keyword: Galaxy

samsung-armor-frame-for-galaxy-z-fold-3-and-z-flip-3

Samsung Armor Frame for Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3

Samsung applies for trademark for ‘Armor Frame’. An extra strong and durable smartphone frame, probably for the upcoming foldable smartphone models.

In the summer of 2021, Samsung will introduce its new foldable smartphones. Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 simultaneously. Much has been written recently about the possible improvements of these new models. One of Samsung’s focal points is and remains durability. Last year, Samsung started to use UTG (Ultra Thin Glass) to make the screen extra scratch-resistant.

It seems that this year Samsung wants to equip at least one of its folding models with an extra strong frame, which will be called “Armor Frame”. This is evident from a trademark that Samsung has applied for in Korea, Europe and the US.

Samsung Armor Frame for foldable smartphones

On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, Samsung Electronics applied for a trademark for the name “Armor Frame”. The trademark was first applied for in the home country of Korea, at the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO). The same day the application was also filed with the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) and with the United States Patent and Trademark Organization (USPTO). The trademark is categorized as Class 9 with a short, but clear description: “smartphones; smartphone frames’.

Samsung Armor Frame trademark description: ‘smartphones; smartphone frames’.

The brief documentation shows that it is a new type of smartphone frame. The word “Armor” seems to indicate that it is an extra strong frame.

Samsung has used different types of smartphone frames over the years, from plastic to metal and aluminum. The latter is used for the top models within the Samsung Galaxy line-up, such as the Galaxy S21 series, but also the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Z Flip.

The biggest disadvantage of an aluminum frame is that it becomes less rigid over time, causing it to lose its strength. This may have prompted Samsung to adapt and improve the frame of its new foldable smartphones. There have been rumors for some time that the bezels will be further reduced, meaning the frame and possibly also the hinge will have to be revised too.

It is still unknown from what material the “Armor Frame” is made. It may be an extra robust frame that meets the military MIL-STD-810G standard – making it more shock resistant. Another possibility is that Samsung opts for a kind of Carbon or Titanium, although this is more expensive than aluminum, it is also a lot lighter and thinner. At the same time, this could solve one of the main drawbacks of current foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 in particular feels quite heavy in your hands over time. This problem can be remedied by applying a lighter and stronger frame.

Which Samsung smartphones get an Armor Frame?

Of course, the trademark does not state that Samsung wants to use the “Armor Frame” for its foldable models. Yet this seems the most likely. After all, the Galaxy S21 series has already been officially introduced and a new Galaxy Note device is not expected this year. All attention is now focused on the new foldable smartphone models from Samsung.

In August 2021, Samsung is expected to announce both the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. It remains unknown whether Samsung will use the Armor Frame for both models. Logically, it will in any case be used for the larger and more expensive Galaxy Z Fold 3. However, it is certainly not excluded that Samsung also wants to provide its clamshell model with an Armor Frame, just as Samsung also equipped the Z Flip with Ultra Thin Glass. .

Also in terms of timeline, it is likely that this application is intended for the upcoming foldable models from Samsung. Usually the Korean manufacturer starts filling trademarks for important names / features a few months before the official introduction, which will then be used later in the marketing. This also happened, for example, with the application for UTG, which was also requested about three months before the Galaxy Unpacked launch event.

With an extra strong frame, Samsung can stay a step ahead of the competition. More and more foldable smartphone models are being announced, also by other brands. Recently, the Huawei Mate X2 and Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold were introduced for the Chinese market. Oppo and Vivo will also reportedly announce their first folding smartphone soon. Although Apple is also developing a foldable model, it is expected that the development of the iPhone Flip will take a little longer.

Take a look at the application for Samsung Armor Frame in the US and Europe.

