The summer is in full swing and the Android rumors are definitely heating up. While this weeks rumor mill was largely shooting out product names we've heard before, the finer details suggest big announcements around the corner. Here's the updated 411 on the Droid series, Moto X, and LG's next smartphone.
The ballyhooed Moto X could arrive as soon as August 23, according to a leaked Verizon roadmap. Things are certainly heating up around the device; Google's Eric Schmidt wasrecently spied using the phone in public.
After months of rumors and wild speculation, the Moto X project could ultimately result in a smartphone with midrange specifications. Details leaked from frequent tipster @evleaks tell of a device with a 1.7GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8960 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, a 720p HD OLED display, 16GB internal storage, and a 10-megapixel rear camera. While certainly nothing to laugh at, it's certainly underpowered when compared to today's top Androids.Google plans to spend around $500 million to market the Moto X, reports the Wall Street Journal. Alleged to be light on bloatware, the phone will be centered around user-defined preferences and custom designs.
Google's own Eric Schmidt can't keep his hands off of the Moto X.
(Credit: Getty Images)
Motorola, for its part, has confirmed a few details of the rumored Moto X project. Speaking at the D: All Things Digital conference, CEO Dennis Woodside roadmapped the products in the October time frame. Unfortunately, the only information the CEO would divulge is that the phone employs an OLED display and that it will be aware of its surroundings and activities. Also of particular note, the Moto X will be the first smartphone manufactured entirely in the United States.
Other, more outlandish, rumors that have popped up along the way include the ability to customize the outer materials and colors. Early reports suggested that the Moto X is actually part of a larger brand and an approach that could feature user-defined configurations for memory and processor options as well as carrier selection.
Motorola Droid Ultra series (July 10, 2013)
Verizon may be only weeks from announcing the Motorola Droid Ultra, according to a newly leaked ad treatment. A description for an upcoming commercial tells of a Kevlar-coated and Gorilla Glass protected experience that arrives on August 8.
Verizon may be only weeks from announcing the Motorola Droid Ultra, according to a newly leaked ad treatment. A description for an upcoming commercial tells of a Kevlar-coated and Gorilla Glass protected experience that arrives on August 8.
Verizon's next Droid may arrive as soon as August 8.
(Credit: Android Central)
Also expected in short order is a Motorola Droid Maxx which, presumably, features the same hardware but with a higher capacity battery. A leaked commercial treatment for this model suggests the smartphone will boast an unheard of 48 hours of juice from a single charge.
Both @evleaks and Droid Life received tips about Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini models. Interestingly, one site didn't reference any "Razr" branding; Motorola is rumored to bid farewell to a number of initiatives in the coming weeks, including Razr.
LG Optimus G2 (July 10, 2013)
The LG Optimus G2 made its way out into the wild where it was promptly photographed in a small but telling gallery. As seen in the picture below, the next-gen handset will move the volume buttons around back and sit under the camera. The strange form factor details dovetail with a recent MyDrivers (translate) report. The tech site was first to report the volume and power buttons will be moved to the rear.
The LG Optimus G2 made its way out into the wild where it was promptly photographed in a small but telling gallery. As seen in the picture below, the next-gen handset will move the volume buttons around back and sit under the camera. The strange form factor details dovetail with a recent MyDrivers (translate) report. The tech site was first to report the volume and power buttons will be moved to the rear.
The first glimpse of LG's next smartphone in action.
In what could be viewed as a definite sign of things to come, LG this week introduced the world's thinnest Full HD LCD panel. At only 2.2mm thick, the 5.2-inch 1080p display features a super-thin 2.3mm bezel.
According to an Engadget report, the phone will be offered through at least one U.S. carrier: Sprint. Presumably, LG will get support through AT&T (and maybe others) much like it did for the current LG Optimus G.
LG has confirmed that the upcoming 'G' series smartphone will employ Qualcomm's blazing-fast Snapdragon 800 processor. Rumored to arrive on August 7, additional details are reportedto include Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, 2GB RAM, a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a full HD display of 5 inches or larger.
Verizon HTC One (July 11, 2013)
Verizon will finally offer its version of the HTC One on August 1, according to a leaked carrier roadmap. The surprise is not so much that the phone is coming, but that it has taken so long to get here.
Verizon will finally offer its version of the HTC One on August 1, according to a leaked carrier roadmap. The surprise is not so much that the phone is coming, but that it has taken so long to get here.
Refreshed HTC One (July 11, 2013)
A refreshed version of the HTC One may arrive later in the year, posits Pocket-lint. Details could include a faster and more powerful Snapdragon 800 processor as opposed to today's Snapdragon 600. HTC did something along these lines with the One X and its predecessor, the One X+ in 2012.
