Flagship Smartphones: June 2017

Friday, June 30, 2017

Bezel-less Sony Flagship Rumored For IFA 2017

It is no secret that when it comes to smartphones, Sony's presence in the market these days isn't what it used to be, but that's hardly surprising given that Sony has decided to reduce focus on quite a few markets, instead choosing to focus on its home market of Japan. However despite their reduced presence, the company could have something interesting up their sleeves.

In a recent rumor posted onto Weibo (via PhoneArena), word on the street has it that Sony might have a bezel-less flagship smartphone in the works that they could unveil at IFA 2017 which is scheduled to take place later this year. So far Sony's handsets for the most part have kept to the same design over the years, making minor changes here and there, but otherwise it's still very obviously Sony.

Assuming this rumor is true, it would mark the first time in a long time that Sony could be shaking up their design philosophy. It wouldn't really be surprising either especially when you consider that many of the competition is similarly opting to cut down on the bezels of their displays, with Apple also rumored to follow suit.

At the moment Sony's flagship is the Xperia XZ Premium which was recently made available in the US. Whether or not this rumored new flagship will find its way stateside remains to be seen, so take it with a grain of salt for now.

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Source: Bezel-less Sony Flagship Rumored For IFA 2017

Thursday, June 29, 2017

Best phones for business use

If you want to buy a smartphone for personal use, there's no denying there are a ton of options to choose from. However, sometimes phones that are made for consumers are not good choices for businesses to give to their employees. Companies may want to have phones that are perhaps more powerful than the average handset, or have some special security features.

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

iPhone 8 to finally catch up to other flagship phones with new feature

by Danny Zepeda | June 28, 2017

Apple will reportedly include a brand new Lightning Cable with USB-C Power delivery with the iPhone 8.

The news comes from Barclays analyst Blayne Curtis, who dropped the nugget of information in a research note. Apple will include a 10W adaptor with an integrated USB-C Power Delivery chip. This will allow the iPhone 8 to charge at a much faster rate.

KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo was the first to report the iPhone 8 would include the new USB-C charger capable of faster charging.

The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus come with a 5W adaptor that's equipped with a USB-A female port for the charging cable.

Here's a small excerpt from Curtis' note.

We believe that in the iPhone 8, Apple likely includes Cypress Semiconductor's USB-C Power Delivery chip in the phone and an additional chip within the power brick in box (likely a new 10W, which would use a more integrated solution with Cypress Power Delivery).

The 10W adaptor will be the same one that's included with the 10.5 iPad Pro. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro still features the largest power adaptor (excluding the MacBooks) for Apple devices, coming in at 12W.

The faster charging, along with the expected inclusion of wireless charging, will go a long way in catching up to other flagship smartphones.

Source: iPhone 8 to finally catch up to other flagship phones with new feature

Tuesday, June 27, 2017

North Korea's New Smartphone Looks An Awful Lot Like An iPhone

Behold: The Jindallae 3. Designed and manufactured locally by North Korea's Mangyongdae Information Technology Corporation, the new smartphone is "versatile and multifunctional" and comes in white or black, according to state-sponsored news agency DPRK Today. It also looks just like an iPhone.

Image: DPRK Today / Gizmodo

With a name that roughly translates to "azalea", the Jindallae 3 does indeed bear some serious similarities to more familiar devices designed in California. Aside from the slim shape and minimalist hardware design, the phone's software looks like a bastardised version of iOS. Some of the app icons, for instance, are practically identical to those used on Apple's mobile devices. (The icons for the phone, music and photos apps are dead giveaways.)

North Korea's Jandallae 3 (left) compared to an Apple iPhone 6 (right)

Then again, the resemblance has its limits. The upper half of the Jindallae's home screen is very Android-like, and that oval home button looks suspiciously like the fingerprint reader on a Samsung Galaxy. It's almost as if North Korea's designers stole the best ideas from Apple and Samsung's flagship phones and presented it as a whole new thing.

North Korea's Jandallae 3 (left) compared to a Samsung Galaxy S7 (right)

None of this, of course, is especially surprising. North Korean technology manufacturers have been copying Apple's designs and ideas for years. Most recently, North Korea announced a new tablet computer called — wait for it — the IPad. We've also seen glimpses of desktop computers that look practically identical to the latest version of the iMac. Those machines undoubtedly run North Korea's very own operating system, Red Star 3.0, which looks pretty much exactly like Apple's OS X. It's hard to tell, though, since photos the iMac clones are pretty rare. Below is a photo of one recently uploaded by DPRK Today.

Photo: DPRK Today / Facebook

It's unlikely that anyone outside of North Korea will get the privilege to try out this tech. (You can download the OS X knockoff, although you probably shouldn't.) It's also unclear how well the new Jandallae 3 works, since DPRK Today didn't publish the specs in its fawning coverage of the supposedly original design. The news agency did say that the phone sports "a higher level of convenience and safety compared to various kinds of smartphones which were developed in the past". One has to wonder how high that bar is in a country that struggles to feed its own people.

[NK Today]

Source: North Korea's New Smartphone Looks An Awful Lot Like An iPhone

Monday, June 26, 2017

Gear Up: mophieâ€™s latest keep your flagship phones charged for days on end

It's officially summer which means that the days are longer now than any other time in the year. Moreover, they're warmer, too. In some places the days are much, much warmer (Sorry, Arizona!). If you're at all like us, these long, warm days equate to more time outside and using our phones. Yes, we're all over the revisions that have come to Pokemon Go.

If you've owned a phone for more than a few weeks, you know that it's pretty tough to use your device for extended periods without reaching for a charger. Quick charge is nice and all, but we're hoping to stay away from the wall altogether. A lot of us like to reach for portable chargers so that we can plug into something while out and about. In some instances, there's another option: a mophie juice pack.

The mophie brand, which has been around for quite some time, continues to get bigger and better with each passing season. The last few weeks saw it releasing products for a number of key Android smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, and Google Pixel XL. If you own either of these phones, you'll certainly want to pick up a mophie accessory.

We've spent the last month or so playing around with a number of the new products and find them to be equal parts convenient and practical. Each serves its own need but all revolve around giving your phone more power without having to find an outlet.

Juice pack

The juice pack (about $100 each) is both a protective case and a portable charger. By putting your phone inside you'll have protection against minor drops, scuffs, and scrapes. Moreover, your phone benefits by having a secondary power supply. Should you get to the end of a work day and find you're running a little lower on power, simply long-press the button on the back and the case will charge your phone's battery.

There are a number of reasons we like having a juice pack on our device that don't have anything to do with the power. Take the one for the Pixel XL, for example. Putting one of these on your Google device will add in wireless charging, something that doesn't come with the Pixel XL. That's damn convenient if you ask us.

