Tag: ces-2013

  • CES 2013: Huawei Launches Three New Smartphones – Ascend W1, Ascend W2 and Ascend Mate

    Present at CES 2013, Huawei wants to conquer the world by launching a really interesting range of smartphones.

    Huawei Ascend W1

    Huawei takes its first steps into the world of Windows Phone 8 with a quite promising entry-level smartphone. Huawei Ascend W1 could be an interesting choice for those in search of affordable smartphones based on Microsoft's latest mobile OS.

    It comes equipped with a Snapdragon S4 Plus chipset (MSM8230), composed of a dual-core CPU at 1.2 GHz and GPU Adreno 305 + 512 MB RAM.

    The 4-inch display is limited to WVGA resolution, but the matrix with IPS technology promises satisfactory image quality. Next to the screen we have a 0.3 MP webcam for video calls and on the back we find a 5-megapixel camera with LED flash. Photo & video collections are shot in 720p resolution accommodated in the 4 GB of internal memory, expandable up to 32 GB via microSD card.

    In connectivity, we have access to WiFi networks and Internet 3G HSPA+, module for NFC payments, Bluetooth and GPS. Even if has a battery of 1950 mAh only, it should have to cover without too much trouble the energy consumption generated by the chipset and the 4-inch screen.

    Huawei Ascend Mate

    The second smartphone presented in Las Vegas is Huawei Ascend Mate, which is also the smartphone with the largest screen so far. With a 6.1-inch screen, armed with a quad-core chipset and a customized version of Android Jelly Bean, adapted with the interface Huawei Emotion UI, the giant announces to be the star of the fair in terms of smartphones.

    Helped by the technology called Magic Touch, the giant HD screen can be controlled even with gloves on, so using the phone in cold winter days should not pose problems. In terms of software optimization, Ascend Mate enjoys a user interface mode for one-handed use, restricting virtual keyboard and dialpad in the bottom of the screen.

    In the 9.9 mm thick casing lies a 4050 mAh battery, which should cover without too much trouble energy requirements of the 6.1-inch screen with LTPS LCD technology and the Huawei K3V2 chipset clocked at a frequency of 1.5 GHz.

    The configuration also includes 2GB RAM and an 8-megapixel camera that promises to please fans of photography and videos at 1080p resolution.

    Unfortunately, the initial rumors that announced the presence of a Full HD screen and 1.8 GHz chipset were not true, Huawei probably choosing to cut these specifications hoping to obtain a lower price, which could increase its sales.

    Huawei Ascend D2

    Unlike its brother Mate, Ascend D2 presents itself as a more practical and comfortable smartphone, which also offers superior set of specifications. Ascend D2 comes with a 5-inch Full HD display capable of rendering images with unmatched clarity thanks to the LCD matrix with a density of 443 ppi. Huawei Ascend D2 has the same Huawei K3V2 chipset installed, but on the back we find a 13-megapixel camera assisted by an LED flash.

    The silver framed casing of Ascend D2 hides a 3000 mAh battery, sized for approximately two days of running and the operating system delivered is Android Jelly Bean, improved by adding split-screen multi-tasking support (running multiple applications simultaneously on screen) and technology of augmented reality technology.

    Compared to its predecessor Ascend D, the new Huawei Ascend D2 is a step forward on all fronts: screen size and resolution, the performance of the chipset and the design of the casing.

    At this point we don’t have any pricing details.

  • CES 2013: Sony Launches Xperia Z and Xperia ZL

    Sony Xperia Z and Xperia ZL are the new flagships of the Japanese manufacturer, who have managed to make waves with their official announcement at CES 2013.

    No matter how new and powerful would be the two Xperia models, they have long been debated in the press and expected in the latter part of 2012. Thus, most of us suspected some of the most advanced specs and features of the new Sony smartphones.

    However, their official announcement has managed to arouse enough curiosity and awe among fans and beyond. Specifically, we are talking about two top smartphones that should help Sony in the fight against other major phone manufacturers, such as Samsung and Apple.

    Sony Xperia Z is based on next-generation hardware, SoC Snapdragon S4 Pro with quad-core processor Krait at 1.5 GHz, graphics processor Adreno 320 and 2GB RAM. Multimedia capabilities promise to be one of the strengths, especially with the 5-inch LED 1080p display which benefits from the latest technology Sony Mobile Bravia 2 Engine. In terms of photo/video, Sony Xperia Z boasts a 13-megapixel Exmor RS sensor capable to shoot Full HD 1080p and take HDR shots.

    Xperia Z is also respecting the IP57 standard, which provides resistance to dust and contact with water and comes in a unibody casing that “hides” a 2330 mAh battery.

    On the other hand, the second phone, the Xperia ZL, resembles the first in big lines, the differences being more in design and size. Xperia ZL will not benefit from water resistance, the rest of hardware specifications being almost identical.

    Both smartphones benefit from the latest communication options: LTE, HSPA +, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC and come equipped with FM radio and supports internal memory expansion with microSD card. Both Xperia Z and Xperia ZL will run Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

    For now Sony has not provided too many pricing details, but unofficial sources speak for amounts that exceed $650.