Unpacked: Samsung Galaxy S5 goes official

Samsung unpacks its newest flagship - the Galaxy S5. Finally the most anticipated handset from the top dog in the industry with so much expectation, will it deliver? Lets find out...

Samsung has taken another route from smooth glossy plastic to a dotted pattern leather-like soft touch back that comes in shades of Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold. It kinda industrialized the look of the GS5 with great mix of chrome polycarbonate and glass fiber material. With comparison to the GS4, its a tad taller, wider and thicker and goes the same with the bezel. The design and construction is to facilitate the water and dust resistance IP67-certification of the GS5 that took a toll on the overall look and feel of the device.

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Nokia Goes Android with Nokia X, Nokia X+ and Nokia XL

Finally, Nokia has join the Android Bandwagon using forked out version of Android Open Source system but with array of exclusive Microsoft and Nokia Services. This is quite a surprise considering it seeks to develop on a competitor platform. Anyways, it brings a mix of features from the Asha and Lumia line. Title UI has been implemented plus Skype, Outlook.com App, and many more.Nokia has also pitched in with Glance Screen, HERE Maps, Mix radio and dedicated Nokia Store. If you say application will be limited you can always sideload. Another thing is the "Fast Lane" that tracks everything you do on your phone from all recent history apps, messages and services. Universal Search





The Nokia X and Nokia X+ sports a 4 inch WVGA IPS LCD Display powered by 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor. Just the basic connectivity with WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G. If you're wondering yes it also supports WiFi-Hotspot. In terms of camera, you will be greeted with just 3MP Fixed Focus camera so don't much. The difference between the X will only have 512MB RAM while the X+ has 768MB. Battery is at 1500mAh. Kinda looks like an Asha. Seems decent to me to cater to your basic Android needs.

If you want something more then you could try the Nokia XL as the name suggest it bigger version with 5 inch IPS LCD Display but it also has the WVGA resolution (the Horror!!!). Under the hood, it is just like the Nokia X+ 1GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4, 768MB RAM, 4GB Internal Storage and expandable storage. You do get an upgrade in terms of camera with 5MP Auto Focus Primary camera with LED Flash and 2MP front. Battery is at 2000mAh. This one takes inspiration from the Lumia line.

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Alcatel POP S Series LTE Budget Phones - POP S3, POP S7, and POP S9

Alcatel outs its new wave of POP with S for speed - or to say with LTE.

Lets start out small, thats the POP S3 which sports the most modest features. Its display is a 4 inch with WVGA Resolution powered by 1.2GHz Quad-Core Processor (cough, Mediatek) together with 1GB RAM and 4GB of Internal Storage. Camera combo of 5MP with Flash on the rear and VGA on the front. Connectivity to say is a win-win for it has WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and last and foremost LTE. Powering the POP S3 is a 2000mAh battery. (no pricing detail)

Moving on the medium sized offering- the POP S7, with its 5 inch qHD Display which is at its heart is the new Mediatek chipset clocked at 1.3GHz that supports LTE. With regards to the other internals, camera, and connectivity features is just the same with the POP S3. The Battery is just a tad higher at 3000mAh. ($260 More or Less will be sold at 11K)

If you still looking for a bigger screen that will suit your big fingers like me haha well the POP S9 might be for you cause it houses a 6 (5.9?) inch HD Display with Oleophobic coating and is powered by Qualcomm 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 Quad-Core Processor. It does have the 1GB RAM but with a bigger internal storage at 8GB. Its optics is slight upgrade at 8MP rear with flash and 2.2MP front. Battery is at 3400mAh. ($300 more or less will be sold for 14K)

Offering LTE is to say the main selling point of the new Alcatel Pop S series. It also covers user preference in screen sizes as well as packs decent internals and complete set of connectivity. But with regards to availability it depends cause like in the POP C series which was presented but not all have been release in the Philippine Market. Just hope your desired unit get release or Alcatel may be good this year. :)

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LG G PRO 2: Guns Blazingly Great

LG updates its phablet offering LG G PRO 2. Being a flagship it brings the latest to counter off what other competitors has to offer.

To start of, it houses a 5.9 inch IPS Display just the right size and no bigger than a tablet screen with great viewing angles and a Full HD 1080p resolution. Being manufacturer of the best display, you will not be disappointed. On the other hand, your thinking it might be too big and so comes in touch features like the Mini View that triggers a small working window of your homescreen from swipping left or right that can be adjusted as desired. Multitasking is also covered with Dual Browser by long pressing the back-button will let you choose apps to put to either upper or lower portion of your screen to use.

