Panasonic to Stop Making Smartphones for NTT DoCoMo
From this Winter, Panasonic will no longer be supplying smartphones to NTT DoCoMo, or at least that’s what Reuters is reporting. Citing heavier discounts on Samsung and Sony devices with the network, Panasonic are looking to cut their losses and move away from NTT DoCoMo. With such a crowded line-up in Japan, we’re not surprised that they’ve decided to bow out.
New Nexus 7 Up for Pre-Order in Australia
The new Nexus 7 is a pretty great tablet and it’s also launching internationally like the original version did. The device is coming to Australia with prices starting at AUD$299. It’s available for pre-order now from PLE Computers, and is apparently coming sometime “late August”.
Huawei G525 and MediaPad 7 Youth 3G Launch in Taiwan
China might well be Huawei’s primary market but, neighboring Taiwain is important, too. To that end they’re releasing the G25 that features the following specs:
- 4.5-inch display with 960 x 540 pixel resolution
- 1.2GHz Snapdragon S4 quad-core processor
- 1GB RAM
- 4GB ROM with MicroSD slot
- 5MP main camera with VGA front camera
- dual-SIM mode
- WiFi, Bluetooth, A-GPS
- 1,700mAh battery
As well as this, they’re launching a new tablet, the MediaPad 7 Youth 3G that’s not as good but, might still interest a number of you. Here are the specs:
- 7-inch 1024 x 600 display
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB ROM
- 1.6GHz dual-core processor
- 3MP main camera with VGA secondary camera
- Bluetooth, WiFi, A-GPS
- 4,100mAh battery.
Both devices are launching with the price tag of TW$7,900 and available through Chungwa Telecom on a range of contracts as well.
Xiaomi Tablet in the Works; Could Launch Later This Year
There’s been rumors of a tablet coming from Xiaomi for some time now and it looks like there’s no end in sight to them. There was recently a leaked table that we thought was the Xiaomi tablet but, it was in fact an Onda tablet. The device from Xiaomi is not a high-priority product for them but, it is on their list of things to do. Not just that but, they’re looking to do something a little different and launch the device with something like a 7.8-inch display. Running on the MIUI ROM, could such a tablet compete?
ASUS T004 Gets Approved in Taiwan; Improved Padfone Infinity
In Taiwan, a device from ASUS with the model of T004 has been approved. With the Padfone Infinity carrying the number T003, it stands to reason that this is a direct follow-up to the Infinity. Furthermore, a device with the codename A86 was recently benchmarked in AnTuTu using a quad-core Snapdragon 800 at 2.2 Ghz. It looks like ASUS is looking to refresh their Padfone line once more, this time focusing on the internals rather than anything else.
ChangHong’s Z9 to Ship With 5,000 mAh Battery
These days, our smartphones never have power in them to last the day. So, it seems like ChangHong has the answer with their Z9 smartphone with a 5,000 mAh Battery. As well as the massive battery it’s sporting a 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 display, a 1.2 Ghz Quad-Core MediaTek CPU, 1GB of RAM and it even has Android 4.2 onboard. This is clearly a device for those that care about battery life more than anything but, it is going with the trend of larger smartphones as well. With a battery size like that, you could quite easily go a few days without having to charge it, especially when the MediaTek CPU is built on the more power-efficient Cortex A7 design.
Micromax A34 Launches in India
If you’re looking to pickup a small and affordable smartphone in India, then the Micromax is probably going to be the best device for you. Coming it at just 3.95-inches and costing RS. 4,399. What do you get for that low price? Well, take a look below:
- 3.95-inch (320 x 480 Pixels) capacitive touch screen display
- 1 GHz processor
- Dual SIM (GSM + GSM) with Dual Standby
- Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread) OS
- 2MP rear camera with LED flash
- 3.5mm audio jack
- 2G (EDGE),Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, micro USB
- 256MB RAM, 165MB internal memory, 32GB expandable memory with microSD
- 1350 mAh battery with up to 4 hours talk time, up to 120h standby
Huawei Ascend P1 Now Available for Pre-Order in India
The Ascend P1 is not of the best devices that Huawei has ever produced but, it’s a decent offering to say the least. At RS 12,999 it’s not too cheap but, it might be just what you’re looking for. Take a look at the specs below:
- 4.3-inch (960 — 540 pixels) qHD Super AMOLED display
- 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
- Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) OS
- 8MP rear camera with dual LED Flash
- 1.3MP front-facing camera
- 7.69 mm thick and weighs 110 grams
- 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio
- 1GB RAM, 4 GB internal memory, expandable up to 64GB with microSD
- 3G HSPA+, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, Bluetooth v 3.0, GPS
- 1,670mAh battery