Weekly poll: How do you like the new Black Shark 2 Pro?

Xiaomi's Black Shark sub-brand debuted its latest offering this week - the Black Shark 2 Pro. Largely based on the original Black Shark 2, the new phone sports slightly more powerful Snapdragon 855+ chipset, and up to 12GB of RAM. The internal storage can go up to 256GB but more importantly, it's the third smartphone with the fastest available storage for mobile phones - UFS 3.0. The only two other phones with this storage are the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro. Sadly the display 6.39-inch AMOLED is still capped at 60Hz so even at the gaming-friendly FHD+ resolution you won't be able to go...

Weekly poll results: Asus ROG Phone II is a home run

For the past week we've been gathering your thoughts on the Asus ROG Phone II and they turned out overwhelmingly positive. It's yes to know ratio was over 7:1, suggesting that there are plenty of takers if Asus gets the pricing and availability right. The second gen gaming phone is a substantial upgrade over its predecessor and it has resonated really well with the public. And no wonder. The phone sold out in no time and Asus even had to apologize for not having enough units to ship. Having spent some time with the phone, we can confirm it's truly impressive although we haven't...

Color renders of an Oppo slider follow up on patent application

A lot of patent applications never develop into actual products but in the case of this particular Oppo filing, it could be the real deal. A patent application filed at the end of March that included a set of schematics has now been updated with high-quality official-looking renders. This unannounced slider phone borrows from the existing Find X in that it stashes the selfie camera (likely cameras, plural) under the display when not in use, only it differs from the original on the back - the rear cameras remain exposed at all times here, and are in the top left corner. The Find X has them...

High-res renders of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 are now out

Images of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 have been floating around for about a month now, but today we have a rather varied selection of renders of both sizes of the smartwatch, with color options and strap material choices - in pretty high resolution, too. The small Galaxy Watch Active 2... Courtesy of Evan Blass, the renders give us a closer look at the wearable and, from what we can tell, show three case colors for each size. Additionally, only the small size (40mm) is pictured with leather straps (and with leather straps only), while the 44mm one is shown with...

OnePlus 6, 6T, 7, and 7 Pro get Android Q Developer Preview 4

OnePlus has released the fourth developer preview of Android Q for last year's and this year's smartphones - the OnePlus 6, 6T, 7, and 7 Pro. The changelog of this developer preview doesn't reveal much about what's new and vaguely says that it comes with "system functions improvement". However, it does list the known issues which you can check out in the screenshot below: Changelog of Android Q Developer Preview 4 for OnePlus 6, 6T, 7, 7 Pro OnePlus hasn't made any official announcement about the fourth developer preview at the time of writing, but users on the company's official...

Huawei files for P300, P400 and P500 trademarks in the UK

Huawei has filed for a handful of new trademarks with the Intelectual Property Office of the UK. The strings in question, likely to be used for smartphones, are 'P300', 'P400', and 'P500', and mark a departure from the current two-digit naming scheme of the company's high-end P-series. Huawei's phone nomenclature has never been too clear to outsiders, but the P and Mate series have remained somewhat logical. In 2017, the P10 replaced the P9, and the next year Huawei opted for 20 instead of 11, which led us to the current P30. The same thing happened with the Mate branch - only...

Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ US prices revealed, to start at $949

The Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ are a mere few days from announcement, and only a few things are still unclear, as we've come to expect with such high-profile launches. The latest unofficial piece of information we're getting is the two smartphones' US prices, following earlier reports on what you'd have to pay in the EU. If the Roland Quandt's sources are to be trusted (which is typically the case), the smaller Galaxy Note10 will set you back $949 while the Note10+ will cost $1099. Those are base prices for the 256GB storage variants and don't include sales tax. According to the...

Oppo to launch a new Reno series smartphone this month

Oppo launched the Reno and Reno 10x zoom in India back in May, and according to a report by The Mobile Indian, the company will bring a third model under the Reno series to India by the end of this month. Oppo Reno 10x zoom The report further states that the upcoming smartphone will make its debut starting with India and will be priced at INR35,000 ($500/€450). However, a separate report by IANS says that it will be priced around INR40,000 ($575/€515) and will be launched around the Diwali festival which is in late October. We don't have any other details about this smartphone,...

HTC U11+ receiving Android Pie update in India

HTC released Android Pie for the U11+ in Taiwan earlier last month, and now it has expanded the rollout of Pie in India. The update, version number 2.19.400.2, requires a reasonably hefty download of 1.37GB. It comes with the usual Android Pie goodies as well as the July 1, 2019 security patch. Additionally, the new firmware also brings in some system enhancements to the U11+ and removes Google+ from BlinkFeed. HTC U11+ Android Pie update The update is rolling out over the air and will reach all the Indian units in a few weeks. Users in other regions should expect a rollout...

