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Ah, <keyword id="18712" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gold" source="Orion">gold</keyword>! The shiny metal that's been making humans lose their minds since time immemorial. And yet, from King Midas to our neighbourhood aunty and even our moms (and secretly dads), everyone seems to have a super soft spot for the bullion. But here's the kicker: right now, gold prices are breaking all records on their upward trajectory! As of today, prices of 24k carat gold have passed the Rs 80,000 mark per 10 grams. And if experts are to be believed, this train isn't stopping anytime soon! So, as shiny as gold might look, adding even a bit of its glitter as we start decking up for the festive season might not be so easy on your pockets. But let's admit it—we love our gold and can't live without it. No wonder India is the second-largest consumer of the yellow metal in the world, only behind <keyword id="1334" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="China" source="Orion">China</keyword>. Such is our fondness for the metal that the <keyword id="20195223" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-gold-council" source="keywords">World Gold Council</keyword> had to up our 2024 annual demand forecast to 850 tonnes, up from the previously estimated 750 tonnes. However, our love for gold isn't just about looking fabulously embellished and blinding people with its bling. Indians also see gold as a long-term, trusty investment, supporting our other hard-earned assets, especially when high <keyword id="22195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Inflation" source="Orion">inflation</keyword> rates pull our returns down. After all, while inflationary pressures generally weaken the purchasing power of our regular paper money, gold is built differently. When the world is buckling to inflation, gold gains value during these times. This is also why it is considered a solid hedge against inflation. With Diwali and Dhanteras knocking at our doors, the inflation demon continued to bother India like a guest who refused to leave. Just last month, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) stood at 5.49%, much higher than the anticipated levels. Moreover, the diverging policy stances among central bankers worldwide, growing geopolitical tensions, tough job markets, and extreme weather events are only adding to the uncertainty. In such economically uncertain times, what should your gold strategy be this festive season? To buy or not to buy, that is the question. Well, let’s get to it. <h2><keyword id="20050894" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gold-etfs" source="keywords">Gold ETFs</keyword> to the rescue</h2>See, buying physical gold jewellery is certainly a flex, but also a financial fuss. First, you pay a heavy amount to buy gold. Not to mention all those extra, hefty jewellery-making charges. And then you pay even more money to keep it safe in a bank locker, lest it get stolen. But what if we tell you that you can own pure <keyword id="3311599" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="24K-gold" source="Orion">24k gold</keyword>, minus all these frills? Welcome, Gold ETFs (Exchange Traded Funds). Simply put, gold ETFs are like the cool cousins of your traditional gold investments. Instead of stashing gold bars under your mattress like those maniac millionaires we see in Bollywood films, you can now invest and trade in gold through the stock market. It's basically buying units of an ETF on the stock exchange that directly mirror the ongoing domestic prices of gold. Generally, gold ETFs are equivalent to 99.5% pure physical gold bars, and each ETF unit denotes actual, one gram of gold. And let's face it, who would not want that golden glow in their lives? Gold ETFs have witnessed an over seven-fold surge in their AUM (assets under management) in just the last five years. From Rs 5,613.22 crore in September 2019 to Rs 39,823.50 crore in September 2024, gold ETFs seem to be in-thing. Inflows in gold ETFs have shot up by a whopping 2,695% over the last 5 years. In September 2019, gold ETFs had garnered a mere Rs 44.11 crore. Compare that to the inflows worth Rs 1,232.99 crore gold ETFs received last month. Talk about growing, or glowing popularity! In fact, in just 2024, inflows in gold ETFs have surged by nearly 88% since the beginning of this calendar year. From Rs 657.46 crore in January 2024 to Rs 1,232.99 crore in September 2024, good old gold is never out of season. <h2>So, how do these ETFs work? Should I invest in them now?</h2>All you need is a Demat account. Log into your account, choose the gold ETF scheme you want to invest in, and voila! You’re now a bullion-aire! All your gold ETF units will be stored in this account. Then, you can buy and sell gold ETFs just like you buy shares—in real-time. So, if gold prices inch upwards, which is where gold is currently going, the value of your ETF units will also rise in lockstep. Ashwini Kumar, Senior Vice President and Head of Market Data at ICRA Analytics, says that of late, gold ETFs have been increasingly gaining popularity among investors due to the liquidity, safety and transparency they offer. "With the escalating global geopolitical tensions boosting the ‘safe-haven’ appeal of the bullion, investors are preferring to park their funds in gold ETFs as compared to investing in physical gold, as there is no hassle of storing it. The heightened activity in gold ETFs is also driven by the prospects of an imminent further interest rate cut by the <keyword id="20078761" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="u-s-federal-reserve" source="keywords">U.S. Federal Reserve</keyword> in the coming months,” he added. “Investors with a short- to medium-term investment horizon may consider investment through gold ETFs. A buy-on-dips strategy here may help investors capitalise on a temporary correction in prices. Also, given the current market dynamics where equities are showing mixed trends, a modest, 5-10% allocation to gold may serve as a hedge against inflation and market volatility, which may help you balance risks in an optimum manner,” Kumar noted. <h2> Wait, there is no dearth of options</h2>But if ETFs make you go WTF, there’s always digital gold. You can invest in the yellow metal without actually physically holding it for as low as Rs 1. The best part? You can buy or sell this gold 24 X7 seamlessly via multiple apps without having to pay storage costs. On your behalf, your gold is stored in insured vaults by the seller. But remember, digital gold continues to remain unregulated territory in the country, where you venture at your own risk. In 2021, market watchdog SEBI had even asked its members to desist from selling digital gold. Then there are gold mutual funds and the Sarkari SGBs, or sovereign gold bonds. While gold mutual funds invest primarily in gold ETFs, SGBs are issued by the <keyword id="19899808" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rbi" source="keywords">RBI</keyword> and are also a reliable substitute for holding physical gold. However, with the RBI currently putting brakes on issuing SGBs, investing in them is out of the question. Plus, you should only get your hands on SGBs if you're in for the long haul. Apart from a 2.5% p.a. interest, you don't have any yearly earnings from them. Moreover, no premature redemption is allowed before 5 years, and you'll have to wait a good 8 years to maximise your returns. <h2> Okay, tell me about returns</h2>In contrast, the seventeen gold ETF schemes currently present in the market offer an average one-year return of 29.12%. Stay with it a little longer, and you can end up with returns worth 16.93% and 13.59% over a 3 and 5-year period, respectively. If you look at it, these returns are comparable with the returns delivered by actual, physical gold. Data from Value Research indicates that gold, as a commodity, has delivered returns worth 27.24%, 16.53%, and 14.18% over a 1, 3, and 5-year period, respectively. So, worth investing, right? <h2>What are the risks?</h2>See, stock markets are as unpredictable as monsoons in Mumbai. One significant market correction can wash away your returns, and one sunny day or an upswing can leave you wallowing in wealth. Since your gold investments are directly linked to these markets, you should steel yourself up for some volatility. Plus, international gold prices are in dollars. So, if our rupee decides to take a nosedive, your returns might look a bit tarnished. Also, know that your ETF might not always perfectly mirror gold prices, which is also known as a tracking error. It's like expecting your Zomato-ordered food to look exactly like the picture on the menu—it's close, but not quite. Then there’s the taxation bit. The budget this year brought down the <keyword id="20552259" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ltcg" source="keywords">LTCG</keyword> (long-term capital gains tax) on gold ETFs from the previous 20% to 12.5% (sans indexation). LTCG is what you pay if you sell your ETF units after 12 months. If you sell your gold ETF units within a year and make handsome returns, the tax you’ll have to pay will be equivalent to your income tax slab rate. <h2>Is gold just for old?</h2>A survey by fintech firm Moneyview thinks otherwise. Per their findings, over 85% of the 3,000 respondents it talked to considered gold to be a valuable asset for wealth preservation, with its intrinsic value and historical performance continuing to drive consumer confidence. Particularly, young investors in the age group of 25–40 years are also investing in gold via both physical and digital ways to build wealth for retirement and other long-term goals. So, young or old, everyone’s going for gold. So, this festive season, with gold prices going north, investing in gold can add that much-needed glitz to your financial attire. But remember, don't go overboard since gold isn't exactly a high-return-yielding asset. But whether you're a seasoned investor looking to diversify or a newbie trying to make their way in the markets, investing in gold offers you a glittering safety cushion. Just remember, while gold can make your portfolio shine, it's your smart investment decisions that truly make you golden. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. We recommend readers consult certified, qualified, and registered advisors for professional and personalised financial advice.

