Mobile Phone News

Nokia camera phone appears in leaked images

Nokia-EOS
Nokia EOS

Nokia is holding a launch event on the 11th of July at which it is expected to unveil a new device tentatively called the EOS.

However, some images published by PocketNow and apparently originating in China, show what could well be this high end handset a little under a month before its official unveiling.

The EOS is set to be Nokia’s next major camera phone release, featuring a 41 megapixel sensor, which will put it on a par with the 808 Pureview, also from Nokia.

To put that in perspective, the Samsung Galaxy S4 has just 13 megapixels of image resolution available via its built-in sensor, which means the EOS will be well ahead of its closest rivals.

The leaked images also show that the new Nokia phone will feature an aluminium chassis which is similar to that of the Lumia 925.

It looks very thin and stylish, although with such a big camera sensor onboard, it is no surprise to see that this protrudes from the rear a little.

The launch event is taking place in New York and the world’s media will be in attendance, to see what Nokia has up its sleeve.

Symbian bites the dust

symbian-logo
Symbian

Nokia’s Symbian mobile operating system has long been lingering on death row, although it has made a few surprise appearances in new devices to keep the flame of its existence alive.

At one point, Symbian was the world’s most popular smartphone operating system, long before iOS or Android made their first appearances.

However, it ended up becoming a bit of a millstone for Nokia, since it did not stack up against these modern rivals and so the Finnish manufacturer was eventually forced to adopt Windows Phone as its platform of choice.

AllThingsD reports that Nokia has now finally signed off on Symbian’s ultimate destruction, with no new devices being built and the final stockpiles of mobiles running this platform are to be sold off in emerging markets.

The result of this is that Windows Phone will be the only smartphone OS used by Nokia and so it is effectively putting all of its eggs in one basket.

This is not necessarily a bad thing since Microsoft’s platform has been well received and models like the Lumia 925 are showing that Nokia is definitely able to compete with its closest rivals on a level playing field going forwards.

Release and pricing for BlackBerry Q5 emerge

BlackBerry Q5
BlackBerry Q5

BlackBerry will be putting its Q5 smartphone on sale in the UK from July 15th, with a SIM-free asking price of around  350 attached to it, according to Unlocked-Mobiles.

The Q5 is positioned as an affordable alternative to the range-topping Z10 and Q10, although observers have pointed out that the price tag reported this week does seem to be quite steep, particularly if BlackBerry wants to assure mainstream success for this handset.

With a 1.2GHz dual core processor and a 3.1 inch HD display, the Q5 is just as powerful and well equipped as the Q10, albeit with slightly cheaper materials used in its construction.

It also features a full physical QWERTY keypad for those who like BlackBerry’s traditional design, rather than the touchscreen-only approach of the Z10.

The BB 10 operating system is at the heart of the Q5′s user experience, offering something a little different than the usual iOS, Android or Windows Phone options.

With a little over a month to go until the Q5 makes its British debut, hopefully there will be some affordable subsidised contracts, to help it gain momentum and put BlackBerry back on the map with its bigger rivals.

Galaxy S4 Zoom image surfaces

galaxy-s4-zoom
Galaxy S4 Zoom

Samsung‘s unrelenting release schedule is showing no signs of slowing down, with a new leaked picture purporting to showcase a device known as the Galaxy S4 Zoom.

SamMobile published the image, which shows a chunky handset that has all the workings of a standalone digital camera built into it.

The handset it thought to feature a dual core 1.6GHz processor and a 4.3 inch touchscreen display, as well as having all the innards necessary to make phone calls.

But with a 16 megapixel sensor and a true optical zoom lens, this handset will easily outclass its mobile rivals in terms of photographic capabilities, even if it does seem that this approach has required the sacrifice of chassis slenderness.

Last year Samsung launched the Galaxy Camera and it is believed that the Galaxy S4 Zoom is to be its follow-up. Since the Galaxy Camera could not make calls, this device could be an intriguing hybrid.

Samsung will be holding a major launch event for a variety of handsets in London on June 20th, so the Galaxy S4 Zoom could be amongst the new devices to make a first appearance later this month in the heart of the capital.

Galaxy S4 Active confirmed for summer UK release

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
Samsung Galaxy S4 Active

The Galaxy S4 has proven itself to be a popular smartphone since its release earlier in the year, but a new version is set to go on sale at some point in the next couple of months, to give UK buyers an alternative to the original flagship device.

TechRadar reports that an official Samsung statement has confirmed the impending arrival of the Galaxy S4 Active, which is effectively identical to the standard S4, apart from the fact that it is designed to be far more durable.

That means you get a quad core 1.9GHz processor, 2GB of RAM, a five inch 1080p Super AMOLED screen and the latest version of Android, all wrapped up in a chassis that is resistant to water and dust.

You should be able to drop the Galaxy S4 Active in a glass of water without it suddenly becoming a very expensive paper weight. The phone will also be able to take underwater snaps, although the 13 megapixel camera of the standard S4 has been replaced with an eight megapixel unit here, which means it is not quite as capable in the photography department.

Samsung is holding an event in London later this month, during which the Galaxy S4 Active will be shown in more detail.