Huawei NOVA Plus to launch in Canada on October 18

Huawei showed off its beautiful midranger the NOVA Plus at IFA just a few weeks ago. For those of you living in Canada who have been waiting for the phone, the NOVA Plus will be coming to Rogers, Fido, and Virgin Mobile on October 18^th.

See also: Best Android phones (September 2016): our picks, plus a giveaway532

The NOVA Plus certainly isn't the most powerful phone that Huawei has to offer. Instead it is supposed to be a midrange device, and that's precisely what it is: a 5.5-inch Full HD display, 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera, all powered by Snapdragon 625. It has a beautifully-crafted 2.5D glass on the front, and the matte aluminum back makes it feel like a premium device.

However, as is the case with every midrange smartphone, the NOVA Plus' success will largely depend on the price, and if its European pricing is any indication, I'm just not sure if the device will do well in Canada. The problem is that Huawei has given the NOVA Plus a €430 price tag in Europe. That's approximately $480. If the Canadian pricing is similar, there simply aren't enough incentives for consumers to go for the NOVA Plus over other midrangers.

Major Android manufacturers have a large selection of midrange offerings, including Samsung. Both the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016) and the Galaxy A7 (2016) have comparable specs to the NOVA Plus and are priced under $400. Hell, even the OnePlus 3 – the phone that OnePlus couldn't sell because it was too popular – is priced at $399!

Huawei's rapid growth had a lot to do with its disruptive pricing. It disrupted the mainstream market because just like OnePlus, it offered phones with robust specs that were half the price of a normal flagship device. In fact, many Chinese OEMs rose to the top through this approach, but there seems to be a paradigm shift happening. Huawei's P9 was the first phone from the Chinese company to have a premium price tag: it neared $700 and perhaps rightfully so. Now the rumor has it that Xiaomi will also be launching a phone with a hefty price tag.

The issue isn't that companies whose success largely depended on disruptive pricing have started selling premium smartphones with premium price tags. After all, the Galaxy S7 and the iPhone sell like hotcakes. The issue arises when the aforementioned companies sell midrange phones with premium price tags. The Android market is already heavily saturated with lower to mid-tier devices, and most of them all offer similar specs and a similar design. That means price is a key differentiator.

The Android market is already heavily saturated with lower to mid-tier devices, and most of them all offer similar specs with a similar design. That means price is a key differentiator.

Though Huawei may not be expecting to break sales records with the NOVA Plus, it shows that Chinese OEMs may be shifting their focus away from "affordable flagship killers." Would you be interested in buying the NOVA Plus if it's priced at $400+? Let us know in the comments below!

Show Press Release

Huawei NOVA Plus smartphone arrives in Canada, available at Rogers, Virgin Mobile and Fido

TORONTO, Sept. 20, 2016 /CNW/ – Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider and one of the world's largest smartphone manufacturers, announced today that the Huawei NOVA Plus, a new smartphone designed to meet the needs of today's most dynamic consumers, will be available inCanada beginning as early as October 18, 2016.

"We are pleased to have Rogers, Virgin Mobile and Fido carrying the new Huawei NOVA Plus," said Huawei Canada President Sean Yang. "We continue to see a growing demand for Huawei smartphones in Canada and we are confident the new NOVA Plus will bring Canadians the same high quality features and stylish design that have helped make Huawei one of the world's most popular smartphone brands."

Featuring a sleek design, a vivid camera and performance updates for enhanced usability, the Huawei NOVA Plus runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). The NOVA Plus comes with a category-leading 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, and allows users to capture the perfect selfie or take thousands of shots on a single charge.

The device's ultra-thin industrial design features a curved section of 2.5D glass, which improves scratch resistance, delivers improved touch-screen response and gives the device a refined look. The Huawei NOVA Plus also features a next-gen 3D fingerprint sensor for improved security and convenience.

For more information on the Huawei NOVA Plus, please visit www.huawei.ca.

