Android

Xiaomi has now officially beaten its Android OEM rivals to the launch of the world's first Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1-powered flagship smartphone. Motorola has hit back with a teaser asserting that its upcoming counterpart, the X30 Pro, will launch with a main camera sensor that will outdo that of the new 12S Pro in terms of both size and resolution.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity, the world's first smartphone with the Dimensity 9000+ chipset. Available in two colours and with up to 12 GB of RAM, the Xiaomi 12 Pro Dimensity will be familiar to fans of the Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Xiaomi has lifted the lid on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra, its latest premier smartphone. Equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and impressive camera hardware, the Xiaomi 12S Ultra also has a high-resolution display and up to 512 GB of storage, among other features.

Xiaomi has now launched its latest and greatest fitness tracker yet, the Xiaomi Band 7 Pro, in China. The Band 7 Pro debuts with a watch-esque design, a buckle-style strap, new materials, built-in GPS, NFC, and a host of other features, all for a price tag that converts into about US$60.

Xiaomi has unveiled the Xiaomi 12S, which retains the design and footprint of the Xiaomi 12. Xiaomi has upgraded its smaller flagship smartphone in a few key areas though, including its primary camera and SoC. The Xiaomi 12S starts at CNY 3,999 (~US$598) with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage.

Xiaomi has presented the 12S Pro with Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset. Essentially a more powerful version of the Xiaomi 12 Pro, the Xiaomi 12S Pro also has Leica-tuned cameras, a 1440p display and a 4,600 mAh that supports 120 W fast charging. The Xiaomi 12S Pro starts at CNY 4,699 (~US$702) in China and is available with up to 12 GB of RAM and 512 GB of storage.

Motorola's latest smartphone teasers have given rise to speculation that the device in question is its upcoming flagship with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor. Now, the OEM has decided to go ahead and confirm this Moto X30 Pro in its capacity as such a flagship - with the AnTuTu benchmark score to match. This new official leak may also reveal even more than Motorola intended.

RedMagic has confirmed an upcoming launch for its latest premium mobile gaming-focused smartphones. They are likely to consist of the 7S and 7S Pro, the latter of which is now being teased on the brand's Weibo account. They confirm that the second-gen UDC flagship will come with a refined form of RedMagic's "hard-core" 2022 design.

As shown by our tests, the Poco F4 GT makes for a lackluster gaming device. This has been corroborated by a third-party gaming test that pits the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1-powered phone against last year's Snapdragon 870-powered Poco F3. The results are unexpected.

The Moto G82 is a mid-range smartphone that has many interesting details such as optical image stabilization and an OLED screen with DC dimming. But how does it perform in everyday use?

The MediaTek Dimensity 8100 is widely regarded as being, perhaps, the best Android chipset on the market right now thanks to its unrivaled balance of performance and efficiency. MediaTek looks set to build on the success of the chipset, with word now surfacing of a direct successor.

OnePlus has reportedly certified a new device with a model number previously linked to an upcoming smartphone called the 10 - or is that the 10RT? As it has allegedly been registered with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), it is now touted to launch under this new name - in one market, at least. The handset is thought to have a "Pro" design, yet to lack certain features from the original 2022 flagship, on its debut.

It seems to have been one thing after another for the smartphone market over the last 2 years. Now, Counterpoint Research has observed that it has dipped below the 100-million mark in terms of global sell-through for the second time since 2020. By contrast, the same figure had not been so low for nearly eight years prior to that.

Ahead of its official launch tomorrow in China, Xiaomi is now confirming hardware features of the Xiaomi 12S Pro. Most notable is the presence of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, dual-mode 120 W charging, and solid cameras that should be even better thanks to Leica's contributions.

The Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro already undercut the competition in terms of pricing, with the US$599 Pixel 6, in particular, being an excellent value option. Buyers of the Pixel 6 series have more to gain in a potential repair situation, too, as the displays of the phones cost significantly less than rival models from Samsung and Apple.

Infinix has debuted 180W ThunderCharge, a new and ground-breaking fast-charging technology for its smartphones. The first-gen device with this new power standard will launch as an "upcoming flagship" in the near future. The OEM asserts that, despite this new top speed, it has been designed for battery safety and integrity in mind.

Motorola has released a teaser for its upcoming Moto X30 Pro, a smartphone thought to launch with a world-first 200MP camera, the new Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC or both. The company has also just revealed further interesting specs for its triple rear shooters, including something only available to 1 other flagship phone OEM to date. The new details may offer insights as to what each one does.

Samsung promises buyers of the Galaxy A33 5G a vibrant visual experience. Even after we filter out the marketing lingo, there is a still surprising amount of substance left: Compared to its predecessor, the mid-range smartphone has a significantly better display and also gets many other things right.

The OnePlus Nord Watch is on its way. According to a new leak, the Nord Watch is set to launch imminently and has now entered production across Eurasia. The Nord Watch will, of course, be an affordable alternative to the negatively received OnePlus Watch that was released last year.

Gigaset has presented the GS5 Lite, an affordable Android 12 smartphone with a removable battery. Also equipped with a large and bright 1080p display, the Gigaset GS5 Lite retails for €249 and is available in two colours.

Rumors of a second-gen Legion-brand flagship smartphone have just acquired even more traction, thanks to the certification of a device that might well fit this description by the Chinese regulator TENAA. The new leak might confirm the so-called Halo's alleged design and main features, which include up to 16GB of RAM and a 50MP main rear camera.

Google has released new updates to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, its most recent flagship smartphones whose software coverage has expired. For some reason, Google has still decided to introduce VoLTE roaming for both smartphones nearly four years after their release.

According to reports, Google continues to develop face unlock support for the Pixel 6 Pro. The feature's release may now coincide with Android 13 and the Pixel 7 series though, both scheduled for the autumn.

Samsung has announced that it has successfully begun the process of manufacturing its inaugural chips of a 3 nanometer (3nm) architecture, projected to become the cutting edge of consumer processing power in 2023. The OEM already claims that its first-gen 3nm silicon is capable of performance that is over 20% improved compared to that of its 5nm predecessor, with a ~50% boost to power-efficiency on top of that.

Evan Blass has provided details about One UI Watch 4.5, the launch software for the Galaxy Watch5 and Galaxy Watch5 Pro. Based on Wear OS 3.5, One UI Watch 4.5 will support dual-SIM connectivity and a full keyboard, among other changes.

Fossil has introduced a new version of the Gen 6, the company's most recent smartwatch. Still running the Snapdragon Wear 4100 Plus and Wear OS 2, the Fossil Gen 6 Venture Edition comes with a different watch strap, a slightly different design and retails for US$299.

Xiaomi has revealed the 12 Lite 5G, a sideways step from the 11 Lite 5G NE but one that should compete against the upcoming Nothing Phone (1). The Xiaomi 12 Lite 5G has a larger battery than its predecessor, plus improved cameras and fast wired charging, among other changes.

More details of the Xiaomi 12S series have now been revealed. While the 12S Ultra gets a groundbreaking main camera, the 12S and 12S Pro look set to sport the same 50 MP camera on the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. Sadly, though, all of that may be irrelevant to fans outside China, as the phones look unlikely to ever launch globally.

Xiaomi has confirmed yet more details about the forthcoming Xiaomi 12S series, including the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. Not only has the company shared camera samples from its latest flagship smartphones, but it has published a video concerning its cooperation with Leica.

The ever-reliable OnLeaks has shared details about the OnePlus 10T, a cheaper alternative to the OnePlus 10 Pro. To be released without Hasselblad branding or an alert slider, the OnePlus 10T is expected to feature a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 and an AMOLED display with an LTPO 2.0 backplane for variable refresh rates.

It seems that Nothing will maintain its invite-only system for the Phone (1) until October. The same leak has also confirmed that the Nothing Phone (1) will be available in three memory configurations. Also, it turns out that the Nothing Phone (1) will cost more than the Pixel 6a too, despite its reliance on a weaker SoC.

ARM has made the Cortex-X3 official today. With its up-to-25% performance boost over the X2, It will probably be a marquee core for next-gen flagship mobile SoCs; however, the OEM asserts that the equally new A715 and refreshed A510 have their places right alongside it thanks to their complementary power-efficiency and scalable specs.

According to reports, Motorola will launch at least four more smartphones before the end of 2022. Ranging from the budget 'Maui' to the high-end 'Tundra', Motorola's upcoming smartphone will join the likes of the Edge 30 series and recent Moto G series refreshes, which Motorola introduced earlier this year.

Evan Blass has leaked details of what he believes could be the Edge 40 series. Potentially an Edge 40 Pro and a Moto G300 too, 'Bronco' and 'Canyon' are thought to feature 165 Hz displays and up to 12 GB of RAM. Purportedly, both will rely on flagship chipsets too, but Canyon will be the only of the two with Qualcomm's next-generation Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.

Using a dedicated display chip, the realme GT Neo 3 is able to boost the framerate in certain games. Other innovative features also come into play, but not all of them deliver what they promise.

Nokia has already launched the G11 as one of its most affordable Android smartphones of 2022. Now, it is apparent the HMD Global brand plans to release a new Plus version of the same device. They have many specs in common - however, the newer model offers upgrades in terms of its main camera, RAM and software support.

Cubot has started selling the Pocket, a miniature smartphone running Android 11. Measuring 119 x 58 x 12.5 mm, the Cubot Pocket has a 4-inch display, 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of expandable storage. Cubot sells the Pocket through Amazon and AliExpress in three colours.

Google has released a new version of its camera app, which has now reached version 8.5. While the update contains minor changes, it seems that Google has also added references to the upcoming Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro and next year's Pixel tablet. Surprisingly, the Pixel tablet misses out on some existing Pixel camera features, including the ability to record 4K videos.

Samsung has plans to release its first affordable foldable device in the future. According to word from Korean sources, the foldable is in development and will arrive in 2024 with a price tag equivalent to less than half of the Galaxy Z Fold3's.

Nothing CEO Carl Pei has confirmed that the Phone (1) will rely on the Snapdragon 778G+, a chipset that Qualcomm has since replaced with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1. Electing to defend the decision as 'the most balanced choice', Pei continues to tease the Nothing Phone (1) on social media. Meanwhile, renders of a second colour option have surfaced online, courtesy of the likes of Roland Quandt.

Tecno has finally released the Pova 3 via its store on Amazon.in. The new Android smartphone features the promised FHD+ 90Hz display, powered by an extra-large battery that benefits from a power brick for its top charging speed that comes in the box. It starts at just under US$185 in its new market, although it also comes with discounts of up to 23% right now.

Renders of various iQOO 10 models have surfaced online, a gaming offshoot of Vivo. Rumoured to debut next month, the iQOO 10 and iQOO 10 Pro will be joined by a BMW version. Reportedly, iQOO will bring the Dimensity 9000+ and Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 to the iQOO 10 series, with the iQOO 10 Pro netting Qualcomm's latest flagship chipset.

Samsung has now made the Galaxy XCover6 Pro official. The OEM's latest rugged smartphone is also its most premium, being the first of its line with a 5G-capable SoC, a high-refresh-rate display and a 50MP main camera. Then again, these specs are tipped to make the 6 Pro surprisingly expensive for what is often a standard-issue work phone.

The arrival of the Pixel 6a is only a few weeks away from arriving. However, early review videos have already showcased the device's fingerprint scanner against the Pixel 6 Pro. Separately, another reviewer has pitted the Pixel 6a's cameras against the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max.

LG has begun upgrading the Wing to Android 12, seven months on from the device's last OS update. Android 12 brings several changes to the device and contains the latest set of Android security patches. Rolling out in South Korea first, Android 12 is over a 1.5 GB download and is the LG Wing's penultimate OS upgrade.

Lenovo's upcoming gaming smartphone, codenamed Halo, has made one of its first Geekbench appearances. It packs a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, 8 GB of RAM and runs Android 12. Lenovo is expected to unveil the devices sometime in July 2022.

The upcoming Xiaomi 12 Lite has now appeared in the flesh by way of an unboxing video. The video confirms the design of the phone—with a distinctive camera module and iPhone-esque, flat form factor—as well as some key features of the mid-range phone.

HTC has been hinting at the imminent launch of a 'Viverse phone' for some time, and has now made good on these teasers with the new Desire 22 Pro. The OEM asserts that it comes with internals powerful enough to run metaverse apps as well as visit virtual spaces. Then again, the same specs are hardly flagship-grade, although you wouldn't guess it from its starting price.