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MWC 2018: What To Expect?

On the 26th of February in Barcelona, Spain, MWC 2018 will kick off. Companies from around the globe are expected to announce and showcase all kinds of smartphones. One of the most anticipated launches is that of Samsung devices. The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be launched a day before MWC 2018 commences. However, companies like LG are expected to not host a marquee event. This is mainly because of the presence of the Galaxy S9 devices and the media frenzy that surrounds them.

Xiaomi is also expected to make an important announcement pertaining to the Mi Mix 2S. HTC, which appeared to give MWC 2018 a miss, might launch a couple of important smartphones as well. However, the most exciting lineup, after Samsung, appears to be of Nokia. HMD Global is expected to launch at least three devices at MWC 2018.

So, here is a list of the top smartphones launching at MWC 2018!

Samsung Galaxy S9, S9+

@evleaks

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ will be the marquee launches at MWC 2018. As always, Samsung’s flagship devices are always hyped and same has happened in 2018 as well. There have been numerous leaks of the two devices over the past two weeks. However, Samsung might have a couple of surprises planned even though we know almost everything about the devices.

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ are expected to retain the display sizes of their predecessors. The design of the Galaxy S8 devices was highly appreciated and it looks like the company won’t tinker with it too much. The bezels will be slightly smaller but, nothing too major.

Under the hood, the smartphones will either run on the Snapdragon 845 chipset or Exynos 9810. The storage variants of the Galaxy S9 and S9+ have leaked a while ago and a recent image corroborated that. Fortunately, Samsung has worked on the fingerprint sensor and this time around, it will be placed in a more ergonomic position.

The Galaxy S9 will have a single camera while the S9+ will have a dual-camera setup. This is different from the previous generation where the only differences between the regular and ‘Plus’ devices were battery and display sizes. This time around, Samsung will pack extra features in the S9+ to justify the steeper price tag.

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S

Unlike the Galaxy S9 and S9+, this launch isn’t that obvious, yet. There are a few days to go for MWC 2018 which means Xiaomi has time to confirm a launch event. Up until a few weeks ago, the Mi Mix 2S looked like a result of someone’s wild imagination. That weird notch on the top right corner did not seem real and there were rumours of the Mi 7 flying around.

However, the Mi Mix 2S rumours have picked up since then and it looks more likely to be launched. There are reports that the company will launch the Mi 7 later. The Mi Mix 2S will have thinner bezels and the Mi Mix 2 along with a notch on the top right corner. That small notch will house the front camera.

Xiaomi has already used radical methods to tackle with the front camera. It placed the front camera on the bottom bezel in the Mi Mix and Mi Mix 2. Under the hood, it is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. The Mi Mix 2S will also have a dual-camera setup on the back. Also, it might feature Clear ID technology as well. Although, that seems highly unlikely right now.

Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus Renders
Courtesy: @evleaks

A continuation of the Nokia 7, the Nokia 7 Plus might be the international variant of its predecessor. The Nokia 7 did really well in China and HMD Global might launch the Nokia 7 Plus internationally. It is expected to have a new design with an 19:9 aspect ratio and thin bezels. The Nokia 7 Plus, according to the renders, appears to have a stunning design and will impress a lot of people.

The fingerprint sensor along with the dual Zeiss branded cameras are located on the back, with a hint of an orange accent around the camera ring. According to the renders, it could sport an all-glass design, similar to the Moto X4 and Nokia 7.

It is worth noting that the Nokia 7 Plus will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC, coupled with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. The “Android One” branding on the back of the phone guarantees that the device will launch with Android 8 Oreo out of the box. Hence, you can expect regular software updates for the next two years.

Renders suggest that the company has decided to retain 3.5 mm headphone jack and a USB type C port charging and data syncing. At least on paper, the Nokia 7 Plus looks like a well-balanced smartphone, with a smart set of specifications.

Huawei P11 Lite

@onleaks

There is still a lot of confusion regarding the name of this device. But, what is for certain is that Huawei will launch a new smartphone at MWC 2018.The Huawei P11/P20 Lite was recently leaked in 3D renders which revealed a very interesting design. The Huawei P11 Lite, along with the P11 and P11 Plus, is expected to have an iPhone X-like notch.

