Packaging hints at ASUS Padfone 2 having 4.7-inch 720p display, 13MP camera, quad-core S4 Pro

Packaging hints at ASUS Padfone 2 having 47inch 720p display, 13MP camera, quadcore S4 Pro

We can't guarantee what this box contains, but if the list of specs is accurate then it's definitely too good to gift-wrap. The photo above was posted to a Chinese forum thread entitled "Padfone 2 specs revealed" by a user called cj1024, and indeed the A68 model number at the top of the list does sound appropriate, considering the original Padfone was the A66. If we assume it's legit, for the sake of argument, then maybe we can expect ASUS's next modular phone to come with the same quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 13-megapixel camera resolution that are already strutting around in the LG Optimus G, alongside an uncommonly bright, 4.7-inch 1280 x 720 Super IPS+ display, LTE and 2GB of RAM. You can digest the rest for yourself, or just wait until October 16th.

Update: Keen-eyed doubter Firuz has spotted a problem: the display icon says "SuperAMOLED" even though the specs state "Super IPS." Dodgy 'chop or actual packaging error? You decide.

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Packaging hints at ASUS Padfone 2 having 4.7-inch 720p display, 13MP camera, quad-core S4 Pro originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 06:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus G and its quad-core 1.5GHz S4 Pro coming to US shores in Q4 (update: video)

When it comes to LG's latest flagship, it appears there can be no shortage of official announcements. So, while the news from overseas may not be quite so fresh, there's certainly nothing stale about the Optimus G. Today the company held a second celebration in honor of its powerhouse -- the first to pack Qualcomm's Snapdragon S4 Pro: a quad-core SoC clocked at 1.5GHz. Buffered by a heaping 2GB RAM and an Adreno 320 GPU this absolutely beastly device is officially coming to American shores in the fourth quarter of this year. The 4.7-inch phone may ship with some slightly different specs, depending on carrier, but they'll still find a home for the 1280 x 768 True HD, in-cell, IPS display. There's no specifics about carriers or pricing as yet, but we'll let you know when we do.

Update: Hit the break for LG's Optimus G PR video.

Continue reading LG Optimus G and its quad-core 1.5GHz S4 Pro coming to US shores in Q4 (update: video)

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LG Optimus G and its quad-core 1.5GHz S4 Pro coming to US shores in Q4 (update: video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea’s latest powerhouse (video) (updated)

LG Optimus G handson with Korea's latest powerhouse video

We're in Seoul for the launch of LG's latest flagship smartphone, the Optimus G, and we finally managed to spend a few minutes with a demo unit. This is a powerhouse -- the first handset built around Qualcomm's 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro. It features LTE, a 4.7-inch 1280x768 True HD IPS PLUS display, 2GB of RAM, 32GB of built-in storage, a 13-megapixel autofocus camera, a sealed 2100mAh battery, and NFC.

We like the simple and elegant design, which is reminiscent of LG's Chocolate and Prada models -- it's thin (8.45mm / 0.33 inches) and reasonably light for its size (145g / 5.11oz). The front sports a glass surface with three capacitive buttons and the back showcases the company's Crystal Reflection process -- an attractive patterned glass-like finish that's a bit of a fingerprint magnet. Materials and build quality are excellent (better than the Galaxy S III) and the Optimus G feels pleasant in hand.

You'll find a volume rocker and micro-SIM slot on the left edge and the power / lock key on the right. There's a notification light next to the 1.3MP front-facing camera. A standard headphone jack sits on the top side, with the micro-USB / MHL connector on the bottom. The speaker and main camera are in the back, pretty much where you'd expect them. While the display is definitely high quality, it's not mind blowing (the One X screen still looks better) -- we expected better viewing angles from LG's True HD IPS PLUS and Zerogap Touch technologies.

