This week was all about cheapest Android smartphone launched in India for Rs. 251. Ringing Bells – a Noida-based company – launched the Freedom 251 and the world went crazy. The company doesn’t have any history in making smartphones and anything else. All we know about the Ringing Bells is that it launched a very cheap 4G smartphone earlier this month, Smart 101 at Rs. 2,999.
The Freedom 251 has a 4-inch qHD / WVGA display, is powered by 1.3GHz quad-core processor, has 1GB of RAM, comes with 3G connectivity and runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop). It has a 3.2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a VGA front-facing camera.
The Ringing Bells Freedom 251 comes in white color and is priced at just Rs. 251. It comes with 1-year warranty and the company says that it has over 650 service centers across India. It is available for order through freedom251.com till 21st February at 8PM and the phone will be delivered by June 30th 2016. Everything you need to know about Freedom 251.
Now if you want to buy a really cheap 7-inch Android tablet then Celkon this week launched Celkon CT111 for Rs. 2,999. It’s a Wi-Fi tablet that has a 7-inch WVGA screen, is powered by a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat) OS. It has a 2-megapixel rear camera without flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera for video chats. Even though doesn’t have SIM support, it supports 3G dongle via OTG.
The Celkon CT111 is priced at Rs. 2,999 and will be available through retail stores and Amazon.
Xolo launched two new budget 4G smartphones in the Era series dubbed the Era 4G and the Era 4K priced at Rs. 4,777 and Rs. 6,499 respectively.
The Era 4G packs a 5-inch HD screen with Corning Gorilla Glass protection, is powered by a 1.5GHz quad-core processor, runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS, which is upgradable to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), comes with a 5-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera that also comes with LED flash.
It comes with dual SIM support and has 4G LTE connectivity with VoLTE. The Xolo Era 4G comes in Black color and is priced at Rs. 4,777. It will be available exclusively from Snapdeal starting from 26th February and registration for the sale have already started.
On the other hand, the Era 4K features a 5-inch HD screen, is powered by a quad-core 64-bit MediaTek MT6735P processor, runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS, comes with a 8-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It comes with dual SIM support and has 4G LTE connectivity.
It packs a 4000mAh battery with 32 hours of talk time, 624 hours of stand-by time. The Xolo Era 4K comes in Dark Blue and White colors and is priced at Rs. 6,499.
Intex launched Cloud Crystal 2.5D, the company’s latest budget 4G smartphone in the Cloud series. It has a 5-inch HD 2.5D curved glass display, is powered by a 1GHz quad-core 64-bit processor, runs on Android 5.1 (Lollipop) OS, comes with a 8-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. It comes with dual SIM support and has 4G LTE connectivity.
The Intex Cloud Crystal 2.5D comes in Black and White colors and is priced at Rs. 6,899. It is exclusively available from Amazon.in.
Swipe launched Konnect 5.1 Limited Edition smartphone with Sandstone Black finish. It has a 5-inch FWVGA display with Vi-Di technology for brighter, colorful and vivid experience, is powered by a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.4 (KitKat), which is upgradable to Android 5.1 (Lollipop) in future. It has a 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 3.2-megapixel front-facing camera. It has dual SIM support and 3G connectivity.
The Swipe Konnect 5.1 comes in Limited Edition Sandstone Black finish and is priced at Rs. 3,999. It is available exclusively from Snapdeal.
Sony launched MP-CL1, its latest compact laser projector in India. It can project up to 120 inches in HD quality and has a 3400mAh built-in battery that lets you project up to 2 hours on a single charge. It can also be used to charge other devices. It has built-in dual-band WiFi for wireless projection, directly from your smartphone and also has a stand.
The Sony MP-CL1 comes in black color and is priced at Rs. 26,990. It will be available from retail stores across India.
Portronics launched a new portable Bluetooth speaker called the Sound Wallet, which looks like a power bank and fits in the palm of your hand. Company claims the it delivers high-quality music experience and up to 6 hours play time on a single charge. It also has a microphone so that you can use it to take calls when it is connected to a phone.
In addition to Bluetooth support, it also comes with AUX-in support so that you can also connect featured phones. It has LED light to show the charge left and has buttons to play/pause/attend calls and switch songs. These LED lights blink in red color to alert you when the charge is low. The Portronics Sound Wallet comes in Black and Golden colors and is priced at Rs. 1,599.
Weekly Announcements
LG has announced X cam and X screen smartphones in the new X series, ahead of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona next week. The X cam sports 13-megapixel and 5-megapixel, dual rear cameras and promises one of the most advanced camera experience in a mass-tier smartphone, while the X screen features 1.76-inch ‘Always-on’ second screen, in addition to 4.93-inch HD In-cell Touch display. This will allow users to easily access frequently used apps, answer calls without interrupting the current activity or just play music. It also lets users check time, date, battery status and other notifications without unlocking the phone.
The LG X cam comes in Titan Silver, White, Gold and Pink Gold colors and the LG X screen comes in Black, White and Pink Gold colors. The new ‘X series’ smartphones will roll out in key markets in Asia, Europe and Latin America starting March 2016, but details about the pricing will be announced during MWC next week.
The firm also announced introduced Stylus 2, successor of last year’s G4 Stylus, and K8 (K350N) smartphone in some markets, including Hungary.