Not just that, even the dual camera setup on the back is placed vertically, resembling the iPhone X. The Huawei P11 Lite is expected to be launched globally.

With bezels getting thinner, the standard size of a smartphone has increased from 5.5 inches to 6 inches. The Huawei P11 Lite is expected to have a 6 inch display with a 2880 x 1440 px resolution. Just like the Mate 10, Huawei could use an OLED panel as well. As seen in the renders, the corners are curved which means an OLED panel is expected on the Huawei P11 Lite as well.

Under the hood, it will have the HiSilicon Kirin 970 chipset along with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The dual-camera setup might be similar to previous Huawei phones with an RGB+Monochrome combination.

Conclusion

MWC 2018 will play host to a lot of great smartphones. iGyaan will keep you posted on all the exciting launches! What are you most excited about?

February 20, 2018
Nokia 1 Gets FCC Certification Ahead Of MWC 2018 Launch

FCC listing reveals a new Nokia smartphone with model number TA-1071. As per the details, the listed device is likely to be the upcoming Nokia 1, which was leaked last week along with the Nokia 7 Plus. With MWC 2018 around the corner, the certification might just have confirmed the launch of the Nokia 1.

The Nokia 1 could be the most affordable Android smartphone to date from HMD Global. Considering the price of the Nokia 2, it could be priced at under US$ 100. As per the listing, the Nokia 1 has an overall size of 5.35-inch body, which might house a 5.0-inch or a smaller display. The smartphone will have prominent bezels with a 16:9 aspect ratio screen.

The Nokia 7 Plus is also expected to be launched at MWC 2018. It will, however, be a more premium offering than the Nokia 1. The Nokia 7 Plus is expected to offer a 6-inch display with the bezel-less design. It is likely to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC with at least 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. In terms of camera capability, the smartphone might have a dual camera setup on the back with Zeiss optics.

Nokia 7 Plus Renders Courtesy @evleaks

Features:

The Nokia 1 will be powered by an entry-level Qualcomm SoC with 1GB RAM and 8GB storage. Similarly, the smartphone is expected feature single cameras on both the sides of the device.

The device is expected to feature dual SIM card slots with 4G LTE and Volte support. Additional connectivity features like Bluetooth 4.0, Wifi, Wifi Hotspot are also supported out of the box. The smartphone will run on customised Android Oreo Go OS, based on Android Oreo 8.1 for the entry-level smartphones.

Conclusion:

HMD Global has already confirmed its presence at MWC 2018. However, there are no official words about any products. If everything goes well, then HMD Global might launch Nokia 1, Nokia 4, Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 9, and Nokia 10.

February 20, 2018
HTC Desire 12 Specifications Leaked

HTC is expected to launch its 2018 flagship, the HTC U12 at MWC 2018. Along with the flagship smartphone, there have been rumours of an entry-level device as well. HTC might launch the HTC Desire 12 at MWC 2018 with an 18:9 aspect ratio and entry-level specifications. However, a new image of the retail box has revealed the key specifications of the HTC Desire 12. This also seemingly confirms that the device is real and will be launched at MWC 2018.

HTC Desire 12 Specifications

According to the leaked image of the box, the HTC Desire 12 will have a 5.5 inch display with a 1440 x 720 px resolution. This translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio. The industry has certainly moved on from the 16:9 aspect ratio and it won’t be long before even entry-level devices start launching with this aspect ratio.

Under the hood, the smartphone will have a MediaTek chipset with a quad-core chipset, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. The storage will be expandable up to 2TB via a microSD card. Powering the device will be a 2730 mAh battery. The box doesn’t reveal the version of Android it will run out of the box. However, it is possible that the HTC Desire 12 will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box.

The Desire 12 will have a 12MP camera on the back. It will record 1080P videos at 30fps. On the front will be a 5MP BSI sensor which will, in all probability, record 720P videos.

However, these are still leaks and nothing can be absolutely certain right now. Hence, until HTC launches the Desire 12 at MWC 2018, these are all speculations.

