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WSJ: Apple considering two iPhones with larger screen sizes and metal casings
Maybe you've heard the rumor: Apple's considering larger screens for its next iPhones. Because, yeah, the mobile market's been trending that direction for a while now, so it'd make sense. That doesn't mean it's necessarily true, but with the Wall Street Journal weighing in on it today, the notion is gaining a bit more credibility. This is all, of course, attributed to "people familiar with the situation" that peg Apple's next two phones as having target screen sizes larger than 4.5-inches and 5-inches, respectively. What makes this rumor even juicier is the possibility that Apple might abandon the polycarbonate casing of the iPhone 5c in favor of the tried-and-true metallic approach of its latest generation. All of this could change, however, as the alleged strategy is still being bandied about internally at Apple, with only the smaller-sized iPhone model being considered for mass production. That means your dreams of a phablet-y iPhone will have to remain just that for now. September is still far, far away and we won't know for sure what Cupertino's cooking up until then. But you can bet there'll be more rumors, more leaks and more fakes from the internet's iFandom to keep us all guessing as to Apple's next (relatively) giant leap.
BlackBerry Z30 official: 5-inch Super AMOLED display, 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro, 2,880mAh battery and BB 10.2
If you were paying attention to the late summer leaks, then the BlackBerry above won't strike you as a surprise. That's because it's the newly announced BlackBerry Z30, the official successor to the all-touch Z10, and it matches up quite closely to what we've already seen. The Z30 is the company's first smartphone to ship with version 10.2 of the BB 10 OS and arrives with a larger 5-inch, 1,280 x 720 Super AMOLED display. The device's pixel density of 295ppi may pale in comparison to the more diminutive Z10's 356ppi, but its internals are a different matter. The Z30 takes a modest spec step up with a dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro (paired with 2GB RAM) and Adreno 320 GPU, which should put it somewhat on par with the Nexus 4 and Moto X (sans the X8). There's also a beefier 2,880mAh battery inside, which the company claims is a first for its product line and, this time around, it's integrated (read: non-removable). In terms of dimensions, the Z30 comes in with nearly the same silhouette as its predecessor (9.4mm vs 9.3mm), but is substantially taller and wider at 140.7mm x 72mm owing to that 5-inch display. Internal storage remains at 16GB, but users will have the option of augmenting that via microSD. And, as for radios, the Z30 will support 4G LTE (exact bands haven't been specified), dual-band WiFi a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and NFC. The Z30's camera setup appears mostly similar to the Z10's, with a 2-megapixel front facer capable of 720p video and an 8-megapixel rear module with an f2.2 lens that captures video in 1080p.
Gionee ELIFE E6 smartphone leaks with 5-inch 1080p display, quad-core SoC and 13MP cam
It looks like the battle for affordable smartphone flagships is heating up. Hot on the heels of TCL / Alcatel's tasty $280 Idol X comes word of Gionee's ELIFE E6, also boasting a 5-inch 1080p display, 1.5GHz quad-core processor (MediaTek MT6589T) with 2GB RAM and 13-megapixel BSI camera with flash. In addition to these main specs, the Chinese handset allegedly packs a 5MP front-facing shooter and 2000mAh+ battery, runs Android 4.2.1 (Jellybean) and features a svelte 8mm profile. Gionee is officially expected to launch the ELIFE E6 in Beijing on July 10th for somewhere between $320 and $360. Availability is unknown, but with MediaTek's SoC supporting both 42Mbps HSPA+ and TD-SCDMA (no LTE here, folks), this phone is likely destined to China, India and other APAC nations.
Sprint Vital leaks out: 5-inch HD display, 1.5GHz dual-core processor, 13MP camera, Android 4.1 (video)
Looks like Sprint really is prepping a 5-inch Android flagship of its own: the Vital. Thanks to an anonymous source, Engadget's received a motherlode of details on the upcoming, white-labeled device, giving us a glimpse at everything from renders to a slickly produced promo video. Based on the information at hand, the ZTE-made Vital should rep an HD display (resolution unspecified) of the 5-inch variety, an unnamed dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz and paired with 1GB RAM, 13-megapixel rear camera, 8GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD), NFC and a healthy 2,500mAh battery. As you can see from the image above, the Vital will also be running what appears to be an unskinned version of Android Jelly Bean -- version 4.1, according to the documents -- and will run on Sprint's 4G LTE network. We're not so sure the Vital's going to sway consumer interest away from its more bold-faced rivals (i.e., HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S 4). But competition's always a good thing and if Sprint can price this one right, it might even have a fighting chance. Hit the break for the promo video. %Gallery-190357%
LG unveils Optimus GK in Korea, brings G Pro features in a 5-inch package
Not tired of seeing different versions of the Optimus G? LG has just revealed another variant for Korean customers: the Optimus GK. Similar to the one-off Optimus G Pro it delivered in Japan on NTT DoCoMo, this handset has features pinched from the 5.5-inch Pro (1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 CPU, 2GB RAM) squeezed into a more-pocketable 5-inch frame. The 1080p screen here (440PPI) is Full HD IPS like the one we're expecting to see in AT&T's Optimus G Pro in a few days, matched a 3,100mAh battery, 16GB of storage, microSD slot and 13MP/2MP rear/front camera setup. This particular variant had been rumored to launch at MWC but is only now being announced for Korean carrier KT, we'll see how many more twists LG can wring out of the Optimus G platform before delivering a true sequel later this year.