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Huawei's 150,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services have been deployed in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than one third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees, and was recently name by Interbrand as one of the world's top 100 brands – the first Chinese company to receive this recognition.
Huawei Canada has been in operation since 2008.  Huawei's innovative wireless products and services support many of Canada's leading telecommunications companies, and Huawei's Canada Research Centre in is a national leader in advanced communications technologies.  We are proud to be a key part of Canada's ICT Ecosystem.

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500,000 safe Galaxy Note7 units arrive in the US

Even if you don't follow tech, the chances are, you've heard a thing or two about the self-combusting Galaxy Note7. Shortly after its launch in mid-August, reports about the Note7 exploding and causing damage started to trickle in; before we knew it, Samsung launched an official recall program, including in the US. The whole process has been rather confusing with different procedures and programs in each country, but Note7 owners in the US will be happy to learn that 500,000 safe Galaxy Note7 units have finally arrived in the US.

See also: Galaxy Note 7 recall: what you need to know (Note 7 makes the "no fly" list)446

The past few weeks have been hectic for Samsung, I would imagine. And it's been hectic for Galaxy Note7 users around the world as well. In the US, Samsung has urged current Note7 users to return their devices and wait for new units to arrive, but things haven't really been smooth. Though Samsung claimed that Note7 users would get the Galaxy J as a loaner phone, users have complained that in reality, carriers often did not have loaner devices ready in stock or were simply unaware of the program.

To add to this chaos, both FedEx and UPS have refused to ship Note7 units back to Samsung due to safety concerns. It makes sense since one single unit that its user has forgotten to power off could mean a potential fire hazard. This meant users had to walk into a carrier store and turn it in themselves. But as data have suggested, many users were unwilling to do that until new units were available.

Well, Samsung is now saying that 500,000 safe Note7 devices have been distributed across the US, so in the next few days, you can go to a store near you and see if they have new units in stock. Mind you, Samsung has sold a total of one million Galaxy Note7 units in the US that all need to be replaced but so far has only provided 500,000 safe units. That means you are only guaranteed to be able to exchange it on the condition that stores around you are stocked with new Note7 units.

The safe units will come in a box with a black square marking, and you will also see a green battery indicator on the status bar instead of a white one. Be sure to let us know in the comments if you get your hands on a safe Note7 unit in the coming days!

The safe units will come in a box with a black square marking, and you will also see a green battery indicator on the status bar instead of a white one.

For those who are interested in getting a new Note7, Samsung is said to be re-launching the device in the US on October 21^st.

Show Press Release

Samsung Galaxy Note7 U.S. Voluntary Recall Update

Samsung Will Begin Note7 Exchanges Nationwide No Later Than September 21, 2016

RIDGEFIELD PARK, N.J. – SEPTEMBER 20, 2016 – Samsung Electronics America, Inc. today announced that over 500,000 new Galaxy Note7 replacement devices have arrived in the U.S. and have been shipped to carrier and retail stores. New Galaxy Note7 devices will be available for exchange at retail locations nationwide tomorrow.

Software Update to Easily Identify New Galaxy Note7 Devices

Samsung also announced the rollout of a software update for new Note7 devices.

The software updates are being delivered in partnership with Carriers and will display a green battery icon on the status bar found on the top right hand of the screen. The green icon indicates that consumers have a new Galaxy Note7 with an unaffected battery.

Samsung and the U.S. CPSC have and continue to urge all consumers of Note7s sold prior to September 15 to power down their device. For those not heeding that advice or are still not aware of the recall notice, a software update will be pushed to all recalled devices. Once installed, users will be prompted with a safety notice that urges owners to power down and exchange their recalled device. The notice will appear every time a user powers up or charges their device.

For details on the software update visit http://ift.tt/2cMpsZE.

