New Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 specifications leak

A brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 5 has been spotted on TENAA, as well as in a Bluetooth certification. This means that the next iteration of the tablet family is well on its way, which, frankly, surprised us a little. Earlier this month, the current generation Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1, received a 64-bit processor upgrade and so did the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0, a few months earlier, so we naturally assumed Samsung was futureproofing its tech and thus postponing a fifth series. A set of recently uncovered TENAA certification pages definitely says otherwise. According to the enclosed specifications, the pair of devices will come equipped with an 8.0-inch screen with a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels. Both will also feature quad-core CPUs, clocked at 1.2 GHz, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of onboard storage. In terms of dimensions, the Tab 5 will be thinner than the previous Galaxy Tab 4, but perhaps, a little shorter and wider. The certification pages for both models seem to show little difference between then, so at this point, we can't really be sure what their main distinction will be. The SM-P355C is listed as being a little heavier and only with white color as an option, although its picture clearly shows a different pallet. The camera setup on the P variant is also described in more detail. The tablet should come with a 5MP main shooter and a 2MP front one. Judging from the photos, the SM-T355C will also come with two cameras, most probably the same. Undoubtedly, both models will run Android Lollipop out of the box and if rumors are to be belied, will also come with a stylus, better known as S Pen, just like Samsung's Note series. It will, allegedly, reside in a slot neat the upper right corner of the Galaxy Tab 5. There is no official information on the new Tab series yet and we will surely know more about the upcoming tablets once Samsung discloses its future plans for the Galaxy Tab lineup. Source 1 (in Chinese) | Source 2 (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_samsung_galaxy_tab_5_specifications_leak-news-11952.php

MediaTek unveils 64-bit MT8163 and MT8735 chips for tablets

At the Hong Kong Electronics fair, MediaTek just announced two new 64-bit quad-core MediaTek chipsets - MT8163 and MT8735 - both designed for the tablets. The new MediaTek MT8163 chip comprises of 64-bit Cortex-A53 CPU, powerful enough to drive a 1080p display. This chip supports Android 5.1 Lollipop by default and also ropes along dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooh 4.0, FM radio, and GPS. Even the MT8735 offers 64-bit support with Cortex-A53 architecture and promises competitive performance. Packing support for 6-mode 4G LTE network, this SoC can also supports dual-band Wi-Fi network, Bluetooth 4.0, FM radio, and GPS/GLONASS/Beidou. Tablets based on either of the chipset to start hitting the China and other Asian markets in the coming months. These tablets will mostly belong in the entry-level to mid-range segment. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_unveils_64bit_mt8163_and_mt8735_chips_for_tablets-news-11951.php

Analyst says LG G4 might not surpass G3 in sales

The LG G4, which is set to be officially unveiled on April 28, might not sell better than its predecessor, the G3, according to a Korean analyst from Seoul-based IBK Investment & Securities. It's worth mentioning that the South Korean company has sold 10 million units of the G3 since it was released last May. As per the analyst, although the G4 is an impressive product, it will face stiff competition from Samsung's Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, which have already taken the market by storm. "Market conditions will not be favorable," he said. Another concerning factor is that the G4 is reportedly powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 808 chipset, instead of the the company's flagship Snapdragon 810...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/analyst_says_lg_g4_might_not_surpass_g3_in_sales-news-11949.php

New leaked renders might showcase the Xperia Z3 Neo

The plot continues to thicken around Sony's long-overdue Xperia Z4 flagship. Rumors about the handset are still plentiful, but despite the vigorous talk of a metal unibody and a fingerprint sensor, recent rumors have thrown a major curve ball into the saga and its name is the Sony Xperia Z3 Neo. There has been a lot of speculation around the new Neo model, mostly, that it is next in line for a release in just a few hours on April 20 with the eagerly-anticipated Xperia Z4 postponed once again, or perhaps even indefinitely. Other speculations have stated that what we thought was the Z4 will actually turn out to be the Z3 Neo, with a model number E6553, leaving us to wonder what to think of the sea of recent Z4 leaks. A new set of leaked internal renders now claim to showcase the Z3 Neo, but at this point, we can't really be sure what we are looking at. Furthermore, one of them is clearly annotated as "Xperia Z The fourth Generation", perplexing us even further. In any case, the handset in the three pictures is airily similar to the current Xperia Z3, but frankly, that was all but expected. Looking at the renders closely, however, we do detect minor changes, like the absence of a flap on the right side of the device, but generally, the Sony design is all but intact. Whatever this device may be, we still hope that an unveiling will take place on April 20. Also, we can't really be sure if our previous information concerts the Xperia Z4, Z3 Neo, both or none of them, for that matter, but rumors state the next Sony device will pack a 5.2" screen (either 1080p or QHD). The specs sheet should also include a Snapdragon 810 chipset with 4GB of RAM, the usual 20.7MP camera and the IP68 waterproofing. What is your take on Sony's current situation and do you have any expectations or prediction as to what is going to happen next? Tell us in the comment...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_leaked_renders_might_showcase_the_xperia_z3_neo-news-11950.php

Apple Pay may finally be coming to Canada this Fall

During the past few months, Apple has made it abundantly clear that it is ready and more than willing to invest heftily in pushing its new NFC-based payment system. The Cupertino giant has really sets its goals high with Apple Pay and despite some distrust from major retailers, as well as customers in the US, the service has been growing steadily on the home market. Most of this success, however, can be attributed to Apple's tireless efforts to expand the service, despite numerous reports of security issues and bad user experience. Internationall expansion for Apple Pay is another move Apple has been battling for quite some time and currently, its primary target markets are Canada and China. As some of you might remember, negotiations with Chinese authorities have been pretty tough and the future is still uncertain for the payment service in the vast market. A new report by the Wall Street Journal, however, reveals that the Cupertino giant might be pretty close to releasing Apple Pay in neighboring Canada, but there are still some tough points to negotiate. Industry sources have revealed, that Apple is currently in talks with six major Canadian bands - Royal Bank of Canada,Toronto-Dominion Bank,Bank of Nova Scotia,Bank of Montreal,Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce and National Bank of Canada. Between them, they constitute for about 90% of all retail bank accounts, so a potential deal could insure spectacular exposure for the payment service. This, however, does not mean that Apple Pay is in for some clear sailing in Canada, on the contrary. The aforementioned banking institutions have formed a consortium to address major issues they have with Apple's service. Unsurprisingly, the dispute revolves around pretty much the same aspect that are struggling to pass UnionPay approval in China. For one, Apple Pay hasn't proven to be particularly secure and, although cases of fraud have been few, most banks tend to show a lot of distrust towards the service. To address this problem, McKinsey & Co has been hired as a consultant to develop a new security protocol for use with Apple Pay in Canada. And, while, this is sure to be costly and time-consuming, Apple has little choice but to comply and wait patiently, especially considering the end-reward. The Canadian market has all the characteristics to be a particularly nourishing environment for the payment service. Apple's market share in the country constitutes a whopping one third of all mobile devices and most local retailers are already equipped with the technology to accept NFC-based payments. But even if security concerns get straightened out, there is still the question of royalties, which some sources have speculated might be even higher for retailers and banks outside the US. Ultimately, this could mean that transaction made through Apple Pay are significantly more expensive for banks than more-traditional card-based ones. And seeing how "tap-and-go" seamless card payment are already wide-spread in Canada, there is little actual incentive to favor Apple Pay, which might even require users to go through an extra verification step to address all the possible security issues. But, needless to say, Apple has proven itself to be very persuasive and judging by the vigorous efforts to push Apple Pay, the situation might actually get sorted out sooner than we expect. All we can do is hope that the customer won't be the one left "paying the bill" in the end. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_pay_may_finally_be_coming_to_canada_this_fall-news-11948.php

