop is charging and shut off when the system is fully charged, making it much quieter to use and power up.

Considering the Intel/AMD combi-chip at the heart of this machine is so new, too, we would hope to see more updates to the system in the coming months. Considering the XPS 15 2-in-1 suffers from lackluster battery life with the 4K screen, we would hope that Dell is able to improve the efficiency of that in the future, too.

This BIOS update brings the system to version 1.1.5 and is supported by all existing Dell XPS 15 9575 2-in-1 laptops. As a BIOS update it is a little more impactful to the system than Windows driver or software updates, so it’s important that when the update is being installed, you do not restart or turn off your system manually. It will likely reboot itself upon completion.

If you like the look of the XPS 15 2-in-1, but aren’t quite sure whether you need that convertible functionality, you could always opt for the XPS 15. It’s cheaper and has quite a different hardware profile under the hood. To see how the two laptops compare, check out our head-to-head of the two systems. Both are great, but one comes out on top.

Editors’ Recommendations

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BlackBerry Key2 vs. OnePlus 6: Which fan-favorite will win?

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When you think of phone brands with devoted followers, Apple and Samsung likely come first to mind. But you would be remiss if you didn’t add BlackBerry, a brand that has created some of the most iconic smartphones of the 21st century, and OnePlus to the list.

Both companies have cult-like followings, and both have just released new phones: The OnePlus 6 and the BlackBerry Key2. The latter has a physical keyboard, and BlackBerry is trying to grab the attention of touchscreen users from all manufacturers. Since these two phones are priced somewhat similarly, we put them head-to-head to see how they stack up.

Specs

BlackBerry Key2
OnePlus 6

Size
151.4 x 71.8 x 8.5 mm (5.96 x 2.82 x 0.33 inches)
155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm (6.13 x 2.97 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
168 grams (5.92 ounces)
177 grams (6.24 ounces)

Screen Size
4.5-inch IPS LCD
6.28-inch AMOLED display

Screen Resolution
1,620 x 1,080 pixels (434 pixels per inch)
2,280 x 1,080 pixels (402 pixels per inch)

Operating System
Android 8.1 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo

Storage Space
64GB (U.S.), 128GB (International)
64GB (with 6GB of RAM), 128GB, 256GB (both with 8GB of RAM)

MicroSD Card Slot
Yes
No

Tap To Pay Services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 660
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
6GB, 8GB

Camera
Dual 12MP, 8MP front
Dual sensor 16MP (OIS) and 20MP rear, 16MP front

Video
Up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps)
Up to 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 480 fps super slow motion, HDR

Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-Type C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (front)
Yes (back)

Water resistance
No
No

Battery
3,500mAh
3,300mAh

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile
T-Mobile, AT&T

Colors
Black, silver
Midnight black, mirror black, silk white

Price
$650
$530

Buy From
BlackBerry
OnePlus

Review Score
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

When it comes to performance, there is no contest between the BlackBerry Key2 and the OnePlus 6. You will find a perfectly capable Snapdragon 660 processor on the Key2, but the OnePlus 6 ships with the top of the line Snapdragon 845 chip. That means it will deliver superior performance and can tackle graphics-intensive games better. Both phones come with 6GB of RAM standard, although there is an 8GB option of the OnePlus 6 available for $70 less than the BlackBerry Key2.

The OnePlus 6 has a measly 3,300mAh battery to power a large screen and powerful processor; in our tests, it only manages to last about a day. The BlackBerry Key2’s 3,500mAh battery capacity may not seem like that much more, but there is a much smaller screen, and it’s able to last easily for about two days (based on our experience with the BlackBerry KeyOne, which had a similar battery size).

Neither the BlackBerry Key2 nor the OnePlus 6 feature wireless charging. Both phones do, however, offer a quick-charging option. On the Key2 you will find Quick Charge 3.0, which should return about 50 percent charge in a little under 40 minutes. The OnePlus 6 uses the company’s proprietary Dash Charge technology, which will add about 60 percent charge over the same period of time.

The win for this round goes to the OnePlus 6. Its Snapdragon 845, multiple RAM options, and Dash Charge technology give it the leg up over the Key2.

