Huawei P9 review

Three months on since the Huawei P9 launched, I’ve been using the handset as my main phone day in and day out. It’s meant I’ve gotten a real feel for the good and bad parts of Huawei’s current flagship smartphone.

The camera is still the best part of the package, even if Huawei has been caught being rather misleading in just how good it is. I’ve taken photos that have rivalled the best handsets out there. I haven’t used the monochrome-only mode as often once the novelty wore off, but the added contrast and punch is certainly still welcome. I’ve also rarely ever had the patience to use the Pro shooting modes, but the regular Auto setting has served me well enough.

While the P9 survived Alastair’s initial drop test, it didn’t fare quite so favourably for me when dropped onto the hard tile surface of a swimming pool changing room. A chip across the chamfered bottom corner now acts as a reminder of my clumsiness. Aside from the cosmetic damage, the P9 was otherwise fine.

I’ve noticed some performance degradation over the past few months. Apps can be noticeably slower to load than when the P9 was fresh out of its box, which can be frustrating. Worse is when it happens with the Camera app as it’s resulted in some missed opportunities.

Huawei’s slightly intrusive power firewall also hasn’t seemed to help with performance issues nor with battery performance, either. I’m a heavy WhatsApp user throughout the day, as well as checking in on what’s happening with Twitter and Instagram probably more often than I should. I also stream music on Spotify during my commute. Under that usage scenario the P9 still does get me to the evening but it can cut it very fine.

Huawei’s EMUI Android customisation is still one of the phone’s biggest weaknesses, as such I’ve been using the Google Now launcher in its place. Even with an alternative launcher, you still can’t escape some of the more niggling aspects of Huawei’s UI, such as the notification pane and lockscreen. You get used to many of the P9’s oddities over time, but it’s still not ideal.

Three months on, the P9 remains Huawei’s best phone to date. It’s still a generally lovely smartphone and a good candidate for those not wanting to stretch to the higher flagship prices, but it is unfortunately still hampered by shoddy software.

Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra

Asus Zenfone 3 Ultra  
Price: Rs. 49,999

Specs
Display Size: 6.8-inch
Screen resolution: 1980 x 1080p
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 652
RAM: 4GB
Internal Storage: 64GB
MicroSD support: Yes
Rear camera: 23MP
Front Camera: 8MP
Battery: 4600mAh
OS: Android 6.0.1

ZENPHONE 3 DELUX

Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) smartphone was launched in May 2016. The phone comes with a 5.70-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels

The Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) is powered by quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and it comes with 6GB of RAM. The phone packs 64GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 246GB via a microSD card. As far as the cameras are concerned, the Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) packs a 23-megapixel primary camera on the rear and a 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.

The Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) runs Android and is powered by a 3000mAh non removable battery.

The Asus ZenFone 3 Deluxe (ZS570KL) is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, FM, 3G, 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Ambient light sensor, Accelerometer, and Gyroscope.

About Asus

ASUSTeK Computer Inc., known as ASUS, is a Taiwanese multinational computer hardware and electronics company was founded in 1989 in Taiwan. ASUS is one of the world's largest computer hardware companies. Its products include desktops, PC peripherals, laptops, smartphones, tablets and hybrid devices. The company has made Android phones powered by Intel and Qualcomm SoCs.

HTC One M9 'Hima'

HTC One M9 'Hima' release date, price, specs rumours UK: HTC Hima to be 7mm octa-core beast with Sense 7.0

The HTC One M8 is a great smartphone but this is where we gather together all the latest news and rumours about the HTC One M9 release date, price, specs. This is the HTC One Hima release date rumours page. See also: (The best smartphones: The best phones you can buy in 2014 and 2015.)

We love the HTC One M8: a splendid smartphone with great and stylish build. And now we are getting excited about the next great thing. We know almost nothing about the HTC One M9, but this is the page on which we will collate information and rumour as it comes in. The rumours are strong with this one: welcome to our HTC One M9 'HTC Hima' release date, price, specs page. Read also: Samsung Galaxy S6 release date, features and specs rumours.

HTC One M9 name: it's the 'HTC Hima'

@upleaks has reported that HTC will no longer be using its confusing M codenames. It says that rather than the M9, the next flagship HTC phone will now be known as 'Hima'. Whether that means HTC Hima or HTC One Hima we couldn't yet say.

HTC One M9 / HTC Hima release date

HTC has settled into a nice pattern of launching its flagship phone in the Spring, in the weeks after the MWC show. (It made no show at January's CES 2015.) In 2015 MWC takes place in the first week of March, and we expect the HTC One M9 to launch in March of 2015. Availability in the UK is likely to follow a couple of weeks later. (See also: 34 best Android smartphones in UK: What's the best Android phone you can buy in 2014?)

And expect a Windows version of the HTC One M9 to launch in the middle of next year, Microsoft fans. Also see: Best Windows phones 2014/2015.

HTC One M9 / HTC Hima price

Again HTC has been consistent in its pricing of its top end HTC One smartphones. The original HTC One M7 went on sale for around £500 before settling back to £450. Fast-forward to the HTC One M8 and the original SRP was £550, although you can now get it much cheaper if you shop around.

