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jeudi 30 juin 2022

Pixel Buds A-Series update fixes buggy Bass slider

In December last year, Google rolled out a firmware update for its affordable TWS earbuds — the Pixel Buds A-Series. The update introduced a couple of new features, including a new slider to adjust the bass, a Loudness compensation toggle, improved device switching capabilities, and more. However, since the rollout, we’ve seen several reports about users facing issues with the new Bass slider. Google is now finally addressing the issue with a new Pixel Buds A-Series update.

In a recent post on the Google Pixel Buds Help community forums, Google announced the latest firmware update for the Pixel Buds A-Series. As mentioned earlier, the update (firmware version 3.415) addresses the “toggle button issues with the EQ/bass slider feature where the bass effect continued to revert to original.” It has already started rolling out to Pixel Buds A-Series users worldwide, and Google says that it should reach all users over the course of the next two weeks.

Once the update reaches your device, it should automatically make its way to your Pixel Buds A-Series the next time you use them with a device running Android 6.0 or later. Google says that this process takes about ten minutes and it shouldn’t affect usability. The update will be installed the next time you place the Pixel Buds A-Series in the charging case. Google further notes that the update will only be installed if the earbuds and charging case have sufficient battery life and it may take multiple attempts for the update to complete.

In case the update is still not installed for some reason, you can trigger the process manually by navigating to the Firmware Update section in the Pixel Buds app and selecting the “Update available” option while the earbuds are in the charging case with the lid open.

Have you received the latest Pixel Buds A-series update? Does it successfully address the Bass slider bug? Let us know in the comments section below.


Source: Google Pixel Buds Help
Via: 9to5Google

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mercredi 29 juin 2022

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Xiaomi Mi 11X: Which value flagship should you buy?

Xiaomi launched the Mi 11X and the Mi 11X Pro last year in India to conquer the country’s premium phone market. The Mi 11X, in particular, was an exciting phone because it had the power to dent the long-standing dominance of many devices in the sub-premium flagship segment with its ₹30,000 (~$390) price tag. But it’s been well over a year since the Mi 11X debuted in India. Does it still have what it takes to go against some other value flagships of 2022? Well, that’s exactly what we’re here to find out. In this article, we’ll pit the Xiaomi Mi 11X against Samsung’s Galaxy S21 FE to find out which one is worth buying in 2022.

Navigate this article:

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Xiaomi Mi 11X: Specifications

Before we begin, let’s take a quick look at the specifications to find out what each of these phones brings to the table:

Specification Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Xiaomi Mi 11X
Build
  • Plastic back
  • Metal frame
  • IP68 rating
  • Gorilla Glass 5 back
  • Plastic frame
  • No IP rating
Dimensions & Weight
  • 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9mm
  • 177g
  • 163.7 x 76.4 x 7.8 mm
  • 196g
Display
  • 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • 2340 x 1080p
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • 240Hz touch sampling rate
  • Gorilla Glass Victus front glass
  • 6.67-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED
  • 2400 x 1080
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • 360Hz touch sampling rate
  • Gorilla Glass 5 front glass
SoC
  • USA: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
  • International: Exynos 2100
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
RAM & Storage
  • 6GB + 128GB
  • 8GB + 256GB
  • 6GB + 128GB
  • 8GB + 128GB
Battery & Charging
  • 4,500mAh
  • 25W fast charging
  • 15W Qi wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging
  • 4,520mAh battery
  • 33W wired fast charging
  • No wireless charging support
Security
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Samsung Knox
  • Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
  • AI Face Unlock
Rear Camera(s)
  • Primary: 12MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel AF, OIS
  • Secondary: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2, 123° FoV
  • Tertiary: 8MP telephoto, f/2.4, 3X optical, 30X space zoom, OIS
  • Primary: 48MP f/1.79, 1.6μm large pixel(4-in-1)
  • Secondary: 8MP ultra-wide, f/2.2, FOV 119°
  • Tertiary: 5MP telemacro camera, f/2.4, AF (3cm-7cm)
Front Camera(s) 32MP, f/2,2 20MP, f/2.45
Port(s) USB Type-C USB Type-C
Audio
  • Stereo Speakers
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Dual speakers
  • Dolby Atmos
Connectivity
  • Sub6/mmWave 5G
  • 4G LTE
  • Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/x
  • Bluetooth
  • 5G NR (Sub-6GHz)
  • 4G LTE
  • Bluetooth
  • WiFi 802.11.b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
Software OneUI 4.0 based on Android 12 MIUI 12 with Android 11