Conclusion

It is yet to be seen whether the HTC Desire 12 will be launched in India. The Indian smartphone market extremely price sensitive where companies like Xiaomi has shone. If HTC does launch the Desire 12 in India with a MediaTek chipset, it will have to be priced very competitively. However, the HTC Desire 12 might bring something else to the table with its 18:9 aspect ratio. Therefore, the price will be really important for it to succeed in the India market, at least.

February 20, 2018
Xperia XZ2 Compact Prototype Leaked Before MWC 2018 Launch

Sony will be launching a couple of new devices at MWC 2018. The Xperia XZ2 is expected to be the first Sony smartphone with an 18:9 aspect ratio. ALong with the Galaxy S9 devices and Mi Mix 2S, it will also run on the Snapdragon 845 chipset. However, it’s smaller sibling, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is expected to maintain the 16:9 aspect ratio. Recently, a prototype of the Xperia XZ2 Compact showed up online with an interesting design.

Someone named Grisha left a comment on an Xperia Blog with the image of the upcoming device. In the image, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is placed next to the Xperia X5 Compact. Although the image is taken from a side angle, it reveals that even the Xperia XZ2 Compact will have a new design, despite the 16:9 aspect ratio.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Compact featured a 4.6-inch IPS LCD display. Under the hood, the smartphone was powered by Snapdragon 810 SoC with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage.

It offered a 23 MP main camera and a 5.1 MP front-facing camera with a dedicated shutter button. In fact, it was the most powerful compact smartphone in the market at the time of launch. As a result, the smartphone was highly appreciated for its one hand usability.

Alleged features of Xperia XZ2 Compact:

The Xperia XZ2 comes with a radically redesigned body. Most of the Sony flagship smartphones offered a blocky slab design, while the XZ2 Compact will offer a curved design. Interestingly, the company might also ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack. Although these are still rumours, the XZ2 and XZ2 Compact might follow the industry trend of getting rid of the headphone jack.

The leaked design of the XZ2 Compact resembles the “Plate + Human” concept from 2015.

As per the renders, the smartphone has a metallic frame with a soft material like the finish on the back with a pillow effect. The design is reminiscent of the Nokia Lumia 930 with a metallic frame and a soft shell.

Similar to the Sony Xperia XA2 series, the XZ2 Compact is speculated to house a rear-facing fingerprint scanner. However, this is still a prototype, which means the final design might vary. As quoted by the commenter, the final product will be different from what we see in the image.

February 20, 2018
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Could Be The Fastest Android Device Ever

Samsung will launch the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and S9 on the 25th of February. Both the smartphones have been heavily leaked and there is barely anything left that Samsung can surprise us with. We know that devices will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset in the US and South Korean markets. However, in the other markets, the devices will run on the Exynos 9810 chipset.

A new benchmark listing reveals that the Galaxy S9+ could be the fastest Android devices yet. The Galaxy S9 showed up on GeekBench and had a good result, with a single-core score of 3648 and a multi-core score of 8,894. However, the Galaxy S9+ just took it a notch higher. The listing has revealed an incredible score of 3773 and 9024, respectively.

Via: https://browser.geekbench.com/android-benchmarks

For context, the image below shows the most recent GeekBench scores. The Galaxy Note8 and the Galaxy S8+ have very good single-core results of 1960 and 1953, respectively. However, the Galaxy S9+ almost doubled that with 3773 in the single-core test. In the multi-core test, the device the Galaxy Note8 and S8+ score6474 and 6427, respectively, Again, the Galaxy S9+ blows that out of the park with a score of 8894.

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Expectations

The device will be launched along with its smaller sibling. While back in 2017, there was a difference of screen and battery size between the two phones, the case won’t be the same this time around. Samsung will be adding a few extra features in the Galaxy S9+ to justify the higher price tag.

The Galaxy S9+ will have the same 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with slightly thinner bezels than its predecessor. The aspect ratio will remain the same at 18.5:9.

Under the hood, the smartphone will run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 or the Exynos 9810 chipset. This will depend on the country you buy the device from. It will run Android 8 Oreo out of the box with Experience 9.0 UI on top.

