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The idea of an Android-based BlackBerry smartphone or device has been circulating for quite some time but it looks like the first such device has been confirmed. Going by the name of BlackBerry Priv, the smartphone features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. While there still isn't any official announcement, it recently got confirmed by John Chen, CEO of BlackBerry with hands-on pics from @evleaks. Tech specs and features are still rumours though, but it is expected to have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 3GB RAM, 18MP rear camera with dual LED flash and use a more secure version of Android Lollipop. Still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it should be coming in the next few months.

Rumours about the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL have cropped up including tech specs and renders of Microsoft's next flagship smartphone in a while. Coming courtesy of @OnLeaks the Lumia 950 XL measures in at 151.9 x 78.4 x 7.8mm but will be 9.9mm at its camera hump. Tech specs and features include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage + microSD, 5.7-inch 2K display, 20MP PureView Camera, 3300 mAh battery, USB Type-C port and Qi wireless charging. Expected to arrive on 6 October 2015 with the Lumia 950 and Lumia 550, there are still no Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet. While the renders and video look accurate, do take this rumour with a pinch of salt as there could still be surprises in store for Microsoft Lumia fans.

Vertu are generally known for selling luxurious phones made from premium materials with super high price tags, but most of the time, tech specs for their phones have been rather underwhelming. The newly announced Vertu Signature Touch finally goes a step further in the tech specs department by offering a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 5.2-inch FHD display with sapphire glass and a 21MP rear camera with phase detection autofocus and 4K video recording. Built from titanium, ceramics and handcrafted leather pricing begins from £6500 (RM43373) with a release date on 16 October 2015.

The folks at Pebble have announced their first round smartwatch with the Pebble Time Round which at 7.5mm thin and 28g is currently the world's thinnest and lightest smartwatch. Featuring a 1.25-inch circular e-ink display the Time Round offers a 22mm band and 14mm band and also has quick charging as well. The first thing most people will notice are the rather thick bezels but like other Pebble smartwatch, the Time Round is Android and Apple iPhone compatible. There is a cost to battery life due to the size shrink but it should last more than a day on a single charge. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details but it is currently available at pre-order for $249 (RM1093) in November 2015.

Meizu recently announced their latest Meizu PRO 5 smartphone with a full metal body and Samsung Exynos 7420 processor (the same one used in the Samsung Galaxy S6). Other tech specs and features include a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED FHD display, 3GB / 4GB RAM, 32GB / 64GB storage, 21MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 4G+ LTE, USB Type-C port with quick charging and Hi-Fi audio technology. No Malaysia release dates or pricing details yet but the Meizu PRO 5 is due in China on 12 October 2015 with two versions. The version with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage will go for 2800 CNY (RM1924) while the version with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage is priced at 3100 CNY (RM2130). Since Meizu already have a Malaysian branch we expect the Meizu PRO 5 to make an appearance in the coming months.

Celcom Axiata Berhad recently revealed a new secure chat app called Zipit Chat which offers encrypted chats, email and voice over IP (VoIP) along with password protection, stealth mode, self destructing messages and private mode for your phone book and media. Zipit Chat is built based on Advanced Encryption Standards (AES) 256 for more secure mobile services. Zipit Chat is available from Google play for Android at only RM10.00 while the iOS version for App store will only be available next month. Celcom will offer the service for FREE with terms and conditions until 22 November 2015. For more information on Zipit Chat check out www.zipitchat.com.my.

LEAGOO Malaysia have launched their LEAGOO Elite 1 smartphone today for a jaw dropping RM999. Available on 25 September 2015 this LEAGOO flagship phone features a premium full metal frame and Corning Gorilla Glass 3 front and back with a circular wave pattern underneath the glass. Standout features for the smartphone includes a 16MP rear camera with f2.0 aperture and dual tone LED flash, 13MP front camera with single LED flash, a sapphire glass protected fingerprint sensor beneath the home button and a customizable SmartButton key for instant launch of apps. Other tech specs include a 64-bit 1.3Ghz MediaTek processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage + up to 64GB microSD, 5-inch FHD display, 2400 mAh battery and dual SIM 4G LTE connectivity. The smartphone is powered by an Android Spearheaded by Dato Calvin Chan, LEAGOO Malaysia looks to offer Malaysians a value beating price for flagship features. Check out our hands-on photos in this article.

Xiaomi recently announced the launch of their Xiaomi Mi 4c smartphone for China. Priced from RMB1299 (RM880) for the version with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage, the Mi 4c will also come in a version with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage for RMB1499 (RM1015). Other tech specs include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 processor, 5-inch FHD display, 13MP rear camera with Sony/Samsung sensor and the latest USB Type-C port with quick charge 2.0. The latest feature includes Edge Tap which allows the phone to respond to light taps on the sides.  A double tap on one side allows you to go back easily without having to stretch for the Back button, and a single tap on the side while in the camera app snaps a photo. A double tap on the screen wakes the phone. No Malaysia release dates or official Malaysia pricing details yet but the Mi 4c will be available in China on 23 September 2015. In related news, Xiaomi also launched their Mi Mobile MVNO service with two prepaid SIM card offerings. Users have a choice to pay as you go or get a bundle plan with 3GB data. Both plans support 4G LTE and come with a triple-cut SIM card for all sizes.

Alcatel recently announced their new Alcatel Flash 2 smartphone online. Like the OneTouch Flash before it, the Flash 2 is a selfie smartphone with a front LED flash and f2.2 aperture 5MP autofocus front camera designed to offer a mobigraphy manual mode and an 84 degree wide angle shot. The design is surprisingly curvy with lines that make it seem as if it has no bezels. Other tech specs include a 64-bit MediaTek MT6753 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage + up to 128GB microSD, 5-inch display with 720 x 1280 and Miravision display tech, 13MP ISOCELL rear camera with Realtone (dual tone) LED flash and 2.0 aperture, 3000 mAh battery and dual SIM 4G connectivity. No Malaysia pricing details yet but according to their blog, the Malaysia release date should be on 15 October 2015. Check out the video below and the Alcatel Flash 2 site for more details.

The OnePlus 2 is now officially available in Malaysia exclusively via Maxis. This means if you managed to get an invite (apparently you can still get an invite), now is the time to go and validate it on the Maxis site. The OnePlus 2 offers a larger profile with a 5.5-inch FHD display and tech specs that include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB RAM and a fingerprint sensor. Pricing turns out to be RM1687 without Maxis Zerolution but with it you can get it from RM999 via a MaxisOne plan. The Maxis Zerolution program allows you to get the OnePlus 2 at RM104 a month. There is no upfront payment and the OnePlus 2 smartphone available at Maxis remains the version with 64GB worth of storage and has a Sandstone Black backplate.