TECHRUMOURS: 2016 Nexus Devices! Or should I say Pixel devices

*All of these are only rumours circulating the internet. Do take it with a pinch (or even more) of salt.

Last year's Nexus, 6P and 5X, were awesome. Great screen, great build, and not to forget one of the best cameras that can be found on smartphones. Though the price point has certainly been increased, it can still be considered as one of the best value phone on the market, offering the highest end specifications (6P) at mid range price. The 5X on the hand, had a smaller screen and a smaller price but retained the same excellent camera as its bigger camera.

Nonetheless both are excellent smartphones ranking among the best throughout the year and are still are up to now. 

Expect the Nexus' of this year to be similarly amazing.

LAUNCH DATE 

As of now, the known date is October 4. Alongside the device would the launch of a new 4K Chromecast and a Daydream VR headset

Source: TomsGuide

DESIGN

Several photos of the said devices have already popped up on the internet. There would be two devices as per last year, this time dropping the Nexus name altogether: Pixel and Pixel XL. (I guess they're taking a cue from their Pixel tablet)

Source: TalkAndroid

As per the name you might have been able to guess which one is going to have the bigger screen size. Pixel would be the one with a 5-inch Full HD screen while Pixel XL would have a bigger 5.5-inch Full HD screen. 

Compared to last year where the Nexus 6P was designed by Huawei, this year HTC is said to be responsible for both Pixel designs.

Source : BGR

The design of the Pixel phones are to be of two-tone with current colours being rumoured to be gray/black, white and possibly an electric blue which is starting to be the colour for 2016. 

Apparently another source also cited that the Pixel smartphones might sport a bit of an ugly backside with half of it being aluminium half being glass. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder, i myself am fine with the back design. 

Source: BGR

Fingerprint scanner would be at the same place as last year's phones, ths time there would not be any camera hump. The material used would be aluminium, similar to the HTC 10. 

SCREEN

As stated above, Pixel - 5-inch Full HD 

Pixel XL - 5.5-inch Full HD

Source: BGR

Another leak points towards:

Pixel XL - 5.5-inch QHD/2K Amoled screen

Pixel - 5-inch Full HD Amoled 

CPU

So far what's confirmed is that it will be a Quad-core Snapdragon processor.

The RAM available would be a more than enough 4GB. 

CAMERA

Rumours are coming in pointing towards the new Pixel smartphones using the Sony IMX378 sensors, a 12MP sensor that is supposedly an upgrade to the IMX278, the ones found in Nexus phones of last year and were excellent. 

This should promise even better photos. 

Front cameras are going to be Sony IMX179, 8MP shooters. 

Source: http://www.androidheadlines.com/2016/09/rumor-htcs-marlin-sport-sony-imx378-camera-sensor.html

BATTERY

The Pixel XL is said to have a standard size 3,450mAh battery for its size. 

Pixel is to get a 2,770mAh, slightly bigger than the standard for its size. 

Similar to the previous Nexus, it'll have a USB Type-C port.

AUDIO

OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES

1. Internal storage is to be available in 2 options: 32GB and 128GB. Pixel is to start with at least 32GB as well. 
2. Will be launching with Android 7.1 Nougat

OTHER SOURCES: Techradar, Android Headlines 

TECHRUMOURS: Mi Note 2/Pro challenging for glory?

*All of these are only rumours circulating the internet. Do take it with a pinch (or even more) of salt.

Xiaomi for this year has lost some ground to its local competitors Oppo, Vivo and Huawei. To counter this, they’re switching their focus to even higher premium built smartphones as they realised that consumers are willing to spend a bit more of their money for something that is worthy.

Their hopes now rest on their next flagship phablet line, Mi Note 2 and Mi Note 2 Pro, successors to their quite famous Mi Note and Mi Note Pro. 

LAUNCH DATE 

Xiaomi was actually preparing to launch it earlier this year but as we all know it didn’t quite happen. Lately many leaks have started circulating the net, pointing to a close launch. 

DESIGN

  

We might be seeing a curved display on the Mi Note 2 but most probably only on the highest variant which should be the Mi Note 2 Pro.

Source: Android Headlines , Android Headlines,

SCREEN

Two screen sizes are known as of now, a 5.5-inch or a 5.7-inch QHD display.

CPU

Instead of the planned Snapdragon 820, it will be replaced with the updated version Snapdragon 821 (Quad-core, 64-bit). There will be 6GB of RAM to play with. 

CAMERA

Joining the dual-camera bandwagon, there is rumoured to be two 12MP cameras at the rear of the smartphone. 

BATTERY

Having a bigger body while always allow a bigger battery, the Mi Note 2 is expected to have a 4,000mAh as its fuel provider.

