[Update: Design revealed] iQOO Neo3 launches next week with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 and 144Hz display

Update 1 (4/17/20 @ 04:00 AM ET): iQOO Neo3 will comes with triple rear cameras and a hole-punch display on the front.

The update has been added at the bottom while the original article from April 13th is preserved as-is.

iQOO, formerly a Vivo sub-brand, recently made its international debut with the launch of the iQOO 3 5G in India. Kishan from our team concluded his iQOO 3 5G review commending it as one of the fastest phones out there, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 mobile platform, 12GB of RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage technology. Additional features like the pressure-sensitive “Monster” shoulder buttons make the package even more exciting. One area, however, where the phone was found to be lagging behind the competition is the refresh rate of the display. For users who want a display with a higher refresh along with the other gaming-centric features in the iQOO 3, the company will be launching the iQOO Neo 3 on April 23rd with a 144Hz display.

The iQOO Neo3 is actually the fourth phone in the Neo series and the previous devices were named simply after the processor powering them. The older iQOO phones in the series were called Neo 845, Neo 855, and Neo 855 Plus. The new naming scheme indicates that iQOO is positioning the Neo3 alongside the iQOO 3 instead of it being a successor or a supplementary device.

Ahead of the iQOO Neo3’s launch on the 23rd of April, the brand’s Weibo account has started actively teasing the key features of the phone. Expectedly, the Neo3 is powered by a Snapdragon 865 and comes with a UFS 3.1 NAND storage. Besides this, the Neo3 also comes with a 144Hz display to complement the top-of-the-line internal hardware.

Based on some screenshots found on Weibo, we learn that an upcoming Vivo-branded phone with model number PD1981 will allow users to choose among the different screen refresh rates. The screenshots are allegedly captured on the iQOO Neo3 since there is no other Vivo flagship (iQOO still sells under Vivo in China) appears to be in pipeline. The available options include a 60Hz option for better battery performance, a 90Hz option for optimal performance and battery backup, and a 120Hz option to unleash a super-smooth display. Additionally, the screenshots also reveals the phone runs on Vivo’s overlay skin Funtouch OS based on Android 10.

Vivo has also launched a microsite for iQOO Neo3 and we can expect to see more updates on the same in the coming days. We’ll update you as we learn more about the phone.

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Update: iQOO reveals Neo3’s front and back design revealed

In further teasers, iQOO has revealed key details about the design of the upcoming Neo3 smartphone. It comes with a hole-punch display just like the iQOO 3 and a triple camera setup on the back. The camera module has mentions details like the sensor size and the aperture but not the resolutions of the sensors. For now, we know there is an ultrawide sensor along with the primary sensors.

The phone also comes with dual speakers, Hi-Fi audio, and 1.05cc audio chambers on either side for amplifying the sound.

Source: Weibo (1)(2)

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WhatsApp prepares to increase the group video and audio call limit

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is undoubtedly one of the most popular IP-based messengers, with over two billion users around the world. In a bid to keep its users from migrating to other more feature-rich messengers, the company keeps bringing new features with each major update. Over the last couple of months, the company has added several new features to the messenger including the much-awaited dark mode, support for fingerprint unlock, and more. Now, according to recent posts from WABetaInfo, the company is preparing to increase the group video and audio call limits on the messenger.

WhatsApp first introduced group audio and video calling on the platform all the way back in 2018 and the feature currently only allows a maximum of 4 participants per call. However, WABetaInfo has discovered strings of code in WhatsApp beta for Android (v2.2.128) which suggest that the messenger is preparing to increase the limit in a future update. The strings also reveal that all users will have to be on the latest version of the app in order to take advantage of the increased group call limit. As of now, it isn’t quite clear what the new limit will be and we have no information regarding the release timeline.

Along with the new group call limit, WhatsApp is also working to add a new call header to the app which is already available in WhatsApp beta for Android v.2.20.129. The call header, which was first spotted in WhatsApp beta for iOS v2.20.50.23, aims to inform users that their calls are end-to-end encrypted.

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Source: WABetaInfo (1,2,3)

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Google Pixel 4/4 XL get support for eSIM and DSDS on Verizon with April 2020 update

The Google Pixel series doesn’t include any devices with dual physical SIM card slots. However, Dual SIM functionality is possible through a feature called “Dual SIM, Dual Standby.” Using the SIM card slot and eSIM in tandem, the Pixel 4 and Pixel 3a can use two SIMs. eSIM was previously disabled on the Verizon Pixel 4 models, but the April 2020 update enables it.

