The Bluboo Xfire 2 comes with a metal body and fingerprint reader for $60

As with any other great tech advancement in history, smartphones have developed rapidly from luxury to a necessity and as such are constantly becoming more and more affordable. OEMs, especially those operation out of China are always pushing the envelope on what is possible on a shoestring budget and it is an undeniable fact that you can now get a decent mid-range Android device from a major brand for around $200 and enjoy a modern Android experience. But what if you want to go cheaper still? A quick search online revels that you could opt for a no-brand device or a very outdated one for as little as $40. Blueboo's latest model, the Xfire 2 definitely goes one step beyond. We don't typically dip our foot into the vast sear of obscure Chinese brands, but this one is definitely an eye-catcher, at least on paper that is. For $59.99, the handset offers a metal unibody design, with a nice-looking arc and even complete with a 2.5D glass and a back-mounted fingerprint reader. That is definitely great value. The rest of the specs sheet is also decent with a 5-inch HD panel and powered by an MTK6580 quad-core processor and Mali 400 GPU. Memory is set at 1GB for RAM and 8GB for internal storage, but there is also a microSD card slot for up to 32GB more. The camera setup includes a 5MP main shooter with AF and a single LED flash and on the front there is a 2MP unit, which it also has an LED flash of its own. Powering the show is a 2150 mAh battery and the Xfire 2 boots Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box, so you are really getting an up-to-date experience for your buck. The only real, obvious, downside of the Bluboo Xfire 2 specs-wise is the Lack of 4G LTE, but perhaps such handsets will also become reality in the sub $100 price range soon, thanks to MediaTek's latest line of ultra-affordable chips. According to the manufacturer's website, the Bluboo Xfire 2 is currently in pre-sale for the special price, which will later be raised to $69.99, still an amazing value. Both GearBest and Geekbuying currently have the dual-SIM variant listed for $73.86 and $79.99, respectively and shipments are expected to begin in February. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/the_bluboo_xfire_2_comes_with_a_metal_body_and_fingerprint_reader_for_60-news-16358.php

Google adds a Watch Later button to YouTube notifications on Android

It is a well-known fact that the best technology is the one that goes unnoticed, in other words, things that simply work and you feel like they are just the most natural thing ever and have always been. Amidst all the largescale and revolutionary work Google is doing in most every perceivable field of technology, the online giant still puts a lot of value in supporting its products with tiny details that polish them to perfection over time. Now, don't get us wrong, even Google isn't without error and there are plenty of blunders to go around, but it definitely makes us smile when we learn about the little things the team made time to introduce to the user experience. The Calendar app on both Android and iOS, just got an update with real-time text suggestions and now, the YouTube app for Android also has a new feature. It also fits into the hard to spot category perfectly, so much so, that you either have to be involved with YouTube's Android team on be really, really diligent in sifting through your notifications to spot it. The feature is a new "Watch Later" button, added to YouTube notifications for new video uploads. If you don't recall, back in the summer of 2015, YouTube added the convenient feature that allows users to subscribe for new upload notifications per channel. It is a pretty good idea, but up until recently, you could only tap on the notification to watch the video instantly or swipe it away and probably forget about it. The new style of actionable notification was noticed by fans and it appears is not tied to any app update, but is rather a server-side deal. The other action slot is filled with a quick link to potentially unsubscribe from the feed for the particular channel - also convenient. If you haven't started getting the new style of notifications yet, you will probably notice the change when the next one comes along, now that you know what to look...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_adds_a_watch_later_button_to_youtube_notifications_on_android-news-16360.php

Sony Xperia M5 and M5 Dual getting Android 5.1 update

Sony has started rolling out the Android 5.1 Lollipop update to both Xperia M5 and M5 Dual smartphones. The update also includes Android security patch for the month of January. Weighing in at around 600MB, the new update bumps the M5's build number to 30.1.A.1.33, and that of the dual-sim variant to 30.1.B.1.33. It brings along the ability to take pictures from the camera using the SmartWatch 3, as well as improvements related to volume and silent mode control. For those who aren't already aware, the M5 will land in Europe in February - it's currently up for pre-order in the UK, with shipments beginning February...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_m5_and_m5_dual_getting_android_51_update-news-16356.php

Snapchat is aiming for sports fans with live score overlays for NBA games

Snapchat is one of those odd social app experiments that often confuse their very own user base, let alone newcomers. What started out as a fairly clever "no traces left behind" picture chat, has since exploded into a wild mess of often puzzling user content, specially crafted multimedia experiences within the Discover feature, as well as, more recently, a sprawling video sharing community. Amidst all this, there seems to be only one unifying trend - striving for revenue and lots of it. Be it from paid ad content, or sponsored video "lenses" or even paid replays of snaps, Snapchat has been doing everything in its power to back up estimates for the company's enormous market value. Now, it seems, the playful white ghost has shifted its priorities towards sports fans and is striving to become the de facto social platform for sharing sports events and experiences. The newest effort to this end is a special score filter made available to users attending certain NBA contests. The overlay provides live scores for the game you are currently at. The feature is available at every NBA arena and some other matches. It might sound like an incredibly silly concept, but, oddly enough, it appears to be working. Just last week, Live Score geofilters saw 20 million views, gathered on content from 51 NBA games. At this point, we can't decide if the Snapchat team is just incredibly lucky, or full of brilliant social experts, as this new feature could very well open the way to a whole new stream or ad revenue. And Basketball is not the only sport Snapchat is going after. It has been working with NFL to produce Live Story compilations for major games, as well as to offer fans the aforementioned Live Score filters. And with the US Super Bowl coming up, it is anybody's guess just how far Snapchat will manage to take its new...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/snapchat_is_aiming_for_sports_fans_with_live_score_overlays_for_nba_games-news-16357.php

Huawei officially announces January 31 launch for Honor 5X in US

Earlier this month, Huawei announced that the Honor 5X will be launched in the US at the end of this month. So, we were already expecting it to go on sale around January 31. Now, the company has officially announced the launch date. Yes, the device will be available for purchase in the US starting January 31. You'll be able to grab it online at HiHonor, Amazon.com and Newegg.com. As already announced, it will carry a price tag of $200, and will be available in gold, silver, and grey color options. For those in Europe waiting for the Honor 5X, the phone is expected to land there next week - on February...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_officially_announces_january_31_launch_for_honor_5x_in_us-news-16354.php

