Here’s everything you need to know about smartphones that launched in August 2017.
We are back with our monthly wrap of top 10 smartphones launched last month. In August, we saw the launch of the highly-anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 8, LG V30, Moto X4 and Asus Zenfone 4 among others. While not all smartphones have made it to the Indian shores, some are expected to launch in India. Without further ado, here’s a look at the specifications and features of the smartphones.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
The smartphone sports a 6.3-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display with an aspect ratio of 18.5:9. The handset and the S-Pen both comes with IP68 water and dust resistant rating. It is powered by a 64-bit Exynos 8895 octa-core SoC in regions like India and other Asian countries, paired with 6GB of RAM. Internal storage options include 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. There is also a microSD card slot for further expansion.
The Galaxy Note 8 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, along with Bixby AI assistant. It is also compatible with the latest Gear VR and DeX accessories from Samsung. One of the key highlights of the smartphone include the dual cameras at the back – a 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/1.7 and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with an aperture of f/2.4. The 8-megapixel front camera also comes with optical image stabilization. The Galaxy Note 8 is expected to launch in India later this month, with an expected price of Rs 70,000, making it one of the most expensive smartphones to buy.
LG V30
LG has launched the V30 flagship smartphone which is the company’s latest attempt to compete with high-end smartphone brands like Apple and Samsung. Launched at a pre-event at IFA 2017 in Berlin, the smartphone is the successor to last year’s V20 smartphone. In terms of specifications, it sports a 6-inch (2,880 x 1,440) resolution display and aspect ratio of 18:9. The OLED display also supports High Dynamic Range 10 (HDR) content and Always On mode.
It is powered by a Snapdragon 835 octa-core SoC paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Armed with 3,300mAh battery, the smartphone supports fast charging and runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat. ALSO READ: As a Galaxy S8 user, here’s what I feel about the new Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Moto X4
Motorola launched the Moto X4 smartphone marking the company’s return to the X-series of phones. In terms of specifications, the Moto X4 runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat out-of-the-box. It flaunts a 5.2-inch full-HD (1080×1920 pixels) LTPS IPS display with 424ppi pixel density. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 octa-core SoC clocked at 2.2GHz paired with 3GB of RAM.
On the camera front, the Moto X4 sports a dual camera setup at the back – one is a 12-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture; and other is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide angle sensor with a 120-degree field of view, f/2.2 aperture. The camera comes with a host of features like ultra-wide angle shot, professional mode, depth detection and depth effects, to name a few. Up front, there is a 16-megapixel camera with flash support and f/2.0 aperture. It comes with features like adaptive low-light mode, selfie panorama, face filters, beautification mode, and professional mode.
Lenovo K8 Note
This K8 Note features a 5.5-inch full HD display and runs on stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS out-of-the-box. Under the hood, it is powered by 64 bit MediaTek Helio X23 deca-core chipset clocked at 2.3GHz, paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. In the camera department, the Lenovo K8 Note comes with a dual camera setup – a 13-megapixel primary and 5-megapixel secondary depth sensor. The dual cameras work in tandem to offer DSLR-like Bokeh effects.
Up front, there is a 13-megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture and LED flash. The smartphone is exclusively available via Amazon India in two variants – 32GB storage with 3GB RAM for Rs 12,999, and 64GB storage with 4GB RAM priced at Rs 13,999.
Micromax Canvas Infinity
Micromax launched its new affordable smartphone with Galaxy S8-like Infinity Display. However, the major difference between the two phone is its cost. The Canvas Infinity is priced at Rs 9,999. In terms of specifications, the smartphone boasts a 5.7-inch display with HD+ (720×1440 pixels) resolution.
Under the hood, the smartphone packs Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset with 3GB of RAM. For photography, the Micromax Canvas Infinity is equipped with a 13-megapixel rear camera, along with a 16-megapixel camera on the front. The rear camera is supported with single-tone LED flash. The smartphone is exclusively available via Amazon India. The smartphones USP is its higher screen ratio at an affordable price. This is also the company’s first bezel-less phone.
