Expert reviews and news on laptops, smartphones and tech innovations

Razer Core X Chroma eGPU includes what the original Core X should have had in the first place

If you thought last year's Core X external graphics dock was missing some of that Razer flair, you'd be right. The new Core X Chroma embellishes the eGPU with configurable LED lights that should feel instantly familiar to owners of Razer keyboards, mice, and other accessories.

Allen Ngo, 16 Apr 2019 15:00

The Galaxy S10 5G brings the same number of rear cameras to the table as the P30 Pro. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

DxOMark | The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is now the joint best camera smartphone in the world

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G with its menacing quad-rear camera setup has been deemed by DxOMark to be the joint best camera smartphone in the world, alongside the Huawei P30 Pro. In fact, the S10 5G is top dog in both the video and selfie categories but loses out in the still photography section due to the P30 Pro's outrageous zoom abilities.

Ricci Rox, 16 Apr 2019 14:00

At the heart of the Huawei P30 Pro's Leica-branded camera system lies four Sony CMOS sensors. (Source: Huawei)

Teardown reveals all four Huawei P30 Pro camera sensors supplied by Sony

A teardown of the new Huawei P30 Pro shows that all four sensors that make up its vaunted camera system have all been supplied by Sony. Although not unexpected, it does dilute the “co-engineered with Leica” branding featured on the device.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Apr 2019 12:43

The XPS 15 9570 has been plagued by numerous issues since its release (Image source: Dell)

Updated | Dell is reportedly working to bring back S3 sleep to the XPS 15 9570

A glimmer of hope, perhaps? It now seems that Dell is backtracking on its refusal to reintroduce S3 sleep mode, which it removed from the XPS 15 9570 with a BIOS update nearly a year ago. Its removal caused an outcry from some owners who complained of excessively high battery drain caused by the mode's removal.
Update: Dell has elaborated on its initial comments.

Alex Alderson, 16 Apr 2019 12:35

AMD's Navi GPUs could be launched in July. (Source: Tinh tế)

Rumored Navi 10-based Radeon RX 3080 graphics card specifications leaked

Alleged specifications for “AMD Navi” have been posted online. The new information offered seems to correspond with existing rumors about the Radeon RX 3080 Navi 10 graphics solution. Apparently, the performance of the Navi GPU places it between AMD’s Vega 56 and Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080, but the supposed price is much cheaper than Nvidia’s product.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 11:33

Sapphire has created a gold-colored Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 graphics card. (Source: PCDIGA)

Gold-colored Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 graphics card for AMD's 50th anniversary appears online

AMD will soon be celebrating its 50th anniversary in business, and it seems Sapphire Technology wants to highlight the achievement by releasing a gold-colored Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 desktop graphics card. The special edition card has a boost clock rate of 1560 MHz and is fitted with 8 GB GDDR5 memory (2100 MHz clock that utilizes a 256-bit interface).

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 09:55

The Intel Core Whiskey Lake family could be welcoming new additions soon. (Source: Best Buy)

References to Intel Core i3-8145UC, i5-8265UC, and i7-8565UC processors start appearing online

Numerous online retailers have been adding new placeholders for Intel processors on their e-commerce sites. The chips listed are the Intel Core i3-8145UC, the Core i5-8265UC, and the Core i7-8565UC. It’s not entirely clear how these CPUs differ from the Whiskey Lake U-series, although the stepping code variation seems to suggest memory support changes.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 08:19

The Gigabyte promo image may have just revealed the launch date for AMD's Ryzen 3000 series. (Source: Reddit - u/sxodan)

Leaked Gigabyte Aorus X570 promo material points to May 27 for AMD Ryzen 3000 launch

A piece of leaked marketing material purportedly from Gigabyte has led to considerable speculation about what could occur on the date mentioned on it. The image pertains to the gaming-related Aorus sub-brand, with some believing it will lead to an announcement of the X570 motherboards and possibly even a reveal of AMD’s Ryzen 3000 series.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 06:36

