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android oreo

ASUS ZenFone 5 Review: What We Know So Far

Last month in Barcelona, ASUS revealed its new ZenFone 5 at MWC 2018! An addition to the ASUS ZenFone series, alongside with the ZenFone 4 and ZenFone 6, the ZenFone 5 is however nothing like its siblings. ASUS has given it a new design that has never been seen on any of the company’s products before. Some address the new smartphone as “the iPhone X clone”. Is ASUS’s new device anything more than a copy of Apple’s latest flagship? Read on to find out!

Design & Display

The ZenFone 5 is dubbed “the iPhone X clone” mainly because of its appearance. It features an edge-to-edge display with a notch at the top, exactly like the iPhone X. It won’t be surprising if people think you’ve got an iPhone X upon seeing the ZenFone 5 slide out of your pocket!

However, that doesn’t mean ASUS’s new phone is nothing eye-catching. With Full HD resolution and a 19:9 all-screen display aspect ratio, the 6.2” IPS display is beyond gorgeous. Despite the impressive screen size, the ZenFone 5 is the same size as previous ASUS devices that feature 5.5” screens. This is the result of the amazing 90% screen-to-body ratio. Together with the fact that it weighs only 155g, the new ASUS phone doesn’t feel like a large-screen device at all!

The camera placement again reminds us of the iPhone X. A dual camera module can be found at the top left corner of the glass back. An easy-to-tap fingerprint sensor is located at the centre of the back of the phone, allowing you to unlock the device effortlessly.

Camera & Battery

The dual cameras of the ASUS ZenFone 5 is one of the biggest selling point of the smartphone. Sitting alongside with the 12MP Sony IMX363 image sensor is the second 120-degree camera that makes the ZenFone 5 brilliant for taking wide-angle shots. It is perfect for fitting your large group of friends into your photos, and you won’t have any problem capturing a beautiful landscape!

As for the front-facing camera, it comes with 8MP and an aperture of f/2.0. With the facial recognition feature, you can unlock your phone without a PIN!

What makes the cameras of the ZenFone 5 even better is the AI scene detection. It identifies what you’re taking pictures of and adjusts the settings accordingly to optimise the photo quality.

The battery of ZenFone 5 stands out from the crowd thanks to its intelligent charging feature. The charging rate is automatically adjusted according to your charging habit, effectively minimising battery wear! The battery itself is rated at 3,300mAh – more than sufficient to power you through an average day!

Performance

The new ASUS phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with 4GB of RAM, which gives it enough speed to handle all sorts of tasks, including some intensive gaming! The AI Boost option in the quick settings will make sure your demanding games are played smoothly. Also, prepare yourself for the latest features of Android 8 Oreo!

Release Date & Price

The ASUS ZenFone 5 is going to be released in the UK in April. Its price is still to be confirmed, but since the ZenFone 4 started at £449, we’re expecting a similar pricing.

If you like the look of the iPhone X but prefer Android OS, the ASUS ZenFone 5 is tailor-made for you! Although it does look like a copy of Apple’s flagship, ASUS’s new smartphone is undoubtedly a solid device.

Keep track of our blog for more of the latest information on the ASUS ZenFone 5, helpful reviews and other tech related news!

March 23, 2018 0 comment

Android

What will Android P be called?

With Android Oreo still missing on a couple of flagship smartphones, the first developer review of the next version of Google’s mobile operating system, Android P, is only months away. According to “traditions”, every new version of Android is named after a dessert. Making guesses about what the next Android will be called is almost as fun as its new features! What dessert would Android P be named after? We’ve put together a list of our best guesses:

Pancake

Who doesn’t love pancakes? One of the most popular desserts in the world, the tasty treat even has an entire day dedicated to its worship. You can top it with maple syrup, banana, nutella, bacon or even fried chicken – the possibilities are endless! Appealing to the masses, the pancake can definitely help Google in promoting its next OS.