Winner: OnePlus 6

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When it comes to design, the BlackBerry Key2 stands out among the crowd. It manages to look modern, while still being reminiscent of past Blackberry phones. You’ll find a small, but manageable, display butted up to a spectacular physical keyboard on the front, as well as a dual-camera setup on its textured back.

The OnePlus 6, on the other hand, has the look of a traditional flagship smartphone. It features a gorgeous glass body, a bezel-less screen, and a small camera bump and fingerprint sensor on the back. It looks elegant.

In terms of durability alone, the BlackBerry Key2 is much more likely to weather an accidental drop versus its competitor. Yes, the OnePlus 6 does use Gorilla Glass 5, but the Key2 has an aluminum back with a textured rubber coating — it won’t crack like glass. Neither phone is water or dust resistant.

We’re giving this round to the BlackBerry Key2. Since both phones have their own unique design aesthetic, the design portion of this challenge subjective. The Key2 will undoubtedly handle drops better.

Winner: BlackBerry Key2

Display

Andy Boxall/DigitalTrends.com

In 2018, it’s nearly impossible to find a display smaller than 5 inches — even on budget phones. BlackBerry bucks the trend with the Key2, which has a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display with a 1,620 x 1,080 resolution and 434 pixels per inch (PPI). Its the same display configuration as last year’s KeyOne, save for the fact it features smaller bezels.

The OnePlus 6, on the other hand, features a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a 2,280 x 1,080 resolution. And while it has a lower pixel density of 402 PPI, the difference is hardly noticeable. You do get a nice, large screen for media consumption, though.

OnePlus takes the display round by a long shot. The AMOLED display looks a lot better than the IPS LCD screen, and the screen is nearly two inches larger to boot.

Winner: OnePlus 6

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Key2 is the first BlackBerry to feature a dual-camera setup on the back. There is a 12-megapixel primary lens with an f/1.8 aperture, alongside a secondary 12-megapixel lens with an f/2.6 aperture. While we didn’t have an opportunity to test the camera extensively, we believe it should do well in daylight. Low-light photos will likely be a mixed bag. There is 2x optical zoom on the Key2, as well as a portrait mode.

There is also a dual-camera setup on the OnePlus 6. It features a 16-megapixel primary lens with optical image stabilization, alongside a 20-megapixel secondary lens. Both lenses have an f/1.7 aperture. Camera quality is solid on the OnePlus 6, and it also includes a portrait mode for the front and rear camera.

We haven’t had time to test the Key2’s camera, but we’re giving the win to OnePlus largely because we believe optical image stabilization is a huge benefit for low-light photography.

Winner: OnePlus 6

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When it comes to software, both the Blackberry Key2 and OnePlus 6 run Android 8.1 Oreo. In addition to running the latest version of the Android operating system, each phone has its own unique take on Android that adds additional functionality.

OnePlus has its OxygenOS layered over Android, and it adds a few nice features like Gaming Mode, which pauses interruptions when gaming, black and white mode, which offers an ebook reader-like screen, and there are tons of customization options to make the phone look exactly how you want.

But one of the huge selling points for the BlackBerry Key2 is its software package. On the phone, you will find the BlackBerry Launcher, with more than a dozen specialized apps that help you get work done quickly. Apps like Privacy Shade and BlackBerry Locker keep prying eyes away, and Power Center makes sure your battery will last until the next time you plug in.

Where the OnePlus 6 does excel is updates. BlackBerry does a pretty good job of offering monthly security updates, but KeyOne owners are still waiting for the Android 8.0 Oreo update. OnePlus tends to be quick.

We’re calling this round a tie. While we believe you will see the update to Android P quicker on the OnePlus 6 versus the Key2, there are so many downright useful security and privacy-focused features in the Key2 that you won’t find on the OnePlus 6.

Winner: Tie 

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Other than its Alert Slider, many of the special features on the OnePlus 6 are baked into the software, and we’ve already mentioned most of them above.

TCL (the company that licenses the BlackBerry brand) has added a ton of features via hardware. For example, there is the Convenience Key, which lets you set three apps to three separate modes (nine apps total). In Car mode, the apps will change to your favorites such as Google Maps, Waze, or a music streaming app, when the phone connects to your car’s Bluetooth. The same happens when your phone is on your home or work network.

