Notebookcheck
     restrict settings
Dec 14
The Communication Limits feature in iOS 13.3 can easily be bypassed. (Image via Apple)

New bug in iOS 13.3 allows kids to circumvent Communication Limits parental controls

A bug in iOS 13.3 allows users to easily circumvent the Communication Limits feature. While Communication Limits is supposed to block users (specifically children) from communicating with or adding unknown or unapproved numbers, s...
Sam Medley, Sat, 14 Dec 2019 20:30:00 +0100
Image via Windows Insider

Windows 10 Your Phone app now compatible with all Android phones, can make and receive phone calls

Microsoft recently announced that all Android handsets are now able to sync with the Windows 10 Your Phone app, which can now make and receive phone calls directly from the Windows desktop. However, the new feature is slowly rolli...
Sam Medley, Sat, 14 Dec 2019 20:07:00 +0100
Future iPhone photos could get much better thanks to AI. (Image via Apple)

Apple acquires Spectral Edge Ltd., may integrate AI photo enhancement tech in iPhone cameras

Apple recently acquired control of U.K. startup Spectral Edge Ltd., a company that developer AI-based photo processing software. The software merges an infrared picture with a traditional photograph to sharpen the image and improv...
Sam Medley, Sat, 14 Dec 2019 19:39:00 +0100
AVM Fritz! WLAN Repeater 600, 1200, 1750E, 2000 and 3000 Review
AVM Fritz! WLAN Repeater 600, 1200, 1750E, 2000 and 3000 Review
HP Envy 17-ce1002ng
HP Envy 17-ce1002ng Laptop Review: A slim 17-inch machine with mixed performance
Blackview BV9100 Review - Huge smartphone with 13,000 mAh battery
Blackview BV9100 Review - Huge smartphone with 13,000 mAh battery
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Smartwatch Review – sport watch and offline satnav in one
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar Smartwatch Review – sport watch and offline satnav in one
Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G SoC - Benchmarks and Specs

Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G SoC - Benchmarks and Specs

Kryo 470 Gold / Silver ARM 8 cores @ 2200 MHz 7nm
Intel Core i9-9900KS Desktop CPU - Benchmarks and Specs

Intel Core i9-9900KS Desktop CPU - Benchmarks and Specs

Coffee Lake-S x86 8 cores @ 4000 - 5000 MHz 14++nm
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G

Samsung Galaxy A90 5G: One of the cheapest 5G phones

The Samsung Galaxy A90 5G does not manage to set itself apart from other high-end smartphones in terms of camera performance, overall performance or features. However, it does offer 5G at a relatively low price.
Florian Schmitt, Sat, 14 Dec 2019 03:08:00 +0100
Xiaomi upgraded the Redmi K20 to Android 9.0 builds of MIUI 11 in October. (Image source: XDA Developers)

Android 10 arrives on the Xiaomi Redmi K20 & Mi 9T

The Redmi K20 may have now been superseded by the Redmi K30, but the former remains at the pinnacle of Xiaomi's software plans. Released in June on MIUI 10, the handset has started receiving Android 10 builds of MIUI 11 in China. ...
Alex Alderson, Sat, 14 Dec 2019 02:16:00 +0100
Dec 13
The Samsung Galaxy S10+. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

The Android 10 update will get to North American Samsung Galaxy S10 models way earlier than expected

The Samsung Galaxy S10 line is already receiving the Android 10-based One UI 2.0 OTA but the update so far is limited to Exynos-powered European models. Samsung's update roadmap says Snapdragon models won't get the update till Jan...
Ricci Rox, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:13:00 +0100
Galaxy S11 renders. (Source: OnLeaks)

Huge battery touted for the Galaxy S11 as launch date leaks

The past few days have revealed more information on the Galaxy S11 phones. Most notable of the lot is the fact that the S11 will see a big upgrade in battery capacity over its predecessor. The phones' launch date appears to have b...
Ricci Rox, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 21:11:00 +0100
Visible light communication can enable local networks using everyday fittings. (Source: Medium)

The visible light communication market may exceed US$100 billion in value by 2024

Visible light communication is a form of wireless technology that uses radiation in the visible to infra-red light spectrum to transmit data. It is seen as an increasingly robust and reliable way of doing so, and needs not much mo...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 20:10:00 +0100
The "special event" teaser. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus teases a CES 2020 "special event"

2020 will mark the first year that OnePlus will take part in CES, the traditional January Las Vegas tech fest. The OEM has just sent out teaser images for a "special event" that will run through the relevant dates in that location...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 19:30:00 +0100
Vivo's latest launch announcement. (Source: Weibo)

Vivo announces a launch date for the X30 5G

The Vivo X30 will be the first phone to launch with the Exynos 980, a processor that supports dual-mode 5G. It is also thought to have a 60x zoom in its main camera array and a Pro variant. The OEM has revealed that this event wil...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 18:47:00 +0100
Image via Square Enix

Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered Edition delayed to Summer 2020

On Twitter, Square Enix has announced that they are delaying the release of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicle Remastered Edition for a second time. The title, which will be available on Android, iOS, the PS4, and the Nintendo Switch...
Sam Medley, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 18:27:00 +0100
Huami announces its presence at CES 2020. (Source: Huami)

Huami will go "beyond the smartwatch" with its 2020 product portfolio

Huami is a wearables OEM that has made a name for itself largely through its Amazfit brand of smartwatches. However, it has revealed that it intends to push into additional product categories next year. The company has secured a C...
Deirdre O Donnell, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 17:52:00 +0100
The Garmin Instinct could be getting a solar-powered revamp. (Image via Garmin)

New firmware leak hints at solar-powered Garmin Instinct 2 Solar

A leaked firmware update from Garmin all but confirms that a new solar-powered wearable is coming from the outdoor tech company. The Garmin Instinct 2 Solar, as the device is likely to be called, will feature a solar-powered recha...
Sam Medley, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 17:45:00 +0100
Rumored render of the OPPO Reno3 5G. (Image via Nashville Chatter)

OPPO Reno3 5G appears on TENAA, listing preliminary specs

The OPPO Reno3 5G showed up on TENAA today with some preliminary specs. The Reno3 will indeed support 5G thanks to the MediaTek MT6885 powering the phone. Other specifications closely match the Reno3 Pro 5G.
Sam Medley, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 17:24:00 +0100
The leaks detailing the center top punch-hole selfie and the iPhone 11 rear bump with four cameras were spot on. (Source: GSMArena)

Samsung launches quad-cam Galaxy A51 and A71 mid-range phones

The Exynos 9611 on the A51 and the Snapdragon 730 on the A71 are clearly meant for mid-range smartphones, but the imaging features on these models are already more advanced than anything Samsung has put on previous flagships. In t...
Bogdan Solca, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:28:00 +0100
The Snapdragon 865 might be the smallest SoC out there, but keep in mind it does not integrate any 4G/5G modem. (Source: Qualcomm)

Most 2020 smartphone flagships will have increased power requirements due to the lack of integrated 4G/5G modem with the Snapdragon 865

Qualcomm already presented the premium mid-range Snapdragon 765G with integrated X52 5G modem, so the fact that the Snapdragon 865 comes with no integrated 4G/5G modem does not make any sense. Unless Qualcomm wants to increase its...
Bogdan Solca, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:08:00 +0100
Godfall, the PS5's first officially announced title (Image source: Sony)

Godfall, first official PS5 title, announced at The Game Awards

Sony showcased Counterplay Games' Godfall, the first official PS5 title, at The Game Awards. The reveal was near-concurrent with Microsoft's Xbox Series X and Hellblade II reveals.
Arjun Krishna Lal, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 14:21:00 +0100
AVM Fritz! WLAN Repeater 600, 1200, 1750E, 2000 and 3000 Review

AVM Fritz! WLAN Repeater 600, 1200, 1750E, 2000 and 3000 Review

Please Repeat! With the Fritz! WLAN Repeater family, AVM offers a range of small devices for quickly and easily extending the range of Wi-Fi networks. In this review, we shall consider the four new repeaters and one from the older series and clarify which are suitable for certain uses.
Klaus Hinum, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 13:16:00 +0100
Hellblade II features remarkable visuals (Image source: Microsoft)

First game announced for Xbox Series X: Senua's Saga: Hellblade II

Following the announcement of the Xbox Series X, Ninja Theory showcased Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, the first game officially announced for the platform. Photo-realistic trailer visuals have set expectations high for Microsoft's u...
Arjun Krishna Lal, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:23:00 +0100
The Galaxy Fold is a hit with 1 million devices sold. (Source: Notebookcheck)

Galaxy Fold a success with 1 million devices sold at US$2,000 a piece

Samsung has revealed that it has sold 1 million units of the Galaxy Fold. The result should help to silence critics of the device who have questioned its resilience, usefulness and value for money.
Sanjiv Sathiah, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 11:05:00 +0100
The Motorola One Zoom (Source: MySmartPrice)

DxOMark | The Motorola One Zoom's cameras aren't worthy of its price tag

The Motorola One Zoom is a mid-range phone by Motorola that costs US$449. Yes, it does feature a quad-camera system but versatility and numbers don't always compensate for raw quality, if DxOMark's review of the phone is anything ...
Ricci Rox, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 10:30:00 +0100
The RX 5500 XT delivers solid 1080p performance (Image Source: AMD)

AMD launches the RX 5500XT graphics card at US$169 for 4 GB variant and US$199 for 8 GB

AMD recently released a new graphics card based on the Navi 14 architecture, the RX 5500 XT. The 5500 XT comes in 4 GB and 8 GB flavors and takes the fight to Nvidia's GTX 1650 Super. But with the RX 580 still selling for as low a...
Arjun Krishna Lal, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 10:02:00 +0100
Welcome to the Xbox Series X, formerly known as Project Scarlett. (Source: Microsoft)

Say hello to the Xbox Series X, coming Holiday 2020

Microsoft just dropped a bomb on an unsuspecting global gaming community by unveiling the design of its next-generation console, previously known as Project Scarlett. The new console will comprise of more than one model and thus t...
Sanjiv Sathiah, Fri, 13 Dec 2019 06:23:00 +0100
Dec 12
The Element T6 Max Bluetooth speaker. (Source: Tronsmart)

The Tronsmart Element T6 Max is a 60 watt Bluetooth speaker

Tronsmart has announced the Element T6 Max, a new speaker that, despite being wireless and intended as a portable accessory, has a striking 60 watts (W) of total sound output power. The OEM claims this is due at least in part to i...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:31:00 +0100
The alleged Xiaomi clamshell foldable phone. (Source: LetsGoDigital)

Xiaomi may have combined a foldable form-factor, a pop-up camera and a secondary display into 1 patent

Xiaomi is already linked to 1 patent for a clamshell-type foldable. Now, however, there may be a newer version. This one shows a lengthy primary display that folds in half, as does the 2019 Motorola Razr. However, unlike this phon...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 21:50:00 +0100
The latest update for macOS Catalina is now available. (Image via Apple)

macOS Catalina 10.15.2 released, may unofficially fix speaker pops and crackles in MacBook Pro

The latest version of macOS Catalina (10.15.2) brings a slew of minor updates and bug fixes. Interestingly, the update may have fixed the speaker snap, crackle, and pop issues reported by some Macbook and Macbook Pro users, though...
Sam Medley, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 20:12:00 +0100
Fortnite now allows for couch co-op. (Image: stock photo)

Local split-screen co-op comes to Fortnite on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One

Fortnite received an update today that introduces local split-screen multiplayer for Duos and Squads. The feature is currently only available on the PS4 and Xbox One. A few other features have been added as well, including a chang...
Sam Medley, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:13:00 +0100
The new 4-in-1 space heater. (Source: Myonaz)

Myonaz claims that its new patent-pending ceramic space heater is multifunctional, USB charging included

Myonaz is a start-up with a new kind of ceramic personal space heater. Not only does its main function initialize in an estimated 3 seconds, it can also act as a warm- or cool-air fan. It also incorporates a reading light and a US...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:57:00 +0100
The iPhone has struggled in China this quarter. (Image via Apple w/ edits)

iPhone shipments in China fell 35% in November

The iPhone may be doing well in Western markets, but the handset saw a massive 35% year-over-year drop in shipments in China last month. This news from Credit Suisse analysts flies in the face of prior predictions from Apple and o...
Sam Medley, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:48:00 +0100
The Galaxy S11 series: An almost exclusively Qualcomm flagship series? (Image source: WhatMobile)

Reports claim that Samsung has dropped Exynos in all but one region for the Galaxy S11 and Galaxy S11+

The Exynos 9285 has been proven inferior to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, so is it any surprise that Samsung is switching to the Snapdragon 865 for the Galaxy S11 series? Europeans are still set to receive the lesser Exynos version...
Alex Alderson, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:42:00 +0100
Fitbit may owe its market share to uptake by older users. (Source: iMore)

Fitbit's success in the wearables market is due to its popularity among older consumers, new study finds

At least 60% or more of US consumers aged 55 years or more favor Fitbit when buying a wearable. This is due to the demand for smartwatches and fitness trackers in the relevant age ranges. However, Apple is more popular among those...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 18:22:00 +0100
The next gen Exynos 1000 could launch by the end of 2020. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung is working on a 5 nm Exynos 1000 SoC

It looks like the Exynos 990 will not really be a match for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 865, and Samsung is already hard at work on a next gen SoC. According to Ice Universe, Samsung will use the 5 nm manufacturing process for the upcom...
Bogdan Solca, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:59:00 +0100
The Redmi 30 5G could be among the first smartphones to benefit from the new LPDDR5 memory standard. (Source: Samsung)

Xiaomi to introduce LPDDR5 handhelds in Q1 2020; K30 5G first in line?

Xiaomi VP Lu Weibing is expecting the first LPDDR5 smartphones to hit the market in Q1 2020. Weibing is probably hinting at the Redmi K30 5G that is supposed to launch in January next year, since this model will also be powered by...
Bogdan Solca, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:34:00 +0100
Realme teases the X50 Pro. (Source: Realme)

The Realme X50 Pro will sport the Snapdragon 865 processor

Realme will launch the X50, its first phone with 5G, soon. However, the OEM has also announced that there will be a Pro variant of this same device. It will be powered by the next-gen flagship Snapdragon 865 SoC, but will not be a...
Deirdre O Donnell, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:32:00 +0100
Are the Mac Pro's wheels worth $400? (Image via Apple)

Haven't spent enough on your Mac Pro? Add wheels for an extra $400

Apple's new Mac Pro is expensive, but most of the components seem worth the asking price (for the most part). But what about the wheels? At its asking price of $400, Apple is pushing the limits of supply and demand.
Sam Medley, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 17:02:00 +0100
Mobile Processors - Benchmark List

Mobile Processors - Benchmark List

This is a benchmark list of mobile processors like Intel Core M, A10, A8, Atom, ... series - sorted by performance.
Redaktion, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 16:42:30 +0100
The Mi Max 3 originally received Android 9.0 Pie builds of MIUI 11. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi Mi Max 3 picks up an encouraging MIUI 11 update

