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Samsung confirms Galaxy S 4 Mini: 4.3-inch display, 1.7GHz dual-core processor (updated)
So, it might not be a surprise that it was in the works, but its official announcement today almost caught us off guard. Here it is, the Samsung Galaxy S 4 Mini. Now we can say for sure that there's a (yet to be specified) 1.7GHz dual-core processor, Android 4.2.2, GPS, GLONASS, WiFi, 8GB internal memory (expandable up to 64), and 1.5GB of RAM. The display is a 4.3-inch Super AMOLED qHD affair, which will be kept going by a 1,900mAh battery, with the shooters coming in 8- and 1.9-megapixel resolutions. There's LTE support -- as you'd hope -- in 6 band sets, plus single and dual-SIM 3G versions for certain markets. Color choices are white and black (for now), with no official word on price and availability at this time. Mini, just got bigger it seems. Update: We may have a clearer idea of when the S 4 Mini will be up for grabs -- in the UK, at least -- as retailer Phones 4U has said it'll be stocking the handset "when it becomes available in the UK in July 2013." %Gallery-189758%
Phones4U taking BlackBerry Q10 pre-orders, giving away PlayBooks to first 300 customers (update)
Know what's better than a shiny new BlackBerry Q10? A BlackBerry Q10 with a 64GB PlayBook thrown in for free, and Phones4U is the place to get it. To be clear, the UK retailer has begun taking pre-orders for the BB10 handset with a hardware keyboard today, and the first 300 folks to pledge their money will get one of BlackBerry's 7-inch slates for free along with it. As for the Q10's cost, it's £36 a month on contract or £549.95 SIM-free, with the black model expected to arrive by the end of April and the alabaster version coming in the weeks after. Update: Should you miss out on the Phones4U deal (or just don't want a PlayBook), you can head on over to the Carphone Warehouse to place your pre-order and get a free Bluetooth speaker to pair with your Q10 instead.
Blackberry Z10 UK pricing revealed: all devices 4G-ready, free on £36 per-month contracts (updated)
Liked what you saw? Even happier then, as a Brit, that you'll likely be getting your hands on it months before your US cousins? UK networks have started to announce availability for the handset, with EE, O2, Three and Vodafone already confirmed to be stocking the Z10. Retailers that will also be selling the new BB10 hardware in the British Isles include Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U. Retailer Phones 4U will launch both color options (exclusively, at least initially), free on contracts starting from £36 per month although it hasn't ventured a contract-free price just yet. However, it is offering a free 64GB PlayBook to the first 250 orders. The Carphone Warehouse, meanwhile will be offering the Z10 free on contracts of £36 per month on the major networks. Vodafone will offer the Z10 for £29 on the £42 a month Red Data plan, including unlimited calls and texts as well as 2GB of internet. It'll be free on the £47-a-month variant plan, or cost a £69 one-off payment on the £37-per-month plan. Three UK hasn't revealed any details beyond that it'll be stocking the handset, while O2 has it free on £36 per month contracts, or on pay-as-you-go for £480 if you're feeling flush. While all Z10 devices sold will be ready for 4G, according the Waterloo crew, the BlackBerry Z10 will be available to utilize EE's existing 4G service immediately. The price? It'll be £50 on a £41 per-month 24 month package, with 1GB of mobile data, as well as unlimited UK calls and texts. No word just yet on whether Orange and T-Mobile will be offering cheaper bundles later. We'll update here when we hear more pricing details from the other players.
BlackBerry Z10 spotted at retailers prior to BB10 event
Looks like retailers might be jumping the gun a bit on the about-to-be-announced BlackBerry Z10 smartphone. Twitter user @bandozer spotted one at a UK Phones4U retailer and managed to snap a pic (after the break), saying that "it looks and feels good," while our own tipster forwarded us the above image that came from another store. Looks like the only thing that'll stop the numerous leaks is when RIM finally announces the darned thing -- sometime in the next hour or two. [Thanks, Anonymous]
Nokia Lumia 510 will come to the UK, appears briefly at Phones 4U
If you liked the look of the previously India-bound Lumia 510 but live on the other side of the world, there's now no need to fret. Nokia has just confirmed to Omio that they will be bringing their cheapest Windows Phone device to Blighty -- although there's no word yet on UK-specific pricing or willing carriers. The phone was priced up at $200 when announced, which will net you a humble 4-inch display and 800MHz processor. Retailer Phones 4U accidentally let the Windows Phone 7.8 slab slip out onto its coming soon page and although it's already been erased, we've added some screen-grab proof after the break.
