Author: Chris Eilers

After the outstanding flagship duo Vivo Xplay 5 and Xplay 5 Elite, the company continues to impress people with their new products called Vivo X6S and X6S Plus…

Vivo X6S and X6S plus: Best music-focused smartphones of the month!

This duo belongs to another line-up of the manufacturer, not in the same series as the world’s first 6GB RAM smartphone Vivo Xplay 5 Elite. Though, they are still very beautiful and powerful in terms of design and hardware. Obviously, the phones are direct successors to Vivo X6 and X6 Plus, retaining their predecessors’ elegant metal bodies with silver, gold and pink color options. On the other hand, some people think that the new handsets are pretty similar to Apple iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Do you agree?

Spec-wise, both Vivo X6S and X6S Plus are music-focused devices. Specifically, Vivo X6S specs include an AKM4375 32-bit DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) paired with a Snapdragon 652 processor, a 5.2-inch Super AMOLED Full HD screen, 4G LTE connectivity, and a 13MP rear/8MP front camera combo. Besides, there are a 2,400mAh battery supporting fast charging tech, Funtouch OS based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, a dual SIM, 4GB RAM, and 64GB ROM (expandable up to 128GB) under the hood to help run the whole machine.

As for Vivo X6S Plus specs, it sports a ES9028 DAC within a YAMAHA YSS-205X audio processor, a 5.7-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, a 16MP primary snapper, and a 3,000mAh battery. For the rest, the X6S Plus is just the same as the X6S. In general, they are excellent audio-centric smartphones for this month!

Vivo X6S and X6S plus price and availability

The firm has not only introduced their specifications but also their costs. For Vivo X6S price, it was announced officially at 2,598 Yuan (around $400) and Vivo X6S Plus price is 2,998 Yuan (around $470) for the X6S Plus. Those guys will be shipped from April 5, 2016.

It is time to review what Xiaomi smartphones have been launched since the beginning of 2016. They are all equipped with good hardware and prices…

1. January: Xiaomi Redmi 3

Xiaomi Redmi 3 was launched and available for sale in January. Design-wise, the handset sports an all-metal body and a textured rear panel like what you can see in the picture, like “the stars in the night sky.”  And there are 4 color options for you to choose: Gold, Dark Gray, Silver, and Classic Gold. Which one do you like most?

As for Xiaomi Redmi 3 specs, it boasts 2GB RAM with 16GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB), an octa-core Snapdragon 616 processor, a dual SIM, and MIUI 7.0 based on Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. Xiaomi also equips this budget flagship with a decent pair of cameras: 13MP on the back and 5MP on the front. Though, the most significant thing about the Redmi 3 is its gorgeous 4,100mAh battery for 3 days of using without charging. Cool, rite?!

After the success of iPhone SE so far, Apple is planning more interesting news for their upcoming mobile. According to our reliable source, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the company is working on a 5.8 inch iPhone with curved….

Specifically, Kuo mentioned that, Apple is about to launch a new phone in 2017, which will allegedly be a “glass sandwich”. To make it easier to imagine, this 2017 iPhone design will be somehow similar to that of iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, but with a bigger size of 5.8 inch. What is special about this rumored iPhone is that, the glass on both of its sides is expected to be curved, making a lot like Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge.

In a current article, AppleInsider quoted that “The analyst believes Apple is looking to implement exotic materials to further differentiate iPhone from a sea of competitors”. If everything goes as we know for now, the 2017 5.8 inch iPhone will be the first Apple mobile to feature AMOLED display, with a huge 5.8 inch screen size. This is a significant change from the typical 5.5 inch LCD panel found on iPhone 6S Plus. Let’s see how it turns out to be in real machine.

The source did not mention any other features of this new generation of the iPhone. However, in order to catch up with the trend in our fast growing market, we expect 2017 5.8 inch iPhone to have a decent RAM of 2GB or bigger. As we already have 12MP camera for the current 2016 iPhones, this upcoming mobile will be having at least the same or enhanced resolution.

2017 5.8 inch iPhone:  another best selling product?

Apple iPhone products are always among the most popular mobiles in the entire market. However, since they are subjected to making quite a big change, let’s see how well they will do to attract new users, as well as convince old users that they are a worthy brand to be trusted

It’s April and there are many great battery smartphones that can last for 3 days and even more! Check out new handsets like that. Then, tell us what you like most!

