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jeudi 30 septembre 2021

Xiaomi’s next flagship phone could have a curved 4K OLED display

Although 4K OLED displays on smartphones have been around for a while now, most flagship phones these days offer QHD+ OLED panels. There are a couple of good reasons why 4K OLED displays on smartphones haven’t seen widespread adoption. However, it seems like one prominent OEM is now finally ready to take the plunge — Xiaomi.

We’ve spotted Xiaomi’s next flagship phone on Chinese certification authority TENAA’s website, and the listing reveals that it will feature a curved 6.55-inch 4K (3840 x 2160) OLED display. The listing also includes a few images of the phone that give us a glimpse of its design.

Xiaomi phone with curved 4K OLED display front Xiaomi phone with curved 4K OLED display right side Xiaomi phone with curved 4K OLED display left side Xiaomi phone with curved 4K OLED display back

As you can see in the attached images, the Xiaomi phone features a rectangular camera module in the top-right corner of the back panel with a triple camera setup and a dual-LED flash. Over on the front, it has a curved display that doesn’t appear to have a hole punch cutout for the selfie camera. But since the image is quite dark, we can’t be sure if it has an under-display camera like the Mi MIX 4 or not.

The listing also reveals that the device will measure 158.34 × 71.5 × 6.98mm and weigh 166g. Furthermore, it adds that the phone will pack a 4,400mAh battery, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of onboard storage. While the listing doesn’t specify the SoC, we learn that it will be clocked at 2.4GHz. As far as the software is concerned, the listing suggests that the device will run Android 11 out of the box. However, with the Android 12 stable release right around the corner, Xiaomi might end up offering the phone with MIUI 12.5 based on Android 12.

At the moment, Xiaomi hasn’t shared any details about this upcoming device. But we expect to learn more soon. We’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we have more information.

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Apple Watch 7 pre-orders could start in just over a week

The Apple Watch 7 series launched alongside the iPhone 13 series and the new iPads. Interestingly, Apple never gave any type of availability for the Apple Watch past stating that it would arrive in “fall”, while all of the other products announced had clear pre-order dates. This might have been as a result of production issues ahead of its launch, though when it comes to Apple, we’ll never really be sure. If you’re vying for a new Apple Watch, it seems that your wait might soon be over.

Hermès, an official partner of Apple, has reportedly said in multiple emails obtained by AppleTrack that the Apple Watch 7 series pre-orders will start in just over a week. The company’s customer service apparently said “Apple Watch Series 7 will be available for preorder beginning October 8. 2021. Please let us know if you have any further questions!” Furthermore, a source at Hermès has told AppleTrack privately that the emails are valid, though the date was not confirmed specifically. Finally, Jon Prosser has also said that he expects a mid-October launch with pre-orders happening as soon as next week.

For those not in the know, Hermès is a French luxury goods manufacturer and the company has its own special edition of the Apple Watch 7.

The Apple Watch Series 7 promises up to 18 hours of battery life on a single charge and offers 33% faster charging through a new charging architecture and Magnetic Fast Charger USB-Type C Cable. Other highlights of this watch include GPS, Bluetooth, and dual-band Wi-Fi. The smartwatch runs watchOS 8 out of the box, which comes with a huge set of new software features. The Apple Watch Series 7 starts at $399, and it comes in a wide range of finishes. Those include five new colors for the aluminum variant, three colors for the stainless steel variant, and two titanium colorways. Finally, it’s backward compatible with older Apple Watch bands, too.

If you’re looking to pick up the latest and greatest edition of Apple’s smartwatch, then it seems very likely you’ll be able to pre-order one soon. As AppleTrack speculates, pre-orders may start as soon as Friday next week.

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AT&T is finally adding a security feature to cut down on port-out scams

It looks like AT&T already has a response to the FCC’s new proposals announced today, because they are adding a one-time passcode security feature to cut down on port-out scams.

A new AT&T support article we spotted today states that the carrier will soon require customers who want to port out their number to generate a one-time passcode before switching carriers. The feature is called a “Number Transfer PIN”, and Verizon has been using it since March of last year. It’s a secure one-time-use code that can only be generated by the customer.

Customers that want to port out must first either dial *PORT from their current line or generate a code with the myAT&T app/their online account. The code is then provided to the carrier they are porting to, along with other general account information. Importantly, AT&T employees cannot generate this code on a customer’s behalf. This eliminates an “inside job” type of situation, at least for port-out scams.

Number Transfer PINs replace the existing pre-configured PIN setup that AT&T (and T-Mobile) currently uses. The pre-configured PIN is established when the account is opened, and is used for both account access and to port out. The new PINs are randomized and only generated when needed, making them much more secure.

The change is currently set to take place on October 18th, according to the support article. T-Mobile will then be the only major carrier not using the Number Transfer PIN method.

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Amazon is being sued by companies it banned for fake reviews

Amazon has been cracking down on sellers and companies that manipulate reviews, either by posting fake reviews themselves, or by incentivizing buyers to leave reviews in exchange for gift cards or other rewards. Many companies have been barred from selling products on Amazon over the past few months, and now some of them are suing Amazon, claiming it is withholding their earnings.

Several companies based in China have filed a class-action complaint against Amazon (via The Verge), including Sopownic, Slaouwo, Deyixun, Cstech, Recoo Direct, Angelbliss, and Tudi. The action seeks the “recovery of funds that are being illegally and improperly withheld by Amazon” — in other words, income earned from Amazon sales that were not paid out before the companies were de-listed. Recoo Direct alone claims it is owed over $236,000, which sold accessories like webcams before being blocked.

Aukey and Mpow were among the first brands to be blocked by Amazon for fake reviews (at least during the current purge), back in May of this year. Amazon also removed RavPower from its store in June, and Choetech was banned in July. At the same time, Amazon forced Fakespot to be removed from the Apple App Store, which can help determine if a certain product has fake reviews or not. Fakespot is still available on the web and the Google Play Store.

The group of companies suing Amazon does not include high-profile tech brands, such as Aukey and Mpow, but they could join the class action in the future. Regardless, the lawsuit will test whether or not Amazon can (allegedly) withhold money from sellers that violated the company’s rules.

