Android 5.1 rolling out to Micromax Canvas A1 in India

Micromax just announced that over the course of a week it will be rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to its budget-minded Canvas A1 smartphone. The update is being seeded in India, and comes just in time not to break Goolge's promise from a few weeks ago. The update shouldn't surprise anyone as Android One smartphones have since been launched with the latest Android version out of the box in multiple countries. Meanwhile, devices in India have remained on the still prevalent KitKat iteration. The Android 5.1 update brings improvements and bug fixes over the the 5.0 installment in several areas. Most notable to the end user is the return of silent mode, as well as better quick settings implementation for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Native multiple SIM support is brought along and a new security feature locks the phone until you sign in with your Google account, as an added deterrent to phone theft. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_51_rolling_out_to_micromax_canvas_a1_in_india-news-11633.php

Xiaomi to launch a new budget model, will cost more than $65

Xiaomi made a name for itself by offering capable smartphones at affordable prices. The company's current entry-level offering, the Redmi 2, retails for the equivalent of around $110, but Xiaomi is reportedly aiming to beat that. The prominent Chinese manufacturer is working on a new model, and we may have been treated to a live photo of said device. The lone image reveals the back of the smartphone, and one might say that it's identical to the existing Redmi 2. The rumored specs are also quite similar and feature a 4.7-inch 720p display, single gig of RAM and 8GB of built-in storage. An 8MP/2MP camera combo will be in charge of capturing memories, and the phone will boot Android 4.4.4 KitKat. One notable difference is the chipset, where an LC1860C is being used instead of the Snapdragon 410 in the Redmi 2. The said piece of silicon is a product of Leadcore Technology which is a major Chinese manufacturer of application processors. Xiaomi were allegedly targeting a CNY399 price, which translates to the rather extreme $65. At some point along the way however, that was deemed impossible and the smartphone will command a higher price, so expect a number between $65 and the Redmi 2's...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_to_launch_a_new_budget_model_will_cost_more_than_cny399-news-11630.php

Lenovo A6000 to go on open sale in India from March 23 to 25

Lenovo has announced that its A6000 smartphone, which was launched back in January this year, will be available in an open sale that will run from Monday through Wednesday next week on Flipkart. This is the first time the handset will be available without any registration as the Chinese company has been only conducting flash sales of the device till now. The first flash sale was held on January 28, wherein the company claimed that it sold 10,000 units of the handset in just 2 seconds. The second one, conducted in February, saw a total of 20,000 units being sold in just three seconds. The open sale of the A6000 will clash with the flash sale of Xiaomi's Redmi 2 smartphone, which is set to take place on Tuesday next...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_a6000_to_go_on_open_sale_in_india_from_march_23_to_25-news-11632.php

XOLO Win Q900s gets a price cut, now available for under $100

The Win Q900s, Xolo's first Windows Phone 8.1 device which was launched last year with a price tag of INR 9,999 (around $160), is now available for under $100 - the smartphone is retailing for INR 5,467 ($88) and INR 5,799 ($93) on Snapdeal and Flipkart, respectively. Specswise, the Win Q900s is powered by a Snapdragon 200 chipset with 1.2GHz quad-core CPU and Adreno 302 GPU, and sports a 4.7 inch HD screen. It comes with 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage, which is expandable up to 32GB via a microSD card slot. In terms of camera, the device features an 8 MP main unit and a 2 MP front shooter. The handset weighs only 100g. Source 1 | Source 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_win_q900s_gets_a_price_cut_now_available_for_under_100-news-11631.php

Oppo pushes ColorOS beta update based on KitKat for Find 7

Oppo Mobile has released the new ColorOS 2.0.7i Beta update for its Find 7 smartphone. This new ColorOS 2.0.7i beta update is based on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat and is now available for download from the Oppo forums. Oppo has included a laundry list of improvements including several new features such as the search option in music player. Another new feature is the support for microSD card with ext4 format to support copying files larger than 4 GB. Still a large number of devices are getting Lollipop updates now, Oppo is still catching up with KitKat. Hopefully, once ColorOS 2.0.7i is finalized, the company will focus all its effort in that direction. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_pushes_coloros_beta_update_based_on_kitkat_for_find_7-news-11629.php

LG says G Flex2 aimed at business users aged 30-45 yrs

The LG G Flex2, which recently went on sale in the US and the UK, is mainly aimed at business users in the 30-45 age bracket, according to Jee Hyung Lee, CEO and president of LG Taiwan. Lee also said that sales of the handset, which has a curved display, improved in every conveivable way over its predecessor, is expected to hit the 20,000 mark in Taiwan this year. Unveiled at this year's CES, the G Flex2 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset, and sports a 5.5-inch 1080p display. It comes in 2GB/32GB and 3GB/64GB models, and features a 2.1 MP front-facing camera and 13 MP rear shooter. The device packs in a 3,000 mAh battery, and runs Android Lollipop...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_says_g_flex2_aimed_at_business_users_aged_30_45_yrs-news-11628.php

Motorola starts testing Android 5.1 Lollipop for Moto X (2014)

Motorola was prompt in pushing the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to the Moto X (2014) and the Moto X (2013) also got the update earlier this month. Now the company has commenced the soak tests of Android 5.1 Lollipop for the Moto X (2014). The Lollipop version 23.1.28 is being tested out with several improvements such as reducing the noise in low-light shots of the rear camera and more responsive viewfinder of front-facing camera. Device Protection is one important feature that keeps the lost or stolen devices locked even if the factory settings reset is tried and functions only when signed in with actual Google account. Apart from these improvements, there are several under the hood tweaks arriving with this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_starts_testing_android_51_lollipop_for_moto_x_2014-news-11627.php