February 20, 2018
Apple Releases iOS 11.2.6 To Fix Telugu Character Bug
Apple has rolled out a new software update for iOS devices. The new iOS 11.2.6 update fixes the Telugu character bug, that we reported a few days before. The software update patches the vulnerability of iOS devices, which crashed upon using a specific character combination. The update comes with a size of 163.2 MB and the users have to connect their devices to a Wifi network to download and install the update.

The new software update also patches connection of third-party apps with the external accessories. This is a critical software update and all the iOS users are prompted to install the latest patch as soon as possible to prevent crashing of certain apps.

The company is also expected to roll out iOS 11.3 soon, which brings in new animoji and support for AR. The iOS 11.3 will also enable users to toggle the performance of the device on older iPhones. With this update, the user can switch between performance or balanced mode depending on one’s requirement. This will also enable a transparent layer to check the health of the battery on iPhones.

How to install iOS 11.2.6?
- Plug your device into power socket
- Connect to a wireless Wifi network
- Go to setting > General > Software update
- Tap download and install
- If it prompts for password, then enter your password
- Do not turn off your device at the time of installation at any cost
- After successful software installing, the device will reboot itself
- Vila, you have updated your iPhone or iPad to the latest available software
February 20, 2018
Nokia 8 Pro With Penta-Lens Camera Setup Might Launch At MWC 2018

The alleged Nokia 10 might, in fact, be the Nokia 8 Pro. A new report claims that the company will soon launch the Nokia 8 Pro. The device will have a camera setup, originally rumoured for the Nokia 10. The Nokia 8 Pro will succeed the Nokia 8, which was the flagship device of 2017 for Nokia.

The Nokia 8 was the first flagship smartphone from HMD Global, which offered flagship grade specifications. Nokia 8 was bested by the likes of the OnePlus 5T and Xiaomi Mi Mix 2. This was largely due to their superior design. The Nokia 8 also did not impress with its camera quality which was hyped by the company.

It looks like HMD Global’s plan of launching a Penta-lens smartphone will be more than just a concept. It was rumoured that the Nokia 10 will be unveiled as a concept phone at MWC 2018 and go into production in late-2018. However, it looks like the Nokia 8 Pro will be launched alongside the likes of Nokia 7 Plus at the upcoming event.

If true, the Nokia 8 Pro will definitely grab quite a few headlines. It is also expected to run on the latest Snapdragon 845 chipset. However, the Nokia 8 Pro won’t be the device running on this chipset. Smartphones like the Galaxy S9 and Mi Mix 2S are also expected to be unveiled running on the Snapdragon 845 chipset.

Specifications:

Like the Nokia 8, the Nokia 8 Pro is expected to offer top of the line specifications. As per the leaks, the smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC, coupled with either 4 or 6GB RAM. Like most other flagship smartphones of 2018, the Nokia 8 Pro will offer an 18:9 aspect ratio with minimal bezels. The exact screen size of the device is yet to be revealed, but, as per the trend, we might see a 6 inch display with rounded corners.

The smartphone might house a dual-camera setup at the back, with a possible wide angle sensor and a telephoto sensor. The smartphone does offer dual front-facing camera which is expected to offer features like portrait mode.

Design:

Nokia 8 Pro is expected to follow the trend by offering all glass back panel, with a possible support for Qi-based wireless charging. The dual grills on the front also suggest that the smartphone might offer dual front-facing stereo speaker like the Google Pixel 2 XL.

Conclusion:

We expected this smartphone to go live at MWC. But the recent APK tear-down suggests that the Nokia 8 Pro might get launched in August-September of 2018. However, the company might showcase a prototype at the mobile world congress.

February 19, 2018
Top 5 Free Music Players For Android

Music is the strongest form of magic. Listening to music cheers any soul that requires relaxation. In fact, we have multiple genres of music. Hindustani, Karnatik, Folk are originally from India, whereas Hip-Hop, Rock, Pop, and RAP belongs to western countries. Be it the 90s Jazz or the latest I am in love with the shape of you, everyone has a different taste in music.

With the mobile data plans getting cheaper day by day, these music players not only play locally saved tracks but can stream the latest song at free of cost.

Here are the top music players that are available for Android smartphones for free of cost.

