Week 27 in review: Samsung, vivo and Asus announce new phones

Chip, 09 July 2017

We don't usually get a lot of phone announcements around this time of the year as manufacturers focus all their effort on their Fall launches, but this week was actually pretty busy. Samsung, vivo and Asus all unveiled new hardware and while not exactly flagship grade, it's a welcome distraction from the usual rumor marathon.

The Galaxy J5 Pro is a variant of the J5 (2017) with more RAM and storage, while the Zenfone 4 Max is a dual-cam mid-ranger, which is still a fairly rare sight.

The vivo X9s and X9s Plus are the most exciting with dual front-facing cameras, metal bodies and capable Snapdragon 65x chipsets.

Camera maker RED made a surprising entrance in the smartphone race with its $1,200 Hydrogen One modular phone with holographic display. It's going to be a while before that one comes to the market, though.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 5 scored 87 points at the DxO test, a couple of Xiaomi handsets got their specs leaked ahead of the official launches, while KGI published a bunch of interesting predictions on the upcoming iPhone lineup.

Samsung's new Galaxy J5 Pro is Galaxy J5 (2017) with better RAM and storage

Samsung's new Galaxy J5 Pro is Galaxy J5 (2017) with better RAM and storage

The device, which has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, has been launched in Thailand.


Leak details Redmi Note 5: Snapdragon 630/660 chipset, 3,790mAh battery

Leak details Redmi Note 5: Snapdragon 630/660 chipset, 3,790mAh battery

The chipset will be paired with up to 4GB of RAM, the battery with QuickCharge 3.0.


Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 benchmark listing confirms Snapdragon 835 SoC, 6GB RAM

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 benchmark listing confirms Snapdragon 835 SoC, 6GB RAM

The leak also reveals Android Nougat 7.1.1 OS.


Nokia and Xiaomi sign a collaboration agreement

Nokia and Xiaomi sign a collaboration agreement

The two companies will license each other’s patents and will exchange knowledge on Internet of Things.


Asus Zenfone 4 Max unveiled with 5,000mAh battery and a dual camera

Asus Zenfone 4 Max unveiled with 5,000mAh battery and a dual camera

It comes with two chipset options - Snapdragon 430 (octa-core) and Snapdragon 425 (quad-core).


Watch this vivo on-screen fingerprint demo

Watch this vivo on-screen fingerprint demo

The video shows vivo’s on-display fingerprint scanner in an extended hands-on. This one is actually in HD.


vivo X9s and X9s Plus become official with dual front cameras

vivo X9s and X9s Plus become official with dual front cameras

The phones are powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 652 and 653, respectively.


Samsung details the future of ISOCELL dual cameras

Samsung details the future of ISOCELL dual cameras

The will be the most versatile of the four ISOCELL product lines.


Hydrogen One is a $1,200 smartphone that's modular and features holographic display

Hydrogen One is a $1,200 smartphone that's modular and features holographic display

High-end professional camera maker Red is entering the smartphone market with this device.


The OnePlus 5 scores 87 on DxOMark

The OnePlus 5 scores 87 on DxOMark

The OnePlus’ camera performed among the likes of the Moto Z Force, Huawei P10, and Xperia XZ.


Samsung Galaxy Note8 screen protector reveals the display's curves

Samsung Galaxy Note8 screen protector reveals the display's curves

A newly leaked image purports to show us a screen protector made for the upcoming phablet.


Moto X4 press renders leak alongside specs, expect dual rear cameras and IP68 certification

Moto X4 press renders leak alongside specs, expect dual rear cameras and IP68 certification

The mid-range handset will be powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 630 chipset.


Nokia Android with dual-lens Zeiss camera is coming this year

Nokia Android with dual-lens Zeiss camera is coming this year

HMD Global and Zeiss signed a partnership to bring the camera brand back to smartphones.


Galaxy Note8 camera setup photographed, leaked cases reveal a headphone jack

Galaxy Note8 camera setup photographed, leaked cases reveal a headphone jack

The Galaxy Note8’s camera glass was allegedly spotted and a photo was taken. In other news, a leaked case reveals the Note8’s headphone jack isn’t going anywhere.


LG releases official product video for the G6+

LG releases official product video for the G6+

Shows off the two new colors, Marine Blue and Terra Gold.


Nokia 6 becomes first to get July security update

Nokia 6 becomes first to get July security update

Weighing in at around 150MB, the update is currently hitting units in Taiwan and Hong Kong.


KGI's 10 iPhone predictions: slimmest bezels ever on the OLED model

KGI's 10 iPhone predictions: slimmest bezels ever on the OLED model

No fingerprint reader, replaced instead by a 3D-sensing selfie camera. The iPhone 7s and 7s will undergo curious changes as well.


Huawei launches Honor 8 Pro in India

Huawei launches Honor 8 Pro in India

Will square up against the OnePlus 5 on Amazon.


LG Q6 will be unveiled on July 11

LG Q6 will be unveiled on July 11

The company has started sending press invites for an event in Poland on that date.


Huawei Mate 10 to come in October with edge-to-edge screen

Huawei Mate 10 to come in October with edge-to-edge screen

The Huawei Mate 10 will have a taller 18:9 screen, Kirin 970 chip.


The OnePlus 5 scores 87 on DxOMark

The OnePlus 5 scores 87 on DxOMark

The OnePlus’ camera performed among the likes of the Moto Z Force, Huawei P10, and Xperia XZ.


Nokia 3310 gets new retail box with see-through cover

Nokia 3310 gets new retail box with see-through cover

The device is now visible, while the accessories are below in the box.


Sony Xperia 4K video record time: how long can you shoot before the phone has to stop

Sony Xperia 4K video record time: how long can you shoot before the phone has to stop

4K video capture causes some phones to overheat - this video shows how Xperias of several generations perform.


Get a Samsung Galaxy S8 for $499.99

Get a Samsung Galaxy S8 for $499.99

The deal comes via BestBuy.



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Yeah it was another interesting week.

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