Sony Xperia Z5+ Leaks: 5.7-Inch QHD Display, Snapdragon 820 and 4GB of RAM

If all the rumors we’ve been seeing float online these days are true, Sony is bound to launch a second flagship smartphone this year, to wash away the Xperia Z3+ fiasco.

According to word on the street, Sony will soon unveil the Xperia Z5, which is tipped to arrive with a full HD (1080p) resolution. This might have disappointed some of you, since FHD resolution is not the standard for flagship smartphones anymore although some device manufacturers like Huawei continue to push it. As some recent reports suggest, it seems that Sony will launch a variant of its Xperia Z5 flagship with a QHD display after all. The Japanese device maker is also prepping a mini variation of the phone, in the form of the Xperia Z5 Compact.

References to Sony Xperia Z5+ pop up

Fresh info coming out of Mobipicker indicates that Sony is also prepping the Xperia Z5+, which is tipped to arrive with a bezeless 5.7-inch display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution and 515ppi pixel density. Under the hood lies a Snapdragon 820, which is good news given the overheating issues the Xperia Z3+ has been faced with ever since it got launched. Given that Xperia Z5+ will be powered by this specific chip architecture, it’s safe to assume Sony will release the phone at a later date. That’s why the report says the handset should arrive sometime in March 2016.

Sony will also pack 4GB of RAM with 32GB of internal storage under the hood of the phone. We’re also going to see a powerful 20.7MP camera on the back, plus an 8MP frontal snapper for taking selfies. More than that, the device will don a fingerprint scanner which will live either on the back or in front, embedded in the home button. And in good accordance with Sony’s practice, the Xperia Z5+ is most likely bound to carry IP certification against dust and water.

As for the Xperia Z5, the smartphone is said to pack a 5.5-inch display with FHD resolution, a Snapdragon 810 processor (like the Xperia Z3+) plus 3GB of RAM. It sounds a lot like the Xperia flagship that’s currently on the market, so maybe we should place our hopes on the Xperia Z5+ instead.

Sony's Xperia Z5 lineup is going to be extensive
Image credits to Sony

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Benchmark Leaks: Exynos 7422 CPU, 4GB RAM

Even though we get new details about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Note 5 phablet on a daily basis, things are still confusing when it comes to specs.

Previous rumors claimed Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be equipped with a homegrown Exynos 742 chipset inside, the same processor that powers the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones. The latest live pictures showing a prototype unit of the Galaxy Note 5 also confirm that the phone's S Pen won't be ejectable, so users will have to pull it out manually. Today, a new information sheds some light on the chipset that will be embedded into Samsung's Galaxy Note 5 phablet. The folks over at GSMArena have just got their hands on a screenshot taken from a Galaxy Note 5 benchmark.

The application used, CPU-Z displays the hardware configuration of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, model number SM-N920F.

We still have no idea whether or not it will come with microSD card slot

According to this benchmark, the Galaxy Note 5 will be equipped with an Exynos 7422 chipset, which is an improved version of the Exynos 7420 processor inside the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. Aside from that, it also confirms the fact that the phablet will pack 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory. However, we expect Samsung to launch multiple Galaxy Note 5 variants with different storage amounts.

Unfortunately, it's still unclear whether or not Samsung will add a microSD card slot inside the Galaxy Note 5. The good news is we won't have to wait too long to find out more about the phablet, since Samsung is expected to officially unveil the Galaxy Note 5 as early as August 12. If you're waiting for Samsung's flagship to be launched on the market, then you should know that the Galaxy Note 5 will only be available in select markets beginning August 21.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 benchmark
Image credits to GSMArena

Read more »

Galaxy Note 5 Live Pictures Leak Online

Most of you who follow all news about Samsung Galaxy Note 5 remember that the first live pictures of the phablet leaked yesterday.

The pictures revealed the fact that the smartphone won't feature an ejectable S Pen, but a stylus that must be pulled out manually. Apart from that, the Galaxy Note 5 seemed like a slightly enlarged version of the Galaxy S6, but since the back of the smartphone wasn't shown in those pictures we couldn't confirm whether or not it will feature glass coating. Well, it looks like the folks over at SamMobile have another set of pictures of the alleged Galaxy Note 5 and some of the things that we noticed yesterday does not seem to stand now.

For example, the S Pen doesn't feature the small gap in the previous pictures that would allow users to pull out the stylus using their fingernails.

Glass back and standard microUSB port instead of USB Type-C

Also, we can finally have a good look on the Galaxy Note 5's back side, which looks pretty much the same as Galaxy S6's, which means it feature glass coating. Another thing worth noting is the lack of the USB Type-C port that was rumored to be included in the Galaxy Note 5. What we see instead is a standard microUSB port. If you've been dying to learn more about Samsung's upcoming flagship smartphone, you will be pleased to know that the South Korean company is expected to unveil the Galaxy Note 5 on August 12.

