Is the Mi Note Xiaomi’s prettiest smartphone yet? Photo: Xiaomi

Xiaomi’s more affordable answer to the iPhone 6 Plus is here, and if you’re shopping for a flagship phablet, you should be interested. Not only is it incredibly attractive, it’s also thinner than Apple’s offering, and it’s packing some impressive specifications. It also starts at just $370.

Google Now Launcher gets the Lollipop look. Photo: Google

Desperate to get a taste of Lollipop’s sweet, sweet Material Design makeover? Well now you can — even if you’re still running Jelly Bean or KitKat — thanks to the latest version of the Google Now Launcher. In addition to a whole host of visual improvements, you’ll find welcome changes to Google Now and more.

The Oppo RC1 is a midrange stunner. Photo: Oppo

Apple failed to get its sapphire glass ready for its latest smartphones, but Chinese manufacturer Oppo did not. Its new RC1, a midrange handset with a 5-inch display, has a sapphire back panel that allows the device to be incredibly thin but still surprisingly sturdy.

Sony’s Xperia business could be sold off. Photo: Rajesh Pandey/Cult of Android.

Sony may have begun its recovery following a massive cyberattack, but its bad luck isn’t going to stop there. The Japanese company continues to endure heavy losses thanks to the decline of key divisions, and sources say it is considering the sale of its smartphone business as CEO Kazuo Hirai tries desperately to turn things around.

The One M8 gets a taste of that sweet, sweet Lollipop. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android

If you’ve got an unlocked or Developer Edition HTC One M8, then top up your battery, ensure you’re connected to Wi-Fi, and sit back and wait for an impending over-the-air update to Lollipop. Google has finally given HTC’s latest software the green light, and it’s making its way to the devices above today.