Friday, April 26, 2024

Reviews

Renders of the Pixel 7a and official cases leak out ahead of Google I/O 2023

With Google I/O 2023 only a couple of weeks away, it’s no surprise we’re starting to see more details about what devices may make their debut at the conference. The latest leak comes from WinFuture and reveals three colors the Pixel 7a will be offered in, as well as the matching cases. As seen in the renders, Google will offer the Pixel 7a in three pastel colors this year, including Carbon Grey, Cotton White, and Arctic Blue.Further inspection of the renders reveals antenna lines on the sides, meaning it’s likely that the Pixel 7a will feature a metal frame. The back also appears to be glass or perhaps plastic, which would align with the rumors that Google could be adding wireless charging to its midrange lineup this year.From looking at the renders, it’s clear there won’t be much of a change in the design with the Pixel 7a. It still sports a center cut-out for the front-facing camera, and there is only a minor tweak to the camera visor on the rear of the device. Recent leaks point to this being a dual camera setup on the back of the Pixel 7a, with it being a pair of 12MP sensors or possibly a 64MP sensor in the mix. The front-facing camera is supposedly a 10.8MP sensor.The display is rumored to be a full HD 6.1-inch AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate, while on the inside, the Pixel 7A will be powered by a Tensor G2 chip and 8GB of RAM. When it comes to storage options, users will have a choice between either 128GB of 256GB space. Additionally, with it being a Pixel device, it’s only natural that it will run the latest version of Google’s OS out of the box, Android 13.It is expected that Google will show off the Pixel 7a on May 10 at its annual developer conference Google I/O 2023. Along with the reveal, it has been rumored that we’ll see the Pixel 7a price increase to $499. This would be a price jump of $50 over the previous model, the Pixel 6a.All of this is purely speculation and the details could change leading up to the big event. We won’t know anything for certain until Google debuts the Pixel 7a on the stage in a couple of weeks.

Motorola ThinkPhone review: all business, no fun, no sale

Yes, you can buy the Motorola ThinkPhone even if you're not a business, but does that mean you should buy one?

LG Gram Style review: more style than substance

The LG Gram Style is the best-looking laptop so far in 2023. Looks aren't everything, though, and the laptop suffers some flaws that hold it back.

TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones review

The H2O TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones are a unique type of headphones that use bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the cheekbones instead of the ears.Read on to learn more or check out the podcast (also embedded below) to see what we thought of the TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones.Noteworthy FeaturesLightweight and Comfortable: The headphones are designed to be lightweight and comfortable to wear for extended periods, making them ideal for use during sports or workouts.Wireless Connectivity: The headphones use Bluetooth 5.0 technology to connect to devices wirelessly. They have a range of up to 33 feet and support pairing with multiple devices.Long Battery Life: The headphones have a battery life of up to 8 hours, depending on usage. They can be charged using the included magnetic charging cable.Hands-Free Calling: The H2O TRI headphones have a built-in microphone and support hands-free calling, allowing users to answer phone calls without having to take off the headphones.Compatible with Most Devices: The headphones are compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.GalleryListen to the EpisodeThoughts and ConclusionThe H2O TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones are a unique type of headphones that use bone conduction technology to transmit sound through the cheekbones instead of the ears. This design allows the headphones to stay in place during physical activity and provides situational awareness, as users can hear their surroundings while still enjoying music or phone calls.The H2O TRI headphones are also waterproof, with an IPX8 rating, making them suitable for use during water sports or in rainy conditions. They come with a set of earplugs that can be inserted to block out water for swimming or diving.Taken as a whole, the H2O TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones are a great option for those who want to listen to music or take calls while engaging in physical activity, especially water sports. They offer unique features that make them stand out from traditional headphones and are designed to be durable and comfortable to wear.You can learn more about the TRI Multi-Sport Waterproof Bone Conduction Headphones and/or purchase yours for about $150.