Tim Cook downplays possibility of larger iPhone, cites quality and app trade-offs
With the sudden rush of 5-inch (and larger) smartphones hitting the market -- to varying degrees of success -- one may wonder if Apple plans to introduce one of its own. In response to a question on today's Q2 earnings call, CEO Tim Cook maintained his stance against such a move because of necessary tradeoffs in areas like resolution, white balance, quality, app compatibility and more. He stated specifically that Apple would not ship a larger phone "while such trade-offs exist," leaving just enough wiggle room for a future announcement where it can claim all those issues have been eradicated. Apple shipped the iPhone 5 with extended screen area and introduced a smaller iPad mini after Steve Jobs criticized other company's products in those categories -- we wouldn't be surprised if Cook is readying a similar move himself.
Pantech Vega Iron brings a 5-inch 'zero bezel' display, where zero equals 2.4mm (update)
We've got to admit that we saw some rumors about a "zero bezel" Pantech a few days ago, but ignored them because we had no idea what that meant. Now we do, however, as Pantech has made the 5-inch 1080p 720p phone official, under the solid-sounding name of the Vega Iron. The bezels aren't quite zero, but they are small: just 2.4mm across on each side, which -- for reference -- is roughly half the width on an iPhone 5. This results in a viewable-to-total area ratio of 75.5 percent, which Pantech claims is a world beater. Other specs include a quad-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 processor, in-cell LCD display and Gigabit WiFi. We have no idea if Pantech has penciled the United States into the Vega Iron's release schedule, but the company is certainly trying to make an impression in this hemisphere and a phone like this couldn't hurt. Update: The rumors were right about everything except the resolution, which now looks to be 720p rather than the big ten-eighty. Thanks to commenters who spotted the error.
AU Optronics says it'll bring a 5-inch, 1080P OLED display to market soon
AU Optronics will soon join Samsung at an exclusive table for two making 5-inch, full-HD OLED smartphone displays. It'll show off the technology at the China Optoelectronics Display expo starting tomorrow, promising 443 ppi, lower power consumption, fast response times and wide viewing angles. While others build 1,080 x 1,920 LCD screens for models like HTC's One, currently Samsung has a monopoly on OLEDs of that size and resolution. However, it likely wants to set those aside for its soon-to-ship 5-inch, 1080p Galaxy S 4 -- so, AU's announcement could be good news for other handset makers seeking something punchier than LCD for that form factor.
This leaked 5-inch ZTE handset could be headed to Sprint's LTE lineup
Much of ZTE's MWC 2013 focus was its desire to go from white label to global brand name. And from the looks of these leaked shots, the Chinese OEM's taking that goal seriously, purportedly prepping a new handset for Sprint. Going by the rumored name "Quantum," the handset falls below flagship status, allegedly running Android Jelly Bean and bearing a Snapdragon S4 processor, 5-inch 720p display, 1GB RAM and a 13-megapixel rear camera housed in an outsized circular module. There's no visible carrier branding anywhere on the device to confirm its possible Sprint LTE destiny -- only a logo in the notification pane and an anonymous tip, as reported to Android Police, pegs it for that. If this leak does indeed pan out, then that's good news for Sprint subs looking for more hardware choice, giant screens and 4G. And if not, well, no one will know the difference. Check out the source for additional shots.
