Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S4 Zoom earlier this month, a tweaked version of the original Galaxy S4 with a 16-megapixel sensor and 10x optical zoom.
It’s a spiritual successor to the original Galaxy camera, combining the Android mobile operating system and its extensive range of photo-editing apps with a more robust lens and flash.
The camera is powered by a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and offers a 4.3-inch qHG super AMOLED touchscreen (at a 960×540 resolution) for taking pictures and sharing them on the Web.
TNW had the opportunity to go hands-on with the device at Samsung’s ‘Premiere 2013’ event in London today, and have uploaded a selection of images to give you a better idea of what the new hardware looks like.
Oppo N1 smartphone: 5.9-inch 1080p display, 13MP rotating camera, rear touch controls and new Color OS
Many of the big handset makers are trying to establish and differentiate their latest flagship smartphones with vastly improved cameras. Oppo is no exception, after it unveiled the N1 today with a 13-megapixel snapper fitted to an adjustable hinge.
The handset has a 5.9-inch, full HD display (373 pixels per inch) and is the first to run Oppo’s new Color OS operating system, based on Android 4.2. The N1 also offers a 12cm squared rear touch panel that lets you scroll, tap and capture photos – maybe we’ll see some PlayStation Vita-style mobile games taking advantage of it too?
Inside is a 3610 mAh battery, 2GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of internal storage. It’s powered by a 1.7 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 Quad Core processor and weighs 213 grams in the hand.
Oppo claims that its new camera, constructed from 67 different components, is the first to feature a six-piece lens design in an Android smartphone. With an f/2.0 wide aperture and the company’s own Owl imaging processor, it has a lot to prove against photography heavyweights such as the iPhone 5s , Lumia 1020 and Xperia Z1 .
The hinge is certainly novel, if a little unsightly. Front-facing cameras have typically been abysmal on high-end smartphones, so here’s hoping this contraption, rotatable over 206 degrees, makes crisp, high-resolution selfies and video calls a reality.
The N1 will be available for 3,498 CNY, or roughly $570 USD. Pre-orders will go live on Oppo’s website later today, with a full release expected in early December.
Nintendo launches UK online store, offering free delivery and limited edition products
Video game fans in the UK will be glad to have a more convenient way to purchase Nintendo products, as the company’s UK online store is now live (hat/tip Polygon ).
To entice customers, Nintendo is offering free standard delivery (2-3 days) on every single product it sells. An additional perk: if you spend more than £200 ($319) and place an order by 8pm, you will get your product delivered to you the next day for free.
The UK online store will also stock limited edition products periodically, such as the Nintendo 3DS XL Pokémon consoles. It is also giving customers a 12-month extended warranty for every console it sells.
Headline image via Fredric J. Brown/ AFP/Getty Images