(Pocket-lint) – The Poco M3 is all about affordability. By dangling that low-price carrot, along with surprisingly well-specified features, a read-through of its spec rundown certainly sounds appealing.
But is it truly appealing in practice? With stiff competition from established players, such as the Moto G series, there’s plenty more to consider if you’re looking for an outright purchase on a budget. Here’s our verdict after living with the Poco M3 as our main device.
Design & Display
Display: 6.53-inch LCD, Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340), 19.5:9 aspect ratio
Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6mm / Weight: 198g
Finishes: Cool Blue, Poco Yellow, Power Black
Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Poco (or Pocophone as it once was) is an off-shoot of Xiaomi, targeting affordability as its primary focus. As such you’re not going to get ultra-luxe, well, anything. But the balance of build to price found here is fair – ignoring the vibration motor, which is the poorest implementation (complete with accompanying irksome noise) that we’ve seen/heard for some time.
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The M3 certainly wants you to know its a Poco, too. The massive logo emblazoned across the rear camera unit tells you that. We’re not a fan of that look, but each to their own. The rest of the rear is coated in a textured plastic, which looks rather more like a case than it belonging to the phone – sometimes just because of the way lint gets stuck between the camera unit and the main body.
As for the phone itself, it’s fairly large, in part down to the huge battery (it’s a 6,000mAh capacity) tucked away within, in part down to the large-scale display choice. A 6.53-inch panel might not read that massive these days, but it’s actually a smidge wider than you’ll find on many a flagship (the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra being one such example).
But it’s the screen specification where things get rather interesting. For it offers a Full HD+ resolution. And this is a phone that’s on sale for sub-£/€150. That’s rather unusual, because the Moto G9 Power, as one obvious competitive example, has nothing like that degree of resolution.
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Which sets the M3’s screen in pretty good stead. If the software wasn’t so keen to keep it dimmed so frequently then it’d be a solid panel on which to do your day-to-day tasks. The notch isn’t too distracting. Available brightness is more than good enough, once manually adjusted. And the degree of colour from an LCD panel does a fair job too.
Sadly, however, the touch-response of this panel is really poor. Especially towards the edges. It’s often failed to recognise very purposeful touches, which makes interacting and typing frequently just irritating.
Performance & Battery
Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, 4GB RAM
64/128GB storage, microSD expansion, dual SIM
MIUI 12.0.5 software (over Google Android 10)
6,000mAh battery capacity, 18W charging
Even the specification, in context of this price point, reads pretty well. But, somehow, despite 4GB RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor, there’s just a certain lack of cohesion in use.
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Which, we suspect, is down to the MIUI software. We’ve already pointed out the excessive auto-dimming. The user interface is also sluggish to respond, hesitating sometimes to the point that we’ve tried hitting the same close button three times over. The poor screen touch-response could compound that, too, of course.
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At this price point you really need to have a bar of expectation in what you’d like a phone to do. Because while the Poco M3 can certainly run games and apps without too much a bother, it can’t necessarily run them that well. Take our go-to favourtie, South Park: Phone Destroyer, and while it’ll load up fine, there are often stutters in animation and everything feels laggy and slow to the point that it’s taxing to play.
Sure, this is a budget phone, so it’s not going to be a gaming mecca. But with this kind of processor on board – which we’ve seen elsewhere, such as, again, in the Moto G9 Power – we’d actually expect better. Something just isn’t quite communicating quite correctly between hardware and software, delivering a user experience that’s below par.
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But without an ultra-powerful processor, the power drain is rather efficient – again, in part, down to software – and as there’s a massive 6,000mAh cell inside the M3 lasts and lasts. And then some.
If you’re looking for longevity then there’s no fear of this phone powering through a couple of days – we’d achieved over 24 hours with over 50 per cent battery remaining (partly due to being averse to wanting to game or use the device as much we might a more capable device).
As an “office in your pocket”, for calls and emails, then, the Poco M3 will last out for an age and is worthy of consideration on that front alone. So long as you can tinker with the software sufficiently – because there are various irks from the MIUI (v12.0.5) software that you’ll need to dig into various menus to tweak to your liking.
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It’s the software that’s holding things back in our view. There are battery saver per-app limitations, permissions limitations arranged in various parts of the settings that need attention, and so forth. It’s a maze to find and open things up, and even when you think you’ve got everything sussed there might be a delay in notifications from certain apps.
Just as we’ve said of so many MIUI devices in recent months, it’s the biggest hurdle that’s often holding back potential (especially in Xiaomi’s Mi 11 flagship). And with Poco Launcher here, there are additional bothers, such as the system-wide dark mode often making fields illegible by hiding them away.
Ignore the massive Poco emblazoned on the rear and your eyes will no doubt be drawn to the trio of lenses available. “Ohh, a triple camera,” we hear you say. Not so much, however, as the depth sensor and macro sensor are effectively pointless – the macro doesn’t have any way to activate it that we can see, while the depth sensor (utilised in Portrait mode) just isn’t necessary at all. It’s a classic case of overselling the cameras because “more equals better”.
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With that said, however, the main camera unit isn’t too shabby. So think of it as a budget phone with one simple camera – no ultra-wide, no optical zoom – and it does the job well enough.
That main sensor is 48-megapixels, but using a four-in-one processing methodology means the M3 produces 12-megapixel results by default. Such images are still large in scale, and as so much data has been drawn in to process there’s ample detail.
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However, the camera app is a little slow, navigating the features is over-complex, and the focus in shots wasn’t always on point in our testing – there’s no optical image stabilisation or other such fancy features here to help out.
Verdict
In terms of specification the Poco M3 seems unrivalled for a phone at this price point. Impressive features such as a Full HD+ screen and massive 6,000mAh battery lead its charge.
But somewhere along the line there’s a breakdown in communication. For the decent spec may read well, but it doesn’t function quite well enough. Software irks, poor touch-response from the screen, stutters in both interface and apps, mean it doesn’t add up to be the dream budget experience.
If all you want is an outright affordable purchase for calls and emails then the Poco M3 will last an age and could serve you well. But the quality of even lesser-specified devices out there for a similar price – which run even better – simply means it’s not one to recommend.
Also consider
Pocket-lint
Moto G9 Power
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There’s less resolution, but a far more fluid user experience is what makes this Moto the obvious choice. It’s a little bit pricier as a result, but worth pulling together that little bit of extra cash for the sake of usability.
Google’s Pixel handsets are some of the best smartphones money can buy. And unlike most of their rivals, they don’t come with crazy price tags. The most recent in the range, the Pixel 5, costs just £599 ($699, AU$999), which is very good value for such a well-specced handset.
The Pixel 5 launched at the end of last year, but already rumours are rumbling of a successor. It leaked recently that Google plans to launch a foldable phone at some point in the near future – could that be the Pixel 6? Or a separate device altogether?
Below, we’ll attempt to answer that as well as many other questions about the Pixel 6, such as what kind of specs it’ll have, how much it’ll cost and when it will launch. So let’s dive in and see what Google has in store.
Google Pixel 6: release date and price
It’s early days for the Pixel 6 – the Pixel 5 is only four months old, so we’re not expecting an official announcement until much later in the year. The firm always announces its Pixel phones in late September or early October, and we would expect this year to be no different. A launch then makes sense, allowing the phone to land on shop shelves just in time for the busy Christmas period.
Don’t believe us? Just look at the dates of Google’s past Pixel announcements.
Google Pixel: 4th October 2016
Google Pixel 2: 4th October 2017
Google Pixel 3: 9th October 2018
Google Pixel 4: 15th October 2019
Google Pixel 5: 30th September 2020
So the smart money is on a launch event taking place at the end of September or beginning of October.
The price is harder to pinpoint. Google positioned the Pixel 5 as a much more affordable handset, giving it a price tag of just £599 ($699, AU$999). A similar pricing strategy was also adopted by Samsung for the Galaxy S21, which costs £769 ($799, AU$1249). So can we expect the Pixel 6 to follow suit?
Maybe, but it’s far from a dead cert. Google usually sells a bigger, higher-specced and more expensive variant of its Pixel phones. The most recent, the Pixel 4XL, costs £829 ($899, AU$1280). But the Pixel 5 was the first to not to be joined by an XL version. Google could keep to this strategy, and re-position the Pixel range as solely a mid-range proposition. Or it could enlarge the size of the standard Pixel and up the price. Or, of course, it could launch a Pixel 6 XL and keep the standard Pixel 6 as more affordable.
It all depends on what else Google has planned for this year. If it does launch a foldable phone – said to be codenamed “Passport” – it will undoubtedly have a higher price tag, which would legitimise keeping the Pixel 6 as a mid-range affair. But if the folding phone is pushed back to 2022 or beyond, Google could well spec out the next Pixel and charge more for it.
It also depends on Google’s strategy for pricing the Pixel 5 lower in the first place. Did it foresee the economic fallout from the global pandemic and reckon that people would be less willing (or less able) to spend big on a smartphone? Or did it admit to itself that it couldn’t challenge Apple and Samsung’s dominance in the high end and decide to make a play for the middle market instead? How it positions the Pixel 6 might reveal a lot about its market strategy for the future.
