Google’s Pixel Watch will reportedly have single-day battery life

The long-awaited Google Pixel Watch was finally unveiled at this year’s Google I/O, though the company was particularly cagey about its specifications. There’s been a drip-feed of Pixel Watch leaks over the past while since then, kick-started by a device reportedly being found in a restaurant right before its I/O debut. We’ve heard that it’ll pack an older Exynos chipset for starters, and we’ve also heard that it may have a 300 mAh battery and LTE connectivity support. Now we’re hearing that the Pixel Watch may have single-day battery life, an estimate that Google is said to have made internally.

The report comes from 9to5Google, citing sources from within the company. They were unable to ascertain under what conditions those estimates are, with the biggest question being as to whether or not an always-on display was enabled. It also doesn’t mention whether or not that day includes a night of sleep tracking or not. Plenty of Wear OS watches have poor battery life, but they’ll last you a day, a night of sleep tracking, and then expect you to charge it up in the morning while you get ready. Sometimes, you can stretch them out until the following evening.

As a result, a day of battery life isn’t too unreasonable for a Wear OS smartwatch, as other smartwatches often manage to tout about the same. It’s only devices from the likes of Huawei, Amazfit, OPPO, and more with their own proprietary operating systems that can pull much longer battery life from their watches.

However, the problem may become particularly ugly when it comes to charging. According to the report, the Google Pixel Watch will not offer fast charging with its USB-C to the magnetic dock charging cradle. It’s “nowhere near” as fast as the Apple Watch 7 which charges to full in 75 minutes, or up to 75% in 45 minutes. That’s the worst part, as while a watch with single-day battery life isn’t great, having to wait a long time for it to charge may mean it’s out of the running for anyone looking to pick up Google’s first smartwatch offering. 9to5Google says it reportedly takes up to 110 minutes to charge to full, which is an insanely long time.

Think about it this way: let’s say that usage time includes using your watch for the day, sleeping, then needing to charge it. That means to charge your watch fully for the day (and to use it for sleep tracking that night), you’ll need to charge it for just shy of two whole hours in the morning when you wake up. That’s just not feasible for a lot of people.

We’ll be waiting to see if these estimates from Google come to fruition, or if the company was just being conservative in its guesses. It’s definitely not a good sign for the Pixel Watch, though.

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Source: 9to5Google

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The first Xiaomi Fire TVs hit the UK at a special launch price

The Fire TV ecosystem is now a little bigger in the UK with the arrival of Xiaomi’s first units based on Amazon’s platform. The F2 is available to order now in three sizes and at a special discounted price for the first week. Fire TV has been a slow burner away from Amazon’s own hardware and lesser-known brands, but now it seems that might be starting to change.

But why now? There has been much discussion in the past over Google and its control over Android on the TV. The Android Compatibility Commitment effectively blocked hardware manufacturers from building any competing Android-based devices if they also wanted access to Google Play and the company’s apps and services. It was reported back in 2020 as being an “open secret” that companies were effectively scared away from building Fire TV devices. The whole thing even prompted anti-trust investigations.

That aside, what about the new Xiaomi F2, then? On paper, it all sounds rather good. There’s a choice of 43-inch, 50-inch, and 55-inch TVs, with the smallest going for just £339 initially. For the price, these are pretty well-equipped TVs.

Resolution is, of course, 4K, and the F2 also supports HDR10. Connectivity is generous with four HDMI 2.1 ports as well as built-in Bluetooth and USB. The panel itself boasts 90% DCI-P3 color and a 6ms response time, so it sounds pretty good for console gaming. Albeit limited to 60 FPS on the latest generation.

The special sauce is Amazon’s Fire TV platform instead of Google TV or some other proprietary solution. You do need an Amazon account to use all the features, like Alexa, but if you’re buying a Fire TV at all we’ll assume that isn’t an issue. Inside is 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, which doesn’t sound a lot, but it’s plenty for installing your favorite media streaming services.

When the initial discount ends, prices will start at £399 for the 43-inch model, rising to £499 for the 55-inch. Which is still attractive given everything on offer.

Xiaomi F2 Fire TV

Xiaomi's first Fire TV hardware is well equipped and well priced with three sizes to choose from.

See at Amazon

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iQOO shakes up the affordable flagship segment with the new iQOO Neo 6

After launching the iQOO Z6 and Z6 Pro in India late last month, Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has now launched a new affordable flagship in the region — the iQOO Neo 6. The latest device in iQOO’s steadily growing portfolio features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 SoC, a 120Hz Samsung E4 AMOLED display, an impressive triple camera setup, and 80W wired fast charging support. If you’re on the lookout for an affordable flagship, read on to learn more about the new iQOO Neo 6.

iQOO Neo 6: Specifications

Specification	iQOO Neo 6
Build	Plastic back Colors: Dark Nova Cyber Rage
Dimensions & Weight	163 x 76.16 x 8.54mm 190g
Display	6.6-inch FHD+ E4 AMOLED 2400×1080 120Hz refresh rate 360Hz touch sampling rate 1300nits peak brightness HDR10+ certification
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
RAM & Storage	8GB RAM + 128GB storage 12GB + 256GB
Battery & Charging	4,700mAh 80W wired fast charging support
Security	In-display fingerprint sensor
Rear Camera(s)	Primary: 64MP f/1.89, OIS Ultra-wide: 8MP f/2.2 Macro: 2MP f/2.4
Front Camera(s)	16MP f/2.0
Port(s)	USB Type-C
Audio	Dual stereo speakers Hi-Res certification
Connectivity	5G 4G LTE Dual-band Wi-Fi Bluetooth 5.2
Software	Funtouch OS 12 based on Android 12 Two years of Android upgrades Three years of monthly security updates
Other Features	X-axis linear motor 36,907mm2 Cascade cooling system

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The new iQOO Neo 6 is a 5G-capable device that offers some impressive hardware at a rather affordable price. It packs the Snapdragon 870 chip — a solid option for gaming and other demanding tasks that doesn’t break the bank. The SoC is paired with up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a stunning 6.6-inch FHD+ Samsung E4 AMOLED display. The panel offers a peak refresh rate of 120Hz, a 360Hz touch sampling rate, 1300nits of peak brightness, and HDR10+ certification.