The keyboard also lets you create up to 52 shortcuts — you can long-press or short press a key to jump to an app or shortcut. What is more is that the new Speed Key lets you switch between apps without ever having to leave an app. It makes multitasking much faster.

The BlackBerry Key2 takes the win.

Winner: BlackBerry Key2 

Price

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The BlackBerry Key2 comes in at $650. It’s available on the BlackBerry website and is compatible with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

The OnePlus 6 starts at $530 for the base model and can be purchased on the OnePlus website. It’s compatible only with AT&T and T-Mobile networks in the U.S.

Overall winner: OnePlus 6

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Comparing specs alone, the OnePlus 6 comes ahead of the Key2, but it’s a close race. At the end of the day, both of these phones cater to different audiences, but it’s impressive how close the Key2 comes to the OnePlus, especially with a physical keyboard.

Editors’ Recommendations

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The space-age Vivo Nex is 2018’s most exciting smartphone yet

Remember the Vivo Apex, the crazy concept phone shown at Mobile World Congress this year? Vivo recently announced it would be the basis for a phone we could actually buy, and has now revealed the final device. It’s called the Vivo Nex, and not only is it very close to the Apex we swooned over at MWC, it’s also like nothing else we’ve seen come out this year — and that makes it very exciting.

Vivo has managed to achieve a stunning 91 percent screen-to-body ratio with the Nex, squeezing a massive 6.59-inch screen into the almost bezel-less body. Take a close look at the screen in the pictures and you’ll notice something missing. Well, actually you’ll notice there’s nothing missing, as the Nex doesn’t have a notch like we’re seeing on most phones with slim bezels at the moment.

This is possible through the use of three technologies we saw demonstrated on the Apex concept. The first is the 8-megapixel selfie camera, which “pops up” from the top of the phone — a fun and innovative alternative to placing the lens at the bottom of the phone, like Xiaomi did with the Mi Mix series. The second is turning the screen itself into the speaker, rather than using a notch to house a single speaker. We had a quick demo of this at MWC, and the sound quality was surprisingly good.

In-display fingerprint sensor

Finally, the Vivo Nex has an in-display fingerprint sensor. Vivo says it’s the third-generation of the tech inside the Nex, following on from the X20 and X21 phones. The X20 worked superbly with Synaptics fingerprint sensor, but the multi-finger sensor inside the Vivo Apex wasn’t quite so successful. We’re hoping the Nex is closer to the X20/X21 experience.

Add all these things together, and the Vivo Nex becomes a look at the next generation of smartphone design and technology. It definitely reminds us of how the Xiaomi Mi Mix influenced the industry when it was released in late 2016. Vivo has also embraced artificial intelligence for the Nex, adding A.I. elements to the camera — including scene recognition, filters, and compositional advice — which it had also revealed separately this year. The Nex also has its own A.I. assistant called Jovi, who we expect will be there, forever and a day, always.

This is a flagship phone too. Inside is a Snapdragon 845 processor and 8GB of RAM, plus 256GB of storage space, and a massive 4,000mAh battery. Android 8.1 Oreo is the operating system but with Vivo’s Funtouch OS user interface over the top. The dual-lens camera on the back has a 12-megapixel, f/1.8 aperture lens, and a secondary 5-megapixel f/2/4 aperture lens. Vivo hasn’t announced when the Nex will go on sale or the price, but the company mainly sells its hardware in China, so you’ll have to import a Nex if you want one.

Editors’ Recommendations

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FBI lands a big catch, busts 74 and shuts down $16 million phishing ring

The FBI has dismantled a global phishing ring and recovered more than $16 million in a crackdown on fraudulent email schemes. A total of 74 people were arrested across a number of territories, including the U.S. and Nigeria, with most of those arrested accused of taking part in a “business email compromise” scam.

Email phishing is an old scam but an effective one. It’s one of the most enduring social engineering attacks in the digital world and is said by some authorities to have led to the loss of more than $3.7 billion since the Internet Crime Complaint Center began tracking it, as per Ars Technica. That said, the FBI and Department of Justice have struck a blow to its global reach with this latest string of arrests.

