Week 2 in review: Xiaomi devices, Samsung Galaxy S7 rumors

Xiaomi undoubtedly takes the cake this week with a pair of intriguing new devices. Both the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and the Redmi Note 3 are spectacular offers, mainly for their excellent value. With a 5" display, Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP camera among other things, the former is priced at an almost unbelievable RMB 699 (around $105 at current exchange rates).

The Redmi Note 3 ups the game quite a bit, providing a 5.5-inch FullHD display, up to 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 650 (former 618) chip. The device is not entirely new, but it does come with a more powerful SoC, integrated X8 LTE with Cat 7 speeds and support for VoLTE and also sells for the spectacularly affordable $151 for the base model.

To finish off Xiaomi's presence in the news this week, there are a number of new rumors, including images and a full set of specs now available for the company's upcoming flagship – the Xiaomi Mi 5. It is shaping up to be a true high-end offer with a 5.2-inch QHD display, 4GB of RAM and running on Qualcomm's latest beastly chip – the Snapdragon 820. Speaking of major device rumors, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is getting ever closer to a release and people are still busy figuring out all of the versions it will come in and their respective release dates. Last we heard, it’s a fifty, fifty affair between having a total of three or four versions.

Lenovo also had a strong week in the mobile realm. It announced the Lemon 3 – an interesting mid-ranger with a 5.0-inch FullHD display, Snapdragon 616 SoC, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP main camera, which looks to be directly aimed at the Xiaomi Redmi 3 and even bears the same price tag of RMB 699 (around $105) in China. Then there is the Lenovo A7000, which was launched in India with high hopes to build on the whopping success of its predecessor and the K4 Note, which was spotted at retailers in Saudi Arabia. Speaking of which, new rumors suggest that a K5 Note is already on the way.

In other news, thy mystery around the alleged resurrection of a 4" iPhone is slowly unraveling. And the Nokia brand is getting more frequent mentions in the news section as well, this time with a new leak that hints at a flying return to the smartphone realm for the company in 2016.

Xiaomi Redmi 3 announced with Snapdragon 616 SoC, 4,100mAh battery

Priced at RMB 699 (around $105 at current exchange rates), the device will go on sale in China starting tomorrow.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 with Snapdragon 650 announced

1.8GHz hexa-core CPU, Adreno 510 GPU, integrated X8 LTE with Cat 7 speeds and support for VoLTE.

Lenovo Lemon 3 launched with SD616 SoC, 1080p display

The device carries a price tag of RMB 699 (around $105) in China.

Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge and S7 edge+ to launch simultaneously

A leaked promo image mentions them in the same breath. No S7+ though.

All-metal Nokia smartphone leaks in photo, could be one of three 2016 models

This might be our first glimpse of a new wave of Nokia smartphones, said to come this year.

Xiaomi Mi 5 shows up on retailer's website, complete with specs

The page listed the upcoming flagship's specs, but not the price.

Nokia 230 24K-gold-plating costs more than the phone, still worth it

Vietnamese luxury specialists Karalux will do the job for you for $67.

Xiaomi Mi 5 is said to arrive in two different versions

According to a new rumor out of China, the upcoming flagship will get two designs.

All 2016 Moto devices will have fingerprint scanners, Lenovo exec says

Additionally, there will be no Moto-branded handsets with screens smaller than 5 inches.

Lenovo K4 Note already available for purchase in Saudi Arabia

The device was unveiled just a few days ago in India, and is yet to go on sale there.

Snapdragon 820-powered Galaxy S7 passes through AnTuTu

Only a screenshot of the specs display is available, no score, but it confirms the specs we have so far.

iPhone 6s miles ahead of 2015 competition in Antutu's latest report

Apple's smartphone scores upwards of 132K points in v6.0 of the popular benchmark, number two result is 92K.

iPhone 5e now said to be the name of the next 4-inch Apple device

According to a new rumor out of China, it won't be called iPhone 6c, nor iPhone 7c, as previously thought.

New alleged Mi 5 images (black variant) leak online

The images were posted on Weibo but have since been taken down.

LG G5 said to feature a modular design for sliding out its battery

A new rumor suggests that the upcoming flagship will have a detachable bottom part.

Xiaomi releases Redmi 3 camera samples

Last week, Xiaomi took the wraps off its latest Redmi 3 smartphone in China. For roughly $100, the phone offers excellent value on paper, so it's understandable if you want to see more of this phone.

Samsung Galaxy S7 rendered again, supposedly closest to the real deal

Artist Jermaine Smit updates his drawings to reflect the latest leaks.

Samsung quietly launches Galaxy J1 2016 edition in Dubai

The budget handset was spotted in a number of major electronic chains in the country.

New Lenovo passes through TENAA, might be the K5 Note

The mysterious handset has an almost uncanny resemblance to some recent Meizu and Xiaomi devices.

Lenovo launches A7000 Turbo in India

Identical to the K3 Note except for the name and the price.

Infographic details the Samsung Exynos 8890 chipset that will be in the Galaxy S7

Samsung is very proud of the latest mobile chipset it's created. And to prove this to the world, the Korean company has just released an infographic that's all about the recently unveiled Exynos 8890....