Three Nokia 8 variants listed on GFXbench and AnTuTu

The Nokia 8 will be HMD Global's first flagship smartphone and it's set to be launched on August 16. We've been seeing a number of leaked images already including that Copper Gold version even before the official unveiling. We know more will be leaked or published as D-Day gets closer. And less than a couple of weeks from today, we'll see if the phone will feature a Snapdragon 835 chipset, bezel-less display, and an iris scanner.

New details from AnTuTu and GFXBench tell us there are three variants of the Nokia 8. We don't think they will be majorly different from one another. Recently spotted online were the following: TA-1004, TA-1012, and TA-1052. The TA-1004 we noted before as the Nokia 9 and the TA-1012 as the Nokia 8 according to earlier leaks. Now in AnTuTu, we have the TA-1052 listed with the following features: Android 7.1.1, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Adreno 540, 1440 x 2560 resolution, 13MP front and rear cameras, 4GB RAM, and 64GB onboard storage.

Now on AnTuTu, we have the TA-1052 listed with the following features: Android 7.1.1, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, Adreno 540, 1440 x 2560 resolution, 13MP front and rear cameras, 4GB RAM, and 64GB onboard storage.

Meanwhile, on GFXBench, these variants are listed as the Nokia 9. We're not sure about this Nokia 8 and Nokia 9 deal but we just know a premium Nokia Android-power phone is in the works and will be released in over a week. We're also assuming this one will have the Carl Zeiss dual lens camera system. It will be a flagship phone but we're still expecting an affordable device–close to those flagships from the top Chinese phone makers.

VIA: NokiaPowerUser

Source: Three Nokia 8 variants listed on GFXbench and AnTuTu

Moto Z2 Force - Thin Flagship Smartphone Available At Every Carrier

This new phone comes with impressive specs and a nice design. The only bad thing about this phone is that it is expensive.

It seems that Motorola had two flagship phones on the market last year. We are talking about the Moto Z and the Moto Z Force.

These two phones both had different features and components. But, we must say that Moto Z Force was available only on Verizon. So, this year, Motorola decided to change this and make the new Z2 Force available on every major U.S. carrier.

To be added that this new device is the only flagship device that the company has released. So, let's take a look and see what impressive stuff Motorola added for us.

First of all, we must say that this new design doesn't look too different from the previous model that Motorola released.

But, customers should know that the new Moto Z2 Force is 13 percent thinner and 13 percent lighter than the previous Moto Z Force. On the rear, customers will find the company's logo which is huge and prominent.

Moreover, there are 16 pogo pings for the Moto Mods. This means that the company didn't drop its unique Moto Mods. To be added that on the back of the device customers will find a border, which creates a two-tone appearance.

But, the most visible thing on the back is the camera. Unfortunately, it seems that this camera still sticks out from the device.

The good thing about this camera is that is houses a dual-camera setup. Moving to the front, we must say that the company made just a few minor changes. The front flash and the fingerprint sensor are both featuring an oval look now.

But, the bad thing is that the edges around the display are still huge, which offers that waste of space feeling. Customers will find the volume rocker situated on the top right edge near the power button. Unfortunately, this device doesn't come with a headphone jack. As we know the previous device didn't have it as well.

Inside the box, customers will receive a 3.5mm adapter, which can be used for charging the phone. To be added that this phone charges via USB-C.

The bad thing is that customers won't be able to charge the phone while listening to music, unless they have wireless earbuds.

Moving forward, we must say that the build quality is very good, which makes this phone look like a premium device. To be added that the new Moto Z2 Force has a 5.5-inches screen that features a 2.560 x 1.440 pixel AMOLED display.

Moto Z2 Force runs Android 7.1.1 software, which means that customers will receive all the newest apps. Under the hood, this device is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 processor, accompanied by 4GB of RAM.

Moreover, customers will have 64GB of internal storage in order to stock movies, photos, and many other. To be added that they can also opt for a 64GB RAM and 128GB model, but it will cost more.

Source: Moto Z2 Force - Thin Flagship Smartphone Available At Every Carrier

Asus ZenFone 4 Pro 2017 Flagship Smartphone, What We Know So Far

Here's a treat for all Asus ZenFone fans here in the Philippines!

Details about the Taiwanese company's 2017 top of the line Android smartphone are now starting to surface online.

As of writing, here's everything that we've seen and read about the upcoming Asus ZenFone 4 Pro:

1. In terms of design and build, it will still have a glass-metal-glass sandwich construction just like the Asus ZenFone 3 from 2016 but this fresh iteration it will feature a Home button - in front, below the screen - lined with a Fingerprint Scanner.

2. Asus ZenFone 4 Pro will have a Dual Rear Camera module and its functionality will be similar to that of Asus ZenFone 3 Zoom, meaning that the secondary camera will have a telephoto lens making 2X optical zoom capability possible.

Creative Rendering of the Asus ZenFone 4 Pro 3. The handset will be powered by a 10nm 64-Bit Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor and will handle multitasking with 6GB of RAM. This combination is pretty standard for flagship-level Android smartphones this year.

4. The screen is an ultra-clear-and-crisp 5.7-inch QHD 2560 x 1440 AMOLED, which is similar to that the Asus ZenFone AR.

5. The handset will run Android 7.1 Nougat operating system with Zen UI skin and have Dual SIM Dual Standby capability.

6. Asus ZenFone 4 Pro is expected to be officially announced by the company within September while release date will be sometime in Q4 2014, just in time for consumers' Yuletide gadget shopping.

Disclaimer: Asus has not confirmed nor denied all rumored or leaked information about the Asus ZenFone 4 Pro. Although I believe that all things are in this post are already on point about the device, we'd all do well to still take these with a grain of salt. Any Asus fans here? Are you keen on upgrading to any of the company's ZenFone 4 variants later this year? Let me know your thoughts via the comments section below.

Labels: Asus Asus ZenFone 4 Pro Featured Smartphones with Rear Dual Camera Module

you might also like

Older Post
Source: Asus ZenFone 4 Pro 2017 Flagship Smartphone, What We Know So Far

New Sony Xperia Phones 2017: Release date and all you need to know

Sony Mobile is tipped to be readying a fresh batch of Sony Xperia 2017 smartphones. Here's what you need to know about the new Sony Xperia phones, including release date, specs, price, news and rumours.

Each year, Sony floods the market with innumerable smartphones in hopes that one will catch your attention and woo you away from rival brands. Despite curious handset branding and some dodgy entries, Sony Mobile has still managed to turn out a few solid smartphones and build a loyal fanbase in the process.

But what's next for Sony Mobile? We weren't overly impressed with the company's roster of phones from Barcelona's MWC 2017 earlier this year, so there's plenty to improve on next time around. We've rounded up key details about the new Sony Xperia phone(s), to give you a better idea of what to expect.

