Monday 27 May 2013
Friday 24 May 2013
Top 5 deals on mid-range smartphones
There have been some exciting new mid-range launches from popular brands. Here is a list of the best five deals on these phones.
Recently many multinational brands have launched mid-range smart phones at affordable prices. And while these are already affordable, here are few deals that make these phones even cheaper.
Sony Xperia Sp
Discounted Price: Rs 22,782
Regular Price: Rs 24,500
New Xperia NXT series design bearing Xperia SP features a 4.6 inch touchscreen display with 720p HD natively resolution. The display is powered by Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology and is protected by Gorilla glass.
Though it is 9.98 mm thick, the Xperia SP is bit heavy at 155 grams. Inside the chassis, the Xperia SP houses a dual-core 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960 mobile processor paired with 1 GB RAM to make the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update wrapped in Timescape user interface faster.
Sony Xperia SP features an 8 GB on-board storage and a memory card slot for up to 32 GB micro SD card. Sony has packed a dual-band WiFi along with WiFi Direct for faster data connectivity. There is also Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and GPS with A-GPS as well as GLONASS support for more accurate location service.
Sony Xperia SP supports TV audio-video out through the Mobile High-definition Link connectors. From India perspective there is a Stereo FM with RDS (radio digital service). The smartphone also has an active noise cancellation function with dedicated mic for better call quality.
Sony has fitted an 8 megapixel camera at its back with LED Flash and autofocus capability. This camera is capable of recording full HD video along with other fancy camera features. There is a front facing VGA camera for standard quality video chat. Sony has packed a 2370 mAh battery to make the phone run longer.
Sony Xperia SP comes pre-loaded with Sony Music and Sony LIV apps for streaming multimedia. Apart from that, this smartphone also features the full wireless support for the PlayStation DualShock 3 game controller.
Though it comes with dual core processor, the phone is faster than others with quad core processors; even it terms of features it is top notch.
Samsung Galaxy Grand Quattro
Discounted price: Rs 15,742
Regular Price: 16,499
Samsung Galaxy Grand Duos Quattro, also known as Galaxy Win, is a dual SIM device with quad core processor. It was announced a just few days back for Rs 17,290 but is now widely available for Rs 16,499. Now, Infibeam is offering the phone for Rs 15742 only.
The Grand Duos Quattro has a 4.7 inch display with 800x480 pixel resolution. It is powered with the Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon 200 chipset that has a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 processor and Adreno 203 GPU.
It runs on Android v4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system and features list of interesting features found on other Galaxy series devices. For imagery the Galaxy Grand Quattro has a 5 megapixel camera at the back and a 1.3 megapixel in the front. Along with that the device offers 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS for connectivity.
The phone is not supposed to be as fast as other quad core phones from Samsung or other MNC brands, however a Samsung quad core phone at this price is simply a good deal.
LG Nexus 4
Discounted Price: Rs 24,990
Regular Price: Rs 25,990
LG Nexus 4 was launched in India for Rs 25,999 but now Shopclues is selling it for Rs 24,990.
LG Google Nexus 4 features a 4.7-inch True HD IPS Plus panel display and houses a quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro mobile processor which is paired with the Adreno 320 graphics chip.
The version of Nexus 4, which is available in India, has 16 GB of internal storage and 2 GB RAM. It runs on Android 4.2 update.
The Nexus 4's display has been constructed using the Corning Gorilla Glass 2 technology for strength and resistance from scratches. The slightly curved display panel of LG Nexus 4 has been constructed using Zerogap Touch technology that ensures better touch response.
Nexus 4 has an 8 megapixel camera that is capable of recording full HD 1080p videos. In its front lies a 1.3 megapixel camera which is capable of capturing 720p HD videos.
Google Nexus 4 will also feature Android Beam which works on Near Field Communication technology and helps in sharing images, videos, contacts, apps and other content with a gentle tap over another NFC enabled device.
Lenovo K860
Discounted Price: 19,490
Regular Price: Rs 24,500
The Lenovo K860 has a 1.4 GHz quad core processor (Samsung Exynos) featuring a 5 inch IPS display with 720x1280 pixels resolution. Its screen has claimed to have 178 degree viewing angles. Besides, it has an 8 megapixel rear camera, 8 GB onboard storage and is priced at Rs 28,499.
Besides, it has 1 GB RAM, 2250 mAh Li-ion battery, WiFi, Bluetooth, micro USB etc.
Maniacstore is offering the phone for Rs 19,490 only which makes it the best deal here.
Panasonic P51
Discounted Price: Rs 22,390
Regular Price: 25,990
Panasonic P51 marks the re-entry of Panasonic in Indian mobile market. The smartphone is based on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and has a 5 inch HD display (1280x720p) covered with scratch resistant Dragon tail glass. The handset has a 1.2 GHz quad core processor, 1 GB RAM and 4 GB of inbuilt memory.
