Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations

Zotac and ASRock just started offering mini PCs powered by AMD's one-year-old Ryzen 3000 APUs. (image Source: RightLaptop.com)

AnandTech editor reports that Intel may be incentivizing mini PC makers to delay or not build AMD-based models

The first Ryzen 3000 Picasso APUs have just been added to mini PC offerings from ASRock and Zotac and it may take up to one year for the freshly released Ryzen 4000 Renoir processors to make it into small form-factor PCs. Prominent OEMs like Dell, Asus and MSI do not even offer any AMD-based mini PCs.

Bogdan Solca, 14 Apr 2020 15:04

Lenovo re-introduces the concept of a removable battery in the new A7 phone

Lenovo has launched the A7 in China. It is a considerable departure from your average smartphone, in that the processor here is from Unisoc. Not only that, but it has a swappable 4000mAh battery. It does not have a sale price as yet, but is likely to exhibit an ultra-budget one on its announcement.

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Apr 2020 14:49

Fans have been creating great concept art for potential PS5 games and cases. (Image source: Reddit - u/ruddi2020)

Fan-made PlayStation 5 game case design concepts tackle a new PS5 debate: Square or rectangular?

The covers and cases for games for the PlayStation 5 have become the latest design aspect of the next-generation console that talented fans have decided to focus on, with some settling for square-shaped concepts and others preferring a more rectangular approach to the all-important case design. Square-shaped cases for games were common with the original PlayStation.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2020 14:13

The Exynos 990 version of the Galaxy S20 Ultra has been beset by multiple problems. (Image source: Samsung)

Fans pile on Samsung about Galaxy S20 Ultra issues

The Exynos 990 is having a rough ride of it currently. Not only did Samsung snub the chipset for its home market, but there has also been a slew of reports about a flurry of issues affecting the Galaxy S20 Ultra. With complaints about the Exynos 990 version of the device piling up online, it now seems that the US$1,400 flagship can no longer run Pokémon Go, either.

Alex Alderson, 14 Apr 2020 14:01

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 can be configured with a discrete graphics card. (Image source: Microsoft)

Potential Microsoft Surface Book 3 prices revealed for both display sizes and multiple configurations

A tech blogger has managed to get hold of some price lists that could be for the upcoming Microsoft Surface Book 3 devices. The listings also included prices for various related accessories and possibly the Surface Go 2. It has been opined that the “Surface Project T” could be the 13.5-inch Surface Book 3 while “Surface Project U” could be the 15-inch model.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2020 12:26

Gigabyte offers many configuration options for the Aero 15 laptop. (Image source: Gigabyte)

Leaked industry details reveal Gigabyte Aero 15 Studio XB with Intel Core i7-10875H reaching greater benchmark heights thanks to Microsoft Azure AI and Control Center optimizations

Gigabyte has managed to squeeze extra performance out of its Aero 15 Studio XB laptop that features an Intel Core i7-10875H processor. Leaked industry information demonstrates benchmark result improvements in Geekbench and Cinebench R15 for the upcoming versatile laptop, pushed along with the help of Azure AI and Gigabyte’s Control Center.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2020 10:30

Europe's latest OPPO phone. (Source: OPPO)

OPPO launches the quad-cam A91 in Germany

OPPO has announced that the mid-range A91 smartphone will become available in Europe. It brings the combination of a MediaTek Helio P70 SoC, high-res quad rear cameras with a monochrome sensor and a 20:9 aspect ratio to the German market. It may be aimed at younger consumers, with a price to match.

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Apr 2020 10:00

The Nubia RedMagic 5G comes in three different colour options. (Source: RedMagic)

Nubia RedMagic 5G international pre-orders and public release announced

International pre-orders for the earlier announced Nubia RedMagic 5G — successor to the RedMagic 3 and 3S — begin on the 4th of April, with the official release date set for the 21st of April. RedMagic is running a "blueprint" buying pre-order event, granting holders the right to purchase the device on launch and providing a discount.

Craig Ward, 14 Apr 2020 10:00

Dual-screen Asus ZenBook Duo UX481 launching this month with Core i7 and GeForce MX250 graphics

The 14-inch ZenBook Duo UX481 will essentially be a miniaturized version of the larger 15.6-inch ZenBook Pro Duo released last year. It will run on a Core i7-10510U CPU with the promise of up to 22 hours of battery life despite having two individual screens.

Allen Ngo, 14 Apr 2020 09:00

Chrome OS is going back to its web app roots with progressive web applications. (Source: Google)

Chrome OS shifting to Progressive Web Apps in place of certain Android apps

Google is making certain apps available as progressive web applications available as the preferred option via the Play Store for Chrome OS. The development is seen as a win for open platforms and from a user experience perspective where some Android apps don't stack up on a larger display.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 14 Apr 2020 04:35

Razer Hammerhead's now come in a Pokémon theme. (Source: Razer)

Razer launches Pikachu True Wireless Earbuds with Poké Ball case

Razer has lined up a treat for Pokémon fans with the launch of its new themed Hammerhead variant. Targeted specifically at the Pokémon crazy Chinese market, the new headphones will undoubtedly also attract interest from die-hard fans everywhere.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 14 Apr 2020 02:24

Android 10 for the LG G7 ThinQ is around the corner

The LG G7 ThinQ is billed to start receiving the Android 10 update in South Korea sometime this quarter. There appears to be some good news for owners of the flagship in the US, however.

Ricci Rox, 13 Apr 2020 22:30

An up-to-date 'Lenovo Legion Phone' render. (Source: PriceBaba)

Lenovo Legion Phone: a new leak hints at unprecedented 90W charging in this gaming device

Lenovo is now linked to the release of a new smartphone that will be part of its iconic Legion gaming brand. A new, allegedly official, poster that indicates an unfeasible-looking charging rate for this device has found its way onto Weibo. However, it is at odds with the speed the OEM had mentioned earlier.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2020 22:27

Resident Evil 4 may be getting a remake in 2022. (Image via Capcom)

Rumor | A remake of Resident Evil 4 is coming in 2022

Capcom is reportedly working on a remake of Resident Evil 4. While few details are known, the success of the Resident Evil 2 and 3 remakes have likely spurred Capcom to continue releasing remakes of its storied survival horror series.

Sam Medley, 13 Apr 2020 21:58

The new AirVOOC wireless charger. (Source: OPPO)

OPPO launches the fan-cooled AirVOOC wireless charger alongside the Ace2 5G

The OPPO Ace2 has been introduced via live-stream in China today (April 13, 2020), as promised. The new Snapdragon 865-powered phone launched alongside the AirVOOC charger, a new accessory that supports 40-watt (W) wireless power. Its OEM also debuted new TWS earbuds at this event.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2020 21:41

New Apple Watch 6 and watchOS 7 leaks point to TouchID, new mental-health tracking feature and more

We have now reached a part of April 2020 increasingly regarded as "iPhone SE 2 Week"; however, this has not stopped the new Apple Watch rumors coming thick and fast. They now point to a new form of authentication for this device, as well as the ability to detect anxiety as well as blood-oxygen levels in the user. There may also be new case-variants in the offing.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2020 20:45

The Mr. A OnePlus 8 cases. (Image source: OnePlus)

Opinion | Leaked OnePlus 8 limited edition cases show how far OnePlus has diverged from its roots

Launching tomorrow alongside the OnePlus 8 series, the limited edition cases have been created in collaboration with André Saraiva. Part of the OnePlus x Andre series, the cases will inevitably come in OnePlus and OnePlus 8 Pro versions.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2020 20:32

Huawei launched the Ascend 910 chipset last year. (Image source: Huawei)

Huawei rumoured to be developing server GPUs as it rebukes "groundless criticism" over its ties with the CCP

Rumour has it that Huawei is planning on entering the server GPU market. The news comes as Huawei has attacked critics about its involvement in the UK's 5G infrastructure.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2020 19:53

Motorola Edge+ will be unveiled on April 22nd

Motorola Edge+ slated for an April 22nd launch

Motorola will finally unveil its flagship offering on April 22nd. It will very likely be the Motorola Edge+. The phone is expected to come with a waterfall display that has a refresh rate of 90Hz. Other features include a 108MP camera, Snapdragon 865 SoC, 5G connectivity, and more.

Anil Satyanarayana, 13 Apr 2020 19:47

The iQOO Neo3 will launch soon. (Source: Vivo)

The Vivo iQOO Neo3 is set to become the world's 2nd 144Hz phone on its April 2020 launch

Vivo's iQOO sub-brand makes the Neo series of smartphones: gaming-focused devices based on flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Now, the company has announced its 3rd generation. This phone will stand alongside the Red Magic 5G at the top of the current mobile display refresh-rate charts.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2020 18:01

The Huawei Watch GT 2 can now measure blood oxygen saturation levels. (Image source: Huawei)

The Watch GT 2 does support blood oxygen saturation monitoring after all, but Huawei left its Sp02 sensor disabled for six months

The Watch GT 2 has been well received, but the lack of blood oxygen saturation monitoring was an oversight. Now, the smartwatch can finally use its Sp02 sensor courtesy of a software update, six months after launching.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2020 17:15

This may be what it takes to get the AirPower to work. (Source: YouTube)

Rumor | The Apple AirPower charging mat will come with an A11 Bionic chipset

Apple is now rumored to have had a second go at getting the AirPower product ready for launch, following an uncharacteristic failure to do so in 2019. A new leak asserts that this has been done by incorporating the iPhone X's SoC into the device. This apparently disproportional processing power may address what held the fabled power accessory back in the first place.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2020 15:44

Samsung might use OIS on its front cameras

Galaxy S21's in-display selfie camera will likely come with OIS

Samsung is reportedly working on two selfie camera modules, one of which supports OIS. It is expected to make its debut alongside the Galaxy S21 next year. This will be the first time an OEM incorporates OIS in a phone's front-facing camera after Sony did it four years ago with the Xperia XA Ultra.

Anil Satyanarayana, 13 Apr 2020 15:41

Godfall will not support cross-gen gaming. (Image Source: Godfall)

Opinion | Godfall's PlayStation 5 exclusiveness may not be such a good idea after all

Details about Godfall, an exclusive title for the PlayStation 5, have surfaced on the ResetEra forums. Godfall will not be compatible with the PlayStation 4 but will look to harness the complete power of the PS5's CPU and GPU for an immersive gaming experience. Whether alienating an entire generation of console players will pay off or not is something that remains to be seen.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 13 Apr 2020 14:10

Does Huawei have another two tablets in development? (Image source: Evan Blass)

Rumour | Huawei to release the MediaPad M7 alongside a new 8-inch budget tablet, the MatePad T

Huawei is one of the few Android OEMs still releasing tablets. Taking the fight to Apple alongside Samsung, multiple sources are claiming that Huawei has another two tablets in development. Apparently, the MediaPad M7 and MatePad T are in line for releases, with the former seemingly featuring the punch-hole display of the MatePad Pro.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2020 13:47

Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 users faced screen rotation issues with the One UI Home launcher (Image source: Samsung)

Samsung updates One UI Home launcher to fix wallpaper rotation issues on Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10

Samsung recently updated is One UI Home launcher app to address a screen rotation issue affecting Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy Note 10 users. The update also patches bugs affecting shortcuts and Task Changer.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 13 Apr 2020 12:47

A mock-up of how the Surface Dock 2 could look. (Image source: Dr. Windows)

Surface Dock 2 to launch soon with USB Type-C alongside a new and more powerful Surface Connect charger

Not only is Microsoft said to be releasing a Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 this Spring, but it also has new accessories planned. While likely backwards compatible, they point towards Microsoft embracing greater connectivity options. It would appear that the Surface Book 3 will offer considerably more performance than its predecessor, too.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2020 12:39

Apple's 2020 iPhone 12 might have flat edges like the iPhone 4S (Image source: Walmart)

The iPhone 12 will sport an all new flat design in 2020, inspired by the iPad: 4 new 5G models and Apple Tags also in the offing

Bloomberg sources indicate that 2020 iPhone models will feature a new design, with sharp corners and flat edges that hearken back to the iPhone 4S. The Bloomberg report also confirms a number of other 2020 Apple rumors about, about Apple Tags, and 5G iPhone models.

Arjun Krishna Lal, 13 Apr 2020 12:23

We tested the AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS in an Asus Zephyrus G14 laptop. (Image source: Asus)

10-core Intel Core i9-10900F desktop CPU does well in Geekbench multi-core test but then gets put to shame by 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS mobile APU

A 10-core Intel Core i9-10900F desktop processor has been spotted as part of an HP system on Geekbench, where it racked up strong single-core and multi-core scores. Unfortunately for the upcoming Comet Lake chip, its multi-core score lagged behind the result we recorded for an AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS in an Asus Zephyrus G14 laptop.

Daniel R Deakin, 13 Apr 2020 10:47

The Pixel 4 is US$350 off at Best Buy for 24-hours. (Source: Google)

Pick up a Pixel 4 at Best Buy for just $449, a $350 saving

US customers can save a whopping $350 on a Pixel 4 during Best Buy’s current 24-hour sale. The price is valid with a same day activation making it great value for a flagship handset.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 13 Apr 2020 06:21

The Mi Note 10 will get a Lite variant. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi will launch the Mi Note 10 Lite sometime soon

The Mi Note 10 is a phone with a 108MP main camera sensor and a bigger battery than its flagship Mi 10 analog. However, Xiaomi has also been rumored to have a Lite variant of this device in the works. Now, official documentation from the FCC and NBTC confirms its existence, and outlines how it differs from the existing Note models.

Deirdre O Donnell, 12 Apr 2020 22:30

Lenovo seems impressed by the Ryzen 7 4800U and Ryzen 5 4600U. (Image source: AMD)

The Ryzen 7 4800U and Ryzen 5 4600U are taking Intel to the cleaners, and Lenovo is happy to brag about it

Expect Ryzen 7 4800U and Ryzen 5 4600U-powered Lenovo laptops, and expect them to crush whatever Intel is offering. Posted on the company's Weibo account, Lenovo has already shown what the two Ryzen 4000 series APUs are capable of.

Alex Alderson, 12 Apr 2020 19:57

MacBook Air 2020: Why does Apple sabotage the Air?

The new Apple MacBook Air 2020 was supposed to deal with two major issues of the popular subnotebook by implementing a new keyboard and the choice of more powerful quad-core processors. But the performance and the cooling system is still a major problem, but it looks like Apple does not want to change that.

Andreas Osthoff, 12 Apr 2020 19:25

The iPhone SE 2 may crash OnePlus' party next week. (Image source: Apple)

iPhone SE 2: Analyst confirms mid-April release for Apple's US$349 handset; iPhone 12 series to follow in October

With rumours abound that the iPhone SE 2 is launching next week, word has got out to analysts too. The A13 Bionic-powered and US$349 smartphone is said to feature a 4.7-inch LCD and the body of an iPhone. The iPhone 12 series is now said to arriving this October, too.

Alex Alderson, 12 Apr 2020 15:59

Manages to get the most out of its chip: the Schenker VIA 15

Schenker VIA 15: Long-distance runner with an AMD processor

Schenker has chosen a similar path to Huawei and has equipped its VIA 15 with two Ryzen models from AMD instead of offering a wide range of CPUs. This means that the device is tuned to the chip so well that the Ryzen 5 3500U in our test unit reaches its full potential.

Mike Wobker, 12 Apr 2020 15:05

Meizu 17 appears on AnTuTu, breaks the 580k mark and confirms Snapdragon 865

Meizu's next offering in its flagship line, the Meizu 17, has now surfaced and made the trip over to popular benchmark platform AnTuTu. While the phone doesn't post any groundbreaking numbers, the listing confirms that it'll be powered by a Snapdragon 865.

Ricci Rox, 12 Apr 2020 14:43

An alleged live Honor 30-series image. (Source: GizmoChina)

The Honor 30 Pro+ may have shown up on Geekbench

Recently, a leak that suggests Honor will follow Huawei's lead in adding a Pro+ variant to its 2020 flagship sprung. Now, a new Geekbench listing that may be for this very phone has appeared. It shows that the "Plus" model may run on the Kirin 990 SoC.

Deirdre O Donnell, 12 Apr 2020 14:31

Fan-made black PS5 concept design with DualSense controller. (Image source: @BrianCWorton)

PlayStation 5 SSD gains speed kudos thanks to timely reminder that it was a "low-speed" PS5 devkit SSD that whupped the PS4 Pro in that famous Spider-Man demo

An observant Reddit user has offered up a timely reminder about the speed of the upcoming PlayStation 5’s SSD. In a demo from last year, a PS5 devkit thrashed a PS4 Pro in a loading and rendering comparison using Marvel’s Spider-Man as the test game. However, it seems many have forgotten that this PS4 Pro-whupping devkit was actually a “low-speed” variant.

Daniel R Deakin, 12 Apr 2020 14:29

LG's new smartphone is called Velvet to evoke 'lustrous smoothness and premium softness'

It was only a couple of days ago that LG first teased the design direction of its next smartphone and the drip feed continues. Today LG announced that the new device will be called the LG Velvet.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 12 Apr 2020 13:25

The Redmi K30 Pro was launched in March 2020. (Image source: Redmi)

Lu Weibing says IP53 for the Redmi K30 Pro is sufficient - social media users disagree and persuade him to consider IP68 for future Xiaomi and Redmi smartphones

Lu Weibing, Xiaomi executive and general manager of Redmi, has been pondering the subject of Ingress Protection ratings on the Chinese social media site Weibo. The Redmi boss declared that IP53 was enough for the Redmi K30 Pro but was soon convinced by his followers that IP68 should be considered in regard to future smartphones.

Daniel R Deakin, 12 Apr 2020 12:30

Intel Comet Lake-S is expected to be launched on April 30. (Image source: Intel)

Intel Core i9-10900, i7-10700K, and i7-10700 Canadian retail prices seem competitive against Coffee Lake chips but are a missed opportunity against AMD Matisse CPUs

A Canadian retailer has published the prices for the upcoming Comet Lake-S processors Intel Core i9-10900, Intel Core i7-10700K, and Intel Core i7-10700. The parts are similarly priced, at least with this particular outlet, to their Coffee Lake predecessors. However, it seems AMD Matisse processors could still offer users a decent price/performance edge.

Daniel R Deakin, 12 Apr 2020 11:22

A whole bunch of MSI Comet Lake-H laptops are now shipping to customers to combat the AMD Asus Zephyrus G15 (Image source: Amazon)

A whole bunch of MSI laptops with Comet Lake-H are now shipping to customers to combat the AMD Asus Zephyrus G15

Be prepared for lots of Core i7-10750H and Ryzen 7 4800HS comparisons soon. The MSI GP75, GE75, GS75 and more with Intel 10th gen H-series CPUs are available for pre-order with the same ship date as the competing AMD Ryzen 7 4800HS.

Allen Ngo, 12 Apr 2020 06:14

You can now sideload unverified apps on iOS without Jailbreak or revokes

The latest update to the AltStore/AltServer iOS app allows users to sideload their own IPA files without the need for Jailbreak or the worries of possible revokes. AltStore uses a method that exploits the app developer license system to circumvent the potential for revokes. As such, AltStore users can now install any app, even those not on the App Store, on their iPhones permanently.

Sam Medley, 12 Apr 2020 03:58

Some Google Phone features. (Source: Google)

The Google Dialer is found to be compatible with a greater range of devices

Phone is an app made by Google that may offer more features and settings compared to the average default Android dialer. It is normally only exclusive to Pixel and Android One devices. However, XDA contributors now claim that it can work when downloaded onto some other handsets.

Deirdre O Donnell, 11 Apr 2020 23:59

The Sony Xperia 5 featured a 6.1" display. (Source: Pocket Lint)

Xperia 5 II touted to be Sony's much-anticipated true compact flagship phone

Sony released the Xperia XZ2 Compact back in 2018, and has failed to follow it up with a truly compact flagship phone, much to the chagrin of lovers of smaller-sized premium devices. That could be set to change, however.

Ricci Rox, 11 Apr 2020 23:19

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