Samsung Galaxy S9 (dual SIM) going for $660 in US

If you are in the US, and are looking to purchase a dual SIM variant of Samsung's Galaxy S9 smartphone, here's a deal for you: a Top Rated Plus eBay seller is offering the device for $660. Keep in mind the variant on offer is global one, meaning it comes with the Exynos chipset (US models, in case you aren't aware, are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoC). List of color options include black, gray, purple, and blue, but currently only the black model is available (all other are out of stock). There's no information on when the deal ends, and as for availability, the list just says...

Read More

The future of SMS - RCS messaging - to be called "Chat", Android is all in

In a statement to The Verge, Google has confirmed that it plans to put all of Allo's resources into smoothing the way for RCS or Rich Communication Services. This is a new standard that it set to replace SMS and will soon be compatible across most major carriers around the world. The Universal RCS Profile supports read receipts, typing notifications, larger image and video file sharing, and will work over Wi-Fi and LTE. The consumer name for this platform will simply be called "Chat". Rather than Google try to make an iMessage Clone, it has decided to embrace the existing RCS Profile and...

Read More

Nokia 7 plus review

Running out of single-digit numbers in its ever-growing portfolio, the reborn Nokia has started adding words - the high-end Nokia 8 Sirocco is worthy of an iconic moniker from the past, while simpler phones only get a 'plus', with a lowercase 'p' at that! But the Nokia 7 plus isn't looking half-bad - capital 'P' material at least.

Read More

LG G7's extra button on the side is apparently for Google Assistant

The LG G7 ThinQ will become official on May 2. A steady flow of leaks has recently emerged about it, and one detail was pretty worrying: the G7 was said to have an extra button on the side for some AI features. Naturally, many people assumed it would develop its own virtual assistant like Samsung did with Bixby, and then force it upon people. Today a new report claims that won't be the case, and instead the new button is meant solely to provide access to the Google Assistant. In an Android world that needs less duplication of features from OEMs, not more, this is definitely a welcome...

Read More

iPhone SE 2 to come in May with A10 Fusion chipset, missing 3.5mm jack

According to a new rumor originating at some unnamed case makers, Apple will launch the long-awaited iPhone SE 2 in May. The name isn't set in stone, however, keep that in mind. The new device will be powered by Apple's A10 Fusion chipset, which made its debut in the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus back in 2016. That would be an upgrade from the original iPhone SE's A9 SoC. Purported iPhone SE 2 casings In making the new model more 'modern', Apple will remove the 3.5mm headphone jack, although the dimensions of the second-generation SE will be very close, if not identical, to those of its...

Read More

Verizon users notified of Oreo update for Galaxy S7 and S7 edge, don't get it

Not funny, Verizon. People have been waiting for the Oreo update for the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge for a long time - these may be 2016 phones, but they are still flagships! So, when the Verizon Support page showed that the duo is finally getting the update, people's heart leapt for joy. Now imagine their disappointment when they found it's just a security update. The April security patch specifically. Sure, security is important, but this kind of fake-out isn't necessary. Promises, promises... The update should roll out in earnest tomorrow. Should. Source 1 | Source 2 | Source 3

Read More

Mystery Nubia NX617J is revealed by TENAA and Geekbench

A new ZTE Nubia smartphone is nearing release. The mystery phone, which we'll refer to as NX617J, has passed certification with the TENAA and subsequently showed up on Geekbench. Specs-wise the NX617J has a 6-inch 18:9 screen of 2160x1080px resolution and a Snapdragon 625 chipset. It will be offered with 3GB, 4GB and 6GB of RAM and either 32GB or 128GB of embedded memory, which will be expandable. ZTE Nubia NX617J The ZTE Nubia NX617J will be a hefty device at 194g but there's a good reason for it - it packs a 4,870mAh battery inside. The final details are the cameras and...

Read More

18:9 Panasonic Eluga L7 launched in India with beefy battery and modest price tag

Panasonic today announced the Eluga L7 in India. The phone is highlighted by its 18:9 5.45-inch "Big View" display, large 4,000mAh battery and affordable INR 6,499 (~€80) price tag. The Eluga L7 goes on sale on April 24, and it will be a Flipkart exclusive. The modest price tag nets you a reasonably specced phone. There are two 8MP f/2.0 cameras - an autofocus one on the back and a fixed-focus selfie snapper and the main one churns out 1080p video. The screen packs a resolution of 1440x720px and at 5.46-inch it's compact but not small. The chipset on board is a MediaTek MT6737H...

Read More

Full Meizu 15, 15 Plus, and M15 specs leak in brochure

In the rush to prepare for Sunday's event someone lost track of a brochure that neatly lists out all the specs for the Meizu 15, the 15 Plus as well as the Meizu M15 (the lite model). The Meizu 15 duo shares a 12 MP + 20 MP dual camera. The main shooter has large 1.55 µm pixels and a fairly bright f/1.8 aperture. The selfie cam is a single 20 MP shooter. Unavoidably, the cameras have AI features to enhance your photos. Both phones have OLED screens with 1080p+ resolution but different sizes - the Plus model has a 5.95" panel, the regular Meizu 15 has a 5.46" one. The Meizu 15 Plus is...

Read More

Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 7 Plus now available for pre-order in India

While the launch was announced earlier this month, the Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 7 plus are finally available for pre-order in India. Both can be had from Nokia.com or individually from other online stores - the 7 plus is on Amazon, the 8 Sirocco is on Flipkart. Check out the table below for prices and additional info. Nokia 7 plus Nokia 8 Sirocco Price INR 26,000 INR 50,000 Shipping starts In 13-14 days April 30 Stores Nokia.com Nokia.com ...

Read More

vivo V9 Youth launched in India - toned down V9 for INR 18,990

Vivo is treating Indian fans of its V9 to a cheaper sidekick with the same level of charm but a lower price tag. The vivo V9 Youth shares much of what makes the V9 proper good but reduces its INR 22,990 (~ €280) price tag to INR 18,990 (~ €230). The vivo V9 Youth uses a Snapdragon 450 in place of the Snapdragon 626 in the V9 and has a 16MP+2MP dual camera in place of its 16MP+5MP - note that there's no 4K video recording. The selfie camera is a new 16MP snapper instead of the 24MP of the V9. It still does Face unlock to save you the trouble of reaching for the back-mounted...

Read More

Meizu 15 Plus stops by Geekbench with 6GB of RAM and Android 7.0

The Meizu 15 and 15 Plus are relentless when it comes to benchmarks. First the Meizu 15 Plus revealed its Exynos 8895 chipset on AnTuTu, then the smaller Meizu 15 passed by Geekbench with a Snapdragon chip (either a 660 or 635) and now it's the 15 Plus' first run on Geekbench. The chipset isn't specified, other than its cores and clock speed (8x1.69GHz) but we have no reason to doubt that it's the same Exynos 8895 that is used in Samsung's 2017 flagship phones. Just like the Meizu 15 Plus that was tested on AnTuTu, this one also has 6GB of RAM. The Meizu 15 Plus and Meizu 15...

Read More