Along with the Galaxy Note 5, Samsung is also said to launch the Galaxy S6 edge+ smartphone, both of which will be available for purchase from August 21. However, while Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ will be available worldwide, the Galaxy Note 5 will only be purchasable in select markets.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Image credits to SamMobile

Read more »

Motorola Moto X (3rd Gen) to Pack 5.5-Inch FHD Display, 21MP Camera, 3,600 mAh Battery

Motorola is rumored to launch a few Android smartphones in the next couple of days and the latest hearsay point to a Moto G (3rd Gen) unveil on July 28.

However, the US-based company might launch its next flagship smartphone as well, the Moto X (3rd Gen) on the same day, or around the same timeframe. Since we've only talked about the upcoming Moto G (3rd Gen) in the last couple of weeks, it's only fair that we now offer Motorola fans some information about Moto X (3rd Gen). The information comes via HelloMotoHK, a group with sources close to Motorola, which offers details on some of the company's upcoming products.

According to this group, Motorola Moto X (3rd Gen) is expected to arrive soon with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop operating system right out of the box. Hardware-wise, Motorola is determined to avoid the controversial Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, which is why the Moto X (3rd Gen) will be equipped with a hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU inside.

No Quad HD display, but a huge battery

Also, the Moto X (3rd Gen) won't be packing a Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) display, instead Motorola is said to have opted for a 5.5-inch display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution. On the back side, the smartphone will feature a 21-megapixel photo snapper, though it's unclear whether or not it will include a Sony sensor. In the front there will be a 5-megapixel selfie camera. But the most appealing piece of hardware inside the Moto X (3rd Gen) is the 3,600 mAh battery, which is said to power the smartphone.

With that high-capacity battery and only a full HD display, the Moto X (3rd Gen) will sure get you through more than one day of full use. Last but not least, the same source confirms Motorola's Moto X (3rd Gen) will surely pack microSD card slot for memory expansion.

Motorola Moto X (3rd Gen)
Image credits to HelloMotoHK

Read more »

Sony Xperia Z5 Tipped to Launch in September with 5.5-Inch FHD Display

It looks like Sony will be launching a second flagship smartphone this year, even though the Japanese company initially stated that it will only release one high-end device per year.

The upcoming Sony Xperia Z5, or whatever its name, has been leaked a few times by now and everything points to a Xperia Z3+ copycat in terms of specs. We have recently spotted the smartphone in UAProf and were a bit disappointed to find out that Xperia Z5 will sport display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution. Full HD resolution is not standard for flagship smartphones anymore, but Sony does not seem to be ready to put this type of displays into its devices, even though the Xperia Z4v for Verizon Wireless is an exception. Today, a new report claims that Sony Xperia Z5 will indeed sport a full HD (1080p) display, but what's interesting is the fact that the Japanese company will include a much larger 5.5-inch screen.

The first Sony flagship to enter phablet category

While most of Sony's flagship smartphones pack 5.2-inch screens, it appears that the Xperia Z5 will make the jump into the phablet category thanks to a larger 5.5-inch display, which would have been nice to offer Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution. Apart from that, the same report claims the Xperia Z5 will be powered by the same controversial 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor paired with an Adreno 430 graphics processing unit and 3GB of RAM.

On the back, there will be a 20.7-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and 4K video recording, while in the front there will be a no less impressive 8-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. Last but not least, Sony Xperia Z5 is said to be on track for a September unveil, in order to compete with Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+ and Apple iPhone 6s. It remains to be seen whether or not the specs inside the Xperia Z5 will make it a worthy competitor.

Sony Xperia Z5 teaser
Image credits to Digi-Wo

Read more »

Xiaomi Mi5 Leaks in Pictures, Features Edge-to-Edge Display

Xiaomi is currently preparing to launch two new flagship products, which are set to arrive on the market as the Mi 5 and Mi5 Pro.

Specs of the two models have also made their way online, indicating that the first version will be powered by a Snapdragon 810 chipset, while the second will be the first handset to make a debut on the market with a Snapdragon 820 under the hood. If you have been curious to see what the Xiaomi Mi5 will be all about, this week, the folks at Chinese blog Mobile Dad are treating us to a couple of spyshots of the device, which reveal an edge-to-edge display. Following the market trend nowadays, which tends to obliterate bezels, the Mi5 will also arrive with ultra slim, almost imperceptible bezels. Apart from that, Xiaomi maintains the design we are accustomed to, including the trio of capacitive buttons living at the bottom of the device.

Xiaomi Mi5 rumored specs roundup

According to the rumor mill, the Xiaomi Mi5 will be the beneficiary of a 5.2-inch LCD display with Gorilla Glass 2.5 coating and taking advantage of 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution. The device has a 16MP primary camera alongside a very capable 13MP selfie shooter. There aren’t a lot of phones equipped with such a powerful frontal camera available on the market, apart from the Desire EYE from HTC, which boasts a similar configuration. Xiaomi Mi5 is sustained by a 3,000 mAh battery and will take advantage of quick charge support, which will allow users to juice up 30% of the battery in just 40 minutes.

