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HTC One S shows up in Taiwan with 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3, speed lovers wail

Jon Fingas — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:04:00 EST

We'd been wondering just where the HTC Ville C would go with its odd mix of a 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 and the One S' otherwise sleek hardware. Of all places, it's HTC's home turf of Taiwan: although the One S is still branded as the same phone, the usual 28-nanometer, 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 we've come to love has been replaced with a high-frequency version of its ancestor. When grilled about the switch by ePrice, HTC insisted that the new version would "provide consumers [with] the same experience." We're not so sure after having seen lower Nenamark scores, but we suspect many owners will be too happy with the micro arc oxidized body and rapid-fire camera to notice. All the same, charging NT$17,900 ($600) for a less efficient take on the same formula makes us wonder if supply for the 28-nanometer S4 didn't force a swap.

HTC One S shows up in Taiwan with 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3, speed lovers wail originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jun 2012 06:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is the HTC Ville C a cheaper One S?

Mat Smith — Wed, 16 May 2012 07:09:00 EST

The Desire C has barely revealed itself as HTC's latest pocket-friendly Android phone, but another device following the same naming convention might also be on the cards. According to BriefMobile, a lower-priced One S variant, currently under the Ville C moniker, will shed the dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 and use a (presumably cheaper) dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S3 (MSM8260). That's the same processor found in last year's Sensation, although we're skeptical of that clock speed. Otherwise, the leaked specs match the One S on the important stuff, including a 4.3-inch AMOLED display (with the same qHD resolution), an 8-megapixel auto-focus camera alongside HTC's ImageSense chip and 16GB of storage. Yep, like the One S, there's no option to expand storage, but if the price is right (and it does exist), we might be more willing to forgive that particular shortcoming.

Is the HTC Ville C a cheaper One S? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 07:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G review

Zachary Lutz — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST

Maybe you've noticed, maybe you haven't, but the Galaxy S 4G no longer exists at T-Mobile. Just one year ago, it replaced the Vibrant -- the carrier's first Galaxy S handset -- and now the Galaxy S 4G has similarly felt the cold embrace of Father Time. Fear not, though, because it has a replacement, and it's really quite admirable. Folks, let us introduce you to the Galaxy S Blaze 4G. If you're curious about the rationale behind the Blaze nomenclature, its meaning is actually two-fold: first, it's capable of accessing T-Mobile's speedy HSPA+ 42Mbps network, and second -- get this -- it packs the same dual-core processor as T-Mobile's Galaxy S II.

T-Mobile announces the Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G, available 'later this year'

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G hands-on

T-Mobile's Galaxy S Blaze 4G lands in select stores March 21st, everywhere else March 28th

Despite these two enhancements, the Galaxy S Blaze 4G stops short of encroaching on premium territory -- instead preferring to straddle the line between middle-of-the-road and high-end. Similarly, it retails for $200 on contract, before a $50 mail-in rebate. With such a lofty price, it'll undoubtedly instigate comparisons to the Galaxy S II and, soon enough, the HTC One S. Most importantly, though, is the question of whether the Blaze 4G can stand on its own as a quality smartphone; we're fully aware that prices change, and a vexing purchase today could become a wise decision tomorrow. With this in mind, join us after the break as we explore the latest that Samsung has to offer for T-Mobile.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G review

Continue reading Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G review

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snapdragon-toting Sony smartphones to get extra global positioning help from The Other GPS

Mat Smith — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:19:00 EST

Frustrated by the performance of GPS on your current Sony ~~Ericsson~~ phone? Well, if you've got the latest software and a device carrying Qualcomm's Snapdragon S2 or S3 processor, you're in luck. Alongside bright new darlings like the Xperia S and Xperia ion, all will be able to hook up to GLONASS, Russia's very own interpretation of GPS. Support on another global positioning network will increase the total of satellites orbiting around you from 31 to 55 -- more ways to find exactly where you got lost. GLONASS support has already launched on smartphone luminaries such as the iPhone 4S and the pocket-stretching Galaxy Note, but we're very happy to hear that the extra functionality will arrive on older Xperia handsets. According to the developer's own testing, the GLONASS assistance often improved accuracy by as much as 50 percent and should similarly reduce the chances of us being outed as map illiterates. You can grab more info on all the GLONASS goodness at the source below.

Snapdragon-toting Sony smartphones to get extra global positioning help from The Other GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Spectrum eyes January 19th release date, dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and 4.5-inch HD display

Zachary Lutz — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:28:00 EST

You've likely seen the press photos for the LG Spectrum, but for those of you who've wondered what internals will power Big Red's latest slab, worry no more. This replacement for the Revolution will feature a dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 SoC, along with a 4.5-inch, 1280 x 720 IPS display and an 8 megapixel camera with LED flash. The rear shooter is capable of recording video at 1080p, and there's also a 1.3 megapixel webcam up front. As you might've guessed, Ice Cream Sandwich will be nowhere in sight, but it'll feature Android 2.3 all the way. Rounding out the specs, users can expect 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 16GB microSD card. Like the Revolution, the Spectrum supports LTE on Verizon, although its 1830mAh battery is a significant upgrade over the 1500mAh forebear. According to internal documents, we can expect a January 19th arrival. No word on pricing yet, but if you're interested to see the complete spec sheet on this bad boy, which is nearly a dead ringer for the Nitro HD, make sure to hit up the source link below.

