Lenovo has unveiled the new PHAB2 Pro at the Lenovo Tech World being held in San Francisco. Along with the PHAB2 Pro, Lenovo has also introduced two variants of the phone – PHAB2 Plus and PHAB2. Earlier this year, Lenovo had showcased the first prototype of a tablet that featured Google’s 3D mapping technology. Based on Google’s Project Tango, the PHAB2 Pro comes with motion-tracking along with depth-perception enabling it to map its surroundings.
The top-end PHAB2 Pro houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor along with modules including a DSP, ISP and integrated sensor hub that quickly processes and time stamps all the sensor data simultaneously received from multiple sensors to deliver a smooth augmented reality experience. Along with the Tango experience, it also features Dolby AudioTM Capture 5.1 with Dolby Atmos playback capabilities, triple-array microphones, and a 16MP rear camera. On top is a huge 6.4-inch 'intelligent Assertive Display' that boasts a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. You get 4GB of RAM and 64GB storage that is expandable up to 128GB. The PHAB2 comes with a 4050mAH battery and is priced at $499.
The PHAB2 Plus features two 13MP rear cameras with f/2.0 lenses and are is powered by the Fujitsu Milbeaut image signal processor that also powers the Leica camera series. Along with an unconventional camera layout, the phone also boasts software level features like post-shot refocus, background swap, AR effects and an 8MP front facing camera. Other specifications include a 6.4-inch Full HD 2.5D curved glass screen, MediaTek (MTK 8783) Octa-Core Processor, 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage that is expandable up to 128GB. You also get triple-array microphone setup and 5.1 Dolby Atmos surround along with JBL earphones bundled along.
The PHAB2 features an Augmented Reality camera that comes with various camera effects and fast focus, says Lenovo. On top is a 6.4-inch 1280 x 720 resolution display that is powered by a MediaTek (MTK 8735) Quad-Core Processor and comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB internal storage. The phone boasts a 13MP PDAF rear camera and a 5MP front facing camera along with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Audio Capture 5.1 for your videos.
All the three phones are available in Champagne Gold and Gunmetal Grey colours, run on Android 6.0 and come with hybrid dual sim array that can also be used to mount a microSD card.
You can read the full press release below:
Lenovo Unveils World’s First Tango-Enabled Smartphone – PHAB2 Pro
PHAB2 family brings augmented reality to smartphones
SAN FRANCISCO – June 9, 2016: Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) today launched the much anticipated PHAB2 Pro – the world’s first Tango-enabled smartphone to enable augmented reality experiences – plus the dual-camera PHAB2 Plus and full-sized PHAB2 smartphones.
PHAB2 Pro: World’s First Tango-Enabled AR Smartphone
Unlike any other phone, the PHAB2 Pro, powered by Tango technology – a set of sensors and software from Google that senses and maps its surroundings – makes a host of cutting-edge smartphone augmented reality (AR) experiences possible. For example, using AR apps, students can place true-to-scale virtual dinosaurs in their classrooms and enhance their learning through AR data overlays that appear while they walk around the creatures. AR gaming experiences let you play virtual dominos on your kitchen table, raise a digital pet in your bedroom and fight back swarms of aliens invading your house. With Tango technology the PHAB2 Pro can even begin to change the way people think about mapping indoor spaces to create new experiences like future augmented reality museum tours via the GuidiGO app. With Tango, the PHAB2 Pro offers unprecedented experiences on a smartphone that will continually learn and improve.
“Put simply, we wanted to take what was an amazing concept and transform it into a commercially viable mobile device,” said Jeff Meredith, vice president and general manager of Android and Chrome Computing, Lenovo. “From the moment we saw Tango, we knew it could become pervasive, just like GPS. However, to truly make the PHAB2 Pro a game-changer, we developed it at an affordable price for mainstream consumers, delivering not just a bleeding-edge phone, but an all-around fantastic phone that’s first to market.”
“Tango enables our devices to sense physical motion and space and, as a result, has the power to change how we interact with our surroundings. We believe that devices with positional tracking functionality will be pervasive and are happy that the PHAB2 Pro will introduces these new capabilities, making your phone even more useful,” said Johnny Lee, Engineering Director at Google.
“Lenovo needed a highly robust and dependable platform for Tango and we are extremely pleased they chose the Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor for its advanced technology and comprehensive design,” said Alex Katouzian, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “The close collaboration between Lenovo, Google and Qualcomm Technologies allowed this new and innovative user experience to be implemented completely in software on the Snapdragon 652, allowing us to meet Lenovo’s aggressive deployment schedule without needing a separate co-processor or requiring hardware re-certification.”
