Samsung Galaxy S20 and Note20 series get second One UI 4 beta

Aside from sending out a stable One UI 4 update to S21 family members in the US today to fix some lag issues, Samsung is also updating the older Galaxy S20 and Note20 series models with a fresh new build of One UI 4 - although in this case it's still in beta form. The second beta of One UI 4 based on Android 12 is thus headed to the Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, Note20, and Note20 Ultra, for both Exynos and Snapdragon versions of these phones. The new build number ends in ZUKA. The software contains the December 2021 security patches, and a bunch of bug fixes for things like adaptive...

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Samsung Galaxy S21 family gets new stable One UI 4 build to fix lag issues

Just yesterday we let you know that Samsung acknowledged the lag issues plaguing some Galaxy S21 units, especially in the US, after being updated to the stable iteration of One UI 4 based on Android 12, the rollout of which started last week. And today the company already has the fix out. The issue was that when having selected 120 Hz in Settings, the refresh rate would revert to 60 Hz once the user stopped touching the screen - this resulting in a lot of perceived lag. The new build is G99xUSQU4BUK9 (where "x" is different according to which S21 family member you have), and it's...

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Google Pixel 6a to feature Tensor chip but will use older camera setup

Thanks to some unofficial CAD renders that recently came about, we know that the Google Pixel 6a will be a lower-cost alternative to the two recent Google Pixel flagships that launched just about a month ago. A new report from 9to5Google suggests that the incoming midrange Pixel smartphone will feature the same main camera from the Google Pixel 5. As per the outlet’s APK Insight team, the Google camera app contains hints about the upcoming Pixel 6a - internally codenamed ‘Bluejay’. To start, the main camera will be a 12.2MP Sony IMX363 sensor, the same main camera as on the Pixel 5, Pixel...

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Spotify collaborates with Netflix to launch new dedicated Netflix Hub

Spotify today announced that it is collaborating with Netflix to launch a dedicated Netflix hub within the service. This hub can be accessed from the mobile as well as the web version of the service. The dedicated hub will serve as a one-stop shop for all Netflix-related media, some of which is exclusive to Spotify. This includes official soundtracks for Netflix shows and movies, including popular new show 'Squid Game' and Lin-Manuel Miranda's feature film 'Tick, Tick... Boom!' as well as official playlists featuring all licensed songs featured in shows such as 'Money Heist' and...

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OnePlus 10 Pro specs leak - 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz, Snapdragon 8 gen 1, IP68

After seeing the first renders of the OnePlus 10 Pro, and then a second batch, it's now time to add some of the specs, courtesy of @OnLeaks and 91Mobiles. The OnePlus 10 Pro will sport a 6.7-inch QHD+ 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 gen1 chipset with 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. On the camera side, it will carry a 48MP main unit, a 50MP ultrawide, and an 8MP 3.3x zoom, an exact-sounding setup as the OnePlus 9 Pro, but perhaps the 10 Pro will use upgraded sensors or optics. The selfie camera is a move up at 32MP. Image credit:...

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WhatsApp testing playback control for audio messages

WhatsApp lets you change the speed of playback of voice notes since earlier this year and it's now beta-testing the same speed control for audio messages. An audio message is a voice note, which you've forwarded to another chat, and in that forwarding process, it loses its playback speed button, despite remaining the same exact message. The button, which allows you to choose 1.5x or 2x speed, disappears. WhatsApp does its due diligence when it comes to introducing a feature, so it may take some time before the feature lands on iOS and subsequently on Android. In the meantime...

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Life360 will acquire Tile to combine location sharing with object tracking

Life360, the company behind the app by the same name, which allows you to share your locations with friends and family, will acquire Tile in a deal worth $205 million. The deal is expected to close in the first three months of the new year. This union will be beneficial for both companies. For starters, the 33 million smartphone users that have the Life360 app installed will join Tile’s Finding Network, which is predicted to increase its reach by around 10 times. Tile trackers rely on Bluetooth, but that has relatively short range and the connection to your phone can quickly be lost....

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Xiaomi 12 camera design leaks, 50MP main sensor tipped

The Xiaomi 12 series should arrive before the end of the year, and the trusted leakster Digital Chat Station has provided more information regarding its camera setup. They claimed the new series would tweak the camera design and bring a 50MP main shooter in two separate Weibo posts. The rumors are Xiaomi will bring back a Full HD+ screen in the family, which would be a downgrade from the 1440p panels in the Mi 11 series, but perhaps it will be reserved for the vanilla 12. The design also will remain unchanged from the predecessors - slightly rounded edges and a single punch hole in...

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Tecno Camon 18 Premier review

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Oppo Reno 7 SE will pack a Dimensity 920 chip, leak reveals

Oppo is bringing the Reno 7 series on November 25, and this time the trio will skip an ultra-powerful Pro Plus version and will add an affordable SE member to the family. A new leak now reveals the specs sheet of the Reno 7 SEr. The upcoming phone will be powered by a Dimensity 920 chipset, will sport three cameras, and will have a decent battery with 65W fast charging. According to the source, this phone will have a 12/256 GB version, but we rarely see those outside China, the global audience will likely get the 8/128GB one if the phone escapes the domestic scene at all. The...

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Samsung 2022 tablet and smart wearable lineups leak

There are high expectations for Samsung heading into 2022 and it’s not just about the Galaxy S22 smartphones. We’ve been hearing plenty of rumors about the Galaxy Tab S8 series and we now have some leaked details on the tablet range as well as details on Samsung’s plans for new wireless earphones, smartwatches and laptops for 2022. As reported by TheElec Samsung’s wireless business division has apparently shared its business plans for 2022 with up to thirty major partners in South Korea revealing production plans and dates. Samsung new product lineup plans for 2022 (table:...

