Android

The upcoming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is expected to outperform the A16 Bionic in terms of CPU. It appears, however, that Apple's next-gen chipset, the A17 Bionic has secured production priority on TSMC's 3 nm node, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9300 seemingly set to continue on TSMC's 4 nm processes.

Xiaomi has started rolling out a major update to the Pad 5, one it’s most popular tablets. Not only has the tablet received MIUI 14, but it has also received Android 13. Android 13 and MIUI 14 bring several new features to the Xiaomi Pad 5, such as new widgets and 'Super Icons'.

A new leak says Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC will power the now-uncancelled Galaxy S23 FE. Its other specs are unknown at this point, but the smartphone is slated for a Q3 2023 launch.

Android 13 for the Nothing phone (1) has been "officially" released to all users of the OEM's inaugural device. The Carl Pei-led OEM asserts that it offers "our smoothest, most secure user experience" thus far, with updated apps, system tweaks and features. They include more customizations for the Glyph interface, potentially improved privacy controls and general system stability upgrades.

A new rumour online says Samsung plans to diversify its foldable lineup by introducing Ultra variants for the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip. A tri-folding tablet and a "Galaxy Z Tab" are also in the pipeline, along with new mid-range Galaxy K smartphones and a new high-end Galaxy S Premium variant.

According to a reliable leaker, Samsung is working towards updating the design of the Galaxy Z Flip, one-half of the Galaxy Z series. Reputedly, the Galaxy Z Flip5 will adopt a vertical cover display, eschewing the horizontal ones found in previous Galaxy Z Flip models. The Galaxy Z Flip5 is rumoured to contain a larger cover display than even the Oppo Find N2 Flip, which has just arrived in Europe.

Google is expected to launch its first foldable later this year, commonly thought of as the Pixel Fold. While Google's first attempt at a foldable is expected to be closer to the Oppo Find N2 in form factor, a new rumour alleges that it will also be heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold4. The additional weight will allow Google to install larger batteries while maintaining a thinner frame than Samsung's most recent foldable.

Redmi is set to debut a number of its new models globally. These phones include the Redmi 12C, Redmi A2, and multiple Redmi Note 12 series variants, with a new leak now providing insight into their pricing in the European market.

Motorola has submitted the global version of the Moto X40 to the Google Play Console ahead of the device's release. To be offered as the Edge 40 Pro in most countries and the Edge Plus (2023) in North America, the device has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, a 165 Hz display and high-resolution cameras, among other features.

WhatsApp has been working on a feature in which a video chat can be put into picture-in-picture (PiP) mode, albeit as a beta only. However, it has now been made available to the stable channel of its iOS-compatible version. Meanwhile, its beta counterpart has also just added the ability to share photos in HD as well as SD.

A European retailer has listed the Xiaomi 13 Lite ahead of its imminent launch. Revealed alongside the Xiaomi 13 and the Xiaomi 13 Pro, the Xiaomi 13 Lite will ship with a modern Snapdragon processor but an outdated version of Android.

The Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro are not due to launch outside China until February 26. However, a retailer has listed both models, confirming European pricing and colours in the process. The retailer has also provided full datasheets for the global versions of the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro.

Samsung has just started rolling out One UI 5.1 to older flagships ranging from the Galaxy S20 to the Galaxy S22 series. While the OS update works well on the new Galaxy S23 series, there are mounting complaints of various issues experienced with One UI 5.1 on older flagships, such as reduced battery life and other bugs.

OnePlus' next concept smartphone is slated to be unveiled during MWC 2023. The OEM has chosen to show its design off ahead of this event, however, revealing certain differences between it and the standard flagship 11 on which it is based. For a start, its camera hump and rear panel stand out with new integrated LED lighting.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is one of the newest devices to appear on the latest version of Geekbench for Android. The new v6.0.0 iteration of the benchmark adds some new metrics by which to assess single- and multi-core performance, while dropping others from the previous version. It seems the benchmark will still be just as valuable a source of potential leaks, however.

The POCO C55 is on the verge of launching as Xiaomi looks to bring the Redmi 12C to other markets. Launching tomorrow, the POCO C55 will be available with the MediaTek Helio G85 chipset, as well as a 'leather-like stitch design', among other features.