We also like that the case passes charging through the case and into the phone. So, rather than top off the juice pack, plugging into a wall puts the power into your phone first, and then into the secondary unit. The four lights on the back signal how much battery is left in the reserve tank.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel XL juice pack offer 2,950mAh of power; the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus juice pack boasts 3,300mAh.

Charge force case & powerstation mini

The charge force case & powerstation mini is a great combo pack for customers who may have other phones in the household. While the first component is a case to protect the phone, the second piece is a portable power supply. Sold separately through mophie, the powerstation mini is an external battery. It's small and powerful and works with any other mophie cases with charge force capabilities.

Simply stick it to the back of your phone and the magnets hold it into place. Spend a few minutes at dinner charging your device, or snap them together in your purse on the way home from work and you'll be all set. The best part is that there are no cables to mess with.

Mophie does include one short microUSB cord in the box so that you can charge the battery up. Should you want to charge your phon, you can pass through the charge force powerstation mini, giving preferential treatment to the phone. Like other charging solutions from mophie, there are four lights to get a sense for how much juice is in the tank.

Conclusion

We're big fans of mophie in general and always appreciate when it releases products designed specifically for our phones. Sure, a portable power bank is nice, but when you can get a protective case with battery capabilities, it's a different experience.

We love that we don't have to carry around a blocky power supply in the juice packs. Yes, it does take a little bit of time to get used to the thickness, but you'll love it. The juice packs can be a little bit more slippery and smooth; they tend to pick up oils from touches rather easy. But, they do clean up nicely and can even take a little abuse in the process.

The charge force case & powerstation mini is what you'll want to reach for if you like a little more textured (leather) case and don't need the extra battery on a daily basis. Charge up the powerstation mini and keep it in a handy place like the car or purse and you'll have an extra 3000mAh worth of battery on deck. Heck, even if you want to carry it around on a daily basis, it beats using something with a cable.

Finally, one of the biggest reasons to look to mophie for mobile accessories is that its products are backed by a two year warranty. That's double what most others are willing to do provide.

Source: Gear Up: mophie's latest keep your flagship phones charged for days on end

Sunday, June 25, 2017

We want to make the best Android flagship phone: OnePlus CEO Pete Lau

Pete Lau lounges comfortably in the briefing room. It's the biggest launch by OnePlus, the company he cofounded, and three years on, the Chinese smartphone maker still has a lot to prove.

Lau is hoping the new OnePlus 5 will follow the path of the OnePlus 3 and 3T, which were big successes in the premium smartphone segment.

OnePlus is based in Shenzhen but India is one of its three most important markets, the others being Europe and the US. Many may have seen the ad blitz after the company recently signed on a bunch of brand ambassadors, including superstar Amitabh Bachchan.

It's been a pretty rapid rise for a 'small' company that's only three years old. It's also no secret that OnePlus it has close ties with Oppo, one of the largest phone makers in the world. Lau and co-founder Carl Pei were employees of Oppo, which along with OnePlus, is wholly owned by BKK Electronics.

Part of the company's success can be attributed to the fan following OnePlus has been able to create. For the OnePlus 5 launch, fans actually paid for seats. Their only reward?

Some merchandise, to be able to see the launch live and to be among the first to own OnePlus 5.

With a one-device strategy, some say it becomes a make-or-break situation there's no second product to fall back on if the first one is not successful. That doesn't seem to be a problem for Lau, who is also CEO of OnePlus. "It actually makes things simpler because we have only one product," said Lau. "If you have too many products, there's a chance that quality will suffer."

A common criticism of the brand is that prices have increased steadily, from the OnePlus One to the OnePlus 5, which has started retai ling at Rs 32,999. "We start out by making the best Android flagship phone. So we don't decide a price and build to it," said Lau. As is the case with most successful companies, there have been rumours about OnePlus and leaks of its devices.

Most recently, there were allegations of 'benchmark rigging.' XDA Developers and others accused OnePlus of artificially inflating benchmark scores. They said OnePlus devices sense if a software benchmark test is being run and kicks the CPU into high gear to extract maximum performance. Their contention is that it will not run that way in day-to-day usage.

"The philosophy of our company is that we will never lie whether to the media or to our users. This issue is being interpreted differently. Benchmarks are supposed to show you the maximum performance that hardware can offer and we're showcasing that allowing it to happen. In fact, it also shows you that our hardware can sustain max performance levels without overheating thanks t o better thermal management - this has real world implications," said Lau.

The company, which retails only online through Amazon and its own portal, plans to set up experience stores in India to allow prospective users to get a touch and feel of its devices."I'm actually going to scout for some locations in Mumbai right now," said Lau."More will come later."

Source: We want to make the best Android flagship phone: OnePlus CEO Pete Lau

Saturday, June 24, 2017

The Galaxy Note 8 Will Be The Most Expensive Samsung Smartphone Ever Once It Launches In September

The Galaxy Note 8 will be the most expensive Samsung smartphone ever once it launches in the second half of September, according to prolific leaker Evan Blass.

While the price tag is something that fans may have expected, Blass's statement that the Galaxy Note 8 will launch in late September contradicts reports that the smartphone will be unveiled in late August.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Could Cost $1,000

According to a VentureBeat report by Blass, Samsung will price the Galaxy Note 8 at €999 in Europe, which translates to a price tag of as low as $900 and as high as $1,000 in the United States, depending on currency fluctuations.

In comparison, the current flagship Galaxy S8 starts at a price of $750. Adding at least $150 to that price for the upcoming smartphone makes sense.

If the Galaxy Note 8 does indeed launch within the price range of $900 to $1,000, it will share another trait with Apple's upcoming iPhone 8. It is widely believed that the price of the premium device will start at $1,000 and will also be the most expensive smartphone ever offered by Apple.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Launch Date

The other big piece of news in Blass's article is the launch date of the second half of September for the Galaxy Note 8, which is against a previous report that Samsung is planning to announce the Galaxy Note 8 on Aug. 26.

For the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung rushed its production and launch date to beat Apple's iPhone 7 to the market. We all know how that turned out for Samsung, as the Galaxy Note 7 was recalled twice and eventually shut down due to its exploding batteries.

A late September launch date for the Galaxy Note 8 will align the smartphone's release with Apple's new iPhone models, as the company is also expected to unveil the iPhone 7s, iPhone 7s Plus, and iPhone 8 in September. Such a release time frame will also give Samsung more time to do everything it could to avoid the same embarrassment that it suffered with the Galaxy Note 7.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Specs

Blass also reported on the specifications of the Galaxy Note 8, with the smartphone expected to feature a 6.3-inch edge-to-edge AMOLED display found in the Galaxy S8. The Galaxy Note line traditionally offered a bigger screen compared to the Galaxy S devices, but the Galaxy Note 8 will instead bank on other features to differentiate it from the 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+.

The Galaxy Note 8 will use the same Exynos 8895 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipsets as the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, but it will offer higher RAM at 6 GB. It will also be the first Samsung smartphone with dual rear cameras, which will be arranged horizontally beside the flash and heart rate sensor.

