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Apple iPhone 11 Pro vs iPhone XS: What’s the difference?

(Pocket-lint) – We’ve compared the three iPhone 11 devices against each other elsewhere, as well as the iPhone 11 and the iPhone XR in separate features, but here we are looking at how the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max compare to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max to help you work out what the differences are.

Keep in mind that the iPhone 11 series has been succeeded by the iPhone 12 series, and if you want to know how the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 compare, then we have a separate feature for that too.

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Design

iPhone XS: 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7mm, 177g
iPhone XS Max: 157.5 x 77.4 x 7.7mm, 208g
iPhone 11 Pro: 144 x 71.4 x 8.1mm, 188g
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 158 x 77.8 x 8.1mm, 226g

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max share several similarities in design compared to the iPhone XS and XS Max. They all have stainless steel frames, glass rears and a large notch at the top of their displays, though their colours differ and the iPhone 11 Pro models have a matte glass rear rather than glossy, which is beautiful in the flesh.

Naturally, the iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone XS Max are larger than the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone XS but there isn’t much difference between the models with the XS and 11 Pro similar, and the XS Max and 11 Pro Max measuring around the same too. The Pro models are a little heavier than the XS models though and the matte finish does make the Pro Max appear smaller than the XS Max did but it is of course just an illusion.

Where the main differences can be seen is the rear of the devices. The iPhone XS and XS Max both have a dual rear camera situated in the top left of the device, while the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max have a somewhat polarising square camera housing sporting three camera lenses, also in the top left, like the iPhone 12 series also does.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max review

Display

iPhone XS: 5.8-inch, HDR, True Tone, 3D Touch, 625nits
iPhone 11 Pro: 5.8-inch, HDR, True Tone, Haptic Touch, 800nits
iPhone XS Max: 6.5-inch, HDR, True Tone, 3D Touch, 625nits
iPhone 11 Pro Max: 6.5-inch, HDR, True Tone, Haptic Touch, 800nits

The Apple iPhone XS and iPhone 11 Pro both come with a 5.8-inch Super Retina OLED display that has a 2436 x 1125 pixel resolution, delivering a pixel density 458ppi. The iPhone XS Max and iPhone 11 Pro Max meanwhile, have a 6.5-inch Super Retina OLED display with a 2688 x 1242 pixel resolution, also delivering a pixel density of 458ppi.

The technology changes for the Pro models though, despite them offering the same size and resolution. The screens are much more efficient, offering big battery life improvements and they are brighter too, delivering between 800nits and 1200nits of brightness compared to the XS models that offer 625nits maximum brightness, which is apparent when placed side-by-side.

The Pro models also opt for Haptic Touch like the iPhone XR, rather than 3D Touch like the XS models. All four models have mobile HDR compatibility, coupled with Apple’s True Tone technology and a P3 wide colour gamut however.

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Cameras

iPhone XS/XS Max: Dual rear (12MP wide-angle+12MP telephoto), 7MP front
iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max: Triple rear (12MP wide-angle+12MP ultra-wide+12MP telephoto), 12MP front

The Apple iPhone XS and XS Max both offer dual rear cameras, comprised of two 12-megapixel sensors, one wide-angle and one telephoto. The wide-angle lens has an aperture of f/1.8, while the telephoto lens has an aperture of f/2.4. The two devices have 2x optical zoom and digital zoom up to 10x.

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max both have a triple rear camera, made up of a 12-megapixel ultra-wide angle sensor with an aperture of f/2.4, a 12-megapixel wide-angle sensor with an aperture of f/1.8 and a 12-megapixel telephoto sensor with an aperture of f/2.0. The Pro models have dual optical image stabilisation, 2x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out and digital zoom up 10x.

On the front, the iPhone XS models have a 7-megapixel TrueDepth camera, allowing for Face ID, and offering 1080p video recording at 30fps and 60fps. The iPhone 11 Pro models bump the front camera resolution up to 12-megapixels and offer 4K video recording at 24fps, 30fps and 60fps and they also feature a slow-motion video mode for what Apple calls Slofies. It’s another gimmicky feature like Animoji and Memoji but they can be quite fun.

All four devices have Portrait Mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, Portrait Lighting and they all have Smart HDR. The Pro models have an extra Portrait Lighting effect though, as well as a brighter True Tone flash, Night Mode and Auto Adjustments.

It’s Night Mode that really sets the iPhone 11 Pro models aside from the XS models though – offering significant improvements in low light environments. The third ultra-wide angle lens is great too though, enabling you to get more in your shot.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro cameras explained: Why three and what does each do?