The Chinese safety regulator 3C has approved 2 new devices from OPPO thought to launch as the OEM's next flagship Android smartphones. If so, the new leak offers some insight as to how fast the Find X6 series will charge. The top-end Pro model might match the new OnePlus 11 in this regard, whereas the vanilla X6 will not.

While the upcoming global release of the Xiaomi 13 series may be Xiaomi's current focus, the company will release a slew of other premium phones in the year, and a new leak has now provided insight into Xiaomi's plans—or lack thereof—for the Xiaomi 13S and Xiaomi 13T series.

Potentially attractive Galaxy-series Android smartphones such as the A54 and A34 5G are thought to launch soon. Now, evidence that they could be joined by even more budget-friendly devices has emerged. They are depicted as 4G/LTE-only versions of the A14, which might be joined by a slightly bigger A24 sibling on the international market in 2023.

The Ultralite OEM Platform is something of an all-in-one reference design for next-gen smart glasses from Vuzix. The manufacturer asserts that the new, lightweight form-factor for wireless, smartphone-linked spectacles can leverage the "fast-growing capabilities" of Visual GPT or OpenAI for consumer-grade augmented reality (AR) or heads-up display applications.

Heybike's "most advanced" new e-bike has a fairly standard 750W motor, foldable form-factor, augmented with hydraulic front-fork suspension and disc brakes with "excellent stopping power." Then again, it also has the in-built connectivity rated to track its location if necessary via its own app. The Tyson is currently available to pre-order online.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (or S23+) has launched as a more affordable, if less powerful, alternative to the top-end S23 Ultra. Then again, it has the same all-Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and Armor Aluminum build as the flagship model, albeit with a completely flat display. A vlogger sets out to see if it makes a difference in putting it through the same drop test protocol as in an identical prior video with the Ultra model.

The Xiaomi 13, Xiaomi 13 Lite and Xiaomi 13 Pro may well be on their way to Europe and other markets, but there is still the final piece of the Xiaomi 13 series puzzle to go. Reportedly, the Xiaomi 13 Ultra will look like render images that a leaker has commissioned based on recent leaks.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra may appear to be a camera powerhouse, but camera benchmarks suggest otherwise. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is an improvement over the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but its camera performance cannot keep pace with the best around from Apple, Google and Huawei, among others.

Details of the Redmi A2 have surfaced online, courtesy of a reliable leaker. Not only has WinFuture shared official renders, but it has also shared specifications, pricing and an alleged release window.

Xiaomi is slated to launch the Xiaomi 13 Lite, Xiaomi 13, and Xiaomi 13 Pro globally later this month. Pricing information for the phones in Europe has now leaked, revealing hefty MSRPs that indicate pricing parity with Samsung's new Galaxy S23 series and Apple's iPhone 14 lineup.

iQOO asserts that the Android smartphone it has just launched in India brings up-to-date 4 nanometer (nm) processing to that market. It also offers a 120Hz display, nearly top-end RAM and fast 120W charging. Nevertheless, the new device may not be all some consumers may have hoped for.

OnePlus has only just released the OnePlus 11, its latest flagship smartphone. However, the company has already discounted 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage configurations. Billed as a 'free memory upgrade', the deal reduces the OnePlus 11 by 12.5% and should make the device more attractive for those after 256 GB of storage or more RAM.

Users who participated in Nothing's beta program are now receiving the Android 13-based Nothing OS 1.5 update. Nothing Phone (1) users on stable Android 12 should ideally receive it in the coming days.

MediaTek touts its latest Dimensity 7200 mobile processor as a platform in which power savings meet "peak power". Like its 9200 flagship sibling, it is a 4 nanometer (nm) chipset, and is also rated to bring specs from current top-end smartphones to more mid-tier devices. They include support for potentially faster 5G, up-to-144Hz displays and 200MP camera sensors.

Xiaomi is preparing to release the Redmi 12C in India as the POCO C55. Specifications for the latter have surfaced, as has an apparent hands-on photo with the upcoming entry-level handset. The POCO C55 and Redmi 12C are expected to be available globally, too.

Sony has brought Android 13 to the Xperia 10 III, despite only promising to deliver Android 12 to the device. Android 13 arrives as 62.2.A.0.367 for the Xperia 10 III and is rolling out gradually across all markets in which the device is available.

