With the latest televisions, camcorders, gaming consoles all boasting full high-definition (1,920 x 1,080 pixels, or 1080p) display capability, owning a HD cell phone–one that can capture, display and output videos in 720p (1,280 x 720 pixels) mode–seems so yesterday!
And with leading processor manufacturers, including NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Freescale, all set to bring out dual-core CPUs in the near future, the long-heralded promise of top-quality video entertainment on mobile phones is slowly turning into reality. Why? The new-age chips, among other things, will be able to facilitate a faster and smoother Internet surfing experience and allow you to do multitasking on your phones with almost zero screen lag.
So, if you are planning to buy a high-end smartphone that can record, display and output full HD video, here is a list of four devices that fit the bill perfectly (we have also added one model that’s rumored to be 1080p-ready).
LG LU3000 full HD phone with DLNA streaming
Photo: LG LU3000 full HD phone
What you get: The LG LU3000, which is currently available only in South Korea (no word yet on the device’s launch elsewhere; we will keep you posted!), is a high-end smartphone equipped to record, play back and output full high-definition video. A 5-megapixel camera (2592 x 1944 pixels) with features including autofocus and LED flash, located on the rear of the phone, can capture videos in 1080p (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) resolution. Read more about the
LG LU3000 full HD phonePowered by a 1GHz TI OMAP3630 processor, this LG newbie provides an HDMI-output port for users to enjoy full HD videos captured on the camera in compatible televisions, projectors, etc. The phone conforms to standards set by the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance, a group of almost 250 electronics companies that manufacture products which can interact with each other). What this means for you is that you can wirelessly stream photos, songs or videos from the LG LU3000 to other DLNA devices–including PCs, TVs.
Worried about running out of storage capacity while watching the latest movies? Well, chill–LG has packed in a microSD card slot into the phone that allows you to increase the device’s memory to up to 32GB.
Based on the Android 2.2 (Froyo) operating system, the full HD-ready smartphone sports a 3.8-inch TFT capacitive multi-touch screen, which renders 16 million colors and has a native resolution of 800 x 480 pixels–by far, the sharpest mode found currently among mobile phones (as you might be aware, we are still awaiting a phone with a truly pixel-for-pixel high-definition screen). Another interesting thing about the phone’s display is its in-plane switching (IPS) feature, which gives users a wider viewing angle.
Web enthusiasts will find quick access to YouTube, social networking hotspots (Facebook, Twitter) and various Google apps including Google Search, Gmail, Google Talk, etc. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth V2.1 with A2DP and microUSB V2.0.
Other key specifications of the 3G-ready LG LU3000 include a multi-format music and video player; aGPS; games; geo-tagging (tagging of videos and pictures with information on their geographic location); accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate; proximity sensor for auto turn-off; 3.5 mm audio jack.
Brand: LG
Model: LU3000
Price: 800,000KRW ($705)
Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot S006 1080p phone with 16.1 MP sensor
Photo: Sony Ericsson Cyber Shot S006
What you get: Measuring 52 x 17 x 115 mm (width x depth x height), the Cyber-shot S006 is a full HD camera phone that boasts a massive 16.1MP CMOS image sensor. Built on Sony Ericsson’s proprietary Exmore R imaging engine, the back-illuminated sensor shoots 1080p video at 30 frames per second and 720p video at 60fps. The camera, which comes with multiple features including digital zoom, autofocus and high-brightness LED flash, has an image resolution of 4928 x 3264 pixels.
Driven by a 1GHz Snapdragon CPU and Sony Ericsson’s own operating system, this slider phone–which, believe it or not, is waterproof–also lets users enjoy streaming Live TV content on the move, thanks to a built-in TV tuner. A microSD card slot lets users enhance the device memory to up to 16GB. Read more about
Sony Ericsson Cyber-Shot S006 1080p phoneYou will get a 3.3-inch, 16M color touchscreen that renders a resolution of 854×480 pixels. An MP3 player with 3.5 mm audio jack, MP4 player, FM Radio, Bluetooth V2.0 with A2DP, Wi-Fi, USB, Java are some of the other standout features of this camera phone.
Currently available only in Japan (through local telecom operator KDDI), the Cyber-shot S006 comes in gold, blue and pink color variants.
