Tag: Budget Phones

  • HMD Atlas Leaks: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 5000mAh Battery

    HMD Atlas Leaks: Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 5000mAh Battery

    HMD Global appears to be preparing another budget smartphone for the US market, following the release of the Vibe earlier this year. Leaked by X user @smashx_60, who is known for revealing details about upcoming HMD devices, the HMD Atlas is believed to be the successor to the Nokia G400, which debuted in 2022.

    The leak includes a sketch and a rendered image, offering a peek at the phone’s design. The HMD Atlas features a flat body with a rectangular camera module on the rear. The front is characterized by slim bezels and a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The render shows an Olive Green variant, though other color options are likely available as well.

    HMD Atlas Render and Specifications

    Internally, the phone is rumored to boast a 6.64-inch IPS LCD display with Full HD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is expected to be powered by a Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

    In terms of the camera, the HMD Atlas reportedly features a 48MP primary sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a depth sensor on the back. For selfies, there will be a 16MP camera housed within the punch-hole cutout.

    Battery, Connectivity, and Additional Features

    The device will come with a 5500mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 4.0 technology. Connectivity options include 5G, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. Additionally, the phone is said to offer expandable storage via a microSD card slot, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio.

    The leak also mentions that the HMD Atlas will measure 163 x 75 x 8.75mm and weigh 210 grams. The price for the 8GB/128GB model is expected to be $239.99, though the launch date remains unknown.

    Tags: , ,
  • Samsung to Outsource 67M Smartphones from China ODMs in 2024

    Samsung to Outsource 67M Smartphones from China ODMs in 2024

    Samsung’s reliance on outsourced production for its budget phone line appears to be on the rise. As reported by The Elec, the South Korean tech leader is expected to produce 67 million smartphones in 2024 through Chinese ODMs (original design manufacturers) and JDMs (joint device manufacturers).

    This marks a notable increase from 44 million units in 2023, accounting for 25% of Samsung’s overall smartphone production goal of 270 million units this year.

    Vietnam’s Role in Production

    The report also highlights Vietnam’s involvement in Samsung’s outsourcing strategy, with approximately 28 million units anticipated to be manufactured in Vietnamese facilities.

    Samsung’s heavy reliance on outsourcing aims to cut costs, enabling the company to offer more competitively priced budget phones.

    Samsung began outsourcing production for its affordable phone range in 2019. Although this strategy reduces production and R&D costs, it raises concerns about potential quality compromises that outsourcing might entail.

    Potential Quality Issues

    ODM partners may cut corners on materials or components to increase their profit margins, potentially affecting the overall user experience. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy A03s, believed to be an outsourced phone, was praised for its battery life and usability improvements but criticized for its cheap build quality and sluggish performance.

    Despite these possible downsides, Samsung’s strategy appears to resonate with consumers. The company was the only Android manufacturer to have phones listed among the top 10 best-sellers in both 2022 and 2023.

    Balancing Act

    Thus, the cost-effective approach achieved through outsourcing is delivering budget-friendly Android devices that find a market. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see how Samsung manages the balance between affordability and quality control in its outsourced phones.

    The company will need to ensure that its ODM partners uphold sufficient standards while providing competitive pricing for budget-conscious consumers.

    Tags: , ,