Can investing in gold this festive season add the much-touted Midas touch to your investments?

Last week, it was reported that India’s smartphone market is experiencing a robust growth, with shipments increasing by 3% YoY and market value rising 12%. Counterpoint’s Monthly India Smartphone Tracker research said that the growth was due to a shift towards premium smartphones. Now, these statistics certainly paint an exciting picture for brands waiitng to launch their high-end smartphones in the market. iQOO is one such brand. The smartphone company is gearing up to launch the iQOO 13, and its launch date was confirmed by its CEO recently. So, when is the smartphone launching? What could be its price? What are the expected specs? Read on as we answer all these questions for you. <h2><keyword id="23914793" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="iqoo-13-india" source="Orion">iQOO 13 India</keyword> launch date and expected price </h2> Nipun Maurya, iQOO India’s CEO, confirmed in a tweet that the phone will launch on December 3, 2024. In his tweet, Maurya wrote, “The countdown begins! #iQOO13 is almost here—get ready to #BeTheGOAT!” iQOO’s decision to launch the iQOO 13 in December positions it squarely against other big players like Samsung and OnePlus. This flagship is expected to compete head-on with the likes of the OnePlus 11 and the Galaxy S24, both of which are equipped with premium specs. Fans will be able to purchase the iQOO 13 via Amazon India or iQOO’s official store. It will also be available in a limited Legend Edition, with BMW-inspired blue-red color patterns, adding a unique touch to its design. Talking about the price, the phone is expected to come with a price tag of under Rs 50,000. <h2>iQOO 13 china launch </h2> The iQOO 13 was officially launched in China on October 31, 2024, featuring the newly introduced Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and OriginOS 5.0. The pricing for the device starts at CNY 3,999 (around ₹47,200) for the 12GB RAM/256GB storage variant. Other configurations include a 12GB/512GB model for CNY 4,499 (₹53,100), a 16GB/256GB variant for CNY 4,299 (₹50,800), a 16GB/512GB option at CNY 4,699 (₹55,500), and the high-end 16GB/1TB model priced at CNY 5,199 (₹61,400). <h2>iQOO 13 expected specs </h2> If the India specs of the phone remain same as the phone launched in China, the iQOO 13 could come packed with impressive specs, including a 6.82-inch 2K LTPO AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, promising vibrant visuals for everything from gaming to streaming. The phone is said to be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, supported by up to 16GB of RAM and a massive 1TB of storage—making it ideal for heavy multitaskers and gamers alike. Notably, iQOO is reportedly delivering serious upgrades with the iQOO 13, incorporating an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for faster and more secure unlocking. This is combined with an expected 6,150mAh battery and 120W fast charging. Coming to camera, the phone is expected to come with a triple rear camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto lens. In the front, the phone might come with a 32MP camera will appeal to selfie lovers. In addition to this, the phone Is also expected to come with a IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

iQOO 13 is launching in India on December 3: Expected India price, specifications and all you need to know

