Looks like Xiaomi is working on the dual edge display smartphone

While curved displays are currently in trend right now, we're not seeing a lot of it from the mobile industry with Samsung and LG being the only manufacturers invested in the segment.

A new report however talks of Xiaomi's intentions to release a curved display flagship sometime soon. The corresponding image shows a mockup of the smartphone, revealing heavily curved edges on either side.

Much like the Mi 4c that we spoke about earlier, the Mi Edge is also said to be packing a Snapdragon 808 processor underneath, 4GB of RAM as well as a fingerprint scanner. The display resolution on the smartphone is said be 2560x1440 or QHD.

The press image doesn't look all that convincing to be honest, so we're taking this leak with a pinch of salt for now. But given the kind of ideas that Xiaomi has, we won't be surprised to see a smartphone like this coming to fruition.

The manufacturer is expected to be rel easing the Mi 5 and the Mi 4c smartphones sometime soon. While the company might be a no-show at the IFA 2015 event this week, expect the Chinese manufacturer to schedule an event over the coming days for the release of the two handsets, hopefully along with the Mi Edge.

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Source: Looks like Xiaomi is working on the dual edge display smartphone

Apple iPhone 5C Series To Be Discontinued, No 6C On September 9th, Says Report

Apple is planning to discontinue its controversial iPhone 5C device at the September 9 launch of this year's new flagship smartphones, reports 9to5 Mac's Mark Gurman. Just to walk you down the memory lane, iPhone 5C was a 4-inch variant of the bigger 5S with stripped down specs and a lower price-tag.

The phone faced a bit of controversy a few weeks into its launch because of its believed-to-be underwhelming sales numbers and ageing feature set.

The 5C, built on top of an Apple A6 chipset introduced with the iPhone 5 in 2012 with other older specs, is still available in the market though. Apple, sources say, will retain the iPhone 5S for people who prefer smaller 4-inch smartphones as opposed to the larger variants of its iPhones. This could be expected with a steep price drop and users could get the older phone for almost $100 less than what it's worth today.

There is also a possibility that the 5C could be retained in some markets like in developing countries just like the iPhone 4 was available in select regions after it was discontinued in the US. But considering that the 5C failed to attract any audience whatsoever, that is also highly unlikely.

The iPhone 6C is also not going to be showing up on stage at the September 9 launch event of the iPhones 6S and 6S Plus, according to sources. While the Cupertino is said to be working on the smaller variant of this year's flagship models with the capabilities of last year's iPhone 6, sources say that the device is not ready to be shipped yet.

There have also been rumours that Apple has prototyped a device with a 3.5-inch display (same size as that of the original iPhone) but it seems unlikely that this device will be launched anytime in the near future.

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Source: Apple iPhone 5C Series To Be Discontinued, No 6C On September 9th, Says Report

Move Over, OnePlus - There's Another "Flagship Killer" In Town

By Liezl Dunuan , Christian Post Contributor

August 29, 2015|7:34 am

YouTube/WileyFox

A screenshot of the logo from the WileyFox official YouTube channel.

A British smartphone manufacturer, WileyFox, recently outed not just one, but two new handsets that are said to rival the high-end specs and the low price of the OnePlus 2, OnePlus' handset that it has dubbed the "flagship killer" because of its high-power and affordability.

The new devices are called Storm and Swift and they both run on the CyanogenMod OS. The CyanogenMod OS is a custom version of Android. According to a Tech Times report, the two devices also feature additional privacy measures and are thus called "ultra-privacy-aware." They are said to be able to "lock down accessible apps" making it safer to use with kids, as well as safer to share device usage with others.

According to WileyFox's European Chief Executive Offier Nick Muir, they want to target customers who want "choice, security and reassurance." He said in statement: "These savvy individuals do not want their data made available beyond their control. They want to be able to change the appearance of their screen, beyond just the wallpaper and lock-screen.... And above all they want great quality, premium handsets with the latest technology. Responsive, well-built, reliable, quick-charging handsets with great battery life. And that's what WileyFox is all about."

The first handset is called the WileyFox Storm. It is the higher-end model of the two handsets, with a 20 megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5.5-inch display with 1,920 x 1,080 ppi resolution. It has 3 GB of RAM and an internal storage of 32 GB. Its processor is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset. It will be selling at only $312 or 199 British pounds.

The WileyFox Swift is the second device and is only priced at 129 British pounds, or about $ 202. Under the hood, it is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor and 2 GB of RAM. Its screen size is only 5 inches, while its rear-facing camera is only a 13 megapixel one. Internal storage is smaller, at 16 GB only.

Both devices will be available in Europe and Africa only. And the company has no plans to release the phones in the U.S.

Source: Move Over, OnePlus - There's Another "Flagship Killer" In Town

Honor unveils latest smartphone, wearables play

Honor introduced its latest flagship smartphone, Honor 7, into the European market, with the company also revealing it has a wearable set for launch.

The move follows the launch of Honor 7 in its home Chinese market earlier this summer.

The Huawei-brand said its new device is "fully metallic" and aimed at "digital natives". It is described as "purpose-built for single-handed use", and includes a "host of innovative smart functions" and multimedia capabilities operated through a dedicated smart button and gesture-enabled fingerprint reader.

George Zhao, president of Honor, cited a revenue figure of $2.63 billion for the company in the first half of 2015. It will "continue to invest in key markets" such as India, Russia, UK, Germany, France and the US, it said in a statement.

And the executive also said that the company is looking to "forge alliances" with partners, which are "not restricted to sales channels, but rather cover all the interest of digital natives, including entertainment and on-demand services".

"Honor 7 clearly showcases our commitment and capability. It's now up to us to take the mobile internet experiences it enables to new heights with partners in Europe that share our vision," Zhao said.

The smartphone has a 5.2-inch full HD display, and is powered by a HiSilicon octacore Kirin 935 processor. It has a 20MP main and 8MP front cameras, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage with microSD expansion slot.

The company also talked up the fingerprint scanner, stating that it includes a "self-learning capability" which enhances scanning accuracy by re-recording registered fingerprints while in use. It is said to support "intuitive gesture controls" which enable it to be used to answer calls and take photos.

It will be available in two colours, grey and silver, and sold in UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands and Finland, with other markets to follow. Recommended price is €349.99.

Wearable launch The company said that the Honor 7 launch in Europe "coincides with "a new Honor wearable for the wrist".

It has a 1.06-inch circular full-screen display and an "industry-leading G-sensor powered by advanced algorithms". It will be compatible with Android and iOS devices.

The name of the product will be chosen through a global competition, with the winner receiving "all Honor products for the next five years".

Source: Honor unveils latest smartphone, wearables play

Lenovo's folding its own smartphone division into Motorola

Since Lenovo bought Motorola, there's been a lot of speculation as to what it will do with its existing mobile division. The company has now provided more details, saying it will run all of its smartphone operations under the Motorola umbrella and eventually shutter Lenovo Mobile. "Effective immediately, Rick Osterloh, formerly president, Motorola, will be the leader of the combined global smartphone business unit," the company told NDTV Gadgets in a statement. Lenovo Mobile employees will join Motorola, and as reported earlier, Motorola will take over all design chores.

Despite reports that ZUK will become Lenovo's "flagship online brand," the division told us that it has no part in the merger so far. "No doubt ZUK will keep going (as is) in the future, because (it's) independent of Lenovo group," a spokesperson said. Though backed by Lenovo, ZUK is competing on is own merits in the online space against rivals like Xiaomi and Huawei, both in China and internationally. It recently released its first smartphone, the $280 Cyanogen-OS-equipped Z1.

ZUK will keep going (as is) in the future, because it's independent of Lenovo.

Lenovo didn't say what would happen to the Lenovo Mobile brand, though it seems unlikely it would discard it. The division sells a lot of phones in China, even though it caused Lenovo to lose money last quarter, forcing it to lay off up to 3,200 employees. Once the merger is complete, Lenovo will supposedly offer fewer phones in total, however, with each targeted at specific markets. Given the conflicting reports, we've reached out to the company for more details.