The phone should arrive with Xiaomi’s next MIUI 7 interface based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. There are a few concerns that Xiaomi’s flagship will also suffer from overheating issues, due to the Snapdragon 810 chip on the inside. Previous rumors would have us believe that Xiaomi was thinking of utilizing the Snapdragon 820 for both models, but it appears this is not the case. Qualcomm’s next-gen architecture will start shipping out in December, so it appears Xiaomi will not be unveiling the two phones at the same time.

When should we expect the Mi5 to make an appearance? Maybe on August 16, when the company is poised to announce new products, deals and promotions. We’ll keep an eye out and inform you as soon as more information on the matter is available.

Xiaomi Mi5 leaks

Xiaomi Mi5 has edge-to-edge display
Image credits to Mobile Dad

Read more »

Sony Lavander Launching in August as Sony Xperia T4 Ultra

Good news for Sony fans, as the Japanese handset maker has another mid-ranger in the pipeline, the Xperia T4 Ultra. The new smartphone might be launched as early as August for a price that will be disclosed closer to release.

Some of you might remember the Sony Lavander that leaked back in April and never made it to market. Well, it looks like the Lavander will be launched on the market as Sony Xperia T4 Ultra, a new report claims. The smartphone will be announced next month and should cost around $300 if we are to take into consideration the price of the its predecessors. According to the same source, the Xperia T4 Ultra will be Sony's fist device ever released with a “bezel-free” design. Although this sounds more like a marketing line than an actual feature, lets take this as accurate until the smartphone is actually announced.

Furthermore, Sony Lavander or Sony Xperia T4 Ultra will be equipped with a powerful octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor clocked at 1.7GHz, which will be complemented by 2GB of RAM.

There won't be a 6-inch for the next Xperia Ultra series phone

Unfortunately, there's no mention of storage amount, but we expect the Xperia T4 Ultra to come with microSD card slot for memory expansion. We also know that the smartphone will boast a large 5.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution. On the back, the Xperia T4 Ultra should feature a 13-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and full HD (1080p) video recording. Rumor has it the main camera will pack a Sony IMX214 sensor.

Sony Xperia T4 Ultra is said to be powered by Android 5.0 Lollipop, but by the time the smartphone will go on sale it might run a newer version of the OS. Last but not least, the smartphone will come with 4G LTE support, but it will also provide users with dual-SIM support.

Sony Lavander front panel
Image credits to nowhereelse.fr

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Launching in Mid-August

Smartphone users will have a pretty busy next couple of months, as Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Meizu and other major handset makers are expected to launch new flagship smartphones.

Samsung is always launching its high-end Galaxy Note models in early September at IFA trade fair, but the smartphone does not make it to the market until October. However, this year it looks like things might be different since Samsung desperately wants to maintain its high-end market. In order to do that the Galaxy Note 5 needs to sell better than the iPhone 6s, which is expected to be unveiled this fall as well.

Although rumors emerged last month which pointed to an earlier Galaxy Note 5 release, Samsung officials denied their company plans to launch the next flagship smartphone in August.

It appears that Samsung is likely to launch the Galaxy Note 5 next month though, as Reuters reports a person with knowledge in the matter confirmed, declining to be identified due to the sensitivity of the information.

Fans might be able to pre-order it beginning next month

Even though the South Korean company previously announced its Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 4 in early September at IFA, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 might be unveiled as early as mid-August. Still, that doesn't mean that the flagship smartphone will be available for purchase next month. Usually, it takes about 1 to 2 months to brings the next Galaxy Note handset on the market. But that information is a mystery for the moment, not to mention this is just an unconfirmed rumor. The good news is we will most likely find out more in the next couple of weeks since we're less than 2 months from IFA 2015 trade fair.

"I don't know how much the earlier launch will help boost the company's average selling price for smartphones, but this suggests that Samsung will work hard to maintain its market share for the high-end market," said HDC Asset Management fund manager Park Jung-hoon.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 render
Image credits to OnLeaks

Read more »

BlackBerry to Launch Multiple Android-Based Smartphones in H2 2015

Following the partnership announcement between BlackBerry and Google, a new report claiming that the Canadian company is in talks with ODMs for the release of multiple Android smartphones this year has just emerged.

According to Digitimes, BlackBerry has already approached some of the biggest ODMs, including Foxconn, Compal and Wistron, for possible production partnerships that will see the Canadian company launch Android-based smartphones in the second half of the year. The information has been confirmed by sources at Taiwan's handset supply chain and also mentions that these customized Android smartphones will integrate various BlackBerry OS features, including BES12, BBM, and BlackBerry Blend. The report somewhat comes in line with the latest announcements from BlackBerry, as the company has confirmed a new partnership with Google and launched a new version of BES12 with enhanced multi-OS support.

On top of that, BlackBerry Blend has just left beta and is now available for download on Android, iOS and BlackBerry 10 via Google Play Store, App Store, and BlackBerry World.

BlackBerry will not spend any money on R&D, distribution channels

But that's not all, as the same report also claims that BlackBerry will not be losing any money since these three ODMs will be paying the R&D, marketing and channel distribution expenses for all BlackBerry smartphones powered by Android that will be launched in the coming months. ODMs hope that BlackBerry's high brand image in some markets will boost the sale of these smartphones, especially since they will be powered by Android OS.

