Android

Chinese smartphone maker ZTE has made a quiet re-entry into the US market after suffering a potentially terminal trade ban for violating US trade sanctions in place against Iran and North Korea. The new ZTE Visible R2 is a modest device, but one that could potentially have never existed if it weren't for US president Donald Trump stepping in to save it.

Huawei Mobile has taken to Twitter to finally show off its upcoming foldable phone, or at least a very small part of it. However, some tweeters have responded to Huawei’s post, which is basically a promo for the company’s presence at MWC19, with some concerns over the foldable’s seemingly askew appearance.

A live photo of what is believed to be the Xiaomi Mi 9 has been posted online. The Chinese company’s product manager initially uploaded the picture to his Weibo account but then deleted it shortly afterwards. Although only a portion of the smartphone’s rear side can be seen, it has led to some details being apparently confirmed.

Droid Shout has received a tip claiming Lenovo has a new tablet in the works. The device, which is apparently called the Lenovo Tab V7, is expected to be a midrange slate that runs on Android 9 Pie straight out of the box. The latest addition to the Chinese manufacturer’s tablet line-up could be announced at MWC19.

A post on Reddit allegedly contains a screenshot of a Gmail app interface that integrates many features taken from Inbox. They include a pinned-only toggle, per-subject bundling and Assistant-esque reminders. They may have been picked for preservation by Google before Inbox shuts down for good.

A new report by ResearchandMarkets.com has indicated that the mobile wallet market value could reach as much as US$9,352.15 billion by 2026. This is particularly impressive as it was worth about $880 billion in 2017. This growth may be driven by factors such as improved awareness of these products, and improvements in the services they provide.

A major leak for the various verions of the Samsung Galaxy S10 may have outlined which colors and materials these phones will be shipped in this year. This information also contains pricing details which, as MySmartPrice claims, apply to the Dutch market. It suggests that even the base Galaxy S10 E model will cost €749 (or US$859).

A new report suggests that the Xiaomi Mi Max 3 will have 2 successors: the Mi Max 4 and a Pro variant of the same. Both of these may have 7.2-inch displays and 48MP rear camera sensors. The Mi Max 4 Pro may have an in-display fingerprint sensor and a slightly better processor.

In a recent interview, OPPO's CEO, Chen Mingyong, stated that the OEM would "strive" to release the first phone with 5G in 2019. This goal would follow on nicely from earlier reports that the company had conducted the world's first video call last year. Otherwise, OPPO plans to release at least one model with the Snapdragon 855 processor in 2019.

We might have finally seen the finished, and long awaited, Galaxy foldable smartphone. A Galaxy Unpacked video (since yanked) has appeared on Samsung Vietnam’s YouTube channel that clearly shows a foldable smartphone that is reminiscent of the device Samsung previewed at its developer conference last year.

Samsung has been pushing for foldable devices in the past year, but it looks like the company is also considering the gaming handheld market. This latest patent is consistent with what was revealed about the Flex display in late 2018. What is interesting about this patent is the lower edge of the device that folds upwards to reveal gaming buttons like a directional pad and six buttons.

The alleged successor of the Blade V9 steps into mid-range territory with a bigger 6.3-inch display, 4 / 6 GB of RAM, up to 128 GB storage and an impressive 32 MP selfie cam. As far as the SoC is concerned, TENAA mentions that the frequency is around 2 GHz, so ZTE could be adding the Snapdragon 710.

New rumors about the Sony Xperia XZ4 have started appearing, including the possibility that the flagship smartphone will feature a 52 MP sensor in its rumored triple camera setup. A leaked specifications sheet claims that the Japanese manufacturer has also got creative with color options and will offer the device in black, silver, blue, or deep purple.

A new phone, apparently made by Google, has appeared on the Geekbench 4 database. It is called the Pixel 3a XL, suggesting that it could be of the long-anticipated 'Pixel 3 Lite' line. This phone runs Android 9.0 and is powered by an unnamed Qualcomm processor that has given it distinctly mid-range scores.

The Investor, a division of the Korea Herald, has reported that 3 SKUs of the Samsung Galaxy S10 are now being manufactured. This information has apparently come from a source exclusive to the outlet. The S10 units being made now are all of the 4G variety, apparently.