OnePlus will make an announcement on April 20

OnePlus will make an announcement next week, on April 20. The Chinese manufacturer delivered the news via its official Twitter account. From here on out, anything could happen. #NeverSettle pic.twitter.com/pK84nYrzcd— OnePlus (@oneplus) April 17, 2015 An full debut of the highly anticipated OnePlus One successor is highly unlikely (the OnePlus Two is expected in Q3). However, we won't be surprised if the company sheds a bit of light on the upcoming device. The company pulled such trick with OnePlus One - it announced the development of the smartphone in early March last year and fully revealed it in late April. The handset didn't begin shipping out to customers until June. OnePlus Two is expected to pack a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and 16MP camera. The device might also carry a higher price tag than the OnePlus One. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_will_make_an_announcement_next_week_on_april_20-news-11947.php

Vivo starts teasing the X5 Pro with 2.5D glass screen

Vivo has started teasing its next smartphone, the X5 Pro. At the same time, a leaked image came out supposedly depicting this device. In its teaser shot, Vivo is showing us the X5 Pro's rounded corners, along with 2.5D glass on top of the screen. This means the glass is rounded at the edges, as is pretty obvious from the picture. The X5 Pro should complement the X5 and X5 Max in Vivo's portfolio when it launches. The Chinese company is also said to be working on a successor to the Xshot, as well as an Xplay 5S flagship offering. So the near future is going to be quite filled with Vivo announcements it seems. Unfortunately though no specs have been outed for the X5 Pro, not even alongside the leaked image above. This purportedly shows one corner of this phone. The X5 Pro could become official sometime in May. Source (in Italian) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/vivo_starts_teasing_the_x5_pro_with_25d_glass_screen-news-11946.php

LG AKA review: Eye contact

Phones can talk to you and even talk back to you. Every now and then, they might even say something funny. Your phone knows where you are and what you're doing. Your phone is always watching. Now, look at your phone. It'll look back...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_aka-review-1241.php

Upcoming 'bezelless' Oppo R7 smiles in new images, video

The Nubia Z9 that ZTE will unveil on May 6 won't be the only upcoming smartphone from China to boast a 'bezelless' display. The oft-leaked Oppo R7 will have this same feature, practically coming with no side bezels on its screen. The R7 has been shown in live images before (even a video), but now new ones have been leaked. And just like past occurrences, that lack of bezels really draws one's attention. The pictures sadly don't come with specs attached, but in the past it has been said that the R7 should sport a MediaTek MT6795 SoC with octa-core CPU, as well as a 20.7 MP rear camera. 4G LTE support is to be in as well. To create the 'bezelless' effect, Oppo is using some patented tech it developed last year. The Oppo R7 might be a very slim handset, following in the footsteps of the R5, which for a while was the world's thinnest smartphone. Then again, the name R7 hasn't been confirmed in any way, so this 'bezelless' handset might end up being sold under a completely different moniker. At the rate we're currently seeing leaks about it, though, it could get official pretty soon. Source 1 (in Chinese) • Source 2 (in Chinese) | Via 1 • Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_bezelless_oppo_r7_smiles_in_new_live_images_video-news-11945.php

Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 goes on pre-order for $199.99

The 5.5-inch Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 which was made official last month at MWC is now up for pre-order in the US. This is happening through Alcatel's own official store, which is powered by Amazon. You can pre-order the device unlocked and sans carrier contract for $199.99. That price will however only be valid until April 20 at 11:59 PM PDT. From that point on, the amount you have to pay for the Idol 3 goes up to $249.99. The pre-ordered handsets are going to start shipping on May 21, which is also this model's official release date for the US. The phone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 615 SoC (with an octa-core CPU having four Cortex-A53 cores going to 1.5 GHz and another four capped at 1 GHz), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G LTE, a 13 MP main camera, an 8 MP selfie shooter, and a 2,910 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0 Lollipop. The standout feature for the Idol 3 is the fact that it's reversible - meaning you can pick it up and talk even if its top side is down. This is enabled by the symmetrical design of its dual front-facing...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_onetouch_idol_3_goes_on_preorder-news-11938.php

Sony Xperia E4g Dual with LTE launched in India for $213

Sony has silently listed the new Xperia E4g Dual smartphone on its official India website. Priced at INR13,290 ($213), the smartphone features dual-SIM connectivity and 4G LTE networks support. As the successor of the Xperia E3, the E4g Dual gets a minor bump when it comes to hardware. Featuring a 4.7" qHD display and Android 4.4 Kitkat update, it is powered by a MediaTek MT6732 chipset with quad-core 1.5 GHz CPU and 1 GB RAM. Internal storage is 8GB, but there's a microSD slot for expansion. It features a 5MP rear snapper with LED flash and a 2MP front camera with HD video support. The dual SIM model packs a 2300 mAh non-removable...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_e4g_dual_with_lte_launched_in_india_for_213-news-11944.php

