Android

❤ Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G

The Galaxy S21 series will not go gentle into the night. On the contrary, it will produce one last bang before the Galaxy S22 steals the spotlight. The last of the S21 series caters to the true fans of the brand and combines all Galaxy S21 essentials into one powerful no-nonsense smartphone. Yes, this is the Galaxy S21 FE 5G.

Samsung has focused on three fan-favorite features for this Fan Edition – display, performance, and camera. And it has tried to give more of those for less, a job best suited for the flagship-killer kind. We surely are not calling it that, but the S21 FE does sound quite promising as an almost-there-flagship.

The Galaxy S21 FE updates the display with the S21’s screen panel. It offers a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X with native HDR10+ support and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S20 FE’s Super AMOLED had no HDR10 capabilities at launch, which was disappointing back then, but these were enabled later in 2021.

Then there is performance – quite expectedly, the Galaxy S21 FE offers the same hardware as the rest of the S21 series – either the Snapdragon 888, or the Exynos 2100 chipset. But the chipset segmentation is reversed here – the international model is the one with the Snapdragon, while Samsung’s silicon is limited to Australia (so far).

Finally, let’s talk about the camera department. It looks like a copy-paste from the Galaxy S20 FE – a 12MP primary, another 12MP camera for ultrawide photos, and an 8MP tele for 3x optical zoom. The selfie imager is likely the same, too, a 32MP one. Samsung is not advertising the hardware as more capable, but it brags with better processing and cool features like Object Eraser – all possible thanks to the new chipset.

The stereo speakers and the UD fingerprint scanner are here to stay, too, but the microSD slot didn’t make the cut. It is one of these fan-favorite features that will not be accepted well among the community, that’s for sure. But on a positive note – the S21 FE now features a proper proximity sensor instead of a virtual one, something that should solve the numerous complaints.

Waterproofing is a vital part of the Galaxy S series, and the S21 FE is IP68-rated for dust and water resistance. Its design resembles the rest of the Galaxy S21 phones, and its build is a match to the vanilla Galaxy S21 flagship – a Gorilla Glass Victus front, an aluminum frame, and a matte plastic back.

Here is a rundown of the specs sheet.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G specs at a glance:

Body: 155.7×74.5×7.9mm, 177g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins).
Display: 6.40″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 411ppi; Always-on display.
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) – Version 1, Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – Version 2: Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680) – Version 1, Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – Version 2; Adreno 660 – Version 1, Mali-G78 MP14 – Version 2.
Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM.
OS/Software: Android 12, One UI 4.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.76″, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚, 1/3.0″, 1.12µm; Telephoto: 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm, 1/4.5″, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom.
Front camera: 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74″, 0.8µm.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS.
Battery: 4500mAh; Fast charging 25W, 50% in 30 min (advertised), Fast wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging, USB Power Delivery 3.0.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); NFC; Bixby natural language commands and dictation, Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified).

The most notable omissions of this new Fan Edition are the 3.5mm jack (not available on the S20 FE) and the microSD slot (available on the S20 FE). We would have liked one of those 10MP AF selfies instead of the 32MP Quad-Bayer snapper, too, but we guess that’s going on the S22 FE wish list instead.

There is no cheaper 4G version of the Galaxy S21 FE, like it was with the S20 FE, which is possibly another bummer for some users. We guess the 5G has become the new norm and cheaper 4G versions in the future are highly unlikely.

Unboxing the Galaxy S21 FE

Apple has started something that Samsung quickly adopted, even though consumers don’t appreciate it. Yes, we are talking about the ‘eco-friendly’ cost-saving retail box, which contains only a cable and some paperwork.

That’s exactly what you get with each Galaxy S21, and that’s what the Galaxy S21 FE 5G retail box contains. The phone supports 25W fast charging, but if you want to enjoy that and you haven’t purchased such an adapter yet, now is a good time to do it.

The good news is that once you buy such a charger, you can use it for your next phone a year or two from now. Plus, it can charge plenty of electronics because of its USB-C port and USB-PD support.

The competition

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a well-executed smartphone and a proper sequel to the Galaxy S20 FE. It brings a better display, more powerful hardware, and improved camera performance even if the camera sensors and optics haven’t changed much since the S20 FE. Oh, and we do appreciate the new, S21-like design.

But the one thing that should have been spot-on from the get-go – the price – is all wrong. The Galaxy S21 FE should have offered ‘more for less’ – those are Samsung‘s words, mind you – yet, it’s quite an expensive smartphone at launch with a starting price of €750. And while it arguably offers more over the Galaxy S20 FE and the Galaxy S21, it’s not for less.

Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE

See, the Galaxy S21 5G retails at about €650, which is €100 less than this new Fan Edition. Yet, the standard S21 offers a more capable display with a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, more RAM (6GB vs. 8GB). The Galaxy S21 has a different type of 3x zoom, but even if it’s achieved with some trickery, it is pretty good and not drastically different from the FE. We believe many users will happily save €100 and get the Galaxy S21 instead.

Then there is one of our favorite Galaxy phones for 2021 – the Galaxy A52s 5G. It is an equally stylish smartphone, water-resistant as well, with a similar 120Hz AMOLED screen and quite a powerful Snapdragon 778 5G chipset. If you can live without optical zoom and HDR10 support for the paid streaming apps, the 6GB+128GB model of the A52s costs as low as €360 – and compared to the S21 FE’s €750 price – that’s a bargain!

Of course, there are other cool options to consider outside Samsungverse. The Realme GT 5G is €250 cheaper, and it beats the S21 FE with a better AMOLED with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate (and it supports HDR10). It is not a water-resistant phone and has no zoom camera, but if those are not important, you can spend less and still get what’s important to you.

The Asus Zenfone 8 is €100 cheaper than the FE, but if you are after a more compact Android, you may want to consider this one instead. It has a superb 5.9-inch AMOLED with 120Hz and HDR10+, runs on the same Snapdragon 888 chipset, has powerful speakers, and offers fan-favorite goodies like a 3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, AF for the selfie camera. It may not be rocking a telephoto camera, but its ultrawide shooter has autofocus and can take macro shots. Overall, it’s a great offer worth considering.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G • Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G • Realme GT 5G • Asus Zenfone 8

Finally, the €480 4G and €530 5G versions of the previous Galaxy S20 FE are still available. They are noticeably cheaper, yet with similar capabilities and identical cameras. If you can live without HDR10 support and put up with the virtual proximity sensor, they are worth considering. Their Snapdragon 865 / Exynos 990 chips are still great performers and part of the flagship crop, plus they run amazingly under 1080p screens. Oh, and they both offer microSD expansion.

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE • Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Our verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a brilliant smartphone with top-notch features. It excels in the most critical departments – display, performance, camera, speakers, software, even design. For that – it’s a great smartphone.

But it’s not a Fan Edition, not like the S20 FE. For a phone that’s supposed to cater to the fans, ditching the charger and the microSD slot does not make sense. And it doesn’t bring any substantial camera updates, not even AF for selfies or ultrawide, though the improved photo quality could be arguably enough. But these shortcomings are not the Fan Edition’s biggest problem.

The Galaxy S21 FE’s most notable drawback is the launch price. The Galaxy S21 FE 5G costs €750 for its basic 6/128 version and €830 for the 8/256 model. And that’s quite high for the segment the FE’s aiming at.

The Galaxy S21 FE launches mere weeks before the Galaxy S22 premiere, and the expectations are that the regular Galaxy S22 with more powerful hardware and a better screen will retail between €800-€900. And it sure makes sense to wait and see what the Galaxy S22 has in store for us. Meanwhile, there are many phones that are offering similar features for much less, and what’s worse, some of them are Galaxy phones themselves.

So, the Galaxy S21 FE is a powerful and capable smartphone, no two ways about that. But we just cannot recommend it at this price, not without reservations. Once Samsung introduces its first price cut, though, the Galaxy S21 FE should get a spot on the shortlists of everyone looking for a no-nonsense flagship-like smartphone.

Pros

Excellent AMOLED HDR10 screen, 120Hz, superb color accuracy.
Good-looking S21-like body, water-resistant, grippy.
Flagship-grade Snapdragon 888 5G chip.
Outstanding camera performance, day and night, photo and video.
Likable no-nonsense OneUI 4 with powerful features.
Loud enough stereo speakers.

Cons

No charger in the box.
No dynamic screen refresh rate.
No 3.5mm jack, no microSD, no AF for selfies (pick one).
Expensive at launch.

❤ Huawei P40 Pro

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Ah, a new Photo king rises, but its kingdom of apps was taken away before its birth. What happens next then, the crowd asks? Will its subjects flee with the riches now gone? Or will the Huawei P40 Pro break new paths through this uncharted territory and keep its former glory? The crowds shall get their answer!

It was tough for Huawei to lose Google support, but it will be even more challenging to sell in the current stagnated market amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. But the P40 series is having its launch despite the global health crisis, and the P40 Pro surely looks like it is ready to stand its ground.

The P40 Pro provides a premium camera experience with improved sensors and a focus on the optical zooming, plus it has the new 90Hz 1200p OLED screen. There is an even more premium device than the Pro – the new P40 Pro+ with a ceramic body and a jaw-dropping 10x optical zoom.

The Pro+ launch was moved for this summer season though and it seems it will be more of a limited edition, quite expensive at that. So, all eyes on the P40 Pro here, please, as it is the star of this show.

The P40 Pro is Huawei‘s first smartphone with a high-refresh-rate screen – it now has a 6.58″ curved OLED with high-resolution of 1200p and 90Hz refresh rate. The elliptical punch-hole is quite the eyesore but packs a brand-new 32MP selfie camera with autofocus (finally!) and a ToF snapper. It seems that Huawei is making up for the lost pixels Huawei by putting the tech needed for 3D face unlock.

The main camera is what everyone will be talking about, of course. It has a new 50MP sensor with a RYYB filter that will spit 12MP photos. Then comes the ultrawide shooter lifted straight from the Mate 30 Pro – a 40MP sensor with RGGB filter and autofocus. The zoom camera seems to have an identical periscope lens for 5x optical zoom as seen on the P30 Pro’s – but gets a new 12MP sensor with RYYB filter and will allow more light at nighttime. And finally, there is another ToF camera for portraits and autofocus assistance.

The new Kirin 990 5G is at the helm of the P40 Pro. At 4,200 mAh, the battery capacity has remained unchanged since the P30 Pro but charging should be faster.

Huawei P40 Pro specs

Body: Glass front and back, aluminum frame; IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.
Screen: 6.58″ quad-curved OLED, 1,200×2,640px resolution (440ppi); HDR10.
Chipset: Kirin 990 5G, octa-core processor (2xA76 @2.86GHz + 2xA76 @2.36GHz +4xA55 @1.95GHz), Mali-G76 MP16 GPU, tri-core NPU.
Memory: 8GB RAM, 256GB UFS3.0 storage (expandable via Nano Memory – hybrid slot).
OS/Software: Android 10, EMUI 10.1.
Rear camera: Primary: 50MP (RYYB filter), 1/1.28″ sensor size, 23mm f/1.8 lens, OIS, PDAF; Telephoto: 8MP (RYYB filter) 1/4.0″ with periscope 125mm f/3.4 OIS lens, 5x optical and 10x hybrid zoom, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 40MP (RGGB filter), 1/1.54″, 18mm, f/1.8, PDAF; ToF camera; 4K@60fps video capture, 720@7680fps slow-mo; Leica co-developed.
Front camera: 32MP, f/2.2, 26mm; ToF camera.
Battery: 4,200mAh; Super Charge 40W; 27W wireless charging; reverse wireless charging.
Security: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical), 3D face recognition.
Connectivity: 5G/4G/3G/GSM; Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6+, Dual-band GPS, Bluetooth 5.1 + LE, NFC, USB Type-C.
Misc: IR blaster, acoustic display acts as earpiece, bottom-firing loudspeaker.

The Huawei P40 Pro seems to be lacking so little but the elephant in the room – the absence of Google Mobile Services – is something that raises many questions. And you will get those answered if you stick for a while with us.

Unboxing the Huawei P40 Pro

There are no surprises within the P40 Pro retail box – its contents are worthy of a flagship. Inside you will find the 40W power brick and the enhanced USB-C cable that goes with it.

Huawei is also throwing a pair of its wired earbuds ending on a USB-C plug. Those have the same shape as Huawei’s FreeBuds 3, they are just not so free.

Some markets may be getting a silicone case with the P40 Pro, but our box did not offer one.

Wrap-up

If someone thought Huawei was done after Google cut them off – they were wrong. The Mate 30 and the P40 series are here to prove that there is a life after Google, and it’s not as bad as you might think initially.

Google’s absence is still obvious and while we are pretty sure the Play Services will find their way on to the P40 phones, one way or another, the third-party stores are getting better and stronger, and you are never left without options. The Amazon AppStore and APKPure are perfectly capable to keep most of your apps up to date.

The hardware package is mightily impressive though, and this is where everyone should be focused, not on the Google stuff. The P40 Pro has an excellent screen with top-notch resolution and high refresh rate. The new Kirin 990 5G is one of the best on the market, with solid thermal properties.

But the new Leica camera on both ends are the attention grabbers. Huawei has kept the same arrangement on the back as on the P30 Pro, but has improved the sensors, lenses, and the processing algorithms. New video options are available, too. Meanwhile, at the front, the selfie shooter has finally gotten an autofocus, while with the help of the ToF camera you will get some amazing portrait shots.

With the right price position, stimuli (the pre-orders get FreeBuds 3), and most important – marketing push – the Huawei P40 Pro has every chance of not only surviving but beating the odds.

The competition

Well, we can’t start this chapter without mentioning one great alternative sold at nearly half the P40 Pro price. Huawei P30 Pro figure was slashed numerous times post the USA vs. Huawei war, and it is currently a hot deal pretty much everywhere. The previous generation flagship offers a similar experience in terms of performance and camera (read great). Sure, you will lose the 90Hz refresh rate and the top-notch ultrawide camera, but the P30 Pro almost €500 cheaper! Oh, and it has all Google services on board and already runs on Android 10 + EMUI 10.

Huawei P40 Pro next to the P30 Pro

The Galaxy S20+ is your next option. Its price is a close match to the P40 Pro, but it’s Dynamic AMOLED is larger and of higher resolution. The screen also supports HDR10+, and you can enjoy high-definition content from all popular streaming services thanks to the entirety of Google’s package. The camera experience and quality are similar even if the optical zoom has a shorter range. The Galaxy also offers stereo speakers, 120Hz refresh rate instead of 90Hz, 8K video capturing, and a bit faster performance.

Oppo Find X2 is an interesting alternative to consider if available in your region. It’s a great flagship ran by the Snapdragon 865 and uses a 6.7″ 120Hz Quad HD AMOLED screen. It has high-res wide and ultrawide snappers and a 13MP cam witha periscope lens for 5x optical zoom. Stereo speakers, Android 10, and 65W fast charging complete the flagship bundle.

Finally, the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro will be launching soon, and it will cost as much as the Huawei. We know it will have a 6.67″ 90Hz AMOLED of 1080p resolution and the newest Snapdragon 865 chip. The quad-camera at the back is quite peculiar – a 108MP primary, a 20MP ultrawide, an 8MP telephoto for 10x hybrid zoom, and a 12MP portrait camera with 2x optical zoom. 8K capturing is available on its main camera, stereo speaker setup is present, Android 10 as well, and the Mi 10 supports 50W fast charging.

Huawei P30 Pro • Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus • Oppo Find X2 Pro • Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro 5G

The verdict

The Huawei P40 Pro is the right kind of a flagship – it offers cutting-edge tech across the board. The OLED screen is both high-resolution and with a high refresh rate, the performance is brilliant and yet won’t suffer from throttling from heating, and then the battery is relatively large and very fast to recharge.

Photography is what the P40 Pro is all about, and the phone excels in that even if there were some hiccups along the way. We are sure Huawei will fix the minor issues we observed with an update, and we already like its plans for EMUI’s expansion.

The fate of the brand lies in its supporters, but we are seeing no reason why you should stay away from it. The P40 Pro is an excellent flagship specimen worth experiencing, be it with Google functions or not.

Pros

Eye-catchy curved design, water-proof body.
Excellent high-res 90Hz OLED screen.
Flagship-grade sustained performance.
Dependable battery life, blazing-fast charging.
Excellent photo quality day and night across all cameras.
Top-notch selfies.
Great video quality at 30fps across the board, excellent stabilization.
All-round connectivity, though no 3.5mm jack

Cons

Only takes NV cards for memory expansion.
No Google Mobile Services means some apps and games will never work no matter what.
The photo Night Mode is not a big leap forward.
4K60 videos are disappointing.

❤ Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G

Foldables for the masses, that’s the direction where we’re headed. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of a stretch, but at $999/€1049 for the base version, the Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is the most affordable smartphone with a bendy display.

In addition to a lower price tag, the Flip3 comes with some meaningful improvements over the previous generation. Since we’re on the topic of generations, the Flip3 is the third installment in the lineup, with the original Flip and the chipset refresh that was the Flip 5G almost making the 3 in the new model’s name make sense.

Anyway, in no particular order, the upgrades include an IPX8 rating for water resistance (the ‘X’ means it’s not rated to be dust-tight), a high-refresh rate on that glorious main Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (the Flip and Flip 5G were 60Hz), and a larger, more useful cover display. There’s also the mandatory chipset upgrade that sees the Snapdragon 888 inside the new Flip.

We’re going to have to take the good with the bad, however, since there are areas where the new generation has stood still, and they are pretty important. It’s mostly the cameras that give us pause. The rear setup is headlined by a small-ish 1/2.55″ sensor that’s a descendant of the one that came in the Galaxy S7 a good while back, the ultrawide has no autofocus, there’s no telephoto of any sort. The selfie camera on the inside isn’t overly impressive either, with a relatively dim lens and no AF either.

The 15W charging capability harks back to even more distant days, though one could argue you don’t need much more with the smallish 3,300mAh battery – some consolation. The new model starts at 128GB of storage, as opposed to the 256GB-only approach of the previous generation – that probably helped with the price tag.

It may sound like more of a conclusion than an intro, but we just had to go over the key specs, and we’ve hardly made up our minds yet, writing these lines. Here are the numbers at a glance, before we get going.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G specs at a glance:

Body: 166.0×72.2×6.9mm, 183g; Plastic front, glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame; IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins).
Display: 6.70″ Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak), 1080x2640px resolution, 22:9 aspect ratio, 426ppi; Cover display:, Super AMOLED, 1.9 inches, 260 x 512 pixels.
Chipset: Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm): Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680); Adreno 660.
Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
OS/Software: Android 11, One UI 3.1.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 12 MP, f/1.8, 27mm, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, 1.12µm.
Front camera: 10 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1.22µm.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+; Front camera: 4K@30fps.
Battery: 3300mAh; Fast charging 15W, Fast wireless charging 10W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); NFC; Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified).

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G unboxing

There’s not a lot to unpack here. The Galaxy Z Flip3 arrives in a two-tone gray box that’s half-height – so you know not to expect to find much inside. An oversized ‘Z’ alludes to the phone’s name and its foldable nature.

The Z Flip3 5G rests on top, face-up in its unfolded state. Underneath, there’s a paper sleeve that holds a USB-C cable and SIM ejection pin, and that’s it.

Pre-order bundles in some regions will include a 25W adapter, or a wireless charger, or Samsung store credit of various amounts, or buy-back discounts – in some places more than one of these at the same time to help sweeten the deal. In the very box, however, you only get the bare minimum.

Competition

Samsung‘s foldable surge this year means more people will likely be considering a phone whose display bends in half. It’s no wonder – the company’s advancements in the field mean that foldables can now be made both more robust and more affordable. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G is the least expensive of the breed to date, but with a list price at launch of $1000/€1050 for a base version, it’s hardly a bargain, even if pre-order bundles or discounts do improve the numbers. What are your options?

Let’s assume you’re hell-bent on getting a foldable. Motorola has the Razr 5G, which has a few things going for it. First is nostalgia – if you’ve ever had a Razr V3 in the mid-noughties, Motorola’s 2020 reincarnation will probably strike a chord with you. The latest Razr’s outer display is larger and a lot more useful too, and the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor makes more sense than the Flip3’s implementation of a side-mounted one. The Moto is a midranger at heart, however, and has an SD765 chipset and only a single rear camera, plus ‘water-repellent design’ isn’t quite an IP rating. There’s also the matter that Motorola isn’t overly keen on selling you one – not with a retail price of $1400/€1500.

The Flip3 is a significant upgrade over the Flip and Flip 5G, but if you can find a deal on one of the older ones, that might make sense if just any foldable will do. You’d be missing out on a much improved main display (a 120Hz refresh rate and 50% more brightness), and you best not get those older Flips wet, plus an old chipset is an old chipset, though you could stand to gain extra battery life in the process. Ultimately, we’d try and snatch a Flip3 with one of the pre-order deals over an older device, but we don’t know the prices in your particular situation.

The numbers are fairly clear when it comes to the Z Fold3 – it’s roughly twice as expensive as the Flip, though carrier subsidies could skew things one way or another. The Fold is arguably twice the phone that the Flip is, though, even if an entirely different beast – essentially a tablet when unfolded, it has nicer cameras, S-Pen support and extra software tricks up its sleeve.

Motorola Razr 5G • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G

Now, if you are the more sensible type and foldability isn’t a top priority, but you are instead into the Flip3 for its perceived compactness, there are multiple alternatives that will generally save you some money, while also offering more features and/or performance. Starting with the Galaxy S21, you’d be getting a more versatile camera system with zoom capability on the back and AF-ing selfie camera, all of them delivering better image quality. Battery life is also better on the bar phone as is charging speed. Oh, and the S21 can be had for up to $300/€300 less than a Flip3 (though, again, pre-order deals on the Flip can affect these numbers). Ultimately S21 – more pragmatic, Flip3 – way cooler.

That holds true against the next one, the Asus Zenfone 8. It starts at around €400/$400 less than a Flip, and even after all the early-bird discounts on the Galaxy, the Asus will still be notably cheaper. The Zenfone is also more compact, has better cameras all around, lasts longer and sort of charges faster. Has a headphone jack too, but what it doesn’t have is a hinge.

Going even smaller, the iPhone 12 mini is also substantially cheaper than the Flip3 – when was the last time an iPhone had ‘price’ in the Pros list. Similarly equipped in the camera department, the mini is also about as bad at endurance as the Galaxy. This bout is going to be decided on size and OS preferences.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G • Asus Zenfone 8 • Apple iPhone 12 mini

Verdict

The Galaxy Z Flip3 is being marketed as a fashion statement, and while the looks and relative novelty of the form factor remain its main selling points, it’s not entirely devoid of practicality. When folded, it will fit in places normal phones won’t (though, admittedly it may not be the best for tight-fitting jeans), and when unfolded, it’ll greet you with one of the best displays around, foldable or otherwise. It’s also water resistant and comes with improved materials all around.

No, the Flip3 doesn’t have competitive battery life, it charges slowly, and its cameras are anything but state of the art. It’s also more expensive than a myriad of phones that will do most things better. But they won’t fold in half.

The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G was never meant to be a value proposition in the grand scheme of things. In its more niche foldable scheme, however, Samsung made sure to put an appealing price sticker on it, and if you act quick with the pre-order, the figures are looking even better. The phone is hardly perfect, but the trade-offs almost make sense, and even if they don’t entirely, it’s hard to argue with the Flip’s sheer coolness factor. If you value coolness more than practicality in a phone, then it most certainly deserves our recommendation.

Pros

Most affordable foldable smartphone yet.
Striking foldable design, improved materials, satisfying flip-phone action.
IPX8 rating for water resistance.
Wonderful (main) display all around – bright, color-accurate, HRR.
Larger cover display is now more useful.

Cons

Limited battery life, relatively slow charging.
Camera versatility and image quality not befitting the price.
Square photos/videos and poor framing if taking selfies with the phone closed.

❤ Motorola Moto G8

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The Moto G series has become a staple of the affordable phone market, and Motorola has managed to make an even cheaper than normal base device for 2020 in the form of the Moto G8.

It doesn’t have as much of a specs jump as new numbered models usually do (and in some ways it’s even a step down), but instead the company is aiming to give you the most bang for your buck in the Moto G8, and it mostly achieves that.

You shouldn’t expect a handset that is going to amaze you, but considering how low the price is you shouldn’t be disappointed by what’s on offer either.

The Moto G8’s design feels premium for the type of device we’re talking about, and it has a big display (although the resolution isn’t as good as we’d like).

The battery meanwhile will last you for a full day even with extensive usage, and if you’re not going to be using the phone much each day you should find that it can last even longer. It’s slow to charge, but the 4,000mAh cell performs well.

The camera can hold its own too. There are three elements – a 16MP main shooter, an 8MP ultra-wide one, and a 2MP macro one, with the former two allowing you to take some impressive shots considering the price of the device.

And that’s what it all comes down to; the price of the Moto G8 is – as noted above – even cheaper than the last few generations of Moto G phones. That in itself is impressive, and while you may be missing a few specs that some will be desperate for, this is a perfect cheap phone for others.

Motorola Moto G8 specs :

NETWORK	Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 – SIM 1 & SIM 2
	3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
	4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 – Europe
		1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 66 – USA
	Speed	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE-A

LAUNCH	Announced	2020, March 05
LAUNCH	Status	Available. Released 2020, March 05

BODY	Dimensions	161.3 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.35 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)
	Weight	188.3 g (6.63 oz)
	Build	Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame
	SIM	Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
		Water-repellent coating

DISPLAY	Type	IPS LCD
	Size	6.4 inches, 100.5 cm² (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
	Resolution	720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density)

PLATFORM	OS	Android 10, upgradable to Android 11
	Chipset	Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)
	CPU	Octa-core (4×2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4×1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)
	GPU	Adreno 610

MEMORY	Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
	Internal	64GB 4GB RAM
		eMMC 5.1

MAIN CAMERA	Triple	16 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.8″, 1.12µm, PDAF, Laser AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0″, 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.2, (macro)
	Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama
	Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps

SELFIE CAMERA	Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm
	Features	HDR
	Video	1080p@30fps

SOUND	Loudspeaker	Yes
	3.5mm jack	Yes

COMMS	WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
	Bluetooth	5.0, A2DP, LE
	GPS	Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
	NFC	No
	Radio	FM radio
	USB	USB Type-C 2.0

FEATURES	Sensors	Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity

BATTERY	Type	Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable

MISC	Colors	White Prism, Capri Blue, Pearl White, Neon Blue
	Models	XT2045-1
	Price	About 230 EUR

The Moto G8’s release has been complicated as the company unveiled a variety of handsets in the range at different times. The standard Moto G8 was unveiled in March 2020, and it went on sale in Europe soon after that.

The phone costs £179.99 / AU$329 (about $220) but it isn’t coming to the US (though you can buy the Moto G Power and Moto G Stylus there, both of which are part of the same range). Exactly why Motorola chose not to bring the G8 to this market is currently unclear.

There’s only one variant of the Moto G8 that you can buy, and it comes with 64GB of space and 4GB of RAM. It’s remarkably cheaper than the Moto G7 that launched at $299 / £239 / AU$399 but it’s important to note that the spec is a little lower here in some regards.

For example, the screen tech on the Moto G8 is a little weaker when compared to the Moto G7.

Design

This is an affordable phone, and if you consider that when handling it then you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised with how the Moto G8 feels in the hand.

It has a plastic frame and rear, so it isn’t going to feel as svelte in your hands as a modern day flagship phone like the Motorola Edge Plus does.

If you’ve got smaller hands, you may not appreciate how large this phone is. It comes with dimensions of 161.3 x 75.8 x 9mm, making it a larger device than a lot of other cheap phones, which could make it a struggle for some to hold.

That said, we enjoyed the size of the device as it allows for a substantial screen (which we’ll dive into more in a moment) as well as a large battery inside.

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

❤ Google Pixel 6a

Galaxy Expert September 1, 2022 Android, Android 5G, Android OS, Android User Guide, Culture, Featured, Google, Lifestyle, News, Pixel, Repair Service, Review, Smartphone, Smartphones, Top Stories, World Google Pixel 6a, Google Pixel 6a Repair, Google Pixel 6a Repair Costs, Google Pixel 6a Review, Google Pixel 6a Screen Replacement Costs, Google Pixel 6a Sydney CBD Repairs, Google Repair, Google Repair Costs, Google Screen Replacement Costs, Google Sydney CBD Repairs, Google+, Pixel 6a, Pixel 6a Repair, Pixel 6a Repair Costs, Pixel 6a Review, Pixel 6a Screen Replacement Costs, Pixel 6a Sydney CBD Repairs

For the past three years Google has attempted to repackage its flagships phones into A Series phones that capture the Pixel essence at a far more attractive price point. The Google Pixel 6a even got the same custom Tensor chipset as the more expensive Pixels, further sweetening the deal.

The Pixel 6a is notably compact with its 6.1-inch OLED screen and far lighter at 178g (vs 207g for the Pixel 6). It perfectly captures the design, look, and feel of the more expensive Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro while strategically shaving costs down in places that doesn’t have a big impact on usability.

The Pixel 6a doesn’t have a charger in the box – a change that came with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. Google also axed the headphone jack in a first for the Pixel A Series.

Google Pixel 6a specs at a glance:

Body: 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.9 mm, 178g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic dual-tone back with horizontal camera bar, aluminum frame; IP67 water and dust resistant.
Display: 6.1″ OLED, 60Hz, HDR, 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 429 ppi.
Chipset: Google Tensor (5 nm): Octa-core (2×2.80 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2×2.25 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A55); Mali-G78 MP20.
Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
OS/Software: Android 12.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm, (wide), 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 17mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1.25µm .
Front camera: 8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1.12µm.
Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 4410mAh; Fast charging 18W, 24 hour battery life (advertised), USB Power Delivery 3.0.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); NFC; stereo speakers; nanoSIM + eSIM;

The Pixel 6a‘s camera is the tried-and-true Sony IMX 363 sensor, the same one that’s been used since the Google Pixel 2. Google only stopped using it on its premium Pixels this year, so we probably shouldn’t be surprised that the 6a didn’t get a different sensor. And we might still see the aging sensor up its performance when paired with the Google Tensor.

Pixel A Series have had excellent battery endurance historically. This time Google slightly reduced the battery size, but with a smaller screen and the Tensor chip we might be in for another solid run. We are also hoping that the 6a has addressed thermal performance weakness we saw with the 6 and 6 Pro. But let’s start with the unboxing.

Unboxing the Google Pixel 6a

The Google Pixel 6a comes in a slim package that we can’t really say covers even the essentials. You’ll no longer find a power adapter in the package, so the Pixel 6a comes with a SIM eject tool and 1-meter USB-C to C cable. We’re glad to also see the USB-C (male) to USB-C (female) “Quick Switch Adapter” for bringing data from another Android device or iPhone over a cable.

Now let’s dive into the testing, starting with the phone’s design, looks, and build. We’re excited for this one, so grab an icy beverage and enjoy the ride.

The competition

The Google Pixel 6a costs $449 in the US, £399 in the UK, and €459 across major EU markets. It is also available in India for Rs 43,999, where the markup caused by import costs is by far the highest.

There is plenty to choose from in this price range. One competitor selling for less is the Nothing phone (1), which is cheaper than the Pixel 6a. It has a higher refresh rate screen, respectable camera performance, and the unique Glyph design that is sure to stand out even amongst flagships.

If you’re after a small flagship device, the iPhone 12 mini is still available from Apple, though it is pricier than the 6a at $599. There’s also this year’s iPhone SE, which we’d avoid unless you really insist on getting an iPhone and it’s the only one you can afford (but then you probably wouldn’t be reading this).

Nothing Phone (1) • Apple iPhone 12 mini • Apple iPhone SE (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy A53 is a popular smartphone in the US for its lower price point. You get more features and a more impressive hardware sheet. There a high refresh rate display, large battery, IP67 rating, though the camera is not too stellar and the Exynos 1280 is not a great performer.

If you’re after a small Android flagship, the Zenfone 9 is at least worth mentioning. It’s priced out of competing with the Pixel 6a, but it’s a compact handset with a 5.9-inch AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.

The Realme GT Neo 3T is in the same price bracket as the Pixel 6a and it has great battery life, a bright AMOLED screen with 120Hz, and excellent charging speeds. Its main camera is solid and can stand up to the Pixel 6a, but its ultrawide shooter is inferior.

The Nord 2T has a reliable camera and great performance with the Dimensity 1300 5G chip. There’s also 80W fast charging, but there’s no ingress protection.

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G • Asus Zenfone 9 • Realme GT Neo 3T • OnePlus Nord 2T

Verdict

Before continuing with the verdict, we need to address an issue revealed by early testers of the Pixel 6a. It was confirmed that some devices were able to authenticate the device’s biometrics by using a finger that was not even registered to the device. The instances seem isolated, but they pose a serious security flaw with the device. Google is yet to addressed the issue, so it’s worth keeping an eye on and withhold purchase until it’s cleared if you often find yourself in environements where sensitive info might be exposed.

That aside Google may have finally mastered the A Series formula with the Pixel 6a. It managed yet again to capture the essence of the Pixel flagships into a more affordable phone that does not water down the overall experience too much. The 60Hz display and leisurly charging speeds count against it, but the overall execution of the 6a is great for its price. The

Shipping the 6a with a Google Tensor versus last year’s Snapdragon 765G and keeping the same $449 price point makes it a great offer. Camera performance remains solid, software and performance are polished and battery life is respectable. Plus, Google addressed performance throttling issues with Google Tensor on the Pixel 6a.

It’s arguably Google‘s most competitively positioned smartphone in a good while and one we can wholeheartedly recommend. The obvious asterisk here is that things stand differently in India where consumers have a huge choice in this price segment and the Pixel 6a‘s higher price makes it far less tempting.

Pros

Attractive, compact design that looks more expensive than it is.
Bright and accurate AMOLED display.
Good sustained performance from the Google Tensor this time.
Extended firmware update support; Voice Typing and on-device language processing is excellent.
Great all-around camera.

Cons

Isolated instances of a fingerprint security flaw are not acceptable.
60Hz refresh rate is not competitive for this price range.
Headphone jack is gone.
No charger included in the box.

❤ OxygenOS 13 vs. ColorOS 13

Galaxy Expert August 30, 2022 Android, Android 5G, Android OS, Android User Guide, Culture, Featured, Lifestyle, News, Repair Service, Review, Smartphone, Smartphones, Top Stories, Update, Updates, World ColorOS 13, oneplus, OnePlus Repair, OnePlus Repair Costs, Oneplus screen replacement, OnePlus Screen Replacement Costs, OnePlus Sydney CBD Repairs, Oppo, Oppo Repair, Oppo Screen Replacement, Oppo Screen Replacement Costs, Oppo Sydney CBD Repairs, OxygenOS 13

OxygenOS 13 and ColorOS 13 share more than a few similarities – they are effectively the same OS masquerading as different “versions.” Toss in Realme UI 4.0 and it’s an inconvenient truth that BBK appears unwilling to own up to.

Given that Pete Lau claimed OxygenOS and ColorOS’s unified platform was set to be walked back, it’s all the more frustrating as we once lauded the former as the “best Android experience.” It’s amazing to see how much times have changed the industry’s disrupter. Some might say that this has been inevitable. None of this is more apparent when using ColorOS 13 and OxygenOS 13 side-by-side.

Sharing components and hardware production pipelines is one thing, but for many, the crux of why they still continued to persevere with OnePlus was OxygenOS. Just what is in store? Here’s everything you need to know – the good and the bad.

Merging all in Android 13

We saw the first steps of the merger between ColorOS and OxygenOS with the Android 12 update. It’s even more pronounced this time around, to the point that it’s actively hard to tell the two Android skins apart. The similarities are so pronounced that it’s almost easier to point out the minor changes than what is the same.

Notification center

There are big changes right away in the pull-down Notification center in OxygenOS and ColorOS 13. It is eerily reminiscent of the Android 11 Developer Preview 1 whereby the media controls were tested inside the Quick Settings panel alongside common toggles. You can certainly see some iOS influences, but the addition of the Android 12 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth pill-style toggles are an important alteration.

It’s hard to argue that this does limit utility and does so at the expense of some identity. With many Chinese OEMs doing similar things, it’s a tad disappointing to see the simple Quick Settings panel and Notification center removed in favor of this iOS-lite combination.

Settings page changes

A number of changes have been made in the Settings menu and a number of associated submenus so that OxygenOS 13 is even more like ColorOS 13. You can see it instantly from the injection of color to the Settings sectional icons. There are other changes such as to the About phone screen, which is now identical on both devices including the “share” button to send or post your device specs to apps and other services.

If you’re in any doubt about whether the changes are fully merged across, even the SystemUI icon within the processes and battery section now has the same icon in OxygenOS and ColorOS 13 based upon Oppo’s system icon design.

AOD features

For years we hoped that OnePlus would add Always-on display support and finally it was introduced with OxygenOS 11 and Android 11. Since then, the feature has evolved, and to be fair to OnePlus the implementation has been solid overall.

A case in point is the brand-new Spotify widget for the Always-on display. Spotify is pushed like a banner ad within the Shelf section here too, which some might find intrusive. However, if you do use the music streaming service, you can enable a new widget that will appear when the Always-on display function is active. It’s a neat integration but is artificially limited. We’d like to see it come to more streaming and media services or just have a generic option available.

Because so much of the software is now bleeding into ColorOS, one-time exclusive Canvas AOD functions are now available to Oppo phones. Even the exclusive Parsons School of Design “Insight” feature is now part and parcel of ColorOS 13. Many of the widgets and customization options are set to be made available to Oppo and OnePlus owners.

Homescreen changes

A number of changes have been made to the homescreen including to how things look and operate, but, again, everything is visible across both versions of OxygenOS 13 and ColorOS 13. One of the most notable changes that feels like it has been lifted right out of Nothing OS is the ability to enlarge any homescreen folders for easier access.

ColorOS 13’s “Aquamorphic” icon style is available here too, which is another indication of the merging visual identities. Google’s themed icons have also made the jump over to ColorOS and OxygenOS for the first time. System apps and any supported Google apps will adhere to your preset system wallpaper colors. This relies upon greater support for Dynamic color with wallpaper-based theming available more extensively via the “Wallpaper & style” app in the Settings section.

This works in a similar manner to the Color palette feature in One UI. You can select from some preset basic color swatches with previews of just how certain menus and app controls will look. It’s nothing new, it’s just tuned here again in Android 13. Even the new wallpaper selection in OxygenOS 13 and ColorOS 13 have similarities. The stock selection feels like a copycat without the effort being made to hide it.

Global device search is in the works for the App drawer in both versions of Android 13. This looks like it is going to work in a similar manner to how Pixel devices offer the search functions when swiping up from the homescreen. It’s not fully functional or doesn’t appear to be at this stage, but this is a good move regardless.

Shelf alterations

The OnePlus Shelf function has jumped over to ColorOS for the first time in Android 13. This is one of the few features alongside Zen Mode and Work-Life Balance that has survived the UI overhaul. You can still activate by swiping down at the homescreen but it’s here in ColorOS 13 for the first time.

There is no ability to add toggles or on-device storage data with a limited selection of widgets including a Step tracker, Weather data, Notes, Clock, Photos, and Spotify control tab. Sadly, it looks like the ability to choose a right corner swipe gesture to access this quick panel has also been fully removed as you can only toggle via a homescreen swipe down here in Android 13 in ColorOS 13 and OxygenOS 13.

O-haptics

OnePlus and Oppo are among the best on Android when it comes to haptic feedback. The O-haptic feature has been available for a little while but joined OxygenOS 12.1 and ColorOS 12.1 when the Find X5 Pro launched. With Android 13, it’s likely coming to even more OnePlus and Oppo devices. This lets you tune the haptic intensity and how vibrations “feel” when active.

Charging animations

For years OnePlus and Oppo have remained adamant that Warp Charge and SuperVOOC charging utilized different technology despite evidence to the contrary. Now even the charging animation is identical across OxygenOS and ColorOS. It’s pretty nice too, but the “SuperVOOC” branding is now more prominent after bleeding into OnePlus devices over the past 18 months.

Removal of OnePlus identity

You could very easily argue that the OnePlus identity is slowly being airbrushed out of existence, and there are a few key areas where that is evident here in the Android 13 beta. Of course, changes could be simply due to the fact that ColorOS and OxygenOS 13 are still in the early preview phase. We’re not quite as convinced given the bulk of changes over the past couple of years. Even so, here’s a few key areas you’ll notice the watering down of the OxygenOS branding:

No Never Settle in Shelf

The useful Shelf feature has evolved over time to include many new tweaks and functions, but you’ll spot right away that the iconic “Never Settle” tagline and branding has been wiped from the pulldown section. ColorOS 13 has added the Shelf feature to add yet more confusion. It looks and functions in the same way.

Lack of 1+ calculator easter egg

Another removal in the OxygenOS 13 beta is the popular calculator easter egg. For those unaware, you can launch the stock calculator app and enter “1+” then tap “=” to reveal an animated “Never Settle” logo in the output box. Attempting to do this in the latest OxygenOS beta does nothing.

OxygenOS logo removed in Settings

In the Settings menu, there is no more room for the traditional OxygenOS logo that has been used for a number of years. You’ll usually find this by heading to Settings > About phone > Software version. While Oppo’s ColorOS logo is emblazoned within the same pane on Find X5 Pro, it’s curiously missing on the OnePlus 10 Pro. This could be a simple oversight within the Android 13 preview, given that the animated OxygenOS logo remains in place upon device startup.

Final thoughts

Oppo and OnePlus need to stop this charade of trying to claim that ColorOS and OxygenOS are different builds. While there may be under-the-hood differences, at least functionally the two are now identical. Some of the identity of OnePlus has been sacrificed and for hardened fans, the lack of transparency is not only frustrating, but it’s also insulting.

It’s exacerbated as OxygenOS 13 and ColorOS 13 are, in fact, absolutely fine. In fact, ColorOS has come a long way in recent years. It was once quite poor and now it’s very good in its own right. Oppo’s third-party Android skin can stand on its own with a number of impressive features, well-organized sections, and genuinely useful changes.

A bigger problem with this update choice is that the OnePlus of years gone by could almost sell devices courtesy of the clean, lightweight version of OxygenOS that offered a genuine alternative to the Google Pixel series.Things deteriorated over the past few years and any individuality has been ripped from the brand. Fans will be disappointed, and we’re saddened too. It almost makes it hard to recommend that you go out and buy a OnePlus phone, because, from Android 13 onwards, you’re buying an Oppo phone in all but name.

❤ Google Play Store new version update and issue

Galaxy Expert August 25, 2022 Android, Android 5G, Android OS, Android User Guide, Culture, Featured, Google, Google Play Store, Lifestyle, News, Repair Service, Review, Top Stories, Update, Updates, Upgrade, World Google Play Store, Google Play Store issue, Google Play Store new version, Google Play Store new version issue, Google Play Store new version update, Google Repair, Google Repair Costs, Google Screen Replacement Costs, Google Sydney CBD Repairs, Google+

Google Play Store not showing all your ‘Recently updated’ Android apps

Google recently addressed an issue where version numbers disappeared from the Play Store, and a similar problem in that vein has now appeared involving the “Recently updated” list.Since yesterday (August 23), Google Play has not consistently shown all the Android apps that you have “Recently updated,” which is the default view/filter for the “Manage” tab in “Manage apps & device.” You might have one or two appear but the vast majority are missing. In the example below, Google Docs, Sheets, and Slide are missing, while Apple Music was also updated yesterday in addition to on Monday. There are countless other examples across a handful of devices we checked, though not all users say they are affected. The issue continues into today with Google Pay (Tez) showing up but not Google Maps or Twitter for me.

One way of seeing what apps are missing is by comparing that list to the “Recently scanned apps” row shown on the Play Protect page. We’re encountering this issue on both the latest stable release (31.9.1) of the Play Store and newer versions that are still rolling out.

The new Google Play Store logo goes live on Android [U]

Google last changed the Play icon in 2016 when Play Movies & TV, Music, and Newsstand were still vibrantly kicking. Over six years later, the Google Play Store is getting a new logo.

Update 7/27: The new logo is starting to appear on Android with version 31.6.13-21 of Google Play. It’s a pretty straightforward replacement with not a lot changing in terms of proportions or triangle size. There’s also a new outline-style status bar icon with bold lines.

That update is not yet widely rolled out, but it has already appeared on one of our devices.

Update 7/26: Following the official 10th anniversary announcement yesterday, the new logo is live on play.google.com , as well as the developer site. It’s meant to better reflect the “magic of Google and matches the branding shared by many of our helpful products — Search, Assistant, Photos, Gmail and more.”

blue (#4285F4), red (#EA4335), yellow (#FBBC04), and green (#34A853)

Of course, most users will encounter it when the Android app is updated and the homescreen icon changes.

Update 7/16: Additional proof that Google Play is getting a new logo comes from the US Patent and Trademark Office. We see the more rounded triangle with updated coloring in much higher-resolution, though it’s still somewhat blurry. The company officially describes it as such:

The mark consists of a triangle comprised of rounded corners, divided in four colored sections; the color blue appears at left; the color green appears at top; the color yellow appears at right; and the color red appears at bottom.

Original 7/6: Before the 2016 redesign, which also placed everything in triangles, the icon had more shadows.

This new Google Play logo is still a triangle, but notice how the corners are much more rounded compared to the current one. Meanwhile, the four colors in use are more closely aligned with that of the four Google colors, which is the clear trend and mandate of recent revamps. That said, we can’t help but note how muted and dark the icon is compared to other first-party services.

Blue and green are definitely less vibrant, while the internal partition has been tweaked so that the parts are more equal in size. Today, the blue triangle is oversized compared to the other three components.

Current vs. upcoming

Only a low-resolution version of this icon is available today. It can be found in both GPay and Google Pay – soon Wallet – when you make a Play Store transaction, like adding credit to your account, as the merchant icon. There’s no obvious indication when it was updated.

It’s not live anywhere in the Play Store app or play.google.com, which was just redesigned. That would have been an optimal time to unveil it.

At this point, it’s not clear when Google will introduce the new Play Store logo. Google Play did just remove the Movies & TV tab, while the likely exit of Play Books to make the Play Store entirely focused on Android apps makes eventual sense. Meanwhile, the fate of the “Play” in Play Games is slightly more solid given the big push into Android gaming on Windows. However, the future of the dedicated Android app is not as firm.

❤ Samsung Galaxy A71 5G

Galaxy Expert August 23, 2022 Android, Android 5G, Android OS, Android User Guide, Culture, Featured, Lifestyle, News, Repair Service, Review, Samsung, Samsung Display, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Smartphone Repairs, SDcard, Smartphone, Smartphones, Top Stories, Update, Updates, World Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Repair, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Repair Costs, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Screen Replacement Costs, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G Sydney CBD Repairs, samsung galaxy repair, Samsung Galaxy Repair Costs, Samsung Galaxy Screen Replacement Costs, Samsung Galaxy Sydney CBD Repairs

It’s easy to forget that Samsung makes more than $1,000+ flagship phones. After all, handsets like the $599.99 Galaxy A71 5G tend to get overshadowed when the company announces scene stealers like the $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2. But you shouldn’t discount these more affordable models just because they aren’t as flashy. In the case of the Galaxy A71, you’re getting a lot for your money, including 5G connectivity, solid performance, a terrific camera, and long battery life. It’s one of the better phones for getting 5G in this price range right now, though the competition is increasing at a rapid clip.

Design, Display, and Durability

The Galaxy A71 5G is flat in the front, with a curved plastic back panel. It measures 6.3 by 3.0 by 0.3 inches (HWD) and comes in at 6.5 ounces. We tested an unlocked model in black with a subtle monochromatic pattern, though Verizon’s version has a more distinct prismatic design.

The front of the phone is dominated by 6.7-inch, 2,400-by-1,080-pixel AMOLED display with a notch for the camera. The screen looks gorgeous, with vibrant colors and inky blacks, and it’s bright enough to see outside. Even the in-display fingerprint sensor is pretty good, though it’s not as fast or accurate as on the iPhone SE or the Pixel 4a.

Top of the phone has a hybrid SIM slot, while a speaker, a USB-C charging port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack sit on the bottom. The left side is bare, across from the volume rocker and multifunction power/Bixby button on the right. The buttons provide a satisfying click when tapped, but are hard to reach with small hands.

The back of the phone features a large rectangular camera stack in the upper left corner and a Samsung logo in the middle. The back panel is constructed of plastic, but it could easily be mistaken for glass if it weren’t for the dull thud it makes when tapped. While the high-gloss finish looks great, it quickly attracts fingerprints.

The phone’s plastic build should be able to handle a few bumps and drops without issue, but the display isn’t likely to fare as well as it’s constructed out of older Gorilla Glass 3. There’s also no IP rating, which is unacceptable once you cross the $500 threshold.

Connectivity and Audio

The Galaxy A71 5G is available unlocked and through every major carrier. AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and unlocked versions of the phone support sub-6GHz 5G. Verizon offers an Ultra Wideband version that supports millimeter-wave now and will support low-band 5G when it is rolled out later this year.

It’s worth mentioning that 5G is a much different beast than LTE, and you should do your homework before making a purchase. The X52 modem (400MHz) in the Galaxy A71 has half the bandwidth of the X55 (800Mhz) in the pricier Samsung Galaxy 20+, for instance.

We tested the phone on T-Mobile’s 5G network in Philadelphia. Download speeds averaged 146.8Mbps, while uploads clocked in around 38.6Mbps.

Call quality is excellent. At 85dB, the earpiece is loud enough to hear in just about any setting. Our test calls were consistently clear on both ends, and noise cancellation worked well.

Audio quality, on the other hand, is disappointing. The phone has a single bottom-firing speaker that maxes out at 90dB. It’s fine for video calls, but it sounds pretty bad for everything else. On the plus side, Dolby Atmos is supported with wired or Bluetooth headphones.

The phone also supports Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and dual-band Wi-Fi.

Cameras

On the back, the Galaxy A71 5G sports a 64MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, a 5MP macro lens, and a 5MP depth sensor. The front-facing camera clocks in at 32MP.

The 64MP quad-pixel lens performs well in all lighting scenarios. Photos are crisp, depth of field is excellent, and color is slightly saturated but looks great. In low light, we noticed minor noise and a slight loss of detail, but the phone managed to surpass the Pixel 4a in a few scenarios. The ultra-wide lens offers similarly good performance.

The 5MP macro sensor is just okay. With a steady hand and good light, you can get a decent shot, but not one that can compare with a true macro lens. That’s not surprising, as we’ve yet to see a spectacular macro lens in this price range.

The front-facing camera shines in all lighting scenarios. In good light, test shots were sharp with excellent detail. Low-light photos were nearly as good, though a few of our images showed minor noise around the edges.

Portrait mode works well on the front and rear cameras. Depth mapping was spot on in nearly all of our test photos, which is no small feat since most phones in this price range struggle with correctly capturing wisps of hair, subjects against monochromatic backgrounds, and accurately mapping the areas around hats and glasses.

Hardware and Performance

The Galaxy A715G ships with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 chipset and 6GB of RAM. There’s 128GB of storage, with about 108GB available out of the box. You can add up to an additional 1TB of storage with a microSD card.

Performance is solid for the price. The A71 5G handles multitasking without any problems; we had nearly two dozen apps open simultaneously, as well as 30 browser tabs, and didn’t experience any slowdown.

We tested the phone for over an hour playing Alto’s Odyssey and didn’t experience any lag or skipped frames. The game loaded fast and didn’t have a significant effect on battery life.

Benchmarks underscore our experience. On Geekbech 5, a test that measures raw processor power, the A71 5G earned scores of 609 single-core (SC) and 1,879 multi-core (MC), for a nice lead over the Pixel 4a at 402 SC and 1,618 MC.

See How We Test Phones

The phone is powered by a 4,500mAh battery that will get even the most demanding user through the day. In our battery drain test, which streams HD video over Wi-Fi at full brightness, the phone lasted for 10 hours and 33 minutes. When you find it running out of juice, the A71 5G supports Samsung’s fast charging protocol and comes with a 25W adapter in the box. Wireless charging isn’t supported, however.

Software

The Galaxy A71 5G ships with Android 10 along with Samsung’s One UI 2. While many manufacturers have gravitated toward a more stock Android model over last couple of years, Samsung’s UI continues to offer a very customized user experience.

In One UI 2, navigation buttons are reversed, app icons are changed, and the settings menu looks different than stock Android. It’s not bad by any means, but if you’re used to Android on a non-Samsung phone, prepare to spend a few minutes getting used to it.

The unlocked version of the A71 5G features Samsung’s suite of productivity apps. For the most part they’re Samsung’s version of apps already baked into Android, and for years we’ve considered them redundant, but we’re starting to rethink our stance. This year, Samsung integrated many of its apps with Microsoft Office and improved its cloud platform significantly. The A71 5G is also tightly integrated with many of Samsung’s other smart devices to offer a more seamless user experience.

And the Galaxy A71 5G is one of Samsung’s first handsets confirmed to receive OS upgrades for three years. While there’s no timeline on when Samsung will release these updates, it’s good to know that you’re not buying into a dead end.

Conclusions

The Samsung Galaxy A71 is a good phone for 5G on a (relative) budget, with solid performance all around. It also costs $100 less and has a much better camera than the 5G-capable Moto Edge. That said, we’d like to see better durability for $600, and unless you buy the phone on Verizon, you’re not getting a future-proof 5G experience. And with the $500 Moto One 5G launching on AT&T and Verizon soon, the competition is really heating up. So while the Galaxy A71 gets most things right, you might want to sit tight to see how things shake out before picking one up.

PROS

Solid performance
Excellent camera
Nice display

CONS

Lackluster durability
Poor audio quality

THE BOTTOM LINE

The Samsung Galaxy A71 offers 5G connectivity and solid overall performance for a relatively affordable price.

❤ How to enable Lockdown mode on Samsung phones

Galaxy Expert August 18, 2022 Android, Android App, Android OS, Android User Guide, Culture, Featured, Lifestyle, News, Repair Service, Review, Samsung, Samsung Display, Samsung Electronics, Samsung Galaxy, Samsung Smartphone Repairs, Smartphone, Smartphones, Top Stories, World lockdown, Lockdown Mode, Lockdown mode on Samsung, Lockdown mode on Samsung phone, Lockdown mode on Samsung phones, Samsung Galaxy, samsung galaxy repair, Samsung Galaxy Repair Costs, Samsung Galaxy Screen Replacement Costs, Samsung Galaxy Sydney CBD Repairs, Samsung Lockdown, Samsung Lockdown mode

Just like Google’s Pixel phones, Samsung has equipped Galaxy devices with a special tool for emergency situations. The Samsung mode on Galaxy phones is called “Lockdown,” and it makes unlocking the device even more difficult if you don’t know the PIN or passcode. Here’s how it works.

Lockdown mode is one of those features that we recommend familiarizing yourself with, even though you might never need to use it. The feature sits up there with Emergency SOS as far as importance is concerned.

In essence, Lockdown Mode does a couple of things for your Samsung device. When initiated, the feature will immediately lock your phone. After the Galaxy phone is locked, it will turn off both face recognition and the fingerprint sensor, leaving a PIN or passcode as the only unlock option.

This can come in handy for a variety of reasons – all pretty malicious. There may be circumstances where your fingerprint or face could be used to unlock the device without consent. To combat this, Lockdown mode ensures that any unlock is by intent.

How to enable Lockdown mode on Samsung Galaxy phones

There are a couple of ways you can initiate Lockdown mode on your Samsung phone. Before activating it though, you need to change a couple of settings. By default, Lockdown mode isn’t an option in the Power menu and needs to be turned on.

Here’s how to add Lockdown mode to the Power menu:

On your Samsung phone, head to the settings by swiping down from the homescreen and tapping the settings cog.
From the settings, find and tap Lock screen.
Tap Secure lock settings.
Enter your PIN or passcode.
Toggle Show lockdown option on.

This process adds Lockdown mode to your Power menu, making it very easy to access in most circumstances. Here’s how to find Lockdown mode on your Samsung phone:

From your homescreen, swipe down twice.
Tap the power icon.
Tap Lockdown.

As mentioned, your phone will instantly lock itself. If you try to open it back up, you’ll find your fingerprint won’t work nor will face unlock. The only way to gain access again is through your PIN or passcode. Once you unlock with your PIN, your Samsung device will deactivate Lockdown and things will go back to normal.

By default, the only way to access the Power menu is through the Quick Setting page above your notifications. You can change this by adjusting what the Side key – or power button – does when held down. Samsung defaults this button’s action to waking Bixby, though it can be used to quickly access the Power menu.

Here’s how to change the side key’s function:

Head to settings by swiping down once from the home screen and tapping the settings cog.
From there, scroll down and tap Advanced settings.
Hit Side key.
Under Press and hold, tap Power off menu.

Once changed, the Power menu will appear when the power button is held down. This makes it a little easier to access the Lockdown option on Samsung phones.

How is Samsung’s Lockdown different from iOS Lockdown Mode?

With iOS 16, Apple introduced a new feature for the company called Lockdown Mode as well. While the name is similar to what Samsung offers for its devices, the feature is a little more robust for iOS. Lockdown Mode for iOS initiates a systemwide security upgrade that focuses on protecting from “sophisticated cyber attacks.” Apps, websites, and other features will function differently with a focus on security rather than performance.

Apple’s Lockdown Mode is much more focused on cybersecurity rather than the physical security that Lockdown for Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices are.

While we hope Lockdown is never needed in a real circumstance for your Android device, it’s a feature that should be familiar. Samsung’s Lockdown is a great way to protect yourself and your vital data in the case of an emergency, especially since it’s so easy to activate. This feature works great on any Samsung phone, including the Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4, which both make use of fingerprint sensors and face unlock.

❤ Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 update rolling out with ‘important’ security fix

Galaxy Expert August 13, 2022 Android, Android Smartwatch, Android User Guide, Android watch, Android Watch OS, Android Wear, Culture, Featured, FitBit, FitBit Smart Watch, Fitbit Smartwatch, Lifestyle, News, Repair Service, Review, Smart Watch, Software, Top Stories, Update, Updates, World Fitbit, Fitbit Repair, Fitbit Repair Costs, Fitbit Screen Replacement, Fitbit Screen Replacement Costs, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Sense Repair Costs, Fitbit Sense Sydney CBD Repairs, Fitbit Sense update, Fitbit Sense update rolling out with important security fix, Fitbit Sydney CBD Repairs, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 3 Repair, Fitbit Versa 3 Repair Costs, Fitbit Versa 3 review, Fitbit Versa 3 Screen Replacement, Fitbit Versa 3 Screen Replacement Costs, Fitbit Versa 3 Sydney CBD Repairs, Fitbit Versa 3 update, Fitbit Versa 3 update rolling out with important security fix

Following the Charge 5 and Luxe trackers last month, Fitbit is rolling out an update to the Sense and Versa 3 smartwatch.

The Fitbit Sense is going from 44.128.6.12 to 44.128.6.17, while the Versa 3 jumps 36.128.6.12 to 36.128.6.17. This versioning suggests an incremental patch and the Fitbit OS update list says as much.

What’s changed in the latest Fitbit OS update?

Updates to Fitbit OS provide new features, improvements, and bug fixes for your Fitbit watch.

However, the new changelog entry for an update that’s “Sense and Versa 3 only” is misidentified as Fitbit OS 4.2.3. That was a previous update from March for the Versa, Versa 2, and Versa Lite Edition, with the Sense and Versa 3 notably running Fitbit OS 5.x. That said, the contents are clearly new and should be accurate:

That error has been addressed and the update is now referred to as Fitbit OS 5.3.1:

This release includes bug fixes, improvements, and an important security update. For more information about security updates see How do I update my Fitbit device?

The emphasis is on an “important security update,” with Fitbit recommending that “you apply an important update immediately”:

The security update patches a vulnerability that, if exploited, could compromise data security, potentially allowing access to confidential or sensitive data but stopping short of full code execution.

Past releases only noted bug fixes and improvements. This update is rolled out to a Fitbit Sense we checked this morning. In our brief usage, we’ve yet to spot any other user-facing changes.

Update: Meanwhile, there’s also new firmware for the Charge 4 (1.100.76), Inspire 2 (1.124.76), and Ace 3 (1.134.76) this afternoon that addresses “bug fixes, improvements, and a critical security update.”

The security update patches a vulnerability that, if exploited, could allow attacker-supplied code to gain unrestricted access and potentially go undetected by the customer.

We recommend that you apply a critical update immediately.

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Android

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G specs at a glance:

Unboxing the Galaxy S21 FE

The competition

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Pros

Cons

Huawei P40 Pro specs

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Wrap-up

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G specs at a glance:

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G unboxing

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Verdict

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Design

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Pros

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Google Pixel 6a specs at a glance:

Unboxing the Google Pixel 6a

The competition

Verdict

Pros

Cons

Merging all in Android 13

Notification center

Settings page changes

AOD features

Homescreen changes

Shelf alterations

O-haptics

Charging animations

Removal of OnePlus identity

No Never Settle in Shelf

Lack of 1+ calculator easter egg

OxygenOS logo removed in Settings

Final thoughts

Google Play Store not showing all your ‘Recently updated’ Android apps

The new Google Play Store logo goes live on Android [U]

Design, Display, and Durability

Connectivity and Audio

Cameras

Hardware and Performance

See How We Test Phones

Software

Conclusions

How to enable Lockdown mode on Samsung Galaxy phones

Accessing the Power menu via the side key

How is Samsung’s Lockdown different from iOS Lockdown Mode?

What’s changed in the latest Fitbit OS update?

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S CHANGED

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW?

WHAT’S CHANGED?

Exercise app

Always-on Display (Versa 2 only)

Alexa (Versa 2 only)

WHAT’S FIXED?

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW

Fitbit Today

WHAT’S CHANGED

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT’S FIXED

WHAT’S NEW

Fitbit Today

Music

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