Asus ZenWatch drops to $99 in the US

The first-generation ZenWatch from Asus has received an official price cut in the US. A quick look at the Taiwanese company's online store in the country reveals that the wearable device is now available for just $99. The model on offer is the silver/rose gold variant featuring a tan strap. Third party retailer Best Buy is also selling the same model for $99, but it's currently on back-order, with no specific shipping date mentioned. Other third party retailers are currently selling the smartwatch at much higher price - for example, Amazon US has the same model listed for $130. Source | Best Buy |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenwatch_drops_to_99_in_the_us-news-16355.php

MediaTek confirms bug that affects Android devices running its chipsets

MediaTek has officially confirmed the existence of a software bug that has put several Android devices running the company's chipsets at risk. The chip-maker says the issue in question only affects Android 4.4 KitKat devices. First reported by security researcher Justin Case earlier this month, the bug could potentially allow an attacker to enable root access on a vulnerable device. "Root user could do many things, such as access data normally protected from the user/ other apps, or brick the phone, or spy on the user, monitor communications etc," Case said. For its part, MediaTek explained that the vulnerability stems from a debug feature that the chip-maker said smartphone manufacturers should have disabled before shipping the devices. "We are aware of this issue and it has been reviewed by MediaTek's security team. It was mainly found in devices running Android 4.4 KitKat, due to a de-bug feature created for telecommunication inter-operability testing in China," a MediaTek spokesperson said. "After testing, phone manufacturers should disable the de-bug feature before shipping smartphones. However, after investigation, we found that a few phone manufacturers didn't disable the feature, resulting in this potential security issue." MediaTek, however, didn't provide anymore details, just saying that the issue affects "a portion of devices" from "certain manufacturers," and adding that it has alerted all manufacturers about the feature. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_confirms_bug_that_affects_android_kitkat_devices_running_its_chipsets-news-16353.php

BLU Vivo XL now available for purchase; company offers limited-time $50 rebate

Announced earlier this month during this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the BLU Vivo XL is now available for purchase in the US. "Celebrating the availability" of the device, BLU is offering an immediate $50 rebate to those purchasing the handset. This means that the Vivo XL will set you back $99, down from its regular price of $149. The phone is available exclusively at Best Buy (online as well as physical stores), which has both gold and blue variants in stock. The offer is only available for the first 3 days of the device's availability, meaning it ends Sunday, January 31. Source | Best...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blu_vivo_xl_now_available_for_purchase_company_offers_limitedtime_50_rebate-news-16352.php

New Google Calendar update brings smart suggestions

Google has pushed out a new update to its Calendar app. The update brings along a new 'smart suggestions' feature that the company claims lets you quickly create events. "When you begin typing an event title, you'll see matching suggestions―choose one or keep typing," Google explained in a blog post. Tapping "at..." lets you add a location to your event and later get directions. Similarly, tapping "with..." allows you to add people to your event - you can call or message them from the event, but can't send them an invite. Finally, tapping "on." lets you specify the date, time and duration of the event. The update - which also brings support for 30 new languages - is available on both Android and...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/new_google_calendar_update_brings_smart_suggestions-news-16351.php

Sprint HTC One M8 Marshmallow update imminent

If you are on Sprint and own an HTC One M8 or its special Harman Kardon edition, here is some good news: the carrier has announced the roll-out of Android 6.0 Marshmallow for the handset, and it should begin anytime now. Sprint HTC One M8 / M8 HK Owners! Great news, we have received technical approval on the Marshmallow OS update! OTA will start tonight! Thx!— Mo Versi (@moversi) January 29, 2016 As usual, the announcement was made by HTC's VP of Product Management Mo Versi on Twitter. He said that they have received technical approval for the update and the OTA roll-out will begin tonight (US time). This comes around a couple of months after the Taiwanese company started rolling out the Android 6.0 update to unlocked M8 units in the US. At that time, it was said that the carrier versions will get the update "as soon as possible." If you aren't already aware, Sprint's HTC One A9 has just started receiving the Android 6.0.1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sprint_htc_one_m8_marshmallow_update_imminent-news-16350.php

LG hints its G5 will have a removable battery while poking fun at Samsung

Many users were upset when Samsung decided to discontinue a removable battery design and we hope LG does not go the same direction as Samsung as LG is one of the few phone makers that still design its smartphones with hot-swappable batteries. Samsung posted a picture of a Galaxy S6 edge+ with a caption stating that it can charge from 0-to-full in 90 minutes. Then LG USA replied with "Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery" LG also includes a link to its LG V10 product page. @SamsungMobile Go from zero to full instantly with a removable battery: https://t.co/xBcf65TGno #LGV10— LG USA Mobile (@LGUSAMobile) January 27, 2016 This jab at Samsung could indicate that LG still plans to keep designing phones with a removable battery. Specifically, the LG G5 could feature a removable battery. It's funny to think just a couple short years ago, Samsung used to boast its removable battery when a film crew took the Galaxy S5 on a trip from the East Coast to the West Coast. The battery lasted all the way across the country with a combination of texts, phone calls, photos and lots of time in Ultra Power Save Mode. Once the battery died, a crew member swapped the battery and had a full charge all over again. The LG G5 is rumored to have a 16MP and 8MP camera on the rear and front, respectively, a USB Type-C port, a 5.6 inch QHD display, and a Snapdragon 820 chipset. The LG G5 is expected to be announced on February 21 at Mobile World Congress in Spain this year. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_hints_its_g5_will_have_a_removable_battery_while_poking_fun_at_samsung-news-16349.php

Xiaomi Redmi 3 review: Precious little one

Xiaomi Redmi 3 is not your usual budget smartphone. The word budget is hardly a good match for an aluminum unibody, a 5" IPS display, a powerful octa-core processor, a 13MP camera, and a beefy 4,100 mAh battery. And yet, here we are. The Xiaomi Redmi 3 may be cheap in price but it does not skimp on features...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_3-review-1368.php

Sprint's HTC One A9 is now getting Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow update