A refreshed version of the HTC One may arrive later in the year, posits Pocket-lint. Details could include a faster and more powerful Snapdragon 800 processor as opposed to today's Snapdragon 600. HTC did something along these lines with the One X and its predecessor, the One X+ in 2012.
A plastic version of the HTC One is also rumored to be on the horizon for 2013, reports the tech blog. Assumed to be less expensive to manufacture, it could lead to lower consumer costs as well.
HTC M8 (July 11, 2013)
An HTC 'M8' is expected to be the successor to the One in 2014, or so say Pocket-lint. Details are essentially nonexistent at this point, but the model number makes sense; the HTC One was tied to 'M7' for much of its development.
An HTC 'M8' is expected to be the successor to the One in 2014, or so say Pocket-lint. Details are essentially nonexistent at this point, but the model number makes sense; the HTC One was tied to 'M7' for much of its development.
June 22-28, 2013
Huawei Ascend P6 Google Edition (June 28, 2013)
Huawei is reportedly working with Google in hopes of releasing a Google Edition of the recently announced Ascend P6. As the world's thinnest smartphone it measures a svelte 6.18mm thick, and features a 4.7-inch 720p display and a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz. Additionally, the phone provides an 8-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 2GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, and a respectable 2,000mAh battery. Oddly enough, Huawei has previously gone on record on not wanting to develop a Google Edition.
Huawei is reportedly working with Google in hopes of releasing a Google Edition of the recently announced Ascend P6. As the world's thinnest smartphone it measures a svelte 6.18mm thick, and features a 4.7-inch 720p display and a quad-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz. Additionally, the phone provides an 8-megapixel rear camera, 5-megapixel front-facing camera, 2GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, and a respectable 2,000mAh battery. Oddly enough, Huawei has previously gone on record on not wanting to develop a Google Edition.
Sony i1 (June 28, 2013)
A handful of new images have surfaced for the "Honami" i1 smartphone, showing the familiar design cues are in order for the ultra-powerful handset. Rumored to debut as soon as July 4, the phone should be flagship worthy and as strong as anything else on the market.
A handful of new images have surfaced for the "Honami" i1 smartphone, showing the familiar design cues are in order for the ultra-powerful handset. Rumored to debut as soon as July 4, the phone should be flagship worthy and as strong as anything else on the market.
Sony's next smartphone, the 'Honami' i1, may debut as soon as July 4.
Early details for a Sony "Honami" i1 suggest we could be in for an incredibly powerful and gorgeous experience later this summer. Leaked hardware specifications are purported to include a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 32GB internal storage, 2GB RAM, and a camera up to 20-megapixels. Other features may include a form factor with glass, metal, and traces of carbon fiber.
June 15-21, 2013
Is Sony teasing a new smartwatch experience?
Sony Smartwatch (June 21, 2013)
Sony looks to be ready to dip its toes into the smartwatch waters, according to a number of recent tweets. The hardware-maker has been teasing something watch-related for more than a week, most recently in the form of an image that says "1 in 3 smartphone users want smart wrist wear." All of the tweets, incidentally, carry hashtags of #itstime and #MAE13 (Mobile Asia Expo 2013). Presumably, this mean we'll see the smartwatch as soon as this coming week.
Sony looks to be ready to dip its toes into the smartwatch waters, according to a number of recent tweets. The hardware-maker has been teasing something watch-related for more than a week, most recently in the form of an image that says "1 in 3 smartphone users want smart wrist wear." All of the tweets, incidentally, carry hashtags of #itstime and #MAE13 (Mobile Asia Expo 2013). Presumably, this mean we'll see the smartwatch as soon as this coming week.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Advanced (June 17, 2013)
Speaking with Reuters recently, Samsung Electronics CEO J.K. Shin said that his company willsoon debut a Galaxy S4 Advanced model designed to support the next generation of 4G LTE networks. While it might be easy to assume all other details remain the same, new rumors suggest a faster, more efficient processor may also be in order. A recently spied user manual for a yet-announced SHV-E330S shows a spec sheet that calls for an MSM8974 CPU. In all likelihood, this means a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor will power said device.
Speaking with Reuters recently, Samsung Electronics CEO J.K. Shin said that his company willsoon debut a Galaxy S4 Advanced model designed to support the next generation of 4G LTE networks. While it might be easy to assume all other details remain the same, new rumors suggest a faster, more efficient processor may also be in order. A recently spied user manual for a yet-announced SHV-E330S shows a spec sheet that calls for an MSM8974 CPU. In all likelihood, this means a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor will power said device.
June 8-14, 2013
The HTC One may soon have a smaller, 4.3-inch sibling.
HTC One Mini 'M4' (June 10, 2013)
HTC will reportedly call the smaller HTC 'M4' smartphone the HTC One mini when it comes to market this summer. Though the name has been tossed around for a while, the often-accurate source claims it's now a done deal. According to Bloomberg, we should look for the HTC One mini in August.