Ilse is a Dutch journalist and joined LetsGoDigital more than 15 years ago. She is highly educated and speaks four languages. Ilse is a true tech-girl and loves to write about the future of consumer electronics. She has a special interest for smartphones, digital cameras, gaming and VR.

samsung-galaxy-a22-4g-pops-up-at-bis-india

Samsung Galaxy A22 4G pops-up at BIS India

Samsung has been working hard on flushing-out its popular Galaxy A lineup with the recent announcement of the Galaxy A72, A52 and A32. The trio can be had in both a vanilla 4G variety, as well as trendy and reasonably-priced 5G variant. It seems that the Korean giant is now planning to introduce an even cheaper A device in the Galaxy A22. Again, in both a 4G and a 5G version. Last we heard of such a model was way back in December last year, until a certain SM-A225F was recently spotted on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) website.


Samsung Galaxy A22 4G: BIS • HTML5 test

Unfortunately, beyond the SM-A225F/DS moniker, indicating that the phone will have dual-SIM support, there is hardly any other info available on the A22 4G. That same SM-A225F model number was also spotted in an HTML5 test listing, which does mention that it will run Android 11 out of the box.

We don’t really know a lot about the SM-A226B either, which is said to be the Galaxy A22 5G. Rumors have mentioned a quad-camera setup with a 48MP main snapper, 8MP untrawide and two additional 2MP modules for depth and macros. A 13MP selfie is also likely and apparently the Galaxy A22 5G is expected to have two RAM and storage variants and multiple colors, including gray, white, light green and purple. Pricing for the 5G Galaxy A22 is expected to be in the EUR 229 ballpark, naturally positioning it lower than the A32 5G. Hence, we could anticipate it to rock something like the MediaTek Dimensity 700 or 720 chipset, or perhaps Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 480 5G budget part.

Via

oppo’s-enco-buds-official-looking-renders-leak

Oppo’s Enco Buds official-looking renders leak

In a now unavailable post, long-time leakster Evan Blass has published leaked renders of Oppo’s unreleased TWS earbuds. The Oppo Enco Buds succeed the Oppo Enco W11 and although they look identical in appearance and design, the new version will support the Bluetooth 5.2 standard.

First look at the OPPO Enco Buds: https://t.co/wC9FQ2dPfB pic.twitter.com/F7UFdeW1S2

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) April 16, 2021

The Enco Buds style is very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Buds+, even down to the charging case. The renders show the TWS earbuds in white with an LED charging notification at the front side of the case. The new Enco Buds are anticipated to hit retail markets by the end of this month.


For reference, the Enco W11 earbuds feature 20-hour battery life total with a 5-hour battery life per charge, IP55 dust and water resistance, touch controls, and silicone tips. It also uses a USB-C port to recharge and a complete charge takes about 2 hours. Though these specs don’t represent the new Enco Buds

Via

xiaomi-mi-11-lite-review

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite review

Introduction

Today, we will be reviewing yet another Xiaomi mid-ranger – we are welcoming the 4G version of the Mi 11 Lite.

We are not sure how Xiaomi can keep uninterrupted production of so many phones with the ongoing global chip shortages. But we are glad things are working well for them so far.

The Mi 11 Lite 5G has already earned our recommendation, and we are hoping its cheaper version to be just as good. The lightweight Mi 11 Lite, just like the Mi 11 Lite 5G, is shaped after the Mi 11 flagship and focuses on similar features – an HRR OLED screen, enjoyable camera quality, long battery life, fast charging, and overall smooth UI experience.

We are glad to see Xiaomi has thoughtfully handpicked the features that matter the most. The 6.55-inch OLED is of great quality with 10-bit color support, HDR10 certification, and a 90Hz refresh rate. There is also 240Hz touch sampling, which is another requirement for a smooth experience.

The triple camera on the back is also reminiscent of the Mi 11’s and the same as on the Mi 11 Lite 5G – there is a high-res 64MP primary, an 8MP ultrawide snapper, and a 5MP telemacro cam. All sorts of shooting modes are supported, including Night Mode, Long Exposure, Pro mode for all cameras, and the Mi 11 series exclusive video modes such as Parallel World, Time Freeze, Night Mode Timelapse, among others.

