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Xiaomi Set to Unveil Mi5 with Helio X20 SoC on October 19

Xiaomi is all set to launch its next-gen flagship phone, the Mi5, at an event on October 19 in China. The company announced the event on Weibo. The event may also see the launch of the rumoured Mi Band 2.

From what we know so far, the Mi5 will have a Helio X20 chipset and will not come with the Snapdragon 820 as production of the chipset has been delayed. Other features expected in the Mi5 include 5.2-inch Quad HD (1440×2560) AMOLED display, 4GB RAM and 16/64GB of Internal storage.

The Mi5 is also rumoured to sport a 16MP rear camera with dual LED flash, 8MP front camera and a battery of 3,030mAh capacity. A fingerprint sensor can also be expected as many new devices are now coming out with the feature. The expected price of the Mi5 is around 1,999 Yuan (Rs. 20,500 approx.)

You can also expect some news regarding Windows 10-powered laptops and tablets from Xiaomi. Earlier, the company stated that it would start production of its laptop in the first quarter of 2016. Follow this space for more on Xiaomi’s event.

Update: Sorry folks, it turns out the Mi5 will not be unveiled on Monday. The company denied the rumours on Weibo.

October 14, 2015
Lenovo To Launch Two New Smartphones in India on October 21

Lenovo has released an invite that doesn’t reveal much except that an event is set to take place on the 21st of October at 11 am in New Delhi. The event is most likely for the launch of Lenovo’s smartphones in India that include the Vibe P1 and the Vibe P1m.

The phones were unveiled at IFA last month, which also saw a host of other Lenovo devices such the iDeaPad, Moto 360, and Lenovo PHAB Plus.

The Vibe P1 smartphone comes with a 5.5-inch 1080p display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by a 1.5GHz Snapdragon 615 64-bit octa-core processor, 5000mAh battery, OneKey Power Saver and Rocket Charge. It also supports the 5G WiFi with its very own WiFi Boost. The talking point of both the P1 and P1m phones is the massive battery and quick charging capabilities.

The Vibe P1m sports a 5-inch HD (1280×720 pixels) display and is powered by 1GHz MediaTek MT6735P processor paired with 2GB of RAM. It also features a slightly smaller 4000mAh battery. One of the main talking points here is the massive battery and quick charging capabilities found in both the phones.

The expected pricing of the Vibe P1 is $279 (Rs 18,167 approximately), while the Vibe P1m is priced at $159 (Rs 10,353 approximately).

October 14, 2015
Apple Announces New iMacs, Including the Awaited 21.5-inch 4K Model

Apple wowed us with their event back in September and kept the suspense alive as they remained tight lipped about the iMacs that were not released at the time. Well, the wait is over and they are here!
Apple launched its new Retina 4K display for the 21.5-inch iMac and a 5K display for the 27-inch iMac in California, today.

The much anticipated display makes photos and videos even more crystal clear than they were in the pervious iMacs. The exterior of the iMacs sport Thunderbolt 2 ports and more storage options that makes the desktop look promising.

In addition to this, Apple also announced a number of wireless accessories like the Magic keyboard 2, Magic Mouse 2 and (obviously) Magic Trackpad 2. These devices, we guess, are magical due to the fact that they have rechargeable batteries and require no aid of disposable batteries, whatsoever.

We saw the introduction of Force Touch technology to the iPhone 6s and Apple has taken that a step forward by introducing the technology to the Magic Trackpad of the desktop.

Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president, Worldwide marketing said:

“From the first iMac to today, the spirit of iMac has never wavered — deliver the ultimate desktop experience with the latest technologies, gorgeous displays and cutting-edge designs,”

Specs wise, it has a 4096 x 2304 resolution and 9.4 million pixels, which is reportedly 4.5 times more than the standard 21.5-inch iMac display. The 27-inch iMac features a Retina 5K display with a resolution of 14.7 million pixels. 5K and 4K displays feature a wider P3-based colour gamut that provides a 25 percent larger colour space.

The 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display now comes with sixth-generation Intel Core processors. The new 21.5-inch iMac with Retina 4K display, on the other hand, features a fifth-generation Intel Core processor and is enhanced by Intel Iris Pro Graphics. The Thunderbolt 2 ports come with 20Gbps data transfer speeds for external drives and high-performance peripherals. The RAM has also been improved across the board from 8GB of 1600MHz LPDDR3 to 8GB of 1867GHz LPDDR3, upgradeable to 16GB.