Google Pixel 6: specs
(Image credit: Google)
The specs are a little tricky to call at this early stage, mainly because no leaks have revealed specs for the handset yet. But using our industry knowledge we can make some educated guesses.
For starters, Qualcomm recently launched its latest chipset, the Snapdragon 888. If Google wants to trick out the Pixel 6 with the best possible performance, it’ll likely opt for Qulcomm’s latest. But if it wants to keep it a mid-range device, it might use a less powerful processor, something like the successor to the 765G. This hasn’t actually been announced yet, but is widely expected to be called the 775G.
There’s also a rumour that Google is partnering with Samsung to develop its own range of chips. So there is a chance that the Pixel 6 could be powered by the first ever Google-made mobile chipset.
Even if Google does go the lower-specced route, we can still expect the handset to be 5G. The technology is becoming more and more common, and if Google hopes to convince people to buy and use its phone for years to come, 5G will be a necessity, even for a (relatively) more affordable handset.
Next up is the screen. High refresh rate displays are becoming all the rage with Android phones – and not just at the high end of the market. Indeed, Samsung is putting the tech into its mid-range phones. So we can probably expect the Pixel 6 to have either a 90Hz or 120Hz panel.
These refresh rates are better for rendering fast-moving content such as sports and games, meaning less blur.
At the moment, there are precious few leaks to go on in terms of hard specs, but we’re currently expecting the Pixel 6 to have same 6-inch screen size as the Pixel 5, with the same resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels.
Battery-wise, we’re expecting at least 4000mAh, matching the Pixel 5, and possibly more if Google opts for a bigger screen or more power-hungry processor.
Google Pixel 6: cameras
(Image credit: Patently Apple)
The cameras have always been one of the Pixel range’s highlights. Indeed, we called the Pixel 5’s snapper a “class-leading camera”. So what can we expect from the Pixel 6?
We could see the return of the telephoto lens previously featured in the Pixel 4. This was dropped for the Pixel 5, but could make a welcome comeback, either as a replacement to the ultra wide lens, or as a third camera in the rear array.
We could also see some exciting tech in the front-facing camera. Namely, it could be built under the screen itself. This isn’t just hearsay – Google has patented the tech (via Patently Apple). An under-screen camera would mean no unsightly notch or ‘pinhole’ obscuring the display. Not only would the handset look much sleeker, it would also enhance our enjoyment of films, TV shows and games.
Google wouldn’t be the first with this tech – it’s already been seen in the ZTE Axon 20 5G. And just because Google has patented it, that doesn’t mean it will implement it in the Pixel 6. But it certainly makes it a possibility…
Google Pixel 6: design
Google couldn’t be accused of being stuck in its ways when it comes to its phone designs. The Pixel 5 features an aluminium body covered by a thin skin of bio-resin plastic to enable wireless charging. It won plaudits for its simple but stylish look, so we have no reason to think Google won’t stick with a similar design for the Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 6: verdict
Too much about the Pixel 6 remains unknown to make any kind of judgement right now. That’s not exactly surprising, seeing as we’re a good eight months away from its launch. But if Google’s previous efforts are anything to go by, and judging by the prevailing standards of the current Android competition, it will definitely be one to watch in the run-up to its launch this autumn.
MORE:
Read the full Google Pixel 5 review
Check out the competition: Best Android phones for all budgets
OS agnostic? These are the best smartphones for music and movies
Being the most popular microprocessor architecture, Arm powers tens of billions of devices sold every year. The company says that in the fourth quarter of 2020 alone, the Arm ecosystem shipped a record 6.7 billion Arm-based chips, which works out to an amazing production rate of 842 chips per second. This means that Arm outsells all other popular CPU instruction set architectures — x86, ARC, Power, and MIPS — combined.
6.7 Billion of Arm Chips Per Quarter
Arm’s Cortex-A, Cortex-R, Cortex-M, and Mali IP powers thousands of processors, controllers, microcontrollers, and graphics processing units from over 1,600 companies worldwide. As the world is rapidly going digital, demand for all types of chips is at all times high, giving a great boost to Arm given the wide variety of applications its technologies are used for.
(Image credit: Qualcomm)
Arm says that as many as 842 chips featuring its IP were sold every second in the fourth quarter of 2020. Meanwhile, it is noteworthy that although Arm’s Cortex-A-series general-purpose processor cores get the most attention from the media (because they are used inside virtually all smartphones shipped these days), Arm’s most widely used cores are its Cortex-M products for microcontrollers that are virtually everywhere, from thermometers to spaceships. In Q4 alone, 4.4 billion low-power Cortex-M-based microcontrollers were sold.
“The record 6.7 billion Arm-based chip shipments we saw reported last quarter is testament to the incredible innovation of our partners: from technology inside the world’s number one supercomputer down to the tiniest ultra-low power devices,” said Rene Haas, president of IP Products Group at Arm. “Looking ahead, we expect to see increased adoption of Arm IP as we signed a record 175 licenses in 2020, many of those signed by first-time Arm partners.”
CPU Architectures by the Numbers
(Image credit: Panasonic)
At Tom’s Hardware, we mostly cover PCs and therefore the vast majority of processors we talk about are based on the x86 instruction set architecture. But x86 is not even the second most popular ISA after Arm, as there are at least two unrecognized champions.
In 2020, worldwide PC shipments totaled 275 million units, according to Gartner. Shipments of x86-based servers totaled 11.75 million units in 2019. The vast majority of PCs use one x86 processor, whereas most servers come with two CPUs, so it is safe to say that these applications consume around 300+ million processors every year. When devices like game consoles, communication equipment, storage equipment, single-board computers, industrial tools, and supercomputers are added to the mix, it is still safe to say that shipments of x86 CPUs hardly exceed 350~360 million per year. Meanwhile, the absolute majority of x86 designs are high-performance processors for demanding applications.
In contrast, about 1.5 billion products based on Synopsys’ ARC processor IP are shipped every year. Yet, ARC barely receives as much attention from the media as x86 and Arm. Meanwhile, just last year Synopsys introduced its all-new DesignWare ARC HS5x and HS6x processor IP families for high-performance embedded applications, such as SSD controllers, automotive control & infotainment, wireless baseband, wireless control, and home networking.
The MIPS architecture is yet another unsung hero of the CPU and microcontroller markets. When Imagination Technologies acquired MIPS in 2012, it said that, since 2000, over 3.6 billion MIPS-based chips had been shipped. MIPS is not used for game consoles or supercomputers (and personal digital media players have died), but various microcontrollers, consumer electronics SoCs, communication equipment, and a variety of low-power devices still use the technology. Hundreds of millions of such products are sold every year, so it is safe to say that the architecture is still used widely. Yet, because MIPS is barely evolving, it cannot really make headlines.
Unlike Arm, CPU developers AMD, IBM, Intel, MIPS Technologies, Synopsys, and Via Technologies do not share their unit shipments. Meanwhile, it looks like Arm ISA outsells all the other CPU architectures combined.
Mid-range smartphones are rarely exciting, but Samsung’s next two are the exception to that rule. They both feature screens with high refresh rates – a feature previously limited to high-end handsets.
The models in question are the Galaxy A52 (5G) and A72. According to a leak from SamMobile, the former will sport a 120Hz screen (as seen on the Galaxy S21 range), while the A72 will have a 90Hz panel. 90Hz is still no slouch – it’s higher than the 60Hz displays seen on the iPhone 12 range. The standard, non-5G version of the A52 will have a 90Hz screen too.
Obviously a 120Hz screen will require more processing power, so the 5G version of the A52 will have a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G chip, while the 4G version will have to make do with a Snapdragon 720G.
The 5G A52’s screen will be large, too, at 6.5 inches. Other than that, it will have fairly standard specs for a mid-range phone.
Still, good news for those wanting more advanced display tech from their smartphone. Is it time for Apple to up its game for the iPhone 13?
Samsung’s new A range phones should launch next month.
MORE:
These are the best smartphones for music and movies on the move
Google fan? Check out the best Android phones
And Apple fans will want the best iPhones money can buy
Update: Clarified specifics pertaining to the industry letter.
If you’re still disappointed at not being able to
buy a Ryzen 5000 series chip
yet, you’ve apparently got some friends in high places. President Biden is just as annoyed as you, according to a new statement from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and is working to bring the global semiconductor shortage to an end as quickly as possible.
The Biden administration is “currently identifying potential chokepoints in the [semiconductor] supply chain and actively working alongside key stakeholders in industry and with our trading partners to do more now,” Psaki said.
Alongside these discussions, Psaki said that Biden also plans to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that would direct a comprehensive review of supply chain issues for critical goods, including chips.
Two people familiar with the review’s specifics told Bloomberg that it will last 100 days and will be led by the National Economic Council and National Security Council. Plans are to focus on semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging, as well as critical minerals, medical supplies and high-capacity batteries such as those used in electric vehicles.
The American auto industry also stands to gain from a more available supply of chips as well, with the United Auto Workers union releasing its own statement saying that “we also call on the Biden administration and Congress to develop trade and policy solutions that ensure that advanced technology that has been offshored is brought back and produced by UAW workers here in the U.S.” The statement follows a January 19th letter the union sent to the Biden administration asking the President to “consider urging major silicon wafer foundries to ramp up production of automotive-grade wafers.”
As such, we can’t say how much of a role consumer electronics will play in Biden’s plans.