Popsicle

Android Popsicle is probably the most possible candidate for Android P! Although the word “popsicle” is mostly American, most of the world won’t find it difficult to understand its concept. This sweet, visually appealing treat won’t fail to create a positive impression for the new Android. The fact that Google has previously shown interest in brand names like Kit Kat and Oreo makes “popsicle” a more likely name of the next Android!

Pumpkin Pie

Do you know Lollipop was internally called Lemon Meringue Pie and Kit Kat was Key Lime Pie? This “pie history” makes pumpkin pie a reasonable guess for what Android P will be named after. With two Pumpkin Pie days on the calendar (October 12 and December 25), the popularity of the dessert makes it an appealing name for Google’s upcoming OS!

Peppermint

We know that peppermint is technically a plant, not a confectionary, but it won’t be hard for most people to relate it to sweets, chewing gums or after-dinner mints when hearing the word. Not only is peppermint a much-loved dessert flavour, it sounds as good as it tastes – “Android Peppermint” will be an unbeatable name for the latest Android version!

Praline

Originating in Belgium in 1912, the praline is a nuts, chocolate and sugar-based confection. It later diversifies itself into American and French varieties, offering different add-ons and hence experience. Also known as Belgian chocolates, these world-renowned treats have even become ingredients of other desserts such as chocolate brownies, puddings and mousse! Most importantly, the praline is a nice representation of the upcoming Android – the dessert and the OS are as graceful and classy as each another!

Which name do you think is the most possible for Android P? We’ll found out the answer in less than a year! For more updates on what Android P will be called, helpful reviews and other awesome tech news, keep an eye on our blog.

March 13, 2018 0 comment

MWC

MWC 2018: Latest News & Highlights So Far

MWC 2018 is well underway! The world’s most influential phone manufacturers are now gathering in Barcelona to showcase their latest innovations at one of the biggest events of the mobile industry. Interested in knowing about the intriguing gadgets the show has unveiled so far? Read on for all the latest news!

Samsung Galaxy S9 & Galaxy S9 Plus

The much-anticipated launch of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus has given MWC 2018 an exciting start! Samsung’s latest Android handsets are equipped with innovative dual-aperture camera, improved fingerprint sensors as well as thrilling new facial recognition and AR technologies. Featuring QHD + Super AMOLED displays with a resolution of 1440 x 2960, the new smartphones will deliver the crispest and clearest visuals. The US versions of the phones will include the most up-to-date Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor while the UK versions will be powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 9810 chipsets. Pre-orders are now open in Europe and will be available in the US on 2^nd March, with a global launch scheduled on 16^th March. Are you excited?!

Sony Xperia XZ2 & XZ2 Compact

The Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are possibly the most legit rivals of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. At this year’s MWC, Sony finally ditches its tired design and offers something new. The massive bezel surrounding the display on its previous devices is gone; instead, we find a stretched out 18:9 screen. This makes the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact the most modern-looking Sony phones. Apart from the increased size, the brilliant displays of the two phones are 4K HDR-ready. What’s more, the Xperia XZ2 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which makes it comparable to the new Samsung handsets! If you’re into smaller phones, you’ll want to check out the 5-inch XZ2 Compact. Prefer a bigger screen? The 5.7-inch XZ2 is tailored for you!

Nokia 8110 4G

The banana phone is back! Nokia reveals that the iconic Matrix phone, the 8110, is going to be re-released – this time with 4G! The Nokia 8110 4G features the unique curve and slider of the original, with the keypad hidden under the slider. It has a 2.4-inch curved display with QVGA resolution. Powered by a Qualcomm 205 dual-core chipset with 512MB, the 8110 4G has just enough power to become a feature phone. The Smart Feature OS offers you an updated version of the classic snake game, along with Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and Google Assistant apps! The long-lasting battery – what Nokia phones are most famous for – remains as the most remarkable feature of the banana phone. The 1500mAh battery can last up to 25 days standby from a single charge!

