Advertisement

LG Q7 Android One Edition in Works for the U.S.

The Motorola Moto X4 available on Project Fi from 2017 and the newly unveiled Nokia 6.1 smartphones are few Android devices are available in the U.S. Fresh information reveals that LG is prepping an Android One variant of the Q7 smartphone for the U.S.

According to XDA Developers, the LG Q7 Android One edition would be exclusively available through T-Mobile in the U.S. The evidence of an unidentified LG Android One phone along with its model number was found through the kernel source code of the LG Stylo 4 that will be launching in the U.S. tomorrow.

The source code of the device includes terms like “mcv5a”, “tmo”, “us” and “sprout.”. It has been confirmed through the Google’s list of Play certified devices that “cv5a” is the model number of LG Q7 that was launched recently and terms “tmo” and “us” suggest that it is a T-Mobile device heading to U.S.

Lastly, “sprout” codename is always used for an Android One device. Hence, the newly spotted LG device seems to be Android One edition of LG Q7.

The source code has also revealed some of the key specs of the alleged LG Q7 Android One phone. It has been found that the handset features a 5.5-inch 18:9 LCD display that supports FHD+ resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels. The Snapdragon 450 is present under the hood of the phone. Other specs of the phone include Android 8.1 Oreo, NFC, USB-C, Hi-Fi ES9218P audio DAC borrowed from LG V30 and 3,000mAh battery. The handset lacks a fingerprint reader.

LG Q7

Read More: LG Q8+ Appears On A KCC Listing In Two Variants

As of this writing, there is no information on the pricing and availability of the LG Q7 Android One smartphone.

(source)

Unidentified Xiaomi Phone Receive FCC Approval

Xiaomi has recently released the Mi 8, Mi 8 Explorer Edition, Mi 8 SE, Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A smartphones in China and it is slated to unleash the Mi Max 3 phone in July. A recent report has revealed that the company may debut Redmi 6 Pro and Mi Pad 4 alongside the Mi Max 3. Apart from these devices, two new Xiaomi models have been certified by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the U.S. The listings reveal that these devices are running on MIUI 9.

The model numbers of the two Xiaomi devices that have been certified by FCC agency are M1804C3DG and M1804C3CG. It appears these could be the two variants of an upcoming Xiaomi phone.

The listing reveals that the device is loaded with MIUI 9 and carries support for Bluetooth 4.2 LE and Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n. FCC documents also suggest that the device may arrive in 32 GB storage + 3 GB RAM and 64 GB storage + 4 GB RAM variants. This indicates that the M1804C3DG/M1804C3CG could be a mid-range phone. As of this writing, there is no information available on the identity of the newly spotted Xiaomi devices.

Read More: Xiaomi Removes Key Feature From Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A

The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 that is expected to debut soon has a model number of M1807E8S. A recent report has revealed that the model number of the forthcoming Mi Pad 4 tablet is M1806D9W. Also, the rumored Redmi 6 Pro phone has a model number of M1805D1SE. Since the M1804C3DG/M1804C3CG model numbers does not seem to belong to Mi Max 3, Mi Pad 4 or Redmi 6 Pro, there is a possibility that those devices could be the two variants of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi A2 Android One phone or some other Xiaomi device.

(source 1, 2|via)

8848 M5 Titanium Luxury Phone Certified By TENAA With Dual Displays

8848 is a Chinese company known for releasing very expensive and original luxury phones. The latest handset released by the Chinese company is the M4 Titanium, one of the most refined smartphones in terms of aesthetics. It features a titanium alloy, head layer cowhide, a sapphire glass for the display, ceramic and more.

8848 m5 titanium

Now it looks like this device released in 2017 has a successor. A new handset dubbed 8848 M5 Titanium has just been certified by TENAA. The Chinese regulatory handset has published the images and the main specs of the upcoming flagship. It is not so different from its predecessor as it retains its hexagonal form factor as well as a leather back and a dual display. The main display is a TFT panel with a size of 5.65 inches and a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2016 pixels, while the secondary display is placed on the back — it is circular and it resembles a watch.

