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.

Oppo is gearing up to introduce the F29 5G series in India, featuring the Oppo F29 5G and Oppo F29 Pro 5G. The launch is scheduled for March 20 at 12 PM (IST), as confirmed by Oppo through an official post on X. The F29 Pro 5G will be available in Granite Black and Marble White, while the standard Oppo F29 5G will come in Glacier Blue and Solid Purple.

Key features and durability

Oppo has positioned the F29 5G series as a “durable champion”, with military-grade MIL-STD-810H-2022 certification. The devices boast a 360-degree armor body and have reportedly undergone testing by SGS India, achieving IP66, IP68, and IP69 dust and water resistance ratings.

The smartphones incorporate an aerospace-grade aluminum alloy internal frame, a lens protection ring, a raised corner design cover, and sponge bionic cushioning, ensuring enhanced durability.

What to expect from the Oppo F29 5G series?

Oppo’s F-series has been known for its sleek design and competent cameras, and the F29 models promise a continuation of this legacy. While detailed specifications are yet to be revealed officially, leaks suggest an emphasis on rugged durability and advanced design.

Oppo F29 5G series price in India

Though Oppo has not disclosed the official pricing, the F29 5G series is expected to be positioned in the mid-range segment, similar to its predecessor, the Oppo F27 5G, which launched in India in August 2024.

With its durability-focused build and attractive color options, the Oppo F29 5G series is likely to attract consumers looking for a reliable and stylish smartphone.

The Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Pro are slated to hit the market in India shortly, with sales expected to commence approximately a week after their official launch. Both devices come packed with a series of updates aimed at optimizing the user interface and enhancing the overall photographic experience.

In the Nothing community forum, several noteworthy updates have been shared. These include improved interaction with the Essential Key, which now supports both short and long press options. Users will also benefit from Essential Space widgets, a redesigned homepage, and a detailed page that includes an ‘upcoming’ section for effective task management. Additionally, smart insights in system language add another layer of user-friendly functionality.

On the photography front, significant improvements have been made to the camera capabilities of both models. Users can now capture higher-quality photos, featuring enhanced clarity in macro mode and a refined portrait mode that provides better background blurring. The camera app itself has been upgraded, incorporating fixes for existing bugs and enabling users to import custom cube files for their personal filters. Moreover, the introduction of new camera presets allows for more creative freedom in capturing images.

The Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are equipped with a cutting-edge triple-camera system that boasts up to 60X ultra zoom capabilities. This impressive technology is complemented by a Snapdragon processor, ensuring an optimized gaming experience. Both models feature a stunning 6.77-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering a fluid 120 Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 3,000 nits, making for vibrant visuals even in bright conditions.

The pricing for the Nothing Phone 3a begins at ₹19,999, while the Phone 3a Pro starts at ₹24,999. Notably, customers who place their orders on the launch day can take advantage of special limited-time offers, providing added incentive to make a purchase.

With their combination of advanced technology, user-friendly enhancements, and attractive pricing, the Nothing Phone 3a and 3a Pro are positioned as essential and progressive smartphones, appealing to users who value both performance and design in their mobile devices.