HTC clearly wants to set a good example in the way it's dealing with software updates for the One A9. Perhaps the company got "inspired" by Apple in more ways than just the handset's looks. The update to Android 6.0.1 is already out for the A9 units that have been sold unlocked, and now it's time for the same software to roll out to devices bought from Sprint. The carrier has announced the release of software version 1.57.651.1 for the One A9. This brings with it the 6.0.1 iteration of Android (which includes many new emojis), but also battery life improvements, enhanced camera features, the addition of Wi-Fi calling functionality, as well as some "system enhancements". The over-the-air update should already be on its way, but if your phone hasn't yet notified you about it, just be patient as these things are generally staged and can take a few days to make it to all devices out there. If you're impatient, you can head to the Source link below and download the 1.86GB RUU file which will load the software on your handset through your PC (if you have HTC Sync Manager installed). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/sprints_htc_one_a9_is_now_getting_android_601_marshmallow_update-news-16348.php

ZTE Grand X 3 is now available in the US from Cricket

At CES this year ZTE took the wraps off the Grand X 3, an entry level smartphone, and now this is already available to purchase in the US. You'll have to get it from Cricket, though, as that's the only carrier currently offering it. The Grand X 3 is priced at just $79.99 if you bring your number from another carrier, or $129.99 if you don't. Keep in mind however that this is a prepaid carrier, so these prices don't come with a two-year contract attached or anything like that. The phone is already up for grabs on Cricket's website. The ZTE Grand X 3 comes with a 5.5-inch 720p touchscreen, an 8 MP rear camera with LED flash, a 2 MP Selfie cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 210 chipset (with a 1.3 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU), 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 4G, and a 3,080 mAh battery. It runs Android 5.1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/zte_grand_x_3_is_now_available_in_the_us_from_cricket-news-16347.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 tipped to land in Europe on March 11

Samsung's highly anticipated Galaxy S7 smartphone will begin rolling out in Europe on March 11. This was revealed by leakster @ShaiMizrachi, who has provided some credible information in the past. Mark your calendar: the first European rollout for #GalaxyS7 family starts on 11/3 pic.twitter.com/TdhtJIJ2dD— Shai Mizrachi (@ShaiMizrachi) January 29, 2016 If the date turns out to be correct, it'd be a simultaneous global roll-out for the flagship given that just last week reliable leakster ‏@evleaks revealed the same date for the device's US launch, and not to mention that leaked China Mobile slide from last month that revealed March launch for the Asian country. For those who aren't already aware, the handset - which has already been the subject of a bucket load of rumors and leaks until now - is expected to be unveiled at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is set for next month (February 22 - February 25). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_tipped_to_land_in_europe_on_march_11-news-16345.php

Galaxy S7 to last for 17 hours of video playback at full brightness

The Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has been the source of quite a few notorious leaks in the past, and most of his posts used to be ranked with high credibility. After Nokia's demise though his reports became controversial at best. Still, a good rumor is always worth reporting, so here is a new hot one concerning the upcoming Galaxy S7 flagship. According to the Russian blogger the Samsung Galaxy S7 will be capable of playing videos at maximum brightness for more than 17 hours. If true, this will surely rank the Galaxy S7 among the best in its class. The Galaxy S7 is rumored to run on the Samsung's latest in-house chipset - the Exynos 8890 with 4GB RAM. The new SoC is going to be company's first to use custom CPU cores instead of regular Cortexes. According to a recent infographic by Samsung, the new processor will provide 30% faster performance and 10% better energy efficiency compared to the one used within the Exynos 7420 (Galaxy S6 series). The Galaxy S7 is expected to premiere this February at the MWC expo in Barcelona. It may come in two models - one with the Snapdragon 820 beast and one with Samsung's Exynos 8890 chip. We'll get more details soon...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/galaxy_s7_endures_17_hours_of_video_playback_at_full_brightness-news-16344.php

Oppo F1 Plus image shows it's differs in scale, not design

We have an image of the Oppo F1 Plus, but you'll have to trust us on this. Mostly because the phone looks exactly like the smaller F1. That's no surprise, the same design has also been used for the A53 and R7/R7s/R7 lite (but not the R7 Plus). In case you've missed it, the Oppo F1 Plus will be a bigger version of the camera-focused F1. The screen will grow from 5" to 5.5" (with resolution getting a bump to 1080p). You get an extra gig of RAM too. Oppo F1 Plus The F1 Plus is expected to launch in India this April for INR 27,000 ($395), a massive jump over the INR 16,000 price of the regular F1. And you still get a 13MP camera and Snapdragon 616 chipset. Oppo has so far only teased the F1 Plus so maybe it has an ace up its sleeve. An INR 11,000...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_f1_plus_image_shows_it_differs_in_scale_not_design-news-16341.php

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) specs confirmed from kernel source code

After updating its "A" line for 2016, Samsung appears to be moving on to its budget "J" family. The Galaxy J1 (2016) is already here, well, at least in Dubai, while the J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) are expected shortly. The latter's existence now looks to be proven even further by some kernel sources, unearthed by one of our readers. The code was spotted alongside recently published kernel sources for the Galaxy A9 and talks of a device, codenamed "j7xlte". Conveniently enough, the code also holds clues to most of the phone's specs. The Galaxy J7 (2016) will be equipped with a FullHD panel, probably a 5.5-inch one, judging by a previous GFXBench leak. Super AMOLED is naturally expected, but if you want, you can try and find more details for yourself using the model number - ss_dsi_panel_S6E3FA3_AMS549JR01_FHD. The new J7 will be powered by a Snapdragon 650 SoC (previously known as the SD 618). There is no mention of memory in the code, but we expect 3GB of RAM. The main camera looks to be a 13MP model with the Samsung S5K3L2XX sensor. The front shooter is reported as a 5MP one with a Samsung S5K5E3YX sensor, 1.1µm pixels, paired with a 23mm f/2.2 lens. Interestingly enough, there are hints of a fingerprint reader on the Galaxy J7 (2016), which would definitely be a wonderful upgrade to the budget line. The rest of the known specs include a microSD card slot and a 4,300 mAh battery. Thanks for the tip Louis...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_j7_2016_specs_confirmed_from_kernel_source_code-news-16340.php