Counterclockwise: Galaxy S4, iPhone and NFC, Tag Heuer

Some TV networks do weekend reruns of their popular weekday shows, but we get our entertainment elsewhere. Counterclockwise is a weekly rerun of the most exciting mobile news to come in recent years. This week we'll look at the Samsung's rise and fall and rise again with the Galaxy S series, Apple's difficult relationship with NFC and how Swiss makers are entering the 21st century. Galaxy S4 leaves a legacy the S5 struggled to live up to There's plenty in the news about Samsung's new darlings, the Galaxy S6 and the S6 edge, but this time in March two years ago all eyes were on the Samsung Galaxy S4. It launched with a 5" 1080p Super AMOLED screen, choice of Snapdragon 600 and Exynos 5 Octa chipset and a 13MP/1080p camera. Out of the box it ran Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, but it recently got updated to 5.0 Lollipop (a good update track record). Live shots from Galaxy S4's unveiling The Galaxy S4 struck a chord with with consumers and in the UK demand for the new model was 40% higher than what the Galaxy S III experienced a year before. Rollout was set to begin in April and hit 327 carriers in 155 countries across the globe. The next model, the Galaxy S5, failed to win the hearts and minds of consumers so Samsung made major changes and now the new Galaxy S6 (and its Galaxy S6 sibling) are on track for record-breaking sales. The iPhone will-won't-will have NFC Back in early 2011 there were some rumors that Apple will launch an NFC-enabled iPhone. Then the iPhone 4S hit and there was no sign of NFC. Same thing with the iPhone 5, then 5s until finally the technology landed on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus. Apple is still not fully sold on the short-range wireless tech though, it's only piggybakcing it for Apple Pay - the company's replacement of paying with credit cards. Perhaps the team at Cupertino was waiting for fingerprint scanners to mature so that they can be used to secure the transactions. Or maybe it was reluctant retailers that slowed things down. Either way, phone-based payments are now in the public mind despite the technology existing for years prior to Apple's involvement. Perennial rival Samsung is building its own alternative (it's already partnered with PayPal) and Google's efforts have been reinvigorated). When luxury watches and luxury phones combine This year at the MWC we saw two heavy hitters of the smartphone arena unveiled, but the majority of products were wearables - smarwatches and bands were everywhere. Swiss companies, the most famous watch makers in the world, were rather quiet though. Tag Heuer has been dabbling with mobile devices, launching a luxury phone every now and then. Like the Tag Heuer Racer announced in March 2012, which was built like a supercar - from carbon fiber, titanium and rubber. Despite running Android, at €2,800 the Racer had no chance of escaping the premium niche market. The company is moving closer to its core competency with its first smartwatch. It's the result of partnership between Tag Heuer (which provides the premium casing), Intel (which supplies the electronic hardware) and Google (which brings the Android Wear software). Details are scarce for now, but the design will be based on the popular Carrera watch. This is coming just a year after Google unveiled the Android Wear platform. Other Swiss makers are jumping on board too, though for now they prefer to stick closer to mechanical watches with only a few dashes of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/counterclockwise_galaxy_s4_iphone_and_nfc_tag_heuer-news-11619.php

OnePlus One to be available on Amazon India without invite

The Chinese startup's only existing smartphone model, the OnePlus One, is approaching a year since its announcement, and yet every opportunity to get your hands on one is a newsworthy episode. This time around the smartphone will be available on Amazon India on March 24. No invites will be required, but supplies will be limited, although no specific number has been stated. Both versions will be up for purchase, the 16GB White Silk one costing INR18,999 ($305), while the 64GB Sandstone Black model is priced at INR21,999 ($355). The date coincides with the company's weekly no-invite sale that takes place every Tuesday, and also happens to be the last date, when European prospect buyers will be able to get one at the current prices. Owing to the shaky positions of the Euro on the global markets, starting the following day the price of the 16GB option will be bumped from €269 to €299, while the larger storage model will set you back €349, as opposed to the €299 price tag at the moment. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_one_to_be_available_on_amazon_india_without_invite-news-11626.php

Lollipop for Galaxy A series in the works, no plans for 5.1 just yet

Samsung is reportedly working on the Lollipop updates for all Galaxy A smartphones. The firmwares for the Galaxy A3, Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A7 will be based on Android 5.0 Lollipop. There is no word on the Galaxy Alpha - Samsung previously announced it will threat the Alpha with Lollipop early this year, but there is no further info on the matter. Google recently announced Android 5.1 Lollipop - the next Lollipop revision with minor updates and fixes. According to insiders Samsung has made no plans any the 5.1 updates just yet, but that is to be expected as not all Lollipop ROMs are ready to deploy. Also there is a good chance Google details Android 5.2 in a month or two, so it's probably wiser to wait a bit. Speaking of Lollipop updates, those insider sources say there is no news on the Galaxy Note 2 ROM development either, which either means it's been cancelled or will enter development later this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lollipop_for_galaxy_a_series_in_development_no_plans_for_51_just_yet-news-11625.php

Gold Dream thinks dragons and lions make the iPhone 6 cooler

Swiss company Golden Dream has unveiled a selection of customized iPhone 6 and 6 Plus that will satiate your thirst for gold, alligator leather, carbon fiber, skulls and dragons. As usual, prices are not for the faint of heart, but where else can you get an 18ct hand-crafted gold dragon with ruby eyes? That's the top of the line model. The dragon is coiled in an infinity symbol and sits on alligator leather and surrounded by 24ct gold rims. The leather can be had in Deep Red, Red as well as Black. The Red dragon has green tsavorite eyes. The Black Dragon • Red and Deep Red Dragons If you prefer a lion, you can have one hand-painted by a French artist. This model goes for CHF 6,800 (that's $6,865 these days). The Lion edition Or what about a skull? It's made of 18ct gold just like the dragon and polished to a mirror finish. It's placed on alligator skin in Black or Blue. Black Skull • Ghost Skull * Blue Skull Other options include Ruby Ostrich leather and Black Python leather, these have no adornments. A gold-painted leather is also an option if that's your thing, all these include 24ct gold trim. Ruby Ostrich • Black Python * Desert Gold You can also have alligator leather in a wide variety of colors with the Desert Collection or go for Carbon Fiber in Black, Silver or Gold. The Carbon Gold edition is CHF 5,790 ($5,845) for 128GB storage, while the White Carbon edition is CHF 4,390 ($4,430). Carbon Gold • White Carbon * Black Carbon The Desert collection Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gold_dream_thinks_dragons_and_lions_make_the_iphone_6_cooler-news-11624.php