The special edition AMD Ryzen 7 2700X comes with a party-enhancing Wraith Prism Cooler. (Source: Newegg)

AMD Ryzen 7 2700X 50th Anniversary Edition CPU spotted at online retailer

AMD will soon be celebrating 50 years since its formal incorporation, and to celebrate this fact it appears there will be a 50th Anniversary Edition of the Ryzen 7 2700X processor. It’s not known if the special edition of the CPU will differ from the Pinnacle Ridge chip that was originally released in April of last year.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 05:31

Google has teased its upcoming Pixel 3a, 3a XL launch event - the May 8 date here is from the Australian site. (Screenshot: Notebook Check)

May 7 launch confirmed for Google Pixel 3a, 3a XL, hints of an Avengers connection in URL

Google has all but officially confirmed that its Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL models are set to launch on May 7. The company has posted a teaser on its store that says “Help is on the way,” in a clear nod to the Google Assistant feature baked into its Pixel devices with hints of an Avengers connection in the URL.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 16 Apr 2019 03:57

The Intel Coffee Lake T-series will offer energy-efficient performance. (Source: DigitalTrends)

Update | More details of Intel's Coffee Lake T-series emerge: clock rates, core counts

New information about Intel’s Coffee Lake T-series of processors has been posted online. The lineup runs from the Core i3-9100T right up to the Core i9-9900T. The chips are based on a 14nm manufacturing process and come with iGPUs. The T-series will have lower TDPs than their Coffee Lake counterparts and considerably lower base clock rates.

Daniel R Deakin, 16 Apr 2019 01:30

Asus ZenBook S13 UX392 with 97 percent screen-to-body ratio now shipping for $1399

The narrow-bezel Asus ZenBook UX391 will now be even narrower with the ZenBook UX392. Asus is promising a lighter and faster GeForce-powered Ultrabook than the Dell XPS 13 while offering a larger 13.9-inch display.

Allen Ngo, 15 Apr 2019 19:20

The ACM is investigating the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. (Source: ACM)

A Dutch competition authority is investigating Apple, Google for the possibility of app-store monopoly

Google and Apple provide and maintain 2 of the largest app markets in the world. The Dutch Authority for Consumers and Markets has decided to investigate them with regard to how third-party developers are treated on these platforms compared to their respective first-party counterparts.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Apr 2019 19:02

Save the arithmetic problem? (Source: GSMArena)

Official launch date for the much-anticipated Honor 20 phones revealed

The Honor 20's launch date has now been officially confirmed. Going by previously established information, there could be a Pro model. The devices are expected to share camera hardware with the Huawei P-series flagships and will deliver excellent camera performance.

Ricci Rox, 15 Apr 2019 18:35

Purported pricing details of the Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL surface

The Pixel 3a and 3a XL are expected to be launched next month. Pricing details have been mostly elusive until now but a new leak has given us a good idea of how Google plans to price the mid-range phones.

Ricci Rox, 15 Apr 2019 18:33

iOS 13 may introduce a list of long-awaited features. (Source: YouTube)

Dark Mode may make it to the next major iOS update

A new report indicates that iOS 12's successor may gain a system-wide dark mode. In addition, this OS upgrade will lose the requirement for a profile in order to manage fonts. iPads may also get a version of Safari that defaults to desktop mode in iOS 13.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Apr 2019 18:28

The Nubia X can be updated via an Android Pie beta now. (Source: Geekbuying)

Dual-screened Nubia X is issued with new Android Pie beta

The Nubia X is one of a very few phones with working displays on both sides. It also now has Android 9 (Pie), albeit in beta form. Its maker is releasing it in a form that requires installation via local upgrade.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Apr 2019 18:05

Motorola Razr 2019 foldable phone concept, launch is imminnent as of mid-April 2019

Foldable Motorola Razr hits Bluetooth SIG, launch might be getting closer

A new listing on the Bluetooth Launch Studio website reveals that the Motorola Razr XT2000-1 will be available exclusively via Verizon Wireless in the US. However, its availability in other markets remains a mystery for the time being — just like the specs, which are rumored to include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 processor and a 6.2-inch main display.