 

RELATED: The 8848 Titanium is a Phone for The One Percenters

 

Indeed, the M4 is able to show time and the most important notifications on the back. 8845 M5 comes with a quad-core SoC running at a frequency of 2 GHz, 6 or 8 GB of RAM and 128 or 256 GB of internal storage depending on the configuration. It also packs a 16 MP main camera, a 12 MP camera, Android 8.1 Oreo and a 3450 mAh battery.

 

LG Q8+ Appears On A KCC Listing In Two Variants

The Q-series of LG is composed of devices which can be defined as affordable variants of its major flagships. The first devices of the line-up are Q6 and Q8 which are, respectively, cheap versions of the G6 and V20. Recently, the South Korean company launched the Q7 trio to offer cheap alternatives to people who can not afford its latest flagship G7. Now, it seems that it is readying the LG Q8+, which is expected to come as an affordable version of the V30. Earlier this month, the handset surfaced on a KCC listing (the Korean equivalent of the American FCC) in two variant identified by the codenames LM-Q815S and LM-Q815L.

Now the name of the handset has popped up again on a list of devices which support Google Play confirming its existence. The listing mentions LG Q8+ and its codename cv7an in the modding community. The first of the two variants has also been certified by Wi-Fi Alliance. However, despite these sightings, specs of the handset hasn’t been revealed. So, at the moment, the only thing we can do is recap the main specs of the original Q8 which is a high-end handset even though it is more affordable than devices from the G and V-series.

 

RELATED: Samsung Galaxy S10, LG G8 Could be Equipped with Sound-Emitting Screen

 

The original LG Q8 has a full metal unibody design and an IP67 certification making it dustproof and water-resistant (up to 1m for 30 mins). It has a main display with a size of 5.2 inches and a Quad HD resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, as well as a secondary Always On display to show notifications with a 1.8-inch size and a resolution of 160 x 1040 pixels. Under the hood, it has a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. It even sports a wide-angle dual camera with a 16 MP resolution.

(source, via)

Latest Vivo X21 Update Improves In Display Fingerprint Recognition

After the X20 Plus UD, the Vivo X21 is the second Vivo’s smartphone to feature an in-display fingerprint reader. Thanks to a very innovative chip released by Synaptics, if you own this phone you can unlock it through fingerprint recognition by simply touching the display. So, the sensor is embedded right into the display as there is no space for a Home key due to the full bezel-less design. However, in-display fingerprint readers are slower and less efficient than the traditional fingerprint readers which often put them at an operational disadvantage.

vivo x21

A new update which has just been rolled out on the Vivo X21 is now improving the fingerprint reader experience by making it safer and more efficient. According to the official changelog released, the new update will improve the fingerprint reader processing logic, improving the security and efficiency of the authentication process. The improvements to the fingerprint reader are not the only ones implemented through this new update of Funtouch OS (the customized Android fork made by Vivo). With this update, the company has added sticky notes and made some optimizations to the driving mode making it more user friendly.

 

RELATED: OPPO Find X to Rival Vivo NEX with a Full Screen Design, Teaser Confirms!

 

Further, the update brings Funmoji, a set of customized emojis working through AR. In a similar way to Apple’s Animoji, the user can create emojis based on its facial expressions. The update rolled out on Vivo X21 also contains optimizations to the system layout and to the icons’ priority in the status bar. There are also some improvements with regards to the system resource scheduling mechanism and the system stability and efficiency. Given its size, we suggest you to download the update while you are connected to a Wi-Fi network.

(via)

Samsung Will Launch Galaxy Note 9 512GB Storage Variant In Select Markets

Samsung, after launching Galaxy S9 series flagship smartphone earlier this year, is now gearing up to launch the next-generation Note series flagship — Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Earlier, there were reports claiming that the company could launch a 512GB internal storage model of the Galaxy Note 9.

Now, the latest report suggests that the 512GB internal storage model will be exclusive to the South Korean and Chinese markets only in the initial phase. However, the report adds that the company could launch the variant in other regions at a later date.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Render

Currently, it’s not known if the company plans to make any other change in the phone’s specs apart from the storage capacity. If not, then the Galaxy Note 9’s top-end model with 512GB onboard storage could come with 6GB or 8GB RAM, powered by the company’s own Exynos 9810 octa-core processor.

