Next-gen iPhones To Feature Improved Face ID & Screen-to-body Ratio, TrendForce Predicts

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Jan 4, 2018

U.S-based tech giant Apple stunned the industry when it released its 2017 flagship models with several innovative features. One of such features is the Face ID technology. There are indications that Apple will continue with the design language but would increase the screen ratio aboard the 2018 flagship. Technology analysts TrendForce predicted that iPhone sales will increase significantly this year, while those of Samsung smartphones will fall.

The tech analysts estimated that total smartphone production for 2017 reached 1.46 Billion units, marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year’s sales. The firm also sees a slightly slower growth in 2018 for smartphone companies, triggered by rising component costs.

Despite a predicted slump in sales, TrendForce predicts that iPhone production will grow by 7.5% this year. The company noted that iPhone production for 2017 increased by 3% over the previous year and even stated that the figure could be higher but for early yield rate constraints on the iPhone X. The sales for the major part of this year will be spearheaded by the iPhone X at the top end of the market. This would be supplemented by a new iPhone SE for the mid-range segment.

On the design and features of the 2018 iPhone models, TrendForce says Apple will improve on its Face ID technology as well as on the design as a higher screen-to-body ratio is expected. The Face ID technology may be a long time coming to other Android phones as technical barriers are fingered as forces that would make other OEMs stick to fingerprint recognition for now. Instead, we could see a rise in under-display technology which it predicts will enter mass production in the second half of the year. Apple is also said to be planning to increase the memory content and embed AMOLED display in two of its models.

Further, the TrendForce report revealed that Samsung recorded a boost in its sales by 3% last year but may likely see a drop in sales by the same margin this year. This will be due to great challenges and fierce competition brought by its rivals, including Apple in the high-end market and a number of Chinese brands with Android OS.

(source)

Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ (2018) To Land In India Next Week | Report

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jan 3, 2018

Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ (2018) should be officially launched in the Indian market on Wednesday, January 10. This is what a new report by PhoneRadar is hinting at. The availability of the new handsets in India has still not been confirmed, but the source is reliable, so the chances that we will see the devices in India on Wednesday are high. Unfortunately, there is still no info about the listing price of the handsets in India.

Samsung Galaxy A8 and A8+ are the latest midrange smartphones launched by the Korean giant and they offer premium specs at a reduced price compared to flagships like Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8. Their bodies are composed of a glass back and a metal frame and they are IP68-certified. A8 and A8+ (2018) are the first mid-ranges by Samsung to sport an Infinity Display with an 18:9 aspect ratio.

The standard version has a 5.6-inch FHD+ panel, while the Plus variant has a 6-inch screen: both the panels have the Super AMOLED technology, just like most Samsung Galaxy phones from the last generations. Under the hood, both the devices sport a Samsung Exynos 7885 SoC paired with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM. Note that the two phones have different dimensions, on the Plus variant there is space for a bigger battery with a 3500 mAh capacity, while the standard version has an average 3000 mAh unit.

(Source)

Huawei P20 Might Launch At MWC 2018 On February 26: Rumor

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jan 3, 2018

A new report from China suggests that the Huawei P20 will be officially announced on February 26, at MWC 2018 (Mobile World Congress) in Barcelona. In the past few years, the Chinese company, which is actually in the top 3 smartphones brand in the world, has always showcased its flagship phones from the P series at Mobile World Congress, and according to ChinaZ this year it will happen again. From what rumors suggest, the new flagship will be launched in at least four variant: P20, P20 Plus, P20 Pro and P20 Lite.

Some alleged mockups have already shown the design of the upcoming flagship. The Huawei P20 and its brothers are expected to come with a full borderless display with very narrow bezels. On the standard version, the size might be 6 inches. P20 Pro and Lite could be released with an iPhone X-like notch on the superior part, so the screen-to-body ratio will be even higher. Every version except the P20 Lite should have a triple camera setup, but the sensors should be placed in a different way: we expect a vertical configuration on P20 Pro and Plus and a horizontal configuration on the standard variant.

