Samsung will be launching the Galaxy S9 and S9+ at MWC 2018. Both smartphones have been heavily leaked and there is barely anything left that can surprise us. However, this morning a unique kind of leak showcased the Galaxy S9 based on AR technology.
Samsung has released an app called “unpack” for the MWC attendees, which comes with a QR code for the entry to the general public, who like to watch the live streaming of the event. The QR code takes the attendees to an app, which comes packed with hints and teasers regarding the launch event.
An XDA Developers member has successfully decompiled the APK. The APK contained a 3D render of the Samsung Galaxy S9. Anyone can access the 3D model just by scanning the press event, but, the app was modified to see a 360 model of the phone in full glory.
The 3D model matches with the renders of the smartphone, but, no additional details have been obtained from these renders.
Credits: XDA Developers
Expected specifications:
The Samsung Galaxy S9 is expected to have a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED QHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio, with narrow bezels. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by either Snapdragon 845 chipset or Exynos 9810. According to a leak, the device will be offered in two storage options, 4GB RAM/64GB storage and 4GB RAM/128GB storage.
The camera on the Galaxy S9 will have a noticeable upgrade. A leak reveals that the device would have a 12 MP camera with a variable aperture from F/1.5 to F/2.4. The mobile is expected to run Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box with Experience UI on the top.
Like its predecessors, the Galaxy S9 will have an IP68 water and dust resistance certification. The smartphone is expected to include a killer feature called “smart scan”, which uses both iris scanner and facial recognition for more accurate authenticate system. However, this technology uses Samsung API, this feature won’t be utilised for banking.
Pricing:
The Galaxy S9 will cost KRW950,000 (US$ 883) in South Korea, the Samsung’s native market. For context, the Galaxy S8 was priced at KRW935,000 (US$ 875) at the time of launch.
Sony is expected to launch two smartphones at MWC 2018 that commences on February 26th. While it was speculated that the company would skip MWC to avoid clashing with the Galaxy S9 launch, recent rumours have suggested otherwise. The Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact will be unveiled at the upcoming event and their pricing has been leaked.
Pricing
The Sony Xperia XZ2 (earlier known as XZ2 Pro) will carry a price tag of US$ 987 (Rs. 64000 approx.). The smaller of the two will be the XZ2 Compact which will have the same specifications as the XZ2. Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact will be priced at US$ 740 (Rs. 48000). Both the devices will go on sale on the 6th of March in Europe, possibly.
Xperia XZ2 Compact
However, there are no dates confirmed for the device’s launch date in India.
Sony Xperia Xz2 Pro:
The Xz2 Pro is expected to have a 5.7-inch 4K OLED display with dual front-facing stereo speakers. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Oct-core chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, this could be untrue and the company could launch the XZ2 Pro with a Snapdragon 835 chipset. Although not public, there is a possibility of Samsung having early access to Snapdragon 845 chipsets.
Hence, the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 7 has also been pushed to later. Since the company confirmed that the Mi 7 will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset.
Xperia XZ2 Pro Renders
This might be the first Sony smartphone to feature dual camera at the back with a 16 MP + 13 MP camera setup. There will be a 12 MP front-facing camera at the front.
Sony Xperia Xz2 Compact:
The Xz2 Compact might have a 5 inch display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. Just like the Xperia XZ2 Pro, it could either be powered by the Snapdragon 845 or 835 chipset. The Xperia Xz2 Compact might feature thin bezels along with an 18:9 aspect ratio display.
The Xz2 Compact is expected to run on Android 8.1 Oreo with Sony’s Xperia Interface. As of now, there are no other details about the Xperia Xz2 Compact.
Conclusion:
While the price of the Sony smartphones might seem a bit higher, the industry trend could be the reason. However, Sony has priced its flagship devices competitively in India and expect the same this time around as well.
Sony is expected to launch a couple of smartphones at MWC 2018. The launch is significant in more than one way. Apart from the flagship devices on display, the company will also finally move on to an 18:9 aspect ratio. However, the company is in no rush to give anything away before the launch event. Hence, Sony’s social media team decided to post a cryptic video on Twitter to announce the launch event.
The video shows a hand with Sony’s iconic wallpaper in front of a grey background. It doesn’t seem necessary to delve too deep into the video. However, the decision to put up a cryptic video is very interesting. There is a lot of speculation around the Sony devices launching at MWC 2018. Hence, the company’s admission to a launch event that too with a minimalistic video appears to be a smart choice. It has certainly made people talk about the Sony devices again.
The smartphone maker is known to launch new smartphones at MWC every year. This year, the company might launch the Xperia Xz2 Pro and the Xperia Xz2 Compact. These devices are expected to offer newer design language called as “Plate + Human”.
The Sony Xperia Xz2 Pro is expected to have a 5.7-inch 4K OLED display with dual front-facing stereo speakers. Under the hood, the smartphone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Oct-core chipset with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. However, this could be untrue and the company could launch the XZ2 Pro with a Snapdragon 835 chipset. Although not public, there is a possibility of Samsung having early access to Snapdragon 845 chipsets.