According to the reports, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will come with a 6.3-inch display having QHD+ screen resolution and 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone will be powered by the latest and Samsung Exynos 9810 or upgraded Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, depending on the region.

Concept renders of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 suggests that there won’t be a major difference in terms of design compared to its S-series siblings. The front side of the phone will be dominated by the Infinity Display, with thin bezels on the top and bottom. The volume rocker, as well as the power button, has been placed on the left side and towards the right, there’s the dedicated Bixby button.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Render

The company has also decided to retain the 3.5mm headphone jack, which sits beside the USB Type-C port on the bottom. On the back, one of the major change is the placement of the fingerprint scanner. According to these renders, the fingerprint sensor has now been moved below the camera module, which should make it more convenient to use.

The flagship smartphone is also expected to come with an upgraded camera system, though we believe that the phone will continue to offer the same dual-aperture primary camera, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus.

In the software department, the device is expected to come with a redesigned interface from Samsung, which is dubbed as Crown UX and will be based on Android Oreo operating system out of the box. Further, the phone is also expected to come powered by a larger battery rated at 3,850mAh.

Read More: Prototype Of Canceled Foldable Samsung Phone Surfaces, Sports A Familiar Design

As for the phone’s availability, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is expected to be announced on 9th August at an event in New York and is expected to be available on pre-order shortly after that. The reports indicate that the shipments could start from two weeks after the phone’s launch.

(Source)

Meizu 16 To Pack In-Display Fingerprint Sensor And Up To 8GB RAM, Launching In August

Recently, Meizu launched its Meizu 15 series smartphones and now the China-based company is preparing to launch its successor — Meizu 16. Earlier, Meizu’s founder Jack Wong (Huang Chang) had claimed that the Meizu 15 series is just a test product and the upcoming Meizu 16 series will be more powerful and futuristic.

He had also revealed that the Meizu 16 series smartphones will be launched in August this year but the launch date is not yet known. Now, more details about the upcoming smartphone from the company has surfaced online.

Meizu 16 Render

According to the report, the Meizu 16 will be launched in two variants. While one variant will be powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 845 processor, the other variant will be powered by Qualcomm’s recently launched Snapdragon 710 processor.

The variant with Snapdragon 845 SoC will pack up to 8GB of RAM and will also have an under-display fingerprint sensor, similar to what we saw on Vivo NEX and Xiaomi’s Mi 8. The smartphone is expected to come with Full HD screen resolution. It is speculated that both Meizu 16 series smartphones will feature notch-less OLED screens with 3D Press and mEngine.

A recent leak suggested that the phones will be equipped with 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel dual camera setup. However, a contradictory leak reveals that the dual camera setup will be available only on the Meizu 16 while the Meizu 16 Plus may come equipped with 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 20-megapixel triple camera system. Both the phones are rumored to arrive with 20-megapixel front-facing snapper.

In terms of software, the upcoming smartphones are expected to be running an improved version of Flyme OS and OneMind 2.5, but the exact version of the Android operating system is not yet known. The Flyme OS 7.5 comes with support for full-screen gestures, 3D Press, NFC, AI capabilities and more.

The Meizu 16 is likely to house a 3,080mAh battery with 24W charging (8V/3A). On the other side, the Meizu 16 Plus is expected to not only house a bigger battery of 3,600mAh capacity along with faster 32W charging (8V/4A), but also it is expected arrive with 10W wireless charging.

Based on the previous leaks, the Meizu 16 will have two variants — 64GB storage + 6GB RAM and 128GB storage + 6GB RAM. New information reveals that the phone will be available in 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM with 128GB storage for 3,398 Yuan ($528) and 3,598 Yuan ($559) respectively.

 

Read More: Meizu VP Li Nan Reveals Blue Charm Division Has Sold Over 50 Million Smartphones Since Inception

 

On the other hand, the Meizu 16 Plus model was reported to have 128GB storage + 6GB RAM and 256GB storage + 8GB RAM. According to the new reports, it will have three models — 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage priced at 3,598 Yuan ($559), 3,798 Yuan ($591) and 4,288 Yuan ($667) respectively.

