Airtel rolls out Rs 23 plan which offers only validity
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Tuesday, 4 December 2018
YouTube mobile apps will soon autoplay videos on the home tab
Google is rolling out a feature for YouTube's mobile apps that will automatically play muted, subtitled previews of videos as you scroll through the home tab. YouTube Premium subscribers have had Autoplay on Home for several months, but it's now available to everyone.
The company says it's introducing the feature in response to demand from users. "Previewing videos helps you make more informed decisions about whether you want to watch a video, leading to longer engagement with videos you choose to watch!" it said in a slightly corporate-sounding announcement on the YouTube Help Forum.
Save your data
According to Tubefilter, AutoPlay on Home first appeared over a year ago under the name Play as you Browse. It will soon be enabled for everyone by default, though you can disable it through the options menu, or set it to only activate over a Wi-Fi connection to conserve data.
Videos won't start playing instantly; you'll have a second to look at the thumbnail and decide whether you'd like to tap it immediately. Google also claims it's optimized autoplaying videos so they use much less data than they would if you played them full-screen.
AutoPlay on Home means captions are now much more prominent, so this is a good time to check out the subtitles on your own videos and make sure they're accurate, using YouTube's automatic, creator-uploaded or crowd-sourced captioning options.
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Snapdragon 855 details leak ahead of announcement
Qualcomm will shortly be announcing its next flagship mobile chipset in Hawaii, but it seems that one website jumped the gun and published many of the details ahead of the official unveiling.
The article was apparently published by TechCrunch and quickly taken down, but not before WinFuture.de copied the details, which include the fact that this chipset will apparently be called the Snapdragon 855 rather than the Snapdragon 8150 (a name which had recently been rumored).
Apparently the Snapdragon 855 is an octa-core chipset with three clusters of cores. There is said to be four 1.78GHz power-saving cores, three 2.42GHz high-end cores and one 2.84GHz core that should offer even greater performance.
That's a configuration that we've heard rumored before, as is the fact that this is apparently a 7nm (nanometer) chipset, meaning it's smaller and likely more efficient than the 10nm Snapdragon 845 powering the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S9 (in the US) and the Sony Xperia XZ3.
The Snapdragon 855 is also said to have a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU), which will help it carry out AI tasks up to three times faster than previous Snapdragon chips.
Improved gaming, AR and photography
The chipset also apparently supports 5G and has been optimized for both augmented reality and gaming, going so far as to have a new feature dubbed "Snapdragon Elite Gaming", though it’s not yet clear what that does.
Shooting photos and videos on phones using this chip should also be improved, thanks to a "specialized computational vision engine" that processes computational photography. Finally, the Snapdragon 855 chipset is said to have an Adreno 640 GPU, which will offer an undefined performance increase.
It all sounds very promising, and notably both the small size and support for 5G could give this Snapdragon chip a boost over Samsung's new Exynos 9820. Indeed, early benchmarks for the two chips suggest Qualcomm's is more powerful, but we doubt there will be much noticeable difference in use.
And of course, while this information on the Snapdragon 855 sounds convincing you should still take it as a rumor until Qualcomm officially announces the chipset.
- The Sony Xperia XZ4 is one of many phones likely to use the Snapdragon 855
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New Qualcomm chipset to be called Snapdragon 855 and manufactured by TSMC
Qualcomm is having its annual meeting in Hawaii, the United States, where it usually announces the new version of its flagship chipset for mobile devices. According to Twitter leakster Roland Quandt, the platform will be called Snapdragon 855 and will be manufactured on the 7nm process by TSMC. The Snapdragon 8150 was the internal name of the new platform, but it will not be used for marketing purposes. Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 it is! Internally called SM8150, but the official marketing name of the new high-end platform w/ 5G modem, Snapdragon Elite Gaming optimizations, built-in NPU +...
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Apple reveals Best of 2018
Apple's global collection of top charts and selects from their editors across every category is here. Called the 'Best of 2018' it includes movies, TV shows, apps, music, podcasts and more.
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Realme C1 arrives tomorrow in the Philippines
Realme C1 was introduced back in September as the company's most affordable phone to date. It was initially priced below $100 in India and Indonesia, but due to the poor performance of the Indian currency, it's price was slightly increased since. The entry level smartphone is now making its way to the Philippines and will arrive tomorrow, December 5, at the online retailer Lazada. The Realme C1 will be launched in a flash sale with a PHP5,490 price tag, which is pretty much the same cost as other markets - $105/€92. Realme C1 shares plenty of features with the Realme 2, including...
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Samsung is offering this gadget worth Rs 22,900 at Rs 4,999 to Galaxy Note 9 buyers
Buyers of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (512GB) will get Samsung EVO Plus memory card with 512GB storage at a discounted price of Rs 4,999. The offer is valid till Dec 31.
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Gartner: Global smartphone sales stay flat as Chinese companies gain ground
Gartner published its report on smartphone sales for the Q3 2018 period. The overall market grew merely 1.4% and reached 389 million units. While Samsung is ahead, Huawei is catching up, and if it weren't for Chinese brands like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo, the global market would've declined by 5.2%, compared with Q3 2017. Company Q3 2018 sales (in thousands) Q3 2018 Market share Q3 2017 sales (in thousands) Q3 2017 Market share Samsung 73,360.1 18.9 85,605.3 22.3 Huawei 52,218.4 13.4 36,501.8 ...
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Monday, 3 December 2018
Lenovo Z5s arriving on December 6
The Lenovo Z5s appeared on TENAA and 3C last month, giving us a sneak peek of its appearance. It will have three cameras on the back with a fingerprint scanner to keep it company, while the front has one shooter in the center. Later we heard that this might not be a waterdrop notch, but an in-display camera, and today Lenovo confirmed we'll know for sure on December 6, when the official announcement will take place. The company VP Chang Cheng posted the image on Weibo, to save the date for a new announcement. The Lenovo Z5s will have ZUI and is expected to be "powerful and...
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Google starts eSIM program for phone makers
Google is moving forward with the eSIM technology that it embedded into the Pixel 2 (XL) and Pixel 3 (XL). eSIM is arguably a convenient solution for consumers "fumbling around to try to place [a nanoSIM] into a small slot". But until the most recent security update, Pixel 3 support for eSIM is limited to one carrier in the US - Google Fi. Google is expanding the Pixel 3's eSIM support to a few new countries and carriers with the latest December security patch. Google did also briefly mention in a blog post that it would begin a program for Android phone makers to use eSIM more easily and...
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Realme 2 with 13MP camera to go on sale at 12 pm today on Flipkart
Realme 2 is said to be one of the cheapest phone that offers a notch display and comes with a starting price of Rs 9,499.
