Author: Chris Eilers

In this quarter, we have seen many launches of budget Chinese smartphones with pretty good specifications if compared to their costs. Now, check out some of them and tell us which one is the best!

1. OnePlus X

OnePlus X is equipped with a handy 5.0-inch Full HD Active Matrix OLED display, a non-removable lithium-polymer 2,525mAh battery and a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 processor. Other OnePlus X specs include 3GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 13MP rear f/2.2 snapper with 0.2-second autofocus and phase detection autofocus, and an up to 8MP front-facing shooter. Well, for a budget Chinese smartphone, 8MP selfie cam is really a good deal. Besides, like OP 2, the X also runs on OxygenOS based on Android 5.1 Lollipop, providing useful Dark Mode for nighttime reading.

To celebrate 2015 year-end season, Samsung has just launched a Winter Special Edition for their latest flagship Galaxy Note 5 with a gigantic 128GB internal storage and…

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Winter Special Edition: gigantic internal storage

To celebrate 2015 year-end season, Samsung has just launched a Winter Special Edition for their latest flagship Galaxy Note 5 with a gigantic 128GB internal storage and comes in 2 color options: titan grey and titan gold. The special version does not feature any differences in terms of the Galaxy Note 5 specs and design, except for the whooping internal storage of up to 128GB capacity. While the original handset comes with no micrsoSD card slot, a bigger storage can be a great choice for many Note 5 fans.

Specs-wise, Galaxy Note 5 Winter Special Edition still sport a 5.7” AMOLED screen with the best display among all smartphones in the market. Other Galaxy Note 5 specs like 16MP camera, 4GB RAM together with Exynos 7420, 4K video recording or 3,000 mAH battery are still remained the same, except for the expanded 128GB of internal memory for maximum storage. Samsung announced that the edition will go on sale starting December 31 with 2 color options: titan grey and titan gold.

Seems like a bigger internal storage is becoming more and more desirable among smartphones. Earlier we have had Asus launching a Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition and a Zenfone Selfie Special Edition, both coming with 128GB internal storage. For now, we have Galaxy Note 5 by to join in the game. And I hope we could be expecting more in the future.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Winter Special Edition

Samsung has announced the Galaxy Note 5 price – for Winter Special Edition as around USD 846 (converted from original price in Korean Won). Although this is not at all of low-end budget, a huge internal storage of up to 128GB, and beautiful casing color could be a exactly what some Galaxy Note 5 fans are looking for!

We all know that Nokia comeback to the smartphone market has been confirmed by Nokia CEO Rajiv. But little were we informed about any specific plan upon their grand event. But Rajiv has just share his personal thought about…

Nokia CEO: smartphone battery should last 10 years

Several weeks earlier, the piece of information we have expected for so long was finally confirmed by Nokia: The Legend is coming back to producing smartphone devices starting 2016. On welcoming this, Former Nokia executive Richard Kerris had said that : “They are also developing more great products. They gave me enough confidence to make me believe that Nokia did not fail.” Such a proud statement is hinting and assuring us that Nokia is planning something real big this time.

When asked about which was his biggest concern about smartphones nowadays, in World Internet Conference closing ceremony, Nokia CEO Rajiv said that : “In the present, because one of the very significant problems of smartphone is the battery, you need to solve the battery problem, let it be over 10 years of life”. Smartphone battery is currently on of the first part to be damaged, and the leader of Nokia hints that it should last much longer.

It is very understandable why Nokia concerns that much about the longevity of smartphone battery, since their mobile devices are known all around the world for the high quality and long lasting feature. Many use a Nokia phone since they were still a teenager, and until adult, though they have changed to several other phone, the Nokia still remains good.

Nokia comeback: to bring a solution for smartphone battery?

Although Rajiv did not imply whether their company will work on the phone battery, by raising the problem for the world to see, we can really expect some improvement coming on the way, either from Nokia or other producers who see the same issue. As 2016 is coming near by, and Nokia is about to launch a new phone, let’s keep calm and wait a bit more to see what it will be.

2015 is going to an end. Many premium flagship smartphones have been launched and been stirring up the mobile market. Wanna know what they are? Check out the following ones and tell us which one you like most!

1. ASUS ZenFone Zoom

Despite being announced in early 2015, it is until now that the official ASUS ZenFone Zoom launch occurs and the phone is going on sale first in China. ASUS ZenFone Zoom specs a 5.5-inch Full HD display, an Intel Atom Z3590 2.5GHz processor under the hood, 32/64/128GB ROM (expandable to 128GB), 4GB RAM, and a 3,000mAh battery. As for the camera, there is a combo of a 13MP rear plus LED flash and a 5MP front camera. Moreover, the main shooter is really special since it uses Japan’s HOYA optics and includes 3x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom, optical image stabilization, and laser focus. That is also why the phone is called Zoom!

