This week, popular Chinese player Meizu launched its flagship MX5 smartphone in India. The company has been selling devices in the country from quite some time and after the m1 note and the m2 note smartphones roll out, the MX5 is company’s third smartphone launched here.
The MX5 was first announced in China back in June. It packs a 5.5-inch full-HD Super AMOLED display, 2.2GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor coupled with 3GB of DDR3 RAM, 16GB of internal storage, a 20.7-megapixel rear camera with dual tone LED flash, a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, and runs on Flyme OS 4.5 based on Android 5.0 (Lollipop).
The Meizu MX5 is priced at Rs. 19,999 in India for the 16GB variant. It is available exclusively on Snapdeal. Check out our Meizu MX5 review, if you are planning to get the smartphone.
httpv://youtu.be/CLlc31aExRw
Another Chinese smartphone maker ZOPO made its foray in Indian market with the launch of its flagship Speed 7 smartphone in India priced at 12,999. The Speed 7 packs a 5-inch 1080p display, is powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6753 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM, and runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop). It has a 13.2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
It has dual SIM support and 4G connectivity. It has double tap to wake the phone and gesture sensing technology that lets you draw different letters on the screen to open different apps or just wave your hands to view the next and previous pictures in the gallery. Check more details here.
Micromax launched its latest Canvas Nitro 4G E455 at Rs. 10,999. It packs a 5-inch HD display, is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 415 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM, and runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop). It has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It has dual SIM support and 4G connectivity with support for both TD-LTE 2300MHz (Band 40) and FDD-LTE 1800MHz (Band 3) for India.
Alcatel OneTouch launched its first tablet in India, the Alcatel OneTouch Pop 8S at Rs. 10,499, exclusively on Flipkart. The tablet was announced at IFA last year.
The OneTouch Pop 8S tablet packs an 8-inch WXGA display, is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 410 processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage (microSD card up to 64GB), and runs on dated Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS. It has a 5-megapixel rear camera without flash and a 3-megapixel front-facing camera. It supports 4G LTE and voice-calling through a wired or a Bluetooth headset. We went hands-on with the tablet at the IFA 2014. check out the video below.
httpv://youtu.be/yfBP0vU-dQU
Intex launched Aqua Turbo 4G this week at Rs. 7,444. As the name implies, the smartphone supports 4G networks in India, and has dual-SIM slots. It has a 5-inch HD display, is powered by 1 GHz quad-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop. It packs an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Videocon launched its latest smartphone dubbed the Z55 Dash, which has been designed and assembled at the company’s local manufacturing facility in India. It has a 5-inch HD screen, is powered by a 1.4GHz octa-core processor coupled with 1GB of RAM, and runs on dated Android 4.4 (KitKat). It comes with dual-SIM and 3G connectivity support only.
The Videocon Z55 Dash Black with Gold and White with Silver colors and is priced at Rs. 6,490. It will be available exclusively from Flipkart.
Sony launched its Xperia C5 Ultra Dual in India at Rs. 29,990. The smartphone was announced earlier this month and packs a 6-inch 1080p display with 0.8mm slim bezels, is powered by an octa-core MediaTek MT6752 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM, and runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop). It has a 13-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS sensor, LED flash and a 13-megapixel front-facing camera with Exmor RS sensor and selfie flash. It also comes with dual-SIM 4G LTE support.
Panasonic launched new smartphone in its Eluga series dubbed the Panasonic Eluga Switch at Rs. 19,990. The unique quality of the phone is that it is reversible, which means it lets you speak even when the phone is held upside down. Also, it has JBL powered 1.2W dual front speakers with Hi-Fi sound quality and also bundles a premium JBL headset in the box.
The Panasonic Eluga Switch packs a 5.5-inch 1080p display, is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 615 SoC coupled with 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage (no microSD card support), and runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with a reversible UI that automatically adjusts the orientation. It also has 4G LTE connectivity with support for bands 1,3,7,8,20, but no details about LTE band 40.
Amkette launched its first Bluetooth game controller for Android smartphones and tablets, the Amkette Evo Gamepad Pro at Rs. 2,799. It is available for purchase exclusively from Flipkart.
The Amkette Evo Gamepad Pro comes features an ergonomically designed body with rubber grip. It also has a separate Evo Gamepad app, which lists over 350 games from all genres for Android and also helps you in pairing your smartphone or tablet with the controller.
SanDisk launched two new portable rugged SSDs in India, the Sandisk Extreme 900 and Extreme 500. These new drives come with both USB Type-C and Type-A cables to provide the ultimate flexibility when working between systems. These can also sustain most rugged environments, featuring both temperature and impact-resistant materials and also feature SanDisk SecureAccess software with 128-bit encryption to secure files.