The Asus ZenFone 5Z is finally getting the Android 9.0 Pie update after several weeks of beta testing. Apart from updating the base Android version, this update also brings a new contextual pop-up volume bar and a new Magnifier feature for easier copy-paste. The update is currently being rolled out in phases and is expected to reach everyone in the next few weeks.

Xiaomi's Pocophone F1 has been hailed for offering incredibly high value for money. The device was tested by DxOMark, and managed to impress, outperforming devices like the Galaxy Note 8 in certain departments.

The Honor 7X was launched on Android Nougat and received the update to Oreo last year. The device is currently receiving the Pie beta in China, with other parts of the world billed to get theirs later this year. Pie would be the second major update the phone receives, which is impressive considering it launched with an MSRP of just US$200.

The successor of the 18.4-inch Samsung Galaxy View has recently surfaced on Geekbench. The Galaxy View 2 runs Android 8.1 Oreo-based firmware and apparently features a 17.5-inch display. This large tablet for media consumption is rumored to arrive soon in the US via AT&T, but nothing is official yet.

The Huawei MAR-LX1M was now spotted on the Huawei website, although the full product page is not up yet. However, its UA profile confirms that this handset will come with Android 9.0 Pie onboard — with EMUI on top, of course — and features a full HD+ display. Given this screen resolution, it is likely that the MAR-LX1M will launch as a P30 Lite variant.

As the demand for OLED displays continues to grow, Taiwanese manufacturers are stepping up to the plate and adjusting their business structures for increased production. Many companies, such as AU Optronics and Novatek Microelectronics, are expecting a massive boom in OLED sales and are more than willing to provide the necessary supply.

A recent report in the South Korean outlet ETNews has asserted that the G8 ThinQ will be the first flagship to be released by LG this year. However, it will be passed over for 5G compatibility in favor of the V50 ThinQ, which will be launched a month after the G8. The report also speculated that LG will discontinue the G ThinQ series next year.

The Lenovo Z5 Pro GT is the first phone to be released with the 2019 flagship Snapdragon 855 chipset. It had its first general release today (January 29) in China. The OEM claims that it took only 32 seconds for the Z5 Pro GT to sell out online.

The mobile versions of Fortnite (those that work on the Android and Apple platforms) now allow the use of Bluetooth controllers rather than on-screen controls. This new level of support comes with the 7.30 patch update, which also adds the 60Hz support for select Android devices. It also offers the Chiller grenade, a new, seasonal, ranged weapon.

The Razer Phone 2 could be a solid option for fans of mobile gaming on Android. However, it may be less attractive to those who also like to have root access. This could lose them one of the Phone 2's main unique points: the Chroma LED logo. A senior XDA member has addressed this with his non-proprietary version of the app needed to control it.

A pair of patents filed with the World Intellectual Property Office (WIPO) indicate that OPPO intends to release a phone with an on-trend punch-hole selfie camera. In this case, however, it seems the OEM plans to disguise this next-gen feature as an icon in the phone's UI. This icon may also be accompanied by others in a row at the top of the screen.

Intel has applied for a patent showing a unique take on the folding smartphone concept. Intel’s approach would see the device fold in three places allowing it to be used in multiple configurations.

The Nokia 1 Plus is a potential refresh or successor to the 1, an ultra-budget Android Go device. Images and specs purportedly associated with this new phone have surfaced online. According to them, the 1 Plus may gain a faster SoC and a more modern design compared to the 1. However, the two may remain similar in many aspects.

Huawei had previously outlined plans to update its late-2016 and early-2017 flagships - the P10 and Mate 9 series - to Android 9.0 (Pie) by March 2019. It appears the OEM is finally ready to make a start on these commitments with an update for Mate 9 users in China. This version of Pie includes new features such as Huawei HiVision.

Casio has updated its line of digital pianos with the Privia PX-S1000 and PX-S3000, 2 variants of what the company claims is the "world's slimmest grand piano". The new models use Smart Scaled Hammer Action to replicate the tactile feedback of real grand piano keys. This up-to-date type of digital keyboard also has Bluetooth and an iOS/Android app.

Although more images shot in various scenarios would be needed for a final decision, the image showing the same night scene as captured by the iPhone XS and the Pixel 3 that was posted on Twitter by Google's Marvin Chow has a clear winner. However, Apple still has to add a dedicated night mode to its handsets and, once that happens, things might change.

