Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ to launch in India on March 6

Samsung will be launching the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones in India on March 6 at an event in New Delhi. The company has started sending out invitations to the media for the same.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are already up for pre-ordering on Samsung's website. Both devices are available in a choice of 64GB or 256GB in either Lilac Purple, Midnight Black or Coral Blue. Samsung is currently accepting INR 2000 as booking amount and the rest will have to be paid when the devices launch next week.

Earlier today, we saw the Indian prices of both the models and its variants leak. If true, they significantly undercut the current MRP for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, not to mention the iPhone X, which is nowhere close. We will be attending the launch event next week to bring the official pricing and availability information as it is revealed.

OnePlus 6 leaks, iPhone X like notch design

The OnePlus 5 (unveiled June last year) brought a dual camera, the OnePlus 5T (November) moved to an 18:9 screen. So, what will the OnePlus 6 be like? If these photos are to be believed, it will be part iPhone X, part Galaxy S9+.

The front shows a notch in the screen, big enough to hold the earpiece and selfie camera. Note the Android version (8.1) and OxygenOS version (5.1), they are ahead of what’s currently available for the 5T.

The back is a different story – a vertically-oriented dual camera with rectangular fingerprint reader below it. When OnePlus moved the fingerprint reader to the back, it switched from a rectangular Home key to a round sensor.

The 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage are pretty standard, have been since the OnePlus 3, so no surprises there.

As noted above, it has been well less than a year since the OnePlus 5 was unveiled. Officially, the OnePlus 6 will be unveiled in June. So we shouldn’t put too much stock in early rumors - for all we know, this might be a prototype that never makes it to production, assuming it’s a legitimate device in the first place.

Asus Zenfone 5 and 5z have smaller notches than the iPhone X

After introducing the entry-level Zenfone 5 Lite, Asus got to the main event of its MWC press conference. That is, of course, the Zenfone 5. But wait, there's a higher-end Zenfone 5z too. These models are almost identical, save for the chipset used, and the amount of RAM and storage you can get them with. They feature a metal frame and 2.5D curved glass on the front as well as the back.

They are both filled to the brims with AI: AI Boost (for more power when gaming), AI Photography (with scene detection, photo learning, portrait mode and beautification), AI Display (stays on while you're looking at it and has automatic color temperature adjustment), and even AI Ringtone (which automatically adjusts the volume according to how noisy your surroundings are). Oh, and Asus is also introducing something called ZeniMoji - live-animated avatars which you can even use in video calls or live streams.

The Zenfone 5 comes with a 6.2-inch 2,246x1,080 Super IPS touchscreen with DCI-P3 support, 19:9 aspect ratio, 500-nit brightness, and a notch that Asus boasts is "26% smaller than the Fruit Phone X" (seriously, those words were actually uttered on stage). Coincidentally, we happened to have one of those Fruit Phones with us at Asus' event, so here's what a Zenfone 5 looks like next to it.

Asus Zenfone 5 (left) vs. Apple iPhone X (right)

Impressively, it has a 90% screen-to-body ratio thanks to that notch and the slim bezels all around.

The phone is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 636 chipset, built on a 14nm process. You'll get either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

On the back there's a 12 MP main camera with Sony's IMX363 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, OIS, dual pixel phase detection autofocus, 1.4um pixel size, and 83-degree field-of-view. Alongside that you get a 120-degree wide-angle camera of unknown resolution. Selfies are taken care of by a single 8 MP unit with f/2.0 aperture and 84-degree field-of-view.

The Zenfone 5 features a 3,300 mAh battery with AI charging that should double its lifespan. You also get dual-SIM functionality, and dual speakers with dual amps. Hi-Res earphones come in the box, and the phone has an FM radio too. Software-wise, you're looking at Android Oreo with ZenUI 5.0 on top. Expect to see the Zenfone 5 in Midnight Blue and Meteor Silver.

The Zenfone 5z, on the other hand, is basically the Zenfone 5 but with a Snapdragon 845 at the helm, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Your exact RAM/storage options are: 6/64, 8/128, or 8/256. This device will be priced from €479. Official pricing for the Zenfone 5 hasn't been announced yet.