Sony Xperia ZL hands-on: an alternate 5-inch 1080p, quad-core take on 'premium'
You can't fault Sony for trying. After announcing its renewed focus on mobile back in 2012, the company's consistently issued thoughtful hardware for the global marketplace. But its collective efforts have yet to spark the "emotional" storm company CEO Kaz Hirai seems to be striving for. Well, if the smiles on our faces are any indication, Sony may have a bonafide hit on its hands with the Xperia ZL. Introduced officially at its CES 2013 event, the 5-inch Android Jelly Bean handset bears nigh identical specs to its larger, more "premium" big brother: the Xperia Z. With a scratch-resistant 1080p TFT Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2, 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro and 13-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS sensor, the ZL sits comfortably in the high-end range. We spent a bit of time exploring the device and gauging its ability to evoke kando -- that Japanese term for an emotional reaction spurred by quality experiences -- so join us after the break to see how it fares and meter our level of excitement. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Vizio reveals 5-inch and 4.7-inch Android handsets bound for China, we go hands-on
We figured Vizio would bring new laptops, All-in-Ones and HDTVs to CES this year, but as companies are often wont to do here in Vegas, Vizio had a Jelly Bean-flavored surprise for us -- in the form of a pair of unlocked Android handsets. There's a 5-inch model with a 1920 x 1080 LCD, 8-megapixel rear camera, 2-megapixel front-facing shooter and a dual-core Qualcomm SoC. It's got 32GB of built-in storage and 2GB of RAM, plus there's a microSD slot should you need more room. Its sibling is a 4.7-inch model packing a 720 x 1080 display powered by a dual-core MediaTek chip, the same 8-megapixel rear cam, and a 1.3-megapixel unit on the front. It also has a microSD slot, 16GB of onboard storage and 1GB of RAM. Each phone comes with AT&T band radios, including HSPA+ 42, and will run bone-stock Jelly Bean (save for a minor tweaks). Want to know more? join us after the break for our full impressions. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Huawei Ascend D2 official: 5-inch 1080p display, 1.5GHz quad-core CPU, Android Jelly Bean
Huawei's daring to dream big -- at least, that's what prior leaks regarding its latest Android lineup have seemed to indicate. And here at CES 2013, the company's finally formally introduced the Ascend D2, referred to by company Chairman Richard Yu as the "dream phone." Its top shelf specs -- 5-inch 1080p display, quad-core 1.5GHz K3V2 CPU, Android Jelly Bean, 13-megapixel rear camera and 3,000mAh battery -- certainly merit that distinction, but as pie in the sky smartphone ambitions go, its 6.1-inch stablemate, the Ascend Mate, takes the cake. But for more details on the Ascend 2, join us after the break. Follow all the latest CES 2013 news at our event hub.
Samsung 'Baffin' pops up in FCC; reportedly mixes 5-inch WVGA display, quad-core CPU
Apparently feeling we were running low on Galaxy smartphones after the current lineup of Galaxy S III, Galaxy S III mini and Galaxy Note II, Samsung's SHV-E270L just made the FCC rounds and is rumored to be next in line. Flashing its codename "Baffin" in the documents, this device does not seem destined for an appearance beyond Korean borders, but a unique blend of specs and rumors that it will arrive as the "Galaxy Grand" continue to intrigue. Listed as an LTE phone in the Bluetooth database, and appearing in GLBenchmark reporting a 1.4GHz (possibly quad-core) CPU like the Galaxy S III, but with a much lower 800x480 WVGA display. According to a report from Korea's Money Today, the idea is to create a device for older customers that's easier to read with bigger icons and letters on its large 5-inch low res screen (as opposed to the 5-inch 1080p pixel density monsters we're now accustomed to), with a quad-core CPU pushing Android 4.1 and its Smart Stay features plus a 2,100mAh battery. We're not sure if it will increase your parent's scores in Fruit Ninja, but vision-challenged KT, LG U+ and SK Telecom customers may have an interesting decision to make very soon.
LG Optimus Vu II specs leak out: twice the RAM of the original, few other changes
Having put the phat back in phablet with its original 4:3 aspect ratio, 5-inch Optimus Vu, LG seems bent on releasing a successor already, the Optimus Vu II, according to a leak from Korean blog Bad IT Tong. The new Galaxy Note II challenger would carry the same form factor and 1,024 x 768 IPS screen as the current Vu model, while doubling the RAM to 2GB, bumping the Qualcomm processor to an 8960 1.5GHz dual-core model (not the international quad-core version) and keeping the LTE radio from its US Intuition variant. It would come out of the box with Android 4.0, an 8-megapixel rear shooter, up to 32GB of microSD storage and a 2,150 mAh battery, judging by the leaked image above -- all specs we've seen before. There's no word yet on US pricing, availability, a stylus or an intriguing universal remote app teased by LG, but recent purchasers of the original Optimus Vu might be feeling left in a technology wake.
LG Intuition review: Optimus Deja Vu with a Verizon LTE twist
More Info LG Optimus Vu review LG Intuition officially announced Intuition by LG hands-on It's not uncommon for US carriers to take an international smartphone under their wings, make a few adjustments to hardware and firmware, stamp their fat logos in multiple places and then sell it to the masses. Verizon is no exception: the LG Intuition is its interpretation of the Optimus Vu, a 5-inch phablet we reviewed over the summer. Perhaps calling it an "interpretation" is a bit of an overstatement: aside from a bump in firmware and Big Red's LTE, it is the Optimus Vu. In fact, going into this review, we had a difficult time believing our experience would be much different than our run-in with the Korean version. Our first reaction is that this doesn't bode well for the carrier. If Verizon opted for the Intuition in order to fill a gaping hole in its lineup, we have a hard time understanding why it would choose to greenlight this particular device with the Samsung Galaxy Note II coming within the next two months. The device's quiet launch is a solid enough indication that the network isn't planning on throwing a lot marketing dollars behind it, so it feels as though the Intuition's main reason for existing is to bolster Verizon's rapidly expanding LTE portfolio. Is there something intriguing about the Intuition ($200 with a two-year commitment) that wasn't there when we first played with the Vu? Or will we find ourselves in the Twilight Zone, reliving the same moment over and over again? Let's find out.