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Best phones in Australia 2018: top 10 smartphones tested and ranked
UPDATE: Huawei's incredible Mate 20 Pro has been added to our list of the best phones in Australia 2018 list – read on to find out more about it and where it placed!
2017 was a stellar year for smartphones, and 2018 has proven to be even better. The recent launches of the iPhone XS and the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 have made the humble smartphone faster, more powerful and even more versatile than ever before.
Here at TechRadar, we check out almost every phone under the sun, putting the ones that matter through our vigorous testing process to create our in-depth mobile phone reviews.
However, with so many to choose from, we've spent hours whittling them down to a top ten, taking into account power, specs, design and value for money. And we'll always point you in the direction of the latest handsets – after all, nobody wants to be carting around a phone that doesn't get any updates in a year's time, right?
So whether it's one of the many slick Android handsets, the latest iPhone or one from a range of other cool manufacturers, we've extensively tested them all so you don't have to!
Here are our rankings for the best smartphones that are currently available in Australia in 2018.
On paper, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 doesn't seem all that different to its predecessor, the Note 8. Look beneath the surface, however, and you'll find a smartphone that has addressed almost every issue that last year's model had (although the Bixby button is unfortunately still here, just waiting to be pressed accidentally) to become the best handset that money can buy right now.
Screen & Design: Premium in every sense of the word, the Galaxy Note 9's design screams sophistication, even when it's being cheeky (the Ocean Blue colour variant's striking yellow S Pen can attest to that).
While there was little room for improvement over the Note 8 and Galaxy S9 Plus in the screen department, Samsung has managed to top itself once again by producing a record breaking display for the Note 9 that's already been named the best of its kind. Its Super AMOLED QHD+ display is exceptionally bright and vibrant, with inky blacks and beautiful curved edges.
Most of all, we love that Samsung's listened to its customers and has continued to resist current (and arguably misguided) smartphone trends, such as notch cutouts and the abandoning of headphone jacks and microSD slots – we'd much rather it keeps striving to perfect the things that made it the top smartphone brand in the world in the first place.
Performance: Thanks to its large 4,000mAh battery – the largest Samsung has ever placed in a phone – the Note 9 has addressed one of its predecessor's biggest drawbacks, as despite being one of the biggest phones on the market, the Note 8's battery was only 3,300mAh. Given the brightness of its display and the power of its internals, the Galaxy Note 9's longer battery life is more than welcome.
Speaking of its internals, the Note 9 is an absolute powerhouse, with its Exynos 9810 chipset and 6GB of RAM offering snappy performance at all times. The 512GB model is backed by an additional 2GB of RAM (8GB in total), which should allow for even better performance in DeX mode (which no longer requires an additional dock) and for Fortnite to run especially smoothly on the device.
Camera: While the Note 9's camera is almost identical to that of the Galaxy S9 Plus, that's no bad thing — users can record super slow motion video (up to 960fps at 720p resolution) and the same variable aperture functionality is available, allowing for the phone's iris to automatically adjust itself depending on how much light you have access to.
One thing has changed though: thanks to the S Pen's Bluetooth functionality, you can now use the stylus as a long-range self-timer, allowing you to take selfies while standing several metres away from the phone.
Mini verdict: Though one could argue that most of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9's improvements are relatively minor, each one has been made in an effort to provide the best possible experience for users.
Add them all up and what you get is a smartphone with the best screen in the world and which also offers the most storage and the best performance of any Android handset. The fact it also doubles as a super portable PC when connected to a monitor or television is also a huge potential bonus. In short, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the kind of smartphone that all others should be striving to match.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9
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So how do you follow-up one of the best flagship phones ever made? By making an even better one, that's how! With its new Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, Samsung has addressed pretty much every issue levelled at the S8 range, from the awkward fingerprint sensor placement to the underwhelming built-in speakers.
Screen & Design: Until the Galaxy Note 9, the Galaxy S9 Plus boasted the greatest phone display ever produced — quite a feat when you consider the strength of the competition. Its QHD+ 18:9.5 AMOLED display is sublime to look at, with its incredible brightness and rich colours offset by deep, inky blacks that never cease to amaze.
In terms of its design, you'd be forgiven for thinking the S9 Plus looks almost identical to its predecessor from the front, with the only real change coming in the form of a 1.4mm difference in height (that's thanks to the S9 Plus' smaller bottom bezel). The back is where the biggest changes have occurred, with a new vertical camera and fingerprint sensor layout that instantly feels more natural than last year's model.
At the base of the phone, you'll find that Samsung has kept the 3.5mm headphone jack around for at least another year, and it's now accompanied by stereo speakers for more immersive sound — much better than last year's mono offering.
Performance: Boasting Samsung's most advanced in-house chipset to date, the Exynos 9810, as well as 6GB of RAM, the Galaxy S9 Plus is a beast when it comes to grunt. Snappy and responsive, the S9 Plus never caves under pressure, boasting some of the strongest benchmark scores of any handset released in 2018. Admittedly, this can cause its commendable but not incredible 3,500mAh battery to drain a little quicker than normal, though you'll still get a full days usage out of it.
Audio performance is another area where the S9 Plus has taken a big leap over its predecessor. Having listened to music through the S9 Plus' new speaker mouth (so long, speaker grill) we can confirm that a drastic improvement in sound quality has taken place. Audio is much fuller than before, exhibiting some added depth and bass. Sure, it won't inspire you to throw away your Bluetooth speaker, but the difference in audio quality is significant — especially when you take into account the inclusion of Dolby Atmos support.
Camera: But the Galaxy S9 Plus' biggest selling point is undoubtedly its revamped dual camera setup (something not found on the standard S9), which is now capable of taking super slow motion video (up to 960fps at 720p resolution) and has variable aperture capabilities, which allows the phone to automatically switch between f/1.5 (for very low-light photography) and f/2.4 (super bright and vibrant photography). You can even seen the camera's tiny shutter opening and closing depending on available light.
While Apple may have beaten it to the punch with its AR-enabled Animoji, Samsung has come up with its own equivalent AR Emoji mode, which lets you create a digital avatar (and a set of shareable GIFs) of yourself. It's a good bit of fun, but if you're not the selfie type, your mileage on this feature may vary.
Mini verdict: There are a number of other factors that put the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus ahead of the competition, from its incredible QHD+ 18:9.5 AMOLED display, to its powerful new Exynos 9810 chipset. However, it's the way that Samsung has truly listened to its customers and created a phone specifically for them that makes the Galaxy S9 Plus our current pick for best smartphone.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus
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The iPhone XS Max is Apple's new big iPhone with an expansive 6.5-inch display that can't be missed if you're looking for the best phone running iOS 12. It's fast, has a brilliant all-screen display, and gives you great photos out of its noticeably upgraded 12MP dual-lens rear camera.