The LG Stylus 2 has a 5.7-inch HD in-cell touch display, is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It has a 7.4mm thin body with a metal frame and is just 145 grams.
It comes with a stylus pen, similar to earlier LG Stylus phones, but the new nano-coated tip promises more accuracy compared to the previous rubber-tipped pen. The LG Stylus 2 comes in Titan, White and Brown colors and will roll out starting from Korea in March, followed by other markets in the United States, Europe and Asia.
The LG K8 has a 5-inch HD screen with 2.5D curved arc glass, is powered by a quad-core MediaTek MT6735 SoC, runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), has a 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and 5-megapixel front-facing camera. It also has 4G LTE support.
The LG K8 comes in Blue and White colors, but no word on the price of the smartphone.
Lastly, LG announced a new Tone Platinum (HBS-1100) Bluetooth Stereo headset this week. It has a sleek aluminum finish and ergonomic design. It has been developed in collaboration with Harman/Kardon, similar its Tone Infinim headset. “It has a Balanced Armature design that is usually reserved for high-end wired earphones and offers for minimize distortion,” said company.
The LG Tone Platinum (HBS-1100) comes in Gray, Silver and Gold colors and will roll out in United States in March 2016.
Microsoft announced Lumia 650 and Lumia 650 Dual SIM smartphones running Windows 10. These smartphones have a 5-inch HD AMOLED ClearBlack display, powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 212 processor, have a 8-megapixel auto focus camera with LED flash and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. These have 4G LTE connectivity, have a metal frame and are just 6.9mm thick.
The Microsoft Lumia 650 and Lumia 650 Dual SIM come in matte black and matte white colors, and already available in select European markets for £159.99 or €239.
The Redmond giant also announced a wireless display adapter that will allow Windows 10 users to wirelessly mirror their screen on a monitor or TV. Users can mirror or extend their screen from Miracast-enabled Windows 10 phones, tablets and laptops, including the Surface lineup. Microsoft says that the new device reduces the latency and boasts of a new form factor. The adapter is also certified by Intel Wireless Display (Wi-Di) and works with 2-in-1s and tablet devices with Intel Wi-Di capability.
The second generation Wireless Display Adapter is already available for pre-order for $49.95 at the Microsoft Store, and it will be shipping on March 1. Microsoft will also be selling the device at Best Buy and Amazon.
Other interesting announcement this week from Cat phones, a company popular for its rugged phones. The firm announced its flagship Cat S60, which becomes the world’s first smartphone with an integrated thermal camera. It is also claimed to be the world’s most waterproof smartphone since it is waterproof to depths of up to 5 meters for one hour, allowing it to be used as an underwater camera. It also exceeds military spec since it is built to withstand drops onto concrete from up to 1.8 meters, and it’s dustproof. This display can be viewed in bright sunlight, and the touchscreen can be controlled with wet fingers or while wearing gloves. It is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 4.
It has an includes an embedded thermal camera from FLIR. This lets users to detect heat loss around windows and doors, spot moisture and missing insulation, identify over-heating electrical appliances and circuitry and see in complete darkness. The Cat S60 will be showcased at MWC and will be available later this year for RRP €649 / $599 (Rs. 41055 approx.).
Canonical in partnership with Meizu introduced the Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition this week. “This is the fifth Ubuntu device launched by Canonical and its partners in the last twelve months and the most sophisticated and feature-rich Ubuntu phone in the market,” said Canonical. It has similar specifications as the original Meizu PRO 5 that was introduced last year, but this comes only in 3GB RAM with 32GB storage variant.
The Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition will be available for pre-order during MWC on Meizu’s website.
Motorola introduced new VerveLife products ahead of MWC. These include, VerveRider and VerveRider+ Bluetooth stereo headsets, VerveOnes and VerveOnes+ true wireless stereo earbuds without wires, VerveLoop+ wireless earbuds, VerveCam portable video camera and VerveRetrieve waterproof GPS pet tracker.
All the VerveLife products operate via the free Hubble application for iOS and Android. “The new line of smart wearable video, audio and family products are targeted at those that aspire to live a healthy, active, social lifestyle, and keep connected like never before,” said the company. Check complete details here.
These new VerveLife products will be showcased at the MWC in Barcelona from February 22nd to 25th in Hall 7 Booth F81.
ARCHOS introduced its flagship Diamond 2 Note and Diamond 2 Plus smartphones ahead of MWC. The Diamond 2 Note comes with a 6-inch Quad HD IPS borderless screen, is powered by an Octa-Core Mediatek Helio X10 SoC, runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), has a 16-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash, Phase Detection Auto Focus (PDAF), 4K video recording and a 8-megapixel front-facing camera. It has hybrid dual SIM support and 4G LTE connectivity.
The ARCHOS Diamond 2 Plus packs a 5.5-inch 1080p screen, is powered by an Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P10 SoC, runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), has a 20-megapixel rear camera with Sony sensor, Laser Auto Focus, dual-tone LED flash and a 8-megapixel front-facing camera that also has a flash. It has hybrid dual SIM support, 4G LTE connectivity, fingerprint sensor on the back and USB Type-C port.
The ARCHOS Diamond 2 Note comes in Silver color, is priced at €299 / £249 / $279 ( Rs. 19,150 approx.) and the ARCHOS Diamond 2 Plus comes in Black and White colors, is priced at €249 / £199 / $229 ( Rs. 15,710 approx.). Both the devices will be available in May.