<ul><li><keyword id="19986399" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tata-Electronics" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Tata Electronics" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Tata Electronics">Tata Electronics</keyword> has reportedly closed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Pegatron’s iPhone plant in India.</li><li>The Pegatron plant has a production capacity of five million iPhones annually.</li><li>This will be the company’s third iPhone manufacturing plant in India.</li></ul> Tata Electronics continues to strengthen its smartphone manufacturing business in India as it has reportedly sealed a deal to acquire a majority stake in Taiwanese contract manufacturer Pegatron iPhone plant in India. Earlier reports had revealed that Pegatron is in talks with Tata to sell its Chennai plant as part of Cupertino tech giant Apple’s strategy to diversify manufacturing outside of China amid geopolitical tensions between Beijing and Washington. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113204340" title="iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max with bigger displays, A18 Pro chipset launched starting at ₹1,19,900" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> According to a<a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/tata-seals-deal-with-pegatron-iphone-plant-indias-tamil-nadu-sources-say-2024-11-17/"> report</a> by Reuters, Tata has agreed to acquire a 60% stake in a new joint venture with Pegatron that will see the Indian conglomerate oversee the day-to-day operations while Pegatron offers technical support, as per two sources familiar with the deal. The financial details of the deal have not been made public and the two companies reportedly plan on filing for approval from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) soon. <h2>Tata’s iPhone production in India to get a boost</h2>Tata already operates an iPhone assembly plant in Karnataka, which it acquired from Taiwanese giant Wistron last year. The company is building a second plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The new plant as part of its partnership will give a boost to Tata’s iPhone production capabilities and make it the only company manufacturing iPhones in India apart from Foxconn. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113203568" title="iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus with A18 chipset launched starting at ₹79,900" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> The Pegatron facility has around 10,000 employees and has the capacity to manufacture five million iPhones annually. India, which contributed to around 12 to 14% of total iPhone shipments in 2023 is expected to contribute around 20 to 25% of shipments this year. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/webstories/ntpc-green-energy-ipo-gmp-risk-factors-and-all-you-need-to-know/slidelist/115403791.cms">NTPC Green Energy IPO – GMP, risk factors and all you need to know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/indian-smartphone-shipments-grow-5-6-in-q3-2024-vivo-leads-the-market/articleshow/115329847.cms">Indian smartphone shipments grow 5.6% in Q3 2024, Vivo leads the market</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/jiostar-announces-plans-starting-at-15-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/115326701.cms">JioStar announces plans starting at ₹15 – here’s everything you need to know</a>

