rumors

Alleged Huawei Nexus prototype/dummy

Well-known leakster, Steve Hemmerstoffer has leaked further information regarding the upcoming purported Nexus devices. Using his OnLeaks account, he shared some detailed specifications an features of both the rumored smaller LG device and larger Huawei-made smartphone.

Information passed to Steve by his sources suggests that both phones will feature front-firing speakers, USB Type-C compatibility and a fingerprint sensor on the back. Although both are rumored to likely feature a metal chassis, the dimensions will be different. LG’s Nexus is purported to measure in at 9.8mm thick, 147mm tall and 73mm wide while the Huawei device is allegedly going to be 8.5mm thick and measure at around 12.5mm taller and 5mm wider than LG’s Pure Google phone.

Galaxy Note 5 leaked in clearest images yet, complete with retail packaging

Cam Bunton Aug 10 2015 - 2:21 am PT

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 5 has been leaked in full, showing the device from almost every angle, complete with packaging and compared alongside the iPhone 6 Plus to show its relative size. As you can probably tell from the images, the photos were snapped by a retail worker. A Samsung rep had been in to his store with the two unreleased phablets (Note 5 and S6 Edge+).

Upcoming Huawei device leaks ahead of purported September launch

Cam Bunton Aug 8 2015 - 9:33 am PT

With Samsung pulling out of IFA this year and opting for hosting its own event, you may be left wondering if there’s anything worth looking forward to at this year’s tech show in Berlin. Thankfully, it looks as though Huawei is preparing to show off one of its own new devices. Two leaks have shown up on Twitter today, one press render from Evan Blass and another picture of a pre-release device running AnTuTu benchmark tests from Steve Hemmerstoffer.

According to Evan Blass, better known as @evleaks, the device is going to be announced on September 2nd, at an event during IFA. Although he doesn’t know what the device’s name will be, he does state that it will feature ‘Force Touch’. If true, this will make it one of the first smartphones announced with a built in sensor to detect pressure on the touchscreen. Of course, Apple is expected to implement the technology in to its upcoming smartphones, but Cupertino isn’t likely to announce anything new until September 9.

Launching at IFA on 9/2. Features force touch. Branding currently unknown (D-series?). pic.twitter.com/5w2t7m7Nsx

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 8, 2015

Add that to the images of what is almost certainly a prototype, or pre-release test unit, and we start to get a clearer picture of the device. Looking at the information on screen from the benchmark tests suggests we’ll see a 1080p display, with an octa-core 64-bit processor. If you were to look at design alone, you might think this is perhaps the next generation Huawei Ascend Mate device. However, look closely and you’ll realize that can’t be the case.

You’ll also see that it has a 13MP camera and runs Android 5.1.1. But what’s really interesting to me is the claimed DPI count (better known as PPI or pixels per inch). The benchmark states that it has a pixel density of 480ppi. If so, using a pixel density calculator, it can’t possibly be a follow-up to the 6-inch Mate7. 1080×1920 over 6-inches is 367ppi. So this could perhaps be the mini version of Huawei’s Ascend Mate 7, with a screen measuring 4.6-inches diagonally. That’s not forgetting, the Mate 7 was only announced in March this year.

Of course, this is all just speculation for now. We’ll find out all about this device once it has been announced. It’ll be intriguing to see where in the market this supposed device will sit alongside the Huawei P8 and P8 Lite and if it’ll be restricted to just specific markets, or available globally. It’s unlikely that this is the long-rumored Huawei Nexus phone, if it is being announced at IFA.

Huawei Nexus prototype allegedly appears in sketchy leak

Cam Bunton Aug 6 2015 - 3:52 am PT

We’ve been hearing rumors for some time now that Google will partner with Huawei on its next flagship Nexus device. It may seem like a strange choice of manufacturer, but with its influence in China, Google sees a strong opportunity to piggy-back Huawei’s Chinese success and get its own services adopted there.

We’re supposedly expecting a device with a 5.7-inch QHD screen and Snapdragon 820 processor to be launched alongside a smaller LG-made device (refreshed Nexus 5 perhaps) sometime later this year. Today, a fresh leak has been published showing little detail, but what could be a prototype of the Huawei-made Pure Google device.

