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Samsung Galaxy A5 (2018) appears in case render with Always On Display and home button

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Samsung will announce its Galaxy Note 8 on August 23rd, but its new high-end smartphone isn’t the only one in the works. The Korean giant manufactures a number of smartphones, of which the Galaxy A series is one of the most beloved. Just earlier this year, Samsung announced its Galaxy A3 (2017), Galaxy A5 (2017), and Galaxy A7 (2017) phones; with only 4 months left in the year, Samsung is nearly ready to bring out the Galaxy A (2018) series. Today’s leaked case render shows us a little of what to expect about the Galaxy A5 (2018).

The Galaxy A5 (2018), like its nearly year-old sibling, the Galaxy A5 (2017), is expected to serve as the middle of the mid-range Galaxy A (2018) series, but that doesn’t mean Samsung won’t give the A5 features worth noticing. First, it should be pointed out that the leaked case appears to be a flip case, one used with Samsung smartphones that sport the company’s Always On Display first announced in the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. That Always On Display appears here, a return of the AOD to the Galaxy A5 (2018) after its appearance on the Galaxy A5 (2017) earlier this year.

There’s a date of “August 13th” on the AOD, which has passed now, of course, but with this new case leak, we’re presuming that Samsung won’t wait until August 2018 to release it. And, of course, the presence of the AOD on the Galaxy A5 (2018) hints that, yes, like the A5 (2017), the company’s trademark Super AMOLED display will grace the A series once more. The Galaxy A5 (2018) has a dual-curved back cover but the front display is a flat panel with no dual-edge display in sight.

The case render shows the front display of the phone, with the A5 (2018) maintaining its top and bottom bezels – a sign that the Galaxy A series will not go the way of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. The bottom bezel houses a home button, a likely candidate for the housing of the fingerprint scanner.

The back of the Galaxy A5 (2018) shows the Gold color offering of the device, the same color offering of the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge. The device has been leaked on Amazon India in Gold and Midnight Black colors. There’s also a single rear facing camera with a dual-LED flash and heart rate monitor. The power/standby button is to the right of the front display, and we’re assuming that the case “binder” to the left of the display conceals the up and down volume buttons.

The new case render shows the AOD, single front and rear cameras, home button/fingerprint scanner, dual-LED flash, heart rate monitor, and top and bottom bezels, but there are still some unknown factors with the device. From the Galaxy A5 (2017), there will be some feature carryover to the 2018 model such as IP68 water and dust certification, Samsung Pay support, USB Type-C connectivity, and the coveted 256GB-capable microSD card slot. Samsung gave a 5.2-inch panel with 1080p Full HD resolution, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of onboard storage to the Galaxy A5 (2017), and these specs are likely to return in the updated model in addition to the others just mentioned.

From the looks of it, the Galaxy A 2018 series will get the “hand-me-down” design of the Galaxy S7 series. That isn’t a bad thing, though, considering that the Galaxy S7 series was the most beloved Samsung smartphone series of 2016.

8 killer reasons you will want Android 8.0 Oreo

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After months of rumors and speculation, the Android 8.0 release is officially being dubbed ‘Oreo’. Much like it did with 4.4 KitKat, Google has partnered with a major brand to help promote its latest version of its platform.

With every new release of Android comes one key question: What’s new? It seems that each time a flagship model is released or a new version of Android is offered up the first thing we’re asked by friends and family is what’s different or whether it’s worth upgrading.

We’ll let you be the judge as to whether you will need Android 8.0, but we’ll at least suggest that you want it for your devices. As Google tells us in the launch video, Android Oreo is safer, smarter, more powerful, and sweeter than ever. Let’s take a look at the major improvements in Android and what the future has in store for smartphones, tablets, and more.

One of Oreo’s key features is its focus on battery life for the hardware. Yes, again. Not a release goes by without Google doing its best to improve battery life. For devices running Oreo, background apps won’t be able to do as much with location updates as it has in the past. This will keep the phone from sipping (or chugging) battery life on unnecessary processes.

