My Nokia Blog has a report up on three upcoming smartphones from the Finnish company, all running Microsoft's Windows Phone Mango. The handsets in question consist of the Nokia Sea-Ray, the Nokia Sabre and the Nokia Ace.
Nokia Ace
The likely high-end handset of the bunch, the Nokia Ace boasts a 4.3-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display, an 8.0 megapixel camera module (with Carl Zeiss lens), a 1.4GHz processor, HSPA+ connectivity, 16GB of onboard storage and an 1,800 mAh battery module. It's supposed to be going Stateside to AT&T during the first quarter of 2012.
Nokia SeaRay
The oft-leaked Nokia SeaRay doesn't appear to have strayed from previous leaks. It's still reported as having a 3.7-inch ClearBlack AMOLED display, an 8.0 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, a 1.4GHz processor, 16GB of internal storage and a 1,540mAh battery. While there's no word, expect the full range for wireless connectivity for the device (save LTE, probably).
Nokia Sabre
The low-end of the trio, the Nokia Sabre isn't all that shabby either. You get a 3.7-inch ClearBlack LCD, a 5.0 megapixel camera module, a 1.4GHz processor and 25GB of free SkyDrive storage. Likely aimed at younger users, it comes with interchangeable back covers for giving your phone some style.
Release Dates
According to the source, all three phones will be officially unveiled at the Nokia World event, scheduled for the 26th of the month. There's likely no chance any of these will hit the streets before the holidays, although I wouldn't be surprised if Nokia rushed to push even one. I mean, it's Christmas and you don't have you hot new products on the shelf?
[via MyNokiaBlog]
Smartphones are more affordable than ever. And the HTC Explorer is about to join the bargain basement fray.
A compact touchscreen phone, it measures just 102.8mm x 57.2mm x 12.9 mm, making for a tiny device that should slide into your pocket without any trouble. From what we can tell, this is HTC's official slaying of their bottom-end HTC Smart, since they appear to be positioning it as the cheapest smartphone in their roster.
Details of the HTC Explorer include a 3.20-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 320 resolution), a 3.15 megapixel camera module, aGPS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, 90MB of internal storage, microSD card support (up to 32GB) and a 1230 mAh battery module (rated at over 7 hours of talk time). Muscle is provided by a 600MHz Scorpion CPU, paired with 512MB of RAM.
It runs on Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, along with the usual Google Mobile services and HTC Sense 3.5. Surprisingly, it comes with full Flash support despite the underpowered processor. Since this will be for budget-conscious users, it comes with apps designed for that set, like a data monitor that lets you track and manage data usage and allowance.
The HTC Explorer will come with interchangeable back covers, so you can customize the appearance a bit if you're up to it. The phone is expected to hit Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia at various points throughout the fourth quarter, although no pricing has been given. Do note that this has similar specs to the Ideos X3 (sans the Flash support), so we're guessing it will be around the same $160 off-contract.
[via Engadget]
T-Mobile has announced a new Windows Phone Mango handset. Called the HTC Radar 4G, it's, basically, a 4G version of its namesake Europe-bound smartphone (which, last we heard, should come out October).
Sporting an aluminum unibody design, this is one sleek-looking device. It's youthful, without being gaudy, especially in the white/gray color scheme shown off in the product image.
Details of the HTC Radar 4G include a 3.8-inch capacitive touchscreen display (), a 5.0 megapixel camera (with a dedicated shutter button, LED flash and 720p video recording), a front-facing VGA webcam, aGPS, 4G, WiFi, Bluetooth and stereo speakers. No word on built-in storage, though, which is quite the odd omission (considering Windows Phone devices won't have microSD cards). Muscle is provided by a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, paired with 512MB of RAM.
You get to enjoy all the touted Windows Phone Mango features, of course, which should go under heavy scrutiny once the new batch of Windows-running handsets begin shipping out. The press release makes note of the smartphone's "comprehensive productivity experience," "innovative communication features" and a bunch of "preloaded entertainment applications."
No word on exact pricing or release date, but the magenta carrier says the HTC Radar 4G should be hitting the market right before the holidays.