If you check out a few of the snapshot images originally taken from a blurry, unclear video, you’ll notice that the design is fairly similar to another Huawei smartphone. Although there are differences, you’ll see much of the design language is the same as the Huawei Ascend Mate 7:

The arrangement of the camera, fingerprint sensor and LED flash units is very similar in both. However, you’ll notice the camera on the supposed Nexus device is round, rather than square (matching the leaked LG Nexus cases). The LED flash is a long pill-shaped component rather than square, but the fingerprint sensor is much the same. Take a look at the original video leaked originally by Steve Hemmerstoffer:

Since the device isn’t powered on at all in the video, it’s hard to say with any certainty whether or not this really is the Nexus being leaked. Or even, if it’s a working prototype. For all we know, it could just be a tested physical dummy unit of a device Huawei is working on. Although, if it is genuine and this is the finished product, let me be the first to say that I’d love that all-black finish on a Nexus device. So dark, and stealthy.

Possible Sony Xperia Z5 and Compact leak shows larger power button with built-in fingerprint sensor

Cam Bunton Aug 4 2015 - 8:01 am PT

Having just launched its latest super mid-range smartphones, Sony will turn its attention to the next flagship launch which is surely just around the corner. If a recent leak holds any truth, the next Xperia could jump on the fingerprint sensor bandwagon and incorporate the feature in to its side-mounted power button.

An image tweeted by Vizileaks shows what it claims to be the next generation Xperia Z and Z Compact separated by an iPhone 5s. For the sake of saving confusion, we’ll call them the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact for now.

What’s really interesting about these images is that they clearly show fingerprint recognition setup screens on the display. The closest device (Z5) shows the progress icon, which isn’t too dissimilar to those we’ve seen on other phones. Look at the furthest phone and you can see a tutorial screen clearly showing the user how to register the fingerprint; by placing their thumb on the power button.

This power button seems vastly different in design to previous Xperia phones. It’s a large, pill-shaped button rather than a tiny, fiddly round button like the one featured on the Z3.

[tweet https://twitter.com/vizileaks/status/628208495758852096 align=’center’]

Like previous iterations of Xperia, it would appear that the next pair will feature very similar form factors to every other Android-based Sony smartphone in recent history. Although unsurprising, that is a little disappointing.

Sony announced a new Xperia Z at IFA last year, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the company chose to refresh its lineup once again at the Berlin tech show. It would fit in with the manufacturer’s release schedule, although there’s no guarantee Sony will choose to do so this year.

OnePlus founder: Third phone will be out before the end of the year

Cam Bunton Aug 3 2015 - 5:02 am PT

In a quick, but far-reaching, interview with USA Today, Carl Pei (OnePlus co-founder) states that his company will have a second phone out this year, hopefully in time for Christmas. He didn’t give any clues as to what the phone may or may not feature, but he did say it’d be a tough choice between using the OnePlus 2 or this unreleased phone as his daily driver.

Purported Galaxy Note 5 specs leaked: Octa-core Exynos chip, 4GB RAM, more…

Cam Bunton Aug 1 2015 - 3:15 pm PT

Not long after he leaked the official press renders for the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, Evan Blass let us in on the next Samsung phablet’s likely specification list. The device code-named Samsung Noble, model SM-N920 will supposedly feature a 5.66-inch QHD display, 4GB RAM and an octa-core Exynos 7420 processor made up of two quad-core chips (2.1GHz plus 1.5GHz). Alongside those, it’s predicted Samsung will pack in a 16MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera and run it on Android 5.1.1.

Perhaps the least surprising specification, but most disappointing, is the purported lack of expandable memory. Like the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge launched earlier this year, Samsung is going to go with internal storage only and not offer Micro SD card support.

Rains->Pours. Samsung Noble (SM-N920/self-reported): Exynos 7420 SoC (4×2.1GHz+4×1.5GHz), 5.66″ 2560×1440, 4GB/32GB, 16MP/5MP, 5.1.1, no SD.

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 1, 2015

Samsung is expected to announced the Galaxy Note 5 and its curved sibling at a press event on August 13. Let’s hope we have at least a few surprises from the Korean tech giant when the next Unpacked event kicks off. Right now, we seem to have a pretty clear picture of the next devices coming our way.