A new copy and paste and highlighting tool shows up in 8.0 Oreo, making it easier than every to highlight text for copy, pasting, and sharing. Moreover, Android can detect if the info is an address, prompting you to open Maps or another dedicated app. A double tap of a phone number, for example, hands things off to the dialer app.

Multi-tasking gets even easier with the Oreo release as picture-in-picture mode finds its way into Android at the platform level. Developers can write their apps work in tandem with other apps, giving users the ability to run, say, YouTube with a video chat.

Notifications get smarter yet again with Android 8.0 as app badges receive an update. Now, whenever there’s a notification, the app icon will show tiny dots to alert the user. Users can long press an app icon to read the respective app’s notifications. Not only that, but it’s also possible to snooze notifications for a period of time – not unlike how Inbox works for email.

As much as we liked the yellow blob emojis for Android, they’re gone with the Oreo release. Looking more realistic than ever, the new emojis promise to help better express yourself. More than 60 new emoji icons join the group this time around, too.

We should see more timely updates for Android now, thanks to Project Treble. A pain point for as long as there have been new versions of the platform, users hate to wait on getting the new updates. Even though the big stuff only happens about once a year, it’s a real nuisance to be stuck with something you know to be some six or eight months old.

Time will tell, of course, as to how well this works, but we’re optimistic that Google will get hardware vendors to update quicker for 8.0. As a point of reference, only about 13.5% of the devices accessing the Google Play Store over the last few weeks are running the nearly year old 7.0 Nougat release.

Ever run into the problem of entering the same username and password in apps over and over? Wouldn’t it be nice if the phone remembered things for you in a manner consistent with how Chrome treats them, giving you a quick auto-fill? That’s the case with Android 8.0 as third party apps can let users store combos behind a master password or fingerprint.

The recently launched Google Play Protect tools are being built into Android at the system level. This means more regular checking of apps and games, scanning for malware, and general protection. In a related note, users can now whitelist sources for downloading apps from outside of the Play Store. No more is it a blanket case of leaving yourself vulnerable to sideloading apps or games.

These are not the only features in Android 8.0 Oreo. Heck, this isn’t even all of what you’ll find on the surface. Indeed, there’s much more happening under the hood than you can imagine. As Android continues to evolve, it becomes less revolutionary on its face and more evolutionary. But, look deeper and you will find there’s a lot more going on with the newest versions of Android.

Is there something specific you are looking forward to in Android 8.0 Oreo? What is it about the new release that you’ve got your eyes on?

Android 8.0 officially launches as Oreo

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The wait is finally over for the mystery of the next name for Android O. Google has officially announced that Android O is to be called Android Oreo.

With many different options being considered over the past few months and a number of Google teases, it seems the company have settled on the option that seemed most likely, probably securing a nice brand deal in the process.

Google previously teamed up for a brand deal for Android KitKat to raise some awareness of the Android operating system. Oreo marks a similar opportunity and is the natural and most likely name for Android 8.0.

Google also unveiled a superhero-themed statue for Android Oreo complete with a mascot and capes as it does with every version of Android.

Android Oreo is available today via AOSP with OTA’s hitting Pixel and Nexus devices following carrier testing.

Bixby ready for global launch

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If you have a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ then you may have noticed that a few updates have hit the devices overnight that update various elements of Bixby. There’s good reason for this as Samsung have begun to update the core of Bixby to get it ready for a global launch.

Bixby in its current form has only been available as a glorified news feed. Some lucky users in the U.S got an early access beta to test the functionality. To say Bixby is delayed is putting it lightly.

The wait could be coming to an end as Samsung are readying for a global launch of Bixby on 22nd August 2017. Sounds strangely familiar? Well, it should because that’s exactly 24 hours before the Note 8 launches. Coincidence? I think not.

We already know the Note 8 will have the same dedicated Bixby button the Galaxy S8 does so seems an appropriate checkpoint to ensure Samsung finished off the virtual assistant. We know it wasn’t ready for the S8 but there’s no way Samsung would launch another device without it being ready, especially with the same dedicated button showing the company are going all-in on Bixby.

Will it be worth the wait? We won’t have long until we find out.