Have you received Android 9.0 builds of MIUI 11 on your Mi Max 3? Fear not, as Android 10 versions are incoming. You can already download an Android 10 build of MIUI 11 for the device too, although there are some caveats.
Alex Alderson, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:30:00 +0100
The ThinkPad X1 Extreme. (Image source: Lenovo)

Lenovo resolves ThinkPad P1 and X1 Extreme's second screen low framerate bug, then pulls the update that fixes it

If you own a ThinkPad P1 or X1 Extreme and connect it to an external monitor on Windows 10, then the chances are that you have experienced sluggish performance with your device set to "Second screen only". Lenovo finally released ...
Alex Alderson, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 15:09:00 +0100
AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 driver offers a host of new features. (Source: AMD)

Experiencing performance loss after installing the Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 driver? Here's a possible workaround

Several users have reported performance loss and/or loss of fan curve settings after installing the AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin 2020 drivers for AMD GPUs such as the Vega 64 and the RX 5700 XT. While the issue does not seem to b...
Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 13:05:00 +0100
Pricing for the CutiePi tablet is yet to be confirmed. (Image source: CutiePi.io)

CutiePi: Raspberry Pi tablet nears completion; crowdfunding campaign incoming

The 8-inch Raspberry Pi and Raspbian tablet is almost ready for mass production, according to its creators. The CutiePi project has not only finalised the board design, giving it a massive overhaul from initial designs, but also h...
Alex Alderson, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 11:36:00 +0100
HP Envy 17-ce1002ng

79% HP Envy 17-ce1002ng Laptop Review: A slim 17-inch machine with mixed performance

A Comet Lake laptop with Whiskey Lake performance. The new HP Envy 17 is big, slim and features a powerful combination of dedicated graphics and a Comet Lake-U processor. While its footprint may make it slightly too large for use on the move, it should fit the bill as a multimedia desktop replacement. It is not all good news though, as our review will reveal.
Intel Core i7-10510U | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 | 17.3" | 2.8 kg
Mike Wobker, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 09:22:00 +0100
Apple's latest Core i9 implementation has improved, but it could be better

Apple MacBook Pro 16 Core i9 gets consistently outperformed by the MSI P65 Core i9

After the horrid Core i9-8950HK performance of the 2018 MacBook Pro, Apple's implementation of the Core i9-9880H on its latest 16-inch MacBook Pro is a significant improvement. Nonetheless, the competing MSI P65 and the larger GE7...
Allen Ngo, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 06:19:00 +0100
best subnotebooks

Notebookcheck's Top 10 Subnotebooks

December 2019 Update. Here you will find the current best subnotebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck in the last few months. Our list of top models is regularly updated, maintained and commented on and should assist in purchase decisions.
Sebastian Jentsch, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 03:32:00 +0100
best ultrabooks

Notebookcheck's Top 10 Ultrabooks

December 2019 Update. Here you will find the best Ultrabooks reviewed by Notebookcheck in the past few months. Our list of top models is regularly updated, maintained and commented on and should assist in purchasing decisions.
Sebastian Jentsch, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:15:00 +0100
Dripp Dropp TWS Earbuds Hands-On Review

Dripp Dropp TWS Earbuds Hands-On Review

A few features short of being great. The Dripp Dropps are a pair of Qualcomm QCC3020-powered true-wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds that its manufacturer, Dripp Aud...
| 53.84 g
Alex Alderson, Thu, 12 Dec 2019 00:08:00 +0100
Top 10 2-in-1 Windows Tablets

Notebookcheck's Top 10 Convertibles (2-in-1 Tablets)

December 2019 Update. Here is the current list of Notebookcheck's top-ranked 2-in-1 Windows tablets with attachable or detachable keyboards. This list is reviewed on a regular basis, checked by our editors and updated if needed. It is designed to help our readers with their purchase decisions.
Sebastian Bade, Wed, 11 Dec 2019 23:52:00 +0100
best multimedia laptops

