T-Mobile’s LG G2 should receive Lollipop treat starting today

Following in the footsteps of Verizon's model, the LG G2 for T-Mobile should start getting the update to Android 5.0 Lollipop today. This is according to the latest update information posted by the carrier itself, so it's pretty much as official as it can be.

Unless some last minute errors crop up, the rollout is imminent (if it hasn't started already). However, you're supposed to be patient, since T-Mobile estimates that the new software will have reached all G2 units it sold by May 22. Over-the-air rollouts are usually staged, and this timeline gives you an idea of just how long you'll have to wait for the update in the worst case scenario.

If you don't like such waits, then you can do one of two things: either manually check for the update on your phone (by going to Settings > General > About phone > Update center > System updates), or use a computer and LG's Mobile Support Tool to get and install it (full details are available at the Source link).

Included in the new release is just the bump in Android version to 5.0, along with LG's interpretation of its UI overlay on top of that. It looks like there are no new apps built in.

To get the new software, you need to have 50% or more battery life left, and at least 617MB of free space (since that's how big the download is). After applying the update, you'll be running software version D80130b.

Source |…

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Galaxy S6 edge is Samsung’s most expensive phone to build

A report due out later today has analyzed how much it costs for Samsung to build each and every Galaxy S6 edge unit. And it turns out that the smartphone boasting that unique curved screen is the most expensive ever – in terms of manufacturing costs for Samsung, that is.

The S6 edge isn't cheap to buy either, but now there's an explanation for that. Its bill of materials (BOM) reaches the record level of $290 for the 64GB version made for Verizon. This includes parts and assembly, but obviously does not take into account R&D expenses, or money spent on software, distribution, and marketing.

The Galaxy S6 edge is more expensive to build than Apple's latest iPhones. The comparable iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus models have a BOM of $247 and $263, respectively. The Galaxy S5 cost Samsung around $256 to make, while the Galaxy S4 was built for $244.

The single most expensive component in the Galaxy S6 edge is its curved screen, as you may have imagined. Combined with the touchscreen, it costs $85. The Exynos 7420 SoC is estimated to cost $29.50, while the 3GB of DDR4 RAM set Samsung back $27. The 64GB of flash storage has been revealed to cost $25. Verizon's version of the Galaxy S6 edge uses a $15 Qualcomm baseband…

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Sony Xperia Z4 (or Z3 Neo) could be unveiled on April 20

So far Sony hasn't announced a top of the line smartphone in 2015, in stark contrast to what happened over the last few years. However, we may now be pretty close to a new Xperia Z series handset getting official. On the other hand, there's growing controversy over what this phone will be called.

According to a report from Japan, Sony is set to unveil a new device on April 20. That's next Monday. The company hasn't explicitly said what it will announce on that occasion, so the assumption that this is the new flagship is for now just that – an assumption. Then again, many weeks have now passed since Sony's competitors (such as Samsung and HTC) have made their latest flagships official, so perhaps the Japanese company is finally ready to follow suit.

While you might assume that the next top of the line Sony device will be called Xperia Z4, as has been extensively leaked before, you could be wrong. We've already covered a report saying we'll actually be seeing an Xperia Z3 Neo, and this has been 'confirmed' by a Twitter account specializing in leaking such stuff.

Things are still up in the air, though, because many other sources have referred to the handset as the Xperia Z4. As for what actually makes sense, the smartphone shouldn't be very different from the Xperia Z3, its predecessor, so perhaps not calling it Z4 may be realistic. Sony has been rumored to do away with launching two flagships each year, but if this Xperia Z3 Neo is succeeded by a Z4 in the fall then that clearly won't happen.

Source 1 (in Japanese) • Source 2 | Via 1 • Via…

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 Duos gets Android Lollipop update

The standard Samsung Galaxy Note 4 model got the Android Lollipop treatment two weeks ago. Users across Brazil, Europe, India, UAE and USA got the new firmware recently and others will follow suit very soon.

Today Samsung launched the same update for the dual-SIM version of the flagship phablet – the Galaxy Note 4 Duos. The device is available exclusively in China and Hong Kong and the OTA firmware is available on both regional models.

The OTA update is about 1GB big and requires about 3GB of free space in order to install properly (it won't take most of it, don't worry). It brings your Android OS to version 5.0.1 Lollipop and introduces the latest TouchWiz launcher and optimizations.

If you live in China and own the dual-SIM Note 4, then the update should already await your approval in the Settings menu.

Thank you, Zaroy Din, for the…

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HTC announces Lollipop release for Desire Eye and Desire 816

Just few days ago the HTC Desire Eye started getting Android Lollipop treatment in its homeland – Taiwan. Today HTC UK announced the official rollout of Android 5 Lollipop firmware update for two Desire smartphones – Desire Eye and Desire 816.

The update includes all new Lollipop features and performance improvements, but lacks the latest Sense 7 UI. It bumps the Sense version to Sense 6.5, but the 7.0 launcher will roll out on a later date, probably with Android 5.1.