Tata to buy a majority stake in Pegatron's iPhone plant in India

<ul><li>The <keyword id="22511807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel-9-Pro-XL" source="Orion">Google Pixel 9 Pro XL</keyword> is the latest flagship offering from Google.</li><li>The device is priced starting at ₹1,24,999 and is available in two variants.</li><li>Here’s my review of the Pixel 9 Pro XL that will help you decide if you should buy the device.</li></ul>Google launched the Pixel 9 series, consisting of the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL, the company’s flagship smartphones a few months ago. This time around, Google launched three devices unlike last year Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the successor of the Pixel 8 Pro, offering a similar size and features. This year’s Pixel 9 Pro offers flagship hardware while offering a smaller display and battery. With the three devices, Google is offering a similar line-up to Samsung and Apple. I have been using the Pixel 9 Pro XL for a few weeks now, and here’s my detailed review of the latest smartphone from Google. <h2><keyword id="22405856" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Google-Pixel-9-Pro-XL-price" source="Orion">Google Pixel 9 Pro XL price</keyword> and availability</h2>The Pixel 8 Pro has been priced at ₹1,06,999 for the 128GB variant and ₹1,13,999 for the 256GB variant. It comes in Blue, Beige and Obsidian colour options and is available from Flipkart. <h2>In the box</h2><ul><li>Pixel 9 Pro XL smartphone</li><li>USB Type-C cable</li><li>SIM ejector tool</li><li>Documentation</li></ul><h2>Pixel 9 Pro XL specifications</h2> <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Particulars </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#000000;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Specifications </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Display </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.8-inch Quad HD+ LTPO OLED </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Refresh rate </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">120Hz </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Protection </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chipset </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Google Tensor G4 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Variants </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">16GB + 256GB and 16GB + 512GB </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rear camera </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">50MP + 48MP + 48MP </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Selfie camera </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">42MP </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Battery </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5,060mAh </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Charging </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">37W </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Wireless charging </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">23W </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Fingerprint sensor </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">In-display fingerprint sensor </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Weight </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">221 grams </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Water resistance </td><td style="border-right:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.5008695000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;background-color:#d9d9d9;padding:0pt 5pt 0pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">IP68 </td></tr></tbody></table> <h2>Pixel 9 Pro XL pros and cons</h2><h3>Pros</h3><ul><li>Software and performance </li><li>Camera </li></ul><h3>Cons</h3><ul><li>Price </li></ul><h2>Design and display</h2>Google has overhauled the design of the Pixel 9 Pro XL, making major changes to the design when compared to the Pixel 8 Pro. The search giant has opted for a flat display, flat sides and a revamped camera module. <div type="image" title="Back 2" msid="115487059" hostid="261" sizebytes="64462" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL rear design&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device comes in Hazel, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Obsidian colour options. I tested the Rose Quartz colour variant of the device. <div type="image" title="right side" msid="115487089" hostid="261" sizebytes="52702" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Rounded corners on the Pixel 9 Pro XL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device comes with flat sides, with rounded corners for its aluminium frame, that give it a premium feel while holding. At first look, you may get an iPhone-like look, with people even mistaking it for an iPhone during my usage, but this clears up immediately after looking at the pill-shaped camera module. The aluminium frame comes with a glossy finish and is slightly slippery. The aluminium frame also attracts dust fingerprint smudges easily. For these reasons, it might be a good idea to use the device with a case. <div type="image" title="Camera" msid="115487108" hostid="261" sizebytes="28950" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;The pill-shaped camera module&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> It comes with a large pill-shaped camera module that houses the triple camera setup, a temperature sensor and the LED flash. Apart from the camera module, the device comes with Google’s logo at the back. <div type="image" title="Right" msid="115487125" hostid="261" sizebytes="62716" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Power button and volume rockers on the right&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The power button and the volume rockers are placed on the right side. Unlike a lot of other devices, the Pixel 9 Pro XL continues to place the power button on top and the volume rockers below it. <div type="image" title="Bottom" msid="115487162" hostid="261" sizebytes="47264" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Ports at the bottom&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the bottom, you get the speaker grille, a USB Type-C port, a microphone and the SIM tray. <div type="image" title="IMG20240818172922" msid="115487276" hostid="261" sizebytes="46502" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL top&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> At the top, you get the mmWave antenna cover and a microphone. <div type="image" title="Ch" msid="115487285" hostid="261" sizebytes="30756" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Made in China text on the Pixel 9 Pro XL&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> On the left, apart from antenna lines, the device comes with “Made in China” written for some reason. Coming to the display, the Pixel 9 Pro XL comes equipped with a large 6.8-inch Quad HD+ LTPO OLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate, up to 3,000 nits brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection. <div type="image" title="Display" msid="115487313" hostid="261" sizebytes="72596" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL display&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The device sports a good display, which offers accurate colours and offers good visibility, even in direct sunlight. The display is excellent, with the high refresh rate offering a good experience while gaming and watching content. <h2>Software and performance</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Android 14 out of the box and is promised to get seven years of Android updates and security patches. The software is the highlight of the Pixel lineup and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is no different. The device offers an Android experience as imagined by Google, the operating system maker. As expected, the device comes loaded with AI features in the form of Gemini. To enable users to make the most out of the AI features, Google is offering a one-year premium subscription to Pixel 9 Pro XL users, giving them access to Gemini Advanced, 2TB of Google Drive storage and more. The device comes pre-installed with Pixel Studio, a new GenAI image generation app from Google, allowing users to generate images easily on the go. You also get access to Gemini Live, a live-chat version of Gemini, which allows for voice-enabled interactions. In what might excite most photography enthusiasts like myself, the device also comes with a more powerful Magic Editor, giving access to a ton of new tools. Talking about AI and photography, the new Add Me feature is excellent, especially for those who often end up being the ones to take group pictures and regret not being in them. The new Add Me feature allows you to take a group picture and then hand your phone to your friend and then join the group for another picture, then using AI to blend them into one image to make the perfect group picture. I used this feature during one of my trips and found it to be quite useful. Once you get the hang of it and remember to stand in the correct place, it works quite well. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by the Google Tensor G4 chipset built on Samsung’s 4nm process. It comes with 16GB of RAM and offers up to 512GB of internal storage. If you are hoping for a drastic performance improvement compared to the predecessor, you might be disappointed. It offers an incremental improvement in performance but can easily handle everything that you throw at it. One area the chipset and the device has improved a lot over the Pixel 8 Pro is thermal management and proper connectivity. These were some of my biggest issues with the last-gen devices and Google has made a significant improvement in this aspect. The Pixel 9 Pro XL is powered by a 5,060mAh battery with 37W wired and 23W wireless charging support. The device offers a day’s battery life with normal usage. <h2>Camera</h2>The camera is the strongest selling point of Pixel smartphones, and unsurprisingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL excels in this regard. <div type="image" title="Rear cam" msid="115487382" hostid="261" sizebytes="53002" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Pixel 9 Pro XL rear camera&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> Coming to the camera department, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a triple camera setup at the back, consisting of a 50MP primary camera with Samsung GN2 sensor with OIS, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera with Sony IMX858 sensor and a 48MP 5X telephoto camera with Sony IMX858 sensor with up to 30x digital zoom. <div type="image" title="PXL_20240818_123753737" msid="115487547" hostid="261" sizebytes="186394" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured while moving&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The smartphone supports zero shutter lag, which means it captures photos at the same moment you tap on the shutter button. This is very handy when trying to capture moving subjects, especially kids and pets. <div type="image" title="PXL_20240818_124521580" msid="115487564" hostid="261" sizebytes="84032" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured in natural lighting&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The smartphone’s daylight camera performance was excellent, with accurate colour reproduction, dynamic range, and well-defined details. The portrait mode is excellent in both daylight and indoor conditions. <div type="image" title="n" msid="115487621" hostid="261" sizebytes="147076" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Image captured using night mode&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> The Pixel 9 Pro XL also performs excellently in low-light and night conditions, capturing well-detailed, colour-accurate photos despite the challenging lighting conditions. The images turned out to be sharp and clear, with adequate details and minimal noise. On the front, the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 42MP selfie camera. The front camera can easily capture good selfies in normal lighting and low light conditions. <h2>Verdict</h2>The Pixel 9 Pro XL is the best device in the current Pixel lineup and one of the best Android smartphones out there. The device offers an excellent user experience, a premium design and good cameras. It offers good performance and ample storage, ticking off a lot of the boxes. At the same time, the Pixel 9 Pro XL commands a premium price and while enthusiasts may like the stock Android experience, the lack of customisation may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you are looking for a stock Android experience with powerful hardware and are willing to pay a premium, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is an excellent option. Disclaimer: The content on this website is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as a purchasing guide or recommendation. We advise readers to do additional research, including hands-on usage of the device at a retail outlet, before making a decision. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/samsung-galaxy-z-fold-6-review/articleshow/112497472.cms">Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review – the complete package</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-12-review/articleshow/108723955.cms">OnePlus 12 review: A feature-packed device with promising battery back-up</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/asus-rog-zephyrus-g16-review/articleshow/115054981.cms">Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 gaming laptop review – With a big AI boost</a>

