At MWC 2018, HMD, the company responsible for keeping the Nokia brand alive, unveiled a slew of new smartphones including the Nokia 7 Plus, Nokia 1, Nokia 8 Sirocco and Nokia 6 2018.
But which of these smartphones will make it on the US market? Given that HMD’s repeatedly stated that the US is not a key market for now, the prospects didn’t seem that great.
Get ready for the Nokia 6 2018
Yet, US customers shouldn’t abandon all home. In an interview with CNET, Nokia’s chief product officer, Juho Sarvikas said the new Nokia 6 will hit the US market in May.
Like it’s the case with the Nokia 6 (currently available at Amazon) and Nokia 3310 3G, the phone won’t be offered through carriers. Instead, you’ll be able to grab it from retail partners like Amazon. Sarvikas didn’t give any more details on the matter.
His statement goes against previous information shared by HMD’s CEO Florian Seiche who also talked to CNET. He said the US market is not a core focus this year, hence the phones unveiled at MWC won’t be offered across the pond (at least not in 2018). Odd…
What about the other new Nokia phones?
A separate source via NPU also claims the Nokia 6 2018 is coming to the US, alongside the Nokia 1 and Nokia 7 Plus. The time frame for the launch is similar to the one shared by Sarvikas, around May-June.
Nokia will have to stop giving the cold shoulder to the US at some point, especially if it wants to achieve its grand ambitions. The company’s CEO revealed Nokia aims to become one of the top 5 smartphone manufacturers within 5 to 3 years.
Anyway, it will probably take a few months (hopefully not an entire year) before the Nokia 6 2018 will land stateside.
In case you missed the announcement, the phone comes boasting an aluminum unibody and includes a fingerprint sensor on the back (no physical home button).
Specs include a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with FHD resolution and a Snapdragon 630 processor clocked at 2.2GHz with 3GB/4GB of RAM and either 32GB/64GB of expandable storage.
On the back, there’s a 16-megapixel main camera with Zeiss optics, phase detection autofocus, dual-tone flash and f/2.0 aperture. It offers the Bothie effect which made a debut on the Nokia 8 which lets you use the front and rear cameras in a split screen. For selfies, users will have to rely on an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with f/2.0.
The Nokia 6 2018 also bundles on a 3,000 mAh battery and runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
Would you be interested in buying the new Nokia 6 if it comes to the US?
Following the inclusion of Bixby, Samsung’s proprietary voice based AI assistant to its flagship devices, the company is now planning to release a smart speaker with the AI assistant at the second half of this year.
DJ Koh, president of Samsung’s mobile division has put an end to all the rumours surfacing for several months about the speaker, confirming that they are indeed working on it and it would be a premium product as they don’t want to work on an affordable mass model.
According to an interview given to The Wallstreet Journal by DJ Koh at the Mobile World Congress 2018 event, the Bixby powered smart speaker might also launch with different price segments just like the Google Home, with the most expensive model having the best sound quality and vice versa.
Price point of Bixby Speakers
Since DJ Koh has already mentioned that he wants to focus on premium with the Bixby smart speaker, we can expect a product that is likely to compete with the other big players in this domain namely the recently launched Apple HomePod and the most expensive Google Home Max priced at $349 and $399 respectively.
However, rumours from back in December of last year claimed that the Bixby powered smart speaker from Samsung might launch on the first half of 2018 with its price point being somewhere around $200 which is essentially in the middle ground of the $100 Amazon Echo and the $349 Apple Homepod.
While there are already a lot of smart speakers available in the market from the expensive and premium Google Home Max and Apple Homepod to the pocket friendly Amazon Echo Dot, Samsung must really have to do something interesting and innovative with its new Bixby powered smart speakers.
Considering the fact that Google Assistant, that powers the smart speakers from Google is much more advanced and feature rich than Bixby, it might be quite difficult for Samsung to stand out and be successfuly in the market especially as it aims at delivering a more premium product.
We’ve seen numerous great handsets at MWC 2018 so far, covering a wide range of appealing features and budgets. But naturally, the most eyes fall upon what’s next from the well-known flagships in the smartphone arena. LG is taking a backseat this Spring (not really counting the V30 refresh that brings very minimal updates), so that just leaves Samsung and Sony to duel it out.