Snoopy Pop is the perfect puzzle game for you and your child (Review)

Overview:

If you were a fan of the comic strip Peanuts and enjoyed reading it during your early childhood days, then you must be familiar with Snoopy, the cute little pet beagle of Charlie Brown. Snoopy Pop is an Android puzzle game where the players play as Snoopy to help the birds of Woodstock trapped amidst a cloud of bubbles by popping them with matching bubbles from his bag.

The game is developed by popular developer Jam City, which has previously created similar games like Panda Pop and Paint Masters for children. Snoopy pop throws in a little physics to some levels and it would be ideal for children above 8 years. But this doesn’t mean adults cannot have fun bursting the bubbles.

Developer: Jam City, Inc.

Cost: Free (With in app purchases for coins and power ups)

Setup:

The setup involved before you can have fun playing Snoopy Pop is very simple. You have to just download the game from the Google Play Store and sign in using your Google Play Games account. This is to record your scores and achievements on different levels in the game.

Additionally, you can also connect your Facebook account to receive benefits like free coins and hearts. It also allows you to save your game progress and compete with your friends by comparing the scores.

Snoopy Pop Review

The game play as mentioned above is fairly simple. You just have to throw matching bubbles towards the obstacles to save the birds from Woodstock. You can just click on the obstacle to throw the bubble or use the walls on the sides to aim.

Impressions:

Snoopy Pop is a classic puzzle game based on Physics where you have to overcome the obstacles and save your friends. The first few levels are designed to give you the idea of the game, like how to clear the obstacles, what happens if you save the birds and so on. As you advance through the game, the difficulty levels increase and new forms of obstacles are introduced like bubbles are replaced by rocks, ropes are tied to bubbles kinds of stuff.

Snoopy Pop Review Snoopy Pop Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The game also provides you with special powers to help you cope with the obstacles. Like, around the 3rd level, Charlie Brown will help you with his kite, which will be powered up every time you hit yellow colored bubbles. Once the kite is fully charged, you can use it to select and destroy a particular section of bubbles instead of just one color. The Kite could also be instantly powered up by hitting Jars placed among the bubbles.

Things get heated up as you proceed further. New kinds of birds called the Beagle Scouts are introduced which could be saved by matching the color of the bubbles around them. The game also introduces the Red Baron, the flight which drops a new layer of bubbles every time you destroy the old ones. The only way to get past the Red Baron is to destroy its 3 shields using your bubbles. But be careful, because the Red Baron keeps moving and you might end up losing all your bubbles trying to hit it.

Anything more revealed about the levels or obstacles might rob you of your fun. So, let’s talk about the graphics and the other aspects of Snoopy Pop. The graphics of the game is really attractive and cute and it is clearly designed to attract the target audience. Every time you complete a level, the remaining bubbles in your bag, pop out in the air along with balloons and celebratory wrappers. It looks so beautiful and makes you want to complete the level as quick as possible just to have a look at it.

The sound effects of Snoopy Pop are also delightful and famous Peanut songs are played at the end of each level. The best thing about this game is that it does not feature any text or video ads so you could play without any interruption. However, the developers have chosen the in-app purchases to make money from the game. You can buy extra coins to instantly boost power-ups or extra lives using real money.

Conclusion:

To sum it up, Snoopy Pop is a really interactive Puzzle game to kill your time and have some fun doing it. The game play is also neat and the animations and sound effects make the player feel really happy as if he has made a huge achievement every time he completes a new level.

Snoopy Pop Review

If you have a kid at your home who loves puzzle games, you can surely ask him/her to play Snoopy pop, it has no ads, so you don’t have to worry about inappropriate content coming along your kid’s way and your kid could also learn basic laws of Physics (you could too) and have fun at the same time by playing Snoopy pop.

Download Snoopy Pop from the Google Play Store.

Nokia 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S8 (Smartphone Showdown)

After a long wait, a few days ago HMD finally unveiled the first true Android Nokia flagship – the Nokia 8. Now the obvious question to ask is how does Nokia’s new handset compare against one of the most popular Android premium phones of this year – the Samsung Galaxy S8? We highlight the main differences below:

Design and display

While this year’s smartphone design trend seems to be disappearing bezels, Nokia decided to stick with the classic approach. So the Nokia 8 comes boasting pretty chunky bezels, especially on the top and the bottom.