[Tmobile]
LG has announced a new phone in Korea and it appears to be a looker. Called the LG Optimus EX, it's supposed to be the successor to the company's Optimus 2X smartphone.
Sporting a profile that looks wider than a lot of new phones, the handset also feature boxier corners. The result is a slightly more formal aesthetic that business and professional users could find a bit more appealing.
The LG Optimus EX features a 4-inch IPS-based capacitive touchscreen (480 x 800 resolution), which features 700 nits of brightness, making for excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. Details include a 5.0 megapixel camera module, a front-facing VGA webcam, 8GB of onboard storage, the usual wireless connectivity options (including WiFi Direct), HDMI, microSD card expansion and a 1,500 mAh battery module.
Muscle is delivered by a 1.2GHz Tegra 2 processor, which allows it to process 1080p video without breaking a sweat. It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with some light UI customizations and the usual bundle of Google Mobile Services.
Korea's SK Telecoms will get first dibs on the LG Optimus EX, although the exact date and price have not yet been announced. It will come in black/silver and white/gold color schemes.
[LG Mobile (Korean) via Electronista]
Prepare for the next batch of Windows Phones to hit the scene as Mango begins its campaign to win over the masses. The Samsung Omnia W is the latest one to get an official announcement, bringing "power, social connectivity and stunning visual experience."
Sporting a standard-looking touchscreen candybar form factor, the handset measures 115.97 x 58.8 x 10.9 mm and weighs 115.3g. It looks a bit like AT&T's Focus Flash, actually, so we wouldn't be surprised if this is a similar phone aimed at markets outside of North America.
Details of the Samsung Omnia W include a 3.7-inch Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen (800 x 480 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash), a front-facing VGA video cam, aGPS, HSPA+, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1, DLNA, 8GB of internal storage and a 1,500 mAh battery module. Processor is a 1.4GHz single-core chip, paired with 512MB of RAM.
As we said, this is running Windows Phone Mango, along with all the new features that brings to the table. It also includes free 25GB access to Windows Live Skydrive for those who'd like a little cloud-based storage for personal use.
The Samsung Omnia W will drop in Italy towards the end of October, trickling down to Europe, CIS, Latin America, Africa, South East and South West Asia after that. No pricing was announced.
[via Samsung Mobile Press]
Huawei isn't just content making budget smartphones anymore. While not the highest of the high end, the Huawei Honor sure crams some serious hardware that should put it in a higher category compared to the company's previous budget-minded releases.
Announced earlier today in China, the handset features an attractive-looking shell that measures just 10.9 mm thin and weighs a light 140g. It's packing ample power in that sleek frame, too, with a 1.4Ghz single-core CPU serving as muscle, paired with 512MB of RAM.
Details of the Huawei Honor include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display (16:9 aspect ratio, 854 x 480 resolution), an 8.0 megapixel rear camera, a front-facing 2.0 megapixel video cam, aGPS, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, DLNA, an FM tuner, 4GB internal storage (no word on how much is available to the user, though) and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB). Battery is a prime selling point, as it packs a generous 1,900 mAh module that Huawei claims will have you sufficiently-juiced for three days before requiring a recharge (obviously, this will wary on actual usage).
It runs Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, along with the usual Google Mobile Services. Added software features include a proprietary Huawei UI and a 160GB CloudDrive access.
Seriously, the Huawei Honor sounds like one high-performing smartphone. It will roll out in just one color -- Classic Black -- to markets in Asia-Pacific, China, Russia and the Middle East starting in the fourth quarter. According to the press release, more colors and more markets will be added before the Christmas holidays.
[via Engadget]
If you've been watching the rumor blogs, you've probably heard about the HTC Holiday. Well, it's finally been made official with a different moniker: it's now the HTC Raider 4G.
Announced for Korean release, the handset comes equipped with an LTE radio for fans of high-speed broadband and streaming. Billed as a "moving theater," HTC appears to be marketing this a multimedia powerhouse. With 4G and a laundry list of high-end specs, that sounds about right.
Details of the HTC Raider 4G include a 4.5-inch IPS display (960 x 540 resolution), an 8 megapixel camera module (with 28mm wide-angle F/2.2 lens, dual-LED flash and 1080p video recording), a 1.3 megapixel front-facing webcam, aGPS, Bluetooth, WiFi, DLNA, 16GB of internal storage and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB). Core hardware consists of a 1.5GHz dual-core Scorpion processor inside, Adreno 220 graphics and 1GB RAM.