BlackBerry already has a partnership with Foxconn for the production of BlackBerry smartphones, but the Canadian company wishes to increase the competitiveness of its hardware products, which is why it has decided to approach more ODMs like Compal and Winstron. In a recent statement, BlackBerry's CEO John Chen had the following to say about rumors claiming that the company will launch Android smartphones:

“We only build secure phones. And BlackBerry is the most secure phone. So if I can find a way to secure the Android phone, I will also build that.”

BlackBerry Venice
Image credits to EvLeaks

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy A8 Leaks Again in New Press Render

We already know Samsung is likely to launch the Galaxy A8 on July 17, though the smartphone will only be available in China initially.

The same source that revealed to us the launch date of the smartphone also confirmed the Galaxy A8 won't come cheap. The device will be available for purchase for around $500 or €450 outright. This is the price from China, Malaysia and Vietnam, but we're not sure if Samsung will make it available in Europe and North America at a slightly price.

The good news we now have a press render that shows the Samsung Galaxy A8 in all its glory. The phone really looks stylish, but the Galaxy A8 might be slightly overpriced for what it has to offer in terms of specs. Speaking of which, the Galaxy A8 is said to come with a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display that supports full HD (1080p) resolution.

When it comes to hardware, the smartphone is powered by a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, which is paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB of internal memory. There's no word on microSD card slot, but we do know the Galaxy A8 will pack a 16-megapixel main camera, a secondary 5-megapixel camera in the front and a 3,050 mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy A8
Image credits to OnLeaks

Read more »

Xiaomi Mi5 Plus Spotted at TENAA with 5.7-Inch QHD Display, 4GB RAM

Xiaomi's Mi5 Plus is one of the most expected flagship smartphones this year. The big brother of the Mi5 will be unveiled in the coming months, but it will probably be available only in China initially.

The Mi5 Plus will be one of the first Android smartphones to ship with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor inside. The new chipset hasn't been made commercially available yet, but we expect that to happen this fall. This is why the most probably timeframe for Xiaomi Mi5 Plus release would be this fall, but we expect more details on a smaller timeframe to emerge in the coming weeks. Now, Xiaomi Mi5 Plus has been recently spotted at TENAA, the Chinese regulatory commission, a new report confirms. Luckily, the filing also contains lots of info on the phone's specs sheet.

First of all, it looks like Xiaomi will be putting a large 5.7-inch capacitive touchscreen display inside the Mi5 Plus in order to differentiate from the standard Mi5 model. The phone's display will be protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4 coating and it will feature Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) which was to be expected.

The beast inside the beast

As mentioned earlier, the smartphone will be equipped with a powerful, and hopefully much more cooler (literally), 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor clocked at 2GHz. On top of that, the Mi5 Plus will pack no less than 4GB RAM and 64GB of internal memory. Unfortunately, there's a high chance that Xiaomi's flagship smartphone will lack microSD card slot, but 64GB should be plenty of storage. The specs sheet listed at TENAA also includes a 13-megapixel rear camera with autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and video recording, while in the front there will be a 4- or 5-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls.

All of the above will be powered by a 3,500 mAh battery. It's also worth mentioning that the Xiaomi Mi5 Plus will offer both 4G LTE and dual-SIM support. For the time being, we know the smartphone runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop with MIUI 6 on top, but Xiaomi might put a newer version of the OS by the time the Mi5 Plus goes on sale.

Xiaomi Mi5 Plus
Images credits to TENAA

Read more »

BlackBerry and Google Announce Partnership for Android Business

Rumors about BlackBerry entering the Android smartphone market continue to pop up, even though the Canadian company was never explicit on the matter.

In the last statement offered by the company's CEO John Chen, he says that BlackBerry will launch an Android smartphone, but only if it can make it secure. Well, it looks like BlackBerry might try to make Android secure, or at least is working with Google on that matter. Today, the Canadian company has announced a new partnership with Google, which focuses on enterprise business. Both companies are now working together to implement some of the most important BES12 features into Android.

Google needs BlackBerry's expertise in enterprise security, while BlackBerry needs to tap into the huge Android market that could bring the company even more customers.

The partnership focuses on application management

Although BES12 already features Android Lollipop support, BlackBerry's security solution will now be implemented with Google Play Work, thus focusing on application management. According to BlackBerry, “new features are now available through Android and BES12 that enable organizations to further secure enterprise and personal data on Android devices, set new levels of hardware based encryption, and ensure tight integration with Google Play for Work, for increased application management, while delivering a consistent end-user and management experience across their Android fleet.”

These are all the details provided by BlackBerry and Google for the moment, but we expect the Canadian company to issue an official statement in the next couple of days. Until then, BlackBerry has announced the launch of BES12 version 12.2, which features enhanced multi-OS support. This is just another first step for implementing BlackBerry's security solution into major operating systems other then BlackBerry.

It's unclear what will happen with BlackBerry 10 or the company's devices division, but for the time being, the Canadian company has no reason to abandon any of them.

