Apple to source chips from Intel for the next iPhone

Apple is going to source the modem for some versions of the iPhone 7 from Intel, Bloomberg reports. The AT&T variant in the US and some versions meant for other markets will get an Intel chip instead of the customary Qualcomm solution.

One key market that Qualcomm gets to keep is China - iPhones bound for there will still use a modem by the San Diego-based semiconductor maker.

The info has been revealed by industry insiders, who have chosen to remain unidentified. The companies involved haven't commented on the matter.

Intel's presence in the mobile chip market has been marginal so far, the company's mobile division consistently racking up losses. While the alleged deal with Apple may not necessarily put it in the red, it's undoubtedly a step in that direction.

Lenovo Vibe K5 launching in India on June 13

Lenovo has announced that it will be launching the Vibe K5 in India on June 13. The phone will be available through Amazon.

The Vibe K5 is the younger brother of the Vibe K5 Plus. It has a 5.0-inch 720p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 415, 2GB RAM, 16GB expandable storage, 13 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, metal body, TheaterMax, dual SIM, and 2750mAh battery. In comparison, the Vibe K5 Plus has a 1080p display and Snapdragon 616.

No pricing has been announced yet but considering the Vibe K5 Plus is available for INR 8,499 ($127), the Vibe K5 will likely be around INR 6,999 ($104).

Samsung beta tests new UI in China and Korea

Samsung is testing a new UI in China and Korea as part of the Galaxy Beta Program. The test is being done on the Galaxy Note5 and called 'New Note UX'.

One of the big changes is the lack of app drawer in the launcher. This is a common trend among Chinese OEMs so it's likely Samsung is trying this out to see how it works in East Asian markets. The app icons are shaped uniformly, even for third party apps, which means it is cropping them, another trend among Chinese OEMs trying hard to emulate iOS. It remains to be seen if either of these things will be optional or forced upon users.

There are some other changes too, most noteworthy one being the Settings app, which again looks a lot like something you'd find on a Chinese smartphone. Also, Samsung seems to be moving back from having text for buttons to just iconography.

The source says the UI changes will be coming to all flagship Samsung devices in future and not just limited to the Note5 or the upcoming Note device. This is in beta still, so some things could change.

Walton Primo N2 full specification

Primo N2, WALTON's first smart phone with Rotate Inversion Functionality. Now you can rotate the screen downward or upward freely and also you can talk both front side of the device. Integrated with 1.3GHz Quad-Core Processor and 2GB of RAM, so that you can get an impeccable and lag free experience each and every time you use it. Besides, the premium metal design provides great handheld experience.

Special Feature:
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Dual Speaker, Dual MIC, Dual Proximity
Professional Camera Mode
Front Flash Light
Notification Light
Smart Gesture, Smart Awake
USB OTG Support

Visit here for more details: http://goo.gl/RvwLh0
Release Date: May 19, 2016
Price: 8,990 BDT

Basic Information:
Operating System: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Processor: 1.3 GHz Quad Core Processor
GPU: Mali-400
RAM: 2GB
Storage Space (ROM): 16GB
Expandable Memory Up to 64GB

Call Mode: Dual Card, Dual Standby
3G Network Supports
SIM Type: Both Micro- SIM Card Slot

Network Parameters:
Network Speed: GPRS / EDGE/ 3G / HSPA+
Screen Parameters: Screen Size: 5.5 inch HD
Resolution: 1280*720, Supports 16.7M Color
Display Type: HD IPS
Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 2

Camera Parameters:
Rear Camera: BSI 8MP Auto Focus with LED Flash
Aperture- f/2.0
Shooting Modes: Normal Mode, Professional Camera Mode, Face Beauty, HDR, Panorama, Night Mode
Video Recording: 1080p Full HD

Front Camera: BSI 5MP with Front LED Flash Light
Aperture- f/2.4
Video Recording: 720p HD

Multimedia: 1080p Full HD Video Playback
Auro 3D Audio
FM Radio

Connectivity: Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth V4, Micro USB V2, WLAN Hotspot, OTG, OTA

Sensors: Accelerometer (3D), Light (Brightness), Proximity, Orientation, GPS with A-GPS

Battery Capacity: 2500mAh
Battery Type: Li-ion Battery

Weight: 183g (with battery)
Dimension: 155 x 80 x 9.9mm

New iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus cases show dual camera and Smart Connector on the bigger model

As we get ever closer to the fall and thus to Apple's next smartphone unveiling event, more and more rumors and leaks are starting to crop up regarding the upcoming iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus. And this one is no different.