 

(Via)

The Moto C2 May Launch As An Android Go Phone

Motorola has not yet announced the second-generation Moto C series but renders of the Moto C2 and C2 Plus leaked last month. Now, there are reports that the Moto C2 may launch as an Android Go phone.

There is no proof to back up the report but seeing as the phone will come with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage according to FCC documents, it may as well just launch with Android Oreo (Go Edition) instead of the regular Android Oreo.

Moto C2 Gold

The Moto C2 has the model number XT1920 and already received approval in Europe and Asia a while back. Now that it has been seen at the FCC, we expect it to launch in North America too. The documents also reveal it will have a battery of between 2000mAh and 2100mAh and should have a screen size between 5 and 5.2-inches judging from its 147.88 x 71.22 dimensions.

[envira-gallery id=”196593″]

READ MORE: Motorola One Power New Specs Leak: 4 GB RAM and 12 MP dual Camera

Xiaomi Removes Key Feature From Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A

The infrared sensor is a feature Xiaomi has included in all its phones for a couple of years now. The small but useful addition allows users to control a wide range of electronics with their phone. Sadly, Xiaomi has decided not to include it in the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A.

We first noticed the IR sensor was missing in hands-on photos of the Redmi 6 posted on ITHome. Then we decided to confirm on the official website and found out that Xiaomi didn’t include it in the Redmi 6A too.

Redmi 6 No IR sensor

It is sad to see Xiaomi has removed a feature that has sort of become associated with the brand. We do not know if this will continue with future devices or if it is just the Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A. If this is a feature you find you can’t live without, you may want to overlook these two phones and settle for Xiaomi’s older models.

Apart from the missing sensor, the Redmi 6A and Redmi 6 offer great value for money. Both devices come with a 5.45-inch screen with an 18:9 aspect ratio and HD+ resolution. The Redmi 6 is powered by MediaTek’s new Helio P22 SoC which should offer slightly more performance and power management when compared to the Snapdragon 625. It also has dual cameras, face unlock, and a fingerprint scanner.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Starts Rolling Out MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM To Compatible Smartphones

All variants Of The OnePlus 6 Wil Be Available On June 18 (China Only)

The OnePlus 6 went on sale in China last month but availability has been limited to just the 6GB RAM + 64GB ROM Mirror Black model. Starting tomorrow, buyers will be able to purchase any model and color variant including the limited Avengers edition.

All the variants will be available on JD.com and the official OnePlus China website. The Avengers edition OnePlus 6 which has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage will sell for ¥4199  (~$652) while the 8GB RAM + 128GB ROM variant which is available in Silk White, Mirror Black, and Midnight Black will sell for ¥3599 (~$559).

OnePlus 6 Jingdong

The 8GB + 256GB Midnight Black model will sell for ¥3999 (~$621). OnePlus will also have its new Bullet wireless earphones available for ¥399 (~$62). You should be able to grab the phones for a lesser price on JD.com since tomorrow is 618 shopping festival.

The OnePlus 6 has a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a 19:9 aspect ratio and a Full HD+ resolution. It is powered by the Snapdragon 845 processor and packs a 3300mAh battery. A 20MP+16MP dual camera combo sits on its back. There is also another 16MP camera positioned inside the notch.

READ MORE: Win A OnePlus 6 & Over $7000 In The OnePlus Asphalt Cup Competition

Prototype Of Canceled Foldable Samsung Phone Surfaces, Sports A Familiar Design

One of the trends we expect to see in the phone industry in the coming years is the foldable smartphone. There are a number of top manufacturers like Samsung and Apple that have been developing one for years. However, ZTE, another top manufacturer beat them to it with its Axon M dual-screen foldable phone released last year.

For Samsung, there have been lots of patents and leaks giving us a glimpse of what they are working on, but for the first time, we get to see a live photo, albeit a canceled version of one Samsung’s early prototypes.

[envira-gallery id=”196568″]

While in development, the device was referred to as Project V and its model number was SM-G929F. What is striking about Project V is its design. It is the same type ZTE used for its Axon M. I think we can cut ZTE some slack now.