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL review – the best Android experience

In a significant diplomatic move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu at <keyword id="20751669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hyderabad-House" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Hyderabad House" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Hyderabad House">Hyderabad House</keyword> in Delhi on Monday. This visit is widely seen as an effort to reset ties between the two nations after a year of tense relations. <keyword id="20101322" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="President-Muizzu" source="keywords">President Muizzu</keyword>, who arrived in India on Sunday for a five-day visit, received a red carpet welcome. During a joint press briefing, President Muizzu expressed heartfelt gratitude to India, thanking President Droupadi Murmu, <keyword id="19899320" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="PM-Modi" source="keywords">PM Modi</keyword> and the people of India for their warm reception. He emphasised the Maldives' deep-rooted ties with India, noting that tourism — especially Indian visitors—remains a crucial pillar of the Maldivian economy. “India is our largest source market for tourists, and we hope to welcome even more Indian visitors in the future,” Muizzu remarked. Key areas of cooperation discussed included economic ties and maritime security, critical given the Maldives' position in the Indian Ocean. Following their talks, India granted the financially struggling Maldives a rollover of USD 100 million in Treasury bills, in addition to formalising a <keyword id="23458604" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="currency-swap-agreement" source="keywords">currency swap agreement</keyword> and a ₹3,000 crore currency swap. Prime Minister Modi characterised the "development partnership" as a key component of India-Maldives relations, asserting that India has consistently prioritised the needs of the Maldivian people. "Our development partnership is vital to our relationship with the Maldives, and we have always placed importance on the priorities of its people. This year, SBI rolled over USD 100 million in Treasury Bills, and a USD 400 million currency swap agreement was signed based on the Maldives' requirements," he explained. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="106837748" title="Withdraw troops by mid-March, Maldives tells India" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>In September, India announced that the <keyword id="19934368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="State-Bank-of-India" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="State Bank of India" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="State Bank of India">State Bank of India</keyword> would purchase Maldivian government bonds worth USD 50 million, following a similar USD 50 million transaction in May 2024. Additionally, Prime Minister Modi and President Muizzu witnessed the first <keyword id="20563654" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="RuPay-card" source="keywords">RuPay card</keyword> payment transaction launched in the Maldives and virtually inaugurated the runway at Hanimaadhoo International Airport. Modi stated that India and the Maldives would soon be connected through UPI. "Recently, we launched the RuPay card in the Maldives, and in the future, we will link both countries via UPI," he said during a joint press briefing. Muizzu also expressed his desire to conclude a <keyword id="19945642" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Free-Trade-Agreement" source="keywords">Free Trade Agreement</keyword> with India, a step he believes will open the door to greater Indian investment in the Maldives. Modi emphasised India's commitment to supporting the Maldives through various initiatives, including supplying essential commodities and Covid vaccines, inaugurating airports, and constructing social housing. He noted that a new drinking water project is now operational on 28 islands, providing clean water to over 30,000 residents. The leaders also discussed the opening of consulates in Addu and Bengaluru. Tensions between India and the Maldives escalated following Muizzu's election last year, which saw a shift towards a pro-China stance and the promise to withdraw Indian troops stationed in the archipelago. His visit to China before India in January had raised eyebrows in New Delhi, as it was perceived as a slight. However, since attending Modi's swearing-in ceremony for a third term in June, Muizzu has moderated his anti-Indian rhetoric, signalling a thaw in relations. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has stated that the discussions provided "a new impetus" to the relationship. This meeting likely marks a positive turn in Indo-Maldivian relations, setting the stage for further cooperation between the two South Asian neighbours. (With inputs from agencies) <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112094153" title="Maldives President Muizzu thanks India for economic support, affirms hope of signing FTA" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

Maldives President Muizzu met with PM Modi in Delhi today. Here’s how it went!