Some new renders showing the two devices inside cases have appeared today. This time the case maker is Olixar, and just one case model has been listed for each phone (in three colors however).

Since case makers are usually sent handset schematics ahead of a new product's release (so they can have their accessories on the market in time), these renders may be as legit as anything based on schematics can get.

The iPhone 7 will reportedly be 6mm thin, while the Plus model is shown in these images rocking that much-rumored dual-camera setup on the back. Furthermore, on the lower side of its rear we can also spot a Smart Connector that will be used for easier pairing with certain types of accessories, just like the iPad Pro line. The debut of this connector on the iPhone 7 Plus has been talked about quite a bit too, even though we've seen contradictory reports regarding whether it will actually be included. These cases say yes. We'll see.

Anyway, you can pre-order the cases if you want to, by going to the two Source links below. Every one of them is priced at just £6.99, since they are quite basic gel cases and nothing more.

Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 edge getting June security update

Verizon has started rolling out the latest security update (for the month of June) to Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge units on its network. The update bumps the software version to G930VVRU2APE1.

It isn't yet known if any other changes are included in the update as Verizon's site just says "the current software update gives you the most up to date Android security patch on your device."

As is usually the case, it may take some time for the OTA notification to pop up on your device. Meanwhile, if you feel patient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu.

Lenovo Moto Z: rumor round-up

The Moto Z flagship will be unveiled in just a few hours on the stage of the Lenovo Tech World event, so it's last call for rumors. Here's a quick summary of everything we've seen so far.

First off, obviously, it's Moto Z, the Moto X name has reportedly been retired (at the same time Sony switched from Z to X, weird, huh?).

The defining feature of the Moto Z will be its modular design, using MotoMods modules. Unlike Project Ara (which originated at Motorola, but stayed at Google), you only get one module that covers the entire back (with a cutout for the camera). Unlike the LG G5, the modules here are external and probably won't require a restart.

The modules can be used as an alternative to Motomaker, we've seen photos of wooden and leather backs as well as Moto's ballistic nylon. These are called "StyleMods."



Others will add functionality, from basic stuff like extra battery to advanced features like a camera with 10x optical zoom. Hasselblad's name is in the mix, while JBL may provide some serious audio. Rumors even talk of far-out features like a built-in pico projector with stereo speakers for a pocketable movie theater. You can see the pogo pins at the lower back that will provide the connectivity.

As for the phone itself, the Moto Z will be very thin (5.2mm) so even with a module it will stay reasonable. The main camera is reportedly a 13MP shooter with OIS for a solid experience even without modules. Power will come from a Snapdragon 820 chipset with 4GB of RAM. We'll get the monochrome colors (Black and White) and most likely two gold colors (Rose and regular).

By the sound of it, there will be at least two Moto Z phones - one with a 5.2" screen, one with 5.5", both using AMOLED. The big model will be Moto Z Style while the more compact phone will be Moto Z Play, similar to the current lineup. The difference in size most likely means that modules will not be interchangeable, though.

Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition available to pre-order in Indonesia

The limited edition Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Injustice Edition smartphone is now available to pre-order in Indonesia. The device is priced at IDR 14.999 million, which translates into around a whopping $1135 at current exchange rates.

When the phone was officially announced by the South Korean company last month, it was revealed that the products included in the package may differ by markets and mobile operators. Here's what included for Indonesia:



Pre-orders will be delivered starting June 24. This comes just a day after the Russian pricing and availability details of the handset were revealed. It's worth mentioning that only select regions - including (but not limited to) China, Singapore, Korea, Latin America, and Russia - will get the device.