Huawei Honor 7 and Honor 7 Plus leak

Huawei, being the industry giant it is, is apparently not content with having just the P8 and P8 Max flagship pair out there and is working on another high end duo to represent the Honor brand. Rumor has it that there will be a larger Honor 7 Plus model and a more compact vanilla Honor 7. From the images we've got it appears that the two devices will look rather different. The Honor 7 Plus is reported to sport a fingerprint sensor under its main camera on the back in an arrangement similar to the existing Huawei Ascend Mate7 phablet. Both the Honor badge and the overall design suggest that the pictured device might be the real thing. Alleged Huawei Honor 7 Plus Display size is expected to be 5.5 inches and screen resolution is more than likely going to be FullHD. The list of rumored specs goes on with an in-house Kirin 930 or 935 chipset, 3GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Meanwhile what is allegedly the regular Honor 7 model sports a dual-camera arrangement on the back, not unlike the currently available Honor 6 Plus. While on the Honor 6 Plus the two cameras are created equal, the Honor 7 seems to put an emphasis on one more than the other, possibly with a difference in aperture in favor of the bulkier one. Alleged Huawei Honor 7 Now, this one has a few design clues borrowed from the Ascend G7, so it may end up being a continuation of that lineup, for all we know. No specs have been revealed on this second device. Obviously, you should take all this info with a pinch of salt, as the Honor 7 and Honor 7 Plus are new to the rumor mill and all of the above may change as the the smartphones are being developed. Via 1 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_7_and_honor_7_plus_leaked-news-11940.php

Microsoft pauses Lumia 520, 525 update due to bricking

Did you update Nokia Lumia 520 or Lumia 525 (including the 526 variant) with the preview Windows 10 build? Then you should hold off on rolling back to Windows Phone 8.1, multiple users report that they bricked their devices doing so with the Windows Phone Recover Tool. Microsoft has paused the availability of the update while the issue is being investigated. You can join the discussion, the Microsoft team is working with users trying to resolve the issue. Some users are offering solutions, though it would be best to wait for the official team to resolve the issue. Also note that some users are having similar issues with the Lumia...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_pauses_lumia_520_525_update_due_to_bricking-news-11939.php

Micromax's YU Yureka starts receiving Cyanogen OS 12 update

Just days after releasing OS 12 for OnePlus One handsets, Cyanogen has started rolling out the update for Yu Yureka owners, too. The company says the Android Lollipop-based update should reach all Yureka handsets within the next three days. Our Lollipop ('L') update is rolling out to YUREKA owners today. Treat yourself to OS 12. @YuPlayGod #CyanogenOS http://t.co/vVnnSo0ppW— Cyanogen (@cyngn) April 16, 2015 "The Cyanogen OS 12 update is a product of our passion and dedication towards reinventing and redefining the consumer experience and I am extremely excited to share it with our community," said Rahul Sharma, Founder of Yu Televentures, which is a Micromax-owned brand. In addition to Lollipop-specific features, like Material Design and Android Runtime, the update also brings along a new App Themer, which lets users set a new theme for each app, as well as Cyanogen's own Boxer email client. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/micromaxs_yu_yureka_starts_receiving_cyanogen_os_12_update-news-11938.php

LG G4 allegedly photographed, Snapdragon 808 inside

A benchmark revealed that the LG G4 won't use the flagship Snapdragon chipset, opting instead for the Snapdragon 808, which has a hexa-core processor - dropping two of the four power-hungry Cortex-A57 cores of the 810 chipset. More evidence of that comes from a photo of a working device - reportedly the LG G4, though it's hard to confirm the identity of the device at that quality. The phone is shown running CPU-Z, which reports Snapdragon 808 with six CPU cores at and Adreno 418 GPU. An alleged photo of CPU-Z detailing the LG G4's internals The app claims 28nm build process, though the 808 is supposed to be built on the more power efficient 20nm. The accuracy of such hardware details is dubious when detected in software though. Huawei recently went all Cortex-A53 for its latest flagship, believing that less thermal throttling will make up for the difference in performance between the A53 and A57. Those A53s run at a higher clockspeed than the ones in the Snapdragon 808 though (2GHz-2.2GHz vs. 1.44GHz in the G4). The early GFX Bench results show that Adreno 418 is an improvement over the Adreno 330 that powers the LG G3, but it puts it noticeably behind the Adreno 430 in the LG G Flex2. We'll get LG's thoughts on the matter on April 28. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g4_allegedly_photographed_snapdragon_808_inside-news-11937.php

LG's upcoming Stylus smartphone pictured again

LG is in full throttle for the upcoming G4 flagship release. Everything seems to be going according to plan and the device should premiere on April 28. Before that, though, the manufacturer is launching an ambitious beta testing campaign, #TryLGG4b, which will allow lucky users to actually try the device bore its launch. All eyes are definitely on the LG G4 right now, but that doesn't mean the Korean tech giant is not working on other projects as well. One such is a mysterious new device, dubbed simply LG Stylus. The phone has already made a visit to the FCC, bringing it a lot closer to consumer markets, but not much is known about the specs sheet just yet. The handset, model number LS770, will allegedly come with a 5.8-inch display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 610 processor and a 3,000 mAh battery. The phone is allegedly intended take on the Samsung Galaxy Note series, but, frankly, the aforementioned SoC is not quite up to par to brush shoulders with Samsung's phablets. This is actually not the first Stylus device LG has developed. There is a LG G3 Stylus currently on offer and its specs sheet is also significantly less impressive than the LG G3, so this might be a developing...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_is_allegedly_working_on_another_stylus_phone-news-11936.php

ZTE Nubia Z9 live image gives another glimpse of slim bezel design

ZTE has announced its plans to unveil the Nubia Z9 smartphone on May 6. The teaser for the launch apparently confirmed that the device will come with very slim bezels. We reported about a Z9 render which showed a bit of "bezelless" design and curved display similar to those of the Galaxy S6 edge. Now, there is a live image of the Nubia Z9 simply confirming that the render was legit. By bezelless, ZTE means that the lateral bezels simply won't be visible and due to the curve of the 2.5D glass on top. The ZTE Nubia Z9 will flaunt a QHD display powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 mobile chipset and 3GB of RAM. At the rear, a 21MP snapper unit is being rumored along with a fingerprint...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/live_image_of_zte_nubia_z9_beams_bezelless_design-news-11934.php

Lenovo launches A6000 Plus smartphone in India

Just a couple of days after it was announced, the Lenovo A6000 Plus smartphone has been launched in India. The device carries a price tag of INR 7,499 ($120). The handset, which is essentially an improved version of the already existing A6000, is powered by a Snapdragon 410 chipset and sports a 5-inch display of 720p resolution. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, and packs in a 2,300mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features an 8MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. It runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. As for the availability, the A6000 Plus will be exclusively available on Flipkart from April 28 via flash sale, for which registrations have already begun (hit the Source link below). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_launches_a6000_plus_smartphone_in_india-news-11935.php

