Samsung Galaxy J for Japanese market leaks out

The Sony Xperia Z1 mini isn’t the only drool-worthy, Japan-only smartphone we ran into today. Samsung Galaxy J is yet another top-shelf Android handset bound for NTT DoCoMo as part of the carrier’s winter lineup.

Samsung Galaxy J dressed in pink (click to enlarge)

The alleged specs of the Samsung Galaxy J are a mixture of Galaxy S4 and Note 3 internals. The handset reportedly features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and 5” 1080p display. The Galaxy J will be available in three different color schemes Coral Pink, Satin White, and Lapis Blue.

The Samsung Galaxy J is more than likely to make an official appearance on October 10.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j_for_japanese_market_leaks_out-news-6926.php

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Samsung Galaxy J, Sony Xperia Z1f in Japan translate to Galaxy S4, Xperia Z1

Welcome to Japan where the local time is... tomorrow (credit: RBMen)

NTT DoCoMo, Japan's largest wireless carrier, dropped the Samsung Galaxy S4 this summer due to poor sales, but it's reportedly coming back as a souped-up variant fit for Japan.

Known as the Galaxy J, the phone features 3GB of RAM and a 2.3Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, according to a leaked brochure obtained by Japanese-language site RBMen.

That's a significant bump over the 2GB of memory and 1.9 GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU found in the LTE edition of the Galaxy S4.

The color options of the feature-rich Galaxy J are said to be white, pink and blue, and it may include 1Seg TV tuner to boot.

That's closer to the specs of the Galaxy Note 3, but with a smaller S4-style screen. For those who still want the 5.7-inch display, the Note 3 is also said to be coming to Japan.

Sony Xperia, LG G2

The leaked NTT DoCoMo brochure also claims that a pair of Xperia Z1 variants are bound for Japan.

The Sony Xperia Z1 SO-01F is basically the Xperia Z1 in all of its 20.7 megapixel glory. The only difference we see is a storage increase from 16GB of internal space to 32GB.

The Sony Xperia Z1 f SO-02F slims the phone down to a 4.3-inch display. Same Snapdragon 800 2.2 Ghz quad-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and waterproof and dustproof features all around.

It looks like NTT DoCoMo also intends to support the LG G2 with no variation highlighted between the Western and Japanese models in the brochure.

The predominant Japanese carrier is expected to officially announce its winter-spring smartphone models on Oct. 10, which pretty much means Oct. 9 everywhere else when we find out for sure.

• Look out! The iPad 5 may have a fingerprint sensor in it

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-j-sony-xperia-z1f-in-japan-translate-to-galaxy-s4-xperia-z1-1187270

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Galaxy S5, Note 3 Active editions tipped to follow Galaxy S4's lead

Leader of the Active pack

After the Galaxy S5 launches, it won't be long before a more rugged version of the next Samsung flagship hits the ground running.

That's the word coming from some anonymous ET News (via SlashGear) sources, claiming that as it did with the Galaxy S4, Samsung will release a Galaxy S5 Active variant.

The news comes as no real surprise as phone companies (Samsung especially) are increasingly releasing multiple iterations of their flagship handsets. You need only look at the HTC One, HTC One Mini and rumored HTC One Max to see this case in point.

The site noted the S5 is due to launch next year, though of course without official word from Samsung, we have to take the entirety of ET News' report with a few grains of salt.

Galaxy Note 3 Active too

Not to be left to the elements, ET News also tipped that the recently released Galaxy Note 3 will get the Active treatment too.

Like the Galaxy S4 Active, we're likely in for bulkier versions of these devices, plus physical buttons, when and if they launch.

This may be problematic for the already large and in charge Note 3, but if you want all the perks of a phablet without having to worry about it slipping out of your hand and into a puddle, the Note 3 Active could be right for you. Or it could just be a bulky monstrosity - we're not sure.

Check back for more on these new Active variants in the coming weeks and months. We'll keep you posted.

• Are an HTC One Mini and HTC One Max the right moves for HTC? This writer says no.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-galaxy-s5-note-3-active-editions-tipped-to-follow-galaxy-s4-s-lead-1187184

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KDDI unveils LG isai, Fujitsu Arrows Z, Sharp Aquos Serie

Now that we explored the SoftBank's winter lineup, let's take a look at what its KDDI rival is preparing for the winter season.

Two popular models are going to launch on its network in late October - the Snapdragon 800-powered Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet and the Sony Xperia Z1 smartphone.

There are four newly introduced phones though that will become available in late November - LG isai, Fujitsu Arrows Z, Kyocera Digno M, and Sharp Aquos Serie.

LG and KDDI partnered to make the LG isai smartphone. It has a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display and probably runs on the Snapdragon 800 chipset though that hasn't been officially confirmed in the press release.

The rest of the specs include water and dust resistance, 13.1MP rear camera, 32GB expandable storage, LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, Infrared port, 2,500mAh battery and Android 4.2. The available colors for the LG isai are aqua, blue, black and white.

