Android phones and tablets, spanning many makers and their Singapore launches and plans.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 4G+ and Galaxy S6 edge+ 4G+. The Note 5 launched in Black Sapphire and Gold Platinum, with the 32GB at S$1,088 and 64GB at S$1,188, the S6 edge+ arriving alongside it.
GearBest sent me the iMacwear M7 to try, a watch selling for US$112.63 excluding shipping. It isn't an Android Wear device but a full Android 4.4 KitKat watch. Fairly bulky at 120g, it carries an IP67 dust and water resistance.
The much-anticipated OnePlus 2, announced on 28th July 2015, reaches Singapore in Q4 2015 at S$538 for the 64GB model. I handled it at the local media event on 31st July and loved the solid, premium feel of its build.
The LG G4 arrives in Singapore from 30th May 2015, with a recommended price of S$998 for the leather back cover and S$928 for the metallic finish. Registration of interest ran from 15th to 24th May at M1 and StarHub.
The HTC One M9 arrives in Singapore from Saturday, 2nd May 2015, at a recommended price of S$1,008. It comes only in 32GB, in dual-tone silver/rose gold or single-tone gunmetal grey, running Android 5.0 Lollipop with HTC Sense 7.
Letv flew me to Beijing for the launch of its phones, alongside media from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and India. It's Letv's first venture into smartphones. Founded in 2004 by Jia Yueting, Letv is one of China's biggest, fastest-growing firms.
Many know the YotaPhone 2 as the phone with two screens, the world's third after the YotaPhone 1 and NEC Medias W, neither of which reached Singapore. The YotaPhone 2 retails here for S$1,048 and can be bought online.
Singtel's price plans for the Samsung Galaxy S6 4G+ and S6 edge 4G+, both officially available in Singapore from 11th April 2015. The S6 comes in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB, in White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum.
I'm very impressed with the Dell Venue 8 7000 Series, the most well-built Android tablet I've come across. Its machined aluminium body feels premium at just 6mm thin and 305g, with an 8.4-inch 2560x1600 OLED screen and edge-to-edge infinity bezel.
Xiaomi's Redmi 2 goes on sale in Singapore for the first time on 17th March 2015 at noon for S$169, the same launch price as the Redmi 1 last February. Only the white model is offered for now.
The Motorola Moto 360, announced in the US in March 2014, became officially available in Singapore on 23rd February 2015 at a recommended S$380, in black only. Reportedly it's exclusive to Rakuten and MSTATION, though I doubt that.
I bought my Nexus 6 from MobyShop for S$870, trading in my 16GB Nexus 5 for S$200, so I paid S$670 net. Holding it, the aluminium frame lends a premium feel; for once a Nexus phone doesn't look cheap.
Four months after its launch, the Nexus 6 is now officially available in Singapore at a recommended S$998. Only the 32GB variant is sold, in both Midnight Blue and Cloud White, exclusively through open retail channels rather than telcos.
Xiaomi's Mi Pad goes on sale in Singapore on 10th February 2015 at noon for S$299. Xiaomi didn't state quantities this time, suggesting modest demand. Only the 16GB white is offered here, whereas China gets 16GB or 64GB.
The LG G Watch R has been available in Singapore since 15th November 2014 for S$398. It runs a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 with a 1.3-inch P-OLED display, 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, and a 410mAh battery, on Android Wear.
At Slush 2014, Nokia announced the Nokia N1, its first device since selling its Devices & Services business to Microsoft. The N1 is a 7.9-inch tablet with a 2048x1536 IPS panel, running Android 5.0 Lollipop on a 2.3GHz Intel quad-core.
Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note in Singapore on 8th July 2014, and today at noon it launches the Redmi Note 4G. 5,000 sets will be available. The Redmi Note 4G retails for S$229, while the Redmi Note stays at S$199.
The Samsung Galaxy Note Edge 4G+ arrives in Singapore from 22nd November 2014 at a recommended S$1,248, in Charcoal Black and Frost White. You can register your interest with SingTel ahead of launch, and here I cover its 4G+ plans.
On 15th October 2014, Toshiba launched its L9450 and L5450 television series, powered by Android 4.4.2, though not Android TV. The Android isn't upgradable, so you're stuck with it for the TV's life. The L9450 series offers Ultra-HD 4K resolution.
OPPO has officially opened its first Singapore flagship store at Suntec City Mall, occupying 2,200 square feet. The store displays OPPO products and hosts bi-monthly workshops for fans. You'll find it at 8 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall, Tower 3.
Last Wednesday, Google announced the Nexus 6, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, and Android 5.0 Lollipop. The Nexus 6 runs Lollipop on a 5.96-inch 2560x1440 QHD AMOLED display with a Snapdragon 805. US pre-orders open 29th October 2014, with stores following.
Thanks to Samsung for inviting me to the Galaxy Note 4 World Tour 2014 last Wednesday. I played with the Note 4, Note Edge, Gear S, and Gear VR. The Note 4 and Edge impressed me with superb build.