Google has quietly killed the Google Slide app for Wear OS. Launched back in 2016, the Google Slides companion app served as a remote for your presentation, allowing you to move forward or back through slides right from your wrist. But it appears the app is gone from the Google Play Store.
According to 9to5Google (via Android Police), Google Slides has been quietly removed from the wearable Play Store’s “Apps on your phone” section. Google has a bad reputation for killing perfectly functional apps for no apparent reason, but in the case of Google Slides, the writing has been on the wall for some time now. As 9to5Google points out, the app hadn’t received a significant update for years and it was likely built using the legacy, non-standalone method. In addition, there were also reports of the app becoming buggy and crashing constantly on newer Wear OS watches.
If you own a Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you can use Samsung’s new PPT Controller app as a replacement for Google Slides. Initially launched for Tizen models, Samsung released an updated version of PPT Controller for its Wear OS-powered smartwatches back in September last year. The app essentially lets you control a PowerPoint presentation with your smartwatch, making it quite useful for both students and professionals. You can switch to the next or last slide or stop the presentation right from your smartwatch without having to take out your smartphone. On the Galaxy Watch Classic, you can use the physical bezel to control the slides. If you’re interested, you can download Samsung PPT Controller for your Galaxy Watch 4 smartwatch from here.
With the release of Wear OS 3, Google released a bunch of updated first-party wearable apps, including Google Maps, Messages, and Google Pay. The company also debuted a YouTube Music companion app as a replacement for the Play Music app.
After launching the Pixel 6 series in October last year, Google is gearing up to launch the Pixel 6a. Over the last few months, we’ve seen a couple of leaks about the upcoming mid-range Pixel phone, which have revealed that it could feature the new Google Tensor chip and a design similar to the flagship Pixel 6 devices. While Google is yet to reveal any details about the Pixel 6a, a new leak suggests that the company could launch it in May this year.
In a recent tweet, renowned leaker Max Jambor (@MaxJmb) states that the Pixel 6a is scheduled for May. Since Google hosts its annual I/O developer conference in May each year, the company could unveil the device during the event. Although the leaker doesn’t mention anything else about the device, previous leaks suggest that it will feature a 12.1MP Sony IMX363 sensor for the primary camera. For the unaware, this is the same primary sensor that Google shipped with all its Pixel devices starting from the Pixel 3 to last year’s Pixel 5a. Along with the IMX363, the Pixel 6a will reportedly feature a 12MP Sony IMX386 sensor (likely for the ultra-wide camera), and an 8MP Sony IMX355 sensor for the front camera.
Previous reports also suggest that the mid-range Pixel 6a will pack the same Google Tensor GS101 chip as the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. This would make the Pixel 6a the first Pixel A-series device to feature a flagship chipset. As a result, you can expect the phone to be a bit more expensive than older Pixel A-series models. But we’ll have to wait a few months to be sure of that.
Furthermore, leaks suggest that the device will sport a 6.2-inch display with a centered hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera, an under-display fingerprint reader (another first for a Pixel A-series device), and no headphone jack. The phone will measure roughly 152.2 x 71.8 x 8.7mm (10.4mm including the camera bump).
Additionally, leaked renders of the device reveal that it will have a USB Type-C port, a single bottom-firing speaker, and the primary microphone on the bottom edge. The SIM card tray on the device will be found on the left edge, while the power button and volume rocker will reside on the right edge.
Featured image: Leaked render of the Pixel 6a via OnLeaks
Thanks to a steady stream of leaks over the past few months, we know quite a lot about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S22 phones, including their specifications and design. You can already pre-book a Galaxy S22 and get a $50 credit towards your purchase. Now ahead of the official release, a fresh leak has revealed potential pricing of the Galaxy S22 lineup.
Reliable tipster Roland Quandt has shared European pricing details for all SKUs of the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 Plus, and Galaxy S22 Ultra. As per the leak, the regular and Plus models will arrive in two memory variants while the top-tier Ultra model will be made available in three memory/storage variants. The lineup will start at €849 while the Plus and Ultra base models will set you back €1049 and €1190, respectively. Early rumors suggested that the Galaxy S22 series may cost less than the Galaxy S21. However, according to Quandt, pricing will remain the same as the last year — at least in Europe.
Interestingly, the leak mentions that the base model of the Galaxy S22 Ultra will pack 8GB of RAM, a step down from the last year’s base model which shipped with 12GB RAM. There also doesn’t seem to be an SKU with 16GB RAM as previously rumored. It’s unclear if the above SKUs will be available in all markets or availability will vary differ from region to region.
We’ve entered 2022, but the next round of flagships are still a few weeks away. Even then, there’s value to be seen from devices launched in 2021, especially when those devices are flagships such as the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the OnePlus 9 Pro. While the OnePlus 9 Pro has undoubtedly been marred in controversy ever since its Android 12 update, it’s still a good device with a lot to give. The Google Pixel 6 Pro, meanwhile, has also had its own fair share of problems, failing particularly when it comes to software stability. Things are improving, but it’s certainly taking a while.
With the OnePlus 9 Pro, you can avoid a lot of the problems that it has by upgrading to Android 12 and factory resetting if you end up having any. However, the company has pushed a new update which means you mightn’t even need to do that. Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a little bit outdated when it comes to security patches, as a combination of the holiday period, bugs, and the latest quarterly feature drop has resulted in what appears to be a difficult time for the developer team.
If you’re in the market for a new phone, though, and you want it to be one of these, which should you go for? In this deep dive, we analyze the real differences between both the Google Pixel 6 Pro, the OnePlus 9 Pro, and find out which is better for you.
With a large, 6.7-inch Quad HD OLED display and a Smart 120Hz refresh rate, the OnePlus 9 Pro has a fantastic display for all kinds of contents. The cameras, tuned in collaboration with Hasselblad, produce excellent still photos.