In the U.S. 42 people were arrested, with a further 29 detained in Nigeria. Arrests were also made in Canada, Mauritius, and Poland, with all of those arrested involved in the phishing scam in some capacity. Reportedly it would involve a malicious actor sending emails to company employees and tricking them into giving the fraudsters access to financial credentials to transfer money. The FBI said that it had seized $2.4 million as part of the raids, with a further $14 million in fraudulent wire transfers also recovered.

“Fraudsters can rob people of their life’s savings in a matter of minutes,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions. “These are malicious and morally repugnant crimes. The Department of Justice has taken aggressive action against fraudsters in recent months, conducting the largest sweep of fraud against American seniors in history back in February.”

The arrests involved a number of agencies, including the FBI, double digits of U.S. Attorney offices, the Secret Service, Postal Inspection Services, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Treasury Department, not to mention their counterparts in the various involved countries. The Department of Justice said that this string of arrests was a “model for international cooperation against specific threats that endanger the financial well-being of each member country’s residents.”

Staying safe online often involves being skeptical, even when everything seems fine. Social engineering scams are always evolving, as well, so while you might not fall for Nigerian prince scams, there are new variants that are looking to hook people in all the time.

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Runvi’s A.I.-infused smart insoles help runners correct their form

We’ve seen a lot of smart exercise tools designed to help runners get faster and more efficient, including a host of fitness trackers, smart shoes, and apps. Now you can add smart insoles to the list as well, as a new product called Runvi promises to be an artificial intelligence-driven running coach to help you achieve your running goals.

Runvi, which launched on Kickstarter on Tuesday, June 12, consists of the aforementioned smart insoles and an iOS app — complete with Apple Watch support — which work in tandem with one another to offer insights into a runner’s performance. For instance, each of the insoles is equipped with 30 advanced pressure sensors and two accelerometers to collect an accurate representation of an athlete’s form while running. The device can tell whether or not the user pronates his or her foot, has too slow of a cadence, or is a heel striker, all of which can impact running efficiency.

That data is then compiled and examined by A.I. to offer real-time feedback to the runner on how to improve their form. That feedback can even come in the midst of a run, with a voice in their headphones making suggestions on how to correct inefficiencies while on the go. The goal is to eliminate excess fatigue, avoid injuries, and improve their speed, too.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg. Runvi can also use a runner’s historical data to create personalized training plans to assist in their long-term fitness goals too. Users are able to set goals for themselves within the app, which analyzes the workout data collected by the smart insoles to suggest a workout schedule custom built to help them achieve their objectives. If you want to run faster, the system can suggest drills to help you do that, and if you want to run further, it can help with that, too. Runvi is reportedly smart and adaptive enough that it can assist both beginning runners who are just starting out or experienced athletes preparing for a marathon.

The creators of Runvi are hoping to raise bout $59,000 to get the device into production. If successful in those efforts, they plan to begin shipping the final product this fall at a price of $235. Early bird supporters will find substantial discounts for getting in on the action early, but as always it helps to understand the risks that come along with backing any crowdfunding campaign.

Find out more on the Runvi website.

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How to change exercise shortcuts on Fitbit Versa and Ionic

Exercise shortcuts on the Versa and Ionic are great, but changing them is a little tricky.

Your Fitbit Versa or Ionic can be used for a ton of different things, but at the end of the day, they work best when helping you stay active and healthy. It’s really easy to start tracking a workout on either watch, but did you know you can actually add and remove these shortcuts as you see fit?

Fitbit doesn’t really make this super apparent, so we’re here to walk you through the process step-by-step.

How to change your workouts

Tap on your Versa/Ionic icon near the top right.

Scroll down and tap Exercise Shortcuts (it’s the third-to-last option).

From here, you’ll see a list of the workouts currently on your watch. You can move the position of how they appear on your watch by dragging the four bars next to each one, and if you want to remove one, swipe it to the left.

You can have up to seven workouts on your Versa/Ionic at a time, and if you have room to add more, you’ll see a + icon near the top right.

