360 N4S smartphone specs may include 6GB of RAM

Back in May, we told you about a handset called the 360 N4. It appears the company already has a follow-up underway in the 360 N4S smartphone, which is just leaked with some very impressive specifications.

You may not be familiar with 360 brand of smartphone as the Chinese manufacturer is far from a brand name. Their last smartphone was a bit of a surprise, and it's safe to say the same holds true for the 360 N4S. It's another handset that walks the fine line between a mid-ranger and flagship, although it leans more towards the latter…

The 360 N4S smartphone will be in the phablet class thanks to a spacious 5.5-inch panel sporting a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. That's not quite on the flagship level for most folks, and the same can be said of the processor which is listed as a Snapdragon 652. That said, they are both more than sufficient but a little puzzling given the rest of the 360 N4S smartphone specs.

Beneath that slab of glass, you'll find a whopping 6GB of RAM to go along with 64GB of internal storage. We don't know if that will be expandable, but you'll have plenty of space out of the box regardless. It will have a 4,920mAh battery and run Android 6.0 as well. Other rumored features may include a fingerprint scanner and a dual-camera setup on its backside.

The 360 N4S smartphone is set to be shown off on July 15th which is right around the corner. With an expected price tag of around 1,499 Yuan or $225, it would be one of the more powerful devices in its class if that price tag holds up.

Would you be interested in the 360 N4S smartphone if the price and specifications prove true?

via – Gizchina

Read more about: Mobile Phones  

Source: 360 N4S smartphone specs may include 6GB of RAM

OnePlus 3: Prices and specs for the flagship killer

OnePlus has unveiled its latest flagship-killing smartphone, the OnePlus 3.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2013, the Chinese firm has delivered three phones - the original OnePlus; successor the OnePlus 2 and the OnePlus X – and gained a reputation for delivering high-spec handsets at a fraction of the price of its big-name rivals.

The phone works on the exact same ethos and while the price is up, it is still punching above its weight. Here are the details.

Design

The OnePlus 3 has a large, slate form factor with a refreshed backplate and camera module - a large, square-shaped bump similar to that of the HTC One M9, although the LED flash is housed underneath.

Antenna bands loop around the top and bottom of the rear and the backplate tapers into curves at the edges. It's a metal casing, with long, thin, pill-shaped buttons running down the sides. Around the front is a full glass design, with the home button embedded into the bottom. Overall, it's 0.29ins thick, and weighs 5.5oz. The only colour option for now is graphite silver, although a soft gold will be available soon.

Display

Screen size stays at an iPhone 6S Plus-rivalling 5.5ins, with a 1080p full HD AMOLED panel and 401ppi. According to PC Advisor, OnePlus claims it looks better in terms of contrast and colour.

The Guardian has had a hands-on and says the screen is "vibrant, with inky blacks and excellently white whites". While the specs can't match the quality of more expensive Android flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S7, nor is the picture quality the sharpest in a VR headset, most buyers will be satisfied.

Camera

As predicted by Alphr, the OnePlus 3 gets a 16-megapixel main camera, with an eight-megapixel selfie lens in front.

The main camera is a Sony sourced sensor and gets optical and electronic image stabilisation, as well as phase detection autofocus. It can shoot videos in 4K quality and snap pictures in RAW format, too. The font-facing camera records video in 1080p quality at 30fps and comes with "Smile Capture", which takes photos automatically via facial detection. 

The Guardian adds that the camera hardware is by no stretch of the imagination the best around, but "it's still up there".

TechRadar pitted the OnePlus 3's camera up against what it says is the best lens on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S7, in a direct head-to-head to see if the 16-megapixel snapper can compete with the thoroughly optimised 12-megapixel setup of its far more expensive rival.

It concludes that while the OnePlus 3's camera isn't of the standard of Galaxy S7, it is "easily the second best Android camera around". In terms of raw performance, it boasts rapid autofocus capabilities and very nearly matches the S7 in good lighting conditions.

It is when things get dark that the camera's weaknesses are exposed – shooting pictures in dim conditions is still something that should be left to the more expensive phones, says the site.