The Mi 11 Lite relies on the Snapdragon 732G chip – the same one we experienced as part of the Redmi Note 10 Pro. That’s the only notable difference with the Mi 11 Lite 5G – the 5G model uses a more powerful Snapdragon 780G 5G SoC.

The Mi 11 Lite may have undergone an obvious cost-cutting process, but it still gets to enjoy stereo speakers, NFC connectivity, a microSD slot, and even an IR port. And, by looking at its specs sheet, it does seem like a Lite version done right.

Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite specs at a glance:
Body: 160.5×75.7×6.8mm, 157g; Gorilla Glass 5 front, glass back, plastic frame.
Display: 6.55″ AMOLED, 1B colors, HDR10, 90Hz, 240Hz touch sampling, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 402ppi.
Chipset: Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G (8 nm): Octa-core (2×2.3 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver); Adreno 618.
Memory: 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
OS/Software: Android 11, MIUI 12.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.97″, 0.7µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 1/4.0″, 1.12µm; Macro: 5 MP, f/2.4, AF.
Front camera: 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06″ 1.0µm.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps.
Battery: 4250mAh; Fast charging 33W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); Infrared port.The most notable omission is splash resistance, obviously. While the similarly priced Poco X3 Pro is IP53-rated, and Samsung is putting an even bigger effort with its most recent IP67-rated Galaxy A phones, Xiaomi isn’t keen on providing any sort of ingress protection for the Mi 11 Lite phones. It’s not a major issue, of course, but it’s already a popular must-have for the competition.

Unboxing the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite

The Mi 11 Lite bundle is a match to what most of the Redmi and Poco phones recently offered – a 33W power adapter, a 3A-rated USB-C cable, there is also a USB-C-to-3.5mm adapter.

There is also a transparent silicone case inside the retail box – a much-appreciated addition across all Xiaomi phones. Xiaomi is also giving away a thin screen protector, but it’s one of those cheap films that turn your screen into a smudge magnet, and we just couldn’t bear all this smear, sorry.

samsung-galaxy-tab-a7-lite-shows-up-once-again,-this-time-in-silver

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite shows up once again, this time in silver

We know that Samsung is planning to launch a new budget tablet called Galaxy Tab A7 Lite and we even had the chance to see it in renders along with key specs. Now, we get the chance to have a better look at the design and also see how the silver color suits it.

Thanks to the brighter image, we get to see the bezels along with the front-facing camera and the earpiece grille more clearly. Moreover, it shows the side of the device and it appears that it will have a small camera bump. The volume rocker and the power button are on the right side with the latter positioned closer to the upper-right corner.

Sadly, there are no additional specs to the already existing ones from the previous report which include a Helio P22T SoC, 3GB of RAM, 8.4-inch display (or 8.7″ according to an older rumor) and a 5,100 mAh battery.

Source

samsung-starts-selling-the-smarttag+-in-south-korea

Samsung starts selling the SmartTag+ in South Korea

Samsung was supposed to start selling its SmartTag+ in the US earlier this week, but it seems that was delayed (it’s missing from Samsung.com and other online retailers). Not so in South Korea, where the location tracker is available as of today.

It can be found on Samsung’s online store as well as Samsung Digital Plaza stores around the country, plus other retailers such as Coupang, 11th Street, G Market and Naver Smart Store. Locals can buy one for KRW 39,600 in Black or Denim Blue.

The difference between the SmartTag and SmartTag+ is that the former relies on Bluetooth LE, the uses Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, which provides accurate directional info. This allows users to find their lost keys using an AR application.

You can attach these tags to just about anything, things like keys or pets. Samsung even sees them as anti-theft devices you hook up to your bag or bicycle. But if you’re going to carry them where they can be seen, you can pick up one of the official cases – the Samsung has introduced Disney, Star Wars, The Simpsons and Naver Line branded cases. Most of these are for fun, but there are practical ones like this one with a built in retroreflector.