Screen & Design: The 6.5-inch OLED screen is the reason to choose the iPhone XS Max over its smaller 5.8-inch iPhone XS counterpart. Admittedly, the phone is still roughly the size of an iPhone Plus, but thanks to the all-screen display (minus the notch cut out at the top), you get a lot more real-estate. Compared to the LCD displays on older iPhones, there's a noticeable step up in black levels and colour richness.
Elsewhere, the iPhone XS Max is practically identical to last year's iPhone X, only bigger. While we would've loved to see the notch cutout's size reduced on this year's models, it's hard to argue with what Apple has achieved here.
Camera: This is the best iPhone camera ever made, even if the 12MP dual-lens rear camera number hasn't changed in several years. It's all about the software inside and how the A12 chipset interprets scenes with Smart HDR.
It's up there with the Google Pixel 2 and Samsung Galaxy Note 9, even if Apple's photos tend to be less vivid in our tests and more true-to-life.
Performance: You'll get the best battery life out of the iPhone XS Max simply because it has room for a bigger battery. The 3,174mAh capacity is by no means the biggest (Samsung's Note 9 is 4,000mAh), but Apple's ownership of both software and hardware means it's smartly optimized. You'll get all-day battery life even with heavy use.
The aforementioned A12 chipset also makes a huge difference when it comes to performance, as the iPhone XS Max is easily the fastest handset that Apple has released to date.
Mini verdict: This is the iPhone for anyone who wants what's new and doesn't care what it costs. The iPhone XS Max is expensive, but it's the best upgrade if you're into big screens and Apple's ecosystem, like the App Store and iMessages. The iPhone XS is a good choice if you have smaller hands, and the iPhone XR may be better if you have a smaller wallet.
Read the full review: iPhone XS Max
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The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the supercharged version of the 'standard' Huawei Mate 20, and while its specs are similar to its less expensive counterpart, with both handsets boasting Huawei's latest Kirin 980 7nm processor, 128GB of onboard storage and 6GB of RAM, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is able to justify its higher cost with several impressive additional high-end inclusions.
Sporting a number of futuristic features (including one world-first) and a more premium price point than we're used to seeing from the Chinese manufacturer, the Mate 20 Pro is clearly Huawei's play for the 'best smartphone in the world' crown – and for once, the company is very much within reach, offering a handset we think belongs in the same league as the iPhone XS and Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
Screen & Design: With its curved glass display and coloured aluminium frame, it's very easy to mistake the Huawei Mate 20 Pro for a Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus at first glance. Look closer, and you'll start to notice some of Huawei's signature styling and other, more subtle differences.
Yes, it's got a notch, but it's for the inclusion of a second sensor to allow for 3D facial recognition functionality, which is said to provide more security than the standard Mate 20's image-based facial unlock.
Although our tests have shown the Mate 20 Pro's 3D face unlock to be exceptionally fast (way speedier than Apple and Samsung's equivalent implementations), the Pro also offers an in-display fingerprint scanner that you can use instead.
Camera: Of course, being a Huawei phone, it's photographic capability is also off the charts. Once again sporting Leica branding, the Mate 20 Pro has ditched the monochrome sensor this year, instead opting for a primary 40MP sensor that handles both RGB and monochrome modes.
With this ultra-wide sensor and Huawei’s 3X fixed and 5X hybrid zoom, you can not only close in on any subject (macro photography allows for photos from just 2.5cm away), but also pull out to get a much wider view, making the Mate 20 Pro the most versatile camera we’ve yet seen on a flagship smartphone.
Performance: While Google's Pixel 3 handsets have only just received wireless charging functionality, Huawei has taken things a step further with the inclusion of reverse wireless charging – and yes, you read that correctly. Compatible with any phone that boasts Qi functionality, the Huawei Mate 20 Pro is actually able to wirelessly charge another device when you place the two back-to-back.
Easily the most advanced phone that Huawei has produced to date, the Mate 20 Pro is premium in every sense of the word. Throw in a massive 4,200mAh battery, and what you have is a handset that's very hard to resist.
Read the full review: Huawei Mate 20 Pro
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The Samsung Galaxy S9 isn't quite the phone that the S9 Plus is - it's only got a single camera sensor, for one - but it's a more palm-friendly model that still packs the power and top screen quality of its sibling.
Screen: A QHD 5.8-inch screen takes up most of the front of the phone - and it's still a stunning design. Brighter, more colourful and capable of showing the best of movies, the Super AMOLED tech is once again showing itself to be best thing to look at on a smartphone.
Battery life: Battery life is a little disappointing for a top-end smartphone, meaning you'll need to think about a top-up during the day if you're a harder user. Wireless and fast charging capabilities help with this though.
Camera: It's only a single sensor on the rear of the Galaxy S9, unlike the Galaxy S9 Plus - meaning it's not as good at photography. But don't think the S9 takes poor photos, as they're still stunning, and in low light it's a sterling performer, with very little noise.
Mini verdict: The Galaxy S9 is a smartphone with all the top-end features you'd want, and more on top. It's not quite at the level of the S9 Plus, and the iPhone X outranks it in a few ways - but once again the price of this phone is starting to get a little more competitive, making it more of a lure than at launch.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9
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The Huawei P20 Pro is easily the best phone that the brand has ever produced, and it's troubling the top of our charts. If you thought Huawei's Mate 10 Pro and P10 Plus boasted amazing cameras, you ain't seen nothin' yet — the Chinese phone-maker's latest flagship handset packs an incredible triple-camera setup on its rear, as well as one of the greatest front-facing snappers we've ever seen.
Along with its unrivalled cameras, the Huawei P20 Pro sports many of the features we've come to expect from premium phones, including an AMOLED display and IP67 water and dust resistance. That the P20 Pro's attractive $1,099 price point comes in well below Apple's iPhone X (up to $1,829) and Samsung's Galaxy S9 Plus ($1,499) is just the icing on the smartphone cake.
Screen & Design: Right off the bat, the P20 Pro impresses with its high-end, stylish design. Its bezel-free notched display might be a controversial design choice on Huawei's part, but thankfully, an option to hide that notch entirely by adding a seamless on-screen black strip is available in the device's display settings. We also adore its utterly unique Twilight colour option, which sports a beautiful purple-to-turquoise gradient effect on the phone's rear.
Performance: Like the Mate 10 range before it, the Huawei P20 Pro's photographic prowess is backed by the Kirin 970 processor's dedicated Neural Processing Unit, allowing the handset's AI smarts to automatically adjust its settings to take the best possible picture for you.