Samsung Galaxy Book S appears in press renders

Samsung launched the Windows-powered Galaxy Book2 last year, and it seems the company will soon add another device to the lineup, dubbed Galaxy Book S. Official-looking press renders of the Samsung Galaxy Book S have been leaked by reliable leakster Evan Blass revealing its design. Unlike the Galaxy Book2 which was a 2-in-1 device, the Book S is a regular laptop complete with a keyboard attached. It has a display with slim bezels on three sides, and there's also a camera above the screen for video calls. Samsung Galaxy Book S leaked render The render also reveals a single...

Samsung Galaxy Note9 gets Night Mode in the US

Samsung rolled out the Night Mode for the Galaxy Note9 back in June, but at the time it was only for the German units. Well now, the company has expanded this feature to the US as well. A new update (with version N960USQU2CSGA) is seeding for Verizon's Note9 which brings Night Mode to the device in addition to the July 1, 2019 security patch. New update brings Night Mode and July patch to Verizon's Galaxy Note9 Samsung has released an update for the unlocked units as well, but it doesn't include the Night Mode. It's also unclear when exactly the Galaxy Note9 units on other...

Google Assistant can now read and reply to messages on some third-party apps

The Google app has received a new update that lets you interact with more messaging apps with voice commands. With your permission for the Google App to access notifications, Google will now read your messages to you from third-party messaging apps and let you reply to them via the Google Assistant. You could already do this with text messages, but the Assistant was never able to read your messages to you from WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger, except on Android Auto. To get started, ask Assistant to "read my messages" and it might prompt you to allow access to Notifications. Once...

Verizon reveals new unlimited plans with more confusing names

Verizon has unveiled a new pricing structure for its plans, effective this Monday August 5. The plans are perhaps even more confusing than before. Verizon advertises it as "mix and match" but with a total of 5 unlimited plans, including a "Just Kids" option with a 5GB soft data cap. Apple Music is also included in two of the four higher-tier unlimited plans. Before I attempt to explain this, I need to list the names of the plans to you know what I'm talking about. All amounts of "premium data" basically translate to a threshold that customers might experience slower speeds during...

Samsung teases new Exynos chipset coming on August 7 to power the Galaxy Note10

In recent times, Samsung's Galaxy S flagship and its Galaxy Note device launched in the same year have used the same in-house designed Exynos chipset, but that's set to change this time around. For the Galaxy Note10, Samsung has been working on an improved version of the Exynos 9820 that was featured in the Galaxy S10 family. The Note10 has already been caught in a benchmark results database sporting an Exynos 9825, but so far the company's chip-making division has stayed mum on any such products being in the pipeline. Until today. Here's a teaser video from the official Samsung Exynos...

Get ready for "WhatsApp from Facebook" and "Instagram from Facebook"

You know what has so far been missing from WhatsApp and Instagram? Facebook. The social network may have owned the two services for many years now, but how would ordinary people know that? Also, doesn't it seem to you that Instagram and WhatsApp are just... too short and to the point? Not convoluted enough, perhaps? Well, this 'bug' is going to get fixed soon, according to a new report from "three people familiar with the matter". Facebook has already notified Instagram and WhatsApp employees that it plans to rebrand both apps. So ladies and gentlemen, get ready for "WhatsApp from...

Watch the Samsung Galaxy A50 get tortured on video

The Galaxy A50 is one of a (growing) number of smartphones in the company's mid-range line, newly revamped for 2019 in both branding and philosophy. This is definitely not going to be confused for a flagship by anyone, with its inner specs and outward plastic construction. But will it bend? Will it scratch? Will its screen burn? If you feel like these are the types of pressing questions you simply must know the answer to right now, then sit back and enjoy another durability testing video by Zack from JerryRigEverything. If you didn't watch for some reason, here's the quick skinny....

New case renders show the Galaxy Note10 in Aura Red and Aura Blue

You may have already seen the Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ in a bunch of colors, but how about red? Or blue? Well, here you go. In this hour's Note10-related leak, here's a blue Note10+ standing pretty next to a red Note10. Aura Blue, and Aura Red, to be precise. These hues should join the already leaked black, white, pink, and Aura Glow options. Though, as usual, not all of these may launch at the same time, and not all may be available in all markets. If you're wondering what kinds of official cases Samsung is preparing for the duo, aside from the simple ones there's the LED Cover,...