Confirming previous reports, Blass said that the fingerprint scanner of the Galaxy Note 8 will still be at the back of the smartphone, as Samsung reportedly encountered issues in embedding the feature into its display. The position of the fingerprint scanner, however, will be moved to be farther away from the rear camera lens.

The Galaxy Note 8 will be powered by a 3,300 mAh battery, as Samsung avoids the trouble that came with the 3,500 mAh battery of the Galaxy Note 7. Samsung has also made certain improvements to the device's software, including giving the S Pen stylus more functions.

Will Samsung Bounce Back From The Galaxy Note 7 Fiasco?

The Galaxy Note 8 is a very important product for Samsung, as it hopes that the smartphone will allow the company to continue its recovery from the failed Galaxy Note 7.

The revelations made by Blass have not yet been confirmed by Samsung, but his reliability is among the best in the business. Will the device that he described in his report overshadow the Galaxy Note 7's shortcomings? We'll just have to wait and see.

Source: The Galaxy Note 8 Will Be The Most Expensive Samsung Smartphone Ever Once It Launches In September

Friday, June 23, 2017

Six Phones That can Give the OnePlus 5 a Run for its Money

After months of hype (and leaks), OnePlus has finally launched the OnePlus 5, its latest flagship smartphone that is supposed to disrupt the premium segment market, just like its predecessors did. The OnePlus 5 comes with some very impressive numbers and specs. It offers the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, coupled with 6/8 GB RAM and 64/ 128 GB internal sṭorage. The device also comes with a dual primary camera on the back, as well as Dash Charge and a number of connectivity options. But while the company still offers all these high-end specs at a relatively lower price as compared to what others are offering, the OnePlus 5 is not as much of a runaway winner in the deal department.

oneplus-5-review-6-1

Previously, buying a OnePlus was kind of a no-brainer, where people knew that they are getting a premium specced device at a surprisingly low price. This made OnePlus a blindfolded "take my money please" choice, but the scenario has changed with the OnePlus 5. In the past, OnePlus devices had very little in the name of competition. But thanks to a spike in its own price (it starts at Rs 32,999 and goes up to Rs 37,999 – a far cry from the Rs 21,999 of the OnePlus One), and a dip in the prices of the competition, the OnePlus 5 finds itself in new territory, confronting some rather formidable opposition, even if some of it seems a little long in the tooth.

This list of six challengers can definitely give the new OnePlus flagship a run for its money:

LG G6: More pixels, less bezels, baby!

lg-g6-review-1

Crowned as the Best Phone at the Mobile World Congress this year, the LG G6 is pretty much a device made up of glitter and magic dust in the Android segment of the story. The phone comes with Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor which may be a version older than the OnePlus 5's processor but is still a very high end and powerful SoC, and while it comes with "only" 4 GB RAM, it seems to run just brilliantly with it. The phone comes with a quad HD 5.7-inch screen which means that you are not only getting a bigger screen than the OnePlus 5 but you also get more pixels.

And while the screen is bigger, the phone actually is not, thanks to its zero-bezel design. It also has a very consistent dual camera setup on the back with optical image stabilization and a very feature rich camera interface that allows you to do more with those cameras. The G6 also has the edge over the OnePlus 5 as it comes with IP68 certification which means it is water and dust resistant, and its 3300 mAh battery does seem to last a good deal longer than the one on the OnePlus 5. While it was launched at Rs. 51,990, the LG G6 has received a massive price cut since. The device is now available for Rs. 39,990, which brings it in the hitting range of the OnePlus 5.

iPhone 7 (32 GB version): The Godphone has a mortal price

iphone-7-review-4

For all those wondering how the Godphone landed on this list, well, Amazon has offered a huge discount on the iPhone 7, and it is available for Rs. 42,499. Yes, it still is more expensive than the high-end OnePlus 5, but the difference is not a staggering one. And while the iPhone 7 may not have the spec numbers, it certainly has the performance that needs no advertisement. The phone is known for its consistency and total absence of slowdowns. There is just a single primary camera resting on the back of the phone, but hey, it is an exceptional one and comes with optical image stabilization. With the iPhone, you also get an entry into the Apple ecosystem and a device which will get software updates on time. The phone also is water and dust resistant and comes with stereo speakers, an aspect which is often ignored by many companies. And well, it has a stunning design, so stunning that even the OnePlus 5 decided to take some inspiration from its elder brother if rumors are to be beli eved.

Moto Z2 Play: Being Mod-ern

moto-z2-play-hero

Yes, it has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 processor and comes with 4 GB RAM, but we do not think this makes the Z2 Play any less of a competitor in this list. Despite lacking in power, the Snapdragon 626 offers excellent battery management, and the phone has a very distinct design, something which the OnePlus 5 lacks. It is not as heavily specced as some of the other devices in the list, but then it definitely has something which no other device does: Moto Mods. There will come a point when all these devices will be outdated but not the Z2 Play, thanks to the Mod effect. As an aside, there is the Moto Z as well. It comes with an older (yet powerful) Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, a very capable camera with OIS and a 5.5-inch Quad HD display, all for Rs 29,999.

The phone is priced at Rs. 27,999, making it the most affordable in this list – you can use the money saved to buy a Mod for it! The Moto Z2 Play also runs on stock Android, and in best Moto tradition, gets Android updates at a rapid pace. And then there is the modularity factor. As long as Moto keeps working on the Mods (and we hear they will be for a couple of years at least), you know that you will have a device that pretty much is a one time investment and will stay up to date not only in terms of software but also some of the hardware as well.

OnePlus 3T: Still in the race, bro!

oneplus-3t-review

If you want the OnePlus experience on a budget, you have the option to buy the OnePlus 3T. Yes, it is one generation older, and it is not the latest OnePlus, but hey, it is not THAT old either. Which is why OnePlus 5 has definitely got to compete with its own sibling to get in the league. The OnePlus 3T comes with a Snapdragon 821 processor which goes through most tasks and heavy apps as smoothly as a hot knife through butter. Yes, it does not have as great spec numbers as the OnePlus 5 but it really is not that far behind. The camera enthusiasts might take the side of the OnePlus 5 but those who love their selfies would be glad to know that both phones have the same front facing camera, and they have the same display as well. The OnePlus 3T also comes with OIS, something which the OnePlus 5 is missing out on. Plus we think, the 3T feels more solid and well built and obviously FEELS like a OnePlus phone unlike the OnePlus 5. Yeah, the OnePlus 5 is obviously a more powerful phone, but hey, it is more expensive too, and with OnePlus committing to give the 3T the Android O update, you are unlikely to regret investing in it, especially if the rumors of the price cut come true.