Panasonic is giving magnetic flip cover with the phone and a stylus. The P51 also comes with note taking apps that take advantage of the stylus. Other features of the phone include an 8 megapixel rear auto focus camera with Flash, a 1.3 megapixel front camera with 720p video recording and a large 2500 mAH battery.
Panasonic has tied up with Jaina group, which also owns the Karbonn Mobile brand in India, for marketing, sales and service. This should enable them to have a large network of sales and service centres right from day one.
While the phone has its numerous plus points like latest operating system, large battery, and overall good specifications along with a large sales, service and distribution network, it seems a bit overpriced as many Indian brands have launched handsets with likewise features at a much lower price.
Gionee GPad G2 with 5.3-inch qHD display, Android 4.1 available for Rs. 13,990
The Chinese handset maker Gionee has launched another device in the Indian market. Dubbed as Gionee GPad G2, the phablet features a 5.3-inch with qHD display.
Gionee GPad G2 is powered by 1.2GHz quad-core processor along with PowerVR SGX544 GPU. Internally, the phablet packs in a 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, which can be expanded by another 32GB via a microSD card.
It is a dual-SIM phablet, which supports GSM on both the SIMs. The other connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and aGPS.
Gionee GPad G2 comes with an 8-megapixel rear shooter with auto-focus and LED flash, which is capable of capturing videos at 720p video recording. There is also a 2-megapixel front camera to capture self-images and do video chat. There is a 3,000mAh battery on-board and it runs on Android 4.1.1 (Jelly Bean).
This phablet is priced at Rs. 13,990 and the company is giving a flap cover and screen guard for free with the purchase of this device.
The company had recently launched Gionee Dream G1, which comes with a 4.65-inch HD Super AMOLED Plus display and 316ppi. This smartphone is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core Cortex A7 processor along with 1GB of RAM.
The smartphone comes with 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 32GB. The company has bundled in a 16GB microSD card along with the smartphone. It runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) and has a 2,100mAh battery. Camera wise, Gionee Dream G1 features an 8-megapixel auto focus rear camera with LED flash and a 1-megapixel one on the front and carries a price tag of Rs. 17,999.
Nokia Lumia 925 with a metallic touch introduced in London
Nokia has announced the launch of Lumia 925, a new interpretation of its flagship Lumia 920. The Nokia Lumia 925 introduces a metal design alongside an improved PureView camera.
The Lumia 925 comes in a polycarbonate body that is associated with the Lumia range, but includes a metal frame on the outside, that adds to the phone's aesthetic appeal and also doubles up as an antenna. Lumia 925 weighs 139 grams, compared to the heavyweight 920, which is one of the bulkiest devices around at 185 grams.
The other big improvement being touted in the Lumia 925 is the camera, which Nokia claims is better than the one in Lumia 920 (Review | Pictures), which won a lot of rave reviews, especially for its low-light performance. The Lumia 925 also introduces the new Nokia Smart Camera mode that offers an easy way to capture ten images at once and edit the pictures with options like Best Shot, Action Shot, and Motion Focus.
Nokia Smart Camera will be coming as an update to all Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones.
As far as the specs on the Nokia Lumia 925 go, it comes with a 4.5-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display with 768x1280 resolution and Gorilla 2 Glass. It is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor alongside 1GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. It has a 8.7-megapixel PureView rear camera and 1.2-megapixel wide-angle front camera.
Nokia Lumia 925 features a 2,000 mAh battery and runs Windows Phone 8.
"We keep innovating," said Jo Harlow, executive vice president of Nokia Smart Devices. "We're advancing experiences on the Nokia Lumia portfolio whether that means great new benefits for an existing Lumia owner, or bringing new showcase devices like the Nokia Lumia 925."
Nokia Lumia 925 doesn't ship with bundled wireless charging but a cover can be clipped onto the back of the phone to take advantage of Nokia's wireless charging accessories and ecosystem.
The Nokia Lumia 925 is being introduced in Europe with Vodafone, along with other operator and retail partners. In addition to Europe, the Nokia Lumia 925 will be introduced into the US by T-Mobile and into China by China Mobile and China Unicom. Sales are expected to start in the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and China in June, followed by the US and a number of other markets.
The Nokia Lumia 925 will be priced around 469 EUR before taxes and subsidies.
