Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations

Fanmade renders of a foldable iPhone. (Source: InsanerTech)

Analysts say foldable iPhones are in the works, but would not launch before 2021

Previously rumored to release some time in 2020, the foldable iPhones may not even be the first foldable devices to be released by Apple. According to a new UBS market analysis, Apple may first release folding iPads in 2021, and iPhones could follow shortly after, but loyal Apple customers should be prepared for prices in excess of US$1,000.

Bogdan Solca, 08 Aug 2019 15:18

The Quartz Canyon NUCs feature a heftier case. (Source: Softline)

Intel plans to release Quartz Canyon workstation NUCs with replaceable GPUs

The Quartz Canyon series will feature the first NUCs that allow users to add high-end GPUs. The systems are advertised as workstation kits due to the inclusion of Xeon E and Core i7 vPro CPUs. Other features include dual Thunderbolt 3 connectors, Wi-Fi 6 interface, Optane and ECC memory support, plus an internal 500 W power supply.

Bogdan Solca, 08 Aug 2019 14:55

The AMD EPYC 7002 series features up to 64 cores and 256 MB of L3 cache. (Image source: AMD)

AMD 2nd generation EPYC processors are up to 50% more powerful and 50% cheaper than Xeon Platinum Cascade Lake

The 2nd gen EPYC series is finally here, with AMD claiming it blows comparable Intel Xeon processors out of the water not only on performance but also value for money. The series scales from 8 cores to 64 cores and offers up to 256 MB of L3 cache, along with 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0 and 23% more IPC than its predecessor.

Alex Alderson, 08 Aug 2019 14:28

World of Tanks 1.6 British tech tree changes (Source: Own)

World of Tanks 1.6: New British lights, improved customization, reworked Personal Missions, no friendly fire

World of Tanks 1.6 comes with four new British light tanks, reworked Personal Missions (about 40 of those leading to the Object 279), an improved interface for interacting with decals — alongside new decals and fonts, as well as the removal of friendly fire and ramming damage. Friendly kills are now possible — by pushing allies off cliffs or flipping them upside down.

Codrut Nistor, 08 Aug 2019 12:55

The 64 MP Sasmung ISOCELL Bright GW1 is objectively a better sensor than the 48 MP Sony IMX586. (Source: MI)

Xiaomi teases the 64 MP Samsung ISOCELL Bright GW1

Instead of launching the Redmi Note 8 as we hypothesized last week, Xiaomi held a conference and showcased its camera tech. Most notably, the 64 MP Samsung GW1 that will feature on an upcoming Redmi Note 8.

Ricci Rox, 08 Aug 2019 12:53

Is the Mi 9T Pro already DOA in Europe?

The Mi 9T Pro is hitting Europe, but Xiaomi is doing it no favours to help it step out from the shadow of the Mi 9. Dutch retailer Belsimpel has put the rebranded Redmi K20 Pro up for pre-order, but it already looks uncompetitive next to the Mi 9, which has now come down in price since its release earlier this year.

Alex Alderson, 08 Aug 2019 12:23

Samsung Galaxy Note 10, 10+ and Note 10+ 5G now official with a few impressive new tricks

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ are finally official. Although most of the details were accurately leaked ahead of launch, there are some interesting tidbits that that only surfaced during the official reveal.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 08 Aug 2019 07:33

Update | Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1 available for pre-order this week, will be first Athena laptop to market

Prices start at $979 with an expected ship date of September 9. Dell will start accepting orders on August 8, 9 AM EST sharp for its second generation XPS 13 2-in-1. Exact prices and SKUs will all be revealed by morning for the Ice Lake-powered and vapor chamber-cooled convertible.

Allen Ngo, 08 Aug 2019 00:12

This recent study may show where the game market will get to by the end of 2019. (Source: NewZoo)

An estimated US$150 billion will be spent on games in 2019

US$152.1 billion will be spent on gaming software this year, according to the latest research. This work also indicates that the console sector of the relevant market will grow by the most in 2019. However, the sector for mobile apps will remain the largest.

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Aug 2019 23:26

Facebook has beaten other websites in terms of influencing purchases. (Source: The Manifest)

Facebook influences more consumers than any other social media platform

More social media users buy from brands they follow on Facebook compared to 7 other social networks studied, according to a new report. This is because social media has increased the ability of companies to reach out to consumers, and vice versa. Facebook is likely to be the most successful medium as it is the biggest and promotes brand-recognition most effectively.

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Aug 2019 20:09

Dell launches the XPS 13 2-in-1 7390 in China; Core i7-1068G7 SKU missing

While the rest of the world still waits, China has become the first country where the long-awaited XPS 13 2-in-1 7390 has gone on sale. Prices start at 12,999 CNY (~US$1,850) for the Core i5-1035G1 model and rise to 16,999 CNY (~US$2,419) for the Core i7-1065G7 version. No Core i7-1068G7 SKU or simultaneous worldwide release as Dell previously promised though.

Alex Alderson, 07 Aug 2019 19:31

The ZenFone 6, a motherboard malfunction coming to a device near you. (Image source: ASUS)

ASUS issues fatal software update for some ZenFone 6 units; offers motherboard replacement as a resolution

The ASUS ZenFone 6 won plaudits for its almost stock Android experience, but a recent software update has been causing havoc with some handsets. According to an ASUS engineer, the update has caused some motherboards to malfunction, resulting in crashes, reboots, bootloops or dead devices.

Alex Alderson, 07 Aug 2019 19:04

With the Exynos 9825, Samsung is finally making the jump to 7 nm. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung Exynos 9825 officially announced

Thanks to the new 7 nm EUV manufacturing process, the Exynos 9825 is expected to match and even surpass Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855. The exact core clocks for the new SoC will be revealed with the launch inf the galaxy Note 10. Due to it not integrating a 5G modem or LPDDR5 support, the Exynos 9825 is definitely not a new generation chip, and more like a revision of the original Exynos 9820.

Bogdan Solca, 07 Aug 2019 15:30

A render based on the new "Pocophone F2 patent". (Source: LetsGoDigital)

A potential next-gen Pocophone patent has a punch-hole selfie camera

A tech blog claims to have dug up a new patent for a phone that looks suspiciously like a POCO F1, albeit with more cameras and a punch-hole display. As this design is indeed attributed to the OEM Xiaomi, it may just be possible that the cost-effective flagship-killing brand is not dead after all.

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Aug 2019 15:24

The XFMEXPRESS NVMe cards will be slightly larger than existing microSD cards. (Source: Toshiba Memory America)

Toshiba intros new XFMEXPRESS form factor for PCIe NVMe SSDs

The new form factor is aimed at ultra-mobile devices like smartphones, IoT gateways and embedded systems. XFMEXPRESS NVMe cards will be slightly bigger than microSD cards, but the transfer speeds should match the M.2 form factor devices, with theoretical maximum bandwidths of 4 GBps (first gen) or even 8 GBps (second gen).

Bogdan Solca, 07 Aug 2019 15:03

The Switch's successor may get a better screen. (Source: Pocket-lint)

New Nintendo Switch screens may get a Sharp upgrade

Nintendo has reportedly picked up IGZO technology for its upcoming 2019 Switch models. This type of backing for IPS-LCD screens has resulted in positive reviews for other OEMs in the past, as it can conserve power while offering a high contrast ratio. The IGZO panels now linked to this new console are to come from Sharp.

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Aug 2019 14:43

The Huawei Honor Smart Screen TV has already received 100,000 pre-orders (Image source: Honor China)

Huawei Honor Smart Screen TV: Over 100,000 pre-orders before its August 10 unveiling

It is crazy what hype Huawei can conjure up for its upcoming Smart TV series. Over 100,000 people have already pre-ordered the Honor Smart Screen TV before its official launch in China, effectively doing so blindly.

Alex Alderson, 07 Aug 2019 14:21

The refreshed 14 nm series should arrive by early next year. (Image source: eTeknix)

Gemini Lake Refresh: Up to 3.2 GHz on a quad-core 10 W CPU?

The Gemini Lake Refresh series will feature at least six processors, all of which will be substantially higher clocked versions of the 14 nm Goldmont Plus chips that preceded them. The 6-10 W processors arrive in Q1 2020 at the earliest.

Alex Alderson, 07 Aug 2019 14:12

The Lenovo Legion Y9000X at ChinaJoy. (Image source: Zhihu)

Lenovo Legion Y9000X: A 15.6-inch thin and light beast that you probably will not be able to buy

The Legion Y9000X looks to be one interesting laptop. The 15.6-inch device may end up being another China-only release, but its Core i9-9980HK processor, 32 GB of RAM, 4K 100% AdobeRGB coverage and a four-fan solution has us intrigued.

Alex Alderson, 07 Aug 2019 14:04

Xiaomi will have an exclusive on Samsung's new 108MP ISOCELL sensor. (Source: Ice Universe)

Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 to be first with Samsung's mega 108MP sensor

Xiaomi has revealed that it will be the first smartphone maker to feature Samsung’s brand new 108MP ISOCELL sensor. The super sensor will debut it in its forthcoming Mi MIX 4 that is also expected to pack a Snapdragon 855+ setting it up to be a powerhouse all-screen flagship.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 07 Aug 2019 13:24

Is LG getting ready to bore us or blow us away at IFA Berlin next month? (Source: LG)

LG teases dual-screen phone for IFA that could incorporate a futuristic translucent display panel

LG has unveiled an intriguing video teaser for a multi-screen smartphone set to be unveiled at IFA Berlin next month. The teaser shows a smartphone that can fold out to double its display size but could even offer a tertiary display or what may be a translucent secondary display.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 07 Aug 2019 11:52

Apps like Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp may need redesigns thanks to iOS 13's background access restrictions

iOS 13 will bring a few new features to iPhones upon its release later this year, several of which are focused on protecting user privacy. One such update will block background processes from collecting user data, something that several messaging apps like WhatsApp Facebook Messenger apparently rely on for receiving VoIP calls.

Sam Medley, 07 Aug 2019 05:02

Samsung's first 6th-gen 3D V-NAND SSD is now in production. (Source: Samsung)

Samsung's 6th-gen 3D V-NAND SSDs have a groundbreaking design for faster 256Gb data-transfers

Samsung claims that its upcoming vertically-stacked NAND (or V-NAND) for SATA-based SSDs confers improved read- and write-speeds on the resulting drives. They are composed of 100 or more layers of stacked flash cells, whereas previous generations had 99 or less. This increased scale is the new 3D memory's main advantage over its predecessors.

Deirdre O Donnell, 07 Aug 2019 00:05

Microsoft security researchers discover new cyber attack through Internet of Things connected devices

A new publication by Microsoft's Threat Intelligence Center points out an increasingly popular avenue used for cyber attacks: the Internet of Things (IoT). The publication states that researchers discovered a new attack that exploited vulnerabilities in simple IoT devices like a printer and a VOIP phone to access an enterprise network.

Sam Medley, 06 Aug 2019 22:01

Sprint's next 5G phone is from OnePlus. (Source: Sprint)

Sprint hints it will start stocking the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G soon

The OnePlus 7 Pro's 5G variant may be coming to the US soon. The carrier Sprint has announced that its next device that will support the next-gen bands will be from this OEM. Its phones have also been available through T-Mobile in the past.

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Aug 2019 20:25

The NVIDIA SHIELD TV may be joined by new variants soon. (Source: Amazon)

A completely new NVIDIA SHIELD TV product may be in the works after all

2019 has already seen evidence that the SHIELD TV may be getting a new refresh - with the new Tegra X1 processor - soon. Now, a new FCC filing points to a wholly new device with this branding. This putative device has its own code-name and references in NVIDIA's own code and scripts.

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Aug 2019 19:26

Ray-tracing technology will feature on the PlayStation 5. (Image source: HobbyConsolas)

PlayStation 5 survey shows gamers are willing to pay up to 600 Euros for the next-gen console

A survey carried out by the German tech site CHIP.de has revealed just how much people are willing to shell out on the upcoming PlayStation 5 console. Clearly, respondents have taken into account the high-end hardware that the PS5 will employ, with a somewhat heady figure of €600 (~US$672, £553) being deemed as an acceptable maximum amount.

Daniel R Deakin, 06 Aug 2019 18:27

The alleged shot of the iQOO Pro 5G. (Source: Weibo)

Vivo iQOO Pro 5G captured in live image prior to launch

Vivo's next product launch is slated to be a 5G-capable smartphone that may also be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC. This device, which will go under the OEM's new sub-brand iQOO, has reportedly been photographed in the hands of a conference attendee. It appears to have fairly standard-issue styling for a 2019 flagship.

Deirdre O Donnell, 06 Aug 2019 18:16

The VX60GT will start shipping in China from August 14. (Image source: ASUS)

ASUS VX60GT: A sub-US$1,000 15.6-inch multimedia laptop with a Core i7-9750H, GTX 1650 and optional 120 Hz IPS panel

The VX60GT comes with a choice of Intel Core 9th generation processors, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, up to 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD. While this may sound run of the mill for a 15.6-inch multimedia laptop, its optional 120 Hz 1080p IPS may turn heads. The VX60GT goes on sale in China from August 14 for 6,799 CNY (~US$964).

Alex Alderson, 06 Aug 2019 15:44

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 now official (Source: Samsung Global Newsroom)

Samsung intros the Galaxy Watch Active 2 smartwatch

Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active 2 smartwatch is powered by the Exynos 9110 SoC and comes in two sizes — 40 and 44 mm — both with a Super AMOLED display with 360 x 360 pixels. Available in LTE and non-LTE versions, this new smart wearable has a wide range of features and it even allows its users to watch YouTube videos.

Codrut Nistor, 06 Aug 2019 13:13

Renders of the Galaxy Note 10. (Business Today)

New hands-on leak claims the Galaxy Note 10+ will feature a OnePlus 7 Pro-esque display

A new leak has surfaced, claiming that at least one of the Galaxy Note 10 phones will feature a 90 Hz display. The OnePlus 7 Pro was the first phone to bring that feature to the mainstream market, and it would seem that Samsung has also adopted it.

Ricci Rox, 06 Aug 2019 12:20

Enter the world of incredible gaming. (Source: Xiaomi)

Xiaomi teases imminent release of MediaTek Helio G90T-powered gaming phone

Going by our calculations, Xiaomi has two devices in the works for imminent launch. One could be the Redmi Note 8 with the new 64 MP Samsung GW1, while the other will be a gaming phone powered by the new MediaTek Helio G90T.

Ricci Rox, 06 Aug 2019 12:15

Sony Xperia 2 USPTO trademark filing (Source: LetsGoDigital)

Sony Xperia 2 to feature mysterious S-Cinetone function

Although the name of the upcoming Sony Xperia 2 is not set in stone yet, the Japanese company has recently trademarked one of its features, namely S-Cinetone. While this name suggests a photo- or video-related function, there are no technical details to talk about. However, the trademark documents reveal that Sony's next-gen devices will use a 21:9 display.

Codrut Nistor, 06 Aug 2019 11:11

System76 announces Adder WS Linux workstation with 4K OLED display

Linux laptop seller System76 recently announced a new workstation. The Adder WS, which is set to release on August 8, is the retailer's first laptop with a 15.6-inch 4K OLED display. The laptop will also pack a power Core i7 or Core i9 CPU and an Nvidia RTX 2070 GPU into its chassis.

Sam Medley, 05 Aug 2019 23:32

Fairphone 2 successor coming soon, Fairphone 3 hits Bluetooth SIG

Fairphone 3 shows up on Bluetooth SIG

The next-gen modular, ethical — built using conflict-free tin, tungsten and tantalum and fair trade gold — Fairphone handset has just been spotted on Bluetooth SIG. Sadly, all that we know for sure is that the Fairphone 3 comes with Bluetooth 5 connectivity and its other specs should make it superior to its Snapdragon 801-powered predecessor.

Codrut Nistor, 05 Aug 2019 22:43

Asus showcases its ground-breaking ProArt PA32UCX monitor at SIGGRAPH 2019

Asus has gone to the SIGGRAPH conference this year to put its creator-focused hardware in full view. It consists of PCs such as the ZenBook Pro Duo and the new StudioBook series. However, the star of this show may be the new ProArt display, the world's first to offer 1200 nits of brightness and mini-LED backlighting in a 4K HDR 32-inch panel.

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Aug 2019 22:01

Touch ID: Gone but not forgotten. (Image source: Apple)

Under-screen Touch ID & Face ID iPhone to enter mass-production by 2021: New report

According to reports from China, Apple will start mass-producing displays with an in-screen Touch ID sensor that will complement Face ID in anticipation of their inclusion in the 2021 iPhone series. The upcoming displays will likely have a custom Qualcomm ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, which will have a larger recognition area than comparable sensors found in current flagships like the Mate 20 Pro, P30 Pro and Galaxy S10 series.

Alex Alderson, 05 Aug 2019 20:56

The RX 5700 XT THICC2 takes design inspiration from the RX 280X Double Dissipation. (Image source: XFX via Videocardz)

XFX Radeon RX 5700 XT THICC2 pictures leak ahead of launch

XFX has gone all nostalgic for one of its RX 5700 XT custom GPUs, harking back to the days of the RX 280X Double Dissipation. The 8 GB card will support Freesync 2 HDR, with XFX gunning for meme-worthy status too. Expect the RX 5700 XT THICC2 to arrive before the end of this month.

Alex Alderson, 05 Aug 2019 20:43

Android Q Developer Preview for the OnePlus 7 series is now available. (Source: OnePlus)

OnePlus' new Android Q preview build introduces Digital Wellbeing and an upgraded camera app

OnePlus has released Developer Preview 4 for Android Q, a version of its OS that gives the user the latest insights into how it may work when it has been released for general consumption. This build has been reported to have a working form of Digital Wellbeing, as well as an updated Zen Mode. However, some of its upgrades are only compatible with 1 phone from this OEM so far.

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Aug 2019 20:16

Vendor marketing technology provider PromoteIQ joins Microsoft (Source: PromoteIQ)

Microsoft acquires vendor marketing technology provider PromoteIQ

Microsoft continues its expansion in the retail services space with a new acquisition. PromoteIQ is a leading provider of vendor marketing technology for online retailers and brands, with a client portfolio that includes names like Kroger, Kohl’s, and Overstock.com. As usual, the financial details of the deal have not been revealed.

Codrut Nistor, 05 Aug 2019 19:29

The in-app ad market is thought to keep growing in strenght until 2025. (Source: MarTech Today)

The in-app ad market may be worth well over US$200 billion by 2025

The market for in-app advertisements worldwide is now projected to be worth approximately US$226 billion in 6 years, according to the latest research. Of these, ads on Android are thought to be capable of the highest growth. In addition, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) sector is thought to exhibit the most growth between 2019 and 2025.

Deirdre O Donnell, 05 Aug 2019 19:26

Comet Lake (CML) Architecture: Coffee-Lake Refresh Refresh aka two more cores

Comet Lake arrives at the same time as the new 10nm Ice Lake chips. It is still based on the old 14nm process and offers two more cores compared to the previous generation.

Klaus Hinum, 05 Aug 2019 15:58

19.09	I didn’t expect Dell’s entry-level XPS 13 to feel this premium
19.09	ASUS Zenbook DUO Review (UX8407AA) – Dual OLED Touchscreens \| Crisp 3K Resolution \| Stylus Support
19.09	Surface Pro 13-inch Review: Snapdragon X2 Performance, Battery Life and Graphics Tested
19.09	HP HyperX Omen 15 Review: RTX 5070 Gaming Meets Gorgeous OLED
19.09	HyperX Omen 15 Review: A Subtle, Yet Potent 1080p Gaming Laptop
19.09	I threw every creative AI tool that I could think of at the Acer Nitro V 16 AI, and this is what happened
19.09	HP EliteBook X Flip 14 (G2i) review: HP basically made my ultimate dream laptop, but it has two problems
19.09	Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Laptop (2026) Review: An Enigmatic All-Rounder with a Tale of Two Prices
19.09	Dell Alienware 15 (DA15265) review: Budget gaming has a new price, and it holds up surprisingly well
19.09	Realme P4s 5G Review: A Mid-Ranger With a Flagship-Grade Display