Isaac Mizrahi-designed HP smartwatch has classic looks, hidden OLED display

HP has added another name to its revolving door of fashion designers who add the looks to the company's smartwatch brains. This one is done by Isaac Mizrahi. And sorry, guys, this one is ladies only. The watch is all form over function - a classic analog movement hides a small OLED display, normally invisible under the mirrored watch face. This isn't an Android Wear timepiece, you get a more limited set of text notifications and fitness tracking functions. HP Isaac Mizrahi smartwatch The watch features a 42mm gold-plated or stainless steel case with Swarovski crystals around its bezel. Mineral glass and 3atm water resistance make this much tougher than most smartwatches. The watch bands are easily exchanged to customize the look. Also, the watch movement is independent from the smart features, which have 5 days of battery life. You can connect to an Android phone (4.4+) or an iPhone (iOS 8+) over Bluetooth. You can snag one for $250 (both color options cost the same). Additional leather watch bands will cost $40 (not available yet). Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/isaac_mizrahidesigned_hp_smartwatch_has_classic_looks_hidden_oled_display-news-16339.php

SwiftKey updated for Marshmallow, adds new emoji

Popular Android keyboard SwiftKey has been updated for Android 6.0 Marshmallow. One of the major changes, something users may have been looking forward to, is the inclusion of new emoji, that were added to Android in the latest 6.0.1 update. Of course, the new emoji will only be available to those on the latest version of Android, and updating SwiftKey won't magically add them to your Lollipop or even 6.0 devices. Other changes include support for inputting currency for Russia, Argentina, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Germany, Canada & Australia, bug fixes, and performance updates. The update is now available on the Play...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/swiftkey_updated_for_marshmallow_adds_new_emoji-news-16338.php

Microsoft sold only 4.5 million Lumia phones last quarter

Only 4.5 million Lumia phones were sold by Microsoft in the last quarter of 2015, according to the company's just released Q2 fiscal 2016 earnings report. That's down from the 10.5 million figure reported in the same quarter the year prior. This translates into a drop of around 50% compared to the last quarter of 2014. Considering the latest IDC report which said that a total of around 400 million smartphones were shipped in Q4 2015, Microsoft's share comes out to be just over 1% for the quarter. Well, what to say? The numbers speak for themselves. Hopefully Q1 which will be the first where the new Lumia trio - 550, 950 and 950XL is available for the full three months will help turn things...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_sold_only_45_million_lumia_phones_last_quarter-news-16336.php

Huawei sends out MWC 2016 invites

Huawei has sent out invites for its Mobile World Congress press conference. The event will be held at Barcelona's Montjuïc Exhibition Centre on February 21, which is a day before this year's MWC formally begins. "We invite you to join Richard Yu, Chief Executive Officer, Huawei Consumer Business Group, and other Huawei executives, for the global unveiling of Huawei's newest device at Mobile World Congress 2016," the Chinese company said in the invite. "Come see how Huawei continues to meet the demands of the next generation of mobile innovation." Sadly, no teasers were included in the invite, making it difficult to speculate about the star of the event. The company's flagship smartphone - the Mate 8 - was showcased at CES this month, and multiple reports have suggested that the upcoming P9 will be unveiled weeks after MWC. Last year's event saw Huawei unveiling the Watch. We would have placed our bet on its successor, but given the fact that the company just unveiled two new variants of the wearable at CES 2016, a second-gen Huawei Watch also seems...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_sends_out_mwc_2016_invites-news-16335.php

Google paid over $2 million to security researchers last year

Google has released some interesting statistics related to its Vulnerability Reward Program for the year 2015. The company revealed that it paid more than $2 million to security researchers as part of the program last year. The program was launched way back in 2010, and Google has paid a total of over $6 million to researchers till now. Last year, Android joined the program in June, and by the end of 2015, researchers were paid over $200,000 for finding vulnerabilities in the mobile OS. This included the largest single payment of $37,500 to an Android security researcher. Google gave more than 750 individual rewards last year, and those were received by over 300 security researchers. For more information and statistics, head to the Source link...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_paid_over_2_million_to_security_researchers_in_2015-news-16334.php

LG fixes vulnerability that affected millions of G3 devices

LG has fixed a vulnerability in its G3 smartphone that researchers said could potentially allow an attacker to remotely steal sensitive data saved on the device's SD Card. An estimated 10 million G3 units are said to be vulnerable. The vulnerability is in an app called Smart Notice, which comes pre-installed on new LG G3 devices, and can be thought of as a scaled down version of Google Now, delivering you relevant information before you need it. The problem is that the app doesn't validate the data it handles, potentially allowing attackers to execute malicious code by manipulating the information it ferries to the user. "Using the vulnerability, an attacker can easily open the user device to data theft attack, extracting private information saved on the SD Card including WhatsApp data and private images; put the user in danger of phishing attack by misleading the end-user; and enable the installation of a malicious program on the device," researchers revealed in a blog post. "We informed LG, which responded quickly to notice of the vulnerability and we encourage users to immediately upgrade their application to new Smart Notice release, which contains a patch." Source (registration required) |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_fixes_vulnerability_that_affected_millions_of_g3_devices-news-16333.php

Samsung Gear S2 Classic New Edition goes up for pre-orders in UK

Less than a week after it started rolling out globally, the new edition Samsung Gear S2 Classic smartwatch - which was unveiled at CES earlier this month - is now available for pre-order in the UK. Local online retailer Mobile Fun has both Rose Gold and Platinum finish variants listed on its website, offering them at a pre-order price of $570.99, which translates into around £400 at current exchange rates. No exact shipping date was specified though. Over in the US, the new models were recently spotted listed on Amazon carrying a $319 price tag and shipping time-frame of 1 to 2 months. However, the listings seem to have been taken down now. Source 1 2 |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_gear_s2_classic_new_edition_goes_up_for_preorders_in_uk-news-16332.php

Lenovo to launch a 'more innovative, more attractive' phone in US in Q3

Lenovo has plans to launch what it is calling a "more innovative, more attractive" smartphone in the United Sates later this year. This was revealed Chief Executive Yuanqing Yang in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal. © ChinaFotoPress The said device will be from the Chinese company's Motorola division, Yang revealed. If you recall, Lenovo recently said that going forward, its high-end smartphones will use the Moto branding while budget devices will carry the Vibe brand. So, given the brands' popularity in the US, it'd be fair to assume that the device - which Yang said will be launched in the month of July - will be from the Moto line-up. Sadly, nothing else was revealed about the handset. Interestingly, Yang also took a jab at Apple in the interview, saying that iOS has no more room to grow in the US. "Apple already has more than 50% share in the U.S. Can you expect more? I don't think so," he said. "I think Android will take more...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lenovo_to_launch_a_more_innovative_more_attractive_in_us_in_q3-news-16331.php

