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A cut-down version of the Xiaomi Redmi 2 smartphone could soon be coming to the masses as both tech specs and a picture in orange were recently leaked. The picture reveals a backside that looks a lot like the Xiaomi Redmi 2 but the tech specs reveal a different picture. While the 4.7-inch display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution remains the same, this new budget smartphone is powered by a quad-core Lead Core LCI LC1860C processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, 13MP rear camera, 2MP front camera and 4G LTE Cat 4 support. While there are no pricing details or Malaysia release dates, the lowest price Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun said a phone would be released at is $64, indicating that this new smartphone could be $65 (RM241). But then again, the 13MP rear camera could indicate that this is a higher-end smartphone than the Redmi 2 with an equally higher-end price tag. Stay tuned for more developments.

The LeTV is another smartphone with no bezels, something we've already seen with the Sharp Aquos Crystal. However, while the Aquos Crystal had no bezels on the top and sides, the LeTV has no bezels on the sides only. The rounded corners and slim top and bottom bezels give the LeTV a very HTC One-like design and tech specs are quite high-end. These include a 2.2GHz octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5.5-inch full HD display, 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, dual-SIM support and a USB Type C port. While it does look pretty, we wouldn't know where to hold it, but we're sure that there will be people who will like it. Since LeTV is made by a China company, it is very unlikely that we'll get any Malaysia release dates or local pricing details anytime soon, however rumours indicate that it could be quite affordable but we won't know for sure unless it comes to Malaysia soon (probably through a third-party seller).

Acer recently announced a new addition to their Iconia range of tablets with the Acer Iconia Tab 10. Featuring a 10.1-inch display with full HD or 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution covered by Gorilla glass and additional Dolby audio tech, the tablet comes in two flavours. The higher-end version has tech specs that include a 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8217 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, 5700 mAh battery, 2MP camera and is priced at $250 (RM928). The lower-end version goes for $200 (RM742) but tech specs include a 1.3GHz processor, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution display, 1GB RAM and 16GB storage. Likely competitors include the IPRO Livepad 8.9 and others competitors which are priced even lower than the lower-end version. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it should arrive eventually. 

The Microsoft Lumia 430 has been officially announced for $70 (RM260). Looking like a thicker Lumia 530, the Lumia 430 retains the same old colourful but tough polycarbonate backside but has slightly reduced tech specs and features along with a few upgrades. These include a 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB storage, up to 128GB microSD, a 4-inch display with 800 x 480 pixel resolution, 2MP front camera and VGA front camera. The larger than average RAM and storage seems to suggest that the Lumia 430 should be able to update to the upcoming Windows 10 due in July. No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing yet, but we expect it to make an appearance eventually.

Sony has officially announced the Sony Xperia J1 Compact for Japan. What makes it notable is that it is not locked to a SIM (not new in Malaysia we know, but most phones in Japan are SIM-locked to certain carriers). Tech specs and features are mostly high-end with an older 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB RAM, 4.3-inch display with 720p HD resolution, 20.7MP Exmor RS rear camera, 2300 mAh battery and IP68 water proof certification. No Malaysia release dates but it is set for Japan on 20 April 2015 with a pre-order price of 54800 JPY (RM1686).

The upcoming Huawei P8 has been spotted ahead of it's expected announcement on 15 April 2015. While the leaked pic is blurry and unclear, it does reveal a full metal frame, chamfered edges and a more rounded corner bottom. Previously, the Huawei P7 had a curved bottom which according to them was based on a water drop. The leaked pic looks more like that of the Honor series but the back looks like it will retain the same multi-layer glass cover as before. Previous rumours indicated that there could be a layer of cubic zirconia (artificial diamond) in there as well but it was unclear if it is just the back, front or both. Other rumoured tech specs and features include a Kirin 930 processor, 3GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch 1080p display, dual 13MP cameras and a 2600 mAh battery. Official teasers about the P8 have indicated that it could be stronger, more affordable and have better battery life than it's predecessors but still no news on a Malaysia release date or pricing yet.

Huawei Malaysia recently announced that their Huawei Consumer Business Group has appointed a new Chief Marketing Officer and President of Strategy Marketing Department. To name names, Ms. Glory Zhang has been appointed Chief Marketing Officer of the Huawei Consumer Business Group while Mr. Shao Yang takes over as the President of Strategy Marketing Department for the Huawei Consumer Business Group. Both have various business successes under their belts and are set to help Huawei's smartphone business continue to grow exponentially. The transition of both is expected to be completed in April 2015, ready for the release of new smartphones like the upcoming Huawei P8, which is expected to be announced at an event on 15 April 2015.

Previously reporting on the LG AKA we noted that this is a very fun smartphone with expressive eyes and midrange tech specs. As a refresher, the smartphone packs in a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage, 5-inch display, NFC, 4G LTE, 8MP rear camera with laser auto focus and more. LG recently announced that it would be going international, shipping to nearby locations like Singapore and outwards to China, Taiwan and Turkey. The bad news? Still no details about any Malaysia release dates or pricing. We'd certainly like to take a closer look at the LG AKA and LG's other smartphones and mobile devices, so hopefully LG Malaysia comes out of stealth mode soon. In the meantime, look to third party sellers or frequent flyers to Singapore for your own LG AKA smartphone.

U Mobile recently announced the first of it's kind deal in Malaysia for the Apple iPhone 6 andiPhone 6 Plus. Utilizing a new U Microcredit plan you can now get said smartphone from as low as RM98 a month. This is different from previous Malaysia Telco deals because you are paying more for the phone and not the dual combination of phone and plan. In this case it is more like buying a car than a smartphone with a telco plan. The upside is that there is no deposit and you are no longer tied to the plan and can choose to use a different provider if you choose to do so. There are conditions of course, you have to pay the first monthly installment fee plus a one-time administrative fee and you are tied to the U Microcredit deal for 33 months. There are also data plans as well which are not tied to any contract but you do have to pay the remaining phone price subsidy with no penalty. In addition, using a credit card to pay with auto debit monthly fees will allow you to get no upfront payment benefits. If you sign up on 19 March 2015, you also get unlimited Internet till 31 July 2015 for the i60 and i90 plans and until 30 September 2015 for the i130 plan. Check out the table below for more info:

Another day, another device appearing at China's TENAA, this time it is the latest ASUS Fonepad 7 FE375CL tablet with smartphone capabilities. The FE375 series is a bit higher-end compared to say the FE170 or FE171 and as such comes with a 64-bit 1.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3530 processor, 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. Other notable tech sepcs include a 7-inch display with 800 x 1280 pixel resolution, 3G and WiFi connectivity along with a 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera. Like the recent ASUS Fonepad 7 FE171CG it looks like the design is flat and thin as well with controls that are no longer slanted at an angle. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet, but it should appear here in Malaysia soon with the next Fonepad 7 refresh.