The device has two screens joined together by a hinge in the middle. The screen on the right is home to the old front-mounted fingerprint scanner pre-Galaxy S8. It also has capacitive navigational and multi-tasking buttons flanking it. At the top is the earpiece, a LED flash, and a camera. This is the only camera on the device.

A picture of the phone from another angle shows us the ports are attached to the screen on the right and it is also home to the device’s battery judging from its thickness. There is a speaker grille, a MicroUSB port, and a 3.5mm audio jack at the bottom. The SIM tray (and probably microSD slot) sits at the top.

There is no info on the specs of the device but some sources have said the phone was in development between 2015 and 2016, so its internals should be similar to Samsung flagships released in those years.

READ MORE: Samsung To Begin LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 Storage Mass Production This Year

OPPO Find X to Offer Massive Screen Space of 93.8%, Reveals Leaked Poster

A leaked commercial that surfaced recently revealed that the Find X will be arriving with a notch-less display. It contradicted other rumors that claimed that the smartphone features a notched screen. Moreover, OPPO also teased that the Find X has a screen-to-body ratio of more than 90 percent. Today, well-known tipster Ice Universe has revealed an image on Twitter to reveal that the Find X will deliver a huge screen of 93.8 percent.

As it can be seen in the below image, the Find X is rumored to arrive with a tri-bezeless notch-less design. The render looks outstanding as it shows a presence of a very thin-sized chin and the other bezels appear almost non-existent. The screen-to-body ratio of 93.8 percent reveals that it would be offering a higher screen space than Vivo NEX that has a screen-to-body ratio of 91.24 percent.

Vivo and OPPO along with OnePlus are smartphone brands that belong to China’s BBK Electronics. Earlier this year, OPPO and Vivo both introduced notched display design on their smartphones. Even OnePlus joined the league by launching OnePlus 6 with same design. Now that Vivo has launched Vivo NEX with a marvelous notch-less screen with a very high screen space, there is a probability that OPPO will also offer a similar experience on the upcoming Find X flagship. This suggests that even the forthcoming OnePlus 6T or OnePlus 7 may also deliver a very high screen space to their users.

The TENAA listing of the Find X had revealed that it features a 6.4-inch display that supports 2K resolution of 2340 x 1080 along with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The handset measures 156.7 x 74.3mm which is just a bit taller than OPPO R15 that measures 155.1 x 75.2mm and features a 6.28-inch display.

Read More: OPPO Find X to Rival Vivo NEX with a Full Screen Design, Teaser Confirms!

The other rumored features of the Find X are Snapdragon 845, 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB / 256 GB internal storage, Android 8.1 Oreo, 3,645mAh or 3,730mAh battery. The leaked commercial of the smartphone has revealed that it has a glass rear with a curvy M-shaped black band that houses dual cameras separated by an LED flash. The handset is likely to arrive in colors like burgundy and blue. It is also expected to be packed with some advanced features like 5x loseless zoom, Super VOOC fast charging, in-display fingerprint scanner and 3D facial recognition.

The Find X is slated to go official on June 19 through an unveil event in Paris, France.

Micromax Canvas 2 Plus With 18:9 Display And 4,000mAh Battery Launched For Rs. 8,999 ($131)

Micromax, the Indian mobile phone manufacturer, has launched its new smartphone in the Indian market — Micromax Canvas 2 Plus. The smartphone, priced at Rs. 8,999 (approximately $131), seems like an upgraded model of the Canvas 2 (2018) that was announced earlier this year.

The phone features a 5.7-inch HD+ 2.5D curved glass display with screen resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels, 18:9 aspect ratio, and 450 nits brightness. Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core processor but the company has not yet revealed the specific chipset used in the device.

Micromax Canvas 2 Plus

The smartphone packs 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage, along with a microSD card slot which enables users to further expand the phone’s storage capacity. Coming to the camera specs, the device 13MP rear camera with LED Flash, 1.12um pixel size, 80-degree FOV, LED flash and an 8MP front-facing snapper for taking selfies and video calling.

Connectivity options include 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. There’s a fingerprint sensor on the back of the phone as well as support for Face Unlock feature for added security. Running on Android 7.0 Nougat operating system out of the box, the smartphone is powered by a 4,000mAh battery.

The Micromax Canvas 2 Plus is available in two color options — Matte Black and Jet Black colors. The smartphone is priced at Rs. 8,999, which roughly converts to $131 and is now available for purchase through offline retailers across the country.

Read More: Micromax Launches Its First Android GO Phone In India — Micromax Bharat GO For Just Rs. 4399 (~ $64)

Further, the company has also listed Canvas 2 (2018) on the official website with similar specifications, but with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage which is also expected to be available soon.

Latest OPPO Find X Teaser Hints At A Screen To Body Ratio Over 90%, Shows Up in TV Ad Too

OPPO’s Find X launches in just a few days and while there is a lot we already know about the specs, its overall design is still a mystery. A new teaser poster and TV ad have appeared online, giving us a glimpse of what to expect.

First, let’s examine the teaser poster. The image was shared on Weibo by the official OPPO account. It shows the Find X with a display that covers nearly all the front, save for a small bezel at the bottom. There is also no notch at the top.

OPPO Find X Teaser

Other than a picture of the phone, the poster also teases the phone’s screen-to-body ratio which should be over ninety percent seeing as the first figure is nine. To sum it up, the OPPO Find X should have a similar design to the Vivo NEX.

Next is the TV ad which was shown on one of China’s own state TV CCTV-1. The device has the same front design as the phone in the teaser poster above – a notch-less screen with a small bezel at the bottom. The interesting part of the ad is when we get to see the rear of the phone.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L–gwYLE1zc[/embedyt]

The back is covered in glass but has a black band in the shape of an M at the top. Within that black band sits dual rear cameras separated by a LED flash. The design is unlike what we have seen in recent phones and will surely make the Find X stand out from the crowd. The video also reveals the phone will come in two color variants – burgundy and blue.

READ MORE: Alleged Oppo R15S Hits TENAA With 6.2-Inch Display, 4100 mAh Battery

BlackBerry KEY² 128GB Model Now On Pre-Order In China For ¥4999

The BlackBerry KEY² was announced in China on June 8. However, only the 6GB RAM + 64GB model has been available for purchase. If you have been waiting for the 128GB model, you can now pre-order it on Jingdong (JD.com) before it goes on sale on Monday, 18th of June.

The 128GB BlackBerry KEY² will sell for ¥4499 (~$699), about $78 more than the 64GB model which is priced at ¥3999 (~$621). Nevertheless, these prices are lesser than those of other markets.

BlackBerry KEY² 128GB

The BlackBerry KEY² has a 4.5” screen, a Snapdragon 660 processor, and dual 12MP rear cameras. It also has an 8MP front-facing camera, a 3500mAh battery, and runs Android 8.1 Oreo.

BlackBerry has redesigned the keyboard by making the keys bigger and also including a new key called the Speed Key. The Speed Key is sort of like a function key which launches preset apps when you press it along with another key. BlackBerry says it should make multi-tasking faster.

READ MORE: BlackBerry BBG100-1 Powered By MSM8953 Seen On Geekbench

ASUS Zenfone Ares Is A Rebranded Zenfone AR, Sells For Much Less Too

What do you do if you are trying to clear stock of an old and expensive phone? Rename it, slash the price, and pray that people don’t notice the difference or maybe they do and shouldn’t care since the new phone is selling for less. The above is what ASUS has done with the Zenfone AR which has been relaunched as the Zenfone Ares.

Zenfone Ares

The Zenfone Ares is the Zenfone AR which is why ASUS didn’t bother to waste money having a launch event. The Zenfone AR, for those who don’t remember, was announced last year at CES as the first smartphone with 8GB of RAM and the first phone to support Google’s now abandoned Project Tango as well as Daydream VR.

The Zenfone Ares has a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED 2K display with a 1440 x 2560 resolution and Corning Gorilla 4. It is powered by the Snapdragon 821 which is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.

The rear camera is a 23MP f/2.0 sensor (Sony IMX318) with 4-axis OIS and EIS, laser AF, and tons of shooting modes. It also has depth and motion tracking. Sitting above the display is an 8MP f/2.0 sensor.