Hardware

iPhone XS/XS Max: A12, 64/256/512GB storage models, wireless charging
iPhone 11 Pro/11 Pro Max: A13, 64/256/512GB storage models, wireless charging

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max have Apple’s A13 chip under their hoods, offering a power boost compared to the iPhone XS and XS Max that have the A12 chip. All four models originally came in 64GB, 256GB and 512GB storage options when they launched and none of the devices have microSD for storage expansion.

Apple doesn’t talk about specific RAM and battery capacities, but the iPhone 11 Pro models offer some great improvements on their predecessors in terms of battery. The iPhone 11 Pro is claimed to last up to four hours longer than the iPhone XS , while the iPhone 11 Pro Max will last up to five hours longer than the iPhone XS Max and we found those numbers to be pretty accurate in our experience.

Apple Pay is on board all four devices, as you would expect, and all offer dual-SIM capabilities with nano-SIM and eSIM. All four models are also 4G capable but none offer 5G capabilities, like the iPhone 12 models.

Both the iPhone 11 Pro models and the iPhone XS models offer wireless charging and support for fast charging. Only the iPhone 11 Pro models come with an 18W fast charger in the box though.

Price

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The Apple iPhone 11 Pro started at $999/£1049 when it first launched, while the iPhone Pro Max starts at $1099/£1149, which is similar to what the iPhone XS and XS Max started at when they launched in 2018.

The Apple iPhone XS and XS Max aren’t available through Apple anymore – and neither are the iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max (though the standard iPhone 11 is) – but you might find them cheaper elsewhere if you’re considering these models over the latest iPhone 12 models.

Apple iPhone 11 review

Conclusion

The Apple iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max look similar to the iPhone XS and XS Max, at least from the front, but they offer big camera and processor upgrades, material upgrades, display and battery improvements and they trade 3D Touch for Haptic Touch.

If you have an XS or XS Max, the upgrade to the respective 11 Pro model will offer several improvements, especially in terms of camera, design finish and battery capacities, but you’ll need to decide if these are enough to warrant the expense, and whether it might be worth stretching to buy the 12 Pro instead.

If you’re making a choice between the iPhone 11 Pro models or XS models, you’ll save some cash buying 2018’s models, but you’ll miss out on a couple of the features offered by the 2019 models – predominantly camera and battery. It just depends how important these features are to you and your wallet.

Writing by Britta O’Boyle.

New Bluesound Node and Powernode are fittingly well-furnished streamers

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Bluesound has refreshed its excellent Node 2i music streamer and Powernode 2i streaming amplifier. The next generation of the What Hi-Fi? Award-winning devices or now boast new DAC designs, more powerful processors, and touch panel controls with presets. They simply carry the original Node and Powernode monikers.

For the uninitiated, the Node is a music streamer that works either as a source in a hi-fi system or with active (or powered) speakers, like the Award-winning Audiolab 6000N Play. The Powernode, meanwhile, has amplification built in and just requires a pair of speakers, like the Award-winning Marantz PM7000N.

The former has a new DAC that can decode both hi-res 24-bit/192kHz and MQA files and feeds coaxial, optical, USB Type-A and, giving it TV system appeal, HDMI eARC inputs. There’s also RCA inputs and a 3.5mm headphone jack, plenty of music streaming service support courtesy of wi-fi and Apple AirPlay 2, internet radio and aptx HD Bluetooth (which is two-way, meaning it can wirelessly receive Bluetooth files for playback and send whatever it is playing to Bluetooth headphones or speakers). Naturally, the Node can also work in a multi-room environment with other BluOS kit.

As well as having a touch control panel with presets providing shortcuts to your favourite music, the Node can be voice controlled using voice assistants like Apple Siri, Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

The Powernode has a very similar skillset to the Node – all the BluOS streaming features, digital connectivity including HDMI eARC, and MQA support, for example – but with the addition of a built-in amplifier. The amp delivers 80 watts per channel, up from 60 watts on the previous model.

The Bluesound Node costs £549 ($549) and the Powernode £849 ($899) – slightly up from the launch prices of the previous-gen models. Both are available to pre-order now for shipping in June.

MORE:

Check out the best multi-room systems

Read our full Bluesound Node 2i and Powernode 2i reviews

Full explainer: Multi-room audio: everything you need to know

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: release date, price, design, leaks and news

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung has some more true wireless earbuds in the works: the Galaxy Buds 2.

The Samsung wireless earbuds range already includes the Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Buds+, Galaxy Buds Live and Galaxy Buds Pro, and they will soon be joined by the Galaxy Buds 2.