"Working hand in hand with the CPSC, we are delivering as promised and moving quickly to educate consumers about the recall and make new Note7s available," says Tim Baxter, president of Samsung Electronics America. "New devices will be in stores no later than tomorrow and we will continue to take the necessary actions to ensure users are powering down and immediately exchanging recalled devices."

In conjunction with the CPSC, carriers and retailers, Samsung continues to maximize its reach to Note7 owners through multiple touchpoints, including direct communications, customer service, social media, marketing and in-store communications.

Consumers are encouraged to visit http://ift.tt/2cRW8wF for carrier and retailer specific instructions on how and where to exchange their Note7 device.

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10 best fishing games for Android

Humans have been fishing as long as we've existed. We do it for sport, for recreation, and many still do it for food. In this day and age, not everyone has the time to pack up their gear and head out to the nearest lake or river. The good news is that those people still have some options if they want to catch some fish, although we admit it'll never be as good as the real thing. Here are the best fishing games on Android!

• If you're into other sports, check out the best sports games on Android!
• Or you can see just the best baseball games by clicking here!

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3DCARP

[Price: $2.88]
3DCARP is one of the few fishing games that you only have to pay for once. It features eight lakes and four rivers where you can catch up to 28 different varieties of fish. There are a ton of minor details that set this game apart from its peers. Certain fish will jump out of the water once hooked, you can use bait boats, and even climb trees to help you find more fish. It hasn't been tested with a wide audience but it seems like one of the most solid fishing games available right now. Just make sure you try it out before the refund period ends.

Download now on Google Play!

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Ace Fishing: Wild Catch

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Ace Fishing is one of the most popular fishing games out there. The features for this one include the ability to customize your fishing tackle, travel to a variety of places to catch a variety of fish, and global leaderboards to see how your catches stack up. Catching a fish isn't particularly difficult, but the mechanics are a ton of fun and require some actual fishing tactics like waiting until the fish get tired. It is a freemium game which is its worst quality, but it's still worth a download to see if you like it.

Download now on Google Play!

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Fishing Break

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Fishing Break is a simpler fishing game. In this one, players will be tasked with catching hundreds of different fish from eight different locations. You'll also have achievements to earn, leaderboards to climb, and quick, but challenging game play. The graphics are more simple than we're used to seeing in this genre, but the game doesn't brag about its realism or lack thereof. It's a great experience if you just want to chill out and catch some fish but you'll likely want to look elsewhere if you want realism. This is also a freemium game.

Download now on Google Play!

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Fishing Diary

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Fishing Diary is an older game but it's still one of the better fishing games available. Thankfully, it's been updated fairly frequently over the years. The game is a simple little catching game where you toss your tackle into the water and then try to catch as many fish as possible. You'll have access to some power ups that help make the process easier and you can play the game offline. It is a freemium game which isn't ideal, but it's a fun little fishing themed time killer.

Download now on Google Play!

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Fishing Hook

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Fishing Hook is one of those fishing games that tries to focus on realism. It's a fairly basic game at its core and you'll spend most of your time out on a virtual boat with your line in the water. The mechanics for catching the fish are a little weird but not overly difficult once you get used to them. You'll also get leaderboards, achievements, and offline mode alongside its game play features. It's a freemium game which is never ideal but it's one of the less obnoxious ones.

Download now on Google Play!

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See also: The best Android games, ever!182

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Hey, That's My Fish!

[Price: $1.99]
Hey, That's My Fish! Is a different kind of fishing game. You'll play as penguins on a board and your task is to catch more fish than everyone else. You'll need some strategy and a quick wit to win most games. It also has a cartoon nature that makes it great to play with kids as well. We know it's not a traditional fishing game, but there aren't too many really good ones out there so sometimes one must think outside the box. It's $1.99 with no in-app purchases which is a plus.

Download now on Google Play!

