Samsung Galaxy S4 demand 40% higher than Galaxy S III's in UK

The UK retailer Phones4U announced an interesting detail about the consumer interest in the newly unveiled Galaxy S4. Apparently the number of customers who registered their interest in the Samsung latest flagship is 40% higher than the number of those who inquired about the Galaxy S III in the first 48 hours. It seems the retailer has launched its campaign a day before the official announcement as it probably did the last year.

The CCO of Phones4U went on to say "The anticipation surrounding the next Samsung Galaxy has been astounding and it has already received the most pre-registrations at Phones 4U of any other smartphone launch in 2013". He also suggests the Galaxy S4 might turn the "biggest selling smartphone of 2013".

The Galaxy S III did break sales records last year and has already manged to ship 50 million units worldwide. It seems the Galaxy S 4 has the potential to beat those numbers.

Samsung will launch the Galaxy S4 in late April. Meanwhile you can check out first hand impressions of the smartphone right here.

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Nokia announce software updates for Nokia Lumia 920, 820 and 620

Nokia will be releasing a new software update for its Nokia Lumia 920 and Lumia 820 smartphones in the coming days. The update is coming with the version number 1232.5957.1308.00xx and comes with stability and performance improvements.

The update also enhances the display stability during a call along with the improved automatic display brightness adjustment.

Nokia Lumia 620 will also be receiving a software update soon (version 1030.6407.1308.00xx). The refreshed operating system will include the improved touch behaviour and the update also enhances the system stability and camera picture quality (including a corrected camera exposure when the flash is used in bright lighting).

Unfortunately, there is no official confirmation on the roll out schedule, but we expect the new software update to start seeding in the coming days.

Thanks Siyolo, for sending this in!

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European LG Optimus L9 gets the Jelly Bean treatment

LG is rolling out the Jelly Bean update for the Optimus L9 throughout Europe. The update is currently available in the Baltics region, Germany, Spain, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Romania and for the European Open devices.

The LG Optimus L9 mid-ranger was launched back in November last year and already went through our review routine. It features a 4.7-inch qHD IPS display and is based on the TI OMAP 4430 chipset with a dual-core 1GHz Cortex-A9 processor, PowerVR SGX540 GPU and 1GB of RAM. There is a 5MP snapper with 1080p video recording and 4GB of internal storage expandable via a microSD card slot.

The Jelly Bean update comes less than four months after the phone hit the market, which is probably a first for the manufacturer. It's available via OTA or via the LG Update tool and weighs 575MB. It brings Project Butter UI optimizations and Google Now to the Optimus L9.

In case you haven't been notified on the update just yet, you can check the source link for instruction for manual installation.

It's still unclear if the dual-SIM model will be getting the update as well.

Thanks you, Alfas, for sending this in!

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Samsung Electronics appoints two new CEOs, now has three

Two of Samsung's highest ranked executives - the presidents Boo-keun Yoon and J.K. Shin - have now been announced as co-CEOs of Samsung Electronics.

This move stems from acknowledging the three true pillars of Samsung's business and the need for their respective leaders to stand on equally high level in the corporate ladder.

The three co-CEOs (left to right): Oh-Hyun Kwon J.K. Shin Boo-keun Yoon

So far president Boo-keun Yoon took care of Samsung's TV and appliance business, while president J.K. Shin oversaw the operations in the mobile field. These two will continue to manage their respective fields, but will do so as co-CEOs.

The new appointments recognize the strong performance of President Yoon and President Shin. Under President Yoon, Samsungs TV business maintained and solidified its global leadership position after becoming global No. 1 in 2006. Under President Shin, Samsungs mobile business posted significant growth and attained global No.1 position in smartphones in 2011 and in overall mobile phones in 2012.

They are now ranked equally high as the current CEO and vice chairman of Samsung Electronics - Oh-Hyun Kwon. Besides being a CEO, he is also directly in charge of the Device Solutions. That's the Samsung branch, which takes care of component manufacturing - such as memory, chipsets and LEDs. Kwon was himself appointed CEO only eight months ago.

Of course, the head of Samsung Electronics remains Lee Kun-hee, the company's Chairman. He is the son of Samsung Group founder Lee Byung-chull, and his own son - Lee Jae-yong (a.k.a. Jay Y. Lee), a current vice chairman and COO himself - is dubbed as the heir apparent to the chairmanship.

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Samsung Galaxy S4 set to release in the UK on April 26

The latest Galaxy flagship from Samsung, the S4, is set to hit a wide range of UK carriers. O2, EE, Orange, T-Mobile, Three, Vodafone and Tesco Mobile will be selling the devices, as well as a bunch of online retailers including Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U.

While none have confirmed the price as of yet, the all-important day for future Samsung Galaxy S4 owners will be April 26. Preorders from EE, Orange, and T-Mobile will begin on March 28, and the device should be good to go on EE's LTE network the moment you buy it.

