Xiaomi may launch next Android One Smartphone

The Chinese Smartphone brand Xiaomi appears to be planning new strategy for markets like India. The company is reportedly teaming up with Google in India to launch the company's next Android One Smartphone.

Google launched its Android One phones first time in the year 2014. The aim is to bring pure Android UI and timely updates to budget Smartphones in the developing markets. The OS debuted in India later that year with Smartphones made by some local manufacturers such as Micromax, Spice and Karbonn. It later expanded to Nepal, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh and other such countries.

Xiaomi has so far not teamed up with Google for Android One Smartphones before. But now things seem to be changing. A report coming from the Krispitech website says that the Xiaomi Smartphone with stock Android UI will be taking its cues from the existing Mi 5X Smartphone in terms of design. It may be called as the Xiaomi A1 or Xiaomi Tissot. Also speculated is that the device could boast of a mid-range Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. The document adds the dual-SIM supporting Smartphone to boast a 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display.

Mind you, there is no confirmation from Xiaomi about the Smartphone's existence. Google too has not yet given any such hints.

Both Xiaomi and Google, for now, seem focussed in launching a new Smartphone in India and unveil Android O.

Intex launches Cloud Jewel Smartphone

Indian Smartphone maker Intex has expanded its product portfolio with the launch of Cloud Jewel. The company has priced the device at Rs 5,999 and it is be exclusively available on Snapdeal.

The Intex Cloud Jewel features a 5-inch HD Display with 1280x720 pixels resolution. The handset comes with Dual SIM functionality and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system. Powering the handset is a quad-core MediaTek processor paired with 2GB of RAM. The internal storage of the device accounts to 16GB which can be expanded further up to 32GB via microSD card.

The Smartphone flaunts an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front facing snapper for clicking selfies. On the connectivity front, the handset offers 4G, LTE, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and houses a 2,500 mAh battery.

Lenovo A3900: Budget Smartphone

Lenovo has announced a budget Smartphone named A3900.

The new low-cost Smartphone has been priced at approximately $80, and thus should be positioned below the company's A6000 model in its India portfolio.

Lenovo A3900 sports a 5-inch display 480x854p resolution and runs on the 1.2GHz quad-core Mediatek MT6752 processor, backed by 512MB RAM. 

The Smartphone has Android 4.4-based Vibe UI and comes with 4GB internal storage, with microSD card support for storage expansion.

The new A3900 Smartphone comes with a 5MP camera on the back, whereas the front camera has 2MP resolution. Despite its low price tag, the Smartphone supports 4G networks, along with 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and microUSB.

The battery capacity of Lenovo A3900 is 2,300mAh.

Among the chief competitors of Lenovo A3900 in India will be the new Micromax Canvas Spark and Microsoft Lumia 430.

Micromax launches Canvas Spark

Micromax has launched a new entry-level Android Smartphone, Canvas Spark at Rs 4,999. The phone offers features that rival Motorola's Moto E which costs Rs 6,999.

The Canvas Spark will be available starting April 29 exclusively on online marketplace Snapdeal in white gold and grey silver color variants.

The phone sports a 4.7-inch qHD (960x540p) IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Powered by a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6582 processor and 1GB RAM, the Canvas Spark has 8GB internal storage expandable via microSD card slot. The phone packs in a 2,000mAh battery.

The Smartphone has an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front camera.

It comes preloaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest version of Google's mobile operating system. However Micromax has skinned some elements of the UI. The phone comes preloaded with apps such as PayTM, Snapdeal, Reverie Phonebook, NewsHunt, Quikr, Hotter, Chaatz and Clean Master, among others.

In terms of connectivity, the dual-SIM Smartphone supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G and GPS.

HTC launches One M9

HTC has launched its new flagship phone, One (M9), at its Utopia in Progress event on the sidelines of Mobile World Congress 2015 in Barcelona.

One (M9) features the same design as its predecessors except that the display panel has thinner bezels and the metal body is now two-tone with the edges featuring a different colour tone.

HTC One (M9) sports a 5-inch Super LCD3 full-HD display (1920x1080p). Powered by a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 MSM8994 64-bit octa-core processor and 3GB RAM, the phone offers 32GB storage and a micro-SD card slot that supports cards of up to 128GB storage.

The phone sports a 20MP rear camera (BSI, sapphire glass lens) and a 4MP UltraPixel front camera with super-wide angle lens. HTC One (M9) runs Android 5.0 Lollipop with Sense UI 7 running on top.

In line with previous rumours, the Sense 7 UI skin is not very different from its current avatar but now offers the ability to customize the UI theme with a source image and has a location-aware menu that changes app shortcuts depending on the user's location.

It also lets users select theme packs for app icons and the BlinkFeed home screen also offers meal time suggestions. There's also a new photo editor.

In terms of connectivity options, the One (M9) supports Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, GLONASS, GPS, micro-USB, 3G, and 4G LTE.

It has a 2840mAh battery and HTC's BoomSound audio will now be powered by Dolby Audio Surround. The One (M9) will be available starting mid-March in Asia and India in silver, gunmetal grey pink and gold colours.

Fly Mobiles launches budget Android Phones

UK-based mobile device maker Fly Mobiles has re-launched in India by introducing three new budget Smartphones- Qik+, Wik and Snap. The devices will be available exclusively on online marketplace Snapdeal.

The Fly Qik+ will be available at Rs 6,999, the Wik at Rs 5,999 while the Snap phone will be available at Rs 2,999. Although the three phones run Android 4.4 KitKat, Fly can be upgraded to Lollipop (Android 5.0).

Fly Qik+ sports a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) IPS OGS display. Powered by a 1.7 GHz MediaTek octa-core processor and 1GB RAM, the phone comes with 8GB internal storage expandable up to 32GB via micro-SD card. The phone sports a 13MP rear camera with flash and a 5MP front-facing camera on board.