Lenovo Vibe Shot version with 720p display spotted at TENAA

Lenovo showed off the camera-centric Vibe Shot smartphone with 1080p display and 16MP camera with OIS at the MWC 2015 last month. Apparently, the company is already working on a slightly lower-end version it though, as confirmed by a recent TENAA listing. A Lenovo model Z90-3 was spotted at the Chinese wireless regulator and it features a 5-inch display of 720p resolution. Bearing the same dimensions as the Vibe Shot with 7.6mm thickness, the new handset might as well turn out to be just a regional version of the company's cameraphone flagship. The rest of the specs remain almost the same such as the 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 mobile processor, 3GB of RAM, 8MP front facing camera, 16MP primary snapper with triple LED flash, and 32GB of built-in storage with microSD card slot. The original Vibe Shot runs Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box, but we are yet to find out if this new version will be able to match that. Both the original and the new 720p model appear to be the Dual-SIM models supporting 4G LTE network bands. As of now, it is unclear when this new 720p model will launch,, but it shouldn't be too far away. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_vibe_shot_model_with_720p_display_spotted_at_tenaa-news-11933.php

Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge sales now expected to hit 70 million mark

A month after a CitiBank analyst predicted that Samsung may sell over 50 million units of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, the South Korean company has said that it is expecting sales of its latest devices to cross the 70 million mark. "The Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge are drawing positive responses. I have no doubt that they will be the biggest-sellers in the Galaxy series ever," said a company executive. Echoing similar sentiments, Samsung's Vice Chairman Kwon Oh-hyun said, "The S6 should do well. The first week looks impressive." This is certainly good news for Samsung, which lost its number one position in the global smartphone market to rival Apple in the last quarter of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_sales_expected_to_hit_70_million_mark-news-11932.php

Verizon's Galaxy S6 phones won't have Microsoft apps pre-installed

Last month, it was announced that Samsung's latest devices, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, will ship with Microsoft OneNote, Skype, and 100GB of OneDrive cloud storage. However, according to a Wall Street Journal report, two of the big four carriers in the US are not on-board with the arrangement. As per the report, S6 units from Verizon won't come with any of the apps, while those from AT&T won't have OneDrive pre-installed. Although spokespersons for Samsung, Microsoft, and Verizon didn't comment on the reason behind the move, they said customers who purchase the devices from AT&T and Verizon can download the apps from Google...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizons_galaxy_s6_phones_wont_have_microsoft_apps_preinstalled-news-11931.php

Upcoming ZTE mid-ranger with fingerprint sensor leaks

Press images of an upcoming ZTE mid-range smartphone made the rounds online. Sporting a plethora of different colors, the handset is expected to launch in China in the immediate future. Rumored specs of the smartphone include chipset with octa-core CPU, 2GB of RAM, and 5" 1080p display. The camera is tipped to be a 13MP unit. If the leaked images are to be believed, ZTE will also feature a fingerprint sensor. The latter is visible on the back of the device, below its camera. A fingerprint sensor will surely help the upcoming ZTE mid-ranger stand out in its highly competitive segment. We will keep an eye out for more info on the smartphone going forward. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/upcoming_zte_midranger_with_fingerprint_sensor_leaks-news-11930.php

The next Apple iPhone body might utilize 7000 series aluminum

According to a new report on the web, the successors of iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus might have a body made of 7000 series aluminum. The innovative alloy is currently utilized in the entry-level Apple Watch Sport. Commonly used in competition bikes, the 7000 series aluminum is 60% stronger than regular aluminum alloys, yet it offers one-third of the stainless steel's density. In the case of the Apple Watch, the Cupertino giant has treated the lightweight metal with microscopic zirconia beads, which give the metal a nice satin finish. New aluminum alloy might not be the only innovative feature in the iPhone 6 family. Recent report suggests that the successor of iPhone 6 Plus will pack a Force Touch sensor. Apple is expected to unveil the next iPhone family at some point in September. Until we hear an official word from Cupertino, we suggest that you take all rumors with a grain of salt. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_next_apple_iphone_body_might_utilize_7000_series_aluminum-news-11929.php

Rumor: Microsoft working on two flagships and two midrangers

Recently Microsoft's mobile division has unveiled quite a few lower-midrange smartphones, such as the Lumia 640 and 640XL, Lumia 540, and Lumia 430. But the company is reportedly also working on higher-end offerings for the future. Two of these will be flagships when they launch. Although it's unclear what names they will be sold under, we'll call them Lumia 940 and Lumia 940XL. The former should sport a 5-inch touchscreen, while the latter will be a 5.7-inch phablet. Otherwise, though, their specs could be almost identical, with a 24-25 MP rear camera, a 5 MP (or higher-res) front snapper, and native pen support. These devices will launch running Windows 10. As that version of the OS supports hexa-core and octa-core CPUs, perhaps such a part will end up being used in the 940 and 940XL. Today's rumor doesn't have any exact details about their screen resolutions or chipsets, but it does mention that Microsoft is pushing for bleeding-edge specs for these handsets. They may also get some interesting-sounding features such as 3D interaction and iris scanning. Since Microsoft may push Windows 10 for phones to vendors by the end of Q2, these smartphones may be unveiled in early Q3. Moving on, there's also said to be a sort of Lumia 830 successor in the works - let's call it 840 for now. This will come with a 13 to 14 MP PureView main camera, a 5 MP front-facing unit, a screen around 5 inches in size, and a better processor compared to the Lumia 830. It will get a similar design to its predecessor though. Another midranger could be the Lumia 740XL, with a 5.5" or 5.7" display, and similar cameras to the aforementioned Lumia 840 but sans PureView branding. Once again, the name is just tentative, as the source of this information isn't sure exactly what each of these handsets will end up being...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/rumor_microsoft_working_on_two_flagships_and_two_midrangers-news-11928.php

