Discount memory monsters for the 64-bit era – here are some midrangers that sport 2 GB of RAM
64-bit has been quite the buzzword in mobile for the past year – as it became clear that Google will be making Android 5.0 64-bit capable, and silicone slingers started to produce CPU models with the architecture, the world of handsets is slowly, but surely, entering the 64-bit era.
For anyone realizing this, the purchase of a new smartphone right now has the added complexity of trying to find a 64-bit handset, just for that added future-security. Sure, developers will take a while before making full use of the new architecture, and it will be a long, long while before 32-bit devices are totally abandoned, but knowing that one's new purchase is hip and in line with contemporary tech is definitely more satisfying than getting the "cool of yesterday".
Flagships are, naturally, quick to make the jump, but not everybody goes for the top-shelf smartphone. So, let's check out some midrangers that sport 64-bit capable CPUs, and, since we were talking about being hip – let's only look at the ones that are loaded with at least 2 GB of RAM!
Yeah, we know we said "minimum 2 GB of RAM", while the Redmi 2 only has one. Well, right now it does, but Xiaomi has announced an Enhanced Edition of the handset, sporting 2 GB of RAM. It is speculated that this move is an answer to the heat Xiaomi has been feeling from rising rival Meizu, which is leading its own assault on the Chinese market with a few bargain-priced handsets.
Other specs include a 4.7" 720p display, a Snapdragon 410 SoC, and a humble 8 MP / 2 MP camera combo.
The Liquid Jade S is Acer's first 64-bit smartphone and it's a slim, light, and elegant handset. It packs a 5" 720p display, a surprisingly good 13 MP / 5 MP camera combo, MediaTek's MT6752M SoC, and, of course, 2 GB of RAM. The handset was launched as an upgrade for the Liquid Jade model and, as such, has succeeded – a stable performance and surprisingly good camera greet new users, though, we were quite disappointed with its call quality.
The new Galaxy A series are probably the most notable examples of Samsung's new design philosophy. With the As, the impossible has happened – Sammy actually produced a metal unibody Android handset, creating the thinnest smartphones it has ever made. Now, while the A3 is a bit lower than the range we are looking for in this article, and the A7 seems to be a bit too expensive, the A5 lands right where we need it. It sports a 5" 720p display, potent 13 MP / 5 MP cameras, 2 GB of RAM, and Qualcomm's 64-bit Snapdragon 410.
This upper-midranger by Huawei was announced in September, 2014. It's got a huge 5.5" screen, which only has 720 x 1280 pixels stretched across it, so it won't be providing the sharpest of images. However, it's armed with a 13 MP / 5 MP snapper combo, a quad-core 64-bit 1.2 GHz CPU, and 2 GB of RAM.
Meizu's long-leaked Blue Charm midranger turned out to actually be called M1 Note. So, name aside, this handset provides some potent midrange hardware for the equivalent of ~$160 / ~$192 (storage dependent). This kind of cash can get you a MediaTek MT6752, coupled with 2 GB of RAM, wrapped in an attractively-looking plastic body in various vibrant colors. The handset sports a 5.5” 1080p display and a 13 MP / 5 MP camera combo.
The Mini version of the M1 may also be getting a 2 GB RAM version – in response to the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Enhanced Edition variant, but we've yet to hear more info on that.
The Desire 820 – a 64-bit refresh of the Desire 816 – is still a pretty solid midranger, with a fresh, lively design, and a stable performance. The handset is armed with the Snapdragon 615, clocked at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, a large 5.5” 720p display, and a very pleasing 13 MP / 8 MP camera combo.
For anyone realizing this, the purchase of a new smartphone right now has the added complexity of trying to find a 64-bit handset, just for that added future-security. Sure, developers will take a while before making full use of the new architecture, and it will be a long, long while before 32-bit devices are totally abandoned, but knowing that one's new purchase is hip and in line with contemporary tech is definitely more satisfying than getting the "cool of yesterday".
Xiaomi Redmi 2
Yeah, we know we said "minimum 2 GB of RAM", while the Redmi 2 only has one. Well, right now it does, but Xiaomi has announced an Enhanced Edition of the handset, sporting 2 GB of RAM. It is speculated that this move is an answer to the heat Xiaomi has been feeling from rising rival Meizu, which is leading its own assault on the Chinese market with a few bargain-priced handsets.
Other specs include a 4.7" 720p display, a Snapdragon 410 SoC, and a humble 8 MP / 2 MP camera combo.
So far, we are unsure, whether the Enhanced Edition will replace the regular one, once its launch campaign completes – the original Redmi 2 costs around $112, whereas the new version will be bumped up to ~$128. 1 GB RAM upgrade for $16? Yes, please!
Liquid Jade S
The Liquid Jade S is Acer's first 64-bit smartphone and it's a slim, light, and elegant handset. It packs a 5" 720p display, a surprisingly good 13 MP / 5 MP camera combo, MediaTek's MT6752M SoC, and, of course, 2 GB of RAM. The handset was launched as an upgrade for the Liquid Jade model and, as such, has succeeded – a stable performance and surprisingly good camera greet new users, though, we were quite disappointed with its call quality.
Samsung Galaxy A5
The new Galaxy A series are probably the most notable examples of Samsung's new design philosophy. With the As, the impossible has happened – Sammy actually produced a metal unibody Android handset, creating the thinnest smartphones it has ever made. Now, while the A3 is a bit lower than the range we are looking for in this article, and the A7 seems to be a bit too expensive, the A5 lands right where we need it. It sports a 5" 720p display, potent 13 MP / 5 MP cameras, 2 GB of RAM, and Qualcomm's 64-bit Snapdragon 410.
Huawei Ascend G7
This upper-midranger by Huawei was announced in September, 2014. It's got a huge 5.5" screen, which only has 720 x 1280 pixels stretched across it, so it won't be providing the sharpest of images. However, it's armed with a 13 MP / 5 MP snapper combo, a quad-core 64-bit 1.2 GHz CPU, and 2 GB of RAM.
Meizu M1 Note
Meizu's long-leaked Blue Charm midranger turned out to actually be called M1 Note. So, name aside, this handset provides some potent midrange hardware for the equivalent of ~$160 / ~$192 (storage dependent). This kind of cash can get you a MediaTek MT6752, coupled with 2 GB of RAM, wrapped in an attractively-looking plastic body in various vibrant colors. The handset sports a 5.5” 1080p display and a 13 MP / 5 MP camera combo.
The Mini version of the M1 may also be getting a 2 GB RAM version – in response to the Xiaomi Redmi 2 Enhanced Edition variant, but we've yet to hear more info on that.
HTC Desire 820
The Desire 820 – a 64-bit refresh of the Desire 816 – is still a pretty solid midranger, with a fresh, lively design, and a stable performance. The handset is armed with the Snapdragon 615, clocked at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB of RAM, a large 5.5” 720p display, and a very pleasing 13 MP / 8 MP camera combo.
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless
Things that are NOT allowed: