Smartphone shipments in India grew by 5.6 percent year on year (YoY) and the number of handsets shipped in the country rose to 46 million units, according to data from the International Data Corporation’s (IDC). Apple saw its market share rise to 8.6 percent, up from 5.7 percent in Q3 2023. Other smartphone makers that recorded an increase in market share include Vivo, Oppo, Motorola, and iQOO, while brands like Samsung, Realme, and OnePlus saw a decline in the same period.

Smartphone Companies Shipped 38 Million 5G Smartphones in Q3 2024

According to details from the IDC’s Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, Apple recorded its highest quarterly shipment in India to date, with the iPhone maker shipping as many as 4 million units. Samsung’s share fell to 19 percent in Q3 2024, while Apple’s share rose to 71 percent YoY.

The Cupertino firm’s bestselling smartphone models were the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 13 — the latter was launched n 2021 and is no longer sold via Apple’s website in India. These handsets were also the highest shipped models via online channels. 

The share of 5G smartphones increased to 83 percent, which is considerably higher than 57 percent in Q3 2023. Among these, the shipments of budget 5G handsets nearly touched the 50 percent mark. Meanwhile, the average selling price of 5G smartphones fell 20 percent YoY to $292 (roughly Rs. 24,700).

On the other hand, the ASP of smartphones (overall) grew by 0.9 percent YoY up to $258 ((roughly Rs. 21,800). The midrange segment grew by 42 percent YoY, while the flagship segment rose from 2 percent in Q3 2023 to 4 percent in the previous quarter, an increase of 86 percent.

According to data provided by the IDC, the highest shipped smartphones with 5G connectivity in the previous quarter were the Redmi 13C, iPhone 15, Oppo K12x, Vivo T3x and Vivo Y28. Vivo’s lead ((in terms of growth) over its rivals remained unchallenged in Q3 2024, buoyed with models such as the Vivo T3 and Vivo V40 series, according to the report.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is planning more plants in Europe with a focus on the market for Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips, according to a senior Taiwanese official, as the chipmaker expands its global footprint. 

“They have started construction of the first fab in Dresden, they are already planning the next few fabs in the future for different market sectors as well,” Taiwan’s National Science and Technology Council Minister Wu Cheng-wen told Bloomberg TV in an interview aired on Monday. 

Wu did not specify a timeline for the Taiwanese chipmaker’s further expansion in Europe. TSMC said in an emailed statement it remains focused on its current global expansion projects and has no new investment plans at this time.

TSMC, which is the world’s biggest chipmaker and produces most of its semiconductors in Taiwan, is spending tens of billions of dollars to set up new sites in the US, Japan and Germany, partly to hedge against rising geopolitical tensions with China. 

It broke ground in August on a EUR 10 billion ($10.9 billion roughly Rs. 91,789 crore) chip fabrication plant in Germany’s Dresden for what will be its first factory in the European Union. About half of the funding for that project will be covered by state subsidies, with production slated to start by the end of 2027.

Wu said the AI market, including chips for US-based Nvidia Corp. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., will be the most important segment, while other semiconductor companies with alternative designs may also offer opportunities for TSMC.  

“Maybe they can work on the European market as well, so TSMC is looking for that for planning their next few fabs,” he said, adding that the company will need to evaluate whether to expand in Dresden or build in other parts of the EU.

While established European chipmakers including NXP Semiconductors NV and Infineon Technologies AG are focused mostly on mature technologies for the industrial and automotive sectors, a number of next-generation chip designers have emerged in Europe, including Germany’s Black Semiconductor and Axelera AI in the Netherlands. 

TSMC’s overseas factories are also creating opportunities for countries and cities nearby to secure investments from its suppliers. For the Dresden site, the Czech Republic appears to poised emerge as a winner as Prague and Taipei have deepened their relations in recent years. 