Motorola launches Limited Edition Z2 Force bundle in India with TurboPower Mod

Motorola has launched the Moto Z2 Force in India. The phone is priced at INR 34,999 ($547) and will include a Moto TurboPower Mod. The phone will be available online through Flipkart and offline through Moto Hubs across India, starting February 15, 23:59 IST.

The Moto Z2 Force is currently the flagship device in Motorola's range. As the name suggests, it is part of Motorola's rugged series of devices that include the ShatterShield display that has a plastic layer over the display that is resistant to cracking under stress. The body is made out of rugged 7000 series aluminum. The phone is splash-resistant.

Apart from that the Z2 Force has a 5-5inch, 2560x1440 POLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB RAM, 64GB expandable memory, dual 12MP camera with color and monochrome sensors, 5MP front camera with flash, Android 8.0 Oreo and 2730mAh battery.

Because the battery isn't particularly big, the phone comes with a Moto TurboPower Mod in India, which adds another 3500mAh on top. The Mod just snaps on to the back of the phone and supports two-way fast charging of both the phone and the Mod itself.

Motorola is calling this a limited edition bundle although won't disclose exactly how many units will be sold. Those interested should probably get in on the action soon before they sell out. For the price, the phone does represent very good value, especially considering the specifications and the inclusion of the battery Mod.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro specs leak

Xiaomi is announcing the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro in India tomorrow, but full specs of the phones have already leaked. They come to confirm that the Redmi Note 5 is just a rebranded Redmi 5 Plus with a 6” screen and a Snapdragon 625 chipset, as we reported on two separate occasions.

The big surprise is the Redmi Note 5 Pro, arriving with Snapdragon 636, dual-cam on the back, arranged in the upper left corner like the iPhone X, and a 20 MP selfie snapper on the front.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro’s processor comes with octa-core CPU, clocked at up to 1.8 GHz, and an Adreno 509 GPU. On the front, it has the same display panel as the Redmi Note 5 - a 5.99” screen with Full HD+ resolution under a 2.5D glass and software buttons.

The dual-cam setup on the back is 12 MP + 5 MP. The first sensor is already well-known from the Redmi 5 series with its f/2.2 lens and 1.25 μm pixel size. The second one will deliver “focused foreground and creamy blurred backgrounds” with the f/2.0 lens and 1.12 μm pixel size. Xiaomi provided the 20 MP front camera with a Sony IMX376 sensor a coupled it with an LED light.

The fingerprint scanner is positioned on the back, while the power button and volume rocker sit on the right side. There is a 4,000 mAh battery, but sadly it will be charged through the aging micro USB on the bottom.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro arrives with MIUI 9, based on Android Nougat and will be available in Blue, Rose Gold, Champagne Gold and Black colors. There will be three memory and price combinations - 3 GB + 32 GB, 4 GB + 64 GB and 6 GB + 64 GB.

The Redmi Note 5 is exactly the same as the Redmi 5 Plus, down to its size of 158.5 x 75.5 x 8.1 mm and weight of 180 g. It will be available in four colors - Champagne Gold, Rose Gold, Blue, and Black. The memory combo will be either 3 GB + 32 GB or 4 GB + 64 GB.

The pricing sheet of the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Redmi Note 5 is the last unknown that will be revealed at the Indian event in less than 24 hours.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro to have Snapdragon 636, comes on February 14

Xiaomi is making a phone announcement in India on February 14 that is expected to be the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5.

But some sources point to a second phone announcement, parallel to the Redmi Note 5's - the Redmi Note 5 Pro. It's expected the Pro model will add more horsepower with a Snapdragon 636 over the expected 626 of the Redmi Note 5.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro to have Snapdragon 636, comes on February 14

However, yet another speculation claims that instead of unveiling new models, Xiaomi will launch the Redmi 5 and Redmi 5 Plus for India (officially, they are only available in China at the moment).