Lenovo Vibe X2 is set to get Lollipop update on May 27

While other manufacturers have been releasing updates to Android 5.0 Lollipop for their devices left and right, Lenovo has so far stayed out of this game. A couple of months ago we found out that a few of its smartphones would in fact be graced with the new software version, but not before the second quarter of this year. Well, we're already in Q2 right now, so you may be wondering when to expect those updates on a Lenovo smartphone near you. As it turns out, if you own a Lenovo Vibe X2, then you should see the Lollipop update notification popping up on May 27. This info comes straight from the Chinese company itself, through its Twitter account for the Middle East region. The account responded to someone's question about the update for the Vibe X2 with the aforementioned date. We don't yet have news about any other Lenovo devices and when they are supposed to receive Android 5.0 Lollipop - other than the rough time frame of Q2. So, to recap, before the end of June the following handsets should also run the new software: A5000, A6000, P70, S90, Vibe Z2, and Vibe Z2 Pro. And those are probably going to be the only Lenovo-branded phones to be updated to Lollipop, since the company hasn't expanded the list. Thanks for the tip, moamen! Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_vibe_x2_is_set_to_get_lollipop_update_on_may_27-news-11927.php

Xiaomi Mi Note Pro will finally be available to order from May 6

Back in January, Xiaomi announced two new high-end phablets - the Mi Note and the Mi Note Pro. Since then, the former has been available in China through the company's signature flash sales, but so far the Mi Note Pro hasn't been released. If you've been waiting for it, though, you won't have much more of that to do from this point on. Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun posted on his Weibo account that the Mi Note Pro will finally become available to order starting on May 6. It's still unclear if orders placed then will ship immediately or not. That said, at least you will be able to order one, after many months of waiting. The Mi Note Pro looks just like the Mi Note on the outside, but it's got higher-end internals. It comes with a 5.7-inch QHD touchscreen, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and it's powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 SoC, which brings with it support for Cat.9 LTE (with 450Mbps peak downloads). The cameras are still 13 MP on the rear and 4 MP on the front, just like those on the Mi Note, and the battery has the same capacity too: 3,000 mAh. For all of this you need to pay CNY 3,299, which right now translates into approximately $532 or €496. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_note_pro_will_finally_be_available_to_order_from_may_6-news-11926.php

ZTE will unveil 'bezelless' Nubia Z9 on May 6

Last month ZTE made the Nubia Z9 Max and Nubia Z9 Mini official, but not the Z9 proper. This odd situation won't last for long, though. Today the Chinese company has announced that it will unveil the Nubia Z9 on May 6. What's more, the teaser for the launch seems to confirm that the device will come with 'bezelless' screen sides. This design detail has been leaked before regarding the Nubia Z9, most recently just a few days ago, when we saw a couple of purported renders of the handset. They do indeed show a display that has virtually no lateral bezels, and seems to curve slightly at the sides, just like Samsung's Galaxy S6 edge (though the curve is much less pronounced in the Nubia Z9). This same '2.5D' effect is also said to be present in Oppo's upcoming R7, so we may be witnessing the start of a trend here. As for internals, the ZTE Nubia Z9 is expected to be a real flagship offering, pairing a QHD touchscreen with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 chipset and no less than 3GB of RAM (possibly even 4GB). The main camera could be a 21MP unit, while a fingerprint sensor may sit on the phone's back just below it. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_will_unveil_bezelless_nubia_z9_on_may_6-news-11925.php

LG introduces a G4 test drive in India, sign up now

LG India launched a new promo campaign today - #TryLGG4. Basically it will give a selected people the new LG G4 for 30 days worth of beta testing. LG wants the users to participate in shaping the final stages of the LG G4. "A smartphone doesn't solve its purpose if it tops all the speed and benchmark tests but fails to satisfy the consumer needs. Realizing this, LG India is bringing this exciting and unique way to get our most important mobile product of the year, the LG G4, close to the consumers. I hope that the consumers like this offering by LG and participate in large numbers in this programme." If you live in India and you are interested in getting a LG G4 ahead of everybody else - you should sign up on this website. There are ways to increase you chance of winning by just spreading the word across the social hubs. There are no more details on this campaign and its aftermath, so we can't tell you if you will be able to purchase the G4 with a discounted price after the trial is over or what happens if accidentally break it. The LG G4 is going to premiere on April 28, while the winners of the #TryLGG4 campaign will be selected on May 8. You can apply for the program until May 5. LG has already kicked off the official teasers for the G4 and you can learn more about them here. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_introduces_g4_test_drive_in_india_participate_now-news-11924.php

Sony Xperia Z4 may have a metal unibody, fingerprint sensor

Sony Xperia Z4 rumors abound, but a recent one threw a spanner in the works - it suggested that all Xperia Z4 rumors so far actually relate to a refreshed Z3 model called Xperia Z3 Neo. The latest Z4 gossip claims that the flagship model will dump the glass back and go all-metal. Also, the Power button - a centerpiece of the OmniBalance design Sony premiered with the original Xperia Z - is getting redesigned, it will reportedly feature a fingerprint reader. We haven't seen such a big change in the leaked live images and cases, but this could be because those were for the Z3 Neo instead of the actual Xperia Z4. April 20 often gets cited as the unveiling date for Sony's new phone, which will just undercut LG's unveiling of the G4 on April 28. Whatever the name, the next high-end Xperia is set to pack a 5.2" screen (either 1080p or QHD), Snapdragon 810 chipset with 4GB of RAM, the usual 20.7MP camera and the IP68 waterproofing. With the Xperia Z4 Tablet already official, we hope the Xperia Z4 Compact won't be pushed back for a separate unveiling. Thank you, Tizzo, for the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z4_may_have_an_allmetal_unibody_fingerprint_sensor-news-11922.php

Cyanogen OS will bundle Microsoft apps and services

Earlier this year there were claims that Microsoft will invest in Cyanogen Inc., though that was later refuted. A Microsoft/Cyanogen partnership is still happening, except instead of money Microsoft will contribute its apps and services. Bing services, Skype, OneDrive, OneNote, Outlook and Microsoft Office will be integrated natively into Cyanogen OS and distributed on the phones that support it. Microsoft will be assisting with the integration into the custom Android OS. It's not clear if and how this will affect CyanogenMod, the open-source Android branch that shouldn't be confused with Cyanogen OS, which includes proprietary features. There's no timeframe either, but since version 12 is already out we're probably looking at Cyanogen OS 13. Redmond's presence on Android is growing, Samsung already bundles a number of Microsoft apps. This comes just after unconfirmed reports claim Microsoft will accept lower royalties from Android manufacturers if they pre-install the company's...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/cyanogen_os_will_bundle_microsoft_apps_and_services-news-11923.php

Xiaomi unveils Mi Note Black Edition for $400

Xiaomi's penchant to introduce smartphones in different colour options for its home region. The Chinese company has quietly announced yet another limited edition variant at $400 - Mi Note Black Edition along with new album of famous Chinese singer Jason Zhang. The Mi Note Black Edition will arrive with the singer's 10th album in an exclusive black packaging and the company noted that 30,000 units of the same will be put up for sale. In past couple of weeks, the Mi Note has already embraced the Bamboo edition and Pink edition. Just like those two editions and the original one, even the Mi Note Black edition packs the same set of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_unveils_mi_note_black_edition_for_400-news-11920.php

