Google Fi will replace bricked Nexus 5X with Moto X4

Some phones age more gracefully than the Nexus 5X. Later in its lifecycle, reports of Nexus 5X devices getting stuck in bootloops began to flood support forums. Many folks with bootlooping LG's last Nexus phone had to get them replaced or refunded. The Nexus 5X's hardware has been well discontinued and refurbished Nexus 5X units are running out. As a result, Project Fi has started offering the Moto X4 as the Nexus 5X's replacement under Project Fi's Device Protection. If you're covered under Project Fi and your Nexus 5X fails, you can pay a $69 deductible and receive a new Moto X4 as a...

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Android 8.1 now shows you how fast public Wi-Fi networks are

Although Android 8.1 has been out for a few weeks now, Google interestingly hasn't stopped adding new features to its latest software release. Case in point: speed labels for public (open) Wi-Fi networks. This functionality has started rolling out today. Once you get it, you will see an estimation of how fast each nearby public Wi-Fi network is, as portrayed in the screenshot to the left. The levels are Very Fast (20+ Mbps), Fast (5-20Mbps), OK (1-5Mbps), and Slow (0-1Mbps). These labels should help you quickly decide whether it's worth connecting to such a network, hopefully saving...

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LG G6 Android Oreo update will arrive in Europe by the end of June

The LG V30 is already happily running Android Oreo in some parts of the world (most notably the company's home country of South Korea). The G6, on the other hand, hasn't been as lucky. Back in October a unit running Oreo appeared in a benchmark, and then around the end of last year we found out that LG was running a beta test of the software in China. If you were wondering when the finalized version of LG's interpretation of Oreo would finally reach Europe, for example, we may now have the answer. According to the company's official website for Italy, the G6 is expected to be graced with...

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CIRP: 2017 iPhone trio only accounted for 61% of Apple smartphone in Q4

Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) published its analysis of US iPhone sales in Q4. During the period, the iPhone 8 sold in highest volumes among Apple phones, while one in five new iPhone owner chose the $999 X flagship. From October to December, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus accounted for about a quarter of all sales. The mix also features the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone SE. Surprisingly the SE accounted for a larger percentage of sales than it did in the same period of 2016. According to CIRP, the reasons why the iPhone X couldn't match the 2016...

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Microsoft unveils $200 Windows 10 laptops for schools

Microsoft is taking the fight to Chromebooks with a selection of new sub-$200 laptops and sub-$300 convertible PCs. They come with Windows 10 and are loaded with free software to aid in your studies. The Lenovo 100e will cost just $190 and is powered by an Intel Celeron (Apollo Lake). The company also has the 300e, a $280 convertible with pen support. The Trigono V401 convertible ($300) supports both touch and pen input while the Classmate Leap T303 laptop ($200) features the added security of Windows Hello. Lenovo 100e • Trigono V401 • Classmate Leap T303 You're probably...

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AnTuTu: Samsung is most copied brand by fake phone makers

There are fake devices out there - data by AnTuTu shows that 2.64% of results in its database were posted by a copycat device. Note that we're not talking about one phone copying a design feature from another phone, this is about replica devices sold as the real thing. Samsung is the most popular brand to clone - 36.23% of fake phones were pretending to be a Galaxy. Just the Galaxy S7 edge clones account for 8% of the fakes. The smaller S7 is high on the list too and - surprisingly! - so are Samsung's flip phones. Fake Apple phones hold 7.72% of the bogus market, lead by iPhone 7...

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Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus might arrive in India as Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

Xiaomi announced the Redmi 5 and the Redmi 5 Plus back in December, but the phones are currently available through official channels only in China. An arrival of the devices is expected in February, according to a tweet from Clinton Jeff, Product PR at Xiaomi. Xiaomi is also having a monthly discussion with its Mi Community on the Redmi Note series. This might be an overture to the introduction of Redmi 5 Plus as a Redmi Note 5 in the global markets. Next month is going to be lit 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥— Clinton Jeff (@clintonjeff) January 19, 2018 Both the...

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Nokia 10 to come with penta-camera setup

Nokia delivered some of the best cameraphones through the years dating back to the N95, the 808 PureView and the Lumia 1020 . According to a leak from the Chinese social network Baidu, a concept phone with five lenses, positioned in a circle, coupled with a LED flash or might be the next glorious installment in that series. Sources suggest the phone will be named Nokia 10 and could arrive as early as IFA 2018 in Berlin this September. Although we are thin on the details, the design also reveals the upcoming phone will have a fingerprint scanner on the back, right below the revolver...