If you don't want heaps of detail then here's a quick-fire breakdown of our predictions for Sony's next flagship smartphone:

Sony Xperia XZ2 / XZ Premium 2 Release Date: August 31 launch

Sony Xperia XZ2 / XZ Premium 2 Features: New bezel-free design

Sony Xperia XZ2 / XZ Premium 2 Price: £629 – £699

Alternatively, read on for a more detailed run-through of what to expect from Sony Mobile for the remainder of 2017.

Related: Samsung Galaxy Note 8

New Sony Xperia Phones: Release date in late 2017?

It's easy enough to guess when new Sony Xperia phones will launch, because they stick to a fairly consistent release cycle, as you'll see below:

Sony Xperia Z1 – September 4, 2013 (reveal) | September 20, 2013 (release)

Sony Xperia Z2 – February 24, 2014 (reveal) | March 24, 2014 (release)

Sony Xperia Z3 – September 4, 2014 (reveal) | September 26, 2014 (release)

Sony Xperia Z3+  – April 20, 2015 (reveal) | May 26, 2015 (release)

Sony Xperia Z5 – September 2, 2015 (reveal) | October 1, 2015 (release)

Sony Xperia X Performance – February 22, 2016 (reveal) | 15 June, 2016 (release)

Sony Xperia XZ – September 1, 2016 (reveal) | October 6, 2016 (release)

Sony Xperia XZ Premium – February 27, 2017 (reveal) | June 2, 2017 (release)

As is evident, Sony operates on a six-monthly release cycle for flagship phones and doesn't have a strict naming convention, which must be seriously confusing for consumers. However, the good news is that this means there's always a new Sony phone just around the corner.

Looking at the history of Sony phone launches, we'd expect the next flagship Sony Xperia handset to launch at the beginning of September as usual. It's almost guaranteed that Sony will continue to utilise Berlin's annual tech tradeshow – IFA 2017 – to showcase the new device.

In fact, Sony has already scheduled a press conference to take place just one day before the show begins. The event will be held on Thursday, August 31 at 13:00 local Berlin time – or 12:00 here in the UK. We'd be very surprised if a new Sony phone (or phones, more likely) wasn't announced during the press conference.

Next Sony Xperia 2017: Design, specs and features

So what are we expecting to see? Well, it's likely we'll see more than one Sony Xperia smartphone unveiled at IFA 2017.

The most likely scenario is that we see a successor to the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, which was released earlier this year. Unfortunately, we've got no idea what it'll be called, given Sony's wacky naming conventions.

Earlier this year, Sony also confirmed that it would no longer be releasing "Premium Standard" handsets. Those are phones like the Xperia X and Xperia X Compact, which are mid-to-upper range devices that don't quite cut it as flagships.

This means if we are going to see other devices at IFA 2017, they'll probably come in the form of mid-range sequels to the Xperia XA1 and/or XA1 Ultra.

Most of the hype will surrounded the Sony Xperia XZ Premium 2 however, but what do we actually now?

Sony Xperia XZ Premium 2 news and rumours

The bad news is that we haven't seen much in the way of rumours about the new flagship Sony Xperia phone for late-2017.

Power: It's almost certain that the handset will carry Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 835 chip however, given that its predecessor – the Xperia XZ Premium – was one of the first to use that chip. This means it will also have access to Qualcomm's rapid Snapdragon X16 modem and the latest Quick Charge tech.

Given that the Xperia XZ Premium had 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, we'd expect the XZ Premium 2 to boast at least as much. The OnePlus 5 recently launched with 6GB and 8GB RAM variants, so there's definitely room for Sony to push on-board memory a little higher. Also, last year's iPhone 7 was available with a 256GB storage variant, so Sony could also make some movements in that department too.

Display and Design: Sony fitted its most recent flagship handset with a 4K HDR IPS LCD screen, so another Ultra HD panel wouldn't be surprising for the next one.

However, it's rumoured that the display size will increase from 5.46 inches to 6 inches, putting it more in line with rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8 inches).

It's not clear if this screen size increase would mean a significantly larger handset, or if Sony would adopt the same low-bezel design approach seen used with the Galaxy S8 and LG G6 – and supposedly the iPhone 8, tipped for later this year.

It's not an entirely kooky prospect, either; a leak on Chinese social media site Weibo earlier this year suggested how a joint venture between display-maker JDI and Sony would result in the production of a 'Full Active QHD display' that would occupy the entire front of a phone.

The report went on to suggest that Sony planned to release this phone at IFA 2017, which means a bezel-free Sony phone may be nearly upon us.

So what else? Well we've heard no other rumours about the new phone, which means we're still largely in the dark when it comes to camera performance, battery life, and software – although we'd expect that Android 7.1 Nougat will almost certainly feature on the new device.

We'll update this article with more news and rumours as they surface.

New Sony Xperia 2017 phone price

Smartphones are getting increasingly expensive, especially in the UK where we're also suffering from currency-related price hikes.

In the absence of Sony Xperia rumours however, we can only guess at what the next phone might cost at retail.

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium priced in at a hefty £649 at launch, which was still £40 cheaper than the £689 Galaxy S8. It's £50 more expensive than the £599 iPhone 7 however, and matches the £649 LG G6.

For the next phone, we'd expect fairly similar pricing, with the handset probably falling somewhere in the region of £629 and £699. However, until Sony makes an official announcement, we'll have to take all rumour-mongering and guesswork with a pinch of salt.

Related: Best Android phones

What would you like to see from the next batch of Sony Xperia smartphones? Let us know in the comments.

Source: New Sony Xperia Phones 2017: Release date and all you need to know

Meizu’s latest flagship smartphone comes with an extra screen at the rear

Meizu has taken the covers off its latest flagship smartphone. Instead of making the display taller like Samsung and LG, the Chinese smartphone brand is trying to stand out by fitting a secondary display at the back.

This might remind you of YotaPhone but Meizu is taking a step further by fitting a colour AMOLED display that's also touch enabled.

The latest Meizu flagship comes in two sizes – a 5.2″ Pro 7 with a full HD display and a larger 5.7″ Pro 7 Plus variant that does Quad HD resolution. The smaller Pro 7 is powered by a mid-range MediaTek Helio P25 with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage but there's also a higher-spec version that comes with a more capable Helio X30 processor plus 128GB of storage.

For those seeking the best performance, the Pro 7 Plus gets a MediaTek Helio X30 that's mated to 6GB of RAM. It comes with a choice of either 64GB or 128GB of storage.

In the imaging department, the Meizu Pro 7 and Pro 7 Plus gets a dual 12MP setup at the rear with dedicated colour and monochrome sensors. Over at the front, it sports a 16MP selfie camear. Since there's a secondary screen at the rear, you can also use the main cameras to take a selfie. Apart from taking photos, the extra Super AMOLED display can also be used for music controls, notifications or as an always-on display to show your current time and weather.