Xtreamer teases 5-inch AiKi Android handset: ICS, dual SIM and 'revolutionary' pricing (video)
While the world waits for a certain other phone that includes a 5 reference in its teaser, HTPC, media streamer and NAS builder Xtreamer has revealed its plans to get into the mobile space. A banner on its forum, a sign-up page for more info and quick teaser trailer are all we have to go on, but so far the available details gives the AiKi 5-inch specs that include dual SIM, Android 4.0.3 Ice Cream Sandwich, a "powerful" battery, ClockWorkMod based updates, multilingual ROM, root enabled by default and the tagline "why pay more?" Until there's more details that's likely to remain an open question, but given Xtreamer's history, we suspect European users inclined to modding should at least keep an eye out, we'll let you know when we hear more. [Thanks, Tomas]
Intuition by LG hands-on: a pen-enabled competitor to the Galaxy Note for Verizon (video)
It's a silly name as smartphones go (and one that conjures images of lady-focused razors), but regardless, LG's Intuition is now officially a member of Verizon's lineup. The 4G LTE device, shown off today at the manufacturer's launch event, is nigh unchanged from the South Korean model we reviewed this past July (known as the Optimus Vu). With a 5-inch 1,024 x 768 True-XGA IPS capacitive display, dual-core S3 CPU clocked at 1.5GHz, 8-megapixel rear camera, NFC, 2080mAh battery and that Rubberdium pen, the only thing separating this stateside iteration from its SK Telecom cousin is the skinned Android Ice Cream Sandwich OS onboard and $199 on contract price. So how does it fare in this Big Red debut? Follow along as we attempt to find what's been lost, if anything, in translation.%Gallery-164889%
LG Intuition with Verizon 4G LTE gets official: $200 on contract starting September 6th
Just as rumors predicted, the LG Intuition for Verizon has been made official in time for a September 6th launch date. The phone, which is essentially the Optimus Vu with the carrier's 4G LTE connectivity thrown in, will be available for $200 on contract on Verizon's website starting tomorrow, and it will hit stores on September 10th. To jog your memory, the handset runs Android 4.0 on a 5-inch display, with a dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor under the hood. The phone features the LG Tag+ app, which uses NFC to control phone settings, and two reprogrammable NFC stickers are included. Check out the press release for more info.
LG Optimus Vu to bow on Verizon as the Intuition, stylus not included?
Could this 5-inch LG handset be Verizon's answer to the Galaxy Note? Our Intuition tells us otherwise (get it?), but that screenshot above and corresponding FCC docs deign to differ. Really though, that lady razor name's the purported new moniker for Big Red's rebranded Optimus Vu: the heretofore Korea-only phablet we recently reviewed. While we found the outsized handset's worth as a true S-Pen rival hampered by its lack of a digitizer and 4:3 aspect ratio, it could catch on with folks eager for a 7-inch tablet alternative. However this one eventually shakes down in the crowded Android marketplace, it appears subs are in store for a 4G LTE ride and the carrier's typical $199 on two-year contract pricing. Curiously, the leak makes no mention of an included stylus, so perhaps the operator's opting to spin this one as a more traditional smartphone release. Smart move, that.
Lenovo reveals K860 LePhone, quad-core Exynos and a 5-inch screen
It's been a pretty good week for Lenovo all things told, but the Chinese firms isn't stopping to congratulate itself too much. Today, it's business as usual, marked by the official arrival of the new K860 "Music Phone" aka LePhone. The quad-core 1.4GHz Exynos 4412 chip, Mali-400MP GPU, 5-inch (1,280 x 720) display, 1GB of RAM and slight 9.6mm-thick form should come together to sing a sweet song though. The 8-megapixel snapper is no slouch either, with support for 100 frames continuous shooting and 1080p video recording (plus there's a 2-megapixel camera around the front, too). If all this sounds like a recipe for battery-drain, there's a 2,250 mAh cell to help keep you going. This will all be running on Android 4.0.4, but currently no word on price or availability -- but it's not like there aren't any other large phones to think about in the meantime. Update: We got a little excited in the translation for a moment there. The "Music" (or Happiness -- both the same symbol) Phone is of course the LePhone we link to in the article.