Pixel 4 XDA Forums ||| Pixel 4 XL XDA Forums

With the eSIM enabled, the Pixel 4 series on Verizon can finally support Dual SIM, Dual Standby (DSDS). This means you can receive calls and text from the secondary SIM, but it can’t be used simultaneously with the primary SIM. People like this feature because it can allow you to carry one device instead of two if you have multiple lines. Verizon’s changelog explicitly mentions eSIM and DSDS, but some people are saying it still doesn’t work. Verizon has yet to issue a solution.

What’s changing:

Verizon Wireless is pleased to announce a new software update for your Google Pixel 4. This update includes the latest security patches, system enhancements, and the enablement of eSIM and Dual SIM Dual Standby capability.

Dual SIM, Dual Standy first popped up for Pixel phones with Android Q beta 2 on the Pixel 3 series. It was removed in beta 3 and never returned (though you can enable it with root). The Pixel 3a eventually launched with support for DSDS and that carried over to the unlocked Pixel 4 models. Both Verizon and Google have instructions for getting DSDS setup on your Pixel.

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Source: Verizon (Pixel 4, 4 XL)

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Qualcomm uploads some of the Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765 sources on CAF

Back in December of 2019 during the Snapdragon Tech Summit, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 865 and Snapdragon 765 mobile platforms. These chipsets are Qualcomm’s most powerful flagship and upper mid-range SoCs to date, and they’re already shipping on a number of premium devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S20 (865), Xiaomi Mi 10 (865), OnePlus 8 (865), and OPPO Reno3 Pro (765). Over 4 months since Qualcomm first announced these SoCs, the company has started to upload some of the sources associated with the two mobile platforms.

Code Aurora Forum, or CAF for short, hosts the source code for various Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs. Qualcomm, as an SoC vendor, distributes a forked version of the Linux kernel to OEMs/ODMs, who then add device-specific changes on shipping devices. In addition, Qualcomm makes changes to the AOSP framework to optimize Android for each of the company’s Snapdragon mobile platforms. Qualcomm privately distributes their modified Linux kernel, AOSP framework, and other software tools to its partners as part of a Board Support Package, or BSP. On the other hand, CAF is where Qualcomm publically publishes these Linux kernel changes and AOSP framework changes. This CAF release can be useful for custom ROM developers who wish to use it as a starting point rather than pure AOSP, which is why you sometimes see “CAF-based” ROMs on our forums.

To summarize:

• Mainline Linux Kernel –> Android Common Kernel –> SoC-specific kernel (what Qualcomm publishes on CAF) –> BSP –> device-specific kernel (what OEMs are required to publish)
• AOSP –> AOSP + framework changes made by SoC vendors (not required to be published under Apache 2.0, but Qualcomm does anyway) –> BSP –> OEM Android software (OxygenOS, ZenUI, etc.)

You can browse the associated release for the Snapdragon 865 (code-named “kona”) and Snapdragon 765 (code-named “lito”) on CAF now. Qualcomm previously released some of the source code for the Snapdragon 855 back in May of 2019, meaning today’s release has come about a month earlier than we expected.

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Paranoid Android releases Android 10 custom ROMs for some ASUS, OnePlus, and Xiaomi phones

LineageOS may be the most popular custom ROM out there, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t also other popular aftermarket builds. Custom ROMs like Pixel Experience, OmniROM, Resurrection Remix, and Paranoid Android also have a large number of fans. Each of these custom ROMs offer their own take on what the Android experience should be like. Paranoid Android was known for its style and innovative features back in the day, and even if they aren’t as large as they used to be after their original members were scouted by Nextbit (and later Razer), their remaining team members are still releasing new builds from time to time. After releasing a few beta builds based on Android 10 back in October, the Paranoid Android team has now announced the first stable releases for a handful of devices including the Essential Phone and a few others from ASUS, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.