It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with the usual Google Mobile Services and HTC Sense UI 3.5 on top. Since this is marketed as a multimedia phone, it comes with digital surround sound, HTC Watch, a DMB tuner and a number of other multimedia-centric apps.
No word was given on pricing or release dates for the HTC Raider 4G. A GSM version is also expected to be announced for AT&T, likely under a different name.
[HTC Korea]
Verizon has announced a new LG QWERTY slider joining its roster. Called the LG Enlighten, it's an affordable Android phone for messaging-heavy users with modest processing needs.
Running Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the press release claims the handset is "ideal for messaging, email and apps in a slim and affordable" package. Can't argue with that. Plus, the keyboard looks nice, despite seeming slightly cramped.
Details of the LG Enlighten include a 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen display (320 x 480 resolution), a 3.2 megapixel camera module, aGPS, WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth 3.0 and microSD card support (2GB included; 32GB capacity). Processor is a modest 800MHz CPU, which should be good for most regular users (you know, those who don't intend to tax their phones with graphics-heavy games).
Google's usual suite of services are onboard, along with support for Flash 10 on the browser. It can also handle 3G mobile hotspot, generously sharing the bandwidth with up to five devices over WiFi.
The LG Enlighten should be available from Verizon's online store starting today, with physical shops getting it on September 29. Price is $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate on a new two-year agreement. We do suggest waiting for the handset to drop at Walmart, where it's been rumored to be retailing for less than a dollar.
[VZW]
When a mobile company holds a press event, it's usually for some groundbreaking new smartphone. We're not sure what HTC's expectations for the HTC Rhyme, but it's apparently what this week's special event is all about.
Marketed towards female users, the handset was presented with a lavender shell, although a silver version is also expected to be released. It also comes with a color-matching bundle of accessories that include a docking station, a sports armband, a Bluetooth headset, an in-ear wired headset for enjoying your tunes, and a light-up "Charm cable," which alerts you of incoming calls and messages using the onboard LED.
Details of the HTC Rhyme include a 3.7-inch capacitive touchscreen (480 x 800 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with LED flash and 720p video recording), a front-facing webcam, aGPS, WiFi, 3G, 4GB of internal storage and microSD card expansion (up to 32GB; 8GB pre-installed). Processing muscle is provided by a 1GHz single-core Scorpion processor, an Adreno 205 GPU and 768MB of RAM.
It runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with the usual suite of Google Mobile Services. Sense UI 3.5 runs on top of the OS, along with the new HTC Watch service for streaming on-demand movies to your handset.
I have to admit, the HTC Rhyme looks a lot better than I thought with the leaked pictures that made the rounds just a short time ago. It will be released in the US under Verizon Wireless beginning September 29, although no pricing has been announced (they appear to be pimping it as a mid-ranger, though).
[via GSMArena]
Verizon just announced a new phone joining their LTE roster. Called the Pantech Breakout, the handset will be the carrier's first sub-$100 4G release.
Sporting a candybar form factor with slim lines and rounded corners, it's quite the good-looking device for a mid-ranger. And it won't short users on the feature set, either. The 4G LTE access, for instance, comes with mobile hotspot support, allowing you to share the 5 to 12 Mbps download speeds with up to 10 users at a time.
Other details of the Pantech Breakout include a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display (480 x 800 resolution), a 5.0 megapixel camera module (with 720p video recording), a front-facing VGA webcam, aGPS, 4G, 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0, DLNA (with Net Media app) and microSD card support (up to 32GB; 8GB included). Muscle is provided by a 1GHz processor.
The phone runs Android 2.3 Gingerbread, along with the suite of Google Mobile Services. There's no skinning, but you should be able to customize the homescreen with Pantech's custom widgets.
The Pantech Breakout will be available starting tomorrow, priced at $99.99 after a $50 mail in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. GSM plans start at $39.99 for monthly access, with data packages starting at $30 for 2 GB of data.
[Verizon Wireless]
