A look at autumn’s most eagerly awaited smartphones

Fall will bring a new line-up of high-end smartphones. — AFP picSAN FRANCISCO, Aug 21 ― Autumn 2016 promises another great lineup of smartphone releases with the IFA tech show, Apple's keynote and various manufacturer launch events all in store to kickstart the season. Here's a look at some of the mobile devices expected to land this year.

A top-end phablet

Unveiled early in August, the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is up for release August 19 in the US and September 2 in Europe. This new top-of-the-range phablet from the South Korean manufacturer notably features a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED screen with curved edges. Like the Galaxy S7, it runs the 2.3GHz octa-core Exynos 8890 processor with 4GB of RAM. The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is due to launch for US$849/€859/RM3,410 for the 64GB version (with expandable memory slot).

The first Android Nougat smartphone

This time around, the first smartphone to run Android 7.0 (Nougat) won't be a handset from the Nexus range, but will instead be the LG V20. The V20 is lined up to replace the V10, a dual-display mobile with a second strip-shaped screen running across the top of the main display. As well as shipping with the very latest version of Android, the LG V20 will be getting a 32-bit Hi-Fi digital audio converter. It's likely to be unveiled at the beginning of September.

New Nexus devices

A new version of Android inevitably brings a new line of Nexus devices, promising performances optimised to get the best out of Google's mobile OS. Two new 5-inch devices built by HTC are expected this autumn (codenames: Sailfish and Marlin), possibly accompanied by a larger handset from Huawei, following on from the current 6P. There's no word yet on when the new devices might be released.

Dive into augmented reality

The Lenovo Phab 2 Pro is sure to make a splash as the first smartphone compatible with Google's Tango augmented reality technology. Augmented reality brings virtual content to real-world settings, anyplace, anytime. Previewed at the Viva Technology show in Paris in July, the 6.4-inch phablet is due to land in September priced US$499/€499/RM2,003. Watch out for more Lenovo phablets equipped with this technology.

The new iPhone

Autumn also means a new iPhone. As usual, Apple's September keynote will see the official launch of the latest version of iOS (10) and will give users a first look at the firm's new smartphone(s). Rumours suggest that the "iPhone 7" could ditch the standard headphone jack in favour of Apple's proprietary Lightning connector. It's rumoured to be getting a dual rear camera and could see the current mechanical button replaced by a touch-sensitive system based on Force Touch technology, detecting differences in pressure.

A host of other smartphones ― from manufacturers including Sony and Huawei ― are likely to be unveiled at the IFA technology show in Berlin, Germany, which runs September 2 to 7, 2016. ― AFP-Relaxnews

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