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Although ZTE is no stranger to the US, it hasn’t been as quick to embrace LTE-based 4G as some of its rivals. The new Anthem 4G for MetroPCS puts the company back in sync, and then some. In addition to the faster speeds, the company’s first American LTE phone touts a comparatively speedy dual-core 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor, a 4.3-inch, 800 x 480 screen and perks like HDMI video output with Dolby Surround sound. Our only immediate reservation is the use of Android 2.3, which really shouldn’t be on any shipping devices almost two years after it first left Google’s doors. Any takers may forgive the old software when they see their bill, though — the Anthem 4G’s $219 contract-free price will put it at the more affordable end of MetroPCS’ spectrum when it arrives sometime within the next few weeks.

Continue reading ZTE Anthem 4G unveiled for MetroPCS, has us singing a dual-core, LTE tune for $219

Filed under: Mobile

ZTE Anthem 4G unveiled for MetroPCS, has us singing a dual-core, LTE tune for $219 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 14:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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)

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile

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 has just officially announced their all new Optimus G superphone in Korea complete with a brand new 4.7-inch TrueHD IPS+ display and a powerful quad-core processor that is the first of its kind. The first thing that came to our mind was how the Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and others will fair against this new beast so lets break it down.

Since the LG Optimus G is the newest to join the pack lets take a loot at its specs first. LG’s calling this smartphone their new flagship device full of “groundbreaking features.” They’ve improved their display technology that brings the TrueHD IPS+ 1280 x 768 resolution 4.7-inch display closer to the glass for an in your face vivid and colorful experience, and added Qualcomm’s latest and greatest 1.5 GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro for absolute power. This is the first device powered by Qualcomm’s new S4 Pro “krait” processor and we have high hopes for it considering how well it performed on the developer tablet.

LG’s tossed in 2GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, and a massive 13 megapixel camera on the rear for what they’re claiming will be the best smartphone camera in the world. Just reading off that initial spec list this smartphone is clearly near the top spot. On the back is a unique battery cover with LG’s own patented Crystal Reflection process, which gives a 3D illusion that makes it a beauty to hold — according to LG. This covers the 2,100 mAh battery under the hood that will be powering Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

So how does this fair against the competition? Pretty darn good. Nothing can compete with this except for the Samsung Galaxy S III and maybe, just maybe the HTC One X. The original dual-core S4 processor held its own against the Tegra 3-touting HTC One X and it’s 4.7-inch SLCD display — so it’s safe to say this quad-core version should outpace the One X in all areas. Add in the thinner design, larger battery, and better camera on the Optimus G there really isn’t a need for discussion.

So that leaves us with the Galaxy S III, the current flagship and talk of the Android atmosphere — if you don’t count the Galaxy Note II. This is where things get a little interesting because the Galaxy S III competes with or beats the Optimus G in all hardware areas except the camera. Samsung’s flagship phone rocks their own in-house Exynos 4 Quad 1.4 GHz processor that performs extremely well, while their US Galaxy S III is powered by Qualcomm’s 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4. The Optimus G has that same Snapdragon S4 only its been doubled and is the quad-core Pro version. This makes for truly a one-of-a-kind smartphone with unparalleled power.

The Galaxy S III has a slightly larger 4.8-inch (1280x720p) resolution display while LG’s is 4.7-inches and offers a slightly higher pixel density coming in at 1280×768. Samsung’s AMOLED tech has always looked great but so does LG’s IPS+ displays with stunning viewing angles and deep, rich colors. It’s tough to really say what is best or will continue to be the best at the moment especially with Samsung already having a clear lead in the market with 20 million sales strong. Until we get more time with the all new LG Optimus G we’ll have to leave it to you guys to decide and debate.

Do you own the Galaxy S III or HTC One X, or have you been waiting for the next level of smartphones to arrive — like the LG Optimus G?

LG Optimus G vs the quad-core competition is written by Cory Gunther & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you were waiting for the LG Optimus G to be revealed with not just what was rumored, but features not yet heard of on the tech circuit, you’re in luck! Today is the day that the LG Optimus G is appearing with 4G LTE connectivity, a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad-core processor at 1.5GHz, and a brand new set of user interface features as well. This device also brings on a lovely new physical back made with Crystal Reflection, this bringing on a luxurious look and feel and displaying different patterns depending on your viewing angle and lighting.