By the way, the Bluetooth LE connection of the vanilla tags has a range of about 120m. But you can track them (and the Plus) even if they are beyond the range of your phone – if you sign up for the SmartThings Find service, the tags will be detected by other Galaxy owners walking by (in turn, your phone will help other find their tags).

SmartThings also allows you to turn the tags into physical shortcuts for your smart home, allowing you to trigger actions with a short or a long press.

In the US the SmarTag+ goes for $39, the vanilla version is $29 (you can read our review of the SmartTag for more details). Note that for the Plus model you need an UWB-enabled phone like the Galaxy Note20 Ultra or S21 Ultra.

Source 1 | Source 2 (in Korean) | Via

rumor:-samsung-is-working-on-triple-folding-tablet-for-next-year

Rumor: Samsung is working on triple-folding tablet for next year

Initial reports claimed that Samsung’s first dual foldable will arrive this year. However, GizmoChina and leakster Yogesh contradict this info, saying that the actual launch will take place in the first three months of 2022.

The more interesting bit of this leak is that the device in question will be Samsung’s first foldable tablet – Galaxy Z Fold Tab. Devices like the Galaxy Z Fold2 already blur the line with tablets with its 7.6” display, but the Tab will be even bigger.

It makes sense that a triple foldable will be a tablet. Current models are already on the large side even when closed – getting a larger internal screen without increasing the folded size requires another fold. But will it be an internal screen? The form factor is as yet unknown.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2

There’s a lot of time between now and Q1 2022. An important step along the way will be the July/August event that will bring the Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip2. The Z Fold3 in particular will be a testing ground for the Z Fold Tab.

It will bring a hybrid S Pen that will also be used on the tablet. We don’t know what makes it a hybrid, but chances are that it will be similar to the S21 Ultra S Pen Pro – with Bluetooth but no stylus slot built into the phone.

The Z Fold3 will also introduce an improved Ultra Thin Glass (UTG), which will be thicker and more durable. Both the S Pen and UTG will be featured on the Galaxy Z Fold Tab as well.

Naturally, the lessons learned from building the Z Fold3 may lead Samsung to change its plans for the tri-fold tablet, so details may change.

Source

it’s-official:-samsung-galaxy-m42-5g-is-arriving-on-april-28-with-snapdragon-750g

It’s official: Samsung Galaxy M42 5G is arriving on April 28 with Snapdragon 750G

Earlier this week, a report claimed that Samsung will launch the Galaxy M42 5G in India in April. Today, Amazon.in confirmed the smartphone will be introduced on 28th of this month and set up a promo page on its website for it.

The page also includes a few images which reveal the Galaxy M42 5G’s design and some features. The smartphone will pack a notched display and sport a square-shaped quad camera setup on its back.

We don’t see a fingerprint reader on the Galaxy M42 5G’s rear panel, and neither is it embedded in the power button located on the right-side frame, meaning the smartphone could come with an in-display solution, which means the M42 5G will pack an AMOLED panel.

Under the hood, the Galaxy M42 5G will have a Snapdragon 750G SoC, although the RAM and storage aren’t revealed.

Amazon also tells us that M42 5G will come with Samsung Pay and Knox Security.


Galaxy M42 5G will come with Knox Security and Samsung Pay

While Samsung is yet to detail the M42 5G’s specs sheet, previous rumors and leaks claimed the smartphone will feature a 64MP primary camera, a 6,000 mAh battery, and will cost between INR20,000-25,000 ($270-335).

With the official announcement still over 10 days away, you can expect to learn more about the Galaxy M42 5G in the coming days.

Source

peak-design’s-new-magnet-powered-phone-case-system-delayed-until-august

Peak Design’s new magnet-powered phone case system delayed until August

Peak Design has announced it is delaying shipment of products in its Kickstarter campaign for Mobile, a broad range of phone accessories designed to make it easy to mount your phone on everything from a motorcycle handlebar to a simple dock on your desk. It is meant to be compatible with iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones. Originally targeted for May, the company now expects to be able to begin shipping in August, though some products will also come later. To make up for it, Peak is offering either full refunds for cancellations or discounts on other Peak Design products.

