Oppo is set to launch its latest F29 5G series in India on March 20, featuring the Oppo F29 5G and Oppo F29 Pro 5G. The upcoming smartphones are expected to offer impressive durability with IP68 and IP69 ratings for water and dust resistance.

Oppo F29 Pro 5G: Expected specifications

The Oppo F29 Pro 5G is likely to feature a 6.7-inch Full HD+ quad-curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it could be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 processor, which is also seen in the Oppo Reno 12 Pro and Vivo T4x.

For optics, the F29 Pro 5G is expected to sport a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, accompanied by a 2MP secondary sensor. On the front, the smartphone may house a 16MP camera for selfies and video calls.

The device is likely to pack a 6,000mAh battery with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging support. It is expected to be available in three storage variants: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage

Oppo F29 5G: Expected specifications

The Oppo F29 5G is also expected to feature a 6.7-inch Full HD+ display. However, it may be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, offering a different performance profile compared to the Pro variant.

The camera setup is anticipated to be similar to the F29 Pro, with a 50MP primary sensor (without OIS) and a 2MP monochrome sensor. The front camera is expected to be the same 16MP shooter.

One notable difference is the battery capacity – the Oppo F29 5G could house a 6,500mAh battery with 45W SUPERVOOC fast charging. It is expected to come in two storage variants: 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage

Expected price in India

As per leaks, the pricing of the Oppo F29 5G series is expected to be:

Oppo F29 Pro 5G – Under ₹30,000

Oppo F29 5G – Under ₹25,000

With its focus on durability and performance, the Oppo F29 series is expected to compete with other mid-range smartphones in the Indian market.

Apple has launched a new app named ‘Surveyor’, aimed at collecting real-world mapping data to improve the precision and richness of Apple Maps. The app is reported to gather crucial information such as street signs, traffic signals, and other roadside elements to ensure that Apple Maps stays current and accurate.

Unlike Apple’s typical consumer applications, Surveyor is not available to the public. It seems to be developed specifically for partner companies involved in mapping projects. When users download the app, they are prompted to “Open Partner App,” which takes them to a separate application called Premise.

Premise is a third-party platform that rewards users for participating in various activities, including surveys and reporting local information like construction updates, or taking photographs of specific locations.

App strings discovered in Surveyor indicate that when users receive a mapping task through Premise, they will be instructed to mount their iPhone, switch it to landscape mode, and take photos along a designated driving route. This functionality suggests a systematic approach to gathering data on road infrastructure, which is subsequently sent to Apple to aid in accurately positioning elements on the map.

This strategy illustrates Apple’s intent to utilize crowdsourced data collection as a means to refine its mapping services and keep vital map details updated. Although Premise is not officially recognized as an Apple Maps partner, the connection between the two apps signifies a collaborative effort to maintain ongoing updates to Apple Maps.

Through this initiative, Apple appears to be adopting community-driven data collection methods that could enhance its mapping ecosystem, competing with similar approaches employed by Google Maps and Waze. As Apple works to improve Apple Maps, the Surveyor app could embody a wider movement towards AI-enhanced, real-time mapping upgrades, ensuring that users benefit from more precise and detailed navigation capabilities. This effort aligns with Apple’s broader ambitions in the mapping domain and highlights an innovative direction for future enhancements.

On March 13, Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant, announced an essential partnership with PhonePe’s Indus Appstore, marking a significant shift in its app ecosystem in India. This multi-year collaboration intends to replace Xiaomi’s existing GetApps store with the Indus Appstore on all upcoming Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones, thus providing a more localized experience for Indian users.

One of the standout features of the new Indus Appstore is its extensive language support, allowing users to explore apps in 12 Indian languages. This initiative aims to cater to the linguistic diversity of the nation and ensures that more users can comfortably navigate the app store. Additionally, the platform employs an innovative video-led app discovery system, enabling users to preview applications visually before deciding to download them. This visual approach enhances user engagement and facilitates informed choices.

Voice command functionality is another significant upgrade, as the Indus Appstore allows searches in 10 Indian languages. This feature aims to make app discovery even more intuitive and accessible for users who prefer voice interaction. The app store claims to host an impressive collection of over 500,000 mobile applications and games spanning 45 categories, enhancing the variety available to users.

Priya M Narasimhan, Chief Business Officer of Indus Appstore, expressed that this partnership is a vital step toward creating a dedicated app marketplace that serves the unique needs of Indian mobile users and developers. “By integrating Xiaomi’s expansive reach with our localized app discovery platform, we are paving the way for a culturally relevant and seamless user experience,” Narasimhan noted.

Xiaomi India’s Chief Operating Officer, Sudhin Mathur, emphasized the growing demand for a locally-driven app platform as India’s digital landscape evolves. He affirmed Xiaomi’s commitment to “Make for India” initiatives and highlighted that the integration of the Indus Appstore will enhance both user experiences and provide Indian developers a broader audience. This collaboration signifies both companies’ strong dedication to nurturing a dynamic and inclusive digital ecosystem in India.