OnePlus Pad Starts at Rs 37999 in India; Pre-order begin April 28

Earlier this year, OnePlus unveiled its first-ever OnePlus Pad Android flagship tablet along with OnePlus 11 (review) smartphone. The brand’s first tablet comes with flagship features such as MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 chipset, a unified metal body with a Cambered frame design, a 2.5D round edge, and whole much more. The tablet is now official in India and the firm officially revealed the pricing of the OnePlus Pad tablet for the Indian market. The OnePlus Pad comes in two variant options in India- the base 8GB + 128GB variant is priced at ₹37,999 (~$461), and the higher end 12GB + 256GB variant retails at ₹39,999 (~$486). The tablet will sell in a sole Halo Green Color option in India. It will go for pre-order starting from April 28 and will go on sale from May 2nd via Amazon and OnePlus’ official website. The tablet sports an 11.61-inch IPS LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of peak brightness, and a 144Hz touch sampling rate. In terms of optics, you get a single 13MP rear camera at the back and an 8MP selfie camera. Just like every premium segment tablet, the tablet also has a stylus and magnetic keyboard support.The device is equipped with MediaTek’s Dimensity 9000 processor paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, under the hood. Unfortunately, there’s no SD card slot, so you can’t expand storage.The tablet is backed by a massive 9,510mAh battery with support of 67W fast charging support. It runs on Andriod 13 based on OxygenOS 13.1 out of the box.The OnePlus Pad has arrived for review and we are so excited about this. Stay tuned with us to find out if it’s worth purchasing. On paper, the tablet holds solid specs and it will be more interesting to see how it performs in real life. 

POCO F5 launching with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor; Confirms Qualcomm

POCO is gearing up for the launch of the POCO F5 smartphone for global as well as Indian markets, although the company hasn’t revealed the exact launch date. Lots of rumors and leaks are buzzing around the market, POCO will launch two smartphones under the F5 series- the POCO F5 and POCO F5 Pro. Ahead of the launch, the company teases some key features of the POCO F5 smartphone. Let’s have a look at it.POCO F5 will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, confirms POCO, and on the other hand, Qualcomm also confirms that via its official tweeter handle, the POCO F5 is the first smartphone to feature Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor and it will be the first smartphone in India to debut with the same processor. The POCO F5 Global variant was recently spotted on the Geekbench listings. The listings suggest the smartphone will pack up to 12GB of RAM. The device has managed to score 1629 and 4295 points on the single-core and multi-core tests. Get ready for the #Indiadebut of our most powerful 7-series chipset, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen2 with POCO F5!@IndiaPOCO pic.twitter.com/J5El1irM7o— Snapdragon India (@Snapdragon_IN) April 25, 2023Also Read:- POCO X5 Pro ReviewAccording to leaks, the upcoming POCO F5 smartphone is the rebranded version of Redmi Note 12 Turbo which debuted a month ago in China. Other rumored specifications of the POCO F5 include a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2MP macro unit. The smartphone will run on Android 13 based on MIUI14. It will feature a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging support. 

Formovie Mini Projector Dice review

The Formovie Mini Projector Dice is a portable and compact projector designed for use in a variety of settings, including home entertainment, outdoor movies, and business presentations.Read on to learn what we thought of the Formovie Mini Projector Dice.Noteworthy Features1080P picture700ANSI lumensHDR10 40-200 inches picture sizeDTS & DOLBY dual-certified sound qualityCertified Android TV 9.0Built-in handle for portability16000mAh built-in batteryGalleryThoughts and ConclusionThe Formovie Mini Projector Dice features a native resolution of 1080p and a brightness of 700 ANSI lumens, making it suitable for use in dark to moderately-lit environments. The projector uses DLP technology, which provides accurate color reproduction and deep contrast.The projector is compact and lightweight, weighing only 5lbs, and that factors in the built-in battery which provides up to three hours of projection time. It also comes with a tripod mount for easy setup and positioning. It’s small enough to sit unassumingly on a shelf and also balances well on a standard tripod.The Mini Projector Dice includes built-in dual 5W speakers for audio output, and it supports Bluetooth connectivity for wireless audio streaming. It also has a couple of input options, including HDMI and USB, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. Add in Google Play, YouTube, and Google Assistant and you’ve got a whole array of content sources.The Formovie Dice mini projector can project an image up to 120 inches diagonally. However, the recommended screen size for the best viewing experience is between 60 to 100 inches. With a relatively short 1.2:1 throw ratio the projector can be placed fairly close to the screen while still producing a large image. For example, if the projector is placed 6 feet away from the screen, the width of the projected image will be about 5 feet. This can be useful for smaller rooms (like a dorm) or for situations where space is limited (like a tent).It’s worth pointing out that Netflix is not available on our review unit and it cannot be found via a search in the Play Store. That won’t stop enterprising users, though as it is possible via sideloading an APK.Also worth noting, the model we received did not have a US plug. I did some checking online and found other reviewers who tested the projector received the EU plug. If you live in the US and decide to pick one of these up, you’ll want to order an adapter.The Formovie Mini Projector Dice is a versatile and portable projector that can be used in various settings and provides a high-quality image with convenient auto-focus technology and built-in speakers. The sound is pretty good for its size and but you may want to connect to an external speaker if you’re setting up for the long haul.This is a pretty well-rounded device with a price that seems in line with its performance. I didn’t find any real shortcomings or major quibbles but there’s nothing that really goes far above and beyond. A solid unit from top to bottom, it’s backed by a one-year warranty in the US and a two-year warranty for EU customers.You can learn more about the Formovie Mini Projector Dice and/or purchase yours for about $650.