Android N's official name to be revealed in a few weeks, Google confirms

Google has confirmed that the official name for the latest version of its mobile OS - currently known as Android N - will be revealed in a few weeks. The confirmation came in the form of a tweet and Google+ post.

If you recall, at its I/O conference this year, the Mountain View, California-based company announced that it is accepting suggestions for the name. But even before that, the search giant was conducting online polls to finalize the name.

For what it's worth, there have also been reports that Android N is internally known as New York Cheesecake.

New update brings latest security patches to Nextbit Robin

Nextbit has started rolling out a new update to its cloud-focused Robin smartphone. As per the change-log shared by the company, the update brings along Android security patches for the month of June as well as some improvements and bug fixes.

The update includes improvements related to speaker volume. "The minimum volume is much softer and as you increase the volume, it follows a nice linear progression," the change-log says.

In addition, the update also improves the stability of the device's camera, and brings along custom ring tones - Patricia by Lauren Loh Sung and Breeze by Giraffage.

Google released Android distribution stats for June, Marshmallow breaks 10%

Google’s dashboard has been updated with distribution numbers for this month. Marshmallow is at 10.1% which must be thanks to the large amount of new phones being sold and more phone and tablet makers rolling out Marshmallow updates for their smart devices.

Compared to last month, all of the numbers have dropped except for Froyo and Marshmallow. Froyo remained at 0.1% between last month and this month. We should see Froyo gone from the distribution chart soon enough. Remember, if any version is below 0.1%, it will no longer appear on this map.



A total of 35.4% of devices are running either 5.0 or 5.1 Lollipop while KitKat comes in just behind at 31.6%. Jellybean makes up 18.9%, Ice Cream Sandwich (1.9%) is ironically 0.1% lower than Gingerbread (2.0%).

T-Mobile stops selling BlackBerry Priv on its website

16MP selfies from France incoming - Oppo just tweeted that the Oppo F1 Plus is now available on Amazon.fr.

The asking price is €389 (including VAT) and shipping is free. Note that the phone is currently listed as out of stock, I'm guessing someone hasn't flipped the switch yet.

With the Oppo F1 Plus, you're in for a 5.5" AMOLED screen (1080p), MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage (with a microSD slot) and a 2,850mAh battery.



The camera on the back is a 13MP shooter. Yes, the selfie camera is better than the back camera, even the aperture is brighter - f/2.0 for selfies, f/2.2 for boring regular photos. Check out our review for selfie samples.

Samsung Galaxy Note7 may feature an iris scanner

The rumors about the next Galaxy Note are thriving these days and we suspect they will be multiplying with IFA growing near (traditionally held in early September). Some of the latest leaks revealed Samsung's idea to call the next phablet Galaxy Note7 in order to identify it with the S7 series.

The previous intel suggested the Galaxy Note7 will pack a 5.8" Super AMOLED screen with 1440p resolution, Snapdragon 823 chipset with 6GB of RAM, a 12MP main snapper, and 64GB or 128GB expandable storage. Naturally, the Note7 will match the S7 with an IP68 certification for water and dust protection.

Today, a leaked screenshot of a beta firmware made available over the Samsung Galaxy Beta Program revealed a new option in the Privacy settings - iris scanner. Apparently, Samsung will be supplying its next top model with an iris scanner, and the next flagship is none other than the Galaxy Note7 (or 6, whatever the company decides to call it).



To further fuel those rumors, another report showed a Zauba listing for 200 units of iris scanners imported into India from South Korea by Samsung. The company may have begun testing these onto different markets already in order to calibrate the software properly (don't forget the iris scanning tablet it launched for the Indian government). The iris scanner tech is considered with the tiniest error margin among all other available security features and the fastest.

The next Galaxy Note should go official around the IFA expo in early September. Until then you should prepare yourself for countless rumors on the next flagship crop.