As the name suggests, they should be a proper sequel to the original Buds, with all that entails. So what’s the news so far on them? What’s the expected launch date? Do we have an idea on price? And will they trouble our list of best wireless earbuds? Read on for everything we know so far…

Galaxy Buds 2: release date

(Image credit: Samsung)

According to SamMobile, the Galaxy Buds 2 launch date is set to be this summer, most likely around July or August.

Samsung has previously released two pairs of true wireless earbuds around that time: the original Galaxy Buds (in August 2019) and the Galaxy Buds Live (in August 2020). See below for the previous Galaxy Buds release dates.

Samsung Galaxy Buds: August 2019
Samsung Galaxy Buds+: May 2020
Samsung Galaxy Buds Live: August 2020
Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro: January 2021

So there’s plenty to support a July or August launch this year.

The end of August or beginning of September plays host to the IFA tech conference in Berlin, too (this year it takes place from 3rd-7th September).

Samsung usually launches new products at IFA, most notably its latest Galaxy Note smartphone. But this year, it’s rumoured to be skipping the Note. Could the Galaxy Buds 2 step up and take centre stage at Samsung’s launch event? Or will they launch as a complementary product to a more ‘wow’ device like the rumoured Galaxy Fold 3? Hopefully we’ll find out before long.

Galaxy Buds 2: price

At £139 ($129), the original Galaxy Buds were priced somewhere around the middle of the true wireless earbuds market. But with a thin sound that lacked detail, we thought there were better options for the money.

Samsung is undoubtedly hoping to change that with the sequel. If it can deliver a much improved sound and modernised feature set, it could well be justified in asking a little more for the Buds 2 – the second-gen AirPods cost £159 ($159), after all, and Samsung sees itself as a real competitor to Apple when it comes to mobile devices and accessories.

As such, SamMobile reckons Samsung will ask for $170 for the Buds 2, positioning them slightly below the more premium Galaxy Buds Pro (which cost £219, $199). If so, Samsung will have an uphill battle on its hands. Not only will they be more expensive than the AirPods (or even the AirPods 3, which should launch in the coming months), they will cost a lot more than the new breed of budget alternatives, some of which, like the Earfun Air Pro, offer noise cancellation.

Can Samsung justify this relatively high price while omitting such killer features? It’ll be interesting to find out…

Galaxy Buds 2: design

(Image credit: Evan Blass / Samsung)

So far, no pictures have leaked of the Galaxy Buds 2. We haven’t even had a render showing what to expect. But still, we have a pretty good idea how they will look.

That’s because of their model number. As Dutch website Galaxy Club reports, the Galaxy Buds 2 have the model number SM-R177, which is in keeping with others in the Galaxy Buds line (all of which follow the SM-R17x naming convention).

Admittedly the Galaxy Buds Live (pictured above) fall into this category too, and looks-wise, they are quite a departure, shaped as they are like a pair of jelly beans. But the Galaxy Buds 2 are likely to be far more conventional, and look very similar to the original Galaxy Buds. Think pretty standard-looking true wireless buds, complete with wing tips for keeping them in your ears and a carry case that doubles as a portable charger.

Nothing radical there, then. But as long as they’re comfortable and perform well, we’ll have no complaints.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: features

(Image credit: Samsung)

The original Galaxy Buds launched in 2019. We’re expecting a very similar skillset from its successor, but hopefully with improvements across the board. Because while 2019 might not seem that long ago, the true wireless earbuds market has come a long way since then.

Take battery life. The original Galaxy Buds managed a total run time of 13 hours (six hours from the buds, plus another seven from the case). A couple of years ago, that was passable, but today it just won’t cut the mustard. Since then, we’ve seen the introduction of the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1, which manage a total run time of a staggering 45 hours. And for cheaper than the original Galaxy Buds.

The original Galaxy Buds couldn’t connect to iPhones, as they were Android-only. This was rectified with the Galaxy Buds+, and we would expect the Buds 2 to work with Apple devices, too.

We wouldn’t expect the Buds 2 to have noise cancellation as that will likely be reserved for the Galaxy Buds Live and Pro.

In all, we’re not expecting any surprises on the features front. Think touch controls, Bluetooth 5.0, compatibility with voice assistants, and support for the major streaming services. All of which are pretty standard on true wireless earbuds.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: early verdict

It’s early days yet – we haven’t seen leaked specs or any images of the Galaxy Buds 2. But going on past form, we have a pretty good idea of what to expect.

To say Samsung has its work cut out would be an understatement. There’s currently a huge choice of true wireless earbuds to suit all needs, at all budgets, be it the wallet-friendly Earfun Air or premium Sony WF-1000XM3. And more are in the pipeline, including the Apple AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro 2, Sony WF-1000XM4 and Google Pixel Buds A-Series.