With the internals with FHD on board definitely a powerful Snapdragon 800 SOC should do a better job for that fluid and lag-less Android experience. Complimented with 3GB of RAM to run most apps in the background and support multitasking and 16GB/32GB Internal storage for well storage for your apps and files.

Camera wise it packs a 13MP primary snapper and 2.1MP front and also comes with added ammo. It is supported with as LG puts it "Natural Flash" to say gives a natural lighting to your pictures. For videos its capable of up to 4K resolution of recording and has slowmo features at 120fps. With OIS+ surely makes a difference in your outputs.

The LG Pro 2 also has complete package with regards to connectivity WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, Infrared and also LTE.

You also get Android 4.4 KitKat with LG Emotional UX as well as new feature called the Knock Code an enhance of knock on unlock feature with just sequential combinations. This feature though is not exclusive that it will soon roll out to other models.

The G PRO 2 is with an entire plastic construction with texturized back that holds the uniquely LG controls for Power/Lock and Volume Rocker. Had an LG then, so far I can say they produce quality and durable materials.

Overall the LG G PRO 2 is gearing up for a fight bringing in the guns and heavy artillery with added features and uniquely LG that's seeks to standout. Said to be release by end of March in Asian Markets so if you want one start saving now...

Update: It's Now Available for only 32,990.
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Alcatel Updates its One Touch Idol line with One Touch Idol 2, Idol 2 Mini (S) and Idol 2S

Alcatel has introduced the successors to their Idol One Touch line with Idol 2, Idol 2 Mini and Idol 2 S.

The Idol 2 will sport a 5 inch qHD Display powered by 1.2GHz Quad-Core Processor that is supported by 1GB RAM and 8GB Internal Storage. Its optics is at 8MP primary camera with Flash and a 2MP front. It does have the basic connectivity as WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and NFC but only has HSPA+.

The Idol 2 Mini share almost all of the Idol 2 specs the difference of course is the screen size at only 4.5 inch but also with qHD resolution.

If your disappointed with the two siblings above then you may take a look at their S variants. The Idol 2S sports the same 5 inch but has HD remsolution. It is also powered by 1.3GHz Quad-Core SOC more or less a much more newer SOC. The Idol 2 Mini S however is just the LTE variant which goes the same for the Idol 2 S.

With regards to Battery repsectively 2150mAh for Idol 2S, 2000mAh for Idol 2, and 1700mAh for Idol 2 Mini.

It is said to shipped with Android 4.3 and is promised to be upgradeable to KitKat 4.4. The New line of Idol will also arrive with Dual Sim variant that has double internal storage except for the S variants.

Honestly with the new Idol 2 line is to say sub-par especially with qHD resolution. However a lower resolution will have a more liquid performance and with an IPS LCD Screen for better viewing angles plus a scratch-resistant glass and Oleophobic coating it does improved the the outlook for the devices.

If you want more then maybe the Idol S variants are for you coughing up a few bucks for HD resolution, better SOC and LTE.

Alcatel also provides set of accessories from smart covers and whats looks like a wearable device. This sets it apart from other where you simply have problem finding accessories.

It is said that the Mini will arrive in March with 3G model ($232) and LTE (2 Mini S $287) while on Idol 2 is said to be on April or May 3G model ($274) and LTE (Idol 2 S $342). Might between 11K to 17K in Philippines Peso me thinks.

You just weigh your needs to decide which ever to get, it really depends on your consumer preference anyways.

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Samsung Gear 2: Galaxy out Tizen In with Neo

Samsung Gear 2 has just been announced kicking out the Galaxy - Android and comes with Samsung's very own Tizen. Samsung does promise that it will be compatible with their "more than dozen" Galaxy smartphones.

The New Gear 2 is said to be thinner and lighter (68g) sporting the same 1.63 inch AMOLED Display powered by 1GHz (from 800Mhz) Dual-Core Processor complimented with 512MB RAM and 4GB Internal Storage. Packs that 2MP HD Camera and brings in improved health sensors and infrared blaster.

The device also comes in a Neo Variant to say a tad cheaper model with lesser chrome and no camera but much lighter at 55g.

Oh on the battery side it packs a 300mAh (smaller than the original) which promises to be more energy efficient and Samsung claims to run about 2-3 days.

On the flip side, the wearable is now IP67 certification for resistance to water and dust great for those adventure junkies...

The New Samsung Gear 2 comes in Charcoal Black, Gold Brown and Wild Orange while the NEO variant has Mocha Grey. Global release date is said to be in April but no pricing as of now.

Sources:
engadget
gsmarena

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