Last year Samsung announced its self-repair program in partnership with iFixit, starting in the US in August with support for seven devices: the Galaxy S20 and S21 flagships (sans the FE models) and the Galaxy Tab S7+. Today, the company is adding five new devices to the program.The Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra are now covered, owners can get replacement display assemblies, back panels and charging ports for them. The S22 is about to turn 1 year old and its US warranty is about to run out (unless you bought additional protection with Samsung Care+).A quick peek at...


More...

Apple announces new MacBook Pro and Mac mini models with M2 Pro and M2 Max
Apple today announced the 2023 editions of the MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch as well as the Mac mini with the new Apple M2 Pro and M2 Max processors. The MacBooks also get updated connectivity options and the Mac mini has a lower starting price.The MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch can now be configured with the M2 Pro and M2 Max chips, which claim to offer up to 20% faster CPU performance and 30% faster GPU performance over the previous generation M1 variants. You can either go with Apple's preset configuration options — three each for the two sizes — or you can configure any of...


More...

Watch the MacBook Pro and Mac mini 2023 announcement video
Apple dropped new hardware today with the M2 Pro and M2 Max 14” and 16” MacBook Pro models as well as the M2/M2 Pro Mac Mini. While past Mac releases only merited a press release, Apple actually published a full 19-minute announcement video this time around which brings us a detailed look at the latest Mac members.The video starts off with the introduction of the new Mac Mini, which retains the same design as its predecessor, but gets the new M2 and M2 Pro chipset options as well as more memory and storage options. The baseline M2 Mac mini comes with the M2 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core...


More...

Apple unveils M2 Pro and M2 Max: more CPU and GPU cores, more L2 cache, more unified memory
When Apple unveiled the M2 chipset in June of last year, it brought 18% CPU and 35% GPU performance boost compared to the original M1. However, the M2 was only available in one configuration – 8 CPU cores and 10 GPU cores.Today Cupertino is lifting the veil off two higher power chips, the M2 Pro and M2 Max, which pile on more cores and add support for more memory. Apple also announced two new products built with the new chips, MacBook Pro (14” and 16”) and Mac mini, these are covered in a separate post.The Apple M2 Pro chipset is built on a second generation 5nm node and features...


More...

Oppo Find N2 Flip's global model appears on Geekbench
Oppo unveiled the Find N2 and Find N2 Flip last month in China. The Find N2 will remain China-exclusive, but the Find N2 Flip has been confirmed to get a global release. Oppo hasn't revealed the Find N2 Flip's global launch date yet, but an Oppo device believed to be the Find N2 Flip's global variant has popped up on Geekbench, revealing the international model's key specs.The smartphone has model designation CPH2437, runs Android 13, and has 8GB RAM onboard. There are two listings of CPH2437 on the benchmark database, and both have "k6983v1_64" in the Motherboard section, with the CPU...


More...

Apple taps new suppliers for iPhone 15 Pro Max's periscope camera
For months now there have been reports that Apple is working on equipping the iPhone 15 Pro Max (and only the Pro Max) with a periscope lens. However, it seems that its current suppliers weren’t up to the task, so Cupertino had to find new partners.According to The Elec, Apple will source OIS actuators for the periscope module from LG Innotek and Jahwa Electronics, the two companies will supply 70% and 30% of the components, respectively.Jahwa has been working with Samsung Electronics and Samsung Electro-Mechanics on actuators based on ball guides. The company will reportedly supply...


More...

Google is developing a location tag of its own
Apple and Samsung launched location tags, and now Google is looking to join their company. According to a Kuba Wojciechowski and Mishaal Rahman's investigation of the developer's console of the Fast Pair feature it now has “locator tag” as a listed device. The codename of the product is “Grogu”, “Groguaudio” or “GR10”.Samsung Galaxy SmartTagThe product is developed by the Nest team, but that does not necessarily mean it will be a Nest product. The gadget has an onboard speaker, and comes with support for UWB (ultra-wideband) and Bluetooth Low Energy - technologies used for...