BlackBerry offering free accessories worth $99 with Priv

If you are planning to purchase BlackBerry's debut Android-powered smartphone Priv, here is some good news: for a limited time, the Canadian company is offering free accessories worth $99 with the handset. The accessory bundle includes a Leather Smart Flip Case in black and Sync Pod with 1.2m USB cable. "Think of it as our way of saying 'thank you' for remaining loyal members of #TeamBlackBerry through the years," BlackBerry said in a blog post. As already mentioned, it's a limited time offer, which ends February 24 (11.59pm PST). In addition, the company is also offering deals on its Passport smartphone - head to the Source link below to learn...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_offering_free_accessories_worth_99_with_priv-news-16330.php

Facebook brings live video streaming to every iPhone user

In August of 2015 Facebook unveiled its answer to Periscope and other similar apps focused on live video streaming. But up until now the social network's live video feature has been exclusive to verified celebrities. That's changing, though. From today the ability to stream live video is being rolled out to every iPhone user in the US, with an international expansion coming in the following weeks. This should also make its way to Facebook's Android app soon. You'll know you have the new feature because a new icon will show up for you in the Update Status box. And that Live Video icon is the one you need to tap to get things going. You can add a short description too, and choose who to share with before you go live. While you're broadcasting you get to see the number of live viewers, the names of friends who are watching, as well as a real-time stream of comments. When you end your live session, the recording will be available in your Timeline like any other video you've manually uploaded. Of course you'll be able to delete it if you so wish. As a viewer, you'll see such live videos in your News Feed, and while you're watching one you can hit Subscribe to get notified the next time that person does a...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/facebook_brings_live_video_streaming_to_every_iphone_user-news-16329.php

LG Pay's White Card leaks out, will be required to use the service

We've known since October that LG is working on a payments service of its own, which should launch this year. However, unlike the payment solutions from Apple, Google, or Samsung, LG's entry into this field will not work through smartphones. In an odd twist, LG Pay will require a special "White Card" in order to be used. This card can be seen in the leaked shot below. Size-wise, it's very similar to a normal credit card, and it isn't much thicker either. It is different, though, as you can see. The White Card will essentially hold information from multiple actual credit cards on it - so in this regard it's not that dissimilar from Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. Marked with 1 above is a small built-in display that will show you the card you're currently using. The arrow buttons marked 2 will let you quickly switch between cards, while the pins seen at No.3 in the image will be used for charging the card. That is needed because this is after all an electronic device. LG apparently thinks older people will be more likely to use its solution rather than go with one of its competitors' smartphone-based options, especially since one can use its White Card at ATMs as well as in stores. The payment service is set to be officially unveiled at MWC next month, and for now it looks like it's only going to launch in the company's native South Korea, at least initially. LG has already pre-ordered 50,000 of these cards, and it's in active discussions with one provider for mass production of even more. Quite a few financial institutions and retailers from Korea will be involved with LG Pay, it's been revealed. And according to an unnamed representative for one of these partners, by next month most card companies in the country will have joined LG's effort. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_pays_white_card_leaks_out_will_be_required_to_use_the_service-news-16327.php

HTC One M10 (Perfume) has its specs outed

A couple of days ago famed leakster @evleaks brought us news that the upcoming HTC One M10 flagship (codenamed Perfume) would sport looks that are similar to those of the already launched One A9. And today he's at it again, but this time with a pretty complete list of the phone's most important specs. Let's dive in then. The One M10 is said to have a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen. It shall be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset as you'd expect, which will be aided by 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (of which around 23GB will be user-accessible). A microSD card slot will be available too. The handset's rear camera is apparently a 12 MP UltraPixel unit, coming with laser autofocus and optical image stabilization. Interestingly, the front camera is going to have OIS too. Unlike past offerings in the One line, the M10 will not have front-facing stereo speakers. However, a fingerprint scanner will be embedded in the Home button placed below the display. The One M10 will run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with HTC Sense 8 on top. As previously rumored, it won't be revealed in February at MWC. Instead, HTC will schedule a dedicated event just for it at a later...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_one_m10_perfume_has_its_specs_outed-news-16328.php

iPad Pro can update the firmware of accessories through Smart Connector in latest iOS 9.3 beta

Apple sent out the second public beta of iOS 9.3 to interested testers yesterday, and already a new feature has surfaced in this release. It turns out that the iPad Pro can now update the firmware of your accessories, using the Smart Connector. Two different sources have confirmed that this already works for the Logitech Create iPad Keyboard, when attached to the iPad Pro through the tablet's Smart Connector. The update has thankfully fixed issues having to do with keyboard lag as well as missed keystrokes. The message you can see in the image above shows up, and then if you hit Update, a few minutes later the process will be complete. While it's happening, you'll see an indication of what percentage has been already achieved. Hopefully the incredibly generic update prompt captured by the screenshot above will be changed to something more specific (which will include the name of the accessory in question) before iOS 9.3 is finalized. One important thing to note is that while your accessory is being updated in this manner, you won't be able to use it at all. Source 1 • Source...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/ipad_pro_can_update_the_firmware_of_accessories_through_smart_connector_in_latest_ios_93_beta-news-16325.php

Oppo has big plans for MWC, teaser reveals

With Mobile World Congress now being less than one month away, the companies that are going to participate are starting their respective teaser campaigns for their events in Barcelona. Case in point - Oppo. The Chinese smartphone maker has not only talked about a new F1 Plus model at the launch of the F1 in India, but it's also released its first teaser for MWC. You can see that image to the left, but even more important is the PR text that accompanied it. Oppo says we should expect it to unveil a couple of big things at MWC. First off, a "groundbreaking power solution" is mentioned, obviously without any additional details that could help us discern what this might be - it is, after all, just a teaser. What's also coming in February from Oppo is "an unprecedented smartphone camera innovation". Here too the wording is vague enough that it could mean anything - software, hardware, or even a mix of the two. Clearly though the company thinks you should get excited about these innovations it plans to bring forth. Together, these are said to "offer tomorrow's consumers a reinvigorated user experience". Perhaps Oppo will elaborate on these things somewhat in subsequent teasers in the coming...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_has_big_plans_for_mwc_teaser_reveals-news-16326.php