HTC has been steadily bringing Lollipop to its popular smartphones. You can already find it on HTC One and HTC One M8, it even kicked off on HTC Desire E8 and Butterfly S a few days ago.

According to the previously leaked scheduled we should see HTC One Max, One mini 2 and One mini, among others, updated throughout the next couple of months.

Source | Source 2 | Source…

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Xiaomi H3Y may be the Redmi Note 2, to pack 1080p screen

Xiaomi has two event scheduled for April, one tomorrow and one for April 23. The second one is likely for the Xiaomi Mi 4i (aka Ferrari), but the one tomorrow may be for the Xiaomi H3Y – a new Redmi phone.

The basic specs of the H3Y were revealed by @upleaks and include a 1080p screen and a fast MediaTek MT6795 chipset. The new Redmi phone will launch with MIUI 6 based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The camera department will feature a 13MP shooter courtesy of Samsung (S5K3M2) and a 5MP selfie camera from OmniVision (OV5670).

These specs sound similar to what's rumored for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, except with an upgraded screen and chipset. The expected price is CNY 1,500…

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Xiami H3Y may be the Redmi Note 2, to pack 1080p screen

Xiaomi has two event scheduled for April, one tomorrow and one for April 23. The second one is likely for the Xiaomi Mi 4i (aka Ferrari), but the one tomorrow may be for the Xiaomi H3Y – a new Redmi phone.

The basic specs of the H3Y were revealed by @upleaks and include a 1080p screen and a fast MediaTek MT6795 chipset. The new Redmi phone will launch with MIUI 6 based on Android 5.0 Lollipop.

The camera department will feature a 13MP shooter courtesy of Samsung (S5K3M2) and a 5MP selfie camera from OmniVision (OV5670).

These specs sound similar to what's rumored for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2, except with an upgraded screen and chipset. The expected price is CNY 1,500…

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Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge land on multiple UK carriers

Brits can now grab a Samsung Galaxy S6 or a Galaxy S6 edge from a number of retailers. Note that only the phones with smaller storage capacities are available, you'll have to wait a couple of weeks for the 64GB and 128GB models. You'll have to wait for a Gold one too.

The Carphone Warehouse has both the S6 and S6 edge. The Galaxy S6 starts at £40 a month for the 32GB model. The Gold and 64GB models are coming in 2-3 weeks, while the 128GB options are at least a month out.

The Galaxy S6 edge starts at £100 upfront and £47 a month for the 64GB model (no 32GB option). Black 64GB phones will be in stock in 1-2 weeks, the rest will take 2-3 weeks or longer to hit the shelves.

EE has the 32GB Galaxy S6 at £10 upfront and £47 a month for two years, again the Gold model will arrive a bit later.

The carrier doesn’t have 128GB versions for either the S6 or S6 edge, but the 64GB Galaxy S6 edge is coming next week at £30 upfront and £58.50 a month. The Gold model is 3 weeks out.

Then there's Three, which is asking £50 upfront and £39 a month for the 32GB Galaxy S6, there's a 128GB option but it's listed as out of stock. The Gold color option will be delayed only a couple of days though.

The Galaxy S6 edge starts at £50 upfront and £48 a month and here the Gold model will actually beat the White and Black ones to market by a few days.

Vodafone will charge you £49 a month for a 32GB Galaxy S6 and £59 for a 64GB Galaxy S6 edge plus £10 upfront. 64GB and 128GB versions for both models are coming in a few weeks later.

O2 is asking nothing upfront for a 32GB S6 and £10 for a 64GB S6 edge. The monthly bills are £46 and £52.50 respectively. Gold models are listed as "In stock".

Then there's Tesco Mobile which is offering the Galaxy S6 32GB at £36 a month and the Galaxy S6 edge 64GB at £43.50 a month. Note that all units are currently sold out but Tesco is expecting more stock in a few…

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Yonhap: Korean Galaxy S6 sales reach record numbers

The Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 edge launched a few days ago and according to a Samsung official quoted by Yonhap News the flagship duo is on track to meet the high expectations analysts had before launch. Analysts kept increasing the predictions of how many S6 units in total Samsung will sell this year, eventually settling on 55 million.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge are surpassing the sales of any previous Galaxy S phone in its home country of South Korea. Samsung is now scrambling to meet demand but shortages may last a month of more before manufacturing capacity matches demand.

More surprising is the composition – the pricier Samsung Galaxy S6 edge accounts for half the sales. Going by reported numbers, Samsung was predicting the regular S6 to outsell the S6 edge 3:1, but it seems that the dual-curved screen is getting a much warmer reception than expected.

T-Mobile is reporting great sales too. We don't have exact numbers for now, Samsung's Q1 report came just before the S6 launch. It's not entirely clear what happened to the impending sales ban on SK Telecom and how (if?) it will affect the Galaxy S6 sales.

Source (Paywall) |…

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