Simply point at something and the phone will know what you're photographing, whether it be a sunset, a tree, a dog, a cat, flowers or food. It can also automatically detect whether you're taking an extreme close-up, or aiming for a beautiful portrait shot with blurred background. Of course, the phone also offers a pro photography mode, allowing you to tweak advanced settings like ISO to your heart's content.
Camera: But really, it's the phone's camera that you'll likely want to hear more about, and we can't blame you — capable of shooting incredibly detailed 40MP images using 5x optical zoom, the P20 Pro's Leica-branded camera is starting to rival DSLR's in some respects. Easily boasting the biggest sensor of any smartphone camera yet, the P20's stabilisation functionality allows you to take long exposure, low-light shots without the use of a tripod.
On the flip side of the phone, its 24MP selfie camera is capable of taking some extremely flattering selfies. On top of this, an unprecedented number of beauty features allow you to present an ideal version of yourself, with the ability to tweak everything from face shape, skin tone, blemishes... even the bags under your eyes! An advanced 3D lighting-effects mode even lets you reposition the photo's light source, though this can leave you looking a little waxy.
Mini verdict: Admittedly, we're still a little sore over Huawei's decision to drop the microSD slot and headphone jack from its premium phones going forward, and this isn't quite the best phone for recording video, but those flaws seem pretty minor when compared to everything the P20 Pro does so incredibly well.
Read the full review: Huawei P20 Pro
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iPhone XS is a minor, but important upgrade over last year's completely redesigned iPhone. It's noticeably faster and has an improved dual-lens camera to make it a better choice, if you're willing to pay the same launch price.
Screen & Design: The 5.8-inch OLED on this iPhone is big, but not a turn off for some people who literally can't handle the 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max (which we like a bit more in our big mitts). This phone size isn't too much bigger than your old 4.7-inch iPhone 7 or iPhone 6 thanks to its reduced bezel – though you'll miss the Touch ID home button. You'll forget about that when staring into the beautiful OLED that's dreamier than the old iPhone LCD.
In terms of its design, the iPhone XS is practically identical to last year's model, colour options aside. However, if you're after a more one-hand-friendly size for a cutting-edge iPhone, this is the one to buy. Alternatively, you could opt for the cheaper iPhone XR, which has a slightly larger LCD display, an aluminium rim (instead of the stainless steel one on the XS) and a series of funky colours to choose from.
Camera: This is where you'll see differences in the otherwise familiar-looking iPhone XS. Its dual-lens camera offers Smart HDR and optical image stabilisation (OIS). It's not as vivid as the cameras on a Google Pixel 2 or Samsung Galaxy S9, but you'll get true-to-life photos that make the 2018 iPhone's a worthy upgrade.
Performance: The iPhone XS has about the same battery life as the iPhone X, so you'll get all-day battery life with normal use. Power users may struggle a bit without one of the best power banks, and although Apple says it has 30 minutes more battery life than the iPhone X, the smaller capacity and our tests show it's shy of that claim.
Mini verdict: Although still expensive, the iPhone XS is our best phone for someone who wants to use iOS 12 and doesn't want to spend even more money on the bigger iPhone XS Max.
Read the full review: iPhone XS
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While LG may have left behind any notion of being a game-changing phone maker in recent years, the company’s become quite reliable at producing exceptional all-rounder handsets that are good at pretty much everything.
Screen & Design: With the new LG G7 ThinQ, the South Korean manufacturer has delivered a phone with sophisticated AI smarts, a fantastic dual lens camera, a stylish design, a super bright QHD+ 18.9:5 display (complete with iPhone X-style notch that can, thankfully, be hidden), terrific audio performance and top-end specs.
That said, unlike most other notch-bearing handsets, the G7 ThinQ sports an LCD display, meaning it's unable to reach the pure-blacks of an OLED, something that becomes apparent when you first try to hide the notch with a fake bezel and immediately notice the backlighting behind them. Still that does allow the G7 ThinQ to get extremely bright, which means you can always see the screen perfectly, no matter how sunny it happens to be.
Performance: Admittedly, it's not quite as strong as some of the other handsets on this list in terms of performance, and its battery life left us wanting — we got around 6 and a half hours of heavy usage, which is around an hour or two less than most flagship phones available right now.
LG wants its awkwardly-branded ‘ThinQ AI’ functionality to be the big drawcard here, but having spent some time with the phone, it’s clear that it’s perhaps better suited to music lovers and audiophiles. Thanks to its built-in hi-fi quad DAC and DTS:X 3D Surround functionality (both of which require headphones to be plugged into its 3.5mm socket), the LG G7 ThinQ delivers an unrivalled audio experience in the smartphone arena.
Switching on the quad DAC instantly makes audio richer and deeper, providing additional bass in the process, while the latter DTS feature also impresses by offering virtual three-dimensional surround sound regardless of the headphones you’re wearing. It also packs an especially loud built-in speaker, for occasions when you want to listen to something without cans.
Camera: LG is bound to win fans with its terrific AI-powered camera this year, offering similar functionality to the Huawei P20 Pro — simply point at a subject and the LG G7 ThinQ will automatically identify it, adjusting its settings to make sure your picture looks as good as can be. And, thanks to its dual camera setup, the G7 ThinQ can also take those blurry background portrait shots that have become all the rage.
Its Super Bright Camera mode also makes it especially adept at low light photography, and just like the G5 and G6 before it, the G7 ThinQ can take super wide angle photos that fit more into the frame.
Mini verdict: Minor quibbles aside, there's plenty to love about the LG G7 ThinQ. We think it's the best phone the South Korean company has released in years.
Read the full review: LG G7 ThinQ
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Thanks to a beautiful new design that incorporates an 18:5 QHD+ display and smaller bezels, and an even better camera that achieves dual camera quality from a single lens, the Pixel 2 XL is a real step forward for Google's smartphone brand.
Screen & Design: Though still a little behind the curve in terms of design, the Pixel 2 XL has improved leaps and bounds over its lacklustre predecessor. Though not the slimmest bezels around, the 2 XL's borders are roughly half the size of the ones on the original Pixel.
We also get a much more stylish take on the Pixel's signature two-tone effect this time around, though its anodised aluminium backing means you can't charge it wirelessly. Thankfully, the Pixel 2 XL is IP67-certified against water and dust this time around.
Performance: The XL has good battery life - you won't have a problem with it. It will comfortably last you a full day under normal conditions and with normal use, and its ability to save power when it's not doing anything means it'll last a few days in standby.
Once again, fans of the 'pure Android' experience will be in heaven here, as Google's OS provides the Pixel 2 XL with slick performance and a clutter-free interface. Its Snapdragon 835 processor is more than capable of handling any task you throw at it, though we'd have liked a bit more RAM.