Software

The OnePlus 3 comes with OxygenOS 3.1.2, the company's customised version of Android 6.0.1, but the user interface is very similar to stock Android.

Recombu likes that and points out several tips and tricks users can do. Flicking right brings up the "Shelf", a customisable hub for your favourite apps, contacts and widgets, it says, and you can also play with the layout of the buttons used for navigating menus, swapping home for the back button, for example. There's also a dark mode, which changes the colour scheme from mostly white to black, as well as a set of gestures you can set up and modify to access certain features while the phone is sleeping.

Hardware

In terms of hardware, the phone gets a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, placing it on par with flagship rivals the LG G5 and Samsung Galaxy S7. However, it's mated to 6GB RAM, which is more than you'll find in many of its expensive rivals. In terms of power, "there's no performance issues or hiccups", and The Verge says – it's a fast, responsive device that can handle multiple tasks with ease.

Other hardware additions include a fingerprint scanner and an NFC chip, so the OnePlus 3 is Android Pay compliant. It comes with a 3,000mAh battery, mated to patented Dash Charge technology – the battery can be filled to 60 per cent in just 30 minutes.

There's no expandable storage – the device is locked to 64GB internal memory – but there are dual-SIM capabilities. A USB-C port sits on the bottom of the handset.

Price and verdict 

Available right now, the OnePlus 3 can be bought through OnePlus for £309. That represents a price hike over the OnePlus 2, which was £289 at release, but is considerably cheaper than many flagships out there: the Galaxy S7 Edge comes in at £639 and the iPhone 6S Plus starts from £619.

Summing up, the Guardian says the phone isn't quite the "flagship killer" it claims to be, but is still very good and for the price, users will get a beautiful device with snappy performance.

Wired is also impressed and says the OnePlus 3 is "almost perfect". It adds: "We challenge anyone who currently has an iPhone not to be impressed with this device."

Alphr gives the phone five stars out of five, saying it feels like a quality item: "If you gave this to me and blanked out the logo, I'd guess it was a far more expensive handset, closer to £600 than £309."

With its "killer combination of price, performance, and design", there are very few phones on the market that can match it, it concludes.

In their review, TechRadar says "the OnePlus 3 is excellent" and that despite the price hike, it's still cheap enough to keep the more established names on their toes.

"There are a few shortcomings, but some compromises are essential in a US$399/£309 smartphone with this level of spec," it says. Nor does it find the compromises massively limiting factors. The site likes the OnePlus 3's powerful credentials and says that despite the display being a 1080p unit in a world of smartphones now using Quad HD panels, the AMOLED screen provides vibrant colours.

However, the lack of expandable storage, locking users to the 64GB base, plus a camera that, while not a poor offering, aren't as strong as OnePlus promises. But while the OnePlus 3 isn't quite a no-brainer, it's definitely worth considering.

How does it compare to the OnePlus 2?

The OnePlus 3 arrives less than a year after the OnePlus 2 first went on sale in Europe so comparing the two is interesting given the proximity of their launches. Does the new kid on the block move the game on significantly enough to warrant upgrading?

Stuff highlights the design as one of most improved areas, saying the newer phone plays up much more to the firm's flagship-killer standards. The sleek, aluminium unibody casing offers a premium feeling and while not something that could drive an upgrade alone, the new look grabs attention, it adds.

The leap from LCD technology to an OLED display is welcome, the site continues, but comes with no change in the overall size of the screen nor improvements in resolution. While the new display tech makes for deeper blacks and some energy savings, overall it's not a huge reason to upgrade. Nor does it feel that the performance of the new phone, while faster, is enough to warrant a move.

However, Stuff feels the camera marks a big improvement and if that is high on your list, the 16 megapixels of the OnePlus 3 definitely outsmarts the 13-megapixel sensor found on the older phone. The eight-megapixel selfie camera is "no slouch, either".

Overall, considering the value the two phones represent, the site finds it hard to recommend upgrading right now, concluding that the improvements on the OnePlus 3 are "meaningful" and make it the one to go for if you're new to OnePlus phones, but that OnePlus 2 owners should wait it out until 2017 to see how the company can top its current efforts.

New models soon?

