THE SMARTPHONE THREAD

[mp*]

I need to go try it out, feel it might be too big for me. If so ill cop the 2GB S3LTE when it drops

[Kurtis]

Is the uk Note 2 4G?

EE has announced that it will stock the 4G-ready Samsung Galaxy Note 2 from October 15.

The largest of all the 4G phones currently available in the UK, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2, will be available from EE within two weeks. EE's 4G network isn't yet up and running for the general public - it's currently in testing across London, Bristol, Cardiff and Birmingham.

However, the plan is to have the 4G network available to up to 70 percent of the population of the UK by the end of the year. The initial roll-out will focus on cities including those currently undergoing testing, plus others like Leeds, Southampton, Newcastle and Hull. Sign up for a 3G Samsung Galaxy Note 2 package on 15 October and you'll be given the change to upgrade to 4G once the new network's available.

EE's 4G network uses the LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard. In real use, this sort of connection can reach speeds of around 50Mbps. However, the true test comes once thousands of people have signed up for EE's 4G network, putting the £1.5 billion infrastructure improvements under strain.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 2 improves upon the first Note with a better stylus, a larger screen and a thinner bezel - resulting in a phone around the same size. Other features include a quad-core 1.6GHz Exynos 4412 processor, expandable storage and an 8-megapixel main camera. For more, read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 2 review.

Samsung's first Galaxy Note was a surprise success. In August 2012, Samsung revealed the giant phone that incited the awkward term "phablet" had sold 10 million units worldwide.

If you don't care too much about 4G connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy Note 2 sells for around £549.99 SIM-free for the 16GB edition.

[jcee]

HTC One X+ looks niiiice, think that will be me when it comes out this month.

http://www.t3.com/re...e-x-plus-review

64GB

quad core 1.7GHz (one x is 1.5 GHz)

bigger battery than the one x

[mp*]

Nice, would cop if the S3 LTE didnt just drop.

[Kurtis]

http://www.phonesreview.co.uk/2012/10/03/iphone-5-vs-samsung-galaxy-note-2-in-fascinating-detail/

this review >>>>>>

[Mic Man]

I know that ee will release a 4g ready Note 2 next week, but are the 3, O2 & Vodafone Note 2s just released 4g ready?

Also, how much more do you think 4g tariffs will be over 3G equivalents?

[Kurtis]

remember how much 3G cost when it first came out?

[dub]

Read on Engadget or somewhere that the next Samsung phone is being announced next week. They're guessing Galaxy S3 Mini

[Kurtis]

i thought they were annoucing the us launch of the note 2

[dub]

But everyone knows about the Note 2 by now, its even got a release date in the US and UK, so it wouldn't make sense for them to be inexplicit with the marketing.

edit: this probably is

Though there's supposed to be an announcement on the 11th as well.

http://www.engadget.com/2012/10/03/samsung-teasing-galaxy-s-iii-mini-october-11/

[Kurtis]

they need to slow down though 'fore they get sued for copying apple launches

[dub]

think they're just doing it for fun now, their sales have actually gone up since the court case

[Kurtis]

instead of a 4G phone i MAY just cop something like this and get a data sim, then have it on various devices

http://www.expansys.com/huawei-e586-3g-4g-hspa+mifi-21mbps-mobile-broadhand-wi-fi-hotspot-234485

although from the specs that isnt LTE so i dunno why theyre promoting it as such

though im sure something will be out soon to cover that

[mp*]

I believe hspa+ is technically 4G.

[mp*]

Ive wanted this for ages

[Kurtis]

samsung, please.......

PATENT IT!!!

9774qw 4 hours ago 7

LMAO

[dub]

they should have implemented the 4 finger drag to change screen, though I imagine Apple have patented that

[Creed Diskenth]

Hello tyrone,

30th October. Save the date, stick it in the diary – it's the day we're launching the UK's first mobile 4G network. That means in less than a month you could be getting superfast internet at home and on the go.

Here are some of the brilliant new 4G phones you'll be able to get on EE. And you can watch them in action on 4GEE by clicking on the phones below:

[Agony]

[media=]

[Kurtis]

HTC profits slide 79% as competition stiffens

Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC has reported a 79% drop in profits for the third quarter as it continues to lose ground to rivals Samsung and Apple.

Net profit was NT$3.9bn ($133m; £83m) during the July to September quarter, down from NT$18.68bn a year earlier.

This is in sharp contrast with Samsung, which has forecast record profits for the same period, led by strong sales of its Galaxy smartphones.

Analysts said HTC was unlikely to catch up with its rivals in the near term.

Robert Yen of Goldman Sachs said in a report that the firm's "strategy of reducing its number of models leaves it much in need of a hit model for 2013".

He said that until HTC can find one such model "we see margins posing a downside risk".

The firm's shares fell 7% on the Taiwan Stock Exchange to NT$267 after the results.

The company's stock has fallen 44% since the start of this year.

Regaining ground?

The firm was among the early pioneers of Android-based smartphones and enjoyed a considerable share in key markets such as the US.

However, it has been hurt by the success of Samsung's Galaxy range of smartphones as well as that of Apple's iPhone.

The two rivals have consistently launched new models, with Samsung unveiling the Galaxy S3 and Apple its iPhone5 earlier this year, which has helped them to extend their lead over HTC.

In an attempt to regain its marketshare, HTC has also launched new phone models, including two Windows Phone 8 handsets.

However, analysts said that the new launches were unlikely to have a significant impact on HTC's fortunes.

"The new models we saw in the past few weeks are not going to change the game," said Dennis Chan an analyst with Yuanta Securities in Taipei.

"It will be able to keep its market share, but we won't see much pick-up."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19879861

fack

i need to buy another HTC phone and support man

[Lenny]

Lol f*ck them. Serves them right

[Vtec]

I was tempted to get the HTC One XL (which runs on 4G) but I also then I like the spec of the new HTC One X+ (which does not run on 4G (only in the USA) and just an xtra boosted spec from the original HTC One X)

They can't stop releasing so many side step addition handsets and just release a beast and done. Seems they are repeating mistakes with previous Gen and not learning confusing and making consumers feel short changed with new extra plus model released every second.

[Lenny]

^ spot on

I'm all for innovation and progression but HTC take the piss

[Vtec]

Thoughts on the New (Google owned) Motorola RAZRi?

[Lenny]

Solid mid range phone.

Motorola handsets are underrated, but im still waiting for that killer handset

Another company that didnt get with the times quick enough, like Nokia.