Looking at the table, it’s safe to say that both phones look very similar on paper when it comes to the specifications. That being said, there are some noteworthy differences between the two in the real world. Let’s dive a little deep into the comparison to find out if the Xiaomi Mi 11X is worth picking up over the Galaxy S21 FE.


Design & Display

There are a lot of differences between Xiaomi’s M11X and the Galaxy S21 FE, and it all starts with the design. The Mi 11X has a glass design with Gorilla Glass 5 on both sides, giving it a premium look and feel overall. The Galaxy S21 FE, on the other hand, is unapologetic in how plasticky it looks. The Galaxy S21 FE’s back panel, complete with its camera module is made out of polycarbonate. Samsung knows how to mold plastic phones in a way it doesn’t feel cheap but we’d say the Mi 11X is still the way to go if you don’t want to compromise on the build quality.

Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro midnight black

The overall footprint of the Galaxy S21 FE is a little bit smaller compared to the Mi 11X. Not to mention, it’s also a few grams lighter thanks to its polycarbonate body. What we like more about the Galaxy S21 FE is that you get all the nice-to-have extras like the IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, Qi wireless charging, and more. So if those features are crucial to your day-to-day usage, then you might want to consider buying the Galaxy S21 FE over the Mi 11X. The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is also available in more color options. You can get it in Graphite, White, Lavender, or Olive colorway while the Mi 11X is available in Black, White, and Silver colors.

Galaxy S21 FE rear

Moving over to the front, you get a 6.4-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with the Galaxy S21 FE, and a 6.67-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display with the Mi 11X. Both panels support a maximum resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S21 FE’s display either works at 60Hz or 120Hz whereas the Mi 11X supports adaptive refresh rate switching, meaning it can operate at 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz based on the content. Both are AMOLED panels, so you’re bound to get a very similar experience overall when it comes to traits like contrast ratio, deep blacks, color reproduction, and more. They’re both using HDR10+ certified panels, so you can playback HDR content on apps like YouTube and Netflix.

a lizard on red flowers on Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro display review

It’s also worth pointing out that the Galaxy S21 FE sports an in-display fingerprint scanner whereas Xiaomi has opted for a side-mounted scanner that’s embedded on the power button. It’s not necessarily a deal-breaker for those who’re considering the Mi 11X. It mostly comes down to personal preference when it comes to the placement of the biometric scanners. Some prefer it on the display, while others may like it on the side as long as it’s easier to reach.


Hardware and Performance

We’re looking at as much as a ₹25,000 price difference between these two phones which also means you make some compromises in the specifications department by choosing the Mi 11X. Xiaomi’s contender in this comparison is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 870 SoC which is relatively older than the Galaxy S21 FE’s Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2100 chips. The Snapdragon 870 SoC is probably not going to win any battle against the Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2100, but that’s not to say it’s a bad chipset. You should be able to get through most of your day-to-day workload without a hitch.

The base variants of both phones pack 6GB of RAM with an optional 8GB upgrade, but the Mi 11X tops out at 128GB storage while the Galaxy S21 FE comes with up to 256GB storage. Since you can’t a microSD card to expand the storage on either of these devices, it may be worth looking at the Galaxy S21 FE if you tend to use a lot of apps or take a lot of photos and videos.

As for the battery life, you get a 4,500 mAh battery with both phones (4,520 mAh with the Mi 11X to be specific) which we think should be enough to get you through a day’s worth of use. Your mileage is, of course, bound to vary based on your usage, but a 4,500 mAh battery is pretty much what we get with most phones these days. The Mi 11X, however, supports faster charging. You get support for up to 33W fast-charging with the Mi 11X whereas the Galaxy S21 FE can only do 25W charging. Xiaomi even bundles a 33W fast charging brick inside the box with the Mi 11X. The Galaxy S21 FE doesn’t even come with a charger inside the box, let alone a fast-charging one. Samsung tends to lose the fast-charging battle against most phones and it’s no different in this case against the Mi 11X. That being said, the Galaxy S21 FE supports wireless charging which the Mi 11X doesn’t.


Camera

Both the Galaxy S21 FE and the Xiaomi Mi 11X are also packed with a different set of optics at the back. You get a potent primary sensor with both of these phones that’s capable of taking some really good shots. It’s a 12MP f/1.8 sensor on the Galaxy S21 FE going against the 48MP f/1.79 sensor on the Mi 11X. Both phones can capture some really good-looking photos with the primary sensor, especially during the day when there’s enough light in the scene. As an overall package, however, the Galaxy S21 FE’s advanced camera system seems more practical. Both of them have an ultra-wide sensor as a secondary sensor — a 12MP f/2.2 sensor with 123degree FOV with the Galaxy S21 FE and an 8MP f/2.2 sensor with a 119-degree FOV with the Mi 11X.

Lastly, the Galaxy S21 FE sports an 8MP telephoto lens with support for up to 3X optical zoom. Meanwhile, the Mi 11X sports a 5MP telemacro lens instead of a telephoto sensor. While the macro lens has its advantages, we think the telephoto lens is more practical and comes in handy in more situations than a macro lens. We couldn’t take both phones out for a spin and capture the same set of photos for a side-by-side comparison, but we’re leaving some camera samples captured using both phones below, so be sure to take a look. The Mi 11X sports a 20 MP, f/2.5 selfie camera whereas the Galaxy S21 FE sports a 32 MP, f/2.2 on the front. On the video front, the Galaxy S21 FE can record 4K videos at 30 or 60fps but the Mi 11X tops out at 30fps for 4K videos.

Xiaomi Mi 11X camera samples:

park with buildings captured using Xiaom MI 11X 12MP trees in dark captured using Xiaomi MI 11X night mode off buildings in part photographed using Xiaomi MI 11X ultra wide angle leaves on a tree photographed using Xiaomi MI 11X macro Xiaomi MI 11X Selfie with park and trees in background

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE camera samples:


Samsung Galaxy S21 FE vs Xiaomi Mi 11X: Which one should you buy?

It must be noted that there’s a price difference of around ₹25,000 (roughly $320) between the two — the Galaxy S21 FE retails for ₹54,999, while the Xiaomi Mi 11X is currently going for ₹29,999 in India. The Mi 11X is a no-brainer for those working with a tight budget for this purchase. Despite being the cheaper and a relatively older phone in this comparison, we think the Mi 11X is still pretty good for everything it brings to the table. It may not have the most powerful internals or the best camera setup out there right now, but it’s still pretty good considering its asking price. We think the Mi 11X is great for those who don’t have any qualms about using a phone with a relatively older chip and “just” 128GB of storage. Yes, the Galaxy S21 FE is more powerful and has a better camera system overall, but the Mi 11X offers a lot of value with things like an all-glass design, a beautiful Super AMOLED, and a 33W fast-charger inside the box.

Outside of the relatively small set of compromises, we think the Mi 11X offers a great experience overall for a significantly cheaper price. It also runs MIUI 13 based on Android 12 and has at least a couple more major OS updates in its belt before giving up. That’s not to say the Galaxy S21 FE is a bad phone, though. It just happens to be the more expensive phone in this comparison which may not be the go-to option for most people on a budget. But if you don’t mind spending as much as ₹25,000 more then Galaxy S21 FE will get you better internals and more advanced optics along with Samsung’s promise of up to four major Android OS updates. You also get additional features like an IP rating and support for wireless charging. It mostly comes down to your personal preference and your purchasing power, but it’s tough to go wrong with either of these phones.

    Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
    The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is arguably the better phone in this comparison as long as you don't mind paying its asking price.
    Xiaomi Mi 11X
    Xiaomi's Mi 11X comes with a small set of compromises but it offers an excellent value for money.

So which smartphone out of these two are you planning to buy? Let us know by dropping a line in the comments below. If you’re leaning towards the more expensive Galaxy S21 FE, then see if you can find some deals by heading over to our Galaxy S21 FE deals page. You can use those savings to grab yourself one of the best cases or some other accessories for your phone.

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Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Sony Xperia Pro 1 IV: Which camera smartphone should you buy?

The Google Pixel 6 Pro and the Sony Xperia 1 IV are two unique flagships, standing in stark contrast in pretty much every area, from design and display to their approach to photography. They’re great options for anyone who doesn’t want to go with the mainstream options such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or the OnePlus 10 Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro was unveiled last year, while the Sony Xperia 1 IV arrived in May this year. If you’re having a hard time deciding which one is the best for you, read on as it’s time to pit the computational photography king against the phone with one of the best camera hardware.

Google Pixel 6 Pro smartphone held out in the hand, with a foliage of shrubs and flowers in the background Xperia 1 IV's back

Google Pixel 6 Pro Vs Sony Xperia 1 IV: Specifications

Specification Google Pixel 6 Pro Sony Xperia 1 IV
Build
  • Aluminum mid-frame
  • Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
  • IP68 rating
  • Metal and glass sandwich
  • Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
  • IP68 rating
Dimensions & Weight
  • 163.9 x 75.9 x 8.9 mm
  • 210g
  • 166 x 72 x 8.9mm
  • 211g
Display
  • 6.7-inch OLED
  • 1,440 x 3,120 pixels
  • HDR10+ certified
  • Variable refresh rate between 60Hz to 120Hz
  • 6.5-inch 4K OLED HDR (3840 x 1644)
  • 120Hz refresh rate
  • 240Hz touch sampling rate
  • 100% DCI-P3
  • HDR BT.2020 (Rec.2020)
  • D65 White point
  • 21:9 aspect ratio
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
SoC
  • Google Tensor chipset
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
    • 1x ARM Cortex-X2 @ 3.0GHz
    • 3x ARM Cortex-A710 @ 2.50GHz
    • 4x ARM Cortex-A510 @ 1.80GHz
  • Adreno 730 GPU
  • 4nm process
RAM & Storage
  • 8GB/12GB RAM
  • 128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • 12GB RAM
  • 256GB/512GB storage
Battery & Charging
  • 5,004 mAh battery
  • 30W fast wired charging
  • Wireless charging
  • Charger not included
  • 5,000 mAh battery
  • 30W fast charger (inside the box)
  • Wireless charging
  • Reverse wireless charging
Security Optical in-display fingerprint sensor Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Rear Camera(s)
  • Primary: 50MP main, f/1.9, 1/1.31″, OIS, binned
  • Secondary: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2
  • Tertiary: 48MP periscope, 4x optical zoom
  • Camera setup:
    • Primary: 12MP, f/1.7, 24mm, 1/1.7″, 1.8µm, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
    • Secondary: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.2, 16mm, 1/2.6″, Dual Pixel PDAF
    • Tertiary: 12MP periscope, f/2.3-2.8, 85mm-125mm, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF
    • Quaternary: 3D iToF sensor
  • Features:
    • ZEISS optics
    • 120fps read out speed (all lenses)
    • 20fps AF/AE tracking burst with noise reduction (all lenses)
    • 60fps continuous AF/AE calculations
    • Real-time Eye AF (all lenses)
Front Camera(s) 11MP, f/2.2/1.22μm 12MP
Port(s)
  • USB Type-C
  • No headphone jack
  • No microSD card slot
  • USB Type-C port
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Dedicated microSD card slot
Audio
  • Stereo speakers
  • Full range front-firing stereo speakers
  • Dolby Atmos
  • Hi-Res Audio
  • 360 Reality Audio (through speakers)
  • 360 Spatial Sound (over headphones)
Connectivity
  • 5G: Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 / mmWave
  • LTE: Enhanced 4×4 MIMO, Up to 7CA, LTE Cat.20
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (2.4/5/6GHz)
  • Bluetooth v5.2
  • NFC
  • GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou
  • 5G (Sub-6Hz)
  • Bluetooth 5.x
  • 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band WiFi
  • NFC
  • GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Software
  • Android 12 with Pixel Launcher
  • Android 12 out of the box
Other Features
  • Single physical SIM
  • Four major Android OS updates promised
  • Five years of security patches
  • MicroSD card support
  • Dedicated camera shutter button

Design & Display

The design is the biggest and most notable difference between the Pixel 6 Pro and Sony Xperia 1 IV. The Pixel 6 Pro comes across as a bold, eye-catching device with all its curves and vibrant colors. The Sony Xperia 1 IV, in contrast, looks as boring as an unbuttered toast.

