Galaxy S5 specs 'confirmed', S5 Zoom and S5 Mini also on the way

With a new metal build, the S5 may look nothing like its predecessor.

An insider claims to have the inside knowledge on the Samsung Galaxy S5, outing a whole bunch of information about the upcoming flagship.

These details include the fact that the handset will come in two different flavours - the much-rumoured metal and conventional plastic.

The insider for SamMobile went on to say that the metal version will cost roughly 800 Euros (about £667, $1092, AU$1210) and the plastic version will cost 650 Euros (about £542, $888, AU$983).

So even the plastic version won't be cheap, however the same source claimed that the S5 will have a 2560 x 1440 AMOLED display, a 16 megapixel camera, Android 4.4 and either an Exynos 6 or Snapdragon 805 processor, so you're certainly getting a powerful phone for your money.

Power up

The same source also revealed that a Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini and Samsung Galaxy S5 Zoom are both in development too. Both handsets will apparently include Super AMOLED screens and Android 4.4, while the S5 Zoom will have a 4.8 inch qHD display, but that's all we know so far.

The source was unable to confirm anything else about the flagship S5, but SamMobile suggests that it will probably have a 5.25 inch screen and earlier rumours point to a 64-bit 2.5 GHz quad-core processor and either 3 or 4GB of RAM.

At the same time, a new rumour, this time from PhoneArena, suggests that the Galaxy S5 might have a new type of Li-ion battery which can store 20% more energy in the same space.

The battery is thought to be 2900 mAh (up from 2600 mAh in the Samsung Galaxy S4) and will apparently be fully chargeable in under two hours.

• There are still things we don't know about the Galaxy S5, like whether it will have an eye scanner.

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/galaxy-s5-specs-confirmed-s5-zoom-and-s5-mini-also-on-the-way-1214904

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Oppo teases Neo smartphone with 4.5-inch screen

Oppo is cooking the Find 7 phablet but it seems to be a smaller device in the pipeline too. The Oppo Neo (Neo is a popular choice of name recently for some reason), which had its name and basic specs revealed by a teaser on Oppo Indonesia's fan page.

The Oppo Neo will have a 4.5" IPS LCD display that can detect touches from gloved hands too. The screen resolution is unknown.

The third feature mentioned in the teaser is called Quick reach, Oppo's gesture-based feature that can trigger a variety of features. The sub-heading for the teaser is "Let your finger talk," which is an appropriate description of the feature.

Unfortunately, the teaser doesn’t go beyond "Coming soon" and all we get is a side shot of the device. Note that Oppo also has a 4.3" entry-level Android in the works too.

Thanks to Gerry for sending this in!

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_teases_neo_phone_with_45inch_screen-news-7559.php

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Sony offers big screens and big tunes with Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia E1

RIP big bezel

MWC 2014 may be just around the corner, but Sony is too eager to wait that long with the announcement of two new handsets – the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra the Xperia E1.

The T2 Ultra is aiming itself at emerging markets, with no confirmed UK, US or Australia release date just yet.

But that doesn't mean it's lacking in power, by any means. Arriving in an Xperia Z-like style, the T2 Ultra's 6-inch 720p display eats into the bezel, coming in within 2.5mm of the phone's edge.

Powering the phone is a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and you'll find a 13MP camera sat on the back and 1.1MP snapper stuck to the front.

Despite its Z-ish looks, the T2 Ultra doesn't share its water resistance. But as a phone for the emerging markets, it's not shoddy at all.

Speaking of which, the phone also comes in the T2 Ultra Dual form, which (as you might have guessed) adds the option of dual SIM.

One for the more musically inclined

Pump up the volume

Getting even more budget is the Xperia E1, which Sony is aiming at the music lovers with its 100db speaker.

Sony's also upped the Xperia E's 3.2-inch screen to 4 inches, with a 480 x 800 resolution. You'll also get a 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage.

Again, this will be primarily aimed at emerging markets. Sony told us it had nothing to announce on release dates outside of those, but we expect we might hear more of the specfics at MWC.

• What do we make of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact?

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/sony-offers-big-screens-and-big-tunes-with-xperia-t2-ultra-and-xperia-e1-1214896

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Sony announces Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia E1

Sony has announced two new Android smartphones. The first is the Xperia T2 Ultra, a mid-range 6.0-inch phablet designed specifically for Asian and African markets where big screen smartphones are all the rage, and will compete against the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Mega.

The Xperia T2 Ultra has a 6.0-inch, 1280x720 resolution display with TRILUMINOS, Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 and other fancy words Sony likes to use for displays that are often underwhelming. There is a 13 megapixel Exmor RS camera on the back and a 1.1 megapixel Exmor R camera on the front.