If Samsung is hoping it can survive on brand name alone, it might be in for a surprise.

But let’s not judge the Galaxy Buds 2 before they launch. True, Samsung’s true wireless earbuds haven’t scored more than three stars in our reviews, but they have improved over the years. Fingers crossed Samsung can take the lessons of the past and put them to good use in the future.

MORE:

Check out the best true wireless earbuds

True wireless showdown! AirPods Pro vs Sony WF-1000XM3: which is better?

A true wireless game changer? Sony WF-1000XM4: release date, price, leaks

Sony Exec Doesn’t Expect PS5 Supply to Improve Until 2023

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

Don’t expect it to get easier to find a PlayStation 5 any time soon. Bloomberg today reported that Sony doesn’t think it will be able to meet the demand for the console even if it manages to dramatically increase production throughout 2021 and 2022.

Sony announced in April that it had sold 7.8 million units of the PS5 just six months after it was released. Bloomberg said the company’s chief financial officer, Hiroki Totoki, briefed analysts on the console’s outlook shortly after that announcement.

“I don’t think demand is calming down this year and even if we secure a lot more devices and produce many more units of the PlayStation 5 next year,” Totoki reportedly said at the briefing, “our supply wouldn’t be able to catch up with demand.”

Sony isn’t alone—it’s hard to name a company that hasn’t been affected by the global chip shortage. Nintendo’s similarly worried about being able to source parts for the Switch, for example, and even Apple’s supply has started to be constrained.

Combine those supply constraints with record-setting demand for the PS5, and it’s not hard to see why people have resorted to buying the console from scalpers, constantly keeping an eye out for restocks, and making offerings to forgotten gods to improve their luck. (Alright, that last one probably isn’t as common as the first two.)

Sony doesn’t seem to be resting on its laurels: The company is reportedly working on a redesigned PS5 featuring a new 6nm system-on-a-chip from AMD and TSMC that’s supposed to reduce both the cost of manufacturing the console and its lead time.

It’s not clear how much those changes would help consumers—there’s always the chance the reduced price would increase demand so much that the improved supply merely maintains the status quo rather than improving the console’s availability.

But at least the company is working on it… even if its own leadership doesn’t think the PS5’s going to be in ready supply until 2023. (At the earliest.) In the meantime, well, it might be worth looking into some of those eldritch rituals.

How to add voice control to your hi-fi system

(Image credit: Bluesound)

Voice control isn’t the sole preserve of wireless smart speakers, you know. Barking “Alexa, open Just Eat” at your Echo Dot (or other Alexa speaker), or “Hey Google, what’s in my calendar for today” to your Google Assistant speaker just for the joy of hearing that your schedule is clear, is now commonplace. But using spoken word to command the main music system in your home – your serious, great-sounding hi-fi setup – may not seem so natural. It may be a jump many audio enthusiasts are reluctant to take, even. But give this a moment’s thought, music lover, because verbal control over your hi-fi might be just what your household needs.

Here, we explain the various ways in which you can have voice control as part of a hi-fi system, whether you are keen to use Amazon’s Alexa, Google’s Assistant or Apple’s Siri platforms, and whether you want to bring your a traditional ‘dumb’ system into 2021 or are looking to invest in a new set-up with virtual voice assistance at its core…

(Image credit: Amazon)

Add voice control by connecting a smart speaker

One of the easiest routes to giving your vintage hi-fi system a voice is by connecting an external smart speaker to it.

Add Alexa

The Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker comes with its own built-in driver under its little spherical fabric jackets, but you can beef up its audio by making it play through the speakers in your sound system instead. (Amazon launched a speaker-less Echo Input device a few years ago for this very purpose, but it’s now been discontinued.) This may be handy, but note that audio quality will be limited here.

The Echo Dot offers wired and wireless connectivity, and will work with just about any integrated amp, receiver, soundbar or pair of active speakers with a 3.5mm aux input or Bluetooth connection. With either connection, all of the audio – including Alexa’s verbal answers – will play through the connected speakers in your system.

The diminutive, cheap and cheerful Amazon Echo Dot has a 3.5mm output, which means you can wire it to any receiver, integrated amp or powered speaker with a 3.5mm input. Alternatively, it features built-in Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) Bluetooth, meaning you can connect it wirelessly to any Bluetooth-enabled receiver, speaker or soundbar.

Best Alexa speakers 2021

Add Google Assistant

Want Google Assistant to run the show instead? Similarly, you can pair a Google Nest Mini* (Google’s version of the Echo Dot) over Bluetooth for voice commands and music to play through your Bluetooth-toting system. However, it does not have a 3.5mm output.