Galaxy Tab E LTE with quad-core CPU and 8-inch display launched in Canada

The Samsung Galaxy Tab E LTE has been launched in Canada. The tablet is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz processor, and sports an 8-inch (1280 x 800 pixel resolution) display.

It comes with 1.5GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and packs in a 5,000mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 5MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Measuring 212.1 x 126.1 x 8.9mm and weighing in at 360g, the tablet runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box.

The Galaxy Tab E LTE carries a price tag of CAD 290 (around $228), and is available for purchase through Rogers, Bell, and Telus stores throughout the country.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 official photos leak prior to launch

Twitter leak aficionado @evleaks has tweeted what appear to be official images of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab S3. The upcoming slate passed TENAA certification last month and should be released soon.

Specifications have also been detailed, as both the 9.7" and 8" variants of the Galaxy Tab S3 leaked in February.

The Galaxy Tab S3 will launch with the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It will have 3GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 8MP/1080p main camera and 2MP/1080p selfie. 150Mbps LTE will be an option. The chipset is a Snapdragon 652, which has four Cortex-A72 and four A53 CPU cores.

Both the 8" and 9.7" variants share a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. The battery of the 8-incher is 4,000mAh and that of the larger one is unknown at this point.

Samsung reportedly working on two foldable smartphones; MWC 2017 unveiling tipped

We already knew that Samsung is working on a phone with foldable display (internally dubbed Project Valley) and will launch it sometime next year. Now, a new report from Bloomberg reveals that not one but two such devices are in the works at the South Korean company.

The report notes that one of the two devices "folds in half like a cosmetic compact," while the other sports a 5-inch screen in folded form, with the display size increasing to as large as 8-inch when the handset is unfolded.

The report also says that one or both devices could be unveiled at next year's Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona.

Samsung Galaxy S7 active is official with larger battery, exclusive to AT&T

Samsung and AT&T just unveiled the carrier-exclusive Galaxy S7 active. The rugged version of the Galaxy S7 keeps the flagship's internals, but under a robust shell, that's not afraid of the elements.

The Galaxy S7 active touts a Snapdragon 820 chipset, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. The 5.1" QHD display is shatter-resistant thanks to an added layer of polycarbonate and the added bulk in the phone's design is in parts thanks to the 4,000mAh battery inside.

The Galaxy S7 active also has a fingerprint scanner in the home button - a first for the tough sub-family of devices.

AT&T will launch the Galaxy S7 active sales on June 10 with monthly prices similar to the Galaxy S7 Edge's. If you choose the carrier's Next plan, the phone will cost you $26.50/month, while the Next Every Year plan will bump the price to $33.13/month. You can choose from three available colors: Sandy Gold, Camo Green and Titanium Gray. SIM-free prices are yet to be announced.

Samsung Galaxy On7 (2016) is in the works, import listing reveals

So far we've seen quite a few 2016 refreshes of Samsung smartphones, and it now looks like there's another one in the pipeline. The Korean company is working on the Galaxy On7 (2016), which will come to replace the original On7 from last year.

This has been revealed by Indian import tracking website Zauba, as you can see in the image below. Several different parts for the Samsung SM-G610F have been imported into the subcontinent, for testing and evaluation purposes. And since the On7 from 2015 has the model number SM-G600, this is clearly its successor.


Thankfully these listings also clear up some specs of the upcoming On7 refresh. It will come with dual-SIM functionality (with the second SIM slot shared with the microSD slot), a 13 MP rear camera, an 8 MP front-facing unit, and a 1080p Full HD touchscreen.

Its predecessor had to make do with 720p resolution, and a 5 MP selfie shooter, so these are welcome steps up. The original On7 also had a 13 MP main camera, so there doesn't seem to be an upgrade there. Hopefully there have been some improvements in other areas such as RAM amount or internal storage.

There will probably be no new hardware at WWDC 2016 iphone 7

If you were hoping to see the iPhone 7 at WWDC 2016 on June 13, chances are, you will get disappointed. In fact, industry insiders hint that the Worldwide Developers Conference will adhere to its original purpose and stick to software and software alone. This means, most-likely leaving the iPhone announcements on their usual September schedule, but also probably skipping on any new MacBook Pro with an OLED touch display above the keyboard, that has been floating around in the rumor mill.