Sadly, we didn't spend much time using the software, but the Optimus G runs Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) with a skin similar to what we saw on the Optimus 4X HD and performance is definitely impressive. We'll get more seat time with LG's flagship over the next few days, so stay tuned for more impressions. In the meantime, enjoy our gallery below and our hands-on video after the break.

Update: We've added pictures of the white model and screenshots to the gallery.

Continue reading LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea's latest powerhouse (video) (updated)

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LG Optimus G: hands-on with Korea's latest powerhouse (video) (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 22:10:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG launches Optimus G flagship smartphone: quad-core S4 Pro, LTE, 2GB RAM, ICS, 13MP camera (updated)

LG launches Optimus G flagship smartphone quadcore S4 Pro, LTE, 2GB RAM, ICS, 13MP camera

It's official! Today in Seoul LG is announcing its latest flagship smartphone, the Optimus G. The 8.45mm (0.33-inch) thin handset -- which has been rumored for weeks -- packs Qualcomm's Fusion 3 chipset which pairs a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC (APQ8064) with a 2G / 3G / LTE radio (MDM9615). It features 2GB of DDR RAM and a 4.7-inch 1280x768 (320ppi) True HD IPS PLUS display with Zerogap Touch (in-cell touch) technology. A sealed 2100mAh Li-polymer battery rated for 800 charge cycles powers this Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) device. The rear camera sports a 13-megapixel backside-illuminated sensor with 1.1µm pixels, an f/2.4 autofocus lens and a single LED flash -- along with a more pedestrian 1.3MP shooter in front. There's 32GB of built-in flash storage, but no microSD card slot. Other specs include WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS, NFC and MHL.

Aesthetically, the Optimus G marries LG's Chocolate and Prada design-languages into a sleek 145g (5.11oz) unibody smartphone. The front is all glass with three capacitive buttons while the back indroduces the company's Crystal Reflection process which gives the handset "the ability to display different patterns depending on the viewing angle and lighting". LG's placing a lot of emphasis on how the user experience benefits from the Optimus G's quad-core Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU -- something it calls "cross-tasking". This includes capabilties like QSlide Function, Live Zooming, Dual Screen Dual Play, QuickMemo, Screen Zooming, Application Link and Icon Personalizer, plus camera funtionality such as Time Catch Shot, Cheese Shutter, Smart Shutter and Low Light Shot Noise Reduction -- all of which are detailed for your reading pleasure in the PR after the break.

Stay tuned for hands-on pictures, video and first impressions later today...

Update: Unsubsidized pricing will be 999,900 KRW ($895 USD) when the Optimus G ships in Korea next week. That's pretty steep, even for an unlocked device.

Continue reading LG launches Optimus G flagship smartphone: quad-core S4 Pro, LTE, 2GB RAM, ICS, 13MP camera (updated)

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LG launches Optimus G flagship smartphone: quad-core S4 Pro, LTE, 2GB RAM, ICS, 13MP camera (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 21:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG teases its new quad-core superphone: Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague (video)

LG teases its new quadcore superphone Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague

While Qualcomm let the Snapdragon out of the bag a little early, LG's now caught up and launched a (Korean-only) teaser site for its next LTE smartphone. Promising a second-generation quad-core experience, the new flagship device will offer better power management and graphics performance thanks to the Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset beating away at its core. There's space on the site for another five videos, which should hopefully give us a little more detail than what we've been able to glean from FCC filings. Thumb your Korean dictionary ready and check out LG's first taster after the break.

Continue reading LG teases its new quad-core superphone: Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague (video)

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LG teases its new quad-core superphone: Snapdragon S4 Pro is awesome, device still vague (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 08:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording

Sony announces new Exmor RS sensor, wants it small enough for smartphones and tablet

That camera sensor in your smartphone is very likely to be a Sony-made module which means it's worth keeping an eye on the company's latest sensor developments. Your next phone could be packing one of its latest Exmor RS camera modules, a stacked CMOS image sensor that's currently being readied for future smartphones and tablets. At the moment, three components fall under the new RS label, with two eight-megapixel sensors (one with new camera signal processing tech) and a top-drawer 13-megapixel module. Alongside the new sensors, Sony's crafted new f/2.2 lenses alongside a refreshed auto-focus module and all of them will be capable of HDR video recording. The company's now working on improving sensor behavior, image quality and keeping it all tiny enough for that next pricey phone contract. The first products are expected to arrive in October, so we may not see it in Sony's very next tablet, but development could be done in time for next year's effort -- and help validate the manufacturer's imaging investment.

