While we still have two more Tensor G2-based devices coming this month, Google’s next upgrade to Tensor G3 in the Pixel 8 series will apparently bring some drastic upgrades to the chip’s specs.
According to tipster Kamila Wojciechowska through Android Authority, Tensor G3 is going to be a considerable upgrade with more modern cores, support for the latest storage standard, a new GPU, and more.
Leak: here's everything you want to know about the Google Tensor G3, the SoC that's gonna power the Pixel 8 series, exclusively on @AndroidAuthhttps://t.co/pYkShLO8up
Starting with the cores, the Google Tensor G3 will apparently change the core layout yet again, this time with a 1+4+4 layout. This is altered from Tensor and Tensor G2, which both had 2+2+4 layouts.
The single big core will apparently be Cortex-X3, which would be clocked at 3.0GHz. Behind that would be the far more modern Cortex-A715, with four of those mid-cores clocked at 2.45GHz. That’s a huge step forward from the Cortex-A78 that was in place on the Tensor G2. For the “little” cores, there would be four Cortex-A510 cores at 2.15GHz, again being much more modern compared to the Cortex-A55 in both past Tensor generations.
All of this was announced in 2022, so technically Tensor G3 will still be a bit behind, but far closer than ever.
These upgrades alone should provide a solid boost to the CPU’s performance as a whole, as well to to its efficiency. This also brings support for ARMv9, which allows for security upgrades. The Pixel 8, according to Wojciechowska, will use this upgrade to implement Memory Tagging Extensions (MTE) from Arm to help prevent memory-based attacks. This would also entirely remove 32-bit support, which Google had already stepped away from on Pixel 7.
Another major point of upgrade is with storage, with this new chip allowing Pixel 8 to support the faster and more efficient UFS 4.0 storage used in devices such as Galaxy S23 Ultra and OnePlus 11.
The GPU is also getting a considerable upgrade, with Tensor G3 reportedly picking up Arm’s new Immortalis GPU, specifically the Mali-G715. That’s not the latest generation, but the 10-core GPU will provide a considerable upgrade, including support for ray-tracing.
Tensor G3 will further upgrade video decoding/encoding, with the “BigWave” block. It retains AV1 decoding from Tensor G2, but also adds AV1 encoding for up to 4k30. For encoding, the Pixel 8’s chip would support up to 8k30, but it’s unclear if Google would actually ship the feature. An upgrade TPU is also coming under the codename “Rio,” will bring a faster clock speed at 1.1GHz. There aren’t any specifics, but it’s said to be a “considerable” upgrade. A new digital signal processor, “callisto,” brings a 4-core, 512KB/core configuration at 1065MHz, which is said to offload more image processing.
As previously reported, Pixel 8’s Tensor G3 chip also won’t bring any changes to the modem, which probably isn’t a big deal considering the major upgrade that came with the Exynos 5300 modem in Tensor G2. In a previous test, we found the Pixel’s modem performance comparable to Qualcomm.
Google Tensor G3 is also expected to be a 4nm chip made on Samsung’s process. The Pixel 8 series is expected to arrive in October 2023.
New edition for the battery champion. The Galaxy A12 Nacho reveals good features in our review, but also some weaknesses. As with the Galaxy A12, the pricing of the Samsung phone is very attractive. Read our review to find out whether the entry-level smartphone is worth buying.
The Korean manufacturer adds another entry-level model to its popular A series. However, the Samsung phone with the model number SM-A127F is not completely new, because it’s very similar to its Galaxy A12 (SM-A125F) sibling. Although Samsung hasn’t formally changed the naming scheme, we will extend the name of the “newer” Galaxy A12 with its codename “Nacho” or “Exynos” to avoid confusion. After all, the only noteworthy difference can be found in the choice of SoCs. Unlike the A12 model, which was equipped with the MediaTek Helio P35, the 2021 variant is now based on the in-house Exynos 850 chipset.
We weren’t able to identify an MSRP for the Galaxy A12 Exynos, but the entry-level smartphone is available around the same street price as the 2020 model after market launch (about 170 Euros (~$192)). In return, buyers of the 6.5-inch Samsung smartphone get an HD+ display with a waterdrop notch, a 5,000 mAh battery, and a quad-camera setup with a 48 MP main camera.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
The front of the Nacho shows a drop-shaped notch – there are no differences to the Galaxy A12 here, just like with the rest of the design. The rather wide bezels above and below the display are perfectly acceptable for the price range. In numbers: About 82% of the front corresponds to the display.
The plastic back of the Galaxy A12 Exynos can be purchased in two color options. You can choose between a black and a white version. As expected from an entry-level smartphone, the Galaxy phone’s case is neither protected against dust nor water ingress. The controls for volume adjustment as well as the on/off switch are well manufactured and have pleasing pressure points.
The build quality is at a satisfactory level, but the Galaxy smartphone doesn’t feel premium. Both the back and the frame are made of plastic. We like the slightly textured surface – considering the material type – and it gives the Nacho a pleasant grip. However, haptics are somewhat marred by the seemingly hollow back. We can easily press in the plastic material by one to two millimeters in the central area above the Samsung logo.
Connectivity – Galaxy A12 Exynos with 3.5 mm audio jack
Prospective buyers of the Galaxy A12 Exynos can choose between 32 and 64 GB of eMMC storage supported by 3 GB or 4 GB of RAM, respectively. After taking the operating system and the preinstalled apps into account, our review sample only has 22 GB available out of the box. This results in very limited storage in the 32 GB version. However, a microSD card of up to 1 TB can be used for expanding storage without losing the dual-SIM functionality of the Samsung smartphone.
Other connectivity features of the Galaxy A12 Exynos include Miracast, which enables the wireless transmission of display content to external monitors, a 3.5 mm audio jack, and USB OTG. External storage devices are recognized reliably in the test, but data transfer speeds with the USB Type-C port are not very high due to the use of the USB 2.0 standard.
microSD card reader
The SD card reader extracts very decent transfer rates from our Angelbird V60 reference card. The copy speed of almost 50 MB/s is at a good level, and the performance in the Cross Platform Disk Test is also respectable.
When using a microSD card, the Nacho allows the user to choose whether the storage medium should be used as an expansion or as internal storage.
Software – Samsung smartphone with Android 11
Unlike the Galaxy A12, the Nacho comes straight with Android 11. We weren’t able to get any information on when Samsung will provide an update to Android 12 during the test period. The rollout for the A12 model is planned for July 2022 at least, so a similar schedule seems realistic for the Exynos version. We also presume that the Nacho, like its sibling model, will receive two major Android updates. The latter is worthy of praise in this price segment.
As usual, Samsung combines the Android system with its in-house One UI (Core) user interface in version 3.1, which also includes the smart assistant Bixby. In terms of security updates, which should be issued quarterly, the Galaxy A12 Exynos is a bit outdated with its latest update being at the level of October, but higher-priced mid-range alternatives are usually not any more up to date, either. Video content from streaming services can be viewed in HD quality with the Nacho, since the Widevine L1 certification process has been completed.
Samsung DeX is not supported by the Galaxy A12 Exynos. Samsung’s Knox security environment is integrated into the Nacho’s software as well as hardware. Consequently, the inexpensive mid-range model is not equipped with an extra desktop mode through Samsung DeX.
Communication and GNSS – Galaxy A12 Exynos with slow Wi-Fi
Samsung has installed a dedicated SIM card tray for two nano SIM cards as well as a slot for memory expansion in its entry-level smartphone. Both card slots in the Galaxy smartphone can connect to the mobile Internet via the LTE standard. As is typical for a smartphone in this price range, the number of frequency bands that the Nacho uses to communicate is low. The Exynos version of the Galaxy A12 can only access 10 LTE bands. However, no frequency bands are missing for the German-speaking region.
Bluetooth version 5.0 is available for wireless communication, and a chip for near-field communication (NFC) is also on board, so Google Pay can be used with the entry-level phone. A Play Protect certification for the payment service is provided.
The Wi-Fi module only supports the IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards, which means that it only communicates using the 2.4 GHz frequency band. This results in very low average transfer rates of about 40 to 50 Mb/s in our Wi-Fi test. Furthermore, the rates measured with the Nighthawk AX12 reference router aren’t very stable.
Performance – Galaxy A12 with Exynos SoC
In contrast to the Galaxy A12 with its MediaTek MT6765 Helio P35, the Nacho is equipped with the in-house Exynos 850 SoC. The latter offers eight cores with a performance of up to 2 GHz. Not only is the processor’s performance low, but the graphics power of the built-in Mali-G52 MP1 is also rather on the lower end of the performance spectrum.
Nevertheless, there’s still a significant increase in our benchmark package compared with the Galaxy A12 with the MediaTek SoC, especially when it comes to graphics.
Unfortunately, this performance gain is not noticeable in everyday use. The Exynos 850 in combination with 3 GB of RAM provides a solid system performance in the entry-level segment. Application loading times are quite pronounced due to the slow eMMC storage, and brief lags are a daily occurrence, even in simple applications. When running complex apps or background processes, the One UI on the Galaxy A12 Exynos sometimes needs to take a break.
It often takes several seconds to open the keyboard, and scrolling is very choppy on websites with a lot of image content. We would strongly advise all prospective buyers of the Nacho to choose the version with 4 GB of RAM, in spite of the general performance deficits that are likely to remain.
Call Screen is a feature on Pixel phones that allows the phone to manually, or automatically respond to spam calls using the Google Assistant. Now, Google is working to simplify the feature’s settings, for better or worse.
As first spotted by some Reddit users late last week, an update to the Google Phone app on Pixel phones is changing the settings for Call Screen.
The existing interface for tweaking Call Screen allows users granular controls over the automatic answering, with the ability to turn Call Screen on or off for spam, faked numbers, first-time callers, and private/hidden numbers. Users can opt to have Call Screen automatically answer the call on your behalf, weeding out spam by speaking to the caller on your behalf before handing the call over to you. Alternatively, the call can just come through as usual depending on the category. The granular controls give the feature quite a bit of flexibility.
The new settings for Call Screen on Pixel, though, change things up to be a bit simpler.
Instead of showing granular settings, there’s a “Protection Level” that users can select which includes three options as the folks at Android Police were able to show. “Basic” will decline only “known spam.” “Medium” will then decline spam and screen calls that are considered suspicious. Finally “Maximum” will decline spam and screen any call that is from an unknown number.
It’s noted that this change is appearing for some users on with Google Phone v106.0.534575879, but it doesn’t seem very widely available at this point.
This seems like a bad change on the whole.
Removing granular controls to this extent severely limits the usefulness of Call Screen on Pixel, and if anything ruins certain use cases. The “Maximum” setting seems far too aggressive, especially given that, at least in our experience, most real callers presented with Call Screen tend to just hang up after a few second. Beyond that, even “Medium” doesn’t seem to be a great middle ground.
Moving from a granular, customizable setup is just bad for everyone. It might be slightly easier to understand for the general user – having a single toggle for automatic call screening is the best change here – but it hurts the usefulness of Call Screen overall.
We know pretty much everything there is to know about the upcoming Motorola Razr foldable, but a new video is showing it all off in one neat package, along with a new name for the device.
A 44-second video ad for the Motorola Razrleaked last night courtesy of Evan Blass, known as @evleaks, which shows off the foldable from all angles. We can see the large outer cover display, full apps running on it, and the slick overall hardware Motorola has here. It looks stunning, just as it has the many, many times we’ve seen it before today.
The interesting little tidbit from this leak, though, is the name. The ad refers to the foldable as the “Motorola Razr Ultra,” branding we’ve not yet heard. We know the device will be called the “Razr 40 Ultra” internationally, but it was thought to be called the “Razr+” in the United States.
Name confusion aside, though, this still looks like an absolutely killer flip foldable. Motorola has previously confirmed the device will launch on June 1, so we’re only a few short days away at this point.
Beyond the video, Blass also shared a set of images of the new Razr that shows it from every single angle and also explicitly confirms the unsurprising use of a “droplet” style hinge.
Motorola confirms June 1 launch for new Razr foldables
The Razr is coming. After a ton of leaks in recent weeks regarding Motorola’s new “Razr 40” series of foldables, the company has just posted a teaser that hints at two devices and confirms a June 1 launch.
In a tweet, Motorola confirms a June 1 launch event where it will “Flip the Script.” The brief teaser doesn’t mention a location, but it does very clearly show two foldable devices.
Notably, too, Motorola hints at a US release for its new Razr with a retweet of the teaser from the Motorola US account.
So far, leaks of the new Motorola Razr, known as the “Razr 40,” have detailed that there will be two foldables. One, the “Razr 40 Ultra,” will be a flagship device with some striking colors, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, and a huge outer cover display. On the other hand, the standard “Razr 40” would be a more affordable device that has a much smaller outer cover display but similar hardware otherwise.
There’s no word on specific pricing for these devices just yet, but we’re certainly excited to see the debut, especially since it seems a US launch might be in order.
Motorola’s ThinkPhone has flown under the radar for a lot of users, though it is, in many respects, a great phone. One main feature is the iconic Red Key button, which has a few tricks up its sleeves. Here’s how to use it.
The Motorola ThinkPhone is met up as a business-first device, even though it would be a good device for many different types of users. With Motorola’s Ready For software, you can connect your ThinkPhone with generally any PC. That allows you to pull off certain tasks, like app streaming and even using your phone as a webcam.
Taking after the iconic ThinkPad lineup from Lenovo, the ThinkPhone houses a bright red aluminum button towards the left upper corner of the device. Besides giving the ThinkPhone a little splash of color, the Red Key also provides access to those connection tools, giving ThinkPad and PC users a quick access way to utilize the Motorola Ready For software.
How to use the ThinkPhone’s Red Key
The Red Key has two parent functions. With a single press, the Red Key acts as a quick launcher for any app of your choosing or for performing a couple of specific actions. Those are playing/pausing music, starting an audio recording, and initiating a screen recording.
If you look through the shortcut selections, you’ll find some apps have specific actions. For instance, not only can you assign the button to open Slack, but it can open specific conversations and DMs. Most apps have sub-actions that really give you a chance to fine-tune the Red Key’s singular press. We suggest exploring that huge list of extra actions, though it’s a serious shame you can only choose one.
If you happen to double press the Red Key on the ThinkPhone, you are quickly shown a menu with all of the Ready For software’s actions.
Action
Function
App streaming
Open the last used phone app on your PC, which can be interacted with as if it were native.
File transfer
Explore and find files to transfer between phone and PC.
Phone mirroring
Mirror your phone’s display to a PC.
Webcam feature
Let your Thinphone act as an HD webcam.
Connect display
Project content to a TV or monitor.
Tapping any of these will launch the software and get you rolling on that feature. My personal favorite is the webcam function, which gives you access to the ThinkPhone’s cameras for a better video feed, rather than relying on your PC’s webcam. Born of the Zoom era, this feature comes in handy.
How to adjust Red Key settings
On the ThinkPhone, hold down the Red Key.
Toggle on/off each function, per preference.
Set which app or function opens with a single press by choosing one or tapping the settings cog next to Launch app.
Hit Ready For and choose which functions are available with a double press.
The little red button on the ThinkPhone is a useful tool to have on hand, especially if you find yourself using Motorola’s PC tools. Even as a shortcut for a single app, the Red Key earns its spot on the device and can make using the phone a little faster.
Android 14 Beta 2 is an “incremental Beta-quality release” following the initial Android Beta Program version that rolled out via over-the-air update last month.
With Beta 2, you’ll get a more complete and stable build for continuing your testing and development.
Fixed an issue where a device couldn’t be unlocked using a fingerprint after tapping a notification or choosing a notification action on the lock screen. (Issue #278174846)
Fixed an issue on some devices that caused sound to play through the speakers instead of headphones that were connected. (Issue #278043129)
Fixed an issue that caused icons on the home screen to appear almost invisible. (Issue #277970542)
Fixed issues with gesture navigation that occurred when using a custom launcher:
The Home screen content wouldn’t display and the animation would fail to render when swiping up to go Home. (Issue #277981298)
The list of recently used apps couldn’t be accessed using the normal gesture. (Issue #277983179)
Fixed issues that prevented users from interacting with notifications in the notification shade. (Issue #278339342, Issue #276534576)
Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash after finishing audio or video calls. (Issue #279539689)
Other resolved issues
Fixed an issue where, after entering and exiting picture-in-picture mode, the screen flickered when any apps were launched.
Fixed an issue where user restrictions set by DPC admins were not being enforced in Settings.
Fixed an issue where, after taking pictures with the Google Camera app, opening the latest picture from the thumbnail in the app briefly displayed a green-colored shade over the image.
Fixed an issue that could cause the battery percentage to be displayed as 0% after a device reboot regardless of the actual charge level of the device.
Fixed an issue that could cause a device to crash, and then when the device rebooted any wallpapers that were selected before the reboot were reset.
Fixed issues that prevented the Better Bug app from uploading bug reports.
Fixed issues that caused the back-to-home gesture to stop working.
Fixed an issue that could cause the system Settings app to crash repeatedly.
Fixed an issue that prevented users from searching within the system Settings app.
Fixed issues that sometimes caused null pointer exceptions for input method editors (IMEs).
Fixed an issue that sometimes increased system-wide memory usage unnecessarily.
Fixed system issues that could sometimes cause deadlocks.
Leave feedback using the Android Beta Feedback app on Pixel devices. You can access it from the drawer or via Quick Settings to file bugs in the Google issue tracker. There’s also the Android Beta community on Reddit.
Android 14 Beta 2 (UPB2.230407.014) with the May 2023 security patch is available for the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro, as well as the Android Emulator.
Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a devices that use Verizon as their carrier: April 2023 / UPB2.230407.014.A1
Most people will be installing via the Android Beta Program, but you can also flash or sideload.
If you need help, here’s our full guide on installing Android 14.
The world doesn’t end with this one escalating trade dispute, Huawei insists, so here’s the Mate 40 series for you. We have the Mate 40 Pro for review, the high-end almost-flagship that sits just below the ultimate Mate 40 Pro+.
We say almost-flagship just because there’s one better, but the Mate 40 Pro is nothing short of a top-tier handset. Immediately striking is the display – a 6.76-inch OLED that envelops the device’s sides – similar to the Mate 30 from last year, but even more extreme.
Flip over to the back, and you’ll be greeted by a camera arrangement that you haven’t seen before – so it turns out distinctive design is still possible. A proper tri-set of cameras sits inside that circle with a 50MP main unit and 5x periscope tele, both coming straight from the P40 Pro, and a new 20MP ultra-wide.
That’s what you can see. What you won’t be able to see is the new Kirin 9000 chipset, the first 5nm SoC for Android (Apple’s A14 Bionic inside the iPhone 12 has one). Powering things is a 4,400mAh battery, fairly unimpressive, but that gets charged by a 66W adapter over a cable and up to 50W wirelessly – those aren’t rookie numbers.
Disclaimer. We can not guarantee that the information on this page is 100% correct.
Huawei hasn’t skimped on the smaller niceties either, and the Mate 40 Pro comes with stereo speakers – two evenly matched units. The front-facing ToF cam provides secure face recognition, and there’s another IR-based feature – a blaster up top to operate your old-school TV or AC unit. An IP68 rating is also par for the course in this segment. Sure, there’s no 3.5mm jack, but does that really bother anyone at this point? Plus, there’s headset in this box, unlike other, half-sized boxes.
Huawei Mate 40 Pro unboxing
The Mate 40 Pro‘s retail box is the same as what we’ve gotten with previous Mates – black cardboard, golden lettering, red Leica dot on the front. Inside, there’s a full set of accessories.
A powerful 66-watt adapter, which is still reasonably compact, is included as is a cable to go with it – since both pieces use the in-house SuperCharge technology you better hold on to them to get the maximum charging speeds.
There is a pair of earbuds, too, ending in a USB-C connector – that’s the only wired interface on the Mate 40 Pro. There’s no USB-C-to-headphone jack adapter included.
A new addition this time is a protective case. It’s a basic clear silicone one, but it’s thick and provides protection straight out of the box. It also doesn’t interfere with the touch operation on the curved display edges but does rob you of feedback when operating the physical buttons.
Competition
The Mate 40 Pro‘s hardware and price mean it’s a match to the best smartphones out there. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra is Samsung’s top-dog in much the same vein. The Galaxy will get you a higher refresh rate and marginally higher-res display, though only one at a time. An S Pen stylus is also in the Note’s favor. That and the ability to use every app you can think of that the Google-deprived Mate can’t quite match. Compared to the Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra, the Mate 40 Pro, believe it or not, is the better cameraphone overall.
In fact, camera quality and versatility are a point where the Mate 40 Pro beats pretty much every other smartphone we’ve reviewed so far, just as the screen refresh rate and the lack of Google Play services are points where it underdelivers.
So if the OnePlus 8 Pro has Google services but can’t beat the Mate for image quality, it better have something else to tip the scales. It does – 20-25% price savings, a 120Hz 1440p display, slightly better battery life, and maybe the OP software experience. But it’s the savings, really.
Those can be had elsewhere too. For about 8 Pro money (so tangibly cheaper than a Mate), the Mi 10 Pro remains Xiaomi’s top global offering, and no 144Hz 10T Pro’s can detract from that. The Xiaomi has extensive imaging credentials itself, even if it can’t match the Mate’s zoom capability. It’s a close race in most other areas too – practically a tie in the display, battery life, and speakers. So it’s the Mate’s camera vs. the Mi’s lower price and G apps support.
Hear us out, then. If you’re not going to have Google’s blessing on the Mate 40 Pro, why not scrap the Google OS altogether and pick up an iPhone? The 12 Pro Max, specifically, will only be slightly more expensive. Ironically, this will let you have Google Maps and Photos, and pretty much whatever app your heart craves. The Max will only get you half the Mate’s zoom power, and the new iPhone cameras are yet to prove themselves, plus it’s about a month of waiting until you’ll be able to get them, but what is a month really, in this weird year in particular.
Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G • OnePlus 8 Pro • Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G • Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
Verdict
The Mate 40 Pro serves us a most unpleasant question to answer – is getting the ultimate camera worth paying the ultimate price? And, while the phone is certainly expensive, we’re not talking about its monetary value.
We knew it from the get-go, and one review later, nothing’s changed. Without Google’s backing, the Mate 40 Pro is hard to recommend to anyone with the habit of using the search giant’s app ecosystem and third-party apps, which are dependent on it. And that’s really the only problem we have with the Mate – the rest of the cons in the list below are just us being picky.
Outside of these software restrictions, the Mate 40 Pro is one of the most complete packages on the market. Its waterfall display looks cool but is also objectively accurate and shines bright. Battery life is excellent in no small part thanks to a very efficient next-gen chipset, and charging doesn’t leave you waiting either. The Mate’s 3D facial recognition is hard to come by on Android, and while stereo speakers are fairly common, speakers as good as these aren’t. And, well, the whole camera experience has us almost smitten.
In the end, it turns out the decision is simple. If you can’t live without full Google support, don’t get the Mate 40 Pro. If you’re willing to sacrifice some convenience on the software front, or you’re an optimist on Huawei‘s smartphone future, do get the Mate 40 Pro.
Pros
Standout design thanks to waterfall screen and distinct camera assembly.
90Hz OLED display is bright and color-accurate.
Long-lasting battery, very fast charging.
Top-class speakers.
Secure facial recognition.
Powerful and efficient chipset.
Likely the most capable camera system to date, day and night, back and front.
Cons
No Google services on board – even if there are workarounds and most apps will work, some won’t.
Competitors have 120Hz displays, this one is only 90Hz.
Front camera cutout is a bit in your face.
While 2020-powerful, the chipset might be lagging behind next year’s competing designs.
A big trend in smartphones over the past few years has been the “periscope” zoom camera, and it seems OnePlus will finally adopt the tech in an upcoming release.
Periscope lenses in smartphones allow for zoom that goes beyond 2-3x. Google uses the technique in Pixel phones to hit up to 5x optical zoom, while Samsung uses it for the 10x telephoto lens on its Ultra devices, and countless other brands have been jumping on board too. Even Apple is rumored to introduce a periscope lens on its next iPhone.
But OnePlus, surprisingly, has yet to use a periscope zoom lens in its smartphones. The OnePlus 10 Pro and OnePlus 11 both maxed out with traditional zoom methods at 3.3x and 2x respectively.
It seems that may soon change, though. Digital Chat Station reports on Weibo that OnePlus has a “periscope arrangement” in the pipeline, with testing underway. It’s unclear what optical zoom level OnePlus is aiming for, but the simple fact the brand is finally jumping on board is great to see.
Presumably, this would make its debut in the OnePlus 12 sometime next year. OnePlus’ next smartphone is expected to be its first foldable, which would be a relatively odd place for the tech to debut. Periscope lenses are quite rare in foldables, with Google’s new Pixel Fold offering the tech, as well as Huawei’s Mate X3 and some others. But most stick with rather basic camera hardware for the sake of space.
Kuo: Upgraded optical zoom to be exclusive to iPhone ‘Pro Max’ cameras until at least 2025. Apple is expected to release its first iPhone with a periscope lens with this year’s iPhone 15 lineup, but rumors say it’ll be limited to only the highest-end iPhone 15 Pro Max. According to a new report from Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the current expectation is that this exclusivity won’t change for the foreseeable future…
(3/5) Only one/the highest-end model of the new 2H24 iPhone 16 series may have a periscope camera, not the two models of market expectation. It's detrimental to Largan and Genius since the demand for lens upgrades will fall below expectations.
Periscope lens for iPhone 15 and beyond. A periscope lens is one that relies on a prism to reflect light to multiple internal lenses at 90 degrees to the camera sensor. What this means is that the length of the lens can be much longer than a traditional telephoto lens, which in turn means that periscope lenses can offer much better optical zoom capabilities.
For example, the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max both have a telephoto lens that offers 3x optical zoom and 15x digital. Samsung has already made the switch to a periscope lens in its flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra, which offers 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom.
The expectation is that the iPhone 15 Pro Max this year will be the first iPhone to switch to a periscope lens. According to Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple’s implementation of the technology will include a 1/3″ sensor that has a 12-megapixel resolution with f/2.8 aperture, sensor-shift stabilization, and up to 6x optical zoom.
Rumors initially indicated that while the periscope lens would be exclusive to the highest-end iPhone 15 model this year, Apple would expand it to the smaller “Pro” phone in 2024. Now, that no longer appears to be the case.
Kuo reports that he now expects only the highest-end iPhone 16 model in 2024 will offer a periscope lens, whether this is called the “iPhone 16 Pro Max” or “iPhone 15 Ultra.”
There are two reasons Apple may have made this decision. It could be that the company views the periscope lens as a way to differentiate the iPhone 16 Pro Max from the iPhone 16 Pro, giving people a reason to spend more on the high-end model. Alternatively, it could be a technical or engineering limitation.
In the past, the switch to a periscope lens could be one of the biggest changes to the iPhone camera hardware in several years. The lack of greater optical zoom (and digital zoom, to a lesser degree) is the major advantage Samsung’s latest flagship devices have over the iPhone lineup.
The fact that the periscope lens will be limited to the big-screen iPhone until at least 2025 is disappointing for people who prefer smaller phones. The bifurcation here is similar to the days of the iPhone 6s, where the iPhone 6s Plus included an optical image stabilization sensor for video and still pictures, unlike the iPhone 6s.
OnePlus tipped to launch its first foldable in August
2023 is quickly turning into the year of the foldables, and now we’re hearing more about when OnePlus will launch its first entry.
With Oppo being one of the biggest names pushing foldable smartphones, it was only a matter of time until OnePlus took the plunge. Earlier this year, alongside the debut of its latest flagship, the OnePlus 11, the company teased a foldable smartphone to debut later in the year. The company then reiterated that at MWC.
Now, reliable tipster Max Jambor is adding a date to that. Apparently, the first OnePlus foldable will make its debut in August of this year.
That timeline doesn’t come as much of a surprise, really. Last year, OnePlus launched its OnePlus 10T in August, and years prior have seen similar timelines as well. An unveiling in August would also put OnePlus in a good spot as far as the competition goes, with Samsung expected to launch the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in July, a date it has pushed up from previous years. Google is also preparing to launch its first foldable, which is expected to go on sale in June.
Leaks of the first OnePlus foldable have been relatively minor thus far, with one past leak revealing the possible “OnePlus V Fold” name for the product. A recent tweet also made the rounds claiming the device would have an 8-inch inner display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and triple-camera array comprised of a 50MP main sensor, 48MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto. There hasn’t been anything to back up that rumor, but it seems reasonable to expect, especially given that we know the OnePlus foldable won’t be an exact copy of the Oppo Find N2.
During its first launch event of 2023 earlier this month, OnePlus offered a somewhat cryptic teaser that, in Q3 of this year, it would host another launch. The brand offered no context at the time, but it was pretty clear what was coming – foldables.
Now, OnePlus is explicitly confirming that, yes, it will launch its first foldable smartphone in 2023.
During a session at MWC in Barcelona today, OnePlus confirmed that it will launch a foldable smartphone in the “second half of 2023,” likely referring to the previously teased Q3 timeline. The brand offered no further insight into what to expect, beyond saying that more information would be released the months to come.
OnePlus COO Kinder Liu said:
Our first foldable phone will have the signature OnePlus fast and smooth experience. It must be a flagship phone that doesn’t settle because of its folding form, in terms of industrial design, mechanical technology, and other aspects. We want to launch a device that aims to be at the pinnacle experience of today’s foldable market.
It’s notable that OnePlus is referring to this as a singular device, as many expected the company to launch both “book” and “clamshell” foldables. The brand at one point trademarked the names “OnePlus V Fold” and “OnePlus V Flip,” furthering the idea of two devices. That would also make sense, given OnePlus’ parent company Oppo also sells two foldables.
OnePlus hasn’t confirmed if this first foldable will be a “book” like the Galaxy Z Fold 4 or a “clamshell” like the Galaxy Z Flip 4, but given recent leaks it sounds like it will be of the Fold variety. Just last week, a leak claimed the device would have less in common with Oppo’s Find N2 than expected, which supports the idea that OnePlus is aiming for that form factor first.
Whatever the case, it’s certainly exciting, as a OnePlus foldable would bring more competition to Samsung, especially if it ends up launching in North America.
Following the Duet AI announcement yesterday, many more people who signed up for Google Workspace Labs are now seeing the generative AI features in Gmail and Docs that “Help you write.”
To tell if you have it in Gmail on the web, start composing an email, and you’ll see a new “Help me write (Labs)” button next to “Send” and formatting options in the bottom toolbar.
Afterward, a blue/purple-ish messaging field appears at the bottom of your screen for you to enter a prompt, with Google rotating through suggestions. It takes a few seconds for something to generate, and you then have the ability to:
Formalize: Makes the draft more formal
Elaborate: Adds details to build upon the text
Shorten: Shortens the draft
I’m Feeling Lucky: Updates draft with creative details
You can also ask Google to “Recreate,” while “Insert” will paste and let you make further edits. Google marks with brackets where you should delete and enter your name or other specifics.
In Google Docs, opening a new page shows a “Help me write” chip. It’s the same workflow as Gmail, but the “Help me write” button can be found to the left of your cursor on the edge of the page to access it again.
Before I/O, Google said it was expanding its Trusted Tester program by 10x. Generative AI features in Google Sheets and Slides (used to create images) are not yet live — and “sidekick” is further down the road — with today’s expansion continuing the public testing that started in March. We’re seeing it live on the web right now, but not on Android.
You can sign-up for Google Workspace Labs’s Gmail and Google featureshere.
Google branding generative AI in Gmail, Workspace as ‘Duet AI’
Google has been publicly testing features that help users write in Gmail and Docs over the past few weeks. Generative AI is now coming to Sheets, Slides, and Meet with a new name: Duet AI for Google Workspace.
“Duet” evokes a sense of contextual collaboration, which is how Google sees the relationship between users and generative AI. (If the name is familiar, Chrome used it for a redesign that never launched.)
In Gmail, Google Docs, and Slides, you’ll eventually get a Duet AI side panel, called “sidekick.” It can be launched next to your profile avatar in the top-right corner, and it analyze your email or document. In Google Slides, it can create speaker notes for each slide.
In Google Slides, generative AI will generate images from text prompts. You’ll get a “Help me visualize” side panel to enter what you want with the ability to choose a style: none, photography, illustration, flat lay, background, and clip art. You’ll get a grid of 6-8 designs with the ability to “View more.”
Duet AI in Google Meet can be used to create background images: “It’s a subtle, personal touch to show you care about the people you’re connecting with and what’s important to them. And you can change that visual with an equally stunning and original one — all in just a few clicks.”
Google Sheets is using gen AI for automatic table generation with a “Help me organize” field. An example prompt is “Client and pet roster for a dog walking business” with columns like dog, address, email, date, time, duration, and rate offered. You get a preview before inserting.
…simply describe what you’re trying to accomplish, and Sheets generates a plan that helps you get organized.
These three features are coming to Google Workspace Labs, with the Trusted Tester program expanding by 10x just last week. Since March, Google says it has had “hundreds of thousands” of such testers.
These features are hitting general availability later this year for business and consumer Workspace accounts. Check out labs.withgoogle.com in the meantime.
We’re now four (yes, 4) updates deep into the early Android 14 preview phase. There are some new bits and pieces to uncover on eligible Google Pixel handsets. Here are all of the top user-facing functions in Android 14 Beta 2.
Android 14 won’t be a huge update from a user-facing perspective. Google is still refining Material You to better fit with the growing Pixel smartphone ecosystem. Other OEMs will also adopt some things here but not all.
Lockscreen PIN input Material You icons
Google has added a neat extra touch to the lockscreen when you enter a PIN or passcode. Tapping any of the buttons and the input tracker will now be animated with abstract Material You-style icons such as rounded triangles, stars, and more to indicate that you have entered characters or numbers.
Page indicator on Pixel Launcher
To help you understand just what page you’re currently looking at, the Pixel Launcher now has page indicators that are very iOS-like. These dot-style pop-ups will fade out of view after a prolonged period on one specific page but are actually lifted right from the Quick Settings panel – which has similar indicators already.
Monochrome toggle returns to Wallpaper & style
The monochrome theming option has returned to Wallpaper & style which overrides the default Dynamic Color settings. Instead of colorful Quick Settings toggles and menu panes, these areas will adopt a simple black or white color depending on whether you have the light or dark theme applied.
Separate Call and Ring volume controls
Although hinted at in a previous beta release, Android 14 Beta 2 has enabled separate Call and Ring volume controls for some users. This may still need to be enabled for many, but if you heading to Settings > Sound and vibration you will be able to adjust the volume at which you hear callers through the earpiece or the volume of your device ringer.
Cleaner app menu pop-ups
The expanded floating app menus that allow for quick access to specific in-app sections have also received attention in Android 14 Beta 2. When long-pressing an app icon you’ll see that dividing lines or separators are removed to clean up the look. This is more in-keeping with the Material You design principles but the pop-up section is also decreased slightly too.
Keyboard and language sections in System section
The Keyboard and Language sections have now been elevated within the System section of device Settings. Previously this was a combined “Languages & input” section that amalgamated all of the functions. This makes things easier to manage and less confusing.
Improved animations
Android 14 Beta 2 appears to refine and tune some of the animations that we’ve become accustomed to in our favorite mobile operating system. Swiping, scrolling and invoking menus just feels smoother than it did in previous builds. You can see some improvements to the pop-up customization menu in the Pixel Launcher too.
This floating panel fades in then pops into view rather than folding up as in Android 13. This looks cleaner and adds a little extra visual flair. It also mimics the Power menu animation when activating from the Quick Settings panel.
Flash notifications page enhanced
Added back in Developer Preview 2, the Flash notifications page now has an improved UI with a visual element to help you better understand the feature. The toggles are also simplified to “Camera flash” and “Screen flash” with the “Preview” button unaltered.
At a Glance widget alterations
Whether it’s a bug or just a tweak before we see more controls and functions, the popular At a Glance widget appears to have shrunk on some Pixel units with Android 14 Beta 2. It’s still prominent but with the text and icons smaller than in previous updates.
On the lockscreen with media playing, the widget has further changes. The temperature and weather condition icon join the date information while the forecast data now takes up two lines. A new “Daily forecast” text is prominent – likely to confirm that this is data from weather tracking agencies.
New Security & privacy logo in Settings
One cosmetic change you might not notice right away is a brand new “Security & privacy logo” in the Settings menu. The shield icon now has an “S” shape rather than a “check” icon.
Improved contrast control within Developer options
If you have Developer options enabled then you can try the enhanced “Contrast” control menu. Tapping this opens up a pop-up menu where you can choose from three options: Standard, Medium, and High. This looks like it will replace the touted contrast slider that would allow for better integration with your core color choices as part of the Material You and Dynamic Color theming system.
Floating Clipboard tool
The enhanced Android 13 clipboard tool is getting some love in Android 14 Beta 2 but it seems very much like a work in progress. If you invoke the clipboard editing tool and then copy text again from this window you can activate a mini floating clipboard tool. This doesn’t always work perfectly in our testing but might be a neat option if it gets further attention.
Font Quick Settings tile
If you want to quickly adjust or alter system font size there’s a new “Font” Quick Settings tile that allows you to increase text across all areas of your device. This saves the effort of diving into the “Display size and text” menu in Settings.
May 2023 patch
As the most recent public Android build, you can bet that the latest May 2023 security patch is also bundled in with the Android 14 Beta 2 update. This should make it more secure for anyone foolhardy enough to run this preview build on their device.
Android 14 Beta 2: What is your favorite new feature?
That’s everything new in Android 14 Beta 2. When combined with the original developer previews, there’s more to test drive on your device with more expected as the beta phase progresses. It’s important to note that our shortlist includes all of the top user-facing features that we’ve found at this stage.
We do expect to see more little things that might have slipped through the cracks over the coming days and weeks. We likely will have a deeper dive into every single thing that has been added, including some features that require a little work to get fully operational in our full overview, coming very soon.