Honor 8 Pro: Such specs, much Honor

honor8pro

The hype around dual camera was actually started by Huawei, which has been championing their cause for a while now. With the launch of Huawei P9 and the Honor 8, Huawei and its sister brand pretty much marked the dual camera territory as their own and even brought dual cameras to the budget segment with the Honor 6X. As this is being written, Honor is all set to launch another dual camera device, and this one looks formidable and even targeted at the OnePlus 5 if the timing of its launch (it is expected in India in early July) is anything to go by. The Honor 8 Pro is expected to be priced in the vicinity of Rs. 32,000 and will come with a dual 12.0-megapixel camera setup on the back, complete with Honor's feature rich camera interface (something that we missed on the relatively plain OnePlus 5). The phone looks sleek, even if it does not have the glass back of its predecessor, the Honor 8 and is definitely a head turner. It is bundled with 6 GB RAM and Huawei's in-house Kirin 960 processor, which many claim is more than a match for anything Qualcomm has. It also has two features that the OnePlus 5 lacks – a 5.7-inch Quad HD display and a large 4000 mAh battery. Definitely worth more than a Honor-able mention.

Xiaomi Mi 6: Mi-ss Mi Not xiaomi-mi6-11

Xiaomi Mi 6 Ceramic | Image: Raju PP

We know the phone has not launched yet in India, but the rumor mills (when they were not busy leaking OnePlus 5 specs) would have us believe that it is set to arrive soon. Which is why it made it to this list. And in terms of specs and price, this could be the toughest competitor for the OnePlus 5. The Xiaomi Mi 6 comes with a compact 5.15 inch full HD display and comes with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 6 GB RAM and 64/ 128 GB storage variants. And yes, it also has a dual 12.0-megapixel camera setup on the back with OIS. The Mi 6 also comes with stereo speakers, giving it a slight edge over the OnePlus 5 in that department. Another bonus is the MIUI 8, Xiaomi's feature-rich and yet easy to use UI for those who do not really dig the rather plain stock Android (read Oxygen OS) interface. And all this at a price that is likely to make the OnePlus 5 look expensive – rumor has it that it will come to India at a price in the vicinity of Rs. 30,000.

Source: Six Phones That can Give the OnePlus 5 a Run for its Money

Thursday, June 22, 2017

Why the most-costly OnePlus 5 is still the cheapest flagship smartphone

Two variants of OnePlus 5 launched at Rs 32,999 and Rs 37,999 respectively.

OnePlus on Thursday launched OnePlus 5 in India priced at Rs 32,999 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage version and Rs 37,999 for 88GB RAM and 128GB storage version.

The fifth iteration of the OnePlus, a Chinese upstart aptly known to make flagship-killer phones, is the priciest yet. However, given that the pricing is still quite some distance cheaper than popular flagship phones - the iPhone 7 and Samsung S8 -- the OnePlus 5 will continue appeal to the its loyal clientele.

The phone will also be an attractive preposition for a whole bunch of Android users wanting to graduate from the Rs 15,000-20,000 price point to something more premium. With the mass-market, Xiaomi virtually ignoring the premium segment in India and other brands like Huawei and Motorola also not aggressively vying for the premium space, the OnePlus 5 could virtually be uncontested in the less than Rs 38,000 price bracket.

One major reason why OnePlus is popular is that it has hit a sweet spot between pricing and hardware. The main draw of the OnePlus 5 is the top-of-the-line hardware, which rivals most phones. The latest device comes with Snapdragon 835 processor with up to 8GB RAM, making it up-to-date device on the technology front.

Taking inspiration from the iPhone 7 Plus, OnePlus has for the first time launched a dual-camera phone. The OnePlus 5 sports a 16 mega-pixel (MP) plus 20 MP rear dual-camera, which the company claims performs even better than the iPhone 7 Plus camera. Besides, features like dash charging and unibody all-metal design, fast fingerprint scanner and dual sim slots (no memory expansion slot) make it a complete hardware package. The screen continues to be 5.5 inches 1080p fullHD with only a minor improvement over the previous generation. On the software front, OnePlus comes with proprietary Oxygen OS with Nougat 7.1.1 underlying. The OS is similar to stock android OS with minor improvisations. It would be appealing to see if the company has managed to reduce bugs such as touch latency bug that plagued the earlier versions.

The OnePlus 5 is ergonomically-superior, making it is ease to hold despite its large-screen. The phone's back and side looks are appealing and has it even has resemblance to iPhone 7 Plus. The front look isn't a much bump up over previous models.

Downsides

Key features offered by other flagships but missing in the OnePlus 5 is the lack of waterproofing or wireless charging. Also, in the age of bezel-less displays, the OnePlus 5 top and bottom bezels look usually large. The company has slimmed the size bezels which is a saving grace. The phone comes in only two colours---variant of black and grey---both look quite identical.

The company, however, would be selling attractive cases which can add some colour to the device.

The shortcomings notwithstanding, the latest OnePlus continues to offer more bang for the buck just like its predecessors.

Source: Why the most-costly OnePlus 5 is still the cheapest flagship smartphone

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Became known the price of its flagship smartphone OnePlus 5

One reasoning behind the reduced battery capacity is that the OnePlus 5 is slightly thinner than the 3T, measuring 7.3mm thick compared to the 2016 model's 7.4mm. In fact, OnePlus has made its name as a company that is determined to kill the major names in the smartphone flagship business [read flagship killer] and with this new phone, it's bound to achieve this status - at least for some. So, if you were to make a choice between onePlus5 and OnePlus3T, the former is any day better, considering the price comparison of both.

So far, there are rumors that the OnePlus 5T will come with just about the same specs used on the current OnePlus 5. The pop-up stores that opened in New York City also saw a beeline from fans and consumers alike. While the OnePlus 5 has made some obvious upgrades in the processor and camera departments, some might be disappointed that there's nothing new in terms of the display screen. As for the front, the two are nearly identical. That is for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. The OnePlus 5 sports a dual-camera set-up - 16MP and 20MP on the back. While the OnePlus 3T is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 with a quad-core CPU clocked at 2.35 GHz and an Adreno 530 GPU, the OnePlus 5 steps it up to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with an octa-core CPU clocked at 2.45 GHz and an Adreno 540 GPU.

Software-wise, the pair has the same OxygenOS and Android 7.1.1 Nougat running the show, although the OnePlus 3T got this OS via an OTA update while its successor comes with the OS preinstalled.

The OnePlus 5 is in line for the Canadian folks too, with the price tag of 649 CAD (Slate Gray) and 719 CAD (Midnight Black). OnePlus 5 boasts of Qualcomm's latest mobile SoC, the Snapdragon 835.

The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3T continue to run on Android's latest versions.

OnePlus 5 is more charming to hold than OnePlus 3T, as the phone has managed to be slimmer and slicker.