However, this definitely doesn't mean that there are no new announcements to get excited about. IOS 10 should make its official debut at the venue and so should other big software updates across the entire Apple device ecosystem. The new mobile OS promises another round of UI refinements, with the Apple Music app, likely getting a major redesign for a bolder, yet more simplistic look, as the company puts it.

Another popular rumor hints at Apple Pay support for web browsers, so people can make purchases through Safari, as well as integration into iMessage for money transfers. This is actually a feature Google has had for some time now and its only natural Cupertino offers to convenience to its customers as well. Last, but definitely not least, there is talk of a new Siri SDK, which could finally allow third-party developers to integrate it in their apps.

But mobile won't be getting all the goodies this year. Moving on to computers and while we are on the topic of Siri, rumor has it that Apple's personal assistant will finally be making it to the big screen, just like its Microsoft counterpart Cortana. This novelty should come in OS X 10.12, said to debut on stage. And some of the aforementioned iOS changes might actually extend to OS X as well, like a redesign to iTunes and extended Apple Pay functionality. One of the bolder hunches suggest that the OS will actually be renamed to MacOS, which would make it fit better with the rest of Apple's software family - iOS, tvOS, watchOS.

So, be sure to tune in on June 13 for a live stream of the event. As always, we expect recent Apple devices will have easy access to the video and in all likelihood, Microsoft Edge will work for Windows users, as it has in the past.

Another batch of OnePlus 3 live images surfaces online

OnePlus is definitely no stranger to viral marketing and it is no wonder the upcoming OnePlus 3 has been stirring up so much excitement online. The Chinese manufacturer has steadily been feeding us one detail at a time, whether it is a press render, leaked specs and more recently, a short teaser video. But now that the unveiling is officially set for June 15 and the dreaded invite system allegedly ditched for good, fans really have a big event to look forward to and thus, understandably, are digging even deeper to get new info on the handset before launch.

The latest scoop comes in the form of a brand new set of live shots. These seem to show a grey variant of the OnePlus 3 and upon inspection, details do appear to match up with existing renders. This is actually the second time the OnePlus 3 is spotted in the wild. Back in may, a black unit surfaced as well, but, currently, we can only speculate on the authenticity of both sets of pictures and we leave it up to you to decide for yourselves.


As for the OnePlus 3's specs, the ones we know of so far include: 5.5-inch AMOLED 1080p screen, return of NFC support, Snapdragon 820 CPU paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, 64GB of on-board storage, a 3,000mAh battery, and a fingerprint scanner. And for the most impatient among you, we also know that 1000 units will be up for grabs on June 6 at a price of RMB 2,999 each (around $455). However, interestingly, this is not the final price. The actual cost of the handset will be revealed on the announcement day, and if it turns out to be less, you'll be paid the difference.

ZUK Z2 scores more than 6 million registrations for its first sale

As you might already know, the ZUK Z2 - which was made official in China earlier this week - is set to go on sale on June 7. The device is currently up for registration, and the company has now revealed that the total number of registrations has already crossed the 6 million mark.

While that's certainly impressive, do keep in mind that the number only represents those who have registered for the sale (not actually pre-ordered the handset), and needless to say, registrations do not necessarily translate to sold units.

To refresh, some of the key specs of the device include SD820 SoC, 5-inch full HD display, 4GB RAM, 64GB memory, 13MP/8MP camera combo, and 3,500mAh battery. Price tag is around $275.

LeEco Le Max 2 6GB RAM variant goes up for pre-order

As you might already know, the LeEco Le Max 2 - which was unveiled back in April this year - comes in 4GB as well as 6GB RAM variants. But, only the 4GB variant has been available for purchase all this while. That, however, will soon change as the company has started accepting pre-orders for the 6GB version.

Pre-orders can be placed on the Chinese company's official online store, with deliveries expected in next 2-3 weeks, meaning you should be able to get your hands on the device by this month's end.