Apple issues voluntary recall of device chargers shipped from 2003 to 2015

Following in the footsteps of Microsoft, today Apple has issued its very own voluntary recall of AC wall adapters. However, in this case there seem to be a lot more units involved, because we're talking about chargers having been packed with certain Macs, iOS devices, and also as part of the company's World Travel Adapter Kit. Apple says device chargers that it's shipped with its products from 2003 to 2015 "may break and create a risk of electrical shock if touched", but only "in very rare cases". There's some good news here, in that not all types of chargers are affected. The issue can manifest itself in those units designed for use in Continental Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Argentina, and Brazil. Not affected are the chargers shipped with Apple products sold in the US, UK, China, and Japan. The image above neatly sums up which exact models can suffer from this. And if you have such a charger, with two prong wall plug (one of the variations depicted above), then you can easily spot if yours needs replacing or not by whether it has 4 or 5 characters or no characters on the inside slot where it attaches to an Apple power adapter. The redesigned (and safe) models all have a three-letter regional code in there (EUR, KOR, AUS, ARG, or BRA depending on location). If you have one of the bad chargers, Apple will replace it with a good one for free. The procedure you need to follow for this to happen is outlined at the Source link below. You will need the serial number of your Mac, iPad, iPhone, or iPod in order to participate. When you have that ready, you can choose to perform the exchange at your local Apple store or online. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/apple_issues_voluntary_recall_of_device_chargers-news-16323.php

Case listings confirm the existence of a new 4-inch iPhone

It has been just a little bit over four month since Apple unveiled the iPhone 6s line, but it seems its bubble has already burst, with fans already getting excited and anxious about Cupertino's 2016 releases. September is still some time away, but rumors about the iPhone 7 have been spreading like wildfire for some time now and understandably so - it is a major update this time around, not an "S" model. There is, however, yet another rumor that has been a frequent presence in our news section, namely the possibility for a resurrection of the 4-inch form factor. The alleged device has really been shrouded in mystery, even by Apple standards, with initial rumors suggesting internals, based on the iPhone 5s platform and more recent ones talking of a more powerful iPhone 6 or 6s specs hardware. The iPhone 5se moniker has also been cited on several occasions, but today finally brings some tangible evidence of the existence of a new 4-inch iPhone. It comes in the form of a couple of case listings on MobileFun.co.uk for what is referred to as the iPhone 6C. The accessories are already available for pre-order. It might not be a lot to go by, but the name does strike up instant association with the 2013 iPhone 5c, which was indeed, one of Apple's last phones with a 4-inch display. Of course, even if we assume that the listings prove the existence on a new compact iPhone, there is still a sea of mysteries to solve, like weather or not Cupertino will go for a similar plastic design and what hardware the unit will be based on. Hopefully more info will become available in the following...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/case_listings_confirm_the_existence_of_a_new_4inch_iphone-news-16321.php

OnePlus X will no longer require invites to purchase

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei announced on the company's official forum today that the OnePlus X will be available for purchase without invites from now on. Previously, potential customers only had "invite-free Tuesday" to get the phone. Currently, the OnePlus One, OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X are sold wihtout invites. For the OnePlus One the company needed one year to do so, while the OnePlus 2 took about four months from its launch. The OnePlux S is the quickest of the three to go invite-free in just three months. Here's what Carl Pei had to say about the milestone. We're extremely excited to be making the OnePlus X invite-free more quickly this time around. With every device we release, we grow more mature and more adept at handling the demands and expectations of our community. We largely owe our success to your unrelenting support, so we hope that this development will make the process of purchasing your very own OnePlus X as smooth and effortless as it can possibly be. As a reminder, the phone has a 1080p touchscreen, a 13 MP rear camera with LED flash, an 8 MP selfie shooter, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 801 chipset running things aided by 3GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, and a 2,525 mAh battery. The software version employed is Android 5.1.1...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_x_will_no_longer_require_invites_to_purchase-news-16322.php

BlackBerry Priv launched in India at a steep $923

BlackBerry finally launched the Priv in the Indian market. However, if you have been looking forward to buying this phone then you will have to come to terms with the rather steep pricing. The phone is priced at INR 62,990, which is around $923. In comparison, the phone is priced at $699 in the US, which was already considered expensive by many. BlackBerry's reasoning is that the phone comes packed with high-end specifications and that there is a market for high-end devices such as the Priv and consumers who are willing to pay a premium for premium devices. Unfortunately, even with BlackBerry's relative popularity in India, the high-end market is pretty much dominated by the iPhones, with most consumers choosing to go with Apple if they are spending over a certain amount, and Android largely being the second preference for those with less deep pockets. It remains to be seen how the combination of high price, high-end specs, Android, and BlackBerry brand work in favor of the...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/blackberry_priv_launched_in_india_at_a_steep_923-news-16324.php

Grab a 128GB Samsung Galaxy S6 for £399.99 on eBay

Samsung Galaxy S6 has been offered in three storage flavors since its inception - 32, 64, and 128GB. Naturally, this means the bigger the memory, the higher the price. Most of the users usually opt for the 32GB, but the Galaxy S6 omits a memory expansion option, which should make you think twice before buying. Anyway, if you've considered getting a Galaxy S6 but you are still exploring your options here is new one for you. Now you can get the 128GB model of the Galaxy S6 on eBay for just £399.99 or €525. That's pretty much the base price for the 32GB model. Hit the source link for more info. The quantity available from the seller is limited, so if you like the offer you should grab one sooner rather than later. The Galaxy S7, among other next-gen top phones, should be introduced in three weeks at the MWC though, so it may be wise to postpone any flagship smartphone purchases right...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/grab_a_128gb_samsung_galaxy_s6_for_39999_on_ebay-news-16320.php