So, are you waiting for the OnePlus 5T or this OnePlus 5 is good for you? The base model is priced at $479. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Source: Became known the price of its flagship smartphone OnePlus 5

Tuesday, June 20, 2017

OnePlus 5 vs. Essential Phone -- which Android flagship smartphone should you buy?

Android_Thinking_Man

If you like iOS, you buy an iPhone -- easy enough. If you prefer Android, well, picking a smartphone can be quite the confusing affair. Even if you select a phone you like at first, it is quite possible that the manufacturer could abandon it from an update perspective. In other words, you could end up with a vulnerable phone which, quite frankly, can be dangerous to use. This can happen even with well-known companies, such as Samsung and LG. Frustrating, right?

Of course, you can always opt for Google's own Pixel phones, as they are sure to get updates for a couple of years. What if you don't want to go that route? Well, there are two upcoming flagship smartphones that should be well supported both by the manufacturers and Android hacking communities. The phones to which I am referring are the OnePlus 5 and the Essential Phone. These devices are the "it" smartphones of the moment, and choosing between them won't be easy. So, which one will you be buying?

The OnePlus 5 was only officially revealed today, and you can read more about it here. It has the processor you would expect on a modern flagship -- the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 -- but it has an insane amount of memory. For whatever reason, the OnePlus 5 comes with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. While this is probably overkill, I suppose it can't really hurt to have. With that said, the high memory capacity it is probably more of a marketing gimmick than anything.

It has a 5.5-inch display, but the resolution is "only" 1080p. On such a small display, that resolution makes sense, but understandably, some consumers want more. After all, some folks just take pride in specifications -- practicality be damned. For storage you can opt for either 64GB or 128GB of UFS 2.1 flash and there are two rear-facing cameras -- one with 20MP and the other 16MP. The 3300 mAh battery is as to be expected.

The top model costs just $540 -- reasonable for a flagship. You can save some money by opting for the lesser model with 64GB storage and 6GB of RAM which costs just $479

Now, let's look at the Essential Phone, which was announced a few weeks ago. Compared to the OnePlus 5, it has a larger 5.7-inch display with a much better resolution -- 1,312 by 2,560. It has the same Snapdragon 835 processor, but only 4GB of RAM -- literally half that of the top OnePlus 5. While I think 4GB of RAM is enough, again, it can't hurt to have more. It only offers 128GB of storage, matching that of OnePlus' upcoming flagship.

Where the Essential Phone really stands out, however, is the unique display, which some people may appreciate . The 19:10 screen goes all the way up to the top bezel, only to be intruded on by the front-facing camera. Because the manufacturer focused so much on minimizing bezels, the fingerprint sensor is on the back of the phone, which is a poor place for usability. It is on the front of the OnePlus 5. The dual rear cameras are only 13MP each, but that doesn't necessarily mean it won't take great pictures. The lowly 3040mAh battery trails its competitor too.

How much does the Essential Phone cost? $700. For $50 more you can also get a detachable 360 degree camera.

While it is subjective as to which phone is ultimately "better" for you, I have to declare the OnePlus 5 to be the better choice overall -- at least on paper. The Essential Phone's aim to reduce bezels is to the user's detriment, with an odd cutout for the front-facing camera and the fingerprint reader being moved to the rear. While the higher resolution is fine, going above 1080p on a screen this size arguably does little more than drain the battery, which is significantly smaller than the OnePlus 5, by the way. While 8GB of RAM is probably overkill, it is double the Essential, all at $160 less.

So, which Android flagship smartphone will you buy?

Photo Credit: Kues / Shutterstock

Source: OnePlus 5 vs. Essential Phone -- which Android flagship smartphone should you buy?

Monday, June 19, 2017

HTC announces Solar Red U11, sale on multiple phones starts at midnight EST

HTC's latest flagship, the U11, isn't really a bad phone. It has some issues, notably light bleed on the display and no headphone jack, but it's a much better phone than the U Ultra. If you've been wanting to buy one, HTC is about to start selling a new 'Solar Red' color, plus the company is discounting several other phones and accessories.

The new Solar Red color supposedly shifts between orange and red depending on how light strikes it. It has the same reflective 'Liquid Glass' surface as the other U11 models, so it's probably just as slippery. Still, it does look very cool. Customers can begin pre-ordering the Solar Red U11 at midnight tonight (Eastern Time) from HTC's website.

In addition, HTC will also start its 'Kick Off to Summer' sale at the same time. The discounts aren't amazing, but if you were going to buy an HTC phone anyway, at least you'll save some money. The U Ultra will be $130 off ($629), the HTC 10 will be $200 off ($499), and the HTC Bolt will be $100 off ($500). JBL's Reflect Aware Type-C headphones will also be 50% off ($99), and all other accessories will be 50% off with a device purchase.

If you do plan on buying a phone from HTC's website, it's worth pointing out that the site no longer advertises Uh-Oh Protection, which was previously included with every phone purchase. It seems HTC has done away with it.

Source: HTC announces Solar Red U11, sale on multiple phones starts at midnight EST

Sunday, June 18, 2017

Big Smartphone Fight Good For Retailers

A bitter smartphone battle in the last quarter of 2017 could drive sales of premium phones sky-high with Apple with their new iPhone 8 and Samsung with a new Note 8 tipped to go head to head.

The big question for iPhone owners will be "what has the new iPhone got over an all new Samsung Note 8".

The answer could well be "nothing" because at this stage it appears that the iPhone 8 is set to mirror a lot of the features already found in Samsung and other Android based smartphones.

According to sources the new iPhone 8 will feature a, dual-lens camera, augmented reality to generate real-time views of surroundings a curved glass casing and wireless charging like previous Samsung devices.

The current aluminium back will be replaced with two reinforced glass panes and a metal frame in the middle, the device will also have facial recognition, technology that is set to become common in most premium smartphones.

The new 5 inches (12.7 centimetre) and 5.8 inch (14.7 centimetre) iPhone models, will have a wraparound OLED screen.

Although Samsung is still riding on the success of its Galaxy S8 handsets, it appears that a new Note 8 is well advanced and could be launched 30 days out from the iPhone 8 in early September.

A series of leaks claiming to be the Android device has surfaced, showing a dual lens camera, an S Pen stylus inside and the same edge-to-edge screen as the S8 family.

Rumours surrounding the Note 8 first came to light in April, it's believed to have a significantly smaller bezel than previous models, an infinity screen and dual cameras.

Sources have said its design will mirror that of the Galaxy S8.

Sources have also suggested that the Note 8 will have an Infinity display, which has an 18.5-to-9 width-to-length ratio.

While Apple has benefitted from the problems associated with the Note 7 analysts are tipping that Apple will have to "Be convincing" if they are to hold onto market share.

Cowen and Company analyst Timothy Arcuri forecasted that Apple would ship 41.5 million iPhone units in the quarter ending in June 2017.