Over on the team’s blog, they announced Paranoid Android Quartz 1, the first Android 10 stable build available now on our forums for several devices. This is also the team’s first stable release since their Android Nougat-based builds. For this initial stable release, the team has added the following features:

Paranoid Android Quartz 1 Feature List

• Included GAPPS inside the zips.
• April 2020 Security Patch Level.
• OTA support (with deltas).
• Adaptive Playback.
• Screen stabilization (Gimbal mode).
• SafetyNet (most devices).
• Built-in screen recorder.
• FOD support (Fingerprint On Display).
• Pulse notifications.
• ParanoidDoze: extended AOD support
• Off-screen gestures.
• Gestures support.
• Vibration adapted UI.
• Extended vibration system (OnePlus devices).
• Alert Slider UI (OnePlus devices).
• OTS: On The Spot, introduce user hint prompt system, uses a snackbar design to prompt the user for changes.
• Pocket Mode, introduces a mode that will detect whenever your device is on the pocket and prevent it from waking.
• Fast Charging indicator (includes OnePlus devices).
• Quick Settings Pull Down with one finger.
• Extended Restart.
• Introduced Settings reset for PA features under Settings → System → Reset Options.
• Double tap to sleep on keyguard (lockscreen) and launcher.
• Volume Long Press to Skip Tracks.
• Volume panel on left for devices with left volume buttons.
• Adjusted statusbar notifications per device.
• Navigation bar customization.
• Improved lockscreen security
• Caffeine tile (thanks LineageOS).
• Extended screenshot support (thanks Pixel Experience).
• Per-app cellular data, vpn and wifi restrictions.
• Three finger swipe down for screenshots.
• Pop-Up camera support.
• Based off CAF LA.UM.8.2.r1-04200-sdm660.0 tag.

The wallpapers were designed by Hampus Olsson, who is also the wallpaper designer for OnePlus. He has released the wallpapers for everyone to enjoy in his Abstruct app.

Abstruct - Wallpapers in 4K (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Download Paranoid Android Quartz 1 (Android 10)

You can download the Quartz 1 builds for the following devices from their respective XDA forum threads:

• ASUS ZenFone Pro Max M2
• ASUS ZenFone Pro Max M1
• Essential Phone
• OnePlus 7 Pro
• OnePlus 6 and 6T
• OnePlus 3 and 3T
• Xiaomi Redmi 5
• Xiaomi Mi 9
• Xiaomi Mi 6

Take note that these builds already have Google apps included, so you don’t need to flash a separate ZIP file to get the Google Play Store. This latest release also includes support for incremental updates so you won’t have to download entire system images for subsequent updates.

ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 Forums ||| ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 Forums|||Essential Phone Forums

OnePlus 3 Forums ||| OnePlus 3T Forums ||| OnePlus 6 Forums ||| OnePlus 6T Forums ||| OnePlus 7 Pro Forums

Xiaomi Redmi 5 Forums ||| Xiaomi Mi 6 Forums ||| Xiaomi Mi 9 Forums

The Paranoid Android team is working to add support for the following devices:

• OnePlus 5 and 5T
• OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7T, and OnePlus 7T Pro
• POCOPHONE F1
• Sony Xperia XZ2 and Sony Xperia XZ2 Dual
• Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact and Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact Dual
• Sony Xperia XZ3 and Sony Xperia XZ3 Dual
• Xiaomi Mi 9T and Xiaomi Redmi K20
• Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro and Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro

If you’re interested in helping the Paranoid Android team with development, then reach out to herna@paranoidandroid.co. If you want to stay up-to-date on news and new releases from the team, you should consider following them on Twitter.

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Developers port Windows 10 on ARM to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and other Snapdragon 835-powered phones

Developer-friendly OEMs like OnePlus and Sony are known for publishing kernel sources as well as device trees; the latter serves as a mechanism to describe the hardware to the Linux-based kernel of Android on ARM platform as soon as the primary bootloader boots. Operating systems like Microsoft Windows, however, utilize the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) for the same task, while the low level hardware initialization is handled by the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) nowadays. Interestingly, it is possible to port UEFI and ACPI support to existing ARM devices with ample hacking, thus you can technically boot Windows 10 on devices like the Raspberry Pi.

Windows 10 does natively support the ARM architecture, which is indeed a plus in this porting game. A developer known as Evsio0n has now published a proof-of-concept method to boot Windows 10 on ARM on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835-powered Samsung Galaxy S8. This is not the first time we have seen Windows 10 up and running on Android phones, but Evsio0n has also shared the source code to build the barebone UEFI firmware for the Galaxy S8 based on the TianoCore project.

pic.twitter.com/OdDSy4fr9t

— Evsio0n (@boby2001820) April 13, 2020

At the time of reporting, the firmware is capable of booting Windows Preinstallation Environment (AKA WinPE), but the lack of complete ACPI implementation prohibits full-blown Windows 10 to be booted. The memory management unit (MMU) is working to some extent, which is enough for Debian Linux with mainline Linux 5.x kernel to boot.