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Russia and China could revive barter trade to counter Western sanctions, Reuters reported.</li><li>Other countries that have looked at barter trade with Russia include Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and India.</li></ul>Russia and China are planning to revive the age-old practice of barter trade to get around Western sanctions, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/first-russia-china-barter-trade-may-come-this-autumn-sources-say-2024-08-08/">Reuters</a> reported on Thursday.The deals could involve agriculture and could come as soon as this fall, the news agency reported, citing anonymous trade and payments sources. One source at a Russian industrial firm told the news agency that Russian firms were also talking about the exchange of metals for Chinese machinery imports.Such arrangements are being discussed as trade between the two countries has become increasingly difficult amid tightening Western sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.Recently, about 80% of bank transfers made in the Chinese yuan were <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-china-yuan-payments-delay-months-bounce-back-sanctions-2024-7">bouncing back</a> with no explanation after being stalled for weeks while banks decide whether they could transact, Russian media outlet Kommersant reported last month.Before this year, Russia and its trade partners skirted sanctions by using smaller banks and other payment modes or non-US dollar currencies to circumvent the West's ban of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-eu-announce-some-russian-banks-removed-from-swift-2022-2">some Russian banks</a> from the widely used SWIFT messaging system.However, this strategy has been hitting snags since the US approved <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-takes-aim-financial-institutions-with-new-russia-sanctions-authority-2023-12-22/">secondary sanctions</a> targeting financial institutions that were helping Russia. These restrictions prompted <a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-financial-system-us-sanctions-oil-trade-foreign-banks-2024-3">global banks</a> from <a target="_blank" rel="" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-biggest-banks-stop-russia-payments-icbc-ccb-boc-2024-2">China </a>to the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Austria to reduce transactions with Russia.Since barter trade doesn't require monetary payments, it would allow Russia and China to skirt such issues.<h2 id="4ef98aff-cc26-4454-855d-f1ccddf1c7c0">Russia has used barter trade before</h2>It would not be Russia's first time using barter trade.It was practiced during the <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.joc.com/maritime-news/soviet-union-allows-return-barter-some-trading-deals-partners-former-e-bloc_19910708.html">Soviet era</a> and <a target="_blank" rel=" nofollow" href="https://www.nytimes.com/1998/09/06/world/as-ruble-withers-russians-survive-on-barter.html">in the years following the bloc's collapse.</a> At the time, China was a key trading partner.In August 2022, the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/taliban-import-russia-oil-barter-exchange-afghanistan-raisin-minerals-medicine-2022-8">Taliban regime in Afghanistan</a> also discussed barter trade with Russia that could involve trading Russian crude oil products in exchange for raisins, minerals, and medicinal herbs, according to RIA Novosti, a Russian state-owned news agency.Heavily-sanctioned <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/russia-iran-discuss-swapping-supplies-oil-gas-goods-logistics-2022-05-25/">Iran</a> and the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-plans-barter-for-russian-fertiliser/articleshow/91750978.cms">Indian government</a> were also in talks with Russia to practice barter trade in the early months of the Ukraine war.Last year, cash-strapped <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-allows-barter-trade-with-iran-afghanistan-russia-/7120806.html">Pakistan</a> authorized the barter trade of specific goods with Russia.It's unclear if any of the parties eventually entered into any barter deal with Russia.Major economy India, for one, has managed to work around payment issues to become one of Russia's <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-divert-oil-exports-europe-india-china-circumvent-sanctions-2023-12">key trading partners.</a><h2 id="a4ac3f71-bfea-4e2c-bbc1-8c442e62804f">Problems with barter trade</h2>Even so, barter trade isn't widely practiced in modern society."Exchanging goods for other goods would have to be manually accounted for, which would create major difficulties for any large or technologically advanced businesses using automated accounting systems," wrote Alexandra Prokopenko, a fellow at <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://carnegieendowment.org/russia-eurasia/politika/2022/09/bartering-cryptocurrencies-and-yuan-russia-seeks-alternatives-to-trading-in-dollars">the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center,</a> in a September 2022 blog post.Barter trade also makes it difficult for tax collection, she added.Russian authorities are working on other ways to skirt Western payment sanctions.The country is rushing to set up <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-economy-moscow-cryptocurrency-bill-digital-ruble-trade-payments-sanctions-2024-7">alternative payment systems, </a>including crypto, to facilitate trade.

Western sanctions are so tight that Russia and China could soon use an ancient trading system. It's worked before.

Prime Minister <keyword id="19895781" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="keywords">Narendra Modi</keyword> urged CEOs of US majors to take advantage of India's growth story as the country is making all efforts to become the third largest economy of the world in his third term. India is currently the fifth largest economy of the world after the US, China, Germany and Japan with a GDP of around USD 3.9 trillion. India has been the fastest growing large economies of the world with GDP growth rate of over 7 per cent for the last three consecutive years. Addressing CEOs of the large US tech firms on Sunday, Modi said India will make every effort to become the third largest economy in the world in his third term (2024-29). Companies should take advantage of India's growth story for collaboration and innovation by co-developing, co-designing, and co-producing in India for the world, harnessing the opportunities from the country's economic and technological growth, he said. Assuring the business leaders of India's deep commitment to the protection of intellectual property and to fostering tech innovation, Modi highlighted the economic transformation happening in the country, particularly in electronics and information technology manufacturing and semiconductors. Modi asserted that his government was committed to making India a "global hub of <keyword id="20073013" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="semiconductor-manufacturing" source="keywords">semiconductor manufacturing</keyword>". The meeting took place at the Lotte <keyword id="19904497" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-York" source="keywords">New York</keyword> Palace Hotel on Sunday during the second leg of Modi's three-day US visit. It saw the participation of CEOs of 15 major US-based firms working on cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum computing and semiconductors. "Had a fruitful roundtable with tech CEOs in New York, discussing aspects relating to technology, innovation and more. Also highlighted the strides made by India in this field. I am glad to see immense optimism towards India," Modi said in a post on X. During the conference, Modi said technology collaboration and efforts such as the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (ICET) lie at the core of the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, according to a Ministry of External Affairs press release. Organised by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) School of Engineering, the CEOs of top US tech firms, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayena, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang attended the meeting. Others who participated in the roundtable included AMD CEO Lisa Su, HP Inc. CEO Enrique Lores, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, Dr Noubar Afeyan, Chairman of Moderna, and Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg. Modi also talked about India's BIO E3 (biotechnology for environment, economy and employment) policy to develop the country into a biotech powerhouse and on the topic of AI, noted that India's policy is to promote AI for all, underpinned by its ethical and responsible use. The CEOs appreciated India's growing prominence as a global technology hub, driven by its innovation-friendly policies and flourishing market opportunities. They also expressed strong interest in investing and collaborating with India, agreeing that investing in startups would be a synergistic opportunity to innovate and develop newer technologies in the country. Others who attended the conference included Biogen Inc CEO Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb, Chris Boerner, Eli Lilly and Company CEO David A. Ricks, LAM Research CEO Tim Archer, GlobalFoundries CEO Thomas Caulfield, and the CEO of Kyndryl, Martin Schroeter. "Further cementing technology and business connect. PM @narendramodi interacted with the top tech leaders and CEOs of USA, in a Roundtable hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Engineering, in New York today. PM emphasised India's growth prospects and discussed initiatives to foster collaborations and innovation across diverse sectors," the official account of the MEA said in a post on X. The prime minister had a separate meeting with Krishna P Singh, CEO of Holtec International, which is into nuclear and solar power generation. They discussed Holtec's plan for expanding manufacturing in India and advancing energy cooperation, PMO India said in a post on X. Earlier on Sunday, Modi addressed the <keyword id="20115166" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-diaspora" source="keywords">Indian diaspora</keyword> at the packed Nassau Veterans Coliseum on Long Island in New York. He also held bilateral meetings with world leaders at the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session here. Modi reached New York on Saturday after attending the Quad Leaders' Summit hosted by President Joe Biden in Wilmington, Delaware. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="113516805" title="Why is Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visiting the US this weekend?" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>