If the first rumor comes to fruition and the Indian market gets a new Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro then expect 5.7-inch or 5.9-inch 18:9 2160x1080px displays, 3GB/4GB/6GB of RAM, MIUI 9.5 built around Android Nougat and Hybrid SIM slots (either 1 SIM + microSD or 2 SIMs).

Mi Mix 2s detailed specs leak, may even be launched before MWC 2018

Ever since a render of the Mi Mix 2s surfaced we were in awe of the new design. The completely bezel-less display along with a mini notch on the top right corner was a dream design. Fast forward to today, we’re looking at probably the first detailed spec sheet leak of the device. 

According to the source, the Mi Mix 2S has an awesome ceramic curved design from all four sides. He refers to the new bezel-less display as Full Screen Display 3.0. The tipster has shared an image as well which resembles a picture previously reported by us. Not only will the Mi Mix 2s possess a Snapdragon 845 chip, it will be assisted by 8 GB RAM.

Moreover, the handset allegedly will be a first in-display fingerprint scanner phone from Xiaomi. A dual camera design with optical zoom is also tipped to feature for the first time.
Recently, the Mi Mix 2s appeared as Polaris on AnTuTu with a huge score of 270,000+. With that, it beat the Mi 6 by more than 35%. The leaks of the Mi Mix 2s have now reached a level at which it seems inevitable. Astonishingly, the handset has still not been spotted anywhere in the flesh.

According to the latest info, the Mi Mix 2s may even be released before MWC 2018. As of now, Xiaomi remains tight-lipped over its plans at the show. Let’s hope it brings us a great surprise.

WhatsApp instant payments now in final beta stage in India

WhatsApp is arguably the most popular instant messenger in India, if not across the globe. It has a massive userbase perfectly suitable for becoming a mobile wallet. And up till now, it has held back on the instant payments feature which would be a perfect fit for it. However, the developers have since last year been working on an instant payment feature for the app. And now it looks like it’s here. 

Some users in India enrolled under the beta program reported getting the feature on Android and iOS. Reports say that both iOS and Android implementations of the feature is not the same. Android users with version number 2.18.41 have been seeing the new feature as a server-side switch. While iOS users who have witnessed the function were on version 2.18.21. 

From what is being reported, we can say that the feature will be pretty hassle free. Also since WhatsApp will be employing UPI, money transfers will be executed within seconds. The payments button will be visible alongside other buttons gallery, video, and documents in the attachments menu inside a chat.
 

Of course, initial payment will require users to choose the banks and thereafter create a UPI ID to use the service. This is probably a beta testing phase which will end quickly. We’re hoping to see the feature live before the end of February. With WhatsApp jumping on the mobile wallet train, the going will be tough for other apps like PhonePe, Paytm etc. We’ll have to see how people react to this new feature once it arrives. Also, after India, the feature should make its way to other countries theoretically.

Google Maps GO beta now available in US even for non-Android GO smartphones

Two months ago, Google unveiled the light version of the very popular Google Maps for all Android GO smartphones. The app entitled as Google Maps GO was released in some countries, but not in the US. Also, the app wasn’t compatible with the biggest part of Android smartphones.

Today the Alphabet owned giant decided that it’s about time to expand the availability of this less-resource-consuming app, and it’s dropping it in the United States territory. More importantly, the app is now compatible with a number of “no-GO” Android smartphone. 

Just like the majority of Google Apps, the Google Maps GO is being distributed through the Play Store. Apparently, Google also expanded the App availability to some other countries, which suggest Google final decision of making the app available worldwide once it leaves the beta program.

If you’re curious to check if your smartphone is now supporting this lightweight version of Google Maps, keep in mind that you’ll need to enroll in the beta program. After subscribed, you can download and install the application with no issues as long as your smartphone support the app.

LG V30s is ready to launch at MWC 2018 with AI capabilities

 It seems that LG is going to “play it safe” this year, as the Korean company decided to delay the official launch of its LG G7 flagship. Instead, they will probably improve one of their most successful smartphones that made an impressive launch last year. Yes, we’re talking about the LG V30s, the improved variant of their 2017 flagship that really impressed most of of us with its price, specs and performance. 

