Xiaomi's new Redmi Note 4 promises 25% longer battery life

During a launch event in India, Xiaomi showed off their new budget smartphone dubbed the Redmi Note 4. This device is the spiritual successor to last year's Redmi Note 3 which sold millions in both India and China. The new Redmi Note 4 builds upon last year's success with a a new software package based on Android 7.0 Nougat.

Additionally, the device support VoLTE and Xiaomi has included a massive 4,100mAh battery with the Redmi Note 4 and they are promising battery life up to 2 days with the phone. Beyond that, the design of the Redmi Note 4 is still the same unibody aluminium build but the company has tuned the design to include tapered edges for a better feel in the hand.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Key Specifications

— 5.5-inch 1080P IPS LCD display
— Snapdragon 625 SoC
— 2/3/4GB RAM
— 32/64GB expandable memory
— 13MP f2.0 rear camera
— 5MP f2.0 front camera
— 4,100mAh battery
— Android 7,.0 Nougat
— Dual SIM LTE
— 151 x 76 x 8.5mm
— 165g
— Black, Gold, Gray

Xiaomi will begin offering the Redmi Note 4 in India on January 23 through their online partners. The baseline model will cost as low as Rs. 9,999 (~US$ 146 / ~MYR 6,70). Expect to see the Redmi Note 4 launch in Malaysia in the coming months.



ORIGINAL SOURCE: XIAOMI

HTC's new U series ditches the aluminium unibody design for a glass one

Taiwan smartphone maker HTC is kicking off the year with a brand new smartphone series that they are calling HTC U. Two devices under this new series are the HTC U Play and HTC U Ultra. Both devices are expected to hit the markets in both February and March respectively. 

What makes the new HTC U Play and U Ultra unique is that they come in a brand new glass and metal design. This is by no means the first time we're seeing such a design but HTC's approach introduces striking color options that make it look more mesmerizing than any other glass backed smartphone out there. And to top things off, the bigger 128GB HTC U Ultra comes covered with sapphire crystal glass which is one of the most durable glass out there.

HTC U Play Key Specifications

— 5.2-inch 1080P Super LCD display
— MediaTek Helio P10 SoC
— 3/4GB RAM
— 32/64GB expandable memory
— 16MP f2.0 rear camera
— 16MP f2.0 front camera
— 2,500mAh battery
— Android 6.0 Marshmallow
— Dual SIM LTE
— 146 x 72.9 x 8mm

— 145g

— Black, Pink, White, Blue

HTC U Ultra Key Specifications

— 5.7-inch 1440P Super LCD5 display
— 2.05-inch 160 x 1040 secondary display
— Snapdragon 821 SoC
— 4GB RAM
— 64/128GB expandable memory
— 12MP f1.8rear camera
— 16MP front camera
— 3,000mAh battery
— Android 7.0 Nougat
— Dual SIM LTE
— 162.4 x 79.8 x 8mm

— 170g

— Black, Pink, White, Blue

Beyond the glitz and glamour, the new HTC U smartphones also come with a USB Type-C port which is a critical spec because HTC has not included a 3.5mm headphone jack with the device. But HTC is including a pair of USB-C earphones in the box.

Moving on to more positive aspects of the HTC U series, both devices come with a new voice unlock feature that works hand in hand with the 4 always-on microphone on the device. There's also the trusty fingerprint sensor on the front. Other than that, the HTC U series looks like a pretty compelling smartphone.

At this point we're not sure if this is HTC's flagship devices for the year as the pricing for both these devices are placed at a premium.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: HTC

HMD Global starts off the Nokia brand with the new Nokia 6

After the long wait, the company that has bought the rights to sell Nokia smartphones, HMD Global is announcing the first Nokia branded android smartphone. Dubbed the Nokia 6, this new smartphone coming exclusively for the China market marks the beginning of the new Nokia brand. Unlike older Nokia phones, the Nokia 6 only comes in black and it runs on Android.

In terms of hardware specifications, the Nokia 6 is a pretty mid-range device by today's standard and bucking up on the trend of budget devices these days, the Nokia 6 features an aluminium unibody design.

Nokia 6 Key Specifications

— 5.5-inch 1080P IPS LCD display
— Snapdragon 430 SoC
— 4GB RAM
— 64GB expandable memory
— 16MP f2.0 rear camera
— 8MP f2.0 front camera
— 3,000mAh battery
— Android 7.0 Nougat
— Dual SIM LTE
— 154 x 75.8 x 8.4mm

HMD Global will offer the Nokia 6 in China through JD.com for a price of US$ 245 (~MYR 1,096). Expect to see more higher end Nokia devices coming out later this year.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: NOKIA

Samsung's 2017 Galaxy A series brings Samsung Pay to the masses

Starting off the new year, Samsung is taking wraps off their new mainstream line of Galaxy phones. Once again, the Galaxy A series is being refreshed with improved aesthetics and features from flagship phones. First and foremost is the design which takes inspiration from their flagship smartphones. The 3D glass back and metal frame makes the 2017 Galaxy A series a premium offering.

In addition to that, Samsung has also included features like a USB Type-C port, better software experience, an always on display powered by the AMOLED display, IP68 water and dust resistance and also Samsung Pay. The addition of Samsung Pay is a big one as Samsung will continue expanding their mobile payment service this year and having more devices support it will help it's growth.

Samsung will begin offering the 2017 Galaxy A series beginning February 2017. Stay tuned for details about the Malaysian launch

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) Key Specifications

— 4.7-inch 720P Super AMOLED display
— Octa-core SoC
— 2GB RAM
— 16GB expandable memory
— 13MP f1.9 rear camera
— 8MP f1.9 front camera
— 2,350mAh battery
— Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
— Dual SIM LTE

— 135.4 x 66.2 x 7.9mm

— Black, Gold, Blue, Peach

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Key Specifications

— 5.2-inch 1080P Super AMOLED display
— Exynos 7880 SoC
— 3GB RAM
— 32GB expandable memory
— 16MP f1.9 rear camera
— 16MP f1.9 front camera
— 3,000mAh battery
— Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
— Dual SIM LTE

— 146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9mm

— Black, Gold, Blue, Peach

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) Key Specifications

— 5.7-inch 1080P Super AMOLED display
— Exynos 7870 SoC
— 3GB RAM
— 32GB expandable memory
— 16MP f1.9 rear camera
— 16MP f1.9 front camera
— 3,600mAh battery
— Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
— Dual SIM LTE

— 156.8 x 77.6 x 7.9mm

— Black, Gold, Blue, Peach

Instagram's latest feature enables bookmarking photos and videos

It was just a couple of weeks back that Instagram rolled out the ability to broadcast live video from their Instagram Moments feature. Today, the company is introducing a new feature that is designed to help users in the classic instagram experience. With the latest Instagram update, users will be able to save posts that they wish to review in the future through the bookmark icon on the bottom of an Instagram post. The saved photos and videos will then be stored in a section in the profile tab.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: INSTAGRAM

Instagram rolls out live video and self-destructing photos

Earlier this year, the Facebook owned Instagram overhauled their app and introduced a new moments feature that is designed get users to use the app more often. Today, Instragram is rolling out two new features that users can take advantage. The two new features are live videos and disappearing photos.

Both the features are accessed through the existing moments screen and the update is now available for both iOS and Android versions of the app. Live videos work similarly like they do on Facebook and disappearing photos are basically Instagram direct photos/videos that will disappear after the image is viewed.

If these features sound similar, Instagram's moment feature is exactly like Snapchat minus the live video. Learn more about how all of this works out in the source link below.

ORIGINAL SOURCE: INSTAGRAM