Alleged Xiaomi Mi 5 screenshot reveals dual-SIM functionality, NFC support

Xiaomi's upcoming Mi 5 flagship smartphone will come with dual-SIM functionality as well as support for NFC. This was revealed in a screenshot - shared by chairman Lei Jun - alleged to be of the device's home screen. This isn't the first time we're hearing rumors of the Mi 5 supporting these features. If you recall, last month we reported on a document from China UnionPay that revealed the NFC functionality for the flagship. And recently, the handset was spotted listed on GearBest's website revealing support for dual-SIM. However, those were regular rumors. Given that the information this time has come directly from Xiaomi's chairman, it's all but official that the Mi 5 will include these features. And the good thing is that we won't have to wait long for these to become official, as the smartphone will be officially unveiled in just a few weeks from now. For those who aren't already aware, the Mi 5 will also be available for media preview at this year's...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/alleged_xiaomi_mi5_screenshot_reveals_dualsim_functionality_nfc_support-news-16318.php

Oppo teases F1 Plus with 5.5" screen, 4GB RAM

After just releasing the first entry in its new "F" line, the Oppo F1, today the OEM announced that it plans to out an upgraded F1 Plus version soon. The handset should arrive this April and is said to offer a bigger 5.5" display with FullHD resolution and 4GB of RAM, compared to the smaller 5" HD panel and 3GB of memory on the F1. The announcement took place at the company's Mumbai launch event for the Oppo F1 today. The provided teaser also mentions an improved selfie experience for the Plus model. The basic F1 is already marketed as a selfie expert phone and packs an 8MP f/2.0 front snapper with a 1/4" sensor, so the Plus could potentially upgrade the front camera even further, or at least, improve the software side. Other than that, we can only assume that the F1 Plus will share the rest of the specs with its sibling, as well as most of the Oppo R7 line. This includes the octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 616 SoC, a 13MP main shooter with f/2.2 aperture, also LTE connectivity and Dual-SIM support. Design-wise, we expect little change as well, meaning that overall the F1 Plus could be somewhat of a mirror image of the R7s, just like the F1 is to the R7 in a lot of respects. As already mentioned, the new device should go on sale in India this April for INR 26,990 or around $395, which is quite a big of a markup from the INR 15,990 (around $235) the F1 is going...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_teases_f1_plus-news-16319.php

Samsung Galaxy S5 now available for just $260 in US

Samsung's flagship from 2014 - the Galaxy S5 - is now available for just $260 (unlocked) in the United States. Daily Steals is selling the device at that price, with color options including white, black, and gold. The discount is on the G900A version of the handset, which is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile - those on Verizon and Sprint are out of luck. A quick look at the Daily Steals' listing for the device reveals that the deal ends in 3 days. That's a nice discount, given that third party retailers like Amazon and NewEgg are selling the same model at way higher prices - the former is selling it for around $350, while the latter has it listed starting at $300. Source | Amazon |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_selling_for_260_in_us-news-16317.php

Huawei Honor Holly 2 Plus unveiled with 13MP camera, 4,000mAh battery

As expected, Huawei has unveiled the Honor Holly 2 Plus, which is the successor to the Chinese company's Honor Holly from 2014. The Holly 2 Plus is powered by a 64-bit MediaTek MT6735P SoC with quad-core CPU and Mali 720 GPU, and sports a 5-inch HD IPS display. It has 2GB RAM and 16GB internal memory, which can be expanded up to 128GB via microSD slot. In terms of camera, the handset features a 13MP rear unit and a 5MP front shooter. There's a 4,000mAh battery to keep the lights on. Featuring textured design on its back and a polycarbonate body, the Holly 2 Plus offers dual-SIM functionality. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/A-GPS/GLONASS, and MicroUSB. The device also supports CDMA network. Those purchasing the device will get 15 months manufacturer warranty and 30 days of display replacement for free. The phone was unveiled today at an ongoing event in the Indian capital of New Delhi. There's currently no information on its price (said to be under INR 10,000 or $145) and availability, but we'll update this post as soon as we hear something. Alongside the Holly 2 Plus, Huawei also launched the Honor 5X in...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_holly_2_plus_unveiled_with_13mp_camera_4000mah_battery-news-16316.php

IDC: Samsung retains leadership in smartphone shipments for both Q4 and 2015

Samsung was the top smartphone vendor worldwide last quarter, capturing 21.4% of the market, up from 20% it claimed last year, according to latest data revealed by market research firm IDC. The South Korean company shipped a total of 85.6 million smartphones in Q4 2015, up from the 75.1 million figure it reported in the same quarter the year prior. On the other hand Apple, which retained its second spot, shipped 74.8 million iPhones last quarter, claiming 18.7% of the market. Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi rounded up the top five with 8.1%, 5.1%, and 4.6% share, respectively. Talking about 2015 as a whole, there wasn't any change in the rankings - Samsung was still at the top with around 325 million smartphone units shipped, followed by Apple, Huawei, Lenovo, and Xiaomi, shipping 231.5, 106.6, 74.0, and 70.8 million units, respectively. Chinese smartphone manufacturer Huawei reported the strongest year-on-year growth in the top five. "Usually the conversation in the smartphone market revolves around Samsung and Apple, but Huawei's strong showing for both the quarter and the year speak to how much it has grown as an international brand," said Melissa Chau, Senior Research Manager with IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker. "While there is a lot of uncertainty around the economic slowdown in China, Huawei is one of the few brands from China that has successfully diversified worldwide, with almost half of its shipments going outside of China. Huawei is poised to be in a good position to hold onto a strong number 3 over the next year." Total global smartphone shipments in 2015 stood at over 1.4 billion, up 10.1% compared to...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/idc_samsung_retains_leadership_in_smartphone_shipments_for_both_q4_and_2015-news-16315.php

Gionee Elife S8 to be launched at MWC next month

Gionee has announced that its upcoming Elife S8 flagship will be launched at this year's Mobile World Congress, which is scheduled for next month (Feb 22 - Feb 25). The handset has been the subject of little to no rumours or leaks lately. As clear from the image above, the launch event is set for the first day of MWC 2016 - February 22. The Chinese manufacturer says the device will offer "hassle-free photo-shooting features" as well as "pressure-sensitive display." In the company's words, "A new era of mobile photography has arrived and we welcome our consumers to explore this era together with joy in their hearts. We believe technology is part of our lives and we enjoy the convenience and creativity it brings. At MWC 2016, GIONEE will introduce a new member to its S series - the Elife S8, an innovative mobile device that comes with hassle-free photo-shooting features and a pressure-sensitive display." The handset's predecessor - the Elife S7 - was unveiled in March at last year's MWC. At 5.5mm, it's among the thinnest dual-SIM...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/elife_s8_to_be_launched_at_mwc_next_month_gionee_confirms-news-16314.php