Source: Lenovo's folding its own smartphone division into Motorola

Microsoft Surface phone: 5 features we could see from a Lumia flagship phone

Concept Image Credit: Nadir Aslam

Will we see a Microsoft Surface smartphone in 2015? There's been plenty of rumours and we take a look at how a flagship Lumia phone under the Surface name could end up looking

With any luck, we'll be seeing the fruition of Microsoft's Windows 10 Mobile plans some time in November or maybe even in October alongside a Microsoft Band 2 and a new Surface Pro.

The stakes couldn't be higher for the company. After the unmitigated failure of two successive stand-alone Windows Phone iterations, the company is betting big on a single Windows OS that works across all platforms - including smartphones.

Microsoft is understandably taking a little extra time and care over Windows 10 Mobile, then, and that could also be true of the hardware. According to a recent WMPowerUser report, Microsoft has a Surface Mobile on the way either late this year or early next year.

In truth, there are enough question marks surrounding this particular story to leave us more than a little dubious, but separate sources suggest that there is indeed some kind of Microsoft Surface phone in the works.

Here are the purported specs for the Surface Mobile from the aforementioned report - both credible and otherwise.

1. An Aluminium and magnesium unibody design

According to this latest report, Microsoft's new flagship phone will feature an aluminium and magnesium "unibody" design. Combined with that "Surface Mobile" name, we can't help but imagine a shrunken Surface Pro 3. Drool.

Presumably this would set the new phone apart from Microsoft's other rumoured Windows 10 smartphones, the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. From initial (and far more convincing) leaks, these appear to stay true to the classy-plastic Nokia heritage.

The report also suggests that the Surface Mobile will feature a USB-C port (as seen in the OnePlus 2 and the new MacBook) and wireless charging. That latter point would appear to clash with the whole all-metal design claim, unless Microsoft or its partners have made a Qualcomm-like breakthrough in that respect. Hmm.

A little more convincing is the suggestion that the Surface Mobile will come with a Surface Pen stylus, which is said to be similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note 5's S Pen.

2. A 5.5-inch Quad HD screen

The aforementioned Samsung Galaxy Note 5 was recently described as having the "best phone screen ever" by DisplayMate, so it's both exciting and (more importantly) not outside the realms of possibility to read that the Surface Mobile will sport something similar.

Apparently, it's going to be a 5.5-inch AMOLED display, with a 2,560 x 1,440 (QHD) resolution. Of course, that's fine on paper, but Samsung's displays excel because of their impeccable calibration as much as their technical excellence.

Thankfully, Microsoft and Nokia have a history of creating high quality screens themselves, so we're confident this would be an absolute peach of a screen if true.

Oh, and the report also claims that the Surface Mobile will be covered by Gorilla Glass 4, which is also the same cutting-edge material used by Samsung in its latest phones.

Related: Why Continuum is Windows 10 Mobile's killer feature

Surface Pro 3

3. An Intel processor

From a pure spec list perspective, this is where the real doubt creeps in.

Microsoft's Surface Mobile is going to carry the flag for using full Windows 10 on your mobile. The idea is that you'll be able to hook up a keyboard, mouse, and monitor over Bluetooth and the USB-C port, and it will essentially become a PC (a feature known as Continuum).

For that to become a reality, the Surface will need some serious power - and that's the problem with these latest rumours.

The report claims that the Surface Mobile will run on a 64-bit Intel Atom x3 (SoFIA) processor paired with 4GB of RAM. We'll buy that RAM amount, but the Intel Atom x3 is an old and pretty weedy chip by current standards, and one that was designed for low-end devices from the off.

Given that the year-old Surface Pro 3 runs on an Atom x7, we can see Surface Mobile running on something with a little more pep than the lowly x3 - even in such a small form factor. Besides the power shortfall, the x3 in its current form doesn't appear to support 21-megapixel cameras, USB-C, or 2K displays.

So what will the Surface Mobile run on? We just don't know, but it's possible that Intel will announce a new range of mobile chips based on the Cherry Trail architecture early next year. That would do the trick.

4. A PureView camera based on Nokia designs

You can bet that the Surface Mobile will have a stellar camera, regardless of the accuracy of these latest rumours. How can we be so sure?

Because it has the old Nokia team working within its walls. Regardless of how you view Nokia's efforts in the Windows Phone field, you can't deny that the company is one of the best and most innovative smartphone camera makers in the business.

In particular, its PureView brand of cameras and use of Zeiss lenses have made for some true cameraphone champs over the years.

Nokia Lumia 930

We can fully get behind the report when it suggests that there'll be a 21-megapixel PureView Zeiss 6-lens main camera, then. After all, that's not far of the camera spec of Nokia's last flagship phone, the year-old Lumia 930 (which has a certain Surface-ness to it already, no?).

We'd also expect to see things like OIS and laser autofocus in there.

Apparently, the Surface Mobile will also have an 8-megapixel Zeiss wide-angle front-facing camera, which should cover those selfie snaps nicely.

5. Up to 128GB storage and microSD

The report claims that the Microsoft Surface Mobile will come with the option of 64GB and 128GB of storage.

It might sound quite brave to make 64GB the default option, but remember that this will be a truly high-end device, and one that will likely be judged against other 2016 flagships.

Also remember that such a Surface Mobile would be expected to push the whole Continuum feature – in other worlds, it will have to operate like a Windows 10 computer when hooked up to the appropriate gear. A decent amount of storage will be imperative.

Oh, and the report also claims that there'll be microSD support, which also seems highly likely. Again, this will be Windows 10 device first and foremost, so a lack of expandable storage would be unforgivable.

Would you like to see a Microsoft Surface phone? What features do you think it needs to compete with the likes of Apple and Samsung? Let us know in the comment section below.

Source: Microsoft Surface phone: 5 features we could see from a Lumia flagship phone

Google Nexus 8 2015 Tablet Visits Geekbench, Ahead of Nexus 5 2015 Release

While rumors surrounding the Nexus 5 2015 flagship devices from LG and Huawei are making rounds, the Nexus 8 2015 tablet has reportedly made a silent visit to a benchmark testing site. In the process, some of the configuration details have also been revealed.

At a time when the LG Nexus 5 2015 and Huawei Nexus 5 2015 are gearing up for launch, Google is also expected to launch the next-iteration of its tablet as well. Last year, Google launched Nexus 9 tablet, alongside the flagship smartphone Nexus 6. This year, the Nexus 8 2015 version of the slate is being expected to be released.

According to the Geekbench benchmark test report picked up by Mobipicker, the Nexus 8 was running Google's Android 5.1.1 Lollipop. Phone Arena, however, said that when the device finally gets released, it would flaunt the Android M or Android 6.0 operating system out of the box.

As far as the reported Nexus 8 2015 specifications go, the device will apparently be powered by an octa-core CPU, clocked at 1.3 GHz. When it comes to the housed chipset, the tablet will reportedly not feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon chip. Instead, Google might settle for a MediaTek chip for the Nexus 8 2015. To top it off, the device is believed to sport an 8-inch display.

In comparison, the HTC-made Google Nexus 9 tablet comes with an 8.9-inch IPS LCD display with 1,536 x 2,048 pixels screen resolution. This device runs on Android v5.1.1 Lollipop OS, while being powered by a dual-core (Nvidia Tegra K1) Denver processor, clocked at 2.3 GHz.

Unlike the upcoming Nexus smartphones, there is no information available to ascertain the manufacturer details pertaining to the tablet. Notably, the current-generation tablet Nexus 9 was manufactured by HTC, whereas the Nexus 7 and the second-generation Nexus 7 were built by Asus.