Estonia-based site Forte.delfi.ee recently posted a small gallery of images showing what looks to be a smaller take on the HTC One.
Featuring a 4.3-inch display, 4-megapixel "Ultrapixel" camera, and 2GB RAM, the phone has also been tossed around with a 'M4' code name. Earlier reports suggest additional details that include Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, 4G LTE connectivity, and 8GB internal storage.
Nexus 7 (June 13, 2013)
An ASUS Nexus K009 tablet has been spied in FCC documents, tipping some of the 7-inch device's components. Details include a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm APQ-8064 S4 Pro processor, a 4,000 mAh Li-ion battery, LTE connectivity (T-Mobile and AT&T), and a 5-megapixel camera. Also worth noting, an ASUS K008 passed through the Bluetooth SIG, hinting that a WiFi-only model could be on the horizon.
An ASUS Nexus K009 tablet has been spied in FCC documents, tipping some of the 7-inch device's components. Details include a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm APQ-8064 S4 Pro processor, a 4,000 mAh Li-ion battery, LTE connectivity (T-Mobile and AT&T), and a 5-megapixel camera. Also worth noting, an ASUS K008 passed through the Bluetooth SIG, hinting that a WiFi-only model could be on the horizon.
Once expected to come in at around $149-$199, the next-generation Nexus may ultimately costa slightly higher $229. According to the report details from "supply-chain sources," the next-generation Nexus 7 tablet could start shipping around the end of the second quarter. Supposedly slated to hit shelves in the third quarter, the tablet is said to include a low-temperature poly-silicon panel produced by AU Optronics.
DisplaySearch analyst Paul Semenza told CNET in March that the next model may reach a pixel density of 323 pixels per inch, which could mean up to 1,900x1,200 pixel resolution.
Might this be our first glimpse of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3?
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 (June 9, 2013)
The first alleged images of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have surfaced, showing a more squared design than in past. According to SamMobile, the prototype doesn't appear to be finalized hardware; these things are always subject to change.
The first alleged images of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have surfaced, showing a more squared design than in past. According to SamMobile, the prototype doesn't appear to be finalized hardware; these things are always subject to change.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is rumored to feature either a 5.99-inch or a 6.3-inch display. Additional specifications for the device are reported to include an eight-core processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera, and 3GB RAM. The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 will presumably arrive in the fall, perhaps around October, which is in keeping with Samsung's release cycle.
Other rumors we're tracking
June 1-7, 2013
Sony Xperia Z Google Edition (June 7, 2013)
Sony could be the next handset-maker to release a Nexus user experience smartphone, a number of sources report. Rumored to arrive "later this year," this release should mark the first waterproof and dust proof stock Android handset. The launch of a Google edition device makes sense for Sony, which has historically been a big advocate of the Android Open Source Project.
Sony could be the next handset-maker to release a Nexus user experience smartphone, a number of sources report. Rumored to arrive "later this year," this release should mark the first waterproof and dust proof stock Android handset. The launch of a Google edition device makes sense for Sony, which has historically been a big advocate of the Android Open Source Project.
HTC 7-inch tablet (May 30, 2013)HTC T6 (May 30, 2013)
HTC could be prepping a 5.9-inch smartphone for the second half of the year, a number ofsources report. Details leaked thus far include a quad-core 2.3GHz processor, a 1080p HD display, 2GB of RAM, 16GB internal storage, and a rear camera that uses HTC's ultrapixel imaging. Alleged to be powered by Android Key Lime Pie, the HTC "T6" may feature an updated Sense 5 interface and could also boast a 3,300mAh battery.
The second half of the year could yield to a 7-inch Android tablet from HTC, reports Bloomberg. No details were provided for the device, but there's plenty of time for leaks between now and the rumored September or October release date.
The first leaked image of the presumed LG Optimus L9 II.
(Credit: TechTastic)
LG Optimus L9 II (May 30, 2013)
The first alleged details on the LG Optimus L9 II arrived this week, suggesting another midrange experience will be in order. Early specifications include a 4.7-inch 720p HD display, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, and 1GB RAM.
The first alleged details on the LG Optimus L9 II arrived this week, suggesting another midrange experience will be in order. Early specifications include a 4.7-inch 720p HD display, Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, a dual-core 1.4GHz processor, and 1GB RAM.
Samsung SPH-L600 (May 31, 2013)
Sprint could be among the first U.S. carriers to offer the massive Samsung Galaxy Mega, according to blog AndroidPolice. Documents spotted in the Bluetooth SIG show an SPH-L600 having recently been submitted for approval. Citing a "trusted source" with knowledge of the model, the blog posits that this could be an LTE-ready version of the 6.3-inch smartphone.
