Android Authority this week – August 16, 2015
It’s been a wildly entertaining week in the world of Android. Google dropped the Alphabet bomb, prompting a flurry of speculation about the reasons behind this radical change. Samsung finally unveiled the Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus, to mixed reactions. Details about Huawei’s next smartphones leaked out, while we gathered more info about LG’s upcoming Nexus. Qualcomm introduced new mid-level chips and detailed the high-end Snapdragon 820. Xiaomi introduced the Redmi 2 Prime and Redmi Note 2. And the OnePlus 2 went on sale (if you have an invite!)
Inside AA HQ
And just like that, the Note 5 has arrived. Hopefully for Samsung, the market reception will be less frosty than the anticlimactic launch would suggest. Truth is, the Note series is no longer standing out in a market full of devices with large screens. Are the S Pen and the software tricks it enables enough to preserve the Note’s dominance? Over the next weeks, we’ll be putting the Note and the S6 Edge Plus through their paces to find out.
What about IFA, Samsung’s traditional stomping grounds? We’ve got a glimpse of the Gear S2 and we’re confident we’ll get to check it out in Berlin from September 1. Anything else? Is a new tablet coming? Overall, IFA may be a little interesting than usual this year – Sony, Huawei, and a few others will have product launches, but it just won’t be the same without a new Note.
If you’re going back to school soon, we’ve put together a great guide to help you gear up with the best gadgets for work and fun. Check it out here.
This week’s giveaway is the brand new Galaxy Note 5! Head over here for your chance to win Samsung’s hot new phone! Craving a OnePlus 2? We’re giving away 50 invites until August 19!
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
- Review: Lanh brings you his look at the sleek Galaxy A8
- Guide: There are tons of cheap tablets out there: here’s how to buy a good one
- Impressions: Check out Matt’s impressions of the Galaxy Tab S2
- Opinion: The Note 5 is here, but is it still special?
- Guide: Going back to school? These are the essential gadgets you will need
Top news of the week
Huawei Mate 7s
- New Huawei handset images leak ahead of IFA announcement
- Huawei teases “unique” smartphone for IFA 2015
- Huawei Mate 7S passes through TENAA
Alphabet: G is for Google
- Google founders name Sundar Pichai as Google CEO, create new parent company called Alphabet
- Alphabet: What you need to know about Google’s new parent company
Qualcomm’s new chips
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 212, 412, and 616 are official
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 officially announced: what you need to know
Note 5 is here
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 officially announced: what you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs the competition
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 hands-on
- Samsung Galaxy Note 5 vs Galaxy Note 4 quick look
S6 Edge Plus
- Galaxy S6 Edge+ announced: what you need to know
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ hands-on and first impressions
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ vs Galaxy S6 Edge quick look
Xiaomi’s own Note
- Indian built Xiaomi Redmi 2 Prime announced, MIUI 7 global launch on Aug 19
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 announced: top specs for under $160
OnePlus 2
- OnePlus 2 will be delayed 2-3 weeks for would-be North American buyers
- OnePlus 2 – New Features Focus
- OnePlus 2 now officially on sale in Europe/US, India sales starting at 4PM IST
- OnePlus 2 teardown: take a look inside the “2016 flagship killer”
Next Nexus
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AIVAnet 