About this review: This comparison was written after testing a Google Pixel 6 Pro sent to me by Google Ireland and a OnePlus 9 Pro sent to me by OnePlus U.K. Neither company had any input in this article.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: Hardware
Design and Looks
The Google Pixel 6 Pro and the OnePlus 9 Pro are both extremely different phones in their designs. While OnePlus has slowly moved towards a more “mainstream” design in recent years, the same certainly cannot be said for Google. The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a more playful design coming in at 6.7-inches, with a camera bar on the back that sticks out. The OnePlus 9 Pro, on the other hand, is a more familiar design, with a camera module on the top left of the back of the device. Both phones have curved glass at the sides and curved glass on the back.
Both phones feel similar in hand, and both attract fingerprints pretty easily on the back — the OnePlus 9 Pro especially so. As for the display, both devices feature 1440p 120Hz displays, though the OnePlus 9 Pro’s display is a bit taller and slimmer than the Pixel’s. The OnePlus 9 Pro display corners are also much more rounded, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s corners are more subtle. The OnePlus 9 Pro panel also gets a lot brighter, though, in their quality, both are more than good enough for pretty much any content consumption.
To be honest, the main difference comes down to either display brightness or the punch hole. Display brightness typically matters a whole lot more in real-world usage, especially during the summer. As for the front-facing camera location, the punch hole on the OnePlus 9 Pro is on the left, whereas on the Pixel, it’s in the middle of the notification bar. At that point, it’s just personal preference as to which you prefer!
Camera Design and Camera Specs
The camera design is where both of these devices really differ, and the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s camera bar has a few advantages. Its biggest advantage is its uniformity across the back means that the device doesn’t rock a table, while also retaining a unique look that can’t be found on any other device. If the camera bump bothers you that badly, any of the best Google Pixel 6 Pro cases will do away with it.
In the case of the OnePlus 9 Pro though, it’s rather basic and doesn’t really offer anything original. It pokes out a small bit, which can be rectified with either the included case or any other of the best cases for the OnePlus 9 Pro.
As for camera specifications, OnePlus partnered with Hasselblad for its color science on the OnePlus 9 Pro, and it’s capable of some pretty nice shots. It’s the best camera in a OnePlus smartphone for sure, especially as the company’s smartphone cameras were, at best, considered mediocre prior. Eventually, the partnership is expected to evolve into custom hardware including custom lenses. We’re not at the point yet where OnePlus is using custom Hasselblad lenses, but the OnePlus 9 Pro does feature a new color solution applied to all image sensors called Natural Color Calibration with Hasselblad and a Hasselblad Pro Camera mode.
In addition, this OnePlus smartphone debuted Sony’s IMX789 image sensor for the main camera. It’s a 48MP image sensor with Sony’s 2×2 on-chip lens solution, supports 12-bit raw capture, and is paired with an optical image stabilizer module to stabilize user-induced motion. The secondary camera features Sony’s IMX766 image sensor that’s also found in both cameras on the OPPO Find X3 Pro, which we praised for producing superb wide-angle shots. The IMX766 is paired with a freeform lens for distortion-free ultra-wide-angle photos and macro photography as close as 4cm from the subject. Finally, there’s also an 8MP telephoto camera for 3.3x optical zoom, stabilized by OIS.
When it comes to the Google Pixel 6 Pro though, it’s an entirely different beast. Pixel smartphones are known for their cameras, and the Pixel 6 Pro is no different. It features a 50MP Samsung GN1 camera and a 12MP Sony IMX 386 ultra-wide lens, along with an additional 48MP Sony IMX 586 for 4x optical zoom. The IMX 386 is a very old sensor and suffers from noise particularly in low-light conditions.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a much more compelling buy for its camera
Overall, the ultra-wide-angle camera is much weaker than what’s in the OnePlus 9 Pro, but the rest of what’s on offer (along with Google’s camera smarts) makes the Google Pixel 6 Pro a much more compelling buy for its camera. It handily beats the OnePlus 9 Pro when it comes to photos, but that’s not to say the OnePlus is bad — it’s just that Google is hard to compete with. If a camera is your prerogative, then the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a no-brainer. It’s one of the few parts where it truly wins out.
Google Tensor vs Snapdragon 888
Google Tensor is the company’s first custom mobile chipset, and it’s made specifically for the Google Pixel 6 Pro. The difference between Tensor and any other Qualcomm chip is that Tensor is made for the software, and the software is made for Tensor. This chipset isn’t being used anywhere else, and it’s specifically created for use on the Pixel 6 series.
Tensor, according to Google, was uniquely developed and optimized. The company says that all of the individual components of this chip are optimized as one cohesive unit, rather than individually optimized parts working together. In other words, the chipset is aiming for operations to be divided evenly across the entire chip with all parts working together. Google also mentioned that optimizing individual parts may grant better peak CPU and GPU speeds which will look great in benchmarks, but they “don’t always reflect real-world speed”.
In contrast, a chipset like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro is designed to be used on many devices and is sold to a wide swathe of device manufacturers. The software can be tailored to the hardware, but the chipset will never be designed and tailored specifically to the manufacturer’s vision if it deviates from what Qualcomm provides. Having said that, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a smooth and powerful smartphone, regardless of what Google tries to tell you. Both devices hold up well and can be used as flagships, and most users likely won’t notice a difference.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: Software
Pixel Experience
The Google Pixel line of devices has something unique about it when it comes to software, and that’s Google’s custom spin on Android. Contrary to popular belief, Google Pixels don’t run stock Android, and instead, run a customized version of Android with additional features and changes. While Google doesn’t really have an official name for it, I’ll be using the term “Pixel Experience” for brevity’s sake.
