The smartphone landscape is changing rapidly as smartphones with components that would normally have been installed inside premium priced smartphones are turning up in entry-level to midrange smartphones. The Alcatel OneTouch Idol X+ is one of these smartphones, combining an octa-core or eight-core processor with midrange pricing along with other top-of-the-range features and tech specs. Find out which features may suit you best with our in-depth review of the Alcatel OneTouch Idol X+ smartphone.

Samsung Malaysia Electronics recently announced a special 3-day promotion for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo phablet starting from 10am on 20 May 2014 to 22 May 2014. The promotion offers a 50% discount on the Galaxy Note 3 Neo which is normally priced at RM1699 for a special price of just RM850. While there are 62 participating Samsung Mobile Brand Stores, only 1240 units will be available. Check out list 1 and list 2 of Samsung Mobile Brand stores to find one nearby. Bear in mind that stock is limited for each store so check other stores in the list if one is out of stock. For a refresher check out the tech specs and features of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo below:

• Hexa-core (1.7GHz dual-core + 1.3GHz quad-core)  Samsung Exynos 5260 processor
• Mali-T624 graphics
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage + up to 64GB microSD
• 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display (720 x 1280 pixel resolution)
• 8MP rear camera (LED flash) + 2MP front camera
• supports 3G, 4G LTE, S Pen, S Voice, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, WiFi
• 148.4 x 77.4 x 8.6mm | 162.5g
• Android 4.3 Jelly bean
• 3100 mAh battery

Premium looks don't always mean premium performance, especially when the price of the mobile device isn't at a premium. Unfortunately, there aren't that many premium looking Android smartphones out there that both perform well and cost affordable but OPPO hope to change that perception with the OPPO R1, their second smartphone for the Malaysian midrange market. Does it fulfill all of the above? Read our full review about the OPPO R1 to find out.

The idea for a rotating camera on a phone is not new, in fact it has been tried many times before. However, the Oppo N1 takes this feature makes it its own and then adds on a whole bunch of other unique features you won't find on any other smartphone. What exactly are these unique features and is it worth your time? We certainly think so, but for the rest read on and find out in our review of the Oppo N1.

Just a short while ago, quite a lot of people were mighty interested in the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo, not only because it would have a Hexa-core processor but also because it was meant to be a more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 phablet. Thankfully, this is true for Malaysia as the Galaxy Note 3 Neo is priced at RM1699. Utilizing the features and tech specs of the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 but using the Galaxy Note 3 design, the device has 3G HSPA+ connectivity, and updated 8MP rear camera, 2GB of RAM and a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 1280 x 720 pixel resolution. It also has an S Pen stylus as well. Do bear in mind that third party sellers are already dropping the price to RM1560 so do check out our sister site of MobileMegaMall.com for more details.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is rumoured to be on pre-order soon for Belgium. This has resulted in a number of better looking pictures along with pricing. Unfortunately, the Note 3 Neo isn't as affordable as we thought it would be at €599 (RM2731). The pics show that the overall design is more or less the same, right down to the artificial leather backside. Tech specs still haven't been confirmed but most estimates have them include an 8MP camera, 5.55-inch 720p Super AMOLED display, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, LTE and microSD support, Android 4.3 and a 3100 mAh battery. It should get it's officialy launch in March 2014 with the official announcement expected in February at the MWC expo. If it is already on pre-order in Belgium, we should see it get to Malaysia soon.

A new Samsung Galaxy device recently appeared in a Zauba listing. Zauba is an Indian website which tracks Indian exports and imports, a bit like the SIRIM database here in Malaysia. Back to the Zauba listing, the mystery Samsung Galaxy device is listed as Samsung GT-I9405 and has tech specs which include a 5.5-inch display and single SIM capabilities. The device is listed for testing and evaluation. So far, it doesn't seem to be the Samsung Galaxy S5 because the model numbering is below that of the Samsung Galaxy S4 which is GT-I9500 and it doesn't match with the Galaxy Note series either as Note numbering goes from N7100, N9000 and so forth. It isn't the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo either as the matching SM-N7500 / SM-N7505 model number has already appeared in Zauba. The value pricing of the listing is a big hint though as 32746 Indian Rupees (RM1721) places the device squarely in the mid-range. Check out the listing in the article for yourself but do stay tuned for more updates.

The previously rumoured more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which was formerly known as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite may instead be called the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo. This follows the naming convention for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo smartphone. Some other leaked internal documents have also revealed the tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo which include:

• 1.7GHz dual-core + 1.3GHz quad-core (Hexa-core) processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• 5.55-inch Super AMOLED display (720p resolution)
• 8MP rear camera
• 2100 mAh battery

The previously rumoured more affordable version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 which was formerly known as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Lite may instead be called the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo. This follows the naming convention for the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo smartphone. Some other leaked internal documents have also revealed the tech specs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo which include:

• 1.7GHz dual-core + 1.3GHz quad-core (Hexa-core) processor
• 2GB RAM
• 16GB storage
• 5.55-inch Super AMOLED display (720p resolution)
• 8MP rear camera
• 2100 mAh battery