On the inside, the Xperia T2 Ultra has a quad-core Snapdragon processor clocked at 1.4Ghz, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage space expandable with microSD cards. Powering all this is a large 3,000mAh battery with Sony's Battery STAMINA mode.

The phone will be available in two variants, the single SIM T2 Ultra and the dual-SIM T2 Ultra dual, in black, white and purple.

The Xperia E1 is a budget Android phone with focus on the audio playback aspect. Sony claims the loudspeaker on the back is capable of hitting 100dB, which should drown out practically every other sound around you. It also has a dedicated Walkman button (we haven't seen this in a while), shake to shuffle and hardware buttons for controlling audio playback.

Other features include a 4.0-inch, 800x480 resolution display, dual-core, 1.2GHz processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage space and microSD card slot.

Like the T2 Ultra, there will be two variants of the E1, with single and dual-SIM options. The phone will be available in black, white and purple.

Source 1 • Source 2

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_announces_xperia_t2_ultra_and_xperia_e1-news-7558.php

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Moto X UK release date set for February 1, with the SIM-free price of £380

X marks the spot

Motorola has confirmed the Moto X handset will finally make its way across the pond, with an official UK release date set for February 1.

Ahead of Tuesday's media event, during which Motorola was widely expected to unveil the device for a UK audience, the Google-owned company said it will offer the device for £380 SIM free from multiple retailers.

The 4.7-inch 720p handset, which packs Motorola's own 'X8 Mobile Computing System' and the stock version of Android, will also be available on contract, starting at £25 on the O2 network, while Phones 4U has dibs on the white device.

Judging from Moto's media release it appears that the 'Moto Maker' customisation options which helped to make the handset an attractive proposition for stateside buyers won't be available in the UK.

What up, G?

The Moto X, which will join its highly-rated cheap-as-chips sibling the Moto G on the UK market, does arrive in the UK packing the voice activated Google Now software.

Motorola's camera software will also bring an innovative shooting mode which can be enabled simply by twisting the wrist twice and tapping anywhere on the screen and could also ensnare smartphone fans.

The camera, in case you're wondering, is equipped with a 10 megapixel sensor and Motorola's 'Clear Pixel' technology, but before you get too excited, it was described as "the most inconsistent snapper on a flagship phone," in a TechRadar review last summer.

All day battery life and a "water repellant" Gorilla Glass display are also some of the hefty promises made by Motorola, but at more than double the asking price is the Moto X really a better option than the Moto G? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

• Opinion: How the Moto G will revolutionise the smartphone market

Source : http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/moto-x-uk-release-date-set-for-february-1-with-the-sim-free-price-of-380-1214836

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Android 4.4 KitKat updates resume for Droid Mini, Ultra and Maxx

A few days back Version started rolling out the Android 4.4 KitKat update for the Motorola Droid Mini, Droid Ultra and Droid Maxx smartphones only to pull it out a couple of days later. However, Verizon has now resumed its firmware upgrade that takes the trio to the latest version of Android.

The new software for Droid Mini, Ultra and Maxx brings camera improvements and better power management. However, the overall visual interface remains largely similar to the Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system.

Android 4.4 KitKat for the smartphone trio brings their users the ability to access the immersive mode and the update also adds Fitbit support along with a new version of Droid Zap. The new firmware squashes known bugs from the previous version and brings stability improvements to enhance the overall experience.

If you own a Motorola Droid Mini, Ultra or Maxx then you should get the software update notification any moment now.

Source 1 | Source 2 | Via

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/android_44_kitkat_update_resumes_for_droid_mini_ultra_and_maxx-news-7556.php

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Apple relaunching 8GB iPhone 4 in India to boost sales

Apple is said to be re-releasing the iPhone 4 in India, specifically the 8GB model, according to The Economic Times. The move comes as a result to boost sales in the Indian market, which Apple has been losing to cheaper rivals running Android and Windows Phone 8.

The iPhone 4 was a popular model for Apple because of its relatively lower price compared to the newer iPhones in India. Apple and the iPhone in particular are aspirational brands in India and as such are on everyone's wishlist but the high price of the unlocked models means most people either go for the older cheaper models or some rival brand, of which there is no shortage.

With the iPhone 4 being discontinued last year after the launch of the iPhone 5c and the 5s, Apple lost one of its key sellers in the Indian market, along with its customers as well. With the relaunch of the iPhone 4, Apple is trying to gain back some of these customers.

According to the source, the iPhone 4 8GB will be priced in India at around INR 15,000 ($244) through buy back schemes and EMI options. The phone is expected to go on sale as early as next week.

Source

Source : http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_relaunching_8gb_iphone_4_in_india_to_boost_sales-news-7555.php

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