*Older Google smart speakers, such as the Home Mini, can also do this.

Best Google Assistant speakers 2021

How about hi-fi with Alexa or Google Assistant integrated?

As we’ve explained, almost any receiver, integrated amp or powered speaker with a 3.5mm input or Bluetooth connection will essentially ‘work’ with Alexa (or Google Assistant, for that matter), if you’ve already got an Alexa- (or Google-) powered device to physically or wirelessly connect it to.

Products with Alexa and*/or Google Assistant baked in, however, do not require you to already own and connect a third-party smart device. These products – ‘smart’ themselves – have integrated microphones to pick up your commands, and run Amazon’s voice software internally, rather than simply being able to work with the technology. These are, for now, more or less limited to wireless ‘smart’ speakers, though.

*Some wireless speakers are platform agnostic and support both Alexa and Google Assistant, such as the Sonos One.

How about the Amazon Echo Link/Amp or Sonos Amp?

(Image credit: Sonos)

If it’s an Amazon Echo device, that means Alexa must be built in, right? Wrong. The Echo Link and Echo Link Amp – Amazon’s music streamer and music streaming amplifier respectively – don’t have integrated microphones so still need a third-party Alexa device, such as an Echo Dot, connected to be obey commands and be part of voice-controlled music groups throughout your home.

Similarly, the Sonos Amp – which you may well think would be voice controllable – doesn’t have an in-built microphone for voice control. It will, however, respond to voice commands issued to connected Alexa-, Google- and Siri-powered devices, including, naturally, the Sonos One.

Sonos: everything you need to know

Multi-room hi-fi platforms with Alexa support

If you’ve yet to buy a hi-fi system and want to get one that puts voice assistant friendliness at its core, there are now several hi-fi and home cinema components that have Alexa-friendly multi-room platforms built in. These include those based on Yamaha’s MusicCast, HEOS by Denon, and BluOS, all of which offer an enhanced Alexa experience when a third-party Alexa device (like an Amazon Echo) is connected to them through specific Alexa ‘skills’.

MusicCast

MusicCast is a wireless multi-room audio system built into several Yamaha AV receivers, soundbars and wireless speakers. It allows these devices to be connected together through your home wi-fi network and controlled by an app on your smartphone or tablet. By adding Alexa through a third-party Alexa speaker, you can kick back on the sofa and simply ask for music on your MusicCast AV receiver.

In case you didn’t know, Alexa provides capabilities (called ‘Alexa Skills’) that enable us to create a more personalised experience according to the kit we own, which can be downloaded from the Alexa Skills store, or simply by saying “Alexa, enable [skill name].” Since said skills are cloud-based, they don’t take up space on your device, so there’s no limit to the amount you can enable. There are two Alexa skills that work with MusicCast: the MusicCast Smart Home skill and the MusicCast skill.

The MusicCast Smart Home skill brings standard Alexa commands such as power on/off, volume control and play/pause/skip to the party. To turn on the AV receiver in your living room, you just say, “Alexa, turn on the Living Room.”

The MusicCast skill goes beyond the basics, giving you control of unique MusicCast functions, like linking/unlinking rooms and direct access to playlists and favourites. In order to access the MusicCast skills, you need to add “ask MusicCast to” after the “Alexa” wake word (or whatever your wake word is): for example, “Alexa, ask MusicCast to link the Living Room to the Kitchen.”

(Image credit: Future)

BluOS

An operating system developed by NAD Electronics and its sister brand Bluesound, BluOS sits at the core of connected products from those two brands, plus Dali and Monitor Audio.

To add Alexa voice control to your BluOS multi-room system, simply download the BluOS Voice Control skill in the Alexa app and link your BluOS-enabled products. You can then tell Alexa to play songs or playlists from subscribed services like Amazon Music, Tidal and Deezer, adjust volume levels or pause what’s playing with a single voice command.

BluVoice is the voice-control interface (or trigger word) that acts as the intermediary between BluOS and a compatible voice assistant, so BluOS owners can ask their Echo device: “Alexa, ask BluVoice to play new songs on Tidal”.

DTS Play-Fi

Similarly, to use Alexa with DTS Play-Fi hi-fi products, you’ll need to ask a connected Alexa-supporting speaker to play music, which it can then do across the rest of your compatible Play-Fi products.

HEOS

When it comes to the HEOS platform, we’d point you towards the What Hi-Fi? 2020 Award-winning Denon AVC-X3700H (above). It’s an 8K-ready home cinema amplifier, but those intending to use it for music playback can also take advantage of the AVC-X3700H’s hi-res audio decoding of files up to 24bit/192kHz and double-speed DSD. Most importantly – in regards to voice control, at least – there’s a HEOS Home Entertainment skill to enable in the Alexa app, which means you can control all of your HEOS-enabled devices by conversing with Alexa through.