But most folks (especially in the US) wouldn’t even consider it much of a fight at all. Samsung’s mobile division vastly trumps Sony’s. And it doesn’t help that Sony smartphones have no presence in US carrier stores, or aren’t able to be imported with working fingerprint scanners. However, with the new Xperia XZ2 (and XZ2 Compact), Sony is finally addressing these problems. Not only that, but the new XZ2 design makes the largest push forward for the Xperia line, positioning it neck-to-neck with the colossal Galaxy S9. The XZ2 actually outdoes the Galaxy S9 in a few ways, which we’ll cover now.
Robust HDR Support
By now, it’s not a standout feature to have a display that can render HDR content in a top-tier smartphone. But the Xperia XZ2 is uniquely going all-in with HDR support. The 19MP rear camera (which also has 7 more megapixels of capture resolution than the Galaxy S9) is capable of recording HDR with its 4K video capture. This feels like something we should’ve had from the beginning, as a significant source in taking advantage of our HDR-capable displays.
But that’s not all. HDR is still not fully adopted by content creators. So Sony set up its X-Reality display engine to upscale non-HDR videos to “near HDR” quality. Suffice to say, if you want the full benefit of HDR tech, then the XZ2 is the best smartphone right now.
1080P Slow-Mo
One of the Galaxy S9‘s big selling points is its camera’s ability to capture up to 960 fps slow motion. But Sony was actually the first to the feature, and quite a while ago with the Xperia XZ Premium early last year. This means that while Samsung is at its beginnings with the feature, Sony is improving on it with its follow-up smartphone.
What does that mean? Well, the drawback of shooting at such a high frame-rate means that resolution has to be dialed down. Like the XZ Premium, the Galaxy S9 caps out at 720P with that ridiculous max fps count. However, the new XZ2 can do it with a much clearer Full HD resolution, that is, 1080P.
Next-Level Haptic Feedback
Sony tends to do its own thing when it comes to developing technology, and this next feature is a perfect example of that. The XZ2 has another degree of haptic feedback, that is, its vibration motor (dubbed the Dynamic Vibration System) plays a larger role in the smartphone experience. The component itself larger than the conventional smartphone vibration motor, and has a varying amount of intensity.
So what’s the purpose? It’s meant to add another sense to multimedia consumption. Not unlike the DualShock vibration long in Sony’s PlayStation controllers, you’ll feel extra rumble in more intense moments of your media (movies, music, games). Sony also lets you adjust the sensitivity of the system as desired.
Dual Front-Facing Speakers
As covered in our Smartphones with the Best Speakers list, there are only a handful of handset makers that don’t give up on the superior audio experience given by front-facing stereo speakers. Sony happens to be one of these. Sure, the Galaxy S9 gained dual speakers this year, but only one of the speakers is facing in the right direction (the other is bottom-facing). And yes, it does make a significant difference.
And that’s not all. Over the years, Sony has developed a simulated surround-sound system in their speakers called S-Force, which has been used in the company’s soundbars. Well, now the tech comes with the XZ2 speakers. We haven’t used either handset yet but would bet that the S9’s audio set up won’t hold a candle to the XZ2.
Larger Battery (compared to base Galaxy S9)
Unfortunately for Samsung fans, the Galaxy S9 (and S9+) use the same battery capacity as they did last year (and the year before!). This has made it easy for the competition to one-up them in the battery area. Sure, the Snapdragon 845 chipset comes with better optimization that should result in a battery life improvement from the year before, but remember that the XZ2 will get those same optimizations, as it also uses Qualcomm’s new flagship silicon.
And it has 180 mAh more capacity than the standard Galaxy S9 (which is its corresponding competition considering the XZ2’s 5.7″ and Galaxy S9’s 5.8″ display sizes). We also can’t forget that Sony has a history of strong battery life results from its own efficient software optimizations.
High-Res Wireless Audio
It was a bummer to learn that Sony is joining the trend to drop the historic 3.5mm audio jack with the XZ2, especially knowing how Sony is dedicated to high-res audio in other parts of its business (it still regularly pumps out audiophile-grade digital audio players). It also doesn’t help the argument of this list when Samsung continues to support wired audio.
But fortunately, Sony doesn’t completely leave us hanging, like others that kill the audio jack. The XZ2 is equipped to support every high-res wireless standard out there, that is, aptX (up to 352 kbps), aptX HD (up to 576 kbps), and Sony’s own codec that achieves a near CD quality wireless transfer of 990 kbps. The Galaxy S9 appears to only offer aptX.
Compact Variant
Smartphones have converged on large displays, which is to the dismay of the many users still out there unyielding to give up on one-handability. I personally love having a large display, but can sympathize with this minority, especially in those times when I fumble my phone and nearly have a heart attack.
The 5.0″ XZ2 Compact matches its bigger brother’s excellence.