Hungama:

Hungama is one of the oldest music player, that exists. The clean user interface is one of the highlights of the Hungama. One can play songs which are locally saved on the smartphone or just search for newer song altogether. The app is free to download, however, one can also choose a premium version which offers ads free user experience with the free MP3 download. In fact, this is the only app that allows the native MP3 download. The app looks a bit dated, with an unpolished user interface. The Hungama Pro plan stars at Rs. 99 per month.

Pros: Free music streaming + offline download

Cons: Boring user interface with annoying ads

Gaana:

Gaana is pretty similar to Hungama, with a few drawbacks. One can stream free music on Ganaa, but one has to subscribe to Gaana+ to save tracks offline. The app is free for download, which plays in-app ads in the free version. If we look at the UI, the Gaana looks more polished than that of the Hungama. The choice of music is unlimited, you can choose from Hollywood to Bollywood. One can experience premium Gaana Plus service for free for the first 14 days, later on, one has to pay Rs. 99 per month.

Pros: Modern user interface

Cons: No option for offline downloads for free

SoundCloud:

SoundCloud is one of the most used music distribution services. The Berlin-based company provides a platform for users to create, record, or to share the originally created music or sound bits. Most of the music found on SoundCloud is created by users. It also gives a platform for the new music creators with free access to the ever-growing library. However, this app cannot play native MP3 files, which makes it a bummer.

Pros: Brilliant UI with unique music collection

Cons: Doesn’t support native MP3 playback

JioMusic:

This is one of the best free music apps for the Android platform. It offers ad-free user experience, free streaming, free offline-downloading. However, the access is limited to Jio network users. One has to have a Jio SIM card with an action plan to use this application. Using Jio Music, one can set caller tune for free of cost at a click of a button.

Pros: Ad-free UI with extensive library of music

Cons: Restricted to Jio network

Wynk:

This music service is run by Airtel. Users of Airtel network will get free access to millions of songs, but the experience is not ad-free. To get ad-free user experience, one has to make get a premium account by paying Rs.99 per month. If you are an Airtel user, then Wynk is a must-have application, which can fulfil all your music needs.

Pros: Open to all with a privilege for Airtel users

Cons: ads playing between the music

February 19, 2018
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Specifications Leaked

A new tablet from Samsung was recently listed on GFXBench with the model number SM-T835. The last year’s Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 came with a model number SM-T835. Which suggests that this is indeed the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab S4.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 came with a glass sandwich design with flagship specifications. In fact, the sound profile of the tablet was fine-tuned by AKG. The flagship tablet from Samsung offered a unique user experience with the latest specifications and a 2k display. Visually, the Tab S3 was one of the most appealing tablets in its times. In fact, it is the only tablet, which offers a 10.5-inch Super OLED panel with rich blacks and punchy colours. So, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is also expected to feature flagship specifications with a premium design.

The Galaxy Tab S3 was originally launched in India for a price of Rs. 47,990, so, the Galaxy Tab S4 is also expected to be priced on the same line.

Tab S4 listed on GFXBench

Specifications:

The Galaxy Tab S4 features a large 10.5-inch 2560 x 1600 QHD+ Super AMOLED display, protected by tempered glass. The device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Octa-core processor, paired with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage with a dedicated SD card slot.

Coming to the optics, the device is fitted with a single 12 MP main camera and a 7 MP front-facing camera. The video recording capability is limited to 1080p on both the cameras.

Galaxy Tab S3

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 does offer a single SIM card slot, which is expected to support 4G LTE and VoLte, 3G, and 2G networks. The tablet is powered by Android Oreo 8.0 OS with custom Samsung UX on the top.

Conclusion:

Along with the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Samsung Galaxy S9+, the company might also unveil the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 at MWC 2018. This seems possible since the Galaxy Tab S3 was launched at MWC 2017.

February 19, 2018

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Vs Honor 7X Vs Xiaomi Mi A1: Camera Shootout!

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5 Pro in India at a starting price of Rs. 13999. Keeping up with the industry trends, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a dual-camera on the back. Unlike a lot of other smartphones with a dual camera setup, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has two RGB sensors.