Huawei P20 will be powered by the most powerful SoC by Huawei: the Kirin 970, which also has a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) dedicated to artificial intelligence. There should be 6 or even more GB of RAM and an internal storage of 64 GB, at least. With a capacity of 4000mAh and fast charging, the battery should be one of the biggest ones in the flagships market. The operating system will probably be Android 8.1 Oreo customized with EMUI 8.0. According to recent rumors, Huawei P20 should be priced around 4000 Yuan in China, which roughly translates into ($615) 599 Euros.

(Source)

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Lookalike With Vertical Dual Cameras Already Listed By A Chinese Seller

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 3, 2018

Samsung is expected to repeat its product launch pattern for 2017 this year. The tech giant is expected to build on last year’s successes with the launch of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus in the first half of the year. The duo could well be unveiled early at MWC 2018 and is expected to pack the recently announced Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor.

Now, a Chinese retailer has set out early to catch in on the potential success of the Galaxy S9+ by launching a look-alike smartphone. The device which also bears the Samsung Galaxy S9+ moniker can at best be described as a cheap Galaxy S9+ clone. It bears the same design as that of the Galaxy S9+ render that have featured in an earlier leak. It features a dual camera at the rear aligned in a vertical direction. The device also packs a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor placed under the rear cameras. Unfortunately, the front design is a sell out as it looks nothing like the render of the Galaxy S9+ we have earlier seen. The screen to bod ratio is nowhere near the likely ratio Samsung will utilise which is placed at up to 90% with ultra-thin bezels.

Do note that this is definitely a clone and not the real phone and that fact is reflected in the price with which the device is listed. The device is listed with a 688 Yuan ( around $100) price tag and that is nowhere near the likely price of the Galaxy S9+. The real Samsung flagship is expected to come with a 6.2-inch full-colour curved screen and will be equipped with an SD 845 chip. The processor is backed by a 6GB RAM while a 3500mAh will provide the juice. The Galaxy S9 series is also expected to pack Google’s latest Android 8.0 Oreo operating system.

(source)

LG To Reportedly Rebrand Its G-Series Smartphone Lineup

By

Jeet

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Jan 3, 2018

LG is reportedly considering to rebrand its naming scheme for the G-series smartphones. This means that there will be no “LG G7” and instead, the company will introduce a new branding for its flagship phone of the year.

LG‘s first G-series smartphone was launched in September 2012, when the company launched Optimus G. In the following year, the company removed the “Optimus” branding and went ahead with just the “G2” branding. After years of iterations, the naming scheme is now coming to an end.

According to the report, the branding for the upcoming flagship smartphone has not been decided yet. The report further says that “numbering the phone with a two-digit number and rebranding the phone with a new name are some of the options on the table.”

The new branding of the flagship series is a part of South Korea-based company’s new brand strategy. LG badly needs a change in strategy given that the company could not make a mark in the premium smartphone segment even with two of its excellent devices — LG V30 and LG G6.

The South Korea-based company has officially confirmed that a change is underway. Explaining the move, an official of the company said that “rebranding flagship models is nothing new, and Samsung and Apple have done so for their own flagships.”

The company is expected to launch its next-generation flagship smartphone at Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in February. The phone, which was referred as LG G7 until now, will be the successor of the LG G6.

Going by the leaked roadmap, the upcoming flagship device will be accompanied by another “Plus” model. Both devices will be powered by Qualcomm’s recently announced Snapdragon 845 processor. While other details related to the phone is not yet available, several reports indicate that the company will be jumping on the facial recognition bandwagon.

Some reports suggest that the company could showcase the flagship smartphone to its carrier partners at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, followed by an official launch at Mobile World Congress.

