Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations

The Clevo N960KP could be similar to the unidentified laptop in the 3050 Ti GPU-Z report (Image source: Clevo)

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU-Z leak suggests a moderately powerful mobile GPU with 2560 Ampere cores and a 1.5 GHz boost clock

An anonymous user submitted a GPU-Z validation report for what seems to be a Clevo laptop sporting the as-yet unannounced Ampere NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti. The GPU report offers details about the mobile GPU, including that it'll have 2560 CUDA core count and a boost clock of over 1485 MHz.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 03 May 2021 18:02

Rumor | Asus will launch the ROG Flow X13 gaming convertible in India soon

With its up-to-Ryzen 9 5980HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics, Asus has designed the ROG Flow X13 to bring gaming to the 2-in-1 category. Now, a new report asserts the OEM is about to introduce this machine to India on May 12, 2021. Whether the PC's matching XG Mobile eGPU will be joining it in its putative new market is less clear at this point.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 03 May 2021 17:40

The Oppo A94 5G uses a MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset. (Image Source: Oppo)

Oppo A94 5G and A74 now available for sale across Europe

Oppo's new mid-range smartphone lineup is now available for sale across Europe, which include the A94 5G, A74, A74 5G, and the A54 5G. The Oppo A94 5G, also known as the Reno5 5G, is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset with a 60 Hz refresh rate AMOLED display and a 48 MP quad-camera setup. The Oppo A74, on the other hand, features a Snapdragon 662 SoC, 60 Hz AMOLED display, and a 48 MP triple-camera setup.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 03 May 2021 17:23

Laptop shipments may keep on growing in 2021. (Source: Acer)

The laptop market is now projected to top 62 million shipments in the second quarter of 2021

The market for laptops has arguably remained relatively unscathed in the pandemic era, largely thanks to the demand for educational or gaming machines still going strong in 2021. Now, new research indicates that shipments for these devices will total 62 million at least in this year's second quarter (2Q2021). Acer, Asus and HP are thought to be the biggest winners in the 3 months in question.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 03 May 2021 16:56

Verizon sells Yahoo and AOL for US$5 billion

Verizon announced today that it will sell multiple media properties, including those that once made up AOL and Yahoo, to Apollo Global Management for US$5 billion. This marks a roughly $4 billion loss for the telecom giant, which purchased AOL for $4.4 billion in 2015 and Yahoo for $4.5 billion in 2017.

Sam Medley, 03 May 2021 16:43

The X1 Carbon Gen 9 has arrived: Lenovo ThinkPad flagship with new design is in review

Barely on the market, already in for review: The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon at the forefront of the ThinkPad brand since 2012. With the X1 Carbon Gen 9, Lenovo adopts a new design, making the ThinkPad X1 Carbon 2021 the biggest redesign of the X1 Carbon series since 2017.

Benjamin Herzig, 03 May 2021 16:28

A recent Galaxy S22-series render. (Source: LetsGoDigital)

Rumor | Samsung will combine continuous zoom, an under-display camera and AMD graphics in the Galaxy S22 Ultra

The prolific leaker Ice Universe has made new predictions concerning the Galaxy S22 series' Ultra variant. Not only does the tipster believe that it will introduce the mythical Samsung/AMD mobile GPU, it will also debut with a potential breakthrough in optical zoom for smartphones. The putative flagship may also drop the current central punch-hole selfie shooter for one that hides under the display.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 03 May 2021 16:03

A future Apple Watch device could utilize Rockley's blood sugar monitor and numerous other health-related trackers. (Image source: Apple (Series 6)/Rockley - edited)

Apple Watch Series 7 takes a step closer to offering a non-invasive glucose monitor and even an alcohol level sensor

A filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has led to some speculation that a future Apple wearable, possibly even the expected Apple Watch Series 7, could be fitted with a non-invasive glucose indicator. On top of that, an Apple Watch 7 may even sport an alcohol monitor, thanks to Rockley Photonics’ expertise.

Daniel R Deakin, 03 May 2021 12:24

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 will apparently sport an under-display camera. (Image source: Samsung (Galaxy Z Fold 2) /AndroidNext - edited)

Updated | Samsung heralds the Galaxy Z Fold 3 as the first foldable phone with under display camera as leaked images reveal reserved design

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 has seemingly appeared in numerous screenshots possibly taken from an official promo video. The leaked images reveal that the Galaxy Z Fold 3, which will apparently go into production in July, has an under display camera and restrained look to it. Buyers will get to select from four colors for the foldable phone.
Update: Designer Ben Geskin has created a clear render based on the current leaked images.

Daniel R Deakin, 03 May 2021 11:51

4A Games clarifies on AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution support for Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition. (Image Source: MetroTheGame)

Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition will not support AMD FidelityFX, 4A Games clarifies on FidelityFX Super Resolution support

Metro Exodus will be available in a fully ray traced version called the Metro Exodus PC Enhanced Edition on May 6, which will take advantage of ray tracing and DLSS capabilities of NVIDIA RTX cards. Though 4A Games said that the title wouldn't support AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), the developer later clarified that it actually meant the FidelityFX toolkit and not FSR as such.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 03 May 2021 11:35

Oppo has launched the A54 5G smartphone in Europe

Oppo A54 5G launched in Europe with a Snapdragon 480 SoC, 90Hz screen, and more

Oppo fans in Europe will be delighted to know that the Oppo A54 5G is now official in the region for EUR 269 (US$324). The smartphone comes with exciting specs, such as a 6.5-inch LCD screen clocked at 90Hz, four rear cameras, and a Snapdragon 480 chipset and a 5,000mAh battery.

Anil Ganti, 03 May 2021 11:30

The Oppo A74 5G is now available for purchase in Europe

The Oppo A74 5G is the newest affordable 5G smartphone on the block

The Oppo A74 5G has officially been launched in Europe. Some of its key specifications include a 6.5-inch 90Hz LCD screen, Snapdragon 480 chipset, 6GB RAM, four rear camera modules, and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. It comes in two colour variants, Fluid Black and Space Silver, and costs EUR 299.

Anil Ganti, 03 May 2021 10:00

2023 looks like it will be the year Apple launches its first foldable. (Image: Macrumors)

Get set for the Apple iPhone foldable, 8-inches and coming in 2023 says leaker

Apple is set to launch its rumored iPhone foldable in 2023 according to a new note from respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The foldable will feature a Samsung Display-sourced 8-inch flexible OLED panel suggesting that it will adopt a Galaxy Fold-like approach to foldables.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 03 May 2021 09:54

The original Samsung Galaxy Z Flip has been overhauled for the forthcoming 2021 model. (Image source: Samsung/AndroidNext - edited)

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 spills some colorful secrets in supposed leak of official promo renders

Images of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 have appeared online seemingly taken from an official promo video for the upcoming foldable phone. The screenshots show the Galaxy Z Flip 3 sporting at least four different colors; however, a noted industry source has stated that the Samsung flip phone will come in eight colors. Production of the device will apparently begin in July.

Daniel R Deakin, 03 May 2021 07:52

Nintendo is keeping the Switch alive and well this year. (Image via Nintendo w/ edits)

Nintendo may produce 30 million Switch consoles this fiscal year

According to Nikkei Asia, Nintendo may be producing as many as 30 million Switch consoles this fiscal year. If all these units sell, the Nintendo Switch will be the fifth best-selling game console of all time with 110 million total units.

Sam Medley, 03 May 2021 06:19

Review of the Acer Chromebook Spin 713 CP713-2W: 2-in-1 Chromebook with 3:2 touchscreen

Acer Chromebook Spin 713: 2-in-1 Chromebook with 3 video outputs

The Spin 713 offers a 3:2 touchscreen, very good battery life and support for Power Delivery over USB-C. With an 800-Euro price tag, it is not one of the cheapest Chromebooks on the market.

Sascha Mölck, 02 May 2021 21:24

Intel might build new factories soon. (Source: Intel)

Intel reportedly hints at multi-billion-dollar subsidies on planned EU and US factories

Intel had recently outlined plans to establish new plants in Europe, possibly in a bid to address the prevailing chipset-supply crisis. However, a new report suggest that the OEM expects something in return for the potential economic boost for the regions in question: namely, that European governments contribute up to €8 billion (US$9.7 billion) to the project in question.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 02 May 2021 18:00

Apple increases its out-of-warranty repair costs for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021)

Apple has now released its latest iPad Pro for pre-order in the US, and asks at least US$1,099 for its 12.9-inch variant. Prospective buyers should be aware that they may now have to pay even more for repairs should their brand-new premium slate incur damage in a way the OEM deems to be out of warranty.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 02 May 2021 16:47

Nubia might have a new flagship in the works. (Source: Nubia)

A potential Nubia Z30 passes through 3C testing with 120W fast charging

The ZTE brand Nubia has reportedly registered a new device called the NX667J. This new leak has led to speculation that it is a premium-grade phone called the Z30, not the least because it has been certified to use top-end 120 watt (W) charging. It might thus be combined with under-display camera technology in this potential upcoming flagship.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 02 May 2021 15:27

The Mi 11 Ultra's huge new camera. (Source: YouTube)

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra is now slated to become available on the European market in May 2021

The Mi 11 Ultra is Xiaomi's new, camera-heavy flagship Android smartphone. It debuted in China in March 2021, but is still not available in various regions, Europe included. Now, however, a corporate Facebook page may have let a date for the release of the hyper-premium device in the Dutch market slip.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 02 May 2021 14:36

Both Apple and Huawei have lost market share but iPhone revenues have been massive. (Image source: Unsplash/AsiaTimes - edited)

Apple shrinks and Huawei inches closer to ruin in global smartphone market share for the first quarter of 2021

Research firm Counterpoint has published a report about global smartphone market share by quarter, including the first quarter of 2021. Apple has shrunk a little but still remains strong and Samsung looks solid as ever. However, Huawei’s situation seems perilous as the Chinese OEM has slipped from 20% share to just 4% in under a year.

Daniel R Deakin, 02 May 2021 13:16

Another Xiaomi smartphone goes up in flames, this time a Redmi Note 9 Pro

Death, taxes, and Xiaomi phones going up in flames—the three certainties of life. Or so it seems recently, anyway. Another Xiaomi phone has now blown up, just two weeks after a similar case with a Poco X3. The device in this case was a Redmi Note 9 Pro, however.

Ricci Rox, 02 May 2021 13:14

Apple music looks set to introduce a new CD-quality streaming tier. (Image: Apple)

Apple Music Hi-Fi looks to be inbound, will bring CD-quality Bluetooth streaming to iPhones for the first time

A fresh report combined with code snippets points to Apple launching a new CD-quality tier for its Apple Music streaming service. Currently, Apple Music streams in 256 Kbps AAC files, which are sub-CD standard and as high quality as offerings from competitors like Tidal and recently announced Spotify HiFi service coming later this year.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 02 May 2021 11:40

2020 LG Gram 14 on sale for $749 USD to be the lightest 14-inch laptop you can get for the price (Source: Amazon)

Deal | 2020 LG Gram 14 on sale for $749 USD to be the lightest 14-inch laptop you can get for the price

Last year's Gram 14 laptop can be an appealing buy for users who really want an ultralight laptop without needing to settle for slow Atom CPUs or smaller subnotebook screen sizes.

Allen Ngo, 02 May 2021 07:33

Barely has heat development under control: The HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8

HP ZBook Firefly 15 G8: Now with more performance but also with higher heat development

The ZBook Firefly 15 G7 already heated up considerably under load, but it could just about keep heat development under control. The follow-up model now shows a similar behavior.

Mike Wobker, 02 May 2021 05:22

The S21 FE's latest leak. (Source: GalaxyClub.nl)

Galaxy S21 FE: a new leak allegedly confirms the phone's existence ahead of its launch

The Galaxy S20 Fan Edition (or FE) is rumored to get a successor in 2021. Now, a Samsung store website has reportedly posted an ad for a device by a corresponding name by accident. According to this new potential tip, it also looks much like the rest of the S21 series.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 01 May 2021 23:26

The European Commission upholds Spotify's anti-trust complaint against Apple

The European Commission (EC) has issued a preliminary verdict as a result of its anti-trust investigation against Apple. It concerns the treatment of third-party music apps on its App Store. The Commission has ruled that the OEM leverages its "dominant position" in this market to subvert competition and consumer choice, particularly when it comes to payment methods and rates.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 01 May 2021 22:36

M1 Mac users can leverage Checkra1n to jailbreak their iDevices now (Image source: chekra.in)

iOS 14.5 can now be jailbroken with Checkra1n; M1 Macs get preliminary support

The Checkra1n jailbreak was recently updated to feature support for iOS 14.5 and compatibility with Macs sporting the M1 processor. Version 0.12.3 adds these new features, along with a host of bug fixes.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 01 May 2021 21:17

MSI Summit E13 Flip vs. XPS 13 2-in-1: Giving Dell a run for its money

MSI's first stab at a luxurious subnotebook convertible is already good enough to rival the best from Dell. It's not perfect, but it offers enough extras to make it worth considering on your list.