Hence, the launch of the Xiaomi Mi 7 has also been pushed to later. Since the company confirmed that the Mi 7 will be powered by the Snapdragon 845 chipset.
This might be the first Sony smartphone to feature dual camera at the back with a 16 MP + 13 MP camera setup. There will be a 12 MP front-facing camera at the front.
Sony Xperia Xz2 Compact:
The Xperia Xz2 Compact might have a 5 inch display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. Just like the Xperia XZ2 Pro, it could either be powered by the Snapdragon 845 or 835 chipset. The Xperia Xz2 Compact might feature thin bezels along with an 18:9 aspect ratio display.
The Xperia Xz2 Compact is expected to run on Android 8.1 Oreo with Sony’s Xperia Interface. As of now, there are no other details about the Xperia Xz2 Compact.
Conclusion:
Sony has been known for its premium smartphone. The smartphones are known to have a plenty of features like flagship grade display, premium camera, and even IP certification for water and dust resistance.
With the new Xperia Xz2 series, finally, the company might refresh its blocky slab design with an interesting curvier design.
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!
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
BlackBerry is all set to launch three new smartphones in the coming days. According to a recent leak, these phones come with code name Athena, Luna, and Uni. After years of dominating the smartphone market along with Nokia, BlackBerry has gone off the rails. WIth another set of Android devices, the company would want to establish a strong foothold.
In the last couple of years, the company has launched smartphones like the BlackBerry Priv, BlackBerry KeyOne, and BlackBerry Passport. Now, the company is all set to refresh this lineup with these newer offerings. These devices are expected to be officially launched at the upcoming MWC 2018 in Barcelona.
WIPO has published a new patent from BlackBerry Limited for a smartphone with a sliding mechanism. In fact, the sketch resembles the BlackBerry Priv, which was launched in 2015. Back in the October 2017, a report claimed that the company is working on a new smartphone, is this one in the question?
The only difference between these models is the placement of the camera. The camera will be hidden until the slide is open. The back-case offers a camera lens, which might offer features like a wide-angle lens, fish-eye vision, a zoom lens or a macro lens.
Registered Patent for upcoming BlackBerry smartphone
Specifications of BlackBerry Uni, Luna, and, Athen:
As of now, we just have the specifications of the BlackBerry Uni. It is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 Octa-core processor with 6 GB or 8 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. The screen resolution of Uni (1620 x 1080) hints that the phone might resemble the BlackBerry KeyOne. This confuses a bit, as it has a mechanism like Priv, but a screen resolution of KeyOne? Considering that these devices will be launched in 2018, BlackBerry might go for a bezel-less design, which might be the reason for this different screen resolution.
Presently, the specifications of the other two models are still unclear. As the MWC approaches, we will have a clear idea about all three devices.
Conclusion:
At least on paper, these smartphones look promising. BlackBerry should make sure that these devices run on latest Android OS with a competitive price tag at the time of launch.
The launch of Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is just a few days away. In the weeks of leading up to the official launch, we have had enough leaks to reveal almost everything about the device. However, the leaks don’t really stop until a phone is officially launched. Similarly, there has been another revelation in the story of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.
Galaxy S9+ Case Renders
An anonymous Reddit user claimed that he/she used the Galaxy S9+ for about 20 minutes. They hosted an AMA and answered a lot of questions pertaining to the Galaxy S9+ in particular. While there have been enough renders to reveal what the devices might look like, a few key details were still missing. Ever since the AMA was hosted, a few of the comments have been deleted. However, enough information was revealed to shed more light on what to expect from the devices.
The user has revealed that the Galaxy S9+ looks and feels very similar to the Galaxy S8+. The user said that “I was really so [surprised] at the fact that it looked like I was holding an s8. It’s really that similar.” The fingerprint sensor has been moved to a more central position, similar to the Galaxy A8+. The user claimed that the Galaxy S9 has stereo speakers, one in the earpiece and a second at the bottom of the phone. This is similar to what is found in recent Apple iPhones.
Intelligent Scan
One of the most talked-about features of the iPhone X is its Animojis. There were reports that claimed the Galaxy S9 and S9+ will come with its own rendition of talking emojis. According to the user, it is not an exact copy of Animoji. In fact, it offers a different user experience that is better in some ways, but worse in others.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ Overview
The smaller sibling will have a 5.8 inch Super AMOLED display while the Galaxy S9+ will have a 6.2 inch display. Both the devices will have a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.
Press Renders
Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9 will have a single 12MP SuperSpeed Dual Pixel camera. This time around, however, the camera will have an f/1.5 aperture and record super slow motion videos at 480fps. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ will become the second phone from Samsung to feature a dual-camera setup on the back after the Galaxy Note8. The Galaxy S9+ will have a 12MP camera with an f/1.4 aperture along with another 12MP camera with an f/2.5 aperture
Owing to the launch of the Samsung flagship phones, a lot of companies have restrained from making significant announcements. The Galaxy S9 is expected to be priced at Rs. 69,000 in India.