Camera: There are so many handsets with dual camera setups these days, and yet the Pixel 2 XL's single-lens setup manages to pip almost all of them. A brilliant portrait mode and an incredibly fast capture speed are just two of the features you can look forward to using on the Pixel 2 XL.
Mini verdict: If you're looking for a handset that's big, offers terrific performance and will take astonishing pictures, then the Google Pixel 2 XL is the one for you.
Read the full review: Google Pixel 2 XL
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The iPhone 8 Plus is a great phone — there’s no doubt about that. It’s a better phone than almost anything Apple has produced before, and it’s, well, just done in a very Apple way. If you aren't willing to pay the extra premium Apple's pricey iPhone X, then this might be the iPhone for you.
Screen & Design: There are some strong upgrades: a glass back means you can now charge your iPhone wirelessly, its IPS LCD screen, while dated, still looks terrific, its camera has been enhanced, the internal workings are now among the most powerful in the industry, and little tweaks throughout smooth off rough edges in a way that makes us feel Sir Jony Ive climbed inside his computer and lathed them off himself.
Whether that’s a subtle haptic double buzz when pressing the shutter on the camera, or being able to ‘feel’ the numbers clicking when selecting the time on the alarm, it’s those little delights that… delight. It's just a shame that the rest of the phone's design feels a little dated.
Performance: Just like the iPhone X, the iPhone 8 Plus means business when it comes to performance. Backed by long, impressive battery life, the A11 chip allows you to smoothly transition between open apps and play games with nary a hiccup, and AR performance is also boosted by its power.
Portrait Lighting effects may be one of the phone's best photographic features, but they need some real power to function, and that’s where the A11 chip comes in. Any app that uses high levels of photo manipulation worked pretty flawlessly in our tests, with no lag when working with multiple image layers.
It’s hard to convey the usefulness of all this power for the average user, one who might not use such features regularly – but it’ll keep your iPhone singing more sweetly for the next two or three years compared to the previous generations.
Camera: The camera on this phone is very strong, with two 12MP lenses on the rear combining to deliver great images even in low light, and the double sensors creating some nice, refined blurred-background portrait shots.
Mini verdict: The iPhone 8 Plus is a phone for the Apple fan who wants the longest battery life possible, and the most screen to look at, without having to pay the premium the iPhone X costs.
Read the full review: Apple iPhone 8 Plus
See the best iPhone 8 Plus telco plans
See the best iPhone 8 Plus outright deals
Though the Nokia 8 handset from HMD Global was well received and reviewed at release, it was perhaps lacking in the flair and personality we've come to expect from flagship phones in 2018.
To remedy this, the Finnish phone manufacturer went back to the drawing board, eventually producing the Nokia 8 Sirocco — a stylish handset that retained its predecessor's powerhouse internals (with a few improvements) and applied a drastically updated design that's sure to turn a few heads.
Screen & Design: The first thing you'll notice about the Nokia 8 Sirocco is that it's one of the few Android handsets on the market to emulate the curved metal and glass form factor of Samsung's Galaxy and Note ranges. In fact, it feels quite sharp and thin in the hand, somewhat reminding us of the Galaxy S7 Edge.
However, the comparisons basically end there, as the Sirocco employs many of the design choices we've come to expect from more modern phones, including slim bezels, a beautiful QHD OLED display, a rear fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C charging and data transfer and the complete lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack (okay, that one we could've held onto).
Performance: The inclusion of a whopping 128GB of internal storage is also welcome, though you won't find a microSD card slot here. What you will find, however, is a Snapdragon 835 chipset, a 3,260mAh battery and 6GB of RAM.
Fans of the 'Pure Android' experience will also be pleased to know that the Nokia 8 Sirocco belongs to the Android One series of smartphones, all of which run an unmodified version of whichever Android version it shipped with (in the Sirocco's case, that's Android 8.0).
Camera: The Nokia brand has always been synonymous with its camera functionality, and in that regard, the Sirocco does not disappoint. It's got a Zeiss Optics dual camera setup (12MP + 13MP) that's capable of some impressive snaps.
Mini verdict: For now, the Nokia 8 Sirocco is the best handset that HMD Global has released yet. If you're keen on owning a phone with the Nokia branding on it, this is the one to get.
Read the hands on review: Nokia 8 Sirocco
Get the Nokia 8 Sirocco outright from JB Hi-Fi
The Galaxy S8 Plus might be a year old, but it's still impressive and the cost is lowering nicely these days.
You can get incredible photos in many conditions, the screen is pin-sharp and it's just boosted a couple of places in this list thanks to a nifty price drop this week.
Screen & Design: The 6.2-inch screen, actually called an Infinity Display by Samsung, spills to the edge of the phone, and is a well-made fusion of glass and metal. It feels great in the hand, thanks to a rolling design - and like the other Galaxies in this list, is water-resistant too, to an IP67 level.
Performance: The battery life is superior on the Galaxy S8 Plus compared to the Galaxy S8 (obviously) and also the Galaxy S9 (more surprising), thanks to having a larger power pack in there without much more work to do - it’ll easily last most people a day or so.
Camera: The camera is a top fusion of auto mode and pro settings for those that like to dig a little deeper - the quality of the snaps is more often than not pin-sharp, and the screen quality really highlights your photos. It lacks the dual sensor and low-light capabilities of the S9 Plus, but it's a terribly good performer for those that don't need the highest-of-high-end smarts.
Mini verdict: Don't let the age put you off - this is still an immensely powerful phone with a strong spec list. The screen, camera and design are still premium, and while not as good as the S9 Plus, it's a lot a cheaper thanks to being on sale for longer.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus review
The Samsung Galaxy S8 looked space age when it was launched last year, and the Galaxy S9 apes it in many ways. It's not the top phone in Samsung's range any more, but it's jolly close and it seems that retailers are starting to discount it both SIM free and on contract, which is why it's jumped up our list.
Screen & Design: The screen was the very, very best on the market and is still now a top performer, coming with the elongated, 18.5:9 ratio that stretches impressively up and down the phone - very similar to that on the current Galaxy S9. With powerful colour reproduction and contrast ratio that make everything look clear and crisp, it’s also got the QHD resolution that we expect from all the top phones.
Performance: The battery life, despite being smaller than in previous devices from Samsung, is still pretty decent. It's not amazing, but it's not very far from the performance of the Galaxy S9 and will last around a day... although you might want a little top up, which can be achieved quickly through a wireless charger or the speedy adapter in the box.
Camera: The camera is still very strong, despite being usurped by the S9 - the auto mode offers clean, crisp and clear shots every time and combined with screen quality makes you want to show off your best snaps. There’s an easy-to-use pro mode as well to get the best out of your snapping.
