We all love savings. This is why many of us tend to buy smartphones from online re-sellers who in most cases are easy on wallets and sell devices noticeably cheaper. In many cases, online sellers also enable access to phones unavailable in your local store. Such practices mean lost profits for authorized distributors and manufacturers but also big risk and a lot of inconveniences for potential users. Recent report says that in order to reduce the number of the Blackphone 2 handsets sold on the grey market, Silent Circle released a software update that disables non-genuine phones.
Why you should not buy non-genuine phones from eBay or Craigslist
Unlocked Moto G5S Plus pre-sale began with ridiculous low price
If you’re looking for an incredibly affordable smartphone, Motorola have something special for you. The Moto G5S Plus, which is an upgraded version of the Moto G5’s bigger sibling, is already available for pre-order at extremely low price tag. You can buy it for $229. The phone doesn’t only come with slightly bigger display, but also offers more generous optic parameters and speaks new design language.
Sony is back with two cheap Xperia phones
Sony isn’t neglecting the budget to mid-range smartphone segment, as you might thought. After months of silence, the Japanese mobile manufacturer is back with the launch of the Xperia R1 and R1 Plus. According to the company’s press release, the new smartphones are designed to target specifically the market of India but there is a solid chance that will be offered in the US via third-party sellers, which would be great, as both devices offer solid mid-range specs and attractive look.
Surprise! No Galaxy, no iPhone but ZTE Axon M is the very first foldable phone
In a contrary to what we anticipated, not a Galaxy nor an iPhone is the very first foldable smartphone. Quite surprisingly for all of us the title goes to the ZTE Axon M. Announced today, the new ZTE phone impresses with innovative design featuring two sharp displays and a package of pretty powerful specs. Let’s take a look at this new bad boy.
LG expands Q series by the LG Q8 smartphone offering V20 features in a smaller compact body
BlackBerry KEYone for Sprint is now for sale in carrier stores
Although the BlackBerry KEYone is already available on the US market, you can buy only the unlocked version of the handset. For some of us it’s a bit irritating, since the SIM-lock-free device is compatible only with GSM carriers. In other words it doesn’t work with CDMA networks. Aware of the problem Sprint decided to move the things around. Today, the carrier added the BlackBerry KEYone to its lineup.
Samsung launches a new Galaxy flip phone that runs Android Marshmallow
Earlier this week Samsung officially took the wraps off of the Galaxy Folder 2. Targeting at those who feel a bit nostalgic about the flip design the smartphone offers a combination of entry-level specs, Android Nougat and a physical keyboard.
Samsung Galaxy Folder 2 is official featuring a stylish clamshell design, Android Marshmallow and 4G LTE fast speeds.
Remember the days when we all dreamed of Motorola RAZR? Its sleek clamshell design made it one of the most desired handsets of that time. Although flip phones’ days are over, there are still many mobile users looking for such devices. Conscious of the existence of flip phone buffs, Samsung releases the Galaxy Folder 2.
Keeping abreast of time, the phone offers some of the most modern connectivity options. The manufacturer sells two variants of the handset: 3G and 4G LTE. Except for the ultra-fast connectivity the phone houses a 3.8-inch display and is powered by a quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor clocked at 1.4GHz and paired with 2GB RAM.
Perhaps such processing parameters aren’t particularly impressive, but they should manage to provide the handset’s users with smooth performance of Android Marshmallow the phone runs out of box. Furthermore, the Galaxy Folder 2 is kept alive by a 1,950 mAh battery and includes microSD expansion slot accepting cards up to 256GB. Meanwhile, its optics are represented by a combination of 8MP and 5MP cameras.
In addition, the phone’s keypad is slightly bigger than the one found in its predecessor – the Galaxy Folder. There are several different physical buttons dedicated to various functions that enhance the phone’s functionality. For instance, there is a dedicated button for social media, camera, contacts or texting. Other than that Samsung designed the phone with middle-aged-people in mind and equipped the device with 15 distinct ringtones for those who might have trouble with hearing and increased the volume from 11 to 13.
The Galaxy Folder 2 is available in two color variants: pink and black. Both are priced at something round $260. This week the phone will become available in its home-market of South Korea. Samsung still needs to confirm whether or when the phone will hit the States.
source: Samsung Korea
Leagoo S9 is an iPhone X clone running Android for under $300
The iPhone X may set the standards for the next generations of iPhones, but it’s price sticker of $1,000 is more than majority of mobile enthusiasts can afford. If the iPhone X’s is too expensive for you and you don’t mind Android software, the Leagoo S9 could be a solution here. The phone offers decent specs and speaks the same design language as its premium prototype, including the infamous top notches. It will debut soon at the fraction of the iPhone X’s price.
iPad Pro pre-sale kicks off with up to $50 gift cards bonuses
This week WWDC delivered a wide-range of new Apple products, including iPads. A day after its official premiere both iPads Pro, the 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch variants, are available for pre-order nationwide. Both devices can be reserved from Best Buy at pricing shared at the conference. To sweeten the deal the big box retailer is throwing in a gift card worth up to $50, you can spend on iPad-dedicated accessories.