Source: Google Nexus 8 2015 Tablet Visits Geekbench, Ahead of Nexus 5 2015 Release

Smartphone Deal: Unlocked 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 On Sale For Lowest and Best Price Yet: $469

A new deal brings Samsung's current flagship Galaxy S6 to consumers at a great price. The unlocked 32 GB Galaxy S6 is on sale for $469.99.(Photo : eBay | Tech Times)

You can now score a 32 GB unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 at considerable savings. The flagship smartphone is on sale for $469.99 and is available in choice of black, white, blue, or gold for a limited time.

Samsung has strategically rolled out its iPhone 6s and 6s Plus competitors in the form of four solid devices that have been expertly crafted, designed, and given top of the line specs to go head to head with Apple's upcoming iPhones. Samsung most recently released its iPhone 6s Plus rival, in the form of the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ phablets, which are now available from all major U.S. carriers and retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, Target, and Walmart.

While the Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will battle the iPhone 6s Plus in the phablet arena, the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge have been designed to go head to head with the iPhone 6s. If you've been considering making the leap to a Galaxy S6, a new deal from eBay is offering the 32 GB unlocked Galaxy S6 at its lowest price yet of $469.99.

The unlocked Samsung Galaxy S6 features a sharp 5.1-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad HD Super AMOLED display with a pixel density of 577 pixels per inch (ppi) and ships with Android 5.0 Lollipop but has already been confirmed to receive an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The handset is powered by an octa-core Samsung Exynos processor, 3 GB of RAM to keep things running smooth and 32 GB of internal storage.

The Galaxy S6's camera capabilities consist of a 16-megapixel rear camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) and 5-megapixel front facing camera for selfies and video chat. The smartphone has a solid and premium feel in the hand since it's now built out of aluminum and glass, and it also supports wireless charging out of the box, although you'll need to supply a compatible charging pad. The Galaxy S6 ships with a non-removable 2,550 mAh battery, which will provide up to 17 hours of talk time.

This unlocked 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 deal is only good for a limited time and it undercuts the price of several retailers. The Galaxy S6 is available in choice of black, white, blue, or gold for $469.99 for a limited time and will work on AT&T and T-Mobile's 4G LTE networks.

© 2015 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: Smartphone Deal: Unlocked 32 GB Samsung Galaxy S6 On Sale For Lowest and Best Price Yet: $469

Huawei gets EISA award third year in a row

The new Huawei P8 is the culmination of the P series rich heritage of style and functionality/CFM BUSINESS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 23 – Huawei has been awarded 'European Consumer Smartphone 2015-2016' by the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) for its latest flagship smartphone, Huawei P8. This is the third consecutive year that Huawei has been recognized by EISA in this category.

Building on the success of last year's award-winning Ascend P7, the new Huawei P8 is the culmination of the P series rich heritage of style and functionality, and is once again redefining the smartphone market with easy-to-use features that amaze and inspire consumers.

EISA praised Huawei for delivering improved camera performance and high-end craftsmanship that gives this affordable device a truly sophisticated appearance.

The low-light camera performance allows consumers to be more creative using the best light painting facility available on a smartphone and amazing crisp high contrast shots.

The P8 also features a compact and powerful dual-antenna design plus rapid switching technology allows the phone to intelligently recognize the best mode reduces dropped calls and maintains a stronger signal.

"We are proud to be presented with this award for the third year in a row. We are committed to challenging the industry and revolutionizing how a smart phone is used," said Glory Zhang, Chief Marketing Officer, Consumer Business Group (BG).

In August 2014, Huawei Ascend P7 was named 'European Consumer Smartphone 2014-2015' and was praised for its 'beautiful glass finish', 'attractive price' and its 8-million-pixel front-facing camera and rear 13-million-pixel sensor with flash and supporting apps.

Huawei Ascend P7 is now on sale in over 100 countries and has shipped more than 7 million units since it was launched. In 2013, Huawei had been awarded the 'European Consumer Smartphone 2013 – 2014' for the ultra slim 6.18mm Ascend P6.

Source: Huawei gets EISA award third year in a row

5 affordable Android phones you'll actually enjoy using

Motorola started the trend of selling decent smartphones at reasonable costs, and the company's Moto E is its most affordable Android device to date. The Moto E runs $150 for a 4G LTE-enabled model, or $120 for one with 3G-level speeds.

Either way, you're getting a comfy if somewhat chunky phone with an unassuming plastic-based design. The Moto E comes in black or white and uses a series of interchangeable multicolored bands to add a splash of color onto its body.

The device has a modest 4.5-in. 540 x 960 display -- nothing like the vibrant and crystal-clear screens you'll see on high-end smartphones, but something that's perfectly usable nevertheless. The phone is similarly adequate in most other areas, including its storage (8GB of internal space and a microSD slot) and performance -- which is by no means snappy but fine enough for casual use.

The areas where the Moto E shines are in stamina and software, both of which are better than what you'll find on many phones with six times the cost. On the latter front, Motorola provides a version of Android that sticks closely to Google's Lollipop-level user interface, with no arbitrary visual changes and just a small handful of genuinely useful feature additions.

And cost is the key thing to keep in mind with the Moto E. For $120 to $150, it provides a respectable overall user experience -- one unlike anything else you'll find for that price.

Source: 5 affordable Android phones you'll actually enjoy using

7 smartphones with great designs to check out in 2015

Design of a smartpone is one of its key features that cannot simply be ignored. Smartphone vendors focus a lot on design elements, in order to give their device an edge over rivals.

This week, Huawei launched the Honor 7i with unique design features, and a week back Samsung announced the new generation Galaxy Note and S6 Edge smartphones that don a very premium look to charm potential consumers. These are not all, as there have been quite a handful of smartphones launched in 2015 that got some extra ratings mainly due to their design elements.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Now Available at a Lesser Price in India: Top 10 Deals

If you too are looking for a smartphone that boasts good looks with a unique design element, check out our list of seven nicely done smartphones launched this year:

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Huawei Honor 7i

Huawei launched the Honor 7i with an exciting new design that makes it look different from the crowd. It features a flip-out rear camera that goes up to 180 degree to double up as a selfie shooter. It is not that we have not seen swivel cameras earlier, but this still adds to the looks of the phone. Furthermore, the device comes with a fingerprint sensor that is placed on the right side of the device, which is quite unusual. The sensor can be unlocked with wet fingers and be used as camera shutter button.

To know about other specs and features of the phone, click here.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

A look at the Samsung's newly launched Galaxy S6 Edge+ will simply make you fall in love with it, due to its dual-edge curved design that oozes premiumness from all angles. Additionally, this top of the line phone is loaded with high end specifications. But for all this, you will have to pay heftily at almost Rs 58,000.

Also read: First impressions of Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 5 along with the Galaxy S6 Edge+ at its Unpacked event in in New York, last week. The new Note version scores high in the design department due to its glass and metal chassis combined with S-Pen.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Announced: All That You Need To Know

OnePlus 2

The all new smartphone from OnePlus, dubbed as OnePlus 2, was announced worldwide in a unique Virtual Reality event. The phone dons metal chassis, which is a big improvement from its previous version. This phone gets an edge over others because it is amongst a very few devices that offers USB C-Type connectivity, which is a reversible port.

Read More: Oneplus 2: Has it hit the right cords!

LG G Flex 2

The LG G Flex 2 may not be an awesome performer, but is in this list for its curved display design and self-healing rear panel that make it simply unconventional, in comparison to its flat rivals. Though not everyone finds the design appealing enough, we think the phone looks pretty unique.

Read more about the LG G Flex 2 here.

LG G4

LG's G4 is the company flagship smartphone that boasts leather-finished back panel, which can be removed as well. The phone is designed well, and has received mixed review for its performance.

Read More: LG G4 first impressions

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Story first published: Friday, August 21, 2015, 17:20 [IST]

Source: 7 smartphones with great designs to check out in 2015

OnePlus 2 review: a real ‘flagship killer’?

The OnePlus 2 claims to be a '2016 flagship' killer for half the price, with top specifications and custom software. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The latest smartphone from Chinese upstart OnePlus is a self-proclaimed "2016 flagship killer" starting at just £239 in the UK, but is it really that good?