Google Sheets, Slides, and Docs gain mobile commenting feature

Google has announced that the real-time collaborative commenting feature in its Sheets, Slides, and Docs productivity apps is now also available on mobile. You can now instantly add a comment using the comment bubble present on the right side of a doc. To add a new team-mate to an ongoing conversation, you just have to type their name in the comment. If the person in question doesn't have the access to the document, you'll be prompted to give them the access, following which they'll be notified about their inclusion in the conversation. The rich commenting feature is now available to users of both iOS and Android mobile operating...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/google_sheets_slides_and_docs_gain_mobile_commenting_feature-news-16313.php

LG announces global rollout of its K10 and K4 smartphones

LG has announced that its newly-unveiled K10 and K4 smartphones will be launched globally this week. While the K10 is already available for purchase in the company's home country of South Korea, the K4 was recently spotted listed on LG's Russian website. LG says both handsets will be available in Europe as well as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region starting this week, and will be launched in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia in the weeks to come. There was, however, no word on the K7, which was unveiled alongside the K10 at this year CES and is currently available for purchase in the US from Boost Mobile as the Tribute 5. "Affordable mass-tier phones with advanced features are becoming more and more important," said Juno Cho, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "Our newest K Series is designed for our consumers to experience LG's premium design philosophy and optimized mobile experience across disparate smartphone...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_announces_global_rollout_of_its_k10_and_k4_smartphones-news-16312.php

Samsung will update Kids Mode for a new tablet this year

Samsung's kids mode has been found in the past few iterations of Samsung flagship tablets and smartphones designed to let kids play with notes, voice recordings, games, and a special camera app, all without letting kids wander around your smartphone's sensitive information. According to a source, there will be a new major Kids Mode update coming to Samsung Devices later this year. Along with this information, there was a rumor of a new Kids Tab E that will be quietly launched. The Tab E Kids is rumored to come with a 1.3GHz processor, 1 and a half GB of RAM, 8GB of expandable storage, a 7 inch screen with 1280 x 800 pixel resolution. The specs aren't out of this world, really. But the selling point of these tablets will be the software with parental controls for kids. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_will_update_kids_mode_for_a_new_tablet_this_year-news-16311.php

T-Mobile increases its prepaid data allotments without price hikes

T-Mobile has been the one to disrupt the mobile industry in the US these past few years. The prepaid market space in the US, while still a great value, T-Mobile strives to provide an even greater value with its newest data hikes. T-Mobile is raising its data allotments for $40, $50, and $60 prepaid plans from 1GB, 3GB and 5GB to 3GB, 5GB and 10GB respectively. These plans also include T-Mobile's Music freedom and its new video optimizer which lowers video content's resolution to 480p in order to save data and watch up to 3 times more video with the same amount of data. Binge on is NOT included in T-Mobile's prepaid plans, so you can't stream Netflix on big Magenta's towers without it deducting from your prepaid data plan. If you stream a lot of music, you'll want to look into getting a prepaid plan from T-Mobile. Raising data without raising prices is another reason T-Mobile wants to give more to its customers and wants customers to love their carrier. Keep it up T-Mobile! Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_increases_its_prepaid_data_allotments_without_price_hikes-news-16310.php

Huawei Mate 8 review: Checkmate

The Huawei Mate 8 has dropped the Ascend badge, but it offers all the key pros of the Ascend Mate7 and then some. Coming a year after the Mate7, it was only expected that the Mate 8 will show maturity and address its predecessor's shortcomings, most notably the poor graphics performance and the less than stellar camera output.

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_mate_8-review-1367.php

T-Mobile offering 'buy one, get one half off' deal on select Apple, Samsung, and LG phones

T-Mobile is currently running a promotion that lets you purchase a qualified Apple, Samsung, or LG smartphone and get 50% off the second device. Appropriately dubbed Buy One Smartphone, Get One Half-Off, the promo can only be availed by making a call or heading to a local T-Mobile store. Eligible devices include the Apple iPhone 6 and above, the Samsung Galaxy S6, S6 edge, Note5, S6 edge+, as well as the LG G4 and V10. An important thing worth mentioning here is that the second device being purchased should be of equal or lesser value and from the same manufacturer as the first one. The Magenta carrier notes that it's a limited time offer, although it doesn't exactly specify when the promotion ends. Also, the deal is subject to the availability of...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/tmobile_offering_buy_one_get_one_half_off_on_select_flagships-news-16309.php

Samsung Galaxy S7 with S820 benchmarked, here's how it compares with the Exynos 8890 version

You've probably heard by now (how could you not) that the Samsung Galaxy S7 chipset strategy will be split again - some get the Exynos 8890, some the Snapdragon 820. Last week we saw the 8890 take a swing at the Kirin 950 (Huawei's latest and greatest), but now the AT&T version of the Galaxy S7 has passed through Geekbench 3 too, giving us an opportunity to compare both versions of the phone. .jrGraphContainer { background: none !important; border-bottom: 1px solid #eee !important;} ul.jrGraph { left: 166px !important; } ul.jrGraphControls { padding: 0; margin-left: -10px !important; } JRGRAPH_EXPANDABLE_VERSION = false; GeekBench 3 Higher is better Huawei Mate 8 (Kirin 950) 6088 Samsung Galaxy S7 (Exynos 8890) 5946 Samsung Galaxy S6 (Exynos 7420) 5215 Galaxy S7 (Snapdragon 820) 4979 Huawei Nexus 6P (Snapdragon 810) 4539 Huawei Mate S (Kirin 935) 3475 The S820 chipset loses on multi-core performance (it's a quad-core), but it does win the single-core fight - 2,282 for the S820 and 1,873 for the 8890 chipsets. Keep in mind that the software is not final yet and the scores might change. The current Snapdragon 820 result is behind the old Exynos 7420 chipset and earlier benchmarks (Geekbench 3 again) showed the S820 had a small lead. The Galaxy S7 is expected to launch in the US on March 11. Source |...

Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7_with_s820_benchmarked_heres_how_it_compares_with_the_exynos_8890_version-news-16308.php