Android 5.0 OTA update for YU Yureka roll-out begins

The Android 5.0 Lollipop update for the YU Yureka was sent for certification a couple of days ago and today it received the stamp of approval. The update will roll out in phases over the next three days, so you may have to wait until the weekend to get it. The latest software is based on Cyanogen OS 12 and brings additional theming support, improves mail with CyanogenMail and Exchange support, plus multiple account integration. Android 5.0.2 running on the YU Yureka The update was originally scheduled for the first week of April, but better late than never. You can join the others waiting for the OTA roll-out to reach their Yureka over at the YU forums (follow the source link). Thanks to Pankaj for tipping us...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/android_50_ota_update_for_yu_yureka_begins_rollout-news-11921.php

Apple Watch to be available for in-store purchase in June

In the recent weeks, there have been reports that Apple won't be selling the Apple Watch to walk-in customers until the first wave of customer demand has passed - those who want to purchase the smartwatch will have to pre-order it online. Now, the company has revealed that orders will be online-only for a few weeks only. "We expect this to continue through the month of May," said Apple's retail chief Angela Ahrendts in a leaked memo, which was obtained by The Telegraph. This effectively means that the device will be available for in-store purchase in June. However, Ahrendts also made it clear that the way Apple is handling the sales this time is exclusive to Apple Watch only. "Are we going to launch every product this way from now on? No," she said. "We all love those blockbuster Apple product launch days - and there will be many more to come." If you aren't in the know, the Cupertino-based company has already opened up the pre-orders for the Apple Watch, and the device will start shipping on April 24. Via 1 | Via...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_watch_to_be_available_for_instore_purchase_in_june-news-11919.php

Galaxy S6 and S6 edge battery replacement to cost $45

Samsung has revealed that the battery replacement for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will set you back $45 (shipping not included). This is, of course, after the one-year warranty period expires, during which the company replaces the battery for free (again, excluding shipping charges). This compares to the $29.99 price which Samsung charges for a Galaxy S5 battery, and the $79 price which Apple charges for a new iPhone 6 battery. In addition, the South Korean company also revealed that screen replacement for the devices will cost $199. As for the turnaround time, Samsung says both screen and battery replacements can be done in one business day in the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s6_and_s6_edge_battery_replacement_to_cost_45-news-11917.php

Xiaomi slashes Mi 4 16GB, 64GB model prices in India

This may appear as a surprise to many that Xiaomi has announced a price cut in India on its flagship model - Mi 4. There's no festive season or special occasion in India. Effective from today, the Mi 4 16GB is now priced at INR17,999 ($289) knocked from INR19,999 ($321) and Mi 4 64GB model is priced at INR21,999 ($353) slashed from INR23,999 ($385). The discounts will be available from today onwards. #Mi4PriceDrop - Great news! Starting today 12 noon, we're dropping the price of Mi 4: 16GB will now go for Rs 17,999, n 64GB for Rs 21,999— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) April 16, 2015 Xiaomi India head, Manu Kumar Jain confirmed that the new prices will be permanent and shall be available via Snapdeal and Amazon websites for India too. Xiaomi is set to announce a new global smartphone in India on April 23. While there is no clarity on the upcoming device, the price cut on Mi 4 does raise an eyebrow. But it is quite simple really. The price cuts on Mi 4 puts in a competitive position against the smartphone by the Chinese startup OnePlus. In India the OnePlus One is also selling at INR18,999 ($305) for 16GB model and INR21,999 ($353) for 64GB model. ...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_slashes_mi_4_16gb_64gb_model_prices_in_india-news-11918.php

LG G4 teaser boasts about the device's Quantum QHD display

LG released a short teaser video for the upcoming G4 flagship smartphone. The clip focuses on the device's next generation 5.5" QHD IPS Quantum display. Developed by LG Display, the brand new component with 120% color gamut was introduced earlier this month. Its contrast ratio and brightness are higher than those of conventional QHD LCD panels by 50% and 30% respectively. A number of LG G4 press images and official details leaked this past weekend. The successor of LG G3 will debut later this month, on April 28. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g4_teaser_boasts_about_the_devices_quantum_qhd_display_-news-11916.php

Unannounced Windows Phone handset by LG leaks out

A press image of mysterious LG smartphone with Windows Phone OS made the rounds online. The unannounced device sports Verizon Wireless branding, so it is certain to debut on the US carrier at some point in the near future. There is absolutely no word on the specs of the LG smartphone. All we can confirm at this point is that the device features a front-facing camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Considering its design, we reckon that the device will be a low-end or mid-range handset when it becomes available. We will keep an eye out for more details about the handset going forward. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/unannounced_windows_phone_handset_by_lg_leaks_out-news-11915.php

Samsung Galaxy S6 will be offered by Cricket from April 24

The Samsung Galaxy S6 was released in the US on April 10, but so far it's only been available at the big carriers. That's set to change soon, though. AT&T's prepaid subsidiary Cricket has announced that it will start selling the Galaxy S6 on April 24. On that day, you'll be able to grab one both online as well as in the carrier's stores. The price for the handset will be $649.99, obviously sans any long term commitment requirement. Cricket also has some payment plans of its own. Through one of those you can get the S6 with just a $19.99 down payment, with approved credit and a smartphone plan. Or if using the carrier's 90 days same-as-cash option, there will be a $49.99 initial payment, and no credit check. If you use the latter strategy, you have three months to pay the remaining $600 balance on the phone's price, which you can do through installments. The first option described above is basically a 24-month loan with 0% interest. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s6_will_be_offered_by_cricket_on_april_24-news-11913.php