It's worth mentioning that the device is expected to land in India next week (June 8 to be precise), although it is least likely that the 6GB variant will be available at launch.

Apple re-releases iOS 9.3.2 for 9.7-inch iPad Pro

Apple has re-released the iOS 9.3.2 update exclusively for the 9.7-inch iPad Pro users.

For those not aware, Apple released the update to all the supported devices two weeks ago but some of those with the new 9.7-inch iPad Pro had their devices bricked by the update, to the point where Apple had to replace their units. Apple since then pulled the update for the specific device and only now is releasing it again so those lucky enough to not update their devices can now update safely.

Apple also published a support document in case you get a specific error while updating your 9.7-inch iPad Pro to the new version.

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 recreated based on leaked blueprints

Leaked blueprints courtesy of @OnLeaks combined with the 3D skills of uSwitch have resulted in a 3D render of what the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 might look like.

The sketches show a dual-curved screen, similar to the Galaxy S7 edge. The S Pen sheath in the lower right makes this definitely a Note device, though. The screen is somewhere between 5.7" and 5.8" big.

A surprising swap has occurred at the bottom - a shiny new USB Type-C takes over from the tired microUSB 2.0. If this pans out, it will be a first for Samsung.



Other curious additions include the cluster of sensors above the Galaxy Note 6's screen. This could be the Iris tech that launched recently (an alternative to fingerprint sensors).

The Note 6 measures 153.5mm x 73.9mm x 7.9mm. That makes it narrower than the Note5, between it and the S7 edge in size. By the way, there's a rumor going around that Samsung will dub this "Note 7" so that it's in lockstep with the Galaxy S phones.

PS. Here's a teaser for an upcoming video from @OnLeaks and uSwitch - a virtual side-by-side comparison with between the Samsung Galaxy Note 6 and Note 5.

Lumigon T3 is the first phone with a night vision camera

Lumigon is a small Danish outfit that designs distinctive phones and its new model, the T3, marks a world's first for smartphones - it has a night vision camera.

Unlike the thermal camera on the CAT S60, the Lumigon T3 has a 4MP night vision camera backed by two IR LEDs. It allows you to take photos and videos in complete darkness (and the IR light the camera uses is invisible to the naked eye so you can be sneaky). An action key can quickly enable a function - say the camera or the flashlight.

The T3 is built from marine-grade 316 stainless steel and evolves the utilitarian design of the T2 HD. This one is slightly bigger, but still compact by modern standards with its 4.8" screen (a 720p Super AMOLED).


The phone uses Gorilla Glass 4 and fiberglass for extra durability. It's dust and water resistant (the rating isn't given, but the T2 HD was IP58 rated).


I've gone this far and still haven't mentioned the Lumigon T3 is an Android phone (6.0 Marshmallow). It's powered by an unnamed octa-core processor (2.2GHz) with 3GB of RAM and an expansive 128GB storage.

You can use the Vault app to keep your digital info secure, everything from passwords to whole apps. The app also handles encrypted communication. The phone has a fingerprint reader, of course.


Anyway, back to the specs. The T3 is equipped with a 13MP/4K camera for daytime shooting and a 5MP/1080p selfie camera with front flash. In the retail box you'll find a "designer Hi-Fi headset" to make good use of the 24-bit/192kHz audio support. The phone has stereo speakers to boot and an IR blaster to control electronics at home. And if that's not enough, the T3 is a dual-SIM phone.


If you've fallen for the Lumigon T3, let me pour some cold water on you. The T3 costs $925 (with VAT). The Black model is available now, White and Orange are coming later this month.

Lumigon is has a 24-karat gold edition of the T3 too, going after the Goldgenie, Amosu, etc. crowd, but with a rugged, night owl of a phone.

It's not that much more expensive at $1,200 for the Black Gold model. Black/Black (with gold accents) and White Gold are coming later this month. There's a White version with diamonds in the works too!