The Taiwanese government is considering support for TSMC suppliers to invest in a Czech location that is close to Dresden, according to Wu. He said he is also seeking to facilitate joint research and development programs for academics in Taiwan and the Czech Republic. 

Prague has official diplomatic relations with Beijing, but it has been forging closer trade and informal ties with Taipei. Several senior Taiwanese officials, including Wu, have traveled to the Czech Republic over the past year. Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is also visiting the country as the first stop of her European trip. 

Separately, Wu said he expects Taiwanese chip firms to face further pressure to expand in the US regardless of the outcome of the presidential election in November. TSMC has so far pledged more than $65 billion to create three plants in Arizona. 

“Short term, maybe it’s painful for Taiwanese companies because it’s more expensive if they move over there,” he said. “But in the long run, maybe it’s good for them, from my point of view, because they can improve themselves.” 

© 2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Cloud PC was unveiled by the company on Tuesday. The company’s first Cloud PC device lets users quickly and securely connect to Windows 365. Microsoft’s new compact PC bears a resemblance to Apple’s Mac Mini M4, although there are differences in how the devices function. The PC has a thin and light build and runs a cloud-based version of Windows 11. The Windows 365 Link offers dual monitor connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and more similar to the Mac Mini. It will be available in April 2025.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Price, Availability

Windows 365 Link, announced at the Microsoft Ignite event 2024, will be available for purchase in select markets starting April 2025 with a price tag of $349 (roughly Rs. 30,000). 

However, Microsoft is allowing organisations in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the UK, and the US to apply for the Windows 365 Link preview programme. Interested users in these regions can reach out to their Microsoft account team and request to join the preview programme by December 15, 2024.

The launch of Windows 365 Link comes a month after Apple unveiled its new Mac Mini M4. The latter starts at Rs. 59,900 in India for the base model. The version with the M4 Pro chip costs Rs. 1,49,900.

Microsoft Windows 365 Link Specifications

The Windows 365 Link runs a cloud-based version of Windows 11 and houses an undisclosed Intel processor with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The device designed for corporate customers — specifically desk-based workers — offers dual 4K monitor support, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. It offers support for high-performance video playback and conferencing.

Microsoft states that it is working to support high-fidelity meetings with partner solutions such as Webex by Cisco. The Windows 365 Link is equipped with three USB Type-A 3.2 ports, a USB Type-C 3.2 port, an HDMI port, a DisplayPort, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an Ethernet port, a Kensington lock port, and a port for the power cord.

The Windows 365 Link carries a locked-down operating system with no local data or apps, and no local admin users. Microsoft states that the elimination of local data and apps and admin rights reduces the chances of malware. It offers passwordless authentication using Microsoft Entra ID. Features like Secure Boot, the dedicated Trusted Platform Module, Hypervisor Code Integrity, BitLocker encryption, and the Microsoft Defender for Endpoint detection and response sensor can’t be turned off, further helping to secure the device.

Organisations using Windows 365 with Microsoft Intune and Microsoft Entra ID and meeting existing Windows 365 requirements are eligible to use the Windows 365 Link. It is compatible with wired and wireless peripherals, monitors, audio devices, input devices like keyboards and mice, cameras, storage devices, and hubs. The Windows 365 Link measures 120x120x30mm.

The Dell Latitude series is dedicated to working professionals. The series brings the latest technology coupled with a sturdy design language. Banking on this success formula, the company has recently refreshed its Latitude lineup with the latest Intel processors in a compact form factor. The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 is the new offering from the brand that brings a thin and lightweight companion for working professionals. The laptop comes with a starting price of Rs 1,54,999. However, does it have enough of an arsenal to become a reliable machine for business users? Let’s find out in this in-depth review.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Design: Sturdy and Minimal

• Dimension – 313 x 222.8 x 18.19 mm
• Weight – 1.526kg
• Colours – Aluminium, Titan Grey

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 offers a premium and sturdy look, keeping working professionals in mind. The laptop strikes a good balance between elegance and performance. Although it is not the slimmest in the segment, it is surely easy to carry around, all thanks to its compact size and 1.5kg weight. I got the Titan Grey colour option, and it sure looks minimal, with a subtle matte finish on the lid along with a glossy Dell logo.

