Your supreme source for all things tech
TOP
ZTE Axon 9 Pro
News, Smartphone

“IFA 2018 Recap: Smartphone Releases From LG, Sony And Others”

IFA 2018 has wrapped up, but many of the smartphones announced during the convention have yet to make their debuts. Several companies including LG, Sony, Huawei, ZTE, BlackBerry, and HTC showcased devices, which will release in the coming weeks and months.

Many of these devices are mid-range and low-end versions of flagships released earlier in the year. Companies continue to try to appeal to consumers with prices sensitivities, as premium smartphones approach and exceed $1000. Check out the smartphone release line up from this year’s IFA conference.

LG

LG showcased several new devices at IFA, including the LG G7 One and the LG G7 Fit. The LG G7 One is the flagship LG G7 ThinQ, revamped for the Android One device line. Intended for more price-conscious shoppers, the LG G7 One has specs that are a slight step down from premium, including a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. It maintains the 6.1-inch QHD display, 3000mAh battery, IP68 resistance, and fingerprint sensor seen on its high-end counterpart, but essentially runs pure-Android (8.1 Oreo). The LG G7 One will be available in black and blue color options.

LG G7 One

LG G7 One

LG G7 Fit is standardly mid-range, with specs similar to the LG G7 One, but running a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 chip. The smartphone features 4GB of RAM and is available in 32GB and 64GB storage options and also features a 6.1-inch QHD+ display, a 3000mAh battery, and Android 8.1 Oreo. Its 16-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel front camera differs from the LG G7 One slightly in the aperture. The LG G7 Fit will be available in black and gray color options.

Sony

Sony showcased the Xperia XZ3 at IFA, its first device with a massive 6-inch OLED display. Sony is well known for its LCD displays, even on its most premium devices, but the XZ3 features a QHD+ HDR OLED display that uses the same image processing technology seen on the manufacturer’s Bravia series televisions. The screen features the curved design that was ushered in by Samsung and an 18:9 aspect ratio, giving it thin bezels and a wide front view.

Sony Xperia XZ3

Sony Xperia XZ3

Sony has equipped the Xperia XZ3 is a traditional camera set up, including a 19-megapixel rear lens; however, it boasts a new 13-megapixel, f/1.9 aperture front lens with real-time bokeh and beauty effects.

The Xperia XZ3 is being marked as a fairly sturdy device, with a 7000 series aluminum alloy frame, a Gorilla Glass 5 front and back covering, and IP68 water-resistance.

Hardware includes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chip, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage with MicroSD expansion up to 512GB, a 3,330mAh battery, and a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. Software features include new gesture controls called Side Sense, which allow users to side the sides of their device to enable a certain function, such as taking photos.

The device will run Android Pie out of the box and will be available in late September in black, grey and dark green color options.

Huawei

It’s not surprising to see Huawei at a conference with new products, including four new finishes for its popular P20 Pro smartphone. The device is now available in a color called Morpho Aurora, which changes from purple to blue to green in an even deeper hue than the original P20 Pro. There is also now a glossy white finish Mother of Pearl P20 Pro, which has a pinkish hue in certain lights. Customers can also now get the P20 Pro in black and tan leather options.

Huawei P20 Pro new color options

Huawei P20 Pro new color options

Huawei also teased the Honor Magic 2  and the Honor Play. The Honor Magic 2 will have several tricks, including an up sliding camera and one of the thinnest bezels seen on a Huawei device. It will also run Huawei’s Kirin 980 chip, which was also recently announced at IFA.

The Honor Play, Huawei’s gaming phone, is now becoming available to various international markets for about £279 ($365). The budget-friendly device features a massive 6.3-inch gaming-friendly screen with HDR image processing and a high frame rate. The device will be available in “Player Red” and “Player Black,” color versions.

ZTE

ZTE began its comeback after its U.S. sales ban was lifted by showcasing the Axon 9 Pro at IFA. The device will be available in various European and Asian countries for about 649 euros ($760). Targeting the high-end crowd, the Axon 9 Pro features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, a 6.21-inch HD display and a 4,000mAh battery. It also includes a dual camera set up with a 20-megapixel depth lens and 12-megapixel OIS lens.

ZTE Axon 9 Pro

ZTE Axon 9 Pro

The Axon 9 Pro includes 6GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage with MicroSD expansion up to 512GB. It runs Android 8.1 Oreo software.

BlackBerry

The BlackBerry Key2 LE is the lower-range cousin of the BlackBerry Key2, which released in June. The device will be available later in September for about 400 euros ($465) with TCL hoping to peak the interest of those who thought the $650 price tag on the original model was too much. Specs on the Key2 LE is very similar, including a 4.5-inch display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, a physical QWERTY keyboard, and Android 8.1 Oreo.

BlackBerry Key2 LE

BlackBerry Key2 LE

The device runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chip and includes 4GB of RAM, 32GB and 64GB internal storage options, and MicroSD expansion up to 512GB, as well as a 3,000mAh battery. Hoping to tantalize photo enthusiasts, the device features a dual-camera set up with a 13-megapixel lens and a 5-megapixel lens as well as an 8-megapixel front camera. The lower end model also gets some funky color options not seen on the original Key2, including slate, champagne, and atomic.

HTC

HTC is holding on to its mobile business as best as it can with a new device to appeal to the lower-end crowd. The HTC U12 Life will sell for about 330 euros ($384) when it releases later in September. Design wise it has adopted several aspects form rivals, including the back panel tab from the Google Pixel line, the on-screen buttons and curved back frame from Samsung, and a horizontal dual camera configuration from Apple.

HTC U12 Life

HTC U12 Life

Despite being made of plastic, its shiny finish gives the HTC U12 Life a nicer look than the Pixel devices. Only time will tell if its 16-megapixel and 5-megapixel dual camera set up and the 13-megapixel front camera will rival the single lens configurations on Google’s devices, which are ironically manufactured by HTC. Specs wise, the HTC U12 Life includes a 6-inch display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chip, 4GB RAM/64GB internal storage, and 6GB RAM/128GB internal storage configurations with MicroSD expansion up to 512GB, a 3,600 mAh better and Android 8.1 Oreo.

Fionna Agomuoh

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of TechieSupreme.com. I like smartphones, traveling, and long walks to the gym.

«

»