Nokia Lumia 925 key specifications
- 4.5-inch AMOLED ClearBlack display with 768x1280 resolution
- 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor
- 1GB RAM
- 16GB of internal storage
- 8.7-megapixel PureView rear camera
- 1.2-megapixel wide-angle front camera
- Windows Phone 8
- 2,000 mAh battery
LG Optimus it launched with 1.7GHz quad-core processor, 13-megapixel camera
Japanese carrier NTT Docomo has announced the LG Optimus 'it' (L-05E), a high-end Android smartphone powered by a 1.7GHz Snapdragon 600 (APQ8064T) quad-core processor. The phone, part of the carrier's 2013 Summer Collection, features a 4.5-inch IPS display that sports a resolution of 720x1280 pixels.
The phone runs the latest iteration of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean and features LG's own UI skin on top. The phone has a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera. It has a 2,100mAh battery and is LTE enabled. It also offers NFC functionality and support for some Japanese digital TV services. The smartphone also has a microSD card slot to expand storage capacity.
The LG Optimus 'it' will be launched end of June and would be available in Black and White colour variants. However, the phone's pricing was not announced. It's not known if the phone or a variant of it would be sold outside Japan.
Earlier this year, NTT Docomo and LG had released the LG Optimus G Pro in Japan with a 5.0-inch screen as part of the company's Spring 2013 line-up. The Optimus G Pro L-04E features a full-HD (1920x1080) display and comes with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. It houses a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 2.4-megapixel front camera. The smartphone is powered by a snappier 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2GB RAM. It has internal storage of 32GB with microSDXC expansion support, LTE support and comes with a 3,000mAh battery.
The phone runs the latest iteration of Android, 4.2 Jelly Bean and features LG's own UI skin on top. The phone has a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 1.2-megapixel front facing camera. It has a 2,100mAh battery and is LTE enabled. It also offers NFC functionality and support for some Japanese digital TV services. The smartphone also has a microSD card slot to expand storage capacity.
The LG Optimus 'it' will be launched end of June and would be available in Black and White colour variants. However, the phone's pricing was not announced. It's not known if the phone or a variant of it would be sold outside Japan.
Earlier this year, NTT Docomo and LG had released the LG Optimus G Pro in Japan with a 5.0-inch screen as part of the company's Spring 2013 line-up. The Optimus G Pro L-04E features a full-HD (1920x1080) display and comes with Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean out of the box. It houses a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 2.4-megapixel front camera. The smartphone is powered by a snappier 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor with 2GB RAM. It has internal storage of 32GB with microSDXC expansion support, LTE support and comes with a 3,000mAh battery.
Spice Stellar Horizon Pro Mi-505 dual-SIM smartphone launched for Rs.8,499
Spice has launched a new dual-SIM Android smartphone, Stellar Horizon Pro Mi-505, at a price point of Rs. 8,499.
The Horizon Pro Mi-505 features a 5.0-inch screen that has a resolution of 480x800 pixels (WVGA) and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The phone is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and has 512MB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with dual LED Flash and a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera.
The phone has 4GB of internal storage that can be expanded to 32GB through a microSD card. Talking about connectivity options, the phone supports Wi-Fi, 3G (for both SIM card slots) and Bluetooth 4.0. It comes with a 2100mAh battery and promises a talk time of 4 hours and a standby time of 200 hours.
Commenting on the launch, T M Ramakrishnan, CEO - Devices, S Mobility Ltd said, "We have received phenomenal success with Stellar Horizon Mi-500 launched last year. We have followed it up with this enhanced version with exciting features at a more attractive price point. We are confident the Horizon Pro will offer best value for money to its users."
The company is also offering a free leather cover and a screen guard, worth Rs. 500 with the phone. It will be available across India through all major retail stores and through Saholic.com.
The Stellar Horizon Pro Mi-505 is the successor to the Stellar Horizon Mi-500 which the company had made available in October 2012 after announcing it in June. The Horizon Mi-500 also has a 5-inch screen with WVGA resolution and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor. The phone was launched at a price of Rs.12,499.
The Horizon Pro Mi-505 features a 5.0-inch screen that has a resolution of 480x800 pixels (WVGA) and runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The phone is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and has 512MB of RAM. It sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with dual LED Flash and a 1.3-megapixel front facing camera.
The phone has 4GB of internal storage that can be expanded to 32GB through a microSD card. Talking about connectivity options, the phone supports Wi-Fi, 3G (for both SIM card slots) and Bluetooth 4.0. It comes with a 2100mAh battery and promises a talk time of 4 hours and a standby time of 200 hours.
Commenting on the launch, T M Ramakrishnan, CEO - Devices, S Mobility Ltd said, "We have received phenomenal success with Stellar Horizon Mi-500 launched last year. We have followed it up with this enhanced version with exciting features at a more attractive price point. We are confident the Horizon Pro will offer best value for money to its users."
The company is also offering a free leather cover and a screen guard, worth Rs. 500 with the phone. It will be available across India through all major retail stores and through Saholic.com.