Mini verdict: This is the phone to go for if you want a strong performer and don't mind it's a little older. As such, it's much cheaper than it was at launch and thus offers fantastic value for money.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S8 review
You're at the end of the guide, but that doesn't mean we can't help you still - if you're stuck on which model is for you, we've got a tool that can compare all the phones together and you can decide which one suits you best based on the cost.
If you want to get all the info, then use the tool below or check out our full mobile phone plans page.
Enter price comparison
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Samsung announces 5G smartphone, to launch in first half of 2019
The South Korean mobile brand has partnered with the US telecom company Verizon to launch a 5G phone in 2019.
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21 things to check before you buy Apple MacBook, MacBook Pro or Air online
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Samsung caught using DSLR photo on Samsung Galaxy A8 Star landing page
By this point, it's safe to say you can never assume that phone makers promote their phones using actual photos taken with the product that they are advertising. Is this false advertising? Only if a note explicitly says one thing and lies about it. Otherwise, is it up to interpretation? This time, the photo in question is one that you can find on the Hong Kong version of Samsung's Galaxy A8 Star landing page. Scroll down a bit and you'll see it, describing Live Focus and how the user can manually adjust the bokeh effect to as little or as much as they want. Only, this photo wasn't actually...
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How smartphones are disrupting your sleep decoded
Scientists have uncovered how artificial light from smartphones and computers can disrupt sleep. Researchers found that certain cells in the eye process light and reset our internal clocks. When these cells are exposed to artificial light late into the night, our internal clocks can get confused, resulting in a host of health issues such as sleep disorder.
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This is how Google plans to change dual-SIM tech in Android smartphones
Google plans to launch a new program which will help other Android makers to manufacture e-SIM supporting handsets as that will create "a consistent and simple experience across the ecosystem."
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Oppo R17 Pro to launch today: Here's how to watch the live stream
Oppo R17 Pro smartphone with triple rear camera will launch in India today.
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Android tablets finally getting Apple Music support
Apple finally adds support for the Apple Music app to work on Android tablets. This comes just a few days after Amazon announced Apple Music support on all its Echo smart speakers - just in time for the holiday season. Apple made the right move by offering its Music service to Android smartphones back in 2015 when it launched in beta on the Play Store. After all, why limit the number of subscribers? There's a whole second market that can be catered to: those who don't want, or can't afford an iPhone but still want Apple's premium music subscription service. According to 9to5Mac,...
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Huawei confirms launch date of its in-screen selfie camera smartphone
Huawei's Nova 4, the device that is said to feature an in-display selfie camera, is all set to launch on December 17.
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Amazon briefly edges out Apple for most valuable company
Amazon.com briefly became the most valuable company on Wall Street in intraday trade on Monday, days after Microsoft Corp dethroned long-time leader Apple Inc .
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How to change name in PUBG Mobile
Wondering on how to change your name in PUBG Mobile. Follow our step-by-step guide
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Samsung Galaxy 8s with Infinity-O display to launch on December 10
Samsung has released first official poster of its upcoming Samsung Galaxy A8s smartphone in China. It is set to launch on December 10.
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Deal: Save $100 or $150 when you buy an iPhone XS, XS Max, or XR for Verizon or Sprint
iPhone deals are few and far between, especially when we're talking about Apple's latest models. And that's why this is interesting. Best Buy is currently offering $100 or $150 off a brand new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, or iPhone XR. Obviously there's a catch or two, or three. First off, the deal only applies to devices meant for Verizon and Sprint. Second, you need to be an existing customer with either carrier and upgrade a line you already have - new lines aren't getting this promo. And finally, the price cut is going to be applied as bill credits when you get the phone on either...
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Google fixes Pixel 3 RAM issues and expands eSIM support with December update
Google has announced the December update for its Pixel and Nexus smartphones today. The factory images are already available for those who want to install it right away, as are full OTA zip files. The over-the-air rollout should also have begun, but as usual that will take at least a few days to reach all of the supported devices in the wild. The bad RAM management issues in the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL should be fixed with this update, Google says. Additionally, the company has expanded the support for eSIMs to a bunch of new carriers: Sprint in the US, EE in the UK,...
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Google Pixel 3 eSIM support expanded to more global carriers
The Google Pixel 2 was one of the first smartphones to support electronic SIMs, so nobody was surprised when the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL came with it. Now, Google has announced that even more carriers will support eSIM functionality in its phones.
You’ll be able to buy Pixel 3 units with eSIM equipped from additional carriers in several markets in the coming months.
These include: Deutsche Telekom and Vodafone in Germany, Sprint in the US, EE in the UK, Airtel and Reliance Jio in India, and Truphone and Gigsky in other countries.
eSIM Android expansion
That’s not all: Google is also creating a program to allow Android device makers to build their own eSIM-supporting smartphones. Crucially, this could extend to other devices, as Google ended its blog saying: “We look forward to continuing our work with our partners on the potential benefits of eSIM — whether that’s getting you connected to a phone, watch, tablet, or laptop — in the future.”
Given that we’re expecting eSIM support to extend to Chromebooks in the future, it wouldn’t be a surprise that Google may plan to extend its eSIM program to other non-Android devices.
- Google Pixel 3 Lite could well be on its way
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Google Play User's Choice Awards 2018: here are the winners
Voting on the Google Play User's Choice Awards is closed, here are the winners for 2018. This is the first year that a "fan favorite" was elected in three categories: games, apps, movies. There are other categories too, including TV shows, ebooks and audio books. You voted PUBG Mobile as the Best Game of 2018 and it took home the Fan Favorite award as well. The fan favorite app was Google's own YouTube TV, the fan's choice of movie was Avengers: Infinity War. Marvel has a strong presence in the movie category, securing 4 spots in the Top 5. Only Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a...
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Realme U1 will go on sale on December 5 through Amazon
The Realme U1 will go on its first sale in India on December 5 at noon. It's a flash sale and it's happening exclusively on Amazon India so if you're interested in picking up a device, you have to act quick. You'll have your pick between the 3+32GB version for INR 11,999 (€150) and the 4+64GB model, which will cost INR 14,499 (€180). Light up your world with #IndiasSelfiePro #RealmeU1 . Sale starts on 5th Dec, 12 noon only on @amazonIN https://t.co/reg8WhCGEN pic.twitter.com/EVOvZ2HWNh— Realme (@realmemobiles) December 3, 2018 The Realme U1 was unveiled last week - it's the first...
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This device may capture drinking water from air
Scientists have developed a simple device that can capture water from thin air, and release it when warmed by sunlight.