Pixel smartphones have some killer features
Pixel smartphones have some killer features, and two of my favorites are music identification and voice dictation. Google’s song identification always works in the background, identifying music that plays around you and saving a history that can later be saved to a YouTube Music playlist or played individually on other services such as Spotify. It sits on your lock screen, and if a song is playing that your phone can’t recognize, you can tap a button shown at the bottom middle to use a Shazam-like service (powered by Google) that accesses the cloud to do so.
As for voice dictation, it’s a feature powered by Google Tensor and allows you to type with your voice much, much faster than conventional voice recognition software. It works entirely offline and is a whole lot quicker too, and I use it all the time. It’s an incredibly useful feature and not one that I thought I would make as much use of as I currently do.
Other features include Material You, which is by far the biggest change in Android 12. It’s not available on other devices yet (though expected to arrive with Android 12L) and I’m a massive fan of it. Material You update is one of the biggest UI changes to Android in years. It automatically generates a color palette for the system based on the user’s wallpaper and themes throughout the entire system. Pretty neat.
However, one major issue with the Google Pixel 6 Pro has been the sheer number of bugs. I’ve had a lot of problems, including hard reboots, apps freezing, frequent pop-ups telling me that System UI isn’t responding, and more. Google even had to delay the January 2022 update as a result of significant problems introduced in the canceled December 2021 update, so it appears that the company has a long way to go yet before this phone’s software is completely polished and close to bug-free.
OnePlus is in a bit of a weird spot when it comes to software at the moment, as OxygenOS 12 is blatantly based on ColorOS from OPPO’s smartphones. There were a ton of problems for people who updated to OxygenOS 12 from OxygenOS 11, though a lot of those issues have been ironed out now. The highlights of OxygenOS 12, other than the rebase to Android 12, are a few new quality of life features and improvements, such as the always-accessible Shelf from the notifications bar. The next major update for the OnePlus 9 series will ship the unified operating system that combines the best of both OxygenOS and ColorOS, and that operating system will also ship on the next OnePlus flagship.
As it stands though, OxygenOS 12 doesn’t really have any unique features that I actively make use of. It looks nice and it’s quick to use, but there are no stand-out features that I find myself missing when I use another smartphone. It’s pretty barebones, but maybe that’s exactly the kind of smartphone you’re looking for.
There are no stand-out features that I find myself missing when I use another smartphone
Just keep an eye out for bugs.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: Performance
Remember when I said that most users likely won’t notice a difference in performance? Emphasis on most. If you’re a power user, you’ll almost certainly want to pick up the OnePlus 9 Pro over the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Not only does it have higher peaks (especially in multi-core), but it can also sustain its performance for longer.
Overall, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a disappointing buy if what you're looking for is raw performance.
As for gaming, well, that’s no contest. The Adreno GPU in the OnePlus 9 Pro will smoke the Google Tensor’s Mali GPU, especially in bigger titles such as Genshin Impact. That’s not to say you can’t game on your Google Pixel 6 Pro — you absolutely can — but you’ll want to be mindful of thermals and the battery drain.
Overall, the Google Pixel 6 Pro is a disappointing buy if what you’re looking for is raw performance. You’re almost certainly better off looking elsewhere, and that elsewhere is likely to be the OnePlus 9 Pro.
Benchmarks
The tests conducted to compare these two devices in raw performance come from a mixture of Geekbench 5 and CPU Throttling Test, both apps that are available on the Google Play Store. CPU Throttling Test was run for half an hour on both devices, though keep in mind that the temperature readings shown above are completely inaccurate.
The Google Pixel 6 Pro’s impressive single-core score is extremely short-lived in pretty much any long-term benchmark. Observe how the CPU throttles to 57% of its maximum performance over a thirty-minute period — and that maximum performance is still below that of the OnePlus 9 Pro. The Google Pixel 6 Pro was consistently much better than this at launch but struggles now when running this test, though I would argue that its overall performance in day-to-day usage is significantly improved.
When it comes to emulation as well, don’t even bother with anything newer than the Nintendo Wii. I had some success with AetherSX2, though the phone heated up significantly, and Wii and GameCube games begin to struggle quickly thanks to the aggressive thermal throttling. You’ll have no problems with the likes of Nintendo DS emulation, but that’s about it.
Overall, your mileage may vary. In contrast, the OnePlus 9 Pro is one of the best performing devices on the market currently and sustains its performance exceptionally well. Not only that, it packs the second-best GPU that you can get in a smartphone right now, making it an even better buy for gamers.
Having said all of that, phones are more than just benchmarks, and the Google Pixel 6 Pro feels just as smooth (if not smoother) as the OnePlus 9 Pro in normal day-to-day usage. Scrolling Twitter, browsing Reddit, sending messages — all of it goes without a hitch. If that’s all you use your phone for, then you certainly won’t have any performance problems.
Gaming
Anybody familiar with both of these chips knows exactly what to expect when it comes to gaming. While the Google Pixel 6 Pro is capable of playing some games at a reasonably high graphical fidelity, it’s no match for the Adreno GPU in the Snapdragon 888. Both of the charts above were recorded in our reviews of the OnePlus 9 Pro and the Google Pixel 6 Pro, and there’s a clear winner here. The Pixel is no match for the OnePlus device, though that was to be expected.
Battery Life and Charging
The battery life of the Google Pixel 6 Pro was disappointing, though the same can be said for the OnePlus 9 Pro, too. I get, at maximum, five hours of screen on time with some heavy usage on the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Typically, it’s more like four hours. That same usage could easily net me six to seven hours of usage on the Google Pixel 5, and the OnePlus 9 Pro isn’t really that much better.