Sony’s design has evolved little since the introduction of the first Xperia 1 II. If you were to put the Xperia 1 II, Xperia, Xperia 1 III, and Xperia 1 IV side by side, you’d be hard-pressed to find any noticeable difference. The Xperia 1 IV is a rectangular glass-and-metal slab featuring a narrow aspect ratio and a no-notch display. The back houses a rectangular camera strip, while the right frame is home to the power button, volume keys, and the dedicated shutter button.

Xperia 1 IV's tall screen

The Pixel phones have always been unique and interesting in the design department, and the Pixel 6 Pro is certainly the best-looking device that Google has ever produced. The dual-tone play and the large rectangular strip resembling a visor are stand-out elements of the Pixel 6 Pro, making the phone stand out from the crowd and giving it a bit of character.

Google Pixel 6 Pro back Google Pixel 6 Pro back with G logo

Both the Sony Xperia 1 IV and Pixel 6 Pro sport high refresh rate OLED displays. The Pixel 6 Pro has a 6.71-inch LTPO AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution, HDR10+ support, and a centered hole punch.

The Xperia 1 IV features a 6.5-inch 4K OLED display with 3840 x 1644 resolution and a 21:9 tall aspect ratio. The panel has no cutout or notch, so you get the full unobtrusive view. As impressive as it may sound, 4K resolution on a tiny smartphone screen is overkill. Even in a side-by-side comparison, you’re unlike to spot a difference between a QHD panel and a 4K panel. But yeah, if you want to consume 4K HDR content on a smartphone, the Xperia 1 IV is the only device on the market that can do it.

Also, the Xperia 1 IV panel is brighter than the Pixel 6 Pro, so it will be easier to use outside on sunny days. Overall, we think the Xperia 1 IV has a better panel than the Pixel 6 Pro. It’s brighter, has no notch, and offers more resolution.


Cameras

Both the Pixel 6 Pro and Sony Xperia 1 IV are camera-focused devices. The Pixel 6 Pro offers a triple camera setup, featuring a 50MP f/1.9 Samsung GN1 main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with 114-degree field-of-view, and a 48MP periscope lens with 4x optical zoom. The Pixel 6 Pro also offers several neat camera tricks such as Magic Eraser, Action Pan, Real Tone, and astrophotography mode.

Pixel 6 Pro camera samples

Pixel 6 Pro, main camera pixel 6 pro Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6 Pro, main camera Pixel 6 Pro, ultra-wide Pixel 6 Pro, 3x Pixel 6 Pro, 10x zoom Pixel 6 Pro, ultra-wide camera

The Sony Xperia 1 IV has three 12MP shooters. There’s a 12MP main shooter with a 24mm equivalent focal length, a 12MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 12MP periscope zoom lens that can smoothly switch between different focal lengths between 85mm (3.5x) and 125mm (5.2x). Finally, there’s also a ToF sensor for collecting depth data. All three lenses offer 120fps read-out speeds, Real-time Eye AF, 20fps burst shooting with HDR, and 60fps continuous autofocus and auto-exposure calculations.

Sony Xperia 1 IV

sony camera sample Xperia 1 IV, ultra-wide Xperia 1 IV, main camera sony xperia 1 iv camera samples sony xperia 1 iv camera samples sony xperia 1 iv camera samples sony camera sample sony camera sample Xperia 1 IV, main camera, manual mode Xperia 1 IV, main camera, auto mode

There’s no doubt both devices pack some impressive camera hardware. However, there’s a stark difference when it comes to their approach to photography. While the Pixel 6 Pro leans heavily on computational photography and post-processing, the Xperia 1 IV puts you in the driver’s seat and gives you greater control over the final output of your shot.