BlackBerry BES12 + Android

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 to Pack All-in-One Exynos 7422 CPU, May Lack MicroSD Slot

We're less than a month away from Samsung Galaxy Note 5's official unveil and it looks like we're getting more info on the upcoming flagship smartphone.

Even though we already know some of the specs that Samsung plans to include inside the Galaxy Note 5, there are still some details that have been left out. The folks over at SamMobile have just learned that Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will be initially available in four color options: Black, Gold, Silver and White. Just like the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will feature glass back, which is a clear indication that the phablet is likely to lack microSD card slot. Also, due to the unibody design and glass coating, the Galaxy Note 5's battery might not be removable.

According to the same source, the Galaxy Note 5 will be powered by Samsung's all-in-one Exynos 7422 chipset. Why is it all-in-one? Because for the first time it will embed all solutions, including a 64-bit octa-core CPU, GPU, RAM, storage and Samsung's Shannon LTE modem.

Samsung has already tested 4K displays

Apparently, Samsung also tested the Exynos 7430 chipset inside the Galaxy Note 5, which features support for 4K display, but decided to use the Exynos 7422 and a 2K display this year. Now, when it comes to microSD card slot things don't look that bright for Samsung Galaxy Note fans. Word is that Samsung plans to follow the same plan it adopted with Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. These two flagship smartphones feature the fastest internal storage technology (UFS 2.0), which will not offer the same performance if they would pack microSD card slots.

Given the fact that UFS 2.0 technology uses another type of memory controller than the eMMC 5.0 solution offered by SD cards, it would be impossible for these two to coexist without affecting the overall performance. If Samsung plans to implement the UFS 2.0 technology inside the Galaxy Note 5, it's highly unlikely that the smartphone will be packed with microSD card slot as well.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 insides
Image credits to Catalin Garmacea

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus Coming with 5.7-Inch Quad HD Display, Snapdragon 808 CPU

We already know Samsung plans to release an improved version of the Galaxy S6 edge since the South Korean company has just trademarked the Galaxy S6 edge+ name less than two weeks ago.

However, not much is known about the improvements the Galaxy S6 edge Plus will pack over the standard model. We do know however, that the smartphone is more than likely to be unveiled along with the Galaxy Note 5 in late August or early September. And now thanks to SamMobile we also have some info on the smartphone's specs sheet. Judging by these leaked details, many Samsung fans will be disappointed that the South Korean company skipped some of the features that are missing in the Galaxy S6 edge as well.

We're talking about microSD card slot and removable battery, which are likely to lack in the Galaxy S6 edge Plus mode. According to the cited source, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge Plus will feature the same glass back coating like its smaller twin. This means that it will most likely lack a microSD card slot and that the battery will be non-removable.

It will pack a 3,000 mAh battery and Android 5.1 Lollipop

Aside from that, we also know that the smartphone will sport a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display that will feature Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution. The Galaxy S6 edge Plus won't be equipped with a homegrown Exynos chipset, instead Samsung seems to have been opted for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 chipset that features a hexa-core processor. Furthermore, the handset will pack 32GB of internal storage, a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with OIS (optical image stabilization) and 4K video recording, as well as secondary 5-megapixel camera in the front.

Last but not least, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge Plus is said to come with a fix for TouchWiz RAM issues currently affecting the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus mockup compared to the “normal” Galaxy S6 Edge
Image credits to OnLeaks

Read more »

Sony Xperia Z4v Confirmed to Arrive at Verizon on August 13

Sony and Verizon announced last month they will bring the Xperia Z4 to consumers in the United States. However, the carrier-branded Xperia Z4v comes at Verizon with enhanced specs in comparison with the standard model.

It's common fact that Sony stated numerous times that it's not ready to include Quad HD displays inside its smartphones. Both Xperia Z4 and its international counterpart, the Xperia Z3+ are packed with full HD (1080p) display, which was kind of disappointing for Sony fans. However, unlike the Xperia Z3+, Verizon's version will come with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display that supports Quad HD (2560 x 1440 pixels) resolution. Although Sony and Verizon confirmed the Xperia Z4v will be exclusively available in the United States through the Big Red's official retail channels, they did not share any details regarding the possible release of the smartphone.

It will be available in either black or white colors

Today, XperiaBlog reports Verizon confirmed Sony Xperia Z4v will be commercially available beginning August 13. One thing still remains to be unveiled by the carrier: price. We know nothing about the smartphone's pricing options for the moment, but there's a high chance that it will by slightly more expensive than the Xperia Z3+ given the slightly enhanced features. Aside from packing a much better display, the Xperia Z4v also comes with wireless charging and a slightly larger 3,000 mAh battery. The Xperia Z3+ is powered by a 2,930 mAh battery, so the difference is negligible.

The rest of the Xperia Z4v specs are similar to those of the Xperia Z3+, including the 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM and 32GB of internal memory. Also, Verizon's Xperia Z4v boasts an impressive 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera with autofocus, LED flash and 4K video recording, as well as a secondary 5.1-megapixel camera in the front that can capture full HD (1080p) video.