Acer Iconia Tab 10 brings high-res screen on the cheap

Acer unveiled the follow-up to the Iconia Tab A3. The Acer Iconia 10 adds a 1,920 x 1,200px (WUXGA) option for the screen, updates the chipset and launches with Android 4.4 KitKat. Acer Iconia Tab 10 There are two versions of the new tablet. The $250 one comes with a 10.1" WUXGA screen, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage and a MediaTek MT8217 chipset with a quad-core Cortex-A7 processor at 1.5GHz. The screen is laminated to the glass and has fingerprint-resistant coating. The cheaper $200 tablet has a 1,280 x 800px screen, half the RAM and storage (1GB/16GB) and a downclocked processor (1.3GHz). All models are Wi-Fi only and are available in Black and White. The tablets have 5,910mAh or 5,700mAh batteries (depending on the exact model), 2MP selfie cameras and Dolby audio tech. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/acer_iconia_tab_10_brings_highres_screen_on_the_cheap-news-11622.php

Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge pre-orders now open in the UK

UK residents who have been saving their quid in wait for the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge can now pre-order their flagship of choice. All major carriers and retailers have offers for both devices for your consideration. Carrier EE will deliver your White Pearl or Black Sapphire Galaxy S6 or S6 edge on launch day, April 10. The Gold Platinum version will come later on. The 32GB Galaxy S6 starts at £49.99 upfront and £43.49 a month for 4GB of 4G data. The 64GB option is available at £53.49 a month. The Galaxy S6 edge 64GB is £49.99 upfront and £54.49 a month with 20GB of 4G data. If you also buy a wireless charger, EE will give you a £20 voucher to go towards a case for you new Galaxy. Vodafone has the Gold Platinum version in stock for both S6 flagships, plus the 128GB storage option. A base 32GB Galaxy S6 is free with 2GB data for £43.50 a month. The 64GB version goes up to £48.50, while the top 128GB model is £53.50 with £19 upfront. As for the Galaxy S6 edge, the 64GB and 128GB models are priced the same as its flat-screened sibling. Note that these are with 2GB of 3G data, you can pay £5 more a month to get 7GB of 4G data. O2 is asking nothing upfront for a 32GB Galaxy S6 if you'll sign a £48 a month contract (you'll get yours on April 10), pound;53 a month if you want the 64GB model (arriving April 17). Both come with 5GB of 4G data. The Galaxy S6 edge 64GB is £10 upfront and £53 a month (also coming April 10) with 2GB of data. Carphone Warehouse will deliver the Black and White models on April 10, if you want the Gold one or a storage upgrade then delivery time becomes 4-6 weeks. The Galaxy S6 is £80 upfront and £39.50 a month for the 32GB model, £60/£48.50 for the 64GB model and £130/£43.50 for the 128GB one. The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge 64GB is £160 upfront and £43.50 a month, while the 128GB model is a salty £220 upfront and £48.50 a month. If contracts are not for you, Carphone offers a SIM-free Galaxy S6 (but no edge) at £600, £660 and £740 for the 32GB/64GB/128GB respectively. Tesco Mobile will deliver the Samsung Galaxy S6 on April 10 for just £36 a month and no upfront cost. That's with 2GB of 4G data. The Galaxy S6 edge will be £43.50 a month, both devices available in Black, White and Gold. You can't pre-order now, the devices will be available for purchase on launch day. Three UK is only registering interest for now and not taking...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_preorders_are_open_in_the_uk-news-11621.php

Galaxy S6, S6 Edge Philippines release set for April 18

The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, which are set to go on sale in 20 countries on April 10, will be available for purchase in Philippines on April 18, the South Korean company has confirmed. As for the price, the 32GB and 64GB models of the S6 will be available for 35,990 and 41,990 Philippine pesos, or $800 and $934, respectively. It will come with dual-SIM support - the 32GB model will be available only in gold, while the 64GB will be offered in white pearl, black sapphire, gold platinum, and blue topaz. The Samsung Galaxy S6 edge will also be available in both 32GB and 64GB flavors, costing 41,990 and 47,990 Philippine pesos, or $934 and $1067, respectively. Samsung has also set up a promotion page for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s6_philippines_release_set_for_april_18-news-11617.php

Samsung to sell 55M Galaxy S6 and S6 edge units this year

Analysts are still revising the expectations for how Samsung's new Galaxy S6 and S6 edge power duo will perform this year. Forecasts began at 38 million, but then a Citibank analysts pushed them up to 46 million. Now Yonhap News is quoting DRAMeXchange, which is predicting another 20% bump for a total of 55 million Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge sold in 2015. The two flagships will go on sale in April and in that first quarter of availability they are expected to reach 22.2 million sales. Samsung has previously revealed that carriers had pre-ordered 20 million units. The following quarters will see 16.2 million and 12.5 million units respectively sold to consumers. Of course, by that time it's competitors will have launched - the HTC One M9 is going on sale tomorrow, the LG G4 will be announced soon and there's the rumored Galaxy S6 Active for those who lament the loss of Galaxy S5's IP67 rating. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/analysts_samsung_to_sell_55m_galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_this_year-news-11616.php

HTC One M9 hits the shelves in Taiwan tomorrow

Taiwan, HTC's homeland, will be the first country to get the new HTC One M9. HTC will be launching the flagship tomorrow - March 21 - and it will be available in both 32 and 64GB flavors. Not all color option will be available initially though - only the Gunmetal Gray and the Silver/Rose Gold will make it to the stores on March 21, while the Amber Gold is scheduled to kick off later in April. There is no word on the Pink/Gold paintjob. The 32GB HTC One M9 will cost TWD 21,900 or €650, while the 64GB model is priced at TWD 23,900 or €710. The European prices should be about the same. HTC US has already announced the One M9 availability for the States - it will be released on April 10, the same date the Galaxy S6 launches globally. The US pricing and carrier options are yet to be detailed though. HTC One M9 packs a 5" 1080p display, runs on Snapdragon 810 chip and features a new 20.7MP rear camera with 4K video recording. There are also 32GB expandable storage, 3GB of RAM and a 2,840 mAh battery. The all-metal One M9 introduces refined design with dual anodized, scratch-resistant coating and sapphire glass on the camera lens. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m9_hits_the_shelves_in_taiwan_on_march_21-news-11615.php