PM Modi invites US CEOs to take a 'byte' out of India's growing technology sector

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The BRICS group of emerging nations is exploring the idea of a common currency.</li><li>But China and India — the two biggest economies in the bloc — often can't get along.</li></ul>Whether it's the Chinese yuan or gold or even bitcoin, a discussion about <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dedollarization-usd-greenback-gold-yuan-euro-bitcoin-brics-alternate-2023-5#the-dollar-isnt-going-away-but-other-assets-classes-are-slowly-chipping-away-at-its-dominance-1">alternatives to the US dollar</a> as the world's reserve currency has been raging for over a year.Fanned by fears that <a href="https://www.statestreet.com/sg/en/asset-manager/insights/weaponization-of-us-dollar" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Washington is weaponizing</a> the US-dollar-denominated global financial system against Russia over the Ukraine war, the debate has gotten so intense that there was even talk during a bloc summit in August about <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/de-dollarization-dominance-yuan-china-brics-alternative-currency-sanction-russia-2023-4?utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingest&amp;utm_source=markets" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">creating a dollar-challenging common BRICS currency</a>.The bloc is helmed by the major emerging nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.And one expert — the former White House economist Joseph Sullivan — even said a BRICS single currency could erode the dominance of <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/de-dollarization-dominance-yuan-china-brics-alternative-currency-sanction-russia-2023-4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the dollar</a>.Creating a common currency isn't easy, however, and would require the diverse <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-brics-currency-is-unlikely-to-dislodge-dollar-any-time-soon-but-it-signifies-growing-challenge-to-established-economic-order-206565" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS countries to align</a> on several issues, including setting up a central bank and phasing out their currencies.For example, <a href="https://european-union.europa.eu/institutions-law-budget/euro/history-and-purpose_en" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the euro</a> took decades of preparation within Europe, and the currency's use globally is still a far second to the US dollar's. In August, the greenback accounted for 48% of global payments via the SWIFT messaging system — way ahead of the euro's share at 23%.There's also one other problem. India and China — the two biggest economies in the bloc — can't quite get along.Even Jim O'Neill, the former Goldman Sachs chief economist who came up with the BRIC acronym in 2001 (South Africa joined the bloc in 2010 to round up BRICS) has been fielding interview questions about the proposed idea of a BRICS single currency on repeat mode recently."You can't even get India and China in the same room, so the idea that they would commit to a shared currency and abandon their own domestic monetary policy, it's just kind of crazy," O'Neill told Insider.Other analysts also described relations between China and India as tense.<h2>China-India's terse relations are said to be a 'pain point' in the BRICS bloc</h2>While Beijing and New Delhi appear actively engaged with each other, the two counties' ties have been strained. In short, they appear to be <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/world-can-learn-from-frenemies-india-china-akbaruddin/articleshow/63414400.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">frenemies</a>.China and India's relationship <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/China_October_2017.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">goes back centuries</a>, but the two have been embroiled in a territorial dispute along their shared Himalayan border in contemporary history — and even fought a war in 1962.While recent decades have been more amicable, the neighbors have appeared to be getting deeper into frenemy territory since 2020 amid the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-china-border-dispute-conflict-soldiers-killed-himalayas-2020-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener">border dispute</a> and rising nationalism in both <a href="https://www.economist.com/special-report/2021/01/21/how-nationalism-is-shaping-chinas-young" target="_blank" rel="noopener">China</a> and <a href="https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/india/2022-04-13/unstoppable-rise-hindu-nationalism" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a>.The two sides appeared to make up in August at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, when China's leader, Xi Jinping, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed to de-escalate tensions at the disputed border.Barely a month later, the relationship was again in question when Xi did not attend the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china-says-premier-li-will-attend-g20-summit-2023-09-04/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">G20 Summit</a> in New Delhi — the first time since 2008 when he didn't attend the conference. Beijing didn't explain Xi's absence, and Premier Li Qiang led the Chinese delegation instead.Liu Pengyu, China's Washington, DC, spokesperson, told Insider that Xi most recently spoke with Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS summit — at the request of the Indian leader."President Xi stressed that improving China-India relations serves the common interests of the two countries and peoples, and is also conducive to peace, stability, and development of the world and the region," said Liu, who added that the situation at the border was stable.Politics aside, it doesn't help that the two countries have become strategic competitors on the economic front, too. China, the world's second-largest economy, is worth $19.4 trillion, per the International Monetary Fund. India is the world's fifth-largest economy, with a gross domestic product of $3.7 trillion. There's little indication India's GDP will overtake China's in the <a href="https://www.goldmansachs.com/intelligence/pages/how-india-could-rise-to-the-worlds-second-biggest-economy.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">next five decades</a>, but there's still no denying the world's top two emerging markets are fierce rivals.By UN estimates, India overtook China earlier this year as the world's most populous country. As a large country with a young population — the <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/02/09/key-facts-as-india-surpasses-china-as-the-worlds-most-populous-country/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">median age is 28</a> — it's an enticing draw for companies looking to diversify their risks beyond China, which has been the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-supply-chain-covid-sanctions-manufacturers-relocating-tariffs-options-2022-12" rel="">factory of the world</a> for 40 years.Among the five BRICS members, the "biggest pain point" is India-China friction, Abishur Prakash, the founder of the advisory firm The Geopolitical Business, told Insider. He added it's "highly unlikely either country will rely on a currency dominated by the other party."And given that China and India are the biggest players in BRICS, it's crucial they must at least come to some common ground for a common currency to happen, O'Neill said.For what it's worth, the August <a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/currencies/dedollarization-china-india-russia-leaders-brics-summit-yuan-rupee-2023-8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BRICS summit</a> ended with no new currency and all five members issuing differing and contradictory commentary on de-dollarization. It also appears that it's just <a href="https://think.ing.com/opinions/brics-the-new-name-in-reserve-currencies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Russia</a> and <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/spain-brazil-lula-idUSL1N36T1WW" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brazil</a> that have really pushed for a BRICS common currency. China hasn't commented on the idea, while India and South Africa said it wasn't on the agenda at the <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/currencies/what-is-brics-currency-could-one-be-adopted-2023-08-23/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">latest summit</a>.<h2>A BRICS currency — if it comes to pass — could have a narrow use</h2>For Amitendu Palit, the research lead for trade and economics at the Institute of South Asian Studies at the National University of Singapore, there are bigger issues standing in the way of a common BRICS currency — like diverse regulatory environments and how all its members' currencies can't be easily traded on foreign-exchange markets.As for political differences, Palit thinks countries are ultimately rational. Both China and India are conscious that they are competitors, and while "nobody is going to really grant concessions to each other, that does not mean that they stop working with each other," Palit told Insider."The important thing," Palit continued, "is that both countries have stayed engaged with each other."O'Neill, the skeptical father of the BRICS political bloc, still sees great potential for the group — if its members can only work together. But even if a BRICS currency comes to pass, its use could be limited.Prakash said a BRICS currency would be used in "very narrow and vertical settings, or for BRICS projects."India's External Affairs Ministry did not respond to multiple requests for comment sent by Insider.