1 + 2. Samsung Galaxy A9 and A9 Pro

Firstly, it is the excellent phablet duo of Samsung: Galaxy A9 and A9 Pro. In terms of Samsung Galaxy A9 specs, it sports a Snapdragon 652 chipset, Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS, 3GB RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and a 6.0-inch Full HD screen. Samsung Galaxy A9 camera set consists of a 13MP anti-vibration sensor on the back and an 8MP sensor on the front. That’s a pretty good combination. However, the key selling feature of the Galaxy is its battery – which is capable of 4,000mAh supporting QuickCharge.

Well, Samsung Galaxy A9 is already a great machine, but its Pro variant, just launched a few days ago, is even better. Spec-wise, the phone boasts the same big 6.0-inch Full HD display, 32GB ROM, and Snapdragon 652 processor. However, Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro specs contain up to 4GB RAM, a 16MP rear snapper, a massive 5,000mAh battery with fast charging tech, and the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS. No doubt the A9 Pro is the best phablet so far.

We are seeing the development of Android smartphones getting faster and faster this year, but April is really the best time for you to purchase one. Here are the reasons!

1. A great diversity of Android smartphones

Yes, diversity is one of the most important reasons. This month will see a lot of Android smartphones from all levels, sizes, designs, specs, etc. launched. If you are looking for a premium flagship, you can consider Huawei P9 and its siblings, or the powerful HTC 10. Besides, for those who prefer budget handsets, there are a wide range of choices from many brands such as Samsung Galaxy J, Xiaomi Redmi, Gionee, UMI, etc. All you need to do is thinking about what you need, and then pick it from the shelves.

2. Many strong, budget Android smartphones to come

Besides premium devices, lotsa smartphone manufacturers, especially Chinese ones, are focusing on budget Android machines. It is not hard to find a model priced under $200 but equipped with decent hardware at all. For example, a $180 handset now usually sports cool features like 3GB RAM, 8MP selfie camera, 4,000mAh battery, Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS, and so on; or a sub-$100 phone boasting 2GB RAM and HD display is not something surprising. It’s like Android is for everyone!

3. Many cut-price Android flagships

As new flagships come, previous ones will have some price cuts. Therefore, in case of having eyeing on one of them (such as Samsung Galaxy Note 4, iPhone 6, Xiaomi Mi Note, etc.) for a long time, don’t wait any longer to take it home. On the other hand, in the next weeks, lots of devices with old Android OS will be upgraded to the latest Marshmallow. You will still have chance to experience all good things this OS offers.

Well, we are just at the beginning of April, but we can feel that this month’s gonna be crazy with so many new things, promotions, events, etc. Okay, it’s your turn to tell us what you think about Android smartphones in April!

Finally, Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) launch has been officially occurred after a long time of being rumored. It’s gonna not surprise many of us!

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro specs and design: Great things you need to know!

We just saw Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) and J7 (2016) introduced in China and now it is Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016)’s turn. It was also officially announced in China as well. And like what we heard about it before, the Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) is essentially a slightly upgraded version of Samsung Galaxy A9 (2016) released in January 2016. As for design, there is also no difference between the A9’s and A9 Pro’s appearance. Yeah, maybe it is already beautiful, so no improvement was required.

Talking about Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) specs, it sports the same big 6.0-inch Full HD display and the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor. However, you should note that the Pro ver packs huge 4GB RAM instead of the A9’s 3GB RAM. It will surely bring you smooth performances. Other features include 32GB of internal storage, a 16MP camera on the back, a massive, wonderful 5,000mAh battery equipped with fast charging tech, and the latest Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS.

Well, those are such top excellent specifications for smartphones nowadays and Samsung has just launched a flagship model although it does not belong to a flagship series. We bet many more consumers in general and Samsung fans in particular will feel satisfied with this handset when it is brought to more international markets.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro price and availability

They revealed not only Galaxy A9 Pro specs but also its cost. Apparently, Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro (2016) price is 3,499 Yuan (or $540). We think that is a good tag for such a phablet and hopefully when entering other markets, it will not be different much. OK, after knowing everything about this new Samsung phone, what are your feelings and opinions?

4GB RAM has been becoming so common now and April will prove it to you! Check out the following 4GB RAM smartphones now and you’re gonna see how wonderful the mobile world is…

1 + 2. Vivo V3 and V3 Max

Vivo V3 and V3 Max are new products that will be announced in India on April 5. Both of them will be made of metal and equipped with slightly curved backs, so you can hold it more comfortably and easily. Spec-wise, according to the source, V3 and V3 Max will be shipped with Super AMOLED panels but different screen sizes. Specifically, the Vivo V3 will be a 5.0-inch handset while the Vivo V3 Max can be a 5.5-inch one (or 6.0-inch as another source suggested).