Sony Xperia Z4v teaser
Image credits to Verizon Wireless

Read more »

Motorola Moto G (2015) and Moto X Sport Specs Leak, Launching this August

Lenovo and Motorola have already confirmed they will have a busy summer with multiple smartphone launches. The new generation of Moto X, Moto G and Moto E smartphones are expected to arrive in the next couple of months.

We're not sure what smartphone Motorola will launch first, but we know that at least two of them will be commercially available in August. According to a new report, Chilean carrier Entel will launch the Motorola Moto X Sport and the “Nuevo” Moto G, which might translate onto “the new Moto G,” sometime in August. A few screenshots taken from the carrier's inventory provides us with some info on their specs. Since we already know a great deal about some of the Motorola smartphones that will be announced this summer, the new info comes to corroborate some of the details we already have.

That being said, it appears that Motorola Moto X Sport will sport a 5.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display possibly with full HD (1080p) resolution.

Both device are powered by quad-core CPUs

Also, the smartphone will be powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, but the model is not mentioned in the leaked screenshots. We also know that Motorola Moto X Sport will boast a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with LED flash, autofocus and video recording, as well as a secondary 5-megapixel camera in the front. Moving on to Motorola Moto G (2015), the possible name of the next smartphone in the Moto G series, the device will feature a 5-inch capacitive touchscreen display that should support 720p resolution.

On the back, the phone has been confirmed to pack a 13-megapixel camera with LED flash, autofocus and video recording. In the front, the Moto G (2015) will features a 5-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. Last but not least, Motorola Moto G (2015) will be powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor, which will be complemented by 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal memory expandable up to 32GB.

Motorola Moto G (2015)

Motorola Moto X Sport
Images credits to pisapapeles.net

Read more »

Say Hello to "Logi", the New Logitech

Logitech announces today its biggest brand transformation in its history. It claims that although it has been known as a technology company, this time it wants to place design at its core. And to reflect the company's reinvention it adopts a new attitude and a re-imagined logo and, of course, a new label: Logi.

Crafting a portfolio that go beyond PC peripherals, and building products that have a place in every aspect of our daily life, Logitech apparently believes that it must distance itself from the image of a gadget tinkering company and enter the sphere of "great" companies that can build everyday objects and this way  claim the image of life "enhancers". Logitech claims that since 2013 it has been working behind the scene on reinventing the company, shaking things up "culturally" and by innovating new products. This way Logitech warns clients to expect more bold colors and simple designs to make their mark on their official website, social media and packaging in store displays.

Logitech reinvents itself with some Nokia old blood

At the helm of this new design rebranding process is Alastair Curtis, former Chief Designer and Senior Vice President at Nokia in its pre-Microsoft days that probably led the design team for the famous Nokia 5230 and many other models that preceded the Lumias. The company hopes to put Design at its core and appeal to its public in its new form and go beyond the classic methodology of treating product design in mainstream companies.

Bracken Darrell, Logitech president and CEO considers that "design to us is the combination of advanced technology, business strategy and consumer insights. Our products have come a long way, and now it's time to bring the brand forward too." Logitech believes that part of its brand reinvention will begin with the name "Logi" being displayed on select products in existing categories, and expect some twists and new "surprises" in new categories.

Logitech is now Logi

New Logitech logo
Images credits to Logitech

Read more »

AMD Announces the FirePro S9170 with 32GB GDDR5

Professional graphics cards are not really similar to consumer GPUs the like of GTX 980Ti or the Fury X and so forth. These are machines that share more with CPUs in their ability to work in networks and data racks than individual machines and are sturdier, more reliable pieces of technology than their fancy little sisters while also packing a lot more TFLOPS.

In this regard, AMD announced its newest professional graphics card, the FirePro S9170. Its main addition compared to the existing S9150 is its slight increase of single precision TFLOPS from 5.07 to 5.24 and most obviously the increase of available memory from 16GB GDDR5 to 32GB. Designed for intensive workloads in terms of pure calculation, the new card aims to become ominous in data centers of government agencies, universities and private companies that specialize in industrial design or 3D modeling. The 32GB of memory is the largest available on a single GPU and will enable the acceleration of scientific calculations that were previously thought impossible. The latest large OpenCL codes require large space on a single graphics card to operate properly, and the size and the available TFLOPS helps running programs much faster than storing them on DRAM or on HDDs.

The new card also operates with 10% less energy than its predecessors, having 275W DTP, with an option of 235W, and with 40% better double precision performance while having a dual slot form factor and passive cooling.

Built on powerful design

The S9170 is, in fact, a larger, more powerful S9150 that had good merits of its own, managing to sustain 2TFLOPS of sustained DGEMM performance. The GPU is meant to accelerate applications by offloading compute-intensive tasks from the CPU, while the CPU continues to run the rest of the code. Asked on why the new S9170 doesn't use HBM memory instead of GDDR5, Niles Burbank, the senior product manager at AMD, said that "GDDR5 memory modules are more reliable for heavy-duty computing and load-sharing than the new HBM memory chips presently found on the Radeon R9 Fury X."