Peak Design has used Kickstarter to launch everything from camera-focused backpacks to tripods and its original product, an innovative camera mounting clip. But this new project is on a different scale of ambition: it’s multiple products designed to work together in an interlocking system of mounts, wireless chargers, mini tripods, wallets, and cases. Key to the entire system is a combination of magnets and physical locking mechanisms which can differ from product to product.

The project apparently started about two years ago, which means that just before the company was running to launch in October of 2020 Apple announced the iPhone 12 — complete with the MagSafe system of cases, chargers, and wallets that connect with magnets.

Some prototypes in Peak Design’s mobile system

Apple’s MagSafe system and Peak Design’s magnet system are different, but the company made the call to try to make its system interoperable in some ways with MagSafe. That has meant testing its products across all the different variables it could think of, mixing and matching Peak Design’s big portfolio of products with Apple’s new system.

That complexity is one of the reasons for the delay, the first in Peak Design’s long history marketing products on Kickstarter. The second is the obvious one: delays introduced from COVID-19. The designers have been unable to travel to the factory to test their designs or go into their local workshop to suss out problems directly.

The company expects its first wave to include the most basic products in its lineup, cases and some “core mounts/accessories,” with a second wave coming “later.”

Peak Design will email Kickstarter backers discount codes for its products (20 percent off anything plus 50 percent off a future purchase in the Mobile product line). It also says people who wish to cancel their pledge can email info@peakdesign.com.

what-to-expect-from-apple’s-‘spring-loaded’-event

What to expect from Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event

Apple has officially announced its “Spring Loaded” event for April 20th, its first major product announcement of 2021.

Unlike a lot of Apple’s events, its spring events tend to be a bit more scattershot: one year might see high-end iPads, another a more education-focused event, or a launch of a comprehensive service strategy. This year, rumors are pointing to a refreshed iPad Pro lineup, potentially with Apple’s first Mini LED panels — which would bring a big jump forward for the company’s tablet displays. But we could also see new AirPods, the company’s long-rumored AirTag trackers, a new iPad Mini, and more.

The proceeding should kick off at 1PM ET on Tuesday, but if you’re looking for an early preview, here’s what you can probably expect to show up.

iPad Pro

It’s been over a year since Apple’s last refresh of the iPad Pro, and the 2020 model — a fairly iterative update to the 2019 version — is starting to get a little long in the tooth, especially compared to the beefed-up specs on Apple’s latest iPhones and M1 Macs.

Like last year, Apple is expected to launch both 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models; but the larger iPad Pro is expected to make a big switch in screen technology to debut Apple’s first Mini LED display. Additional rumors indicate that supply of the Mini LED panels might be hard to come by, that stock of the larger model may be limited at launch, or that Apple might delay the release of the 12.9-inch version until availability is better.

Photo by Brennan King / The Verge

A report from Bloomberg sheds more light on what to expect, too: while the overall design of the two tablets is expected to stay largely the same as last year’s model, Apple is expected to swap out the A12Z chip for a newer processor that’s said to be on par with its more recent M1 chipset. The new iPads are also said to upgrade to a Thunderbolt port (with faster data speeds and a wider peripheral selection than the standard USB-C port) and feature upgraded cameras.

Apple could also potentially have a new Apple Pencil accessory in the works to go with the new iPad Pros. Images of a new, glossy version of the stylus have been circulating on Twitter, and the “spring forward” teaser could imply that Apple might offer a spring-loaded tip, similar to what Wacom offers on its pens.

AirTags

Image by Guilherme Rambo / 9to5Mac

One of Apple’s worst-kept secrets in years, Apple’s Tile-like AirTags have been rumored to make an appearance at nearly every Apple event and announcement since early 2019. Said to be small, circular tags with Bluetooth and ultra-wideband radio chips, AirTags would rely on Apple’s existing Find My app and network of iPhones, iPads, and Macs to allow users to track and find missing objects (similar to how users can currently track lost phones).

AirTags would also potentially work with recent iPhone models’ U1 chip to allow for AR-based ultra-wideband tracking in local areas — something that Samsung has recently also began to offer with its Galaxy SmartTag Plus.

There have been references to AirTags (or Apple Tags) in iOS code leaks, endless rumors, and even in an official support video that explicitly revealed the “AirTags” name as part of its offline finding feature last year. The only thing left is for Apple to officially announce them.

iPad Mini

Also long overdue for an update is Apple’s oft-neglected iPad Mini, which was last refreshed over two years ago in March 2019. (Given that that update came after a four-year drought for the iPad Mini, a refresh this year would actually be beating par.) The current model features the exact outdated design that Apple’s been using for nearly a decade, with an older A12 processor to boot, so there’s plenty of room for Apple to improve things, too.

Adding fuel to the fire is that both Bloomberg and noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo have pointed at a larger iPad Mini (potentially with an 8.5-inch display, which could come from eliminating some of the chunky 2012-era bezels) for 2021.

AirPods 3

A third-generation version of Apple’s AirPods has been rumored for months, set to feature shorter stems and replaceable ear tips, similar to the current AirPods Pro design. The updated AirPods are also said to feature better battery life than their predecessors. Apple has also been rumored to be working on a refreshed AirPods Pro design that would eliminate the earbud stem entirely, but as Bloomberg’s report notes, that redesign is further out — so they’re unlikely to make an appearance here.

Apple TV

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The Apple TV 4K sits at a strange place in Apple’s lineup. Released in 2017, it’s one of the oldest Apple products still being sold. At $180, its price has since been lapped by Roku, Amazon, and Google, all of which offer comparable 4K streaming boxes at a fraction of the price.

Apple is rumored to be working on a refreshed model for 2021, which would add a faster processor and a new remote to replace the infamous Siri Remote. Support for HDMI 2.1 and 120Hz refresh rates could also be in the cards. But more than new features, the Apple TV 4K is in dire need of a price cut — something that Apple is historically more reticent to provide.

iOS 14.5

Given the pace of both developer and public betas, it’s all but certain that Apple will officially release iOS 14.5 either at or immediately following the event (especially if it has new iPad hardware). The new software promises to add the ability to more easily unlock an iPhone while wearing a mask through an Apple Watch, new emoji, and Apple’s highly debated App Tracking Transparency feature that has drawn particular ire from Facebook.

MacBooks and iMacs and Mac Pros (oh my!)

After the shockingly great debut of Apple’s first wave of Apple Silicon-powered computers last fall with the M1 MacBook Air, Pro, and Mac Mini, all eyes are on Apple’s next steps in its ARM transition. The company is rumored to be working on plenty of new Macs as it looks to achieve its ambitious goal of switching fully from Intel’s chips within two years. That includes more powerful MacBook Pros that would ditch the Touch Bar, bring back MagSafe and additional ports, and feature an improved M-series chip. A new iMac and a smaller Mac Pro (also featuring M-series chips) are said to be in the works as well.

With WWDC around the corner, though, it’s likely that we won’t hear more about new Mac hardware until then, especially if Apple is planning on debuting more developer and professional-friendly Apple Silicon-powered laptops and desktops.

Something surprising

Of course, with Apple, you never quite know what to expect — which means that there’s always room for a surprise announcement or two at the Spring Loaded event that not even we saw coming. Could Apple tease its long-rumored VR headset? A refreshed iPhone SE? A first look at the Apple Car? Whatever happens, stay tuned to The Verge for all the details.

samsung-galaxy-s21-fe-vs-galaxy-s20-fe:-what’s-the-rumoured-difference?

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Galaxy S20 FE: What’s the rumoured difference?

(Pocket-lint) – Samsung is rumoured to announce the ‘Fan Edition’ – also known as FE – of its Galaxy S21 later this year, succeeding the Galaxy S20 FE.

The Galaxy S20 FE is a fantastic device, offering many of the great features of the Galaxy S20 but for a lower price thanks to a couple of compromises, and there have been several rumours suggesting the S21 FE will follow in those footsteps.

How is the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE expected to compare to the Galaxy S20 FE though? We’ve put the rumoured specifications for the S21 FE up against the S20 FE so you can see.

Design

  • S21 FE: 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm, TBC
  • S20 FE:  159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm, 190g

Rumours suggest the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will look similar to the Galaxy S21, with a centralised punch hole camera at the top of its flat display, a plastic back and an IP65/68 water and dust resistance. 

Leaked renders show a triple rear camera with the housing positioned in the top left corner, and flowing into the frame of the device. It’s said to measure 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm. 

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE meanwhile, takes its design cues from the Galaxy S20. It too offers a centralised punch hole camera at the top of the flat display though, as well as a plastic back and waterproofing.

There’s a triple rear camera on the back, within a housing in the top left corner, but the housing is more of an island, differentiating it from what is expected from the Galaxy S21 FE. It measures 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm and weighs 190g, which means the S21 FE could be shorter and slimmer if the rumours are accurate. 

The S21 FE is said to be coming in gray/silver, pink, violet, and white colours. The Galaxy S20 FE comes in blue, red, lavender, mint, white and orange.

Display

  • Galaxy S21 FE: 6.4-inch, Full HD+, 120Hz, HDR
  • Galaxy S20 FE: 6.5-inch, Full HD+, 120Hz, HDR

According to reports, the Samsung Galayxy S21 FE will have a 6.4-inch display with a Full HD+ resolution. It’s also expected to have a 120Hz refresh rate, though it is not currently clear if it will offer a variable refresh rate, like the Galaxy S21 range.

As mentioned, the display is expected to be flat and it will no doubt be a Super AMOLED panel with support for HDR, like the S20 FE offers.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE has a slightly larger 6.5-inch display than what is reported for the S21 FE, though it has the same Full HD+ resolution and it also has a 120Hz refresh rate. The refresh rate is not variable on the S20 FE though so if the Galaxy S21 FE offer variable, then this will be one of the differences aside from size.

Hardware and specs

  • Galaxy S21 FE: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888/Exynos 2100, 5G, 128/256GB
  • Galaxy S20 FE: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865/Exynos 990, 4G/5G, 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage, microSD, 4500mAh

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is expected to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, or the Exynos 2100, though no rumours have suggested this as yet. Instead, the rumours have claimed the S21 FE will be a 5G device, run on Android 11 and come in 128GB and 256GB storage options. 

There’s no word on whether microSD will be supported, but given the S21 range doesn’t offer microSD, it is possible the S21 FE won’t either. Currently, no rumours have detailed RAM or battery capacity for the S21 FE.

The Galaxy S20 FE 5G handset runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865, while the 4G model runs on Exynos 990. There is a choice of 6GB or 8GB of RAM on board, both of which have 128GB of storage, as well as support for microSD.

In terms of battery, the Galaxy S20 FE has a 4500mAh capacity so we would expect similar from the Galaxy S21 FE.

Camera

  • Galaxy S21 FE: Triple rear
  • Galaxy S20 FE: Triple rear
    • Main: 12MP, f/1.8, 1.8µm, OIS
    • Tele: 8MP, f/2.4, 1.0µm, OIS, 3x optical
    • Ultra-wide: 12MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm
    • Front: 32MP, f/2.2, 0.8µm, FF

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is rumoured to come with a triple rear camera, though there are currently no specifics on what sensors might be on board. It’s likely we will see the same main camera as the Galaxy S21, along with a telephoto and ultra wide angle lens, but the resolution and pixels could be different on the latter two lenses, like the S20 FE did compared to the S20+.

The Galaxy S20 FE has a triple rear camera, made up of a 12-megapixel main sesnor with an f/1.8 aperture, 1.8µm pixels and optical image stabilisation, which is the same as the S20+ offers. It also has an 8-megapixel telephoto lens that has an f/2.4 aperture, 1.0µm pixels, OIS and 3x optical and there is a 12-megapixel ultra wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture and 1.12µm pixels.

The front camera on the Galaxy S20 FE is a 32-megapixel, f/2.2 aperture, sensor. We’d expect similar on the S21 FE.

Price

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Pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE hasn’t been rumoured as yet, though we’d expect it to fall around the same ballpark as the S20 FE and certainly cheaper than the Galaxy S21 range.

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE starts at £599 in the UK for the 4G model and £699 for the 5G model. The 4G model isn’t available in the US, but the 5G model starts at $699.99 in the US, with the 8GB of RAM model costing $769.99.

Conclusion

Based on the rumours so far, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE will feature a slightly different design to the S20 FE from the rear, keeping in tune with the lastest Galaxy S21 series, though it will look similar from the front. 

Speculation suggests the S21 FE will be shorter and slimmer than the S20 FE, pack a slightly smaller display and come with an upgraded processor and possibly some camera upgrades too, even if only in terms of features.

We will update this feature as more rumours appear surrounding the S21 FE, but for now, you can keep track of all the latest in our separate Galaxy S21 FE feature.

Writing by Britta O’Boyle.

2022’s-iphone-14-will-apparently-boast-8k-video,-5.4-inch-model-to-get-the-chop

2022’s iPhone 14 will apparently boast 8K video, 5.4-inch model to get the chop

(Image credit: Apple)

Forget iPhone 13 – iPhone 14 will bring a host of drastic changes, says respected tech analyst Ming-Chu Kuo. Apparently, Apple’s 2022 iPhone will boast a notch-less design and 8K video recording for the first time. 

It’s bad news for iPhone Mini fans, though: Kuo claims Apple will kill off the 5.4-inch model from 2022. Rumours suggest that the compact mobile hasn’t sold well, so the iPhone 13 Mini, which is expected to be announced this September, could be the Mini’s swan song.

Kuo is quick to point out that the 2022 iPhone line-up will still consist of four models: two high-end ‘Pro’ phones with 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens and two ‘affordable’ iPhones with the same 6.1- and 6.7-inch screens – sans the top-tier camera tech.

As for the design, whereas the latest leaks tip the upcoming iPhone 13 for a 10 per cent-smaller camera notch (via 9to5Mac), Kuo is convinced the iPhone 14 will see Apple transition to a much sleeker ‘punch-hole’ design, where the only display cutout is used for the front selfie camera.  

And from 2023 – yes, we’re onto the iPhone 15 now – Kuo reckons Apple could plump for a bezel-free design with both the selfie camera and FaceID infrared projector hidden beneath the phone’s display. Given that the iPhone 15 is probably nothing more than a napkin-sketch right now, anything’s possible.

Back to iPhone 14, though. The same future-gazer expects the more expensive ‘Pro’ models to sport an upgraded 48MP sensor because “the best resolution for augmented and mixed reality is 8K to 16K”. That ties in nicely with the rumour that Apple is planning to launch a mixed reality headset in 2022. As for stills, Kuo reckons they’ll be scaled down to 12MP to produce manageable files with stunning levels of detail and almost no noise (a technique already used by many of the best Android phones). 

Finally, Kuo tips all four 2022 iPhones to support 8K video recording – a first for Apple. Given that Samsung has already released two smartphones that support 8K recording – the 2020 Galaxy S20 and 2021 Galaxy S21 – some would say the Cupertino giant has fallen behind its competitors on that front. Then again, Samsung manufactures 8K TVs, so it makes sense to put 8K-capable mobiles devices into its customers’ pockets.

Of course, 2023 is a long way off. For now all eyes are on Apple’s 20th April event, which is expected to feature a new iPad Pro with Mini LED display and the AirPods 3 wireless buds (maybe).

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