Other Vivo V3 specs and Vivo V3 Max specs include 4GB of RAM, 32GB of internal memory, a super fast one touch fingerprint scanner and a rear camera supporting PDAF. Though, the whole specification sheets have not been unveiled yet. We’d better wait a bit more for the company’s confirmation.

Those who love one of the most interesting smartphones Lenovo Vibe Shot will find the following model much better. Check out Lenovo Vibe Alpha now!

Lenovo Vibe Alpha to come with 16MP/8MP camera set, 3,400mAh battery and…

Recently, we have been able to spot a new model we consider as a more advanced variant of Lenovo Vibe Shot for 2016. Speaking specifically, DeviantArt user r4yNTv was the one who created and named this Alpha. You may think its design is the same as the Shot, but in fact, Alpha boasts a thinner bezels, an anodized aluminum frame and chamfered edges on both sides; the logo and the camera cluster on the back are also a bit different if you look closely. Anyhow, Lenovo Vibe Alpha still keeps the unique appearance of the original handset. That’s cool, rite?!

As for Lenovo Vibe Alpha specs, it is said to come with mid-range features and some “nifty display technologies”. Specifically, the phone will pack a 5.0-inch Full HD screen from JDI (AH-IPS) with 90% NTSC color space and 1500:1 contrast ratio. Moreover, according to the source, there are modern technologies such as MediaTek MiraVision Display Engine, color tuning feature, ClearMotion 60 FPS, Asahi Dragontrail-X Cover Glass, and Synaptics ClearPad 3700 touchscreen controller on board to bring users excellent experience with the Alpha’s display.

For the rest, we note that the machine will be powered by a MediaTek Helio X10 paired with Vulkan API-ready G6200 GPU, IP67 rating, Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow OS, a 3,400mAh battery supporting fast charging tech, 3GB of RAM plus 32GB of internal storage. In terms of camera, the main one is capable of 16 megapixels with f/2.2, Samsung Britecell sensor plus 0.1s PDAF. Additionally, the front snapper has an 8MP sensor, f/2.2 and more than 80° Wide-Angle Lens to give you great selfies.

Lenovo Vibe Alpha price and availability

We have not been informed of the official Lenovo Vibe Alpha launch date as well as its price. Though, we predict that like the Vibe Shot released in June 2015, the Alpha can debut some time at the end of the Q2 or in the Q3 of 2016. For the cost, it will probably be priced at $360. What do you think?

(Source)

It’s April and it’s time to find out what top smartphones with 6GB RAM will be launched! Check out the following list and get read to welcome them!

7. Vernee Apollo – 6GB RAM and awesome design

Vernee is a totally new brand, but they seem to succeed in surprising people. One of their first products Vernee Apollo will be the next 6GB RAM smartphone in the world, after Vivo Xplay 5 Elite – the very first 6GB RAM handset. Furthermore, its other specifications are also very good.

Speaking specifically, Vernee Apollo specs include a powerful MediaTek Helio X20 deca-core chipset, force touch tech, a 2K display, a Sony IMX230 rear camera, and 128GB of internal memory. But you know what, the real shocking thing is that Vernee Apollo price has been unveiled to be $399.99. Wow!

Besides the newly-launched Vivo Xplay 5 Elite with 6GB RAM, recently, another 6GB RAM smartphone has been confirmed in terms of specifications, design and price. So today, we would like to put them in a comparison: Vivo Xplay 5 Elite vs Vernee Apollo!

Vernee Apollo vs Vivo Xplay 5 Elite: The best 6GB RAM battle ever!

First of all, let’s have a look at Vivo Xplay 5 Elite specs. This is the first 6GB RAM smartphone in the world and besides the whooping RAM capacity, the Elite also draws people’s attention by its other excellent features. There is a a dual-curved 5.43-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD screen, yet the special edges cannot work like Samsung Galaxy S7 edge’s. Under the hood, a Snapdragon 820 chipset, Android 5.1 Lollipop OS, 128GB ROM (non-expandable), and a 3,600mAh battery are on board to help power the whole machine. As for camera, the main one is capable of 16 megapixels with Sony IMX298 sensor, PDAF plus dual-tone LED flash. Additionally, the selfie snapper is also very good with 8 megapixels and f/2.4.

About Vernee Apollo specs, the handset sports the same remarkable 6GB RAM, 128GB ROM, and a 2K display but a bit bigger with 5.5 inches and no curved edges. Anyway, they all look handsome, right?! Apart from those similarities, there are many important differences you need to note. The Apollo is run by a 10-core Helio X20 processor, Android Marshmallow OS, and a 21MP rear/8MP  front shooter combo. We can see the chips are both strong but we cannot deny that the Apollo’s operating system and primary cam are much better.