In contrast, the pretty Galaxy S8 has done away with a physical home button (which is present in the Nokia 8) and slimmed down all bezels considerably. The glass and metal combine to create a highly aesthetically pleasing phone which is also lightweight at 155g.

It’s certainly lighter than the 160g of the Nokia 8 which is built out of a single piece of 6000-series aluminum. We’re not saying the Nokia 8 is not pretty, it is – but the tall and narrow Galaxy S8 is far more impressive to look at. However, Nokia’s flagship does feel a bit sturdier than the Galaxy S8 when gripped.

We should also note the Galaxy S8 is water-and-dust resistant so it can survive being immersed in water for 30 minutes in depths of up to 1.5 meters. In contrast, the Nokia 8 is only IP54-rated which means it’s only splash-proof – fine if a few drops of water touch it, but be careful not to drop it in the pool.

Both phones use a USB-Type-C port for charging, but Samsung’s handset also includes Qi Wireless charging for added convenience.

As a plus for the Nokia 8 flagship, the handset has the fingerprint sensor embedded into the physical home button, as opposed to the Galaxy S8 which has it living on the back next to the camera – a move which was heavily criticized.

Moving on to the display, the Samsung Galaxy S8 takes advantage of a 5.8-inch AMOLED panel with 18:5:9 aspect ratio and 2960 x 1440 resolution.

The Nokia 8 is a bit more standard coming with a 5.3-inch IPS LCD display with 2560 x 1440 resolution (QHD standard). The display also takes advantage of a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and 2.5D Glass to produce a sleek curved on the edges of the glass – although it’s certainly not as pronounced as on the Galaxy S8.

Processing power

The two phones are quite similar in the hardware department. Both flagships include the powerful Snapdragon 835 processor and they both offer 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (with microSD card slot for memory expansion). So you can expect either device to run extremely smoothly and to be able to handle with ease even the most intensive tasks you throw at them.

Cameras

While the Galaxy S8 does not feature a dual camera setup, it does include a primary 12-megapixel with wide f/1.7 aperture, phase detection autofocus, OIS (optical image stabilization) and LED flash that can take some stunning shots.

Can the Nokia 8 compete? At least on paper, it sure seems the phone offers something comparable. Equipped with three Carl Zeiss-branded cameras, the flagship boasts a dual camera setup on the back which pairs a 13-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 and OIS with a second 13-megapixel monochrome sensor. Oh, and there’s the special “Bothie mode” which activates both the front and back cameras for a more complete video shooting experience.

On the front, there’s also a 13-megapixel Carl Zeiss selfie shooter with f/2.0 aperture which should be able to offer pretty great results, on par with the Galaxy S8’s 8-megapixel (with f/1.7) self-portrait snapper.

Furthermore, the Nokia 8 also comes equipped with OZO Audio which adds 360-degree audio to your smartphone. Users will be getting “a fully immersive audio experience” when watching 4K videos.

Battery

The Galaxy S8 relies on a 3,000 mAh battery, while the Nokia 8 has a slightly larger 3,090 mAh one.

Given that both phones take advantage of the same processor and come equipped with a power hungry display, we’ll have to assume users won’t see much of a difference when it comes to power consumption.

The Galaxy S8 has never been a spectacular device – battery life-wise. However, the fuel cell is able to sustain user activities throughout the day, in most instances without needing to be re-charged.

Software

 

The Samsung Galaxy S8 continues to be on the older Android 7.0 Nougat version, while the Nokia 8 launched with Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Both these phones will be updated to Android O once Google will make it available. However, we can speculate the Nokia 8 will get Android O sooner than the S8 which is expected to get Android 7.1.1 Nougat first.

The Galaxy S8 ships with the Samsung Experience UX on laid on top, which has been cleaned up and is now focusing on useful extras like the new Bixby AI assistant. Comparatively, the Nokia 8 offers a pure Android version, with HMD promising fast updates for the phone.