New versions could be on the way soon, if leaks picked up by Trusted Reviews are accurate. The site has pictures of a never-seen-before red model accidentally posted on the Chinese language version of OnePlus's website.

The listing has since been taken down, but it's expected that the red version could launch later on this year, possibly to complement the gold version already confirmed.

Thinking ahead, TechRadar points out what it wants to see on next year's OnePlus 4, saying that in order to make an impression, OnePlus will have to step its display game up further, by offering a cut-price phone with a quad HD AMOLED display on par with the likes of the Galaxy S7.

It may be necessary – smartphone virtual reality headsets are growing in popularity and phones with the best display technologies stand to gain the most by offering the crispest experiences. Rumours are thin for now, but it should arrive around mid-2017. 

OnePlus 3: Fans get free VR headset for launch

24 May

Chinese smartphone-maker OnePlus will unveil its next device, the OnePlus 3, through a free virtual reality headset - with 30,000 Loop VR viewers going to fans.

According to the Telegraph, OnePlus is known for making Android devices with "relatively high specs" and significantly smaller price tags than many well-established phones. Its OnePlus 2, which was also revealed through a virtual reality event, is priced from just £239.00, some £220 less than an iPhone 6.

No date has been set for the launch event, but the headsets won't ship until 6 June. Fans tuning in will see the phone unveiled onboard a virtual spaceship.

Early details about the phone suggest the display could get a big upgrade. At present, the OnePlus 2 makes use of an LCD unit with 1080p resolution. However, serial smartphone leaker Evan Bliss says the OnePlus 3 will get a new OLED panel. He adds that a 3,000mAh battery is also on the cards.

TechRadar reports there will be two versions of the budget smartphone, one making use of 4GB RAM while the other will be on par with the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 6, featuring a huge 6GB RAM. Both will be mated to a Snapdragon 820 processor.

Other introductions listed by the site include an all new design, a 16-megapixel rear camera and an eight-megapixel front-facing lens. The OnePlus 3 should also get an NFC chip for contactless payment.

Prices are expected to be in line with the firm's current offering at around the £240 mark.

Source: OnePlus 3: Prices and specs for the flagship killer

Xiaomi Mi 5 vs OnePlus 3: Battle of the flagship challengers

Written by Shruti Dhapola | Updated: July 3, 2016 7:46 pm OnePlus 3 or Xiaomi Mi 5: Here's our comparison of the two flagship challengers.

The flagship smartphone has become more affordable. Companies like OnePlus and Xiaomi have made it possible to get high-end specs, great performance, at more reasonable prices.

While Apple and Samsung will still cost you north of Rs 40,000 for premium smartphones, the Indian market now has several options in the under Rs 30,000 bracket which deliver stunning performance. Two phones that have managed to grab headlines in recent times are the Xiaomi Mi 5 and the newly launched OnePlus 3.

Xiaomi's Mi 5 comes with 3GB RAM/32 GB in India and is priced at Rs 24,999; the OnePlus 3 has 6GB RAM+64GB storage and costs Rs 27,999. Both come with the latest Snapdragon 820 processor.

So which phone is the one to go for under Rs 30,000? Xiaomi Mi 5 or OnePlus 3? Here's our comparison

Watch our video review of OnePlus 3 

Design, Display

Mi 5: When it comes to design, Xiaomi has done an outstanding job. The 5.15-inch display means it will appeal to all those who love more compact phones. The curved 3D glass back, metal frame on the side, are all plus points. But what really stands out with Mi 5 is that Xiaomi has managed to keep this phone incredibly thin and light.  The display, which has a full HD resolution, is also impressive.

The camera unit on the back doesn't jut out like with other flagships. However, the glossy back means Mi 5 is prone to slipping, and you should get a cover for this.

OnePlus 3: With OnePlus 3, that iconic sandstone finish is gone and instead what you get is a full-metal unibody design.

As we noted in our review, OnePlus 3 is stylish and does look like an an HTC flagship. It is also one of the thinner devices in this segment (7.4mm). It has a square camera module in the rear with the LED flash behind and a special notifications toggle as well. OnePlus 3 sticks out with the 1080p resolution for display, just like the Mi 5.