The Stellar Horizon Pro Mi-505 is the successor to the Stellar Horizon Mi-500 which the company had made available in October 2012 after announcing it in June. The Horizon Mi-500 also has a 5-inch screen with WVGA resolution and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor. The phone was launched at a price of Rs.12,499.
Sony Xperia UL launched with full-HD screen and quad-core processor
Sony has launched a new smartphone, Xperia UL, in the Japanese market with carrier KDDI.
Just like the recently launched Xperia A and Xperia ZR, this phone is also water and dust resistant and can withstand 1.5 metres of still water for 30 minutes. The phone is inline with Sony's new design philosophy that we've seen in phones such as the Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia A and Xperia ZR and has the same signature aluminium power button that resembles a watch crown. It also features a thin strip towards the bottom which is essentially an LED light that lights up in different colours just like the Xperia SP.
Coming to the hardware specifications, the Xperia UL sports a 5-inch Reality display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels packing in 443 pixels per inch incorporating Sony's mobile Bravia engine 2 for better looking images and videos. It's powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 quad-core processor and has 2GB of RAM. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The smartphone features a 13.1-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS for mobile and a VGA front facing camera. It offers 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 64GB via memory card (microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC ). The phone features NFC, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Infrared and 4G LTE connectivity options. It has a 2300mAh battery. The phone will be available in White, Pink and Black colours and will be available starting May 25 in Japan. There's no word on the phone's international availability as of now.
The phone had leaked in pictures a few days back on a Chinese website, while rumours of its existence had emerged in March.
Last week, the Sony Xperia A was officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT Docomo as part of its Summer 2013 collection. The water and dust resistant phone has a 720p display and is also powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor. Other specifications are similar to the Xperia UL.
Just like the recently launched Xperia A and Xperia ZR, this phone is also water and dust resistant and can withstand 1.5 metres of still water for 30 minutes. The phone is inline with Sony's new design philosophy that we've seen in phones such as the Xperia Z, Xperia SP, Xperia A and Xperia ZR and has the same signature aluminium power button that resembles a watch crown. It also features a thin strip towards the bottom which is essentially an LED light that lights up in different colours just like the Xperia SP.
Coming to the hardware specifications, the Xperia UL sports a 5-inch Reality display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels packing in 443 pixels per inch incorporating Sony's mobile Bravia engine 2 for better looking images and videos. It's powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 quad-core processor and has 2GB of RAM. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The smartphone features a 13.1-megapixel rear camera with Exmor RS for mobile and a VGA front facing camera. It offers 16GB of internal storage expandable up to 64GB via memory card (microSD / microSDHC / microSDXC ). The phone features NFC, 3G, Bluetooth 4.0, Infrared and 4G LTE connectivity options. It has a 2300mAh battery. The phone will be available in White, Pink and Black colours and will be available starting May 25 in Japan. There's no word on the phone's international availability as of now.
The phone had leaked in pictures a few days back on a Chinese website, while rumours of its existence had emerged in March.
Last week, the Sony Xperia A was officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT Docomo as part of its Summer 2013 collection. The water and dust resistant phone has a 720p display and is also powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor. Other specifications are similar to the Xperia UL.
ADCOM launches Thunder range of Android smartphones starting Rs. 3,199
Technology products importer Advantage Computers India Pvt Ltd (ADCOM) on Tuesday launched a range of affordable Android powered smartphones in India.
The company has come out with ADCOM Thunder A 530 HD smartphone, which is loaded with 5.3-inch screen, dual-core processor, 8MP camera with Panorma, IPS LCD, Android 4.1, 4GB ROM and 512MB RAM. This smartphone is priced at Rs. 8,999.
ADCOM Thunder A 350 is the cheapest smartphone that the company has to offer for Rs. 3,199. It packs in 1GHz processor, 256 MB of RAM and runs on Android 4.0. Other specifications include 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen, 3.2MP rear camera and 0.3MP front camera.
ADCOM Thunder A 400 is priced at Rs. 3,999 and has similar specifications as Adcom Thunder A 350. However, it has a larger 4-inches HVGA LCD touchscreen and 512MB of RAM.
"We are a part of this growing industry and trying to create our unique position by providing all the advantages of smart phones with in the budget of a layman," ADCOM India Group Founder JL Bhatia said here.
Starting at a price range as low as Rs. 3,199, it goes up to Rs. 8,999, these phones are within the reach of the common man, who wants a smartphone with almost all the features that come in a premium handset, he added.
ADCOM Chairman Sanjeev Bhatia said after-sale service of the product has been a weak point when it comes to mobile industry.
"As a part of our warranty, on-site and online service and support is available for our users throughout the country," he said adding the company expects to sell 1,00,000 handsets in the current fiscal.