National security is also a concern, especially given increased trading tensions between the United States and China within the past year. While TSMC is based in Taiwan, the political situation between Taiwan and China is still fraught.
Other moves are also developing in the semiconductor industry, with a letter sent to the President earlier today that was signed by the CEOs of Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm and which urged his administration to increase government support for domestic chip production, long a challenging issue due to foreign subsidies for chip R&D and manufacturing plants. This is in itself enlightening, given that both AMD and Qualcomm currently rely on foreign partners for chip production. “Our technology leadership is at risk in the race for preeminence in the technologies of the future, including artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum computing,” the letter states.
18 other CEOs signed the letter, which pointed out that the United States’ share of chip manufacturing has fallen by 12% since 1990. The letter’s specific demands include “substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and/or tax credits.”
While it sounds like much of the lobbying pressure facing the Biden administration is focused on bringing chip production under American companies’ purview, it’s also possible that the President’s solutions may also piggyback off the previous administration’s work with TSMC to build a factory in Arizona.
If you’re still disappointed at not being able to buy a Ryzen 5000 series chip yet, you’ve apparently got some friends in high places. President Biden is just as annoyed as you, according to a new statement from White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, and is working to bring the global semiconductor shortage to an end as quickly as possible.
The Biden administration is “currently identifying potential chokepoints in the [semiconductor] supply chain and actively working alongside key stakeholders in industry and with our trading partners to do more now,” Psaki said.
Alongside these discussions, Psaki said that Biden also plans to sign an executive order in the coming weeks that would direct a comprehensive review of supply chain issues for critical goods, including chips.
Two people familiar with the review’s specifics told Bloomberg that it will last 100-days and will be led by the National Economic Council and National Security Council. Plans are to focus on semiconductor manufacturing and advanced packaging, as well as critical minerals, medical supplies and high-capacity batteries such as those used in electric vehicles.
This move follows
a letter
sent to the President earlier today that was signed by the CEOs of Intel, AMD and Qualcomm and which urged his administration to increase support for domestic chip production. This is in itself enlightening, given that both AMD and Qualcomm currently rely on foreign partners for chip production.
“Our technology leadership is at risk in the race for preeminence in the technologies of the future, including artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum computing,” the letter states.
18 other CEOs signed the letter as well, which pointed out that the United States’ share of chip manufacturing has fallen by 12% since 1990. The letter’s specific demands include “substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and/or tax credits.”
Aside from the semiconductor shortage, it’s possible that trouble at TSMC is also partially behind the industry letter, as the company recently announced that it would be prioritizing the auto industry when allocating new capacity.
However, the American auto industry also stands to gain from a more available supply of chips as well, with the United Auto Workers union releasing its own statement saying that “we also call on the Biden administration and Congress to develop trade and policy solutions that ensure that advanced technology that has been offshored is brought back and produced by UAW workers here in the U.S.” The statement follows a January 19th letter the union sent to the Biden administration asking the President to “consider urging major silicon wafer foundries to ramp up production of automotive grade wafers.”
As such, we can’t say how much of a role consumer electronics will play in Biden’s plans.
National security is also a concern, especially given increased trading tensions between the United States and China within the past year. While TSMC is based in Taiwan, the political situation between Taiwan and China is still fraught.
While it sounds like much of the lobbying pressure facing the Biden administration is focused on bringing chip production under the purview of American companies, it’s also possible that the President’s solutions may also piggyback off the previous administration’s work with TSMC to build a factory in Arizona.
(Pocket-lint) – Samsung has numerous options within its smartphone portfolio, from the flagship Galaxy Z folding models to the latest Galaxy S and Galaxy Note ranges.
There’s also the sub-flagship Galaxy A range to consider, as well as the older Galaxy S and Galaxy Note models. Choosing the right Galaxy for you if it’s Samsung you are after is no easy task.
We’ve broken down the four core ranges – Galaxy S, Note, A and Z – and the devices available within each to help you choose the right Samsung device for you and your budget.
Quick Summary
• The Samsung Galaxy S range is the company’s main flagship smartphone range. Most of its models have a glass and metal waterproof design, lots of power and the best cameras.
• The Samsung Galaxy Note series is often more expensive than the S range, but it adds S Pen functionality with the stylus built into a metal and glass design. The overall look has similar traits to the Galaxy S range.
• The Samsung Galaxy A is the sub-flagship range, sitting below the S range in terms of price, but borrowing several of its design features including full displays and under-screen fingerprint sensors in some models.
• The Galaxy Z series is the Samsung’s folding smartphones, sitting at the top of the portfolio in terms of price and offering the company’s latest innovations in design.
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy S
The 2021 flagships for the Galaxy S range are the S21, S21+ and the S21 Ultra, succeeding the S20, S20+ and the S20 Ultra from 2020. There’s also the cheaper but great S20 FE to consider. In 2019, there was the Galaxy S10e, S10 and S10+, which are still available to buy. We wouldn’t recommend going further back than that because of a lack of software updates.
Samsung Galaxy S20 range compared: S20 vs S20+ vs S20 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S21
Dimensions: 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9mm, 172g, IP68
Display: 6.2-inches, Full HD+, Infinity-O, 120Hz
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 64MP zoom; 10MP front
Storage: 128/256GB, no microSD
Battery: 4000mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S21 succeeds the S20, offering a new processor, 5G capabilites, a slight redesign, but otherwise a very similar offering to the 2020 handset. It offers a flat display instead of curved, and a drop in resolution to Full HD+.
The material finish is also plastic rather than glass, like the Galaxy S20 FE. It offers the same camera hardware as the S20 however, as well as the same battery capacity and RAM. It’s the entry point into the new Galaxy S devices.
Samsung Galaxy S21 review
Samsung Galaxy S21+
Dimensions: 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8mm, 202g, IP68
Display: 6.7-inches, Full HD+, Infinity-O, 120Hz
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 64MP zoom; 10MP front
Storage: 128/256GB, no microSD
Battery: 4800mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S21+ offers almost identical specifications to its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S21. It is slightly larger and heavier, offering a bigger display but like the S21, it is a flat display with a Full HD+ resolution rather than curved like the S20+.
The camera hardware is the same as the Galaxy S21 and the Galaxy S20, ditching the depth sensor from the Galaxy S20+. We expect it to deliver good results and this 2021 model has a battery increase compared to its predecessor too.
Cameras: 108MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 10MP tele + 10MP tele 2; 40MP front
Storage: 128/256/512GB, no microSD
Battery: 5000mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the top of the S21 range, offering the largest display, a glass and metal body, an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate and a sharper display than the S21 and S21+.
It also has a different camera loadout than the other two devices in the range with two telephoto lenses on board. Additionally, the S21 Ultra comes with S Pen functionality, putting it up against the Note range, even though the difference here is that the Ultra doesn’t have the S Pen included. It’s the most expensive of the S21 range however so be prepared to dig deep.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE
Dimensions: 159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4mm, 190g, IP68
Display: 6.5-inch, Full HD+, Infinity-O, 120Hz,
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 8MP zoom; 32MP front
Storage: 128GB, microSD
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE launched after the rest of the Galaxy S20 range but it offers a lot for its price point – which is quite a bit lower than the Galaxy S20. The FE, or Fan Edition, offers a big display with a 120Hz refresh rate, along with a design that is the same as the S20 range but with a plastic body instead of glass.
It drops the screen resolution to Full HD+ like the S21 and S21+ and it has a flat display with larger bezels than the rest of the S20 range, but it offers a good camera loadout, a good battery and it’s a great price.
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE review
Samsung Galaxy S20
Dimensions: 151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm, 163g, IP68
Display: 6.2-inches, 3200 x 1440 (566ppi), Infinity-O, 120Hz
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 64MP zoom; 10MP front
Storage: 128GB, microSD
Battery: 4000mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S20 is the foundation for the 2020 phones, updating the Galaxy S10, with new hardware, a new display that offers 120Hz, a bigger battery and new cameras.
The camera gets a new sensor with larger pixels and a more impressive zoom arrangement giving you up to 30X digital zoom, as well as 8K video capture. This model also comes in 4G or 5G versions. It’s more affordable than the bigger devices, but the display is smaller. Overall, it’s a good solid phone.
Samsung Galaxy S20 review
Samsung Galaxy S20+
Dimensions: 161.9, 73.7 x 7.8mm, 186g, IP68
Display: 6.7-inches, 3200 x 1440 (524ppi), Infinity-O, 120Hz
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 64MP zoom + DepthVision; 10MP front
Storage: 128/512GB, microSD
Battery: 4500mAh
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Switching things up, the S20+ is probably the sweet spot for many in the S20 series, in terms of size, but it only comes as a 5G handset in many markets, making it look relatively expensive compared to the S10+ that it replaces.
It also offers lots of power, that great display with 120Hz for those who want it, and a new camera system – the same as the Galaxy S20 and S21 but with an added depth sensor – which doesn’t appear to do much. The battery is respectable making this a good all-rounder.
Samsung Galaxy S20+ review
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
Dimensions: 166.9 x 76.0 x 8.8mm, 220g, IP68
Display: 6.9-inches, 3200 x 1440 (509ppi), Infinity-O, 120Hz
Cameras: 108MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 48MP zoom + DepthVision; 40MP front
Storage: 128/512GB, microSD
Battery: 5000mAh
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The Galaxy S20 Ultra sets out to be the greatest of the Galaxy S20 family with big everything: big display, big battery, big camera resolutions. Just like the S21 Ultra that replaces it. That all, sadly, comes at a big price.
On the whole the S20 Ultra is a great phone, but the battery might not last as long as you expect and the cameras are a little oversold, so the 100X zoom headline doesn’t really deliver. It’s a 5G phone.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy S10e
Dimensions: 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9mm, 150g, IP68
Display: 5.8-inches, 2280 x 1080 (438ppi), flat Super AMOLED
Cameras: 16MP wide + 12MP main; 10MP front
Storage: 128GB or 256GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 3100mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S10e was originally the cheapest of the S10 range, offering a flat display and a physical fingerprint sensor, rather than a curved screen and under-display sensor. On the back, the S10e has a dual camera instead of triple.
It misses out on a couple of the features but the S10e still offers a fresh design, as well as lovely build quality and good hardware. It’s undercut by the impressive S10 Lite however, which appears to offer more for the money.
Samsung Galaxy S10e review
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
Dimensions: 162.5 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm, 186g
Display: 6.7-inches, 1080 x 2400 (394ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: 48MP main + 12MP wide + 5MP; 32MP front
Storage: 128GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 4500mAh
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An addition to the S10 range, this handset debuted alongside the Note 10 Lite at CES 2020 in early January.
It fits into the range above the S10e. Why? It has more cameras, a larger screen and a bigger battery. It’s actually the largest of the standard S10 series, having the same screen size as the S10 5G.
It also has some other premium specs, not least the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 platform under the hood. Confusing, but given the price, very compelling.
Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite review
Samsung Galaxy S10
Dimensions: 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm, 157g, IP68
Display: 6.1-inches, 3040 x 1440 (550ppi), dual-edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 16MP + 12MP + 12MP, 10MP front
Storage: 128GB or 512GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 3400mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a great device, featuring a lovely design and plenty of features including an in-display fingerprint sensor and reverse wireless charging.
There’s a triple camera on the rear and the 19.5:9 aspect ratio display is stunning, while the software experience is up there with the best.
Samsung Galaxy S10 review
Samsung Galaxy S10+
Dimensions: 157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8mm, 175g, IP68
Display: 6.4-inches, 3040 x 1440 (522ppi), dual-edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 16MP + 12MP + 12MP; 10MP front
Storage: 128GB, 512GB or 1TB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 4100mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S10+ features an outstanding display, brilliant sound quality and a great software experience packed full of features.
The design is great, it has a fun wide-angle camera and it offers strengths in all areas, delivering one of the best phones of 2019.
Samsung Galaxy S10+ review
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
Dimensions: 1162.6 x 77.1 x 7.9mm, 198g, IP68
Display: 6.7-inches, 3040 x 1440 (505ppi), dual-edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 3D Depth + 16MP + 12MP + 12MP; 10MP front + 3D Depth Camera
Storage: 256GB or 512GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G follows a very similar design to the S10+ but it’s larger, has a couple of extra cameras and most importantly, it is 5G-enabled.
It’s not cheap, but it has a good design, great camera potential and if you’re after a 5G phone, it’s an option worth considering as it should be available at good prices now the S10 range has been superseded twice.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G review
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Note
The main models in the Galaxy Note range are the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra (and their 5G variants), all of which launched in August 2020. Don’t ignore the Note 10 Lite, Note 10 and Note 10+ if you’re interested in the Note though.
As ever, only opt for a Note if you’re going to make use of the S Pen stylus and consider the S20 Ultra if you want S Pen compatibility but without it being built in.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20: What’s the difference?
Samsung Galaxy Note 20
Dimensions: 161.6 x 75.2 x 8.3mm, 192g (LTE), 194g (5G), IP68
Display: 6.7-inches, 2400 x 1080 (393ppi), flat Super AMOLED
Cameras: 12MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 64MP telephoto; 10MP front
Storage: 128GB/256GB (5G), 256GB (LTE), no microSD support
Battery: 4300mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 offers a similar design to the Note 10 it succeeds, but it opts for a flat display and changes the camera housing on the rear to a more pronounced offering. There’s also a ‘glasstic’ rear instead of glass but the overall design is lovely and neat.
The camera system is the same as what you’ll find in the Galaxy S20 and S21 so it should deliver great things, and while the display sticks to a 60Hz refresh rate and there’s no microSD support again, if you’re looking for a phone with an integrated stylus then there’s little better than the note-taking potential of this phone.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 initial review
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Dimensions: 164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1mm, 208g, IP68
Display: 6.9-inches, 3088 x 1440 (496ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 12MP main + 108MP ultra-wide + 12MP telephoto; 10MP front
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB (5G), 256GB/512GB (LTE), microSD support
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra sits at the top of the Galaxy Note series and it offers some of the best technology Samsung has to offer. It has a similar design to the Note 10+ but changes things up in the rear camera housing as well as the camera make up. A similar offering to the S20 Ultra is on board but with a laser sensor to help with the zoom – which has dropped to 50X instead of 100X.
After nearly 10 years at the cutting edge, the Samsung Galaxy Note series is still on top of its game. Yes, it’s easy to see the Note 20 Ultra as “just another Note” – but that’s because it’s got so much right.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra review
Samsung Galaxy Note 10
Dimensions: 151 x 71.8 x 7.9mm, 168g, IP68
Display: 6.3-inches, 2280 x 1080 (401ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 12MP + 16MP + 12MP; 10MP front
Storage: 256GB, no microSD support
Battery: 3500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 offers a cleaner design than the S10 range with vertical rear camera setup and a centralised punch-hole front camera.
It was the first Note device to offer a smaller screen but it retains all the S Pen performance of the other models. A few compromises have been made, such as a lower resolution display and no microSD support, but the Note 10 is a great option for those that have always wanted a Note but may have found it too big. There’s the option of 4G and 5G models too.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 review
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+
Dimensions: 162.3 x 77.2 x 7.9mm, 196g, IP68
Display: 6.8-inches, 3040 x 1440 (498ppi), dual edge Super AMOLED
Cameras: 16MP + 12MP + 12MP + Depth; 10MP front
Storage: 256GB/512GB, microSD support (up to 1TB)
Battery: 4300mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has the same design as the Note 10 but on a larger scale. It also ups the rear camera lenses to four, adding a depth sensor and it increases the screen resolution and size too.
The S Pen stylus and its gesture controls are great, while the huge screen and neat punch hole camera are everything you’d hope for from the Note series. There’s also smooth and speedy operation, making the Note 10+ a fabulous handset. Like the standard Note 10, there are 4G and 5G options.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ review
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite
Dimensions: 163.7 x 76.1 x 8.7mm, 199g
Display: 6.7 inches, 2400 x 1080 (394ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP; 32MP front
Storage: 128GB, microSD
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Note 10 Lite arrived in January 2020 and is an entry to the Note range that reflects what Samsung tried to do with the S10e – have a cheaper model that still retained a premium name.
It’s no slouch with an Exynos 9810 octa-core platform underpinning everything and it only features a few corner cuts as opposed to the main Note 10 models. It’s also bigger than the standard Note 10, but slightly smaller than the Note 10+.
It doesn’t, however, quite have the specs to compete with the S10 Lite.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite initial review
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy A
Samsung also offers a wide range of A models, which might be worth considering depending on what you want from your smartphone. There’s some overlap with Galaxy S phones, especially at the top end.
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G
Dimensions: 164.8 x 76.4 x 8.4mm, 206g
Display: 6.7-inches, 2400 x 1080 (393ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: 48MP + 5MP + 8MP; 32MP front
Storage: 128GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A90 5G has a large display with a small waterdrop notch at the top and a triple vertical camera on the rear, neatly positioned in the top left corner. It’s also Snapdragon 855, so this is flagship grade, even if it is 2019 flagship grade.
There are some excellent features onboard this device, not just a lovely design and build quality but a triple rear camera, an under-display fingerprint scanner and 5G.
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G review
Samsung Galaxy A80
Dimensions: 165.2 x 76.5 x 9.3mm, 220g
Display: 6.7-inches, 2400 x 1080 (392ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: Rotating 48MP + 8MP + HQVGA
Storage: 128GB, no microSD support
Battery: 3700mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A80 has a huge, uninterrupted display thanks to the automatic slide up rotating camera. We weren’t 100 per cent sold on the rotating mechanism’s durability, but the A80 is a lovely looking device with some great features.
There are some excellent specs under its hood, including plenty of RAM, a battery that will likely see you through the day, as well as an under-display fingerprint sensor, bringing lots of flagship features for less money than the flagship Galaxy devices.
Samsung A80 review
Samsung Galaxy A71
Dimensions: 163.6 x 76.0 x 7.7mm, 179g
Display: 6.7-inches, 2400 x 1080 (392ppi), Super AMOLED Plus
Cameras: 64MP main + 12MP ultra wide + 5MP macro + depth sensor; 32MP (f/2.2) front
Storage: 128GB, microSD support up to 1TB
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A71 was announced at the start of 2020, essentially an update for the A70. That brings with it newer hardware, but similar core specs. There’s the shift to Infinity-O for the display, with a punch hole rather than the notch of the A70. There is also a 5G version in some regions.
That’s joined by a higher resolution rear camera, going after the megapixels in this mid-range device. If you love the S10 range but you can’t justify the price tag, the A71 is half the price with plenty to love.
Samsung A70 review
Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
Dimensions: 158.9 x 73.6 x 8.7mm, 187g
Display: 6.5-inches, 2400 x 1080 (405ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: 48MP main + 12MP ultra-wide + 5MP depth + 5MP macro; 32MP (f/2.2) front
Storage: 128GB, microSD support up to 1TB
Battery: 4500mAh
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There’s a few small differences between the Galaxy A51 and the Galaxy A71 models, but overall this is an update on the A50 model, with a larger display, increased resolution on the cameras and a larger battery capacity.
It’s still a mid-range device, but it is available with 5G in some regions. The base level of storage is generous with microSD expansion and a there’s a nice punch hole display too.
Samsung Galaxy A41
Dimensions: 149.9 x 69.8 x 7.9mm, 152g
Display: 6.1-inches, 2400 x 1080 (431ppi), Super AMOLED
Cameras: 48MP main + 8MP ultra wide + 5MP depth; 25MP front
Storage: 64GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 3500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A41 updates the A40, moving to a 0.2-inch larger display with an under-display fingerprint scanner and a largwer battery. It keeps the Infinity-U display, so there’s a water drop notch at the top, rather than the punch hole that you’ll find on the A51.
There’s a step-down in the number of cameras from the A51, missing out on the macro camera, but otherwise the A41 offers a nice compact Samsung handset.
The Samsung Galaxy A21s has a huge display with a punch hole selfie camera in the top left corner, a huge battery that should more than see you through the day and a quad camera on the rear in a camera housing that resembles the more expensive S20 range.
There’s a physical fingerprint sensor on the rear and microSD support for storage expansion too. The resolution isn’t the highest, nor is the internal storage but for the price, the A21s could be a good option for those that want a Samsung with a big screen and big battery.
Samsung Galaxy A21e
Dimensions: 147.4 x 69.7 x 8.4mm, 141g
Display: 5.8-inches, 1560 x 720 (296ppi), TFT LCD
Cameras: Dual rear 13MP (f/1.9) main + 5MP (f/2.2) ultra wide; 8MP front (f/2.0)
Storage: 32GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 3000mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A21e doesn’t have a punch hole camera like the A20s – instead opting for a waterdrop notch at the top – making it look a little more dated. There’s a big enough display though, a dual rear camera and it still has a nice design for the price.
You get a little more with the A21s – especially in the case of the battery – but the A21e still has an ultra-wide angle camera on the rear to give you some interesting shots, as well as some software features for great selfies from the front.
Samsung Galaxy A10
Dimensions: 146.1 x 71.4 x 7.9mm, 157g
Display: 6.2-inches, 1520 x 720 (271ppi), TFT LCD
Cameras: 13MP (f/1.9, AF, FHD video), 5MP front (f/2.0)
Storage: 32GB, microSD support up to 512GB
Battery: 3400mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy A10 is the cheapest A model device but it still has a huge display for its footprint, a large battery capacity that should easily see you through a day and then some and plenty of storage from the 512GB microSD support.
It doesn’t have a fingerprint sensor and it only offers a single rear camera and single front camera, but if you’re after a cheap Samsung device with a nice design and basic specifications, the Galaxy A10 might be the one for you.
Samsung / Pocket-lint
Samsung Galaxy Z
The Samsung Galaxy Z series sits at the top of the Galaxy portfolio in terms of price, mainly down to their folding designs. The two latest models are the Galaxy Z Fold 2 and the Galaxy Z Flip. There’s also the original folding device in the Galaxy Fold but it has had its issues so the newer model is likely the better option.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Dimensions: 159.2 x 128.2 x 6.9mm (unfolded), 159.2 x 68 x 16.8mm (folded), 282g
Internal display: 7.6-inches, 2208 x 1768 (372ppi), AMOLED
External display: 6.2-inches, 2260 x 816 (388ppi), AMOLED
Cameras: 12MP (f/1.8, AF, OIS), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 12MP telephoto (f/2.4), two 10MP front (f/2.0)
Storage: 256GB, no microSD support
Battery: 4500mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 succeeds the original Galaxy Fold, offering the same book-style design with a vertical fold but featuring a number of refinements, including a hinge redesign. There’s also a larger external display on board and punch hole front cameras for a neater finish.
The Galaxy Z Fold 2 appears to have fixed some of the biggest issues with the original Fold so if you’re after a folding smartphone and the latest innovation Samsung has to offer in terms of design, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 might be the one for you.
Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 review
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 vs Fold: What’s the difference?
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
Dimensions: 167.3 x 73.6 x 7.2mm (unfolded), 87.4 x 73.6 x 17.3mm (folded), 183g
Internal display: 6.7-inches, 2636 x 1080 pixels (425ppi), AMOLED
External display: 1.1-inches, 300 x 112 pixels (303ppi)
Cameras: 12MP (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 10MP front (f/2.4)
Storage: 256GB, no microSD support
Battery: 3300mAh
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The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G is also a foldable smartphone but it folds horizontally rather than vertically like the Fold, resulting in a very cool clamshell design. A little like an older Galaxy S model folded in half. There is a 4G model with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ and a 5G model running the Snapdragon 865+.
The Z Flip 5G allows you to have a larger display but without that length in your pocket and the hinge design offers various viewing angles. There are some compromises in terms of camera and battery but for those after retro cool, the Z Flip could definitely be the Galaxy for you.
Apple is working with TSMC to develop ultra-thin and energy-efficient micro OLED displays for its upcoming augmented reality devices, Nikkei Asia is reporting. The R&D project is said to be in a trial production stage, focusing on displays that are smaller than one inch in size and “several years” away from commercialization. Apple is also said to be developing MicroLED displays at the same Apple lab in Taiwan.
According to Nikkei, the micro OLED displays in development are able to be so thin and compact because they’re built directly onto chip wafers, rather than glass like traditional OLED or LCD screens. News of the project follows reports that Apple has both VR and AR headsets in development. It could release its first VR headset (codenamed N301) as early as next year, while a more lightweight pair of AR glasses (codenamed N421) could follow in 2023. N301 reportedly features two 8K displays and a fabric exterior to cut down on its weight, while future headsets could eventually use this new panel technology to become slimmer and lighter.
A mockup showing what Apple’s VR headset could look like.Image: The Information
As well as working on micro OLED, Nikkei reports that Apple is also working on MicroLED display technology at the same secretive lab in Taiwan. These self-emissive panels, which use miniature LEDs to remove the need for a traditional backlight, could eventually end up in devices like the Apple Watch, iPad, and MacBooks. Samsung already sells a MicroLED TV called The Wall, though the technology is a long way from being mainstream or affordable.
As a sidenote: micro OLED and MicroLED are distinct from Mini-LED, which uses an array of LEDs as a backlight behind a more traditional LCD display. Mini-LED technology is already available in TVs from the likes of TCL, and Apple is also reportedly working to bring it to devices like iPads and MacBooks in the not-too-distant future.
According to Nikkei, Apple’s R&D efforts are an attempt to reduce its reliance on other companies, like Samsung, to supply its displays. The iPhone 12’s OLED display is thought to be its second most expensive third-party component behind its Qualcomm 5G modem, for example. While Apple may end up using these technologies in its products, it could also just use its work to acquire technology patents, giving it more control over these next-gen technologies, Nikkei notes.
Apple isn’t the only company working to develop these display technologies. Sony Semiconductor Solutions has developed micro OLED displays for AR and VR headsets, while a partnership of BOE, Yunnan North OLiGHTEK Opto-Electronic Technology, and Kopin are also working together on the tech. Meanwhile, Samusung, BOE, and San’an Optoelectronics are also working to commercialize MicroLED displays.
Qualcomm has announced its latest 5G modem — the Snapdragon X65, a successor to last year’s Snapdragon X60 which just started to hit devices as part of the Snapdragon 888 chipset. Qualcomm promises that the new modem will be much, much faster, with support for up to 10Gbps speeds on both standalone and non-standalone 5G networks (assuming your carrier supports it, that is.)
It’ll likely be some time before the X65 hits any devices; if history is any indication, it likely won’t show up until next year’s flagship Snapdragon release, which presumably will be announced in December.
The new 10Gbps maximum download speed — up from 7.5Gbps on last year’s model — is the flashiest spec, even if its a largely meaningless one, as virtually no 5G network can provide that kind of throughput yet. But it means that there’s plenty of headroom in the specification for networks for whenever they can get to that point.
That flexibility for future improvements is at the heart of one of the other big features of the X65: support for the upcoming 3GPP Release 16 specification (Qualcomm says that it’s the first modem to do so). That’s the so-called “5G phase 2” rollout that’s designed to improve things like massive MIMO connectivity, power consumption, and more. Release 16 is also meant to help 5G networks expand from consumer to more commercial uses, thanks to better support for unlicensed spectrum and non-public networks.
To that end, Qualcomm says that the architecture of the X65 modem system is upgradable, allowing the company to add new features over time, especially as 3GPP Release 16 continues to roll out, allowing devices to stay relevant and up to date for longer.
Along with the new modem system, Qualcomm is also announcing the Qualcomm 545 mmWave antenna, its 4th-generation mmWave antenna, which keeps the size the same as the third-generation model, but adds higher transmit power, along with support for the full range of global mmWave frequencies.
Lastly, Qualcomm is introducing what its calls “AI antenna tuning technology,” which it promises will enable big jumps in performance thanks to AI-powered tuning. For example, Qualcomm says that the new system is 30 percent more accurate at detecting how you’re gripping the phone in your hand, allowing it to offer improved connectivity, faster data speeds, and better battery life by utilizing a more efficient connection.
The Snapdragon X65 is expected to launch in products in late 2021.
Samsung’s new line of Galaxy S21 smartphones launched less than two weeks ago, but Amazon, B&H Photo, and Best Buy have already marked down the phones to their lowest prices to date, with up to $200 in savings.
If the Galaxy S21 is the phone you’re looking for, you can grab an unlocked model with 128GB of storage for only $700 or a 256GB model for $750. It includes a 6.2-inch 1080p screen with refresh rates of up to 120Hz and is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. My colleague, Dieter Bohn, praised the Galaxy S21 in his review for having a fast processor, nice screen, and good battery life.
The S21 Plus normally starts at $1,000, but you can grab an unlocked model with 128GB of storage for $800 or a 256GB model for $850. It includes a 6.7-inch 1080p screen with adaptive refresh rates of up to 120Hz. The Galaxy S21 Plus also includes a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens on the back, in addition to a 10-megapixel selfie camera on the front. As my colleague Chaim Gartenberg points out in his hands-on, the S21 Plus no longer has a depth sensor.
Lastly, Samsung’s flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, is on sale starting at $1,000 if you want an unlocked 128GB model, $1,050 if you want 256GB of storage, and $1,180 if you want the highest storage configuration available for this phone, which is 512GB.
The Galaxy S21 Ultra is the only phone in the S21 line to include support for Samsung’s stylus, the S Pen, a first for the S-line of smartphones. The S21 Ultra also includes a 108-megapixel sensor. In his review, Dieter praised the S21 Ultra’s battery life and camera system.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (128GB, unlocked)
$1,000
$1,200
17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
The flagship model in the Galaxy S21 line includes a 6.8-inch 3200 x 1440 OLED display, support for the S Pen Stylus, 12GB of RAM, and five image sensors, including a 108-megapixel sensor.
(Pocket-lint) – In the recent past there was a moment when Huawei – the then champion Chinese export – looked poised to strike as the next brand (sure, it’s still huge, just less global right now). But the tables turned fast, locking out Google Services – largely down to tumultuous political wars – which left the door open somewhat in Europe.
Pushing its foot through that gap with keen assertion is Xiaomi. No, this other Chinese tech mega-company is no stranger to phone-making – having revealed some of the earliest near bezel-free devices to the market – but it’s now at a position, in design terms at least, where it’s at the very cutting edge.
For the Mi 11, complete with its curved screen design and fresh take on cameras, is a visual delight (to us it somewhat echoes Huawei’s P40 Pro, hence the comparison).
But the Mi 11 is also the first phone to every deploy Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 top-tier processor, showing Xiaomi is a step ahead in the hardware stakes too. So are we looking at the next big brand that’s about to blow up?
Design & Display
Dimensions: 164.3 x 74.6 x 8.06mm / Weight: 196g
Frosted glass finishes: Midnight Gray, Horizon Blue
Display: 6.81-inch AMOLED quad-curved panel
Resolution: 3200 x 1440 (WQHD+)
Refresh rate: adaptive 120Hz
In-screen fingerprint scanner
Sound by Harman Kardon
“It’s just a phone”, right? Sure, there’s only so far you can push the mold when it comes to creating a rectangular interactive screen, but the Mi 11 is refined at every turn.
Pocket-lint
Whether it’s the subtle curved glass edges, the subtle gradient and light-catching properties of the frosted glass rear, or the deftly cut punch-hole camera to the front (it’s way neater than most others), the Mi 11 is poised to perfection; a chiselled model on a flagship phone catwalk.
Wrapped into that design is a lot of top quality specification too. The screen, a 6.81-inch AMOLED panel, is large but proportioned so it’s not ridiculous for thumb-reach across it (the aspect ratio is 20:9). The always-on panel can glow to those subtle curved edges as a not-too-intrusive alert mechanism, too, which looks wonderful.
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As is often the case with OLED panel balancing, however, when the screen is dimmed it crushes the blacks somewhat. Not nearly as badly as, say, the Oppo Find X2 Pro, but it’s definitely there. And, to some degree, the software seems a bit too keen to push the brightness down a notch – one of the number of quirks to Xiaomi’s MIUI software (here reviewed as 12.0.1, but 12.5 is expected very soon – and that could largely change things up).
The screen’s spec doesn’t stop reaching for the stars there either. It’s got a 2K resolution, with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate to help smooth out animations and gameplay (oddly the refresh rate page in the settings calls 120Hz ‘Medium’ compared to 60Hz’s ‘Standard’, with no ‘High’ option – it’s not very well termed).
Pocket-lint
As ever with refresh rate, it impacts battery life, as does the resolution chosen. But the Mi 11 can run WQHD+ (that’s 3200 x 1440 pixels) at the 120Hz rate – which is as good as things get at this moment in time. There’s also FHD+ (2400 x 1080) and automatic switching options to help save that battery life all the more.
The high-spec screen is matched with high-spec innards too. As the first device to sport the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 platform – here with 8GB RAM, there’s supposedly a 12GB option that we don’t anticipate for global markets – it’s put heaps of core power at your fingertips.
Pocket-lint
And a fair bit of heat to match – a powerful processor, even a 5nm platform such as the SD888, can’t exactly run cool, so expect some hand-warming (which, given it’s snowing at the time of writing here in the UK, hasn’t been something of complaint).
So while the setup will run your favourite games and apps at their best – enhanced by the available refresh rate and resolution of that screen – it will of course impact battery life. Inside the Mi 11 there’s a 4,600mAh cell which is reasonable enough – and also sports 55W fast-charging and 50W wireless charging – but will drain faster than your average on account of the high-end specification.
Pocket-lint
But we’re not talking to a problematic level: we ran from 9am to 1am, including four hours of gaming off and on, and those 16 hours of use took the battery into its final 15 per cent. So even with pretty solid usage – the above meant nearly seven hours of screen time – the Mi 11 will get you through the day.
Part of the reason for this is the fairly high impact of Xiaomi’s MIUI software. There are lots of options, a number of alerts to suggest limiting certain functions to retain battery, and a lot of per-app permissions that you’ll need to tinker with to ensure everything runs as you please.
When we reviewed the Redmi Note 9T, which was initially running the same MIUI 12.0.1 software as this review Mi 11, we hit walls and walls of problems. The Mi 11, however, hasn’t suffered the same – being far more stable. That said, we’ve found some off-and-on issues with notifications not being immediate at all times – likely a tucked-away battery-saving technique? – and other little quirks.
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Now, the Mi 11 is expected to launch globally with MIUI 12.5, which should bring an updated and fresher approach. How much difference this will make and what tweaks it will bring is yet to be seen. But as we find the tinkering nature of MIUI to be the biggest hurdle of this device, seeing the software advance to a more natural, usable state would be great too see.
On the cameras front the Mi 11 takes a different, rather refreshing approach: yes there’s quite a number of lenses here – three, count ’em – but none are there for the heck of it.
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Each lens has its own task: the main camera is super high-resolution; there’s an ultra-wide to cram more into a scene; while the 5-megapixel telemacro is the best we’ve seen yet for close-up shooting (although it’s still not quite perfect).
That’s refreshing compared to the various phone camera setups that appear with four or five lenses, many of which do little or nothing at all. The Mi 11’s only real absence is there’s no optical zoom of any kind – which seems like an oddity at this level, but then the expected €749 starting price more than goes to explain that.
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Anyway, back to the cameras themselves. The main lens is 108-megapixels, but it uses four-in-one pixel processing to produce 27-megapixel images. Those are, inevitably, still massive – 6016 x 4512 pixels in 4:3 aspect ratio – but there’s heaps of detail crammed in. It’s a decent optic with good results, including from low-light conditions.
Indeed, the night mode does a grand job of long exposure handheld shots too, aided by the optical image stabilisation system to keep things steady.
The telemacro, however, doesn’t feature any stabilisation – which can make it a bit tricky to use. You’ll get some great close-ups, but there’s not the same degree of accomplishment with sharpness or detail – partly because it’s 5-megapixels only, partly because the autofocus feedback here is limited and not entirely helpful (but, hey, at least it’s a macro lens with autofocus – something you’ll barely see elsewhere).
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All in all, despite the absence of proper optical zoom lenses, the Mi 11’s take on cameras is pretty strong. The main lens is great, the wide-angle accomplished, and the telemacro actually useful for creating unusual close-up shots. Here’s hoping the alleged Pro and Ultra models – if they come to fruition – expand on this already great camera setup and make it better yet.
First Impressions
So is Xiaomi about to blow up as the next big thing? Well, it could suffer a similar fate as Huawei – what with the US Administration adding it to its blacklist – which would be a shame as the Mi 11 is a potentially storming flagship.
No only does the Mi 11 hit a number of firsts – such as introducing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 to the world – it’s also attractively priced, with €749 set as the opening sum. For all that’s on offer here that’s super value.
The Mi 11’s fresh take on cameras – there aren’t lenses here for the heck of it – and accomplished design are among its highlights. Sure, the MIUI software has its quirks, which we think is the most questionable part of the package, but it’s stable and tinkerable enough to shape into a strong overall experience.
The Xiaomi Mi 11 is packed full of potential. At this price, it’s certainly worth you taking a moment of your time to mull it over as your next Android flagship.
Xiaomi is announcing the international version of its Mi 11 flagship phone today after an earlier release in China. No wild waterfall displays or sci-fi wireless charging here — this device is very much in keeping with the Mi series’ MO of offering high specs at a competitive price.
The Mi 11 has a Snapdragon 888 processor, making it the first phone to launch with Qualcomm’s latest high-end chip (though Samsung’s Galaxy S21 series beat it to market outside China). The 888 has 5G connectivity built in, of course, and the phone has 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage.
The screen appears to be the same panel — or very similar — to what’s found in the Galaxy S21 Ultra. It’s a slightly curved 6.8-inch 1440p OLED with a refresh rate of 120Hz and peak brightness of 1,500 nits, matching Samsung’s phone spec-for-spec. I don’t have the S21 Ultra to compare side-by-side, but I can tell you that the Mi 11’s screen is extremely good.
The Mi 11 has a 108-megapixel primary camera backed by a 13-megapixel ultrawide and a 5-megapixel “telemacro” camera. The selfie camera is 20 megapixels and tucked inside a small holepunch cutout at the top left of the screen.
The battery is 4,600mAh and can be charged at up to 55W with a cable and up to 50W wirelessly. The Mi 11 also features reverse wireless charging at up to 10W. It runs MIUI 12, based on Android 11.
Xiaomi hasn’t provided a full list of regions or launch dates just yet, but says the Mi 11 will be priced at €749 (~$900) for the 8GB/128GB model. XDA Developers notes the 8GB/256GB model will retail for €799 (~$960). Stay tuned for a full review.
(Pocket-lint) – Cambridge Audio has been around for donkey’s years and has built something of a tradition in the world of home audio equipment. But in the world of headphones, it doesn’t quite draw the attention as much as the likes of Sony, Bose or Sennheiser. So when it launched a pair of true wireless earbuds, the Melomania 1, that was something of a surprise.
Even more of a surprise, perhaps, was that the Melomania 1 was both great-sounding and very affordable. So the follow-up pair had a high bar to meet. Can Cambridge Audio blow us away with great, affordable buds for a second time? Here’s how the Melomania Touch fares…
Design
Touch controls
IPX4 water resistance
Faux leather coated case
Available in black or white
3x ear fin and 3x ear tip sizes for fit
Cambridge Audio launched its first pair of true wireless earbuds in 2018, and stood out from the market for a couple reasons. One of those was the design, which reminded us of little foam-tipped bullets. Of course, this shape wasn’t necessarily the most ergonomic or practical for in-ear fit, but the lightweight and easy-to-wear finish helped counter that.
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The Melomania Touch looks nothing like the first-gen model and doesn’t feel the same in the ears either. It’s a huge change in direction, and one that has its benefits and its drawbacks.
The new warped teardrop-shape design of the Melomania Touch means these ‘buds are designed to fit and almost fill the inner part of your year, holding onto the middle ridge with an in-ear fin. That means, by their very nature, the individual ‘buds are a much more secure fit than the looser-fitting predecessors.
Because of the various sizes of fin and ear tips, we did find it took a couple of tries to get the right fit for us. Trying out a couple of different combinations we eventually settled on one that was comfortable but with a decent seal and with minimal pressure. Essentially just stepping down a size from the default fit. As we talk about in the sound section later on, getting this right fit is essential for good audio.
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Even with a better fit for this generation you can still tell those tips are in your ear. As the tips are the standard shape and size for earbuds, you can always feel them in there and don’t quite get to that almost undetectable level you’ll find with wider cone-shaped tips. The Touch’s feel isn’t uncomfortable though, so you’ll be fine for a couple of hours at a time – too much longer and you will start to feel some sensitivity.
As we’re sure you gathered from the name ‘Touch’, these in-ears outer surface is touch-sensitive but of course, so you can use it to control various features, such as playing and pausing music or skipping tracks. Like most earbuds that feature this, it’s useful when you’re needing to use it on purpose. Most of the time we interacted with the Touch, however, it was accidentally.
The problem with such a large area being touch-sensitive is that if you try to adjust the fit, reach to remove the buds, or frankly do anything that involves touching them, it’s quite finicky trying to avoid that touch-sensitive area and inadvertently playing or pausing music.
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The charging case is a nice upgrade for this second-gen model. Rather than looking like a small pack of dental floss made from the beige plastic cast-off from a 1990s desktop PC, this cases is pill-shaped and coated in a soft faux leather. It’s a lovely looking and lovely feeling case, although we found the docks for each earbud could do with having stronger feeling magnet, to ensure that each ‘bud was absolutely in the right position to charge.
Performance, features and voice calls
Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC
Qualcomm aptX, TrueWireless Stereo Plus
7 hours music playback (33 hrs in case)
50 hours total maximum battery life (in low power mode)
Cambridge Audio has equipped the Melomania Touch with a lot of the modern tech you’d hope to find in true wireless earbuds. There’s aptX for lag-free connection with most Android phones. In addition there’s Qualcomm’s other tech: TrueWireless Stereo Plus. This connects each earbud to the Android phone independently and to each other, rather than use one ‘bud as the primary and have the other feed from it.
There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 and AAC support, so Apple iPhone users are catered for. The Touch even uses Qualcomm’s tech for enhancing the clarity of voice calls, so while Cambridge Audio is something of a traditional British audiophile company, it’s had the sense to try and utilise expertise from available tech to make these ‘buds convenient for the day-to-day user who will want to use them for calls.
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However, we did struggle at times with the wireless connectivity. It started with the initial setup, where we struggled with pairing and for the ‘buds to be discoverable – to the point where we went through the factory reset guide. Even then we could only get one ‘buds to pair – something that a firmware fix attempt couldn’t sort.
Given that all controls, including the reset process, are activated using that shiny touch-sensitive surface no physical feedback, it’s not exactly easy to perform such tasks. We’d much rather the Touch adopted a similar approach to the companies that have a single physical pairing button on the case itself, rather than trying to press-and-hold a touch-sensitive area on two earbuds simultaneously that’s curved and naturally slippery and may or may not respond as it’s supposed to. It’s finicky to say the least.
So we ended up seeking a replacement pair of the Melomania Touch just to make sure everything checked out. Which, generally speaking, has been the case. Once paired with replacement ‘buds, our connection has been reliable during our testing. With music playing, we’ve had no issues with the audio cutting out once it’s got going.
But connectivity didn’t seem to be quite as on the ball in all areas: upon initial connection, having removed the ‘buds from the case, the music would start in one ear before the other by a second or so. That wait isn’t the norm these days.
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Battery life is strong, even in its normal usage mode. Up to seven hours out of the case at a time is more than enough for anyone, even if you’re taking a long journey. Cambridge Audio says you can get up to 50 hours total battery time if you’re happy switching to low power mode, but the process on how to do that isn’t exactly obvious or easy within the app, and really we’re just not sure it’s worth the hassle.
Getting up to 33 hours of total battery – including the charges in the case – is more than the average from most true wireless buds, so that’ll do just fine in our. Plus, you don’t have to put up with the lower quality sound you get from low power mode, which is actually this pair of ‘buds biggest plus point.
Sound quality
7mm drivers
Melomania app for EQ
As we’ve mentioned, the sound is highly dependent on the fit. For instance, if you have too snug a fit the bass will get a little too ‘boomy’ – particularly in songs where there’s some significant bass or bass drum powering the rhythm. As examples, the bass in Hoping by X Ambassadors or the kick drum in Dopeness by Black Eyed Peas. Some people might really like that high impact bass though. In a lot of songs it is highly enjoyable, but in others it just gets a tiny bit too much for our taste.
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Thankfully, there’s a manual equaliser (EQ) to adjust the sound to your own preference. This is found within the app, where you can also enable and adjust the transparency mode to let in external audio, so that you’re not completely blocked off from the world.
Use a fit that’s less pressured and the sound changes a little to become a lot more natural and less bass heavy. Bass is still quite prominent, but it doesn’t detract from the rest of the frequencies. In fact, the 7mm drivers in these ‘buds are some of the most detailed you’ll hear at this price point.
So with the right fit you get loud and prominent bass, but also all of the subtleties elsewhere in the mix Jangly piano is still bright and clear, as is subtle guitar string plucking, while vocals are delivered with clarity. Nothing is ever drowned out by those punchy bass notes. So all in all, it’s a dynamic sound that’s impressive at this end of the earbud market. And that’s what really matters.
Verdict
After loving the sound that came from the original Cambridge Audio Melomania 1, we had high hopes for the follow-up pair. And there’s no denying, the audio from the Melomania Touch is super – vibrant, punchy and hugely enjoyable.