Where the OnePlus 9 Pro has an advantage though is its charging speed. It can charge up in just over half an hour thanks to the included 65W charger in the box (you don’t get one of those either with the Google Pixel 6 Pro) whereas half an hour of charging the Pixel will only get you up to 50%. From there, it’ll take another hour and a half to get to 100%, making the charging experience a complete pain.
Both of these devices have mediocre battery life
In other words, even though both devices have mediocre battery life, you’ll at least get charged up a whole lot quicker with the OnePlus 9 Pro in a pinch. For that reason alone, it’s pretty easy to choose the OnePlus 9 Pro over the Pixel in that regard. If you’re out and about a lot and find yourself struggling to find the time to sit by a charger throughout your day, then the OnePlus 9 Pro is definitely a device worth checking out.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: Miscellaneous
Speakers and Call Quality
The Google Pixel 6 Pro has a pair of dual stereo speakers, with the top speaker in the earpiece being quieter than the bottom-firing speaker. They’re nothing to write home about, but then again, these are smartphone speakers. They work, they get decently loud, and they’re about as good as it gets for a smartphone.
With the OnePlus 9 Pro, you get a pair of stereo speakers with Dolby’s Atmos software baked in. You can’t tune the audio much to your liking, though you can choose between three preset “scenario-based enhancements.” Again, it’s the same thing; they’re smartphone speakers. They do the job.
As for call quality, both phones are fine for taking phone calls on. You can hear the other person, and the other person can hear you clearly and loudly. No complaints here for either device.
Signal Reception
Signal reception is an interesting comparison here because the Google Pixel 6 Pro has had numerous issues in that regard. The Exynos modem isn’t as good as what you get on Qualcomm devices, and I’ve noticed this myself ever since receiving the Pixel. To make things even worse, Google hampered the Pixel 6 Pro’s signal strength for many with the introduction of the December 2021 update, to the point that the company had to pull the update. While my signal strength remained unchanged when I sideloaded the update, that problem affected a lot of people. If you find yourself lacking in signal strength on your current device, it might be worth considering looking elsewhere.
Google Pixel 6 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: Conclusion
The Google Pixel 6 Pro and the OnePlus 9 Pro are two very different devices for two very different types of people. If your prerogative is to have one of the fastest phones on the market at all costs, then the OnePlus 9 Pro is undoubtedly the winner here. The chipset pushes past most of what Google Tensor is capable of when it comes to gaming and raw computational power, leaving little to be said for whatever Google has on offer currently.
However, if what you’re looking for is a smartphone that’s capable of it all, with quick updates and long-term software support, then the Google Pixel 6 Pro is more likely to be up your alley. Previously, I would have said that you will likely not come across problems introduced by software updates such as the ill-fated OxygenOS 12 update, but the Google Pixel 6 Pro’s rough start since its launch has prevented me from being able to make that quip.
Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that Google will reintroduce problems in a future software update, and the company’s previous smartphones have generally remained pretty stable post-launch. With the promise of a unified OS coming to the OnePlus 9 Pro in its next major update, it’s unclear if we’ll have another OxygenOS 12-style situation when that rolls out.
For me personally, I’m using the Google Pixel 6 Pro as my daily driver, and I have done since its launch. It’s a great phone though has enough issues that I’m looking forward to switching off of it and trying something new. It does everything that I want, and as someone who loves to take photos and listen to music on my smartphone, the Android 12 experience on the Google Pixel 6 Pro will still likely remain my favorite whenever I move to another device.
As it is right now, the Google Pixel 6 Pro remains a niche device for techies and Android fans, and the same can be said for OnePlus as well. While OnePlus is seeing rapid growth globally, the majority of consumers are more likely to veer towards the likes of Samsung, Apple, or Xiaomi. There are some great deals for the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the OnePlus 9 Pro, so honestly, it may come down to whichever you can find cheapest.
With a large, 6.7-inch Quad HD OLED display and a Smart 120Hz refresh rate, the OnePlus 9 Pro has a fantastic display for all kinds of contents. The cameras, tuned in collaboration with Hasselblad, produce excellent still photos.
When we reviewed the OPPO Enco M31 in 2020, we called it the champion of budget Bluetooth earphones. The audio quality that the Enco M31 offered was miles ahead of competitors and together with features like LDAC support, they punched well above their weight. So naturally, when OPPO refreshed its neckband lineup with the Enco M32 last month, we were intrigued. The Enco M32 boasts some notable improvements over the Enco M31 including improved build quality, much better battery life, fast charging support, and bigger audio drivers. But how do they stack up against the Enco M31’s legacy? I have been using OPPO’s new earphones for over two weeks and here’s what I think about them.
OPPO Enco M32: Specifications
Specification
Enco M32
Build and Weight
Plastic earcups and rubber collar
IP55 water & dust resistance
26.8g
Driver & Frequency response
Single 10mm dynamic driver
Driver sensitivity: 106.5dB @1kHz
Frequency response:
20Hz-20KHz (44.1kHz)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0
Codecs: AAC, SBC
Range: 10 m
Battery & Charging
220 mAh
28 hours of standard audio playback (SBC)
USB Type C port
10-minute quick charge for 20 hours of playback
In The Box
Pair of Enco M32
2x silicon ear tips
USB Charging cable
User guide
Safety and Warranty card
About this review: OPPO India sent me a pair of Enco M32 on December 31. OPPO had no input in the content of this review. Unless otherwise specified, the observations stated in the review are with regard to Android smartphones.
Design & Comfort
As far as the design is concerned, the OPPO Enco M32 is a pretty basic-looking neckband. The design is all too familiar: there’s a flexible rubber collar that has plastic modules attached to it on either side from which wires emerge and connect to the earcups. Earcups have magnets on the back which acts as an on and off switch. The right plastic module houses volume buttons, a multi-function key, a microphone, and a USB C port. The left module has the understated OPPO logo inscribed on the outer side. Since buttons reside on the inner side of the plastic module, they’re not easy to reach. I would rather OPPO placed them on the outside. But in any case, they’re better than the mushy buttons of the Enco M31.
The build quality is a marked improvement over the last year’s model. The Enco M32 feels more robust and solid compared to the rather minuscule Enco M31. It also helps that they have IP57 dust and water protection, making them a good choice for outdoor activities, gym-goers, and commuters. But still, I feel the OnePlus Bullets Z Wireless has an edge over the Enco M32 as it has thicker wires.
Like their predecessor, the Enco M32 are quite comfy and can be worn for long periods, making them great for commutes and workout sessions. They come with silicone tips and this time OPPO has also added tiny wings for better grip and fitting.
Audio Quality
The Enco M32 are good-sounding earphones for casual listeners but lack the refinement and smoothness of their predecessors.
The OPPO Enco M32 packs a 10mm, composite titanium-plated dynamic driver into each earcup. Similar to the Enco M31, the earphones also have independent bass chambers for better bass response. In terms of codec support, the Enco M32 is a step down from its predecessor as it misses out on Sony’s proprietary Hi-Res LDAC codec. LDAC was one of the major highlights of the Enco M31 as made it possible to listen to high resolution, lossless files over Bluetooth. Here though, you’re limited to lossy SBC and AAC codecs. The lack of LDAC support also means the Enco M32 exhibits high latency and audio delay issues in games.
In terms of the audio quality, the OPPO Enco M32 feels like a mixed bag. While the Enco M31 delivered a balanced sound that went well with just about any type of music, the Enco M32 tries to appeal to the mainstream audience with a bass-driven sound.
If you’re the kind of person who listens to a lot of EDM, hip hop, and rap music, you’ll like the extra thump offered by the Enco M32. But if you consider yourself an audiophile, care for little details, or prefer balanced audio, you might not be pleased with the OPPO Enco M32’s sound signature. The Enco M31 had a smart trick up its sleeve to placate both bass lovers and audiophiles; it let you switch between the Balanced mode and Bass mode by double-pressing the multi-function button. That feature is gone on the Enco M32 and together with the fact that OPPO doesn’t offer a companion app or equalizer to let you customize the sound, you’re kind of stuck with what’s come out of the box, for better or worse.
Mids are clean but overemphasized lower frequencies mean vocals and instruments occupying the mid-range sometimes get overshadowed by lingering bass notes. I observed this while listening to John Lenon’s version of Stand by Me in which John’s voice didn’t sound as forward as it should, with the bass guitar and kick drums overpowering other instruments and making the overall sound a bit muddy. The Treble is clear and bright which is good as it helps to balance out the lower-end rumble and eliminate muddiness in midrange to some extent. However, there are some sharp peaks in the upper range which causes excessive sibilance on overly bright tracks.
The Enco M32 are good-sounding earphones for casual listeners but lack the refinement and smoothness of their predecessors. These aren’t bad-sounding earphones by any means; it’s just that the Enco M31 had set the bar so high, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed. Still, to me, they sound better than the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z and Mi Neckband Pro.
Call Quality
The Enco M32 comes equipped with a single omnidirectional microphone which is embedded in the right plastic module. The call quality is decent and I was able to hear recipients quite clearly on both voice and video calls. The microphone doesn’t do a great job of cutting down background noise and wind noise when you’re outdoors. This is to be expected from earphones with a single microphone and something we have also seen on other neckbands such as the OnePlus Bullets Z Wireless and Mi Neckband Pro ANC.
Battery life
In the battery department, the Enco M32 totally blows the Enco M31 out of the water
This is the area where the Enco M32 totally blows the Enco M31 out of the water. OPPO promises up to 28 hours of battery life on a single charge, a huge improvement over the Enco M31’s measly 8-9 hours of runtime. In this price range, the Enco M32’s battery life is bested only by the Boat Rockerz 330 Pro (60 hours) and Boat Rockerz 330 (30 hours).
And the claim does hold true. In my loop test, the earphones lasted a tad over 26 hours. With average daily usage of 3-4 hours, the Enco M32 should easily get you through the week. And if you do need to charge them in the middle of the week, the fast charging support is there. The company says a 10-minute charge offers up to 20 hours of music playback. A full charge takes 35 minutes according to the company claim but in my test, it took about 45-50 minutes to go from 0 to 100%.
Final thoughts
The OPPO Enco M31 was special in that it tried to do something different than the crowd. It was by no means a perfect product, but the amazing sound quality and LDAC support were more than enough to live with its inferior build quality and mediocre battery life. The Enco M32 addresses most of the shortcomings of the Enco M31, but in the process, it also takes away the best traits that helped the Enco M31 stand out from the crowd: the amazing sound quality and LDAC codec support. Even with all its improvements and upgrades, the OPPO Enco M32 still comes across as a good but ordinary product. It doesn’t have an X factor like its predecessor.
The OPPO Enco M32 are a great pair of Bluetooth earphones that offer insane battery life and bass-driven sound.
If you don’t care for balanced audio, however, the Enco M32 are solid, all-around neckband earphones that have plenty to offer. The minimal, understated design allows the Enco M32 to easily blend in with any outfit. Meanwhile, their ergonomic design coupled with soft ear wings ensure earphones remain comfortable to wear for a long time and don’t fall out during workouts or running. On the audio quality front, your mileage may vary. For me, they’re a regression over the Enco M31 as I prefer a balanced sound signature. However, I’m sure the average user will definitely enjoy the extra kick of bass and warmth offered by the Enco M32.
The Enco M32 addresses most of the shortcomings of the Enco M31, but it also takes away the best traits that helped the Enco M31 stand out from the crowd.
At ₹1,800, the OPPO Enco M32 cost less than their predecessor, but due to the average sound quality and lack of high-quality codec support, stop short of becoming the best pair of budget Bluetooth earphones.
Following months of rumors, leaks, and (possible) delays, Samsung finally released the Galaxy 21 FE on January 3, 2022 — the ‘FE’ standing for ‘Fan Edition.’ The phone is a sequel to the much-loved Galaxy S20 FE, and mainly serves as a more budget-friendly version of last year’s Galaxy S21. The phone will also presumably be the budget alternative to the upcoming Galaxy S22 series, but without final pricing information on those phones, we can’t be sure yet.
The late release of the Galaxy S21 FE means there are many factors to consider. If you already own a Galaxy S21, should you upgrade to it? If you don’t have either phone, which is a better use of your money? We’ll attempt to answer those questions (and others) in this comparison guide. Also, we’re only comparing the base model Galaxy S21 to the Galaxy S21 FE in this guide, not the more-expensive Galaxy S21 Plus or Galaxy S21 Ultra.
About this article: Samsung sent us a Galaxy S21 FE to review in January. The company did not have any input on the contents of this article.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Specifications
Specification
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S21 FE
Build
Plastic back, metal frame
Plastic back, metal frame
Dimensions & Weight
151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm
171 grams
155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm
177 grams
Display
6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED
2400 x 1080
120Hz refresh rate
6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED
2340 x 1080
120Hz refresh rate
SoC
USA: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
International: Exynos 2100
USA: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
International: Exynos 2100
RAM & Storage
8GB RAM/128GB storage
8GB RAM/256GB storage
No microSD card slot
6GB RAM/128GB storage
8GB RAM/256GB storage
No microSD card slot
Battery & Charging
4,000mAh battery
25W wired fast charging
15W wireless charging
4.5W reverse wireless charging
4,500mAh battery
25W wired fast charging
15W wireless charging
4.5W reverse wireless charging
Security
In-display fingerprint scanner
In-display fingerprint scanner
Rear Cameras
Primary: 12MP, f/2.2, 123˚ FoV
Wide-angle: 12MP, f/1.8, 79˚ FoV
Telephoto: 8MP, f/2.4, 32˚ FOV
Primary: 12MP, f/1.8, 120˚ FoV
Wide-angle: 12MP, f/2.2, 123° FoV
Telephoto: 64MP, f/2.4, 3X optical, 30X space zoom, OIS
Front Camera
10MP, f/2.2, 80˚ FoV
32MP, f/2.2, 81˚ FoV
Port(s)
USB Type-C
No headphone jack
USB Type-C
No headphone jack
Audio
Stereo speakers
Stereo speakers
Connectivity
Sub6/mmWave 5G
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/x (dual-band)
Bluetooth 5.0
Sub6/mmWave 5G
4G LTE
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/x (dual-band)
Bluetooth 5.0
Ultra Wide Band (UWB)
Software
One UI 4.0/Android 12 (Android 11 at launch)
One UI 4.0/Android 12
Other Features
Samsung Pay with NFC
IP68 rating
Samsung Pay with NFC
IP68 rating
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Design and Hardware
The hardware design of the Galaxy S21 FE is nearly identical to the Galaxy S21 that came before it. Both phones have glass-covered displays and plastic rear casings, a metal frame inside the device, three cameras on the back, and a primary speaker and USB Type-C port on the bottom. Neither phone has a headphone jack or a microSD card slot, unfortunately.
Galaxy S21 (left) and Galaxy S21 FE (right)
The main difference between the two is the physical size. The base model Galaxy S21 has a 6.2-inch screen, while the Galaxy S21 FE has a slightly larger 6.4-inch panel. Both screens are AMOLED, both have the same 2340 x 1080 resolution, and both have a refresh rate of 120Hz — the only difference is that the Galaxy S21 FE display is a bit larger.
Besides that, the camera array on the back isn’t quite as pronounced. Even though it still sticks out from the back of the phone, like the cameras on most other premium smartphones, the color matches the casing and the sides are sloped. That’s not a ground-breaking change by any means, but still worth noting.
Since the Galaxy S21 FE is a bit larger, Samsung was able to fit in a larger 4,500mAh battery (compared to the 4,000mAh battery on the Galaxy S21). There’s also only 6GB RAM on the cheapest Galaxy S21 FE, compared to the 8GB on all versions of the Galaxy S21, but the pricier 256GB Galaxy S21 FE bumps the memory back up to 8GB.
Besides those differences, the two phones are more or less identical. They both have Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipsets in the US and Exynos 2100 elsewhere, they both have Android 12 and One UI 4, they both support 5G, and so on.
Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Cameras
The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE have almost identical camera setups, with ultra-wide, wide-angle, and telephoto rear cameras on both devices. However, there are minor differences between them. The ultra-wide on the Galaxy S21 has a slightly higher pixel size than the ultra-wide on the Galaxy S21 FE (1.4μm vs 1.12μm), so the quality is a bit better on the regular Galaxy S21. The most significant difference is with the telephoto camera — it’s 64MP on the Galaxy S21, but only Galaxy 8MP on the S21 FE.
In real-world usage, photos captured with these phones are nearly identical to each other. I struggled to find any differences between the two, even after copying them to my computer to view them on a much larger display. The primary camera performs about the same on both phones, even though the Galaxy S21 has a slight edge on paper, and wide-angle photos are also close.
The only area where the Galaxy S21 FE produced noticeably-worse photos was with the telephoto camera, but only in some situations. The lower-resolution telephoto lens on the Galaxy S21 FE can still handle brightly-lit areas about as well as the regular Galaxy S21, but if you keep zooming in (especially in darker environments), photo quality degrades a bit quicker than with the S21.
Conclusion: Which one should you get?
The Galaxy S21 Fan Edition is definitely a confusing phone. It’s almost identical to the base model Galaxy S21, except it has cheaper materials and one extra generation of OS updates (so it should receive Android 13, 14, and 15, while the Galaxy S21 will stop at 14). The Galaxy S21 was $799.99 at launch, but it dropped to $699 on more than one occasion, while the Galaxy S21 Fan Edition starts at $699.99. Samsung might drop the price of the FE over the next few months to make the phone more of a deal, but the company hasn’t done anything yet.
If you already have a Galaxy S21, and you’re wondering if you should upgrade, the answer is a resounding no. The Galaxy S21 FE is not significantly better than the Galaxy S21, and in some ways (such as the telephoto camera), it’s a bit worse. The screen is slightly larger, and it has three major Android OS updates left (as opposed to 2 updates left on the Galaxy S21), but that’s not enough to warrant spending more money.
For people with an older device, or someone looking to move away from an iPhone, the answer is a bit more complicated. The Galaxy S21 FE is a good phone, but it’s not the same absolute bargain that the Galaxy S20 FE was when it was first released. It’s a slightly-different Galaxy S21, at a higher price than the Galaxy S21 has been for much of the past six months.
Galaxy S21 128GB pricing on Amazon (Source: Keepa)
The entire Galaxy S21 family is starting to go out of stock at retailers, which indicates Samsung might sell the Galaxy S21 FE as the only available Galaxy S21 model from this point on. If that’s true, cross-shopping the two phones is a bit of a pointless exercise, unless you’re deciding between a new Galaxy S21 FE and a used/refurbished Galaxy S21.
In summary: if you want a new phone, your only choice between the two will probably be the Galaxy S21 FE. I’d still recommend waiting for a sale if you can, though — it doesn’t make much sense to pay $700 for a phone that is almost identical to the $800 phone from a year ago, even if Samsung is throwing in one more Android update.
Last year's Galaxy S21 is still a great phone, with a speedy Snapdragon 888 chipset and two major Android OS updates left. Just make sure you only get it on sale.
If you’ve been remotely active on Twitter in the past couple of weeks, you’re sure to have encountered colored boxes on your timeline accompanied by the text Wordle. You’re either super intrigued to know what it’s all about or annoyed to the point where you’ve muted the word. Nonetheless, it’s a trend that has taken the internet by storm. If you too want to jump onto the bandwagon to tackle your FOMO, we’ll tell you everything about Wordle and how you can play this game on your smartphone.
Wordle is a web-based word game that refreshes every day. The aim of the puzzle is to guess the word of the day. You get six tries to guess a five-letter word with color-coded boxes to help you place letters in the right positions. We’ll talk more about the nuances of the game and how to play it in the subsequent sections of this article. To give you a basic understanding of Wordle, you can think of it as a puzzle that gives you a new challenge every day.
Josh Wardle, a software engineer, created the game for his wife who was hooked to word games like Spelling Bee and Crossword. The name of the game is unsurprisingly a wordplay on Josh’s last name. While the game was initially meant just for the couple to play, it was made public in October 2021 and started to get traction in the subsequent weeks thanks to the power of social media FOMO. The idea behind Wordle seems to be similar to that of a British game show called Lingo.
Of course, unlike the game show, you don’t win any money for guessing the right word on Wordle. What you win, though, is bragging rights for the number of turns you took to arrive at the right word. Wordle is played via a website that has no ads and its success is purely based on word of mouth. The fact that millions of users are playing the game all over the world intrigued by a random set of green boxes on a social media platform seems like just the kind of marketing Wordle needed to become popular! Think of it as Among Us for the Omicron wave, as the peak in the game’s popularity coincided with the recent COVID lockdowns, giving people reasons to find creative ways to spend their time indoors.
Why has Wordle become so popular?
What makes Wordle so interesting is that it’s available to play just once a day. The anticipation to play the game again the next day is what brings users back to it. It’s also not very time-consuming as you only get six attempts to solve the puzzle, and how much time you spend per attempt is dependent on your English vocabulary. Given that a new word is available every morning, it’s also a great way to churn your brain and begin the day on a high. The fact that the same word is available to everyone all over the world also brings in an element of unison.
I’ve seen several people mentioning how a dormant group on WhatsApp suddenly became active after Wordle started gaining popularity. It’s good to see that a simple internet game can be a conversation starter while also adding a hint of competition to see who can guess the word in the least number of attempts.
Our school friends group has turned in a wordle group. It used to be that useless Good morning flower group… but it’s a bright and better change!
Another reason for Wordle to become so popular is the boxes you see on Twitter. Multiple well-known personalities on Twitter have shared their Wordle scores on the platform. As a result, a bunch of their followers would also have tried the game and that’s how the word spreads. Alright, now that you know what Wordle is all about and how it came to being, let’s try solving our first Wordle together!
How to play Wordle?
The best and the “official” way to play Wordle is by heading to the website — https://www.powerlanguage.co.uk/wordle/ either on your computer or a smartphone. Once you’re on the website, you will see 5 columns and 6 rows followed by an on-screen keyboard. The 5 columns indicate that you need to guess a five-letter word while the 6 rows mean you have 6 chances to guess the right word.
The game begins when you start with your first guess. Your first guess can be any random five-letter word, but there are various strategies you can apply here. The most popular one is beginning with a word that has as many vowels as possible. The idea here is that most words in the English language have at least one vowel. If you start with a word that has multiple vowels, there’s a good chance you’ll get at least one letter right in the word. Examples of five-letter words with multiple vowels are AUDIO, ADIEU, AURAE, IRATE, RAISE, AROSE, etc. Let’s start with AROSE for this tutorial. Input the word and hit Enter.
You will now see that the background of all the letters you entered has changed. Some letters may have a green background, others may have a yellow or gray background. This is the important bit that you need to understand. If a box has turned green, it indicates that you’ve guessed the right letter in the right position. In this case, the letter R has turned green which means R is the second letter in the word. If a box turns yellow, which it hasn’t in this case, it means that the letter is right, but it’s not in the correct position in the word. If a box is gray, it means the letter isn’t present in the word.
Now, keeping in mind that R is the right letter in the right place, think of another word with R as the second letter. Also, make sure that the word you think of doesn’t have any of the gray letters. In this case, you need to think of a word that doesn’t have the letters A, O, S, E. If a letter turned yellow, make sure to use the same letter but in a different position from your initial guess.
Let’s now try the word DRINK.
As you can see, we have three green squares now which means the letters R, I, K are correct and in the right positions. The letters D, N are not present in the word. We just have to guess two more letters now to arrive at the correct word. Think of the different permutations and combinations of letters that you can come up with to form a word with these letters. The possible combinations I can think of are BRICK, PRICK, TRICK. Let’s try TRICK.
Alright, we’ve now got the last 4 letters of the word as RICK. Let’s try the other combinations from the previous step.
Since B has turned gray, the only other possible guess I could think of is PRICK.
That’s it, we’ve successfully guessed the right word! Congratulations on solving your first Wordle!
It took us five attempts to solve the Wordle which is the number you see accompanying the boxes in tweets. Wordle (5/6) indicates that we guessed the word in five attempts out of 6. Once you’ve guessed the word, you will be shown your statistics along with the option to share your performance. Social media shares also mention a number besides Wordle, which is just how many daily Wordles have been there so far, so you can compare your performance on the same number with others.
If you choose to share it on Twitter, the game will automatically create those colored boxes for you based on your guesses along with the number of guesses. You can also see the time remaining for the next word displayed here. Once the timer elapses, you can come back to the same page and try guessing the new word.
While having a rich English vocabulary does help, luck also plays a big factor in determining whether or not you’ll be able to guess the right word. Nevertheless, the objective of the game is to have fun so guess your way to the top, tweet your scores, share them with your friends, and challenge them to get the word in lesser attempts!
Wordle alternatives on Android/iOS
The original Wordle game can be played only via the website mentioned above, and it is quite convenient to simply bookmark the website and play through your phone browser. Some people may prefer playing on an app instead. There were some cloned versions of the game turned into apps going by the same name — Wordle. Those have been taken down now but there still are some word-based puzzle games that can work as alternatives on both the Google Play Store as well as the Apple App Store.
Primel
Hannah Park has created an open-source version of Wordle that developers can now make use of to create their own variations of the game. Twitter user DavidLawrenceMiller has taken advantage of this and created a mathematical version of the game — Primel. Instead of guessing words like you would on Wordle, you take chances to guess a five-digit prime number on Primel. This is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek take on Wordle, but if you would rather scratch your head finding prime factors of a number than revising your vocab, this could be your thing!
Word Bound
Word Bound is a word-based puzzle game that is similar to Wordle. You need to guess the right word using various combinations. There are multiple levels and you can even play online against your friends. The game claims to have over 1,000 puzzles with a daily word challenge. If you want something more extensive than Wordle since the latter only allows you to play once a day, you can check this game out.
Scrabble is one of the most popular word games across the globe. You are given a board on which you need to make words using the available letters. You get a certain number of points for each word that you make. You can play offline or against a friend, and the person with the most number of points wins. It’s a fun game that’s different from Wordle but still revolves around making words.
This is a proper replica of Wordle but in an app form for iOS devices. Wordlets gives you the same amount of guesses to arrive at a five-letter word as Wordle and with the exact same layout. This app is for those who want to play the exact same game but on an app instead of on the website.
Wordly
Wordly is a game on iOS that displays a 4×4 box with different letters. You have to draw lines inside the box to connect various letters to form a meaningful word. This is a slightly different take on a word game and I’m glad that it brings something unique to the table instead of being a blatant copy of an already existing game.
Wordle Tips and Tricks
Wordle is a pretty straightforward game. You just have to guess the right word in six attempts. However, there are some tips and tricks for Wordle that can improve your experience while playing the game. A basic tip as already mentioned earlier is to start off with a word that covers a lot of vowels or frequently used letters in the English alphabet. Letters like S, T, A, E, I, R are frequently used and hence, might give you a good start with a few yellow or green squares.
This isn’t really a trick but an Easter Egg present on Google when you search for Wordle. When you enter Wordle on Google and hit the Search button, you will see an animation resembling how Wordle works. Neat!
The next trick involves going back in time (at least, on your phone’s clock) and playing Wordle with past words. Technically, Wordle can only be played once a day. There’s a new word every day and once you’ve guessed that, you have to wait for the timer to reset before playing the game again with a new word. However, if you’re new to Wordle and want to guess the previous days’ words, there’s a small hack discovered by Reddit user r/pompeusz. All you need to do is change the date on your smartphone to a day in the past and open the website. You will now be able to play that day’s Wordle.
Using this trick LeagueBright9916 has created a Wordle Archive where you can play all 215 Wordles till now in random order. This is a great way to pass time if you’ve already solved the current puzzle and want to get the hang of the game by guessing older words.
Another basic trick is to tap on the small gear icon on the top-right corner to access some settings. You can enable/disable dark mode from here, along with the option to change the color scheme if you’re colorblind. You can also toggle a Hard Mode if you want the game to be more challenging.
That’s pretty much everything you need to know about the latest fad on social media — Wordle! If you haven’t played the game yet, start today by heading over to the link and following the tutorial above. If you’re unsure of what to do or are stuck somewhere, feel free to leave a comment below. It’s quite addictive though, so tread with caution!