Other features

The Galaxy S8 is the first Samsung smartphone to take advantage of a virtual assistant. Although the Bixby platform is yet to truly take off, we expect some good things from it in the future. Nokia’s first comeback flagship does not offer a virtual AI-driven helper.

Like the Galaxy S8, the Nokia 8 also offers an always-on display. What it does not have is an iris scanner and a heart-rate scanner.

On the other hand, the Nokia 8 boast liquid cooling technology to ensure the phone is kept cool even under heavy use.

Pricing

At launch, the Nokia 8 will be available only in Europe for approximately $700. HMD didn’t share any info about a potential US launch, but we’re keeping our fingers crossed the phone will land across the pond at some point in the future.

As for the Galaxy S8, the phone is widely available for purchase. You can check out our Where to Buy guide here. For example, Amazon is selling the unlocked Galaxy S8 version for $684 at the moment, but you can choose to buy it from a carrier instead.

The Nokia 8 certainly looks like a great offering with its Carl Zeiss-branded cameras and OZO audio, but the Galaxy S8 will most likely end up overshadowing it thanks to its modern design and extra features such as IP68 certification and Bixby – the virtual assistant.

AT&T introduces the Primetime entertainment tablet for $199.99

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AT&T this Monday unveiled an exclusive tablet baptized Primetime which has been designed for entertainment.

Customers will be able to pick it up starting this Friday from AT&T online or brick and mortar stores for $10/month for 20 months or $29.99 with a two-year plan. The full retail price is $199.99.

AT&T Unlimited Plus and AT&T Unlimited Choice subscribers can add the tablet to their unlimited plan for an extra $20/month.

If you’re wondering about specs, the Primetime comes with a 10-inch fullHD display (1920 x 1080 pixels) and it’s fueled by a Snapdragon 625 processor working in combination with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage (microSD card slot available to expand up to 128GB).

The slate also includes two 5-megapixel cameras, a large 9,070 mAh battery, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

Because it was designed for entertainment, the Primetime rocks dual front-facing speakers and Dolby audio sound. Thanks to the included TV mode, it can also provide quick access to entertainment apps such as DIRECTV from the home screen or lock screen, or simply by tapping the Quick Launch button

In the press release, AT&T highlights the Primetime is enterprise-ready meaning it supports secure and reliable connections, as well as on-device encryption.

Keep an eye out for it this Friday!

Gear Up: Anker helps keep your devices charged no matter where you are!

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In today’s world, we almost always have to compromise with one aspect of our smartphones – battery life. This means that you’ll need to keep a charger near you almost all the time, or you’ll be left in the dark until you’re able to make it back home.

Luckily, there are plenty of options available on the market that will help you get your smartphone battery through the day. Anker is one company that is increasing in popularity to the point that its products can be found in the likes of your local Walmart, MicroCenter or Best Buy.

Today, we’re going to take a look at an array of charging products designed to keep you going, regardless of where you are.

Anker Quick Charge Combo

Starting off with the portable option, as it’s likely the most important, the Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle comes with everything you need to keep your smartphone charged on the go. Found inside the bundle are the following products:

Naturally, it’s unlikely that you’ll make use of the PowerLine MicroUSB charging cable, but chances are that you already have a spare USB Type-C cable lying around that you can throw in the case. This bundle makes sure that you can leave everything in the car, save for the PowerCore+, and won’t have to worry about being left without a charge.

Anker PowerCore+ 10050

Starting with the PowerCore+, we’re looking at a 10,050mAh portable charger with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities. This means that you won’t have to worry about slow-charging your device, and will likely get your battery back to normal within minutes.

Additionally, the PowerCore+ features Anker’s PowerIQ technology which makes sure that your device won’t be overcharged. PowerIQ automatically identifies which device is being plugged in, so that the optimal charging speed is provided.

Finally, when it’s time to recharge the PowerCore+, you’ll be able to use the provided microUSB cable to get your portable charger back to normal in just a couple of hours. In my testing, I was able to recharge the PowerCore+ in as little as 3 hours when it was completely depleted.

The PowerCore+ is an excellent option for anyone looking to keep their devices charged on the go, without carrying something too unwieldy in their pocket or purse.