Recent rumors say that LG will go for the improved version of the V30 this year at Mobile World Congress, packing 256GB of storage in the device, along with LG Lens, a feature that will bring AI features to its imaging capabilities. Rumor has it that this LG Lens technology will be able to translate text and show online product listing while snapping an image of a product.

It will also offer bar-code recognition and QR code support but this isn’t something ground breaking of course. No need to worry about the rest of its technical specs, as the V30s is expected to keep all the hardware of its predecessor. This means that it will be equipped with a 6-inch FullVision OLED display with QHD+ resolution, Snapdragon 835 chipset, 16-megapixel dual rear cameras, 5-megapixel selfie camera, 3,300mAh battery.

All the recent info suggests that the upgraded LG V30s model will be announced during MWC 2018 and it will hit the stores on March 9 – starting from South Korea with a price tag of approximately 1 million won (~$919).

Motorola sends out media invites for Moto Z2 Force launch event in India on February 15

Earlier in July 2017, Lenovo owned Motorola announced the limited edition Moto Z2 force in the US, and nearly eight months after its initial launch, the company looks set to bringing the device to the Indian market. The company has today issued out media invites for an event on Feb 15 in India.

The event which will be held at a live event on YouTube at 12:00 a.m  on Feb 15 will see the launch of the Moto Z2 force as well as the Moto TurboPower – a battery Mod not only for the Z2 force but for the Z series of Moto phones. The invite didn’t mention if the Moto TurboPower will come bundled with the Moto Z2 force or if it will attract the Rs. 5999 asking price. 

While the invite only mentioned the TurboPower mod and the Z2 force, Motorola could likewise use the event to launch other products to the India market.

To recall, the device was launched in the US at a price tag of  $799  and that amounts to Rs. 51,460. While we expect the company to reveal price details of the Moo Z2 force in India, chances are the smartphone may cost less than. 51,460.

To refresh your memory, the Moto Z2 Force features a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED shatterproof display with a Qualcomm  Snapdragon 835 coupled with 4/6GB of RAM and 64/128GB of expandable internal memory under its hood. In the camera department, Moto Z2 Force comes with a rear dual camera setup with a 12MP main camera supported by another 5MP secondary shooter. The lights of this smartphone are kept on by a non-removable 2730 mAh battery

Sharp Aquos S3 Live Pictures shows iPhone-X-like design

The history of strangely-inspired devices isn’t something new in the Sharp smartphones history. The company’s most recent Sharp Aquos S2 brought a top-notch that was equal to the Andy’s Rubin Essential Phone, and that uplifted some controversies on the industry. Apparently, the Foxconn owned company haven’t met its quota of look-alikes.

According to what we can see on those leaked pictures from the alleged Sharp Aquos S3, the company will now bring a smartphone that looks a lot with Apple’s recent iPhone X. The leaked shots show a handset that is nearly FullScreen and brings a top-notch which carries the camera and all the sensors inside, just like Apple’s solution.

In counterpart to the tenth-edition version of the iPhone, the Sharp Aquos S3 brings a more rectangular design, also the fingerprint sensor capability is safe. Sharp choose the safe route of putting a standard rear fingerprint. Still talking about the phone’s rear, it brings a glass build with a pair of cameras, that like the iPhone X are vertically aligned.

According to reports, the Sharp Aquos S3 would come in January 16th, but unless the launch happened in some secret society, the S3 still haven’t seen the light of day. Whenever Sharp decides to unveil its new handset is reportedly bringing the Snapdragon 660, 5.99-inch FHD+ Display, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of Storage. Keeping the lights on, a 3,300mAh battery is expected.

When Sharp released the S2, Andy Rubin shared his disappointment with Foxconn CEO. Let’s see if the same will happen with Apple, judging by the fact that both companies have a long relationship.