(Source)

MediaTek Likely To Debut 7nm Flagship Chipsets Later This Year

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 3, 2018

The Taiwan-based MediaTek Inc. had released the Helio X30 (MT6799) system-on chip built with 10nm FinFET processing technology in Q1 2017. According to industry sources, MediaTek’s Helio P series chipsets will be powering the mid-range and high-end smartphones in the first half of this year. Since the smartphone industry will soon see the advent of the 5G mobile communication era, MediaTek is speculated to launch a flagship smartphone chipset in the second half of this year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is expected to build at least three new 7nm chipsets for MediaTek. This indicates how determined it is to become the numero uno chipset manufacturing company. As many of its customers such as OPPO, Vivo, Sony, LG and other smartphone makers from emerging nations are getting ready to embrace the upcoming 5G technology, the Taiwan-based chip making company has been actively working on AI enabled chipsets. As mentioned above, the company is heavily pegged to debut new chipsets for flagship phones in second half of this year.

At the beginning of 2017, MediaTek had released Helio X10, Helio X20 and Helio X30 chipsets for high-end smartphones. Even though the Taiwanese firm provided advanced technology at cheaper price compared to rivaling chipset making companies such as Qualcomm, it could not succeed in bagging many customers.

Mediatek Helio P70

The probable reason why it failed to attract major customers like Apple, Samsung, Huawei and Xiaomi is that these companies have been developing their own in-house chipsets for their smartphones. Moreover, most of the leading smartphone vendors are interested in using Qualcomm’s chipsets. This is speculated to be the reason why MediaTek decided to halt the production of its Helio X series chipsets. Also, in order to prevent the gross margins of chipsets from falling down, MediaTek had to stop the related investments in the latter half of last year.

Recent reports have revealed that the upcoming Helio P-series chipsets from MediaTek are the Helio P40 and Helio P70. These 12nm chipsets built by TSMC will be focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and facial recognition.

(source)

iPhone X’s OLED Display Better Than Galaxy Note 8 In A Screen Burn-In Test

By

Michele Ingelido

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Jan 3, 2018

Apple iPhone X is the first phone launched by Apple to sport an OLED display. Its screen has been made by Samsung and it is actually the best display in the smartphone market, according to DisplayMate, which defines it even better than the Samsung Galaxy phones’ Super AMOLED panels. A new test has highlighted that the display of this handset might be even better than we expected. The screen burn-in is the worst problem of OLED displays: in the long-term, images remain permanently impressed on the screen.

This is the main concern of the people that choose to move from a phone with an LCD display to an OLED or Super AMOLED one. But even though the iPhone X has an OLED display, it can prevent burn-in for a considerable amount of time. In a burn-in test, an image was continuously displayed on the iPhone X screen, but burn-in effects started appearing only after 510 hours. This is a huge period which makes us understand that it is very hard to see the burn-in effect on the latest flagship by Apple.

Indeed, the same test was performed on Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and the result being: much fewer hours were necessary to create the burn-in effect, and after 510 hours the burn-in effect was much more visible than the one on the iPhone X. So, you do not have to worry too much about screen burn-in if you decide to purchase an iPhone X unless you keep its display continuously showing the same image for days. If you want to see the complete comparison with all the photos for each phone tested, head to the source link below. Do you like the colors provided by OLED displays like the one of Apple iPhone X or you prefer the classic LCD ones?

(Source, Via)

ZTE Axon M Launches January 16 in China

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 3, 2018

ZTE’s foldable smartphone, the Axon M will be launching in China on January 16. This will be its first country after its launch in the US last November.

The Axon M is a unique smartphone with dual displays that folds like a book. Both 5.2” 1080p displays can function independently or together.

You can decide to use it as an extended display where both screens function as “one”, or independently like two separate monitors for multi-tasking, or even in mirror mode where both screens show the same thing.

The Axon M may have been released in 2017, but its specs are mostly from 2016. It is powered by a Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

The phone has a single 20MP F/1.8 camera with OIS which serves as both the selfie and rear camera. It also has an audio jack, a 3180mAh battery, and runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat.

Continue

Oppo R11s Receives Android 8.1 Oreo Update, Gets Dual VoLTE Support

By

Jeet

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Jan 3, 2018

While most smartphone manufacturers are working on to roll out Android 8.0 Oreo update to their devices, Oppo has now started rolling out Android 8.1 Oreo update to the Oppo R11s — the company’s flagship smartphone which was launched a couple of months ago.