ZTE Nubia Z9 Max delayed because of manufacturing issues

Last month ZTE made the Nubia Z9 Max official, alongside the smaller Z9 Mini. The latter has been quite the success for the company in the first flash sale organized for it - where no less than 68,700 units were grabbed in just 58 seconds. The Z9 Max, on the other hand, still hasn't been released. It was supposed to go on sale for the first time tomorrow at 10 AM China time. However, ZTE has announced through its Weibo account that the launch is postponed. The ZTE Nubia Z9 Max will thus go on sale at some point in May. No exact date has been unveiled yet. The delay has to do with the complex manufacturing process required to build this particular smartphone, which is made from glass and aluminum. The company says it applies quality control measures that are above industry standards, and they have resulted in this situation - along with the very substantial amount of time needed to make each and every Z9 Max unit. The handset is probably going to be quite successful in China, since it's priced at CNY 2,499 ($402 or €378) and comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, and a 16 MP rear camera. The front-facing unit is an 8 MP shooter, and the Nubia Z9 Max also sports a 5.5-inch 1080p touchscreen, 4G support, 16GB of expandable internal storage, and a 2,900 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.0.2 Lollipop. Source (in Chinese) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_z9_max_delayed_because_of_manufacturing_issues-news-11912.php

Verizon's Galaxy Note 3 is latest in line to get Lollipop update

Today Verizon has started the rollout of the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop for Samsung Galaxy Note 3 units it's sold over the years. Previously, Lollipop was made available for the Note 3's successor, the Galaxy Note 4. As always, the rollout will be staged, so you still may have a few days to wait before your particular phone notifies you about the update. If you're impatient, you can keep manually checking through Settings > About phone > Software updates and hope for the best. After installing the new release, you'll be on software version LRX21V.N900VVRUEOB6. As you may know by now, Android 5.0 Lollipop brings with it the new Material Design, a new lock screen experience, floating action buttons everywhere, and a revamped recent apps menu. Additionally, Samsung has modified its TouchWiz UI overlay to fit in with Google's new design language, so the colors are bolder, the animations are fluid, and everything is brighter than before. Source (PDF) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/verizons_galaxy_note_3_is_latest_in_line_to_get_lollipop_update-news-11911.php

Huawei P8 Lite stays under wraps, here's what it would have been

Rumors suggested that Huawei would unveil the P8 and P8 Lite, instead we got the P8 and P8max. For some reason the Huawei P8 Lite was pulled at the last moment. There was a product page for it and everything, but there was no mention of it during Huawei's press event. That didn't stop a bunch of press photos from leaking online around the same time Huawei announced the other P8 devices. The P8 Lite would have completed the P8 trio with a 5" screen, smaller than the 5.2" on the P8. Despite sharing in their flagship name, the device is actually a mid-ranger. The phone wouldn't have a metal unibody and it would have been thicker too - if you can call 7.7mm thick. More disappointing is the 720p screen resolution. The chipset was also set for a downgrade - still an octa-core, but the Kirin 620 chip clocks its cores at 1.2GHz. Those are 64-bit Cortex-A53 cores, served by 2GB RAM, by the way. The phone will run Emotion UI 3.1 built on top of Android 5.0 Lollipop, if and when it goes official. Storage comes 16GB of storage and there's a microSD card to expand it. Like the other two P8s the microSD slot could also house a second SIM card. 4G LTE and a 2,200mAh battery were also in the cards for the Huawei P8 Lite. The camera department would combine a 13MP shooter on the back and a 5MP selfie camera on the front, but there was no mention of optical stabilization or an RGBW image sensor. Early chatter suggested that the Huawei P8 Lite would have cost €270, which sounds about right considering the specs. Source (in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p8_lite_stays_under_wraps_heres_what_it_would_have_been-news-11910.php

Huawei P8max has a massive 6.8-inch screen, super thin bezels

Rumors had us expecting a P8 Lite, however Huawei went the polar opposite direction and unveiled the Huawei P8max. The device blurs the lines between phones and tablets with a whopping 6.8" screen. It covers a massive 83% of the front though resolution is less than you would expect for the size - 1080p. Like its smaller sibling, the P8max has a metal unibody made of aerospace-grade aluminum. It measure 6.8mm and its internals feature a complicated 7 layer heat conducting structure, which helps keep the chipset running 5°C lower than competing devices. To make use of its processing power - a Kirin 935 chipset with a 64-bit octa-core processor running at up to 2.2GHz - the custom software offers split-screen multitasking. Also, the homescreen has a landscape mode, just like a tablet. The Huawei P8max brings a 13MP camera with OIS, though it's not clear if it uses the unique RGBW sensor of the smaller P8. The phone does have the DSLR-like image signal processor though. The selfie camera has a 5MP sensor. The phablet is powered by a large 4,360mAh battery, which will last over 2 days of normal usage and about 1 day and a half of heavy usage, according to the company. The Huawei P8max will work with a number of covers, including one made out of perforated leather, which sort of acts like HTC's DotView cases. Huawei's case has magnets that allow it to work as an adjustable kickstand for a better viewing experience. The P8max can last 15 hours of playing back video and it will be loud doing it thanks to a 1W speaker on the bottom. The Huawei P8max will launch in 30 countries about a month after the P8 and will cost €550 for the base version with 16GB of storage and €650 for the 64GB model. They also differ in color...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p8max_has_a_massive_68inch_screen_super_thin_bezels-news-11909.php

Huawei P8 has a 6.4mm all-metal unibody, 5.2-inch screen

The Huawei P8 was brought up on stage by the company's CEO who wants to ignite "infinite creativity" among users. The new flagship follows in the footsteps of its predecessors with a metal frame and a 6.4mm thick body. The design focuses on a modern, premium build. It has a full-metal unibody (unlike the metal and glass build of previos models). It takes 810 minutes to craft the body out of aluminum. The Huawei P8 has bigger 5.2" IPS display though thanks to narrow bezels keeps the phone compact. The screen takes up 78.3% of the front, wasting less space on bezels than the Galaxy S6 and the like. The camera on the P8 is the first on a phone to use a sensor with four types of sub-pixels - Red, Green, Blue and White. This will help the camera in teh low-light, but the 13MP camera also features optical image stabilization. It can rotate up to 1.6°, double what the iPhone 6 Plus camera manages. Huawei has also included an independent image processor, which it claims is...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_p8_has_a_64mm_allmetal_unibody_52inch_screen-news-11908.php

Watch the Huawei P8 unveiling in London live

Leaks gave away some of the surprises for today, but there's no better way of getting to know the new Huawei P8 better than to watch it unveiled on stage. If you don't have tickets for the London event, you can join in virtually with the livestream. So the star of the show will be the P8, but will there be a Huawei P8 Lite? The chipset behind the P8 is also interesting - an all Cortex-A53 octa-core processor and a brand new GPU. Put the popcorn in the microwave, the event is just starting out, we'll get the answers soone...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/watch_the_huawei_p8_unveiling_in_london_live-news-11907.php