Podcast: Morphée Zen

Check out episode 392 of the AndroidGuys Podcast where we discuss the Morphée Zen.About the Morphée ZenThe Morphée Zen is a portable device designed for helping users to relax and de-stress. With no displays or screens to distract, it’s as simple as plugging in headphones and choosing from 72 different sessions spanning six themes. The internal battery is good for up to 90 minutes per charge with sessions ranging from two to five minutes each.Listen below using the embedded player or click here to check out the episode using your favorite media player.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 wired charging speeds leaked

Charging speeds aren’t the most exciting topic to talk about when it comes to the latest smartphone release, however, it’s still an important spec to keep an eye on. If you’ve been following releases from other manufacturers, such as the vivo, then you’ll remember the X Fold 2 and X Flip launched last week with some very impressive charging speeds. For example, the X Fold 2 sports 120W wired charging—while the X Flip—offers a slower, but respectable, 44W wired charging rate.This may have gotten many Samsung fans excited about what the South Korean giant has planned to offer when it releases the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 later this year. Unfortunately, the wired charging specs for Samsung’s latest foldables have leaked, and there’s not much to be thrilled about. According to the latest certification from the China Compulsory Certificate filing, both the  Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are rated for the same 25W charging as their predecessors.It’s even more disappointing considering the X Fold 2 offers 50W wireless charging, making it double the speed that Samsung’s latest foldable smartphones will offer through a wired connection. It’s possible Samsung is playing it safe after its debacle with the Note 7 phone from years ago.If you don’t remember, there was a catastrophic failure with the Note 7 lineup where a number of the phones caught fire due to the battery. After several instances of the handset catching fire, airlines began to ban them, and eventually, Samsung recalled the entire stock. Many of us wondered if Samsung’s brand would be forever tarnished by the exploding Note 7, so it’s hard to blame the company for wanting to play it safe these days.Furthermore, heat is the enemy when it comes to rechargeable batteries. The more heat that is generated, the faster it wears down the battery. This leads to a shorter lifespan for the battery and your phone. Nothing generates more heat than increasing the charging rate, and by sticking to 25W Samsung may be trying to ensure a longer life for your expensive handset. Regardless, it’s always best to offer a faster rate with the ability to limit it via software. Then, you at least have the option to charge faster if you require it.It’s also rumored that the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 will retain the same battery capacity. Although, there have been whispers that the Z Flip could see a slightly smaller battery, but that has yet to be confirmed. In any case, the Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 are both expected to launch with “For Galaxy” versions of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset which proved to provide fantastic battery life. At least if you won’t be able to charge faster, the battery life should still be improved over last year’s models.