To charge, Xiaomi will be using the latest USB Type-C port. 

AUDIO

OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES

1.       .. Price as of now is said to cost 3,499 Yuan ($526)
2. Storage is said to be available at a start of 128GB.

OTHER SOURCES:

TECHRUMOURS: iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus/Pro

*All of these are only rumours circulating the internet. Do take it with a pinch (or even more) of salt.

LAUNCH DATE 

With the imminent arrival of the iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus ( and maybe the iPhone 7 Pro) on Sept 7, we take a look at all the possible rumours that have come out on the internet. 

Source: Apple,

DESIGN

Image: BGR

If we follow the trend, this year should be the year that Apple releases their new iPhone with a new design. This time they might be going the other way as rumours appeared showing the design of the new device to be of similar dimensions and overall shape with the current ones albeit with minor changes.

The antenna band lines are now moved to the top and the bottom of the phone, no longer cutting the back.

The rear camera hump is still there but the size of the camera on the iPhone 7 will be bigger while we might see dual-camera on the iPhone 7 Plus/Pro (like the Huawei P9).

The earphone jack is said to be excluded from this year’s iPhone. Whether that is wise or not depends on you and your usage.The following article discusses on the issue (BGR).

To reduce the impact of the former move, Apple is said to be including a free 3.5mm to Lightning adapter so that you can use your existing set of earphones/headphones. 

Source: BGR

Some rumours stated that this year’s earpods would definitely be different, having a lightning head instead. Photos (and now even videos) of it are circulating the internet. 

Source: BGR

"The biggest planned change in this year's phones is the removal of the headphone plug, which will make the phone thinner and improve its water resistance," according to the report. Going forward, you'll be able to use the phone's Lightning connector to not only juice up your phone, but also plug in headphones. All in all, the next iPhone should be 1mm thinner than current models, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo told the Journal.

Source: PCMag 

 

The size and the dimensions are said to be similar as the previous generation though it will be slightly thinner. 

This year is also rumoured to be the first year that Apple releases three variants of its iPhone: iPhone: iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 7 Pro. Or, the iPhone 7 Plus could be launched as the iPhone 7 Pro, where the size would be bigger than the iPhone 7 and would incorporate better technologies.

Source: BGR , Techradar 

In terms of colours, we might be seeing a new one. “Deep Blue” coloured iPhone has been spotted abd it sure looks cool. The Space Gray might be swapped for an all-black colour scheme. All rumoured by China Unicom.

Source: BGR, BGR 

SCREEN

Screen size is said to be kept at 4.7 and 5.5 inch (Pro is rumoured to be 5.5-inch as well)

 This time, Apple will be using AMOLED technology on its screens.  -> For iPhone 7S (2017).

Source: BGR

CPU

The expected processor powering this year’s iPhone is most likely be the A10.

The RAM will differ according to the variant: iPhone 7 – 2GB, iPhone 7Plus/Pro – 3GB

CAMERA

We might be getting two types of camera on this year’s iPhones. One is a single 12MP camera which is bigger and should have a bigger aperture as well while the second one is a set of two 12MP cameras said to be found on the iPhone 7 Plus/Pro.

Source: Tech Radar

Other sources state that the dual-camera is now cancelled considering the fact that the technology is not yet matured.

Source: BGR

BATTERY

As of now, some are saying that the space left by the audio jack would be utilised to fit in a bigger battery. Though some others also noted that if the iPhone is indeed made thinner, the battery would be slightly reduced. Don't put your hopes up too high that there is going to be a major improvement in this category.

AUDIO

The space that is now gained from the removal of the earphone jack would then be replaced with a second speaker.

Source: CNET

OTHER NOTABLE FEATURES

1. iPhone 7 Plus/Pro will be getting wireless charging. On top of that it’s said to be water resistant now with a rating of IP68
   Source: TechRadar
2. Internal storage would also show an increase starting from 32GB, 128GB and 256GB.
    Source: Independent 

OTHER SOURCES:

BGR, TechRadar, T3,

Read all TECHRUMOURS: LG G5 ahead of its launch

It all started with the G2. That was the one that started to catch the eyes of the technology world, shifting eyes to the “other” Korean smartphone maker. The next iteration, the G3, an amazing smartphone that is said to be even better than the Galaxy S5. It had during its time the best screen resolution, a QHD Display. One of the first smartphones to ever have it. Not forgetting the auto-laser focus that brings fast focus to its camera. The following year saw the G4, a very good smartphone with an unusually but not all that bad leather backside. And a contender for last year’s best camera on a smartphone.

Now it’s their time to really hit the home run with this year’s flagship, the LG G5.

No surprises in the name department obviously.