Three also promises 4G connectivity for no extra charge, although you'll have to wait a few months before its LTE network goes live.

For more on the Samsung S4, check out our hands-on from yesterday's launch event.

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Galaxy S4 to come with wireless charging in some markets

As it turns out the Samsung Galaxy S4 flagship comes with support for the Qi wireless charging standard. Samsung said nothing about this at yesterday's event in New York, but some observant guys found wirelessly charging Galaxy S4 units at the stands after it.

The charging tables match the Galaxy S4 paintjobs - the base is made of the same glossy plastic as the device, while the top has a rubberized finish to hold the Galaxy S4 securely.

Unfortunately, the support for the feature will depend on your region and your carrier. So you'll have to look carefully if the Galaxy S4 you are about to purchase comes with wireless charging out of box or not.

The good news is the wireless charging will most probably depend on the battery cover, so even if you get a Galaxy S4 without the proper rear cover, you'll probably be able to purchase one separately.

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Watch tonight's Samsung Galaxy S IV announcement live here

Samsung will unveil the Galaxy IV in New York today in less than 12 hours. We already know lots of stuff about the next big thing via those daily leaks, but still it would be nice to see what Samsung has prepared as a launch event.

Thankfully, Samsung will be offering live stream of the press conference, so if you are not on Times Square in New York, you'll still be able to watch the event.

Here is the live stream, there is a countdown too, so you'll know when to come back here.

We'll be attending the event in New York, so you'll be hearing from us soon after it's over with our first hands-on impressions.

Stay tuned!

Dual SIM Samsung Galaxy S IV images surface

There are several leaks of the upcoming flagship from Samsung that have surfaced over the last couple of days, and today, just hours before the launch event for the Galaxy S IV, we see yet another one pop up. This time it is a Dual SIM device, and is by several accounts a prototype, meaning that the final build might not look like the device pictured.

Otherwise, the specs sheet is largely the same as what we suspect will be in the Galaxy S IV:

• Android 4.2
• 4.99 AMOLED/PHOLED display
• Resolution 1080 x 1920
• 13MP camera
• Exynos 5410 1.8GHz Octa-core processor
• PowerVR SGX 544MP3 GPU
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB internal memory
• 2600mAh battery
• 140.1 x 71.8 x 7.7mm
• Weight 138 gram
• Dual-SIM - one of which is likely hot-swappable

According to the source, the dual-SIM model will come with the standard carrier bloatware preinstalled. From a design standpoint, it has a cross-hatched texture rather than the brushed aluminum look of the S III, with a thinner bezel, embossed home button, and redone plastic back cover. The Air View feature is reportedly still buggy, but that's likely due to the prototype build.

This leak brings up an interesting question in regards to the validity of some of the leaks we've come across - is it possible that until now all we've been seeing have been test devices, perhaps even ones purposely leaked by Samsung to keep the real deal under wraps?

Either way, only a few hours left before we all find out what the real deal is - be sure to check back with us for full coverage of tonight's unpacked event!

Source (Chinese) | Via

An alleged official render of Sony Xperia SP leaks

Sony Xperia SP has been wandering rumorland for quite some time. Most recently we heard the phone will be announced at a press event in Moscow on March 18. We even saw some live pictures of the gadget.

Today an official-looking render image is popping on various forums and news sites. It definitely looks similar to those earlier images, so it might be the real thing.

The Sony Xperia SP is reportedly running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T platform with 1.7GHz dual-core Krait processor and Adreno 320 GPU. A 4.6" display of 720p resolution is at the front, while an 8MP snapper with an Exmor RS sensor will head the camera department. The SP is expected to feature 8GB of internal storage expandable via a microSD slot.

We guess we'll know more on March 18.

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HTC One Developer Edition for the US announced, costs $649

HTC has announced a Developer Edition of its upcoming HTC One flagship smartphone. It will be available only stateside and will cost $649.

The HTC One for developers is carrier-unlocked and comes with unlocked bootloader and 64GB of internal storage. It supports quad-band GSM/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), tri-band 3G with HSPA (850/1900/2100 MHz) and tri-band LTE (700/850/1900 MHz).

The rest of the Developer Edition specs are the same as the international HTC One.

Only US citizens will be able to buy the limited Developer Edition at $649. It will become available at the same time as the regular HTC One in the USA.

Source | Via

Sony to hold a press event in Moscow on March 18

Russian tech site Hi-Tech Mail has learned that Sony will hold a press event on March 18 in Moscow. Boosted by the wild success of its Xperia Z flagship, the company is set to announce its refreshed mid-range lineup in the face of the Xperia SP and Xperia L.