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Deal: Verizon shaves $300 off the Galaxy S9 for today only
Verizon has a one day only deal for the Samsung Galaxy S9 that brings an instant $300 discount to its retail price. Normally $720, the 64GB Galaxy S9 is now $420 or 24 installments of $17.50. The deal is valid through Verizon's Device Payment program, which lets you upgrade to a new device earlier if you've paid out your old one. Naturally you'll need to activate the device with a Verizon card. The Samsung Galaxy S9 is due for a replacement in March but it's still quite the capable phone. And if you're not a Verizon user don't fret - there are plenty of Galaxy S9/S9+ deals going...
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Latest OnePlus 6T update brings an equalizer for Bluetooth headphones
The OnePlus 6T abandoned the headphone jack, but that caused an issue - the Audio Tuner option (i.e. the equalizer) in Oxygen OS only worked with wired headphones, Bluetooth ones were not supported. So, unless you had a pair of USB-C headphones, you essentially had no equalizer on your new phone. This injustice is being addressed with version 9.0.7 of Oxygen OS, which will improve the overall stability of the Bluetooth connection too. Wi-Fi stability is getting improved as well and atandby power consumption has been decreased. Camera performance when shooting slow-motion videos should...
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Google Assistant now has a less obtrusive UI in Google Maps
The Google Assistant wants to be your co-pilot - earlier this year it landed on Android Auto, now it's rolling out to Google Maps for Android as well. It seems that this feature is enabled for some (but not all) users who have updated to version 10.4.1 of Maps. To summon the Assistant you either use the "Hey, Google" hot word or tap on the microphone. In either case, an unobtrusive panel slides up from the bottom. Any actions won't cover up the map - e.g. starting a call or sending a message keeps the dialer and messaging apps in the background so you always have a clear view of the...
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Google Play has revealed its best apps of 2018
Lots of new apps have landed on Google Play over 2018 and we've highlighted many of the best in our best Android apps and best free Android apps guides, but only one can be the very best, and if you ask Google it's Drops: Learn 31 new languages.
This is an app which, as the name suggests, aims to teach you a foreign language, but it does so in bite-sized chunks using pictures and games to help you learn and remember the basics.
While that won Google's 'Best App of 2018' award, a number of other apps were also highlighted.
For 'Most Entertaining', Google selected five apps, namely VIMAGE (a cinemagraph app), No.Draw (an app for coloring by numbers), Neverthink (an app full of hand-picked web videos), TikTok (an app for creating and sharing 15-second videos), and Scout FM (a podcast player).
The best of the rest
There's also a 'Best Self Improvement' category, where Google highlighted Mimo (an app for learning to code), Drops, 10% Happier (a meditation app), Keep Trainer (a workout app), and MasterClass (an app for learning various skills).
For 'Best Daily Helper' meanwhile, Google chose Tasty (a recipe app), Otter Voice Notes (a voice memo app), Canva (a graphic design app), Notion (a notes and tasks app), and Woebot (designed to track and improve your mental health).
Then there's 'Best Hidden Gems' category, which highlighted Luci (a lucid dream journal), Just A Line (an AR drawing app), Unfold (an app for creating story collages), Slowly (a messaging app that makes you wait between messages), and Learn Spanish With Lirica (which teaches you Spanish through songs).
Google has also let users choose their 'Fan Favorites', with YouTube and PUBG Mobile being selected in the US, while Reddit and PUBG Mobile were selected in the UK. So if you're looking for new apps to keep yourself entertained over the holidays, these should make for a good start.
- We've also got a guide to the best Android games
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Verizon and Samsung to launch 5G smartphone in 2019
Samsung and Verizon have confirmed plans to make one of the world’s first 5G smartphones available to customers in the first half of next year.
Verizon launched the world’s first commercial 5G network in October, offering ‘5G Home’ Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband in a number of major US cities, and is gearing up for the launch of its mobile broadband service in early 2019.
It promises ‘5G Mobility’ will expand rapidly after launch, delivering greater capacity, faster speeds and ultra-low latency to compatible handsets.
Samsung Verizon 5G
Verizon has worked closely with Samsung on its 5G rollout, making use of the Korean manufacturer’s networking equipment in its deployment and device testing. Last month, Verizon claimed a “world first” when it completed data transmission to a smartphone on a commercial, standards-based 5G network using a Motorola Device and Samsung’s 5G New Radio (NR) kit.
The two companies have revealed little about what from the device will take, other than that it will show off a proof-of-concept at this week’s Qualcomm Snapdragon Technology Summit, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon technology, including the X50 5G NR modem and other radio components.
“5G will usher in a new era of mobile connectivity, allowing people to connect to data, experiences and other people in ways never thought possible,” said Verizon’s Brian Higgins.
“Together, Samsung and Verizon have made huge gains in bringing 5G commercial services to consumers in several cities. Now, we’re partnering to create a smartphone to put the power of 5G in the palm of your hand.”
US rival Sprint has teamed up with LG to release a 5G smartphone in the first few months of 2019 ad well, although it is unclear which device will hit the shelves first.
- Here are the best mobile phone deals for December 2018
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Honor posts impressive sales results during Black Friday Weekend
Honor became one of the top-selling smartphone brands on Black Friday, following its success during Diwali in India and Singles' Day in China. The company boasted in a press release about triple-digit increases of sales in multiple countries, along with sold out smartphones and reaching the top spot in various categories. In Western Europe the Honor 9 Lite was the best-selling smartphone in the €150-€200 category in online sales, while Honor 10 popped up in the Top 10 list on Amazon. The yearly increase is 250%, even if Honor wasn't really present last year. The...
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Samsung has started assembling Galaxy M phones in India
Samsung has commenced production of its Galaxy M series smartphones in India with market launch expected to come in early 2019. The information has reportedly been relayed by industry insiders and according to them the Galaxy M10, M20 and M30 will be assembled in Samsung's factory in Noida. The Samsung Galaxy M line is said to replace the old Galaxy J and Galaxy On series and will come with ample storage options. The Galaxy M10 will use Samsung's own Exynos 7870 with 3GB of RAM (as per Geekbench) and there's even a rumor that some (if not all) of the Galaxy M phones will have...
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Get a free PlayStation 4 with these Sony Xperia phone deals from only £19 a month
We've only just left behind the Black Friday sales and yet it already seems that we're launching straight into another great time for mobile phone deals - the festive period.
And to kick off its Christmas sales, Sky Mobile has dropped deals on a number of different devices. The one that has really caught our eye is its collection of free PlayStations. Yes that's right - a FREE PS4 with selected Sony Xperia phones.
Most nitably, you can get the Sony Xperia XZ3 - a flagship device with a stunning screen - for as cheap as £34 a month. You can pay more to up the data limit, with options ranging from 1GB to 15GB. Oh, and did we mention you're getting a free PlayStation too?
All of the deals operate on a Swap24 contract which does mean you will be locked into the contract for 30 months, but you can upgrade to a new device after 24 months.
