LeEco Le Pro 3 OTA update cleans up EUI just a bit

Sure, LeEco might be wrong-headed in its approach to spreading its brand across the world (at least to investors). But at least it’s trying. And it’s trying to make that apparent on the consumer side.

The LeEco Le Pro 3, the top-tier phone made public in the US a couple of months ago, now has an over-the-air update destined for it.

It’s not Android Nougat, but it takes users to EUI version 5.8.020S and most of the improvements have to do with cleaning and prettying up said user interface: adding iOS-esque badges to apps on the home screen for notifications; dropping superfluous empty subject banners on SMS; reducing Bluetooth scanning periods to save on device resources; camera improvements and; app permission tweaks, among others.

The Google Mobile Services app package has been updated, too, for “increased stability & stability.”

The roll-out will take its time. There’s been some, but less love for the mid-range Le S3.

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LeEco phones on the price chopper in the US, though is it really?

Chinese manufacturer LeEco’s challenging expansion efforts have frustrated investors over the past several months. Indeed, selling phones at up to $100 off their list price and then pushing things further on Black Friday does not seem to be a good idea when the company’s margins are already running tight.

So, what’s the best way to address this? Another discount.

The Le Pro 3 is now on sale from Amazon and Best Buy at $319.99 while the Le S3 is now at $169.99. That’s $80 off the full retail price. In fact, LeEco itself is selling the phones at their regular prices and only offering LeRewards instant rebates of $80 — again, that number started off at $100 and were actually readily available.

A reminder that LeEco is bundling in three months of EcoPass and DIRECTV NOW with its offer.

LeEco Pro 3:AmazonBest BuyLeEco

LeEco Le S3:AmazonBest BuyLeEco

 

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LeEco and Coolpad take their alliance to the next level with 6GB RAM Cool S1 phone

Digging LeEco’s affordable phones despite the gigantic Chinese company’s sudden financial woes, but perhaps would like something even cheaper and/or more powerful? Meet the $360 and up Cool S1, officially unveiled in China today after a regulatory Tenaa visit last month.

As you may have guessed already, this is another joint LeEco – Coolpad release, and although the dual rear camera trend is snubbed this time around, you get a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 821 processor inside, with RAM capping off at an industry-high 6GB.

Of course, you’ll need to pay extra for all that memory, namely 3,200 Yuan ($460), 128GB internal storage also included. The “entry-level” LeEco Cool S1 only provides 4GB RAM and 32GB digital hoarding room, while CNY 2,700 ($389) buys you a 6/64 gigs configuration.

Across the board, you’re looking at respectable albeit single 16 and 8MP rear and front shooters, pre-installed Android 6.0 Marshmallow, premium Harman Clari-Fi audio technology, USB Type-C connectivity, Bluetooth 4.1, 4G LTE, dual SIM and Full HD 5.5-inch screen resolution.

All in all, the LeEco Cool S1 more strongly resembles the non-Coolpad-co-branded Le Pro 3 than the Cool 1 Dual, down to the fully metallic design, wasp 7.5mm waist, and large 4,070mAh battery. But we don’t expect this to hit traditional US retail anytime soon.

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Coolpad C105 looks to be another collaboration with LeEco

LeEco and Coolpad share a common chairman and a common ambition — to stimulate growth. The two came to the fore with the Cool1 Dual in August and may come together again soon with another phone.

A device has come through Chinese regulatory agency under Coolpad’s registry with a codename of “C105,” and definitely has a peculiar LeEco-ish look to it — take a gander at the Le Pro 3 and Le S3’s designs, you even get right down to the chromed squircle fingerprint sensing pad.

Speaking of the Le Pro 3, the specs on this Android Marshmallow device seem to be a near-dead ringer to it: what appears to be a Snapdragon 821 with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and storage options of 32GB, 64GB and 128GB. There’s a 5.5-inch full HD screen, a 4,000mAh battery and cameras with 16 megapixels and 8 megapixels of resolution, front and back, respectively.

We’ll likely find out more on this phone in the near future.

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LeEco’s first US Black Friday sale will include $279 Le Pro 3 phone, free Le S3 with select TVs

Okay, so perhaps LeEco won’t take over the tech world anytime soon. There is such a thing as too much ambition, it turns out, and instead of raising the Chinese entertainment giant’s profile in super-competitive foreign markets, blind desire for success has resulted in mounting debt burden.

But that doesn’t change the hard fact of Le Pro 3 and Le S3’s US consumer appeal during frequent flash sale events. At $300, the larger, higher-end phone is quite the bargain, Snapdragon 821, 4GB RAM, 64GB ROM, 16MP rear camera and all.

The same goes for the mid-range LeEco Le S3 whenever it costs $150 instead of $250, what with a 5.5-inch Full HD screen, SD652 CPU, 3GB RAM, 16/8MP shooters, and fingerprint sensor in tow.

Believe it or not, you’ll be able to buy the already super-affordable Android handhelds for even less between November 25 and 28, namely $279 and $129 respectively. Better yet, LeEco’s first ever Black Friday/Cyber Monday-combined American deals include sweet $19.98 and $11.97 bundles with power banks and Bluetooth speakers.

Meanwhile, if you’re interested in one of the OEM’s sizzling hot TVs, keep an eye out for the $300-discounted Super4 X65, free Le S3 “ecophone” included, and a $599 Super4 X55 (down from $899), also offered alongside a complimentary Le S3. Just remember to pre-register for your “LeRewards” at LeMall.com as soon as possible.

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Second LeEco flash sale underway for Le Pro 3, Le S3

LeEco is continuing to wean itself into the US market with a pure Chinese online startup tactic — periodic flash sales. Well, it’s a relative “flash” to have it run for 14 hours of a whole week, but if you catch this article today and are interested in some new LeEco smartphone and TV action in the US, visit LeMall at the source link.

If you haven’t already, sign up for the LeRewards program. You’ll then have access to buying the Snapdragon 652-powered Le S3 for $149 or the Snapdragon 821-equipped Le Pro 3 for $299 — both on $100 instant rebate, both with 3 months of EcoPass amenities like cloud services, extended warranties and exclusive future discounts.

The Super4 X series 4K smart TVs are also on $200 rebate (we don’t see the uMax 85 on sale with $1,000 off, though) while accessories like headphones and power banks have had the price chopper clip them.

The flash sale ends at 11:59pm Pacific.

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LeMall flash sale starts at 1pm ET with limited availability of LeEco Pro 3 rebates

If you’re catching this post fresh from the US and have some disposable bucks to spare on a smartphone, good news!

LeEco is about to launch a flash sale of its two smartphones in addition to four 4K television sets and a whole bunch of other accessories. The mid-ranger Le S3, which goes for $249 at full retail price, and the full-charge Le Pro 3, standing at $399, will both be discounted by $100.

All you need is a LeRewards account at the LeMall site before 1pm Eastern today and a quick finger to access the instant rebate — it appears that the rebate will be limited to initial product quantities.

The 5.5-inch Le Pro 3 comes with the latest Snapdragon 821 rocessor while the Le S3 strikes out with a Snapdragon 652. The two devices claim digital lossless audio, Dolby Atmos and a pair of USB-C earphones as key differentiators to make up for the lack of a headphone jack on each of them.

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