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LG Aristo 2 debuts on MetroPCS: $60 for a 5" Nougat phone

The LG Aristo 2 has launched on MetroPCS - a small, no nonsense phone that can be had for as little as $60 (or even for free). That's how much the original cost a year ago. Note that this phone was supposed to show up on T-Mobile as well, but there's no sign of it yet. Anyway, the sequel keeps the 5" 720p display, though it's an IPS panel this time around. You're still looking at Android Nougat, but with a bit more RAM - it's 2GB now. The storage is the same at 16GB (9GB user accessible, you better use that microSD slot). The camera department is largely unchanged - a 13MP/1080p...

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Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra goes to Sweden, Denmark and Finland in February

The Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra continues its tour across Europe, heading to the northern countries at the start of February (previously it landed in France and Germany). It's alone, the smaller Xperia XA2 and the entry-level Xperia L2 are yet to join it. Units will be available on February 1, but you can pre-order today. Here are the prices: Sweden: SEK 4,000 (€407) Denmark: DKK 3,085 (€414) Finland: €415 We only found it in this one store, local carriers are yet to list it. If you spot the Xperia XA2 Ultra (or one of the other two), drop a link in the comments.

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New Apple video shows off iPhone X selfie camera

Millions were glued to the TV screens last Sunday for the NFL playoffs and what a perfect time for Apple to release a new TV ad. The video, accompanied by a Muhammad Ali speech, highlights the greatness of the TrueDepth camera of the iPhone X and how the Portrait Mode works to create the artistic photos. The focal point of the 30-second video is Portrait Lighting, which applies artificial studio lighting effects to the face. The video itself is a presentation of different people's selfies, the jump from one image to another perfectly matched to the "I am the Double Greatest" speech by...

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Sony Xperia with no headphone jack spotted in FCC documents

Et tu, Sony? The FCC posted documents on an upcoming handset and the Charging mode schematic shows a dongle that splits into a USB port and a headphone jack (Page 8 of source link). The next page goes into a bit more detail - the adapter measures 20cm and offers a USB-C port and a headphone jack. This lets you continue listening to music while you charge, addressing a common issue with phones without a headphone jack. Sony has noise-canceling headphones that work on a mostly standard jack (the headphones have an extra ring, but regular headphones work just fine), so it never felt...

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Samsung ISOCELL sensor shoots 480fps slow-mo at 1080p

Despite rumors, the Galaxy S8 topped out at 60fps for FullHD video recording and the Galaxy Note did nothing to change that. Well, it's that time of the yea again - rumors say the Galaxy S9 will have "Super slow-mo", but this time there's something to back it up. Samsung's new ISOCELL Bright line features a 3-stack Fast Readout Sensor, which enables 1080p video capture at 480fps. A key detail is missing - how long does it last? Sony's Motion Eye can do double the frames per second (960fps), but for less than a fifth of a second and at 720p resolution. At any rate, it's miles better than...

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New Meizu 15 Plus renders suggest ultra narrow bezels on three sides

Meizu launched the M6S last week and all eyes are now on the anniversary phone of the company named Meizu 15 Plus. According to latest leaked renders, the phone is expected to come with narrow bezels on three sides, with the top one being a bit thicker to house the camera and sensors. The leak also mentions that the new Meizu flagship will have Snapdragon 845 or Exynos 8895 chipset with a price tag of CNY3,599 (around $560). Front and back renders of Meizu 15 Plus A render of the back panel suggests a dual camera setup with a ring of LED flashes and laser AF sensor below,...

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vivo X20 Plus UD to be officially unveiled on January 24

The vivo X20 Plus UD with a fingerprint scanner under the display will be officially announced on January 24. The date was confirmed by the company that sent out invites for the launch in Beijing. The official invite, sent out by vivo According to TENAA, the phone is expected to have the same basic specs as the vivo X20 Plus - 6.43" AMOLED with 18:9 ratio and Snapdragon 660 chipset. There is a dual camera on the back with the primary one having a 12 MP sensor and a f/1.8 lens, while the secondary is 5 MP and is used mainly for background blur. We already had a hands-on with a...

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