But the earbuds suffer from connection issues and a design that’s just not hugely practical. Whether it’s the frustrating pairing process, or the fact that – at times – the connection to one of the ‘buds failed or was delayed, the experience lacked the polish we’d come to expect given the success of the first outing.
Still, once you have the Melomania Touch in our ears and are listening to music – and not touching them, because that touch-sensitive panel is easy to hit by accident – the music is so good.
In this price range you’re unlikely to find anything that sounds as dynamic and clear as these. We’re just wary given the connectivity ups and downs.
Also consider
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Jabra Elite 75t
squirrel_widget_172296
As reliable a pair of true wireless ‘buds as you’ll find. These in-ears are small, comfortable to wear and deliver a sound solid.
Read our review
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Sony WF-SP800N
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These sporty in-ears offer a lot of Sony’s smart ambient sound control and the noise-cancellation tech is the real star. Battery life is only average though, which is surprising given the (massive) size of the case. Overall these ‘buds sound great and offer plenty of customisation.
The iPhone 12s Pro gets a renewed screen with a smaller notch and an under-display Touch ID sensor. Renders show the new Apple smartphone in detail.
New Apple smartphones are being released every year around September. The iPhone 12 series was introduced last year. Relatively minor changes are expected in 2021, therefore Apple may decide not use the name “iPhone 13”, but will opt for “iPhone 12s” instead. Regardless of which model name Apple chooses, there seem to be four models in the planning. Just like last year, a mini, a base model, a Pro and a Pro Max is expected.
Although it will take several months before Apple will announce the new models, a lot of information has already appeared online about the iPhone 12s series. One of the most frequently heard changes compared to 2020; the notch finally seems to be getting smaller. In this publication we will limit ourselves to the Pro model.
iPhone 12s Pro with updated screen and Touch ID under the display
The design will remain almost identical, after all, the design of the iPhone 12 series has already been renewed. The display size of the iPhone 12s Pro will probably remain the same, however the 6.1-inch OLED display will be improved. The new Pro models will support a high 120 Hertz refresh rate for the first time. It is an LTPO display, which enables an adaptive refresh rate. This allows considerable savings on battery consumption.
Another important change from previous years; Apple will likely implement an under-display fingerprint sensor. The Touch ID functionality that Apple incorporated in the home button for years was praised for a long time. Afterwards, Apple started to focus on advanced 3D Face ID technology. As a result no iPhone models have been released with a fingerprint sensor since 2017 – except for the iPhone SE 2020.
The iPhone 12s Pro / Pro Max will likely be the first smartphones from the US manufacturer to feature a fingerprint sensor under the screen. Apple will probably use a sensor from chip manufacturer Qualcomm. The 5G modems that Apple uses also come from Qualcomm. The Face ID functionality will be maintained, which will simply give users additional options to secure and unlock their smartphone.
The Dutch designer Jermaine Smit, aka Concept Creator, has made a new YouTube video in collaboration with LetsGoDigital in which the expected iPhone 12s Pro can be seen from all sides. The product renders used for this publication are also designed by Jermaine.
Improved camera and new hardware
Apple also seems to make the necessary changes when it comes to the camera. Industry analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported some time ago that the two Pro models will have a greatly improved ultra-wide angle lens (f / 1.8) with autofocus. In addition, Apple seems to want to use larger image sensors this time.
In terms of design, no major changes are expected, although the camera system may be slightly thicker. In addition, in contrary to last year Apple will not make any difference between the camera system of the iPhone 12s Pro and that of the Pro Max. Thus, these two models will mainly differ in display size and battery capacity.
It goes without saying that the new models will also be equipped with the latest hardware and software. The Silicon Valley company seems to integrate a 5nm A15 Bionic chipset this time that makes 5G and WiFi 6th support possible. The iPhone 12 models already offered 5G support, but WiFi 6E is new.
The recently introduced Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphones also support the new WiFi 6E technology. As with WiFi 6, this allows you to achieve higher performance, lower latency and faster data rates. The improved WiFi 6th variant uses the 6Ghz band, which offers more space than the existing 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands.
With the new 6Ghz band it is easier to send a lot of data in one go, but the range is more limited than with the already existing 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz frequency bands. The latter bands also remain available with WiFi 6e.
Battery and MagSafe charging accessory
As for the battery, last year the Pro model was equipped with a 3,046mAh battery. This guarantees 17 hours of video watching or 11 hours of video streaming. The device supports 20W wired charging and 15W wireless charging. The 12s Pro will probably have similar battery specs.
It has long been rumored that Apple wants to introduce at least one phone model without a charging port. This device will only support wireless charging. This is where the new MagSafe charging system comes in handy, which was announced at the time of the iPhone 12 series. With this accessory you can charge the device wirelessly with a maximum charging power of 15W.
Incidentally, it recently became known that both the iPhone 12 smartphones and the MagSafe accessories can pose a danger to people with a pacemaker or other medical implants. The many magnets can create an electromagnetic field, which disrupts pacemakers and defibrillators.
Apple therefore advises to keep a minimum distance of 15 cm between the pacemaker and the mentioned Apple products at all times. A minimum distance of 30cm is recommended during wireless charging. Obviously, it is not only iPhones that suffer from this. Electronic products are increasingly fitted with magnets, all of which can pose a hazard to medical devices.
You will probably have heard that since the launch of the iPhone 12, Apple does not include a charger or EarPods in the sales package. Now that Samsung has also decided to no longer supply a charger or earplugs with the Galaxy S21 series, this trend seems to be continuing. Despite this decision, Apple can look back on a very successful launch, the sales numbers of the 12 series are significantly higher than in previous years.
Recently published quarterly figures show that the sales numbers of the 12 series are no less than 17% higher than those of the 11 series, in the same period a year earlier. Consumers have therefore not punished Apple for omitting the charger and earphones. In contrast, the addition of 5G seems to have been a reason for many to buy a new iPhone.
iPhone 13 or iPhone 12s series?
When it comes to the naming, earlier this month Bloomberg reporter Mark Gurman reported that Apple is considering opting for an “s” upgrade this year as no major changes are being made. This is partly due to COVID-19, due to the continuing pandemic Apple engineers can only be found a few days a week, in limited numbers, at the Silicon Valley offices. This makes product development a lot more complicated.
Shortly after the publication of Gurman, Apple analyst Jon Prosser confirmed that this time the name will indeed be iPhone 12s. Obviously nothing has been confirmed yet, but it does not sound entirely unlikely. After all, Apple has used the addition “s” more often when it came to minor upgrades. Consider, for example, the iPhone 6s / 6s Plus and the more recently introduced iPhone Xs / Xs Max.
Jon Prosser also claims that Apple will probably never release an iPhone 13 series. Superstition would play an important role in this. Because “13” is an unlucky number in Western countries, Apple would immediately want to opt for iPhone 14 next year.
No concrete information is yet known about the price of the new iPhone models. The iPhone XS, the one year later announced iPhone 11 Pro and the even more recent iPhone 12 Pro all came at a starting price of € 1,160. With the latter model, the minimum storage capacity was doubled to 128GB.
The iPhone 12s Pro will probably have a similar suggested retail price and will also be offered in the same memory variants: 128GB, 256GB and 512GB. Apple is expected to announce the four new smartphone models in September 2021.
Note to editors : The product images in this publication are created in collaboration with Jermaine Smit, aka Concept Creator. These 3D renders are for illustrative purposes only. This product is not for sale, Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 2021 series in September. The images are copyright protected. Feel free to use these materials on your own website, please be so respectful to include a source link into your publication.
During the Exynos 2100 launch, Samsung revealed that the company was on track to deliver a Radeon equipped Exynos SoC relatively soon. However, it appears the timeline for this product has been accelerated; there are leaked reports of a new unnamed Exynos SoC with Radeon graphics smashing Apple’s A14 bionic in leaked benchmark results.
Of course, take all these results with a grain of salt, as you would with any leak. The fact that there aren’t even photos of the leak could cast further doubt. Plus, these are GPU-only related tasks, we know nothing about the CPU performance of this SoC.
All we know about this mysterious Exynos chip is that it features an RDNA powered Radeon GPU, custom-built from AMD for Samsung. In the leaked benchmark results, this Samsung SoC was compared to Apple’s current flagship the iPhone 12 Pro that packs Apple’s A14 Bionic, one of the fastest SoC’s in a phone on sale today.
Benchmark:
Unnamed Radeon Exynos SoC
Apple Bionic A14 (iPhone 12 Pro)
Manhattan 3.1
181.8 FPS
146.4 FPS
Aztek Normal
138.25 FPS
79.8 FPS
Aztek High School
58 FPS
30.5 FPS
In the several benchmark applications used above, the RDNA-powered Radeon GPU was anywhere between 25-100% faster than the competing A14 Bionic. If these results are in any way true, it is quite an impressive feat from Samsung and AMD.
It would be an amazing achievement for Samsung if they can beat both Qualcomm and Apple’s integrated GPUs in the near future, even if it’s just in gaming performance. Samsung has been woefully behind in graphics power for years compared to its rivals; To all of a sudden become the champion of ARM integrated graphics in phones would mean a lot for Samsung and the adoption of its Exynos chips.
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