smartphones

• Android
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• HTC One A9
• HTC
• smartphones

HTC’s new One A9 now officially available to buy in stores and online

Cam Bunton Nov 6 2015 - 7:35 am PT

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HTC has announced that its latest device, the One A9, is now officially available to buy in stores and online. The phone comes in Opal Silver, Carbon Gray, Deep Garnet and Topaz Gold and can be purchased direct from HTC, AT&T or Sprint, and is also available as an unlocked international version on Amazon.

The smartphone has caused a little controversy since being announced just a few weeks ago. Many think it looks too much like an iPhone and HTC did itself no favors with the 1984-inspired advertisement. Still, the phone sounds promising enough, even if it is more expensive than we’d like.

The $400 (for a limited time) handset has a full HD 5-inch AMOLED display which HTC claims is bright, even in sunlight. It’s equipped with a fast fingerprint scanner, and is coated in 2.5D edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass. Inside, there’s an octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor with 3GB and 32GB internal storage. Because it runs Marshmallow 6.0, you can use the expandable storage for more than just storing media. You can extend storage up to 2TB via MicroSD and us it to store app data too. Other key specs include a 13MP camera with sapphire cover lens, 1080p video and autofocus on the back and a front facing UltraPixel camera.

If you’re dead set on getting HTC’s latest phone, you have a few purchasing options. You can buy it from AT&T for $99 on a two-year plan, or $17.34 on the Next 30 plan. On Sprint, the phone is $0 up front and $20 per month on a two-year lease. On Amazon, there are several unlocked international models available. The 16GB phones cost $488.90, while the 32GB ones are $529. HTC’s site still lists the phone as available on pre-order for $399, but that price will be upped to $499 shortly.

• Android
• Android 6.0 Marshmallow
• BlackBerry PRIV
• update
• smartphones

BlackBerry PRIV to get Marshmallow update in the new year

Cam Bunton Nov 6 2015 - 3:11 am PT

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BlackBerry‘s long-awaited entry in to the Android market is finally here, albeit with an already-outdated version of Google’s operating system. BlackBerry PRIV goes on sale today and runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box. Having already committed to Google’s monthly security fixes, BlackBerry has also confirmed that Marshmallow will be pushed to the new devices in 2016.

Speaking to Android Central, BlackBerry’s Global Director of Device Portfolio Planning, Gareth Hurn said that plans were to push Android 6.0 Marshmallow to the PRIV “sometime in the new year“. While those quoted words don’t give us a specific time-frame to aim for, AC’s Richard Devine was left with the impression that it would be sooner rather than later. More importantly, he was left with the clear thought that BlackBerry is serious about this foray in to the world of Android phones.

With the phone finally available for sale, it’ll be really interesting to see how the general consumer market accepts it. Will previous BlackBerry-loyalists jump onboard again now that the hardware is matched by relevant software? Or will it be the same physical QWERTY-addicted current users who use it as an excuse to jump to Android?

In the US, you can order the BlackBerry PRIV from ShopBlackBerry.com or from AT&T. In the UK, you can order on contract from Carphone Warehouse, or order direct from BlackBerry.

• Android
• smartphones
• Asus
• zenfone 2
• ZenFone 2 Laser

ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser: $199 gets you 3GB RAM, octa-core chip, 13MP laser autofocus, more

Cam Bunton Nov 3 2015 - 8:34 am PT

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ASUS’ assault on the mid-range market looks set to continue as the company recently announced the ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser for the US market. It’s a slightly cheaper and less powerful version of the ZenFone 2, albeit one with a renewed focus on camera quality. The manufacturer confirmed the phone’s arrival in an official press release, and promises excellent performance from an affordable smartphone.

Looking at the spec sheet, there’s a lot to admire about the camera-focussed ZenFone. On the front, there’s a 5.5-inch 1080p display protected by Gorilla Glass 4. Inside, it’s powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor paired with Adreno 405 graphics and 3GB RAM. On the back, the wide-angle 13MP camera boasts an f/2.0 aperture and laser-guided autofocus to make focussing really quick.

You’ll be able to buy the phone in either 16GB or 32GB storage variants, both will be expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD and are equipped with a 3,000mAh capacity battery to offer all-day use, and then some. It also has dual SIM support for added flexibility. It’s compatible with all US GSM LTE networks, including AT&T, T-Mobile and their respective prepaid brands and MVNOs. Other notable specs include full HD video recording, a 5MP front facing camera and a front facing flash.

ZenFone 2 Laser runs Android 5.0 with ASUS’ ZenUI 2.0 custom launcher on top and will be available to order from Newegg or ASUS.com at some point this month. $199 gets you the 16GB, while $249 gets you 32GB.

• Android
• Wear OS
• Nexus 6P
• Huawei Watch
• smartphones

Nexus 6P buyers get $50 discount on Huawei Watch

Cam Bunton Nov 3 2015 - 2:18 am PT

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Huawei has taken a leaf from Apple’s book with its latest promotion, offering discount on its wearable product when customers order a smartphone. Buyers who order the Nexus 6P direct from Huawei can get $50 off the Huawei Watch when they buy both devices at the same time. That means you’ll be able to get one of this year’s best Android Wear smartwatches for as little as $299.

This deal, of course, is more than likely being launched to counter Apple’s very similar promotion in which customers purchasing an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time receive $50 discount in select stores. Overall though, there’s still a huge price difference between buying the new Nexus and buying the new iPhone. Nexus 6P models start at $499, where the iPhone 6s begins at $649. Huawei Watch begins at the same price as the Apple Watch Sport, and is $200+ cheaper than the stainless Apple Watch models.