Pricing & Availability

Finally talking about the price, the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display is available at select Apple Authorised Resellers. The 27-inch iMac comes in three models priced at INR 148,900, INR 164,900 and INR 188,900. Additional technical specifications are available online at www.apple.com/in/imac/.

The 21.5-inch iMac is available at select Apple Authorised Resellers. The desktop is also available in three models priced at INR 91,900 and INR 107,900 and with a Retina 4K display starting at INR 123,900. Additional technical specifications are available online at www.apple.com/in/imac/.

Lastly, the Keyboard is available at INR 8,300, while the Mouse 2 will be be priced at INR 6,600 and the Trackpad 2 for INR 11,200.
Admittedly, these prices are sky rocketing and seem really unaffordable but Apple promises a better experience, as is the case with all its products. So it’s up to you to empty your pockets, or not.

October 13, 2015

Sony to Launch Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium in India This Month

Mark 21st October on your calendars, because that is the day Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Premium are all set to make an appearance in the country. Yes, it’s the same day when the Google Nexus devices go on sale here.

Sony had unveiled these devices, along with Xperia Z5 Compact at IFA earlier this year in September. And now they are being readied to be launched in India. However, Xperia Z5 Compact may not make it to the country. No news of its arrival has reached us yet.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is the worlds first 4k display equipped smartphone. Sony has also included a new fingerprint scanner at an innovative location, right on the power button. The company has not done much about the design apart from adding a matte finish on the Z5 and a ultra glossy finish on the Z5 Premium which will be available in Gold or Chrome. The remaining design is based on the use of metal as a structure and Gorilla Glass 4 on the front and back of all the devices.

The two phones are estimated to cost around Rs. 51,000 – Rs. 60,000. You can check out our hands on of the two devices here. Find the specs of Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Premium below:

Specification	Sony Xperia Z5	Sony Xperia Z5 Premium
Display	5.2 inch display	5.5 inch 4K Ultra HD
Resolution	1920 x 1080p	4k – 806ppi
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810	Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
Processor	Octa Core – 64 bit	Octa Core – 64 bit
GPU	Adreno 430	Adreno 430
RAM	3GB	3GB
Storage	32GB internal memory	32GB internal memory
Expandability	–	200 GB
Rear Camera	23MP sensor, F2.0 G Lens, 1/2.3 Exmor RS	23MP sensor, F2.0 G Lens, 1/2.3 Exmor RS
Rear Camera Video	4k	4k
Front Camera	5MP	5MP
Front Camera Video	1080p	1080p
Battery	2 days stamina with Qualcomm Quick Charger	3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge
Operating System	Android 5.1	Android 5.1
Connectivity	4G LTE, Single SIM and Dual SIM	Single SIM and Dual SIM
Miscellaneous	Fingerprint sensor, Colours: White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green	Fingerprint sensor
Price	–	–

October 13, 2015

Airtel to Sell iPhone 6s, 6s Plus; Offers Free 4G Data

Airtel has come up with its exclusive ‘iPhone Infinity Plans’ offering free 4G data worth Rs. 15,000/- for 12 months. Additionally, Airtel also announced today that starting this Friday, 16th October, the company will also be selling iPhone 6s and 6s Plus through 235 of its stores across the country. Out of these 57 of these stores will stay open the entire night so that customers don’t have to wait to get to lay their hands on the new iPhones.

Since Airtel is the only telecom network offering 4G data in the country, Airtel has clubbed the launch of the iPhones with its 4G data plans. All buyers of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus will also be able to avail the iPhone Infinity plans, which include 60GB of free 4G data over twelve months. The company claims this will enable customers to save Rs.15,000 on their monthly bill.

For more details of the offers and plan, buyers can visit Airtel’s online store. In order to activate the Infinity plan, users can log on to offers.airtel.in from their iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus.

October 13, 2015
Apple Stores to Finally Open in India

In today’s Apple news, Apple Stores will officially open up in India. Apple has tied up with Tata and is set to open at least six Apple Stores at Tata-owned Croma stores by Diwali next month. Croma will dedicate 400-500 square feet in area for Apple at five Croma stores in Mumbai – Malad, Juhu, Oberoi Mall, Phoenix Mall and Ghatkopar – and one in Jayanagar, Bengaluru.

Avijit Mitra, CEO of Infinity Retail, said in an interview with Economic Times that, “We are proud to partner Apple to launch the Apple Store in India and extremely bullish about it. These stores will be modelled on the global design and will offer the best experience to consumers, showcasing the entire range of Apple products.”