Peter Chou steps down as HTC CEO, Cher Wang takes over

Peter Chou, co-founder and CEO of HTC, has stepped down from his position as the CEO. He will be replaced by Cher Wang, co-founder and chairperson of the company. Chou will remain at HTC and will start a new role as the head of the HTC Future Development Lab, a new division of the company responsible for coming up with new products. While Chou has headed the company through some tough times, he's more of a product person, and as such, it is no surprise seeing him head a product division. Cher, meanwhile, has already been actively involved in managing the company and is better suited for the role of the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/peter_chou_steps_down_as_htc_ceo_cher_wang_takes_over-news-11613.php

Image of the purported next Moto 360 smartwatch spotted

Motorola launched the Moto 360 smartwatch a year ago for $250. Following that, the Moto 360 has got Android Wear updates for improving its performance. Now the company is reportedly working to introduce the second generation of the Moto 360. The procured image is claimed to come from Lenovo's CEO Yang Yuanqing. Showing the loose body parts, metal straps and a components, the images appear to be of Moto 360 prototype models. We are yet to get any info in terms of specs or an estimated release date, though. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/image_of_the_purported_next_moto_360_smartwatch_spotted-news-11614.php

Google rumored of working with LG for next Nexus smartphone

Google is gearing up to show the new Android version at the upcoming Google I/O 2015 event scheduled in late May. In the meantime, Google will select a handset marker to work on the next Nexus smartphone. Motorola Nexus 6 did create quite a buzz but fell a little short of the success enjoyed by the Nexus 5. As per the fresh speculations, Google will be working with LG Mobile on the next Nexus device codenamed - N000. Google's Android engineers paid a visit to LG's Display and R&D facilities in Korea apart from other units responsible for wireless charging parts, and Optical Image Stabilization. The details are yet to be confirmed so take this information with a grain of salt. If at all this happens, it would be LG's third Nexus smartphone after Nexus 4 and Nexus...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_rumoured_of_working_with_lg_for_next_nexus_smartphone-news-11612.php

Huawei P8 gets portrayed in new leaked image

Just yesterday Huawei decided to officially confirm the much rumored April 15 date for its next big announcement. This will clearly be when we'll see the P8 getting introduced. And today we can reportedly take a look at the upcoming phone's metal frame, helped by the image below. As you can see, for now our view is limited to the lower part of the back of the device, but the metal chassis is clearly noticeable, along with its chamfered edges. It's not entirely clear what material the back itself is made from, but we wouldn't be surprised if it turns out to be glass (after all, metal frames paired with glass backs are apparently a sort of trend nowadays in the Android world). One thing to keep in mind is that we're looking at a prototype here, so depending on how old it is the design may have changed somewhat. The P8 will come with two speakers it seems. According to past leaks and rumors, the Huawei P8 should be equipped with a 5.2-inch 1080p touchscreen, dual 13 MP cameras on the back, a Kirin 930 chipset with octa-core CPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 2,600 mAh battery. Huawei has been teasing the device for a while now, emphasizing battery life, the display's quality, and the camera...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p8_gets_portrayed_in_new_leaked_image-news-11611.php

Original HTC One won't get Android 5.1 or future versions

Now that Google has made Android 5.1 Lollipop official (and it's even started rolling out to some, but not all Nexus devices), you may be wondering when your particular smartphone will get it. Yet if you own an original HTC One (M7), we have some bad news. This handset will apparently not be receiving any more major Android updates from this point forward. Not even Android 5.1. This information comes from Mo Versi, HTC's VP of Product Management, so it's as official as can be. The HTC One did get updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop, so the new UI is in there already. But the many bug fixes and subtle improvements brought about by Android 5.1 won't ever officially be available for this smartphone, unfortunately. All of the above applies to the widely available version of the One which comes with HTC's own Sense UI on top. But the Google Play Edition of the device will in fact receive the newest Lollipop build, with a rollout supposed to commence in early April. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/original_htc_one_wont_get_android_51_or_future_versions-news-11610.php

Intergalactic camera shootout: Galaxy S6 vs. Galaxy S5 vs. Note 4 vs. iPhone 6

A quality camera has always been a big part of Galaxy flagships and Samsung is pushing new improvements every six months. The two-step cadence goes Galaxy S then Note then S again - we're at the Galaxy S6 step of this cycle and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/shootout_galaxy_s6_note_4_galaxy_s5_iphone_6-review-1229.php

Xiaomi Mi4 not alone, ZTE Nubia Z9 to run Windows 10 as well

Microsoft is apparently partnering with multiple Chinese manufacturers to bring the future Windows 10 to as many devices as possible. The OS to rule them all was recently shown to be running on a Xiaomi Mi4, but now the live tiles have popped up on a ZTE Nubia Z9. Alleged ZTE Nubia Z9, running Windows 10 What's even more interesting is that the said smartphone has not been officially announced by the Chinese company. That doesn't in any way mean that the next-gen ZTE flagship is not a regular visitor to the rumor mill, though. On the contrary, we've already witnessed the Nubia Z9 in live images, sporting crazy-slim bezels and an all-glass build. The innards were meanwhile disclosed by an Antutu listing, revealing that a Snapdragon 810 will power the 5.2-inch smartphone. ZTE has been employing a crafty teasing technique to create hype around the upcoming company top dog, bringing it along to events, all the while remaining silent on the official channels. We're yet to see how that plays out in market figures when it does launch, but with another OS to choose from, its prospects are getting even brighter. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_z9_to_run_windows_10_as_well_xiaomi_mi4_not_alone-news-11609.php

MediaTek working on a Cortex-A72 based chipset for Q4

MediaTek was among the first to announce a Cortex-A72 based chipset - shortly before the MWC. Now more details have emerged from Taiwanese publication Digitimes has uncovered some more details. The new part should arrive in Q4, meaning we may see devices at CES/MWC 2016. The MediaTek MT679X chipset will pair the fast Cortex-A72 processor cores with A53 ones in a big.LITTLE setup for improved power efficiency. The new chipset will leave the current 28nm process for a more efficient one though if it's not clear if the company will go for 20nm or the latest 16nm FinFET. At 16nm, the A72 core will be 3.5x faster than a 28nm A15 and 1.9x faster than a 20nm A57. That's assuming the same power use. That's for the CPU side, for graphics there's continued talk that MediaTek is dropping ARM's Mali and partnering with AMD for new mobile graphics. Unlike its arch rival Nvidia, AMD is no longer in the phone/tablet GPU game - it sold its department to Qualcomm, which renamed its products Adreno. There's not a lot of details for now though. Source (in Taiwanese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_working_on_a_cortexa72_based_chipset_for_q4-news-11608.php