Smartphones in 2018 are expected to have the standard 18:9 aspect ratio. Not just premium phones, but, even budget and entry-level devices are expected to follow the industry norm. HTC, which recently launched the HTC U11+ in India, might be launching an entry-level phone with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The company is rumoured to launch the HTC Desire 12 with a tall display at MWC 2018.
HTC Desire 825
Evan Blass, a popular tipster on Twitter revealed that the company is working on an entry-level device. He later revealed that this smartphone will be called the HTC 12 Desire. The company is also expected to launch the HTC U12 at MWC 2018.
Specifications:
The HTC Desire 12 will have a 5.5-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. We have seen the majority of bezel-less smartphones have a display close to 6 inches, so, this information might not be accurate.
The smartphone is expected to have a MediaTek processor, paired with 2GB RAM and 16GB onboard flash storage. If these specifications turn out to be true, the HTC U12 Desire could be one of the cheapest smartphones with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The device will be powered by a 2730 mAh battery.
The smartphone is expected to have a 13 MP primary camera and a 5 MP front-facing camera. However, there is no further information on other specifications about the cameras.
Conclusion:
While the specifications do come across as entry-level, pricing could make a difference for the HTC U12 Desire. The 18:9 aspect ratio could differentiate it from other entry-level devices. Also, there are chances that this could be an Android Go device considering the specifications. However,
HTC hasn’t learned anything from the past. People no more look for a brand name, instead, they dig down deep for the specifications. The only upside about the HTC Desire 12 is the 18:9 display. The processor, RAM, and ROM don’t say much about the device. However, nothing has been confirmed by the company yet. This means that the leaks could amount to nothing, come MWC 2018.
The Nokia 7 Plus could be the first Nokia-branded Android One smartphone. It is expected to be launched at MWC 2018 along with the Nokia 1. After a plethora of leaks and speculations about the Nokia 7 Plus, now we have a live image of the first Nokia smartphone with 18:9 aspect ratio display.
The Nokia 7 Plus will be a spiritual successor of the highly popular Nokia 7 (at least in China). The Nokia 7 was launched with a 16:9 aspect ratio display, powered by Snapdragon 630 Octa-core processor. Nokia 7 Plus, however, is expected to have an 18:9 aspect ratio with an almost bezel-less design. The single Zeiss lens on the Nokia 7 has been doubled on Nokia 7 Plus.
It looks like the company is testing the phone internally in India. The leaked image has a name “Raj Sharma” and the word “Namaste”, which means welcome. Therefore, it might hint at a possible launch in India sooner than expected. As we move closer to MWC 2018, more details about the upcoming Nokia device are being leaked.
Rumoured Specifications:
Nokia 7 Plus will be the first Nokia smartphone to offer an 18:9 aspect ratio display. The IPS LCD display will supposedly have a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. 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.
Nokia 7 Plus Renders
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.
Apart from the Nokia 8, HMD Global missed the mark by pricing its budget devices higher than expected. The likes of Nokia 6 lost out to Honor 7X, Mi A1 and others. The Nokia 7 Plus, to make a mark in the Indian market, has to be priced close to the Moto X4. At a price close to Rs. 20,000 the device will be the only device with an 18:9 aspect ratio and Snapdragon 660 chipset.
However, nothing can be said about the pricing of the smartphone yet. While the Nokia 7 Plus specifications are impressive, these are leaks at the end of the day.
Huawei will be launching a smartphone at MWC 2018. After some speculation that the company would skip the event, it confirmed its presence. However, it also confirmed a launch event for March 27. At MWC 2018, the company is expected to launch the Huawei P11/P20 Lite while the March 27 event will see the unveiling of the Huawei P20 and P20 Plus.
A few days ago, renders of the Huawei P11/P20 Lite were leaked by a popular tipster on Twitter. And now, live images of the device have been leaked by FCC. The leaked images confirm what has been rumoured for a while now. The Huawei P11/P20 Lite will have a lot of similarities with the Apple iPhone X.
On the front, it will have an iPhone X-style notch that will house the earpiece and front-camera. On the back, Huawei P11/P20 Lite will have a vertically placed dual-camera setup. The position of the camera module is uncannily similar to the iPhone X. It even protrudes a bit, just like the iPhone X. The LED flash is placed below the cameras, while it is placed between the two cameras on the iPhone X.
The fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back. Therefore, we might have to wait until the end of the year for a Huawei phone with Clear ID. The device also appears to have an all-glass build with an aluminium frame.
Expected Specifications
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 fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back of the phone. While the smartphone is expected to be thin, it is expected to house a big battery that will support SuperCharge
The MWC 2018 event isn’t too far away. Hence, we are expected to see frequent leaks of devices that are expected to be launched in the coming days.
