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MWC

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

Samsung

The Foldable Smartphone: Latest News & Rumours about the Samsung Galaxy X

Last week in Barcelona, Samsung wowed us with the official launch of the much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus at MWC 2018. While we’re still overwhelmed by the two new smartphones, the Korean tech giant is already planning something even more exciting – the foldable Galaxy X! Samsung claims in its latest earnings report that it “will continue its efforts to differentiate its smartphones by adopting cutting-edge technologies, such as foldable OLED displays.” It seems that the company is nearing production of its long-rumoured pioneering handset. Read on to find out more about this ground-breaking gadget:

Reports suggest that the experimental Samsung Galaxy X was presented with a launch schedule during a private event at this year’s CES. Two models were reportedly shown in the behind-closed-doors showcase, an inward folding version and an outward folding one. However, no images have been leaked.

Features & Design

We know that the Samsung Galaxy X is going to be a foldable 2-in-1 phone and tablet, but we still can’t be sure how it exactly works. Samsung has previously demonstrated curved and bendable screens, but a foldable one is still yet to be displayed openly.

According to rumours, we’ll be expecting a 4K (3840 x 2160px) resolution. The 5-inch display could be folded out into a 7-inch mini tablet. The foldable phone could also come with a dual-camera at the rear. It is very likely that the phone is going to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 9810 processor, with minimum 6GB of RAM. There will probably be a microSD card slot and a non-removable battery.

In late 2016, Samsung applied for a patent that gives us some hints on how the Galaxy X may eventually look like.

It is a hinged device with a design very similar to that of the Microsoft Surface Book, which suggests that there may be a similar small cavity when the phone is folded over. Nevertheless, it doesn’t change the fact that the Galaxy X is an unprecedented piece of smartphone technology!

When it comes to flexible OLED displays, Samsung is not the only player in the field. LG and Lenovo have demonstrated bendable displays and devices at a number of industry events. The two competitors have also registered multiple patents for the technology. LG even has curved OLED screens in production, which are used on its monitors, TVs and curved smartphones like the LG Flex. While LG may be taking the lead on the display side with its announcement of the 65-inch rollable OLED TV at CES 2018, it’s a brilliant strategy of Samsung to become the pioneer of foldable smartphones.

Release Date

Samsung has confirmed that the foldable Galaxy X will be released in 2018, probably towards the end of the year. However, it is reported that this avant-garde gadget will only be available in a limited number of around 100,000 and exclusively in Korea, Samsung’s home nation. This quirky folding phone may be one of the hardest to bag in 2018!

We can’t wait for the Samsung Galaxy X to be finally released! Are you as excited as us? Keep up with more updates on the Samsung Galaxy X, helpful reviews and other tech related news at www.laptopoutletblog.co.uk.

March 8, 2018 0 comment

Nokia

The Banana Phone is Back! Nokia Announces 8110 4G

At this year’s MWC, Nokia has decided to bring back its iconic phone from The Matrix – the 8110! A reboot of the 1996 classic, the Nokia 8110 4G retains the distinctive curve that gave it the name “banana phone”. Wondering what other features are included in this retro classic? Read on to find out more!

Design & Display

The Nokia 8110 4G inherits the curvature from its predecessor and the design allows the microphone and earpiece to sit closely against your face when you take calls. The signature sliding keypad cover is another feature from the original that the 8110 4G has retained. It activates the display whenever it is slid down and switches it off when you slide the cover back. It also enables you to answer and end calls. Although the slider is a bit of a gimmick, there is something deeply satisfying about sliding it up and down!

Featuring a 2.4-inch QVGA (160 x 120) screen, the 8110 4G is great for reading text, viewing basic images and playing simple games. It is not touch sensitive so you’ll have to navigate with the keypad under the slider.

Colour wise, the revamped banana phone will be available in traditional black and banana yellow (obviously!).

Camera & Battery

Compared to the plenty of smartphones on the market, the 2MP camera of the Nokia 8110 4G is rather basic. It is located at the rear of the phone with a single LED flash, which is an addition to the original. No front-facing camera is available.

On the contrary, the battery – what Nokia phones are known for – does not disappoint us. According to HMD, manufacturer of Nokia-branded phones, the 1,500mAh battery can last up to 25 days on standby from a single charge. The company also claims that the battery will be able to support an 8.5-hour LTE voice call. The impressive battery makes the Nokia 8110 4G a brilliant phone for festivals and during emergencies – you won’t have to worry about always charging it!

Performance

The new Matrix phone is equipped with a Qualcomm 205 dual-core chipset with 512MB of RAM, which gives it just sufficient power to run its Smart Feature OS, which offers an updated version of the signature game Snake, along with apps including Facebook, Twitter, Google Maps and Google Assistant! The newly added 4G connectivity will have no problem supporting the variety of apps. The 4G feature also turns the 8110 4G into a handy Wi-Fi hotspot – it’ll be a good idea to connect it to your other phones, tablets or laptops!

Release Date & Price

The Nokia 8110 4G is expected to be released in the UK in May. As for the price, it is going to be available at around £70. It is more expensive than some other Nokia phones such as the revamped 3310 released last year, but given it has 4G connectivity and a relatively costly design, the 8110 4G is still very reasonably priced!

Are you excited to own a Nokia phone just like Keanu Reeves’s in The Matrix?! Keep track of our blog for more of the latest information on the Nokia 8110 4G, helpful reviews and other tech related news!

March 5, 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