The Zenfone Ares has dts-HD support, a built-in NXP smart amplifier, and ASUS’ SonicMaster 3.0 for hi-res audio. It also has a 3.5mm audio jack. Its battery is 3300mAh with support for Quick Charge 3.0. There is a USB-C port with Display Port support, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity. It also has a fingerprint scanner that doubles as the home button. Sadly, it still runs Android Nougat. It would have made more sense if it ran Android Oreo out of the box.

Zenfone Ares Audio

READ MORE: The ASUS Zenfone 5Z Is The Cheapest Snapdragon 845 Phone in Europe

GearBest Carnival Is Just Around The Corner; Check Out Unmissable Deals, Discounts And Lots More!

It looks like everything is on sale on GearBest. The popular online shopping store is all set to kick off its 618 Carnival tomorrow. This promotion will run until June 20th, which marks the first day of the Mid-Year Sale Launch promotion on GearBest.

As soon as the Mid-Year Sale Launch promo ends on June 25th, the site will commence its Price Meltdown promo, which is scheduled to end on July 2nd. GearBest will take wraps off its new promo dubbed ‘Treat Yourself’ on July 2nd and wrap it up on July 9th.

618 Lightning Flash Sale

The imminent promo will be brimming with all sorts of electronics items such as smartphones, tablets, TV box, and even 3D printers that you can buy at a slashed price. For the sake of an example, the promo offers a considerable 17% off on the Xiaomi Redmi S2 phablet.

xiaomi redmi s2 (11)
While the device would normally set you back $222.91 on GearBest, you can now buy it at a lowered price of just $169.99. The discount will be valid for the gray and gold color versions of the phablet and there will be only 200 pieces up for grabs at a reduced price.

Unmissable Deals

This category features deals that you don’t want to miss. For instance, you can buy the Alfawise U20 DIY 3D printer at a reduced price of just $299.99. The device normally comes bearing a price sticker of $315.22 on GearBest.

618 Lucky Bags

Aside from featuring a slew of Lucky Bags with items like Digital Thermometer, Music-making Keychain + LED Light, and Screw Extractor in them, this section also includes the ThundeRobot GTR gaming laptop. You’d usually have to spend $1809.77 to buy the power packed laptop, but GearBest is giving cost-conscious consumers an opportunity to buy it at a lowered price of just $1167.33.

$10 For Any Item

This category has further been divided into 2 subcategories including Most Popular and Hot Deals. The Most Popular section comprises items that you can buy at a heavily discounted price. Likewise, the Hot Deals section includes various items that are up for grabs at a considerably reduced price.

618 Cool Add-Ons

If your order exceeds $60, you’d be eligible to get 1 add-on for just $2.99. Similarly, for any order over $100, you can get 1 add-on for just $6.99. Note that there’s a limitation of 1 unit per item.

Epic Flagship Brands

Much to the delight of brand-conscious consumers, GearBest is offering big discounts on a slew of top brands including Xiaomi, Alfawise, Elephone, Amazfit, Teclast, Creality3D, Beelink, JJRC, Yeelight, and Dibea. The discount will be valid for a broad range of well-received smartphones, 3D printers, smart watches and lots more.

For example, you can get an 11% discount on the Teclast F7 Notebook’s retail price. The coveted notebook normally sells for $336.52 on GearBest, but you can now get your hands on it if you’re willing to spend just $299.99.
The discount will be valid for the silver color version of the Teclast F7. On the downside, there were only 96 pieces left for the Flash Sale price at the time of writing and the promo is slated to end in 1 day.

There’s more to explore. You can follow this link to check out rest of the products and take advantage of the promo before it comes to an end.

No, The Galaxy Note 9 Is Not Likely Having A Dedicated Camera Button

A few days ago we told you about some photos surfaced on the web which showed, for the first time, a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 protective case. The pictures revealed the presence of an additional physical key on the lower part of the right side, under the volume and power keys. According to earlier rumors, this button was said to be a shutter key which will be possible to use to shoot photos and take screenshots with the upcoming flagship phablet.

samsung galaxy note 9

Now, a reliable leakster has revealed that there will be no additional key besides the volume buttons, the power key and the Bixby key. According to the tipster identified on Twitter by the nickname Ice Universe, the cut-out you could see on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 case is just two holes to be used with a lanyard.