Lenovo Vibe X3 was announced in November and ASUS ZenFone Zoom ZX550 in January, but it is said that both of them will go on sale this month. So, let’s take a look at the following comparison to see which one is better!

ASUS ZenFone Zoom vs Lenovo Vibe X3: 21MP is more powerful than 13MP, but…

First, let’s talk about their similarities and differences in specifications. We can easily see that they both have the same screen size and resolution: 5.5 inches and Full HD. For the rest, there are some main important differences we need to know. About processor, ASUS seems to prefer Intel chip to Snapdragon for their products. Specifically, the Zoom uses an Intel Atom Z3580 chipset to run the machine. This is faster and stronger a bit if compared to the X3’s Snapdragon 808 one.

As for the RAM and ROM, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom specs include 16/32/64/128GB ROM (expandable to 64GB) and 2/4GB RAM. Definitely, the ASUS smartphone has more options for consumers than its rival since the Lenovo Vibe X3 specs just contain 32/64GB ROM (expandable up to 128GB) and 3GB RAM. However, if it comes to battery, the Zoom’s 3,000mAh cell has to give in to the X3’s 3,600mAh one equipped with Fast Charging tech to help the handset reach 60% in 30 min.

And the best part is their cameras. The X3 boasts a more excellent cam combo than the Zoom thanks to its 21MP rear and 8MP front shooter. Meanwhile, the Zoom packs a quite common 13MP/5MP set. But, if we don’t mention the resolution, the Zoom’s main cam is really special due to its Japan’s HOYA optics, 3x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom, OIS, and laser focus.

ASUS ZenFone Zoom vs Lenovo Vibe X3: Price and availability

ASUS ZenFone Zoom price is around $433 for a 4GB RAM + 64GB ROM version while Lenovo Vibe X3 price is around $385 for 32GB and $460 for 64GB ver. Overall, the Zoom seems a bit more affordable than the X3 if you like strong RAM and processor. Though, the decision belongs to you. Which one is the winner here? 

Lately, India mobile market has welcomed a new device called Yutopia. It is the newest as well as the company’s very first premium flagship smartphone. As a result, it has been attracting a lot of peoples’ attention so far…

YU’s first high-end smartphone: Yutopia with 4GB RAM, 2K RAM, and…

Design-wise, Yu Yutopia is pretty in an aluminum unibody with antenna bands covering around the edges and 4 rounded corners. In addition, there is a PureBlack glass built on the front surface to give it a gorgeous look. Furthermore, the handset is very slim at 7.2 mm and light with just 159 grams. On the back, the main shooter comes along with a dual LED flash. They are designed as a big cluster and followed by a fingerprint scanner right below.

Spec-wise, the Yutopia is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 32GB of internal storage (expandable up to 128GB). Other Yutopia specs include a 5.2-inch IPS LCD screen with 2K (aka Quad HD) display resolution, a dual SIM, Cyanogen OS 12.1 based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, and a 3,000mAh battery equipped with Fast Charging tech (Quick Charge 2.0) enabling the machine to reach 60% of energy in just 30 minutes.

As for the camera, there are a 21MP Sony IMX230 main cam also supporting phase detection autofocus and OIS, and an up to 8MP selfie snapper. What a wonderful combo for those who love taking photos! In terms of sound, the Yutopia boasts DTS audio support and Little Birds earphones from the House of Marley.

Yutopia price and availability

YU Yutopia price is $375, which is a great deal in our opinion since it has a super powerful package of specifications and a glossy design. Besides, the smartphone will be available exclusively on Amazon India. You can pre-order one now or wait until December 26 to get it from the shelves.

(Source: gsmarena)

Snapdragon 820 – the premium chip set by Qualcomm is about to launch in 2016 for higher-end flagships. However, rumors are saying that, Samsung is planning to keep it exclusive for their phones in the first 3 months.

Snapdragon 820 – to be exclusively for Samsung Galaxy S7 till April

The release of Snapdragon 820 has promised strong performance for future flagships. Earlier, we have heard that many smartphone producers had already signed up for their upcoming devices to get the new SoC. But as this arising source is suggesting, it seems like Samsung is going to have exclusivity for themselves, at least in the first 3 months of 2016. What does Samsung have in mind for now and which benefits will the Korean company gain with this advantage?

As you may already know, Samsung is getting ready to unveil their next generation of high-end smartphone – aka the successor of Galaxy S6 – the Samsung Galaxy S7. To prepare for this grand event, Samsung already launched their Exynos 8890 chip set for one version and will adopt the Snapdragon 820 for another version of the machine. By having the Snapdragon 820 kept exclusive for only them, Samsung will have the huge advantage of being the first to offer a new technology trend.

If this comes true, what will happen to other companies like Xiaomi and LG with their Xiaomi Mi5 and LG G5 flagships? Since rumors are saying Samsung will hole exclusivity for Snapdragon 820 till the beginning of April 2016. it seems like we won’t see Xiaomi Mi5 release and LG G5 release any time soon until Q2 2016.