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Ice Fishing Derby

[Price: Free / $4.99]
Ice Fishing Derby is a simple fishing game where you must catch as many fish as possible. The general idea is that you'll be in a fishing derby (tournament) and each day it's going to get a little bit colder. As you progress, you'll need to purchase upgrades, various ice fishing equipment, and restock your tackle box. Each day only takes up 15 minutes of your time and it has a an auto-save feature so you can start and stop when you want. The game is completely free to play with the $4.99 add-on being for some unlockable content.

Download now on Google Play!

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iFishing

[Price: Free / $2.49]
iFishing made its debut on iOS but eventually made its way on to Android. It bills itself as a fishing simulator rather than a fishing game and its goal is to be as realistic as possible. In our expert opinion, they didn't do a bad job. The game contains 15 lakes in total along with three difficulty levels and various game modes to play in. You'll also have access to various types of fish, tackle, and some additional stuff like a fish finder to make the experience a little more authentic. It's a pay-once game which is refreshing to see.

Download now on Google Play!

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Rapala Fishing

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Rapala Fishing is an arcade style fishing game developed by Concrete Software along with Rapala. Its main focus is to promote realism and while it's not perfect, it's also not terrible. You'll also get to play as often as you want as the developer boast that there are no energy bars, timers, or anything like that which is nice for a freemium game. There are also tournaments and other activities that players can engage with. It's a solid option, even if it is just a freemium game.

Download now on Google Play!

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Ridiculous Fishing

[Price: $2.99]
Ridiculous Fishing is one of the most popular pay-once arcade fishing games out there. It features retro style graphics and simple mechanics that allow you to just get in there and get fishing. It's a fairly simple game where you toss your lure in and try to hook as many fish as you can when you drag it back up. There are also items that you can unlock, hats, and even some fun and absurd tackle options. It's $2.99 but there are no in-app purchases which makes this a definite win.

Download now on Google Play!

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Related best app lists:

• The best FPS games on Android that let you mow down the bad guys!
• Need some games while you're out fishing? Here are some online games that you can play even when out on the water!

If we missed any of the best fishing games, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.

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Google just ‘AMPed’ up mobile search results

We previously covered Google's plans for Accelerated Mobile Pages, and many users have already been experiencing it in beta. Now, however, Google has announced that they are formally rolling it out to everyone worldwide.

AMP is a large project that Google has undertaken to make sites load faster on mobile. The idea is to give users a more consistent online experience between desktop and mobile by removing much of the clutter from sites that make navigating them on mobile a pain. This means that using AMP sites will not only load much faster than non-AMP sites, but if you're on mobile data, these sites will take up roughly one tenth of the data that you would normally use.

See also: Google starts previewing Accelerated Mobile Pages across search results5

When you do a Google search now, your results will show up as normal. However, AMP sites will now be tagged with a small gray indicator. Google says that they've created over 600 million of these AMP sites in 232 regions around the world in over 100 languages. In general, they focused on content related to retail, travel, recipes, general knowledge, and entertainment.

There has been some criticism of the plan, but Google is quick to point out that all the search results will be displayed in their original order:

To clarify, this is not a ranking change for sites. As a result of the growth of AMP beyond publishers, we wanted to make it easier for people to access this faster experience. The preview shows an experience where web results that have AMP versions are labeled with the AMP logo. When you tap on these results, you will be directed to the corresponding AMP page within the AMP viewer.

Although the rollout has been kicked off, it will take some time to reach all devices, so you may not be seeing AMPed search results just yet. Rest assured, however, it's on its way. While we wait, tell us what you think of Google's Accelerated Mobile Pages in the comments below!

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Blue dot on Google Maps now shows what direction you’re pointing

This may be one of those features you never knew you were missing. After all, if you're using walking navigation or the like, Google Maps has long attempted to give you an accurate read regarding which direction you're facing. However, it's never been that optimized of a feature, and they left it out of the default map overview.

Beta testers have been able to play around with this more advanced form of direction detection for some time now, but now it's rolling out to the populace at large.