To charge up both flagship phones quickly, there's also 5V 5A mCharge 4.0 featuer which can replenish the Meizu Pro 7 Plus from 0-60% in just 30 minutes. The smaller Pro 7 gets a 3,000mAh battery while the Pro 7 Plus comes with 3,500mAh capacity.

Being a Meizu device, it runs on their heavily skinned Flyme 6 OS that's still based on Android. It also comes with a dedicated Hi-Fi chip plus a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Both devices are expected to go on sale in China beginning 5 August with price starting from 2880 CNY (about RM1,829) for the Meizu Pro 7 and 3580 CNY (about RM2,273) for the Pro 7 Plus. For more info, you can check out the Meizu Pro 7 product page.

[ SOURCE ]

Related

Source: Meizu's latest flagship smartphone comes with an extra screen at the rear

Opinion: Motorola's Z phones are quickly becoming little more than Mod money grabs

Motorola announced the Z2 Force at an event in New York City yesterday, ostensibly the 2017 flagship for the struggling smartphone brand, following up the Z and Z Force of 2016. The Z series is notable both for marking a major transition in Moto's flagship strategy, but also for the Moto Mods that underpinned the alleged reasoning behind that shift.

Motorola loves to toss out figures about the adoption rate for Moto Mods, but it hasn't issued any really solid ones in regard to which Mods people are using or how often they're using them. The reality is that this is probably because the battery Mod - the most painfully, glaringly, obvious use case for Mods - makes up the great bulk of that uptake. I mean, is it really hard to believe that when you put a slightly-too-small battery in your flagship phone that owners of said phone might then be interested in increasing its battery life? Something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, I think.

I admit, it is well beyond easy to be cynical about Motorola's Z line in 2017. Two of the three Z handsets have been refreshed, and the most notable change this year is one shared by both: dramatically reduced battery capacity. If I were evaluating Motorola's business strategy here, I might suggest this was a very savvy move meant to increase sales of battery Mods by decreasing the battery life of its phones out of the box. In fact, I would do more than suggest it - I would contend that it is plain as day this is what Motorola is doing.

Thin reasoning

Motorola claims that reduced battery capacity in its new smartphones is down to a quest to minimize thickness, which will allow for more comfortable use of comparatively thick Mods. Except, this explanation is nonsensical on its face.

Most of Moto's chunkiest Mods - the JBL SoundBoost and the Hasselblad camera - are already so large that no amount of shrinking the phone is going to make them something you'll want to put in your pocket. Others, like the InstaShare projector, aren't even designed to be used while you're holding the phone, so what difference does it make how much thickness they add? The only time when I think the phone's girth really makes a difference in terms of usability and portability is when you've got a battery Mod attached. But here's the thing: even that is just plain silly as a reason to shrink the phone's internal battery.

There is never going to be a phone thin enough to make this pocketable.

By making the phone 1-2mm thicker, substantial capacity can be added to the internal battery (say in the neighborhood of 25%+... like last year's phone). The dimensional cost of this is far less than that of the very chunky Turbo Power Mod Motorola released alongside the new Z2 Play. In addition, because of the way these battery Mods work - by charging the phone's internal battery, not powering the phone directly - there is inherent inefficiency in the Mod that is going to substantially undercut whatever measured capacity it claims to add. As such, it's not even true to say that you're "adding" 3490mAh of battery capacity to your phone with a TurboPower Mod. In reality, that figure is very substantially lower because of charging inefficiencies. While it obviously adds more effective capacity than an internal battery 700mAh larger would, it's also a hell of a lot thicker and heavier, and the stated capacity definitely doesn't tell the whole story.

Modular motivations

Motorola also has partners very eager to see Mod sales grow: carriers and retailers rely on the sale of accessories like cases and chargers to increase their effective profit margin per handset sold (you know, accessories like Bluetooth headphones for your headphone-jackless phone). Moto Mods feel designed from the ground up to help carriers push high-dollar accessories on customers already committing to buying a pricey smartphone, and the battery Mod is undoubtedly the easiest sale to make. I can only imagine what the margins are like on the absurd Hasselblad camera Mod, but they've got to be pretty damn good, because that thing is legitimately awful.

Moto's new 360 Cam Mod might make sense in an executive meeting where buzzwords like "millennials" and "VR" are thrown around - far less so in the real world.

And sure, I get it: Yes, most Moto Mods are silly, but the battery Mod makes sense. I can appreciate the idea behind the battery Moto Mod. Really - it does make sense. It's a very easy-to-use, custom-fit battery case for your phone that goes on and off without skipping a beat. But even considering the benefits of the battery Mod, which are quite real, it is simply impossible for me to see Motorola's decision to drastically cut the battery capacity of its Z phones this year as anything but a business move. And this isn't to mention the fact that Mods have left Motorola basically unable to evolve the look and feel of the Z phones in any major way at a time when it's clear that smartphone design is undergoing some notable shifts.

I'd have a harder time being quite so sour on this business if Moto had introduced compelling new Mods that you'd want to have attached to your phone regularly, but they haven't. There's very little evidence most consumers are even interested in 360-degree cameras, let alone that attaching one to your smartphone is going to be the way people find optimal to use them. And at $300, that's a hell of a tough sale. The gamepad Mod, which is still without a price or release date, looks a bit more interesting, but it's not as though such a thing is going to create a mini-console ecosystem for Android. Sure, some people out there (like those of you reading this article) might find the idea absolutely brilliant in combination with a library of console emulators, but this is not a mainstream consumer use case. The gamepad, then, seems destined for relative obscurity (and that's if it's even any good).

A reason to Z

So, Moto's renewed case for the Mod ecosystem is an expensive 360-degree camera almost guaranteed to become a free holiday sale bundle item later this year, and a gamepad that while certainly kind of neat is highly unlikely to be the sort of thing that sells in meaningful quantities. I am not feeling like the Mod story is unfolding in a way that is selling the concept effectively.

Instead, Motorola is now trapped with a basic phone design that is starting to look a bit long in the tooth, and its one major strategy pivot seems to be to taking something out of your phone in an effort to make you to pay to get it back (battery life). I'm happy to be convinced otherwise about Mods and the Z series, Moto, but this just isn't looking good.

Source: Opinion: Motorola's Z phones are quickly becoming little more than Mod money grabs

Nokia 8 flagship smartphone expected to launch at HMD Global's August 16 event in London

HMD Global has started sending out media invites for an event in London where it is likely to introduce Nokia 8. Nokia 8 is expected to feature a dual rear camera system with Carl Zeiss optics and Snapdragon 835 SoC.