Allen Ngo, 01 May 2021 19:36

A tablet of the MatePad line. (Source: Huawei)

Rumor | The Huawei Watch3 and 3 Pro will debut in May 2021, whereas the MatePad 2 Pro will launch in June

Huawei is currently said to have upgrades for its premium MatePad Pro and Watch in the works. A well-known leaker now asserts that they do in fact exist and will launch soon. The tipster also now claims that the Watch3 will have a Pro variant, which, according to other recent rumors, will not come cheap.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 01 May 2021 16:45

One of Samsung's latest trademark applications. (Source: EUIPO via LetsGoDigital)

Next-gen Samsung Galaxy-series phones or watches could get tougher with "Armor Skin" and "Armor Layer" technology

Recent reports suggest that Samsung is developing an "Armor"-themed series of new design features for its next-gen mobile devices, the latest of which could be applied to rear panels, displays or both. These leaked marketing buzzwords have sparked speculation that they are intended to enhance durability in next-gen products, the Galaxy Z Flips and Folds of the future included.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 01 May 2021 15:41

The 2021 Apple iMac has split opinion in regard to design due to its large chin and white bezels. (Image source: Apple)

Apple's 24-inch M1 iMac now available to order: Pay US$1,299 for the base variant with 7-core GPU or go for broke and shell out over US$3,100 for the fully loaded model

Apple has now officially made its new 2021 24-inch iMac computers with M1 Apple Silicon available to order. There are plenty of configurations for shoppers to choose from, with prices ranging from US$1,299 for the entry-level iMac to US$3,127.98 for the model with all the hardware and software it can handle.

Daniel R Deakin, 01 May 2021 12:41

Cyberpunk 2077 launched in a rough state, with nearly unplayable performance on last-gen consoles (Image source: CD Projekt Red)

CD Projekt Red top execs clear over US$28 million in bonuses despite Cyberpunk 2077's rocky launch

Cyberpunk 2077's notoriously troubled launch has apparently not had an impact on the major bonuses cleared by CD Projekt Red's senior executives this year. CDPR heads received over $US28 million, thanks in large part to Cyberpunk's hype-driven sales success.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 01 May 2021 08:06

The increased interest in Chia could trigger a storage shortage on top of the existing GPU supply crisis (Image source: chia.net)

Storage-based cryptocurrency Chia grows 6x in April to 1 Exabyte as SSD makers register a major bump to sales

Worries worsen that Chia, a storage-based cryptocurrency, could trigger a future shortage of SSDs and HDDs, as ADATA registered a massive 500 percent spike in sales in April, alongside a 6x increase in Chia's storage capacity.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 01 May 2021 07:38

Dell Inspiron 14 5402 with 11th gen Core i5 and 512 GB NVMe SSD on sale yet again for an even cheaper price of $519 USD (Source: Dell)

Deal | Dell Inspiron 14 5402 with 11th gen Core i5 and 512 GB NVMe SSD on sale yet again for an even cheaper price of $519 USD

The mid-range Inspiron 14 5000 series sits in between the lower-end Inspiron 14 3000 series and higher-end Inspiron 14 7000 series. For $500, you'll essentially be paying a low-end price for what is considered the latest generation mid-range laptop.

Allen Ngo, 01 May 2021 06:27

The Huawei MateBook D 16 convinces in the test. (Image: Huawei)

The Huawei MateBook D 16 reveals several advantages in the test compared to the nearly identical Honor MagicBook Pro

With the MateBook D 16, Huawei offers a stylish laptop in a metal case with a 16.1-inch display for under 1,000 Euros (~$1,212). Is the device only compelling in terms of looks or does it also manage to convince with its components? And how does it compare to the very similar Honor MagicBook Pro?

Marcus Schwarten, 01 May 2021 00:51

OnePlus is now touted to launch the Nord N10 and N100 in India

The Nord N100 and N10 5G are OnePlus' foray into the low- and mid-tiers of the smartphone market. Despite this, it has yet to be released in all the regions where the OEM is active. A new leak hints they might be destined for a new launch in India, however.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Apr 2021 23:54

A Mate X2 undergoes the bend test. (Source: YouTube)

The foldable Huawei Mate X2 faces the JerryRigEverything bend test

What happens when you bend a ~US$3,000 foldable phone the wrong way? Fans of the YouTube channel JerryRigEverything can now find out, as the Huawei Mate X2 has paid it a visit. Its new chassis endured various tests of its robustness in the process, ending with a possibly surprising end to the vlogger's famous test.

Deirdre O'Donnell, 30 Apr 2021 22:57

MIUI 12.5 beta testing is open to nine POCO devices across multiple MIUI branches. (Image source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi wants POCO testers for MIUI 12.5 Global Stable ROM testing; all but the most famous POCO smartphone are eligible to join

Xiaomi has announced a new round of MIUI 12.5 Global Stable ROM testing, albeit only for POCO devices this time. All POCO smartphones apart from the Pocophone F1 are eligible to join the program. Xiaomi has not explained why the Pocophone F1 is missing from the program.

Alex Alderson, 30 Apr 2021 18:52

The Swift X models seem to be limited to AMD Lucienne processors with the older Zen 2 cores. (Image Source: Acer)

Unannounced 14-inch Acer Swift X laptop with AMD Ryzen 5000U APUs spotted on Acer Thailand site

The ~$900 Swift X model listed on the Acer Thailand site features a Ryzen 5 5500U APU coupled with 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD, plus it features a 14-inch FHD IPS display connected to an Nvidia GTX 1650 dGPU. There should also be a Ryzen 7 5700U model with 16 GB of RAM for just under $1,000.

Bogdan Solca, 30 Apr 2021 18:19

The Realme Watch 2 comes pre-loaded with multiple watch faces and is IP68 certified. (Image source: Realme)

The Realme Watch 2 launches with 90 exercise modes, up to 12 days of battery life and a SpO2 sensor

Realme has officially unveiled its latest budget smartwatch, the Realme Watch 2. The device contains some significant improvements compared to its predecessor, such as many more exercise modes and a larger battery. The Realme Watch 2 costs ~US$56 and is IP68 certified.

Alex Alderson, 30 Apr 2021 18:00

The TL50 is the first mini PC from MINISFORUM to feature Thunderbolt 4. (Image Source: MINISFORUM)

MINISFORUM announces the TL50 mini PC with Intel Tiger Lake-U processors and Thunderbolt 4

The TL50 mini PC is now available for pre-order on the Makuake crowdfunding platform from Japan at around $650, and it integrates an Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU with Iris Xe integrated graphics, 12 GB LPDDR4-3200 soldered RAM and 512 GB NVMe SSD. It also features a Thunderbolt 4 connector and supports 4x PCIe 4.0 lanes for the NVMe drives.

Bogdan Solca, 30 Apr 2021 17:45

The Lemfo LEM15 is only available in one colour. (Image source: Lemfo)

Lemfo LEM15: An Android smartwatch with two cameras, 4 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage

The LEM15 is a Frankenstein's monster of a device, with specifications that are closer to a smartphone than a smartwatch. Unsurprisingly, the LEM15 is large and heavy, so it will not be to everyone's tastes.

Alex Alderson, 30 Apr 2021 17:45

Huawei supposedly has two MateView monitors in the works. (Image source: Weibo - edited)

Huawei plans to release 32-inch and 42-inch MateView monitors for professionals and gamers

Rumour has it that Huawei plans to release two MateView monitors soon; one aimed at gamers and the other at professionals. The latter has already leaked, while the former is reportedly a 42-inch monitor with a 21:9 aspect ratio and a 165 Hz refresh rate.

Alex Alderson, 30 Apr 2021 17:43

The ASUS ZenFone 8 series is expected to launch as three devices. (Image source: ASUS)

Latest ASUS ZenFone 8 leak details three model variants, including a Mini model with a flip-up camera; 3.5 mm jack incoming potentially for all models

More ZenFone 8 series details have been revealed, and it seems that only the ZenFone 8 Mini will have a flip-up camera. The 5.92-inch device will also have a 4,000 mAh battery and up to 16 GB of RAM. All ZenFone 8 devices should feature a 3.5 mm headphone jack, too.

Alex Alderson, 30 Apr 2021 17:27

The Redmi Note 10 suddenly sees a price hike in India less than two months after launch

Xiaomi has developed a penchant for raising the prices of its devices in India without warning, after launch. The latest victim is the Redmi Note 10 that was launched a few months ago, with the company raising prices by Rs 500 across all configurations of the device.

30 Apr 2021 17:07

New rumour suggests that Alder Lake is slower than initially anticipated

A South Korean Tech forum post claims that Intel's 12th-generation Alder Lake processors are 40% slower than initially anticipated. It also says that Intel's Xe DG2 HPG graphics cards will come with at least 6GB of VRAM and cost less than Nvidia and AMD alternatives.

Anil Ganti, 30 Apr 2021 15:32

12.09	Google Pixel 11 Pro Review: Real Upgrades Beyond the AI Zoom
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12.09	Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold Review: What Improved, What Didn't
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12.09	Should You Buy the Google Pixel 11? Guide for Pixel Owners
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12.09	Don't call it a laptop — the ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 handles like a full desktop
12.09	Gimmick or must-have gadget? I tested the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold phone
12.09	Review: ROG Zephyrus Duo GX651 AX — two displays, a detachable keyboard and power to burn
12.09	Lenovo YOGA Slim 7x 11th Gen Review: Snapdragon Brings a Balance of Portability and Performance