At this price tag, the Note 5 Pro directly competes with the likes of the Honor 7X and Xiaomi’s own Mi A1. The Honor 7X and Mi A1 also have the best cameras in this price segment. Despite the 18:9 aspect ratio, the Redmi Note 5 Pro has thicker bezels than the Honor 7X which are even more prominent in the Gold colour variant. The Mi A1 has a 16:9 aspect ratio and definitely looks archaic when put next to the Note 5 Pro and Honor 7X.

Where the Mi A1 one-ups the other two devices is the software. It runs stock Android OS and is part of the Android One program. Hence, it will get the latest software update for the next two years at least. However, the same cannot be said about the Honor 7X and Redmi Note 5 Pro since they run custom UI on top of Android. In fact, the Honor 7X and Note 5 Pro still run Android 7 Nougat, while the Mi A1 has been updated to Android 8 Oreo.

With the three devices priced similarly, we decided to put them through their paces. Let’s see which one came out on top:

Camera Samples

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Honor 7X

Xiaomi Mi A1

Specifications	Redmi Note 5 Pro	Honor 7X	Xiaomi Mi A1
Price	Starting Rs. 13999	Starting Rs. 12999	Rs. 13999
Display	5.99 inch 18:9 Aspect Ratio IPS LCD	5.93-inch 18:9 Aspect Ratio LTPS IPS LCD	5.5 inch 16:9 Aspect Ratio LTPS IPS LCD
Resolution	2160 x 1080 px 403ppi	2160 x 1080 px 407 ppi	1920 x 1080 px 403 ppi
Battery	4000 mAh	3340 mAh	3080 mAh
Chipset	Snapdragon 636	HiSilicon Kirin 659	Snapdragon 625
RAM	4GB 6GB	3GB 4GB	4GB
Storage	64GB Expandable Up to 256GB	32GB 64GB Expandable up to 256GB	64GB Expandable up to 128GB
Primary Camera	12MP f/2.2 5MP f/2.0 1.25-micron	16MP 2MP depth sensor	12MP f/2.2 Wide-Angle 12MP f/2.6 Telephoto 1.25-micron
Primary Camera Video	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps	1920 x 1080 px @ 30fps	4K @ 30fps
Secondary Camera	20MP Sony IMX376 Beautify 4.0 LED flash	8MP	5MP f/2.0
Add-Ons	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor	Fingerprint Sensor

Photos are extremely subjective, hence, we will let you choose your winner. Let us know your choice in the comments below!

February 19, 2018

Nokia 4 Specifications Leaked Ahead Of Imminent MWC 2018 Launch

A new Nokia smartphone from HMD Global is all set to debut on MWC 2018. This time its Nokia 4, which is likely to replace the Nokia 3. A new report claims that the Nokia 4 will have a badge on the back with a model number TA-1032.

HMD Global didn’t launch either Nokia 3 or the Nokia 5 in China. Which means, there is a great chance that the company might not launch Nokia 4 in China as well. It also comes with a tag Made in India, which means that the Nokia 4 might have a very competitive price tag in India.

The Nokia 3 was one of the affordable Android smartphones from Nokia, based on a MediaTek processor. Like a lot of affordable phones from Nokia, the Nokia 3 was also overpriced. Hence, it could not really have an impact on the Indian market. With a newer processor, the company might be planning to get back the attention of the users. However, the build quality, from the image, still leaves a lot to be desired.

Specifications:

In terms of specifications, the only known information about the Nokia 4 is the that, the smartphone runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 Octa-core SoC. Considering the specifications of Nokia 3, the device is expected to feature 5.2-inch 720p IPS LCD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass Protection. The Nokia 4 will feature at least 2 GB RAM and 16 GB storage like the Nokia 3 with an expandable SD card slot.

There are no details regarding the camera or the battery. In terms of operating system, the smartphone will be based on Android Oreo 8.0 with the stock user experience.

Conclusion:

The Nokia 4 will be the newest addition to that list of smartphones that Nokia might launch at MWC 2018. It looks like Nokia will launch at least 4 smartphones at MWC. The Nokia 10 with a rotating 5-camera setup, the Nokia 7 Plus with dual Zeiss camera and a most affordable Nokia 1 with entry-level specs.

