So far most smartphones with alternative operating systems had rather low-end to mid-end hardware specifications, but according to OMG! Ubuntu!, Canonical and Meizu are about to change that, as they should be about to launch an Ubuntu Edition of Meizu PRO 5 smartphone with an Exynos 7420 octa-core Cortex A57/A53 processor coupled with 3 to 4GB RAM, 32 to 64GB storage., and a 5.7″ display with 1920×1080 resolution. The device will support convergence, meaning it could work in mobile or desktop mode, just like the recently announced BQ Aquaris M10 tablet. [Update: Finally, the USB-C port on Meizu PRO 5 does not support external display, so no convergence, unless Canonical decides to implement convergence over Miracast…].
Meizu PRO 5 Ubuntu Edition specifications:
- SoC – Samsung Exynos 7 Octa (Exynos 7420) octa core processor with 4x Cortex A57 core @ 2.1GHz + 4x Cortex A53 cores @ 1.5Ghz, and Mali-T760 MP8 GPU
- System Memory – 3GB or 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage – 32 or 64 GB UFS 2.0 flash + micro SD slot up to 128GB
- Display – 5.7″’AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with 1920×1080 resolution. Gorilla Glass 3.
- Camera – 21MP rear camera with autofocus and dual LED flash, 5MP front-facing camera
- Cellular Network – GSM, WDCDMA, TS-SCDMA (34/39), FDD-LTE (1/3/7), TD-LTE (38/39/40/41). Dual SIM support
- Connectivity -WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth v4.1, NFC, GPS
- USB – 1x USB type C connector for data and power
- Sensor – Hall effect, light, gyroscope, proximity, digital compass, gravity, fingerprint
- Battery – 3,050 mAh (Allegedly good for 8 hours)
- Dimensions – 156.7 x 78 x 7.5 mm
- Weight – 168 grams
The phone should run Ubuntu 16.04. There are two version of the phone one with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage, and the other with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
OMG! Ubuntu also got some pre-launch information, and claims that the phone should be available for pre-order in the next few weeks for customers in Europe and China. The latter probably means it will soon show up on Chinese e-retailer website as a – hopefully slightly – inflated price. Actual price should be announced on February 22, 2016 at Mobile World Congress. For reference, the Android – actually Flyme OS – version of the phone sells for $400 to $525 depending on configuration and options. European customers should obviously expect their 20% VAT added to that, and some more to pay for that social safety net…
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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