ADCOM, part of the New Delhi-based Advantage Group, imports IT and technology products, tablets and mobiles in India.
Magicon launches three Android smartphones starting Rs. 3,250
Magicon Impex, an imported and distributor of mobile products, has announced the expansion of its portfolio by launching three new Android-based smartphones - Magicon M2 Elegante, M39 Savvy and M3 Atom.
Magicon M2 Elegante is a 3G smartphone that comes with a 3.5-inch display and front VGA camera and rear 2-megapixel camera. It comes preloaded with apps like WhatsApp and a mobile tracker which sends message alert to preset numbers as and when someone tries to change the SIM. Magicon M2 Elegante has a 1,300mAh battery is priced at Rs 4,343.
Magicon M39 Savvy comes with 3.95-inch display and same cameras as the M2 Elegante. On the app front it has Hungama (for Bollywood videos & songs), NewsHunt, and myplex now. myplex now is a mobile TV application allowing users to watch over 100 free and paid Indian channels, over 1000 videos and movies from a library of Indian movies. Magicon M39 Savvy has a 1350Ah battery is priced at Rs. 3,999.
Magicon M3 Atom comes with a 3.5-inch and is the cheapest of the new launches at Rs. 3,250. It comes with a VGA rear camera and no front camera alongside a 1100mAh battery.
The three phones sport identical resolutions of 320x480 pixels, are powered by 1GHz Qualcomm processor alongside 512MB internal storage (160 MB user accessible, expandable up to 32 GB through a microSD card). They run on the date Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform.
All three models have features like accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, orientation sensor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Also included on all phones are apps like Skype, Facebook, Fruit Ninja, and Magicon Care, for getting in touch with company's customer care.
Explaining company's strategy, Mr. Jitendra Rahi, Executive Director, Conplex International Ltd, the business group that owns the Magicon brand, said, "We take the feedback from customers as well as our channel partners and use the same when it comes to sourcing products that not just meet but exceed the customer expectations."
Magicon M2 Elegante is a 3G smartphone that comes with a 3.5-inch display and front VGA camera and rear 2-megapixel camera. It comes preloaded with apps like WhatsApp and a mobile tracker which sends message alert to preset numbers as and when someone tries to change the SIM. Magicon M2 Elegante has a 1,300mAh battery is priced at Rs 4,343.
Magicon M39 Savvy comes with 3.95-inch display and same cameras as the M2 Elegante. On the app front it has Hungama (for Bollywood videos & songs), NewsHunt, and myplex now. myplex now is a mobile TV application allowing users to watch over 100 free and paid Indian channels, over 1000 videos and movies from a library of Indian movies. Magicon M39 Savvy has a 1350Ah battery is priced at Rs. 3,999.
Magicon M3 Atom comes with a 3.5-inch and is the cheapest of the new launches at Rs. 3,250. It comes with a VGA rear camera and no front camera alongside a 1100mAh battery.
The three phones sport identical resolutions of 320x480 pixels, are powered by 1GHz Qualcomm processor alongside 512MB internal storage (160 MB user accessible, expandable up to 32 GB through a microSD card). They run on the date Android 2.3 Gingerbread platform.
All three models have features like accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, orientation sensor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Also included on all phones are apps like Skype, Facebook, Fruit Ninja, and Magicon Care, for getting in touch with company's customer care.
Explaining company's strategy, Mr. Jitendra Rahi, Executive Director, Conplex International Ltd, the business group that owns the Magicon brand, said, "We take the feedback from customers as well as our channel partners and use the same when it comes to sourcing products that not just meet but exceed the customer expectations."
HTC launches dual-SIM Desire 600 with quad-core processor, BlinkFeed
HTC has announced the launch of Desire 600, a dual-SIM (dual-active) smartphone that offers HTC's latest Sense 5 experience including BlinkFeed and BoomSound, most recently launched as part of the HTC One (Review | Pictures).
HTC Desire 600 sports a 4.5-inch Super LCD2 display of 540x960 resolution and is powered by a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 200 quad-core processor alongside 1GB of RAM alongside 8GB of expandable storage. It comes with an 8-megapixel rear camera and a front-facing 1.6-megapixel shooter.
"People rely on their smartphones every day to be their news channel, email inbox, social network and music player," said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation. "The HTC Desire 600 dual-sim combines speed and easy multitasking with the truly innovative HTC BlinkFeed home screen. The result is an affordable mid-range phone that sets the standard for its class, keeping the busiest user up-to-date at a glance and offering them the power and range of features to switch between work and play."
Running the "dual active" system, the HTC Desire 600 dual-sim allows you to have two SIM cards active all the times, enabling you to receive a call on one line, even if you are already using the other.