Our nubia Red Magic 3 video review is up

When the third installment in the nubia Red Magic series was announced it grabbed all the headlines with its monster specs modest and price tag. As gaming phones are gaining more traction, nubia aims to provide a top-notch solution for mobile gamers with its Red Magic 3. Even if you're not a hardcore gamer, this device still deserves your attention thanks to its packed spec sheet and affordable price. Some of its highlights include a built-in cooling fan, customizable back LED strip and 8K video recording. In addition, you're not compromising on performance as it comes with the...

Samsung Galaxy Note10 dummies confirm screen sizes

Earlier today we saw the colors of the Galaxy Note10, followed by pictures of its audio dongle. The third piece of rumor for the day is the screen diagonals, confirmed by British retailer Mobile Fun. The reseller received dummy units from Olixar that were manufactured specifically for case testing purposes. Measuring the non-usable gadgets, it appears the screen of the Galaxy Note10 will be 6.3", while the Galaxy Note10+ is arriving with a 6.8" diagonal. Since Olixar already has the full dimensions, it is now selling the first batch of cases for the latest Samsung flagship at Mobile...

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 coming to Europe on August 23

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 was announced earlier this week but the information at that point didn't contain launch dates. Now, that the company's regional websites have started uploading pages for the tablet that bit has been cleared. Samsung Netherlands says sales start on August 23, while Samsung Germany reveals that locals will have to wait until August 30. The Netherlands is getting the 6/128GB version for €699 and the 8/256GB variant at €779. The LTE variant will come in a 6/128GB configuration for €779. Germans will have to pay €50 extra for the base model - €749 for the...

Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ prices confirmed

Another notable leakster just shared the Samsung Galaxy Note10 and Note10+ pricing on Twitter and it seems that the initial report that got out last month was fairly accurate. It has already been leaked but confirming from my side as well. The Samsung Galaxy Note10 will start from €949 for 256GB Variant. Galaxy Note10+ will cost €1099 for 256GB and €1199 for 512GB. The Price will slightly differ b/w Euro countries.Will tell about more variants soon! pic.twitter.com/VyNjAj1YE3— Ishan Agarwal (@ishanagarwal24) August 1, 2019 But instead of a starting at €999 Ishan Agarwal claims the ...

Exynos 9630 coming to power future Samsung A-series phones

According to inside sources, Samsung is preparing an Exynos 9610 successor - a chip found in this year's Galaxy A50 and under a different name and altered clock speeds in a bunch of other smartphones. The successor will likely be called Exynos 9630 and we might see it next year. The report also claims that next year's Galaxy A51 and A71 will be powered by the said chip. It's in its early testing stage so details are scarce but one would assume that it will use a smaller manufacturing process. Perhaps an 8nm node like this year's flagship Exynos 9820. Source

Google will hold an auction for alternative search providers in the EU

After Google was mandated to offer its EU Android users the ability to choose alternative search and browser apps, the company has decided to hold an auction to select the eligible search providers. The three highest bidders will appear alongside Google during the setup process for all Android smartphones and tablets starting at the beginning of 2020. Once the user selects a search engine, it will automatically become the default option throughout the phone's interface and even in Google's Chrome browser. Users will still be able to switch their default search engine at any time after...

Black Shark 2 Pro appears on TENAA with new memory variants

The freshly announced Black Shark 2 Pro comes in two memory versions - 12GB/128GB priced at CNY2,999 ($430/€390) and 12GB/256GB priced at CNY3,499 ($505/€455). But, it seems the company will soon offer you more to choose from. The Black Shark 2 Pro has appeared on TENAA with 6GB and 8GB RAM. There's also a new storage variant - 512GB. The 6GB RAM variant will likely come with 128GB or 256GB storage, while the 8GB RAM version may have 512GB of onboard storage. There's no word from Black Shark yet about these new variants, so we will have to wait till more information surfaces. In the...

Mediatek's 5G SoC coming to the market in Q1 2020

Mediatek held a press conference to announce its financial results for the first half of the year. The Taiwanese company reported 16.8% monthly increase in revenue and 1.8% on a yearly basis, but another announcement grabbed our attention. Company CEO Cai Lixing announced the company will deliver samples of its 5G SoC with the Helio M70 modem in Q3 2019. Mass production of the chip will start in Q1 2020, right in time for the 5G revolution, said Cai. We already saw the details about the 5G modem, which is built in a chipset, but the actual chipset's name is not yet confirmed....