See also: Google Maps starts displaying speed limit signs while navigating29

A pretty clever move on Google's part is the use of a cone of view indicator rather than the single arrow. Although it's nice that it kind of makes you feel like a bad guy walking around in a stealth game's mini-map, it's actually a useful feature. The narrowness of the cone correlates with how well your device is calibrated for direction.

To increase accuracy, all you have to do is swim your phone through the air in a figure eight as demonstrated below.

What's cool is that you don't have to go into any settings to do this. You can perform a calibration swim anytime you want while the app is running, and your direction calibration will be increased. Pretty nifty.

What are your thoughts regarding Google's new direction indicator on Google Maps? Let us know in the comments below

Get it in the Play Store Next: Google Maps getting improved location analytics thanks to Urban Engines acquisition11

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Which phones come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor?

Qualcomm is all but guaranteed to have one of the hottest high-end processors in 2016. After all, the Snapdragon 820's only real competitor is the Samsung Exynos 8890. But chances are the latter processor will only make it to a few handsets. If you are not looking to go with a Sammy smartphone, you will probably want to see the Snapdragon 820 in that spec list.

See also: Snapdragon 820 vs Exynos 8890: the 2016 mobile SoC battle begins29

So you have put together enough hard-earned cash for a brand new high-end smartphone touting Qualcomm's latest and greatest; what are your options? Plenty of powerful phones carry the Snapdragon 820, and in this list we will feature the hottest Snapdragon 820 phones around.

Shall we get started?

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Samsung Galaxy Note 7

Although Samsung got off to a very, very rough start with the Galaxy Note 7, that doesn't mean it's a bad phone. Actually, the Note 7 is one of the very best Android smartphones ever made. Just don't buy one right now.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Note 7 review

In addition to the great S Pen features, slimmed down TouchWiz interface and really great camera, the Note 7 sports some impressive internals. You'll find, of course, a Snapdragon 820 processor backed by 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM, 64GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion, a big 3,500mAh battery and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

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Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge

While most Samsung Galaxy S7 handsets will come with the manufacturer's own Exynos 8890 chipset, the USA and China versions will have Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820. The Qualcomm version has proven to be superior in some ways, while also inferior in others. You can read our review to get all the details.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S7 review

Read our Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review

In a nutshell, the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge offer a premium design and specs that will definitely offer great performance. The S7 touts a 5.1-inch QHD (2560×1440) display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 4 GB of RAM, 32/64 GB of internal storage, a 12 MP rear camera, a 5 MP front shooter and a 3,000 mAh battery. The S7 Edge has identical specs, save for a 5.5-inch curved display and a 3,600 mAh battery.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

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Samsung Galaxy S7 Active

The Galaxy S7 Active is also powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset. Also under the hood are basically the same specifications as the two other Galaxy S7 devices: a 5.1-inch QHD (2560×1440) display, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, a 12 MP rear camera and a 5 MP front shooter. The S7 Active also has a bigger 4,000 mAh battery.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S7 Active review

Where the S7 Active differs, though, is its MIL-STD-810G certification for salt, dust, humidity, rain, vibration, solar radiation, transport and thermal shock resistance. Of course, it's also IP68 certified for dust and water resistance, just like the S7 and S7 Edge.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active

LG V20

LG's new V20 isn't the modular smartphone many were expecting, but it's certainly a powerhouse. Powered by the Snapdragon 820 and backed by 4GB of RAM, the LG V20 flies through just about everything you throw at it.

Read our LG V20 hands-on

Plus, this phone has some other tricks up its sleeve. It sports the popular Second Screen that first appeared on the V10, a removable battery, military-grade shock absorbency, a Quad DAC and support for lossless audio while video recording (24 bit, 48 kHz) as well as HD recording for audio alone (24 bit, 192 kHz).

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LG G5

In the battle of the flagship smartphones, LG may not always sell the most handsets, but in terms of raw quality they always give the big guys a good fight. This time around they are back with the LG G5, a rather unique modular design, an all-new metallic body and specs to compete against the best of the best.