The iQOO Neo 6 features a large camera island in the top left corner of the back panel, which loosely resembles the one found on the flagship iQOO 9 series. It houses a 64MP primary shooter with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro sensor. Over on the front, the device features a 16MP selfie shooter.

Other noteworthy features include dual stereo speakers, an X-axis linear vibration motor, a 36,907mm2 Cascade cooling system, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfers. Speaking of charging, the iQOO Neo 6 packs a substantial 4,700mAh battery that supports Vivo’s 80W wired FlashCharge technology. iQOO claims that the included 80W charging brick can get the phone from 0-50% in just 12 minutes. For wireless connectivity, the device offers 5G support, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 5.2.

On the software front, the iQOO Neo 6 runs Vivo’s Funtouch OS 12 based on Android 12. It’s worth mentioning that iQOO promises two years of Android upgrades and three years of monthly security updates for the device.

Pricing & Availability

The iQOO Neo 6 is available for purchase in India starting today. Interested buyers can purchase the device through iQOO’s website or Amazon.in. The iQOO Neo 6 comes in two RAM/storage variants, which are priced as follows:

• 8GB+128GB: ₹29,999 (~$386)
• 12GB+256GB: ₹33,999 (~$438)

The device comes in two colorways — Dark Nova and Cyber Rage. If you like what you see and would like to purchase the device, you can click on the link below to order one right away. Note that iQOO is currently offering attractive discounts on the device, and you can get your hands on the base model for as low as ₹25,999.

iQOO Neo 6

The iQOO Neo 6 is an affordable flagship featuring Qualcomm's Snapdragon 870 chip and a 120Hz AMOLED display.

Buy from Amazon.in

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Realme GT Neo 3 Naruto Edition Unboxing: An Android phone wrapped in a ninja scroll

Earlier this year, Realme launched a Dragonball Z-themed variant of the Realme GT Neo 2 phone, and now the Realme GT Neo 3 has also got the manga/anime-themed variant treatment. This time the manga/anime is Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, which ran from 1999 to 2014.

Other than a new backside paint job, a themed UI and a really cool packaging, the Naruto Edition is identical to the standard model, so this article will focus solely on the unboxing experience and quick look at the UI. You can check out our Realme GT Neo 3 review to learn more about how the phone performs overall.

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Realme GT Neo 3: Specifications

Specification	Realme GT Neo 3
Dimensions & Weight	163.3 x 75.6 x 8.2mm 188g
Display	6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate 100% DCI-P3 coverage Corning Gorilla Glass 5
SoC	MediaTek Dimensity 8100 5G Mali-G610 MC6 GPU
RAM & Storage	6GB/8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage
Battery & Charging	4,500mAh with 150W fast charging support
Security	In-display fingerprint scanner
Rear Camera(s)	Primary: 50MP Sony IMX766, f/1.88, OIS Ultra-wide: 8MP, f/2.25, 119.7° FOV Macro: 2MP, f/2.4
Front Camera(s)	16MP, f/2.45
Port(s)	USB Type-C
Audio	Dual speakers Dolby Atmos certification Hi-Res Audio certification
Connectivity	Dual SIM 5G+5G 4G LTE 360° NFC Wi-Fi Bluetooth GPS/AGPS, Beidou, Glonass, QZSS, Galileo
Software	Realme UI 3.0 based on Android 12
Colors	Asphalt Black Sprint White Nitro Blue

About this article: Realme sent my colleague Rich Woods and me each a unit of the Realme GT Neo 3 Naruto Edition. Realme did not have any input in this article.

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Realme GT Neo 3 Naruto Edition: What’s in the bo.. uh, what’s in the scroll?

I have been vocal in my critique of unnecessary phone variants that are often just a new paint job (like the “Product Red” iPhones or Olympic Edition Galaxy S devices). To me, brands have to put more effort than just slapping a logo or a new color, and this Naruto edition gets off to a good start with an unusual packaging: it comes in a package that looks like a giant ninja scroll that can be seen in the manga/anime.

This packaging is mostly made of plastic and rubber, with the burgundy flap made of faux leather. The outside of the scroll has a nice inscribed logo that adds to the feeling like some effort has been made to manufacture this thing.

There’s a buckle that unravels the scroll. I thought this was how the phone would be revealed like I’d unravel to find the phone wrapped inside. But nope — the scroll is purely decoration, it just unfolds looking like a dinner table placemat. Instead, one end of the core opens up like a drawer to reveal the phone box.

The box is covered by a cardboard sleeve housing a warranty paper and a SIM ejector tool that’s also Naruto-themed.

Lift the cardboard flap and the phone is inside, along with a transparent silicon case, a 150W charging brick, and a USB-C cable. The silicon case is a generic one with no special design, but the charging brick gets an orange paint job to match the back of the phone, which has been painted to look like the titular character Naruto’s outfit.

In promotional images, there appears to be a Naruto-themed portable battery along with some stickers included with the package; but neither my colleague Rich nor I got them — the photo below shows everything that was included in our packages. Perhaps we did not get the final retail unit? I have reached out to Realme but have not heard back. I’ll update this article if/when I do.

The visually striking “metallic” camera module appears to be just a paint job over the original phone’s glass camera module — despite the visuals depicting bolts and etching, there is no texture that can be felt by the finger.