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 is available in two colour options: Aluminium and Titan Grey.

The laptop has a solid hinge that allows you to use it in different modes, such as tent, stand, and tablet. Plus, there is no wobble, which makes it easier to use this laptop in different settings.

Once you open the lid, you will be greeted with a backlit keyboard along with a pretty stand touchpad. The right side of the device features a 3.5mm audio jack, two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, and a wedge-shaped lock slot. On the left, you will find two Thunderbolt 4.0 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, along with a HDMI 2.1 port. I liked the fact that the company has given plenty of ports on this device, and one can also custom-make the laptop to provide additional ports like a smart card reader and uSIM card tray.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Display: Decent for Daily Use

• Display – 14-inch IPS touchscreen
• Resolution – Full HD (1920 x 1200 pixels)
• Refresh Rate – 60Hz

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 features a compact display that comes with Full HD+ resolution. Although it is an IPS touch panel, the display offers good colour reproduction that is accurate and punchy. However, compared to an OLED panel, it looks a bit weak. That said, thanks to the HDR support, you can still enjoy the OTT content on this machine.

The laptop comes loaded with a compact 14-inch Full HD IPS touch panel that delivers good results.

The 2-in-1 model has 300nits of peak brightness, which is apt for indoor environments, though the same cannot be said for outdoor conditions. However, the good thing here is that the display has a useful anti-reflective coating. Also, you get Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection on the display, which is rare in this segment.

I wanted to have a higher screen refresh rate on this laptop. The laptop currently supports a 60Hz refresh rate, which is disappointing, considering the price tag. There were several instances where you would feel the need for a higher refresh rate for a smoother transition and scrolling experience.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Keyboard, Touchpad, Speakers, and Webcam: There are some Hits and Misses

• Keyboard – Backlit keyboard
• Webcam – 1080p Hi-res camera
• Speakers – Quad Speakers

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 comes with a 79-key compact keyboard that offers mini-LED backlit. The keyboard is rightly positioned, which makes it comfortable to rest your palm. I like the keyboard as it has soft keys, which could be more mushy, and the whole typing experience feels effortless.

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 offers a compact yet sturdy keyboard.

You also get a dedicated Copilot hotkey, which is useful for quickly accessing AI-assistant. However, the backlit is slightly weak. The company says it uses mini-LED backlit technology that saves battery power. However, the backlit is not strong enough, in my opinion. Although you can see the keys in low light conditions, but I would liked a stronger light to enhance the visibility.

That said, the fingerprint sensor is reliable and works effortlessly during testing. The trackpad is smooth and offers good response. You also have gesture-swiping controls, which can be modified by navigating to Settings > Touchpad.

The latest Dell Latitude model also offers an FHD IR camera with Windows Hello support, which is good. You also get a physical privacy shutter. The camera quality is good for making video calls.

Moving on, the device also packs a quad-speaker setup. It comes with two top-firing speakers and two bottom-firing speakers. This results in good sound output, which is loud enough for a small room. The speakers deliver decent depth with rich bass and loud audio.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Software: Special Focus on Privacy and Data Protection

• Operating System – Windows 11 Pro
• Other Features – Copilot Plus

The Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 runs on the Windows 11 Pro operating system. The device also comes loaded with a Copilot AI tool with multiple use cases. I used Copilot to summarise the articles for easy reading.

The laptop comes equipped with Windows 11 Pro along with CoPilot AI-assistant.

Apart from this, the company also offers some enterprise-grade privacy and security with its latest offering. First, you get off-host BIOS verification and indicators to reduce the risk of attacks. It also comes with secured component verification that helps you protect the laptop from threats. Moreover, it also comes with a Dell Optimizer application that offers a plethora of features.