Read our LG G5 review

Of course, these specifications do include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, as well as a 5.3-inch QHD (2560×1440) screen, 4 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, a 16 MP rear camera, an 8 MP shooter on the front and a 2,800 mAh battery.

The awesome part here is that it has a removable battery and a microSD card slot. In addition, the phone supports external modules that LG has decided to call "Friends".

Buy the LG G5

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HTC 10

The Taiwanese manufacturer is back in the game with the HTC 10, a phone that keeps the things we loved about its predecessors, yet introduces necessary improvements. It features the solid metal construction we have grown to love, integrates a fingerprint reader and moves the lower BoomSound speaker to the bottom (it works as a subwoofer now).

Read our HTC 10 hands-on

The HTC 10's specs are worthy of competing with the best. Of course, it carries a Snapdragon 820 processor. This handset also sports 4 GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch QHD screen, a 3,000 mAh battery, a 12 MP UltraPixel rear camera and a 5 MP front shooter. Not bad, right? Maybe this time around HTC will do better.

Buy the HTC 10

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OnePlus 3

OnePlus' fourth smartphone, the OnePlus 3, is now slouch in the specification department. Of course it sports a Snapdragon 820 chipset, but it also comes with a big 5.5-inch 1080p display, 6GB of RAM, a 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, and a big 3,000mAh battery.

Read our OnePlus 3 review

There are also a few other notable features worth mentioning – it has a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C, Dash Charge technology, and, oh yeah, it only costs $400! This certainly isn't a bad price for what you're getting here.

Buy the OnePlus 3

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Moto Z and Moto Z Force

Lenovo has just recently launched two brand new flagship smartphones, the Moto Z and Moto Z Force (DROID Edition). Both devices are a whole lot different from what we're used to seeing from Motorola's Moto X line, as they're both modular smartphones that support accessories called Moto Mods. Moto Mods can be attached to the Moto Z's back plate and come in the form of a powerful speaker, an external battery pack, and even a projector.

Read our Moto Z and Moto Z Force (DROID) review

Both phones come with a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor and 4GB of RAM. They both also run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box.

Buy the Moto Z Buy the Moto Z Force

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Sony Xperia X Performance

Sony is trying to re-invent itself by releasing the Sony Xperia X series this year. Announced at MWC 2016, the Xperia X Performance doesn't only have great specs, but it also aims to change the way you interact with your smartphone.

Read our Sony Xperia X Performance review

The Xperia Ear, Xperia Eye, Xperia Projector and Xperia Assistant make your device smarter, but there is also plenty of power to go around. Inside the phone you will find Qualcomm's flagship processor, a 5-inch 1080p display, 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage, microSD support, a 23 MP main camera, a 13 MP selfie camera and a 2,700 mAh battery.

Buy now from Amazon

Sony Xperia XZ

Sony dropped two new phones at IFA 2016, a new compact model, the Xperia X Compact, and its second half-of-the-year flagship, the oddly-named Xperia XZ. The larger, higher-end XZ sports some great under-the-hood specs and a familiar Sony design.

Read our Sony Xperia XZ hands-on

The Xperia XZ features a Snapdragon 820 processor, a 5.2-inch IPS LCD display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion, IP65/68 certification, a 2,900mAh battery that supports Quick Charge 3.0 and a USB Type-C port.

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Letv Le Max Pro

Letv impressed us at CES 2016 with the announcement of the Le Max Pro. This high-end smartphone sports a premium, metal build and specs that will definitely compete with the big guys.

Read our Letv Le Max Pro first look

The Letv Le Max Pro features a Snapdragon 820 SoC (of course), a 6.33-inch QHD screen, 4 GB of RAM, 32/64/128 GB of internal storage, a 21 MP rear camera, 2 MP on the front and a 3,400 mAh battery. This is no small handset, in any sense of the word.