Further leaks of Android Q, which can be run on devices such as the Pixel 3 line, may have uncovered more detail on the coming OS upgrade. It appears that Google has prepared a new font, called Arvolato, for the update. In addition, users may be able to roll back apps after they update, as well as block them from reading the contents of a clipboard.

Cricket Wireless can now offer the Nokia 3.1 Plus as a result of a new deal made with HMD Global. The budget smartphone will be sold at US$159.99 in its stores. However, it will have competition from the Alcatel Onyx, an equally budget device available at $119.99 through the same carrier.

Motorola released the Moto G4 Plus back in 2016 and promised it would receive two major updates. A while later, the company went back on its word and claimed the mid-range phone would not get the update, prompting a media outcry which forced it to once again promise to deliver Oreo. It's been 16 months since then, though, and the G4 Plus is still on Nougat.

Chinese underdogs Meizu are set to launch a high-value budget device next month. The Meizu M9 Note will feature a 48 MP Samsung sensor and will be powered by a Snapdragon 675. These, coupled with a US$150 price tag, ensure that it competes effectively against the Redmi Note 7.

Since early last year, there have been rumors of HMD Global's plans to launch a flagship phone with five rear cameras. The rumor mills may finally stop grinding, though, as the company is set to unveil the device next month in Barcelona.

Huawei has officially confirmed that it has a foldable 5G mobile device to show off at MWC this year. However, it appears that its sub-brand Honor is less enthusiastic about the new trend in phone design. Speaking at the View 20's international launch, the brand's president, George Zhao, could not say what a folding phone can offer just yet.

The next Google I/O event is scheduled for May 7 to 9 2019, at the Shoreline Amphitheater, Mountain View, California. These details were uncovered as part of some code relating to a cryptic Tweet on the subject. This conference may focus on the release of Android 10 (Q).

The specifications and renders of the upcoming Xiaomi Redmi Go smartphone have been leaked online. Teenage leaker Ishan Agarwal tweeted a spec sheet and some images of the budget-level device that had initially been spotted by Philippines-based tech site Revü. It is expected the smartphone will be released on the Indian market soon.

The first 5G smartphone made by LG will be revealed at MWC on February 24. It will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 SoC and will feature a bigger vapor chamber, suggesting the SoC will probably run at overclocked frequencies. Additionally, it will come with a 4,000 mAh battery, so there is a possibility of seeing a larger screen, as well.

The LG G8 ThinQ has leaked in the first official press renders of the device ahead of its official unveiling at Mobile World Congress next month. Despite a previous CAD render that was virtually identical to this latest leak being shot down as erroneous by LG’s head corporate communications, the latest leak confirms fears that LG has essentially rehashed the design of last year’s LG G7 ThinQ.

HMD Global has announced new collaborations with North American carriers to bring Nokia phones to users in that continent. The Finnish company has made deals with Verizon and Cricket Wireless in the US and Rogers Communications in Canada so that the carriers will start offering their customers products from the Nokia range. The Nokia 3.1 Plus and the Nokia 2 V will be the first offerings from HMD.

Facebook has just announced an initiative in which messages from its own Messenger, as well as from its acquisitions Instagram and WhatsApp, will be integrated using a singular infrastructure. This contravenes an earlier commitment on the part of the parent company that these 3 services would remain independent. This plan has also raised alarm among privacy experts and WhatsApp staff.

The Honor View 20, which was released internationally a few days ago, is the first device from that brand to feature a punch-hole selfie camera. At this event, the OEM's president, George Zhao, was quoted as saying that this form of display was the "better solution". Therefore, Honor's next flagship, the 11, will probably follow the new trend.

A new report by ResearchAndMarkets.com indicates that the wireless headphone market will continue to show healthy growth into the year 2024. At that point, it could be worth as much as US$34 billion. The report indicates that this could be driven by increasing sophistication in wireless audio features and technology.

Huawei held a press conference in Beijing yesterday, in order to familiarize its attendants with its plans for MWC and the roll-out of its 5G technology. The company's consumer business CEO, Yu Chengdong, announced that the company's long-awaited foldable phone would be unveiled at the international tech show. He also reported that Honor, Huawei's popular sub-brand, had exhibited a year-on-year growth of 170%.