So, we can stop expecting an additional Xperia-like key making the camera experience more comfortable. According to the latest rumors, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will come with a big 4000 mAh battery. Further, it will sport the Samsung Exynos 9810 chipset just as the Galaxy S9 duo. It is tipped to be officially announced alongside the Gear S4 and a Bixby speaker on August 9.

(via)

Fresh Nubia Z18 Poster And Schematics Highlight A New Full Screen Experience

It is almost time for a new Nubia phone with flagship-level specs at a reasonable price for performance lovers who do not have a high budget. A new poster and schematics related to Nubia Z18 have just surfaced online and revealed that its launch is near as well as important details about its design. According to the poster, the device will offer a new Full Screen 3.0 experience with very narrow bezels. Note that the screen-to-body ratio of its predecessor Z17s exceeds 90 percent, so expect a device with incredibly narrow bezels. Indeed, according to the schematics, on the upper part, there is an Essential-like notch and an almost non-existent bezel.

nubia z18

There are no side bezels, but there is a chin. Judging its look, it seems that Nubia Z18 will come again with a glass back and an aluminum frame like its predecessor. On the backplate, there will be a circular fingerprint reader and a dual camera setup in a horizontal configuration. The volume rocker is placed on the right side together with the power key. On the lower side of the phone, there is a USB Type-C port, a mono speaker grille, and a microphone. No info has surfaced about its specs, so we still have to rely on previous rumors and leaks.

According to reports, Nubia Z18 will be one of the most performing smartphones out there. It will boast an octa-core Snapdragon 845 SoC by Qualcomm with a clock of 2.8 GHz paired with 8 GB of RAM, at least in its most expensive configuration. CMIIT (China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) has revealed that it will feature a 5.99-inch display with a width of just 72.54 mm to make the one-handed use easier. It is also expected to come with whopping 128 GB of internal storage and a battery with a capacity of 3350 mAh.

(via)

Xiaomi Starts Rolling Out MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM To Compatible Smartphones

Last month, Xiaomi announced the latest version of its custom Android-based mobile operating system — MIUI 10 at an event in China. After announcing the list of eligible devices for the new MIUI 10 update, the company has now started rolling out MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM to compatible smartphones.

This development comes just days after the Chinese company launched the global version of its latest MIUI at an event in New Delhi, India. The list of compatible devices for the new MIUI Global ROM includes the Mi Mix 2, Mi Mix 2S, Redmi S2, and Redmi Note 5 Pro / Redmi Note 5. The company had started recruiting beta testers for the MIUI 10 Global ROM last week to start testing process.

MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM

While the new MIUI 10 Global Beta ROM is currently rolling out to only select smartphones at this stage, Xiaomi has plans to bring the new version of its proprietary ROM to most of its smartphones. The stable version of the latest MIUI skin is expected to start rolling out in September this year.

The new ROM, which carries version 8.6.14, includes several new features and developments, including an updated Mi Browser with an optimized start page, PWA (Progressive Web App) support, and better search functionality and App Vault with a World Cup card. Further, the update also fixes issues related to the Greek language localization.

If you are running MIUI 9 Global Beta ROM and have already registered for the Global Beta ROM, you can check for the update by going into Settings > About phone > System Updates > Check for updates. The company has not yet provided ROM download link, so for those who are looking to update directly from stable to beta, will need to wait for Xiaomi to provide links.

The MIUI 10 comes with several new features such as improved recent apps menu which is designed to better utilize the full-screen design on newer Xiaomi devices. Instead of arranging recent apps like a stack of cards, the app cards appear side by side on the screen, enabling you to see as much as six recent apps on the screen at one time.

Read More: Xiaomi Mi Rollerball Pen, I Love Mi T-Shirt, Travel Pillow, And Mi Band Charging Cable Launched In India

It also makes use of artificial intelligence technology for “up to zero” loading times by studying your app usage behavior and anticipating actions, as well as it brings single camera bokeh mode to old Xiaomi smartphones. The MIUI 10 also brings a new driving mode which relies on voice commands to avoid distractions.