Sony is the only smartphone manufacturer that has dependably looked after these users. Not only does it try as much as possible to retain all the top-end specs of the main flagship in the “compact” device, but it continues to offer a smaller variant to this day (where compact devices have about all been dropped by the industry). The Xperia XZ2 Compact keeps a lot of what makes the XZ2 awesome (like the Snapdragon 845 chipset and upgraded 19 MP camera), but in a more manageable 5.0″ display size package. You do lose the new Dynamic Vibration System, the pretty glass back, and wireless charging, but I’m sure most will agree that these are minor setbacks.
Final Thoughts
The XZ2 in new Deep Green color.
Unfortunately, two significant unknowns with the Xperia XZ2 are pricing and availability. Samsung not only has a definitive date for the launch of the S9, but it’s real soon, on March 16th. This comparison doesn’t hold much weight if you won’t readily be able to get your hands on the XZ2. But at the announcement, Sony suggested that it’s trying to work things out. And it’s hopeful knowing that the fingerprint scanner debacle for US units has finally been taken care of.
For more details on the Xperia XZ2 and XZ Compact, check out our coverage here. We’d like to hear your thoughts on Sony’s renewed effort in the Xperia line. Are you guys excited for what’s coming or is it not enough? Sound off below!
TCL on Saturday introduced its Alcatel 5 Series of smartphone, positioning it towards “everyday lifestyle” users. As an “affordable flagship”, it runs Android 7.0 Nougat and promises solid bang for the buck.
The Alcatel 5 will feature a brushed metallic unibody design and includes a 5.7-inch display with HD+ (1,440 x 720 pixel) resolution. It, too, joins the other Alcatel models from Mobile World Congress 2018 with the 18:9 aspect ratio.
Internal Hardware
The 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek processor is bolstered by 2GB RM and 16GB internal storage. A variation will be offered with 3GB RAM and 32GB capacity. Both versions will include a microSD expansion card slot for up to 32GB of additional room and feature a 3,000mAh battery.
The 5 Series has a 12-megapixel rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, EIS, HDR, and panorama shooting modes. Moreover, a Social Mode tool gives users the ability to quickly snap, review, and edit pictures.
The front-facing camera setup is a dual configuration with 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel sensors. They, too, have a few tricks up their sleeves, including wide-angle, face beautification, face recognition, and video stories. The Face Key can be used to unlock your phone; Alcatel said it takes less than half of one second to recognize.
In an interesting bit of customization, the fingerprint reader can be tailored to take different actions depending on which finger unlocks the phone. Use the right index finger, for instance, to launch into Facebook while the left index could open the camera.
Availability
The Alcatel 5 is now available in select markets in Metallic Black and Metallic Gold for 229,99EUR. It’s unknown whether a US variant will be offered at a later date.
The Nokia 7 Plus has finally been shown off at MWC 2018 as the budget-friendly device from HMD Global that will launch in select markets in April for €399.
Building on what was shown off in the Nokia 7 Plus, the device sports an 18:9 Full HD+ 6-inch IPS LCD panel wrapped in a premium chassis built from 6000 series aluminium making the device feel like a high-end device.
The Nokia 7 Plus joins the Nokia 8 Sirocco in the Android Go initiative that aims to bring bloatware-free Android devices with a focus on a consistent software experience and timely update. Being part of Android Go helps to deliver swift and consistent security updates and unify the Android version across different devices.
The Nokia 7 Plus features a Snapdragon 660 processor with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, and what HMD claims is 2 days of battery use with average use. There’s also a dual-camera on the rear of the device with a 12-Megapixel and 13-Megapixel telephoto sensor. The front-facing camera is a massive 16-Megapixel with a new Pro camera mode for those who like more granular control over the camera settings.
For those who want a premium feel device at a low-cost price then the Nokia 7 Plus is a great device that aims to put Nokia back on the map in the Android smartphone market.
TCL’s Alcatel brand this past weekend introduced the 1X as the company’s first phone to run Android 8.1 Oreo Go Edition (Android Go). The entry-level device will be offered in single-SIM and dual-SIM variations when it goes on sale in April.
As we might expect for an Android Go phone, the Alcatel 1X features hardware that’s along the lower end of the spectrum. However, thanks to the optimization in the software, it’s designed to run smoothly no matter what the configuration.
Hardware
The Alcatel 1X features a 5.3-inch display at 960 x 480 pixel resolution in an 18:9 aspect ratio. Powered by a quad-core MediaTek 1.28GHz processor, the handset comes with a choice of 1GB and 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage.