The rumour mill has been suggesting that Apple will be creating a special edition iPhone 8 handset to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. This special handset is tipped to go on sale alongside more traditional and incremental iPhone 7S and iPhone 7S Plus handsets.

One of the key changes expected to be introduced with the iPhone 8 is the long-awaited debut of OLED screens which Samsung has been using on flagship Galaxy phones for years, Apple has steered clear of the tech – until now.

OLED screens have a key advantage over traditional LED-backlit LCD displays in that the individual pixels in the panel produce their own light. This means there's no need for a backlight, thus saving power. Also, because individual pixels can be turned on or off, it's possible to display true blacks, allowing for a wider colour gamut and better dynamic range.

About Post Author

David Richards has been writing about technology for more than 30 years. A former Fleet Street, Journalist He wrote the Award Winning Series on the Federated Ships Painters + Dockers Union for the Bulletin that led to a Royal Commission. He is also a Logie Winner. for Outstanding Contribution To TV Journalism with a story called The Werribee Affair. In 1997, he built the largest Australian technology media Company and prior to that the third largest PR Company that became the foundation Company for Ogilvy PR. Today he writes about technology and the impact on both business and consumers.
Source: Big Smartphone Fight Good For Retailers

Saturday, June 17, 2017

HTC U11 to Samsung Galaxy S8: Top 5 premium smartphones with dual SIM support

Home > News > HTC U11 to Samsung Galaxy S8: Top 5 premium smartphones with dual SIM support Here's a list of premium smartphones which also offer dual SIM support as one of the perks.

It always feels nice when you get more at the cost of one. Same joy applies to smartphones with dual SIM support. Once considered a no-no for premium devices, companies such as HTC and Samsung now offer it as a default feature in some of their top-end flagship smartphones. Dual SIM support, either through a hybrid system (where you can either expand storage or use the second SIM) or through a dedicated slot, is one of the features premium customers now demand, especially in the post-Reliance Jio era. If you are considering an upgrade to an expensive smartphone but don't wish to continue using the soap kit-sized secondary phone, you can consider one of the following options which are both premium and offer dual SIM support.

HTC U11

Launched today, the HTC U11 is the latest in the premium category and has dual SIM capabilities. One of the talking points of the smartphone is the Edge Sense technology which allows users to gently squeeze it on the sides to execute pre-set functions. It is priced at Rs 51,990 and supports nano-SIM. ALSO READ: HTC U11 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 vs Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs LG G6 vs Google Pixel: Price, specification, features compared

Samsung Galaxy S8, S8+ samsung galaxy s8 vs galaxy s8+

Samsung's latest premium smartphones – the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ – both support dual SIM through a hybrid slot. Because there is a hybrid system, you can either insert a second SIM or expand the storage. However, if you opt for the newer 6GB RAM + 128GB ROM Galaxy S8+ variant, priced at Rs 74,900, you will not only get a bigger display, but also more default storage along with a larger 3,500mAh battery. ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S8+ Review: It's glorious, but with some caveats

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

sony xperia xz premium lead

Another smartphone to boast Qualcomm's newest Snapdragon 835 SoC, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium is priced at Rs 59,990 and boasts its camera prowess as one of the highlights. It is equipped with a 19-megapixel rear camera with 'Motion Eye' technology that lets you record 960fps slow-motion videos. What also comes across as a plus is that it features a 5.5-inch 4K HDR display. ALSO READ: Sony Xperia XZ Premium Review

OnePlus 3T

oneplus-3t-india-sale

Till the time OnePlus 5 hits the shelves, the OnePlus 3T will continue to sit in the upper tier for its top-tier features. An improvement over the OnePlus 3, the 3T offers a 5.5-inch full HD display, 16-megapixel rear camera and 3,400mAh battery with Dash Charge technology. At the price of Rs 29,999, you get support for dual Nano SIM cards through a dedicated slot in this premium smartphone. ALSO READ: This is Not a OnePlus 3T Review

LG G6

lg g6 lead

Priced at Rs 38,990, the LG G6 boasts dual SIM capabilities through a hybrid slot. It is equipped with a 13-megapixel dual camera setup which is among its key features other than 4GB of RAM and a 5.7-inch quad HD display. There is 64GB of internal storage which you can boost by compromising on the second SIM. ALSO READ: LG G6 review

Published: June 16, 2017 6:41 PM IST | Updated: June 16, 2017 6:41 PM IST
Source: HTC U11 to Samsung Galaxy S8: Top 5 premium smartphones with dual SIM support

Friday, June 16, 2017

Samsung brings flagship payment service to mid-range phones

Company launches two smartphones, J7 Max and J7 Pro, with Samsung Pay

New Delhi, June 14:

South Korean electronics major Samsung has brought its flagship mobile payments service 'Samsung Pay' to a larger audience in India by introducing it in its best selling mid-range of Galaxy J series smartphones.

Samsung Pay service — which was launched in India in March this year—is now available on Galaxy J7 Pro, a new mid-market product launched by Samsung on Wednesday and targeted at millennials.

Simultaneously, Samsung on Wednesday also launched 'Samsung Pay Mini' — a new sub-set service of Samsung Pay service — to cater to the unique requirements of Indian mid-segment consumers.

While Samsung Pay gives one the option of paying through credit cards, debit cards, UPI and wallets, the Samsung Pay Mini gives option to pay through wallets and UPI.

The move to bring Samsung Pay and its sub-set Samsung Pay Mini under the Galaxy J series is part of the efforts toward "massifying" the Samsung Pay service in India, Sumit Walia, Director, Mobile Business, Samsung India, told BusinessLine.

Samsung Pay Mini has been first made available on Galaxy J7 Max, another mid-segment smartphone launched on Wednesday.

While Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro has been priced at ₹20,900, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Max (non-Magnetic Secure Transaction (MST) hardware device) has been priced at ₹17,900.

"We plan to take the Samsung Pay Mini version and roll it across the select J Series as software upgrade. Consumers who are already using Paytm and other wallets can now take advantage of the Samsung Pay Mini and port their wallets, UPI within Samsung Pay and take advantage of the whole security that Samsung Pay provides," Walia said.

Samsung Pay has a three-layer security (including fingerprint, knox) that provides added comfort to users, the company said.

Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President-Product Planning Team, Samsung India, said that this (Samsung Pay in a Galaxy J series device and devise new service of Samsung Pay Mini) was the first big iteration to the Samsung Pay service that was launched in March.

"We will be taking Samsung Pay on to more devices in future as we launch with MST as well as Samsung Pay Mini with those future devices launched without MST, which will have the basic stack of Knox and fingerprint security to be able to deliver the Samsung Pay experience," Warsi said.

Some of the existing devices that are already in the market will get upgrades as well. In the coming few weeks, Samsung Pay Mini will be available to consumers who already own Samsung devices but did not have Samsung Pay as yet.

Social camera

Both the smartphones launched on Wednesday have a social camera, which helps instant sharing, instant editing and instant discovery.