February 19, 2018
Asus ZenFone 5 Specifications Leaked Before Its MWC 2018 Launch

As per the recent leaks and benchmarks listing, Asus might launch it’s flagship ZenFone 5 at MWC 2018. The Asus ZenFone 5 was spotted on AnTuTu with a brief insight into specifications. The one with the top of the line specifications is expected to have the model number Z01RD. We might see multiple variants of the ZenFone 5 with this one being the most powerful of the lot.

Another leak about the ZenFone 5 reveals an interesting detail about its design. The leaked image shows off an iPhone X-like notch on top of the display, similar to the likes of Huawei P11. However, unlike the iPhone X, the ZenFone 5 might just house a front-facing camera and an earpiece inside the notch. The notch on the iPhone X, on the other hand, serves a much more important purpose.

Early ZenFone 5 Sketches

The notch on the iPhone X was met with scepticism at the time of the launch. However, the users and reviewers have appreciated the notch since its launch. Leaks also suggest that Android P is expected to support the notch natively, which suggests, the upcoming Google Pixel 3 and Pixis3 XL could also come with a notch. However, it will be interesting to see what the implementation of the notch will be like.

ZenFone 5 AnTuTu listing

Specifications:

The AnTuTu listing reveals that the smartphone might be powered by the Snapdragon 845 SoC with 6 GB RAM. The internal storage is listed as 32 GB, which sounds quite weird for a modern day flagship smartphone. Like every other smartphone maker, Asus has planned to go with 18:9 aspect ratio display with 2240 x 1080p resolution.

The ZenFone 5 runs on Android Oreo 8.0 out of the box with custom Zen UI. The ZenFone 5 scores 238129 points, which is marginally less than the 265267 points scored by Galaxy S9. Does it point towards the fact that, ZenFone 5 is using a slightly underpowered processor that the Galaxy S9?

The ZenFone 5 is expected to feature a dual camera setup at the back, possibly with a regular and a telephoto lens. The front notch is expected to house a front-facing camera with hardware for facial recognition like the one on the Apple iPhone X. However, the implementation of the facial recognition technology might differ from Face ID. The smartphone is expected to be available in Midnight Black, Moonlight White, and Rouge Red colour, with a full metal unibody design.

Conclusion:

MWC is a week away and we are already seeing smartphones which are expected to go official at the event. It looks like we will be seeing a lot of Android devices with a notch. With these set of specifications, we are also expecting a price tag of at least US$ 600 for the entry-level model.

February 19, 2018
Video Shows Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S And iPhone X-Style Gestures For Navigation

With MWC 2018 just a few days away, the anticipation around potential launches is increasing. One of the most anticipated devices after the Galaxy S9 is the Mi Mix 2S. Xiaomi is expected to launch its 2018 flagship device at MWC 2018 which will be one of the first few devices to run on Snapdragon 845. Leaks also suggest that it will have a nearly bezel-less design.

A new video has surfaced only which apparently shows off the bottom part of the Mi Mix 2S. In the video, someone is seen handling the Mi Mix 2S with support for gestures. Now, this doesn’t come as a surprise as Xiaomi recently introduced gestures in a Beta build of MIUI 9. Apparently, the Mi Mix 2S will come with gesture support out of the box.

The video, unfortunately, doesn’t reveal the top half of the device. Hence, it is not possible to confirm whether the Mi Mix 2S will indeed come with a notch on top. However, this also means that we can’t confirm whether the device in question is the Mi Mix 2S. The bottom bezels of the phone are unlike any other Xiaomi phone and definitely resemble the renders of the Mi Mix 2S.

However, this could well be the Mi Mix 2 upside down. The company has already introduced gesture support for the device and once rotated, the smartphone’s UI also rotates. So, we would suggest that you take this leak with a pinch of scepticism.

Mi Mix 2S Expectations

The back of the Mi Mix 2S is expected to be the same as the Mi Mix 2. It will be made of ceramic which means it’ll be a fingerprint magnet. However, that is a price you have to pay for a device that looks as premium as the Mi Mix 2S. The significant change will be in the camera department. This time around, the Mi Mix 2S will have a dual-camera setup, which could be similar to the one found on the Mi A1, albeit of better quality.