Huawei P9 gets a gold bath from Goldgenie

Goldgenie has started offering its customary precious metal plating service for the Huawei P9. The options include 24K Gold, Rose Gold and Platinum.

Price is set at £1500, phone included, but we gather there will be differences depending on which coating you actually choose. Half of the sum needs to be deposited for Goldgenie to start melting the metals.



The P9 is the latest in the line of Huawei flagships, and comes with a 5.2-inch FullHD display and in-house Kirin 955 chipset. Its headline feature is the dual camera on the back - a Leica-branded 2x12MP setup with one sensor capturing color images, the other just black and white.

That makes Goldgenie's offer the best option if you want Leica and gold in the same device without selling vital organs.

A 4.3" Xiaomi mini spotted in the wild, allegedly with S820 chipset

The fate of compact flagships hangs in the balance as Sony killed off the Xperia Z brand and the fabled Z Compact. Does Xiaomi hold the salvation for fans of petite but powerful phones?

A rumor attached to a photo details a 4.3" Xiaomi that will be powered by the Snapdragon 820 chipset. The screen will have 720p resolution, which shouldn't be a problem (wasn't for the Compacts).

The unnamed Xiaomi mini is expected to have a 13MP main camera on the back and a fingerprint sensor on the front. Additional specs include 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage.

The price is rumored to be CNY 1,800 ($275/€245, probably more after import costs). No word on launch date, though. If the rumor proves right, then Xiaomi phones will have a massive range - from this 4.3" mini to the 6.44" Mi Max.

LG's rumored G Pad X 8.0 tablet is now official, available for purchase from T-Mobile

Back in April this year, the usually reliable leakster @evleaks leaked an LG tablet - dubbed G Pad X 8.0 - saying that it'll be landing on T-Mobile around mid-May. Well, although a bit late, the device has indeed been launched by the magenta carrier.

Specs-wise, the G Pad X 8.0 is powered by an octa-core 1.5GHz processor (Snapdragon SoC), and sports an 8-inch 1920 x 1200 pixels display. It comes with 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable internal memory, and runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. Both front and rear cameras are 5MP.

T-Mobile has the tablet listed for $240, although you can also purchase it by agreeing to pay $10 per month for the next 24 months. Head over to the Source link below for more information.

Verizon Galaxy Note 4 starts getting Marshmallow update

Shortly after rolling out the Marshmallow update to the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7, Verizon has now started pushing out the update to Galaxy Note 4 units on its network. It bumps the software version to N910VVRU2CPD1.

The update brings Android 6.0.1, meaning all the usual Marshmallow goodies are included. In addition, it also beings along other features/improvements such as Wi-Fi calling, update to app icons, Ultra High Quality Audio and Android for Work. Head to the Source link below for more information on the update.

As is usually the case with OTA roll-outs, it might take some time for the update to hit your device. Meanwhile, if you feel impatient, you can manually check for the update by heading to your handset's Settings menu.

LG G5 launched in India, priced at $785

LG has launched its flagship smartphone, the G5, in India. The phone is priced at INR 52,990, which is about $785.

The G5 has a modular design that allows you to swap out the base with other attachments, such as the LG CAM Plus camera grip or the LG Hi-Fi Plus module by B&O, the latter of which is not available in India. The battery in each of these modules is removable and user replaceable.

Other than that the G5 also has a 5.3-inch, 1440p display, Snapdragon 820, 4GB RAM, 32GB expandable storage, dual rear camera with 16 megapixel main camera and 8 megapixel wide angle camera, 8 megapixel front camera, Type-C connector, fingerprint sensor, and 2800mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0.

LG will also be selling the LG CAM Plus, LG 460 Cam, and LG 360 VR in India, but no prices have been announced.

The G5 is available offline and online through Flipkart. Flipkart is also offering free battery and charging cradle with the phone, along with exchange offer and zero interest EMI.

Samsung to hold a NYC event tomorrow, Gear Fit 2 likely become official

Samsung sent out invites for its press event tomorrow in New York. Looking at the invite below, we can safely assume part of the conference will be dedicated to the Gear Fit 2 and Gear IconX Bluetooth earbuds.