The Extreme 900 is available in capacities up to 1.92TB and comes in compact, durable aluminum case. The SanDisk Extreme 500 Portable SSD is light-weight yet durable drive with sleek black finish and unique rubber bumpers. It comes in capacities up to 480GB. Check full details here.
Lastly, LG launched two new colour variants – Titanium Black and Gold – of the flagship G4 smartphone with metallic finish for Rs. 40,000. The smartphone was launched in India in June for Rs. 51,000. It received a priced cut to Rs. 40,000 for the Ceramic white variant and Rs. 45,000 for the Leather back variant earlier this month.
httpv://youtu.be/UoOiTMeHNaU
Weekly Announcements
Microsoft this week announced Nokia 222 and Nokia 222 Dual SIM, affordable internet-enabled feature phones. These are the successors of last year’s Nokia 220 and 220 Dual SIM devices and have a similar 2.4-inch (320 x 240 pixel) QVGA LCD screens and a T9 keypad. These new Nokia feature phones pack a 2-megapixel fixed-focus rear camera and come with 2G connectivity. These run on Nokia Series 30+ OS, measure 116mm x 50mm x 12.9mm and weigh just 79 grams.
The Nokia 222 and Nokia 222 Dual SIM come in Black and White colors and starts at US$37 (Rs. 2,465 approx.) before local taxes and subsidies. Both these phones will roll out globally in select markets starting from this September.
Obi Mobiles, backed by John Scully is now Obi Worldphone. The firm has introduced two new smartphones – Obi Worldphone SF1 and SJ1.5 – that are designed by San Francisco-based product studio Ammunition.
The Obi Worldphone SF1 has a 5-inch 1080p display from JDI, is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM, and runs on Android 5.0 (Lollipop) with Obi’s own UI on top. It has a fiberglass body and metal accents at the top and bottom of the phone.
The Obi Worldphone SJ1.5 has a 5-inch HD display with 2.5D curved glass, is powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6580 processor, and runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) with Obi’s own UI on top. Check full specifications here.
Smartisan, a Chinese startup, this week launched their second device called the U1 or JianGuo. The U1 will sell at a base price of 899 Yuan (US$140) which translates to roughly Rs 9,200.
The device is largely made of plastic and has a design that reminds us of the Xiaomi Mi 4i. It has a 5.5-inch 1080p display, is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor coupled with 2GB of RAM, 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
Wileyfox, a new smartphone brand based in the UK has introduced Storm and Swift, its first set of smartphones running on the latest Cyanogen OS 12.1 based on Android 5.1 (Lollipop). The Storm has a 5.5-inch 1080p screen and is powered by an Octa-Core Snapdragon 615 SoC, while the Swift comes with 5-inch HD display and is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 410 SoC.
Both these smartphones have dual SIM support and 4G LTE connectivity (Bands: 800 / 900 / 1800 / 2600 for Storm, 800 / 1800 / 2600 for Swift). It has new PIN scramble option that moves the numbers on the keyboard around, Blocked Caller List, which blocks incoming calls and texts from selected numbers and granular control that lets you select which apps get access to your personal data.
Oppo introduced Oppo R5s, an upgraded version of last year’s Oppo R5 with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, compared to 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It has the same 4.85mm thin body, stainless steel micro-arc frame and still requires an USB-to-3.5mm audio adapter. Other specifications include, 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED screen, Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 processor, Color OS 2.0 based on Android 4.4 (KitKat), 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
LG announced new G Pad II 10.1, the company’s latest Android tablet and the successor of last year’s G Pad 10.1 ahead of IFA 2015. It has a 10.1-inch (1920 x 1200) WUXGA display and runs on Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop). LG has decided to go with the old Snapdragon 800 SoC for the tablet. It has a 5-megapixel rear camera without flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It comes in both Wi-Fi and 4G variants.
The LG G Pad II 10.1 will roll out in key markets in North America, Europe and Asia starting from this September. Pricing will be announced locally during the launch. LG will showcase the tablet at the IFA 2015 from September 4th to 9th in Berlin.
The firm also introduced a Rolly Keyboard (KBB-700), company’s first rollable portable wireless keyboard ahead of IFA 2015. It can be folded along the four rows to create an easy-to-carry stick so that it can even fit in your pocket easily. It has high-contrast keys and a fold-out stand to support smartphones and even tablets up to 10-inches.
Lastly, Samsung announced three new additions in its Wireless Audio 360 speaker range namely – R1, R3 and R5. All three speakers will previewed during IFA 2015 in Berlin next week.
All three speakers are omni-directional and feature a new built-in tap and swipe UI. The primary difference between the three is the size. The R5 is the biggest while the R1 is the smallest and the R3 sits in between the two. Similarly, their acoustic experience also is ranked accordingly. Check our detailed coverage here.