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As if chasing down the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+, reports indicate that the next Apple iPhone, rumoured to be called the Apple iPhone 6S could be coming on 9 September 2015. So far, there are surprisingly not that many leaks as previously but according to rumours the new iPhone 6S could have features that include a Force Touch Display, a Series 7000 aluminum (said to be 60% tougher than previous) yet maintain more or less the same look and feel as the previous Apple iPhone 6. Other devices said to feature alongside the new iPhone include the Apple iPad Pro and a possible plastic backed Apple iPhone 6C following in the footsteps of the iPhone 5C. Hopefully, Apple have learnt where they went wrong and will offer improvements but with all rumours, do take this with a good pinch of salt. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details, but we expect everything to come to Malaysia in October or November 2015. 

We certainly liked the recent ASUS ZenFone 2 but it seems ASUS have plans for improvement with a new sub-range of ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser smartphones each coming wtih Laser autofocus, Corning Gorilla Glass 4, 16GB storage + microSD support, a 13MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, 5MP front camera, dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity and 3000 mAh battery. There will be three versions in this sub-range with one version having a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM and 5.5-inch display. The medium version retains the 5.5-inch display but ups the processor to a Snapdragon 615 along with 3GB RAM. The third version will include the Snapdragon 615 processor and 3GB RAM but increase the size with a 6-inch display. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but the most basic ZenFone 2 Laser will start from 10000 rupees (RM612), while the medium version will go for 14000 rupees (RM857). The largest version will go for 18000 rupees (RM1102).

At the recent ASUS ZenFestival in India, ASUS announced a ZenFone with a massive 5000 mAh battery called the ASUS ZenFone Max. Unlike some of the other new announcements, the ZenFone Max goes for a design more like the original ZenFone range with no volume controls on the backplate. It does offer a metallic frame though along with physical capacitive keys below the 5.5-inch display. It also comes with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4 along with a Snapdragon 410 processor, 2GB RAM, 13MP PixelMaster camera with laser autofocus and dual-tone LED flash along with a 5MP front camera. It should have Dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity as well. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details for the ZenFone Max yet but it is expected sometime in October 2015. Asides from the battery and cameras, other features are decidedly entry-level to midrange so we expect a price tag of below RM1K, perhaps around RM799 to RM899 but we should know more in the next few months.

The upcoming ASUS ZenPad C 7.0 tablet packing in the latest Intel Atom x3 (SoFIA) processor pricing has been revealed via local distributor Dynamics Distribution and their Facebook Page at RM499. Tech specs include 1GB RAM, dual-SIM dual 3G standby and more. Along with the ZenPad C 7.0, it was also revealed that the ASUS ZenFone C with 2GB RAM would also be available at RM399 via SatuGadgetDotCom. Tech specs for the enhanced ZenFone C remain mostly the same though with the with the extra addition of 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. In related news, ASUS Malaysia currently have their ASUS ZenPower 9600 mAh powerbanks officially available on their ASUS Store at just RM59.

Samsung Malaysia recently announced the availability of new smartphones for the entry-level to midrange market here in Malaysia with the Samsung Galaxy J5 and Galaxy J7. Priced at RM799, the Samsung Galaxy J5 offers tech specs that include 4G LTE, a 5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front camera with LED flash for the growing selfie crowd. The RM999 priced Samsung Galaxy J7 on the other hand bears similar tech specs like 4G LTE and 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front camera with LED flash but amps it up with an octa-core processor and 5.5-inch HD Super AMOLED display. Both smartphones pack in 1.5GB of RAM and 16GB worth of storage including support for up to 128GB microSD. Both feature thin designs with the 7.9mm thin Galaxy J5 and the 7.5mm thin Galaxy J7 with a curvy metal frame and dual-SIM support. 

“Samsung’s innovations are driven by demands from our consumers and the Galaxy J is our answer to the call for a better smartphone at an affordable price. Placed at a price point that won’t break the bank, the Galaxy J gives our customers the ultimate viewing experience with enhanced camera specifications supported by a well-balanced performance. This latest device is to show our gratitude to loyal Samsung customers, offering great value for your money.” Lee Sang Hoon, President of Samsung Malaysia Electronics. 

Logitech recently announced their new Logitech X50 Mobile Wireless Speaker for Malaysia. Priced at RM109 for a Bluetooth connected speaker with big sound, the Logitech X50 Mobile Wireless Speaker has a range of up to 30 feet and comes with a rechargeable battery. Coming in blue, gray, green, orange and yellow, these colourful pucks of sound offer a playback time of up to five hours and should be great for those who need an awesome sound experience on the go. Here's what Logitech had to say about it:

“People want big sound in a convenient mobile design, without a big price tag. The Logitech X50 Mobile Wireless Speaker gives you exactly that. Deceptively loud for its size – and price – this speaker is highly portable and it makes a big scene wherever you go. Paired with its bright colors, you’ll see it’s a whole lot of fun.” KP Sim, Logitech Country Manager of Malaysia, Philippines and Brunei

ASUS Malaysia recently revealed that on top of getting an awesome mobile gaming machine, those who purchase the ASUS ROG G751JT or ROG G751JY gaming laptops will also receive a game download code to get the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain game. The offer is valid until 1 September 2015 while the game code download is valid until 1 Oxtober 2015. The Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain game is scheduled for release on 15 September 2015. Check out the steps below or register at the event microsite.

It isn't a big secret that LG is still making flip or clamshell phones, however most of these flip phones are mainly for sale in South Korea (and Japan) where people still use flip phones. If you've been wanting one then the new LG Wine Smart could be the answer for you as LG will be making this Android Lollipop powered flip phone available globally in August 2015. Tech specs and features are surprisingly low-end with a 1.1GHz Snapdragon 210 processor, 1GB RAM, 4GB storage + microSD support, 3.2-inch display with 320 x 420 pixel resolution, 3MP rear camera, VGA front camera and 1700 mAh battery. The only really standout feature here is that it has 4G LTE connectivity. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but most flip phones today go for about $170 (RM658) or so. Feeling nostalgic?

People with large smartphones like to take selfies too, and that is where the recently announced Sony Xperia C5 Ultra comes in as the 6-inch FHD display phablet packs in a 13MP front camera with a front LED flash. Despite its large size, the Xperia C5 Ultra is surprisingly slim with very thin bezels and an 8.2mm thin body. Other tech specs include a 64-bit 1.7GHz octa-core MediaTek MTK6752 processor, 2GB RAM, 16 GB storage with up to 200GB microSD slot support and 13MP Exmor RS rear and front cameras both with LED flash. Some features missing for this cameraphone include optical image stabilization and water proofing but the 2930 mAh battery should still offer the signature 2-day battery life that most Sony smartphones offer. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it could arrive sometime in late August or afterwards.

Sony recently announced their new Sony Xperia M5 featuring an IP65 rated waterproof metal body, 21.5MP Exmor RS rear camera with Hybrid AF F2.2 and ISO up to 3200 along with a 13MP Exmor RS with AF front camera. Other tech specs are equally impressive wtih a 64-bit 2GHz Helio X10 MediaTek processor, 3GB RAM, 5-inch FHD display and 16GB storage with up to 200GB microSD card. While it packs in 2-day battery life, the standout features remain the cameras with video and image stabilization and the aforementioned Hybrid Auto Focus for 0.2s fast focusing shots. ISO 3200 should also let it see better in the dark. It will come in single SIM and dual SIM variants but no news yet which one will be coming to Malaysia. Again, no Malaysia release dates or pricing details just yet but it is expected to go for about $395 (RM1534).