More...

Oppo Reno8 T 4G appears in leaked renders
Oppo Reno8 T was spotted in multiple certifications earlier this month, and the phone is said to have two different variants - LTE and 5G. Today, images of the 4G version appeared online. They show a design similar to the Oppo A1 Pro, but with a different camera alignment.This version of the Reno8 is pictured with a flat screen that is likely an AMOLED panel, given the lack of any visible fingerprint scanner on the side or the back There is also a single punch hole for the selfie camera in the upper left corner.The color options will be two - Orange Leather, which might be a faux...


More...

Apple MacBook Pro with Wi-Fi 6E certified ahead of imminent launch
An unreleased Apple MacBook Pro model bearing the A2779 model number was certified by the Canada Radio Equipment List database. The device in question is believed to be the M2 Pro/M2 Max MacBook Pro and the certification reveals it will support Wi-Fi 6E connectivity making it the first MacBook to do so.Apple MacBook Pro A2779 on Canada Radio Equipment List database For reference, the latest iPad Pro models that launched back in October are the only Apple devices that currently support the Wi-Fi 6E standard. According to 9to5Mac, Apple could announce the new 14" and 16" M2 Pro/M2...


More...

Samsung unveils 5G-connected Galaxy Book2 Go with Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3
A few weeks ago Samsung unveiled the Galaxy Book2 Go, a thin and light ARM-powered Windows laptop based on the Snapdragon 7c+ Gen 3. While the chipset supports 5G, the original model did not make use of that and offered only local connectivity. Today the company unveiled a 5G version of the laptop.The Samsung Galaxy Book2 Go 5G is a dual-SIM device and can combine a physical SIM and an eSIM (note that only single-standby is supported). The 5G connection uses the sub-6GHz bands.In addition to that, the laptop can connect to Wi-Fi 6E networks and knows some neat tricks if you have other...


More...

Tecno Phantom X2 Pro goes on pre-order in India for INR 49,999
As expected, Tecno Phantom X2 Pro is now on pre-order in India for INR 49,999 in its sole 12GB RAM and 256GB storage trim. The phone is available in Stardust Grey and Mars Orange colors and is currently on pre-order via Amazon. Open sales are scheduled to start a week from now on January 24.Tecno and Amazon are offering INR 5,000 discount on the X2 Pro with a smartphone exchange alongside 12 months of free Amazon Prime membership and 6 months of no-cost EMI.Phantom X2 Pro brings a 6.78-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and the Dimensity 9000 chipset alongside a 5,160 mAh battery with 45W...


More...

Samsung introduces 200MP ISOCELL HP2 sensor for Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung Electronics announced its latest 200 MP sensor today, named ISOCELL HP2. It is 1/1.3” in size with 0.6μm pixels and comes with brand-new technology for expanding the dynamic range and enhance color reproduction.The name HP2 might suggest the new sensor is somehow worse than the 200MP ISOCELL HP3, but in reality, the number only relates to the size of the individual pixels. The company said in a press release that the new sensor “harnesses Samsung’s high-resolution image sensor technologies and know-how at the cutting edge for epic details", meaning this is the best product of...


More...

Samsung Galaxy Book3 series specs and poster leak
Samsung is holding a big launch conference on February 1 where we’ll see the debut of the Galaxy S23 series. The new phones will be joined by an all-new lineup of Galaxy Book laptops (which you can already reserve) and we now have more details on their specs as well as another leaked poster.Samsung will announce a five-model strong Galaxy Book3 lineup with the Book3, Book3 360, Book3 Pro, Book3 Pro 360 and Book3 Ultra.Samsung Galaxy Book3 Ultra design on FCC databaseGalaxy Book3 and Book3 360 will be available in 15-inch screen sizes while the Book3 Pro will be available...


More...