If you want to take advantage of the deal, head on over to GetHuawei.com and add the Nexus 6P and Huawei Watch to your basket. The $50 discount will be applied automatically. All in, the cheapest combination will set you back about $800, that’s only $50 more than the price of the cheapest 16GB iPhone 6s Plus on its own. That’s really not bad when you’re getting two of the best Android/Android Wear products available right now.

• Android
• OnePlus
• OnePlus 2
• smartphones
• warranty

OnePlus introduces new ‘On-Guard’ extended warranty program

Cam Bunton Nov 2 2015 - 3:50 am PT

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In a blog post this morning, OnePlus announced what many concerned customers have been waiting to hear for some time: The company is making a renewed effort to provide better customer service and offering a new extended warranty. Customers will be able to purchase the new On-Guard extended warranty when they buy a OnePlus 2 and gain added coverage against accidental damage or liquid damage.

Initially, the On-Guard cover will be available in Europe and India only, but the company is working with a partner in the US and Canada and will announce a similar extended warranty program in North America soon. In Europe, customers can buy either 12 months or 24 months cover for €39.99 ($44 USD approx) or €64.99 ($72 USD approx) respectively.

We are proud to introduce a new warranty program in collaboration with multiple insurance leaders worldwide for the OnePlus 2: On-Guard by simplesurance for Europe and B2X OnePlus Service2 and Protect2 for India. We believe these ventures will help to create a more positive user experience for our fans. We’re not offering this to make money – in fact, it’s quite the opposite. This is an investment we are making to focus on improving our customer support until it is closer to perfect. These services will be available on November 2 , 2015, in the European Union and in other markets in the near future. Read on for more information.

On-Guard covers breakage, accidental damage, damage due to dropping, liquid damage and vandalism among other causes of damage. To buy, customers can either select it at checkout when buying a OnePlus smartphone or contact SimpleSurance (the cover provider) within 15 days of purchasing the phone. Sadly, if you already have a OnePlus One or OnePlus 2, you can’t buy it. Only new customers from today will be able to take advantage of OnePlus’ new extended warranty.

• Android
• Samsung
• smartphones
• Samsung Galaxy
• rumors

Upcoming Galaxy Alpha benchmark results leak, suggest full HD screen and octa-core Exynos chip in mid-range package

Cam Bunton Nov 2 2015 - 2:06 am PT

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Value for money in the smartphone industry has never been as good as it is now. As OnePlus revealed last week, it’s possible to bring specifications which we’d have considered top-tier just 12-18 months ago and sell them in a device half the price of today’s flagship phones. Samsung, it seems, is keen to follow suit with the follow up to its Galaxy A5. A benchmark result over at GFXBench suggests that we’ll see a phone — model number SM-A510F — launched by the Korean tech giant with a full HD screen…

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• Android
• Samsung
• smartphones
• Qualcomm
• snapdragon 820

Qualcomm: Rumors of Snapdragon 820 overheating are not true

Cam Bunton Oct 29 2015 - 4:00 am PT

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A couple of days back, rumors emerged claiming that Samsung was working hard to deal with heating problems found while testing the Snapdragon 820 processor in its upcoming Galaxy S7. Although it’s similar to the rumors surrounding the SD810 last year, it was still surprising. Qualcomm stated earlier in the year that its next processor has enhanced performance and efficiency. A stance which the manufacturer was keen to repeat on Weibo having seen those Samsung rumors:

Some recent media reports about Xiaolong 820 rumors performance is not real news.Xiaolong 820 processor all IP modules are to achieve improvement and enhancement, and the use of second-generation 14-nanometer manufacturing process. Xiaolong 820 reached all our design specifications. More importantly, the Xiaolong 820 OEM manufacturers to meet the requirements of its terminal cooling and performance specifications

Qualcomm is no stranger to controversy surrounding the performance of its mobile processors. Last year, the Snapdragon 810 was dropped from the Galaxy S6 before launch, allegedly due to overheating problems. (Qualcomm denied those reports too.) Even devices that shipped with the chip had to under-clock them to deal with the problem, forcing Qualcomm to ship a revised edition. This was a major factor in Qualcomm’s disastrous year. A lack of confidence in new Snapdragon processors, and the rise of competitive lower-priced chips forced the company to make drastic cuts.

The Snapdragon 820, like its predecessor, is facing controversy even before it’s launched, and that’s not good news for Qualcomm. Even if the rumors aren’t true, it won’t do much to inspire confidence in the brand and could lead to a rise in orders from companies like MediaTek and Intel.

• Android
• Motorola
• smartphones
• camera
• DROID Turbo 2

Moto DROID Turbo 2 has surprisingly good camera according to DxOMark

Cam Bunton Oct 28 2015 - 9:24 am PT

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Yesterday, during the announcement, Motorola claimed its new DROID Turbo 2 has a fantastic camera. While we’re skeptical to take the manufacturer’s own word for it, DxOMark seemingly agrees. Having put the Turbo 2’s snapper through its paces, DxO awarded it with 84 points, putting it in joint third position with the Nexus 6P. In short: Motorola finally made a good camera.

Breaking it down, the Turbo 2’s still photos were similar to those on the LG G4, Xperia Z3+ and Galaxy Note 4, but its videos were surpassed only by the Xperia Z5. DxO notes that its images in good light are fantastic. Its autofocusing is exemplary, as is its exposure, contrast and color control. In lower light conditions, its performance drops a little (as you’d expect) and, while white balance is generally good, it does apparently have the tendency to make whites look a little pink at times.

It’s a similar story with video too. It’s great all-round when shooting in good light. It tracks objects and focuses well. But in lower light, it struggles with autofocus and noise a little. On the plus side, it’s good at adapting when light levels and scenes suddenly change.

All in all, it seems we may finally have Motorola phones on the market which don’t force you to compromise on the camera to gain the rest of its selling points. It may not be the best camera on the market, but it’s nothing like as bad as previous generations.