Our pick: Mi 5 for its incredibly light body, which doesn't compromise on specs

Watch our video review of Xiaomi Mi 5 

Performance, Software

Mi 5: Mi 5 in India comes with the Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 1.8 Ghz coupled with 3GB RAM/32GB storage. Mi 5 doesn't support expandable storage. In benchmark tests, Mi 5 is among the top phones and can handle gaming, multi-tasking quite easily. However, the one issue we faced with Mi 5 was over-heating, sometimes with camera, and during gaming.

MIUI 7 on Android 6 is also far from perfect, with features like Google Now on Tap missing from the phone. Xiaomi can do better on the software front to solve many of these issues. Let's not forget MIUI 8 stable build is promised by August 16 in India.

OnePlus 3: OnePlus 3 comes with 6GB RAM, Snapdragon 820 clocked at 2.15Ghz and where performance goes this one can handle anything you throw at it: Heavy-duty gaming, multitasking, etc.

We've not faced any heating issues with the OnePlus 3 in our review, and we noted this was important, given how the OnePlus 2 was prone to heating issues. OnePlus 3 runs Android 6.0 with Oxygen OS version 3, which is pretty much stock Android, and might appeal to some users who don't like customised skins. However, the company has done some tweaks to improve the user experience significantly.

Our Pick: OnePlus 3, as so far it has managed to keep cool.

Camera

Mi 5: Mi 5 comes with a 16 megapixel rear camera with 4-axis OIS and a 4 Ultrapixel camera on the front for selfies. Mi 5's camera performs quite well, both in well-lit up situations and in low-light, although we faced issues when it came to focusing on some objects with this camera.

As we said in our review, Mi 5's camera is good enough to use when you're out dining with friends at night and the results won't disappoint. The selfie camera is also quite good.

OnePlus 3 Camera Sample.

OnePlus 3: Camera is where OnePlus has managed to set the bar on what a great mid-range Android phone can offer and OnePlus 3 delivers really well.  Low-light shots, outdoor pictures, colour reproduction: OnePlus 3 gets it right on all accounts.

We had said in our review, the kind of detail available on this phone's camera is incredible, and puts it right there next to the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge or the LG G5, which is great considering the price-tag.

Our pick: OnePlus 3 is the winner when it comes to camera

Sample shot from Xiaomi Mi 5.

Battery

Mi 5: Mi 5 has 3000 mAh battery, which should easily last a day's usage. The smartphone supports Quick-charge 2.0 in India and has a Type-C USB port for charging. We've used this one with a 3G and 4G SIM and the battery has lasted all day.

OnePlus 3: OnePlus 3 has a 3000 mAh battery as well, and it lasted 12 hours for us, with heavy usage and 4G SIMs in both slots. And yes, like the Mi 5, OnePlus 3 supports Type-C USB charging

Our pick: Both are evenly matched on the battery side.

Conclusion

Xiaomi Mi 5, priced at Rs 24,999 has a solid performance to offer and comes in a stunning design. For those who like compact smartphones, this one fits the bill. However, our major concern with Mi 5 is the buggy software.

With OnePlus 3, the camera is outstanding and the phone has 6GB RAM and 64GB storage to offer. But do note, OnePlus 3 is the pricier option of the two.

© The Indian Express Online Media Pvt Ltd

Source: Xiaomi Mi 5 vs OnePlus 3: Battle of the flagship challengers

Yu Yunicorn review: Sleek choice for multi-taskers

Fueling the fire in the most popular Rs 8,000-Rs 15,000 smartphone segment in the country, Micromax sub-brand Yu has come up with its flagship device Yunicorn — the best designed Yu device so far.

Yunicorn is in for some real competition here. Priced at Rs 13,499, the 5.50-inch touchscreen display device running Android 5.1 lollipop operating system (which Yu calls "Android on Steroids"), the device is in direct fight with Xiaomi Mi Max (Rs 14,999), Moto G4 Plus (Rs. 14,999) and the LeEco Le 2 (Rs. 11,999) game-changer.

Let us see what works for the device.

Yunicorn features a full HD IPS 5.5-inch ultra-thin bezel display with 2.5D curved glass. The smartphone is powered by a 1.8Ghz Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor paired with 4GB of RAM.