Users can now pin their favourite contacts and social media within the camera and share their moments as they click. The instant editing reduces dependency on third party image editing apps.

(This article was published on June 14, 2017)

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Source: Samsung brings flagship payment service to mid-range phones

Thursday, June 15, 2017

LG G7 flagship phone might be unveiled earlier than the annual schedule

Then again, LG may wanna try to capture some of the crowd Samsung will scavenge up with the Galaxy Note 8 which is also expected to launch during the August month.With the Galaxy Note 8 expected to feature a Snapdragon 836, it is possible that the V30 also features the same SoC to duke it out with the remaining Android flagships entering the market during the second half of this year. Industry watchers are now expecting the LG V30 to break cover in August, a month earlier than the V20, and next year's G7 flagship to launch two months earlier in January.News coming out of Korea suggests that LG is preparing to turn up the heat on its rival by launching its next generation devices earlier in the year than the phones they replace. While Samsung might be announcing the Galaxy Note 8 in August, it might still launch later in September. Perhaps LG simply wants to replicate that same kind of success with the V30. As for the LG G7, the phone is believed to be announced in January that is a couple of months early since the new LG G phone is usually announced March of each year. This is definitely ahead of LG's normal schedule that reveals their flagship device at Mobile World Congress (MWC) annually for some time now in Barcelona, Spain.LG might not be rushing though, as it has already started product development of the G7 last month. If the LG G7 is unveiled on January, it could go on sale in February.We can all agree that the LG G6 has a handsome design and notable changes in comparison to its predecessors but perhaps one of the few gripes that it suffered from was that it was using a Snapdragon 821. Like this year, when it rushed to launch the G6 even though the Snapdragon 835 processor wasn't yet widely available, LG is probably hoping to get a head start on Samsung and other competitors. Provided that the information is accurate, this would mean that we might see an announcement for the G7 as early as next January.

Source: LG G7 flagship phone might be unveiled earlier than the annual schedule

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

One of Sonyâ€™s late 2017 flagship phones is in testing with Android 8.0 and Full HD screen

It's really no big secret that Sony still plans to release two more flagship phones by the end of the year, presumably after announcing them at IFA Berlin in early September as direct sequels to last fall's Xperia XZ, which was already spun off into the XZ Premium and XZs this February.

But until today, we literally had no idea what to expect or even what to look for online. Apparently, one of these next-gen hero devices carries model numbers G8341 and G8342 for single and dual SIM SKUs respectively, making it a lot easier to discover revealing pre-launch benchmarks or various regulatory documents down the line.

Already, user-agent profiles seem to confirm the relatively humdrum Full HD screen resolution of the mysterious G83xx product, as well as early testing of Android 8.0 software that suggests a very pleasant possible surprise at launch.

It's worth pointing out that the original Sony Xperia XZ, aka F833x, als o sported 1920 x 1080 pixels on a 5.2-inch IPS LCD panel, with the exact same display size and resolution carried over to the XZs (G823x).

Meanwhile, the state-of-the-art Xperia XZ Premium (G814x) doesn't mess around, leaping straight into 4K territory at 3840 x 2160 pixels to support HDR video playback. Bottom line, it sounds like this G8341/G8342 may not be a full-blown Galaxy Note 8 or iPhone 8 contender. Perhaps the other one.

Source: One of Sony's late 2017 flagship phones is in testing with Android 8.0 and Full HD screen

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Google Hires Veteran Chip Designer Away From Apple to Build Custom Chips For Pixel Smartphones

I know Manu. Used to work with him at AMD. He's fine, but Apple will be fine.[doublepost=1497366091][/doublepost]

I'm sure Apple has a substantial chip design team, but this still sucks for them. Their chip team is one of the best in the world and no other mobile devices can come close to their performance. They're even starting to catch up and in some ways pass Intel's 13" MBP chips with the iPad Pro. It's astounding how far they've come in such a short time. This is a huge hire for Google. I wonder how much money they had to pony up to get this guy as it gives them a big competitive advantage going forward.

Wouldn't call it a huge hire.My prediction: They come out with a chip in 3 years it underperforms compared to the competition, Google axes it and we never hear of this guy ever again.

Most are ignoring that fact that when one goes, more are to follow.

I'm not saying apple is in trouble or anything like that, but I would absolutely amazed if he isn't able to get others from apple to follow. It's just simply a part of business. I can't tell you how many times when a lead or senior engineer leaves my employer for apple, google, intel, etc. that a few follow him/her.

Keep in mind that the architect of the A4 and A5 (or at-least one of the "rockstar" chip designers of our time) Jim Keller left Apple after he worked on those and joined Samsung, AMD and now Tesla. He was instrumental in designing the new Zen architecture for AMD that is giving them a huge resurgence.

But the key thing is he left after the A5 and Apple has since created the A6, A7, A8, A9 and A10. All amazing without him being present.

This is one guy. Apple will be fine.I'm sure Apple has a substantial chip design team, but this still sucks for them. Their chip team is one of the best in the world and no other mobile devices can come close to their performance. They're even starting to catch up and in some ways pass Intel's 13" MBP chips with the iPad Pro. It's astounding how far they've come in such a short time. This is a huge hire for Google. I wonder how much money they had to pony up to get this guy as it gives them a big competitive advantage going forward.

('//www.macrumors.com/2017/06/13/google-hires-veteran-apple-chip-designer/')

Google has hired veteran chip architect Manu Gulati, who worked at Apple for the past eight years, according to Variety ('http://variety.com/2017/digital/news/google-manu-gulati-pixel-chips-1202464014/').

Gulati is now a Lead SOC Architect at Google, where he began in May, according to his recently updated LinkedIn profile ('https://www.linkedin.com/in/manu-gulati-283346/').

Gulati was "instrumental" to the company's efforts to build custom chips for the iPad, iPhone, and Apple TV, according to the rep ort.

Apple's custom silicon ranges from the single-core A4 chip in the original iPad and iPhone 4 to the quad-core A10X Fusion chip in the new 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

At Google, his expertise is expected to help the Mountain View company design custom chips for its own Pixel smartphones.

Pixel smartphones are currently powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 821 processor, which is the same chip used in several other flagship Android smartphones. But reports claim Google plans to build its own chips ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-10-04/behind-the-pixel-google-s-first-real-threat-to-apple-s-iphone'), as it takes on the iPhone more directly in the premium smartphone category.

Gulati is listed as an inventor on over a dozen Apple patents ('http://patents.justia.com/inventor/manu-gulati') related to mobile processors and integrated circuity. He has over 20 years of industry experience, including lengthy stints at AMD and Broadcom.

Article Link: Google Hires Veteran Chip Designer Away From Apple to Build Custom Chips For Pixel Smartphones ('//www.macrumors.com/2017/06/13/google-hires-veteran-apple-chip-designer/')

As long as Mr. Gulati doesn't break any of the patents that apple owns, I wish him good luck at google.