Notebookcheck's Top 10 Multimedia Laptops

December 2019 Update. Here you will find the best multimedia notebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck in the last few months. Our list of top models is regularly updated, maintained and commented on and should assist in purchasing decisions.
Sebastian Bade, Wed, 11 Dec 2019 23:37:00 +0100
Dec 11
The new Mac Pro: all the jokes have already been made. (Source: B&H)

The new Apple Mac Pro is now on sale

Get ready for what could be the most expensive cheesegrater in your life: the new Mac Pro is here. It is now available to pre-order from Apple.com and retailers such as B&H. This new PC has configurations that go from 4- to 6-figu...
Deirdre O Donnell, Wed, 11 Dec 2019 23:28:00 +0100

About us

Laptop, Tablet and Smartphone Reviews, Tech, and News

Our aim is to provide serious and competent information about notebooks, smartphones and tablets. For more than 14 years now, Notebookcheck provides detailed tests, reviews, news, technical information (like our CPU and GPU benchmarks) and links to reviews by other sites.
Follow us on FacebookTwitterGoogle PlusYouTubeRSS ReviewsRSS News

Working For Notebookcheck

Are you interested to work as a news or editorial editor for Notebookcheck?     Details here

Upcoming Reviews

  • CAT S52
  • Gigaset GS290
  • Huawei Mate 30 Pro
  • Huawei Nova 5T
  • LG K40s
  • LG K50s
  • Lenovo Tab M7
  • Lenovo Tab M8 HD
  • Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab S10
  • Motorola Moto E6 Play
  • Nokia 6.2
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
  • Xiaomi Mi Note 10
  • Apple MacBook Air 2019
  • Acer Swift 5 SF514-54T 14" i5-1035G1
  • Acer ConceptD 7 15" RTX 2080
  • Acer ConceptD 5 15" RX Vega
  • Asus ZenBook Pro 14
  • Asus VivoBook 15 F505ZA Ryzen 3 
  • Dell Precision 7540
  • Dell Latitude 14 3400  
  • Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Privacy Guard Display
  • Lenovo Thinkpad X395 Ryzen 7
  • Lenovo Yoga C740
  • Lenovo IdeaPad S540-13API
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 13.5" Intel
  • Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 15.3" Intel
  • Microsoft Surface Pro 7

Tags

5G (87) Accessory (1718) AMD (1616) Android (9997) Apple (1921) ARM (4075) Audio (187) Bay Trail (162) Business (5688) Cannon Lake (34) Charts (326) Chinese Tech (2330) Chromebook (286) Coffee Lake (569) Comet Lake (63) Console (448) Convertible / 2-in-1 (1132) Cryptocurrency (62) Cyberlaw (285) Deal (562) Desktop (1813) Fail (799) Gadget (338) Galaxy Note (351) Galaxy S (632) Gamecheck (273) Gaming (3811) Geforce (1597) Google Nexus / Pixel (308) How To (29) Ice Lake (95) Internet of Things (IoT) (252) iOS (393) iPad Pro (266) iPhone (799) Kaby Lake (967) Lakefield (14) Laptop (4886) Linux / Unix (242) MacBook (275) Mini PC (29) Monitor (242) MSI (161) OnePlus (96) Phablet (1984) Project Athena (21) Review Snippet (114) Rumor (3312) Ryzen (Zen) (489) Security (647) Smart Home (246) Smartphone (9336) Smartwatch (710) Software (2807) Storage (847) Tablet (2451) ThinkPad (1031) Thunderbolt (183) Tiger Lake (6) Touchscreen (3624) Ultrabook (1472) Virtual Reality (VR) / Augmented Reality (AR) (323) Wearable (425) Whiskey Lake (258) Windows (4799) Workstation (663) XPS (258)

New Forum Posts

Please share our article, every link counts!
> Notebook / Laptop Reviews and News
Notebookcheck (Update: 2019-12-11)