Google's Nexus 5X and the Nexus 6P were announced after much speculation during an event in San Francisco at the end of September 2015.
The Nexus 5X is a 5.2-inch smartphone with a metal frame and a exchangeable polycarbonate rear, while the Nexus 6P is a 5.7-inch handset with a full metal body. Both feature rear fingerprint sensors and they both come with USB Type-C for faster charging and data transfer.
They are good looking devices but sadly, phones aren't brilliant at surviving knocks and drops so if you want to keep your new Nexus looking its best, it's a good idea to get yourself a case to ensure it is as protected as it can be.
If you're planning to get your hands on either the Nexus 5X or the Nexus 6P, or you already have one of them, you've come to the right place.
We have rounded up some of the best Nexus 5X and Nexus
6P cases we have come across so far so you can make sure your new Google
handset is protected. We will be updating this feature as more catch
our eye so keep checking back if none of these tickle your fancy.
It's not often we see an Acer phone - as most of them don't end up in
the UK - but the just-announced Acer Zest Plus has got one really big
thing going for it: a massive 5,000mAh battery capacity.
That's more capacious than even the likes of the Huawei Mate 8's 4,000mAh.
Expect a day and a half of use from that beast, so this Acer could
potentially power through to two full days' use. There's also fast
charging for quick top-ups.
Thing is, at 9.75mm thick, the Zest Plus isn't exactly dinky in order
to hold the battery within. Nor is it the most exciting or
well-specified phone on the planet, with only an "HD" resolution
5.5-inch screen packed into its 154 x 77mm body.
It does go all-out on the camera front,
though, with a tri-focus approach to autofocus. There's laser focusing,
phase-detection AF and contrast-detection AF all working together for
the 13-megapixel rear camera.
It feels like a solid wedge in the hand, similar to some of the budget Motorola handsets as near examples. No snazzy fingerprint scanner or top-tier features to be found here, though, unlike the upcoming (rumoured) Moto G 2016.
We suspect that's all by the by, though, as we doubt the Zest Plus
will ever show face in the UK. So battery fiends, you may just have to
keep wishing.
Microsoft has post its third-quarter fiscal results for 2016, and one thing is clear: its phone business isn't doing so hot.
The company made $3.8 billion in net income on $20.5 billion in
revenue, both of which are down year-over year. Speaking of things going
down, Microsoft only sold 2.3 million Lumia
devices in the period that ended on 30 March. That's a whopping 73 per
cent drop from 8.6 million in the same period last year. For comparison,
Apple sold 13 million iPhone 6Ss its opening weekend.
Microsoft's mobile revenue therefore fell by as much as 46 per cent
Still, the company saw growth from Surfaces. The segment grew by $1.1
billion during the quarter, up 61 per cent year-over-year. Microsoft attributed this growth to Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book sales, but of course it neglected to provide firm numbers for how many tablets and computers it sold in the last three months.
Windows OEM revenue dropped 2 per cent, outperforming the remainder of the PC market.
Microsoft
said it was able to outperform the PC market because of a "higher
consumer premium device mix". It also saw some growth in the cloud
department. Office commercial and cloud services like Office 365 spiked 7 per cent this quarter, while consumer versions of Office went up 6 per cent.
Microsoft now has 22.2 million Office 365 consumer subscriptions. As for server products and cloud services, Microsoft said revenue increased 5 per cent. Azure revenue increased by 120 per cent.
Lenovo-owned Zuk has unveiled a follow-up to the Z1: the Z2 Pro phone.
It has a 5.2-inch 1080p Super Amoled display, runs the top-of-the-line Snapdragon 820 processor, includes a whopping 6GB of RAM,
and offers 128GB of storage. It also has a 13-megapixel rear snapper
with optical image stabilised, as well as a 3100mAh battery, and it
plugs in using USB-C with USB 3.1 support. In other words... this is most definitely a flagship device.
It's also a fun device, as it features a built-in heartbeat sensor, UV sensor, fingerprint reader,
and altimeter. But that's not the coolest part. Zuk has claimed that
the phone syncs with Apple's iCloud, making it easier for iPhone
users to jump ship and try Android. It'll be interesting to see how
Apple responds to this syncing capability however, and whether it'll
kibosh it.
Zuk
Zuk has managed to keep the price down too, as it will put the phone
up for pre-order on 22 April in China for 2,699 yuan ($416/£290).
There's also a trimmed down version that'll be available in May. It
comes with 4GB of RAM as well as 64GB of internal storage.
Oh, and the phone runs Zuk's Android-based ZUI 2.0 We wish the phone had NFC too, because then it would be almost perf.
There's been a jump in leaks and rumours surrounding the next Moto handset, thought to be a fourth-generation Moto G or a potential Moto X, as the company looks to update its offering.
Motorola's mobile arm is now owned and run by Lenovo, and a possible timeframe for the launch of the next Moto handset could have been revealed at the launch of the Lenovo Zuk Z2.
According to reports, Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing said that Motorola
would be unveiling a new device on 9 June, but didn't confirm any other
details except that it would be "exciting". This chimes with previous reports from January stating that future releases for the Moto brand would be "more innovative, more attractive".