Smartphone display contributes directly and considerably to the visual experience of users. As 2015 is coming to an end, let’s take a look at the top smartphones with best displays of the year from Samsung Smartphones, Sony, HTC and More…

1. Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – Winner of Design

Obviously, the first candidate of this list is no one else but the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 by Samsung. In case you don’t know, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 display was crowned the best display among all smartphone, after going under the Display Mate test through different category.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 screen features a QHD (2560x1440p) Super AMOLED display with a size of 5.7 inches. This is the perfect size for any Samsung smartphone lover, which gives enough space for any enjoyment.

Finally, one of the most anticipated smartphones made by ASUS has been launched. It is ASUS ZenFone Zoom with an amazing rear camera and…

Powerful ASUS ZenFone Zoom specs: 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM and…

Recently, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom launch has occurred at a press conference held in Beijing, China. ASUS ZenFone Zoom specs are also shown clearly and fully. First, we are aware that there are 2 slightly different models: ZenFone Zoom ZX550 and Zoom ZX551ML. Spec-wise, the ZX550 features a 5.5-inch Full HD display, an Intel Atom Z3580 2.3GHz processor under the hood, 16/32/64/128GB ROM (expandable to 64GB), 2/4GB RAM, and a 3,000mAh battery.

As for the second version, some small differences are an Intel Atom Z3590 2.5GHz chip, 32/64/128GB ROM (expandable up to 128GB), and 4GB RAM. Besides, both variants have the same combo of a 13MP rear plus LED flash and a 5MP front camera. Furthermore, the main shooter is really special since it uses Japan’s HOYA optics and includes 3x optical zoom, 12x digital zoom, optical image stabilization, and laser focus. That is also why the phone is called Zoom!

So, no matter what version you choose, the ASUS ZenFone Zoom specs are powerful in general and the design is pretty unique with a big snapper on the back. Despite being announced in early 2015, it is until now that the company officially releases their device with detailed prices. Check out the next part to see how much it costs.

ASUS ZenFone Zoom Price and availability

The 64GB and 2.3GHz processor version is priced at 2,799 Yuan (equivalent to $433) while the 128GB and 2.5GHz processor one is priced at 3,199 Yuan (equivalent to $495) in China. Other information about the international availability as well as prices of ASUS ZenFone Zoom will be revealed later. Let’s wait and see!

This may not be so surprising to many of you out there. But yes, as it is official now, it deserves having a decent news to inform to you all: the Iphone 6S and 6S Plus are getting major price cut in India market.

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus: huge price drop up to Rs 11,000

The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, launched in the country several months earlier, started with a price of Rs 62,000 and varies in different variants. This clearly means that the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus prices in India and other Asian markets cost much higher than the same models in America and other European countries. However, good news is that, the prices have been cut down considerably, after Apple realized the decline in the market demand in India

According to that, different variants of iPhone 6s is getting a major price cut of up to Rs. 11,000. This gap itself can buy you a whole budget smartphone in the popular price group of USD 200 and below. The iPhone 6s Plus, though not having as much discount as its counterpart, is still subjected to a decent price cut, from Rs 7,000 and above. The famous and premium rose gold option for iPhone 6s Plus is getting huge discount too. iPhone 6s Plus rose gold prices in India for now are Rs 65,000 and Rs 84,000, compared to Rs 72,000 and Rs 92,000 tags when it was launched in the country.

There are many reasons why people love Apple and their iPhone products despite the high prices and some other disadvantages compared to other smartphones (no SD card etc). However, such price tag is not doing super well in Indian market, where users prefer more affordable products. Hopefully this price cut will help Apple sell more in India

iPhone 6S and 6S Plus: helping Apple sales in India?

With this official iPhone 6s and 6s Plus price cut, do you think this would help improve Apple sale in our Indian market? Personally, do you think the after-discount price is reasonable enough for you to buy, compared to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus specs and design?

Nokia comeback to the smartphone market, already confirmed by the company’s CEO, is no doubt one of the most awaited events of 2016. In case you don’t have it yet, here are 5 reasons why you should start saving right now

1. The remark of a legend comeback

On arrival of Nokia comeback next year, Nokia will definitely launch some new phone to remark this huge event. If you start saving for it by now, you can be one of the first people to get a new Nokia smartphone of 2016. This can be such a great “achievement” for those big fans of the legend, or any big fans of technology in general

Many latest Android smartphones belonging to both high-end and mid-range categories have come without microSD card slots. However, lots of people do not think it is a good choice because a microSD card…

1. … does not require Internet connection.

Nowadays, there is a trend that users upload their data to Cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft SkyDrive to save more internal space of their phones. Nonetheless, keep in mind that all of them need internet access and you cannot always stay in ideal places with strong Wi-Fi to get your files downloaded or uploaded fast. But, microSD card is different; it does not requires stable Internet connection to work properly; it is accessible all the time and in all places.