Samsung’s thinnest smartphone Galaxy A8 with fingerprint sensor launched in India

Samsung has launched Galaxy A8 smartphone in India with a price tag of INR 32,500 (About $508). The device was first introduced in China in the middle of July. This latest handset from Samsung is its thinnest-ever smartphone with a thickness of just 5.9mm and it weighs only 151 grams.

The Galaxy A8 features a 5.7-inch FHD Super AMOLED display with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution and 386ppi pixel density. It is powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 5430 chipset with octa-core (4 x 1.8GHz Cortex-A15 and 4 x 1.3GHz Cortex-A7) CPU and Mali-T628 MP6 GPU for graphics. The Galaxy A8 model that was launched last month in China has 64-bit Snapdragon 615 SoC with octa-core 1.5GHz CPU and Adreno 405 GPU. There is a 2GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage inside. It can be expanded up to 128GB with a microSD card.

Coming to the cameras, the Galaxy A8 has a 16MP autofocus rear camera with f/1.9 aperture to give great pictures even in low light conditions. The front camera is of 5MP with 120 degree wide-angle lens, useful for selfies and video chats. Its 3050mAh battery takes care of the power and the handset comes with Android Lollipop 5.1.1 out of the box with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI on top. The handset sports dual Nano-SIM slots and the second slot can be used for microSD card.

The Samsung Galaxy A8 has very thin metal side bezels. It also has a fingerprint sensor doubling as a home button. Connectivity options include LTE with Band 40 (2300MHz) and Band 3 (1800MHz) support, dual band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS and Glonass. The handset will support 4G networks in India. Airtel customers will get double data for free for 6 months along with this device. The handset is available in Black, White and Gold colors.

Samsung’s thinnest smartphone Galaxy A8 with fingerprint sensor launched in India

New mid-ranger Sony Xperia M5 goes official with just 0.25-second hybrid autofocus camera

Today, Sony went out officially announcing two more Xperia edition handset the Sony Xperia M5 and the Xperia C5 Ultra. Talking about the Xperia M5, the smartphone is being touted as “super mid-range” handset from its specs. It is basically a successor to the Xperia M4 Aqua. So let is now take a look at some of the specs for the handset.

The Sony Xperia M5 comes with a 5-inch 1080p display. Under the hood lies the 64-bit MediaTek MT6795 chipset with octa-core CPU clocked at 2.0GHz. the MediaTek MT6795 is a real power machine and belongs to the top-end Helio X10 line. Additionally, the device has got a whopping 3GB of RAM memeory, with 16GB of internal native storage and a microSD card slot. The device runs the latest Android 5.0 Lollipop with the company’s own UI over it. The handset would be available in both single and dual-SIM variants.

Its major USP like most of the Xperia handsets is its camera. The Xperia M5 comes with a whopping 21.5MP primary camera to its back with f/2.2 aperture with a maximum light sensitivity up to ISO 3200. The primary camera with a very fast hybrid autofocus with 250 milliseconds of capture. With the camera users can even record 4K resolution videos. Moreover to its front too, the handset has the 13MP secondary shooter with autofocus allowing users to record 1080p videos on the go.  

The device moreover comes with a IP65/IP68 certification that makes it dust and water-proof. The good thing is that the USB port is caprless one hence one need not to open or close the protective flap while accessing the port – a very convenient feature. The pricing for the device is roughly expected to be EUR 360 or $385. Xperia M5 will be available in white, black and gold color variants. Take a look at the promo video below.

source: Sony

New mid-ranger Sony Xperia M5 goes official with just 0.25-second hybrid autofocus camera

Alleged photos of Apple iPhone 6s display emerge depicting Force Touch implementation

Photos and some specs of the next upcoming iPhone, the iPhone 6s have been circulating for quite some time. iPhone 6s is said to be coming with the Force Touch feature where users can interact with the screen differently by using varied pressure. This feature is currently used in Apple Watch.

A set of photographs have been posted on Chinese repair firm GeekBar’s Weibo account showing the front and back sides of a display unit allegedly belonging to the next iPhone iteration, the iPhone 6s. There are no significant changes to the outside of the unit compared to the current iPhone 6 handsets. The new photos show the same general shape with similar rounded glass edges and the same positioning of ear speaker and camera as well.

The backside of the alleged iPhone 6s display unit is covered by a metal shield obscuring the LCD module and some of the other features but some changes are apparent. One change that catches the eye immediately is the rectangular cutout present on the top left side of the screen. Some component is seen sticking out through it but can’t be identified due to the poor quality of the image. Considering its relative position to the expected layout of the handset’s logic board and battery, it is speculated that the component could be the grounding insert.

Another big change seen is that Apple seems to have discarded the usual screws and clips as the shielding of the display unit shows riveting on all the four sides. It is speculated that the black dots seen on all the sides could have something to do with the Force Touch technology Apple is supposed to be using on the new iPhone 6s. The rivet fixing could compensate for the heavier touch. With Touch Force, user’s regular touch and heavy touch will trigger different actions on the iPhone.

It is said that manufacturing of components for the Force Touch feature has begun. iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are expected to be launched at a special event by Apple next month.