Fortunately we've seen a flurry of rumours pertaining both to the Moto G and the Moto X, which potentially fit the bill. There's talk of two Moto G devices - one carrying the Plus name suggesting a larger display - perhaps with one offering a fingerprint scanner and one not. The Moto X has also been rumoured, again with a fingerprint scanner in place.
Moto X has been the Motorola flagship for a number of years and it's here we expect to see the excitement; the Moto G is the affordable darling, better known for it's aggressive pricing, rather than excitement.
With Samsung, LG, HTC, Huawei and others refreshing their devices for 2016, it looks like Motorola might be joining the party in June.
Motorola announced a flurry of new smartphones in 2015, including the fifth generation of Moto G and three models of the Moto X. Yes, not one but three, plus a special edition one.
The Moto X Play and the Moto X Style graced us with their presence at the end of July 2015, while the Moto X Force appeared a little later in October. Despite only a few months passing since the Force however, rumours for a new Moto X have already started.
We have rounded up all the rumours and speculation surrounding the 2016 model of the Moto X,
or at least one of, that we have heard so far. As usual, we will be
updating this feature as we hear more, but for now, here is everything
you need to know about Motorola's, or technically now Lenovo's, Moto X (2016).
Motorola Moto X (2016): Release date
Unlike Apple or Samsung, Motorola doesn't really follow a strict release pattern. The original Moto X arrived in August, the 2014 model in September and as we mentioned, the 2015 models were announced in July.
Based on these previous dates, it would be reasonable to suggest the 2016 model of the Moto X
might appear in the summer, probably July or August time again. None of
the predecessors were announced at trade shows, despite IFA being fairly
close, so chances are Motorola will stick to the strategy of a separate event. Slashgear reported in January 2016 that Lenovo's CEO Yang Yuanqing revealed a "more innovative, more attractive" Moto smartphone would be coming in a few months. Although like us, Slashgear believes a few months actually meant July time.
Yuanqing also recently announced a new Motorola smartphone would be
launching on 9 June but he didn't clarify which one this might be. There
have also been rumours floating around about a new Motorola Moto G so 9 June is a date to keep an eye on but don't pin all your hopes on it being the new Moto X.
Whenever the Moto X (2016) does arrive however, it won't be carrying Motorola's name, just Moto, with Lenovo branding instead.
Motorola Moto X (2016): Design
As we said previously, 2015 introduced three Moto X models and currently, many of the rumours are pointing towards one model for 2016. A leaked image on Chinese website Wapvnet suggests there will be a Moto X with a full metal unibody.
The image apparently came from an anonymous source so it is worth
taking with a pinch of salt but with many of Motorola's competitors
opting for metal, it isn't a completely unreasonable suggestion. If
true, we hope the new model is thinner than the current Moto X models or it would be a chunky and probably pretty heavy handset if made from metal.
The device in the image features a raised larger rear camera lens
in the centre of the device, which could suggest a thinner handset. A
handset can only be as slim as its largest component so perhaps Motorola has raised the rear camera lens to allow for this. The signature Motorola
"M" sits below the camera lens but it isn't indented like other models
have been and there are also what is presumably speaker holes at the
bottom of the device, split into two sections.
It is also worth bearing in mind that the leaked image from Wapvnet, if accurate, may only represent one Moto X model released in 2016 - perhaps the top-end model. With three released in 2015, it might be that Motorola
is also planning a cheaper option too which maybe won't come with a
metal build as a metal build would undoubtedly lead to a higher price
point, something which the Moto X has previously tried to avoid.
A report by Android and Me
presents a couple of leaked images, which it suggests could show what
the next Moto devices could look like. There appears to be a metal
device in three colours in one image, while the other shows a curved
handset that looks similar in terms of design to the current Moto X models. Whether this will mean one metal Moto X
device in a series of colours as well as a plastic version is unknown,
as the images could easily refer to the Moto G too, or none of the Moto
handsets at all.
There has also been a leaked image from HelloMotoHK that appears to show what could be the next Moto X
in the wild (shown below). The image is blurry but from what we can make
out, it looks as though a metal build is present, certainly a frame at
least, supporting other reports. There also appears to be a fingerprint
sensor at the bottom and what looks like USB Type-C but the quality of the picture is too distorted to tell for sure.
Chen Xudong, senior vice president of the Lenovo Group and president of the company's China and APAC regions told Tech Sina
there would be less smartphones released in 2016. He also apparently
said Motorola's products would be focusing on the high end, while
Lenovo's Vibe range would take the low-end. If true, this would support
the idea of a metal build, but it would also suggest there may only be
one Moto X arriving and the price could increase. Xudong also told Tech Sina all smartphones released by Motorola this year would have a fingerprint scanner.
HelloMotoHK
Motorola Moto X (2016): Display
There are currently no rumours indicating what display size or resolution the Motorola Moto X (2016) might appear with. The Force has a 5.4-inch display with a Quad HD resolution, the Play has a 5.5-inch Full HD display and the Style has a larger 5.7-inch screen with a Quad HD resolution.