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USB-C cables and devices will soon show how fast they can charge

Earlier this year, the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) announced that USB-C devices would soon support 240W charging. Currently, power delivery standards are limited to 100W, which is enough for most ultrabooks, but not for gaming laptops. Today, the organization announced new certification logos for USB devices that support power delivery, which shows exactly how fast each device or cable can charge.

There are two power ratings available for USB devices – 60W or 240W – and devices will be able to specify which level of power they support. Additionally, the USB-IF also revamped its USB4 certification logos, which denote the maximum transfer speeds supported (40Gbps or 20Gbps). There are also specific unified logos for cables and devices that indicate both he data rates and charging speeds. Additionally, there’s a specific logo for certified USB chargers, denoting that they can deliver up to 240W of power to a device.

New USB certification logos

To clarify, this isn’t a new standard being defined today, it’s just a visual representation of the existing standards. Only devices that go through USB-IF’s certification process can carry these logos or use them in marketing materials. As such, that’s how consumers can identify whether they can trust a given charger to deliver power to their devices.

If a cable, device, or charger has any of these certification logos, then consumers can rest assured that they will work with other devices with the same USB power delivery certification. The goal is to ultimately reduce confusion for consumers and prevent devices from breaking due to uncertified chargers or cables. The same applies for the data rate indicators, so consumers can know exactly what speeds to expect just by looking at the logos.

“With the new higher power capabilities enabled by the USB PD 3.1 Specification, which unlocks up to 240W over a USB Type-C cable and connector, USB-IF saw an opportunity to further strengthen and simplify its Certified Logo Program for the end user,” said Jeff Ravencraft, USB-IF President and COO. “With our updated logos, consumers can easily identify the USB4 performance and USB Power Delivery capabilities of Certified USB-C Cables, which support an ever-expanding ecosystem of consumer electronics from laptops and smartphones to displays and chargers.”

You can expect these certification logos to start showing up in marketing materials, product leaflets or labels, or on the products themselves in the near future. It’s a good idea to look for them before making a purchase if you want to make sure your devices are safe.

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Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: A huge leap forward

We originally thought the Surface Laptop Studio would be called the Surface Book 4. Thankfully, it’s a lot more than that. It’s the refresh we’ve wanted to see for quite awhile, including an all-new sleeker design. But if you’re looking for a bargain, there’s certain to be some sales on the slightly older Surface Book 3 in the near future. The Surface Book 3 is also a very capable laptop in 2020, so it’s worth considering if you don’t need the absolute top of the line machine.

In this comparison we’ll look at how these laptops stack up and discuss which one is best for your use case. This is the Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3.

Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: Specifications

Specification Surface Laptop Studio Surface Book 3
Dimensions & Weight
  • 12.7” x 9.0” x 0.7”
  • Intel Core i5 models 3.83 lb (1742.9 grams)
  • Intel Core i7 models 4.00 lb (1820.2 grams)
  • 13.5-inch (Core i5): 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.51-0.9 in (312 x 232 x 13 – 23 mm)-3.38lbs.
  • 13.5-inch (Core i7): 12.3 x 9.14 x 0.59-0.9 in (312 x 232 x 15 – 23 mm)-3.62lbs.
  • 15-inch: 13.5 x 9.87 x 0.568 – 0.9 in (343 x 251 x 15 – 23 mm)-4.2lbs.
Display
  • Screen: 14.4
  • PixelSense Flow touch display
  • Up to 120Hz Refresh Rate
  • Resolution: 2400 x 1600 (201 PPI)
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Contrast ratio: 1500:1
  • Touch: 10-point multi-touch
  • Dolby Vision support
  • 13.5-inch PixelSense (3000 x 2000), touch
  • 15-inch PixelSense (3240 x 2160), touch
Processor
  • Quad-core Intel 11th Gen Intel Core H35 i5-11300H
  • Quad-core Intel 11th Gen Intel Core H35 i7-11370H
  • Intel Core i5-1035G7 (up to 3.7GHz, 4-core) (13.5-inch only)
  • Intel Core i7-1065G7 (up to 3.9GHz, 4-core)
RAM & Storage
  • 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
  • 256 GB, 512 GB, 1TB, 2TB SSD removable SSD.
  • 8, 16, or 32GB RAM
  • 256GB to 2TB storage (2TB on 15″ only).
Graphics
  • Intel 11th Gen Intel Core H35 i5-11300H models:
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Intel 11th Gen Intel Core H35 i7-11370H models:
    NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU with 4GB GDDR6 GPU memory
  • Commercial only: NVIDIA RTX A2000 laptop GPU with 4GB GDDR6 GPU memory
  • Intel Iris Plus Graphics
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 (Max-Q) (13.5-inch)
  • NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB GDDR6 (Max-Q) (15-inch)
  • NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 (Max-Q) (15-inch, business only)
Battery and Charging
  • Intel Core i5: Up to 19 hours of typical device usage
  • Intel Core i7: Up to 18 hours of typical device usage
  • 13.5-inch: Up to 15.5 hours of use (unspecified capacity)
  • 15-inch: Up to 17.5 hours of use (unspecified capacity)
Webcam 
  • Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
  • 1080p resolution front facing camera.
  • 5MP 1080p front-facing webcam (with IR)
  • 8MP 1080p rear-facing webcam with autofocus
Colors
  • Platinum
  • Platinum
Port(s)
  • 2 x USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt 4 technologies support
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • 1 x Surface Connect port
  • 2 Surface Connect ports (one on base, one on tablet)
  • Two USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 2 / 10Gbps)
  • One USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 2 / 10Gbps)
  • SD card reader
  • 3.5mm deasphone jack
Audio
  • Dual far-field Studio Mics
  • Quad Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos
  • Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible
  • Bluetooth Wireless 5.1 technology
  • Wi-Fi 6 + Bluetooth 5.0
  • Xbox Wireless built-in (15-inch)
Pricing      Starting at $1,599       Starting at $1,639
Other Features
  • Dynamic woven hinge
  • Precision haptic touchpad
  • Surface Slim Pen 2 support for Studio mode.
  • Windows Hello with facial recognition.
  • Detachable screen.
  • Surface pen support.

Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: Design and build

These two laptops have a lot in common as you might expect, since the Surface Laptop Studio is a continuation of the Surface Book line of products. With the Surface Book 3, you can separate the screen from the keyboard base and use the screen as a tablet. You can also reattach the screen backwards if you want to use it to watch a movie, for example.