HMD Global is expected to launch its flagship Nokia 8 smartphone at company's event on August 16. The Verge reports that the Finnish startup has started sending out media invites for an event in London on August 16, where it is likely to showcase its first flagship handset. HMD Global's launch event is scheduled to take place at 7.30 PM local time (12 AM IST on August 17) and it will most likely outline the company's future.

The invite comes just days after reports emerged that the Nokia 8 flagship smartphone will be launched on July 31. Nokia 8 will mark Nokia's entry in the flagship smartphone space and it is also expected to bring carl zeissWhere to buy 76005 optics to an Android device. HMD Global announced its partnership with Carl Zeiss to implement the latter's image sensors on its smartphone last week.

In terms of specifications, Nokia 8 is said to sport a 5.3-inch display with a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. The handset is likely to be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 835 chipset coupled with an option for either 4GB or 6GB RAM and 64GB expandable storage. The dual-SIM smartphone will likely sport a dual 13MP rear camera setup with Zeiss optics. The handset has also appeared on various benchmarking apps confirming it will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat. A Scandinavian retailer recently listed the device for a retail price of €589 (around Rs 44,500), which makes it a premium offering. The handset is tipped to launch in blue, steel, gold/blue and gold/copper colour options. The copper gold model of the Nokia 8 appeared online a few days back.

HMD Global has begun selling the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6, its first three smartphones in select markets. The company has been struggling to keep up with the demands and has postponed the launch of the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 in India. HMD Global also saw the departure of its CEO Arto Nummela recently and this launch will certainly have huge importance for the company.

Other Popular Deals

Xolo ERA 1X -4G with VoLTE...

Lenovo Vibe K5 Note (Gold, 32...

Coolpad Cool 1 (Gold, 4GB)

Interesting Galleries Best camera phones under Rs....

Best smartphones to buy under Rs. 7,000 in India right now

14 upcoming mobile phones you should expect in India in 2016

10 smartphone sequels to look forward to in 2015

10 best smartphones between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000...

Best smartphones under Rs. 15,000 with great battery backup

26 upcoming & latest smartphones to check-out

Slimmest phones you can buy in India [November 2015]

The best upgrade options for 10 classic smartphones

Huawei P8: First Look

Xiaomi Mi4i vs Asus Zenfone 2 (2GB): Quick Comparison

LG G4: First Look

Asus Zenfone 2 and Zenfone Selfie: In Pictures

Sony's current & upcoming Xperia phones: An Overview

Micromax Canvas Sliver 5: First Look

Sony Xperia C4: First Look

Coolpad Dazen X7 and Dazen 1: In pictures

​
Source: Nokia 8 flagship smartphone expected to launch at HMD Global's August 16 event in London

Google, Samsung On Track To Top Apple In Game Monetization

Android is gaining momentum when it comes to the monetization of mobile games and Samsung is apparently leading the pack, according to a new study from the DeltaDNA platform that handles marketing and mobile analytics. Samsung's latest Galaxy S8 Plus flagship smartphone is attracting the most mobile players and driving the most average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU), marking a notable shift that may soon end Apple's dominance in this area. Apple has been at the top for the past 10 years, as iPhone users have so far been more willing to open their wallets to support their gaming experiences. If DeltaDNA's study is anything to go by, however, Android may not only catch up to Apple in games monetization, but actually surpass it.

DeltaDNA took a number of factors into account when conducting its study, including how free-to-play games (F2P) are monetized. FTP titles are free to install and play, but allow gamers to make in-game purchases to get additional items or various things to help them advance in the game. If so far iPhone gamers have been spending more than their Android counterparts, Google and Samsung are now getting closer. The Google Pixel and Samsung smartphones such as those in the Galaxy S series are changing the mobile gaming scene and driving monetization, with DeltaDNA noting that they're on track to outperform Apple in terms of ARPDAU stats. Both the Google Pixel and the Samsung Galaxy S8 series have enjoyed great demand and were received well by users and critics alike, and studies have shown that newer devices fare better than older ones when it comes to monetizing mobile games.

Screen real estate also plays an important role and mobile gamers prefer smartphones with larger displays. The study shows that handsets with bigger screens drive more monetization than smaller ones, which might explain why the Galaxy S8+ is fueling the greatest ARPDAU. DeltaDNA conducted its study in June 2017, basing its assessments on 1.4 million mobile gamers in North America. Game monetization is further expected to increase as smartphones become more powerful and advanced, and Google and Samsung are on the right track. If the iPhone has been the undisputed leader for a decade in terms of games monetization, Samsung Galaxy S smartphones and the Google Pixel are already catching up and future iterations are expected to perform even better.

Source: Google, Samsung On Track To Top Apple In Game Monetization

Samsung Galaxy S8 v OnePlus 5 - Which of these flagship smartphones is the BEST?

ONEPLUS • SAMSUNG

OnePlus 5 and Samsung Galaxy S8 are some of the best phones on the market right now

Samsung Galaxy S8 and OnePlus 5 are two of the most impressive smartphones to launch in 2017.

The Galaxy S8 sports a stunning new industrial design that simultaneously builds on the previous Galaxy S handsets – and looks like nothing we've ever seen before.

The beautiful Infinity Display ensures the phone's mammoth 5.8-inch is always manageable, even while using the handset one-handed.

Samsung has also shipped one of the most impressive smartphone cameras on the market.

However, for all of its brilliant features – the Galaxy S8 did have a number of flaws, most notably the rear fingerprint scanner, which will leaving you wondering whether anyone tried to unlock the phone with it before the design was signed-off. 

Meanwhile, OnePlus 5 is the follow-up to the OnePlus 3T, which debuted some five months in the UK.

The Chinese startup has built a stunning flagship smartphone with almost all of the same premium features and materials as its closest competition.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung Galaxy S8 has one of the most ambitious smartphone designs of all time

Unfortunately, that has come at the expensive of the borderline-budget price tag OnePlus has become known for.

Express.co.uk has reviewed both smartphones.

However, for those unable to decide between the Samsung Galaxy S8 and OnePlus 5, we've compiled a list of some of the key differences between these two rivals.

Curved Screens

If your heart yearns for a dual-curved display, then there is only one real choice in this category.

Samsung calls its stunning new edge-to-edge design, the Infinity Display – and it certainly lives up to the lofty title.

Photos and videos look stunning on the eye-watering 5.8inch OLED Ultra HD display.

And thanks to the dual-curve design, Samsung has managed to squeeze a palm-stretching phablet-sized screen into a phone that's easily manageable one-handed.

But while the 5.8-inch display is a complete joy to use, it's not flawless.

Wed, March 29, 2017

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 35

Samsung Galaxy S8 release in pictures

Websites that aren't optimised for mobile devices can sometimes have text that runs across the curves, distorting them and making them a little uncomfortable to read.

There's also a slight light bleed of blue light that can run the length of the curve at certain angles.