Phones4U launching LIFE Mobile MVNO in March, will use EE's 3G network
Independent handset retailer Phones4U is set to join the cellular bullfight after it announced it was launching its very own mobile network. It'll go toe-to-toe with the Carphone Warehouse's virtual network, TalkTalk, as well as competing for your hearts and wallets with the big four operators. LIFE Mobile will piggyback on Everything Everywhere EE's backbone, but users will initially be limited to 3G plans only, with 4G services coming later in the year. If you're worried that every trip to the company's stores will see LIFE handsets foisted upon you at every turn, company boss Tim Whiting has said that staff will be rewarded for "customer satisfaction" rather than sales. We suggest you try and game the system by telling the manager you'll only be truly satisfied after a nice cup of tea and a foot rub.
Phones 4U gives Sony Xperia Z March 1st release date in UK, will be coming to Vodafone
Sony unveiled the Xperia Z just hours earlier over in Las Vegas, but UK retailer Phones 4U has already announced that Brits will see the phone at the start of March. Excited "omni-balance" fans can pre-register (that is, sign-up for email updates) on the phone-seller's site starting today. The press release adds that it'll arrive across "a range of networks". In fact, Vodafone's told us directly that it'll definitely be selling the new flagship, although it hasn't followed Phones 4U's posited date -- we're still waiting for official confirmation from Sony on launch dates for both of its new slabs.
White Motorola RAZR i lands in the UK on December 22nd
If owning one of the first Intel-based phones just isn't unique enough, there's now a rarer color option. The Motorola RAZR i is coming to the UK in a seasonally appropriate white, starting with local reseller Phones4U on December 22nd. The look will be familiar to some of those who've bought a Droid RAZR M on the other side of the Atlantic, but it may be easy to forgive any not-quite-complete color exclusivity through the contract price: Phones4U is giving the white RAZR i away for free to those who sign up for a contract worth at least £20.50 ($33) per month. While other stores might not carry the Atom-powered RAZR until after the holidays, Brits scrambling to find a last-minute tech gift might just have been given a reprieve.
Samsung ATIV S for Vodafone UK goes up for pre-order at Phones4U with a December launch
Brits looking to score Samsung's ATIV S flagship on Vodafone can start forming an orderly queue. UK reseller Phones4U is offering pre-orders for the Windows Phone 8 darling to those willing to sign a two-year contract, giving it away for free on a £33 ($52) plan with 600 minutes, unlimited text, 500MB of cellular data and 2GB on WiFi. Pay a pound more per month ($54) as well as £30 for the device ($48) and the subscription jumps to both unlimited minutes as well as 2GB of cellular use. Unfortunately, the wait for this biggest-screened Windows Phone may be a long one -- while Samsung has only confirmed a December launch for the ATIV S in the UK, Phones4U has the smartphone reaching customers on December 21st. If that's accurate, we'd make sure there's some leftover wrapping paper in case the ATIV S becomes a gift, even if it's to yourself.
Windows Phone 8 handset UK availability and pricing detailed: free starting from £21 per month
We've heard how Windows Phone 8 is all about you, and seen all the devices bearing the new OS at launch. What's left, however, is where you can get one on the other side of the pond and, more importantly, how much it's going to cost you. Nokia has separately announced that both the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 will be launching in the UK (and France) later this week. More specifically, though, it looks like every UK carrier will be getting at least three handsets, with the almost-ready-to-launch EE getting both of HTC and Nokia's handset pairs. We've got all the (current) pricing details and availability dates after the break.%Gallery-169573%
Phones4U begins taking UK pre-orders for Samsung's Galaxy S III Mini
If good things come to those who wait and good things come in small packages, then the Galaxy S III Mini must be pretty special indeed. If you're in the market for the junior edition of the company's blockbuster flagship, independent retailer Phones4U is now accepting pre-orders. The first 350 of you to register your interest will also get the added sweetener of one of the company's Pebble MP3 players, and the company promises it'll begin shipping on November 2nd, free on plans of £25 or more. Update: Samsung and Phones4U are now saying delivery will be on November 8th.