The dual front-facing speakers of the HTC Desire 600 complete with built-in amplifiers offer a sharper smartphone sound. Beats Audio integration is included as well.
The phone runs Android Jelly Bean with HTC Sense 5.0 on top with BlinkFeed and other features. It's not clear at this stage if the phone is running Android 4.1 or Android 4.2.
The HTC Desire 600 dual-sim will be available with mobile operators and major retailers in Russia, Ukraine and MEA from early June 2013. There's no word on pricing yet.
Maxx Mobile launches AX8 Race and AX9Z Race smartphones
Maxx Mobile has launched two Android smartphones, the AX8 Race and AX9Z Race for Rs. 8,875 and Rs. 12,375, respectively.
The Maxx AX8 Race is a dual-SIM (3G+GSM) smartphone that features a 5-inch capacitive touch display with a resolution of 480x800 pixels. The phone is powered by a 1GHz single-core MediaTek Processor and has 512MB RAM. It offers 4GB internal storage expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. The phone sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash and a 2-megapixel front facing camera. It runs Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.The phone features 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity options in addition to FM radio. It has a 2300mAh battery. The Maxx A8 Race is available in Black and White colour options.
The Maxx AX9Z Race is also a dual-SIM phone and features a 5.3-inch capacitive touch display with a resolution of 540x960 pixels. It's powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core Mediatek processor and has 512MB of RAM. The phone sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash and a 2-megapixel front facing camera. It offers 4GB internal storage expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. This phone runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. It features 3G, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity options in addition to FM radio. It has a 2300mAh battery. Both the phones are available on the Maxx Mobile website and come with a free leather cover and screen protector.
Lemon Aspire A1 with 5.3-inch display spotted online for Rs. 14,999
Indian handset maker Lemon Mobiles is all set to launch its Aspire A1 device in the Indian market. Lemon Aspire A1 is already available through online retailers snapdeal.com and Infibeam.com for Rs. 14,999.
Snapdeal.com is offering to ship this smartphone in three business days, while Infibeam.com is promising to ship it within 24 hours. Furthermore, Infibeam.com is also bundling in an 8GB microSD with the purchase of this phablet.
Lemon Aspire A1 comes with a 5.3-inch IPS Display. Much like the Xolo smartphones, Lemon too has adopted the OGS (One Glass Solutions) technology in this phablet. It is powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor along with 1GB of RAM. There is 4GB of internal storage available on the phbalet, which can be further expanded by up to 32GB via microSD card.
For camera, there is an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a 2-megapixel one on the front. Lemon Aspire A1 is a dual-SIM (GSM+GSM) phablet that packs in a 2,500mAh battery and runs on the dated Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS.
Lemon's new offering will be competing with the likes of Spice Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535.
The Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535 sports a 5.3-inch screen that has a qHD resolution (540x960 pixels), and supports HD video recording and playback. For camera, there is a 5-megapixel front camera with wide angle view and an 8-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus. Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535 packs in a 2,550mAh battery.
Stellar Pinnacle Pro Mi 535 is available in the market for Rs. 14,990. It is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor and is a dual-SIM 3G smartphone. The phone features 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory, which is expandable to 32GB via microSD card. It runs Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean).
Zen Ultrafone 701HD with 5.0-inch display, quad-core processor launched for Rs.11,999
Zen Mobile has launched a new series of Android smartphones under the moniker of Ultrafone. The company launched its first phone under the range, the Ultrafone 701HD, which is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor at a price of Rs. 11,999.
The Zen Ultrafone 701HD features a 5.0-inch IPS HD display though the exact resolution is not known. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the latest iteration of Android.
The phone has 1GB RAM and comes with 4GB internal storage that is expandable to 32Gb via microSD card. It sports an 8-megapixel autofocus rear camera with BSI sensor and a 3.2-megapixel front facing camera. The phone's rear camera supports full-HD video recording capability, Panorama Shot, and Burst shot with up to 99 shots on the go. The phone features a 2000mAh battery.
Announcing the launch, Deepesh Gupta, Managing Director Zen Mobile, said, "We at Zen Mobile strive to deliver great technological products, at affordable prices with latest innovations in place. With our Zen Ultrafone 701 HD, we continue with our promise to bring something new to this very competitive segment of smartphone market of our country. As the first product with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS in this segment, it offers the best possible user experience to our customers. Zen Ultrafone 701HD is certainly one of the best innovations from Zen Mobile and reaffirms our business tenet of getting best of technology to the end consumers. We take pride in bringing pioneering technologies to the mobile users of today, which is in line with transforming their constantly evolving mobile experience"
Sony Xperia A waterproof smartphone with quad-core processor announced
The Sony Xperia A smartphone has been officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT Docomo as part of its Summer 2013 collection.