Components get cheaper over time, but inflation goes up, and the cost of shipping and R&D needs to be met. Let's face it: HTC needs to make a decent wedge from each handset. The next-gen HTC Hima will have flagship specs, so expect it to retail for something between £500 and £600. But also expect the price to drop back after launch. (See also: 8 cheapest 4G smartphones in the UK 2014: Best budget 4G phones.)

HTC One M9 / HTC Hima specs

Again we are reliant upon a leak from the usually spot on @upleaks, as reported around the web. The HTC Hima is rumored to pack a 5in 1080p Super LCD3 display and Snapdragon 810 chip.The latter offers an octa-core processor with 4 Cortex-A57 cores at 2.0GHz and 4 Cortex-A53 cores at 1.5GHz, Adreno 430 GPU and 3GB of RAM. Expect 16-, 32- and 64GB storage options.

We're also told that it will be extremely slim: just 7mm for an octocore smartphone with a large HD display. (See also: What's the fastest smartphone 2014: processor, graphics, web performance comparison.)

Rumour has it there will be a 13Mp front- and 20.7Mp rear camera on the new HTC One. The phone will be capable of 4K (UHD) video recording, too.

The battery is expected to offer 2840mAh capacity, while the HTC One M9/HTC Hima will run Android 5.0 Lollipop with the new HTC Sense 7.0.

More details from upleaks suggest the HTC One M9 will measure 144.3x69.4x9.56mm and be availablein Dark Gunmetal, Silver/Gold, Gold and Dark Gunmetal/Gold. 9.56mm is pretty chunky for a flagship smartphone, so we're more convinced by the 7mm rumour.

Official accessories for the HTC One M9 include: Active Headset, DotView, DecoStand Case, Clear Case, Active Case and Premium Screen Protector.

HTC One M9 design / HTC Hima concept images

We know little about the HTC One M9's design, but there have been some interesting concept images, including the one below:

Galaxy Note 5

Galaxy Note 5 release date, price and specs rumour round-up: 6-inch, 4k AMOLED display for Galaxy Note 5

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was recently launched to near universal acclaim, but no sooner had Samsung's latest phablet hit the market than we started hearing the first whispers about the next Galaxy Note. The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 will launch in the Autumn of 2015, with a 6in, 4K AMOLED display, octacore processor and ultra-high megapixel camera. In this article we trawl through the rumours on the web to bring you the best Galaxy Note 5 rumours. (See also: 13 best phablets of 2014 UK: What's the best large-screen smartphone?)

Galaxy Note 5: release date

Samsung is in the habit of launching a new Galaxy Note smartphone just before IFA each year in Berlin. This gets its most important handset out just in time for the Christmas rush, with the nice additional benefit of trumping whatever Apple launches a week or so later. Next year's IFA kicks off on September 4 2015, so our money is on a September 3 2015 launch for the Galaxy Note 5. (See also: The UK's 44 best Android smartphones of 2014.)

Galaxy Note 5: specs

It is a point of honour for Samsung that its flagship Galaxy Note has an unsurpassed spec when it launches. So expect fireworks.

Plenty of Samsung watching sites, including Gizbot and Valuewalk.com, are suggesting an octacore Snapdragon 810 chipset, paired with 4GB RAM. This is probably little mmore than guesswork, but it's also a pretty good guess. GSMarena is reporting rumours that suggest the Galaxy Note 5 may be powered by an Exynos 7420 chipset, which would have four Cortex-A57 cores and four Cortex-A53.

Valuewalk is also reporting that the camera in the Galaxy Note 5 could be as powerful as 21-megapixels in resolution, although we have read 18Mp elsewhere. Again, Valuewalk suggests a 6Mp front-facing camera, and other sites are reporting 5Mp selfies. Regardless, the word on the street seems to be a huge sensor for the main camera, and a surprisingly powerful front-facing camera. Expect to be able to capture full HD video.

There are lots of rumours about storage options, suggesting a range of SKUs from 16GB up to 128GB. Personally I'd take this with a pinch of salt. I'd expect one mode, with 32GB onboard storage, and an SD card slot allowing the addition of at least another 128GB. But that is just my guess.

I've read rumours suggesting a 4000 mAh battery battery cell, and ultra-battery saver mode. Expect nothing less. And will it be Android L or Android M? It all depends on Google's release schedule. The Note  5 will definitely get an upgrade to M, however. (See also: 46 best smartphones of 2014 UK.)

Galaxy Note 5: 6in, 4k AMOLED display

The word on the street, which originated with GSMArena, is that Samsung will include in the Galaxy Note 5 its first 4K AMOLED display. Strictly speaking a 5.9in AMOLED with a - frankly ridiculous - pixel density of 743ppi. This would equate to a native resolution of 2160×3840 pixels, and would likely make your eyes bleed with all that detail on a colourful AMOLED screen. Would certainly capture the imagination, however.

Galaxy Note 5 other rumours

According to Note5US.com, expect front-facing speakers and an aluminium chassis. Stay tuned to this page: we will bring you all the Galaxy Note 5 facts and rumours as they emerge. (See also: What's the fastest smartphone 2014?)