Motorola's RAZR i arrives in the UK at Phones4U
Motorola's RAZR i has landed on British shores, and is available today from Phones4U. The handset, the first born of a union 'twixt Moto and Intel, skates pretty close to the competition in the performance stakes and promises vastly improved power efficiency. The handset is free to anyone grabbing a plan costing £21.50 or more, while the first 500 to snap up the phone will also get a complimentary pair of MOTOROKR headphones, too.
iPhone 5 contract prices for UK phone networks published
The US isn't the only country whose residents are up early pre-ordering the iPhone 5 today. Other countries like the UK are also kicking off sales of the next generation iPhone. In the UK, customers have a variety of carriers, several different price points and even multiple retail stores from which to shop. Here is a quick rundown of the pricing and plans available for Apple's next generation handset. Vodafone: Vodafone lets you grab the 16 GB iPhone 5 for free if you agree to pay £47 a month for two years on a plan that includes 2 GB of data and unlimited voice and text. If £47 is too steep, customers can pay £249 for an iPhone on a £25 monthly plan. Orange: Orange offers a free 16 GB iPhone 5 on a £46 plan that includes 3 GB of data, unlimited texts and calls and a two-year agreement. Customers who don't mind paying £320 for their iPhone can sign up for a £20 monthly plan that includes 100 MB of data, 50 text messages and 50 minutes of voice calling. T-Mobile UK: T-Mobile UK is offering a paid version of the iPhone that'll cost £109 for the 16 GB model. The associated monthly plan costs £36 and includes unlimited internet with 2000 voice minutes. Everything Everywhere: Customers who buy an iPhone 5 at T-Mobile or Orange will be able to switch once EE fires up its 4G network. Three UK: Three UK has the 16 GB iPhone for £79 when you sign up for its unlimited data One Plan for £36 per month. O2: O2 is offering the iPhone for free if you agree to a minimum £46 monthly plan, which includes 1 GB of data and unlimited texts and messages. Customers can choose to pay upfront for the iPhone in exchange for a less expensive monthly plan. For example, a 16 GB iPhone 5 will cost £99.99 with a £36 monthly plan. Phones4U: The retailer is accepting pre-orders for customers who want to buy an iPhone 5 and sign up with Orange, T-Mobile or Vodafone. Carphone Warehouse: The retailer is accepting pre-orders, with the 16 GB model available online and other models available via telesales. If you live in the UK and pre-ordered today, let us know how it went in the comments. We'd love to know what model/carrier combo you picked. [Via Engadget]
Phones4U now accepting pre-orders for LG's Optimus 4X HD, first 50 gets Cheryl Cole tickets
Do you like the look of LG's Optimus 4X HD and the soulful stylings of Geordie songstress Cheryl Cole? Phones4U can satisfy your twin passions by offering the first 50 pre-order customers a pair of tickets to see the former Ms. Tweedy perform live at the LG Arena. Those further back in the queue (or who preferred Nicola) will have to settle for LG's flagship handset, packing a 4.7-inch display and NVDIA's Tegra 3, clocked to 1.5GHz. Pre-orders kick off today, and the handset (and tickets, if you're quick) can be in your grubby paws from August 27th, setting you back £26 each and every month.
Samsung Omnia M with Windows Phone makes UK debut on August 1st, exclusively at Phones4U
We're well aware that a relatively large portion of the UK (and the world) is highly focused on this Olympic event at this very moment, though something tells us a few of you might take some time from the 2012 Games to properly welcome Samsung's Omnia M. The Mango-flavored device will be making its official debut across the pond in a couple of days, coming as an exclusive to the renowned Phones4U -- at least for the time being. As far as pricing goes, Sammy's 4-inch Windows Phone handset is set to be up for grabs for as much as £290 SIM-free or, if you're looking to go the monthly route, it'll be a freebie with a modest £20.50 plan. Best of all, Phones4U's taking orders right now, so anyone interested can pop one in at the source link below.