Alleged photos of Apple iPhone 6s display emerge depicting Force Touch implementation

Force Touch parts for the upcoming iPhone 6s said to have undergone mass production

The insider reports coming from Taiwanese publication DigiTimes says that the supplying partners of Apple have started with the mass-production of the Force Touch parts for the upcoming iPhones that are alleged to be the iPhone 6s and the iPhone 6s Plus. The rumors for the introduction of Force Touch in the upcoming iPhones have been floating since long and now they seemed to have gained some strong momentum. Apple has first used this Force Touch technology in the Apple Watch, which basically differentiates between a Press and a Touch.

One of the companies named TPK that is said to make Force Touch displays has allegedly announced that it would start the mass-production of these components in July. However, TPK refrained to name as the customer for this parts, but for the moment there is no other tech company than Apple who is expected to host this feature in its next flagship. Additionally, the report shows that nearly 36-40 million iPhones are expected to be manufactured in the September quarter, and the number could rise to 50million in the December quarter.  Note that these numbers are only based on estimates.

The rumors have claimed that the two upcoming iPhones will host a similar design to the existing iPhone 6, but with the faster A9 chipset, 2GB RAM, larger 12MP camera with RGBW pixels, 5MP front-facing camera. The material used for its built body is said to be a aluminum alloy. Apple is expected to unveil the handsets next month is September.

source: Digitimes

Force Touch parts for the upcoming iPhone 6s said to have undergone mass production

Microsoft Reported to Launch Lumia 940, Lumia 940 XL and Lumia 840 Before Year End

Microsoft is reported to launch three new high end smartphones before the end of the year. They are Lumia 940, Lumia 940 XL and Lumia 840. All the three smartphones are expected to come with on-screen touch buttons.

Lumia 940 will have a 5.2-inch display screen size with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 and 565 ppi pixel density. The device will be powered up by a 64-bit hexa core Snapdragon 808 CPU which clocked at 1.8GHz, Adreno 418 GPU, a 3GB RAM as well as 32GB internal storage which can be expanded further.  Other features such as 20MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera as well as a 3000 mAh battery size.  The device will be pre-installed with Windows 10 Mobile out of the box.

Lumia 940 XL will have a bigger 5.7-inch QHD display screen size with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 resolutions and 515 ppi pixel densities.  The device will be powered up by an octa-core Snapdragon 810 CPU which clocked at 2GHz, Andreno 430 GPU, 3GB RAM as well as 32GB internal storage which can be expanded further. Other features such as a 20MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera and a 3300mAh battery size. The device will also come pre-installed with Windows 10 Mobile. Both Lumia 940 and Lumia 940 XL body will be made out of polycarbonate plastic and is measured at 7-8mm thin.

Lumia 840, on the other hand, will be coming with a 5-inch display screen with a dual SIM capability. Other features such as a 13MP or 14MP PureView rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The design of the device will be similar to Lumia 830. It is expected that the device will fall under the mid-range category.

As Windows 10 Mobile OS is rumored to be released in November, we could expect the three smartphones to be available somewhere before the end of the year, just nice for the holiday shopping season.

Microsoft Reported to Launch Lumia 940, Lumia 940 XL and Lumia 840 Before Year End

Alleged official renders for the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ leaks

Evan Blass, who operates the popular Twitter handle called @evleaks has arrived with what are said to be the official press renders for the much rumored upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+. Both of these handsets are expected to be unveiled next week on the 13^th of August during the Samsung Unpacked event. The event is supposed to take place in New York and would be ironically nicknamed as “The Big Apple.”

Samsung is currently said to have a huge marketing budget for the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+. The Edge+ is basically the successor of the recently announced Galaxy S6 Edge and is supposed to have a bigger 5.7inch screen and the handset expected to host a 16MP primary rear camera.

Along with the Galaxy S6 Edge+, the company is also likely to announce the Galaxy Note 5 with its home-baked Exynos 7422 chipset and the hosting the famous Note series S Pen in a tube-like home at the bottom right of the phablet. Users can pry out using their index finger with a gap opening left at the bottom of the phone. The Note 5 is initially expected to hit the U.S and Korean markets followed with a global distribution.

source: @evleaks

Alleged official renders for the Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy S6 Edge+ leaks

New Software Update on ZTE Blade S6 will include Iris Scanner Called Sky Eye

The latest software update for ZTE Blade S6 will include an iris scanning feature to the device. This means that users will be able to unlock the device by using their iris. This new feature is named Sky Eye and it does not available out of the box therefore, when you purchase the device, the first thing that you must do is to download and install the software update if you want to use the iris scanning feature for security purposes.

Before installing the update, users are advisable to clear the cache memory and use the Wi-Fi connection to download the update. The device needs to have at least 30% battery life before starting the update process. All these steps are as per ZTE recommendation in order to ensure that the feature is installed properly into the device.

ZTE Blade S6 comes with a 5-inch display screen size with a resolution of 720 x 1280 and a pixel density of 294ppi. It is powered on an octa-core Snapdragon 615 SoC which clocked at 1.7GHz, an Adreno 405 GPU, a 2GB RAM as well as 16GB internal storage. Other features such as 2400 mAh battery size, a 13MP rear camera as well as a 5MP front camera.  The device will come pre-installed with a MiFavour 3.0 UI which built on top of Android 5.0.

New Software Update on ZTE Blade S6 will include Iris Scanner Called Sky Eye