Once you've noticed this quirk, it soon becomes irritating. Samsung had a similar issue with last year's Galaxy S7 Edge with the company saying that due to the curved display, light can spread around to the curved areas of the screen.

This usually appears when the device is used in a particularly dark or gloomy environment.

Fortunately, the OnePlus 5 – which sports a flat 5.5inch 1080p AMOLED display – does not suffer from any of these quirks, although some owners have complained about a jelly-like effect to some of the animations.

It's also not as vibrant, or as sharp as the Ultra HD display on the Galaxy S8.

Related articles Camera

There's one very clear difference between the camera on the Galaxy S8 and the one included with the OnePlus 5 – there's only one of them.

Samsung decided not to follow the growing trend of doubling-up on dual cameras.

The Galaxy S8 sports virtually the same 12MP Dual Pixel rear camera it debuted the previous year with the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

But that's no bad thing.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

OnePlus 5 has a brilliant dual camera that takes staggeringly good photos

The Galaxy S7 was one of the best smartphone cameras on the market and, one year later, that has not changed.

Samsung Galaxy S8 is capable of taking some truly impressive photographs – even in challenging low-light conditions.

And while the hardware has remained unchanged, the South Korean technology company says it refined and improved the computational photography that takes place behind-the-scenes every time you hit the shutter button.

Photographs from the Galaxy S8 are consistently clear, colourful and packed with crisp detail.

Samsung has a reputation of ratcheting-up the contrast and over-sharpening images by default, and while that is undoubtedly still the case with the Galaxy S8, the results are very pleasing.

Colours are not as naturalistic as the Google Pixel or iPhone 7 Plus, but photographs look phenomenal – and are more than good enough for your various social media feeds.

The default Samsung camera app has also been overhauled and simplified.

Samsung has ensured everything is within reach, allowing the app to be used one-handed, which works really well.

There's also a Pro mode for those who want to manually tinker with the ISO, Shutter Speed, and more.

OnePlus has also added a Pro Mode in the default camera app that ships with the OnePlus 5.

The Chinese startup has also added a new Pro Mode to the default camera app that exposes granular controls for the ISO, shutter speed, white balance, focus and exposure.

OnePlus also includes a useful reference line in the centre of the display so you can line-up shots with precision.

Pro Mode offers a staggering amount of control that should please photography buffs.

And unlike Samsung, OnePlus has jumped onboard with the idea of a dual-camera for its latest flagship phone.

OnePlus has incorporated a 16 megapixel Sony IMX 398 with a custom 20 megapixel telephoto lens. This new rig enables the OnePlus 5 to perform a two-times lossless zoom, which dramatically improves the potential of your smartphone photos.

Whether you're taking a snap at a concert or a historical monument, the ability to zoom without reducing the resulting pictures to a grainy mosaic of pixels is a brilliant feature that you'll instantly appreciate.

Like its hardware, OnePlus appears to have looked to Cupertino for inspiration when it comes to the software that powers the camera.

Tue, June 20, 2017 ONEPLUS has revealed its new OnePlus 5 which features flagship specs at bargain price - here's how it looks in pictures.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

1 of 9

OnePlus 5 release in pictures

The shortcut to move between 1x and 2x zoom, as well as the on-screen dial for granular adjustments, are both shamelessly lifted from the camera app in the iPhone 7 Plus. 

Likewise, OnePlus has included its own version of the Portrait mode that ships with the latest iPhone Plus model.

Dubbed Depth Effect on the OnePlus 5, this clever feature intelligently blurs the background behind a subject in a bokeh-style effect, creating a photograph that traditionally could only be achieved with a DSLR camera.

It's an absolutely stunning effect – when it works.

Unfortunately, that doesn't happen quite as often as we'd like. To be clear, this isn't an issue limited to the OnePlus – Apple hasn't completely nailed this either.

During our time with the phone, OnePlus 5 struggled to find the face at times – especially when the subject wasn't looking directly into the camera.

Like the iPhone 7 Plus, the OnePlus 5 will preview the Depth Effect in real-time within the camera app, so you can gauge how the photograph is going to turn out before you hit the shutter button.

When the software manages to accurately delineate the subject from the background – it results in a jaw-dropping effect. It's also extraordinary OnePlus has managed to replicate this level of functionality on a smartphone that retails for £270 less than its Apple counterpart.

OnePlus 5 is also capable of capturing video in 4K Ultra HD resolution, which should ensure your family home movies are future-proof. 

Overall, the Galaxy S8 is a more reliable, competent camera.

But the ability to zoom and recreate a DSLR-style bokeh effect with software might be enough to coax some to the OnePlus 5, which is a close second in terms of quality.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Unlike the Galaxy S8, OnePlus 5 has a dual camera set-up on the backFingerprint Scanner

There's no competition here, OnePlus 5 uses the same reliable and lighting-fast fingerprint scanner from the OnePlus 3T.

Meanwhile, the fingerprint scanner is easily the worst feature about the Galaxy S8.

When Samsung dropped the physical Home Button from the front of the Galaxy S8, it was forced to relocate the fingerprint sensor that had previously been embedded inside the button.

This hugely-popular security measure has been plonked on the rear of the phone – next to the camera lens. And it's the single most frustrating thing about the Samsung Galaxy S8.

Unlocking this phone with the fingerprint sensor is teeth-grinding, eye-rolling exercise in anger management.

First of all, the small sensor is not in a natural position for your index finger – forcing you to blindly reach and fumble around the back of the phone to authenticate the login, inevitably covering the camera lens in greasy fingerprints.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

The tiny fingerprint sensor is housed next to the camera module, making it easy to smudge the lens

Samsung has tried to alleviate some of this frustration by including options to use either use face recognition (which is not secure enough to be used for contactless payments) or an improved version of the iris scanner that shipped with the Galaxy Note 7.

In our tests, the face unlock often failed to recognise us at all. And when it did, the system was slow and sluggish.

Iris fared much better, however, accessing the interface that scans your eyes requires multiple clicks or swipes on the lockscreen, at which point, it's almost just easier to just tap a four-digit PIN code instead.

Every conceivable way to unlock the Samsung Galaxy S8 is an annoyance.

It might sound like a pernickety niggle, but considering how many times each day you unlock your smartphone – trust us, this is not a minor problem.

EXPRESS NEWSPAPERS

Samsung has only made a few minor improvements to the Galaxy S7's 12MP rear cameraPrice

Price is another major differentiator between these two smartphones.

OnePlus 5 is the company's most expensive handset yet, but that pales in comparison to the Galaxy S8.

The Slate Grey version of the OnePlus 5 ships with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of in-built storage for £449.00 SIM-free.

Meanwhile, the high-end Midnight Black variant has 8GB of RAM coupled with 128GB storage and retails for £499 SIM-free.