This brand new smartphone works with a 4.7-inch WXGA True HD IPS+ display at 1280 x 768 pixel resolution with a 15:9 aspect ratio. Inside you’ll find 2GB DDR RAM, internal memory at 32GB, and Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich running the whole beast. The back of this device has a 13 megapixel camera on its back and a 1.3 megapixel camera on the front, and inside you’ve also got Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, USB2.0 HS, A-GPS, MHL, DLNA, and NFC wireless connectivity abilities.

This device works with a 2,100 mAh battery and is 131.9 x 68.9 x 8.45mm in size, 145g in weight. The display works with Zerogap Touch and True HD IPS+ Display from LG Innotek and LG Display, this bringing on a picture that’s right up there as close to the surface of the glass as you’ve ever seen it. On the back is a unique panel made with LG’s own patented Crystal Reflection process, this bringing on an intricate polarized pattern under its surface. With this physical build you’ve got a three-dimensional illusion that is, as LG notes, “exquisitely reminiscent of a jewel.”

Inside you’ve got a collection of features that also recently appears on the LG Intuition (see our full review here) in both the camera and the user interface. You’ve got Time Catch Shot allowing you to choose whichever shot you like best out of a series, Cheese Shutter activated by you saying the word “cheese” out loud, Smart Shutter with automatic adjustment of shutter speed based on movement, and Low Light Shot Noise Reduction as well. And of course the camera on the back of this device is massive at 13 megapixels – we’ll see how fabulous it is when we get our hands on it soon!

This device will also be working with Cross-Tasking, a new term from LG that covers all the different ways in which the LG Optimus G will be able to work with multiple complex tasks at once with no compromise on one another’s ability to work at top quality. This environment currently supports the following abilities:

· QSlide Function shows two different screens simultaneously on one display. As it doesn’t show a part of the screen but the entire screen of both functions, the user can complete two tasks concurrently – such as sending a text message or searching the web while watching a video;

· Live Zooming enhances the video-watching experience as users can zoom in up to five times while the video is being streamed for a close-up of one’s child while watching a recorded video from a school recital;

· Dual Screen Dual Play not only allows mirroring between the smartphone and a TV, it also has the ability to display different content on each screen wirelessly. For example, a slide presentation can be displayed on the TV while the Optimus G shows the accompanying speaking notes;

· QuickMemo allows users to write, draw, or jot a memo with their finger directly on the captured screen for sharing instantly with others as an attachment or a URL. The QuickMemo can also be used as an overlay feature – like jotting down a number using the QuickMemo and directly dialing the number while the number is on the top layer;

· Screen Zooming allows for the zooming in and out of lists in music player, email, text messages and photo gallery. It also offers the ability to change the font size and screen layout;

· Application Link launches preset applications (Email, calendar, weather, etc) when the alarm is turned off – making your preparation time in the morning go a little faster with all the information prepared on your screen;

· Icon Personalizer allows users the ability to customize icons by editing size and adding images so the most frequently used apps can be most easily accessible.

As Dr. Jong-seok Park, president and CEO of LG notes, “The Optimus G is a groundbreaking premium device not only in the history of LG but also in the smartphone industry – With the Optimus G, users will be able to experience unsurpassed UX features that will allow them to perform tasks that really enhance their daily lives.”

This device will be appearing in stores soon – starting in Korea next week with an October release in “key global markets” – the USA we hope! Stick around our LG tag portal for more as the Optimus G gets closer and closer!

LG Optimus G official with S4 Pro and “groundbreaking” features is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Something big has been brewing at HTC, most often referred to as the DLX or by its less-than-flattering 6435LVW name. While there have been unconfirmed photos of prototypes floating around, a Sina Weibo user has posted what we have reason to believe is an authentic press image of the finished result: meet the One X 5. As the name and image suggest, the phablet-class device should be dominated by a 5-inch (and possibly 1080p) screen that makes even a regular One X look dainty. Internal details haven’t been nailed down alongside the looks, although previous benchmarks have had it using a Snapdragon S4 that might ultimately be a quad-core S4 Pro. There’s no immediate signs of a stylus or other tricks besides that sea of glass. We may not have long to wait before we find out, however. HTC just happens to have a New York City event planned for this Wednesday, and previously detected links between the 6435LVW and Verizon could see the One X 5 quickly reach the US if it’s meant to show at that gathering — although it might get another name change to fit into the Droid family.

Update: We’ve been given a heads-up that this is a device posted as a “concept” by Danny Tu on Flickr, which raises doubt that we’ll see exactly what’s on show here (or see that name). However, it still lines up with earlier photos and what we’ve heard. We’ll keep you posted as to whether or not it reflects reality in the end.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

HTC’s 5-inch behemoth phone spied in press render, may be called One X 5 (update: some caution) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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