Brand: Sony Ericsson
Model: Cyber-shot S006
Price: Not available
Samsung Infuse 4G full HD Android phone
Photo: Samsung Infuse 4G full HD Android phone
What you get: Showcased at the recently concluded CES 2011 trade show, the Samsung Infuse 4G is a smartphone with an 8MP camera (with LED flash, autofocus) at the back that can capture 1080p video. The device, which is compatible with 4G telecom networks and is slated for a US launch in the second half of 2011 on AT&T, can also play back full HD video.
Plus, it comes with a built-in HDMI port for playing videos from the phone on an HDTV. A DLNA certification ensures that you can wirelessly stream 1080p video content from the device onto compatible devices. Read more about the
Infuse 4GIt’s interesting to note that this Samsung product is based on Froyo, and not Gingerbread–the latest version of Android operating system for cell phones. Driven by a fast 1.2GHz Hummingbird chip, the Infuse 4G packs in a humongous 4.5-inch WVGA super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen–putting it on course to become the largest touchscreen among AT&T’s 4G phones.
A 1.3MP camera on the front for video chatting; multi-format audio and video player, support for Adobe Flash; quick access to social networking sites; 3.5mm headphone jack; aGPS; HSPA+ support; a 1750 mAh battery; Bluetooth; Wi-Fi, and microUSB v2.0 are some of the other functionalities one can expect from the candy bar phone.
Brand: Samsung
Model: Infuse 4G
Price: Not available
LG Optimus 2X dual core 1080p Android phone
Photo: LG Optimus 2X Dual Core
What you get: The LG Optimus 2X, which was unveiled at the CES 2011 and will be available in the UK starting Feb. 21 for £499.99, will have the distinction of–unless, of course, someone else steals its thunder, which is quite unlikely–being the world’s first ever dual-core smartphone deploying a dual-core CPU.
LG’s flagship cell phone will have a 1GHz dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor. Based on Android 2.2 OS (though, we expect LG to provide an upgrade to Gingerbread in the future), the
LG Optimus 2X comes with an 8.1MP camera–with LED flash and autofocus–at the back that can record 1080p video. Play back the full HD videos on a 4-inch capacitive screen, featuring 16 million colors and rendering a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. You also get a 1.3MP front-facing camera for video calling. Read
Sporting a dimension of 63.2 x 10.9 x 123.9mm (W x D x H), the phone lets users stream 1080p videos wirelessly on to any DLNA-compatible digital device. Hardcore gaming fans will find the device’s HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) mirroring, accelerometer and gyro sensor pretty useful to have a console-like gaming experience.
Running on a 1500 mAh battery, the 3G-enabled LG Optimus 2X offers Wi-Fi and Bluetooth V2.1 with A2DP as connectivity options. Multimedia features include MP3 and MP4 players. Another highlight is the fact that the phone will be the first LG device to get music and ringtones created by legendary movie soundtrack composer Ennio Morricone! The phone has 8GB of internal storage, which can be increased to up to 32GB via a microSD card slot.
Following its UK launch, we expect the LG Optimus 2X to be rolled out in Europe, followed by Korea and the US.
Brand: LG
Model: Optimus 2X
Price: £499.99
Samsung Galaxy 2 GT-i9100 Gingerbread phone with full HD
What you might get: Ever since Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphone became a runaway success last year, selling millions of units worldwide, the tech sphere has been abuzz with speculation regarding the South Korean firm’s new flagship mobile phone.
And word has it that Samsung is indeed planning to launch a brand new smartphone–based on Gingerbread OS and its proprietary TouchWiz user interface–that will be the company’s flagship Android device. Reports indicate that the phone, allegedly named
‘Galaxy 2′ (GT-i9100), will be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress in February 2011!
Supposedly featuring an “ultra sleek design”, the cell phone is rumored to have an 8MP camera (with LED flash) that can record 1080p video. Leading tech blog Engadget claims that the device would be powered by Samsung’s Cortex-A9-based Orion chip. Some, however, are betting on a 1.2GHz dual-core processor to drive the phone.
Other rumored specs include a 4.3- or 4.5-inch “sAMOLED2″ WVGA screen; compatibility with DLNA; Bluetooth 3.0; 16GB of onboard memory; a universal e-book reader; GPS and support for HSPA and HSUPA. No information is currently available on the likely price of this phone.
Brand: Samsung
Rumored model name: Galaxy 2 (GT-i9100)