OnePlus has made a name, in some circles at least, for creating solid high-performance smartphones that rival top-end devices from the likes of Samsung, LG and Apple for less than half the price.

Can the OnePlus 2 better the solid start made by the OnePlus One?

Simple, solid and grippy Sandstone black back feels like light sandpaper, which makes for an easy-to-grip phone. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2 is a significant step up in build quality and design. The all-glass front, metal sides and removable plastic back all feel very well built with absolutely no give or twist anywhere in the body.

The default "sandstone black" back cover won't be to everyone's taste with its sandpaper-like texture. It helps the phone stay put in your hand, though, where every other metal or glass-backed phone is quickly becoming slippery like a bar of soap. The curvature of the back also makes it easy to hold.

The OnePlus 2 is quite thick and heavy by today's standards at 9.9mm thick and 175g in weight. For comparison the 5.1in Samsung Galaxy S6 is 6.8mm thick and weighs 138g and the new 5.7in S6 Edge+ is 6.9mm thick and weighs 153g. LG's 5.5in G4, however, is 9.8mm thick and weighs 155g.

The 5.5in screen has a 1080p resolution and a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch (ppi), which is significantly less dense than the 5.5in quad HD screen of the LG G4 with 538ppi. The difference is noticeable, the higher resolution screen is sharper, but for the money most users will likely be satisfied with the sharpness of the 1080p screen.

Viewing angles are good, but the colour reproduction of the display is somewhat muted. Whether that's good or bad depends on personal preference, but it makes photos look a little dull compared to the richer screens of most of the OnePlus 2's competition.

One of the OnePlus 2's most interesting features is a slider for selecting between notification settings: alarms only, priority notifications and all notifications. It works well and is a thoughtful addition.

The mute slider on the side works well and makes using Google's priority notifications much easier. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian Specifications

Screen: 5.5in 1080p LCD (401ppi)

Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor

RAM: 3/4GB of RAM

Storage: 16/64GB; no micro SD card slot

Operating system: Android 5.1.1 "Lollipop" with OxygenOS

Camera: 13MP rear camera with OIS and laser autofocus, 5MP selfie cam

Connectivity: Dual-Sim LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS, Glonass and USB-C

Dimensions: 151.8 x 74.9 x 9.85mm

Weight: 175g

Hot and fiery Hot to touch but the screen is slightly muted compared to the saturated Amoled screens common on high-end devices. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2 has Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 processor, which is notorious for getting very warm, and a choice of 3 or 4GB of RAM depending on whether it comes with 16 or 64GB of storage space.

The phone flies along, with little lag beyond the home button (more on that later), but the OnePlus 2 can get uncomfortably hot. During normal use the phone gets warm to touch, which is fine. When downloading a series of apps during setup, however, it got uncomfortably hot to the touch – there was no way I was putting that in my pocket.

It only heats up at the top section of the phone around the camera, top edges and buttons. The bottom stays cool, which means most will not notice it until touching the top or attempting to make a call. No slowdown due to heat was noticeable.

Dual sim and USB-C The sim card tray holds two Sim cards at a time so that two numbers can be used simultaneously. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2 can take two sim cards, which mean two numbers and plans can be used simultaneously. A work and a personal number can come to the same phone, or a local sim can be used while traveling alongside a home sim to make calls and data cheaper. Dual-sim support is rare in devices available in the UK, but more common in China and devices aimed at developing markets.

The OnePlus 2 is one of the first smartphones to come equipped with the new USB type-C connector instead of microUSB. It can be put in either way up and is much easier to use. Even the other end, the one that plugs into a USB port or charger, can be inserted either way up. It is only USB2, however, which means the OnePlus 2 does not benefit from the faster transfer speeds of USB3.

USB-C is new and cables are in short supply, which means you will have to carry around the OnePlus 2's cable to make sure you can charge it. That won't be a problem in the future, when more devices switch over to the new connector.

The USB type-C connector can be plugged into the end of the smartphone either way up, which means no more fumbling to find the right way up. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2 lasted around 1.5 days per charge in my testing involving listening to three hours of music streamed over Bluetooth, 20 minutes of gaming, 90 minutes of browsing and hundreds of notifications and emails.

For most people the OnePlus will likely last two days between charges.

Missing features

The OnePlus 2 is lacking a few obvious features that are quickly becoming the mainstay of the flagship smartphones OnePlus portends to try and kill.

One is near-field communications (NFC), which is under used now, primarily for pairing Bluetooth devices with one tap (no pin required) or setting up a new phone and moving details from an old one.

However, in the near future when Android 6 Marshmallow and Android Pay rolls out, which uses the NFC chip and fingerprint scanner to authenticate contactless payments in stops and stores, NFC will become a much more important feature.

Wireless charging and is quick charging are also missing, which means the OnePlus 2 takes over two hours to fully charge instead of under 90 minutes.

Software Gestures and buttons can be modified along with a range of other small tweaks to the standard Android experience. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2 runs the company's own version of Android called OxygenOS, instead of Cyanogen OS like the OnePlus One after a falling out between the two companies.

Most users will not notice the difference between OxygenOS, Cyanogen OS and standard Android Lollipop experience. It looks good, runs fast, is bloat free and is immune to the Stagefright security bug out of the box.

OnePlus has added a couple of noteworthy features. Its app permissions settings allows users to restrict app access on a case-by-case basis to phone features and personal data such as location, camera and audio recording.

Gestures for activating features such the camera and flashlight are also useful, as are options to change the battery icon in the status bar and to arrange the quick settings tiles.

Some bugs within the software are present. I was using the latest version of the OnePlus 2's software but occasionally it would crash, such as when attempting to access the permissions screen of certain apps. The smartphone would also get to 5% battery and instantly shut off, meaning the battery meter wasn't quite right.

Camera The 13-megapixel camera on the OnePlus 2 is solid, if a little slow. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The OnePlus 2's 13-megapixel camera is very good for the price, with significantly better detail, sharpness and clarity than almost any smartphone under £300. It doesn't have quite as good depth of field or image reproduction compared to the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S6 or LG G4, for instance, but it is close.

Low light performance is decent, but the camera app is relatively sluggish, occasionally taking a while to capture the image, which sometimes means the subject has left the frame before the picture is taken. The five megapixel selfiecam is also solid, surpassing most of the competition.

Fingerprint scanner The fingerprint scanner is great when it works, but can be confused by smudges on the glass home button and software bugs stop it waking the phone every time. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs for the Guardian

The home button on the OnePlus 2 is a fingerprint scanner, which recognised my thumbs around 90% of the time making it one of the best.

It is capable of waking up and unlocking the smartphone straight to the homescreen, which is great when it works. I found that smudges on the glass caused issues, and around 30% of the time the fingerprint sensor failed to wake the phone, which was irritating.

The home button can also be very unresponsive requiring a solid push of the thumb to get it to do anything, rather than a light touch as it should be.

Apps such as Evernote and Lastpass also can't use the sensor, as they can on a Samsung Galaxy S6 for instance, meaning the fingerprint scanner is relegated to simply unlocking the phone and nothing else. That may change in the future.

Price

The OnePlus 2 costs £239 for the 16GB storage version with 3GB of RAM or £289 for the 64GB version with 4GB of RAM. For comparison a 32GB Samsung Galaxy S6 costs £415 and an LG G4 costs £340.

Verdict

The OnePlus 2 gets a lot of things right, and only a few things wrong. The build quality is great, the design is attractive, the specifications high and the software is good.

There are a few software bugs to work out, the sandpaper-like back doesn't feel premium, it's quite heavy and the lack of NFC, in particular, is irritating and will hamper futureproofing. The heat issue of the Snapdragon 810 processor remains, but only crops up from time to time.

On the whole the OnePlus 2 isn't the "2016 flagship killer" it claims to be, but it is a very good smartphone for under £300. The biggest issue is actually buying one, which requires an invite – a type of queuing system - that is hard to come by.