Along with the Android 8.1 Oreo, the update for the Oppo R11s also brings a bunch of new features to the device. One of the major highlights of the update is that it brings support for the Dual SIM and Dual VoLTE feature.

Another major update is the addition of a new photo album named “Memories”. It intelligently recognises important events, trips, as well as people in the photos and videos and arranges them accordingly. There is also support for editing and sharing the media files.

It also adds some fitness related to functions, such as pedometer which counts steps taken and distance travelled, helping users in their daily exercise schedule. The weather application has also been updated. It now automatically identifies the location to provide weather information. It also displays information related to air quality index, fog and haze.

The Oppo R11s features a 6.01-inch Full HD+ display with a screen resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The phone is powered by Qualcomm‘s Snapdragon 660 processor. With the recently introduced 6GB RAM model, the phone is now available in two models — one with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage while the other one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

Coming to the camera department, the rear camera features a combination of a 20-megapixel camera sensor with f/1.7 aperture and a 16-megapixel camera sensor with f/1.7 aperture. On the front side, there is a 20-megapixel camera sensor which comes with Artificial Intelligence (AI) features that support more than 200 facial enhancements, scene detection, and portrait mode.

The phone is running Color OS 3.2 and comes with Android 7.1.2 Nougat operating system out-of-the-box. It is fueled by a 3,205mAh battery, which supports company’s own VOOC fast charging technology. While the 4GB RAM model of Oppo R11s is priced at 2,999 Yuan (approximately $454), the 6GB RAM model costs 3,599 Yuan (approximately $545).

Vivo X20 Plus UD Version Passes 3C Certification, Could Be Under Display Fingerprint Model

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 3, 2018

Vivo has long been linked with the under display fingerprint technology developed by Qualcomm. The prototype was showcased at the Asian MWC 2017 running in an unknown Vivo smartphone. There are indications the version may have been certified in China. A device suspected to be the Vivo X20 Plus Under Display version has received 3C certification.

The smartphone actually is listed as Vivo X20 Plus UD version and it is believed the UD stands for Under Display. Since the device has received quality certification, it may soon hit the market. But is this really the Under display version? We can’t be so sure of that as UD could also mean Underwater Defense, that is a waterproof body and could also mean UpDate. However, a version with under display looks more likely.

China’s 3C listing usually doesn’t show anything regarding the specification of the model, so we can’t say if this is merely an upgraded version of the X20 Plus. But we’ll find out soon, as the latest technology is expected to be showcased at MWC 2018 in a few weeks time. To refresh your memory, the new Under display fingerprint scanner uses Synaptic’s new Clear ID fingerprint technology. According to Forbes, pressing the button present on the right side of a pre-production Vivo phone wakes it and displays an illuminated fingerprint image at the bottom of the screen. Users can simply touch it to unlock the phone instantly. Synaptics has said that its Clear ID in-display fingerprint scanner is designed for bezel-less OLED infinity displays that are found in flagship smartphones such as Apple iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

(source)

Nokia 6 (2018) Appears On Geekbench, May Launch This Week

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 3, 2018

HMD Global will be starting the year with the launch of the Nokia 6 (2018). The device which first appeared on TENAA last year as the Nokia TA-1054 has now surfaced on Geekbench.

Appearing as HMD Global TA-1054, the Nokia 6 (2018) is powered by a Snapdragon 630 processor clocked at 2.21GHz and paired with 4GB of RAM. It also runs Android 8.0.0 Oreo unlike the TENAA listing which says Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

For the benchmark scores, the Nokia 6 (2018) pulls 969 points in the single core test and 4511 points in the multi-core test. The scores are not too far off from those of other Snapdragon 630 phones like the HTC U11 Life.

HMD Global has changed the design of the Nokia 6. It will come with slimmer bezels but will retain its 5.5” screen with the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio. It will also have its fingerprint scanner on the back beneath the camera setup.