Realme has strongly hinted at world-beating charging to be found in a successor to its GT2 Android flagship smartphone line-up of 2022. The GT3 240W's debut as part of the OEM's MWC 2023 exhibition has now been confirmed. Despite its new name, there are suspicions that its design and hardware will have been seen before.

A purported hands-on image of the Xiaomi 13 Ultra has surfaced online. Supposedly, this year's Ultra will launch with a revised design and more rear-facing cameras, among other tweaks from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

Samsung has officially announced the launch of One UI 5.1, the company's latest Android offshoot. The rollout of One UI 5.1 starts with the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 series, including the Galaxy S20 FE, and will expand to the Galaxy Z Flip3 and Galaxy Z Fold3 eventually.

Rocking a Tensor G2 SoC, 8 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, up to 256 GB of storage, and a 6.3-inch 90 Hz OLED display, the Google Pixel 7 is a stunning smartphone with only a few compromises. Mint Mobile is now giving the phone away for US$299 if you sign up for one of the carrier’s 12-month data plans for 50% off.

According to a new report from Korean outlet Hankooki, Samsung has shelved plans for the release of the Galaxy S22 FE. Instead, the company will set its sights on the Galaxy S23 FE, with a view to a Q3 release this year.

The flagship Magic5 series is tipped to debut in Barcelona during MWC 2023 - however, Honor has just revealed that their new Lite variant will be there to usher them into the same region ahead of time. It has a 120Hz AMOLED display and the OEM's latest rear camera hump for mid-rangers - however, it contains lenses that one might not hope to see in its premium siblings.

Google has commented on the state of scrolling issues on Pixel 7 series devices. With the stable release of Android 13 QPR2 around the corner, it seems that Google's latest flagships could soon be rid of performance problems that affect some units.

Oppo has launched the Find N2 Flip outside China. While the company has not brought higher memory configurations to Europe and the UK, the Find N2 Flip is cheaper than the Galaxy Z Flip4, even before factoring pre-order bonuses like a free pair of Enco X2 earbuds.

Motorola is moving closer to launching the Edge 40 Pro, which will likely be available as the Edge Plus (2023) in North America. While the company has not yet commented on the device's release, recent Geekbench listings appear to confirm that the Edge 40 Pro will come with 12 GB of RAM, affirming earlier leaks.

The Volla Phone X23 is the latest Google-free smartphone from Hallo Welt Systeme. The Volla Phone X23 relies on a mid-range MediaTek Helio chipset and has a 5,000 mAh battery that supports wireless charging, among other features.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 series was heavily marketed for its gaming prowess thanks to the boosted Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipsets. Things look different in the real world, however, as the phones seem to fall way short of expectations in a Genshin Impact gaming test.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G has leaked quite extensively over the past months. From its FHD 120 Hz display to the Exynos 1380 chipset, very little is left to the imagination regarding the device’s final hardware specs. Samsung has now officially revealed how much more reparable the phone will be compared to its predecessor.

Samsung's latest Galaxy S23 series of Android flagships have been available to pre-order in their native South Korea for about 2 weeks now. In that time, they have surpassed their S22 predecessors in these terms - and to a reportedly record-breaking extent, too. The top-end S23 Ultra is estimated to have amassed the majority of the reservations in question.

Mobvoi is making an effort to romance potential smartwatch buyers with up to 33% off selected wearables during its ongoing Valentine's Day sale. Then again, the best (premium) deal may be the 23% discount on the OEM's current TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra (GPS) flagship. The event also includes the more affordable TicWatch GTH Pro and E3.

Ex-OnePlus CEO Carl Pei has not held a position at that company for more than two years now. The executive has just made a public return to its hardware - albeit as a reviewer. Pei compares the new flagship 11 to the inaugural smartphone from his own new Android brand, the Nothing phone (1), and offers some opinions and insights on OnePlus and its changes since he left the OEM.

A first look at the Moto G Stylus (2023) has surfaced online, courtesy of a reliable leaker. With a design reminiscent of other Moto G smartphones released this year, the Moto G Stylus (2023) will feature thinner display bezels than its predecessors, as well as fewer cameras.