Sony, Xiaomi and 16 more OEMs to deliver 5G smartphones in 2019

Qualcomm has hit the gas pedal on the 5G connectivity with its latest announcements. The company will provide Snapdragon X50 modems that support the new standard to 18 OEMs, including smartphone manufacturers Asus, Fujitsu, HMD Global, HTC, LG, Oppo, Sharp, Sony, vivo, Xiaomi, and ZTE.

The manufacturers are planning to commercialize 5G mobile devices by 2019. While Samsung struck a separate extended partnership last week, the one big company that is missing from the list is Apple.
Xiaomi, Sony and 16 more to announce 5G smartphones in 2019

In a separate press release, the San Diego company also said that carriers such as AT&T, China Mobile, Orange, SK Telecom, Verizon, and Vodafone would conduct trials for the 5G NR standard to optimize their networks.

To demonstrate its progress on the matter, Qualcomm will have a planned demonstration at MWC 2018 where the Snapdragon X50 5G modem will achieve download speeds of “several gigabits per second”.

Live trials of the 5G NR standard with leading operators should begin late 2018 so manufacturers could announce their ultra-fast smartphones and headsets next year. According to Qualcomm, 5G could bring enhanced mobile broadband to Always Connected PCs, VR and AR headsets.

Nokia 7 plus will be the first Nokia with 18:9 screen

The Nokia 7 plus will be the first Nokia phone to have the new-standard 18:9 screen and that screen will stretch 6-inches across. The screen will sit underneath Gorilla Glass while the back of the Nokia 7 Plus will be made of aluminum and house a dual camera with Zeiss branding.

The camera will offer 2x zoom thanks to a "wide" 12MP and "tele" 13MP snappers. The cameras will be bolstered by Nokia's Pro mode for fine shooting parameters control and will be able to capture "Bothies" with the aid of the front-facing snapper (said to be a 16MP one).

The Nokia 7 plus will also feature a dual-tone design thanks to a few gilded bits and pieces like the fingerprint scanner ring, the dual-camera casing and the Nokia logo on the back. The aluminum is said to have a Ceramic texture and feel, meaning it should be less slippery than plain aluminum.

To complete the list of expected specs the Nokia 7 plus will be powered by a Snapdragon 660, as previously known, mated to 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage and a microSD slot. USB-C port with Quick Charging and Android Oreo out of the box are the other highlights.

Xiaomi going to announce Redmi 5 in India on February 14

Xiaomi is expected to announce the new Redmi 5 and the Redmi 5 Plus in India on Wednesday, February 14. We received a media invite for the event and the company also posted teasers on social media.

The Redmi 5 is the successor to the popular Redmi 4. It switches to the now popular 18:9 aspect ratio display along with few other improvements such as a slightly faster processor and improved cameras. There is also a Redmi 5 Plus model that has a larger, higher resolution display with a larger battery.

It is being said that the two phones will be rebranded as Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Plus for India, but as of yet we have no confirmation on that. As is usual for Xiaomi, we expect the phones to be priced aggressively. You can find our review of the Redmi 5 here and the Redmi 5 Plus here.

New Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Leaks

Some alleged renders of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 have leaked.

The renders show a device with very thin top and bottom bezels, akin to the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S9. There is also a vertically-placed dual-camera setup above a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. We’ve seen mockups of this device from before, and these renders look similar but much more like a final product. There is always a possibility that leaked renders are not the real thing or may not be accurate to the final product, so think of them as very detailed mockups for now.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is expected to feature an aluminum body and a 5.99-inch 18:9 IPS LCD display with FHD+ (1080 x 2160 px) resolution. Under the hood is a Snapdragon 636 CPU, an upgrade from the Snapdragon 625 that powered the Redmi Note 4, and 3 or 4GB of RAM. The dual camera setup is slated to be comprised of a 16MP sensor + a 5MP depth sensor.

There’s also a large 4,100 mAh battery and 64GB of internal storage with support for Quick Charge 4.0. The phone will carry a cost of CNY 1499 (around $237) and will supposedly arrive in three colors: gray black and blue.

We might be seeing these phones make a splash at the MWC later this month. It is possible that Xiaomi announce these at MWC since there isn't going to be a major Mi 7 announcement.