Casely PowerPods and Bold Cases review

I was recently scrolling through my Instagram killing too many minutes in my day and I was presented with an ad for Casely. I’d never heard of the company, but the cases surprised me by how unique the graphics were on each. I reached out to the Casely team, and they sent me over two cases and the PowerPods charging bank to take for a spin.Designs Independent ArtistsIndependent artists or curated organizations design each product on Casely’s site. You even get a card to follow the artist in each box. For my review, I received the Opposites Attract Bold by Maus Haus case and PowerPod along with a curated edition Bold Case from the Vincent VanGogh Museum.Both offer stunning artwork. The Maus Haus Opposites Attract is more modern, and almost material in its look. Of course, Van Gogh is creepy and amazing as the case should be for the famed painter. Each of the phone cases features Casely’s Bold protection. This is a dual construction surrounding offering both hard and softer drop absorption.Daily UseIn normal carrying, I found both the Bold cases lived up to expectations. These do add extra bulk, but not enough to make them feel like bricks in your pocket. The inner silicone casing holds the secure while the outer hard shell adds protection and a good feel in the hand.I haven’t dropped my iPhone while testing, but I think it’s safe to safe these will hold up to most normal drop tests. Between the soft inner shell and the outer case protection seems substantial.I’ve been just as impressed with the PowerPod. This small pebble-shaped MagSafe charger pack matches the Opposites Attract case and aligns perfectly with the Mag-capable rings built into both cases. The 5000mAh battery cell should charge your iPhone from completely dead once, but can easily be used to top off midday multiple times.The charging mechanism outputs 15 Watts over both MagSafe and the USB-C port. This makes sure you are covered even with other devices outside of the MagSafe ecosystem. The same is true for Qi-capable devices like earbuds. The PowerPod is reverse compatible with this protocol as well making it a well-rounded triple-threat charger on the go.Giving BackFor every case and PowerPod that Casely sells, the company gives back to a different charitable foundation each month. The current contributions of April will be sent to the Organization of Autism Research. Casely calls this program Every Case Counts.Last year in 2022 Casely donated over $180,000 to different charities. This perspective of companies being more involved in community efforts is a growing trend in tech that I truly hope continues. Yes, the eco-friendly packaging Casely also includes is great but actually cash donations to those that are in need of all the help it can get is the extra mile.ConclusionCasely has left a positive impression on me in my testing period with its products. Not only are the build quality of the devices great, but the approach from the design to the collaboration with charitable organizations makes the brand stand out.You can snag cases you like in the site’s store. There you will find numerous artists’ features on Casely’s standard cases, Bold cases, and PowerPods. You can show your personality in multiple ways. Whether you like your accessories to match or like contrasting graphics, Casely has you covered. Each Bold + MagSafe Collection case will cost you $40, while the PowerPods are $60.

Withings ScanWatch Horizon review

he Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a hybrid smartwatch that packs a number of advanced health and fitness tracking features. It’s versatile, feature-rich, and stylish, and it comes with a battery that lasts upwards of 30 days per charge.Read on to learn more or check out the podcast (also embedded below) to see what we thought of the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.Noteworthy FeaturesElectrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring: Detect abnormal heart rhythms and potential heart conditions.Heart rate monitoring: Track your heart rate throughout the day and during workouts and keep track of your overall cardiovascular health.Activity tracking: Tracks a variety of activities, including steps taken, calories burned, and distance traveled. It can also automatically recognize activities like walking, running, and swimming.Sleep tracking: Track your sleep patterns and provide insights into the quality and duration of your sleep. It can also provide personalized recommendations to help you improve your sleep habits.Blood oxygen monitoring: Measure your blood oxygen saturation levels, which can provide insights into your overall respiratory health.Stylish design: It comes with a stainless steel case and a choice of leather or silicone bands and can be worn as a traditional watch or as a smartwatch, making it a versatile accessory for any outfit.GalleryListen to the EpisodeThoughts and ConclusionThe Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a hybrid smartwatch designed to help users monitor their health and fitness while still looking stylish. It features a traditional analog watch face along with a small digital display that shows notifications and health data.One of the standout features of the ScanWatch Horizon is its ability to perform an electrocardiogram (ECG) test, which can detect irregular heart rhythms and potentially serious conditions like atrial fibrillation.In addition to the ECG feature, the ScanWatch Horizon also has a built-in heart rate monitor, as well as sensors to track activity levels, sleep patterns, and blood oxygen saturation (SpO2). The watch can also track workouts and provide detailed metrics like calories burned, distance traveled, and steps taken.Editor’s ChoiceThis award is reserved for products, apps, and services which have an overall average score of 4.25 or higher. Graded on a scale of 1-5, our reviews look at a variety of aspects to determine a total rating. Factors which help to create the composite score will often include design, features, price, warranty, audio, battery, general and performance.Users can view all of their health data on the accompanying Withings Health Mate app, which provides insights and personalized guidance based on the user’s goals and habits.The ScanWatch Horizon is also designed with style in mind, featuring a sleek stainless steel case and a choice of leather or silicone bands. It is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities. The battery life is impressive, with up to 30 days of use on a single charge.Overall, the Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a great choice for anyone looking for a stylish and comprehensive health tracking tool that can also function as a traditional timepiece.You can learn more about the Withings ScanWatch Horizon and/or purchase yours for about $500.