Press renders of Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ leaked

Cam Bunton Aug 1 2015 - 4:20 am PT

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Barely a week goes by when we don’t get another piece of the puzzle to add to the ever-clearer image of what Samsung’s going to announce in two weeks time. We’ve seen leaked schematics, unofficial 3D renders and photos as well as the usual rumors on release date and specifications. Now, what looks like an official press render has leaked out courtesy of Evan Blass on Twitter.

Purported 2015 LG Nexus cases leak, show protruding camera and possible fingerprint sensor on the back

Cam Bunton Jul 30 2015 - 4:48 am PT

A couple of days back we saw a leak purporting to show the outline, or silhouette of this year’s rumored LG Nexus device. It had two circular holes on the back, along with a more square-shaped cutout. We assumed at least one of the circular ones was for a camera, but were unsure of the purpose for the second hole. If these recent case leaks are genuine, it seems less likely that the secondary round cutout is for a camera. Rather, a fingerprint sensor.

Moto G expected to launch July 29th with Moto Maker in stores

Cam Bunton Jul 27 2015 - 8:06 am PT

A new report claims that Motorola will be launching its next budget-friendly Moto in stores on July 29th, just one day after its launch event. But that’s not the most exciting part of the story. If the leaked retail memos are genuine, customers will be able to walk in to stores and order their personalized Moto Maker device from a physical, brick-and-mortar store…
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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ leaked in new photos

Cam Bunton Jul 23 2015 - 9:00 am PT

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ have been shown off in a bunch of new photographs. Early leaks and rumors pointed to both devices taking on design cues from the smaller Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. For the most part, that’s what we seem to have in the leaked pics.

What’s interesting to note (pun not-intended) is that — although it has a S6-esque metal frame — the Note 5 still retains the style and shape of the Galaxy note series. Corners are much squarer than the Galaxy S series phones. In fact, from the front, it looks virtually identical to the Galaxy Note 4. The only real difference is the placement of sensors and front facing camera on the top. The two sensors near the earpiece have swapped over to the left side, while the camera is much further from the corner that it is on the current model.

As for the S6 Edge+, that just looks like a big version of the S6 Edge. Corners are much more rounded than the Note, and it has the iconic curved display edges on both sides. Like the current S6 and S6 Edge, it also seems to have a reflective, pearlescent finish.

Both the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are widely expected to launch at an event in August. If most recent rumors are to be believed, the event will take place in New York City on August 13th with a retail launch in the following weeks.

Moto G (2015) Moto Maker customization options revealed

Cam Bunton Jul 23 2015 - 4:56 am PT

We read rumors a while back that Motorola would be adding this year’s upcoming Moto G to its popular Moto Maker customization service. Like the Moto X, you’ll be able to order the Moto G with your choice of front or back color, as well as various metallic accent hues.

Thanks to a recent leak that made its way to Reddit, we now have a better idea of all the options available. First, you’ll be able to choose either white or black on the front housing. There will be a total of ten rear housing colors to choose from, including cherry, cabernet, blue, raspberry, turquoise, black, gold yellow, white, lime and navy. Metallic accent options will also include ten colors. These will presumably be on the front speaker/earpiece, and metal camera housing on the back.

Unlike the Moto X, there doesn’t seem to be an option to add a luxury material like wood or leather. However, it does appear that we’ll get a choice between an 8GB or 16GB model. The latter will also have 2GB RAM. There’s also going to be five FlipShell cases, costing just under $20 and a number of wallpapers to have pre-loaded on the home screen. You can see the leak in all it’s glory below:

The entire Motorola lineup is expected to get something of a design refresh this year. Although the general shape and look of the phones will largely be the same, the camera and Moto ‘dimple’ housing on the back will be changed. While the design between the Moto G and Moto X is likely going to be similar, as it usually is, this will be the first time that both have been available on Moto Maker.

Although we can’t take any leaks or rumors as being concrete evidence, there’s perhaps enough here to start piecing together what Motorola might announce at its event on July 28.

Report: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 to get August 13 unveiling in New York City

Cam Bunton Jul 22 2015 - 6:42 am PT

For some time now it’s been predicted that Samsung will skip the noise of IFA in September and choose to launch the Galaxy Note 5 in August. We had heard previously that Sammy was planning an event for its flagship phablet on August 12th. Business Korea, however, stepped in this morning with its own information claiming the Note 5 is being launched just a little later than that.