My prediction: They come out with a chip in 3 years it underperforms compared to the competition, Google axes it and we never hear of this guy ever again.

I am honestly surprised Google has kept up with its chip division this long. I see the same outcome as you simply from their previous ventures.Most are ignoring that fact that when one goes, more are to follow.

I'm not saying apple is in trouble or anything like that, but I would absolutely be amazed if he isn't able to get others from apple to follow. It's just simply a part of business. I can't tell you how many times when a lead or senior engineer leaves my employer for apple, google, intel, etc. that a few follow him/her.

I know Manu. Used to work with him at AMD. He's fine, but Apple will be fine.[doublepost=1497366091][/doublepost]

Wouldn't call it a huge hire.

Lol. You wouldn't call a SOC design lead a huge hire?

Apple's custom silicon ranges from the single-core A4 chip in the original iPad and iPhone 4 to the quad-core A10X Fusion chip in the new 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

A10X has 6 cores, not 4.
Source: Google Hires Veteran Chip Designer Away From Apple to Build Custom Chips For Pixel Smartphones

Monday, June 12, 2017

Sony Xperia XZ Premium goes on sale at Rs 59,990: Top 10 other high end smartphones

| | | Sony Xperia XZ Premium goes on sale at Rs 59,990: Top 10 other high end smartphones

Published: Tuesday, June 13, 2017, 6:00 [IST]

Sony has just recently launched its flagship Xperia XZ Premium smartphone in India. The key highlight of this smartphone is that it is powered by 4K HDR display, super fast download speeds, stunning loop design and a high performance camera along with some intelligent features.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium carries a price tag of Rs. 59,990 and it has gone on sale from today. It can be availed at Sony Centers, select retail outlets, and exclusively on Amazon.com.

Moreover, those who pre-ordered the smartphone would be getting a Sony SRS-XB20 Wireless Bluetooth Speaker worth Rs. 8,990 for free. The Xperia XZ Premium boasts some impressive features and specifications, but you should be aware of the other high-end phones in the market as well.

Scroll down to check out the other high-end smartphones that are available.

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

LG G6

Buy At Price of Rs 39,999Key Specs

5.7-inch (1440 × 2880 pixels) QHD+ LCD display with a 18:9 aspect ratio, 564 PPI

Quad-core Snapdragon 821 processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB LPDDR4 RAM

64GB (UFS 2.0) internal memory

expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

13MP dual rear cameras

5MP front camera

Fingerprint sensor

Water, dust resistant (IP68)

4G LTE

3300mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

Buy At Price of Rs 64,900Key Specs

6.2 Inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Display

Octa Core Exynos 9/Snapdragon 835 Processor

4/6GB RAM With 64/128GB ROM

Dual Pixel 12MP Rear Camera

8MP Front Camera

Iris Scanner

Fingerprint

3500 MAh Battery

LG V20

Buy At Price of Rs 33,800Key Specs

5.7-inch (2560×1440 pixels) Quad HD IPS Quantum display at 513 ppi

2.1-inch (160 x 1040 pixels) IPS Quantum Display at 513ppi

Quad-core Snapdragon 820 processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB LPDDR4 RAM

64GB (UFS 2.0) internal memory

expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Dual SIM (nano+nano)

16MP rear camera

8MP secondary rear camera

5MP front camera

4G LTE

3200mAh removable battery with Quick Charge 3.0

Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe

Buy At Price of Rs 49,999Key Specs

5.7-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD Super AMOLED display

Quad-Core Snapdragon 820 processor with Adreno 530 GPU

6GB RAM

64GB/128GB/256GB internal storage

expandable memory with microSD

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Zen UI 3.0

23MP rear camera

8MP front-facing camera

4G LTE with VoLTE

3000mAh battery

Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro

Buy At Price of Rs 31,990Key Specs

6-inch (1920×1080 pixels) Full HD Super AMOLED 2.5D curved glassdisplay

Octa Core Snapdragon 653 processor with Adreno 510 GPU

6GB RAM

64GB Internal Storage

expandable memory up to 256GB via micro SD card

Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow)

Dual SIM (nano + nano)

16MP rear camera

16MP front camera

4G LTE

4000mAh battery with fast charging

HTC U Ultra

Buy At Price of Rs 47,729Key Specs

5.7-inch (1440 x 2560 pixels) Quad HD Super LCD 5 display with Gorilla Glass 5 protection

2.0-inch (160 x 1040 pixels) 520 PPI Super LCD 5 secondary display

Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 64-bit processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB RAM

64 internal storage

expandable memory up to 2TB with microSD

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with HTC Sense UI

Hybrid dual SIM (nano+nano/microSD)

12MP (UltraPixel 2) rear camera with dual-tone LED flash

16MP front-facing camera

4G LTE

3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0

Samsung Galaxy S8

Buy At Price of Rs 57,900Key Specs

5.8 Inch QHD+ Super AMOLED Display

Octa Core Exynos 9/Snapdragon 835 Processor

4/6GB RAM With 64/128GB ROM

WiFi

NFC

Dual Pixel 12MP Rear Camera

8MP Front Camera

3000 MAh Battery

Apple iPhone 7

Buy At Price of Rs 44,749Key Features

4.7-inch (1334 x 750 pixels) IPS 326 ppi display, 1400:1 contrast ratio, 3D Touch

Quad-core A10 Fusion 64-bit processor with six-core GPU, M10 motion co-processor

2GB RAM, 32GB,128GB and 256GB storage options

iOS 10

Water and dust resistant (IP67)

12MP camera

7MP front camera

TouchID Fingerprint sensor, Stereo speakers

4G VoLTE

1960mAh built-in battery with up to 10 days standby

Sony Xperia XZs

Buy At Price of Rs 48,499Key Features

5.2-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Triluminos Display

Quad-Core Snapdragon 820 64-bit 14nm processor with Adreno 530 GPU

4GB RAM

64GB internal memory

expandable memory up to 256GB via microSD card

Android 7.0 (Nougat)

Dual SIM

Water Resistant (IP65/IP68)

19MP rear camera

13MP front-facing camera

DSEE HX, LDAC, Digital Noise Cancelling

Fingerprint sensor

4G LTE

2900mAh Battery with Qnovo's Adaptive Charging technology

Google Pixel Xl

Buy At Price of Rs 54,000Key Specs

5.5 inch QHD AMOLED Display

2.15GHz Snapdragon 821 Quad-Core Processor

4GB RAM With 32/128 ROM

12MP Camera With LED Flash

8MP Front Camera

Single Nano Sim

USB Type-C

4G VoLTE/NFC/Bluetooth

3450 MAh Battery

Stay tuned to GizBot for more updates!

Source: Sony Xperia XZ Premium goes on sale at Rs 59,990: Top 10 other high end smartphones