Essential Phone created by the father of Android takes another shot at modular possibilities
Andy Rubin, the father of Android, has just unveiled its first smartphone. Called the Essential Phone, the device is a serious competitor to the Galaxy S8 LG G6. It combines a beautifully-crafted body and impressive specs. In addition, except for a full-screen display, the Essential Phone features enhanced functionality provided by modular design.
Moto C and C Plus phones offer good specs for cheap
Earlier today HTC released its latest flagship – the U11. However, if you’re looking for something cheaper, then Motorola, owned by Lenovo, may have something for you. Lenovo finally made official the long rumored Moto C and Moto C Plus. Both phones are supposed to be the company’s cheapest offerings ever. Packed with some really decent specs the Moto C and Moto C Plus may be your for less than $100.
The rise and fall of the Windows Phone… what went wrong year by year
Last month Microsoft issued an official announcement on discontinuing works on Windows Phone OS. Since the system is dead, there will be no further developments, no successors to Windows 10 Mobile to compete with dominating the market Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. Introduced by Satya Nadella, the new Microsoft’s strategy focuses on collaboration rather than rivalry. This is at least what the Redmond’s team tried to tell itself to explain the decision on giving up on mobile software venture.
However, we can’t forget that the Windows Phone path to failure is paved with a series of smaller successes and developments, which truth to be told Microsoft and its hardware partners have never received enough customer faith in. At the day of its debut, Windows Phone was considered the most original and innovative OS offering beating even the introduced three years earlier Apple’s iPhone. Unlike Android, the Windows Phone didn’t derive from the iconic iOS and worked fluently even on smartphones with basic tech parameters. To understand the reasons behind the Windows Phone failure we need to look back at the beginnings of this ill-fated mobile OS.
Sony launches an affordable Xperia L1 (G33XX) with big screen and slim design
Quite recently Sony took the wraps off of the Sony Xperia XZ Premium. However, surprisingly enough, the power-beast isn’t the only new offering the manufacturer prepared for us. Announced yesterday, the Xperia L1 is the second handset released this month by Sony. The phablet provides its users with a massive eye-catching screen, slim design and tempting pricing.
Cricket Wireless prepaid service debuts the LG Fortune Android phone that costs less than $100
Earlier today we shared the news that US Cellular has just added a new affordable phone to its line-up. However, the LG K8 isn’t the only pocket-friendly Android phone to debut today as Cricket Wireless has announced to expand its inventory by the LG Fortune. Closed in a slim body shell the phone packs entry-level specs that are excused by a really affordable price tag of under $100.
FreedomPop debuts a phone that is darn cheap and offers free calls and data services
Budget virtual network FreedomPop is already popular on the market for delivering plans for a cheap. Today, quite unexpectedly, the service provider launched its first own-branded smartphone which is quite unique. Called FreedomPop V7, the handset costs less than $100 and comes with a SIM card packed with free calls, free data and even free WhatsApp messages. Except for free services and darn low pricing the phone offers quite decent user experience.
Archos debuts two affordable smartphones featuring dual-cameras and fingerprint sensor
It’s been a while since Archos has produced anything more than a series of little interesting budget smartphones. However, this week the French manufacturer surprised the mobile world releasing three brand new devices, a rugged tablet – Archos 101 Saphir and two affordable smartphones belonging to Graphite family that offer dual camera system. Called the Archos 50 Graphite and the Archos 55 Graphite, the phones will be launched in the second half of 2017.
The iconic Nokia 3310 is back, wondering if the phone can chat, navigate or access social networks?
Remember the iconic Nokia 3310? Do you too feel a bit nostalgic about that extremely durable and long lasting phone? If so, then you will be surely glad to know that HMD Global, the Finnish company owning the rights to Nokia’s phone brand licensing took the stage at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona and presented the first from years full line of Nokia-branded smartphones including the relaunched Nokia 3310.
Sprint challenges competition and makes its unlimited plan even cheaper
Unlimited data plans have been a hot topic over this week. Mobile carriers compete to deliver the most limitless plans and when carriers compete we – customers – win. Three days ago Verizon started a small revolution in the unlimited plans, shortly after that T-Mobile upgraded its own unlimited deal so as to meet the requirements set by Verizon. Today, Sprint is giving us another option by slashing pricing of its unlimited plan to keep the pace of T-Mobile.
Heavy duty Duraforce Pro is now for sale at Verizon featuring Sapphire Shield display and upgraded 3GB RAM
Some of us value reliability over top-notch gadgets. If you belong to this group of customers and you’re looking for a durable smartphone, we have something that may interest you. Verizon Wireless has just expanded it lineup of rugged phones by another device – the Kyocera DuraForce Pro. Although the carrier isn’t the first one to offer this model, it’s the only one in the US to sell the phone equipped with Sapphire Shield and 3GB RAM.
Nokia launches two basic phones that cost less than $30
It’s been a while since we have seen a Nokia-branded phone as over two years ago the Finnish company’s mobile phone unit was acquired by Microsoft. Since then, the new owner has been launching phones under its own name. It’s about to change, though, and very soon we will be seeing Nokia logo again. A new company called HMD Global just pre-announced two basic Nokia phones that cost less than $30.