According to the publication’s sources, Samsung will host an unveiling event in New York City on August 13, during which it will announce both the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge Plus.

Gold Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ purportedly leaks, shows minor changes compared to S6 Edge

Cam Bunton Jul 21 2015 - 7:49 am PT

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 5 is the upcoming flagship phone to be excited over, and one which we’ve heard a lot about in recent times. From what’s been posted online over the past few weeks, it seems almost certain that Sammy is going to launch an oversized version of the Galaxy S6 Edge alongside the Note 5 on August 12th. Today’s leak shows some very minor differences between the S6 Edge and S6 Edge Plus…
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Next ASUS PadFone S2 could feature Snapdragon 820, 5.5-inch QHD screen and 4GB RAM

Cam Bunton Jul 21 2015 - 4:01 am PT

A recent leak suggests ASUS is planning on releasing a PadFone S2 during by the first quarter of 2016. By the time it arrives, it’ll be the first PadFone in over a year and could be one of the first to feature Snapdragon‘s next-generation 820 series chip.

When it comes to innovation, or just doing things differently, ASUS caught our attention a few years ago when it first unveiled the PadFone. The company released a phone which slid in to a dock built in to a large touchscreen display, transforming it in to a tablet. It was probably the first notable attempt at a convertible smartphone/tablet, and ASUS isn’t done yet.

Galaxy Note 5 S-Pen leaks, it’s all shiny [Gallery]

Cam Bunton Jul 18 2015 - 8:55 am PT

While there are tons of phablets on the market now, Samsung still manages to remain unique by equipping its Note series handsets with the versatile S-Pen. In my experience, it’s been great for making quick notes or grabbing quick screenshots to edit and share. It goes without saying then, that the Galaxy Note 5 will also ship with the advanced stylus. Judging from these most recent leaks, it’s going to be much shinier than previous versions and could have a press-able, or clickable end at the top.

Take a look at the pictures below. They were originally shared on Chinese social media site, Weibo and picked up by Steve Hemmerstoffer at NWE. If you look closely at the two images showing the top end of the S-Pen, you’ll clearly see that the gap between the end and the main shaft of the stylus is bigger in one than the other.

If I had to guess as to why it was designed this way, I’d suggest that it’s almost certainly to help release the S-Pen from its silo. The way the phone has been designed (based on leaks) suggests that the stylus sits flush with the metal chassis of the smartphone. Case leaks have suggested that there’s not going to be any special room left for you to pry the stylus out with your fingernail. So, perhaps the end of the pen — when pressed — clicks and extends, so that you can easily remove the S-Pen from the body of the phone.

Other possibilities are easily eliminated. It’s clearly not replacing the Air Command button, since that’s still built in to the shaft of the pen. And it doesn’t extend the tip of the S-Pen either, since that’s ever-present, and visible in the photos, regardless of whether or not the top end is extended.

Rumors so far have indicated we’ll see this new Galaxy Note 5 launch alongside a Galaxy S6 Edge+ at the end of August. Both devices will essentially look like the S6 and S6 Edge, except much larger and with the inclusion of this redesigned stylus.

Fresh Galaxy Note 5 renders published, look fantastic

Cam Bunton Jul 16 2015 - 7:44 am PT

Samsung is rumored to be launching the Galaxy Note 5 towards the end of August, trying to get a jump on Apple and its other competitors ahead of the holiday season. If rumors and drawings are to be believed, the 5th-gen Galaxy Note will look like a large version of the Galaxy S6 and might even launch alongside a Galaxy S6 Edge+.

In recent weeks and months we’ve seen a handful of leaked schematics and 3D CAD models for the upcoming phablet. Few, however, come close to the quality in these latest 3D renders published on NWE. If this is the device Samsung plans on launching — and by all accounts that is looking very likely — these are as near official press renders as we’ll get until Samsung actually announces the phablet. Or until someone leaks the official images early.

Along with those posts, NWE posted a more basic image showing a size comparison between the Galaxy S6, Note 5 and S6 Edge+.

It’s good to see Samsung unifying its product lineup by making them look like each other. Also, I do still hope there’s something at least a little different about the Note. In previous years, Samsung has used different materials to differentiate the Note from the Galaxy S. This year, ignoring the S Pen, there appears to be little unique about its design.