5.x Debian but still not got buttons work.
However , USB may partially work. pic.twitter.com/fd0BJyJRvN

— Evsio0n (@boby2001820) April 11, 2020

Evsio0n has credited Bingxing Wang, AKA imbushuo, and fxsheep for their contributions in this field. Another tinkerer named Tom Christopher Daniel Perez did tease (but later deleted) a similar development on the Xiaomi Mi 6 (probably based on fxsheep’s existing UEFI port for the device), which indicates that other Snapdragon 835-powered phones could eventually be supported by the project. While the current port is far from being a daily driver, especially when compared to the Lumia WOA project, Windows 10 might be useful to significantly extend the lifetime of these legacy flagships.

Download UEFI firmware for the Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung Galaxy S8 Forums

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What do you think of the new Apple iPhone SE?

Here at XDA-Developers, we don’t really talk about the Apple iPhone as much as we could. This is despite the fact that the latest iPhones have consistently been the benchmark against which Android flagships are compared against, and thus parallels will always be drawn. Everything that Apple does draws attention from competitors, and each of its moves becomes a trend, whether we like them to or not. This week, Apple did something that stole the thunder from the Android world once again, but in a rather surprising fashion. The company quietly launched the new Apple iPhone SE, also popularly referred to as the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone SE 2020.

The iPhone SE 2 is more of a refresh of the iPhone 8 from 2017 rather than a direct refresh of the original SE from 2016. There are a lot of familiar aspects about this new device, but there are two things that really stand out to us: the processor and the price tag. The iPhone SE 2 comes with Apple’s A13 Bionic SoC, which is the same SoC found on Apple’s current flagships, the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. For a starting price tag of $399 / €479 / £419 / ₹42,500, the new iPhone SE is the cheapest smartphone from Apple that offers flagship-level performance. The rest of the package is arguably modest: The design is dated and the camera only singular. Despite this, there’s no denying that the iPhone SE 2020 stands out from the sea of phones that are trying to do too much and costing us an arm and a leg.

Why we’re acknowledging this “budget” iPhone is the fact that Android flagships are now more expensive than ever, riding upon the seemingly-mandatory 5G adoption wave even though the technology still needs to grow and mature (and even come into existence in some markets in the first place). While the iPhone SE 2 is not particularly cheap—it still costs more than what we consider “budget” in the Android world—it offers Apple fans a cheaper option to stay within the iOS ecosystem if they haven’t updated in recent years. Apple is also very good at software support for its limited lineup.

Coupling the latest flagship processor with a decent price tag, a pocketable form factor, a sense of familiarity and simplicity, and Apple’s software support promise gives you an excellent option at a time when people are cutting down their spending because of COVID-19 and the economic changes that have been brought about. The world needs a flagship killer now more than ever……and it seems that Apple is the one to have provided one? Oh, how the tables have turned.

We would like to know your thoughts on this topic:

What do you think of the Apple iPhone SE 2? Do you agree with the approach Apple has taken with its “budget” flagship? What has Apple gotten right, and what has it gotten wrong? Who is Apple targeting with this phone? How important is the processor to the target audience, for them to even appreciate the A13 Bionic? Will this phone convert any Android users to Apple? Which is the closest current and/or future competitor to the iPhone SE 2 from the Android side? Do Android OEMs need to be worried?

For your reference, here are the specifications and pricing of the new device (via MacWorld):

• A13 Bionic processor
• 64GB/128GB/256GB of storage
• 4.7in (1334×750 at 326 ppi) display, 625 nits brightness, 1400:1 contrast, True Tone
• 12Mp (f/1.8) rear-facing camera with flash, Portrait mode, 4K video
• 7Mp (f/2.2) front-facing camera, Portrait mode
• IP67 water and dust resistance
• 138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm; 148g
• iPhone SE (2020, 64GB): £419/$399
• iPhone SE (2020, 128GB): £469/$449
• iPhone SE (2020, 256GB): £569/$549

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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