ZTE Grand X reaches UK shops a tad early through Phones4U
Virgin Mobile had originally promised the UK version of the ZTE Grand X for early August. The carrier just can't contain its enthusiasm: it's letting retail partner Phones4U sell the budget smartphone as of today. While you're busy skipping the start of the Olympics, the store will give you a Grand X for free if you're willing to spend at least £20.50 ($32) per month on a tariff instead of opting for the £190 ($299) pay-as-you-go hardware price. As we saw in China, the appeal of the Grand X is in those numbers -- it's more the temptation of stock Android 4.0 in a low-priced (if capable) suit than the hardware. Phones4U does hope to sweeten the pot through a contest. We hope you like the musical styles of Professor Green, as the British retailer is giving early Grand X adopters a chance to win both a custom Professor Green case as well as tickets to a private concert.
ZTE Grand X coming to UK for £190 pay-as-you-go: 4.3-inch qHD, microSD, stock Android 4.0
If this is the "advanced gaming smartphone" that ZTE teased a few days ago, then we can't help but feel a little miffed. It'd be fairer to describe the Grand X as the most advanced phone in ZTE's growing budget line-up, and if you look at it from that perspective then it's rather more impressive. For £190 PAYG with Virgin Mobile in the UK, you're getting a 4.3-inch qHD LCD touchscreen, dual-core 1GHz Tegra 2 processor (no Nexus 7 guts here unfortunately), microSD expandable storage (plus 4GB built-in and 512MB RAM), 5-megapixel rear camera and VGA front-facer, sub-10mm thickness and -- ta-da! -- stock Ice Cream Sandwich, albeit accompanied by legacy Gingerbread navigation buttons. We'd have liked to see the proper, up-to-date Android 4.0 button layout, but in any case the absence of ZTE's Kanzi skin or indeed any other customization is a welcome change, because Google juice tastes fine served neat. Now, we already did an early hands-on with this phone in June (not to mention its previous incarnation, the Mimosa X) and noted its fluid operation, solid build quality and capable display, and all of those things remain true in the retail-ready handset we've seen in the UK. The budget scene has certainly come a long way since last year, but do we expect the Grand X to have an easy ride on the market? Probably not -- at least not when a phone like the Orange San Diego are offering a more modern processor, more RAM and better pixel density for just £10 more. That said, if a pure and uncluttered version of the OS is a priority, and if you can get this phone on a great deal when it arrives at Phones4U and Virgin Media stores at the beginning of August, then the Grand X is certainly worth a look.%Gallery-160639%%Gallery-158837%
Batman Nokia Lumia 900 priced at £600, throws in some free movie tickets
We said it was coming soon, and the Dark Knight-themed WinPho hasn't disappointed. Phones 4u has just announced that pre-ordered laser-etched Lumia 900s will be delivered on June 1st; that's this Friday. Off-contract pricing is pegged at £600, although multiple contracts are also available from the UK retailer. There doesn't appear to be any extra functionality on the special edition, although bragging rights do count for a lot. The phone will arrive in limited numbers, but neither Nokia nor Phones 4u is spilling the beans on precise unit numbers. The retailer is also throwing in free tickets to see the Dark Knight Rises at UK cinemas (or theaters) this summer, plus the chance to hit up the premiere. Pre-ordering heroes can zip-wire their way to the source link below. Update: SlashGear's been told by Phones 4u that there will be 900 of the special edition phones.
PSA: Nokia Lumia 900 available from Phones4U in the UK from today!
Remember when Nokia said that overwhelming demand had postponed the UK launch of the Lumia 900? Forget it, Phones4U let us know that it received an early shipment of the Finnish flagship and will offer them to customers today instead of next Monday. It's available on Vodafone, Orange and O2 and will set you back between £20 and £40 each month depending on your plan, either in both Black or White, the latter exclusive to the independent seller.
Samsung Galaxy S Advance gets April 30th release date in UK, needs more suffixes
Pitched spec-wise somewhere between Samsung's first Galaxy S and its very popular sequel, think of the Galaxy S Advance as the original, reimagined for a new generation -- a generation that remembers only a few years back. The attractive Super AMOLED display with dual-core bones caught our eye at MWC a few months earlier and will finally arrive on rain-soaked British shores on April 30th at the like of Phones 4u and Vodafone. The bad news? It's still toting that Touchwizzed Gingerbread, and arrives just days before Samsung shows what it's been hiding in its top-spec drawers.