The Samsung Galaxy S8, also available in Midnight Black as well as Orchid Grey, will set you back £689 SIM-free.

The larger 6.2-inch variant, Galaxy S8+ (available in the same colours) will set you back £779 when bought SIM-free from Samsung.

Related articles
Source: Samsung Galaxy S8 v OnePlus 5 - Which of these flagship smartphones is the BEST?

Best Snapdragon 835 Phones

Snapdragon 835 is the latest processor from Qualcomm in 2017. The processor was announced in the November of last year and made its debut earlier this year. This is the fastest processor from Qualcomm and that's the reason why a lot of smartphone companies have added it on their devices.

This processor from Qualcomm is very popular because of its architecture and is found only on some of the best phones. In this article, we've curated the best phones that come with Snapdragon 835. So, if you are looking forward to buying Snapdragon 835 phones only, then this is the right place.

Best Snapdragon 835 Smartphones

The phones we've added in our list have not been added just because they come with Snapdragon 835. They are in the best list because the overall performance of these devices is great. They make the full use of the fastest smartphone processor and get the tasks done quickly.

Samsung Galaxy S8 & Galaxy S8 Plus

The first name on our list of the best Snapdragon 835 phones is that of the first phone to release with this processor. The Samsung Galaxy S8 comes out into the markets with a 5.8 inched display that offers a resolution of 1440 x 2960 pixels. The phone runs on the Android 7.0 Nougat OS. It is powered by the Snapdragon 835 along with 4GB of RAM. The phone comes out with 64GB of storage space too.

What sets this phone apart from other Samsung flagships is the fact that it comes out with an infinity display, which is a bezel-less display it offers a larger screen in the same sized device. The phone also comes with a 12 MP camera on the back and an 8 MP camera on the front. It features a 3000mAh battery and offers fast charging support. The Samsung Galaxy S8 is IP68 certified waterproof and dustproof.

Buy Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus comes out into the markets as the larger variant of the Samsung flagship. The plus-sized device has quite a few advantages over the regular variant. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus features a larger display, coming in at 6.2 inches. In addition to that, the phone also features a more powerful battery, coming in at 3500mAh. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus also comes out in a 6GB RAM variant, which is yet to be made available in the US markets. The phone is truly one of the most powerful and best Snapdragon 835 smartphones of 2017.

Buy Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

HTC U11

The HTC U11 is the next smartphone to make up to Best Snapdragon 835 phone list. HTC's latest flagship smartphone of 2017, the HTC U11 came out in the markets earlier this month. The phone is still quite new in the markets, and is being much appreciated for the design that it comes with. The squeezable frame of the HTC U11 has attracted many users, and it continues to be a novelty feature. It runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat OS along with the HTC Sense UI.

One of the best Snapdragon 835 smartphones of the year, The HTC U11 comes out in two variants – one featuring 4GB of RAM along with 64 GB of storage, and another featuring 6 GB of RAM with 128GB of storage space. An Adreno 540 GPU powers the graphics on the phone. The phone also supports expansion via Micro SD card. The HTC U11 features a 12 MP primary camera on the back, and a 16 MP camera on the front. The phone runs on a 3000mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging.

The HTC U11 features a 'squeezable' frame which allows the users to perform certain actions based on the squeeze. This technology is being called the 'Edge Sense' by HTC. A squeeze on the phone's frame can be customized for multiple actions – it can trigger the camera, click pictures, open an app or a game, etc. Imagine the entire phone to be a giant button.

Buy HTC U11

Sony Xperia XZ Premium

Another recent phone, the Sony Xperia XZ Premium went on sales earlier this month. This is the premium version of the Sony Xperia XZ, and comes with many top of the line features. It was announced at the Mobile World Congress event in late February, and has since been one of the best releases from Sony in a long while.

The phone features a 5.5 inched 4K HDR display, which is one of its biggest highlights. The amount of visual detail that this phone offers is immense! The display resolution is that of 3840 x 2160 pixels, easily one of the best displays of the year. The Xperia XZ Premium runs on the Android 7.1 Nougat OS. One of the best Snapdragon 835 smartphones, the latest Sony flagship offers 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of storage space. The storage can be expanded with the help of Micro SD cards.

The graphics on the phone are processed by the Adreno 540 GPU. Talking about the camera of the phone, the Xperia XZ Premium features a 19 MP primary camera and a 13 MP front camera. Sony has always been quite generous when it comes to camera quality, and this time too, the company has produced a masterpiece. It runs on a 3230mAh battery which supports Quick Charge 3.0 technology. In case you are looking for a Sony branded Snapdragon 835 phone, then this is the only option you shall go for.

Buy Sony Xperia XZ Premium

OnePlus 5

The latest smartphone from OnePlus came out to mixed reactions. While many users were expecting that they would be swept off their feet with this one, it was just-another-smartphone for some. The phone, however, is one of the best devices of 2017 if you consider the value for money equation. It runs on the Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS with the OxygenOS on top, offers a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080×1920 pixels.

The phone is out in China and India and is all set to go on sale in the US on the 27th of June. One of the highlights of this smartphone is the fact that it comes out with a powerful, 8GB RAM. This is the first mainstream phone to offer this amount of RAM, which makes it truly special. The OnePlus 5 also comes out into the markets in a 6GB RAM variant. The phone processes graphics with an Adreno 540 GPU.

It offers a 16 MP + 20 MP dual camera on the back, along with a 16 MP camera on the front as well. In addition to this, the OnePlus 5 also features a 3300mAh battery which supports the dash charging technology. This phone is truly one of the best Snapdragon 835 smartphones of the year!

Xiaomi Mi 6

An honorary mention goes to the Xiaomi Mi 6, which was launched earlier this year featuring the Snapdragon 835 processor. The phone runs on 6GB of RAM along with variants of 64 GB and 128 GB of storage. It offers a 5.15 inched full-HD display, as well as dual 12 MP cameras on the back. It is one of the best smartphones of the year but limited international availability is one of the biggest problems that it faces.

Snapdragon 835 Smartphones Coming Soon

As the year progresses, we expect more flagship smartphones to come out with the latest Qualcomm processor. Among these phones, the most notable ones would be the following:

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: The gen-next Samsung Galaxy Note device has been reported to launch late in September. The phone is expected to impress the users and is likely to be the costliest Android device of the year, expected to be priced in at 999 Euros.

Google Pixel 2: Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel XL 2 are all set to come out around October. The phones are currently speculated to run on the Snapdragon 835 processor. These will be the ultimate definition of what an Android device in 2017 is supposed to be like.

LG V30: LG's gen-next V-series smartphone comes out during the IFA 2017, if reports are to be believed. It is likely to be the first phone to run the Android O OS out of the box, and will be powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor.