To add more workouts to your watch:

Tap the + icon.
Select the workouts you want to add.

Tap Add to Versa / Add to Ionic.

How to sync your watch

After you’ve updated your workouts, you’ll want to manually sync your Versa/Ionic to ensure your changes are added to it.

Tap on your Versa/Ionic icon near the top right.

Tap Sync Now.

Need more help?

Need more help with anything we covered here? Just want to say hi? Leave a comment down below!

Best watch faces for Fitbit Versa and Ionic

Fitbit

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Xiaomi Redmi 6/6A bring face unlock and 18:9 displays to the entry-level segment

Xiaomi’s latest entry-level phones pack MediaTek chipsets and 18:9 displays.

Xiaomi unveiled its 2018 flagship at the end of last month, and the brand has now turned its attention once again to the entry-lvel segment. The Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A feature noticeable improvements from their predecessors, including 18:9 panels, faster hardware, and dual cameras (on the Redmi 6).

Both phones run MIUI 10 based on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, enabling AI-assisted face unlock and navigation gestures. Here’s what you need to know about Xiaomi’s latest entry-level phones.

Xiaomi Redmi 6: 5.45-inch 18:9 panel with dual rear cameras

The Redmi 6 is the more interesting of the two devices, as it sports dual cameras at the back. The phone has a 12MP primary sensor joined by a secondary 5MP module, and like of the rest of Xiaomi’s portfolio, the device gets AI-assisted features for portrait mode and beautify filters.

Other specs include a 5.45-inch HD+ (1440×720) display, 2.0GHz octa-core 12nm MediaTek Helio P22 SoC, 3GB/32GB or 4GB/64GB options with a dedicated microSD card slot along with dual SIM card slots, 5MP front shooter, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/g, Bluetooth 4.2, MicroUSB, and a 3000mAh battery.

Xiaomi Redmi 6A: 13MP camera and 3000mAh battery

The Redmi 6A shares the same hardware as the Redmi 6, but it comes with a quad-core Helio A22 chipset and sports a single 13MP camera at the back. The phone is also available in a single variant with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.

Sure, the phone isn’t the fastest in the world, but with a retail price of just $95 (¥599), you’re getting a lot for your money.

The Redmi 6, meanwhile, will go on sale for $125 (¥799) for the version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage will retail for the equivalent of $155 (¥999). Both phones go up for sale in China starting June 15.

Like last year, the phones will be making their debut initially in China, but they should be heading to India in the coming months considering the Redmi 5 and the Redmi 5A sold incredibly well in the country.

Do you prefer LCD or OLED displays on smartphones?

Would you like yellowish whites with those deep blacks?

When it comes to smartphone displays, the two most popular technologies are LCD and OLED/AMOLED. OLED panels have quickly become the norm for flagship phones thanks to their deeper blacks and rich contrast, but phones like the LG G7 are evidence that LCD screens can still stand on their own.

The G7 is one of the only flagship Android phones in 2018 that still relies on LCD, and some of our forum members recently got together to talk about whether or not they’re glad LG used this screen technology for the phone.

Here’s what they had to say.

B0WIE
06-10-2018 01:15 PM

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I was really impressed by the screen. Even more impressed when I was able to clearly see the screen in direct Arizona sunlight. I’ve never seen another phone even come close to that. I have an OLED TV that I love but the G7s LCD screen speaks for itself and I’m happy with it. Best screen I’ve used, by far.

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AARON BRYANT2
06-10-2018 01:27 PM

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If they had LCD screens that had deep blacls like oled then I would instantly choose that. But till they do, I dont think lcd picture quality is as good.

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experiment 626
06-10-2018 05:19 PM

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Very much Yes. Apple, Sony, and LG all know how to make high-quality IPS LCD screens.
I’ve never had an issue with my S5’s screen but I’ve seen real bad burn-in issues on other Samsungs and tinted newer LGs like the V30.

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sushiguy732
06-10-2018 06:40 PM

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my only issue with this screen is some white bleed through at the bottom of the phone.

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Moving to a broader scale, we’d now like to hear from you — Do you prefer LCD or OLED displays on smartphones?

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