XOLO launches LT2000 smartphone for $160 in India

Xolo has launched the new LT2000 smartphone in India. The phone is priced at Rs. 9,999 ($160) and is available through Amazon, Flipkart, and Snapdeal. The LT2000 has a 5.5-inch 720p display with Dragontrail glass, 1.2Ghz quad-core Snapdragon 410, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory with microSD support, 8 megapixel rear camera, 2 megapixel front camera, 4G LTE connectivity, 2,920mAh battery and Android 4.4 KitKat (upgradeable to 5.0 Lollipop). The phone is dual SIM...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xolo_launches_lt2000_smartphone_for_160_in_india-news-11606.php

Xperia Z4 LCD panel pictured, specs revealed

Apparently, the Sony Xperia Z4 is not far from being final, as we can gather from the multitude of leaks, which show the same thing over and over. After the supposedly official press images and live photos of a bumper case, we're now being treated to pictures of the smartphone's display panel. Sony Xperia Z4 display panel alleged live photos The images have been revealed, courtesy of a repair shop, which has received them from the panels' manufacturer. The snaps are also accompanied by the all-important specs which disclose that screen size remains unchanged third generation in a row at 5.2 inches. Resolution, however, has gotten a bump to 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. The photos of the panel are also very much in line with the official images, not to mention looking identical to the ones that have been circulating for a month and a half. All this should lead us to believe that no more surprises can be expected display-wise. Other pieces of the puzzle, we've gathered so far, include the smartphone's dimensions, which are nothing spectacular at 146.3 x 71.9 x 7.2mm, pretty much the same as the Xperia Z3. Inside, we also expect to find the mighty Snapdragon 810 chipset and 3GB of RAM. So while the Xperia Z4's hardware may appear to be final, there's no official info on when it will actually see the light of day. Sony's VP for Western Europe's equivocal statement on the matter reveals nothing more than we already knew - Q2 or Q3 this year. Thanks to Tizzo for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xperia_z4_lcd_panel_pictured_specs_revealed_-news-11607.php

Sony Xperia J1 is the company's first SIM-free phone in Japan

Better late than never we guess - Sony has announced today the Xperia J1 Compact (D5788) for Japan, the company's first SIM-free smartphone in the country. The unlocked phone is similar in specifications to the Xperia A2 for NTT DoCoMo. This includes a 4.3" 720p display, 20.7MP Exmor RS camera and a 2,300mAh battery. Power comes from a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 chipset with a 2.2GHz quad-core CPU, Adreno 330 graphics and 2GB of RAM. All of this is secured in a good looking body that's IP68-certified. Sony will launch the phone on April 20 in a cool looking white and champagne color combination. Pre-orders start on March 27 with a price of $454 (54,800 JPY + tax). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_j1_is_the_companys_first_simfree_phone_in_japan-news-11605.php

Meizu enters India, m1 to come in April

Meizu's official entry on the Indian market has long been called for by local consumers, and finally the Chinese company has listened. One of the most prominent manufacturers originating in China, Meizu had reportedly been prepping for its arrival in India for some time, as evidenced by social media messages from as early as the beginning of February. And what would be the best pioneer to mark the company's foray into the vast Indian market, if not the capable but bargain priced Meizu m1? The smartphone boasts a 5-inch display, with a somewhat unusual 1,280 x 768 resolution for a solid 300ppi density. The Meizu m1 is equipped with a Mediatek MT6732 chipset with its quad-core Cortex-A53 processor clocked at 1.5GHz. A single gig of RAM is all you get at the moment, although a 2GB version may see the light of day to better compete with the updated version of the Xiaomi Redmi 2. the 8GB internal storage is easily expandable via microSD. The m1 is more than adequately equipped in the camera department as well, with a 13MP main unit and a 5MP selfia snapper. What's more the m1 also brings quad-band LTE connectivity. All that is expected to come at the reasonable price of around INR7,000 (~$110) and should be available, starting in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_teardown_reveals_its_internals-news-11604.php

Nexus 5 is getting Android 5.1 Lollipop as an OTA update

Google had recently put up the factory images of the Android 5.1 Lollipop for the developers and enthusiasts to flash it on their devices. Now the Nexus 5 users are getting the Android 5.1 Lollipop OTA update. Measuring about 220.7 MB, the OTA update is being rolled out to Nexus 5 devices in phases across the world. The most signification feature that arrives with Android 5.1 is the Device Protection which keeps your device locked even after factory reset. Only after the owner signs in, the device can be unlocked. HD Voice has been activated to improve the voice call quality. There's no evidence of whether the fix for the memory leak, as reported earlier, has been patched with this...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nexus_5_is_getting_android_51_lollipop_ota_update-news-11602.php

LG is releasing AKA smartphone to international markets

LG introduced the goofy looking AKA smartphone meant for the kids in Korea last year. Now the company confirmed that the AKA smartphone will be made available in other markets such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore and Turkey. Last week the phone was introduced in Taiwan. The smartphone has eyes popping out to of the case to create an emotional connection with the user. The smartphone is available in four different personas - Eggy in yellow color who is like a compulsive lover, a goofy yet impulsive Wooky in white, Yo-Yo in pink, perpetually on a diet, and music-loving Soul in navy blue color. Each of the colors have a personality and the eyes work like a notification reminder with different emotions. Even the color of the eye changes according to the type of notification you have. The new AKA phones feature a 5-inch 720p display, 1.2 GHz quad-core processor with 1.5 GB RAM, 16 GB built-in storage, Android 4.4 KitKat and runs 2610 mAh battery. The AKA phone is priced at $455 in Korea for...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_is_releasing_aka_smartphone_to_more_markets-news-11601.php