The Apple Stores will look just like its global counterparts with the same design, furniture like Apple Store’s signature wooden tables, fixtures and lighting. “These stores will be modeled on the global design and will offer the best experience to consumers, showcasing the entire range of Apple products.” Apple will also personally train the sales staff.

So far, Apple has been selling products through premium resellers who run exclusive brand stores under the franchise name, and through other multi-brand electronic stores as well as e-retailers like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal. With this change, warranty will be extended to globally bought Apple devices.

Responding to the fact that India is one of the fastest growing markets for Apple, the company has been increasing its retail presence in India in the past year with five distributors. It has also sped up the launch of the latest iPhones that will see an October 16 release, and now the Apple Stores is all set to open up by the end of Diwali, with more stores to launch later on in other parts of the country.

October 13, 2015
Nexus 6P | Hands On

Google’s Nexus 6P has officially launched in India today. The company had sent out invites for the event starting at 11 am. The Huawei-made Nexus 6P and the LG-made Nexus 5X released ahead of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus launch that is set to hit the markets on the 16th.

The Nexus 6P will be made available exclusively for Flipkart. Pre-orders for the phones will start tonight and the devices will begin shipping from October 21. Those who pre-order the Nexus 6P will get a Chromecast dongle worth Rs. 2,999 from Flipkart. The devices can also be purchased later on from select offline retailers such as Croma, The Mobile Store, among others.

The Nexus 6P is priced at Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB, Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB, and Rs. 47,999 for the 128GB variant. The 6P features a 5.7-inch QHD touchscreen, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset, with 3 GB RAM, a 3450mAh battery, and a USB Type-C port. The camera sports a 12.3MP sensor with laser autofocus, dual-LED flash at the rear and a rather impressive 8MP on the front. This pure Android phone will run on the latest Marshmallow operating system.

Our initial reactions towards the 6P were quite favorable. One of the main highlights of the Nexus 6P is the Nexus Imprint. The fingerprint sensor on the back is fast and fluid in accessibility, which according to Google only “gets better over time” as it learns more about your unique fingerprint. Another major improvement is the camera. The 12MP rear camera takes crisp and clear pictures even in low light due to the 1.55 micron pixels, which is greater than the iPhone 6s Plus.

Compared to the Nexus 5X, the 6P has a more premium look to it. It has a full-metal body, built out of aluminium with diamond chamfers around the edges. The metallic finish of the body is smooth and feels comfortable in your hand, but is heavier than the Nexus 5X, which comes with a plastic body. One concern that arose regarding the leaked images of the Nexus 6P was just how much the black camera bar on the top would put off users. However, on using the Nexus 6P, the bar seemed like a welcomed change and does not stick out as much as one would think.

The Nexus 6P is on the expensive side, but some improvements especially on the camera front make it worth buying if you’re looking at the market for premium handsets. As mentioned, the Nexus 6P will be available for pre-order tonight on Flipkart.

October 13, 2015

LG Nexus 5X | Hands On

The latest devices by Google have finally arrived in India. Starting today at 2 PM, Amazon has begun pre-orders for Google Nexus 5X in the country. The smartphone will be finally available on the 21st of October.

The device was first introduced to us last month by Google in their official event, and is now marked at a price of Rs. 31,990 for the 16 GB variant and Rs. 35, 990 for the 32GB variant in India.

The Nexus 5X comes with a 5.2-inch FHD display, USB Type-C which allows almost 4 hours of battery post a 10-minute charging routine, and is available in three colours – Carbon black, Quartz white and Ice blue. The company will also be bringing in a range of covers to India, along with the handsets, priced at Rs. 2,800.

We checked out the Ice Blue variant. The back of the smartphone comes with a smooth matte finish. The size of the device feels just right in the hands.

On the camera front the smartphone comes equipped with a 12.3 MP rear camera and a 5 MP selfie camera. The smartphone is capable of capturing 4K and slow-motion videos, making this phone the most advanced multimedia Nexus device to date.

As opposed to the all-metal body of the Nexus 6P, 5X comes in a plastic body of size 147 x 72.6 x 7.9 mm, and weighs 136 g. The device also has Nexus Imprint, a fingerprint sensor located on the back of the body. A single touch of the sensor would power on and unlock Nexus 5X for usage.

It is further packed with a 2 GB RAM, Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 chipset and OS Android Marshmallow 6.0. The stock Android is seamless as always; Google has provided minimal bloatware – a move which will be appreciated.

That’s all for now, we will be bringing you an in-depth review of the device shortly.

