Android

Xiaomi has decided to update the Mi Note 10 Lite to MIUI 12.5 globally ahead of the Mi Note 10 or Mi Note 10 Pro. The company had scheduled the Mi Note 10 Pro as the first in the Mi Note 10 series to receive its latest OS, but it appears to have thrown its release schedule out of the window, for some reason.

Fossil has already confirmed that it has a new Wear OS smartwatch in development utilising Google's new Wear OS platform. Now, Fossil has submitted a trio of smartwatches to the FCC, all based on the same internals. One is probably a new Michele or Michael Kors model, with the other likely candidates for the Fossil Gen 6.

According to a report, Samsung's engineers are busy addressing Wear OS 3.0 bugs that could hold back the Galaxy Watch 4 and, by extension, the Galaxy Watch Active 4. Renders of the Galaxy Watch Active 4 have leaked too, confirming the smartwatch's design and changes compared to the Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Hands-on photos and videos showcasing the LG Velvet 2 Pro have turned up online. The limited-edition flagship boasts a refined design with a unique button design and UI elements to match. LG has been overly generous with the accessories that it includes with the Velvet 2 Pro too, bucking the trend of its competitors.

The Huawei P50 series may finally have gotten a release date. New information coming straight out of China hints strongly at Huawei's newest premium lineup being scheduled for a July 29 release. Even more interesting are rumors that claim the phones could feature a Snapdragon 888.

Some alleged Samsung Galaxy S22 camera specs have emerged online. The leak tells us that the smartphones could use a 50MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 12MP telephoto lens that offers up to 3x optical zoom.

Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE (Fan Edition) is one of the year’s most eagerly anticipated for fans of ‘flagship killer’ devices. Originally expected to debut at Samsung's next Galaxy Unpacked event expected on August 3, the device is now tipped to launch in late 2021.

Rumours about the Redmi K50 series have already started, just a few months after Xiaomi released its Redmi K40 handsets. Not only has a renowned leaker offered up some hints about the upcoming devices, but Redmi's General Manager has also acknowledged the Redmi K50 series' existence in a message to fans.

Xiaomi's newest software feature will bring an extra layer of security to owners of their devices. This feature is currently only available on the latest version of Xiaomi's Chinese software but will make its way over to the global market when MIUI 13 is released at the latest.

The latest flagship Android phones of the "gaming" variety have not exactly covered themselves in glory in terms of robustness thus far. The RedMagic 6 is the latest to step forward in this arena with its debut on the JerryRigEverything YouTube channel. Can it improve on the Asus ROG Phone 5 and Lenovo Legion Phone 2 Pro's disastrous record?

OnePlus continues its slide from being one of the best Android OEMs for software support. While the company will upgrade the new Nord CE 5G through to Android 13, the Nord N200 5G will only receive Android 12. Three years of security patch updates are also due, but one OS update is poor.

Motorola's 2021 smartphone line-up will expand to include 3 new models soon - according to the famous leaker Evan Blass, at least. The tipster claims these new units will include a new 20 Lite variant for the Edge series, as well as an S version of the recently-released G60. They will apparently be joined by the confusingly-named G50 5G.

Samsung has presented the Galaxy M32, the successor to last year's Galaxy M31. The new device has a 90 Hz display, five cameras and a 6,000 mAh battery, among other features.

Samsung has followed up the launch of its recent Windows-powered Galaxy Book Go with the new Galaxy Chromebook Go. Ironically, perhaps, the new Chromebook Go is powered by an Intel chip instead of the Arm-based Snapdragon powering the Windows 10-based Galaxy Book Go.

Xiaomi is finally gracing owners of the Redmi Note 9 in Europe with the much-awaited Android 11 update. The update may only be available for Mi Pilots at the moment but will move to the full rollout stage shortly. The company is also sending out the MIUI 12.5 update to the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro in India.

According to a new report, Samsung has started mass producing a host of upcoming flagship Galaxy devices. From the Galaxy Z Fold3 to the Galaxy Watch Active 4 and the Galaxy S21 FE, Samsung is preparing for a big launch cycle for the second half of 2021.

Samsung has just confirmed that it will start selling the Galaxy M32 via Amazon India from June 28, 2021. The new phone is now being promoted as a "Binge Monster", due to its FHD+ 90Hz Super AMOLED display. It also vindicates a slew of rumors by being a quad rear camera, 6,000mAh battery device.

According to a new report, Xiaomi has decided roughly which devices will receive MIUI 13, the company's next OS. Apparently, MIUI 13 will be eligible for dozens of devices, albeit not older flagships like the Mi 8.

Ever wanted to make your own take on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold? Now, thanks to the new Royole RoKit, you can (more or less)! This development kit consists of the same flexible screen and sensor array found in the OEM's flagship phablet, the FlexPai 2. Royole touts it as the best way to test or learn next-gen display applications, although it comes with this technology's high price.

DOOGEE often pitches its phones at those looking for the most practicality and the most gadgetry at the same time. The new S97 Pro really goes for this kind of appeal with a rugged build that contains a laser rangefinder. The OEM claims that the Android 11-powered device's new USP allows the user to measure distance, area or volume within 40 meters of the space around them.

Following the announcement that OnePlus is completely merging its operations within Oppo, a leaked memo has shed more light on how the arrangement will work. While the merger will still produce OnePlus-branded phones, the company is now a sub-brand within the larger Oppo structure.

A Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra has produced an incredible shot of the moon in part thanks to the presence of its powerful 50 MP Samsung ISOCELL GN2 image sensor. The SuperMoon mode found in Xiaomi’s MIUI 12 skin also assisted in taking the impressive photograph of the Earth’s only natural satellite.

The latest generation of Samsung's foldable flagships are projected to be announced in August 2021. The Z Fold3 and Z Flip3 are said to be right on track for this event, having now entered mass production. Interestingly, they are allegedly being manufactured in far higher volumes compared to their predecessors.

The Mi 6 is Xiaomi's flagship Android smartphone from 2017, which means it is just over 4 years old now. However, according to the OEM's CEO, Lei Jun, just over 2 million users still have it in their hands. This, then, might be an impressive vindication of the device's design, hardware and longevity.

Google already provides a Find My Device service for Android. Now, a new leak suggests that it is working on making it more like Apple's version. The Mountain View giant is reportedly working on a new OS option that allows devices to join a network that locates missing possessions such as phones.

The Android OEM Vivo has applied to trademark what is most likely the name for its first ever tablet with the European Union's intellectual property office (EUIPO). This may indicate that the device will be launched soon, probably in the same market. It is rumored to have a battery of about 8,000mAh in capacity.

OnePlus, Meizu and Asus are just some of the members of the Mutual Transfer Alliance, a new group that allows its members access to a new, Bluetooth-independent method of localized file-swapping between devices. The option is getting increasingly popular, and may get even more so should Samsung take it up as a new leak suggests.

Samsung's next notable smartphone will be the Galaxy S21 FE, a sequel to last year's very well-received Galaxy S20 FE. While there's not been much in the way of official information, here's all we know about it at the moment, including pricing and specifications.

Sony has finally revealed the asking price for the Xperia 1 III in the US. The 5G-capable smartphone with triple lens camera, water-resistance certification, 4K 120 Hz OLED, and even a 3.5 mm audio jack, will set buyers back by US$1,299.99. Plenty considering a purchase have been speculating on what freebies could come with the Sony Xperia 1 III.

Samsung has expanded its mobile-device presence in India with the launch of 2 of its latest tablets in the country. The S7 FE and A7 Lite models of the OEM's Galaxy Tab line are promoted as battery champs, particularly the former with its 10,090mAh power-pack. They have been launched alongside their prices for their new markets, although their release comes later in June 2021.

The Mi Mix 4 will reportedly launch next quarter, as Xiaomi looks to release its second Mi Mix handset this year. The Mi Mix 4 will allegedly not come cheap though, and could be even more expensive than the pricey Mi 11 Ultra.

The eminent leaker Digital Chat Station claims to have spotted a prototype for ZTE's second-gen under-display camera (UDC) Android smartphone. The device was allegedly snapped alongside a demo of Visionox' InV See Pro, this company's latest UDC panel apparently destined for ZTE's cutting-edge device.

The POCO X3 GT is on its way to market, having passed through the FCC. The upcoming POCO handset is another Xiaomi re-brand, this time of the China-only Redmi Note 10 Pro. The POCO X3 GT will feature a Dimensity 1100 SoC, a 120 Hz and a 5,000 mAh battery, among other compelling components.

OnePlus has released its latest official beta OS versions for its 2020 flagship 8 series against a backdrop of news concerning its integration with its sister OEM OPPO. The announcement may have led to anxiety around losing the popular version of Android in question, OxygenOS. However, a company representative has reportedly confirmed it will keep going in the future - albeit outside China only.

Google is yet to flesh out Wear OS 3.0, having teased it at Google I/O 2021. The company has finally provided some details on its progress, albeit after partners like Qualcomm and Mobvoi sowed confusion about the new 'unified platform'.

The Galaxy Z Fold2 remains available in the US, contrary to reports. Samsung has not stopped selling it on its US website. However, no US carriers have stock of Samsung's foldable smartphone in either colour, possibly in anticipation of the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Currently, the only way to get your hands on a Galaxy Z Fold2 in the US is to purchase an unlocked handset.

The Sony Xperia 1 III has started appearing in numerous review and test videos on YouTube. Two recent videos have tested both the Xperia 1 III’s speed and camera equipment against the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. While the Sony smartphone’s photos seemed like a mixed bag, its performance and speed were exemplary.

The Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra proved to be a very capable smartphone in our review. It is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra’s true competitor. However, there is still some room for improvement, especially in terms of software.

Motorola has now debuted its newest device, the Moto Defy. The Defy is a rugged phone born from Motorola's partnership with Bullitt Group. It offers mostly mid-range specs but excels at being a rugged phone, with an IP68 rating, MIL-SPEC 810H certification, and a chassis designed to withstand harsh environments.

OnePlus launched its new Nord CE 5G smartphone about a week ago now (on June 10, 2021). Nevertheless, reports of not 1 but 2 system updates in quick succession for the device have emerged. The first upgraded its security patch level, whereas the second had camera and general system tweaks.

LG continues its crawl towards adopting Android 11 across its remaining product stack. Now, the company has started updating the Velvet LTE, also known as the Velvet 4G. LG hopes to have finished rolling out Android 11 globally by the end of 2021, but it has pushed several devices back a quarter.

Qualcomm has asserted that some of its Snapdragon Wear SoCs are compatible with Wear OS 3.0, despite Google's continued silence on the matter. Apparently, the Snapdragon Wear 3100, Wear 4100 and Wear 4100+ 'are capable' of running Wear OS 3.0, whatever capable means in this context.

Leica has launched its first ever smartphone, the Leica Leitz Phone 1. The new device appears to have been designed in close partnership with Sharp and looks to be based on the recently launched Sharp Aquos R6.

LG's last flagship smartphone has reached the Google Play Console. The Velvet 2 Pro, codenamed the LG Rainbow, has some bleeding-edge hardware and would have been an excellent upgrade on last year's LG Velvet.

Xiaomi's next tablet series has arrived on the EEC, following several leaks last month. The so-called Mi Pad 5 series is expected to arrive this summer, and will receive a global launch.

In February, Xiaomi stated that the Redmi Note 9 Pro would receive MIUI 12.5 in late Q2 2021, a period that we are now in. However, the device has just received a new upgrade, and it only contains Android 11. For some reason, Xiaomi has decided against bringing MIUI 12.5 to the Redmi Note 9 Pro yet, for some reason.

New renders have offered another look at the proposed Galaxy Z Fold 3, one of Samsung's foldable smartphones for 2021. The renders are based on past leaks, including now-deleted promotional material.

Google has been testing the ability to send texts, files and photos through its Messages service with end-to-end encryption for some time. Now, it has announced that it is to become available for the stable version of this app. The Mountain View giant claims that it results in messaged content that stays between 2 people in the same chat.