China and India are so far into frenemy zone that they may never join forces to topple the dollar

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Tim Cook discussed manufacturing in Indonesia with president Joko Widodo, Reuters reported.</li><li>Such a move would help Apple reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China. </li></ul>Apple has put Indonesia in the frame as it looks to reduce its reliance on manufacturing in China.After meeting president Joko Widodo in Jakarta on Tuesday, CEO <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook">Tim Cook</a> said the iPhone maker will <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/apple-ceo-says-looking-into-possibility-building-manufacturing-facility-2024-04-17/">"look at"</a> Indonesia, Reuters reported."We talked about the president's desire to see manufacturing in the country, and it is something that we will look at," Cook said.His comments come amid a broader push by Apple to diversify its production beyond China, more than <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-dependent-on-china-economy-manufacturing-problem-2023-9">two decades after it began manufacturing</a> there.Cook also posted photos on X with several content creators he met on his trip to Indonesia on Wednesday. About 14% of its iPhone production came <a target="_blank" href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-04-10/apple-s-india-iphone-output-hits-14-billion-in-pivot-from-china">from India</a> in the last financial year, Bloomberg recently reported. The company also opened <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-india-store-bkc-mumbai-spans-20000-sq-feet-2023-4">retail stores in India</a> last year.Apple has also turned to Vietnam to help diversity its manufacturing. Foxconn, its major Chinese assembler, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/exclusive-foxconn-to-shift-some-apple-production-to-vietnam-to-minimise-china-risk-2020-11">moved production</a> of iPads and MacBooks there in 2020 following a request from Apple.Cook visited Vietnam earlier this week. Apple said in a statement on its Vietnamese website that it <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-cook-apple-ceo-arrives-vietnam-key-manufacturing-hub-2024-4">plans to boost spending </a>on suppliers in the country.The tech giant's attempts to reduce its dependence on China come amid <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/us-china-tensions-taiwan-kevin-mccarthy-war-politics-biden-xi-2023-4">growing tension</a> between the US and China. That's been sparked by issues including <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/trump-china-trade-war-tensions-rise-ahead-of-tariff-escalations-2019-10-1028584484">trade disputes</a>, competition over chips used for AI and cars, as well as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-has-found-another-way-to-hurt-usa-inc-2024-3">tough export controls</a>.Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider, made outside normal working hours.

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