Pros: fast, powerful, good camera, fingerprint sensor, stock Android with a few useful additions, excellent value, USB-C, dual-Sim, decent screen

Cons: poor quality speaker, no NFC, no wireless charging, no quick charge, USB-C, difficult to buy, software bugs, gets really hot

Other reviews

• Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review: curves for pleasure, not function

• Samsung Galaxy S6 review: the iPhone killer

• LG G4 review: one of the best phablets available, boasting an impressive camera

• Google Nexus 6 review: big is beautiful, but not manageable

• Sony Xperia Z3 review: great battery life and quality camera

• Apple iPhone 6 review: thinner, faster and slightly cheaper

Source: OnePlus 2 review: a real 'flagship killer'?

High-end smartphones demand surges in China: GfK

According to a Q2 2015 smartphone findings released by GfK on Monday, average pricetags on handsets inflated notably in China during the previous quarter, with total sales value in the country having increased by 17 percent over the same period last year. This was despite a registered slump of 10 percent in total sales volume.

A total of 88.7 million handset units were shipped in China during the second quarter this year, down from last year's 98.6 million units. The 10 percent year-on-year decrease in shipment in the second quarter followed a decline of 14 percent recorded in the first quarter, GfK noted. Meanwhile, smartphone sales reached $26.8 billion in China during the second quarter, up from $22.8 billion for the same period in 2014.

"Strong demand for high-end smartphones ($500+) pushed smartphone value up 17 percent year-on-year to $26.8 billion in the quarter. The high-end smartphone market now accounts for 17 percent of the market, up from 10 percent in Q2 2014 -- and is growing at the expense of the low-end," said the research note.

GfK also forecasts the demand for high-end handsets to expand 28 percent year-on-year in China, the strongest growth in this price band of any region in 2015.

The results may deliver a negative signal to Chinese smartphone makers such as Xiaomi and Huawei--local brands that are still competing fiercely for the mid to low-end markets where consumers are chasing well-equipped handsets at competitive prices.

In China, commonly seen high-end smartphones, or those priced over $500 as defined in the GfK report, are Apple's iPhones and Samsung's flagship models. But their fates differ dramatically, with Apple's revenue surging 71 percent for a record-breaking second quarter of sales in the country, while Samsung lowered prices on flagship smartphone models in an effort to boost its gloomy sales.

For the whole of 2015, GfK expects the total handset shipments in China to decrease 5 percent from 2014, with total sales value to gain 10 percent from the previous year.

Source: High-end smartphones demand surges in China: GfK

Meizu MX5 Pro Plus: Alleged Photos, Specifications Leak Online

Two photos of Meizu MX5 Pro Plus -- the jumbo sibling of the flagship smartphone Meizu MX5 -- have surfaced online, according to a new report. The device is expected to come with a larger screen, along with top-of-the-shelf specifications.

According to Droid Feed, the upcoming handset looks identical to the Meizu MX4 Pro from last year. The smartphone reportedly features a fingerprint scanner on the home button, located at the bottom.

The rumored Meizu MX5 Pro Plus specifications include a 6.0-inch display bundled with QHD screen resolution. The original MX5, on the other hand, comes with a 5.5-inch display and 1,080 x 1,920 pixels screen resolution, GSM Arena reported. Under the hood, the handset is believed to be powered by Samsung's Exynos 7420 chipset, and will be backed by a whopping 4 GB of RAM unit. The Exynos 7420 chipset is the same processor that powers Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge and Galaxy Note5. The predecessor MX5, on the other hand, is powered by an octa-core Mediatek MT6795 processor and backed by 3 GB of RAM.

When it comes to camera specification, the Meizu MX5 Pro Plus could sport a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing unit, similar to the Sony Xperia Z3 series. It is worth noting that, the original MX5 also comes with the same 20.7-megapixel unit.

Meanwhile, the MX5 Pro Plus has apparently made a visit to the AnTuTu benchmark site. However, the results have reportedly been grayed out. But then, this visit confirms the existence of the jumbo device from Meizu.

Source: Meizu MX5 Pro Plus: Alleged Photos, Specifications Leak Online

With Samsung's new phones, the phablet is so mainstream it's no longer a category

By Ross Rubin

It was only in 2010 that Samsung introduced the Galaxy S, the first in its incredibly popular series of flagship smartphones. It had a 4-inch display, which was large for its time. A year later, however, the phone was dwarfed by the then-mammoth 5.3-inch screen on the first Galaxy Note. By 2011 standards, the Note was so large, it implied that it was aimed at a customer the size of an NBA center. And it popularized a new term—phablet—that indicated it straddled the line between phone and tablet.

In the following years, both the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note screen sizes grew, which quickly begged a question. Given that there was some upper limit on the practical size of a smartphone, how would Samsung continue to differentiate between the two phone families as each came closer to that upper limit?

Samsung already had a plan. While consumers and most of the media focused on the size of the Galaxy Note series, for Samsung its differentiation was ultimately about the S-Pen, the digital stylus that comes with Note models, whose spacious displays are especially amenable to scribbling. (In 2013, spurred by the success of the Note, the company went even larger with a 6.3-inch screen on the Galaxy Mega series, but it hasn't developed that line.)

As the size gap between the Galaxy S and the Galaxy Note narrowed, flagship phones with 5.2-inch and even 5.5-inch screens became more commonplace. LG's excellent G4, for instance, boasts a 5.5-inch display. The HTC One M9, a minor evolution of its predecessor, has a 5-inch display. Following the growth plan that Samsung pioneered, Motorola has bumped its Moto X screen size over its three generations. It has grown from 4.7 inches to 5.2 inches to—with its recently announced Moto X Play—5.7 inches, in a body that is both shorter and narrower than that of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus. Indeed, the clearest sign that mainstream phone customers were ready to have their palms stretched by a big screen was Apple's entry into the category last fall.

The new Galaxy S6 Edge+ is clearly designed to one-up the screen size of the iPhone 6 Plus without saddling a big phone with an S-Pen. But according to Samsung, the key to big phone screen acceptance is a thin body. While the company touted the steadily rising sales of the Galaxy Note family when it introduced the right-sloping Galaxy Note 4 Edge, it now says that that handset represented an early version of its curved-display technology and that the phone, at 8.3mm compared to the Note5's 7.6mm, was relatively thick.

With the release of the Galaxy 6 Edge+ and Galaxy Note5, which both boast a 5.7-inch display, the company that established the phablet category with the Note can expect to see it cannibalized by its pen-free sibling. Indeed, unless one has a particular desire for the S-Pen—which has improved both aesthetically and functionally compared to previous versions—it's hard to make a case for the no-longer-bigger Note5.

The Galaxy S6 Edge+, which builds on the success of its 5.2-inch sibling, is thinner than the Note, with curved sides and software features designed to take advantage of them. That's its main differentiator from the host of other flagship smartphones with roomy screens. The phablet has simply become the phone it always really was.

More from Fast Company:

<a href="http://www.engadget.com/products/samsung/galaxy/note/5/">

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

</a>

Key specs

<a href="http://www.engadget.com/products/samsung/galaxy/note/5/" title="Samsung Galaxy Note 5 reviews" target="_blank">

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</a>

Prices

Discussions

Type Smartphone

Operating system Android (Lollipop [5.0])

Screen size 5.7 inches

Internal memory 32 GB

Camera 16 megapixels

Released 2015-08-21

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+

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Key specs

<a href="http://www.engadget.com/products/samsung/galaxy/s6/edgeplus/" title="Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ reviews" target="_blank">

Reviews • 0

</a>

Prices

Discussions

Type Smartphone

Operating system Android (Lollipop [5.0])

Screen size 5.7 inches

Internal memory 32 GB

Camera 16 megapixels

Released 2015-08-21

see all specs →

There are not any reviews for this product yet.Why not be the first to write one?

Get better reviews from people who actually have this product!