Microsoft Lumia 430 is now official, costs just $70

The new Microsoft Lumia 430 was officially announced today and it is yet another step in Microsoft's endeavor to get a firm grip on emerging smartphone markets. The dual-SIM handset will be hitting stores in India, the Middle East and Africa, Asia-Pacific, Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus sometime this April. And color options include black and orange. It will bear a price tag of about $70, which should help it get budget-conscious and novice smartphone users. The specs sheet is definitely not impressive, especially by 2015 standards, but given the tight budget, Microsoft has actually managed to put together a decent device. The Lumia 430 is powered by a rather outdated Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 chipset with 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, which is not going to ace any benchmarks, but should do the job without too much stutterting on a Windows Phone device. The good news is that in has 1GB of RAM, which means no apps will be left out due to RAM limitations. It almost looks like this handset is Microsoft's upgrade to the Lumia 530. Just like it, the Lumia 430 has a 4-inch LCD screen, with a resolution of 800x480 pixels and a ppi of 235. Yet it comes with twice the RAM and internal storage has been bumped up to 8GB. There is still a microSd card slot for up to 128GB more. Another improvement offered by the Lumia 530 is the front-facing camera, which is just a 0.3 MP VGA model, but is still better than nothing, but, sadly, the main shooter is only 2MP. A proximity sensor is also a nice update. Jo Harlow, Microsoft's corporate vice president, had this to say about the new budget-friendly device: People around the world have responded enthusiastically to our affordable Lumia range. We continue to invest in this segment to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy signature Microsoft experiences, regardless of budget.The Lumia 430 Dual SIM continues our commitment to combining the right hardware, software, services and apps with the right price to give people a smartphone they can afford and be proud to use. It looks like the Lumia 430 has a few right ingredients to become a hot seller in certain markets. And with Microsoft's promise to bring Windows 10 to all Lumia devices, the $70 investment sounds like a pretty good deal in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_budget_microsoft_lumia_430_is_now_official_for_70-news-11603.php

Images of Xiaomi Mi 4 running Windows 10 surface online

Earlier we reported about Microsoft and Xiaomi signing an agreement to make the Windows 10 compatible with the Xiaomi Mi4 smartphone. Now some fresh images of a Mi 4 unit running the Windows 10 Technical Preview have been spotted. It is unclear whether the Windows 10 build will be able to make the best of the Mi4 hardware and render the capacitive menu keys in the front useless. This is just a glimpse of what can be expected in near future. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/images_of_xiaomi_mi4_running_windows_10_surface_online-news-11600.php

EU pricing of OnePlus One will rise from March 25

The European pricing of OnePlus One will rise from March 25 onwards. The Chinese manufacturer will make the adjustment because of the Euro's plunge against the US dollar (currently €1 trades for $1.08). Starting on March 25, the 16GB and the 64GB variants of OnePlus One will cost €299 and €349 respectively. That's a €30 increase for the 16GB model, and €50 hike for the 64GB version of the smartphone. It turns out that the plunge of the Euro has cut into the already slim OnePlus margins. Currently, the company is selling its "flagship killer" at a cost. OnePlus One accessories will not be affected by the price increase. Users have until next week to take advantage of the old pricing of the smartphone. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/eu_pricing_of_oneplus_one_will_rise_from_march_25-news-11599.php

Purported live photos of Sony Xperia Z4 case emerge

Purported live photos of a Sony Xperia Z4 protective cover made the rounds on Twitter. The successor of Sony Xperia Z3 is expected to make its official debut at some point this summer. The images of the case appear to confirm what we saw in the leaked press renders from a couple of days ago. The TPU case features a cutout for that mysterious port, which sits alongside the microUSB of the upcoming smartphone. Purported specs of Sony Xperia Z4 include Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC, 5.2" QHD display, 20.7MP camera, and Android Lollipop. The smartphone features design cues from its both its predecessor and Sony Xperia Z2. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/purported_live_photos_of_sony_xperia_z4_case_emerge-news-11598.php

Over three quarters of all compatible devices run iOS 8

More than three quarters of all compatible devices now run Apple iOS 8. As of March 16, the adoption of the Cupertino giant's latest mobile OS has reached 77%. Apple's App Store Distribution dashboard reveals that iOS 7 is still booting on 20% of all the company's active mobile hardware. The remaining 3% is reserved for iOS 6 earlier builds of the platform. There is no information on the specific adoption of iOS 8's various versions. Apple has pushed several major updates to the platform since its release, with iOS 8.2 last week being the latest one. The latest data from Apple reveals that iOS 8 adoption has jumped 4% since mid-February. However, compared to iOS 7 and its 90% adoption this time last year, iOS 8 still has a way to go to catch up. The slower adoption of iOS 8 should hardly catch anyone by surprise. The early variations of the OS carried a number of bugs, which slowed down the upgrade cycle. Apple will reportedly focus mostly on performance and stability upgrades for its next major release of the platform - iOS 9. However, compared to the adoption of the latest Android version by Google, Apple is doing a lot better. As of early March, Android 5.0 Lollipop runs on 3.3% of all hardware. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/more_than_three_quarters_of_all_compatible_apple_devices_run_ios_8-news-11597.php

Motorola Droid Turbo will be updated directly to Android 5.1

If you own a Motorola Droid Turbo and have been wondering when the update to Android Lollipop will hit your device, this is for you. Apparently the Droid Turbo will not get any build based on Android 5.0, but instead will be updated directly with Android 5.1 Lollipop - which is currently the absolute latest version of Google's mobile OS. This probably means you still have some waiting to do until the new software will reach your handset, unfortunately. Google has just started rolling out Android 5.1 to its Nexus devices, and not even all of those have it yet. On the other hand, Motorola has been fast with updates lately, so perhaps it will move quickly with this one too. The reason for the jump from KitKat straight to Android 5.1 Lollipop apparently has to do with Verizon. The carrier "demands" VoLTE support baked into the Turbo's software, and Android 5.1 provides that natively. So for Motorola working on backporting this feature to the first Lollipop release, only to then have to switch to Android's native implementation with the 5.1 update would have been a big waste of resources. Hence, the decision to skip 5.0 altogether. All of this information comes from Luciano Carvalho, a software engineer at Motorola. He made the remarks in a few replies on Google+. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_droid_turbo_will_be_updated_directly_to_android_51-news-11596.php