Source: Best Snapdragon 835 Phones

Android Nokia 8 flagship goes high-end with dual camera and Zeiss optics

Nummela was the product manager overseeing the iconic Nokia 6630 and the 6680 handsets. It appears like the Nokia 8 smartphone will look a lot like the Nokia's recently-launched, mid-range smartphone, the Nokia 5. The smartphone will reportedly come out later this year. Its troubles started with the iPhone and the dawn of the smartphone era. This means that Android O and possibly Android P updates will be available to the phones when time comes.

In short, inertia or a lack of innovation killed Nokia. The new company is now selling a bunch of affordable Nexus-like devices that run a pretty vanilla version of Android, and it's preparing an assault on flagship handsets from Apple, Samsung, and everyone else. Microsoft phased out the Nokia brand so loyal Nokia customers would embrace its Windows phone instead.

That's the same camera brand as powered Nokia handsets of old, and it's already been confirmed that HMD Global (the company behind Nokia's new phones) has partnered with the brand. This follows the speculation of what the new brand by the HMD Global and the Finnish group will be.

The authenticity of this leak is still in question like this "accidental" listing of the HMD flagship smartphone was later taken down, however, the image looks pretty much legit. "What interests me about this video [https://vimeo.com/217476759 ] is that it shows 4 smartphones, but Nokia only sells 3 (none w dual lens)", posted Blass.

Earlier, there was images which were leaked online. HMD Global is expected to unveil the Nokia 8 smartphone on July 31, 2017. Benchmarking apps suggest that the phone would come with QUALCOMM, Inc.

These specifications correspond to high-end phones, increasing the hype surrounding the phone. Also, reports are putting its starting price at about €600, but nothing is certain as the price may differ from country to country.

Source: Android Nokia 8 flagship goes high-end with dual camera and Zeiss optics

Top ten best selling android phones of summer 2017

The market of smartphones in Nigeria is really big, and it only keeps growing. There is a great number of manufacturers that offer quality products, as well as a huge number of models with different specs to fit anybody's needs and requirements. That's why sometimes it is so difficult to choose a phone from such an enormous pool of various options.

If you can't decide, which smartphone would be the best for you, here is a top of the most popular mobile phones in Nigeria that might be interesting for you too.

Buy the latest and hottest phones for the best price on Jiji!

Install the Jiji app to follow the latest trends!

1. Samsung Galaxy S8

This is the latest flagship in the Samsung Galaxy series.

This smartphone is packed with innovative technology, so it will be a bestseller without a doubt. S8 is equipped with 5.8 inch Super-AMOLED display almost completely without edges and even without the trademark home button. It is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 835 and 4 GB of RAM, which make the Android 7.0 Nougat work really smooth. S8 also has 3000 MAh battery with the Fast charging system, fingerprint and Iris sensors and all the other stuff you can find on almost every new smartphone. All these futuristic stuff comes with a pretty futuristic price of around ₦300,000.

2. HTC 10

HTC is a company, known for its quality and innovative approach, that's why their newest flagship is on this list too. HTC 10 has 5.2 inch Super LCD display with a very high density of pixels (554 ppi) and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and 4 GB of RAM. It also has a great camera, suitable for making 4K videos and photos at an extremely low illumination. New Hi-Fi audio system makes this phone great in any and every aspect, which makes its price (around ₦220,000) pretty reasonable.

3. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Presentation of the new Samsung flagship didn't make the old one obsolete. It definitely was ahead of its time, with a great Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 and 4 GB of RAM.

It is almost as great, as previously mentioned HTC! While it might not have had as good camera or audio system, its design is definitely on point, with rounded usable edges that allow quick access to your most used programs. After the announcement of S8, the price for this model has greatly dropped to about ₦190,000.

4. Gionee A1

This phone is oriented on people, who love to make selfies, so it is no wonder that it is on this list. Besides having fairly decent hardware (octa-core Mediatek processor and 4 GB of RAM, 5.5 inch AMOLED display and a 4010 MAh Li-Ion battery), it has 13 MP Sony camera and an incredible 16 MP front camera with appropriately great software. So, if you're a selfie lover too, get this phone right now for around ₦110,000.

5. Tecno Phantom 7

This hottest Tecno smartphone is only about to come out in August, but is already a hit in pre-sales. As always, Tecno suggests a high-quality phone for a relatively affordable price. The newest member of the Phantom family has 5.5 inch FullHD display, awesome Helio X25 processor and 4 GB of RAM. With incredible 21 MP rear camera and full-metal design, it deserves its place among the other flagship phones. You will be able to get this newest piece of technology for about ₦100,000.

6. Infinix Zero 4

Infinix, the closest rival to Tecno in terms of both the price and the quality, also has something to say this season. Zero 4 is basically an updated version of Zero 3, with average 3 GB of RAM and Mediatek MD6753 processor, but great camera with Optical Image Stabilization and Laser Focus. You can get it right now for about ₦90,000.

7. Tecno L9 Plus

Now let's take a look on a couple of more cheap models you will definitely see a lot this summer. Tecno L9 Plus is a phablet that continues the tradition of L8 Plus, with 6 inch FullHD display, 3 GB of RAM and medium-range Mediatek processing unit.

One thing that makes this phone different from all the others is its incredible 5000 MAh battery that will allow you to use it for up to 72 hours!

Buy this Tecno phone for a low price of around ₦75,000.

8. Infinix S2 Pro

This Infinix model has pretty good overall specs (average Mediatek processor, 3 GB of RAM, good 5.5 inches display), but its dual front wide-angle camera is really impressive. If an idea of making panorama selfies gets you excited, grab it right now for about ₦65,000.

9. Tecno Camon CX

This novelty Tecno phone is probably the best camera phone out there (at least, for its price). Average specs (2 GB of RAM, Mediatek chipset, 3200 MAh battery) are totally compensated by 16 MP high-quality front and rear cameras with great 5.5 inch display and awesome software.

If you're into photo shooting, check out this phone for around ₦70,000.

10. Infinix Hot 4

Last, but not least, is the Infinix Hot 3 successor. Overall, it is great middle-range phone, with 5.5 inch display, great 4000 MAh battery, powered by Mediatek MT6580 CPU and 2 GB of RAM.

If you want a great steady-working phone with an original design for a low price - this is just what you need, you can get it for about ₦55,000.

Get the phone you need from a huge choice on Jiji!

Use the Jiji app to shop quickly and easily from anywhere you want!

[Sponsored]

Source: Top ten best selling android phones of summer 2017

Most of them are just ordinary flagship phones – how do you decide which one to choose?

By Violet Chipunza

By Rufaro Madamombe

Hi there, before we go any further, I would really appreciate it if you would drop a comment down below telling me what you think about this topic. This is more of an article which aims to start a discussion so feel free to voice your opinion, even-though you can always do it on any […]

Articles appeared first on Techzim;Most of them are just ordinary flagship phones – how do you decide which one to choose?

