Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus rolled out its latest 7 series - including a 5G-enabled smartphone - at Bangalore International Exhibition Centre on Tuesday.
Promising a more advanced display, slimmer design, faster processor, a pop-up camera and immersive gaming experience, the 7 series include three new models - OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G.
The new line-up was launched simultaneously in London, New York and Bangalore and will be shown to customers in Beijing on Thursday.
“We constantly challenge ourselves to give people the best experience possible,” said Pete Lau, founder and chief executive of OnePlus, adding, “A great user experience means freedom and should enhance your life instead of distracting you from it. I’m so proud of what we’ve built with the OnePlus 7 series.”
The flagship of the new series is the OnePlus 7 Pro, which has a 16.9 centimetre display, up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is powered by high-density battery of 4000 milli Ampere hours, more than enough juice for a full day of phone use. It will be available in "nebula" blue, "mirror gray" and a brown the company calls "almond".
"7 Pro is one the best things happened in the history of OnePlus. We are sure to gain more market traction in India, Europe and the US with our new product," Carl Pei, co-founder of OnePlus, told The National.
Founded in 2013, Shenzhen-headquartered OnePlus entered the top five brands in terms of market share in the budget segment, where phones are priced at more than $400, for the first time ever in 2018, Hong Kong-headquartered researcher Counterpoint found. As the competition intensified in the global premium smartphone segment, OnePlus grew its market share more than twofold last year.
“Its robust performance came on the back of its strong sales of its flagship model OnePlus 6T. In terms of regions, China, India and Western Europe drove four-fifths of its global shipments,” said Tarun Pathak, an associate director with Counterpoint.
Industry analysts say OnePlus needs to pull up its socks in terms of features and technology as it aims to compete in the premium segment of phones.
"With the OnePlus 7 Pro, the company is pushing into expensive territory competing with the likes of Samsung and Huawei and based on what we know, there are a couple of areas where the it falls short - notably the lack of IP68 [waterproof] certification and wireless charging," Abbas Ali, managing editor of TechRadar Middle East, told The National.
As a lower-priced product, OnePlus has managed to justify not adding those niceties but now that it wants to compete in the premium space, it has to check all these boxes, added Mr Ali.
The OnePlus 7 series phones are powered by the Snapdragon 855 mobile chip-set that supports cutting-edge camera technologies and on-device artificial intelligence.
The company, which also unveiled its 5G-enabled phone, is powered by the first commercial 5G mobile platform Snapdragon 855 of Qualcomm, an American semiconductor and telecommunications equipment company.
To embrace the dawn of 5G, OnePlus has joined forces with the UK’s mobile network operator EE, one of the largest in the country, to be the first to sell a 5G-enabled smartphone in the UK. So far, OnePlus has established partnerships with more than 20 retail, e-commerce and merchandise operators across Europe.
OnePlus 7 Pro also comes with Zen Mode, a 20-minute shut-off option developed to encourage users to stay off their smartphones.
OnePlus 7 series prices
OnePlus 7 Pro price: smartphone with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage is Dh3,029; 8GB RAM and 256 GB storage is Dh2,768; 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is Dh2,560.
OnePlus 7 price: smartphone with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage is Dh1,985 and 6GB RAM and 128 GB storage is Dh1,724.
Availability of the phones is not officially confirmed yet, but it is expected they will be released in selected markets from May 21. Some of the customers in Indian market can also purchase phones at special events on Wednesday.
Middle East customers can expect the availability of phones by the first week of June.
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
RESULTS
Bantamweight: Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Azizbek Satibaldiev (KYG). Round 1 KO
Featherweight: Izzeddin Farhan (JOR) beat Ozodbek Azimov (UZB). Round 1 rear naked choke
Middleweight: Zaakir Badat (RSA) beat Ercin Sirin (TUR). Round 1 triangle choke
Featherweight: Ali Alqaisi (JOR) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (UZB). Round 1 TKO
Featherweight: Abu Muslim Alikhanov (RUS) beat Atabek Abdimitalipov (KYG). Unanimous decision
Catchweight 74kg: Mirafzal Akhtamov (UZB) beat Marcos Costa (BRA). Split decision
Welterweight: Andre Fialho (POR) beat Sang Hoon-yu (KOR). Round 1 TKO
Lightweight: John Mitchell (IRE) beat Arbi Emiev (RUS). Round 2 RSC (deep cuts)
Middleweight: Gianni Melillo (ITA) beat Mohammed Karaki (LEB)
Welterweight: Handesson Ferreira (BRA) beat Amiran Gogoladze (GEO). Unanimous decision
Flyweight (Female): Carolina Jimenez (VEN) beat Lucrezia Ria (ITA), Round 1 rear naked choke
Welterweight: Daniel Skibinski (POL) beat Acoidan Duque (ESP). Round 3 TKO
Lightweight: Martun Mezhlumyan (ARM) beat Attila Korkmaz (TUR). Unanimous decision
Bantamweight: Ray Borg (USA) beat Jesse Arnett (CAN). Unanimous decision
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Day 2, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dinesh Chandimal has inherited a challenging job, after being made Sri Lanka’s Test captain. He responded in perfect fashion, with an easy-natured century against Pakistan. He brought up three figures with a majestic cover drive, which he just stood and admired.
Stat of the day – 33 It took 33 balls for Dilruwan Perera to get off the mark. His time on zero was eventful enough. The Sri Lankan No 7 was given out LBW twice, but managed to have both decisions overturned on review. The TV replays showed both times that he had inside edged the ball onto his pad.
The verdict In the two previous times these two sides have met in Abu Dhabi, the Tests have been drawn. The docile nature of proceedings so far makes that the likely outcome again this time, but both sides will be harbouring thoughts that they can force their way into a winning position.
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
Brief scores:
Huesca 0
Real Madrid 1
Bale 8'
BANGLADESH SQUAD
Mashrafe Mortaza (captain), Tamim Iqbal, Liton Das, Soumya Sarkar, Mushfiqur Rahim (wicketkeeper), Mahmudullah, Shakib Al Hasan (vice captain), Mohammad Mithun, Sabbir Rahaman, Mosaddek Hossain, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Rubel Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, Abu Jayed (Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
Copa del Rey
Semi-final, first leg
Barcelona 1 (Malcom 57')
Real Madrid (Vazquez 6')
Second leg, February 27
All you need to know about Formula E in Saudi Arabia
What The Saudia Ad Diriyah E-Prix
When Saturday
Where Diriyah in Saudi Arabia
What time Qualifying takes place from 11.50am UAE time through until the Super Pole session, which is due to end at 12.55pm. The race, which will last for 45 minutes, starts at 4.05pm.
Who is competing There are 22 drivers, from 11 teams, on the grid, with each vehicle run solely on electronic power.
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE
Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000
Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6
Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm
Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms
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