Homeowners can also now use their PHAB2 Pro to remodel their homes by visualizing real home furnishings in their living rooms and kitchens. Home improvement company Lowe’s is one of the first partners to develop a Tango-enabled application, Lowe’s Vision. The app empowers customers by leveraging Tango technology to measure spaces and visualize how products like appliances and décor, or materials like countertops or backsplash tile will all look and fit together in a room. With Lowe’s Vision, customers will be able to control a new generation of augmented reality tools with a mere tap of the finger.
“Tango technology will allow customers to see how their home improvement visions translate into reality like never before,” said Richard Maltsbarger, Lowe’s Chief Development Officer. “By bringing the PHAB2 Pro to Lowe’s, we want to empower customers with a tool to help them design, start and complete their home improvement projects with confidence.”
The Technology Behind Tango
Three core technologies bring Tango experiences to life: motion tracking, depth perception and area learning. Through motion tracking, the PHAB2 Pro’s “eye” sees its own location in 3D. Area learning tells the smartphone its location. Depth perception lets the device analyze the shape of the world around it by detecting surfaces and obstacles. And now for the first time ever, your smartphone can visualize and understand its surrounding objects and environment via sensors that capture more than 250,000 measurements a second.
Premium Smartphone Design
While Tango makes the PHAB2 Pro unique, the device stands on its own as a premium smartphone. It is powered by the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 652 processor, which brings efficient hardware integration and processing, leading 4G LTE connectivity, and cutting-edge time stamping and camera and sensor processing capabilities. Demanding computer vision processing is performed by a single, integrated and highly efficient Snapdragon processor with a tightly integrated suite of key modules including a DSP, ISP and integrated sensor hub. The Snapdragon heterogeneous computing platform is optimally balanced for a Tango workload and is designed for all-day use. The Snapdragon 652 processor also quickly processes and time stamps all the rich sensor data simultaneously received from multiple camera sensors, gyro and accelerometer, resulting in a fast, smooth augmented reality experience, where 3D AR graphic overlays track more naturally to the physical surroundings.
The PHAB2 Pro features Dolby AudioTM Capture 5.1 with Dolby Atmos® playback capabilities to help capture life’s moments on video with great quality audio. With Dolby Audio Capture 5.1, you can use crystal-clear 5.1-channel surround sound to record and share the full panorama of your life, adding amazing richness, clarity and depth to your special moments. Making this possible are three microphones, spatial capture with noise reduction, along with an onboard 16mp camera that supports crisp 4K video recording. Also, when you watch Dolby Atmos content over headphones, you’ll feel like you’re in the middle of the action on screen with immersive, moving audio. The 6.4-inch PHAB2 Pro boasts an intelligent Assertive Display with a pin-sharp QHD (2,560 x 1,440) resolution, capable of optimizing image quality based on ambient lighting and content.
To find out more about Lenovo’s development of the PHAB2 Pro with Tango, please visit our newsroom at http://news.lenovo.com/TechWorld2016. Watch the livestream from Tech World here: www.YouTube.com/lenovo
PHAB2 Plus: Amazing Photos
Known for its photos, the PHAB2 Plus comes with two 13MP rear cameras that have instant focus, fast f1.8 lenses and the same professional-grade Futjitsu Milbeaut® image signal processor that powers the Leica camera. Shutterbugs can capture amazing pictures with crisp low-light shots, high contrast while retaining lifelike colors, high detail in the shadow areas and a captivating background blur. Meanwhile, the camera software incorporates a manual mode as well as other special effects.
PHAB2: Amazing Price
The PHAB2 offers an affordable AR smartphone with many of the attractive features found in higher-end models. PHAB2’s AR mode, for instance, allows you to create more unique photos and videos by superimposing effects such as virtual backgrounds or cartoons onto your pictures – perfect for Snapchat-like sharing on Facebook or Instagram. Other highlights include a huge 6.4-inch HD display, complete with a fast-focusing 13MP camera and 16GB onboard storage expandable via a microSD slot.
Pricing and Availability
Pricing for the Lenovo PHAB2 will start at $199 (USD); Phab2 Plus will start at $299; and PHAB2 Pro will start at $499. All will be globally available beginning in September. In the US, the PHAB2 Pro will be sold at select Lowe’s stores nationwide and online by the end of the year. Pricing and availability may vary from country to country.