Huawei sets an event for April 15, P8 debut likely

For a few weeks now, Huawei has been rumored to make the upcoming P8 official at an event on April 15, in London. And today we get confirmation that these rumors were true after all. The Chinese company has reportedly started sending out press invites for the gathering, including to Dutch websites. The event will take place in London from 3 PM to 4:30 PM local time on March 15. As you can see, the invite itself doesn't reveal anything about the event's theme, yet it does tell us that a mysterious "it" is coming. It's pretty clear that this is the P8 it's talking about, so it should finally be announced on this occasion. Huawei has been teasing its next flagship in China for quite a while now, promising us a strong screen, better camera, as well as great battery life. The company did hold a press conference at MWC too at the beginning of this month, but for whatever reason it chose not to unveil the P8 then, instead giving it its own dedicated event. Past rumors and leaks had the Huawei P8 coming with a 5.2-inch 1080p touchscreen, a ceramic unibody construction, dual 13 MP cameras on the back, 3GB of RAM, and a 2,600 mAh battery. Huawei's own Kirin 930 SoC should be powering things up, sporting an octa-core CPU. The P8 may run Android 5.0 Lollipop. Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_sets_an_event_for_april_15_p8_debut_likely-news-11595.php

HTC One M9 hits the shelves in US from April 10

HTC US promised to deliver some big news today and it did. First HTC revealed the Uh-Oh protection program, which replaces your HTC One M9 unit in case it dies of water damage of a cracked screen during the first 12 months since purchase. The second big news is the USA premiere date for the One M9 - April 10. The flagship will become available after April 10 in various retailers and you will be able to purchase it right away. The USA carriers will be also offering the One M9 around April 10, though they will detail exact availability and pricing later down the road. Finally, Jason Mackenzie, President of HTC Americas, reveled HTC has no plans to release a Google Play Edition of the HTC One M9. So, the HTC One M9 is coming on April 10 - the very same day the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge will be hitting the shelves. Will you be getting one of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m9_hits_the_shelves_in_us_on_april_10-news-11594.php

New rumor talks about the HTC One M9+

Most of you surely remember the HTC Hima Ultra, which then turned out to be the HTC One M9 Plus. Well a new leak states that the phone will actually be dubbed the HTC One M9+ and it might be closer to a release than we thought. The alleged handset has already appeared in pictures, as well as benchmark results, so we should have a pretty good idea about what it has to offer. #twitter-widget-0 {width: 590px !important;} Confirmed：Hima_Ultra will be going to the market as HTC One M9+(not Plus), and I was wrong it will be available in EMEA too.— @upleaks (@upleaks) March 18, 2015 The leak, curtesy of the reputable source - @upleaks, also explains that the new phone will be available in the EMEA region (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) and the release date should be in Q1 2015. But seeing, how we are already half-way through March, a Q2 launch seems more likely. As for specs, the One M9+ should be powered by a MediaTek MT6795 or a Snapdragon 810. Presumably, the first will be reserved for China versions and the second will go international, but other scenarios are also possible. The rest of the device's rumored specs include 5.2" QHD display, fingerprint scanner, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of expandable memory. Curiously enough, HTC USA has an event set for today - March 18 at 9:00 AM (PDT). It will, most likely deal with the official US release of the HTC One M9, as well as the new "Uh-Oh" protection program, but it might also shed some light on the upcoming device. You can check the live stream...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_rumor_talks_about_the_htc_one_m9-news-11593.php

LG L90 gets Android 5 Lollipop update

LG L90 is the affordable smartphone went official a year ago with a 4.7" display, Snapdragon 400 chip, and an 8MP cam all running on Android KitKat OS. It is pretty much the same phone as the LG G2 mini, but with front keys instead of the iconic rear control deck. And now LG has sweetened it further by pushing the Android 5 Lollipop update on the dual-SIM flavor of the LG L90. The first market to get it is India, but we expect LG to expand the availability very soon. The update is available over the air and weighs about 780MB. There is nothing in the changelog besides the "Android OS Upgrade". It will bring the new Material design across the interface though the Optimus UX skins almost everything. The update notification (click to enlarge) Here is hoping LG develops Android Lollipop updates for the G2 mini and other L-series phones shortly. Thank you, Meherban, for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_l90_gets_android_5_lollipop_update-news-11592.php

Galaxy S6 and S6 edge UK pre-orders kick off March 20

Samsung announced today the UK pre-order campaign for the new Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. Selected retailers and carriers will be accepting pre-orders starting this Friday - March 20. Vodafone, Three, O2 and EE will be all taking pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 duo, as well as Carphone Warehouse and Samsung.com. The pricing is yet to be announced, but we'll know it in just two days. Both devices will be available for order in 32, 64 and 128GB flavors in all announced colors - White Pearl, Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum, Blue Topaz (Galaxy S6 only), and Green Emerald (Galaxy S6 edge only). Everyone who placed a pre-order in the UK on March 20 or later, will be able to pick their device on April 9. The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge will become officially available through all major retailers in the UK on April 10. Samsung is already taking pre-order in Italy and the Netherlands. The 32GB Galaxy S6 costs €700, while the cheapest S6 edge model starts at...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_uk_preorders_kick_off_march_20-news-11591.php

HTC's UH OH protection program for the One M9 is now official

HTC just officially announced its UH OH program for providing a free replacement unit should the unthinkable happens and your precious One M9 reaches an untimely death. The aptly named initiative covers the risks of cracked screen or water damage within the first year of owning the high-end smartphone. If you're careful enough with your handset and it survives the first 12 months though, you're entitled to $100 credit towards the purchase of a subsequent HTC phone. That should hopefully be enough of a deterrent to avoid questionable widespread last-minute mishaps come April 2016. We already reported on the UH OH program a few hours ago, but details were sketchy at that point, and now the info is confirmed by the HTC press team. Apparently the company has dissected a Google Insights Survey where 69% of respondents reported to have damaged their phone within the past year, and found that it's an area where after-sale support could be improved. The Taiwanese company had been struggling with market results, only to find itself marginally on the positive side in Q4 2014, and is aggressively fighting for prospective buyers. It' a welcome initiative from a user's point of view, so it should be a win-win for both...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_uh_oh_protection_program_for_the_one_m9_is_now_official-news-11590.php