Although he may be right, it still shows how experimental the new HBM memory racks still are, and why AMD still goes for the good old GDDR5 when having to build industrial-grade failsafe graphics solutions. Although we don't have an exact price, it's expected to see the new FirePro S9170 at around $4000 (€3 625) street price.

Solid and sobre, a 32GB monster ready for business

Business is done with big numbers
Images credits to AMD

Read more »

OnePlus 2 Confirmed to Pack 4GB RAM, Will Cost Less Than $450

With less than three weeks left until its official reveal, OnePlus 2 has just got one other piece of hardware confirmed by the Chinese company that is going to release it on July 27.

According to OnePlus, its upcoming flagship smartphone will pack no less than 4GB of RAM. Not only that, but the RAM inside the OnePlus 2 will be the latest and greatest on the market, LPDDR4. OnePlus explains that the reason they have decided to go with the LPDDR4 is the lower power consumption for better battery efficiency. This means that OnePlus 2 users will be able to use their smartphone without draining the battery too fast. “With LPDDR4, you get twice the bandwidth performance as the LPDDR3 at the same power consumption profile. The RAM of the OnePlus 2 uses a lower operating voltage than its predecessor, decreasing from 1.2V to 1.1V.

And with speeds up to 32 GB/s, it is also twice as fast as the LPDDR3. It offers optimal support for power-saving low frequency mode that brings clock speeds down when performing those everyday and necessary tasks,” says OnePlus in a blog post.

The Snapdragon 810 CPU will utilize all 4GB RAM

Since the smartphone has also been confirmed to be equipped with a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, the OnePlus 2 will be able to use all 4GB RAM to its maximum potential. For those out of the loop, 32-bit chipsets can only make use of up to 3GB RAM. Keep in mind that, this is the last reveal that OnePlus offers before the smartphone's official unveil, which is set for July 27. In the same piece of news, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau promised fans that OnePlus 2 will be priced under $450. However, he did not say if that's the base price for the smartphone or for the 64GB model, which is likely to be announced as well.

OnePlus 2 teaser

OnePlus 2 price
Image credits to OnePlus

Read more »

Xiaomi Mi5 Tipped to Cost $386, Mi5 Plus Coming with 23MP Main Camera

We know that Xiaomi is preparing to launch its next-gen smartphone, the Mi5, this month. We also heard talk about an Mi5 Plus model which should make it out alongside it.

Today we get a new leak regarding the two flagships, which paints a slightly different story than what we have heard so far. The most important change is that, according to the leakster on Weibo, the Mi5 will take advantage of a Snapdragon 810 processor while the Mi5 Plus will be fueled by a next-gen Snapdragon 820. We previously heard that both models will be the recipients of a Snapdragon 820. Moving on, we’re told that the Xiaomi Mi5 will be the beneficiary of a 5.2-inch LCD display with Gorilla Glass 2.5 and taking advantage of 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution. The device has a 16MP primary camera alongside a very capable 13MP selfie shooter (at the level of the HTC Desire EYE).

The phone is said to be sustained by a 3,000 mAh battery and will take advantage of quick charge support allowing users to juice up 30% of the battery in just 40 minutes.

The Mi5 might be Xiaomi's first Android 5.1 Lollipop-touting device

The phone is said to be running the yet-unannounced MIUI 7 interface which is based on Android 5.1 Lollipop. Xiaomi is yet to offer the latest Android update to its handsets. The leak document also shows us a price for the device which will be equivalent to $386 / €352. Moving along to the larger Mi5 Plus, the phone will come with a 5.7-inch display with QHD resolution and will take advantage of an impressive 23MP main shooter as well as a 12MP frontal camera. We can’t help but notice that these are pretty bizarre numbers, so we might be looking at a 24MP main snapper plus 13MP front camera.

The Mi5 Plus is showed as having a 3,500 mAh battery on the inside and a pretty chunky $600 / €547 price tag attached.

Xiaomi Mi5 and Mi5 Plus spec leak
Image credits to Weibo

Read more »

Monster from China: Coolpad Fengsheng C+ with Snapdragon 810 CPU, 4GB RAM

China is the largest smartphone market in the world, but also one of the most competitive. Following Xiaomi's success in China, many OEMs are now launching cheap smartphones that are getting better and better quality-wise.

Unfortunately, for consumers in the rest of the world, these devices rarely go on sale internationally because they are sold by native companies that do not have the resources to sustain such an endeavor. Not yet at least. Coolpad is a Chinese handset maker that recently entered the Indian market with two smartphones. However, the company's main market remains China where its products are among the most popular.

The latest addition to Coolpad's portfolio of Android smartphones is called Fengsheng C+. According to a new report, the smartphone will soon be available for purchase in China, though details on pricing options have yet to be announced.

Lots of RAM, but disappointing display

What's interesting about Coolpad's Fengsheng C+ is that it's one of the not so many smartphones available on the market that packs 4GB of RAM. The bad news is the smartphone is equipped with an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, which means it's possible that Fengsheng C+ will face some overheating issues. Even so, the phone's specs look rather appealing if not for the 5.5-inch capacitive touchscreen display that only supports HD (720p) resolution.