On the front is where Xiaomi will look to one-up the much-famed Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. The leaked image confirms that the smartphone will have a different take on the notch. The bezels all around the display will be uniform but, the top right corner will protrude a bit and that will house the front-facing camera.

It will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset coupled with 8GB of RAM and 256GB onboard storage.

Mi Mix 2s Renders

Conclusion

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s will be launching a day or two after the Galaxy S9 and S9+. The alleged design of the phone, along with these new gestures will surely grab a few headlines. After the iPhone X, Android smartphone makers like OnePlus and Xiaomi have dug deep into the possibilities surrounding gestures for navigation. While the shift for iPhone users to gestures was more organic, it could be a bit tough for Android users since the OS has used only buttons so far. iOS, on the other hand, had gestures inside the UI before the iPhone X came along.

February 19, 2018
Essential Ph-1 Could Launch In India At A Price Of Rs.30,000

Essential Ph-1, the first Android smartphone with a notch is coming to India. A report claims that the smartphone will be available exclusively via Amazon for less than Rs. 30,000. At this price tag, the Essential Ph-1 will be a great offering for Indian consumers.

The smartphone was officially launched in the US for US$699, and the price has been brought down to US$450 due to unimpressive sales numbers. The phone does offer one of a kind design language, with a sturdy build quality. Though it has flagship specifications, the camera performance was highly criticised, which explains the global shipping number of 88,000 units.

Specifications:

On the front, the Essential Ph-1 packs in a 5.71-inch IPS LCD QHD+ touch panel with 19:10 aspect ratio, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Octa-core processor, coupled with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB storage.

Like most of the modern flagship smartphones, the phone offers dual camera setup (13 MP + 13 MP) RGB + monochrome setup. In this case, the monochrome sensor helps to capture the depth details to give bokeh effect. The front-notch on the display houses an 8 MP selfie camera with 4K video recording capability.

The smartphone packs in a 3040 mAh sealed battery with Quickcharge 4.0+ capability. The smartphone runs on stock Android 7.1 Nougat and expected to receive Oreo update soon via OTA.

Conclusion:

The affordable flagship segment in India is getting more competitive with the recent offerings like Moto Z2 Force and Honor View10. The addition of the Essential Ph-1 makes it more exciting for the consumers. But, with devices like the Mi Mix 2S and OnePlus 6 expected to be launched soon, is it too little too late for Essential Ph-1?

February 19, 2018
Google Pixel 2 Devices Face Overheating Issues After February Security Patch

Google Pixel 2 devices have started receiving the February security patch. These updates are pushed to patch any vulnerability or a bug. However, sometimes these updates themselves start to create a new bug. Users of Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL are have started reporting that their smartphones have started heating up.

According to users, after the February security update, the smartphone tends to heat up a lot. Not only that, even the battery life of the smartphones has taken a hit.

A user on Reddit wrote that:

I recently updated my Pixel 2 to the latest security patch. I’ve checked it’s not a recently downloaded app, I’ve uninstalled all the apps I downloaded before it started getting hot just to check. It gets fairly warm almost instantly after starting to use it, within about a minute or so of anything really. Anyone got any advice? Battery life seems unaffected.

Another user said:

Battery is terrible since the latest update. Phone is getting pretty warm just using reddit anymore.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are the smartphones which launched with great potential. However, these devices have been in the limelight for all the reasons. Here are some of the issues reported by Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL users.

The first known issue on the Google Pixel 2 XL was the display issue. Users complained that the display on the smartphone bit dull compared to other smartphones. The company then patched the issue with a software update. Still, a few users have a complain that the display shows cooler colour with a blue tint on a slight shift.

Soon after that, users of Pixel 2 XL started complaining about voicemail issue, which causes users low volume on outgoing voicemail via Google Allo application. Which was later on patched with a software update. Users also raised a concern about buzzing or rattling issue on the stereo speakers, which was later on patched with a software update.

Conclusion:

However, the issue doesn’t seem to be universal, as a few users have commented that they haven’t experienced anything unusual and their devices are performing normally. Google is yet to comment on this issue, with whats wrong with the latest security update or is this caused by some third party application.

February 17, 2018