Continue

Sharp Aquos S3 Leaked Image Shows Display Will Have A Notch

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 3, 2018

It appears that Sharp’s next phone, the Aquos S3 will also feature a notch. However, this time it will be different from that of the Aquos S2 or rather the Essential Phone.

A blurred image of the Sharp S3’s front shows a notch not dissimilar to that of the iPhone X. We can make out the front camera which is in the same position as the images on TENAA. There is also a faint outline of some sensors positioned on the left.

Sharp yesterday revealed that the Aquos S3 will launch on January 16 but we expect it to come along with a second phone, the Sharp FS8018. The latter shares a front design similar to the Aquos S2 but a different rear. There is a chance it also has a notch in the display.

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LG V30 Gets Raspberry Rose Color Variant, Launch At CES

By

Habeeb Onawole

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Jan 3, 2018

The LG V30 is one of the most underrated phones for 2017. It sports a 6.0” 1440 x 2880 P-OLED display, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and dual rear cameras that take impressive photos. It also has Hi-Fi Quad DAC tuned by Bang & Olufsen for a more superior audio experience. However, the launch of phones like the Galaxy Note8, Pixel 2, and OnePlus 5T overshadowed the V30.

When it launched, it was available in Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, Cloud Silver, and Lavender Violet. Today, LG has announced a fifth color variant called Raspberry Rose.

LG’s official blog, LG Newsroom, says the new variant is “designed for fashion-conscious smartphone users”. The phone will be officially unveiled at CES 2018 and will go on sale afterwards in South Korea and key markets in Europe and Asia. Sorry North America!

The Raspberry Rose LG V30 does look really nice and will surely stand out. It looks more like pink and has black bezels on the front.

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Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+ Very Likely to Debut with New DeX Pad

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 3, 2018

A report from the previous month had revealed that Samsung would be debuting the new DeX Pad docking station alongside the upcoming Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones. It appears that the South Korean company will indeed launch the new DeX Pad soon as it has trademarked the “DeX Pad” moniker on Dec. 29.

The Samsung DeX Station that is currently available in the market is compatible with Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy Note 8. The DeX Station requires users to place any of the aforementioned Galaxy phone in an upright position. However, the upcoming Samsung DeX Pad will allow users to lay the smartphone flat on a surface so that it can be used as a touchpad and a keyboard. It is speculated to carry support for wireless charging.

However, there is no telling whether users will be to connect the Samsung DeX Pad with an external display wirelessly. Rumors have it that it will be compatible with the Galaxy S8, S8+ and Galaxy Note 8 phablets. When Samsung had launched these smartphones, in some regions it had provided DeX Station for free as a pre-order bonus. There is a possibility that the new DeX Pad will be available for free for customers who pre-order the Galaxy S9 and S9+.

Without the offer, it is expected to carry a price tag of $150. Samsung may sell the original DeX Station at a reduced price after the arrival of DeX Pad. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ along with the DeX Pad are slated to get unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018.

(source|via)

Samsung Nautilus Chrome OS Powered High-End Detachable Tablet in Works

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 3, 2018

Samsung is reportedly working on a high-end detachable tablet that is codenamed as Nautilus. It is speculated that the device will be running on Chrome OS by Google. According to Chrome Unboxed, the references of the rumored Samsung Nautilus tablet can be found in the Chromium repositories.

The Chromebooks that are available in the market are not equipped with good cameras. However, the upcoming Samsung Nautilus might become the first Chrome OS device that will arrive with a stellar camera. Through the Chromium repositories revealed that the Samsung Nautilus will be fitted with Sony IMX258 camera sensor. It is the same camera lens that is available on the LG G6.

It has been also found that the Samsung Nautilus will be driven by 7^th generation Intel Core processor. Since the South Korean tech giant is using a lntel chip, it appears that the Nautilus will be a high-end tablet. It is likely to feature a 12-inch or smaller display. It is speculated that it may rival with other Chrome OS powered devices such as the Pixelbook. Previous leaks about the Samsung Nautilus have revealed that it will be equipped with a stowable stylus.