Sharp Aquos Phone Series is a mixture of the SoftBank's Aquos Xx and Aquos Xx mini. It packs a 4.8" 1080p IGZO display and should also run on Snapdragon 800 with 2GB of RAM though it isn't officially mentioned in the press release.

Just like the other Aquos phones, this fella is water and dust resistant. The Aquos Phone Serie other highlights include a 16.3MP rear camera, expandable 16GB storage, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, a 3,000mAh battery and an extra called Grip Magic that wakes up the phone only by touching its frame. The Sharp Aquos Phone Series runs on Android 4.2 and will launch in white, blue and black flavors.

Fujitsu Arrows Z also has familiar specs even though its looks different. It can run for a day on a 10 minutes charge and three full days after you charge it up to 100%.

Snapdragon 800 chipset ticks inside, while the Arrows Z comes with a 5" 1080p RAM TFT display. The specs sheet continues with 13.1MP rear camera, 32GB expandable storage, LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, Infrared, and even water resistance. Android 4.2 is in charge of operations.

Finally, there is the Kyocera Digno M. The water and dust resistant Digno M comes with a 5.0" 1080p display and is also most probably powered by Snapdragon 800 chipset.

It packs a 13MP camera, 32GB expandable storage, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, Infrared and Android 4.2. The available color options for the Digno M are white, blue and pink.

As we said, all those newly announced phones will become available on KDDI's network in late November. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/au_kddi_unveils_lg_isai_fujitsu_arrows_z_kyocera_digno_m_sharp_aquos_serie-news-6925.php

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SoftBank announces Sharp Aquos Xx and Aquous Xx mini

The Japanese carrier SoftBank has just announced the Sharp Aquos Xx 302SH and Sharp Aquos Xx mini 303SH. The duo is joining the recently unveiled Fujitsu Arrows A as part of the carrier's winter lineup.

Both Sharp smartphones are LTE-enabled and run on the latest Snapdragon 800 chipset (quad-core 2.2GHz Krait 400, Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB of RAM). Also, both Aquos Xx gadgets feature 1080p IGZO displays and run on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The connectivity departments of both Aquos Xx phones are identical too - LTE, Wi-Fi, NFC, Bluetooth, GPS and Infrared port. Quite as expected Aquos Xx and Aquos Xx mini are water and dustproof.

The bigger Aquos Xx 302SH comes with a 5.2" display, 32GB of expandable internal storage, 16.3MP rear camera and a 2,600mAh battery. The phone will be available in blue, white, black and pink flavors.

The smaller Aquos Xx mini 303SH features a 4.5" screen, 16GB expandable storage, 13.1MP rear camera and a 2,120mAh battery. It will hit the market in turquoise, black, white, red, blue, gold, light pink and vivid pink colors.

There are no official prices just yet, but the previously announced Fujitsu Arrows A and the 5.2" Sharp Aquos Xx will hit Japan in December, while the Aquos Xx mini will launch in February.

Source | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/softbank_announces_sharp_aquos_xx_and_aquous_xx_mini-news-6924.php

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Nokia ending support for MeeGo and Symbian January 1

In a rather easy to predict move, Nokia announced that it will be dropping support for the Symbian and MeeGo operating systems at the end of this year.

While apps will still be available for download to customers (and developers will still continue to receive revenue for published apps), developers will no longer be able to publish or update apps on the Ovi Store after the January 1 deadline.

While it was only a matter of time before this happened, the pending Microsoft acquisition of Nokia might have something to do with speeding things up.

Thanks, Bilal, for the tip!

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_ending_support_for_meego_and_symbian_january_1-news-6923.php

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LG flexes its muscles - confirms flexible smartphone display is on its way

There's about zero chance the phone will actually bend though

It's almost like LG heard about the Samsung Galaxy Round rumours this morning, with the company having just announced it's to start mass producing the its first flexible OLED panel for smartphones.

LG has been showing plenty of interest in the flexible space and its first flexible smartphone, the LG Flex or LG Z (as it's currently being referred to as) has also been working the rumour mill for a while.

Today LG has confirmed that the flexible smartphone screen is coming, claiming it to be a world first. The flexible OLED panel will use plastic substrates instead of glass and will be bendable and, LG claims, "unbreakable".

Life's bendy

"Our goal is to take an early lead in the flexible display market by introducing new products with enhanced performance and differentiated designs next year," said Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of LG Display, Dr Sang Deog Yeo.

LG's new OLED panel will be 0.44mm thin and LG says it will weigh just 7.2g "even with a 6-inch screen". Just like the 6-inch screen the LG Flex is rumoured to have, then.

LG also hinted that the technology will used in devices beyond its smartphones. That LG smartwatch would make sense right about now...

While LG is going big on the "world's first" business, Samsung is also believed to be in the running, and may even be announcing its first flexible handset this week.

• The LG G2 is already here, but what's our verdict?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/lg-flexes-its-muscles-confirms-flexible-smartphone-display-is-on-its-way-1187004

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