HEOS-based Denon and Marantz kit that supports AirPlay 2 can also benefit from Siri voice control when controlled by an iOS (iOS 11.4 and later) device, too. Which leads us to…

Can I voice control my system using Siri?

In a word, yes – as long as something in your system supports AirPlay 2.

While Apple’s Siri voice assistant is integrated into the Apple HomePod or HomePod Mini smart speakers, other speakers (such as the Sonos One) and streaming systems (such as the Bluesound Powernode 2i and KEF LSX) rely on AirPlay 2’s connection to your iOS device to speak to Siri. You simply have to Open the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad and select ‘Add Accessory’ to add, group and then voice control your device over Siri.

However, Siri’s usefulness is more limited than Alexa’s and Google Assistant’s, only allowing you to directly ask to play music that’s either on Apple Music or stored locally on your iOS device. You can ask to play from Spotify too, but you’ll need to say “on Spotify” after your request.

MORE:

See our pick of the best smart speakers 2021

Or the best multi-room systems 2021

Starting from scratch? Read up on the best hi-fi systems 2021

Apple invests another $45 million in Gorilla Glass maker Corning

Apple is awarding Corning another $45 million investment from its Advanced Manufacturing Fund, in addition to the $450 million it’s already given to the US-based company over the past four years. According to Apple’s announcement, the investment will “expand Corning’s manufacturing capacity in the US and drive research and development into innovative new technologies that support durability and long-lasting product life.”

Corning provides glass for a variety of Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. The two companies have a history dating back to the original iPhone. Last year, they collaborated on the iPhone 12 lineup’s Ceramic Shield technology, which Apple claims is “tougher than any smartphone glass” and makes its latest flagships four times more resistant to damage from drops. As well as Apple, Corning’s Gorilla Glass is used in phones from countless Android manufacturers including Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Corning’s ultra-thin glass.

Image: Corning

Apple doesn’t say exactly how Corning will use the $45 million investment, but its timing coincides with recent reports that Apple could launch a foldable iPhone in 2023. Back in 2019 we heard Corning was developing a bendable version of its glass, and last February the company said it expects devices using the technology to reach the market in 12 to 18 months. If it works, the glass could allow for durable foldable smartphones that don’t require a layer of plastic protection used in Samsung’s latest foldables.

“Today, when you buy a phone with Gorilla Glass, you’re touching glass … that’s what we’re working towards,” Corning said of its ambitions for bendable glass last year.

Week 18 in review: Galaxy Z Fold3 to support S Pen, Xiaomi is back in the tablet game

It is time to look back to the more memorable stories that shaped the smartphone world in the past seven days. Leaked promo materials on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and Z Fold3 revealed a bigger secondary screen for the clamshell, while the larger foldable phone will finally gain support for S Pen.

Apple is nowhere near a launch soon, but the rumor mill is already picking up pace. The iPhone 13 series will have 120Hz AMOLED screens provided by Samsung, but there will be zero foldable phones in the family – the first one is not expected until 2023.

Asus is also aiming for a company-first – its new Zenfone 8 flagship will have an IP68 rating, meaning it will be the first smartphone by the Taiwanese maker that is properly waterproof and dustproof. We have also seen leaked renders, suggesting one of the phones will be fairly compact, catering to a largely under-served niche.

Check out the full list of our most popular stories in the past week below.

Just 12% of global iOS users and 4% of US ones have allowed app tracking since the iOS 14.5 rollout

Nobody was ever in doubt that Apple’s new anti-app tracking (ATT) feature, rolled-out with iOS 14.5 would have a major impact on the way targeted advertisement works and consequently, any company with a business model built around it. Like Facebook and its subsidiaries, like Instagram – some of the most severely-affected parties and naturally among the most vocal against ATT.

Having a hunch that a certain change is significant, though, is not the same as getting some actual data on just how significant it is. The Verizon Media-owned Flurry Analytics has its mobile analytics services integrated in over 1 million mobile applications and collects aggregate insights on over 2 billion mobile devices each month. According to Flurry’s data, just around 12% of global users have allowed app tracking for apps that requested it on their devices post the iOS 14.5 update. And that number is just 4% in the US.

