Android

Fossil wants to launch the 'best possible' smartwatch later this year, or 'best possible' considering the constraints of Wear OS at any rate. Presumably, Fossil means the Gen 6, which it has teased will run not only Wear OS 3.0, but also hardware from Qualcomm.

Pokémon Go continues to pull in the bucks. After hitting US$5 billion in lifetime revenue earlier this year, this past weekend's Pokémon Go Fest 2021 pulled in over $21 million over just two days. The event also saw a flurry of activity from budding mobile Pokémon Masters.

OnePlus has now launched its main mid-range device for the year, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G seeks to build on the relative success of last year's OnePlus Nord with a 90Hz AMOLED, 65 W charging, and a MediaTek Dimensity 1200, along with a €399 starting price tag in Europe.

ZTE has confirmed that the Axon 30 will be its second-gen under-display camera smartphone on its late July 2021 launch. Now, new in-the-wild videos purport to showcase this aspect of the device ahead of this event. The leaks suggest that the OEM has improved greatly on its headline feature compared to its forebear in the Axon 20.

Realme's application to trademark the term "MagDart" led to pretty instantaneous speculation that the OEM is preparing what amounts to an Apple MagSafe clone for release in the near future. A tech blog purports to confirm this rumor outright with "exclusive" renders showing the accessories in question. They show a potentially appreciable take on the more up-to-date end of the category in question.

It will be a few weeks before Samsung's next-generation folding flagships arrive, but a European retailer is already listing the devices on its website. Similarly, dbrand is already taking pre-orders for Galaxy Z Fold 3 skins, and has confirmed three model colours in the process.

Samsung has upgraded the Galaxy M21 with the...Galaxy M21. This new version of the 2020 phone has most of the original's features, its massive 6,000mAh battery included. However, it also offers a new rear panel with an updated 48MP primary camera. It will be released to the Indian market on July 26, 2021.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra smartphone has not managed to enter the top 10 global ranking for display in a recent DxOMark test. The expensive phone performed well overall but was shy of the performances produced by rivals such as the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G and OnePlus 9 Pro. The Mi 11 Ultra achieved the same score as the cheaper Xiaomi Mi 11.

The OEM OnePlus has been dropping spec-rich spoilers for its upcoming Nord 2 mid-range smartphone ahead of its launch. The latest in this series of teasers reveals that its battery is equipped with the high-end Warp Charge 65 technology, estimated to re-fill the phone enough to face a new day after just 15 minutes of use.

Samsung's 2021 Galaxy Z Fold flagship is projected to launch with the same Snapdragon 888 as its inflexible counterpart, the S21 Ultra, as sold in some regions. Now, a prominent leaker asserts that the former will cope better with heat generation during everyday tasks such as gaming compared to the former.

After beginning the Android 11 rollout for the European model of the Redmi Note 8 a few weeks ago, Xiaomi is now expanding its reach. Starting today, the Android 11 alongside the July security patch will reach the first batch of global Redmi Note 8 owners.

Xiaomi has announced a new colour variant of the Redmi Note 10S. Called Starlight Purple, the colour extends to the device's frame and has an eye-catching back panel.

MIUI 12.5 has arrived on the Redmi Note 7, Mi 9 Lite and Mi 9 in more regions. The OS update does not bring Android 11 to the Redmi Note 7 though, unfortunately.

The Galaxy Z Fold3 and Flip3 are just 2 of the most keenly awaited new Samsung devices rumored to launch in the third quarter of 2021. Now, the OEM has finally chosen a date for this event. It has confirmed earlier tips that the event will live-stream from official websites on August 11, 2021.

While basically, Sony doesn't do anything different with the Xperia 10 Mark III, is succeeded in performing the right fine-tuning to create a really good smartphone. However, as soon as our tester gets excited about it, the Xperia starts bringing up some mixed feelings.

The alleged main updates for MIUI 13 have been leaked just as a supposed image of the redesigned Control Center has started doing the rounds. One of the purported MIUI 13 changes is the introduction of floating windows for games. It is widely believed Xiaomi will officially reveal its latest Android overlay in mid-August.

Google has launched a free battery repair programme for the Pixel 4 XL. The programme affords the Pixel 4 XL an additional year of coverage, albeit only in a handful of countries.

The iQOO smartphone brand is now linked to the launch of a phone called the 8. It is said to be a refresh of the current 7 flagship, powered by the Snapdragon 888's own updated Plus variant. It may launch with a 120Hz QHD+ display, 12 GB of RAM and Android 11.

ZTE has announced a date for the Axon 30 product event. The show will unveil the OEM's second-gen under-display camera phone during this show. It is now slated to arrive with a 6.92-inch edge-to-edge FHD+ AMOLED display, a high-end Qualcomm processor and an updated design.

Sony launched its latest flagship smartphone as the Xperia 1 III at a starting price of US$1,300. Despite this, the OEM has reportedly advised that it is getting only 2 years of official software support. Therefore, it is getting only 1 major Android upgrade, which may, moreover, happen sooner rather than later.

The supposed price for the base variant of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi Pad 5 has been leaked, which if accurate will be an attractive proposal for tablet buyers in China. On top of this alleged Mi Pad 5 price leak, the appearance of a technical drawing for device K82 has seemingly confirmed the slate’s design.

The Xiaomi Mi A2 has received its last Android security patch, three years after Xiaomi released the handset. Now, only the Mi A3 carries the candle for Xiaomi's Android One smartphones, albeit only until 2022.

Honor has effectively confirmed a new leak alleging that its upcoming flagship Magic3 Android smartphone series would turn out looking suspiciously like another pre-existing premium device. The tip also purports to spill major spec details for the 3 Pro, a QHD+ curved AMOLED display with HDR10+ and Gorilla Glass Victus, up to 16GB of RAM and 100W wired charging included.

The Sony Xperia 1 III has been put through its paces against a fierce competitor in the form of the Asus ROG Phone 5. Both Snapdragon 888 phones have a reputation for being fast, but it still comes as a surprise just how far ahead the Xperia 1 III manages to get against the ROG Phone 5 in this latest comparison.

Realme has registered the term MagDart with the EU's intellectual property office (EUIPO). This name seems to mimic that of Apple's new proprietary wireless charging system. Therefore, the Android OEM could be working on similar products, or magnetic accessories of some kind at least.

The Realme Pad has turned up in a selection of renders and a brief 360° video clip. The tablet appears to be a 10.4-inch device and has somewhat polarizing choices in terms of looks and camera equipment. Buyers of the Realme Pad will at least be pleased to find the presence of a stylus slot.

Xiaomi's sub-brand Redmi launched its Power Bank to the Indian market in February 2020. It has reportedly proven popular since, as its shipments in the country have now exceeded 1 million units. The accessory comes in 10,000mAh and 20,000mAh SKUs, and starts at ~US$11.

Honor has already officially announced that its 2021 flagship, the Magic3, will be powered by the latest Qualcomm flagship processor. Now, the OEM has revealed a specific date for this event. Furthermore, it is coming as a series (and, therefore, possibly with a Pro variant) in August 2021.

OnePlus has confirmed that its latest Nord-series smartphone will launch in late July 2021. Now, it has released a trailer for the device that reveals its looks from the back. Meanwhile, a new Geekbench listing might confirm a 12GB RAM option in the new product.

Realme is slated to debut the Master Edition of its GT smartphone later in July 2021. Prior to this, a device that might have its model number has appeared on Geekbench. If so, the new leak confirms that it will have a new 5G Qualcomm SoC.

Google has included more tidbits about the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in the latest Android 12 beta, according to a report. Supposedly, Android 12 Beta 3 confirms multiple camera details about the pair, including the size of their front-facing punch holes. The display resolutions of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can be inferred, too.

Xiaomi has submitted its next Mi Pad to another certification agency, this time the FCC. The same tablet has already been seen at the EEC in Russia, making a global launch even more likely.

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 will offer flagship performance when it launches in a few weeks. While Motorola continues to use the Snapdragon 765G in its Razr series, Samsung has moved onto the Snapdragon 888 for the Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Chuwi has unveiled the HiPad Pro, its latest Android tablet. Shamelessly, the HiPad Pro resembles an Apple iPad Pro, with the clue being in its name, too. The Android-based tablet should be much cheaper than Apple's prosumer model, though.

Xiaomi has released the July 2021 security patch to the Mi A2 Lite, three years to the month that the device debuted. This month's update is the last guaranteed for the Android One handset.

France's competition authority has slapped Google with a €500 million (~US$590 million) fine, following complaints from the same nation's press agency that the Mountain View giant has been using its content for the News app without permission. Google's failure to strike a compensation deal to address these grievances has resulted in its new financial penalty.

More details about the Galaxy Watch 4 series have leaked. According to a new report, Samsung has developed a new SoC for its upcoming Wear OS-based smartwatches that will significant performance improvements compared to the Galaxy Watch 3. The Galaxy Watch 4 series will have 50% more RAM than the Galaxy Watch 3 has, too.

Nokia has dropped official hints of a new and uniquely case-independent phone to launch in late July 2021. The teaser has led to speculation that the device in question is the XR20, a phone projected to come with a ruggedized chassis. It is also slated to come with a Snapdragon 480 chipset, 6GB of RAM and a headphone jack.

A refreshed list of Xiaomi, Redmi, POCO, and Black Shark devices that will or will not be updated to Android 12 has recently been published. The unofficial list features numerous changes from the last one, including the news that the POCO M3 has been relegated to the “won’t get Android 12” column.

The Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro have started receiving MIUI 12.5 globally. V12.5.1.0.RJDMIXM is rolling out now as an OTA and brings MIUI's global branch in line with many others, including Europe and India.

According to a new report, Google and Xiaomi remain on track to release foldable smartphones before the end of 2021. Both companies will use Samsung's ultra-thin glass (UTG) technology, which the latter uses in the Galaxy Z series.

Android 12 Beta has revealed some details about one of the cameras in Google's upcoming Pixel 6 series of smartphones. Supposedly, only the Pixel 6 Pro or Pixel 6 XL will receive the new 'ultra telephoto' camera, which could be marketed with up to 5x optical zoom. Both the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro should receive a wider ultra-wide-angle camera than current Pixel smartphones, though.

Google has brought more battery-related features to its smartphones from the Pixel 3 series onwards. Now, newer Pixel smartphones will stop charging at 80% under certain conditions, building on the Adaptive Charging functionality that Google already integrates within stock Android.

Xiaomi fans should start preparing for an influx of Redmi 10 smartphones. New specs leaks have started painting a picture of the likely affordable devices, with a rumor stating the presence of a 50 MP main camera sensor in one of the SKUs in the upcoming Redmi 10 series. The new phones will run on MIUI 12.5.