LG Spectrum eyes January 19th release date, dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and 4.5-inch HD display originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Nitro HD review

Joseph Volpe — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST

And then there were three. AT&T's lonesome LTE duo -- the Samsung GS II Skyrocket and HTC Vivid -- just gained a new member with the recent launch of LG's Nitro HD. You may recognize this particular handset from its former life as the Optimus LTE, except here the phone's been rebranded with a moniker that more astutely conveys its blazing 4G purpose. There may be tough times ahead for the handset, considering the current crop of high-end devices hogging the spotlight. But if three's company, the Galaxy Nexus, HTC Rezound and Droid RAZR are sure to make this a standing room-only crowd -- an especially haughty bunch given their heavyweight specs. Which is why this sudden end-of-year release for the Nitro HD has us questioning the company's timing. Sure, it's no slouch when stacked up against the competition, with a 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 AH-IPS display, dual-core 1.5GHz Qualcomm APQ8060 processor and 1.3 front-facing / 8 megapixel rear cameras. Yet at $250 on contract, the Nitro HD needs to outshine the legacy set by its best-in-class Sammy stablemate or, at least, offer a performance boost over the cheaper Vivid. So can LG's last second contender rise above the fray to win your holiday dollars? Will it succeed in outclassing its LTE compadres? Or is it a case of too little, too late for this me ~~too~~ three! smartphone. Follow on past the break as we dive into the mobile nitty gritty.

Gallery: LG Nitro HD review

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LG Nitro HD review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NTT DoCoMo's Galaxy S II LTE makes way through FCC with swagger

Zachary Lutz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:02:00 EST

Among the litany of smartphones that NTT DoCoMo announced last month, the SC-03D -- otherwise known as the Galaxy S II LTE -- was undeniably among the forefront of the bunch. The handset will begin shipping in the Land of the Rising Sun before year's end, but it seems that a lucky punk at the FCC got to review its dirty bits ahead of the glorious release. Like its Korea-bound siblings, the phone sports a Snapdragon S3 SoC with a dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and an Adreno 220 GPU, but unlike the over-achieving HD variant, the SC-03D's 4.5-inch display is limited to WVGA resolution. Jet-lagged Japanese travelers will find GPRS and EDGE love with our 1900 and 850MHz domestic networks, although HSPA is restricted to the 2100 and 900MHz bands. As for that lusty 75Mbps theoretical speed for the Xi LTE network, you'll have to excuse us while we attempt to hide our jealousy.

NTT DoCoMo's Galaxy S II LTE makes way through FCC with swagger originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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HTC Amaze 4G review

Joseph Volpe — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

T-Mobile reveals HTC Amaze 4G, flaunts better camera and faster HSPA+

Ericsson demos 42Mbps HSPA Evolution for the laypeople

Samsung Galaxy S II and HTC Amaze 4G on sale at T-Mobile

What do you do when you've already created a Sensation? If you're HTC, you repackage that lightning in a slightly different chassis, turn the volume (read: speed) up to 11 and borrow a bit of optical wizardry to add that new smartphone smell. All key elements that can be found in the DNA of the company's latest imperatively named product offering -- the Amaze 4G. Clearly, HTC's throwing caution to the fickle consumer winds here, raising the bar for Android users' expectations and mixing in just enough razzle dazzle to win over those hard earned geek dollars. So, what's the hook this time 'round? No, not Beats -- that's for its Euro stepcousin, the Sensation XE. Here, the main attraction is this handset's ability to surf along T-Mobile's HSPA+ 42Mbps network. That's right, Magenta's tiptoeing into LTE speed territory and you've got Sense 3.0 to help pilot that wireless ride. Join us after the break as we peel back the layers of this unibodied mobile onion.

Gallery: HTC Amaze 4G review

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HTC Amaze 4G review originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 15 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan

Myriam Joire — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST

Now that we know how the iPhone 4S stacks up against the iPhone 4, let's take a look at how Apple's latest smartphone compares to its mightiest competitors on the other major platforms -- Android and Windows Phone. In Google's camp we chose the superlative Samsung Galaxy S II models (focusing on the announced US variants) along with the Motorola Droid Bionic for its qHD and LTE chops. We then picked the upcoming HTC Titan to bat for Microsoft's team. RIM's not included here since it's still stuck in the junior leagues. We left out the intriguing Nokia N9 because it's a niche player. Check out the fancy table after the break -- the results are pretty clear cut!

Continue reading iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan

iPhone 4S vs. the smartphone elite: Galaxy S II, Bionic and Titan originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

Dante Cesa — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST

After eluding our grubby little paws at its launch in New York and again this morning at Mobilize 2011, we're happy to report that we've finally caught up with T-Mobile's Galaxy S II. To recap, the carrier's permutation rocks the same WVGA 4.52-inch Super AMOLED Plus display as Sprint's Epic 4G Touch, but replaces Samsung's in-house 1.2GHz Exynos CPU with Qualcomm's dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S3 processor. T-Mobile tells us the brain swap was necessary as it wanted its variant to support 42Mbps HSPA+ on the network's AWS band (just like its cousin the Amaze 4G). Oh, and like AT&T's variant it comes with a little NFC glitter sprinkled on top. So is it the same delectable Galaxy S II as its European and Sprint counterparts? From our brief time with the handset, the transplant doesn't appear to have impacted performance at all -- it's just as snappy as ever. In terms of appearance, the phone sports a soft-touch matte black finish in back and its bezel is a lighter shade of chrome than used on its siblings. Check out our gallery below, and peek after the break for our hands-on video.

Myriam Joire contributed to this report.

Gallery: T-Mobile Galaxy S II hands-on

Continue reading Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video)

Samsung's Galaxy S II for T-Mobile proves that unicorns do exist (hands-on video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 01:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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