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While the Apple iPad Mini hasn't cornered the 7-inch touchscreen tablet market it does have a rather large market base, which is probably why the MSI Primo 81 is trying to compete with it. What sets it apart from other contenders isn't just that MSI is a more well-known Taiwan brand but also because it is using the exact same 7.85-inch IPS screen with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution made by LG as the Apple iPad Mini. While it does look a bit wider than the iPad Mini, the Primo 81 has nearly identical bezels and shape along with a number of other similar tech specs including:

• Quad-core Allwinner A315 processor
• 1GB RAM
• 7.85-inch display (IPS, 1024 x 768)
• 3500 mAh battery
• Andorid 4.2

We were going to write about the rumoured Nexus 7 refresh which was supposedly going to be held here at Computex but ASUS had to go and release some early news about their MeMo Pad HD 7 tablet. Priced at a surprising $129 (RM398) and aimed at "developing markets" like Malaysia, it looks to be the next Nexus 7 killer if it maintains that price when it arrives here. This is because the tech specs for the MeMo Pad HD 7 are listed as:

• ARM Cortex A7 Quad-core processor
• 7-inch screen (IPS, 1280 x 800)
• 8GB / 16GB internal storage
• 5MP rear camera + 1.2MP front camera
• SonicMaster Audio
• Android 4.2
• 120.6 x 196.8 x 10.8mm | 302g

While relatively new to the smartphone industry, Acer are still at it, trying to make some headway. Looking to appeal to the phablet fans out there, Acer have announced the Liquid S1, an ARM powered smartphone sporting a 5.7-inch screen at Computex 2013. Looking almost too long in the hand, the Acer Liquid S1 has the following tech specs:

• 1.5Ghz Mediatek Quad-core processor
• 5.7-inch TFT display (720p)
• 1GB RAM
• 8GB storage
• Dual-SIM support
• 2400 mAh battery
• 195g
• Android 4.2

As part of the next bunch of Samsung Galaxy S4 variants, the Galaxy S4 Active is the rugged, tougher and reportedly water-proof version of Samsung's flagship smartphone. While the tech specs have revealed that it won't be using the same processor or chipset, the overall design remains the same. However, @evleaks have revealed a number of Samsung Galaxy S4 Active images, one bunch in black for AT&T and a turquoise blue one as well.

The current Nexus smartphone, the LG Nexus 4 was originally available just in black. However, LG are now offering it in white as well. Tech specs for the White LG Nexus 4 are still the same as the old black one, which isn't bad since you still get a high-end smartphone but the only difference with the White Nexus 4 is its colour. It should be available already but it would likely go for a slightly higher price than the original black one. While on that topic, LG have confirmed that they have no plans for another Nexus smartphone, squashing earlier rumours about an LG Nexus 5 smartphone in the works. LG have not ruled out working with Google again though.

While Samsung have plans to reveal Samsung Galaxy S4 variants like the Galaxy S4 Mini, Active, Zoom and Mega, so far only the S4 Mini Active and Zoom specs have been revealed. First off is the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, which was revealed from the AnTuTu benchmark site:

• 4.3" Super AMOLED (540 x 960, 240ppi ~ 256ppi)
• 1.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 dual-core Krait 200
• 1.5GB RAM
• Adreno 305 GPU
• 8GB internal storage
• 8MP rear camera + 2.1MP front camera
• LTE + dual-SIM support

Samsung's oversized phablets continue to grow with the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 and 6.3. Thankfully, their prices have also been revealed as vendors have started selling the Samsung Galaxy Mega 5.8 in India at INR24900 (RM1364). The Samsung Galaxy 6.3 has been priced at INR31490 (RM1725). The price isn't entirely unexpected as both phablets only have midrange specs and should feature just a bit higher than the Samsung Galaxy Grand.

We fully expected this from our earlier reports but Samsung have dethroned Apple in smartphones sales for Q1 of 2013. According to analysts Samsung sold $26.62 billion worth of smartphones. While Apple have been doing quite well too at $22.95 billion this figure is lower by $7.71 billion compared to the figure reached in Q4 of 2012. Nokia followed up with $3.64 billion while LG got $2.95 billion from their smartphone sales.

LTE networks in Malaysia are just coming out, with the only major players being Maxis and Celcom. Therefore it makes sense that it took a while for the LTE-enabled version of the Samsung Galaxy S4 or I9505 to reach our shores. Coming out for Maxis in the next week or so, the I9505 will be priced a bit higher at RM2499 because instead of 16GB this version has 32GB worth of internal storage.

Out of all the new Samsung Galaxy S4 variants, there was one that we were sure was going to be released and that would be the Samsung Galaxy S4 mini, which Samsung have officially announced recently. Following the SIII mini, this year's Samsung Galaxy S4 mini confirms most of the tech spec rumours including:

• 4.3-inch qHD Super AMOLED display
• 1.7GHz dual-core processor
• 8MP rear camera + 1.9MP front camera
• 8GB storage + 64GB microSD
• Android 4.2.2
• 1900 mAh battery
• LTE + IR LED support