LG LG’s two latest handsets, the L Fino and L Bello, aren’t exactly the top of the line products you’d expect the company to debut at the upcoming IFA tradeshow in Berlin. For one, it isn’t a flagship device that will go head-to-head with the upcoming Galaxy Note 4. Instead the L Fino and L …

Microsoft Microsoft’s dual-SIM capable Nokia Lumia 530 will hit stores in Singapore on August 23 for a mere S$159 ($127) — making it one of the more affordable Windows Phone device in the region. The handset comes with the latest Windows Phone 8.1 update, which includes software features such as Action Center (similar to the Notifications center in Android and …

Xiaomi’s Mi Pad. Aloysius Low/CNET Xiaomi has been relatively unknown outside of Asia, but a new Strategy Analytics report shows that the Beijing-based company has shot up to being the world’s fifth-largest smartphone maker, behind Samsung, Apple, Huawei, and Lenovo. Related stories Xiaomi becomes fifth-largest smartphone maker worldwide Xiaomi global VP Hugo Barra: Copying current products is ‘stupid’ Meet Xioami’s …

KDDI There’s already been rumors of a Windows Phone 8-powered HTC phone based on the One M8, but the latest HTC J Butterfly announced for Japanese carrier KDDI isn’t it. Instead, the sequel to last year’s Butterfly S comes sporting similar specs to the One M8 flagship, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor and a similar dual-camera rear system. The …

Ring, ring, ring, ring, banana phone. Superarrow International You may not want to bring this phone case with you to the zoo, but if you’re looking for a fashion statement, there’s no doubt the Big Banana case for your iPhone 5 (and 5S) will get people talking. Made of silicone and shaped like a tasty radioactive yellow berry (I kid …

Xiaomi’s Hugo Barra posing for a picture at his office at the Xiaomi HQ. Aloysius Low/CNET BEIJING — In the wake of accusations of Xiaomi’s “copying” Apple’s designs, Xiaomi’s Global VP and former Android VP Hugo Barra vigorously defended the Chinese company, calling the statements “sensational and sweeping“. He said as much at a group interview at the Xiaomi HQ …

Xiaomi’s Lei Jun showing off the security features of the new fitness band. Aloysius Low/CNET BEIJING, China — Apart from announcing the new Xiaomi Mi 4, Xiaomi’s CEO Lei Jun pulled a “one more thing” at the press conference and announced a new fitness band. The Xiaomi Mi Band is the company’s first wearable gadget, and comes with a set …

Xiaomi’s Lei Jun announcing the new Mi 4. Aloysius Low/CNET BEIJING, China — The design of Xiaomi’s latest Mi 4 will seem very familiar to some. The company appears to have borrowed from the Apple playbook again — the phone looks very much like the iPhone, and the Mi 4 even comes in a white version similar to Apple’s smartphone. …

Josh Miller/CNET Microsoft’s newest smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 930 , will hit stores in Singapore on July 12 for a contract-free price of S$789 ($631). The phone is already available in Malaysia for RM1,999 ($630), Thailand at THB19,890 ($617) and Vietnam for VND12,999,000 ($611). On the Nokia Conversations blog, Nokia stated that the phone will be available for $599 in …

Xiaomi’s Mi 3 will soon be sold in India. Aloysius Low/CNET Xiaomi’s plans to sell its phones in India have never been a secret, so it’s no surprise to find that the company has announced its first phone for India. The Chinese company has launched a new India portal on its Mi.com site, while global VP Hugo Barra made the …