Sony announces Xperia C3 selfie smartphon

Sony has unveiled the Xperia C3 (D2533) and Xperia C3 Dual (D2502, S55t, S55u), a device Sony is dubbing “the world’s best selfie smartphone“. Sony’s confidence comes from a 5MP 720p wide-angle (25mm with 80 degree field of view) front camera (with Superior Auto mode support) tied with a soft LED flash. Photos can be taken by double tapping the back cover or using Smile Shutter.

The Xperia C3 will also have the selfie software to go with it including a new ‘PROselfie cam’ app. Other apps that can be used with the front camera include AR effect and Portrait Retouch, which we’ve already seen on the Xperia T2 Ultra. 

Portrait Retouch v.2 is a newer version of the Portrait Retouch app which includes real-time makeover, DECO frame options and magic eye beam (light reflection) effects. You can also retouch portraits of up to two people per image.

In terms of specifications, the Xperia C3 has a 5.5-inch (720 x 1280) IPS display and is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset (MSM8X26) with 1.2GHz quad-core processor and Adreno 305 graphics. The Xperia C3 has a phone to screen ratio of 68.10% and pixel density of 267 PPI.

Other features include a 8MP Exmor RS rear camera with auto-focus, 8GB internal storage (5.1GB usable), 1GB RAM, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and a 2500mAh battery including Battery STAMINA Mode 3.0. The Xperia C3 Dual is the same device as the Xperia C3 but will feature dual SIM card support.

The Xperia C3 has dimensions of 156.2 x 78.7 x 7.6 mm and weighs 149.7g. The phone will launch with Android 4.4 KitKat in three colours (black, white and mint) from August 2014. China will be a launch market.

Sony Xperia C3 (D2533) white paper
Sony Xperia C3 Dual (D2502) white paper
Sony Xperia C3 Dual (S55u) white paper
Sony Xperia C3 Dual (S55t) white paper

Via Sony Mobile Blog.

Samsung Galaxy S5 mini: 4.5” Super AMOLED screen, water resistance and finger scanner

The Samsung Galaxy S5 mini is now official. The more compact sibling of the flagship Galaxy S5 comes with a 4.5” 720p Super AMOLED display, a 1.4GHz quad-core processor, and an 8-megapixel camera. 

It’s also retained most of the great new features of the Galaxy S5: the fingerprint scanner, the heart-rate monitor on the back, and even software touches like the great Ultra Power Saving Mode (UPSM).

The Galaxy S5 mini is shaped in the same design language as the S5 with the perforated soft-touch back, and it is also water and dust protected with IP67 certification, meaning that the phone is dust protected and can withstand being submerged in water up to 30 minutes in a depth of up to 1 meter (3.3 feet). You get four color options from the start: Charcoal Black, Shimmery White, Electric Blue and Copper Gold. Being a phone with a 4.5-inch screen, the S5 mini is also fairly compact and easy to use with one hand. It is not too slim, nor too thick at 0.36” (9.1mm) body girth and weighs a fairly light 4.2 ounces (120g).

Under the hood, we seem to have the usual duality of models. Some markets will get the 4G LTE-enabled Galaxy S5 mini, which likely runs on the Snapdragon 400 system chip, while others will get a non-LTE version, powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 3470. Both models also have plentiful 1.5GB of RAM for efficient multitasking. Internal storage comes in at 16GB and you can expand on that via microSD cards of up to 64 gigs. The battery on it is a 2100mAh one, and it is easily removable. It's also worth pointing out that the S5 mini will have a dual SIM model in select markets.

WITH ULTRA POWER SAVING MODE, FINGER SCANNER AND WATER RESISTANCE, THE S5 MINI LOOKS LIKE A TRUE 'MINI' FLAGSHIP

In terms of connectivity, the Galaxy S5 mini has Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, USB 2.0, A-GPS + GLONASS, and an infra-red beamer, plus the LTE version will also have NFC. 

The handset also houses an 8-megapixel auto-focus main camera with a single LED flash on the back, while on the front there is a 2.1-megapixel shooter.