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LeEco Le Max 2

To challenge the current flagships on the market – such as the HTC 10, LG G5 and Galaxy S7 – LeEco recently unveiled the Le Max 2, which is undoubtedly LeEco's flagship and is confirmed to be launching in the US (although exactly when is unknown). The Le Max 2 brings the very best that the company has to offer and sports a 5.7-inch Quad HD display, a 21MP rear camera, 8MP front sensor and a fingerprint sensor like the other devices in the range.

Read our LeEco Le Max 2 hands-on

Under the hood, it's powered by the latest Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB RAM but LeEco did reveal that a 64GB version will be available, which will offer a whopping 6GB of RAM.

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Xiaomi Mi 5

When it comes to offering the biggest bang for your buck, Xiaomi is never one to disappoint. We'll start by telling you the Snapdragon 820-toting Xiaomi Mi 5 starts at only 1999 RMB; that is close to $300 USD.

Read our Xiaomi Mi 5 review

Other specs include a 5.15-inch 1080p display, 3-4 GB (depending on the iteration), 32/64/128 GB of internal storage, a 16 MP rear camera, a 4 MP front-facing camera and a 3,000 mAh battery. Crazy for the price, right? The only problem is it will be very hard to get it in the USA. It will have to be imported, and most sites that ship it over don't sell it at retail price.

Buy now from eBay

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ZTE Axon 7

As a followup to last year's Axon Pro, ZTE's new Axon 7 aims to bring a new meaning to the term "affordable flagship." The device is not only the world's first Daydream-ready smartphone, it also sports some great under-the-hood specs. It comes with a 5.5-inch QHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 820 processor, 4 GB RAM/64 GB storage and 6 GB RAM/128 GB storage, microSD expansion, 20 MP f/1.8 camera with ISOCELL sensor and OIS/EIS/PDAF, 8 MP front-facing camera, USB Type-C (with USB 3.0), NFC, fingerprint scanner, and a 3,140 mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0.

Read our ZTE Axon 7 hands-on

The Axon 7 is available now for just $399!

Buy now from Amazon

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Well, that's our list of Snapdragon 820 phones for now. We're certainly expecting a number of other handsets to launch with this processor later in the year, so be on the lookout for an update to this list. Any other notable entrants that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

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HTC leak shows fascinating side-control tech

Our favorite leaker Evan Blass (@evleaks) is at it again, this time bringing us a video showcasing a project that HTC has been working on. It's called Ocean, and it appears to use contextual, side-located user interfaces that let you perform a variety of tasks simply by touching the side of your device.

See also: HTC's upcoming midranger Desire 10 Lifestyle photos leak14

The side-mounted touch-sensitive regions let you do anything from summon "OK Google," adjust your volume, or snap photos. It's interesting, because these panels seem to have replaced the volume buttons entirely, and the power button appears to have been relocated to the bottom of the device.

Now, this could go a couple of different ways, and we're not even sure if such a device will actually make it to the market. However, if it does, this could accomplish what Samsung's 'edge' capabilities have only sort-of succeeded in. "Intuitive" is the watchword here, and for many users, Samsung's edge panel is activated by accident at least as often as it is on purpose.

More cool HTC stuff here (including the tablet that launched @evleaks): https://t.co/S3WaZkeog9
Check it out before it gets pulled! http://pic.twitter.com/YJwmZb0Sje

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) September 20, 2016

Which brings us to the other way that this could go: total crash and burn. It seems like an excellent idea to put controls on the side of the device, that way your fingers aren't blocking the view of the screen as you interact with it. However, the problem is that, well, we hold our devices by the side. HTC will have to employ some pretty intelligent software that will be able to distinguish between accidental and deliberate touches with near perfect accuracy.

What do you think of HTC's side-mounted touch panels? Way of the future or a meaningless gimmick? Let us know your take in the comments below!

Previously: HTC Nexus 'Sailfish' exclusive: new renders & 360-degree video379

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