For most average users, the Pixel 6 Pro is the best choice. The Pixel 6 Pro consistently produces stellar photos across all lighting conditions, thanks to its amazing computational photography prowess. It’s one of the best point-and-shoot cameras smartphones, and the effort needed for an amazing click is very low.

However, if you’re a photographer or content creator who knows what they are doing, you might get more mileage out of the Xperia 1 IV, as it gives you sophisticated manual camera controls and more control over the image output. You no longer have an AI choosing the right settings for you — instead, you do that yourself, and there’s a certain freedom to such manual control.


Performance

Both phones also differ when it comes to the processing package. The Pixel 6 Pro uses Googe’s in-house Tensor SoC, which was uniquely developed and optimized for the phone. It features two Arm Cortex-X1 cores, two Cortex-A76 cores, and four Cortex-A55 power-saving cores. In addition, the chipset also features several other components that are used for on-device machine learning, AI-powered features, and camera processing. These include the Tensor Processing Unit, Low-power Context Hub, Titan M2 security chip, and IMage Signalling Processor (ISP).

The Sony Xperia 1 IV is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, featuring a 1x Arm Cortex-X1 core clocked at 3.0GHz, 3x Cortex-A710 cores running at 2.50GHz and 4x Cortex-A510 cores at 1.8GHz. The chipset is paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storage.

Both phones pack 12GB of RAM. The Pixel 6 gives you three storage options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, while you can pick the Xperia 1 IV with 256GB or 512GB of storage.

Whether you pick the Pixel or the Xperia, you have nothing to worry about the general performance. Both perform at a flagship level in day-to-day tasks. But note that both phones are susceptible to overheating on hot days and during heavy gaming since they don’t have a sophisticated cooling system.


Battery & Charging

Both the Pixel 6 Pro and Xperia 1 IV pack large 5,000mAh batteries. The charging speed is also the same, with both devices supporting 30W fast wired charging, which is on the conservative side when we have phones like the OnePlus 10 Pro topping out at 80W. Wireless charging support is also available on both devices. As you can see, both phones are neck to neck in the department. However, the Pixel 6 Pro enjoys an upper hand when it comes to real-world performance. That’s mainly because the QHD panel of the Pixel 6 Pro is less taxing on the battery than the Xperia’s 4K panel. In addition, the Pixel’s panel supports LTPO technology, which allows it to lower the display refresh rate to 10Hz to save power.


Google Pixel 6 Pro vs Sony Xperia 1 IV: Which one should you buy?

As you can see, the Pixel 6 Pro and Sony Xperia 1 IV are two capable flagships with powerful cameras. But if we had to choose one, it would be the Pixel 6 Pro. The Google Pixel 6 Pro is the perfect flagship for most mainstream buyers. It looks great, has a beautiful display, and its camera performance is among the very best. Add in Google’s amazing software support with four guaranteed OS updates, and you’ve got yourself a pretty great deal.

    Sony Xperia 1 IV
    The Sony Xperia 1 IV is a powerful camera-focused flagship with a breathtaking 4K display and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.
    Google Pixel 6 Pro
    The Google Pixel 6 Pro runs on Google's in-house Tensor SoC and packs powerful cameras.

However, if you don’t mind the hefty $1,600 price tag and value features like a 3.5 audio jack, notch-less display, micro SD card slot, and manual camera controls, the Xperia 1 IV is a fantastic option.

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Huawei launches new MateBook laptops with 12th-gen Intel CPUs in Europe

Huawei has announced a couple of new Windows 11 laptops for the European market, the MateBook 16s and the MateBook D 16. Both of these are 16-inch laptops, and they’re powered by Intel’s 12th-generation Core processors, specifically from the H series.

The new laptops also come with a new Smart Conference solution, which uses AI to reduce audio noise and enhance voice clarity, plus enable camera features like virtual backgrounds. The camera can also keep you in the center of the frame as you move around.

Of course, there’s the usual suite of features that are part of Huawei’s Super Device, letting you control your Huawei phone from your PC, or use a tablet as a second screen. The devices also come with the Huawei AppGallery, so you can install Android apps on your PC. This was announced earlier this year at MWC, and it’s only antural it’d be available on new devices going forward. It’s different from the Windows Subsystem for Android, though.

Huawei MateBook 16s

The Huawei MateBook 16s is the more high-end of the two laptops, being powered by up to an Intel Core i9-12900H, with 14 cores and 20 threads. This is kept cool by Huawei’s Dual Shark Fin fan design.

It also comes with a 16-inch display with touch support, which is in the 3:2 aspect ratio and a sharp 2520 x 1680 resolution. It covers 100% of sRGB and has a 1500:1 contrast ratio, plus it reachus up to 300 nits of brightness. It also has a 90% screen-to-body ratio, meaning the bezels are very small, but it does still ahve a 2MP/1080p webcam.

Left angle view of the Huawei MateBook 16s with the lid open

The MateBook 16s, like many of Huawei’s laptops, is made from solid metal, and it comes in a Space Grey colorway. It measures just 17.8mm and weighs 1.99kg, so it’s not overly heavy for its size. For ports, it has one Thunderbolt 4 port, one standard USB-C port, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack.

The Huawei MateBook 16s will be available from July 13th on the Huawei Store in the UK, costing £1,299.99 with an Intel Core i7-12700H. Pre-orders start today, and you can get a free Huawei MtaeView monitor if you pre’order. A version with an Intel Core i9 will be available in mid-August for £1,499.99, and that will be at various retailers including Amazon and Argos.

Huawei MateBook D 16

As for the Huawei MateBook D 16, it comes Intel 12th-generation H-series processors, but with the TDP tweaked to 40W, which is slightly below their usual configuration. It comes with up to an intel Core i7-12700H, which should still offer plenty of performance, plus dual-channel RAM and SSD storage.

The display is also 16 inches, but this one comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio, and the resolution is a more tame 1920 x 1200. There’s no touch support on this one, either. It still has a 2MP webcam, though, so it should still do well enough for video calls and meetings.

Right-side angle view of the Huawei MateBook D 16 with the lid at 90 degrees

Design-wise, the Huawei MateBook D 16 is also a mostly metal laptop, but it weighs just 1.7kg, so it’s fairly light for this size. Huawei says it fits a 16-inch screen in the body of a 15-inch laptop, which is no doubt thanks to the taller aspect ratio.

As for ports, it comes with two USB Type-C ports, two USB Type-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack. It’s similar to the MateBook 16s, albeit there’s no Thunderbolt support here.

The Huawei MateBook D 16 will go on sale on July 13th, with the Core i5 variant costing £749.99 while the Core i7 model costs £999.99. Pre-orders start today and get a free MateView GT 27 monitor.

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The Montblanc Summit 3 could be the first Wear OS 3 smartwatch for iPhone users

If you’re in the market for a Wear OS 3 smartwatch, surprisingly, there aren’t many options available. For the past year or so, Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 series have been the only option. Thankfully, there are more options just on the horizon, with the Montblanc Summit 3 arriving at retail stores next month. Despite its hefty price tag, it looks like the smartwatch will have a distinct advantage over its Samsung counterparts, offering the ability to connect to both Android and iOS devices.

Although Montblanc did not directly confirm that its watch can be paired with iOS devices, speaking with Wareable, Qualcomm confirmed that the Summit 3 will be able to connect to Apple devices. Qualcomm states that the Snapdragon Wear 4100+ chipset, which powers the Montblanc Summit 3, doesn’t have restrictions, which should allow for iOS connectivity. One thing to note is that while Qualcomm does supply Montblanc and other smartwatch makers with chipsets, ultimately the finalization of the product is left in the hands of the brands.

The information comes from Qualcomm, but it will ultimately be up to Montblanc

If the connection to an iOS device is possible with the Summit 3, like Wear OS 2 devices, the experience might be compromised. What you can expect from a Wear OS 3 and iOS pairing is that you will receive notifications to your wrist and that’s pretty much it. You won’t be able to interact with the notification, but I guess it’s better than nothing. If the Montblanc Summit 3 can connect to Apple devices, it will become the first Wear OS 3 device to offer iOS compatibility. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 series which also runs Wear OS 3 cannot connect to iOS devices.

