Link today launched the latest Neffos series smartphones that establish the company as a serious contender in the mobile space. Created to seamlessly connect people to each other, and to the world around them, the Neffos X1 and the Neffos X1 Max push the boundaries of smartphone design, imaging prowess, mobile security, and processing performance. "The new Neffos X Series smartphones are the perfect combination of smart technology and stylish design. They bring unparalleled value to our customers by prioritizing features that help them stay closer to everything and everyone around them," said TP-Link co-founder and chairman Jeffrey Chao. Stylishly sleek and built with premium materials, the Neffos X1 and X1 Max share the same metal unibody exterior that was inspired by the rocks found in streams — smoothed by the water over time without losing their mettle. Every detail has been refined to make the phones look and feel familiar, and give consumers the best user experience. One highlight of the design is the dual-curved back that tapers towards the sides and allows for a more ergonomic fit. The subtle curves also make the X1 and X1 Max easier to hold and operate one-handed compared to other devices of similar size. The Neffos X1 Max has among the narrowest edges in the industry at 2.75 mm, while the X1 has edges of 2.95mm. Both phones achieve these remarkably thin edges even with the side mute button. The X1 Max is also incredibly slender at 7.75 mm, and the X1 comes in at 7.95mm. The X1 and X1 Max also have super-thin bezels and smooth, chamfered edges that measure only 0.6mm. With the length of the phones kept to a minimum, screen-to-body ratio is high at 76 percent. The screen makes use of full in-cell technology with "touch and display driver integration" or TDDI, which is light and 0.2mm thinner than the usual lamination used on other smartphones. It also provides high control precision in games and apps, and seamless screen integration for much improved image quality while also extending battery life. A 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass sits on top of the X1 Max's display to make swiping through screens feel natural. The display — gorgeous at 5.5 inches — has a high, 1,000:1 color contrast for best-in-class entertainment. Colors are rendered with utmost accuracy and vibrancy. Details are sharp and viewing angles are excellent even at awkward angles. The Neffos X Series devices are perfect for playing graphics-rich games and watching TV shows and movies. The smartphones come with a rear camera backed by a 13-megapixel Sony sensor with backside illumination, 5P lens, and fast PDAF (phase-detection auto-focus) of just 0.2 seconds. It also features an f/2.0 aperture lens for taking clearer shots in low light and providing a shallow of depth of field. The Neffos X1 and X1 Max feature Real-time Night shooting, so even in low light, the image users see is the image they capture – taking the guesswork out of low light photography. The cameras also include standard features such as HDR, Time Lapse, and Panorama. The live-shooting mode crosses over to the 5-megapixel front camera, and the Real-time Beautify mode makes taking selfies more intuitive. The perfect selfie is just one tap away with the Neffos X1 and X1 Max. Neffos understands the importance of mobile security in today's interconnected world, hence the inclusion of a fingerprint sensor on the back of the X Series. This provides an additional unlocking option that's more secure than a password. Better yet, fingerprint ID unlocks the phone in a mere 0.2 seconds. Because the sensor makes use of sophisticated algorithms, it can refine fingerprint data with use. So the more a user unlocks the phone, the more accurate and fast it gets over time. Powering the Neffos X1 and X1 Max is the octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded with a microSD card up to 128GB. The phone supports dual-band Wi-Fi and multiple LTE bands for fast internet access where available. This means the X Series can handle anything from typical smartphone activities, like web browsing and video streaming, to demanding games. It also means steadier and more consistent wireless connections over Wi-Fi or mobile data. The long-lasting 3,000mAh battery inside the X1 Max can go through a full day's use and supports fast charging of up to 50 percent on a 30-minute charge, which makes recharging the phone more convenient. Both the Neffos X1 and X1 Max run on the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow software, which has been tweaked to deliver a balance of ease-of-use, longer battery life, swift and seamless multitasking, and smooth gaming. With the X Series, consumers get more value for their money. Prices start at only €199 for the Neffos X1 and €249 for the bigger, more powerful Neffos X1 Max. The smartphones, which will be available in cloudy grey and sunrise gold, will roll out in stores by Q4 2016.