We're a bit puzzled by the "Create with Galaxy" part. Since it's a bit early for the Galaxy Note 6 to launch, we're inclined to think Samsung will unveil a tablet.

The Samsung Gear Fit 2 is said to come with a 1.55-inch Super AMOLED display, with a resolution of 216 x 432 pixels - quite detailed for the size. Under the hood is a Samsung 1GHz dual-core processor, backed up by 512MB of RAM and 2GB of onboard storage, all powered by a 200 mAh battery.

Expect more information on what Samsung is cooking up for tomorrow as the event unfolds.

US pre-orders of Sony Xperia X are live. Free 128GB microSD card with pre-order

The Sony Xperia X lineup is getting more attention. Especially with the US launch weeks away. Sony details in a press release that only pre-orders for the Xperia X are live today with Best Buy, Amazon, B&H, and Reagan Wireless. You can begin to pre-order the other 3 Xperia devices starting on June 17.

Customers who pre-order either the Xperia X ($550) or Xperia X Performance ($700) will receive a free 128GB micro SD card. Customers who pre-order the Xperia XA Ultra ($370) will also get a free 64GB SD card and those who’d like to preorder the Xperia XA ($280) will get a free microSD card. The press release doesn’t specify the amount of storage of the microSD card, but remember, pre-orders for the other devices aren’t live until June 17.



Customers who pre-order any of these devices will also receive three free Sony Pictures movie downloads. And finally, customers who pre-order either the Xperia X Performance or Xperia X will also get Sony-branded (UCH10) Quick Charge 2.0 wall adapter, which should have be included with the phone to begin with.

If you haven’t already, check out our in-depth review of the Sony Xperia X and our newest hands-on with the Sony Xperia X Performance.

vivo X7 leaks in images, said to replace Xshot

The vivo Xshot was announced way back in 2014. While there have been a few rumors/reports about a successor to the device, those were mostly in 2015. Now, a new report out of China seems to have some fresh information on the matter.

The report claims that there won't be a direct successor, and the Xshot will be replaced by a new device dubbed vivo X7. Not only this, it also contains a leaked image of the latter.

Sadly, there's no information on the specs, although the report does say that the X7 will be made official by vivo by the end of this month. So, if that's the case, expect more leaks and rumors about the device in the coming weeks.

Rumor says three new Oppo devices (including a flagship) coming in June

According to a new rumor out of China, Oppo will announce a total of three new phones this month, including a flagship. Promo images of these handsets have also been leaked, but they don't reveal much as devices are blurred.

The rumor also reveals the unveiling dates - two devices will be made official on June 2 (tomorrow), while one will be announced on June 6.

One of the Oppo devices that's already said to be launching in June is the Find 9. Its rumored spec-sheet reads Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4K-capable display, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. It is also rumored to feature the new and improved Super VOOC fast charging as well as a camera with SmartSensor image stabilization.

LG Stylus 2 Plus launched, global availability details revealed

The LG Stylus 2 Plus - which was spotted listed on TENAA and locally unveiled by the company in Taiwan last month - has now been officially launched. Specs-wise, the device is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core processor, and sports a 5.7-inch full HD display.

It comes in 2GB/3GB RAM and 16GB/32GB internal memory options as well as 13MP/5MP or 16MP/8MP camera configuration. The exact memory and camera configuration will vary depending on the region where the device is being sold.

Moving on, the Stylus 2 Plus comes with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box, and packs in a 3,000mAh removable battery. Measuring 155 x 79.6 x 7.4mm and weighing in at 145g, the device also features a fingerprint sensor. Color options include Titan, Gold, and Brown

"The Stylus 2 Plus carries over the nano-coated stylus which provides the tactile feedback of a quality fountain pen when writing on the screen," the South Korean company says.

LG has revealed availability details of the device as well, saying that it will be available for purchase in Taiwan starting today, and will land in key markets in Asia, South America, Europe and North America in the weeks to come. The phone carries a price tag of around $340 in Taiwan.