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Source: With Samsung's new phones, the phablet is so mainstream it's no longer a category

iFixit's OnePlus 2 Teardown Reveals The Flagship Killer Is Easy To Repair

The folks over at iFixit have already taken apart the OnePlus 2 and found that it's fairly easy to repair. The OnePlus 2 teardown reveals notable progress compared to the OnePlus One and the new 'flagship killer' got a 7 out of 10 repairability score.(Photo : iFixit )

The lately-launched OnePlus 2 "flagship killer" is not only a powerhouse, but it's also quite easy to repair, according to the folks over at iFixit.

It doesn't take long after a new flagship makes its way to the market for iFixit to tear it apart and determine just how easy (or hard) it is to disassemble the device. The company does this for repair purposes in order to check out if a certain device would be easy enough to fix, or whether it would require a massive struggle just to get to its battery, for instance.

For the OnePlus 2 teardown, iFixit has a slew of detailed images that show the smartphone's internals, dissected for everyone to see. According to iFixit, the OnePlus 2 is fairly easy to take apart. It has an army of screws, but that's "miles better" than adhesive.

While the previous OnePlus One teardown proved to be quite a challenge to repair, the OnePlus 2 is notably better in this department. As a reminder, iFixit ranks the "repairability" of a device on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the easiest to repair.

The OnePlus 2 got a repairability score of 7 out of 10 from iFixit, which is a dramatic improvement compared to the first-generation OnePlus One that only scored 5 out of 10.

"The teardown guys listed down their reasons - a single type of non-proprietary screw heads on the midframe, modular components, and a simple USB port assembly," iFixit notes in its OnePlus 2 teardown report.

At the same time, iFixit points out that the LCD and digitizer glass of the OnePlus 2 are fused together, which makes them act as a single part from a repairability point of view. In other words, if you break it you will have to replace both the LCD and digitizer glass as a single part, and the replacement won't be cheap.

Nevertheless, OnePlus made notable efforts to improve the design and engineering of its new-generation smartphone compared to its predecessor, and a 7 out of 10 repairability score is quite impressive. Head over to iFixit to check out the dissected OnePlus 2 in all its glory, with all of its internals out in the open.

© 2015 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: iFixit's OnePlus 2 Teardown Reveals The Flagship Killer Is Easy To Repair

OnePlus 2 vs. ZUK Z1: Which One's The Real Flagship Killer Here?

OnePlus 2 and ZUK Z1 are the latest smartphones to qualify under the 'killer specs, cheaper phone' genre. While they share a number of identical features, there are a few key points that make one stand out over the other.(Photo : One Plus / Zuk)

This year, consumers have seen a number of smartphones that are geared more on the cheaper side of the price scheme. So far, two of these devices managed to stand out and people couldn't help but compare the two budget-friendly phones.

The devices in question are no other than the OnePlus 2 and the ZUK Z1. Both have specs that are almost identical. When they do differ at a few points, the difference is only minimal and almost irrelevant.

Let us try to take a closer look at each of these new rival phones that both belong to the "richer specs, cheaper phone" category.

OnePlus 2

OnePlus 2 is the successor to the well-loved OnePlus One. The company has a unique marketing strategy of selling its handsets only to people who were lucky enough to get an invite. The latest reports say there are currently two million people who are waiting to get their invite to buy the OnePlus 2. The competition is so stiff that one loyal fan even discovered a way to "hack" the company's invite system to improve his number ranking.

The OnePlus 2 runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor at 1.8GHz. Other features that make it unique compared to the Z1 include a 4GB RAM, 5MP front camera, 3300mAh battery, 3.5 millimeter headphone jack, and OxygenOS 2.0 for the OS. It also has dimensions of 151.80 by 74.90 by 9.85 mm (5.98 by 2.95 by 0.39 inches).

ZUK Z1 

The Z1 is the real newcomer to the smartphone world since it was announced only recently by Lenovo-owned manufacturer ZUK. It runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core SoC at 2.5GHz. Other features include 3GB of RAM, 4100mAh battery, 8MP front camera, and Android 5.1. It measures 155.70 by 77.30 by 8.90 mm (6.13 by 3.04 by 8.90 inches).

The rest of the specs are identical between the two handsets. Both feature a 5.5-inch touchscreen display of 1080 by 1920 pixels, 64GB internal storage, 13MP rear camera, WiFi, dual SIM (both are Nano-SIM) and GSM. Both also weigh 175 grams (0.39 pound).

The biggest difference perhaps is the fact that the Z1 doesn't require an invite for buyers to get their hands on the device. Compared to the OnePlus 2's retail price of $389 for the 64GB, the Z1 is said to retail at only $285, which is absolutely cheaper than the other for more than $100. It also sports a better 8MP front camera compared to OnePlus 2's 5MP which could make it the smartphone of choice for those who are keen on taking their selfies.

Performance-wise, it's still early to say how one fares against the other. Clearly, OnePlus 2 may have an edge at this point, as some consumers who are waiting for an invite from the company are the same ones who also purchased the original OnePlus and have become loyal fans since then.

© 2015 Tech Times, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.

Source: OnePlus 2 vs. ZUK Z1: Which One's The Real Flagship Killer Here?

10 Best Smartphones From Five Major Android Manufacturer

By SiliconIndia   |   Thursday, 13 August 2015, 05:02 Hrs

BANGALORE: Last year and this year has been good time for Smartphone manufacturers as they managed to sell best amount of devices. Although, we haven't reached the end of this year, yet it has been pretty good for both the parties – the manufacturers and the consumers. Each Smartphone maker struck gold with some handsets, as its design and capabilities caught every buyer made other to buy it.

Here are two Smartphones from each manufacturer that made big in the near past.

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S5Price: 22,999

The Galaxy S5 is the flagship Smartphone from Samsung for last year. The device is splash proof, and for the first time Samsung introduced heart-rate monitor along with fingerprint sensor. At the time of its launch, Galaxy S5 was one of the most advanced handsets available in the market.

Key Features:SCREEN: 5.1-inch Super AMOLEDPROCESSOR: Quad-core 2.5 GHz Krait 400GPU: Adreno 330RAM: 2GBCAMERA: 16MP Rear and 2MP Front-facingBATTERY: Li-Ion 2800mAhSTORAGE: 16/32GB Internal, Expandable up to 128GBCONNECTIVITY: LTE, Wi-Fi, BluetoothADDITIONAL: Water and Dust proof, Heart-rate monitor, Finger-print Sensor

Samsung Galaxy S6Price: 40,800

The good thing about the new Samsung Galaxy S6 is that the company has made changes in its TouchWiz interface. The new OS is much lighter and faster. Galaxy S6 clicks beautiful pictures in extreme low light and this quality makes S6 better than its rival, iPhone 6.

Key Features:SCREEN: 5.1-inch, Super AMOLEDPROCESSOR: Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and Quad-core 2.1 GHz Cortex-A57GPU: Mali-T760MP8RAM: 3GBCAMERA: 16MP Rear and 5MP Front-facingBATTERY: Non-removable Li-Ion 2550mAhSTORAGE: 32/64/128GB InternalCONNECTIVITY: LTE, Wi-Fi, BluetoothADDITIONAL: Fingerprint scanner, Samsung PayRead Also:Touchjet WAVE: Software That Turns Any TV into an Android Surface Hub10 Amazing Cycling Gadgets to Rock Your Ride

Source: 10 Best Smartphones From Five Major Android Manufacturer

Major Nexus 5 leak may reveal specs for both new devices

View photo

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nexus-5-2015-concept-jermaine-smit-2

Nexus buyers anxiously waiting for Google's flagship Android M phones are probably more than aware that most rumors say the company has partnered with two smartphone makers for the 2015 Android Nexus handsets. A new leak further details the smartphones, including measurements.

DON'T MISS: OnePlus 2 hands-on: It's everything you've dreamt of… and so much more

The new LG Nexus 5 will have a 5.2-inch display and a metal body, @OnLeaks says. The device will measure 146.9 x 72.9 x 8/9.8 mm, and feature front-facing speakers, a fingerprint sensor on the back and USB-C connectivity.