As for cameras, the 1X boasts a 13-megapixel rear shooter with f/2.0 aperture, EIS, and HDR. Around front we locate an 8-megapixel shooter with selfie flash.
Other hardware specifications include a 2,420mAh battery, microUSB charging port, a memory card slot, and support for LTE, Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi.
Availability
Some variants of the Alcatel 1X will include a fingerprint reader; the phone launches in April with a suggested price of 99,99EUR and 109,99EUR for the single-SIM and dual-SIM configurations, respectively. It’s not clear if, or when, the device could come to the US.
Ever since HMD Global’s acquisition of the naming rights to Nokia, the world has been patiently waiting for the company to release a device that will compete with the likes of Samsung and Google. HMD Global positioned Nokia originally as a budget device manufacturer, and it’s worked as Nokia now officially claim 1% of the Android smartphone market. The wait for the flagship is over as the Nokia 8 Sirocco has been unveiled at MWC 2018.
The Nokia 8 Sirocco features a 5.5-inch edge-to-edge pOLED panel with a 16:9 2560 x 1440 resolution built from Gorilla Glass 5. There’s a dual camera setup on the rear that features a 12-Megapixel and 13-Megapixel telephoto lens with Carl Zeiss optics. The device also features QI wireless charging and IP67 waterproofing. The Nokia 8 is powered by the Snapdragon 835 and 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage and a 3260mAh battery. Unfortunately, there’s no headphone jack but you’ll get a USB-C converter as standard in the packaging.
The Nokia 8 Sirocco is part of the Android One initiative, which guarantees a bloat-free consistent hardware experience and timely updates. It has Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box with 8.1 presumably on its way not too far behind.
While the now out-of-date chipset means it won’t be competing with the likes of the Galaxy S8, it is a premium device that offers a spec sheet that many Nokia fans will be satisfied with.
Just because you’re not planning to pre-order a new Samsung Galaxy S9 doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the cool wallpapers that come pre-installed on the device. And even if you’re buying the Galaxy S9, perhaps you want to pimp your older Galaxy phone until the new one arrives?
Well, now you can download the official wallpapers by following this link. The package includes a total of 19 wallpapers that are available in high quality.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus during a press event at MWC 2018 in Barcelona. Keeping the Galaxy S8 design language intact, the newcomers are more about refinements and small but important changes.
Get the Samsung Galaxy S9 wallpapers on your phone
But while the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus were identical save for size, the Galaxy S9 differentiates itself from the S9 Plus by carrying a single 12-megapixel sensor on the back. In contrast, the Galaxy S9 Plus pairs a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with dual f/1.5 and f/2.4 apertures.
One of the main highlights of the Samsung Galaxy S9 duo this year is the improved camera technology. The phone comes equipped with variable aperture, so in bright light, the phone will use the f/2.4 aperture and let in less light, while in a darker scenario it will switch to the wider f/1.5 aperture and let in more light.
The two flagships will also be able to shoot at 960 fps at 720p resolution and include a slow-motion auto feature. Basically, as long as you’re shooting video, a slow-motion version will also be recorded.
This year Samsung is also focusing on audio. So the two flagships come equipped with dual bottom and front-facing speakers. Samsung says they are 1.4 times louder than the speakers on the previous flagships.
While the Galaxy S9 duo seems promising, they are bound to be very expensive phones. Obviously not everyone will be able to afford them. But by downloading these free wallpapers you can easily give your phone the Galaxy S9 feel.
Samsung has just announced the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. So, logically we want to know when we can get our hands on them right?! Luckily, Samsung is making it really easy on us this time around with a global launch and all major US carriers on board.
Samsung
Samsung will sell the phone directly to consumers and is offering a decent promotion to get you to switch. The Trade Up and Save promotion will offer up to $350 in credit for current year flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus and others. The Galaxy S9 has a base price of $719.99 and the Galaxy S9 Plus has a base price of $839.99 which means you can get them for as low as $369.99 and $489.99 respectively. Not bad for a brand new flagship.
Here’s the full list of devices you can trade in and their value:
$350 credit: Apple iPhone X, Apple iPhone 8, Apple iPhone 8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 8
$300 credit: Apple iPhone 7, Apple iPhone 7 Plus, Apple iPhone 6S, Apple iPhone 6S Plus, Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, LG G6, LG V30, Motorola Moto Z2 Force, Motorola Moto Z Force, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7 Active
$200 credit: Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, HTC 10, LG G5, LG V20, Motorola Moto Z Droid, Motorola Moto Z2 Play, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, Samsung Galaxy Note 5
$100 credit: Apple iPhone SE, HTC M9, HTC M9 Plus, LG G4, LG V10, Motorola Moto Z Play, Motorola Moto Turbo 2, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note Edge
The Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus will be available for pre-order on March 2 and will hit stores on March 16, 2018. Here are all of your carrier choices for the device.