Moto G5S, Moto G5S Plus
Motorola launched the ‘special edition’ of the already popular Moto G5S and Moto G5S Plus smartphones. While there is not much of a difference between the two smartphones, the Moto G5S is priced at Rs 13,999, while the Moto G5S Plus retails at Rs 15,999. In terms of specifications, the ‘Plus’ variant comes with a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 64GB storage, water-resistant nano coating, and a 3,000mAh battery with TurboPower charging. The biggest differentiator is the dual camera setup at the back – which includes a pair of 13-megapixel cameras with built-in depth editor for selective focus mode to achieve DSLR-like bokeh effect.
The Moto G5S, on the other hand, comes with a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 430, 4GB of RAM, 32GB storage, 16-megapixel rear camera, a 5-megapixel front camera with LED flash. Armed with a 3,000mAh battery, the phones run Android 7.1.1 Nougat out-of-the-box.
Coolpad Cool Play 6
Coolpad launched its flagship device, the Cool Play 6 in India. The smartphone is priced at Rs 14,999 and comes with a 5.5-inch full HD (1920×1080 pixels) display. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 653 octa-core SoC clocked at 1.4GHz, paired with 6GB of RAM and 64GB onboard storage.
For photography, it sports a pair of 13-megapixel dual-cameras, with f/2.0 aperture, phase detection autofocus (PDAF), and dual-tone LED flash. Up front, sits an 8-megapixel selfie camera. The smartphone runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out-of-the-box. The smartphone is also slated to get updated to Android 8.0 OTA update by December 2017.
Asus Zenfone Zoom S
The Zenfone Zoom S was launched in India earlier this month for Rs 26,999. The main focus of the smartphone is its camera – it comes equipped with a 12-megapixel Sony IMX362 camera sensor paired with 12-megapixel telephoto lens to enable a 2.3X optical zoom, and a total of 12X zoom, OIS, EIS and Dual Pixel PDAF.
The primary camera is also backed by Asus SuperPixel Camera technology that utilizes a f/1.7 lens aperture for improved low light photography. Up front, the phone comes with a 13-megapixel Sony IMX214 sensor with f/2.0 aperture and screen flash for well-lit selfies. The smartphone also packs a massive 5,000mAh battery which is good enough to offer up to two days battery life. ALSO READ: Asus Zenfone Zoom S hands-on: Impressive ‘Portrait Mode’ for Bokeh lovers
LG Q6
LG’s latest smartphone under its Q-series comes with FullVision Display with 18:9 screen ratio. The smartphone is priced at Rs 14,999 and will compete against the likes of Lenovo K8 Note and Gionee A1 Lite. The USP of the smartphone is its ‘FullVision Display’, which the company says is good enough for a better viewing experience, its 18:9 screen ratio giving it an almost ‘bezel-less’ look.
The smartphone comes without a fingerprint scanner, however, a 3D facial recognition feature looks after all the security concerns of the user. The Q6 has a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing wide-angle camera. Connectivity options include dual-SIM, VoLTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and USB Type-B 2.0 among others. It is powered by a 3,000mAh battery. ALSO READ: LG Q6 Review: Beauty, but not a beast
Asus Zenfone 4
Asus launched the next-generation of Zenfone smartphones by unveiling six new models – Zenfone 4, Zenfone 4 Pro Zenfone 4 Selfie, Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro, Zenfone 4 Max, and Zenfone 4 Max Pro. However, the company’s main focus was the Zenfone 4 Pro and the Zenfone 4 smartphones. The Zenfone Pro comes with dual-rear camera setup on the back.
The setup is a combination of a 12-megapixel sensor (with f/1.7 aperture, OIS, PDAF and laser autofocus) and a 16-megapixel sensor. It also features an 8-megapixel with f/1.9 aperture. On the other hand, the Zenfone 4 comes with the dual-rear camera featuring a 12-megapixel sensor with f/1.8 aperture, PDAF and OIS, and an 8-megapixel sensor with the ultra-wide angle. It has an 8-megapixel selfie camera on the front.