OnePlus Two is expected in third quarter, says the CEO

OnePlus just made its customers happy by releasing the Oxygen OS last week and the Cyanogen OS 12 yesterday for OnePlus One smartphone. The Chinese startup is now seeking funds to expand the company in order to scale further. Peter Lau, CEO of OnePlus, noted that the One's successor smartphone likely to be dubbed as OnePlus Two, is anticipated in the third quarter of this year. This OnePlus Two obviously will bear superior hardware than the One. Besides that, the company is also planning to release another affordable OnePlus series model by the end of this year. Details are really scarce on both Two and affordable model but we expect them to be available in near...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_two_is_expected_in_third_quarter_says_the_ceo-news-11906.php

Lenovo A6000 Plus is a new 5-incher with 2 gigs of RAM

Lenovo is working on keeping its midrange up-to-date and has now announced in India the new A6000 Plus model. As the name suggests, it's not an entirely new device, but an improved version of the already existing A6000. What the Plus moniker brings to the table is increased operating memory - 2GB over the standard model's single gig, and 16GB of built-in storage as opposed to the previous 8GB. The upgrade will be easily felt in both areas with more relaxed space for app installation and multimedia storage as well as improved multitasking experience. Other than that the A6000 Plus is very much the same phone, built around a 5-inch display of 720p resolution. The mainstream Snapdragon 410 provides computing power, with its quad-core processor clocked at 1.2GHz. The dual-SIM device supports Cat.4 LTE for up to 150Mbps download speeds. A 2,300mAh battery is fitted in the 141 x 70 x 8.2 mm body, weighing 128g. An 8MP/2MP camera combo is on board for capturing memories, and the phone runs Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box. The Lenovo A6000 Plus will command a minor premium over the non-Plus model but no exact numbers have been quoted. With the A6000 costing INR7,000 ($112) and the larger 5.5-inch A7000 priced at INR9,000 ($144), the A6000 Plus will likely settle somewhere in the middle, when it hits the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_a6000_plus_is_a_new_5incher_with_2_gigs_of_ram-news-11905.php

Nokia to acquire Alcatel-Lucent for €15.6 billion

From rumor to official press release in record time - Nokia is officially combining with Alcatel-Lucent. "Combine" is what the press release calls it, it's really an acquisition - Nokia will acquire Alcatel-Lucent in an all-share transaction valued at €15.6 billion. Nokia is offering its shares in exchange for Alcatel-Lucent shares at 0.55 to 1 ratio. Current Alcatel-Lucent shareholders will end up with 33.5% of the combined company, Nokia shareholders will have the other 66.5%. The deal has been approved by the Board of Directors of each company and is expected to close in the first half of 2016, pending approval by Nokia's shareholders, regulatory bodies and other considerations. It's important to note that Alcatel-Lucent is not connected to the Alcatel phones other than by name, AL manufactures networking equipment similar to Nokia Networks. With their forces combined, the two will tackle the development of 5G tech, the Internet of Things and the increased reliance on cloud services. In 2014 there were 40,000 R&D employees (20,000 of which from AL) working on a budget of €4.7 billion combined. Both have strong presence in the US, Europe, China and the Asia pacific and work on anything from core networks to cell networks. For last year, the combined sales of the two companies comes out to €25.9 billion with a non-IFRS profit of €2.3 billion. The company will be called Nokia Corporation and keep the headquarters in Finland (but with a strong presence in France). Current Nokia CEO Rajeev Suri will keep his postion in the new company, Chairman Risto Siilasmaa will keep his post too. There have been some rumors that Nokia is looking to sell its HERE Maps business and the press release says the company is reviewing its strategic options, which "may or may not lead to a...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_to_acquire_alcatellucent_for_156_billion_euro-news-11904.php

Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM with 5" 720p display unveiled

Microsoft has announced yet another affordable smartphone for the IMEA, Italy, and APAC regions at sub $150 price point before subsidies. The new Lumia 540 Dual SIM will arrive next month and will offer lower midrange specs. Worthy successor of the Lumia 530, the Lumia 540 Dual SIM features the Smart Dual SIM feature to let you create unique profiles for each SIM and also stay connected with call-forwarding. The handset is powered by Windows Phone 8.1 with Lumia Denim update out of the box and it will be upgradable to the Windows 10 when that comes. Lumia 540 flaunts a 5" 720p display and is powered by a quad-core 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 mobile chipset armed with 1GB of RAM. Onboard storage is the modest 8GB, but there's a microSD card slot for expanding that. Of course you also get gets 15GB OneDrive cloud storage by default and additional 15GB storage if auto-upload to OneDrive is activated. Measuring 9.35mm thick and tipping the scales at 152g, the Lumia 540 has 8MP rear snapper with LED flash and autofocus. In the front is a 5MP wide-angle selfie camera. The phone is powered by a 2200 mAh battery which can be removed. Microsoft Lumia 540 Dual SIM will be available in glossy cyan, orange, white, and matte black color...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_540_dual_sim_with_5_720p_display_unveiled-news-11903.php

This year's Apple Developer Conference will kick off on June 8

Apple announced the official dates for its annual Worldwide Developers Conference. WWDC 2015 will take place between June 8 and June 12 in San Francisco's Moscone Center. Developers who are interested in the event can apply for tickets through the official WWDC website until this Friday, April 17 at 10 am Pacific time. Apple will issue tickets to applicants via a random selection process by Monday, April 20. During WWDC, the Cupertino giant is expected to unveil the next major iterations of both iOS and OS X. A brand new music service based of Apple's Beats acquisition is also expected to make a debut. Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/this_years_apple_developer_conference_will_kick_off_on_june_8-news-11902.php

Rumor details Samsung Z1 successor and global Tizen model

According to a new report, Samsung is hard at work on the Z1 smartphone with Tizen OS on board. The Korean giant is also said to be developing a global Tizen smartphone, which will be available in key markets such as the United States, China, Korea, and EU among others. Samsung Z2 will reportedly feature a 32-bit quad-core CPU, a gig of RAM, and 2,000mAh battery. In line with past rumors, the device is said to pack a qHD TFT-LCD display.The device is tipped to debut in the first half of this year with new Tizen 3.0 UI. The company's global Tizen smartphone will allegedly 4.8" 720p display, 2GB of RAM, and 8MP main camera. A 2,600mAh battery will power the smartphone. A successor of Samsung Z1 should hardly catch anyone by surprise - the affordable smartphone has done quite well since its launch in India and Bangladesh. We will keep an eye out for more info on both rumored devices going forward....

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/rumor_points_at_samsung_z1_successor_and_global_tizen_handset_-news-11901.php