The specs of Google Nexus 5X are as follows:

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,990/ Rs. 35,990

October 13, 2015

iPhone 6s Tests Confirm ‘Batterygate’ Does Not Mean Trouble For The Device

We recently reported about the the difference in the battery performance of the new iPhones depending on their A9 chips. These chips are provided by two different manufacturers, Samsung and TSMC. When two iPhone 6s’ were put to use under similar conditions, it was observed that the one with the TSMC chip lasted longer, by adding two extra hours to the battery life.

What is now being touted as the ‘Batterygate’ controversy has raised questions about Apple’s newest devices. This also increases pressure on the company to maintain its position in the tech world, already having been through some turbulent waters in the recent past due to security and software issues. The difference in the performance of the two chips raised quality-related questions for Apple and made the position of the new iPhones shakier, already being panned by many for their steep price-tags.

However, Apple-haters would regret to know that ‘Batterygate’ isn’t as mired a situation as it initially seemed to be. Tests have confirmed the controversy is not too big a deal for the difference between the performance of the two chips isn’t too wide. A Samsung chip does not mean hours of battery shortage as compared to TSMC chips. Potential buyers can go ahead and not let the A9 chips be a deterrent in buying the new iPhones.

October 13, 2015

Google Confirms Availability and Pricing of the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P

There’s brilliant news in store for Google fans out there – the new Nexus 5X goes on sale today at 2 PM on Amazon. The device was first introduced to us at a Google nexus event last month, along with Google Nexus 6P.

The LG Nexus 5X is priced at Rs 31,990 for the 16GB variant, and Rs 35,990 for the 32GB variant. We’ll keep you updated on all the latest news about Google Nexus devices. We also have the confirmed prices of the Huawei Nexus 6P which are Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB variant, and Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB variant.

Even the Nexus 6P will be available for pre-order on Flipkart starting right now, while the phone will go on sale by the 21st of October.

Find the specs of Google Nexus 5X below:

Specification	LG Nexus 5X
Display	5.2-inch Full HD IPS (1920 x 1080 / 423ppi)
Resolution	1080 x 1920 pixels (~424 ppi pixel density)
Chipset	1.8 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808
CPU	Quad-core 1.44 GHz Cortex-A53 & dual-core 1.82 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU	Adreno 418
RAM	2 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Front Camera	5 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Rear Camera	Up to 12.3 MP with F2.0 Aperture
Storage	16 or 32 GB eMMC ROM
Expandability	NA
Battery	2,700 mAh (embedded)
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 4.2 / NFC / Type-C USB
Operating System	Android OS, v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Price	Rs. 31,900/ Rs. 35,900

Specs of Nexus 6P are as follows:

Specs	Nexus 6P
Display	5.7-inch QHD Corning Gorilla Glass 4
Resolution	2560 x 1440 pixels, 518 ppi
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon octa-core 810 v2.1
GPU	Adreno 430
RAM	3 GB
Storage	32 GB/ 64 GB/ 128 GB
Rear Camera	12.3 MP
Front Camera	8 MP
Expandability	N/A
Battery	3450mAh battery
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac; Wi-Fi MIOMO support; Bluetooth 4.0 LE; GSM bands 850/1900; 3G bands; GPS with AGPS; NFC, USB Type-C
OS	Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Price	Rs. 39,999/ 42,999

October 13, 2015

OnePlus 2 Open Sale is Still Ongoing

OnePlus has just announced on their Twitter handle that the open sale still continues. If you thought you missed the hour long window between 12-1 PM today, check again. There’s still time to grab that OnePlus 2 without an invite.

If you'd like to buy the #OnePlus2 invite-free, the open sale is still ongoing!

— OnePlus (@oneplus) October 12, 2015

There has been some trouble in trying to log on to the site, most likely because of all the traffic it must be getting right now. But hey, don’t give up hope just yet if you think a OnePlus 2 is worth it. For specs, review and other details of the smartphone, click here.

October 12, 2015
Samsung Galaxy S7 To Come With Three CPU Variants

Over the past few weeks, rumours have been on overdrive regarding Samsung’s next flagship, the Galaxy S7. In our previous post regarding the rumoured S7 launch, we told you that the phone will come in two models, one featuring the new quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and the other having the octa-core Exynos.

There have been rumours in the past suggesting that three S7 devices will be launched instead of two, and that two of them will have the curved display (like the S6 Edge and S6 Edge+) while one will have a flat screen. These rumours, however, have been dismissed as of now. Latest speculation is that Samsung will have only two S7 versions, where one will be the ‘Edge’ version and the other will have a flat display.

