Samsung Galaxy S6 to get Android Oreo

Samsung is pushing the beta version of its Oreo update to Galaxy S8 users, and has already confirmed that the Galaxy S7 will get the update too. Now we learn that the 2015 flagshipSamsung Galaxy S6 will also get to taste Google’s latest sweets. Reddit user CyberConCoder got confirmation from four different Samsung representatives, and while support centers aren’t the most accurate source for such intel the sheer number makes it very likely that it’s correct.

Screenshots of the chats with Samsung reps Screenshots of the chats with Samsung reps

On the screenshots, we see all three reps are consistent with their information. They say Samsung will push an Oreo update, but prefer not to mention when since the ETA of the upgrade is still unknown. One of the Samsung employees even said his supervisor confirmed the information.Supporting a three generations old phone is something that Android makers rarely do, but hopefully we’ll see a change in that trend. via gsmarena.com

Sony Xperia XZ Premium gets Android 8.0 Oreo update

Sony has started its Android 8.0 rollout for the Xperia XZ Premium today. Those with the device should see the notification pop up on their displays.
In addition to Oreo-specific features, Sony has also added some new features to the device. One of these is the 3D Creator that was introduced with the Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact, which lets you 3D scan faces and objects and then share it or 3D print it.
There’s also Predictive Capture, which automatically detects a smile on the subject(s) and then starts capturing frames even before you hit the shutter and lets you choose and save the best moment. Read all here

Huawei Mate 10 Pro and Porsche Design unveiled with 6″ 18:9 AMOLED screens

The Huawei Mate 10 Pro brings the best that tech giant has to offer with the new Leica dual camera and the new AI engine are front and center. Alongside it comes the Porsche Design edition, which builds on the solid hardware with an even more premium exterior. The Huawei Mate 10 Pro has a 6” AMOLED panel with a wider 18:9 ratio. The resolution raises an eyebrow, however. This year’s Pro has FHD+ resolution (that’s 1,080 x 2,160px and 402ppi), last year’s model had QHD (1440 x 2560px, 534ppi). Anyway, the screen hugs the sides of the phone closely – what Huawei calls the “barely-there-bezel”. Also, it support HDR10 and cover 112% of the NTSC color space for a superior viewing experience. Read all here:

Xiaomi Mi A1 review

With the Xiaomi Mi 5X confined to the domestic Chinese market soon after launch, its double, the Mi A1, is called upon to boost the brand’s global presence. Steered by Google, Android One is full of potential. Xiaomi’s looking keen on getting its message across a wider audience and, of course, making some profit in the process with the Mi A1.
Android One started as an initiative for the emerging markets, making decent smartphone experience widely-available on entry-level and budget-friendly handsets. It has now outgrown its initial target and is ready to confidently step into mature markets with phones like the Xiaomi Mi A1. The Chinese maker benefits from this sort of partnership too, celebrating the first Mi ever that’s officially available across Europe. Read all here:

Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL go official

Google Pixel 2 XL: Just Black Google Pixel 2 XL: Just Black  Google Pixel 2 XL: Black & White

“We’ll begin with the more premium device – the Google Pixel 2 XL . The LG V30 influences are clearly visible in the 18:9 P-OLED screen. Its bezels are a bit thicker since they’ve been loaded with stereo speakers. The screen measures 6” and it is taller but not wider than the screen of the original XL. The resolution is 1,440 x 2,880px (538ppi) and there’s a circular polarizer for improved sunlight legibility. Always On Display is enabled too(Oreo brought native support). The screen is tucked under a protective pane of Gorilla Glass 5 with beveled edges (3D Arc Glass). There’s glass on the back as well, the rest of the body is built out of aluminum. The basic water resistance was bumped up to IP67. The Pixels stick with single cameras on the front and back. The main camera now has OIS to aid its 12MP sensor and next gen image processing. The selfie cam seem unchanged with its 8MP sensor and f/2.4 aperture.” Read all here:

Huawei silently launches the Nova 2i

“The phone might look familiar from images – this is actually the international version of the Huawei Maimang 6 that got announced last week.
Huawei Nova 2i has a Kirin 659 chipset with octa-core CPU. The RAM is 4 GB, while internal memory is 64 GB. The screen is with 18:9 ratio but Huawei is silent about the resolution. The front panel sports minuscular bezels that are not left empty – below is the Huawei logo, while on the top two cameras can be seen. They are in 13 MP + 2 MP setup for additional effects of snapped selfies.” Read more here:

Xiaomi Mi 5X review

“The Xiaomi Mi 5X was touted as the first smartphone to get the new MIUI 9 right out of the box and we think it makes a decent headline. Is it the key feature though? Well, if we were to decide, we would’ve focused on the camera instead.
But you know, near-flagship-camera-for-less-money isn’t exactly the blurb that will earn the marketing department’s money. Plus, it’s not the exact same dual-camera setup as the flagship Mi 6. It’s pretty close though and it’s cheap. The Xiaomi Mi 5X costs about the same as a Redmi Note 4, whose Snapdragon 625 chipset it’s using.” Read all here:

Dual-screen Yota3 is official with a sharper E Ink screen

“Well, the wait is finally over. After a teaser back in June, the third-gen dual-screen YotaPhone — now simply dubbed Yota3 — was unveiled in China yesterday. Pretty much all the main specs are identical to the leak Engadget received earlier, but this was our first time seeing this rounded metallic design. First and foremost, there’s a 5.5-inch 1080p Samsung AMOLED screen along with a 13-megapixel f/2.2 camera plus a fingerprint reader on the front. Flip the device around and you’ll see its headlining feature: a 5.2-inch 720p E Ink Carta II display — an expected upgrade from the previous 4.7-inch 960 x 540 screen — accompanied by three capacitive navigation buttons at the bottom. ” Read all here:

Samsung Galaxy Note8 review

“Samsung is playing it safe with the feature set too. There are no mind-blowing innovations in the Note8. The phablet is predictably sized and equipped, sporting a familiar, if slightly tweaked design. Even the dual-camera setup is by no means revolutionary. On the contrary, perhaps it’s even slightly overdue.” Read all here: