Android

Nothing has released the first Android 13 beta to the Nothing Phone (1), its only smartphone released to date. Offered as Nothing OS 1.5, the Android 13-based update will not reach stable status until early 2023.

Motorola has introduced its alternative to the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro. While the Moto X40 features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and a 165 Hz display, Motorola has priced the eventual Edge 40 Pro for CNY 3,399 (~US$489), undercutting the Xiaomi 13 by nearly US$100 at current exchange rates.

Motorola has unveiled the Moto G53 in China as it kicks off another generation of the Moto G series. Offered with the Snapdragon 480 Plus, the Moto G53 has a 5G modem, a 5,000 mAh battery and an IPS display that resolves at 120 Hz. The Moto G53 starts at CNY 899 (~US$129), too.

More details about the ThinkPhone have surfaced ahead of the smartphone's 2023 anticipated release. Reputedly to be marketed as the ThinkPhone by Motorola, the handset will contain a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset, a sizeable pOLED display and a 50 MP primary camera, among other features.

OPPO has now launched its second-gen foldables in its home market of China. The OPPO Find N2 Flip makes its debut as another option in the clamshell-style side of the foldable segment, and undercuts the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4 while delivering a more impressive spec sheet

Oppo has officially taken the wraps off its newest foldable smartphone, the Find N2. The phone will come in Green, White, and a vegan leather Black colorway. The company claims the device packs a stellar triple-camera system, better screens, and an improved hinge.

After spending a few weeks in the Beta testing stage, the stable Android 13-based realme UI 4.0 update for the Realme 9 Pro+ is finally rolling out. This piece of code comes with customizable Omojis, a redesigned notification panel, Spotify control in the AoD screen, and other visual and functional refinements.

Google has snuck in a new feature for the Pixel 6 Pro within the first Android 13 QPR2 beta. Available to download for the Pixel 4a onwards, Android 13 QPR2 should reach stable status sometime in March 2023.

OnePlus' latest flagship-grade Android smartphone, the 10T, has the fastest charging technology known to its series thus far. However, should a new leak based on a new 3C certification in China prove accurate, its immediate successor the 11 might be a slight let-down in this area. Meanwhile, the brand has made a date to share something with its fans later in December 2022, although these two things are not necessarily linked.

OPPO has revealed that its line of in-house chipsets has a new member as part of its ongoing Inno Day 2022 event. The MariSilicon Y is also its maker's first ever custom SoC for sound, designed with "industry-first" technology to achieve "ultra-high" transmission rates over Bluetooth. It is also rated to support lossless audio and integrates its own neural processing unit (NPU) for hundreds of billions of calculations per second.

Sony is well underway with its Android 13 upgrade plan, having now rolled out the update to the Xperia 1 IV and Xperia 5 IV. The Xperia 1 III, Xperia 5 III and Xperia PRO-I are next in line, with Sony ignoring its mid-range smartphones for now.

Amazon has discounted Google's Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro by US$100 and $150, respectively. This is a 17% discount for each phone. The Pixel 7 Pro is one of the best Android phones on the market, sitting at #9 in Notebookcheck's Top 10 Smartphones list.

OPPO's allegedly upcoming Find X6 series of premium Android smartphones are now thought to launch with telephoto lenses of specs that might equal or even exceed that of the new Xiaomi 13 Pro in certain respects. These specs are again linked to a new Sony sensor, as in previous tips - although this new leak is said to have spilled from the OEM itself this time.

Samsung has now registered the Galaxy A14 5G with the US Federal Communication Commission, thereby suggesting that the new possibly mid-range Android smartphone may be here soon. Meanwhile, devices that may be very similar counterparts from both the Galaxy F- and M-series have reportedly popped up on another regulator's database.

Xiaomi has outlined the release date for the Redmi Note 12 series in India. Arriving after Christmas, the Redmi Note 12 series will top out at the Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus in India, which will feature a 200 MP primary camera, among other features.

The Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro may well be the most high-profile smartphones to launch with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 so far. However, TENAA has confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy S23, Galaxy S23 Plus and Galaxy S23 Ultra will all feature the SM8550-AC, an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offered in other flagship smartphones.

The OPPO Find N2 series is scheduled to debut on December 15. OPPO will debut the Find N2 and Find N2 Flip as direct rivals to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 and Z Flip4 respectively, and sample shots from the Find N2 Flip appear to indicate camera superiority over its Korean counterpart.

Motorola has started offering the Moto G Play (2023) in the US, where it is available for US$170. Despite being nearly two years younger than its predecessor, the Moto G Play (2023) actually relies on a weaker chipset. The new edition contains a few other upgrades though, such as a 90 Hz display panel.

TCL has released the NXTPAPER 12 Pro, with the tablet debuting first in Russia. Not only does the TCL NXTPAPER 12 Pro have a MediaTek Kompanio 800T chipset, but the Android 12-based tablet also has what TCL describes as a 'paper-like' feel thanks to a special coating over its IPS display.

With the Poco M5s, Xiaomi succeeds in offering a solid midrange smartphone in the lower price segment. Our test of the Poco smartphone reveals a real highlight that turns the otherwise unremarkable Xiaomi device into an interesting companion for those who dislike OLED - despite its AMOLED panel.

Nubia has announced that its answer to new Android smartphones such as the Motorola Moto X40 will be introduced before the end of 2022. The OEM is also gunning for rumored devices such as the Xiaomi 12S Ultra with updated rear camera tech for the upcoming Z50. It is also touted as having the RAM and internal storage specs to match its new top-end silicon.

Motorola has already confirmed that the Moto X40 will be the next premium Android smartphone to launch with the new top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Now, it has also been revealed that it will support the OEM's fastest wired charging on its debut. It will also pitch itself as the mobile device for the active, extreme-sporty user with a new camera feature.

Xiaomi launched the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro in China yesterday. CEO Lei Jun has now gone public with confirmation of the company's plans to bring both flagship phones to the global market in the near future. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is expected to get a similar treatment as well.

The Xiaomi 13 has arrived, launching alongside the Xiaomi 13 Pro. Offered with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and a triple rear-facing camera array, the Xiaomi 13 also has a 4,500 mAh battery, a dedicated telephoto camera and IP68 certification, among other features.

Xiaomi has introduced the Xiaomi 13 Pro in China, where it will be orderable from early next week. Available in four colours and as many memory configurations, the Xiaomi 13 Pro combines a plethora of premier components, including the Sony IMX989 primary camera from the Xiaomi 12S Ultra.

Carl Pei's company Nothing has indicated that it is "in talks" with carriers in the US to sell new smartphones through their stores. Meanwhile, it has also opened its own shop-front in London this weekend. It will sell accessories such as its TWS earphones as well as its inaugural Android-powered phone (1) seven days a week.

Alongside the launch date, Doogee has just confirmed most specs, features, and the pricing details of the upcoming V30 rugged handset. Its highlights include dual Hi-Res certified speakers, a 108 MP main camera, as well as a 6.58-inch 120 Hz display and eSIM support. The "world premiere launch" price is set to US$399.

The Mix Fold 2 has been announced as Xiaomi's latest foldable flagship Android smartphone. Now, it has been re-released in 2 new special editions that differ in both color and texture from the original SKUs. Their prices may be announced during the imminent major 13 series/MIUI 14 product event.

Xiaomi has now revealed its plans for the MIUI 14 rollout in China. The company has released a long list of devices that will get the MIUI 14 update first in its home market, including models in the Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12S, and Redmi K50 series. Tablets including the Redmi Pad are slated to receive MIUI 14 in Q2, however.

Xiaomi has prefaced its launch for its latest 13 series of flagship smartphones with an introduction to the new software the devices will run out of the box. MIUI 14 is based on Android 13, and is rated to bring improvements in terms of user privacy, UI layout and system resource usage with it. The new OS is also backed to improve control over connected devices throughout the home and the user's life.

OnePlus is thought not to be far away from launching an up-to-date flagship smartphone called the 11. However, according to a new leak, it is also working on a subsequent member of its series that may have a slightly less premium build. However, unlike its possible predecessor, it is said to launch with the brand's signature hardware toggle.

With the Redmi Pad, Xiaomi introduces its most affordable tablet to date. The 10.6-inch device starts from US$240 and although it is a lower mid-range tablet, the Redmi model stays true to its name with good features such as a 90-Hz display and an aluminum case.

The Android smartphone OEM Honor is now rumored to have a version of one of its new 80-series devices that is bendable. Its supposed name might bring images of a clamshell form-factor to mind; however, according to its inaugural render, this might not be the case.

The Moto X40 will launch in two model variants, mirroring last year's Edge X30 release. Not only has Motorola teased how these variants will differ, but it has also outlined when both will be available, but only in China for the time being.

The ZenFone 9 is one of the most compact smartphone with flagship specs to be released in 2022. Now, its software is also becoming more up to date with the release of a new OTA. It upgrades the dual rear camera device to Android 13, thereby adding potentially improved UI, UX, media and user privacy controls to the 5.9-inch display device.

The Xiaomi 13 might be a compelling choice of a new Android smartphone thanks to its combination of the latest and potentially greatest SoC from Qualcomm and an all-new, flat display. However, this putative dream of thin-bezel fans is reportedly proving much less of one for accessory-makers, who allegedly claim that its lack of chin or forehead make a hard fit for a screen protector, especially if the user also wants to use a case with it.

The Huawei Mate 50 series arrived a few months ago with 4G-only versions of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. According to a new leak, Huawei will use the same hardware on its next batch of premium phones, the P60 series. The Mate 60 line will get different silicon, however.

The Redmi Note 12 series will soon be available outside China. While details of a full global release remain unknown at this stage, Xiaomi has confirmed via Twitter that India will be the next stop for the Redmi Note 12 series. Presumably, Xiaomi will not wait too long before launching Redmi Note 12 models elsewhere, though.

A reliable leaker has shared high-quality renders of the Google Pixel Fold, along with new display details. Supposedly based on official CAD files, the renders have also been transformed into a 360-degree video that showcases the Pixel Fold from all sides.

The Realme 10 Pro Plus (or Pro+) has now launched internationally to bring its "flagship-level" curved display and Hyperspace Design rear panel style to the mid-range Android smartphone market. It has arrived alongside the flat-screened Pro variant of its series, along with prices for both in USD and INR.

MediaTek and iQOO have synced up to introduce the Neo7 SE, the first new Android smartphone to be powered by the Dimensity 8200 SoC today (December 8, 2022). The device leverages its new 4nm octa-core chipset to drive a flat FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, kept on with a battery capable of charging at 120 watts (W). The triple rear camera handset starts for just around US$300 in China from now.

The MediaTek Dimensity 8200 is the latest chipset out of Taiwan and promises to build on the success of the critically acclaimed Dimensity 8100. Like its predecessor, it will find use on a Xiaomi smartphone, with Xiaomi now confirming the Redmi K60E to be among the first batch of smartphones to feature the new Dimensity 8200.

The iQOO 11 has officially won the race to be the first Android smartphone to make the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor international today (December 8, 2022). Like its Pro sibling, it combines this new top-end SoC with new UFS 4.0 storage and cutting-edge LPDDR5X RAM; however, it is the only member of its series to debut both inside and outside China today (December 8, 2022). It also boasts fast 120W charging for a 5,000mAh battery in both regions.

iQOO has made its latest top-end BMW M Motorsport-branded smartphone official today, aiming for the front of the line with cutting-edge LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 internal storage to go with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 - which is augmented in turn with a second-gen ISP. The 11 Pro also has second-gen 200W charging, rated to charge its battery to 100% in as little as 10 minutes.

Xiaomi originally scheduled its product launch event for December 1. Those plans were scrapped due to events in China, but the company has now confirmed a new date for that event—December 11—during which the Xiaomi 13 series and other devices will be unveiled.

Meizu is said to make a surprise return to the Android smartphone market in 2023 - and to shoot for the top of it again, too, with a new flagship powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor from Qualcomm. Now, a device that might conform to this description has appeared on Geekbench with what looks like new software and an appreciable amount of RAM.