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vivo V23e 5G is now official with 50MP main and 44MP front cameras

As expected the vivo V23e 5G made its official debut in Thailand today. The smartphone packs a Dimensity 810 chipset, an OLED screen and a solid camera setup for (the equivalent of) $400. The vivo V23e 5G has a 6.44" OLED screen with a waterdrop notch. Inside it is a 44MP selfie shooter. Around the back is a 50MP f/1.8 main camera, coupled with an 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide shooter and a 2MP f/2.4 sensor for macro shots. The battery capacity is 4,050 mAh and the vivo V23e 5G does 44W fast charging, with the required adapter included in the box. The phone runs FunTouch OS 12 based on...

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Here are some of the best Black Friday deals from Amazon in the UK and Germany

While the kids are waiting on Santa, adults have to get their own presents - and now might be the time since Amazon's Early Black Friday deals are live. Here are some of the more interesting offers that we spotted in the UK and Germany. As a reminder, check out our Deals page, which is constantly updated with the best new deals. UK Phones You can pick up a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 as your first foldable phone for £800 (£150 off its MSRP). A more conventional flagship like the Galaxy S21 can be yours for £650. If that's too much, the Galaxy S20 FE (4G Exynos model) is £470. Or you...

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Xiaomi to also announce a self repair program for users

After years of legal battles, Apple finally gave in and even took things one step further with its Self Service Repair program allowing users to fix their iPhones at home. The company also set up a standard for Android manufacturers so Xiaomi is fast to respond with a similar service. In a short tweet, Xiaomi India announced that it's working on a self service repair program without going into much detail. And given that the announcement comes from the Indian branch, it's likely that the company is looking to test the new program in India first. 𝗪𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲. For us, it's always been about...

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Lenovo QRD with Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 and Windows 11 spotted on Geekbench

Yesterday Qualcomm announced that it is switching its Snapdragon chipsets to the “Gen1” style naming, starting with the flagship – the former 800-series has been renamed to Snapdragon 8 and Gen1 will be the first chip to come out (we’ll see it on November 30). But this change affects other chips as well, including the cx line for Windows-on-ARM devices. Lenovo seems to be working on just such a device – here is a Geekbench result from the Lenovo QRD with a Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 chipset. Geekbench scores: Lenovo QRD (Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3) • Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Snapdragon 8...

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Italy slaps Amazon and Apple with €200 million anti-trust fines

Italy’s antitrust authority has fined Amazon €68.7 million and Apple €134.5 million for anti-competitive practices. Both companies will be appealing the fine. The problem lies in an agreement between Amazon and Apple from 2018 that allowed only Amazon and select resellers to offer Apple and Beats products on Amazon Italy. Additionally, there were restriction placed on cross-border sales. The Italian authority says that reduced competition on pricing and reduced the size of discounts offered by third parties. Such deals are against EU rules (Article 101). Besides paying the fine,...

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Samsung to build a $17 billion chip factory in Texas

A recent report claims that Samsung is planning to build a $17 billion chip factory in Taylor, Texas to serve the company's contract operations.Samsung is selling a lot of its chips to US-based companies so this would make things easier and cheaper in the long run. Documents filed with the state reveal that Samsung's eventual factory will provide about 1,800 jobs and Texas is offering the Korean tech giant some lucrative tax breaks such as reduced property taxes for the first 10 years of operation. Speaking of which, if all goes well, the factory should kick off production in 2024...

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Android 11 adoption reaches 24.2%, still behind Android 10

Even though Google does not report on monthly adoption rates of Android anymore, its Android Studio does show the number of Android devices that access the Play Store during a seven-day period alongside their corresponding OS version. Android adoption rates (via: 9to5Google) Based on this data, Android 10 is currently running on 26.5% of devices which is the most of any Android version. Last year’s Android 11 is second with 24.2%, while data for Android 12 devices is yet to be populated. Android distribution numbers Android 9 Pie is next up with 18.2%, followed by Android...

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Oppo Reno7 series confirmed to feature Sony IMX709 sensor

Oppo today confirmed that the Reno7 series arriving on November 25 in China will be the world's first to feature Sony's IMX709 sensor. And while the company didn't reveal if it will be used on the rear or front camera, rumor has it we'll find it on the selfie shooter. Oppo also posted a short clip on Weibo, teasing the sensor's low-light capabilities. You can watch it below. The Oppo Reno7 series consists of three smartphones - Reno7, Reno7 SE, and Reno7 Pro. There's no Pro+ version this time. At least not at the November 25 event. Reno7 SE • Reno7 • Reno7...

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vivo Y76 5G announced with Dimensity 700, 50MP camera, and 44W charging

vivo unveiled the Y76s 5G about a couple of weeks ago, and today the company followed it up with the vanilla model. The vivo Y76 5G looks similar to the Y76s 5G, and the internals aren't all that different either since the only changes you see are in the chipset, OS, and camera departments. The Y76s 5G comes with a Dimensity 810 SoC, Android 11-based OriginOS, and an 8MP selfie camera, whereas the Y76 5G has a Dimensity 700 chip at the helm, boots Funtouch OS 12 based on Android 11, and sports a 16MP selfie unit. The vivo Y76 5G also has an additional 2MP depth camera on the back,...

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Our best midrange phones to get for the Holiday 2021 season

There’s a saying that cheap phones are getting good and good phones are getting cheap - we certainly agree with that and wanted to offer you a list of the eight best midrange phones to get heading into the 2021 Holiday season. Based on our written Buyer’s Guide, Angie takes you through some of the best bang for your buck devices on the market. If you’re looking to scoop up a new phone without running your wallet dry, then these eight picks are certainly worth looking into. Keep in mind that prices fluctuate depending on region and promotions so you might be able to find even better...

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