2015 Moto G allegedly shown off in leaked real-life pics

Cam Bunton Jul 16 2015 - 3:05 am PT

Motorola is preparing to refresh its lineup of Android smartphones and will do so with the new Moto G, Moto X and a couple of Droids if recent rumors and leaks hold any weight. While we’re waiting for the official announcement, a handful of new images have shown up on a Facebook page clearly showing what appears to be the 2015 Moto G.

According to the leak, this is one of the pre-release final test models. The post claims the device features a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM and runs Android 5.1.1 (as seen on the settings screen above).

Pictures of this prototype virtually confirm everything we suspected about the next mid-range smartphone from Motorola. Especially from an aesthetic perspective. It has the long pill-shaped housing for the camera and Motorola dimple on the back and a shape which is very similar to the current Moto lineup. The one thing this can’t confirm, however, are reports that Moto G will be available to customize on Moto Maker for the first time.

There is one important — and easily ignorable — piece of information on these leaks that throw them in to doubt somewhat. On the settings screen you’ll see SKU number XT1542. Do a quick Google search on this model number and you’ll discover articles and leaks of the upcoming Moto X, a phone which is expected to have a 5.2-inch QHD resolution screen. As shown off in an early leak at GSMArena. It’s a curious leak, to say the least. Previous leaks suggested that the Moto G would have SKU number Xt1543.

There are several explanations for this. One that comes to mind for me is the leak which I recently called ‘sketchy’, with the Moto X “Sport”. It’s lack of metal means it doesn’t really look like a Moto X. Perhaps this is the rumored ‘Sport’ model. Or, perhaps Motorola has disguised its appearance to look different to the finished article. Perhaps – even – this Moto G prototype just has the wrong SKU in its software somehow.

It’s all speculation for now, but this is probably our best look yet at an unreleased Motorola phone. I just wish we knew for sure which Moto it was.

Huawei Nexus could feature 5.7″ QHD screen, metal body, fingerprint reader, Snapdragon 820 and Q4 release

Cam Bunton Jul 15 2015 - 2:33 am PT

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A tweet from infamous leakster, Evan Blass (aka @evleaks), this morning reveals a few previously unknown details about the supposed upcoming Huawei-made Nexus phone. If his tweet has genuine information we could see a phone powered by a Snapdragon 820 chip with a 5.7-inch QHD display and a fingerprint sensor…
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MKBHD shares first photo taken with OnePlus 2 main camera [Update – Now with Video]

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 8:17 am PT

Marques Brownlee, better known as YouTube personality MKBHD, uploaded what we believe is the first public photograph taken with the OnePlus 2. OnePlus hasn’t been shy about leaking features and specs from its next “flagship killer”. And while we know it’s going to feature a USB Type-C port, a fingerprint sensor, 3,300mAh battery and 4GB RAM, we haven’t heard any specifics from OnePlus officially on the display or camera resolution.
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Report: Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ due to be announced on August 12, released August 21

Cam Bunton Jul 14 2015 - 6:04 am PT

By now we’ve heard multiple rumors and reports on Samsung’s next generation phablet. In today’s latest report from SamMobile, the publication claims that it knows when the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ will be unveiled and released to the public. Citing its “insiders”, the report states that the Galaxy Note 5 will be announced on August 12th and be available to buy shortly afterwards on August 21th.

Apparent model number for Samsung Galaxy Note 5 appears on company’s website

Tom Maxwell Jul 13 2015 - 11:55 am PT

We’ve been reporting on rumors surrounding Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Note 5, the South Korean manufacturer’s upgraded prosumer, phablet-sized smartphone, on-and-off for the past few months. Now we’re seeing something on the company’s website that leads us to believe the phone is nearing a public unveiling and release.
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Android Wear getting watch-to-watch communication and easier gestures in future?

Cam Bunton Jul 13 2015 - 5:47 am PT

Google is working on some tantalizing new features for upcoming versions of the Android Wear software, according to a new report published by Phandroid. Citing anonymous sources, it claims that the next update to Google’s wearable OS will include direct watch-to-watch communication along with some new interactive watch faces. Purportedly, these features were due to arrive on July 28th, but are now not likely to appear until August.

The Information: Huawei is working with Google on the next Nexus

Cam Bunton Jul 10 2015 - 7:06 am PT