On the back, Coolpad Fengsheng C+ packs a 13-megapixel photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and video recording, while in the front there's a secondary 5-megapixel camera for selfies and video calls. It's also worth mentioning that the smartphone is powered by a 2,500 mAh battery and packs 32GB of internal memory, which can be further expanded up to 64GB via microSD card slot. Other highlights of the Coolpad Fengsheng C+ include dual-SIM support, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, microUSB 2.0, GPS with AGPS and Bluetooth 4.0.

Coolpad Fengsheng C+
Images credits to zol.com.cn

Read more »

Sony Xperia Z3+ Receives Small Software Update That Should Fix Overheating Issues

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset is clearly faulty, as many benchmarks confirm it. HTC One M9, which is equipped with this particular SoC, had major overheating issues before it hit shelves, but the Taiwanese company delivered a small software update that partially solved the problem.

Basically, the update throttles down the CPU and GPU speeds in order to avoid overheating. While the solution solved the reported overheating issues, it drastically reduced the HTC One M9's performance in benchmarks. HTC also had to release another software update to keep the One M9 cooler while it charges. For whatever reason, the smartphone would overheat while charging even though the Snapdragon 810 processor shouldn't have been used that much during this task.

All the issues that HTC One M9 had with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset are present in all devices powered by this processor. Even though the chipset maker does not wish to admit that Snapdragon 810 has major overheating issues, real-life tests confirm it.

All devices powered by Snapdragon 810 chipsets have overheating issues

Sony Xperia Z3+ is another flagship smartphone that uses the Snapdragon 810 chipset. We have already reported about the handset's major issues with the camera app, which closes down due to increased temperatures. The same goes for any hardware-demanding app that users ran on the Xperia Z3+. Sony is already aware of these issues and promised to deploy a software update, just as HTC did. However, it's been almost a month and Sony has yet deliver on that promise. According to a new report, the Xperia Z3+ is now getting a new software update that supposedly fixes these overheating issues.

The update is about 70MB in size, but we can't yet confirm that it does address the overheating problems, as Sony has not announced anything on that matter. If this is indeed a fix for the overheating issues in Sony Xperia Z3+, then expect your smartphone to score lower in benchmarks because it's the only way to solve these problems.

Sony Xperia Z3+ new software update
Image credits to PhoneBunch

Read more »

Nokia N1 Coming Soon to India, Indonesia

Nokia's amazing Android tablet, the N1 is only available in China and Taiwan, even though the Finnish company promised to bring its wildly popular slate to other countries.

If you expected Nokia to launch the N1 in Finland next, then you might be mistaken since the tablet has been recently spotted at Zauba, the Indian import/export commission. On top of that, Nokia N1 has been recently certified in Indonesia, which points to an imminent release in this country as well. Even though we don't have any confirmed info on availability and pricing options, we should mention that Nokia N1 is available in China for only $260.

If Nokia decides to offer the slate for around the same amount in India and Indonesia, it will probably increase N1's sales by a lot. Unfortunately, we can't say for sure since the tablet's value in Zauba is set to Rs 44,523, which translates to no less than $705 or €635. The good news is the value of a product appearing at Zauba is just for import/export purposes and rarely reflects the final price of the device.

The iPad mini killer comes with more than decent specs

That being said, we expect Nokia to bring the Wi-Fi only tablet in India and Indonesia in the coming months. For those unfamiliar with the N1, also known as the iPad mini killer, here is a quick rundown of what it has to offer. First of all, the tablet sports a 7.9-inch IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen display that supports 1536 x 2048 pixels resolution and features Corning Gorilla Glass 3 coating. Hardware-wise, Nokia N1 is equipped with a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor, a PowerVR G6430 graphics processing unit and 2GB of RAM.

Although the tablet packs 32GB of internal memory, it does not feature microSD card slot for memory expansion, so that's all the storage you have at your disposal. It's also worth mentioning that N1 comes with a 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 5-megapixel camera in the front and a non-removable 5,300 mAh battery.

Nokia N1Image credits to Nokia

Read more »

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Press Renders Leak

Italian blog HDBlog has just published two pictures of the alleged Galaxy Note 5, which confirm some of the latest info on the phablet.

Although previous rumors claimed that Samsung Galaxy Note 5 would pack USB Type C port, it looks like the South Korean company has no plans to replace the microUSB 2.0 port. These images, as well as the one leaked via a CAD file earlier today, confirm this information.

Also, we get glimpse of what appears to be Galaxy Note 5's platicky stylus. Some other piece of hardware visible in the press renders include a 3.5mm audio jack port and a loudspeaker on the bottom side of the phone. The protruding Home button probably hides the fingerprint scanner, while the back side of the Galaxy Note 5 reveals a thick camera module.

No other details accompany these images allegedly showing the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, but we already know most of the phablet's specs. The Galaxy Note 5 is expected to be officially unveiled in late August or early September at IFA 2015, but it will only hit shelves a few months later.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (bottom side)

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (bottom side + display)
Images credits to HDBlog.it

Read more »