GADGET SPECIAL ....MWC 2018

MWC 2018

The Mobile World Congress, which was held in Barcelona between February 26 and March 1, is one of the biggest mobile technology showcases in the world. Savio D’Souza and Ashutosh Desai pick some of the newest innovative gadgets unveiled at...

SAMSUNG S9 AND S9+

The new flagship devices from Samsung look similar to its S8 handsets with their curved, almost edge-to-edge screens and scratch-resistant metal frames. The S9+ comes with a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED display, dual 12MP rear cameras (with dual OIS), 6GB RAM and a 3500mAh battery. The S9 has a 5.8-inch screen, a single 12MP rear camera, 4GB RAM and packs in a 3000mAh battery. Both devices run a 2.9GHz Exynos 9810 octa-core processor, with 64/128/256GB onboard storage and a microSD slot.

The rear camera on these handsets can now adjust its aperture size to suit ambient light. To achieve this, the S9 and S9+ have a “Dual Aperture” lens that switches between two F-stops – F1.5 and F2.4 – to take a well-lit shot. Plus, you get optical image stabilisation (OIS) to reduce blur caused by shaky hands. The camera can shoot slo-mo videos at 960fps and also create animated 3D avatars with its AR Emoji tool. A machine learning algorithm analyses a 2D image of the user and maps out over a hundred facial features to create a 3D model, which you can share online.

Both smartphones have Bixby, Samsung’s personal AI assistant; besides performing various tasks with voice commands, it is also integrated with the camera for real-time object recognition and even live translation of a foreign language. Other common features include an 8MP front camera, a fingerprint and iris scanner for added security, a stereo loudspeaker, support for wireless charging and an IP68 rating, which means they are waterproof (in 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes). While local pricing hasn’t been disclosed yet, these devices are expected to be launched in India this month itself.

INTEL 5G PC

Intel announced its collaboration with Dell, HP, Lenovo and Microsoft to bring 5G connectivity to Windows PCs – with its XMM 8000 series commercial 5G modems – by the second half of 2019.

The chipmaker showcased a concept 5G-connected PC – a detachable 2-in-1 – connected by a 5G modem and powered by an eight-gen Intel Core i5 processor.

Apart from high-speed video-streaming capabilities on PCs, Intel says 5G network bandwidths can deliver untethered VR from anywhere in the world; allow for the download of a 250MB file in seconds from a parking lot, and even let children participate in multiplayer games as they ride in the backseat of a car.

ASUS ZENFONE 5Z & 5

The ZenFone 5Z is a 6.2-inch smartphone that sports an all-metal, glass-covered build. It runs on the new Snapdragon 845 processor. What you also get is 8GB RAM, 256GB storage and a 3300mAh battery with ASUS’ proprietary fast-charge technology. This flagship is packed with a bunch of other features, including face unlock, fingerprint scanner, a 120° wide-angle secondary camera, an ‘intelligent’ dual camera system that supports auto scene detection, real-time portrait effects, ‘pro’ modes, as well as 4K recording with electronic image stabilisation (EIS).

The ZenFone 5Z stands out with its ultra-slim bezel, all-screen display that takes its design inspiration from the Apple iPhone X. Asus has fit a 6.2-inch Full HD+ screen within the same footprint as devices with a 5.5-inch display.

Asus also unveiled the ZenFone 5, a similarlooking mid-range handset, with almost the same features. It uses the Snapdragon 636 SoC, with up to 6GB RAM and 64GB storage. Pricing information and launch dates for India were not disclosed.

LG V30S THINQ

The LG V30S ThinQ is integrated with proprietary AI that lets you interact with the handset – or your surroundings – with its cameras and your voice. Its “Vision” and “Voice” AI is able to analyse objects, offer recommendations for a best shot; adjust image brightness while keeping noise to a minimum; recognise QR codes to automatically scan them, identify photos of landmarks to provide detailed information, and allow a user to change device settings with voice commands.

This handset sports a 6-inch (2880x1440px) QuadHD+ OLED display and a 5MP front snapper, with dual 16MP and 13MP rear cameras and a fingerprint scanner at the back.

The LG V30S ThinQ packs a 2.45GHz Snapdragon 835 quad-core chip, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage with a microSD slot and a 3300mAh fast-charging battery. It also has a dedicated 32-bit “Hi-Fi Quad” DAC chip, in case you are particular about audio quality. The handset is also water- and dust-resistant (IP68) and boasts of a military-grade certification (MIL-STD 810G).

ZTE AXON M

While everyone else is aiming for bezel-less displays, ZTE is experimenting with dual screens. Its Axon M is equipped with two identical 5.2-inch Full HD Gorilla Glass 5 displays that fold on a hinge.

You can create one single 6.75-inch tablet-like touchscreen by opening up the device; choose to mirror the same content on both screens so you and a friend sitting opposite you can watch a movie together, and even turn off one display when you fold it for single-handed use.

The Axon M runs on the older Snapdragon 821 chip, comes with 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (with microSD support), a 3180mAh battery with QuickCharge, 20MP cameras on the front and back that are capable of 4K video captures, and a fingerprint scanner that is integrated with its side power button. ZTE has no plans to launch the Axom M in India yet, but it already retails the handset in the US via a tie-up with AT&T.

