Phone Launch Roundup

September 4, 2014/Prior Staff Writers

won’t be immediately available for the prepaid market. However, most will slide to prepaid in a couple of months so it will give you something to look forward to!

Samsung Phones

[caption id="attachment_7050" align="aligncenter" width="300"] CNet image[/caption] Samsung has continued their very successful Galaxy line with two new phones: The Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy Note Edge. They’re basically the same phone, but on the Edge (shown above), the screen is actually wrapped around one side. It looks pretty cool and is also customizable to show various apps and other info. Here are the specs for both phones, since they’re pretty much the same device as far as hardware: Galaxy Note 4 & Galaxy Note Edge:
  • Android KitKat 4.4
  • 5.7 inch screen (Quad HD Super AMOLED)
  • 2.7 GHz quad-core processor
  • 3 GB RAM
  • 32 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 16 MP back camera
  • 3.7 MP front camera
  • 3,220 mAh battery
  • heart rate sensor, compass, barometer, gesture, UV sensors, etc

Sony Phones

[caption id="attachment_7055" align="aligncenter" width="241"] Sony Xperia Z3[/caption] Sony launched a new flagship line, the Xperia Z3 family, which features two phones (Z3 and Z3 Compact) and a tablet (Z3 Tablet). They also introduced the Xperia E3 for the midrange market which has some stepped-down specs, a plastic body and a smaller price to go with it. Sony said that T-Mobile will sell the Z3 later this year, but no word on who has claimed the other devices. The Z3 and Z3 Compact have the exact same hardware with the exception of a smaller screen and slightly less internal memory in the Compact. Here are the specs for both phones: Xperia Z3 & Z3 Compact:
  • Android KitKat 4.4
  • Z3: 5.2 inch screen Compact: 4.6 inch screen
  • 2.5 GHz quad-core processor
  • Z3: 3 GB RAM Compact: 2 GB RAM
  • Z3: 16 or 32 GB memory Compact: 16 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 20.7 MP back camera
  • 2.2 MP front camera
  • 3,100 mAh battery (non-removable)
  • Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, etc
Xperia E3
  • Android Jellybean 4.1
  • 3.5 inch screen
  • 1 GHz Qualcomm processor
  • 512 MB RAM
  • 4 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 3.5 MP back camera
  • 1530 mAh battery

HTC Phone

[caption id="attachment_7056" align="aligncenter" width="300"] HTC Desire 820[/caption] HTC has announced the Desire 820, a follow up to the 816 released earlier this year. Designed as a mid-range smartphone, it comes in several colors (shown above). I haven’t seen any listings of who is going to offer this phone, but the phone itself is pretty good for a mid-range device. Here are the specs: HTC Desire 820:
  • Android Kitkat 4.4
  • 5.5 inch screen
  • 1.5 GHz and 1.0 GHz octacore CPUs
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 16GB memory
  • microSDTM slot
  • 13 MP back camera
  • 8 MP front camera
  • 2,600 mAh battery
  • Bluetooth, DLMA, HTC ConnectTM

Nokia Phones

[caption id="attachment_7057" align="aligncenter" width="300"]Nokia Lumia 830 Nokia Lumia 830[/caption] Nokia has released two additional Lumia phones this month, the Lumia 830 and the 735. Both phones are pretty similar to other Lumia phones as far as hardware; nothing really out of the ordinary here. The 830 is marketed as an ‘affordable flagship’ while the 735 is being called the ‘selfie phone’ with a number of photography-centric features and a great front camera. Nokia Lumia 830
  • Windows 8.1.1 (with “Denim” update pre-installed)
  • 5 inch screen
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core processor
  • 1 RAM
  • 16 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 10 MP back camera
  • 0.9 MP front camera
  • 2,200 mAh battery
  • wireless charging
Nokia Lumia 735
  • Windows 8.1.1 (with “Denim” update pre-installed)
  • 4.7 inch screen
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 8 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 6.7 MP back camera
  • 5 MP front camera
  • 2,220 mAh battery
  • wireless charging
  • lots of camera features like face detection, white balance, geotagging, scenes, night mode, etc

Huawei Phones

[caption id="attachment_7059" align="aligncenter" width="223"] Huawei Ascend Mate 7[/caption] Huawei announced two new phones and an updated to a third phone. First, the Ascend P7 Sapphire Edition has been released. This update to the Ascend P7 has similar features to is predecessor but features sapphire glass and a metallic rose gold frame. As far as new phones, Huawei has also released the Ascend Mate 7, a very classy-looking smartphone with a fingerprint sensor on the back, a ‘negative liquid crystal display’ and very small screen bezels. The overall specs aren’t anything to be shy about either. Clearly, Huawei is upping their game. Check out the hardware: Huawei Ascend Mate 7
  • Android KitKat 4.4
  • 6 inch screen
  • 1.8 GHz and 1.3 GHz octa-core processor
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 16 or 32 GB memory
  • SD card slot
  • 13 MP back camera
  • 5 MP front camera
  • 4,100 mAh battery
  • wireless charging
  • plenty of camera features like face detection
Huawei Ascend G7
  • Android KitKat 4.4
  • 5.5 inch screen
  • 1.2 GHz quad-core processor
  • 2 GB RAM
  • 16 GB memory
  • microSD slot
  • 13 MP back camera
  • 5 MP front camera
  • 3,000 mAh battery

Coming Soon!

And, of course, adding to this lineup–and probably working to outshine them all–the iPhone 6 is expected to be formally announced next week. There are plenty of rumors circling the web about what exactly users should expect, and if you’re an iPhone lover, then you should definitely look into getting it. I have read rumors of several other phones slated for release in the next few weeks as well. I’ll keep you updated as these phones become available. So, which phone are you looking forward to most?]]>

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