The same source also tweeted a similar set of specs for the Huawei Nexus, a 5.7-inch phablet that's supposed to be slightly bigger than the 2015 Nexus 5. The phone reportedly measures 159.4 x 78.3 x 6.6/8.5 mm, packing a metal body, front-facing speakers, a fingerprint sensor on the back and a USB-C port.

Google is expected to launch the two handsets at some point in the coming months, likely alongside the final version of Android M. Earlier leaks have offered a similar specs for both devices, also featuring images and concept renders for both handsets.

Related storiesMicrosoft hilariously trolls Google's 'Alphabet' announcementGoogle hid an awesome Easter egg in its Alphabet announcement - here's how to find itCurious about Alphabet? Here's everything you need to know about Google's bombshell announcement

More from BGR: Microsoft hilariously trolls Google's 'Alphabet' announcement

This article was originally published on BGR.com

Google

Source: Major Nexus 5 leak may reveal specs for both new devices

LG G4 and G4 Stylus get big price cuts in India

New Delhi: While we are aware that flagship smartphone prices are seeing quite a few cuts, we are not entirely sure whether this to make way for low-cost flagships. The current smartphone scene in terms of pricing is confused at best, with smartphones like the Motorola Moto Turbo with its older hardware still showing a higher price tag compared to the newer Samsung Galaxy S6.

Strange as it may be, LG has decided to drop the price of its recently announced LG G4 and G4 Stylus as well. Roughly by around Rs 5000, the price cuts bring the price of the LG G4 from Rs 51,000 to Rs 45,000 and that of the G4 Stylus from Rs 24,990 to Rs 21,000.

So that makes the Sony Xperia Z3+ the only lone ranger at the top with an asking price of Rs 50,000 for its hot-headed smartphone.

Still then, the LG G4 and the G4 Stylus have a lot going for them as both smartphones feature, laser assisted focus and great cameras at their respective price points.

The G4 Stylus' Rubberdium pen also makes a lot of sense at its price point considering that its the only one around apart from the higher priced Note series from Samsung.

LG claims that it is preparing for the upcoming festive season as the reason for the drop, but we think that the upcoming OnePlus 2 may be one of them. The smartphone with flagship specifications will begin retailing on the 11th of August from Rs 22,999 for the 16 GB variant. This basically puts the LG G4 at risk since the 2 even includes a laser assisted focus system for its camera.

Samsung's Galaxy S6 and the S6 edge are also expected to get similar price cuts to build momentum on lower than expected sales figures.

SOURCE: www.techtree.com

Source: LG G4 and G4 Stylus get big price cuts in India

Independence Day Bonanza: 10 Best Smartphones On Offer

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Source: Independence Day Bonanza: 10 Best Smartphones On Offer

We have the OnePlus 2: ask us anything!

OnePlus unveiled its new flagship smartphone just a few weeks ago, and so far, it's proven to be quite the device. The OnePlus 2 features some of the best specifications and build quality on the market, starting at the low price of just $329. Even though there's been tons of content on the OnePlus 2 so far, we're sure you have some questions.

Will this phone fulfill your needs? Is there a catch? Featuring a super quick fingerprint scanner, a handy alert slider on the left side, and a new USB Type-C port, it seems as though the OnePlus 2 is working hard to adopt as many new technologies as it can. With that said, quite a few features are missing from the device, which has become a major point of contention among fans of the handset.

Don't miss: OnePlus 2 unboxing and first impressions2515763

So are you curious about the OnePlus 2? Our own Joshua Vergara has just unboxed the device and is in the process of constructing a full review, but in the mean time, he's willing to answer your questions! If you have a specific question and would like it answered by Josh or any other member of the AA team, either leave a comment on this post or head to the OnePlus 2 forum page to post your inquiry. We'll do our best to answer everything in a timely fashion!

Source: We have the OnePlus 2: ask us anything!

HTC pinning hopes on a new 'trendy' smartphone

HTC has become the latest big tech firm to share its financial results – and they make for quite grim reading for the Taiwanese firm.

Revenue was down, and the hardware manufacturer also reported an operating loss of 252 million US dollars (£162 million) for the quarter with senior executives even admitting during a conference call after the announcement that they don't expect things to get much better in the near future.

This year's M9 hasn't sold well (Lauren Hurley/PA)

In an interesting step, HTC financial chief Chailin Chang said they'd found that consumers want a "more fashionable phone" than those which HTC offers. The last two flagship devices – the M8 and this year's M9 – have been aesthetically very similar, and the latter has struggled to sell compared with the iPhone 6, other Android devices and Chinese firms Huawei and Xiaomi gobbling up market share.

Chang said that to combat this, HTC will release a "classic version" of the flagship M9 before the end of the year, with the chief financial officer describing it as more "trendy", and it will appear alongside other models with tweaked features – all of which will be aimed at markets below the flagship arena.

Last year's M8 (Lauren Hurley/PA)

The official line was to "address premium segments", but below the flagship level.

HTC said it is "rethinking the smartphone strategy"and will be looking to new markets – all of which points to a move away from just the premium, high-end phones that the M8 and M9 have been.

Somewhat ominously, the firm also said that the financial results meant that efficiency measures would have to be introduced to cut costs, and – though no details were provided – such talk is never good news.

VR has shown positive signs for HTC (Martyn Landi/PA)

On a more positive front, the HTC Vive virtual reality headset was earmarked as an area of potential future growth for the firm. The device is the product of a partnership with gaming giants Valve, and has attracted rave reviews from those who have used it so far.

It's a bright spot that HTC need to keep shining as it works through a transitional period for its smartphones. The firm says expenses will come down significantly in 2016 once the cost-cutting measures have taken effect, but it's not an ideal situation to be in – with attention needed on its devices that could help the balance sheet too.

The M8 picked up multiple industry award (Mark Lennihan/AP)

Apple, Samsung and co aren't slowing down either, with the latter set to unveil at least two new smartphones next week. HTC has its work cut out to stay in touch with their rivals – but at least their executives are willing to admit it. They say acceptance is always the hardest step.

Source: HTC pinning hopes on a new 'trendy' smartphone

HTC admits pinning hopes on a new 'trendy' smartphone

HTC has become the latest big tech firm to share its financial results – and they make for quite grim reading for the Taiwanese firm.

Revenue was down, and the hardware manufacturer also reported an operating loss of 252 million US dollars (£162 million) for the quarter with senior executives even admitting during a conference call after the announcement that they don't expect things to get much better in the near future.

This year's M9 hasn't sold well (Lauren Hurley/PA)

In an interesting step, HTC financial chief Chailin Chang said they'd found that consumers want a "more fashionable phone" than those which HTC offers. The last two flagship devices – the M8 and this year's M9 – have been aesthetically very similar, and the latter has struggled to sell compared with the iPhone 6, other Android devices and Chinese firms Huawei and Xiaomi gobbling up market share.

Chang said that to combat this, HTC will release a "classic version" of the flagship M9 before the end of the year, with the chief financial officer describing it as more "trendy", and it will appear alongside other models with tweaked features – all of which will be aimed at markets below the flagship arena.

Last year's M8 (Lauren Hurley/PA)

The official line was to "address premium segments", but below the flagship level.

HTC said it is "rethinking the smartphone strategy"and will be looking to new markets – all of which points to a move away from just the premium, high-end phones that the M8 and M9 have been.

Somewhat ominously, the firm also said that the financial results meant that efficiency measures would have to be introduced to cut costs, and – though no details were provided – such talk is never good news.

VR has shown positive signs for HTC (Martyn Landi/PA)

On a more positive front, the HTC Vive virtual reality headset was earmarked as an area of potential future growth for the firm. The device is the product of a partnership with gaming giants Valve, and has attracted rave reviews from those who have used it so far.

It's a bright spot that HTC need to keep shining as it works through a transitional period for its smartphones. The firm says expenses will come down significantly in 2016 once the cost-cutting measures have taken effect, but it's not an ideal situation to be in – with attention needed on its devices that could help the balance sheet too.