LAUNCH DATE

Not one to fear a challenge, LG has decided to launch their flagship on the same day as Samsung’s, which is on Feb 21 2016. The only difference is that their announcement would come a few hours earlier. This should be a very interesting day.

Source: BGR

Credits to BGR

DESIGN

As this year’s model is rumoured to be their first full metal build, there is always going to be issues regarding removable battery. Most would have to choose between either one.

Apparently from an image by CNET Korea, LG has found a solution to his by having a removable bottom. Imagine the bottom being able to be taken off allowing you to switch batteries by sliding them in and out. Here’s a rendered image on what it would look like based on “eyewitness testimony”

Source: http://www.androidheadlines.com/2016/01/lg-g5-rumored-to-have-a-removable-bottom.html

Latest Update:

Here’s a new render. As rumours are circulating that the G5 is to have a removable bottom, this left them having to sacrifice a few things. From the render, the G5 is set to lose their rear volume buttons and be fitted the usual side volume buttons.

At the bottom you could also see a USB-C port that is going to be the next norm. We’ll see if this is going to be true next week.

Source: Android Headlines

A leaked image for a casing by Spigen shows the back of the smartphone and tallies with the news that LG is getting rid of the rear volume buttons. Check it out here.

 Source: Android Headlines

Another leaked image of the front and back of the G5 was leaked by noneother than the famous Evan Blass. We thank you! 

Reported by Stuff, apparently someone in Dubai tried to sell a prototype of the device before the launch. They managed to take a screenshot of the ad and so far all the device matches most rumours.

Source: Stuff

DISPLAY

LG would most probably stick with a QHD display (2560x1440). Leaked specification points towards it having a 640ppi and being 5.3-inch in surface area.

Source: Evan Blass

Now apparently the G5 would also have a secondary display that will always be turned on, very much like their V10.

Source: Evan Blass, TalkAndroid

PROCESSOR

Last year they had to compromise by using the Snapdragon 808 instead as the Snapdragon 810 has heat issues. Qualcomm’s latest dragon seems cooler this time. All rumours now point to it being equipped with the Snapdragon 820.

Early Geekbench results even shows that it has the Galaxy S7 beaten in the single-core department. More on this here

This would be paired with 4GB of RAM.

CAMERA

Rear camera is said to have the same 16M shooter while there will be an 8MP front camera.

Another rumour indicated that the rear camera would actually be a 20MP sensor.

The things that can almost be confirmed would be the dual-flash, their trademark laser autofocus.

BATTERY

The G3 was known to be a battery juice guzzler (probably because of the screen resolution). They improved it a bit on the G4 but hopes are higher for the G5.

As the build material is expected to be full metal, the battery is sadly rumoured to be sized down to 2800 mAh from last year’s 3000 mAh.

Source: Stuff

New updates, one of Evan Blass' followers on twitter asked him regarding the size of the G5's battery and he responded saying that it will be 2800 mAh

Source: Android Headlines

This is interesting, a picture uploaded onto Weibo shows the creative solution that LG has came up regarding the issues of making G5's battery removable. It seems that the battery itself is joined to the bottom part of the smartphone. This looks like an elegant and visually appealing solution by LG.

Source: TheNextWeb

AUDIO

Looks like LG is not forgetting this aspect. They have collaborated with Bang & Olufsen to make the sound on the LG one of the best. 

Source: TalkAndroid

OTHER FEATURES

1)      ALWAYS ON SCREEN: First introduced on their V10 smartphone, it used a small second screen with lower resolution and presumably lower energy consumption for this.

2)       REMOVABLE BATTERY: Something that is going to be a rarity nowadays. LG is still cracking its head trying to get a design that still can incorporate this feature rated quite important by power users.

OTHER SOURCES:

ALL RUMOURS GATHERED: SAMSUNG GALAXY S7

What better tp talk about and start this page other than with the up and coming device, the successor to the successful Galaxy S line, the S7.

On this post I’ll be updating on any possible rumour/gossips relating to Samsung’s next flagship so be sure to tune in to this post if you’re eagerly awaiting for the device.

Launch Date

Rumours circulating are saying that Samsung is pulling the launch date of the S7 earlier next year as compared to before with possible dates being in January or even early February (before this they would usually launch their devices in March). This is said to be a part of their strategy to minimize the impact of iPhone 6S and 6S Plus sales on them.

The launch date has been leaked by Evan Blass on his twitter account. The Samsung Unpacked Event will be held on Feb 21,2016

The device is also expected to hit shelves quite fast (something Samsung is known for), for example the latest info suggest that the European rollout will begin on March 11 2016

Source: BGR

A leaked slide Source: Phonearena

Design

Rumous are circulating that the S7 will maintain the general design of the S6 with little modifications, taking a leaf out of Apple's book where "If it's not broken, don't fix it." But this year's iteration would be a bit thicker than last year's to include some new features. Read on to know what they are.