Furthermore, the report from the source goes on to list some key specifications for both devices, which are destined to stand between the Xperia Z and ZL and the budget offering Xperia E that was unveiled at the start of the year.

The Xperia SP is reportedly running on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T platform with 1.7GHz dual-core processor and Adreno 320 GPU. A 4.6" display of 720p resolution is at the front, while an 8MP snapper with an Exmor RS sensor will head the camera department.

Sony Xperia SP leaked live photos

The internal storage of the Xperia SP will be limited to 8GB, with Sony including a microSD card slot for additional expansion. The source also points out that the device will sport an LED strip at the bottom, which will notify you for missed and incoming calls, texts or email.

As for the Sony Xperia L, it's allegedly built around a 4.3" screen with a resolution of 854x480 pixels. It packs a dual-core Snapdragon chipset running at 1GHz and Adreno 305 GPU. The phone will feature the same 8MP camera with Exmor RS sensor, 8GB of internal storage and microSD card slot.

The final detail we learned from the report is that the Xperia L will fit a 1,700mAh battery inside its 128.7 x 65 x 9.7mm body.

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Samsung to update the Galaxy S III with better screen and battery

Samsung might be working on a refreshed Galaxy S III edition with a better display, a bigger battery and wireless charging. Reportedly, the new battery capacity will be 2400 mAh - 14% more powerful than the original unit.

There is no info on what "better display" means, while the wireless charging is self-explanatory.

The information comes from Eldar Murtazin, who despite not having the best of rumor records recently, accurately leaked March 14 as the Galaxy S IV announcement date.

If you followed Samsung closely, you'll already know the manufacturer has a tradition of refreshing its old flagships. It has already done this twice with the original Galaxy S (Plus and Advance) and the Galaxy S II (Plus). So, if the Koreans were to refresh the Galaxy S III (which is their most popular smartphone to date), it probably won't raise too many eyebrows.

We guess the updated Galaxy S III announcement will only happen after the Galaxy S IV hype has settled down a bit, though.

Source | Via

AT&T offers refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note II for $0.99

Samsung Galaxy Note II is still one of the most powerful droids and is one of the hot sellers in the market. The second generation phablet currently carries a price tag of $239.99 from Amazon, but a new deal on refurbished devices lets you have it for far less.

If you are planning to lay your hands on the Galaxy Note II and if you feel that the price tag is quite expensive, then AT&T is offering the refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note II for just $0.99. This is one of the best discounts on refurbished products that you can get, so it's certainly worth considering.

As expected, the offer will only be available with a new two year contract. Check out the official listing on the AT&T website for more information on plans and services.

Via

Samsung Galaxy S IV I9502 video surfaces, reveals more secrets

The Samsung Galaxy S III was a master-class in secret keeping by Samsung, but its successor seems much harder to keep under wraps. Yesterday we saw the first live photos of the alleged dual-SIM version of the Galaxy S IV for China Unicom and now we get to see a prototype unit on video.

Given the similarities between the leaked smartphone and the official image that Samsung teased earlier today, it's quite possible that this is, in fact, the real deal. Let's have a look at the video first:

The most important thing to notice is, of course the Samsung Galaxy S IV design, which is pretty similar to that of its predecessor. The back panel seems to be made of a different kind of plastic, though, and the smartphone seems to be slimmer overall (judging by size of the standard 3.5mm audio jack compared to the overall thickness).

A quick screenshot-based calculation points to a thickness of just under 8mm, which is a notable improvement over the 8.6mm of the Galaxy S III, but then again, the resolution of the video is a quite low so take this with a pinch of salt.

The video also shows us a confirmation of the Samsung Galaxy S IV removable back panel, hot-swappable microSD card slot and 2600 mAh battery. The loudspeaker has also been relocated from alongside the camera lens to the bottom left corner of the back panel.

Towards the end we also get a glimpse of the system info screen of the main menu, which shows the Android 4.2.1 platform that the Galaxy S IV will likely be running at launch.

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Samsung teases the Galaxy S IV with a dark and mysterious image

We are just two days away from the official unveiling of the next generation Galaxy S smartphone tentatively called the Galaxy S IV in New York. But it seems Samsung is having a hard time keeping the phone under wraps until then and has decided to give us a sneak peek.

There is not a whole lot to see here. All we have is a dark and mysterious image that shows one corner of the phone. You will notice that the phone looks quite similar to the Galaxy S III, as we have seen from some of the leaked images before, and curiously, lacks an earpiece.

The conclusion we can draw from this is that the Galaxy S IV indeed will look almost identical to the current Galaxy S III or that Samsung is messing with us by providing false information, lulling us into thinking that the new phone looks like the old one while they have something completely new to show at the event.

Considering the lengths that the company went through last year to keep the phone's design a secret, the second possibility does not seem all that implausible.