Read more here:: Techzim Feed

Source: Most of them are just ordinary flagship phones – how do you decide which one to choose?

The best Android phones at T-Mobile (July 2017)

We're asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we've put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you're in the market for a new smartphone from T-Mobile, this is where you'll want to start. Note that while this is called the "best Android phones" you can purchase this month, it's worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

With that out of the way, let's take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from T-Mobile.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It's not only more powerful and sleek, but it's bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you'd notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the "Edge" variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung's custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung's new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It's not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that's a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

Samsung Galaxy S7

Although it is a year old now, it's certainly worth considering this one in 2017. The price has dropped on them over time, but the specs are still more than enough to get the job done for most users. The hardware and software industry moves quicker than the needs of the average consumer. There's nothing wrong with saving a few bucks on last year's flagship.

Now powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S7 draws strength from Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors with 4GB of memory. With a 5.1-inch display at 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, the handset employs a 3,000mAh battery with support for fast wireless charging. Offered in multiple colors, the phone is also IP68 rated for protection against water and dust.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it's still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan's dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it's smaller and only occupies a small section, it's right where you'll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you'll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

Go Unlocked

One of the benefits of T-Mobile being a GSM service provider is that you can bring just about any unlocked smartphone to its network. Moreover, many of the top devices being offered in 2017 are sold in an unlocked capacity. You might have to purchase directly through the handset maker or another retailer, but you are by no means restricted when it comes to choice.

EDITOR NOTE: Where applicable, this article contains content that found on other shopping guides.
Source: The best Android phones at T-Mobile (July 2017)

What we know: The Nokia 8 smartphone

Nokia took the smartphone world by storm at Mobile World Congress in February, thanks to the unlikely resurrection of the 3310.

Yes, it lasts for ages and yes, you can play Snake on it, but a reimagined dumbphone isn't the flagship we were really after, is it? A selection of mid-range Android handsets didn't exactly set tongues wagging either, but we might not have long to wait until Nokia breaks out the big guns.

That's right: a flagship Nokia is in the works. If you're curious what rumours are whirling around online, or just want to know the facts, here's everything we've seen and heard about the upcoming Nokia 8.

WHEN WILL THE NOKIA 8 BE OUT?

The summer months are typically drier than the desert when it comes to smartphone launches, but the latest rumours suggest that Nokia is on track to break that trend with its upcoming flagship.

According to Winfuture.de, the Nokia 8 will be officially revealed on the 31st of July.

That would leave enough of a gap between the 8's arrival and the inevitable Samsung Galaxy Not e8 launch in August, iPhone 8 in September and the Google Pixel 2 in October.

WHAT WILL THE NOKIA 8 LOOK LIKE?

If there's one thing we can be fairly certain of, it's what the Nokia 8 will look like. That's because Nokia has an established design which has already shown up in the less expensive Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6.

That means a mix of aluminium and glass, with minimal lines and angles. Expect metal shades, rather than colourful hues, with at least four colour choices mentioned so far: "blue", "steel", "gold/blue" and "gold/copper". 

Around the back, there'll be at least one camera - although a dual camera setup has been rumoured for a while. That would certainly put it on par with the gaggle of dual-cam phones currently doing the rounds.

HOW MUCH POWER WILL THE NOKIA 8 PACK?

If Nokia wants its latest phone to be treated as a full-on flagship, it's got to have the right internal hardware - so you can expect a Snapdragon 835 to be running the show. It's the quickest chip you'll find ina phone right now, and all signs point to it finding a home inside the Nokia 8. 

RAM won't be quite so copious, though, with the latest rumours pointing to 4GB instead of 6 or 8GB like you'll find in a OnePlus 5. However, with Nokia's hands-off approach to Android, a stock OS won't need huge amounts of memory to keep your apps running smoothly. 4GB seems like a sensible middle ground to us.

Other rumours suggest 64GB of on-board storage and dual SIM card slots, but there's no word on whether microSD expansion will also make the cut. Battery capacity is an unknown at this point too.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I SHOULD KNOW?

Nokia recently announced a renewed partnership with Zeiss optics, which can only mean good things for the Nokia 8's rear camera. Little is known about it so far, but we're expecting that signature Zeiss logo to make an appearance somewhere.

The screen is expected to top out at 5.7in, making it more of a hand-filler than other top-end phones, with a 2K resolution that will bring it up to par with the rest of the high-end Android crowd. OLED panels have been rumoured, but nothing is confirmed just yet.

Other extras that might make the cut include iris scanner security, just like Samsung's Galaxy S8, IP68 waterproofing and  OZO audio. This is Nokia's 3D sound recording and playback tech that was built specifically for VR - suggesting that the Nokia 9 will arrive with the 4 microphones needed to make it work, and support for VR footage shot on the company's high-end OZO 360-degree video cameras.

Source: What we know: The Nokia 8 smartphone

LG V20: Possibly the last flagship with a removable battery is now available in Malaysia

Before LG introduces its new V30 flagship smartphone, the previous LG V20 is finally available in Malaysia with official warranty. Despite being last year's flagship, the LG V20 is still quite a compelling device under RM2,000 as it gets a dual-camera system with a wide-angle option along with a secondary display on top.

Announced a month after the Galaxy Note7, the LG V20 was the first smartphone to come with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. With waterproofing becoming a standard these days, it is likely that this could be the last LG flagship smartphone to come with a removable battery.

To recap on the specs, the LG V20 comes with a 5.7″ Quad HD IPS display and it has a secondary 2.1″ ticker screen for notification and shortcuts that pushes 1040×160 pixels resolution. It runs on a Snapdragon 820 processor that's mated to 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of onboard storage. It also accepts microSD card expansion up to 2TB.

Over at the back, the LG V20 has two cameras, one 16MP f/1.8 for normal shots and a secondary 8MP f/2.4 for wide-angle photos. It also comes with a 5MP f/1.9 front-shooter for selfies. For steadier shots, there is EIS (Electronic Image Stabilisation) as well as DIS (Digital Image Stabilisation) assistance.

The LG V20 is also a multimedia powerhouse with 32-bit ESS Hi-Fi Quad DAC and it even comes with manual controls with LCF (Low Cut Filter) for better audio recording. Also bundled is a pair of B&O earphones.

The phablet is juiced up by a 3,200mAh removable battery and it charges via USB Type-C. The LG V20 is officially priced at RM1,999 in Malaysia and you can get it slightly cheaper from some retailers online.

If you have RM2,000 to spare, would you get this or the honor 8 Pro? Let us know in the comments below.

[ SOURCE ]

Related

Source: LG V20: Possibly the last flagship with a removable battery is now available in Malaysia