Motorola giving away a Moto E with the purchase of a Moto X

Buy-one-get-one-free deals are not new in the smartphone market and now Motorola is offering a free Moto E to buyers of the Moto X, both in their second generation. The Moto X (2014) will set you back $500 off contract, and Motorola will throw in a free Moto E, otherwise worth $120 value. The price is for the 16GB version, but you're free to run it through the Moto Maker customization tool and get storage upgrades and different trim options for a few bucks extra. The Moto X (2014) sits a notch below the flagship Moto Maxx and comes with a 5.2-inch FullHD AMOLED display, still-relevant Snapdragon 801 chipset and 2GB of RAM. Meanwhile the Moto E (2015) delivers LTE connectivity on a budget and sports a 4.5-inch qHD screen, the popular Snapdragon 410 chipset with quad-core processor and a single gig of RAM. The offer is valid in the US for a whole week and expires on March 24. You can head on to Motorola's official website where you can check carrier contract options as well. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_giving_away_a_moto_e_with_the_purchase_of_a_moto_x-news-11590.php

New Lollipop image available for Nexus 6

Last week Android 5.1 was made official and naturally made available for Google's own Nexus devices. It brought many improvements over previous Lollipop builds, including a few new features, like HD voice calls and silent mode. The Nexus 6 was one of the handsets that benefited most from the new OS version, which brought about performance improvements and fixes to the handset. That version was distributed to users in the form of an OTA, but a quick look at Google's Factory Images page, reveals that there is now another Android 5.1 build for the same device. According to the change log, this new software does not bring any significant changes, which is also evident from its identical version number. Instead the LMY47E build comes with a new version of the radio drivers, which signifies some tweaks and changes were made in connectivity - cellular, Wi-Fi or otherwise. It is still unclear, whether the new Lollipop build will be distributed to users over the air. Chances are, that if it brings about some universally beneficial patch or improvement, it will seed to users. However, it might be targeted to address a very concrete issue, in which case, it will most likely be up to users to decide whether or not they want to flash it. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_lollipop_image_available_for_nexus_6-news-11589.php

Xiaomi Mi 4 to support Windows 10 Technical Preview

Microsoft has signed an agreement with Xiaomi to provide support for the Windows 10 Technical Preview on the Mi 4 smartphone. Xiaomi has had a good run so far with its smartphones running MIUI version based on Android. Now the company has teamed up with Microsoft to provide support for running Windows 10 Technical Preview on Mi4. So far, neither of the companies has shared the specifics on tools to be provided and installation process. Mostly aimed at the enthusiasts and developers, the Windows 10 TP on Mi4 will let the users report the bugs and give ideas on new features to be added in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi4_will_support_windows_10_technical_preview-news-11587.php

Lenovo to launch Windows phones mid-2015 in China

Microsoft announced that Lenovo will offer the Windows 10 upgrade services across China. Apart from that, Lenovo will also work with Microsoft to build Windows Phone handsets. Last year, Microsoft announced adding new hardware partners who will develop Windows Phone devices and Lenovo was one of them. However, not a single WP device was announced by Lenovo yet. This year, Lenovo has plans to launch the Windows 10 running smartphones in mid-2015 via China Mobile. There is no clarity on timeline on releasing the Lenovo Windows phones to other markets yet,...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_to_launch_windows_phones_mid2015_in_china-news-11586.php

LG announces the G Flex2 in India for $878, available later this month

LG has launched their latest flagship smartphone - the LG G Flex2 - in India. The phone is priced at Rs. 55,000 ($878) and will be available sometime later this month. The LG G Flex2 is the successor to last year's G Flex, which met with a lukewarm response from reviewers and customers alike. This year's model features a new 5.5-inch Full HD curved P-OLED display, Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage space with microSD support, 13 megapixel rear camera with OIS and laser autofocus, 2.1 megapixel front facing camera, 3,000mAh battery and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The G Flex2 also features the self healing back from the original G Flex but is now improved to be quicker and hide small scratches better. LG is only launching the 32GB model in India. It will be available in Flamenco Red and Platinum...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_announces_the_g_flex2_in_india_for_878_available_later_this_month-news-11588.php

Gionee to launch slim dual-SIM Elife S7 on April 3 in India

At MWC 2015, Gionee unveiled the 5.5mm Elife S7 as one of the thinnest dual-SIM smartphones. Now, the Chinese manufacturer is gearing up for the April launch of the smartphone next month in India by sending out formal invites. Gionee has designed Elife S7 with a U-shaped skeleton, casted using aviation level alloy for its frame. The rest of the body is constructed using nano-molding plastic. The mere 5.5mm thick handset features a 5.2" 1080p AMOLED display. Powered by a 64-bit MediaTek MT6752 SoC with Mali-T760 GPU, the S7 has 2 GB RAM and 16GB of built-in storage. The phone has a new Sensor Hub integrated to the SoC in order to conserve CPU usage and use less power. It will be offered in Los Angeles Black, North Pole White and Maldives Blue color options. Being a dual-SIM smartphone, the S7 supports two 4G SIM modules simultaneously. It is powered by a 2,750 mAh battery. We managed to get a quick look at the device at...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/gionee_to_launch_slim_dualsim_elife_s7_on_april_3_in_india-news-11585.php

Xiaomi now sells accessories in India on its official site

Xiaomi began selling accessories through the its official website. Going forward, users in the country can order headsets and cases for their smartphones directly from the manufacturer. Xiaomi has been selling handsets online in India through an exclusive partnership with Flipkart. But on its home turf, Xiaomi hosts the fancy flash sales on its own website. Basically, the Mi online store for India is slowly turning into an online store of its own, though its doesn't offer smartphones just yet. Last month, we reported about Xiaomi's plans to follow the same strategy in the US...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_now_sells_accessories_in_india_on_its_official_site-news-11584.php

Goldgenie will offer Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge in 24k gold

Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge got the Goldgenie treatment. The UK-based jeweler will begin taking pre-orders for tricked out versions of the smartphone duo in a couple of days, on March 20. The Korean giant's hot new flagship smartphones will be available in 24k gold, rose gold, and platinum. Goldgenie is expecting high demand for all three precious metal finishes. Of course, having your Samsung Galaxy S6 dressed in 24k gold won't come cheap - Goldgenie's pricing kicks off at £1,664 (around $2,457). The jeweler will begin shipping smartphones to customers in two to three weeks after the April 10 retail launch of the smartphone. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/goldgenie_will_offer_samsung_galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_in_24k_gold_-news-11583.php