Mophie 3-in-1 Travel Charger with MagSafe review: Places to go, tech to pack

Never leave home without it, or at least not on an overnight trip.

Vivo Pad 2 launched with MediaTek Dimesnity 9000 chipset; Now available for purchase in China

Vivo has launched its new foldable smartphones in China recently- the Vivo X Fold 2 and Vivo X Flip 2  alongside the firm also launched the Vivo Pad 2. A true successor to the 1st Gen Vivo Pad (launched last year) comes with great features and noteworthy improvements. Have a look at the detailed specifications of the Vivo Pad 2. The Vivo Pad 2 comes in four different variant options- the base model 8/128GB costs ¥2,399 (~$348), the 8/256GB variant costs ¥2,799 (~$406), the 12/256GB model retails at ¥3,099 (~$449) and the higher end 12/512GB variant is priced at ¥3,399 (~$492). The tablet is now available in China via Vivo’s official website. It comes in Gray, Blue, and purple color options. The Vivo Pad 2 is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 9000 processor paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 internal storage, under the hood. The tablet runs on Origin OS 3 UI based on Android 13 out of the box. It features a dual rear camera setup- the 13MP primary camera coupled with a 2MP macro unit and there’s an 8MP front camera for selfies and video chats. The Vivo Pad 2 has a big 12.1-inch 2.8K LCD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, 600 nits of peak brightness, and HDR10 support. You’ll get quad speakers and two tweeters on the tablet which produces loud and crystal clear sound up to 6W. The tablet is backed by a massive 10,000mAH battery with support 44W fast charging tech. It has a stylus and keyboard support, to make the stylus experience smoother, Vivo integrated its self-developed simulation writing engine which offers excellent tactile feedback means it feels like just writing on standard paper with a pen or pencil during sketching or taking notes on the tablet. The tablet weighs 585 grams and is just 6.59mm thick. 

Podcast: Withings ScanWatch Horizon

Check out episode 406 of the AndroidGuys Podcast where we discuss the Withings ScanWatch Horizon.About the Withings ScanWatch HorizonThe Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a hybrid smartwatch that packs a number of advanced health and fitness tracking features. It’s versatile, feature-rich, and stylish, and it comes with a battery that lasts upwards of 30 days per charge.Listen below using the embedded player or click here to check out the episode using your favorite media player.

Honor X50i debuts with a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor

Honor has launched the Honor X50i smartphone in China. The smartphone comes with notable improvements compared to its predecessor Honor X40i was launched last year. Honor’s latest X50i smartphone features a Dimensity 6000 series processor, 100MP dual rear camera setup, and whole much more. Have a look at the specifications and pricing details of the Honor X50i smartphone. Honor X50i comes in two configurations- the 8GB + 256GB storage variant costs 1,499 Yuan (~$217) while the 12GB + 256GB variant is priced at 1,699 Yuan (~$247). The smartphone comes in Black, Green, Pink, and White color options. Honor X50i is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 6020 processor coupled with up to 12GB of LPDR4x RAM and 256GB of internal storage, under the hood. The device runs on Magic UI 6.1 based on Android 13 out of the box. It packs a 4,500mAH battery with support for 35W fast charging tech. You’ll get a dual rear camera setup at the back with a 100MP primary lens joined by a 2MP depth unit. It features an 8MP snapper at the front. Honor X50i flaunts a 6.73-inch IPS LCD FHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate and a 93.6% screen-to-body ratio. Other highlights of the X50i smartphone include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and up to 7GB of virtual RAM support. The device weighs just 179 grams and is 7.48mm thick.

LG UltraGear OLED 45 (45GR95QE-B) review: let’s get immersed

Nothing beats the super-immersive LG UltraGear OLED 45 for gaming, even if it isn't the monitor for everyone.