Continue reading Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording

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Sony announces new Exmor RS cameraphone sensor: upgraded signal processing, HDR video recording originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 04:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Xperia GX makes Japan debut today

Sony Xperia GX arrives in Japan stores today

The Xperia GX passed muster at the FCC labs a few weeks back and is filling shelves of NTT DoCoMo stores starting today. If you like your smartphone screens big and high-resolution, you'll probably be very happy with the Xperia GX's 720p 4.6-inch display, wrapped in a curved frame similar to last year's Xperia Arc. There's no word on whether the phone will remain a Japan-only exclusive, but Sony is likely to have something new to show off at European trade show, IFA, in only a few weeks. Arguably more of a looker than the Xperia S, perhaps we'll see a global model -- there's a pentaband 3G radio in this iteration -- sidling up next to an Xperia tablet in Germany very soon.

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Sony Xperia GX makes Japan debut today originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Aug 2012 04:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LG LS970 superphone rumored: Krait quad-core, 2GB RAM, LTE and 13MP camera

LG LS970 superphone rumored: Krait quad-core, 2GB RAM, LTE and 13MP camera

Not to be outdone by its Korean rival, LG's reportedly preparing a potent new phone with some of Qualcomm's latest SoC hardware. According to BriefMobile's leak, it'll pack an LTE-friendly MDM9615 alongside the Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM -- something LG has already announced for its Optimus LTE2. A 2,1000 mAh battery will apparently power the 4.67-inch 1280 x 768 LCD display, while a Sony-matching 13-megapixel camera will face out the back. The leak -- which includes the decidedly abstract photo above -- reckons the LTE slab will arrive on Sprint, which tallies with the LS970 model number. We're cautiously holding out for something more official soon -- perhaps once the Now Network's flipped that 4G switch.

LG LS970 superphone rumored: Krait quad-core, 2GB RAM, LTE and 13MP camera originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 May 2012 07:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sony Xperia GX packs 13MP camera and 4.6-inch HD display, joined by Xperia SX to offer LTE in Japan

Sony's announced its first two LTE-capable phones for its Japanese customers -- and there's two of 'em. The Xperia GX is up first, with a 720p 4.6-inch display squeezed in alongside a new 13-megapixel camera -- a first for Sony's mobile family, and presumably its new CMOS sensor. A 1.5 GHz dual-core processor ensures it should all tick along nicely, while the hardware design follows the curves of last year's Xperia Arc, this time with a matte finish. The camera upgrade and huge screen makes a good case for this to be Sony's new flagship device -- mere months since the Xperia S debuted in Europe -- and before the Xperia Ion has even had chance to launch in the US.

It's joined by the Xperia SX, which Sony claims is the world's lightest LTE capable handset, weighing in at just under 100g. It packs a smaller 3.7-inch screen with the same Mobile Bravia engine found on its bigger brother -- and the rest of Sony's recent handsets. It's joined by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor (although there's no specifics on what type just yet), a more standard 8-megapixel camera and it wouldn't be a Japanese phone without infrared connectivity, mobile wallet and a mobile TV -- they're all built-in. Both phones will launch in black and white, and Android fans can rest easy, as they'll both arrive with Android 4.0 installed when they hit stores in Japan this summer.

[Thanks Thorzten]

Sony Xperia GX packs 13MP camera and 4.6-inch HD display, joined by Xperia SX to offer LTE in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 May 2012 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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