New updates bring camera zoom control to Galaxy Watch5, 360 Audio Recording to Buds2 Pro
Last week, Samsung announced it would release software updates that would bring 360 Audio Recording to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro and camera zoom capability to the Galaxy Watch5 and Watch4 series. Well, the rollout has begun as the Galaxy Watch5 in the US has received a new software update with firmware version R900XXU1AWA3 that lets the smartwatch's users control the zoom level of the connected smartphone's camera through the Camera Controller on the wearable.This can be done with a simple pinch of the watch face or turning the rotating virtual bezel. However, this feature will only work with...


More...

OnePlus 11R production allegedly starts in India, launching in April or May
The OnePlus 11R keeps getting closer and closer. Today a new report claims that production for the model started in India. The phone is rumored to make its debut in the country in April or May.The existence of the OnePlus 11R 5G has also been confirmed by the moniker being spotted on the OnePlus website. According to a previous rumor, the OnePlus 11R may be the global version of the handset that's to be sold as the OnePlus Ace 2 in China.The OnePlus 11R will be a more affordable high-end device to complement the all-out flagship OnePlus 11 in the company's portfolio. The OnePlus...


More...

Report: 50% of all iPhones could be made in India by 2027
Back in September, a J.P. Morgan report claimed Apple could shift up to 25% of its iPhone production to India by 2025 and now a new South China Morning Post article suggests the share may rise to 50% by 2027. Apple has reportedly decreased iPhone component orders from its Chinese suppliers, which has in turn negatively impacted their earnings estimates and stock prices.India currently accounts for a mere 5% of all iPhone production, though there has been a push to assemble newer models including the iPhone 14 just a few weeks after production in China began. Rumors suggest Apple will...


More...

Asus Zenfone 8 and 8 Flip now receiving Android 13
Asus just started seeding stable Android 13 to its 2021 flagships - the Zenfone 8 and Zenfone 8 Flip. The update also comes with the latest January 2023 security patch.The firmware version is 33.0210.0210.210 and it brings not only the Android 13-intrinsic features, but it also adds a couple of extras courtesy of Asus. The company was kind enough to post the full changelog on its support website.Upgraded system to Android 13.Revamped Mobile Manager, Contacts, Phone, Emergency Dialer, File Manager, Calculator, Clock, Gallery, Weather, Sound recorder, Settings, Data Transfer,...


More...

Apple finally catches up to iPhone 14 Pro demand
Analysts at JP Morgan are keeping track of shipping estimates of iPhone 14 models around the world to gauge the disparity between demand and supply. According to the latest note published by the analysts, this disparity has effectively disappeared.China’s struggles to contain a new COVID outbreak tanked iPhone 14 Pro production capacity and before the holidays Apple was facing an estimated shortage of 15-20 million units. But now the holidays are over and China has shifted its policy, which allowed factories to reopen at normal capacity.Lead times for the four iPhone 14 models...


More...

Weekly deals: the best smartphone deals from the UK, Germany, the US and India
With Black Friday and the holidays over, there is a bit of a lull in shopping. But with some browsing we still managed to pick out several interesting offers. Each week we try to offer something new, though there are a few repeats this week due to notable price drops in the last few days.Also, there are local deals, e.g. India’s Republic Day is coming next week and some retailers have slashed prices to celebrate. Use the links below to jump to the region that is relevant to you: The UK Germany USA India UKThe iPhone 14 series was a bit of a disappointment...


More...

Huawei Mate X3 with next-generation satellite communication to launch soon
A Weibo tipster shared some interesting bits about Huawei's upcoming Mate X3 foldable phone. According to the report, it launch before the Huawei P60 series, meaning it's going to be the company's next flagship to debut.The Mate X3 is said to feature next-generation satellite communication, allowing Mate X3 owners to send and receive short messages, using the direct satellite network. It will even support sending voice messages, in a marked upgrade over the first implementations of the functionality. The current Huawei Mate 50 can only send text messages without receiving...


More...