The app acts as a one-stop solution to access different features of the laptop. The app is divided into Applications, Audio, Network, Power, and Presence Detection. The Applications allow you to optimise apps so that they can work efficiently.

The Power section helps you to manage the charging settings and thermal management of the laptop. Lastly, we have Presence Detection, which offers a plethora of privacy features. I liked Onlooker Detection, which blurs the screen content if someone is peeking at your laptop.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Performance: Power-packed Performance

• Chipset – Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 165U
• RAM – 16 GB LPDDR5X
• ROM – 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
• GPU – Intel Arc Graphics

Coming to the performance, the Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 offers lives up to the expectations. The laptop is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 vPro 165U processor that can handle most of the tasks you throw at it. You can also check the benchmark scores below:

The laptop glides effortlessly in day-to-day usage. You will not face much trouble even if you perform some heavy multitasking. Whether you use multiple Chrome windows with multiple tabs open, shuffle between Slacks and Outlook, or use Copilot to answer the query, the performance was stable throughout the review period. I also liked the thermal performance, as it was able to maintain cool temperatures even during prolonged usage.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Battery: Impressive

• Battery Capacity – 3 Cell, 57 Wh (Typical)
• Fast Charging – 65W USB Type-C Adapter

The battery life of Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 is quite impressive. The laptop comes loaded with a 3-cell, 57Wh battery and supports 65W fast charging. With the Optimised profile, I got close to 7 hours of battery life with medium to heavy usage. The company also ships a compact 65W fast charger with the laptop, and it quickly charges the device from 20 percent to 100 percent in 50 minutes.

Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 Laptop Verdict

The latest Dell Latitude 7450 2-in-1 is a well-built professional laptop from the brand. The device offers a sturdy design language, though it might look a bit basic to some. The IPS display delivers punchy and accurate colours, though it is not as sharp as OLED panels. The performance is top-notch and it indeed comes with a plethora of privacy features that make it a reliable commercial laptop. That said, if you are looking for a no-frills laptop that delivers good battery life and reliable performance, then consider this one.

Samsung is expected to unveil its Galaxy S25 series in the first half of next year. Several reports have claimed that all models in the Galaxy S25 lineup will pack the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. A new Geekbench listing offers some proof that the leaks could be right. An alleged Korean variant of the vanilla Galaxy S25 has surfaced on the Geekbench benchmarking site with a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 12GB RAM. Samsung could use the Snapdragon 8 Elite with overclocked GPU and CPU cores in the flagship Galaxy S series.

First spotted by Jukanlosreve (@Jukanlosreve), a Samsung handset with model number SM-S931N has showed up on the Geekbench database, which is most likely the Korean model of the standard Galaxy S25. It has a Snapdragon chipset under the hood with 4.47GHz clock speed and 3.53GHz base speed, hinting that the handset will ship with a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset with overclocked CPU scores. The regular Snapdragon 8 Elite chip used in the OnePlus 13 and Xiaomi 15 has a 4.32GHz clock speed.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Could Pack 12GB of RAM

As per the listing, the Galaxy S25 scored 2,481 points in single-core testing and 8,658 in multi-core testing. The listing suggests an Android 15 operating system and 10.75GB of RAM. This could translate to 12GB on paper.

Samsung was initially speculated to use the Exynos 2500 chipsets in the Galaxy S25 lineup and we even saw the Galaxy S25+ on Geekbench with the Exynos SoC. However, several prominent tipsters recently claimed that all Galaxy S25 models worldwide will use the Snapdragon silicon. The US variant of the Galaxy S25 Ultra earlier appeared with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC on Geekbench.

This year’s Galaxy S24 series came with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC processor in select markets including the US and an Exynos 2400 chip for the rest of the world. However, all 2023 Galaxy S23 series were exclusively powered by Snapdragon chipsets.