LG V30S ThinQ

Instead of unveiling its next flagship, LG presents us an upgraded version of the V30, the V30S ThinQ at MWC 2018. The new smartphone retains plenty of features of the original V30 but with 6GB instead of 4GB RAM, 128GB internal storage and new colours – Moroccan Blue and Platinum. Assisted by AI, the camera changes shooting modes according to what you’re taking a photo of. For example, if you’re taking pictures of food, the “Dedicated Mode” will be activated, enhancing contrast and saturation. When it’s too dark, the new “Bright Mode” introduces more light into the pictures by combining megapixels to make them bigger. Although there isn’t a massive upgrade in the V30S ThinQ compared to the old V30, it is still a phone we’re going to love.

STK X2

British manufacturer STK is introducing a new member to the low-cost market – the X2! Despite its small price tag, the Android smartphone has a 5.7-inch HD+ display and a sophisticated glass and aluminium body that makes it look expensive. It also comes with STK Care, a ROM-based optimisation tool that effectively prevents slowdown over prolonged use. The phone will literally feel brand new every time you pick it up! What impresses us the most is the X2’s software department: it’s running Android 8.1 Oreo with additional support features such as a 24-hour support system an on-device diagnostic tool for troubleshooting hardware issues!

Are you enjoying MWC 2018 so far? We can’t wait to see what the rest of the exhibition is going to offer! We’ll keep you up to date with the planet’s largest mobile phone show. Stay tuned!

Keep up with all the latest product launches and tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

February 28, 2018 0 comment

CES

CES 2018: Latest News & Highlights So Far

CES 2018 is officially here! Held in Las Vegas, the biggest tech show of the year has already brought us a number of exciting announcements and new product launches. Want to know more about the innovative gadgets and intriguing concepts the show has unveiled? Read on for more on the biggest tech show of the year!

1. Samsung ‘’The Wall” TV

The Wall is the highlight of Samsung’s CES 2018 TV preview. It’s an enormous 146-inch 4K television, designed to turn an entire wall into a screen. Without any bezels, the modular TV can be connected to other units, which means the display can be made to whatever size you want it to be! The fact that it is a MicroLED screen makes The Wall even more impressive! Made of pixels that generate their own light, the screen allows each pixel to be turned on and off, producing enhanced contrast and a more dynamic range.

2. Sony Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra & Xperia L2 Smartphones

(Source: alphr)

Sony has surprised us by revealing 3 new Xperia smartphones at CES, instead of reserving the announcement of new phones for MWC. The Xperia XA2 is equipped with a 120° super-wide front-facing camera, while the XA2 Ultra comes with an additional 16MP snapper with optical image stabilisation. In terms of screen size, the XA2 has a 5.5-inch display, while the XA2 Ultra features a 6-inch screen. Both phones offer 1080p HD displays, Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processors and the latest Android Oreo.

The Xperia L2 is the low-cost version, ideal for anyone on a budget. The new phone is still sophisticated despite its smaller price tag; it features a 5.5-inch display, a quad-core MediaTek MT6737T processor, 3GB RAM and is backed by Android Nougat. We are yet to know more about the Xperia L2 after it launches later this month, who else is excited?

3. NVIDIA BFGDs

Holder of one of the first conferences of CES 2018, the GPU giant NVIDIA announced its new Big Format Gaming Displays (BFGDs), a new initiative to create the most outstanding PC gaming screens. Joining hands with Acer, ASUS and HP, the GPU maker announced plans to create 65-inch, 4K 120Hz HDR screens with integrated Nvidia G-Sync technology and Nvidia Shield functionality. By the time the BFGDs are released, they may be one of the largest screens you can ever connect your PC gaming rig to!

4. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop

CES is bringing a lot of good news to gamers this year! Acer introduced Nitro 5, its latest budget gaming laptop at the tech show. Running AMD’s Radeon RX560 GPU and powered by an AMD Ryzen mobile processor, the Nitro 5 is undoubtedly going to offer an exceptional performance. This affordable gaming laptop is predicted to be available in April 2018. Gamers, get ready to enjoy this powerful machine without worrying about your wallet!

CES 2018 is presenting us with endless possibilities and it’s almost impossible to predict what we’re going to see next! We’ll keep you up to date with this gadget-filled week.

Keep up with all the latest product launches and tech news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

January 8, 2018 0 comment