Given that the this new mini will launch shortly, in early July, it is no surprise that it is running on Android 4.4 KitKat, as the new Android L will not be available on devices until the fall. Good news, however, is that the TouchWiz-infused version of Android in the S5 mini will support features so far seen only on the Galaxy S5, like the Ultra Power Saving Mode that prolongs your battery longevity.

The S5 mini global release date is allegedly set for mid-July, and S5 mini price is set at €479 in Europe (the equivalent of $650).

Samsung Galaxy K zoom available to buy in the US for $450 (via eBay and Amazon)

While Samsung’s Galaxy K zoom hasn’t been officially released in the US yet, customers wanting to buy this smartphone-camera hybrid can already do so. Thanks to eBay’s Daily Deals, the device can be currently bought for just $449.99. However, we must note that this Galaxy K zoom that’s sold via eBay doesn’t have LTE, and is compatible only with AT&T’s 3G network. 

Amazon lets you order a similar Galaxy K zoom (meaning with AT&T 3G, but without LTE), although it asks a higher price for it: $529.72. 

If the absence of LTE doesn’t bother you, buying a Galaxy K zoom for $449.99 may be a good deal. The device runs Android 4.4, and comes with a 20.7MP rear camera that features 16x optical zoom, OIS, and Xenon and LED flashes. You’re also getting all the features of a decent mid-range smartphone, including: a 4.8-inch Super AMOLED display with 720 x 1,280 pixels, a 6-core Exynos 5 Hexa processor, 2GB of RAM, and 8GB of expandable internal memory. One of the downsides of the K zoom is that it's quite bulky, measuring 5.41 x 2.79 x 0.65 inches (137.5 x 70.8 x 16.6 mm), and weighing 7 ounces (200 grams). If that doesn't scare you, you can order the device at either of the two source links below.

sources: eBay, Amazon

G3 Lite, G3 Vigor, G3 Vista and G3 Beat are new smartphone names that LG wants to launch

Just a few days ago, we told you that LG may plan to release a mini version of its G3 that should be called LG G3 Beat (at least in China). The South Korean company is serious about this name, as we discovered that it wants to trademark it. Alongside G3 Beat, other three new names are waiting to be trademarked in the US: G3 Lite, G3 Vigor, and G3 Vista. 

G3 Lite may be an alternative name for the mini G3, while G3 Vista could have something to do with Verizon (since we recently saw an LG G Vista that’s reportedly headed to Verizon). We’re not sure what the G3 Vigor is supposed to be. 

Of course, LG hasn’t confirmed the existence of a mini G3, but we assume it will do it in the near future - when we’ll probably find out what’s with all these new names that the company seemingly intends to use. 

Meanwhile, the original 5.5-inch LG G3 is now being released around the world, and it will be available in the US starting this month, via all major mobile carriers. 

source: USPTO

Samsung Galaxy Core II, Ace 4, Young 2 expected prices

Just two days ago, Samsung unveiled a refresh to a whopping four devices in its mid- to low-end ranks, but only now we learn about their prices.

The newly-unveiled Samsung Galaxy Core II is said to carry a price of €179 (the equivalent of $245) in Europe, according to Samsung Netherlands. A successor to last year’s successful 4.3” Galaxy Core, the Core II comes with some significant improvements: a larger, 4.5” display, a more powerful, 1.2GHz quad-core chip (versus a dual-core one on the original Galaxy Core), and a bigger, 2000mAh battery (vs a 1800mAh juicer on the first Core). It’s also got a new leather-imitating finish, contributing to a new, softer touch and feel. 

The Samsung Galaxy Ace 4, on the other hand, is reported to be priced at €219. It’s a device with 4-inch WVGA display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor, and a 5-megapixel camera.

This seems like a mistake, though: the higher-specced Core II should cost more than the Ace 4. It seems that Samsung Netherlands has simply switched the prices, so our guess is that in fact it is the Core II that costs €219, while the Ace 4 is priced at €179.

Finally, the Samsung Galaxy Young 2, a 3.5” KitKat-running phone with a 1GHz single-core processor is expected to be priced at €99. How do you like the prices of these affordable phones?

Samsung Galaxy Core II

Samsung Galaxy Ace 4

 Samsung Galaxy Young 2