The M8 picked up multiple industry award (Mark Lennihan/AP)

Apple, Samsung and co aren't slowing down either, with the latter set to unveil at least two new smartphones next week. HTC has its work cut out to stay in touch with their rivals – but at least their executives are willing to admit it. They say acceptance is always the hardest step.

Source: HTC admits pinning hopes on a new 'trendy' smartphone

OnePlus 2 vs iPhone 6 vs Galaxy S6 vs LG G4: OnePlus 2 Takes On Comparison Against Giant Smartphones; May Win Over Apple, Samsung and LG?

Tech

(Photo : Reuters) OnePlus' flagship phone OnePlus 2 has just been unveiled and consumers can't help but compare it to other giant smartphone providers.

OnePlus' flagship phone OnePlus 2 has just been unveiled and consumers can't help but compare it to other giant smartphone providers.

According to TechTimes, it is not impossible that OnePlus 2 may have a chance at surpassing Apple, Samsung or even LG, being dubbed as the flagship killer in the past. In a recent specs comparison, OnePlus 2 significantly made some marks on some of the essential firmware and hardware of the flagship phone. Among others, OnePlus 2 was specifically compared to iPhone 6, LG G4 and Samsung Galaxy S6 and the results were pretty competitive.

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The display screen of OnePlus 2 compared to iPhone 6 is slightly larger with a 5.5-inch LCD display against iPhone 6's 4.7-inch LED backlit IPS LCD display while Samsung Galaxy S6 has a 5.1-inch super AMOLED and LG G4 has a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display.

Where the graphics, RAM and processors are concerned, OnePlus 2 has a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor  with graphics of Adreno 430, while the iPhone 6 comes with an Apple A8 processor and 1GB of RAM and PowerVR GX6450 quad-core graphics . On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S6 uses its very own Samsung Exynos 7420 octa-core processor with 3GB or Random Access Memory and a graphic of Mali T760MP8, while LG G4 has a Qualcomm SnapDragon 808 processor with 3GB Random Access Memory with Adreno 418 graphics.

Storage may line OnePlus 2 to Apple's iPhone 6 with their 16GB entry level compared to Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4's 32GB entry level mass storage.

Batteries have been some of consumers' top priorities  and OnePlus 2 comes up with a 3,300mAH battery. iPhone 6, on the other hand, has 1,860mAH battery, the Samsung Galaxy S6 with 2,550 mAH battery and the LG G4 with 3,000 mAH battery.

TechRadar recently posted that despite OnePlus' reinventing their line and updating to OnePlus 2, their prices remain relatively low in order to keep their spot in the market, despite having a very competitive specification against other giant smartphone manufacturers.

The 15-month old OnePlus One can now be updated and consumers can have a hand on OnePlus 2.

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Source: OnePlus 2 vs iPhone 6 vs Galaxy S6 vs LG G4: OnePlus 2 Takes On Comparison Against Giant Smartphones; May Win Over Apple, Samsung and LG?

Here’s how you can hack yourself a OnePlus 2 invite

OnePlus finally launched the much awaited OnePlus 2 flagship smartphone at the world's first VR launch event. Its absolutely aggressive pricing caught the attention of millions. In fact, the device hit the first million invite registrations mark within 72 hours.

Given its hyped exclusive invite system, many users try and find the long-lost friend to get their hands on a OnePlus device. The innovation with which fans seek to get access to an invite has now turned a new leaf.

According to Jake Cooper, a software engineer from Victoria, British Columbia there is a way to crack the invite system for the OnePlus 2.

In a detailed post on Medium, Jake Cooper has explained how he was able to get himself a OnePlus 2 invite, not once but twice. Cooper created a Python script that works around the invite system and has decided to opensource it. He also created a repo for the code on GitHub.

If you aren't patient enough to wait for the OnePlus 2 invite, you could just hack your way through. Image: OnePlus

OnePlus invites are also being sold on ecommerce websites such as eBay, but Cooper has decided not to accept any payments for it.

Here's a case of ethical hacking by a fan to plug loopholes in the invite mechanism. Calling himself a fan, Cooper said, "I, like many others, scrambled to get a OnePlus One invite as soon as they came out. I was a loyal fan: I commented on the forums, I shared all the tabloid garbage with my friends, I even participated in their giveaways. I ended up just buying an invite from some random dude on XDA for $20. Needless to say, I've been pretty against the OnePlus invite system for a long time now."

Expressing a familiar eagerness for the device, he added, "When the OnePlus Two rolled around, I made sure to be on the ball and put my email in early and secured position ~9000. However, with the invites for the OnePlus Two, OnePlus opted to allow users to jump the queue by referring their friends to the invite waitlist. Last night I checked my invite status and I was position > 70,000."

Do let us know if you are able to get lucky with a OnePlus 2 invite.

Tags: hack OnePlus, OnePlus, OnePlus 2, Oneplus 2 fans, OnePlus 2 invite, OnePlus invite

Source: Here's how you can hack yourself a OnePlus 2 invite

Huawei Mate 8 leaks in video showing fingerprint reader and metal build

The latest Huawei flagship smartphone may have just leaked in a video showing off the handset before its release.

Huawei has announced that it will be unveiling a new smartphone on 2 September. The leak was from serial leakster Steve Hemmerstoffer, the editor of Nowhereelse.fr who has been reliable in the past.

The Huawei handset with model number M200-UL00 appears to be the Mate 8. As rumoured it can be seen with an all metal body and fingerprint reader on the rear sat under the camera lens.

Size-wise the handset shown here also fits rumours of a 6-inch screen that pumps out a 1440 x 2560 QHD resolution for 490ppi.

Other rumours suggest a 64-bit octa-core Kirin 950 processor backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. There is expected to be a cheaper version with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage.

The rear camera should be a 20.7-megapixel shooter while the front-facing selfie snapper should manage respectable 8-megapixel shots.

The battery is expected to be a 4,100mAh unit.

Expect to hear more as the apparent reveal date of 2 September approaches.

READ: Huawei Mate 8 could be the best phablet of the year

Source: Huawei Mate 8 leaks in video showing fingerprint reader and metal build

Next OnePlus Smartphone Coming By The End Of 2015

OnePlus is not going to remain limited to just selling its OnePlus 2 variants. The Chinese startup firm also plans to release yet another handset, which is most likely going to be released before 2015 draws to a close. Despite the fact that OnePlus 2 has already accumulated over a million orders through the company's invite system, the company is going to be releasing another device that is going to cater to a whole different audience.

OnePlus will be aiming to reach the 5 million sales mark for OnePlus 2 by the time 2015 is over. What the company did not state was that it was going to perform this feat without the aid of the upcoming third smartphone. According to Technodify, the Chinese smartphone startup did not care to provide any details as to when the handset would be officially announced, but we suspect that it is going to be appearing during Q4, 2015.

As for the hardware specifications, we have no leak on that front either, other than the fact that it is going to be catered to different audience. When the company's co-founder and CEO stated that, we believe that it has to do with 'the' crowd that prefers aesthetics over hardware configurations. We are going to have to wait for more details to come in before we receive that confirmation. Currently, the company's flagship smartphone is available in two variants:

16 GB storage variant (this model comes with 3 GB of LPDDR4 RAM)

64 GB storage variant (this model comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM)

Judging from the teardown of OnePlus 2, we can expect the upcoming handset to be assembled professionally as well. As for the remaining details, you guys are going to have to wait for them during the later weeks. We will be providing you more updates in the future, so stay tuned.

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Source: Next OnePlus Smartphone Coming By The End Of 2015

Samsung misjudged demand for its flagship smartphone

Oops! Samsung hasn't been making enough of their flagship Galaxy S6 Edge smartphones.

Samsung experienced "supply difficulties from higher-than-expected market demand for the Galaxy S6 Edge," the company said in a statement released alongside their second quarter financial results.

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Source: Samsung misjudged demand for its flagship smartphone