Galaxy Note 5: price

The original Galaxy Note cost £599 inc VAT when it launched. The Galaxy Note 2 cost £550 inc VAT when it launched. Both the Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy Note 4 cost £599 inc VAT when they were released. So, guess what: expect the Galaxy Note 5 to cost somewhere between £550 inc VAT and £599 inc VAT when it launches. There, I said it. See also: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 vs Note 4.

OnePlus Two

OnePlus Two UK release date, price and specs rumours: OnePlus Two confirmed for June 2015, plus separate model in the works

OnePlus Two UK release date

Carl Pei, the 25-year-old co-founder of OnePlus, told our sister title PC World that we can expect to see the OnePlus Two in about six months, giving it a June 2015 release date. However, as we have seen with the OnePlus One, supply and demand will likely be something of a problem - even now it's not possible to simply go to the site and purchase the phone, and still you require an invitation (Also see: How to buy the OnePlus One without an invitation). Although the company is now much larger and has learned from its experiences with its first smartphone, Pei said it will be cautious not to overproduce.

Pei also confirmed that there would not be a OnePlus One tablet, but the company is working on a second model - we reckon it'll be a OnePlus Mini.

OnePlus Two UK price

As with all Chinese smartphones on the market, with the OnePlus Two you can expect a premium phone with a mid-range price. We expect the price to fall in line with the OnePlus One, which costs around £229 for the 16GB model, and certainly no more than £300. We'll update this article as more information becomes available.

OnePlus Two specs rumours

Nothing has yet been confirmed about the OnePlus Two's spec. However, Pei said we will be surprised: Rather than taking on 2015 flagship's in terms of spec, it will do so in design. Could OnePlus be about to produce the first truly affordable Quad HD smartphone? Or will it have a unibody metal chassis? We can't wait to find out and will update this article with rumours as they arise.

It's probably fair to say the spec will not be any less of that of the OnePlus One, although rather than matching the spec of the Samsung Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z4 we might be looking at something a little less powerful but just as pretty.

Samsung galaxy s6

Samsung galaxy s6





Two Samsung Galaxy S6 designs are in the works, one half metal and one with a unibody metal chassis, but what else do we know about the Samsung Galaxy S6? We round up everything there is to know about the Samsung Galaxy S6 'Project Zero' smartphone, including UK release date, specs, rumours and concept images.

Although there is nothing official from Samsung yet (don't expect anything for a while), there is plenty to say about the release date of the Galaxy S6. For starters it's extremely likely to arrive at MWC 2015 (2 March).

Samsung, like other hardware manufacturers has got into a rhythm of launching a new flagship smartphone once per year. Just as the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and iPhone 6 were expected to launch in September and did so, we (along with many others) expect the Galaxy S6 to launch close to MWC.

The Korean tech giant has launched previous Galaxy S phones near to the Barcelona show; in fact, the Galaxy S5 was announced in the Spanish city at MWC 2014. MWC 2015 is scheduled for 2 March so we fully expect the Galaxy S6 to be unveiled close to this date at an Unpacked event.

There is the odd murmur that Samsung will bring it forward due to disappointing Galaxy S5 sales, and that it might appear at CES 2015. But while Samsung was alleged to be showing the S6 behind closed doors, there was no mention of the next Galaxy flagship in its CES press conference.

Samsung Galaxy S6: Specs

Plenty of whispers are circulating the rumour mill on what specs and features the Samsung Galaxy S6 will offer. Some sound farfetched; others are more likely. Now a detailed leak bySamMobile reveals what Samsung is planning for the Galaxy S6 so read on. The specs revealed by the site are backed up by a screenshot from the AnTuTu benchmark app. Read:LG G4 release date, price and specs rumours.

Screen

It seems perfectly plausible that the Galaxy S6 will use a SuperAMOLED screen, Samsung's favoured display technology. As for size, the trend is for new models to have bigger displays so with the Galaxy S5 at 5.1in, the Galaxy S6 could be as large as 5.5in, matching the LG G3 or somewhere in between.

Speaking of the LG G3, there are two main contenders for the Galaxy S6 screen resolution: Quad HD (1440 x 2560) matching LG's flagship smartphone or 4K (2160 x 3840). The former seems more likely to us, now that Samsung has introduced it in the Galaxy Note 4, but full-HD is certainly not out of the question. SamMobile touts it will be Quad HD but doesn't know what size.

There are rumours of a flexible or curved display which Samsung has been developing and we've seen on the Galaxy Round, and yet more rumours that there will be a version of the S6 with a curved edge, just like the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. Whether the firm utilises this on the flagship Galaxy S6 is unclear. It's possible but from our point of view, unlikely.

Design and build

The Samsung Galaxy S5 got slammed in reviews (including ours) for its plastic build quality and this is something which should be improved when it comes to the Galaxy S6. Rumours suggest the firm could be using graphene as a material. More likely, however, is that Samsung will continue the metal design used by its Galaxy Alpha in the Galaxy S6.