AT&T will carry the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 as of March 16. You can finance the devices through the AT&T Next installment plan which will run $26.34 for the Galaxy S9 or $30.50 for the Galaxy S9 Plus over 30 months. That works out to $790.20 for the Galaxy S9 and $915 for the Galaxy S9.
AT&T is trying to entice business customers to upgrade to the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus with a $150 activation credit when they buy either device on an installment plan. AT&T points out that the devices support Band 14 and the company’s FirstNet public safety network.
Big Red will sell the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus in Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, and Coral Blue starting March 2. You’ll be able to pick up the Galaxy S9 for $799 or $33.33 per month over 24 months. The Galaxy S9 Plus will run you $929.99 or $38.74 over 24 months.
Verizon is offering extra trade-in promotions that can net you between $100 and $350 in bill credits when you trade in your current device. Customers who switch to Verizon Wireless, port in a line, and trade in an old phone can receive up to $500 in bill credits toward the purchase of the Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9 Plus.
T-Mobile will also offer the Lilac Purple, Midnight Black, and Coral Blue colors of the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. The nation’s third-largest carrier is asking for $720 or $30 a month for the Galaxy S9 and $840 or $30 a month with a $120 down payment for the Galaxy S9 Plus.
T-Mobile might have the best promotion on the Galaxy S9. When you trade in an eligible device, you can get 50% off the device. The discount will come in the form of 24 monthly bill credits, but if you cancel your service, the bill credits stop and you’ll owe the full amount remaining on your device. Here are the devices T-Mobile will accept and their trade-in value:
$360 value: Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, Samsung Galaxy Noite 8, Apple iPhone 8, Apple iPhone 8 Plus, Apple iPhone 7, Apple iPhone 7 Plus, Apple iPhone 6S, Apple iPhone 6S Plus, LG V30, LG V30 Plus
$200 value: Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S4, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Apple iPhone 6, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, Apple iPhone 5S, Apple iPhone SE, LG G6, LG G5, LG V20
Sprint will join the other major carriers in offering the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus for pre-order on March 2. The Galaxy S9 will run $33.00 per month with $0 down on the Sprint Flex lease for a total of $792. The Galaxy S9 Plus is priced at $38.00 per month with $0 down for a price of $912. You’ll have color choices of Midnight Black, Coral Blue, and Lilac Purple.
Sprint also offers the Galaxy Forever program that will let owners upgrade to the newest Galaxy device after 12 lease payments on their current device. Essentially, you give your device back to Sprint, they forgive what’s left on your current lease, and you begin a new one on the Galaxy S10. Not a bad deal if you like to upgrade every year and you’re loyal to the Galaxy brand.
Energizer, a company best known for making batteries, is looking to expand its presence in the smartphone market. Present at MWC 2018 in Barcelona, it unveiled the Power Max P16K Pro smartphone, which predictably comes with a huge battery built-in.
Deciding on which new smartphone to buy can be quite a tricky affair. Most of us want a phone with great performance and a decent camera, but battery life is usually among the most important factors to consider.
A hidden MWC jewel
Energizer knows this all too well, so it has equipped the Power Max P16K Pro with a massive 16,000 mAh battery which can supposedly last up to 5 days!!!! The less you use it, the more you’ll be able to prolong its life and the company says you can get up to 40 days of standby time.
Obviously, the biggest caveat here is that the phone is really bulky – it’s almost twice as thick as current flagships.
But despite the huge embedded battery, the Power Max P16K Pro looks pretty modern. It features a 5.99-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and slim bezels. It also includes dual cameras on the back (16-megapixel with 13-megapixel) and also on the front (13-megapixel with 5-megapixel). A fingerprint scanner resides on the rear.
The phone draws power from a MediaTek Helio P23 working in concert with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage.
Credits: Mashable
Energizer is advertising it as running Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, which is very good news. The phone is also equipped with a Type-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack.
The producing company says we should expect the phone to hit retail shelves sometime around September for about $500, which is quite affordable.
At this price, we wouldn’t be surprised if the phone manages to attract its fair share of fans, despite its unaesthetic thickness.
Would be willing to give the Power Max P16K Pro a try? Let us know in the comment section below.