However, it looks like the S7 will come in three CPU variants. If rumours are to be believed, the China and US model will receive the new Snapdragon 820 processor. Europe, Japan and South Korea will come with a Samsung Exynos 7990 processor and the final model, rumoured to have an Exynos 7422 will launch in India.

Samsung is looking to get ahead of its competition by having a January announcement and a February launch. The S7 will also likely be the first Android Marshmallow handset for the company. Follow this space for more on the Galaxy S7.

Source: [tw-button size=”medium” background=”#07ABE2″ color=”” target=”_blank” link=”http://www.phonearena.com/news/Report-Samsungs-one-curved-screen-phone-next-year-will-be-a-Galaxy-S7-model_id74620″]Phone Arena[/tw-button]

October 12, 2015
OnePlus to Start Local Production in India

In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative, OnePlus will start local production of its smartphones in India by the end of 2015. OnePlus will set up shop through contract manufacturing at ‘Foxconn’s Rising Stars’ factory within the Sri City Integrated Business City in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

“We are excited to add another significant chapter in our India journey as we look forward to starting local production of our smartphones within a year of our launch in the country. Local production will not only make our operations more efficient in terms of cost and working capital requirements but also help us in making our products available for sale much faster than ever before,”Vikas Agarwal said at an official event in Bangalore that saw representatives of the Government of Andhra Pradesh today.

He futher added that, “Ever since OnePlus debuted in India, we have been deluged with requests for invites to buy our products, with more than 5 million registrations worldwide for our latest release – the OnePlus 2 – alone! With the best of our intentions of fastening up the availability process, we have been constrained by a few supply chain related challenges in meeting consumer demands. The local production will help to address this issue and better cater to the fast growing demands for OnePlus products in India.”

Local production of OnePlus’ upcoming devices will start by the end of this year at the 60,000 sq.ft facility at Foxconn’s Rising Stars factory. The facility is likely to produce up to 500,000 units per month to fulfill the growing demand for OnePlus’ smartphones in India.

October 12, 2015
Xiaomi India Launches PickMi Doorstep Service

Chinese mobile companies like Xiaomi have established a popular base in India and are doing really well. In fact, they seem to be doing better than most other established OEMs. One of the most important point of interest for electronic consumers is the after sale service. Knowing that there are plenty of service centres around for your device, among other things, is what drive customers towards that brand. So it’s even better when these brands come to your doorstep, take your phone, service it, and return it back to you at your doorstep.

This is exactly what Xiaomi India is now providing. The company launched the PickMi service in India. It is a doorstep pick up and drop service for all Mi products at Rs. 189. According to a Facebook post, Xiaomi announced, “PickMi service across India! We bring our service to your doorstep. Call us on 1800-103-6286 and avail our pick up and drop service for all Mi products for just Rs. 189.”

Xiaomi has been busy expanding its services across India. The company has been tweeting and posting updates on Facebook about new service centers being introduced. Last week, Xiaomi opened two exclusive service centres in Rohini and Daryaganj, New Delhi. And just yesterday the company tweeted the launch of a centre in Ambala, Punjab.

With Mi, you never have to go far for help ! #MiService #Punjab pic.twitter.com/cmI7lXTlkg

— Mi India (@XiaomiIndia) October 11, 2015

Miezu is also getting into the doorstep service game. The company plans on providing the service once it launches around 40 customer care centres across 20 Indian cities.

The focus on customer service by these Chinese brands is providing the right push and the right image for them. Xiaomi is already off to a good start and must now keep up the pace and deliver the goods, quite literally.

October 12, 2015
Exciting Launch Offers For iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

If you’re all gung-ho about the new iPhones hitting the country soon, here’s some news to get you more excited. Vodafone is offering special offers with the purchase of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus.

Customers will be able to avail free data and voice benefits worth Rs 8,885 for six months on the purchase of iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. Vodafone said in an official statement:

“Existing or new Vodafone customers can buy a new iPhone 6S or iPhone 6S Plus and get a fully built Vodafone RED 1,299 worry-free plan free for six months from the time of purchase.”

The highlights of the plan include 3GB mobile internet, 4,000 free local and STD minutes and 1,500 local and national SMS. Vodafone clarified further that charges above plan limits will be 50p/MB for data usage, 50p/SMS and 50p/min for voice calls. Roaming, international calling and VAS charges will be extra according to usage.

iPhone 6s Plus

The iPhones will be available in India from 16th October and are priced from Rs. 62,000 to Rs. 92,000. Click here for hands-on, unboxing, specs and all other details of the new gadgets.

October 12, 2015