Confirming earlier rumours, Samsung has just sent out invites for an UNPACKED 2014 event right before IFA 2014 where they will unveil the new Samsung Galaxy Note 4 phablet. Tech specs still have not been confirmed for the Galaxy Note 4 but many are thinking it may offer a Snapdragon 805 processor, 3GB RAM, 5.7-inch display with 1440 x 2560 pixel resolution, 16MP camera with OIS, an ultraviolet sensor and Andoid 4.4 KitKat. We're still hoping that the RAM could get an increase to 4GB but this seems unlikely now. Other devices are also expected including the metal-body Samsung Galaxy Alpha and more (including some new wearable devices). No news on Malaysia release dates or pricing yet but we should find out in another month so stay tuned for more developments.

Despite it's standing as one of the top smartphone makers in the world, almost none of Samsung's smartphones have a complete metal body. While the rumours of a metal-body Samsung flagship smartphone have yet to die down, it appears that there are rumours about the first all-metal Samsung smartphone actually being a midrange model going by the name of the Samsung Galaxy Alpha or otherwise known as the Samsung Galaxy S5 Alpha or even the Samsung Galaxy F. Reportedly coming on 4 August 2014 tech specs for the Galaxy Alpha include a 4.8-inch 720p display, 32GB storage and fingerprint scanner (likely built into the home button). No news yet on Malaysia release dates or pricing but we should be able to find out more by next week at least. In the meantime, do check out these leaked pics of the smartphone next to the Samsung Galaxy S5.

Nearly everyone is interested in the Xiaomi Mi 4 with one of the biggest question on everyone's lips being how does it perform (although here in Malaysia the biggest would be how much)? Well, the folks at MyDrivers has obliged with an AnTuTu score, camera samples and screenshots. We're quite happy to tell you that the Xiaomi Mi 4 scored 37156 on AnTuTu, which is quite high for a smartphone. For a comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S5 usually gets around 35000+. Xiaomi Malaysia still haven't revealed any specific Malaysia release dates or pricing but the current pricing is RMB 1999 (RM1099) for the 16GB version and RMB 2499 (RM1299) for the 64GB version.

After dropping the bundle pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S5 down to RM1199 with the Raya for Gaya promotion, Maxis are now offering a trade-in program as well for the Galaxy S5. Like the Apple iPhone 5S trade-in program, you can trade-in any phone but certain smartphones will get better discounts. The highest discount is with the Apple iPhone 5 which gives you a discount of RM1000, effectively lowering the price down to RM199. As usual, the offer is only valid for a 24-month contract and up until 31 August 2014 but for more details check the table and links in this article.

The Huawei Talkband B1 is Huawei's first wearable device that combines a smartband fitness tracker along with a bluetooth headset. Coupled with a compatible smartphone, the smartband receives calls and lets you answer them directly. How exactly? Check out our video review below for a better idea and see if it is the smartband for you. Just as a refresher, the tech specs and features of the Huawei Talkband B1 are included as well:

• 1.4 inch flexible OLED
• 247.5 / 221.5 x 19.3 x 14.6mm | 26.2g (9.4g headset + 16.8g wristband)
• Supports Bluetooth 3.0, NFC fast pairing
• Features dual-mic noise reduction, 7 hours talk time 2 weeks stand-by
• Compatible with Huawei MediaPad X1 / M1 / Ascend P7 / P6 / P6s / Mate / Mate2 / Y530 / Y330 / Y300 / G730 / G610 / Y600 / G6 / B199 / Honor 3C / Honor 3X / SAMSUNG Galaxy S5/S4/S3/Note 3 LTE/Note 2, MEIZU MX3
• 90 mAh battery
• IP57 water and dust resistance

In accordance with the retail price drop of the Samsung Galaxy S5 from RM2399 to RM2149, Maxis are now offering the smartphone at lower priced bundle deals. While you do get the smartphone under the new MaxisONE plans, you still have to sign up for a 24-month contract. Add the current "Raya Dengan Gaya" promotional discount and you can now get the Samsung Galaxy S5 from as low as RM1199. For more details check out the table and links in this article.

South Korean Media reports have the rumoured Samsung Galaxy S5 Alpha or Galaxy F smartphone coming with a 6mm-thin metal body along with a 4.7-inch screen. This comes from reports calling the smartphone a "card phone" in reference to the slimness of the device. Both new tech specs are different from previously expected tech specs as we thought it would come with a 5.2-inch display and be about as thick as the previous Samsung Galaxy S5 (which is about 8.1mm). Reports also indicate that it will use a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa processor, but then, Samsung has been known to offer models with different processors before. No details on Malaysia release dates or pricing but as always do take these rumours with a pinch of salt and stay tuned for more updates.

The Apple iPhone 6 is set for a reveal in September 2014 but there are already clones released for the smartphone out in the market. Granted, this is just for the China market but the clones are using the dummy mockup shells of the Apple iPhone 6 which have appeared recently. The overall look is super thin but is running an operating system that looks very much like the current iOS (flat icons, etc.). No details about what sort of tech specs and features these clones are offering but we suspect that it could be a cheap MediaTek processor with 5MP rear camera. At least you'll have LED flash and a larger screen similar in size to a Samsung Galaxy S5, but don't expect any of the latest Apple iPhone features like a 2GHz A8 processor. Check out the pictures for yourself in this article.

Samsung recently announced the Samsung Galaxy S5 mini. Confirming many of the rumoured tech specs and features, the new mini version of the Samsung Galaxy S5 will have IP67 water and dust resistance certification, a heart rate monitor and fingerprint scanner. It will retain the same perforated backside and chrome siding while other notable tech specs and features also include:

• 1.4gHz quad-core processor
• 1.5GB RAM
• 16GB Memory + up to 64GB microSD
• 4.5-inch Super AMOLED display (720 x 1280 pixel resolution)
• 8MP rear camera (LED flash, autofocus) +2.1MP front camera
• Supports 4G LTE, 3G, Wifi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, A-GPS
• 131.1 x 64.8 x 9.1mm | 120g
• 2100 mAh battery
• Android 4.4 KitKat

Huawei recently announced the Huawei Honor 6 smartphone, confirming rumours that they'd skip numbers 4 and 5 in their Huawei Honor series of smartphones. Previously codenamed the Huawei Mulan and otherwise known as the Huawei Glory 6 the smartphone offers a number of notable features including a new octa-core Kirin 920 processor from Huawei. This new octa-core chipset has scored better on AnTuTu benchmarks than the Snapdragon 805 so there is a good reason to be excited about this. Other notable tech specs and features include a 5-inch display with full HD 1080p resolution, 3GB RAM, 16GB / 32GB storage and microSD support.