Sprint could be among the first U.S. carriers to offer the massive Samsung Galaxy Mega, according to blog AndroidPolice. Documents spotted in the Bluetooth SIG show an SPH-L600 having recently been submitted for approval. Citing a "trusted source" with knowledge of the model, the blog posits that this could be an LTE-ready version of the 6.3-inch smartphone.
Will the H2G2-42 be Google's answer to life, the universe, and everything, or just a media player?
(Credit: FCC (screen by Scott Webster))
Nexus Q successor (May 18, 2013)
Google has submitted a device labeled H2G2-42 to the FCC for regulatory testing which, from the looks of it, may be a Nexus Q successor. Very few details are available about the device, however Google touts it as a "media player," and a "fixed base station" with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. In a departure from the original model, the H2G2-42 could allow users to plug in external monitors via provided USB ports. Considering that the current media player does not play nice with theGoogle Play Music All Access and is no longer for sale, we might look for something soon.
Google has submitted a device labeled H2G2-42 to the FCC for regulatory testing which, from the looks of it, may be a Nexus Q successor. Very few details are available about the device, however Google touts it as a "media player," and a "fixed base station" with 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi. In a departure from the original model, the H2G2-42 could allow users to plug in external monitors via provided USB ports. Considering that the current media player does not play nice with theGoogle Play Music All Access and is no longer for sale, we might look for something soon.
Previous Amazon smartphone rumors indicate that the retail giant has scrapped plans for 4.3-inch screen in favor of a larger 4.7-inch display. Early reports had the phone arriving as soon as the second quarter, though it appears Amazon will now miss that mark. Presumably, both Amazon phones will employ a forked version of Android, similar to the Kindle Fire tablets. Allegedly, Amazon has tasked Foxconn with building the Kindle Phone.Amazon 3D phone (May 9, 2013)
Amazon is reportedly working on a pair of new smartphones, including one capable of creating 3D capabilities and hologram-like images. Details are light, but the phone is said to employ eye-tracking technology that makes images appear to be floating "like a hologram and appear three-dimensional at all angles."
Nexus 5 (May 1, 2013)
Google may again tap LG as the handset maker of choice for the next generation of Nexus smartphones, according to the Korea Times. No hardware details or time frames were given; however, we might anticipate something in the fall. Given that the trend as of late is to release the Nexus experience in the fall, we might expect specs and rumors to come in short order.
Google may again tap LG as the handset maker of choice for the next generation of Nexus smartphones, according to the Korea Times. No hardware details or time frames were given; however, we might anticipate something in the fall. Given that the trend as of late is to release the Nexus experience in the fall, we might expect specs and rumors to come in short order.
Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 (April 18, 2013)
The first details for what is expected to be the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 have arrived, suggesting that another midrange experience is on the horizon. Preliminary specifications are reported to include a dual-core 1GHz Broadcom processor, a display resolution of 480x800 pixels, 4GB internal storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. As often has been the case with European models of this kind, the Galaxy Ace 3 is rumored to come in a variety of colors and single-SIM and dual-SIM editions.
The first details for what is expected to be the Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 have arrived, suggesting that another midrange experience is on the horizon. Preliminary specifications are reported to include a dual-core 1GHz Broadcom processor, a display resolution of 480x800 pixels, 4GB internal storage, and a 5-megapixel camera. As often has been the case with European models of this kind, the Galaxy Ace 3 is rumored to come in a variety of colors and single-SIM and dual-SIM editions.
Huawei Edge (April 11, 2013)
Huawei may dial up the Edge as the handset maker's flagship device for summer 2013. Recently leaked (translate) details suggest the smartphone will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and feature a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, a 4.9-inch 1080p HD display, and 2,600mAh battery. Reportedly, the Huawei Edge will come in 16GB and 32GB models and could come in a svelte 6.3mm chassis.
Huawei may dial up the Edge as the handset maker's flagship device for summer 2013. Recently leaked (translate) details suggest the smartphone will run Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and feature a quad-core processor, 2GB RAM, a 4.9-inch 1080p HD display, and 2,600mAh battery. Reportedly, the Huawei Edge will come in 16GB and 32GB models and could come in a svelte 6.3mm chassis.
Android-powered notebooks (April 2, 2013): Rumors out of Digitimes suggest that Google is building an Android-powered notebook PC that could arrive as soon as the third quarter. Reportedly, the "Androidbook" is one of Sundar Pichai's projects and could help accelerate Google's foray into the PC market.
Google's Android smartwatch (March 21, 2013): Google looks to be joining Apple in thedevelopment of a rumored smartwatch, according to a recent Financial Times report. Details are light, however, the watch is said to be designed by the "Android unit" at Google. An unnamed source said that the watch will "act as an extension to the smartphones using that operating system." According to a 2011 patent application, the watch will have dual-screened display and a interactive user interface.
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