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Online listings hint at upcoming Xperia SP and Xperia L

Pre-order listings for yet to be announced Sony Xperia SP and Xperia L have appeared on a number of sites online. While Amazon and eBuyer have mere placeholders set up for both the devices, LamdaTek and Irish retailer Micro Aid have put up both the phones for pre-order.

LamdaTek has listed the Xperia SP at 312.98 and the Xperia L at 219.18 with the stock being expected by March 19. Micro Aid, meanwhile, lists the phones at 389.79 and 270.46, respectively, with the stocks arriving on March 12.

Interestingly, we know next to nothing about either of the phones, other than their prices and availability, and usually it's the other way around. Xperia Blog believes the Xperia SP has a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T chipset, 4.55-inch 720p display, 8 megapixel camera, 8GB internal memory with microSD card support and an aluminum body.

Meanwhile, the Xperia L is said to have a 4.3-inch, FWVGA display, 1GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, 8 megapixel camera, 8GB internal memory with microSD card and 1,700mAh battery.

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Galaxy S IV I9502 photos leak, is this the final design?

A bunch of leaked images has surfaced on a Chinese forum, revealing a Samsung Android smartphone with two SIM card slots, a 1080p screen, 2 gigs of RAM, 13 MP camera, an 1.8 GHz clocked processor and Android 4.2.1 on board.

Samsung Galaxy I9502

The smartphone goes by the name of GT-I9502, which suggests it's the dual-SIM version of the Galaxy S IV for China Unicom. If that turns out true this could be the design of Samsung's next flagship device. Also the dotted underlayer of the back panel resembles that of the invite Samsung sent for its upcoming Galaxy S IV announcement, which adds credibility to these leaked images.

Samsung Galaxy I9502

However, given how good Samsung was in keeping the design of its recent flagships, this could also be simply a holster for testing purposes. The practice of using generic prototype shells in order to protect the final design was used by Samsung with both the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Note II. That way when the phone is sent to carriers and other companies the design couldn't be leaked.

Samsung Galaxy I9502

If this turns out to be the Galaxy S IV's final design then Samsung hasn't really changed anything significant about its flagship. On one hand it doesn't seem likely that Samsung is getting tired of it, given that most of its smartphones are now using the glossy plastic nature-inspired design. But on the other hand people seem eager for a change and want something more and Samsung usually listens to the voice of the street.

We're getting closer to the March 14 unveiling of the Galaxy S IV so we don't have to wait that long to find out.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

LG Optimus L5 II hits Brazil, global rollout to follow

LG has just announced the LG Optimus L5 II has started shipping. Brazil will be the first country to get the smartphone with the dual-SIM version debuting first.

Soon after the Brazilian launch, both single and dual-SIM versions of the LG Optimus L5 II will roll out in South and Central America, Europe, Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Africa.

In case you need a refresh, the Optimus L5 II was announced back in February and showcased at the MWC in Barcelona. It features a 4.0-inch WVGA IPS display, a 5MP snapper and is powered by a single-core 1GHz MTK processor. LG supplied the Optimus L5 II with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean for extra smooth user experience.

While there is no official information on the retail price, the Optimus L5 II is supposed to retail for about 180.

Neo N003 will be the cheapest handset with 1080p display

The Chinese market exclusive Neo N003 will be the most affordable Android smartphone featuring a 5" 1080p display. The handset's retail price will start at only 899 yuan ($145; 112) when it hits the shelves in the near future.

The Neo 003 will undercut the previous affordability champion toting a 1080p display, the iOcean X7 Youth by 100 yuan. The latter is also available only on the Chinese market.

The specifications of the Neo N003 include quad-core MediaTek MT6589 silicon, 13MP camera, and a 3000mAh battery to power the full HD display. A higher end version of the smartphone, priced at 1,499 yuan ($242; 186) will also be available. There are however, no details available about it at the moment.

Source | Via

Lenovo S920 and S820 pictured in the wild, allegedly quad-core

Two upcoming Lenovo handsets have been caught in the wild. The first, more interesting offering is the S920, which is said to use a 5.3" screen upfront with slim bezels on each side. The resolution is said to be 720p, not 1080p, thus pointing at a more affordable price tag.

The remaining specs in the list are possible dual-SIM capabilities and a quad-core MediaTek MT6589 chip. The battery is said to be a 2250 mAh unit, while the OS on-board should be Android 4.2 Jelly Bean.

Lenovo S920

The S920 is rumored as a China-exclusive handset and pricing or availability info is still unavailable.

The Lenovo S820 could well be an HTC One X clone if it wasn't for its more colorful body finish. It's said to be powered by a MediaTek MT6589 quad-core chipset tucked into a unibody design. Other than that there is no further information on the device.

Lenovo S820

Source (in Chinese) | Via