Nautilus seems to be the codename of the alleged device. Hence, it may launch in the market with a different moniker. The detachable tablet is expected to get showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 that is scheduled to begin next week, but there is no concrete evidence to support this claim.

(source|via)

OnePlus Cancels Android Oreo Based Oxygen OS 5.0 Update For The OnePlus 5

By

Jeet

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Jan 3, 2018

OnePlus has announced that it is cancelling the roll out of the Oxygen OS 5.0 update, which brings the Android Oreo to the phone. The company is citing bug-related issues for taking such step.

However, the China-based company said that it is now preparing to roll out the new Oxygen OS 5.0.1 update and the partial release of the same will go live soon. But the company has not yet provided any specific timeline regarding the roll out of this new Oxygen OS 5.0.1 update.

The company has also not revealed the exact reason behind the decision to cancel the roll out of the Android Oreo update for OnePlus 5. After two open beta releases, OnePlus 5 had finally started receiving the Android 8.0 Oreo-based OxygenOS 5.0 update last month.

The update also included the Face Unlock feature, which was introduced by the company in its latest flagship device OnePlus 5T. It also featured an upgraded launcher with support for shelf optimisations. The Camera application was also improved with new UI design and optimisations for photography.

The update had also listed some other features addition such as parallel apps, new design for the quick settings, new design for the Lift up display, battery optimisation, among others.

The OnePlus 3 and 3T are the first devices from the company to have received the latest OxygenOS 5.0.1 update. It comes with the latest December Android security patch, along with the support for aptX HD, new Wi-Fi hotspot manager, new adaptive mode screen calibration, and bug fixes.

While it is not known what new features will be introduced in the Oxygen OS 5.0.1, a lot of the features listed for the Oxygen OS 5.0 will make its way to the upcoming update. We will keep you posted as new information emerges.

(Source)

Meizu Teases A New Flagship Headset Dubbed Meizu Live

By

Jed John Ikoba

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Jan 3, 2018

Meizu is set to release its first full-screen smartphone on January 4 and that promises to be an interesting event to look forward to. The tech giant may have got other smartphones and products that would be unveiled on that day as well. From the stables of Meizu accessories, we could also see a new headset which adopts the moniker Meizu LIVE.

Meizu Live headset is the subject of a recent teaser broadcasted from the official Weibo handle of Meizu’s Accessories sub-division. The teaser took us down memory lane, stating that Meizu first launched its MP3 player, Meizu MX in 2003 and now, 15 years down the road, the company is set to launch a flagship headset.

The teaser left off without revealing details of the Meizu Live headset, as it is called. However, Meizu is known for quality headsets like the Meizu Flow, EP52, HD50 and others. So, we expect the Live, which is tagged as a flagship headset to not only come with a sleek, smooth design but also a powerful hardware setup. Meizu did not reveal when the headset would be launched but if it isn’t launched alongside the upcoming Meizu full-screen smartphone, its launch may not be too far away.

(source)

Sony Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra CAD Renders Appear as Launch Nears

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 3, 2018

The Sony H4133 and Sony H4233 smartphones that have appeared in the recent leaks are rumored to respectively debut as Sony Xperia XA2 and Xperia XA2 Ultra. Popular tipster @OnLeaks has released the CAD renders of both the smartphones.

According to the details that have surfaced with the CAD renders of the Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra, it will be measuring 162.5 x 80 x 9.5mm and may come with a 6-inch display. On the other side, the Xperia XA2 is a smaller device that measures 141.6 x 70.4 x 9.6mm. It is expected to arrive with a 5-inch display.

The appearance of these phones clearly suggest that they won’t be sporting a full screen design. This means Xperia XA2 duo will be supporting the old aspect ratio of 16:9. The bottom edge of both phones features a USB-C port whereas the topside of the phone has a 3.5mm audio jack. The upper bezel appears thick and it seems to feature dual front-facing cameras.

