Dual-core Samsung Exynos 4212 1.5GHz

The latest member of the Exynos SoC family has just been announced at the Samsung Mobile Solutions Forum, which the company hosted in Taipei yesterday. Unveiled was the dual-core Samsung Exynos 4212, which is to succeed the 4210 chip that powers the manufacturer's current flagship smartphone, the Samsung GALAXY S II, and its respective AT&T and Sprint models.

What makes the Samsung Exynos 4212 better than its predecessor is that it ticks at 1.5GHz rather than the 1.2GHz that the 4210 is clocked at. Another step up is that it is built using a 32-nanometer process, which results in a 30% gain in power efficiency. In comparison, the Exynos 4210 was built using a 45-nanometer process. Last but not least, the 4212 packs a new graphics core, which should deliver up to 50% faster rendering of 3D graphics.

While rumor has it that the Samsung Exynos 4212 might power the Google Nexus Prime, select third party companies will be also given the chance to test the chip for use in their own smartphones or tablets. The privileged manufacturers will be provided with test samples within the fourth quarter of 2011.

ZTE Tania

Just yesterday, we first heard about the Windows Phone Mango-running ZTE Tania - a 4.3-inch handset dressed in a white plastic body and supposedly carrying a relatively affordable price tag. Today, the first press shots are in, but there’s more than just the official images.

A bit under the new radar, Microsoft seem to have updated their minimum requirements for Windows Phone Mango and the Tania is the first device we’ve seen to fit those new criteria.

The highlights of the ZTE Tania’s specs include:

- 4.3-inch WVGA display,
- a 1GHz processor,
- 512MB of RAM,
- 4GB of internal memory,
- a 5-megapixel camera
- 3G HSPA, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and A-GPS.

Now, the 4GB of internal memory wouldn’t be a big deal in Android land, but for Microsoft’s platform, up until now, the minimum requirement asked for 8GB. The Chassis 1 specification, as it’s widely known, required a Qualcomm chip as well. Now, a slide out of Microsoft’s 2011 Shinagawa Conference in Japan confirms those have been changed to include lower-end devices:

• CPU is not specified,
• 2GB or more internal storage,
• Capacitive Touch Panel- 4 points or over multi-touch,
• 3MP+ camera,
• MicroUSB, 3.5mm jack,
• Sensors - A-GPS, Accelometer, Compass, Proximity.

Probably the biggest change seems to be the unspecified processor, which would allow more choice for phone makers. Currently, the low- to mid-end smartphone segments are well represented by Android, but could WP make a splash there as well?

iPhone 5 cases

Just days before the official "Let's talk iPhone" event kicks off in Cupertino rumors about the next-gen iDevice are heating up - big time. The latest are the iPhone 5 cases that had popped up in AT&T'sinventory database. Well now we have pictures to share of them.

A ninja dressed in AT&T shop assistant clothing has sent these pictures to MacRumors. They show the previously leaked Case-Mate cases for the iPhone 5. Judging by them the next incarnation of the iPhone will be way thinner than the current iPhone 4, the LG Optimus Black and the Samsung Galaxy S II - somewhere along the lines of the iPad and sharing the same design as the slate with similar tapered edges.

  

And in case you'd like to see what the next iPhone could look like based on these cases, you can check out the video below. It's in German but there are English subtitles so you're covered. There are tons of pictures too.

This iPhone 5 mockup was made using CAD drawings, CNC tools and some aluminum. Now we should stress that if you haven't already guessed it this isn't the next iPhone and it's not some real-life prototype Apple lost in a bar or anything of the sort. It's just a very crafty mockup based on the leaked case designs so far and nothing more.

Sharp 3D Aquos PHONE

The Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp is about to make a return to the European cell phone market. The announcement was jointly delivered by Sharp itself, Orange France and NTT DOCOMO.

Sharp is obviously taking this thing seriously as the first smartphone they are going to release in Europe is looking smoking hot. Dubbed Sharp Aquos PHONE SH80F (we know, a bit of a mouthful) the Android 2.3 Gingerbread smartphone comes with a glasses-free 3D screen and stereo cameras that allow you to capture your own stereoscopic content.

The Sharp Aquos PHONE SH80F LCD measures 4.2" in diagonal and has qHD resolution. The two 8 megapixel cameras can do 1080p video in 2D mode or 720p in 3D, while the VGA front-facing camera enables video-chatting.

Sharp Aquos PHONE SH80F has quite a lot to offer in terms of connectivity, too. You get 3G with HSPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Infrared and HDMI as well as a microSD card slot.

There's a Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset inside this droid, which sports a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU (single-core we assume).

If you are interested and you are lucky enough to be living in France, you will be able to get the Sharp AQUOS PHONE SH80F from Orange for €199 with a €59/month contract. Sharp has also said that it's possible that this beauty hits other countries, but it didn't give a timeframe for that.