The only textured part of the phone’s back that you can feel by touch are the three “whiskers” on each side, right underneath the camera module — this is referencing the same marks on the main character’s face (I am not familiar with the story of Naruto, but a Google search shows these are not whiskers, but in fact “marks created by a mystical nine-tailed fox”).

Boot up the phone and you’ll go through the exact same setup screens like any other Realme phone, but once you get to the home screen, you see Realme has designed a themed UI with Naruto wallpapers and themed icons. The icons have a very manga look, which is cool, but makes the phone screen look very busy.

Other than the themed icons and Naruto wallpapers (there are just three new in total), the rest of the software appears identical to Realme UI. Jump into settings, and the page looks exactly the same, likewise with the camera app. Also worth mentioning that, because this phone is only released in China, for now, there are no Google apps that come out of the box, but they can be installed easily directly from Realme’s app store or a trusted third-party source.

That’s about it as far as what sets this phone apart from the normal version of the Realme GT Neo 3. Everything else, from the Dimensity 8100 5G SoC to the “triple” lens camera array — I put quote marks in the word triple because one of the three lenses is a useless 2MP sensor so really just look at the camera system as a dual-camera system covering wide and ultra-wide. The display looks good, charging is insanely fast, and so on — it’s the same phone as the regular Realme GT Neo 3.

Priced at CNY 2,799 ($415) in China (this phone is only sold in China for now), it’s a really fair price for a phone that should appeal to fans of Naruto or collectors in general. There’s no word on if and when this special edition makes its way out of China.

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MIUI introduces several new foldable features for the Mi Mix Fold

MIUI already has several useful features for foldable devices, including a home screen dock, split-screen multitasking, and floating windows for apps. But as we noted in our review of the Mi Mix Fold last year, MIUI can definitely use some work to enhance the experience for large screen devices. Xiaomi is well aware of the situation, and it has now released a new MIUI 13 beta build based on Android 12 for the Mi Mix Fold, introducing a plethora of new foldable features and improvements.

Most notably, the latest build introduces a revamped desktop layout for the inner display, while the dual-screen desktop has also been optimized. The overall multitasking experience has been updated as well, with improvements to parallel windows and free-form windows. Users can use a three-finger gesture to quickly enter split-screen or open a split-screen combination with one click. Next up, Control Center has a revised layout, and you can now swipe left and right to easily switch between Control Center and the notification center.

There are improvements to the keyboard as well, including a new 9-key dual-column keyboard form and dual GV keyboard form. Finally, system apps such as Files Manager, Gallery, Theme, Recorder, Calendar, Clock, and more have been updated with optimized page structure and layout.

If you’re a proud owner of the Mi Mix Fold and want to try out the new foldable features, you can download the MIUI 13 Closed Beta build from the link below. Note that you’ll have to flash the build using TWRP to bypass the MIUI beta account whitelisting.

Download MIUI 13 Closed Beta build based on Android 12 for the Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold

Here are all the new foldable features and improvements for the Mi Mix Fold:

• System
  • Added the function of adjusting the display layout of the in-app screen
  • Added in-screen classic navigation keys to support center/left/right display
  • Optimize the default configuration of parallel window applications
• Status Bar
  • Support sliding up and down the blank area on the side of the notification bar
• Desktop
  • The internal screen layout of the desktop is completely new, and the dual-screen desktop is more efficient
  • Added in-screen taskbar support to display recent tasks
• Theme
  • Added folding screen exclusive theme
  • Optimize font usage process
• Gallery
  • Optimize the display effect of core pages
  • Added map album entry
• File Manager
  • Added left and right column layouts on the inner screen, making browsing on a large screen more efficient
  • Optimize the grouping method of recent page files
  • Added the ability to hide pictures in recent pages
  • Added mobile page classification entry editing function
• Recorder
  • Optimize page structure and layout
  • Optimize the display effect of core pages
  • Optimize recording title display and renaming logic
  • Added one-click copy function to convert text
  • Added recording mark serial number display
• Calendar
  • Added calendar subscription service
  • Optimize page structure and layout
  • Optimize the display effect of core pages
• Recent Tasks
  • Optimize the form of the recent task card in the small window split screen
• Clock
  • Optimize clock view layout
• Calculator
  • Optimize the key design of computing keyboard
  • Optimize the tax credit function and merge it into the conversion page
  • Added conversion keyboard calculation function
  • Optimize history storage logic
• Lock Screen
  • When the internal screen is unlocked, the function of entering the password by hand is added
• Free window
  • Added global sidebar shortcut function
  • Added support for opening two small windows at the same time
  • Added three-finger gesture horizontal swipe to quickly enter split screen
  • Added support for adding split-screen combination icons to the desktop in the taskbar on the desktop
  • Added desktop support to open split screen combination with one click
• Control Center
  • Added support for swiping left and right between the control center and notification center
  • New control center interface layout revision
  • Remove the classic control center style
• Notes
  • Added widescreen layout settings to support switching between column and tile modes
• Input
  • Added separate keyboard form
  • Added dual GV keyboard form
  • Added 9-key dual-column keyboard form, supporting left and right hand switching
• Small Widget
  • The widget function has a new look, new widgets can be added to the negative screen and the desktop, and support dragging and dropping each other
  • Added widget center to provide rich widget resources “Pinch the desktop with two fingers to enter”
  • Added system application widgets such as clock, weather, photo album, etc.
  • Cards in the negative one screen support free drag and drop sorting

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Thanks to XDA Senior Member kacskrz for the tip!

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Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which Galaxy A-series phone to buy?

Samsung has a long list of smartphones in the mid-range segment as a part of its Galaxy A-series. And if one thing we know after comparing a handful of these phones with each other, is that they all offer a very similar package overall. That being said, the Galaxy A73 5G is currently the top model in the company’s new 2022 A-series trio. It’s powered by a different chipset than the one used inside both the Galaxy A53 5G and the Galaxy A33 5G. It also sports better cameras, among other things. But is there enough to distinguish it from the Galaxy A53 5G? Well, that’s what we’re here to find out. Let’s take a quick look at the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G comparison to find out how they stack up against each other.

Navigate this article:

• Specifications
• Design and build quality
• Display
• Internal hardware
• Camera
• Which one should you buy?

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Specifications

Here’s a quick look at the specifications of each phone to find out what they bring to the table:

Specification	Samsung Galaxy A53 5G	Samsung Galaxy A73 5G
Build	Plastic body Gorilla Glass 5 front panel IP67 water/dust resistance	Plastic body Gorilla Glass 5 front panel IP67 water/dust resistance
Dimensions & Weight	159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1mm 189 g	163.7 x 76.1 x 7.6mm 181g
Display	6.5-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate	6.7-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz refresh rate
SoC	Samsung Exynos 1280	Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G
RAM & Storage	6GB/8GB RAM 128GB/256GB internal storage microSD card slot (up to 1TB)	6GB/8GB RAM 128GB/256GB flash storage MicroSD card support
Battery & Charging	5,000mAh battery 25W Super Fast Charging  No charger in box	5,000mAh battery 25W Super Fast Charging No charger in box
Security	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor
Rear Camera(s)	64MP f/1.8 Main (with OIS) 12MP f/2.2 Ultra-wide 5MP f/2.4 Depth sensor 5MP f/2.4 Macro	108MP Quad Pixel f/1.79 12MP ultrawide 5MP macro lens 5MP depth lens
Front Camera(s)	32MP f/2.2	32MP f/2.2
Port(s)	USB Type-C No headphone jack	USB Type-C No headphone jack
Audio	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
Connectivity	5G LTE Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4G+5GHz) Bluetooth 5.1	5G Bluetooth 5.0 Wi-Fi dual-band WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Software	One UI 4.1 (Android 12)	One UI 4.1 (Android 12)
Other Features	Four years of major OS upgrades Five years of security updates	Four years of major OS upgrades Five years of security updates

As we’ve seen in some of our previous Galaxy A-series device comparisons, there aren’t too many differences between these two phones. We’re looking at different chipsets running under the hood, and the Galaxy A73 5G also has a different set of optics.

Design and Build Quality

When talking about the design, it’s safe to say that both the Galaxy A53 5G and the Galaxy A73 5G seem like they’re cut from the same cloth. We’re looking at slightly different dimensions and color options, but that’s about it. They’re both made out of plastic and have a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front to protect the display. They look pretty much the same from both the front as well as the back. They even have the same camera bump that eases and melts into the rest of the phone’s back, kind of like how OPPO does it for the Find X5 Pro. You’ll definitely have a hard time differentiating between the two while looking at them from the back.

As for the dimension, the Galaxy A73 5G is slightly taller and wider than the Galaxy A53 5G. That being said, it’s also a bit thinner and lighter than the Galaxy A53 5G, making up for a really comfortable grip in the hand. The Galaxy A73 5G measures 7.6 mm in thickness and weighs 181 grams while the Galaxy A53 5G measures 8.1 mm in thickness and weighs 189 grams. Samsung is also selling both phones in different colors. You can buy the Galaxy A73 5G in Awesome Mint, Awesome Gray, and Awesome White colorways, whereas the Galaxy A53 5G is available to purchase in Awesome Black, White, Blue, and Orange color options.

Both the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and Galaxy A73 5G are also on the same lines when it comes to durability. They both carry an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance, so they should be able to withstand the occasional splashes of water and dust particles. But what we don’t necessarily like about the new Galaxy A-series phones is that they lack a 3.5mm headphone jack. This means you are forced to either use USB Type-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter or switch to wireless earphones. As we’ve mentioned in many of our previous Galaxy A53 5G comparisons, the lack of the headphone jack is a step backward from the older A-series phones, and it’s something that users in this range may miss.

Since there’s not a lot of difference between the two in the design and build quality department, we think your purchase decision boils down to the overall footprint of these devices. If you don’t mind using a slightly taller phone then go with the Galaxy A73 5G. You’re not particularly missing out on much besides the headphone jack with either phone, so keep that in mind.

Display

All the new Galaxy A-series phones rock Samsung’s Super AMOLED Infinity-O display. The same is the case for these phones too, but we’re looking at a slight difference in the physical size. The Galaxy A53 5G has a smaller 6.5-inch FHD display than the Galaxy A73 5G’s 6.7-inch screen. But besides that, these are practically the same panels with a max resolution of up to 1080 x 2400 pixels. The Galaxy A53 5G is bound to have a slightly higher pixel-per-inch (PPI) count but they’re virtually the same when it comes to the sharpness. Both phones also have support for up to 120Hz refresh rate, unlike the Galaxy A33 5G which tops out at 90Hz.

Samsung is using Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front to protect the display on these phones. We’re also looking at the same amount of bezels around the display. They’re not as thin as the ones on the flagship phones but are still thin enough to make them look modern. You also get a center-aligned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. Samsung is known to use high-quality displays on its smartphones, so you can expect to see a good panel on both of these phones. As we mentioned in our Galaxy A53 5G hands-on piece, this display looks good for the most part, with bright and punchy colors. There’s also an in-display fingerprint scanner on both phones for authentication, so no physical scanner anywhere else on the body.

Internal Hardware

One of the main differences between the two phones in this comparison is the processors. Samsung is using its in-house Exynos 1280 chipset for the Galaxy A53 5G while the Galaxy A73 5G is rocking the Snapdragon 778G chip. The Exynos 1280 features two performance-oriented Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4GHz and power-efficient Cortex-A55 cores running at 2GHz. The Snapdragon 778G has some of its cores clocked at 2.4GHz and others at 1.8GHz. In case you’re wondering, the Snapdragon 778G is the more powerful chip out of the two, so expect the A73 5G to score better in benchmarking applications. That’s not to say the Exynos 1280 is a bad chipset by any means. You’re probably not going to see a noticeable difference between the two when it comes to day-to-day usage.

One area in which we see the Exynos 1280 perform better than the Snapdragon 778G is power efficiency. That’s because the Exynos chip powering the Galaxy A53 5G is fabricated on the 5nm node compared to the 6nm node of the SD 778G. Again, it’s probably not going to make a significant difference for everyone but is still worth making a note of. It’s particularly important because both phones pack a 5,000 mAh battery inside. We expect the A53 5G to have better battery life thanks to the more power-efficient chip as well as a slightly smaller display. You get 25W fast charging support with both phones, but neither of them comes bundled with a charger inside the box.

The base variant of both the Galaxy A53 5G and the Galaxy A73 5G comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. You can also pick up the 8GB + 256GB configuration for additional RAM and storage. Both devices also support expandable storage via a microSD card, so that’s good. You can add up to a 1TB microSD card to both phones but keep in mind that it’s a hybrid slot which means you can’t add a secondary SIM card if you are to use the slot for an SD card.

Camera

The camera is another area in which you’ll find some differences between the two phones. On the back of the Galaxy A53 5G is a camera system that includes a 64MP main camera, 12MP ultra-wide, and a pair of 5MP sensors for macro and depth. The Galaxy A73 5G also offers the same versatility but we’re looking at a different main camera in the form of a 108MP f/1.8 primary sensor with OIS. Since the rest of the optics are the same, it comes down to the difference in the main sensor. We expect the A73 5G’s 108MP shooter to capture better-looking images with more details and low noise. In fact, we expect this 108MP sensor to perform better in low-light, which the Galaxy A53 5G is known to struggle a little bit, even with OIS. Both phones rock a 32MP camera on the front for selfies.

On the video front, these two devices can record 4K footage @30fps, so no difference there. We haven’t had a chance to sample the Galaxy A73 5G’s cameras, but you can check out some shots captured using the Galaxy A53 5G below.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G camera samples

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which one should you buy?

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and the Galaxy A73 5G are both great phones for the price. There’s not a lot of difference between the two in terms of the design and aesthetics, but you’ll see some parity in performance and the camera department. The company has also done a pretty good job on the software front for all these A-series mid-range phones. The Galaxy A73 5G runs One UI 4.1 based on Android 12 out of the box, and it’ll get the same duration of software support as the Galaxy A53 5G. But before we give our final verdict, it’s worth mentioning that the Galaxy A73 5G isn’t available to purchase in the US. So if you are shopping for a phone in the States then you’re limited to just the Galaxy A53 5G.

But if you’re looking to buy these phones outside the US where they’re available, or if you’re simply curious to know which one’s better, then we’d say the Galaxy A73 5G offers a better experience overall. Yes, it’s a relatively taller phone but it’s also both thinner and lighter than the A53 5G, which should make it very comfortable to grip and use. Not to mention, the SD778G is also a better-performing chip overall, albeit not as power-efficient. You also get arguably a better camera system with the Galaxy A73 5G, which is great. All things considered, it’s safe to say that the Galaxy A73 5G offers a more well-rounded experience. So if you don’t mind spending a little more on the things that we just mentioned, then look no further than the Galaxy A73 5G.

But if you don’t mind trading some of those features in favor of an affordable price tag, then we think the A53 5G is the way to go. It may look a little less powerful on paper compared to the A73 5G, but you still get a lot of value for your money for spending $450. The Galaxy A73 5G can be had for ₹47,490 in India, which roughly translates to around $610 at the time of writing this article. The Galaxy A53 5G, for instance, is priced at ₹40,999 in India, which is roughly around $530. A direct currency conversation isn’t the best way to judge a particular phone’s value, but it gives you an idea of what to expect.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

The Galaxy A53 offers a modern design, large screen and battery at an affordable price

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy A73 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G offers slightly better hardware when compared with the Galaxy A53 5G. But it's not available to purchase in the US.

See at Samsung

If you’ve decided to stick with the Galaxy A53 5G, then be sure to stop by our collection of the best deals for it. You can use the money you saved using those deals to pick up a good quality case from our collection of the best Galaxy A53 5G cases.

So, which phone are you planning to buy? Let us know by dropping a line in the comments below.

The post Samsung Galaxy A53 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A73 5G: Which Galaxy A-series phone to buy? appeared first on XDA.

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Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Everything we know about Google’s 2022 flagships

Google’s 2022 I/O Developer keynote was packed with a lot of interesting announcements, but the company couldn’t let it pass without teasing its next flagship phones — the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro. Rather than let leakers have their fun leaking, Google decided to do an official tease-release by itself, giving us an early look at its 2022 flagships. More details will come over the coming months. In the meantime, we’ve decided to gather all the currently available bits and pieces of info on the upcoming phones to help you keep up with all developments leading up to the official launch. Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s 2022 flagships — the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.

Before we begin, it’s worth noting that we’ve included all the leaks and rumors in this post, along with the info officially out there. A lot of what you’re about to read isn’t official information unless specified otherwise.

Navigate this article:

• Pricing and Availability
• Specifications
• Design
• Display
• Cameras
• What we’d like to see

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Price and Availability

Google has confirmed that it will launch the Pixel 7 series this Fall. Traditionally, Google launches its latest Pixel phones at a hardware event in September or October. If past events are something to go by, then we’re about four to five months away from the official launch. One thing that remains to be seen is whether or not the Pixel 7 family will make it to all markets across the globe. If the rollout is similar to the Pixel 6 series, then the 2022 flagships likely won’t make it to markets like India. We’ll have more on the availability of these phones closer to or after the final launch this fall, so stay tuned.

As for the price, all we have is speculation at the moment. Google delivered the current flagships at competitive prices. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro managed to steal the limelight from the competition because of their low starting price of $599 and $899, respectively. We expect Google to stick with a similar pricing strategy with the Pixel 7 series.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Specifications

At I/O 2022, Google announced that the new Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will pack what the company refers to as the “next-generation” Tensor chip. It’s the sequel to the company’s first in-house chipset that debuted on the Pixel 6 series last year. We’re not entirely sure what this new chipset brings to the table at the moment, but Google has promised faster performance. If we were to guess, the second-gen Tensor chip would likely bring significant performance gains, along with better imaging capabilities. Rumor has it that the new chipset might arrive with an unreleased Samsung Exynos 5300 modem.

In case you’re wondering, the original Tensor shipped with an octa-core CPU with two Cortex-X1, two Cortex-A76, and four Cortex-A55 cores, a Mali-G78 MP20 GPU, and Tensor machine learning silicon. The rumor mill suggests that the new chipset could come with an AMD GPU, just like Samsung’s latest Exynos chipset. However, there’s no official confirmation on this yet. We also expect the Pixel 7 series to be available in the same memory and storage configuration as the current flagships, but we’ll have to wait for the official launch to confirm the same.

There’s no word on the battery size for the Pixel 7 series so far, but we’d love to see some improvements in this area. As we mentioned in our review of the Pixel 6 Pro, the device couldn’t last nearly as long as we expected it to, and the battery life was just average for the most part. It’s a shame because the Pixel 5 set a very high bar in the battery department. We’ll talk about battery life and charging in the Pixel 7 series wishlist section below.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Design

The Pixel 6 series saw a complete design overhaul, so Google has decided to go easy on the redesign for this year’s models. Looking at the official Pixel 7 series renders from the Google I/O keynote, it’s safe to say that the design is largely similar for 2022. That being said, there are some important tweaks that we think are worth pointing out. The horizontal camera visor at the back, for instance, is here to stay, but the camera array itself appears to be changing. The Pixel 7 sports two cameras inside a pill-shaped cutout, while the Pixel 7 Pro includes an additional circular cutout. We expect this to be a telephoto lens, although there’s no official word from Google on that front.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro in different colors

Notably, the glass back of the Pixel’s camera bar is also changing to metal. This particular change makes the new phones look radically different from the back, but we’re yet to see these phones in real life to confirm if that’s the case. Besides that, we’re also getting new colors this time around for the Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 7 will be available in Obsidian, Snow, and Lemongrass colorways, while the Pixel 7 Pro will come in Obsidian, Snow, and Hazel finishes.

Google only gave us a glimpse of the new Pixel 7 phones from the back, which means there’s only so much we can confirm officially. The upcoming Pixel 7 flagships will have a glossy glass back, just like the previous generation. You can also see a USB Type-C port at the bottom, a SIM tray on the left edge, and the power and volume rockers on the right edge of both devices. We don’t know anything about the durability and build quality of the phones, though it’s safe to assume that the Pixel 7 series will also come with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and Gorilla Glass Victus (Plus?) for protection.

Now to the part in which we discuss the design based on leaked renders. The images shared by Google during the I/O keynote largely align with the leaked renders that showed up earlier this year. Here, take a look:

The Google Pixel 7, as you can see, is said to sport a flat display with a centered hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera. It reportedly measures 155.6mm x 73.1mm x 8.7mm, making it slightly smaller and slimmer than the Pixel 6. That said, the phone looks indistinguishable from last year’s model. The same is the case with the Pixel 7 Pro. We’re looking at a footprint of 163 × 76.6 × 8.7 mm for the Pro model. For reference, the Pixel 6 Pro measures 163.9 × 75.9 × 8.9 mm. The slight change in dimensions could mean that Pixel 6 series cases probably won’t fit the Pixel 7 series, which is a bummer.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Display

As you can see from the renders above, the upcoming Pixel 7 series phone will have roughly the same dimensions as Google’s current-gen flagships. We don’t have exact figures for the display sizes, but the Pixel 7’s screen is said to be between 6.2-inch and 6.4-inch, and the Pixel 7 Pro’s screen is said to be either 6.7 or 6.8-inches. DSCC’s Ross Young, a prominent industry analyst, also claimed that the Pixel 7 would have a smaller 6.3-inches panel this year.

Hearing that the Pixel 7 will shrink from 6.4″ to 6.3″. Pixel 7 Pro will remain 6.7″. Panel shipments to start 1 month earlier this year, from May.

— Ross Young (@DSCCRoss) March 15, 2022

What remains to be seen is whether or not Google will use the same fingerprint sensor as last year’s models. While software updates have resolved most of the annoyances with those sensors, it’s safe to say that they have only improved a modest amount since last year, and they’re still no match to the sensors fitted on other flagships.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Cameras

It’s hard to argue with the fact that Google’s Pixel phones offer a great camera experience. These phones benefit from a combination of great optics and Google’s computational photography chops to deliver reliable cameras. The Pixel 6 series marks the first time in years that Google offered a new main camera sensor. The Pro variant even got a versatile triple-camera system, which you can learn more about in our Pixel 6 Pro camera review. The Pixel 6 series offered a pretty good camera experience overall, but there’s still some room for improvement.

We know that Google is retaining the dual rear camera system for the Pixel 7 and a triple rear camera setup for the Pro model, but we’re not sure if we’ll be getting new optics. More on this in the wishlist section below.

Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Our Wishlist

You may have a laundry list of not-so-good things about the Pixel 6 series, but there’s no denying that it’s the most premium line of phones Google has ever created. From a unique design to an in-house chipset and reliable cameras, there’s a lot to like about the Pixel 6 family. But as is the case with every new phone, there are a few things that might take the Pixel 7 series a step further when it debuts later this year. Here are some improvements we’d like to see on the Google Pixel 7 series:

Better fingerprint sensor

To be fair, Google has improved the fingerprint sensors on the Pixel 6 series quite a bit since its launch. But we expect more than just a tolerable experience from a Google flagship. We think Google should use better sensors on the Pixel 7 series. Almost all flagship phones out there, including the best from Samsung, OnePlus, Vivo, etc., have had reliable sensors for years now. This just seems like an oversight on Google’s part, so that’s something that absolutely needs to be fixed with the Pixel 7 series.

Better cameras

The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro will have a dual-camera and a triple camera system, respectively. We know that by looking at the official renders shared by Google. But what we don’t know is whether or not the company is using the same image sensors this year. The Pixel 6 Pro, for instance, had a great main camera, but the other lenses failed to reach the same heights. And being “good enough” is unfortunately not enough in 2022 when we have smartphones like the Vivo X80 Pro on the market taking some stellar shots. But given how Google’s flagships have long been renowned for great cameras, we expect them to bounce back with the Pixel 7 series.

Faster charging

As we mentioned in our Google Pixel 6 Pro review, it takes over an hour to fully charge it. That’s a bit of a hard pill to swallow when you have several other devices on the market (often cheaper) that can charge up to 70% in around ten minutes. The Pixel 6 Pro also tends to throttle the charging speeds, which is something we hope gets fixed. Considering the new Pixel 7 phones are said to have almost the same dimensions, we doubt if Google is throwing in a bigger battery this time around. So the least we can expect from Google is faster and more reliable charging speeds.

Return of the fabric cases

If you don’t remember, Google debuted trendy fabric cases with the Pixel 2 back in 2017. They’ve changed a bit over time, but they continue to remain fan favorites. If you’ve never used one yourself, the fabric on the case is very similar to the material used on the Nest speakers. The new Pixel 6 cases are great, but they’re no match for the fabric cases with their unique and satisfying finish. Not to mention, they also came in some fun colorways. The fabric cases may not offer the best protection, but they make up for it with a unique look and a satisfying in-hand feel. Please bring them back, Google!

Bug-free software at launch

The Pixel 6 series was received well generally. But there’s no denying that the software experience included a bunch of bugs, which took a while to get ironed out. And by a while, we mean months. Google took its own sweet time to fix issues, with newer patches causing more issues, and so on. But they did fix them, although in the process, the experience from Day 1 remains soured for many. A lot of it was expected since the Pixel 6 was radically different from its predecessors, but end users are not beta testers for hardware or software. So we do expect better polish on end-user hardware.

What we hope to see from Google with the Pixel 7 series is a good, bug-free software experience from Day 1. Google is a software company, the company that exerts unmatched control over Android as a platform. And now they control a big chunk of the hardware stack too. And further, with the Pixel 6 series doing the “beta testing” for Tensor, there really remains no discernible reason for Google to serve a sub-par experience. Let’s make this a good phone to unbox and use from Day 1?

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This brings us to the conclusion of our Pixel 7 wishlist. If Google somehow manages to check all the boxes in our list while keeping the price the same or at least in the same ballpark, we don’t see why the Pixel 7 family can’t make it to the top of our recommendation list this year.

We’re still months away from an official announcement for the Pixel 7 series, and we’ll continue to add more details to this page leading up to the big day. In the meantime, be sure to stop by our collection of the best Android phones, if you don’t want to wait till the fall to buy a new smartphone.

The post Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro: Everything we know about Google’s 2022 flagships appeared first on XDA.

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HP’s Memorial Day sale includes over $500 off the Spectre x360 16

Today is Memorial Day in the US, and if you’re taking the time off to do some shopping, HP has an ongoing sale that might be just what you need. The company is offering discounts on a lot of its laptops and desktop PCs, including its premium Spectre x360 and Envy x360 laptops, which are some of the best laptops you can buy today. We’ve rounded up some of the best deals you can still get today if you’re looking for a new laptop or desktop. Keep in mind that for most of these deals, the prices listed are only for the base model, and you can take advantage of the discount to also grab some upgrades if you want more performance.

Laptop deals

Starting with laptops, the highlights are naturally the Spectre x360 and Envy xx360 models, though there are some discounts on cheaper devices, too.

HP Spectre x360 16 ($560 off)

The HP Spectre x360 16 is one of the best laptops you can buy right now, and with the ongoing discount, you can get it for just $1,199.99, and then get an additional 10% off with coupon code 10MDSHP at checkout, making it just $1,079.99.

See at HP

HP Envy x360 15 ($352.50 off)

The HP Envy x360 15 is a premium laptop that usually costs $1,159.99 if you want the Core i7 model, but now you can get it for just $849.99, and that also includes 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, Plus, with coupon code 5MDSHP, you can get an extra 5% off.

See at HP

HP Envy x360 13 ($233 off)

If you want something a little smaller, the Envy x360 13 is also discounted down to under $840, which also includes a Core i7-1195G7 with 8GB of RAM. With coupon code 5MDSHP, you can also savew an extra 5%, making it that much more appealing.

See at HP

HP Envy 15 ($315 off)

Convertibles aren't far everyone, and the HP Envy 15 clamshell is a powerful laptop with an 8-core Intel Core i7-11800H CPU and GeForce RTX 3060 graphics making gaming a real possibility. You can get $250 off, plus an extra 5% ($65) with coupon code 5MDSHP, making it just $1,234.99.

See at HP

Omen 16 ($150 off)

If you want to get more serious about gaming, then the Omen 16 is potentially your best option. With anm 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 5800H and a GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, this is a very powerful gaming laptop that usually costs $1,549,99. Now, it's $1,399.99, so it's a great time to jump in.

See at HP

HP Pavilion 15 ($400 off)

For those who want something a but cheaper, the HP Pavilion 15 is a great choice that comes in some very pretty colors, too. It starts with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD, but it's not just $499.99 instead of $899.99, and you can configure itto make it even better.

See at HP

Those are our highlights, but if you want to take a look at some other deals, here are some more options you might like:

• HP Laptop 15t (Intel Core i7-1165G7, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $549.99 ($200 off)
• HP Laptop 17z (AMD Athlon 3150U, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) – $299.99 ($190 off)
• HP Laptop 14z (AMD Athlon 3020e, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) – $279.99 ($150 off)
• HP Tablet 11 (Intel Pentium N6000, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) – $399.99 ($200 off)

Desktop/gaming Memorial Day deals

If you’re more so looking for a new desktop PC, HP also has some great options for you. Most of these are focused on gaming, but there are a couple of options that will fit in anywhere.

HP Envy TE01-2275xt ($450 off)

Starting with one of the cleaner designs, the HP Envy is still a powerful machine with an Intel Core i7-11700 CPU and power NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, It's great for gaming and office work, and it usually costs $1,399, but now it can be yours for just $999. And if you want it even cheaper, coupon code 5MDSHP gets you an extra 5% off.

See at HP

HP Envy TE02-0250xt ($350 off)

With an even cleaner look, this Envy desktop gives you a 12h-generation Intel Core i5-12400 and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, plus 8GB of RAM. Usually, it costs $1,299.99, but now you can get it for just $999. You can also use coupon code 5MDSHP to get an extra 5% off at checkout.

See at HP

Omen 30L GT13-1265xt ($700 off)

If you want a truly beastly gaming PC, the Omen 30L is that. With an Intel Core i7-11700K and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics, plus 32GB of RAM, gaming is a breeze on this machine. Usually, it costs $2,499.99, but you can get it for just $1,999.99 right now. And with coupon code 10MDSHP, that goes down to $1,799.99.

See at HP

Omen 40L GT21-0350st ($450 off)

With a bit more room to breathe, the Omen 40L is another powerful gaming PC, this one powered by the 12-core Intel Core i7-12700K and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, plus 8GB of RAM (upgradeable). It usually costs $1,799.99, but now you van get it for $1,499.99, plus you get an extra 10% off with coupon code 10MDSHP.

See at HP

Omen 40L GT21-0126m ($450 off)

This is an AMD version of the same PC; featuring an 8-core AMD Ryzen 5800X COU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, plus 16GB of RAM by default (also upgradeable). It's also discounted to $1,499.99, plus you get an extra 10% off with coupon code 10MDSHP, making this a very tempting deal.

See at HP

Victus 15L TG02-0355z ($400 off)

If you want an all-AMD rig, this Victus 15L model comes with a Ryzen 7 5700G processor plus discrete AMD Radeon 6600XT graphics for a solid gaming experience overall. It usually goes for $1,349.99, but it's down to $999.99. Plus, once again, you can get an extra 10% off with coupon code 5MDSHP, making this a very appealing machine for the price.

See at HP

There are a few more deals to take advantage of, if you’re interested in something else. Here are some extra options:

• Omen 40L GT21-0148z (AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, Radeon RX 6600XT, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) – $1,259.99 ($500 off + coupon code 10MDSHP)
• Omen 25L GT15-0245m (AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, GeForce RTX 3060, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) -$949.99 ($300 off + coupon code 5MDSHP)
• Omen 25L GT15-0340qd (Intel Core i5-12400, GeForce RTX 3060, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $989.99 ($300 off + coupon code 10MDSHP)
• Victus 15L TG02-0346st (Intel Core i5-12400, GeForce GTX 1660 Super, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $617.49 ($250 off + coupon code 5MDSHP)
• Victus 15L TG02-0325m (AMD Ryzen 5 5600G, Radeon RX 5500, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $569.99 ($200 off + coupon code 5MDSHP)
• HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-2260xt (Intel Core i5-11400, GeForce GTX 1650 Super, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $549.99 ($250 off)
• HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-2170m (AMD Ryzen 3 5300G, AMD Radeon RX 5500, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $499.99 ($200 off)
• HP Pavilion Gaming TG01-1160xt (Intel Core i3-10100, GeForce GTX 1650, 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD) – $399.99 ($250 off)

Peripheral deals

If you also want to grab some peripherals, HP has discounted a few for its Memorial Day sale, too. Here’s a list of some other great deals you can get right now:

• HP U27 4K Wireless monitor (27-inch, 4K IPS, 300 nits) – $369.99 ($130 off)
• HP V28 4K Monitor (27.5-inch, 4K TN, 300 nits) – $227.99 ($150 off)
• HP 320 FHD Webcam – $27.99 ($12 off)
• HP Rechargeable MPP 2.0 Tilt Pen – $44.99 ($5 off + coupon code HPSTYLUS20)
• HP Pen – $29.99 ($16 off + coupon code HPSTYLUS20)
• HyperX Cloud Alpha S headset – $53.99 ($50 off + coupon code HYPERX20)
• Omen Blast Headset – $44.99 ($5 off + coupon code HPOMEN30)
• HyperX Alloy Core RGB Gaming Keyboard – $29.99 ($20 off)
• Omen Vector Wireless Mouse – $64.99 ($5 off + coupon code HPOMEN30)

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If you’re looking to upgrade your setup, whether that’s with a whole new PC or some new accessories, these HP Memorial Day deals. Arguably the best deal of the bunch is the spectacular HP Spectre x360 16 being so much cheaper, but there’s a little bit of something for everyone here. If you’re looking for a new laptop and you don’t care about prices, maybe also check out the best HP laptops overall.

The post HP’s Memorial Day sale includes over $500 off the Spectre x360 16 appeared first on XDA.

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