The MontBlanc Summit 3 will be available for purchase starting on July 15 and will be priced at €1,250. Luckily, there are more affordable options coming soon, with Google’s Pixel Watch being one of the most anticipated Wear OS 3 watches set to arrive later this year.


Source: Wareable

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mardi 28 juin 2022

Steam Deck internal memory mod could negatively impact the console

If you’ve been thinking about modifying the internal storage of your Steam Deck, it seems like you might not want to do that. Lawrence Yang, who is part of the Valve design team, commented on modifications popping up online and cautioned against this.

According to Yang, “the charger IC gets very hot” which is a great reason why heat dissipation elements should be kept in place. The problem comes from a PC Gamer article that showed off a mod being performed by Twitter user TheSmcelrea. The user proceeded to move thermal pads in order to fit a NVMe PCIe M.2 2242 card. Yang states that while it might appear to work, but the aforementioned M.2 drive isn’t meant to be used in the Steam Deck and that it draws more power. Because of this, it can also get much hotter than what the Steam Deck is meant to accommodate. All of this combined can shorten the life of the console.

A NVMe PCIe M.2 2242 card will fit, but it’s not meant for the Steam Deck

Of course, if you need more space, there are options. The easiest being to just pop in a microSD card into the Steam Deck. In various tests, it is shown that external cards work relatively well when it comes to read and write speeds. If you insist on upgrading the internal storage, you’ll want to try and find one that is compatible with the console’s NVMe PCIe M.2 2230 slot. These are not the fastest, but the are affordable and available through various retailers.

Recently, Valve announced that it would complete Q2 pre-orders of the Steam Deck and start shipping Q3 2022 orders. The firm also announced that it would be increasing shipments of the console in Q3, more than doubling the current weekly output. This is great news for anyone still waiting to get their hands on a Steam Deck console.

Source: Lawrence Yang (Twitter)

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Sony’s InZone brand delivers new headphones and monitors aimed at gamers

Today, Sony announced InZone, a new gaming brand that puts its focus into audio and visual products. Sony states that the main concept of the brand is “Immersion and Victory”. The firm announced a total of five products, two monitors and three headsets.

InZone M9 and M3 monitors

The InZone M9 and InZone M3 are both 27-inch monitors. The InZone M9 features 4K resolution with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It also features Full-Array Local Dimming, DisplayHDR 600 certification, Nvidia G-Sync compatibility, and more. The InZone M3 features 1080p resolution with a refresh rate of 240Hz. It also offers a 1ms response time and variable refresh rate. Both monitors feature the same shape and design, with lots of space under the monitor to setup a gaming space.

InZone H9, H7, H3 headset meant for gaming

The InZone H9 is a wireless headphone, featuring noise-cancelling capabilities, 360 spatial audio, and a comfortable design thanks to its use of a wide head band and supple leather earpads. Sony has likened the product quality to its highly popular Sony WH-1000XM5. The InZone H7 are also wireless, while the InZone H3 are wired – both feature 360 spatial audio and nylon materials for its earpads. Each of the headphones features a design that offers low side pressure, which means that they can be worn for hours without fatigue.

For more details about each product, you can head to Sony’s InZone product page. Although Sony did not announce pricing or availability during its presentation, the products are now available directly from Sony for pre-order in the United States and the UK. The devices are expected to ship towards the beginning of July.

Currently, pricing from the Sony UK site is as follows:

  • The InZone H3 is priced at £89
  • The InZone H7 is priced at £199
  • The InZone H9 is priced at £269
  • The InZone M3 is unavailable
  • The InZone M9 is priced at £999

Currently, pricing from the Sony US site is as follows:

  • The InZone H3 is priced at $99
  • The InZone H7 is priced at $229
  • The InZone H9 is priced at $299
  • The InZone M3 is unavailable
  • The InZone M9 is unavailable

Source: Sony (YouTube)

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