Source: GSMArena

These are the rumoured displays that are going to be launched

• 5.1-inci, Edge display
• 5.5-inci, standard display
• 6-inci, standard display
• 6-inci, Edge display 

Source: GSMArena

There will be 2 versions/size for the S7.
5.1-inch for the standard screen
5.5-inch for the Edge Screen

Build material would also be the same as the one used on the S6.

Latest news:

Leaked images from ReviewDao and Weibo showing the front and back of the S7 Edge

Definitely the leaked images confirms rumours that the S7 would feature curvier sides.

Source: Android Headlines

In the first picture you can see all three supposedly colour options for the Samsung S7 Edge (Silver, Black, and Gold)

                                      

While in the second picture is the standard screen Samsung Galaxy S7

From Evan Blass and TalkAndroid

In addition, yes there's more,, a user from Weibo uploaded an image of the S7 Edge being turned on albeit being a bit blurry.

Below are images from Android Authority

The only sad part would be that they reported the S7 would not be having a USB-C port :(

From the video, you'll get to see a snippet of the OS with Samsung's refined TouchWiz that comes with the phone. It seems pretty toned down and less bloated than previous versions which should be good and will satisfy many Android users.

Apart from that, there is an older image that popped up. This time it's from PCMag that shows the front and back of a gold S7.

Camera

So far there are 3 possible routes that Samsung may take in this department

• -        To upgrade the camera from a 16MP shooter to a 20MP shooter using the same ISOCELL technology. The camera would still be made by Samsung themselves.
• -        To decrease the amount of MP from 16MP to 12MP. What they basically trying to achieve is to place in bigger sensor capable of capturing more light with the help of their BRITECELL technology (similar to Apple is doing and what HTC tried to do with their Ultrapixel)
• -        To use Sony’s latest Exmor MX300 sensor which was placed 1^st among all smartphones camera by DxOMark. Question is, would Sony be willing to supply to Samsung?

The latest rumour is that Samsung would take the 2nd route, using their new BRITECELL technology that while reducing their megapixel, allowing better low-light performance.
The aperture is said to be large at f/1.7.



Source: AndroidHeadlines, AndroidHeadlines 2,

The camera hump on the back of the S6 that was certainly not a strong point on last year's flagship is said to be reduced on the S7, based on the leaked image it would be from 1.7mm to only 0.8mm.

Source: @Onleaks, AndroidHeadlines

CPU

Samsung had to use their in-house processor earlier this year with the S6 as heat problems arised from the Snapdragon 810 (although Qualcomm denied it). Most other manufacturers would instead opt for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 or even delay the launch for the revised vision of the 810.

Would Samsung be continuing with their in-house processor or would they switch back to Qualcomm’s? Reports are suggesting that Samsung is opting to make half of the S7 run on their Exynos 8890 while the other half being powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 820 (said to be more powerful and efficient, translate: not as hot as 810).

The major difference between the two is the number of cores where the Exynos would be having 8-cores while the Snapdragon 820 would only have 4-cores. Otherwise especially in terms of performance shouldn’t be too much apart. Rumours pointing that both would be used for catering different markets.

Latest rumours pointing that the US and GSM models would receive the Snapdragon processor while other markets such as the Asian market would get the Exynos. 

Source: Sammobile

This would be accompanied by 4GB of RAM.

BATTERY

Batery is said to be bigger (the reason the thickness would be increased). The standard version would be from 2550 mAh to 2600 mAh while the Edge version would be increased from 3000 mAh to 3600 mAh.

Another happy rumour from Russian Mobile Review (Eldzar Murtazin) states that the S7 could last for 17 hours playing video at full brightness.

Other than that, he also shared screenshots of the S7's battery performance and claim that it could last two days on a single charge with the screen at 75% brightness, LTE turned on all the time and two sims running simultaneously.

Source: AndroidHeadlines

New tips leaked by Android Authority suggest that the standard S7 would have a 2800 mAh battery.

FEATURES  

It is said that Samsung would please its most loyal fans by re-including a microSD slot that could supports up to 200GB of extra storage.


The most interesting for me personally would be that the S7 would be water resistant and dust resistant with a rating of IP68! This means the device should be able to be submerged to up to a depth of 1 meter for around 30 minutes. Time for under-water selfies ^_^

Source: Stuff

Wireless charging would still remain but would be faster, taking only 2 hours to fully charge the standard S7 while the S7 Edge version takes around 2.2 hours.

Source: Talkandroid, AndroidHeadlines