VIVO APEX FULLVIEW

Vivo unveiled a concept smartphone called the Apex FullView to showcase its technological prowess. The device sports 1.8mm bezels at the top and side and a 4.3mm bezel below its touchscreen.

To keep the top bezel at its minimum, the Apex FullView uses hidden proximity and ambient light sensors, along with an 8MP “elevating front camera” which emerges from the top edge of the handset in 0.8 seconds and retracts into its receptacle after use.

The device also incorporates Vivo’s proprietary SoundCasting Technology, which transforms the entire display into a speaker. It does this by sending vibrations through the touchscreen thus eliminating the need for a traditional loudspeaker.

But that’s not all: This phone also boasts of the world’s first “Half-Screen In-Display Fingerprint Scanning Technology”. Here, the bottom half of its OLED display doubles up as a fingerprint scanner. This, Vivo says, allows for simultaneous dual-fingerprint scans for added security.

SONY XZ2 AND XZ2 COMPACT

The Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are Sony’s new flagships that run on the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The former sports a 5.7-inch HDR Full HD+ display, while the XZ2 Compact is fronted by a 5-inch HDR Full HD+ screen; both with an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Both smartphones use Bravia TV tech, called “X-reality” for mobile, to display High Dynamic Range (HDR) video content and also up-convert streamed video content to near HDR.

Tech specs include a 19MP rear shooter and a 5MP front snapper, which have been upgraded – in a world first – to shoot 4K HDR movies and Full HD slo-mo clips at 960fps.

Additionally, the handsets pack in a new 3D Creator app to render 3D scans of objects or faces in less than a minute using either the main or front cameras. Once the scan is ready, you can post it to your Facebook timeline from the app itself.

The one big difference between the two models is that the XZ2 incorporates Sony’s new Dynamic Vibration System, which analyses audio data to provide you with haptic feedback. For instance, the handset will vibrate with different intensities to allow you to feel blasts and crashes in action scenes.

Also, the XZ2 boasts of an all-glass Corning Gorilla Glass 5 body for wireless charging, along with a metal frame for reinforcement. While with the XZ2 Compact, you get a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display, metal frame and an anti-scratch polycarbonate body. Both handsets carry an IP65/IP68 water-resistant certification, and are slated for a March 2018 launch.

HUAWEI MATEBOOK X PRO

Calling it a clone of the Apple MacBook Air wouldn’t be unfair, but the 1.3kg MateBook X Pro – just 14.6 mm thick – is the first laptop with a near borderless display. Essentially, you get a 13.9-inch, 10-point Gorilla Glass touchscreen with an antifingerprint coating, and 3000x2000 pixel (3K) resolution.

Inside, the machine packs an Intel Core i7 8550U processor (you will also get an i5 8250U variant), an optional 2GB Nvidia GeForce MX150 GPU, 8/16GB RAM, 256/512GB SSD storage, Dolby Atmos Sound System, quad mics that can “accurately pick up sound from four metres away”, and a battery that promises “up to 14 hours of regular work or 15 hours of web browsing”.

You get a spill-proof backlit chiclet keyboard – and interestingly, the MateBook X Pro’s 1MP web cam sits under a key between the F6 and F7 function keys. All you have to do is lightly press the button, and the camera emerges from underneath. The MateBook X Pro is expected to be launched internationally in the third quarter this year, but no Indian prices have been disclosed as yet.

NOKIA 8 SIROCCO & 8110 4G

The Nokia 8 Sirocco has a curved edge-to-edge 5.5-inch (2560x1440px) 2K Gorilla Glass 5 display. Its stainless-steel chassis is coated with glass for durability and to allow for wireless charging. It also carries an IP67 rating for protection against water and dust ingress.

This handset has dual 12 and 13MP rear snappers with Zeiss optics, where the former allows for wideangle photography and the latter offers 2x optical zoom. You get three high-performance mics that Nokia says is capable of recording spatial sound for a more immersive experience.

This single-SIM 4G handset runs on a 2.45GHz Snapdragon 835 quad-core processor, 6GB RAM, and comes with 128GB storage and a 3260mAh battery.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco does not have a standard 3.5mm headphone port. Instead, audio is routed via its USB Type-C connector. This handset, which is priced at $910, is expected to launch in India by mid-2018.

Then there is the Nokia 8110, a feature phone that gained popularity in the 90’s and which was featured in The Matrix movie.

Also known as the “banana phone” for its unique shape, the 8110 redux sports a 2.4-inch (320x240px) QVGA colour display, a sliding plastic cover that protects the keypad, and a basic 2MP rear camera at the back. The device also carries an IP52 “drip proof ” rating, to protect against wet hands.

While under the hood, it runs the Smart Feature OS powered by KaiOS, and will come with a handful of apps including the Snake game, Google Maps, Facebook and Twitter.

The device packs in a 1.1GHz Snapdragon 205 dual-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, dual-SIM slots, a removable 1500mAh battery and also comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. It is expected to retail at just under $100 and will make an appearance in India in the second half of 2018.

TNN 3MAR18