Anti-app tracking daily opt-in rate

Just to clarify, in case you are not familiar with how ATT works, it is basically like a permission pop-up that every app has to present the user before being able to gain access to their anonymized (in theory) tracking ID to be able to associate that with in-app activity, as well as activity within other apps and services. If a user chooses to deny tracking, the app in question can’t properly “know” the user. That is to say “know” them in the ad-targeting sense. Opting out of app tracking does not disable say Facebook or Instagram or any other app’s ability to see and potentially use any of the personal data you have shared with them in your profile or any connected authentication service. It just means that the particular app can’t, for instance, know that you just spent the last few hours browsing for a new hat online and then present you with ads for hats. Also worth noting is that disabling app tracking does not disable ads. Those will still be there, just less targeted to you, personally.

These are definitely points worth clarifying, even if they don’t quite add-up as neatly as Facebook might want you to believe in its ad campaign to small businesses reaching users through Facebook. We won’t dig too deep into the broader debate on targeted online advertising and privacy. It is a subject definitely worth researching, though, since it has many facets. While outright blocking tracking might sound perfect for end users on the surface, it could make more than a few online services unsustainable in their current form. Just food for thought. Flurry has some more statistics somewhat related to this as well – the percentage of iOS 14.5 users who have taken the time to set their app tracking preferences to “Restricted” altogether in settings. These are 5% worldwide and 3% in the US.

Anti-app tracking users with “Restricted” setting

Source

TSMC’s 5nm manufacturing process to be used on ASIC miners

João Silva
2 days ago
Featured Tech News, General Tech

Bitmain, one of the most prominent manufacturers of ASIC crypto miners, has reportedly ordered chips from TSMC. Based on the 5nm process node, these chips should offer improved performance at lower power consumption, making Bitmain products more profitable and attractive to miners.

The report coming from DigiTimes also states that the production of the 5nm chips at TSMC fabs should start in Q3 2021, ramping it up in Q1 2022. Until now, Apple and Huawei were the only known companies using TSMC’s 5nm chips, but that may have changed with Bitmain’s alleged order.

Bitmain is widely known in the crypto mining industry. Its latest product, the Antminer S19J, was capable of a whopping 90TH/s at 3100W. At current cryptocurrency values, this miner would generate a daily revenue of over £25 when configured to mine Dash.

TSMC’s 5nm process node would easily increase performance and reduce power consumption thanks to increased transistor density. Therefore, efficiency and profitability would proportionally increase. However, miners should expect to pay a premium for such benefits.

KitGuru says: Considering what happened to 7nm chip stock due to crypto mining fever, we wonder if something similar will happen to 5nm chip stock if Bitmain and other ASIC manufacturers order chips from TSMC. Could we be facing a 5nm chip shortage next?

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Samsung’s new clamshell will have many new features, including a larger cover display and a sturdy frame. Read all about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 here!

As the introduction of Samsung’s new foldable smartphones gets closer, more and more is becoming known about the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Earlier this week, official promotional material from Samsung leaked, unveiling the design of both devices. The new Fold will be the world’s first foldable phone with an under-screen camera. In this publication, however, we will limit ourselves to the new Flip which gets a new two-tone design.

Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will be a clamshell phone with a horizontal folding line. The dual camera and cover screen is covered in black, the rest of the housing is given a different color. This time Samsung seems to make a whole range of colors available.

The leaked photos show that at least a gray, beige, green and purple model will be released. In addition, there is talk about a black, white, blue and pink model. The available color variants will differ per region. Samsung will probably also offer some exclusive colors via their site.

Based on all the new information, graphic designer Giuseppe Spinelli has created a series of highly realistic product renders for LetsGoDigital, in which the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is shown in all expected colors.

What is expected of the Samsung Z Flip 3?

The dual camera setup seems to remain unchanged in terms of resolution, it contains a 12 megapixel wide angle and a 12 megapixel ultra wide angle camera. The cover screen will be larger, the original Z Flip was equipped with a 1.1” display, the new model will likely feature a 1.83” cover display meaning some more content can be displayed – handy for incoming messages or when taking a selfie.

The 6.7” flexible screen will probably remain the same in size. What is new, the Samsung Z Flip 3 will support the 120Hz refresh rate. The centrally placed punch-hole camera will stay, presumably the same 10 megapixel image sensor will also be retained. As far as the camera is concerned, only software improvements are expected, the sensors and lenses of all cameras seem to remain unchanged – just as with the Galaxy S21.

For the first time Samsung will provide both the front and back of the clamshell with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, to make the foldable extra scratch and drop resistant. In addition, the frame also seems to be adjusted, the new “Armor Frame” will be stronger than before. The screen will also be extra reinforced by “Pro-Shield” technology – presumably a kind of counterpart to Apple’s Ceramic Shield.