Anker PowerDrive+ 1

Moving onto the Anker PowerDrive+ 1, this one of the best car chargers that you can find on the market today. The PowerDrive+ comes with Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities in tow, making it possible for you to juice up your phone rather quickly while navigating to your next adventure.

As is the case with the PowerCore+, the PowerDrive+ also features Anker’s PowerIQ technology, ensuring that you’ll never overcharge your device. This is really a great feature, especially considering how finicky other car chargers can be.

Now, we know there are other options on the market which offer USB Type-C to Type-C charging, but that’s not the case here. Instead, Anker opted to stick with the traditional USB Type-A port, allowing you to charge a plethora of devices, without worrying about making sure you snagged the right cable.

Anker USB Turbo Charger

The final product included in the Anker Quick Charge bundle is the USB Turbo Wall Charger. Unlike the other products included in the bundle, this wall charger is not rated for Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities. However, you won’t have to worry too much about this still not

However, you won’t have to worry too much about this not being able to charge your phones quickly, as it is compatible with Qualcomm Quick Charge 2.0. On the brick itself, you’ll find Anker’s branding, along with the Quick Charge 2.0 branding.

On the rear of the brick, you’ll find your USB Type-A port, and on the side with the Anker branding is an LED indicator to let you know when everything is kosher. Finally, on the bottom of the charger, you’ll find some more information, including the model number, and Input/Output charging speeds.

This is another great inclusion in this bundle, as it will still make sure that your PowerCore+ portable charger gets recharged to keep you going

Conclusion

The Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle has been a welcome addition to my travel bag, as the accompanying carrying case ensures everything is secure and not rattling around. Plus, the carrying case includes elastic loops so that there’s a home for each of the aforementioned products.

This bundle is a must have for anyone who travels frequently, as it’s compact enough for you to throw in your computer bag or suitcase. Plus, it won’t break the bank and you can pick it up via the button below!

Buy the Anker Quick Charge Combo Bundle!

You can now grab the OnePlus 5 in Slate Gray with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage

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At launch, the OnePlus 5 was made available with 6GB of RAM + 64GB of storage and a Slate Gray paint job, while customers who wanted more had the option of picking up the 8GB of RAM + 128GB version in Midnight Black.

Then a few months later, OnePlus revealed a third color option for the phone – Soft Gold which offers 6GB of RAM + 64GB of storage just like the Slate Gray option.

But what if you like the Slate Gray paint job, but would like more RAM and storage onboard? Now you can purchase one, as OnePlus has just unveiled a fourth option – the OnePlus 5 in Slate Gray with 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage.

The new variant costs as much as the Midnight Black version meaning $539 and you can order one right now. It appears to be available in all markets OnePlus is currently officially offering its products.

So if you prefer the Slate Gray coloring to Midnight Black, you can go ahead and order yourself a unit with more RAM and storage.

Who knows, at some point, OnePlus might even start offering a Soft Gold version with 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage, although the company didn’t say anything about having such plans.

Google and Xiaomi tipped to be working on Android One phone without MIUI

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If you’ve been following the tech industry, you’re probably familiar with Google’s Android One initiative.

Introduced back in 2014, Android One handsets aim to offer budget consumers in emerging markets a stock Android experience, as well as fast updates at affordable price tags. But despite being an ambitious project, the Android One program failed to take off.

However, if the latest rumors are to be believed Google is looking to breathe new life into it. According to a report coming out of Krispitech, the search giant has partnered up with Chinese handset maker, Xiaomi in order to produce an Android One device.

We’re told the new phone might be released as a variant of the Xiaomi Mi 5X under the name Xiaomi A1 or Tissot with Google’s own stock Android on board and not Xiaomi’s customary MIUI interface.

The phone was spotted in the Indonesian certifying agency, POSTEL confirming it runs software developed by Google. When it arrives, Xiaomi’s first Android One handset could also boast a 5.5-inch display with FHD resolution and a Snapdragon 625 processor under the hood.

At this moment, all we just told you it’s just speculation, so you should take it with a grain of salt.

Even so, with Google expected to reveal Android O today, we might also get to see the search giant share a few things about the future of the Android One program. Keep checking back with us to learn more on the topic.