The phone is similar to the Xperia ZR which was announced a few days back and is water and dust resistant with an IP55/ IP58 rating. It runs Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.
The phone has a 4.6-inches HD reality display sporting a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. Powered by a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor, the Xperia A has 2GB of RAM and internal storage of 32GB expandable up to 64GB via microSD card. The Xperia ZR on the other hand offers internal storage of 8GB.
The Xperia A sports a 13-megapixel fast-capture camera with Exmor RS with auto-focus and a VGA front facing camera. It has a dedicated hardware button for the camera, and allows using it even when the screen is locked. The phone also sports an Infrared blaster and comes with NFC functionality. It has a 2300 mAh battery.
The phone will be available starting May 17 in Black, White, Pink and Mint colour variants in Japan.
The phone was first leaked after its pictures were published by the FCC. This was followed by another leak in which posters and brochures of the phone appeared online.
We're not sure if the phone would be available outside Japan as the Xperia ZR has more or less the same hardware, and will be launched globally Q2 2013 onwards.
Xolo X910 now available online for Rs. 9,999
Xolo's new Intel powered phone, the X910 which was spotted on Flipkart has now got a Rs. 9,999 price tag and has also been listed on online retailers Saholic and Snapdeal.
Both Snapdeal and Saholic have mentioned a shipping time of 3 days for our Delhi pin-code, while the phone is out of stock on Flipkart.
The phone had first appeared on Flipkart three days back. According to the phone's listing, the dual-SIM smartphone is powered by a 1.6GHz Intel Atom (Z2460) processor and has a 400MHz graphics processor, along with 1GB of RAM. The phone features a 4.3-inch qHD IPS display sporting a resolution of 540x960 pixels.
However, the X910 runs Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. At a time when other Indian handset makers are shipping their phones with Android 4.1/ 4.2 Jelly Bean, it's disappointing to see the phone to come with an older iteration of the OS.
The Xolo X910 sports a 5-megapixel rear camera with auto-focus and LED flash and a VGA front-facing camera. It comes with internal storage capacity of 4GB expandable up to 32GB via microSD card. The smartphone has a 2000mAh battery.
The Xolo X910 is the fourth Intel powered smartphone from the company after the Xolo X900, Xolo X500 and Xolo X1000. The company had launched the Xolo X1000 in March, which is the company's top of the line Intel phone. It packs in a 2GHz Intel Atom Z2480 processor with PowerVR SGX540 GPU and comes with a 4.7-inch SHARP HD 2.5D edge curved glass display with a resolution of 720X1280 pixels. The phone was launched at a price of Rs. 19,999.
Lava Iris 458q smartphone with quad-core processor launched for Rs.8,999
Indian handset maker Lava has launched a new smartphone, Iris 458q, that's powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, for Rs. 8,999.
The phone is the cheapest quad-core processor phone available in the market at this point in time. However, it has 512MB of RAM so it probably won't be one of the smoothest performing ones.
The Lava 458q features a 4.5-inch screen with a resolution of 480x854 pixels. It runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the latest iteration of the operating system.
The phone sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash and a VGA front facing camera. It offers 4GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card. The phone offers 3G, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 3.0 connectivity options. The Lava 458q has a 2,000mAh battery.
It would be available across all major online and offline retail stores.
Earlier this month, Lava had launched Iris 455 and Iris 405 smartphones. Priced at Rs. 8,699, the Lava Iris 455 sports a 4.5-inch 540x960 pixels capacitive display and runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). It is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor along with 512MB of RAM. The smartphone packs in 4GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by another 32GB via microSD card and connectivity options include 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. The Lava Iris 405 is priced at Rs. 7,499 and comes with a smaller 4-inch 480x800 pixels display. It is also powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor and runs Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
Thursday 23 May 2013
Men’s Sunglasses & Face Shapes Guide
Introduction
I’ll be perfectly honest: I don’t own a vast number of accessories. I’ve got two watches, a couple of scarves, my two bags… and that’s about it. It’s not that I don’t like them – far from it – I’ve just found a very select collection that suits my wardrobe perfectly. I don’t see the point in having a huge collection of accessories because I can’t see myself ever wearing them all, and that seems like a bit of a waste.
The accessories that I do collect are ones that I deem essential. I need my watch so I’m not late, I need my scarf so I don’t freeze and I need my bag because I like to carry things around. Sunglasses fit well and truly into the ‘essential’ category.
Regardless of where you live, sunglasses are a required part of every sartorial man’s wardrobe. We have perennially bad weather here in Britain but it is all too easy to get caught out. If you’re anything like me, squinting (and ultimately getting a headache) because of the sun is one of the most infuriating things you can experience, hence why my sunglasses are stored in my bag all year round.