Codrut Nistor, 15 Apr 2019 17:10

TSMC will start fulfilling its new Apple and Huawei 7nm orders soon. (Source: wirebiters.com)

TSMC set to start making Kirin 985 and Apple A13 Bionic SoCs in 2nd half of 2019

Apple and Huawei are some of a handful of smartphone OEMs that develop in-house chipsets. Their upcoming 2019 generations - the A13 Bionic and Kirin 985 CPUs respectively - are now said to be nearly ready for production in earnest soon. They are both 7nm and are being fabricated by the same chipmaker: TSMC.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Apr 2019 17:03

AMD's next generation of GPUs could be launched on a particularly fitting date. (Source: PC Builder's Club)

AMD Navi could see launch on July 7, 2019: latest rumor

The next generation of AMD cards based on the Navi architecture could be unveiled at Computex this year. However, according to some other rumors, they could also have their own dedicated release event on July 7 this year. It would be a good choice of date, as the potential success of Navi hangs on its state-of-the-art 7nm nature.

Deirdre O Donnell, 15 Apr 2019 16:22

Criminals using Android are at risk thanks to Google SensorVault (Source: Notebookcheck)

Use an Android phone, commit a crime, Google SensorVault could help police nab you

A new series by the New York Times investigating privacy has uncovered a Google database known internally as SensorVault. Police have been able to access the database to help identify suspects based on their movements recorded in SensorVault.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 15 Apr 2019 13:11

Concept render of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 phablet. (Source: ConceptCreator)

Rumor states there will be a Pro version of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10

A recent tweet from tipster Ice universe has arguably explained what Samsung could be planning in terms of naming the phablets that are part of its upcoming Galaxy Note 10 lineup. The four models, which are differentiated by two sizes and whether they come with 5G or not, could end up being called the Samsung Galaxy Note 10e and the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Pro.

Daniel R Deakin, 15 Apr 2019 11:08

Huawei P30 and P30 Pro on pre-order in the US mid-April 2019

Huawei P30 and P30 Pro now up for pre-order in the US

Although Huawei still has troubles in the US, the new Huawei P30 and P30 Pro can be pre-ordered stateside thanks to B&H. The models available are the P30 Pro with 256 GB and the 128 GB P30, both unlocked — compatible with T-Mobile's and AT&T's GSM networks, but not with Verizon's CDMA network — and feature dual-SIM capabilities.

Codrut Nistor, 15 Apr 2019 10:22

Redmi was founded in 2013. (Source: Gizbot)

New photo of rumored Snapdragon 855-powered Redmi "accidentally" leaked by Xiaomi executive

An unknown Xiaomi smartphone, which could possibly be the rumored forthcoming Redmi flagship device, has been accidentally leaked on a Chinese network site. Xiaomi’s product director, Wang Teng Thomas, posted what seems to be an innocuous picture of some bottles neatly lined up. But there’s a mysterious smartphone on the table behind them that was apparently overlooked.

Daniel R Deakin, 15 Apr 2019 09:36

Asus and Flipkart have teamed up to offer discounts for the ZenFone lineup. (Source: Asus)

Deal | The ZenFone 5Z and other ZenFones get substantial discounts as part of Asus and Flipkart OMG Days sale

Asus and Flipkart have announced new discount offers for the ZenFone lineup to celebrate Flipkart's OMG Days sale from April 15 to April 18. These offers include savings off the list price for all ZenFone variants except the Max Pro M2 along with easy EMI options and discounted Flipkart Complete Mobile Protection Plans that cover both damage and theft.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 15 Apr 2019 06:32

Some recent renders for the new OnePlus phone. (Source: CNet)

OnePlus 7 series to launch on May 14: new rumor

The well-known tipster Ishan Agarwal has announced on Twitter that he has found out when the new OnePlus devices will be unveiled: May 14. This has not been confirmed by the OEM; however, the date is in line with its launch schedule from last year. According to rumors, this year will see multiple variants of the device in question.

