Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations

A revised AYA NEO is already in the works. (Image source: AYA)

AYA NEO: AYA outlines hardware upgrades for second batch consoles and starts accepting orders outside of Indiegogo

AYA has detailed what upgrades it will be bringing to the AYA NEO before sending it out to more backers. The company has already delivered consoles to over 500 backers and has sampled a revised docking station. All these changes will result in additional shipping delays, though. The AYA NEO can now be ordered globally outside of Indiegogo, too.

Alex Alderson, 30 Jun 2021 18:02

The Galaxy Z Fold3 could be one of the fast mass-produced smartphones with an under-panel camera. (Image source: 91Mobiles/Ice Universe)

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 renders showcase the upcoming foldable from almost every angle

Samsung is not expected to announce the Galaxy Z Fold3 for another two months, but numerous renders have leaked online. The new images show that Samsung plans to release its next foldable in three colours and with subtle design changes compared to the Galaxy Z Fold2.

Alex Alderson, 30 Jun 2021 17:48

Samsung will provide up to five years of security patch updates for some devices. (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung promises up to 5 years of security patch updates for some devices

Earlier this year, Samsung promised to provide up to four years of security patch updates for over 100 of its devices. Now, it has extended this to five years of support for some devices on its Enterprise Edition program, including the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy Note 20 series.

Alex Alderson, 30 Jun 2021 17:44

Specs on specs: the ultimate Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14 comparison table

Asus has some work to do on its older Zephyrus G14 design if it hopes to overshadow the newer, slimmer, faster, and arguably better Razer Blade 14. Here are all the advantages and disadvantages of each system.

Allen Ngo, 30 Jun 2021 17:22

The ZenFone 8 is now available on the US market. (Source: Asus)

Asus releases the ZenFone 8 to the US market

Asus' ZenFone 8 stands out among 2021 flagship Android smartphones with its unusually compact form-factor and stripped-back dual rear cameras. It is now available on the US market, through its OEM's own web-store in the country. It can be had for just under $600 at present, although this price may not be around forever.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Jun 2021 17:21

Gateway is introducing its first Windows-on-ARM devices. (Image Source: Gateway)

Two new budget-oriented Gateway laptops powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon SoCs to soon be available exclusively through Walmart

There is an 11.6-inch semi-rugged convertible with 768p touchscreen powered by the Snapdragon 7c SoC coupled with 4 GB LPDDR4 and 64 GB of eMMC storage, whereas the 13.3-inch regular slim and light GWTN133-1 features a slightly faster Snapdragon 850 SoC, 4 GB LPDDR4, 128 GB eMMC storage and a 1080p screen.

Bogdan Solca, 30 Jun 2021 16:46

Is this really the Huawei P50? (Source: Bilibili)

The Huawei P50 allegedly appears in the wild confirming its double-barreled cameras and rear panel finish

The Huawei P50 series is rumored to launch as flagship phones with new and potentially advanced imaging modules. Now, a tipster purports to confirm these design-related details with live images of a "P50" rear panel in a new finish that provides a stark contrast with its 8-shaped camera housing.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Jun 2021 16:36

From today's perspective, classic games like the original Doom certainly do not require much computing power (Image: Next-Hack)

Ingenious modders run Doom on an Ikea lightbulb

The tiny microchips that are built into smart home devices don't just control the lighting of our homes, apparently they can also entertain us in an entirely different manner by running the very first iteration of a beloved first-person shooter franchise.

Enrico Frahn, 30 Jun 2021 15:56

The Mi TV 6 Extreme Edition. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi launches the Mi TV 6 Extreme Edition with a 4K 120 Hz QLED display and 48 MP dual cameras

Xiaomi's latest TV lineup is set to bring more value to the Chinese market. The company has now launched the Mi TV 6 Extreme Edition series, offering 4K 120 Hz QLED displays, HDMI 2.1, and two 48 MP cameras, with pricing starting at the equivalent of just over US$900.

Ricci Rox, 30 Jun 2021 15:34

The new Mi Notebook X Pro. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi unveils the Mi Notebook X Pro with an OLED screen, Tiger Lake-H35 chipsets and up to RTX 3050 Ti graphics

Xiaomi has launched its newest "extra-pro" laptop in China. The 15.6-inch Mi Notebook X Pro has an OLED display of a 3.5K (3456 x 2160) resolution, driven by Intel 11th-gen Core i5 or i7 processors and up to 4GB RTX 3050 Ti GPUs. Xiaomi has packed all of this into a CNC-machined chassis that starts at 7,999 yuan (~US$1,240).

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Jun 2021 15:27

Cyberpunk 2077 remains a poor performer on the base PlayStation 4 console. (Image source: CD Projekt Red)

Cyberpunk 2077 developers are happy with the state of the beleaguered game on last-generation consoles

The CEO of CD Projekt Red has stated that the company now considers Cyberpunk 2077 to be at a satisfactory level on last-generation consoles. We would disagree, based on the volume of glitches that persist on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One with Patch 1.23.

Alex Alderson, 30 Jun 2021 13:37

The Mi Pad 4 Plus (L) was released by Xiaomi in 2018 while Apple updated its iPad Pro (R) in 2021. (Image source: Xiaomi/Apple)

First Mi Pad 6 rumors suggest Xiaomi has unsurprisingly been inspired by Apple's 2021 iPad Pro

First details of what could eventually become the Xiaomi Mi Pad 6 tablet have been shared by a prolific leaker. Once again it appears the popular Chinese OEM has looked to Apple for some inspiration with future products. Meanwhile, the Mi Pad 5 slate is expected to be revealed at a special Xiaomi event in August.

Daniel R Deakin, 30 Jun 2021 12:34

Both Returnal (L) and Demon's Souls (R) have been successful titles for the PlayStation 5. (Image source: SIE/Housemarque/Bluepoint - edited)

PlayStation Studios adds Housemarque to its growing acquisitions list as Bluepoint Games also appears to have signed up

Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has welcomed its latest acquisition, Housemarque, to its PlayStation Studios family. The Finnish company was behind the recent PS5 hit Returnal. An accidental leak by PlayStation Japan has apparently revealed that Bluepoint Games has also become a part of the SIE clan.

Daniel R Deakin, 30 Jun 2021 10:54

Todd Howard hints that the Elder Scrolls VI could still be a very long way away (Image source: Bethesda)

Despite being announced 3 year ago, The Elder Scrolls VI reportedly hasn’t gotten past the design phase

Bethesda’s Todd Howard opened up to The Telegraph about the Elder Scrolls VI. According to him, however, the game is still in the initial design phase, despite having been announced years ago.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 29 Jun 2021 23:25

A fresh Galaxy Buds2 render. (Source: 91Mobiles)

Samsung Galaxy Buds2: a new leak purports to reveal the TWS earbuds' price ahead of launch

Samsung's next TWS earbuds are predicted to launch as the Galaxy Buds2. Now, a new leak may reveal their starting price ahead of their launch. The new alleged detail might put them squarely in the middle tier of their market.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 29 Jun 2021 21:48

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 will launch in several colours. (Image source: Giznext)

New Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 leak reveals more renders and specifications; new release date mooted

More renders of the Galaxy Z Flip 3 have appeared online. Specifications for the upcoming foldable have leaked too, as have several colourways. August 3 is reportedly not the date of Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event, either.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 21:29

It may be hard to tell the Pixel 5a apart from the Pixel 4a 5G. (Image source: OnLeaks)

Google Pixel 5a release date leaks; Android 11 more or less confirmed for mid-range handset

The release date for Google's next mid-range handset has leaked, and it will be before Android 12 is expected to arrive. The Pixel 5a should, therefore, launch with Android 11.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 21:18

Exynos 2200(?) is expected to launch in July. (Image Source: Samsung)

Upcoming Samsung Exynos SoC with AMD RDNA2 GPU is 53% faster than the Exynos 2100 in 3DMark Wild Life

This is the A77 core variant and it still lags behind the Apple A14 by almost 150 points. There should be an A78 variant that could dethrone the A14; however, Apple is ready to launch the A15 this fall, so the Exynos supremacy will be short-lived.

Bogdan Solca, 29 Jun 2021 20:51

Always check for the rank and chip configuration. (Image Source: Lenovo Forums)

Beware of the single rank x16 RAM kits sneaked in some laptop models! The 1Rx16 modules have significantly lower bandwidth compared to the 1Rx8 variants

The more bank groups a memory module has, the higher the bandwidth is. Contrary to what the naming convention may suggest, the single rank x8 modules have twice as many bank groups compared to the single rank x16 variants. Laptop OEMs unfortunately never reveal the ranking information.

Bogdan Solca, 29 Jun 2021 19:56

Asus TUF Gaming F17 gaming laptop reviewed: Tiger Lake and RTX 3060 in new case

Asus TUF Gaming F17 laptop reviewed: Tiger Lake and RTX 3060 in new case

The TUF Gaming F17 that we reviewed inherits the 17.3-inch chassis of the TUF A17, but it houses an RTX 3060 instead of a GTX 1660 Ti. In addition, it's equipped with a Core i9 from the Tiger Lake series. The display deserves some criticism. Despite cool features like Adaptive Sync and 144 Hz, it otherwise scores average rates at best. Price is still a big question.

Christian Hintze, 29 Jun 2021 19:09

Ideally, WhyNotWin11 will look like this when you run it. (Image source: NotebookCheck)

WhyNotWin11: A tool that is much better than Microsoft at detailing why a PC is not Windows 11 compatible

Microsoft has pulled its PC Health Check app, but there is already a third-party tool that does a better job at detailing why Windows 11 may not run on your PC. WhyNotWin11 separates Windows 11's system requirements into 11 areas and explains why you can change to run Microsoft's latest OS.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 18:01

You do not need a dedicated TPM 2.0 chip to run Windows 11. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11: No Trusted Platform Module? Many AMD and Intel processors can run Microsoft's new OS without a dedicated TPM 2.0 chip

You do not need a dedicated TPM 2.0 chip to run Windows 11, contrary to Microsoft's system requirements. Instead, almost all modern AMD and Intel processors already meet Microsoft's TPM 2.0 requirement, and only a BIOS setting may be preventing you from upgrading your PC to Windows 11.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 16:39

LG unlocks Dolby Vision HDR on certain TVs. (Source: LG)

LG gives some premium 2021 TVs more of a gaming edge with an update to Dolby Vision HDR

LG announced support for Dolby Vision at the launch of TVs such as the 2021 OLED C1- and G1-series. Now, the OEM has released the firmware that activates this spec on these devices. Moreover, the feature works with HDR at 4K/120Hz for certain gaming platforms, thus potentially elevating the experience on the systems in question.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 29 Jun 2021 16:37

Upcoming HP Pavilion Aero 13 promises Windows 11 upgradeability, weighs less than 1 kg, and is powered by the latest AMD Zen 3 processors

HP is taking some risks with its budget Pavilion series by toying with different aspect ratios and offering higher resolution displays approaching 2.5k. The manufacturer is even showing a preference for AMD instead of the usual Intel Core-U options.

Allen Ngo, 29 Jun 2021 16:04

Samsung may have a new phone in the works. (Source: Samsung)

Rumor | Samsung will launch the Galaxy M52 5G with the Snapdragon 778G SoC soon

A new leak may point strongly to the launch of a new member for Samsung's popular Galaxy M series of smartphones soon. It is said to be called the "M52", thanks to a new Geekbench listing with a model number with a good chance of corresponding to this product name. Furthermore, it is now slated to launch with the up-to-date Snapdragon 778G 5G processor.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 29 Jun 2021 15:51

Nothing teases its upcoming ear (1) buds. (Source: Nothing)

Nothing announces a launch date for its inaugural ear (1) TWS buds

Carl Pei's latest tech start-up Nothing has just set a date for the launch of its first-ever product. The ear (1) TWS earphones are now set to debut on July 27, 2021. The new OEM asserts that they will offer a "pure sound experience", although it has yet to drop any hints as to their pricing.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 29 Jun 2021 15:09

Honor announces its next flagship will be fully up-to-date. (Source: Honor)

Honor confirms the Snapdragon 888+ SoC for the upcoming Magic3 flagship phone

Honor had earlier announced that its upcoming Magic3 would launch with a top-end Qualcomm processor. Now, however, it has changed its tune somewhat and will now reportedly equip the phone with the newer Snapdragon 888+ (or Plus) rather than the 888. This might afford the device a performance boost, although it might not do so much for its price.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 29 Jun 2021 14:42

The Galaxy S22 Ultra as imagined by LetsGoDigital. (Image source: LetsGoDigital)

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra render video imagines 2022-bound flagship based on recent rumours and leaks

More Galaxy S22 Ultra renders have been published online, this time based on past rumours and leaks about Samsung's flagship for early 2022. These include S Pen support, a 200 MP main camera, a built-in fan and an Exynos SoC with an AMD RDNA 2 GPU.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 14:41

Microsoft has rolled out its latest version of Office in Beta. (Image: Microsoft)

Windows 11: Latest version of Office released in Beta, new native 64-bit Arm version available too

Microsoft has taken to its blog to reveal the latest version of Office for Windows. There is also a new version with native Arm support for the first time.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 29 Jun 2021 13:22

The Nvidia mobile processor for the Nintendo Switch successor apparently has the codename "Dane". (Image source: Nvidia/Marvel - edited)

Switch Pro chip's supposed 8 nm fabrication process promises marvelous efficiency gains over the revised Nintendo Switch console

A reliable leaker has provided what is purportedly the codename for the Nintendo Switch Pro’s chip: “Dane”. Along with this surprisingly informative name, the same source has stated that the Switch Pro’s processor is based on an 8 nm process, suggesting big energy efficiency gains over the Nintendo Switch revision.

Daniel R Deakin, 29 Jun 2021 13:10

It's possible the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra could be released in December 2021 or early 2022. (Image: Mi 12 Ultra concept by Concept bro)

Early Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra specifications speculation focuses on huge 200 MP main camera and potential Snapdragon 895

Early specifications speculation for the Xiaomi Mi 12 Ultra has been sparked thanks to new information offered up by a noted tech leaker. It appears the Mi 12 Ultra could feature up to a 200 MP sensor as its main camera and be powered by the upcoming SM8450 platform from Qualcomm.

Daniel R Deakin, 29 Jun 2021 10:31

Patriot launches Supersonic Rage Prime USB 3.2 Gen 2 stick with 5 year warranty and up to 600 MB/s read speeds

Sequential read and write rates approach that of standard SATA III SSDs all in a USB drive just a fraction of the size. How it might sustain such high performance rates over long periods, however, can be tricky.

Allen Ngo, 29 Jun 2021 09:01

Microsoft will make Windows 11 available to older processors. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11: Microsoft reacts to AMD and Intel supported processors by expanding testing to Zen 1 and 7th Generation Core families

Windows 11 has some relatively punitive system requirements, to the extent that the OS does not support over a dozen Surface devices that run Windows 10. Microsoft has now come round to the idea of testing Windows 11 on Zen 1 and Intel 7th Generation Core processors. Incidentally, the PC Health Check app has gone until later this year, too.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 01:43

The first Windows 11 Insider Preview is here for devices on the Dev Channel. (Image source: Microsoft)

Windows 11: Microsoft publishes the first Insider Preview build; Android APK sideloading will be supported

Windows 11 is here, albeit only for those willing to try an Insider Preview build for the time being. The build is available to anyone and contains many of the shown changes from Windows 10. Android app emulation is missing, but Windows 11 will support APK sideloading.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 01:30

The Galaxy Watch 4 will be available in several cases and sizes. (Image source: 91Mobiles)

Samsung announces One UI Watch OS, but Galaxy Watch 4 renders and support pages have already leaked

Samsung has revealed One UI Watch, its latest smartwatch OS based on Wear OS. Samsung is making many promises for One UI Watch, but Galaxy Watch 4 marketing renders have already leaked. Samsung has activated support pages for several upcoming models, too.

Alex Alderson, 29 Jun 2021 01:24

Next-gen Apple Watches may not get the updates some might look most forward to. (Source: Apple)

Rumor | The Apple Watch series 7 will drop the prospect of new health tech for a bigger battery

The next generation of Apple Watches has been predicted to support cutting-edge sensors for metrics such as blood glucose and body temperature. However, a new report indicates that none of these new features are on the cards. The new wearable might have more battery life, though, as well as an updated design with slimmer bezels for more screen real estate.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 28 Jun 2021 23:34

Many of the most popular laptops currently available will be compatible with Windows 11. (Image source: Microsoft - edited)

Windows 11 compatibility: Realme Book joins long list of Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus laptops that will support Microsoft's upcoming OS

Realme has announced that its upcoming Realme Book laptop will be ready for Windows 11, when Microsoft starts rolling out its newest operating system later this year. Laptop OEMs such as Dell, HP, Lenovo, Acer, and Asus have also been providing support for customers and users in regard to Windows 11 compatibility.

Daniel R Deakin, 28 Jun 2021 14:04

5G mmWave networks will soon become a reality across Europe. (Image source: Qualcomm)

MWC 2021 | 5G mmWave connectivity is finally making its way Europe-wide with promises of Gigabit speeds

According to Qualcomm, 5G mmWave connectivity will soon become a worldwide reality, with a particular focus on Europe in the next few years. But while 5G mmWave infrastructure is on its way, few devices sold in Europe support the faster 5G standard.

Alex Alderson, 28 Jun 2021 13:20

The Snapdragon 888+ 5G is another mid-cycle refresh for Qualcomm. (Image source: Qualcomm)

MWC 2021 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ 5G revealed with a 3.0 GHz CPU clock speed and 20% better AI performance than the Snapdragon 888

Qualcomm has launched the Snapdragon 888+ 5G, a refresh of its already popular flagship SoC for 2021. The Snapdragon 888 Plus builds on the performance that the Snapdragon 888 already offers with a higher CPU clock speed and improved AI performance.

Alex Alderson, 28 Jun 2021 12:15

The OnePlus Nord 2 has shown up online running a high-end MediaTek chipset

OnePlus Nord 2 AI Benchmark listing confirms that it will run a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset

The OnePlus Nord 2 has shown up online on the AI Benchmark database. Its listing suggests that the smartphone will run a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset and feature 8GB of RAM. This makes the OnePlus Nord 2 the first-ever OnePlus smartphone to run a MediaTek SoC.

Anil Ganti, 28 Jun 2021 11:57

Supposedly, the global Nintendo Switch Pro release date won't be in 2021. (Image source: Nintendo/GiveMeSport - edited)

Global Nintendo Switch Pro release details supposedly revealed by peripheral maker

Alleged “global market release” details for the Nintendo Switch Pro console have been shared. The new information goes against many recent claims in regard to the Switch Pro release but actually ties in neatly with recent comments made by Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa in regard to the global chip shortage.

Daniel R Deakin, 28 Jun 2021 10:25

Intel Xe-HPG DG2 board layout. (Image Source: Igor'sLAB)

Intel Xe-HPG DG2 with 256 EUs shows up alongside a 14-core Alder Lake SoC, initial numbers put it in the same ballpark as an NVIDIA GTX 1050

A Geekbench OpenCL entry has come to light showing an Xe-DG2 GPU with 256 EUs in combination with a 14-core Alder Lake processor. The DG2-256 GPU seems to have scored 18,450 points in the test, which puts it in the same ballpark as an NVIDIA GTX 1050. Another DG2 entry with 96 EUs was also spotted, possibly an iGPU in the Alder Lake SoC.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 28 Jun 2021 07:54

The third-generation Lenovo Tab M8 is now official

Lenovo upgrades the Tab M8 with a MediaTek Helio P22 SoC, a USB Type-C port, and more

Lenovo has upgraded the Tab M8 with some new hardware and software. Its key specs include an 8-inch screen, a MediaTek Helio P22 SoC, 5,100mAh battery, a USB Type-C port, up to 64GB of internal storage and Android 11 support. The tablet will hit shelves in select markets later this year.

Anil Ganti, 28 Jun 2021 06:00

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