Most of the components of the Surface Book 3 are in the display portion, although a bigger battery and the NVIDIA GPU are in the keyboard base. Microsoft changed a lot of these design and implementation elements with the Surface Laptop Studio, improving a lot of the pain points from the Surface Book 3.

Angled view of Surface Book 3

The Surface Laptop Studio is a different take on the same removable display concept. Microsoft’s vision here was to create something closer to a miniature Surface Studio. You can use it like a regular laptop, and then the display pops out and you can fold it down to be used as a tablet. It still has a premium build, but it’s more portable and versatile than most laptops.

Unfortunately, if exciting color options and varying materials are your jam, you won’t find that with the Surface Studio Laptop or Surface Book 3. As with previous Surface Book models, these laptops only comes in Platinum.

Display pulled forward on Surface Laptop Studio

Microsoft also took steps to make sure the Surface Laptop Studio is easier to type while on your lap. Previous iterations of the Surface Book were simply too top-heavy. One other thing that’s changed about the design is how the new Slim Pen 2 is stored. There’s a cut-out for it under the base of the Surface Laptop Studio, rather than the old method of magnetically attaching the Surface Pen to the side. This method should more convenient and easier to store your pen with the laptop when you put it in your backpack or briefcase.

The build on both of these laptops should be incredibly premium, especially given the starting prices are north of $1,500 for each. On the other hand, the Surface Laptop Studio has a much more ergonomic design that’s easier to use. It also gets rid of all that extra space visible with the weird hinge on the Surface Book 3. If you’ve enjoyed Microsoft’s Surface Book lineup, but wanted a more utilitarian design, the Surface Laptop Studio should give you everything you want in a laptop.

Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: Display

The Surface Book only offers one resolution option for each display size. You get a 3000 x 2000 resolution on the 13.5 inch model, or 3240 x 2160 on the 15 inch. The display is bright and overall very enjoyable to use. You also get a 3:2 aspect ratio here.

Surface Book 3 in tablet mode

Microsoft basically took the average of the old Surface Book 3 screen sizes to get the single 14.4″ option on the new Surface Laptop Studio. The good news is the display has been significantly upgraded from the Surface Book line. You get the all new 14.4″ display at 2400 x 1600 resolution. That’s a 3:2 aspect ratio for those keeping track.

If you’re needing a laptop for productivity purpose, I’d argue that 3:2 is the best aspect ratio to go with, especially for writing or working with spreadsheets, making both laptops a great choice in that department.

Front view of Surface Laptop Studio

The biggest upgrade though is that the screen goes up to 120Hz refresh rate. The spec sheet actually says “up to 120Hz” though, and that’s because it actually ships at 60Hz. You’ll have to turn on the 120Hz refresh rate. Dynamic refresh rate, like you’ve seen on many smartphones, should be coming later on. Microsoft didn’t really give a firm timeline, but we should hear more about that in the near future. Overall, the high refresh rate alone is enough to make me consider the Surface Laptop Studio over the older Surface Book 3.

Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: Performance

Honestly, the Surface Book 3 isn’t the best performing ultra-portable laptop out there, especially in 2021. The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio comes with Intel’s Tiger Lake H35 processors, which are a far cry from the 10th-generation 15W processors inside the Surface Book 3. It launched with 10th-generation Intel processors, and the RTX 30-series GPUs were also not available when the Surface Book 3 was released. The lower power processors on the Surface make it unavoidable that the performance isn’t quite as good.

Side view of Surface Book 3

On the other hand the Surface Laptop Studio also has significantly upgraded graphics, with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, or an RTX A2000 in the business model. H35 processors are new to Intel’s 11th-generation lineup. The H35 processor enables a powerful laptop that’s still thin and light. Having the H-series chip with dedicated graphics should be a big deal for an ultra-portable and adaptable machine like the Surface Laptop Studio.

You can configure the RAM up to 32GB on the Surface Laptop Studio. That should be plenty of RAM for most daily tasks, even with an intense workload. The Surface Laptop Studio also technically has removable SSD storage. While the storage is removable by Microsoft or another service technician, there isn’t an easy way to remove it yourself for a quick swap. The SSD can be configured up to 2TB, which should be enough to satisfy most users.

Front view of Surface Laptop Studio with display pulled forward

The Surface Book 3 claims 15.5 hours of battery life on average, but in actual use you can get closer to 10-12 hours depending on your workload. Microsoft claims the Surface Laptop Studio will get between 18 and 19 hours of usage depending on which processor you choose. That estimate sounds pretty high based on previous results, so we’ll have to see how it plays out in our review.

Surface Laptop Studio vs Surface Book 3: Cameras and audio

The Surface Book 3 has a solid speaker setup with dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. These are user-facing speakers so they get loud enough when watching media or gaming. Microsoft really stepped it up with the Surface Laptop Studio though. You get Quad Omnisonic speakers with Dolby Atmos, which should be excellent for watching Netflix, YouTube or other streaming content. Sometimes speakers can be a weak spot for portable laptops, but you shouldn’t have any concerns with either of these options.

Side view of Surface Laptop Studio

Surface devices have some of the best webcams on Windows laptops, and the Surface Book 3 comes with two 1080p cameras. For pictures, the front-facing camera has a 5MP resolution, and the rear-facing camera is 8MP, plus it supports autofocus.

The Surface Laptop Studio has a solid 1080p resolution on the Windows Hello webcam on the front. That should be just quite nice for video calls with family and friends, as well as any work calls you need on Zoom, Teams, etc. Webcam quality has definitely become a much bigger deal in the last year due to the pandemic, so it’s good to see manufacturers step things up on that front.

Conclusion

The Surface Book 3 was a great option when it first released, but even then it had a weird design and some slightly outdated internals. Microsoft has improved nearly every aspect of the lineup with the new Surface Laptop Studio, particularly in the ergonomics department. In addition, you can use the revolutionary new Slim Pen 2, which feels just like writing on actual paper.

Unless you absolutely need to save a few bucks, we’d recommend going with the best configuration of the Surface Laptop Studio you can afford. Microsoft really outdid themselves with their most powerful laptop yet.

    Microsoft Surface Book 3
    Packing high-end 10th-gen Intel processors and dedicated NVIDIA graphics, the Surface Book 3 can handle most modern games at playable frame rates as well as creative workloads. You can remove the screen from the keyboard and use it as a tablet, and it has the same premium design the Surface family is known for.
    Surface Laptop Studio
    The Surface Laptop Studio comes with an all-new design, more powerful internals, and more.

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Get the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro TWS earphones at their lowest price in the U.K. yet

Anker is one of the best accessory companies around, with dozens of chargers, cables, stands, and other tech available to fit every use case. There are new sales from Anker on a regular basis, with different products circling in and out of discounts. Today, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro TWS earphones are at their lowest price on Amazon U.K. yet, costing £49.99.

    Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro TWS
    The Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro TWS are a pair of TWS earphones that are highly revered in reviews. They're at their lowest price on Amazon U.K. yet!

If you’re looking to take the plunge on a pair of true wireless earphones, then you can’t really go wrong with the Anker Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro. Anker has been in the game for a long time now, and according to the reviews of these earphones, they were already very good for their previous price of £89.99.

In terms of features, Anker says that these earphones have 11mm drivers for great bass and treble. These earphones charge via USB-C, and ten minutes in the case is said to give them two hours of listening time. They’re Qi-compatible too for wireless charging, and it’s definitely worth checking out our list of best wireless charging pads if you’re interested.

They also have single-ear listening, the company’s HearID for tuning audio to your liking, and a large number of liquid-silicone ear tips and ear wings to make sure that you get the exact fit that you want from these earphones. They have Bluetooth 5.0 support, eight hours of playback in each earphone when fully charged, and the charging case can extend that up to 32 hours. These are a pair of earphones definitely worth checking out!

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Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy S7+: Which tablet reigns supreme?

While Microsoft did announce some big changes at their Fall 2021 event, the Surface Pro X got a more modest refresh and price drop. There aren’t sweeping processor or display changes like in the Surface Pro 8, but the X series still offers a lot to get excited about and it’s now more affordable than ever.

Of course, if you’re looking for a tablet to replace your PC, there’s several other options worth looking at as well. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is the best Android tablet you can buy today, with a beautiful screen, solid speakers, and a thin and light design. While both tablets are similar in a few key areas, they also run differing operating systems and are aimed at different market segments.

In this comparison we’ll look at how these tablets stack up and discuss which one is best for your use case. This is the Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+.

Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Specifications

Specification Surface Pro X Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
Dimensions & Weight
  • 11.3 x 8.2 x 0.28 in (287.02 x 208.28 x 7.3 mm)
  • 1.7 lbs (774 g)
  • 285.0 (W) x 185.0 (H) x 5.7mm (D)
  • 1.27 lbs (575 g) (Wi-Fi, LTE, 5G)
Display
  • 13-inch PixelSense Flow (2880 x 1920) display
  • Up to 120Hz refresh rate, touch, Surface Pen support
  • 12.4-inches
  • 2800×1752 (WQXGA+)
  • Super AMOLED
  • 120H
Processor
  • Microsoft SQ1 (up to 3GHz, 8-core)
  • Microsoft SQ2 (up to 3.15GHz, 8-core)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus
RAM & Storage
  • 8 or 16GB of RAM
  • 128GB, 256 GB, or 512 GB storage
  • 6GB LPDDR5 RAM + 128GB UFS 3.0 storage
  • 8GB LPDDR5 RAM + 256GB UFS 3.0 storage
  • Expandable storage (up to 1TB microSD)
Graphics
  • Adreno 685 (SQ1)
  • Andreno 690 (SQ2)
  • Adreno 650 GPU
Battery and Charging
  • Up to 15 hours of typical device usage
  • 10,090 mAh
  • 45W Super Fast Charging
Webcam 
  • 5MP, Full HD front-facing camera
  • 10MP, Full HD/4K rear-facing camera with autofocus
  • Rear camera: 13MP f/2.0 main + 5MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, LED flash.
  • Front camera: 8MP f/2.0
Colors
  • Platinum (SQ2 only)
  • Matte Black
  • Mystic Bronze, Mystic Silver, Mystic Black, Mystic Navy.
Port(s)
  • 2 USB Type-C
  • 1 Surface Connect port
  • nano SIM slot
  • USB Type-C, 3.2 Gen 1, DP Out
Audio
  • Two 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos
  • Quad Speakers
  • Tuned by AKG, Dolby Atmos
Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi 5 + Bluetooth 5.0
  • Optional: LTE Advanced Pro (Qualcomm Snapdragon X24)
  • 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax)
  • Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0
Software      Windows 11     Android 11
Other Features
  • Microsoft Surface keyboard support
  • Surface Slim Pen 2 support
  • Under-display fingerprint scanner
  • Fingerprint scanner in power button
  • Samsung S-pen support
  • Samsung DeX support.

Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Design and build

The Surface Pro X is beautifully designed, with relatively thin bezels around the front of the tablet. While the Surface Pro X isn’t exactly heavy at 1.7 lbs, it’s a bit much to use as a handheld device for a long period of time. To this end, you might prefer the Galaxy Tab S7+ if portability if your chief concern — it’s much lighter at only 1.27 lbs. The screen is also slightly smaller on the Tab S7+, another thing that makes it easier to use as a true tablet.

Rear angled view of Surface Pro X in Platinum

The Tab S7+ is substantially lighter however. If you use it primarily as a handheld device, you’ll feel the heft and at 285mm tall by 185mm wide, it’s still not the most comfortable thing to use without a case. We definitely recommend buying the official Samsung keyboard cover if you opt for the Tab S7+.  Samsung has made some tweaks to the software so the keyboard can be split or turned into a floating keyboard, but you’ll want a keyboard cover — it’s just too uncomfortable otherwise.

While most of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is stylish and sleek, the position of the S Pen on the rear is problematic and honestly, quite unsightly. Using relatively strong magnets, the S Pen automatically attaches to the back. Connecting to an extended magnetized area that blends into the camera housing, this is probably the best Samsung could do, but it’s not the most stylish thing.

the Galaxy Tab S7+ on a bench

The Surface Pro X wins in the ports department as the Surface Pro X features two USB-C ports. Unfortunately, both tablets opt to remove the 3.5 mm headphone jack. If you prefer to listen to music with wired headphones, you’ll have to look elsewhere or deal with USB-C headphones, which make it more difficult to charge the device while listening to music.

While both of these tablets have a pleasing design aesthetic, the Surface Pro X looks more modern with slimmer bezels. The camera housing also looks a bit more uniform on the Surface Pro X, a small detail, but definitely something you’ll notice in daily use.

Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Display

Samsung is well known for their amazing display quality and they seem to have the advantage in this battle. There’s no other way to put it – the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is stunning, and the display is visually breathtaking. Apple likes to tout marketing terms like Retina Display, but the 12.4 inch Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is in a league of its own. At 1752 x 2800 pixels and a 16:10 aspect ratio, the display “only” offers 266 pixels per inch density, but much like megapixels aren’t the only deciding factor in cameras, the quality of the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus display is second to none when it comes to Android tablets.

The display supports HDR 10+ and offers a 120HZ refresh rate, for super smooth scrolling. Samsung put an in-display fingerprint scanner on this tablet, although it can be a bit awkward to use due to the display size. Of course, you can also use Samsung’s bundled S-Pen for note-taking or drawing on the Tab S7+.

Top angled view of Surface Pro X in Platinum

With the Surface Pro X, you get a glorious high-resolution screen with PixelSense technology, but it doesn’t have the higher 120Hz refresh rate found on both the Galaxy Tab S7+ and the new Surface Pro 8. If you use your tablet for reading or scrolling through websites and social media, the higher refresh rate is actually a fairly significant factor. The screen still looks great and gets sufficiently bright for outdoor viewing, but those things are also excellent with the Samsung tablet.

Thankfully, if you use inking, the Surface Pro X can use the new Surface Slim Pen 2. Note taking is nice on the Tab S7+, but with One Note and this new pen functionality, the Surface Pro X is the better option for notes.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 with XDA logo and S Pen

Both tablets have amazing displays, but the Surface Pro X is likely the better bet for true productivity. The new Slim Pen 2 offers an unparalleled experience for taking notes and drawing on a tablet. While the S-Pen is convenient and intuitive, it isn’t quite as good for professional use. If you’re just interested in consuming media, gaming, and light web browsing, you’ll definitely be happy with either display.

Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Performance

When it comes to performance, these machines have a number of key differences. The Surface Pro X is a Windows tablet designed for both media consumption and productivity. However, it’s worth noting that with the Surface Pro X, you’re dealing with ARM processors, and many Windows apps are still designed for x86 processors. This means you’ll sometimes be running apps through emulation, which can take a toll on performance. Overall though, performance should always be better on the Surface Pro X. Plus, it’s worth mentioning that with Windows 11, 64-bit x86 apps are also supported through emulation, so you no longer have to worry about apps being incompatible.

The integrated graphics in the Surface Pro X are also generally more powerful than those in the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ . On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ is an Android tablet focused on watching videos, playing games, and the occasional light productivity task here and there. Keeping these targets in mind, the Surface Pro X is a much more capable tablet when it comes to raw power.

Surface Pro X in Platinum side view

The Snapdragon 865+ inside the Tab S7+ is still incredibly capable for basic tablet functions and can handle any Android games you want to play. Still, the Tab S7+ is getting older and feeling a bit outdated even when compared to other Android tablets. In fact, the Snapdragon 865+ isn’t even the newest Qualcomm chip for Android tablets. The Tab S7+ is more than a year old and due for a refresh, so it’s definitely even further behind in performance due to this issue.

The Surface Pro X also offers more options for RAM and storage, going up to 16GB and 512GB, respectively. Both of those are way more than what the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ can offer.  The TabS7+ only goes up to 256GB in any configuration, but there’s an option to add expandable storage via microSD up to 1TB. You can also get 5G on the Galaxy Tab S7+, if that’s something you really care about.

XDA Best Laptops for Seniors Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

The Surface Pro X promises up to 15 hours of typical usage, but as usual, that’s likely considering minimal brightness and only the lightest of workloads. If you use the device on higher brightness or have a heavier workload, you can expect closer to 10-12 hours on average. The Tab S7+ is similar with an average battery life of about 12 hours according to most reviews.

The key thing to consider is you’ll likely use the Surface Pro X for more serious work with all of the bundled Microsoft functionality, so it might also drain the battery a bit faster than watching Netflix or YouTube.

Surface Pro X vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+: Cameras and audio

The cameras are another area where Microsoft really shines. The rear camera features a 10MP sensor with 4K video. On the front, the Surface Pro X has a 5MP Full HD camera. While that might not sound like a lot by smartphone standards, it’s very impressive by laptop and tablet benchmarks.

Top down view of Surface Pro X in Platinum

The dual camera on the Tab S7+ combines a primary 13MP wide-angle sensor with f/2.0 aperture, with a 5MP ultra-wide sensor with f/2.2 aperture. The camera is ok at first glance, but no one should buy a tablet for its camera — please don’t be that person. The front camera is definitely more important these days, especially for things like video calls, and the 8MP f/2.0 sensor will likely be ok, although it is limited to Full HD at 30 frames per second.

If you really must be the person using a giant tablet to take photos or videos, you’ll be happy to know the rear camera supports 4K video, also at 30 frames per second.

The 2020 iPad Pro with the Galaxy Tab S7+

In terms of sound, the Surface Pro X features 2W stereo speakers, so on a hardware level, they should be pretty good. The Tab S7+ also has an excellent audio experience. The quad speakers tuned by AKG are loud, clear, and immensely enjoyable. The speakers have the added benefit of louder notifications, but you’ll want to turn those down as they can be overpowering. If you’re buying the Galaxy Tab S7 Plus to enjoy media or listen to music, you won’t be disappointed.

Conclusion

These two tablets are a lot closer than the Surface Pro 8 and Tab S7+, which isn’t really a fair fight. Still, if you’re looking for the best media consumption tablet, it’s probably the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+. It’s lighter, costs less, and has the added benefit of slightly better speakers. You can also enjoy all the games offered on the Google Play Store, so the Tab S7+ is very compelling as an entertainment tablet.

On the other hand, the Surface Pro X is a better all-round machine. If you need something to use as a media tablet and a true work PC, the Surface Pro X can handle everything you throw at it. In addition to slightly better performance, you also get an amazing note taking experience with the new Slim Pen 2, despite losing the haptic feedback found on the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio. Storage options are also more expansive so you can store everything you need for work and play. If you need a more robust work PC, definitely check out Microsoft’s other new Surface devices.

    Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
    The Galaxy Tab S7+ is the best Android tablet on the market right now. Not many come close to the iPad Pro, but this is as close as you'll get. Powerful specs, a premium feel and excellent features make up a flagship tablet that will cost you a flagship price tag.
    Microsoft Surface Pro X
    The Surface Pro X is a premium ARM-based tablet, offering great performance and battery life in a thin and lightweight design. It now comes in a Wi-Fi-only model.

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Nobody knows what’s going on with Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE

Samsung added an affordable flagship to the Galaxy S20 lineup last year — the Galaxy S20 FE. The Fan Edition device was a big hit, as it had most of the features found on the vanilla Galaxy S20 at a much more affordable price. During its launch, Samsung had promised that it would launch more Fan Edition variants of its flagship devices to bring premium features to more buyers. As expected, we started seeing leaks about the Galaxy S21 FE soon after Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S21 series earlier this year.

Over the last few months, we’ve learned several details about the Galaxy S21 FE through various leaks. We’ve seen multiple renders of the device, spotted it on certification websites, and even heard reports about Samsung starting its mass production. Although Samsung has shared little information about the phone so far, we were certain that the company would unveil it sometime soon. However, a recent string of conflicting reports have added a level of uncertainty to Samsung’s plans for the Galaxy S21 FE.

Over the last few days, we’ve seen reports suggesting that Samsung has shelved the Galaxy S21 FE due to production constraints. Other reports have corroborated this claim by showcasing that the company has removed all mentions of the device from its websites.

However, we’ve also seen evidence suggesting that the Galaxy S21 FE might, in fact, get to see the light of day. We’ve seen quick start guides for the device from Cricket Wireless and Verizon, notable leakers have revealed that T-Mobile has added new SKUs of the phone to its system, and it has even made an appearance on Google’s list of ARCore supported devices. Furthermore, we’ve also seen a report about Samsung resuming mass production of the device.

Since these reports offer contradictory information and Samsung hasn’t shared any official details, the Galaxy S21 FE’s future remains uncertain. Given that Samsung has already delayed its launch quite a bit, it would make sense for the company to scrap it entirely, especially since we’re getting close to the rumored start of mass production for the upcoming Galaxy S22 series.

Featured image: Leaked render of the Galaxy S21 FE

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You can now view Instagram Reels on the Facebook app in the US

Instagram introduced its short videos platform — Reels — to compete with rivals like TikTok and YouTube Shorts last year. Since then, the feature has gained immense popularity in several regions, but it still lags behind TikTok in the US. Instagram has introduced several new features to Reels to attract more users, like the ability to shop while viewing a Reel, over the last few months. Now, Instagram is integrating Reels within the Facebook app in the US to boost adoption further.

Reels on Facebook

Facebook initially tested the integration with some creators in India earlier this year, and it’s now rolling out in the US (via AndroidCentral). Since Instagram is a part of Facebook, it makes sense for the company to integrate some aspects of both apps with one another. Instagram DMs were already integrated with Facebook Messenger earlier, and now, Reels from Instagram can be viewed directly on the Facebook app. Not only can you view other’s Reels on the Facebook app, but you can also create content and upload it directly via Facebook.

This seems like an excellent move for creators since it will help them reach a larger audience via Facebook. The Reels will be displayed in a dedicated section on the News Feed and will also be available in Groups. Facebook is also reportedly suggesting relevant Reels to users to help smaller creators reach a larger audience. The ability to reach a larger audience by introducing Reels on Facebook will enable more monetization options for creators. Reels on Facebook are available on both Android and iOS in the US, and Facebook plans to roll out the integration to more countries coming soon.

Instagram Reels on Fb feed

Facebook is also putting in additional effort to promote the feature and lure creators to make Reels. It has introduced a new Reels Play program that will provide incentives to creators based on the engagement and views they receive on their content. Facebook has promised to invest over $1 billion towards getting more creators onboard to produce Reels, and this is a part of that initiative.

What do you think about this move from Facebook? It seems like the day isn’t far when we’ll see Reels being integrated into WhatsApp too.

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Nintendo basically denies that it’s making a 4K Switch Pro

The launch of the Nintendo Switch OLED model shocked quite a few people, as rumors had been flying for months that it would be a whole lot more. It packs a 7-inch OLED display, whereas the previous model had a 6.2-inch LCD display. Not only is that quite an upgrade in terms of contrast, but it’s also a pretty big change in terms of the vividness of the colors and the brightness. Interestingly, earlier reports in the year got the display right, but also said that Nintendo was working on 4K output, and 4K support would have almost certainly meant more powerful hardware too. However, neither materialized.

Now, following a report from Bloomberg, Nintendo has basically denied that it’s making a 4K Switch Pro.

The report in question from Bloomberg states that at least 11 companies have a development kit provided by Nintendo that could be used for making and testing 4K games. Reportedly, these companies range from large publishers to smaller studios and even one that has never made a console game before, Zynga Inc. Zynga spokeswoman Sarah Ross reached out to Bloomberg following the article’s publication to say that “Zynga does not have a 4K developer kit from Nintendo”. Nintendo told Bloomberg in a response to a list of questions before publication that their reporting was “inaccurate”, but declined to specify which parts.

Nintendo’s competitors in the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X have supported 4K output for several years now, putting Nintendo’s system at a technical disadvantage. According to Bloomberg, the kit given to developers supports 4K docked output, a much higher resolution than the currently available 1080p output. Previously, the publication had also reported that the company intended on using faster NVIDIA chips for the new 2021 Switch model, which may have been shuttered thanks to the global chip shortage.

Despite Nintendo’s complete denial, it wouldn’t be the first time that the company denied it was planning to do something that it later went on to do anyway. Famously, the company once denied that it was going to launch a larger 3DS, only to then release the 3DS XL later that month. In other words, is the company/was the company working on a 4K-compatible Nintendo Switch Pro? It’s possible we may never know.

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The Nreal Air are a pair of lightweight AR smart glasses that expand your phone’s viewing area

While consumer-oriented smart glasses haven’t seen much success in the past, companies are still betting big on the technology. Several OEMs have already showcased their unique implementations this year, including Xiaomi, Snapchat, Razer, and Facebook. Now, Nreal is joining the fray with its latest product — the Nreal Air.

The Nreal Air is a pair of lightweight AR smart glasses that aims to make using a smartphone a whole lot more immersive. While it looks a lot like Ray-Ban’s iconic Wayfarer, it offers a couple of cool features that make it rather unique. Once connected to your phone, the glasses project a massive virtual display right in front of your eyes that makes streaming TV shows or playing games on your phone a more immersive experience.

Nreal Air close up

Nreal claims that the virtual display measures 130-inches when viewed at a simulated distance of 3 meters and a massive 201-inches at a virtual distance of 6 meters. The smart glasses feature OLED displays with high color density and as many as 49 pixels per degree (PPD). They also offer 90Hz refresh rate support.

Nreal Air side view

Talking about the Nreal Air, Nreal’s founder Chi Xu said, “Consumers today are seeking lighter, but longer lasting AR glasses exclusively for streaming media and working from home. For instance, in Korea we’ve found that 78% of our users use Nreal Light to watch streaming content. Nreal Air builds on our Nreal Light offering and furthers our mission to spread AR globally. With Nreal Air, we’ve zeroed in on the perks of a portable movie theater and condensed this into lightweight AR sunglasses with a zero-footprint display, while making it affordable.”

The Nreal Air will be compatible with both Android and iOS devices, but buyers will have to purchase an adapter to use them with an iPhone or iPad. The smart glasses will go on sale in Japan, China, and South Korea later this year in December and make their way to other markets next year. At the moment, Nreal hasn’t shared exact pricing information, but the company says that the glasses will retail at a fraction of the price of the Nreal Light. The Nreal Light currently retails for €799 in Europe.

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BlueStacks X is the first streaming service for mobile games

BlueStacks today is launching BlueStacks X, a game-streaming service that’s focused exclusively on mobile games. If you’re unfamiliar with BlueStacks, the company has a service that lets you run Android apps on Windows. With 40 million monthly active users and 200k to 300k new downloads daily, the vast majority of BlueStacks users are going after one type of Android apps on their PC: games.

And that’s why the BlueStacks X streaming service is focusing on mobile gaming. Various other services are going after console games and bringing them to mobile, but BlueStacks is aiming to being you the games you’re already playing on your phone, but on different devices.

The new service is built in collaboration with now.gg, a hybrid cloud computing company. By using this hybrid technology, some of the game compute is going to be done in the cloud, while some can also be offloaded to your device, depending on your device’s capabilities. You’ll be accessing the service through the browser, but you need a browser that supports native graphics rendering.

Moreover, BlueStacks X is completely free, just like BlueStacks itself. It’s ad-supported, so you might see an ad before your game starts playing, but if that bothers you, keep in mind that if it hasn’t been for the streaming service, you’d have probably spent that time installing the game or an update.

“BlueStacks App Player recently crossed 1 Billion lifetime downloads. X is a natural next step for us. Hybrid cloud is a big technological breakthrough which makes it economically viable to launch the service,” said Rosen Sharma, CEO, BlueStacks Inc. “We are a trusted partner to top mobile game developers. There is a lot of excitement among them about X and some of the other innovations we have like deep Discord integration.”

Included in the service are over 200 games, all of which can be played for free. The company says that it’s adding more on a weekly basis. You can access BlueStacks X today on web browsers on iOS, Android, Windows 11, macOS, Chrome OS, and some smart TVs. There’s also a native client for X that’s available for Windows.

If you want to check it out, you can play around with the service here.

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Google Discover tests showing Islamic Prayer times to some users

For all the information that Google presents through Discover on the -1 homescreen, there’s always scope to provide more useful information beyond the usual news articles, weather updates, and ads. Google is now testing a new information card in Google Discover, one that shows the next Islamic prayer timings.

A user on Reddit spotted Google displaying the prayer timing for Asr namaz in their Google Discover screen. For those unaware, these timings indicate the start of each of the five mandatory prayer slots in the day for people who follow Islam.

According to the user, tapping on the prayer timing card launches a Google Search for “prayer times”. There’s nothing more to customize or configure on this end. Curiously, the reader actually wanted to remove the timing card as it was not relevant to them, and they had done nothing to enable it in the first place. So we’d definitely appreciate an option to opt-in and to opt-out too.

A prayer time card within Google Discover on the -1 homescreen, and a customizable notification to complement it, would be something that a lot of Muslims around the world would find useful. Although, this can be tricky to implement properly because of the deviations in regional timings and cultural practices for these prayers. However, this can be rolled out for some of the major sects first, and then be expanded to include timing offsets to account for the regional differences.

In my Google Nest Audio review, I commented how useful a Smart Speaker really was, outside of the US and other English-speaking regions. A function related to prayer timings and Adhan (the Islamic call-to-prayer) would have greatly elevated the experience in my household and brought along practical utility to the smart speaker beyond reading out the weather and news. Amazon has some Alexa Skills for prayer timings and Adhan, and it would be great to see Google also catching up in this space.

If you’d like to get rid of Google Discover entirely, do check out the Discover Killer Xposed module.

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IMDb TV, Amazon’s free streaming service, launches in the U.K.

Amazon has brought its ad-supported free streaming service, IMDb TV, to the U.K, packing both original and licensed content that wasn’t available on Prime Video before. IMDb TV launched in the U.S. a few years ago, and the service only recently received iOS and Android apps. It’s initially going to be available via a carousel in Prime Video, though a standalone app will also be available on Fire TV in the coming weeks. No subscription to Amazon Prime is required.

IMDb TV’s launch in the U.K. comes with a smaller selection of TV shows and movies for now, but it will be expanded in the future. Original U.S. content is available such as “Luke Bryan: My Dirt Road Diary” and “Moment of Truth,” but both of those are produced by Amazon Studios as IMDb TV exclusives. In the U.K., “Pulp Fiction” and “2 Broke Girls” are also available on the service. Ryan Pirozzi, co-head of content and programming at IMDb TV alongside Lauren Anderson, told Variety that the selection would be tailored specifically to customers in the U.K.

“Free streaming services are not unique, especially in the U.K., where there’s several broadcaster options [such as BBC iPlayer and Channel 4’s All4],” Pirozzi told Variety. “I think what is unique about us is ambitious, premium original series from Amazon Studios inside a free service: that is much more unique.”

As Pirozzi notes, Amazon likes to refer to IMDb TV as “the modern version of a network.” It’s seen as complementary to Prime Video, and they want to produce content that people might expect will be behind a paywall. The company hasn’t written off U.K. exclusive original content yet either, though it’s not happening any time soon.  Pirozzi says that the launch of IMDb TV is still “day one” for them and that they’re still learning from customers. The service is funded by advertisements that are shown in the middle of programming and is entirely free to use.

If you live in the U.K., you can check out IMDb TV now.

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Fairphone’s latest smartphone offers a 5-year warranty and Snapdragon 750G

After being featured in multiple leaks over the past few weeks, the Fairphone 4 is now officially out. Built by Amsterdam-based company Fairphone, the Fairphone 4 is a sustainable smartphone that is easy to repair and has a lower environmental impact. The new model succeeds the Fairphone 3+ and offers a modern design, more powerful internals, and 5G support. The phone also comes with a 5-year warranty.

Fairphone 4: Specifications

Specification Fairphone 4
Dimensions and Weight
  • 162mm x 75.5mm x 10.5mm
  • 225g
Display
  • 6.3-inch LCD IPS
  • Full HD+ (1080 x 2340)
  • 410ppi
  • Corning Gorilla Glass 5
  • 19:5:9 aspect ratio
SoC
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G
    • 2x ARM Cortex-A77 @ 2.2GHz
    • 6x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz
  • Adreno 619 GPU
  • 8nm process
RAM and Storage
  • 6GB / 8GB RAM
  • 128GB / 256GB flash storage
  • MicroSD card support
Battery & Charging
  • 3,905mAh battery
  • 30W fast charging support (charger sold separately)
Rear Camera
  • Primary: 48MP f/1.6, OIS (Sony IMX582)
  • Secondary: 48MP f/2.2 ultra-wide
Front Camera
  • 25MP f/2.2 (Sony IMX576)
Ports
  • USB Type-C port
Connectivity
  • 5G
  • NFC
  • Bluetooth 5.1
  • Type-C port
  • WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Other features
  • Side-mounted fingerprint reader
  • IP54 rating
  • MIL-STD-810G compliance
  • 9.2 out of 10 repairability score (128GB variant)
  • DisplayPort support
Software
  • Android 11
  • Two major Android updates

Like its predecessors, the Fairphone 4 has a modular design, allowing users to easily swap out the battery, display, camera module, and other parts with a standard screwdriver. Despite the modular design, the phone has an IP54 rating and also boasts MIL-STD-810G compliance.

Fairphone 4 disassembled

On the front, the Fairphone 4 flaunts a 6.3-inch Full HD+ LCD with a tall 19:5:9 aspect ratio and Corning Glass 5 protection. On the back, the phone features a dual-camera setup featuring a 48MP primary shooter with optical image stabilization and a 48MP ultra-wide camera with a 120-degree field of view. On the front, you get a 25MP selfie shooter.

Fairphone 4 back and camera module Fairphone 4 display and camera module Fairphone 4 front and back Speaker and USB-C port of Fairphone 4 Top of the Fairphone 4

The Fairphone 4 is powered by Qualcomm’s mid-range Snapdragon 750G chipset, paired with either 6GB or 8GB RAM and 128GB or 256GB flash storage that is expandable via a microSD card.

The phone packs a 3,905 mAh battery with 30W fast charging support via a USB Type-C port. In terms of connectivity, you get dual-band Wi-Fi support, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and dual SIM with 5G support on both SIMs. On the software front, the device runs a near-stock version of Android 11 out of the box. The company promises two major Android updates and software support until the end of 2025.

The Fairphone 4 comes in an eco-friendly package that only includes the phone and a quick start guide. The USB cable, dual-port 30W fast charger, and USB-C to 3.5mm audio jack adapter are sold separately. As always, all key spare parts of the Fairphone 4, including the rear camera module, LCD, battery, loudspeaker, and USB port, are available on the company’s site.

Pricing & Availabiltiy

Pricing for the Fairphone 4 starts at €579/£499  for the base model, while the 8GB/256GB model will set you back €649/£569. The phone is available for pre-order today and will start shipping on October 25. The phone comes in Grey, Green, and Speckled Green colors.

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[Update: More wallpapers] Download OPPO’s ColorOS 12 wallpapers ahead of the official rollout

Update (09/30/2021 @ 07:47 ET): OPPO has shared more ColorOS 12 wallpapers. Scroll to the bottom for more information. The article as published on September 7, 2021, is preserved below.

OPPO has been working on ColorOS 12 based on Android 12 for quite a while now. The company first released an Android 12 beta build for the Find X3 Pro shortly after Google dropped the first Android 12 beta at I/O 2021. But the build did not come with ColorOS 12. Although the company didn’t share a release timeline for its latest Android skin at the time, a recent leak revealed that OPPO would unveil ColorOS 12 on September 13. While OPPO still hasn’t confirmed the release date, it has now shared several new wallpapers that will be available on ColorOS 12.

In a recent post on Chinese microblogging platform Weibo, OPPO shared nine new abstract wallpapers via the ColorOS handle. Here’s what they look like:

OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract OPPO ColorOS 12 Wallpapers abstract

If you like what you see, you can download the full-resolution wallpaper files for your phone by following the link below.

Download ColorOS 12 wallpapers

Along with sharing the new wallpapers, the Weibo post confirms that OPPO will release ColorOS 12 in “mid-to-late September.” This is in line with previous leaks, so we expect the company to unveil its latest Android skin in the coming weeks. It’s worth mentioning that OPPO was among the first Android OEMs to release an Android 11 beta last year, and we expect the company to stick to that tradition this year as well.

While we don’t have all the details about ColorOS 12 right now, OPPO has previously announced that the updated skin will extend the personalization options available on Android 12. The company has also confirmed that ColorOS 12 will give users more privacy controls and offer better transparency when it comes to data security.


Update: OPPO has shared more ColorOS 12 wallpapers

OPPO has shared even more ColorOS 12 wallpapers ahead of the stable release. The new collection includes 47 wallpapers that should be enough to help you keep your device looking fresh for the next few months.  You can download the new wallpapers by following the link below.

Download ColorOS 12 wallpapers

The company recently gave us our first look at the upcoming software upgrade, and it packs a bunch of new features and aesthetic changes. ColorOS 12 public beta releases are scheduled to roll out to the Find X3 series, the OnePlus 9 series, and more devices later this year. Until then, you can try out the new wallpapers.

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