However, sunglasses are notoriously difficult to get right. From the shape of your face to your hairstyle and even your hair colour, choosing the right frame can be a bit of a minefield. Couple this with the huge number of awful styles that you have to sift through and the whole experience can become particularly frustrating and unrewarding.
So, in preparation for the coming sunny weather (positive thinking and all that) and to help you guys get your heads around what sunglasses you might want to wear, here is a short pocket guide to sunglasses.
A FashionBeans Guide To: Sunglasses
Sunglasses Lookbook Inspiration
Let’s start with some lookbook inspiration to help get those creative juices flowing and give you an idea of the style of frame you want:
Finding Your Face
The shape of your face is one of the biggest factors to consider when searching for your perfect pair of shades, so it’s worth establishing this before you set out.
Take a picture of yourself looking dead straight into the camera and then trace the outline of your face with straight lines. Compare it to one of the examples below and go from there.
However, please remember that this is only a rough guide – it might give you clues as to what should suit you but it isn’t the be all and end all.
Sunglasses-Shop.co.uk
Research and images featured in this article are courtesy of sunglasses-shop.co.uk:
“Sunglasses Shop is now the UK’s largest online retailer of sunglasses. Our customers come for our huge range of products and our top level of customer service. We have trusted and long-standing relationships with the main suppliers in the eyewear industry.”
Stocking every major sunglasses brand you can think of – from Gucci and Prada to Ray-Ban and Ralph Lauren – you are bound to find your perfect pair at a price that won’t be beaten.
Square Face Shape
A strong jaw line and wide cheekbones suit rounded or aviator style frames. For those of you with particularly strong features: the bigger the better. More delicate faces should stick to smaller or medium sized options.
Rectangular shaped frames with softer edges are another good choice but be sure to keep detailing to a minimum to let your natural features shine through.
Round Face Shape
With a rounded face you should be looking to create as much definition as possible. Make your cheeks appear slimmer with frames that are slightly wider than your face – angular styles will help to elongate your temples and lengthen your face.
Find a frame that offers multiple sizes (wayfarers are a prime example) and go for the largest. Avoid mimicking your face shape with round frames and opt for solid acetate styles to create a defined silhouette.
Oblong Face Shapes
To give your face a sense of balance, look for glasses that don’t extend beyond the widest part of your face. Round or square frames will work well here but make sure you go for larger styles to avoid making your features look small.
Aviator styles are a good option as the tear drop silhouette helps to accentuate cheek and jaw bones. Make sure the frames are the right size for your face to avoid looking like you’ve nicked someone else’s.
Diamond Face Shape
The defined chin, wide cheekbones and forehead of a diamond face suit retro, rectangular styles and colour ways down to the ground. Strong colours and detailing will help to soften the bottom half of your face by drawing attention to the eye area.
Rectangular frames will sit neatly on a diamond or heart shaped face by balancing out the pointed chin.
Oval Face Shape
An oval face is considered the holy grail of face shapes. Those of your lucky enough to have these features and proportions should experiment with multiple styles, because an oval face suits almost any frame available.
Larger frames will accentuate your features but avoid styles with arms that hang too low as this will elongate the face.
Sunglasses: Top Tips
- Try before you buy – don’t buy online without doing your research first. There are too many variables to consider and whether or not a style will suit you depends on a great deal more than just knowing your face shape. Go into a shop and test loads of different styles to find what works for you, even if you then go back online to buy your perfect pair for the best price (remember to note the model number).
- Consider your hair colour/skin tone – coloured frames and lenses can be a fantastic way to inject individuality but, as with clothing, certain colours can drain your complexion or clash with your hair colour. Experimenting is the only sure-fire way to ensure you make the right decision.
- Consider your hair style/length – hair covers much of our head, so it’s important to remember that it has the potential to completely change the shape of our face. Long hair can often soften features whilst short hair will leave them completely exposed.
- Don’t take the above as gospel – rules are meant to be broken, so don’t just stick to them blindly. Try different colours, styles and shapes, the advice we give is never anything more than a guide.
- Remember the classics – classic frames are considered as such for a reason. They work and have done for decades so don’t be afraid to try a certain style just because lots of other people are already wearing them. Be aware of brands producing updated/limited edition versions of their iconic styles; there are lots of very similar frames available that are only slightly different, but those small changes can make all the difference.
- Invest – sunglasses are worthy of investment so don’t be afraid to push the boat out. Better lenses, better build quality and a better overall look are certainly worth the extra cost and should last years. Cheap knock-off alternatives don’t look the same, don’t feel the same and won’t have the same protective qualities.
- Sports glasses are for sport – keep your wrap-around Oakleys for the slopes. Enough said.
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