For battery comparison, we cannot tell which one is more powerful because no word has been made for the Vernee Apollo’s cell. Though, we predict it can be around 3,500mAh in order to be decent to fuel the entire device. If so, the Xplay 5 Elite can be stronger at this point. Nonetheless, we should wait a bit more for the Vernee’s confirmation to get the most correct result.

Vernee Apollo vs Vivo Xplay 5 Elite: Price and availability

Vivo Xplay 5 Elite launch happened in March and then it has gone on sale with 4,288 Yuan or $655. In fact, the Vivo Xplay 5 Elite price does seem reasonable. Yet, if we compare it to Vernee Apollo price, which is much lower at $399, we have to say the latter is the winner.

Nokia U is an interesting Nokia smartphone designed by the public. Check out how it looks like and what it can do and you will be amazed!

Nokia U – The best Nokia smartphone for YOU!

“Why not let the public design the kind of phone they would actually like?” Yes, Nokia came up with something like a competition called Design by Community and it did draw much attention from people trying to create “the ultimate concept device”. In the end, the winner was Nokia U. We won’t be surprised if this model comes along with the Nokia comeback at the end of 2016. It is made for us and by us, rite?!

Looking at the handset, it seems very sleek with a 4.0-inch 16:9 touchscreen and an aluminium body plus soft touch silver/black finish. Spec-wise, there is an auto lens cover hiding an 8MP camera with 4X optical zoom, a dual LED plus Xenon flash on the back. However, we think the main sensor can be changed into a 21MP equipped with PureView tech. More interesting, the Nokia U is said to be able to support multiple operating systems, which means you can totally choose Android if you like.

For other Nokia U specs, we hope to see a Full HD display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or a MediaTek’s deca-core chip (such as Helio X20 or X25), an 8MP selfie shooter, an at least 3,000mAh battery supporting fast charging technology, 3/4GB of RAM paired with 128GB of internal storage (expandable). They would make the perfect!

Nokia U price and availability

With such an excellent package of specifications, appearance and meaning of its name, Nokia U is worth being one of the best smartphones of the year. Although its cost as well as release date has not been mentioned, we predict it can be priced at around $300. Do you think it is reasonable? Share with us your opinions!

Apple iPhone SE vs Galaxy S7 mini will show you that small smartphones also have their own strengths. Yet, in case of wanting to know which one is the better, check out the following comparison now!

iPhone SE VS Galaxy S7 Mini: Best sub 5.0-inch smartphone battle ever!

First of all, let’s talk about iPhone SE specs. It was launched a few days ago with a very handy 4.0-inch LED-backlit IPS LCD (640 x 1136p) screen, an Apple A9 dual-core 1.84GHz chipset, 16/64GB of internal storage (non-expandable), and 2GB of RAM. Besides, the whole machine runs on iOS 9.3 and gets energy from a non-removable 1,642mAh battery. As for photography, you can use its 12MP f/2.2 rear camera (with PDAF plus dual LED flash) or 1.2MP f/2.4 front snapper (with face detection, HDR plus FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular) to take pictures. In general, iPhone SE is a very decent device that can do any task you want well. How about Samsung Galaxy S7 mini?

It’s like Samsung has decided to join the sub 5.0-inch smartphone race since some information about a mini version of the flagship Galaxy S7 has been leaked recently. Spec-wise, it is said to pack a 4.6-inch HD display. Apart from that feature, other Samsung Galaxy S7 mini specs will be the same as its bigger sibling: either Snapdragon 820 or Exynos 8890 chip(or both), yet with 3GB of RAM paired with 32/64GB of ROM (expandable). Furthermore, the handset can also sport a “periscope lens” with 3x optical zoom for its 12MP main shooter.

So, talking about designs, we bet both iPhone SE and the upcoming Galaxy S7 mini are all beautiful, pocketable as well as easy to hold. However, if we really need to pick out a stronger smartphone, it is the Samsung Galaxy S7 mini that is a bit better than its rival in terms of hardware. Do you agree?

iPhone SE VS Galaxy S7 Mini: Price and availability

As for iPhone SE price, the 16GB iPhone SE costs $399 while the 64GB ver costs $499. Its pre-orders started from March 24 and consumers can look forward to March 31 as the official Apple iPhone SE release date. On the other hand, there has been no word made for Samsung Galaxy S7 mini price yet, but we are predicting a price tag of around $450 – $500. Well, in fact, their price tags are not very different from each other, right? Then, which one is your champion? Share with us!