If Motorola opts for just one model for 2016, we would have thought it will come with a Quad HD resolution and sit around the 5.5-inch mark, especially if a metal body is on the cards. Xudong told Tech Sina no Motorola smartphone released in 2016 will be smaller than 5-inches.
Whether the ShatterShield display from the Force will make an
appearance in 2016 remains to be seen but we wouldn't be surprised to
see more than one Moto X in 2016 with different sizes, technologies and resolutions available, even if not as many models as 2015.
Motorola Moto X (2016): Camera
Aside from the image leak on Wapvnet, not much has been said in terms of the Moto X (2016) camera. If the device in the image is even close to accurate, it suggests Motorola will be changing things up in the new model's camera department.
The rear lens in the image is much larger and more prominent than previous Moto X
models, suggesting a different sensor. It is also raised above the rest
of the shell in the image as we mentioned, which is what Apple does on
its iPhone 6 and iPhone 6S. Whether this is for design purposes or camera purposes is not yet clear.
It's all a guessing game at the moment but Motorola put a lot of
emphasis on the camera with all three of the 2015 models so we'd expect
that to continue. All three come with a 21-megapixel rear snapper and a
5-megapixel front camera so we would expect the same if not higher
resolutions for the new device.
Motorola Moto X (2016): Hardware
The Motorola Moto X (2016) is expected to arrive with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset but it has also been rumoured to be coming with a heatpipe.
Chinese site Techweb allegedly attained an image of the inside of the new Moto X from an internal source. It shows a heatpipe
in the form of a metal L-shape that could allow heat to be dissipated
away from hot components, such as the CPU. This is something that has
been used in PCs in the past to prevent certain components from
overheating.
Should Motorola go down this path for the new Moto X, it could
suggest it is planning to offer overclocking options that would allow
the chip to run beyond its intended power output levels. Take it with a
pinch of salt for now though as the image isn't exactly crystal clear
and it could be anything.
The 2015 models of Moto X offer between 2GB and 3GB of RAM, as well as between 32GB and 64GB internal storage, all with microSD support. We would expect the new Moto X to come with at least 3GB of RAM and microSD support. With Android Marshmallow, users can combine internal storage and microSD storage into one so it doesn't matter too much which internal storage options are offered if microSD is available.
Battery-wise, the Force has the largest at 3760mAh, with the Play
following closely behind at 3630mAh and the Style a little further
behind with 3000mAh. The Play has been praised for its battery life so
we would hope so see a similar capacity in the new Moto X.
Motorola Moto X (2016): Software
Motorola has always offered a close to vanilla Android experience
when it comes to software. Unlike its competitors, it opts not to add an
entire skin over the top of Android and instead adds just a couple of
extra apps here and there.
Granted, these apps have slowly increased with the release of each
new generation of devices but they are easy to hide away, providing an
experience that is as close to pure Android as you can get without
buying a Nexus.
The Moto X (2016) will more than likely stick to this tradition so expect Android Marshmallow with a couple of extra apps. Xudong told Tech Sina that Lenovo and Motorola would merge the Vibe UI and the Moto UI to create a new one in 2017. If true, which we hope isn't the case, it could mean the 2016 model of the Moto X is the last to offer an almost stock Android experience.
Motorola Moto X (2016): Conclusion
As there are currently only a few rumours floating about for the Motorola Moto X (2016), we are mainly running on guesswork at the moment.
Nothing is certain but we wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of new Moto X models appear towards the middle of 2016, one of which potentially offering a metal build.
We'd expect improvements in most areas as this tends to be the way so a faster processor, more RAM, microSD
support, a larger battery capacity and the latest software would all be
reasonable predictions. We'd also expect the camera to be a big
consideration as it was in 2015.
Honor, the Huawei sub-brand, looks set to unleash a new flagship
smartphone after plenty of specs have leaked including the Huawei P9's
dual-camera system.
The Honor V8, in two forms, has appeared on a Tenaa listing where
plenty of specs were given away. Honor is a brand that offers affordable
handsets with decent specs, or mid-range in the case of the 5X. In the case of the Honor V8 variants it looks like we can expect some impressive hardware.
The top-end Honor V8 is listed with a 5.7-inch QHD display covered in
2.5D glass and measuring 7.7mm thin. This should come with a 2.5GHz
octa-core Kirin 955 backed by 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage plus microSD
expansion. It is also listed with a 12-megapixel dual camera, laser
autofocus and dual tone flash like that found on the Huawei P9. It
should also feature an 8-megapixel selfie snapper, run Android 6.0 Marshmallow and be powered by a 3400mAh battery.
The more affordable variant of the Honor V8 has the same sized
5.7-inch display and looks physically identical but runs at 1080p
resolution. Also it's powered by the lower-end Kirin 950 CPU and
features 32GB of RAM. All the other specs, including 4GB of RAM and dual camera, are identical.
The Honor V8 smartphones are expected to be unveiled on 10 May. The
Honor 7 was priced at £250 so perhaps we can hope for a similar price
for the latest V8 smartphone.