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Apr 2019 22:58

EMUI 9.1 is the latest version of Android on Huawei phones. (Source: Huawei Advices)

A software update for the Huawei Mate 20 line is in the works

With the release of the P30 and P30 Pro, the Mate 20 series is now the second-latest generation of Huawei flagships. However, it appears the OEM is still maintaining an update schedule for these devices. It has announced a new beta program for EMUI 9.1 (based on Android 9) for these phones.

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Apr 2019 19:05

Walmart-based Eluktronics Mech-15 G2 laptop with RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics is only $1500 (Source: Eluktronics)

Deal | Cheap Max-Q — Walmart-based Eluktronics Mech-15 G2 laptop with RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics is only $1500

White label designs from Tongfang and Clevo have been undercutting the likes of MSI, Asus, Acer, Alienware, and HP by several hundred dollars for this latest generation of Turing gaming laptops. Major OEMs have been responding with price cuts across the board.

Allen Ngo, 14 Apr 2019 18:43

The next Xiaomi Black Shark is set to have a headphone jack

Xiaomi's Black Shark 2 is a powerful gaming phone that can be spec'd out to as much as 12GB in RAM. However, it does have one drawback: no 3.5mm jack. However, a brand spokesperson has indicated that this discrepancy will be rectified in its successor.

Deirdre O Donnell, 14 Apr 2019 18:36

Apple Watch owners might soon be able to jailbreak their devices. (Source: Stormfront)

An Apple Watch jailbreak for end-users is not too far away

A user-friendly jailbreak for the Apple Watch could soon be available thanks to efforts of developer @ethanpepro. The jailbreak is currently being developed for watchOS 5.1.2 and is not available for public download yet. The new jailbreak is in contrast to the previous one that was available last year, which was more targeted at developers than end users.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 14 Apr 2019 16:43

Eighteen months after launch, the HTC U11+ has yet to receive a single major OS update

HTC unveiled the U11+ about eighteen months ago. Since then, though, the flagship has yet to get a single OS update. In fact, bar Android One phones, no HTC device has received the Pie update, and that's a list that includes devices like the U12 Plus—a flagship that was launched less than a year ago.

Ricci Rox, 14 Apr 2019 14:47

The Xbox One S All Digital will reportedly cost €229.99 (~ US$259.99) (Image source: WinFuture)

Massive Xbox One S 'All Digital' details leaked: Official pictures, pricing, launch date and bundled games revealed

Codenamed 'Maverick', the Xbox One S All Digital will be Microsoft's first disc-less console. The Redmond-based company will officially unveil the console on April 16, but its launch date has been leaked too along with what games will be included.

Alex Alderson, 14 Apr 2019 13:39

The Samsung Galaxy S10 range is inline for a major camera update. (Source: Notebookcheck)

Galaxy S10 range set for major camera update with new night mode

The arrival of the Huawei P30 Pro with its stunning night mode hasn’t gone unnoticed by Samsung. According to Samsung insider Ice Universe, the Korean giant is targeting late April or May for a major camera update that will bring a new standalone Night mode to its flagship Galaxy S10 range.

Sanjiv Sathiah, 14 Apr 2019 10:47

The Honor 8S is a budget smartphone with a quad-core SoC. (Source: WinFuture.de)

Upcoming Honor 8S renders and specifications leaked

Some renders and the specifications of the Honor 8S smartphone have been leaked online. This entry-level device apparently will be powered by a MediaTek Helio A22 processor and will likely feature 2 GB RAM, although there may be a regional variant with 3 GB. The Honor 8S has a selfie camera in a waterdrop notch but still comes with thick bezels.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2019 10:36

The Xiaomi Mi A1 may get the Android Q update after all

The Xiaomi Mi A1 was released back in 2017 and has received the two major updates it was promised. According to a new report, though, the device could get a third OS update that will see it enjoy Android Q and all the features it brings when it's released later in the year.

Ricci Rox, 14 Apr 2019 09:31

Leaked image of the Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop. (Source: Acer via Harvey Norman/Reddit)

Blundering retailers continue to create headaches for OEMs as recent Acer Predator Helios 300 leak demonstrates

Acer has just revealed its brand-new Predator Helios 300. The laptop sports thin bezels, an RGB-illuminated keyboard, and it will feature top-of-the-range goods from both Intel and Nvidia. But we already expected this thanks to a retailer posting information about the device on its website just days before the computer was officially announced.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2019 08:31

The iPhone SE range was discontinued in 2018. (Source: Amazon)

The iPhone SE is currently available from US$249 in the Apple online store

The iPhone SE has made another unexpected appearance on Apple’s online store. Several different-colored variants are listed and there is even a 128 GB version available. Prices for the diminutive iPhone SE start at US$249 and they are all categorized as “certified refurbished” as part of the clearance section of the website.

Daniel R Deakin, 14 Apr 2019 07:26

An app calling itself Google Wallet is scamming access to users' accounts

Google Wallet has reportedly gained access to a number of Google accounts over the last few days. That would be fine and all - if the official iteration of this app still existed. It was discontinued and absorbed into Google Pay some time ago, meaning that this name may now be used by scammers to steal user payment details or funds.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2019 18:44

Renders of the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. (Source: OnLeaks)

Specs for the Pixel 3a and 3a XL confirm previous rumors, tipped for a May 7 launch

Specs for the upcoming Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL have appeared online confirming whatever we've known so far about these mid-range Pixel 3 devices. The phones are expected to officially launch on May 7 in India and will jostle for space in the fiercely competitive mid-range segment alongside other popular OEMs.

Vaidyanathan Subramaniam, 13 Apr 2019 17:33

Star Wars: Fallen Order is coming to PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this Fall (Image source: The Daily Telegraph)

Multiple leaks fuel speculation about Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order release date

Several sources have seemingly confirmed the release date of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One hours before its official unveiling at the Star Wars Celebration in Chicago. Respawn Entertainment will give an hour-long showcase of the game later today.

Alex Alderson, 13 Apr 2019 17:20

The bigger Note 10 is expected to feature camera hardware similar to the S10 5G's. (Source: Trusted Reviews)

New leak reveals more on the four Samsung Galaxy Note 10 models

For the first time ever, we're set to get four new Samsung Galaxy Note devices. The Galaxy Note 10 is expected to come in four flavors, with one of the three said to be a cheap, smaller model, not entirely unlike the newly released Galaxy S10e.

Ricci Rox, 13 Apr 2019 16:28

Just arrived: Alienware m17 in review

Dell's full-frontal refresh of its popular Alienware 17 series is significantly leaner and more portable. It does, however, sacrifice some features along the way that Alienware purists may miss. We list the major changes here based on our hands-on review of the newer model.

Allen Ngo, 13 Apr 2019 15:49

The technology behind the LG G Flex 2 may be back soon, and in more extreme forms too. (Source: Greenbot)

LG may think the future of its smartphones is rollable

Earlier this year, the chief technical officer (CTO) of LG Electronics gave an interview in which he hinted at the possibility of smartphones that may be capable of rolling up completely rather than simply folding in the future. Now, a blog claims to have found a number of patents filed by this OEM that point to relevant form factors.

Deirdre O Donnell, 13 Apr 2019 15:32

21.09	iPhone 18 Pro Max HANDS ON: This Camera Is a Big Deal
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21.09	EVERY WAY the Z Fold 8 Ultra is BETTER than the iPhone Duo!
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