This time Samsung seems to invest extra in the sturdiness and durability of its foldables. Not only does this result in a stronger frame and a more scratch-resistant display, the South Korean manufacturer also seems to provide the Galaxy Z Flip 3 with an IP rating for the first time. The folding phone is not expected to be completely dust and waterproof, but it will be splash-proof – which would of course be a step in the right direction.

Naturally, the hardware and software will also be renewed. Supposedly, the Samsung Z Flip 3 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, which will guarantee extremely fast and stable performance. This 5nm chipset comes with an integrated 5G modem. In addition to a 256GB model, a 128GB model is also expected this time. This enables Samsung to lower the starting price. The device will run on the Android 11 OS, in combination with the One UI 3.3 user interface. It is a renewed interface compared to the UI that can be found on the Galaxy S21 models.

Will the Galaxy Z Flip 3 offer S Pen support?

Samsung seems to be working on S Pen support for its foldable devices. It’s almost certain that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be compatible with Samsung’s famous stylus pen. Some believe that this will also apply to the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Samsung recently registered a trademark for “Z Flip“, which made mention of a stylus pen. Nevertheless, that is no guarantee that the Z Flip 3 will actually offer S Pen support. I personally do not expect that the upcoming clamshell from Samsung will be made compatible with the S Pen. For this we will probably have to be patient until the Galaxy Z Flip 4. But who knows…

Regarding the battery and fast charging options, unfortunately no changes seem to be made. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G, like its predecessor, will be equipped with a dual battery with a total capacity of 3,300 mAh. A recent 3C quality certification has shown that the 15W fast charging function will also remain the same.

This seems to become the weakest part of Samsung’s new clamshell. After all, the battery life of the Z Flip was rated as “poor” in many expert reviews, the new model does not seem to change that. The maximum charging power of 15 Watt is of course also very minimal for a high-end device in the year 2021. It was expected that the fast charging functionality would be increased to a minimum of 25 Watt, some even hoped for 65 Watt. However, this does not seem to be the case; the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will only support 15 Watt wired / wireless charging.

Then the question remains: which accessories will be available for the new Flip? Last year a Leather Cover was released, which consisted of two parts. Samsung may have found a solution to also manufacture covers from one piece, so that the hinge is optimally protected. The South Korean manufacturer was recently awarded a patent for such a protective cover.

Price & Release date of the Galaxy Z Flip 3

Samsung will host a Galaxy Unpacked event around July, where both the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be presented. A month later, another event is expected to be set up for the Galaxy S21 FE, this will be the cheapest model in the S21 line-up.

Last year, both the Galaxy Z Flip and the Galaxy Z Flip 5G -the latter was introduced five months later- carried a suggested retail price of € 1,500. If we are to believe the rumors, Samsung is doing everything it can to market the new model cheaper. This may also be the reason why the battery, fast charging functionality and the cameras will not be upgraded.

On the other hand, the South Korean manufacturer seems to be extra committed to the sturdiness and durability of its new foldable device. The larger cover screen and the many color variants should also make the Z Flip 3 extra attractive to buy. Moreover, Samsung seems to add an extra cheap 128GB model. This may result in a starting price of approx € 1,350 – € 1,400.

It will probably be possible to place a preorder order immediately after the official introduction. The actual release will then take place about two weeks later. Customers who purchase the Galaxy Z Flip 3 are expected to receive a set of Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds during the pre-order period. The new earbuds will probably be introduced simultaneously.

In terms of design, the Buds 2 are expected to be very similar to the Buds+, which was introduced at the beginning of 2020. It will a cheaper model than the Buds Pro, which was released at the beginning of this year at the time of the S21.

By the way, if you’re wondering what happened to the Galaxy Z Flip 2, don’t worry, you haven’t missed anything. Samsung will introduce their next Z Fold and Z Flip devices simultaneously, therefore the company seems to have decided to align the model names this year. Meaning there will be no Z Flip 2, instead there will be a Z Flip 3.

Note to editors : The 8K and 4K renders in this publication are created by in-house graphic designer Giuseppe Spinelli (aka Snoreyn). The images are copyright protected. Feel free to use our pictures on your own website, but please be so respectful to include a source link into your publication.

Design

Display

Cameras

Hardware

Price

Conclusion

Galaxy Buds 2: release date

Galaxy Buds 2: price

Galaxy Buds 2: design

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: features

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2: early verdict

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Samsung’s new clamshell will have many new features, including a larger cover display and a sturdy frame. Read all about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 here!

What is expected of the Samsung Z Flip 3?

Will the Galaxy Z Flip 3 offer S Pen support?

Price & Release date of the Galaxy Z Flip 3