Once in the hand, it feels robust. Not very slim at 8.5 mm and weighing a bit over 170 grams (it will give you a pure phablet feel), the future ready, all-metal body device — made up of magnesium, aluminium and manganese alloy — is well-crafted with an aesthetic touch.

The device offers 32GB onboard memory and 32GB space on "social drive". The memory on the phone can be expanded by a 128GB microSD card.

The touch response was fairly good. The fingerprint sensor unlocked the phone really fast (which is not the case with many smartphones in the sub-Rs 15,000 category).

The device is equipped with a 13MP rear camera with LED flash and a five-element lens with electronic image stabilisation (EIS) – a technology that uses electronic processing to control image stability and cut blurring. The picture quality was superb.

There is also a 5MP front shooter for selfie lovers.

YU claims that the phone can run for four days in a single charge with its 4,000 mAh battery. And it lasted for nearly two days with moderate usage and almost a day with gaming and video watching.

Yunicorn has minor tweaks in the stock Android, including a vertical app drawer and a monochrome mode for reading and extending battery life.

The company had promised an upgrade to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow during its launch on May 31. It will be coming soon.

The 8.5mm thick smartphone accepts dual-SIM (Nano-SIM, Hybrid) and the "Around Yu" services platform have been upgraded to v2.0.

Under the upgrade, the company has partnered with partnerships with Ixigo, Ola and Uber for cab services.

A new feature "Lybrate" is also integrated to help find a doctor and with Scandid for comparison-shopping.

The company also unveiled the Yu Wallet, which will be used to make payments. The Yunicorn comes with Rs 400 in the Yu Wallet.

Another new feature on the device is the smart gallery called Mi Gallery.

This feature lets a user share a set of photos with contacts and the photos can also come on home screen as dynamic wallpaper slideshow.

What does not work for the device:

The all-metal body gets heated while gaming or during high-use. Although a regular problem with most metal-body devices, we think someone, somewhere will soon find a solution to this.

The device lacks an FM radio and Near Field Communications (NFC) feature which allows portable devices to pass data from one device to another by touching them or putting them very close together.

Verdict: For multi-taskers, this is a good device. While you are spoilt for choice in the sub-Rs 15,000 segment, Yunicorn will not disappoint you.

Please Wait while comments are loading...

Source: Yu Yunicorn review: Sleek choice for multi-taskers

LeEco Le 2: A camera centric Android smartphone for photography lovers!

Over the years, smartphones have become a gadget users do not step out of home without. Be it on a day-out or for a party with friends or your vacation time, smartphones have become people's companion, more so to capture memories with their loved ones.

Therefore, when new smartphones are announced these days, details around its camera quality and related specs are usually described upfront. The ever-growing trend of clicking pictures on smartphones is true for markets across the globe and can also be validated by industry data.

SEE ALSO: Lenovo, Xiaomi Slash Smartphone Prices in India to compete with LeEco Le 2

As per a research by Pew Research Center survey, 92% of smartphone users use their phones to take pictures and 80% people send their pictures elsewhere after they're snapped, all on-the-go! Therefore, camera specs have become a top feature that smartphones buyers nowadays look out for.

LeEco's second generation Superphone Le 2, with its compelling features and superlative camera specs stands out in the otherwise cluttered smartphones market and has won the hearts of users, evident from the over-whelming response it got on its first flash sale.

SEE ALSO: LeEco Le Max2 Claims to be the Best Snapdragon 820 Smartphone

Le 2 comes equipped have PDAF (phase detection auto focus) feature that enables fast focusing on the image and flaunts a 16M PDAF primary camera that lets users click visibly better images with vibrant and true-to-life colours.

Also, since the, "Selfie culture" which still continues to grow, the power of the rear camera has shifted to the front camera, thus making it one of the most important USPs that users consider while buying a smartphone. LeEco's Le 2 comes equipped with a front camera of 8MP making the superphone an amazing option to consider while buying a phone!

Le 2 has an In-Cell display screen which is usually featured with overpriced phones. The screen's blue light filter helps reduce eye fatigue, while at the same time, the in-cell screen allows devices to be thinner and lighter.