The back panel of the Sony Xperia XA2 and Xperia XA2 Ultra is fitted with a camera sensor and below it is a fingerprint scanner. The Xperia logo can be seen sitting near the center on both phones. The left edge of the phone appears barren, but its right side is equipped with volume rocker, power key and a dedicated button for launching the camera.

According to the GFXBench listing of Xperia XA2 Ultra, it will be fueled by Snapdragon 630 chipset and 4 GB of RAM. It will be coming with an internal storage of 64 GB. Its rear-facing camera will be of 21-megapixel. It will come pre-loaded with Android 8.0 Oreo OS. The GFXBench listing suggests that one of the dual front-facing camera sensors of the XA2 Ultra is of 16-megapixel.

The Sony Xperia XA2 has also appeared on GFXBench in the recent past. It has been found that the handset will be featuring a 5.2-inch display that will support full HD resolution. Like the XA2 Ultra, the XA2 will be powered by Snapdragon 630 chipset and 3 GB of RAM. It will be packed with a native storage of 32 GB. It is likely to feature the same 21-megapixel rear camera that will be available on the Xperia XA2 Ultra. One of the front-facing cameras of the XA2 will be of 8-megapixel.

(source 1, 2)

Buy Global Version Of Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 4G Phablet For Just $439.99 On GearBest

By

Vinay Patel

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Jan 3, 2018

Sporting a massive 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 2160×1080 pixels, the black-tinted global version of Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 4G phablet is currently up for grabs on GearBest bearing a considerable 13% discount, which reduces the handset’s original asking price to just $489.99. The device’s screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

Under the hood, the Mi Mix 2 packs Snapdragon 835 2.45GHz Octa Core, coupled with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal memory. On the photography front, it comes with a rear-mounted 12MP camera and a 5MP front shooter.

Aside from that, it comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and is backed by a non-removable Li-Ion 3400 mAh battery. It runs on Android 7.1 Nougat. It’s worth noting that this is an unlocked version for worldwide use and will be shipped between January 5 to January 17.

There are only 300 pieces available so if you’re looking to get your hands on the Xiaomi-branded phablet, head straight to this link before the promo comes to an end. At the time of checking out, you can apply coupon code ‘mix2gbth’ to buy Mi Mix 2 4G phablet for just $439.99.

Buy Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 4G Phablet Global Version For Just $439.99

Sony Xperia L2’s 360-Degree Renders Reveal its Full Appearance

By

Anvinraj Valiyathara

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Jan 3, 2018

Sony had debuted the Xperia L1 smartphone at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 event in February last year. Speculations are rife that the Japanese tech giant will unveil the Xperia L2 as its successor phone at the MWC 2018 that is scheduled to take place in the next month. Well-known leakster @OnLeaks has collaborated with CompareRaja to reveal the 360-degree renders of the upcoming Xperia L2 smartphone.

Among the Xperia smartphones that were launched in 2017, the Xperia L1 is the cheapest handset. The renders of the Xperia L2 suggest that it won’t be featuring a full screen design. The handset will be measuring 149.9 x 78.4 x 9.8 mm. Compared to the Xperia L1 that measures 151 x 74 x 8.7 mm, the successor phone is likely to arrive with a slightly taller, wider and thicker chassis.

Like the Xperia L1, the L2 will be featuring a 5.5-inch display. The L1 supports HD resolution. However, there are no details available on the screen resolution of the Xperia L2. The L1 is driven by MediaTek MT6737T chipset and 2 GB of RAM. However, the L2 is speculated to be powered by Snapdragon 630 chipset and 4 GB of RAM. It will come pre-installed with Android Nougat OS. There is no information available on the other specs of the phone.

The renders suggest that the Xperia L2 will be featuring a single camera on its rear panel. It seems to be featuring a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The overall design of the phone does not seem to deviate much from the predecessor. The only good thing about the Xperia L2 is that it will be arriving with upgraded specifications. Even though the phone is rumored to debut at MWC 2018, the publication speculates that it may get unveiled at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2018 in the next week.

What do you think about the design of the Xperia L2? Share us your thoughts by posting your comments below.

(source 1, 2)