Here's a quick look at what Le 2 offers in terms of camera specs -- Flash: Dual LED- Enhanced beauty mode for natural looking selfies- Takes 0.09s to focus because of the Phase detection, auto focus because of PDAF, which allows accurate and super-fast calculation of lens position to enable crisp and fast focusing- 4K recording, Slow motion recording- Two tone flash for the perfect color temperature

Adding to this is Le 2's full metal unibody which feels solid and gives it the look and feel of a premium flagship smartphone. It weighs 153g which is less than what an average 5.5-inch smartphone weighs.

The design and build of the device are one of its highlights and can easily rival any high-end smartphone. The phone offers a 5.5-inch Full HD display, making it a delight for users!

With these supreme features, LeEco's Le 2, priced at Rs 11,999, is surely a game changer in the industry!

For people who missed June 28th flash sale, LeEco is coming up with yet another opportunity for them. The flash sale for both of its second generation Superphones Le 2 and Le Max2 will be on July 5th, and the registrations for them are already underway! The Flash Sale for Le 2 and Le Max2 are at 12 noon and 2PM respectively on both LeMall, LeEco's own ecommerce marketplace, and Flipkart.

Source: LeEco Le 2: A camera centric Android smartphone for photography lovers!

Report: Specs leak out for HTC-built 'Marlin' Nexus phone

HTC has a reputation for making good hardware, which makes the newest Nexus phones worth looking forward to.

Credit: Jason Cross

The latest fish tale involving Nexus devices tells us about a giant Marlin that may soon rule the Android sea.

A new report offers specs about what should be the bigger of the upcoming pair of Nexus phones to be built in partnership with HTC. 

Quad-core, Qualcomm processor (specific chip not detailed)

5.5-inch quad HD (2560x1440) AMOLED display

USB-C port

12MP rear camera, 8MP front

Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner

4GB of RAM

3450 mAh battery

Bottom-facing speakers

32 and 128GB of storage options

Bluetooth 4.2

In essence, the specs are very similar to the "Sailfish model" with the exception of the screen size, battery, and resolution (5-inch 1080p screen, and 2770 mAh battery for the smaller model). 

With detailed specs this early, we're bound to see some leaks at some point before Google makes an official announcement. So stay tuned as the rumor mill gets churning.

Why this matters: For Android purists, Nexus phones are the enshrinement of smartphone perfection. No carrier or manufacturer bloatware, updates directly from Google, and no carrier lock-in. HTC has a reputation for making good hardware, though the camera capability hasn't been as impressive compared to other OEMs. That could be the key differentiator as to whether these Nexus phones will be worth an upgrade or if you should look around elsewhere.

For comprehensive coverage of the Android ecosystem, visit Greenbot.com.

Derek Walter

Derek Walter is a freelance technology writer based in Northern California. He is the author of Learning MIT App Inventor, a hands-on guide to building your own Android apps.More by Derek Walter

Subscribe to the Best of PCWorld Newsletter Thank you

Your message has been sent.

Sorry

There was an error emailing this page.

Source: Report: Specs leak out for HTC-built 'Marlin' Nexus phone

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 To Feature Iris Retina Scanner

We're coming close to the unveiling of Samsung's upcoming flagship, the Note 7, and the leaks for it are flowing in too.

One of the latest leaks by @onleaks, there is an image of the touch panel of the upcoming Note 7.

This image confirms that the panel is going to be a dual-curved panel. Moreover the panel has multiple cut-outs on the top, which, as Android Authority states can be for the Iris scanners. Moreover Samsung has also removed its branding from the top of the smartphone to make room for the scanners.

Iris scanners can be used to unlock your smartphone with the use of the front camera. It offers an advanced level of face detection, where it scans the eyes to make sure that they are of the smartphone owner.

Samsung had recently touted their Iris scanning in the Galaxy Tab Iris for government and enterprises in India last month scans for use in biometric identification.

Other rumours for the upcoming Note 7 include a 5.8-inch Quad HD dual-edge Super AMOLED panel, 6GB of RAM, an improved 12-megapixel camera with dual-PDAF, and a 4,000mAh battery.

Source: Samsung Galaxy Note 7 To Feature Iris Retina Scanner