If these Xperia deals don't take your fancy then don't worry, Sky has released a number of seasonal deals - maybe one of Sky's other freebie collections might tempt you. You can see them all at the bottom of this page, or scroll down to see all of the Xperia deals in full.
Sky Mobile's free PlayStation 4 offers in full:
Sky's other great festive deals:
Samsung Galaxy S9
Sky Mobile has the Samsung Galaxy S9 up for grabs with a free Galaxy Tab A. You can get it for prices starting at £26 a month and increasing based on how much data you want.
Google Pixel 3
Those wanting to give their living room and home a smart boost this Christmas can chose a Google Pixel 3 and get a free Google Home Hub. The Pixel 3 (and its cracking cameras) is available from £29 a month.
Huawei P20
Sky is also offering the Huawei P20 with a free Huawei Media Pad T3 7”. Prices for the P20 start from a mere £17 a month and increase based on how much data you want.
- These offers not for you? Then check out today's other best mobile phone deals
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Watch: Apple gives away free iPhone XR to these lucky people
Free Apple iPhone XR to everyone in the studio audience on the fifth day of the 12 days of giveaways in The Ellen Show.
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Move over Huawei, the Samsung Galaxy A8s is coming on December 10
Mere hours after Huawei announced that it will unveil the nova 4 with a selfie camera inside the display on December 17, Samsung announced it will show off the Galaxy A8s a full week earlier - on December 10. The move is by no means coincidental - a fight to bring out the first phone with a screen hole has been on since late November. At this point it looks like Samsung will indeed beat Huawei to the punch, but things could change. The Samsung Galaxy A8s is coming on December 10 The screens on both the nova 4 and the Galaxy A8s are LCDs made by BOE, but it's said that Samsung's...
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Google has rolled out this new feature for its Pixel smartphones
The feature will help users save the time spent on picking up unimportant calls from unknown numbers.
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Samsung caught 'using iPhone' to promote Galaxy Note 9
Apparently, a couple of Samsung accounts were caught using and iPhone to promote company's own Samsung Galaxy Note 9 smrtphone.
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Samsung Galaxy S10+ renders hit the web, 5G model demoed
The Samsung Galaxy S10's development may be further ahead than we imagined - the company demoed a 5G-enabled prototype, even though that was supposed to be unveiled in March, a month after the 4G version. Beyond that, the phone looks very much like the Galaxy S9 - no notches, no display holes. Just regular bezels. Here are some still shots of this prototype: Alleged photos of a 5G-enabled Galaxy S10 prototype Next up are CAD-based renders of the Samsung Galaxy S10+, courtesy of @OnLeaks and 91Mobiles. There's a dual selfie camera located in a hole in the screen, on the back...
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The Fortnite addiction story: How the game is sending kids into rehab
Online gaming has got its flip side too and kids are facing the brunt of it.
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Xiaomi’s ‘most-powerful’ smartphone in India to get up to Rs 5000 price cut
Xiaomi Poco F1 with 6GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage costs Rs 20,999.
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Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 gets an update as company seeks 25 testers
Xiaomi introduced the Mi Mix 3 slider with a ceramic back and promised a global arrival, but not before it gets beta testers to clear out any bugs. The company relaunched today its Global Mi Explorer Program, which is aiming to recruit 25 people across the globe to test the newest Mi Mix 3. To be part of the program, you have to be a registered member of the Mi community. Then you should just follow the link provided in Source below. The company has prepared "series of missions" specially designed for Mi Explorers, and then select the lucky 25 participants. Application are accepted...
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This popular Chinese smartphone brand will open its first R&D facility in India
OnePlus is also looking forward to hire freshers from universities like IIT Delhi and IIT Mumbai this year.
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Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus leaked renders show a new design and ugly camera
We might have just had our first proper look at the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, as leaked renders seemingly show the phone in full.
Shared by reliable leaker @OnLeaks on behalf of 91mobiles, the renders show a phone that looks different to the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, but not necessarily for the better.
The bezels both above and below the screen look slimmer here, but are still present, and that’s despite also having a cut-out in the screen for the front-facing cameras.
It has been rumored for a while that the Samsung Galaxy S10 range might have a pinhole camera in the screen but, well, because there are two lenses here this is a bit more than a pinhole.
Rather it’s a larger oblong shape that could almost be a small notch if it extended from above the display rather than being cut into it. It’s an odd look that we’re not sure is any better than a notch.
The back meanwhile has a horizontally arranged triple-lens camera and is otherwise fairly plain, though as well as seemingly coming in black, you can also see the phone in an ‘Ice Blue’ color that has a gradient finish, a bit like the twilight shade offered by phones like the Huawei Mate 20 Pro.
A bigger screen and a headphone port
Other details in these images include a 3.5mm headphone port, USC-C port and speaker on the bottom edge, and a design that looks a bit more angular than the S9 range, leaving it looking more like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9.
The source also includes some information about the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. Apparently the curved AMOLED screen is 6.4 inches (as we’ve heard before) and has a QHD resolution, similar to its predecessor.
The rear cameras apparently include a standard, wide-angle and telephoto lens, while the dimensions are apparently 157.5 x 75.0 x 7.8mm, rising to 9mm where the cameras stick out on the back. That would make it a similar size to the 158.1 x 73.8 x 8.5mm Galaxy S9 Plus – a phone with a slightly smaller screen than this is rumored to have.
The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus also apparently has an in-screen fingerprint scanner, a feature which has been heavily rumored. The source also says that the range’s iris scanner has been ditched in favor of a new version of face unlock.
As with any leaks we’d take all of this information with a pinch of salt, especially as these are the first renders we’ve seen of the phone.
However, while this arguably wouldn’t make for the nicest looking handset it is largely in line with the rumors we’ve heard, so the images and accompanying details may well be accurate. We should find out for sure in early 2019, possibly at MWC 2019.
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PUBG Mobile teases Resident Evil 2 crossover event
PUBG Mobile is teaming up with Copcom's one of the most popular game Resident Evil 2 for PUBG Mobile and Resident Evil 2 crossover.
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AirPods with wireless charging arriving in Q1 2019, all new design in 2020
Apple AirPods is a product that sees strong sales since its introduction back in 2017. According to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Cupertino is planning an upgrade for Q1 2019 and a completely new version in early 2020. The new product, scheduled to arrive in the following months will have a wireless charging case. The current AirPods' carrying case is charged only with a standard Lighting cable, but the new product will have new components and hinges, redesigned to withstand higher thermal requirements. This will lead to a cost increase of 60%, predicts Kuo. The analyst does not go...
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Qualcomm has no interest in reviving NXP takeover
Qualcomm has said there is no chance of it reviving the proposed takeover of Dutch rival NXP Semiconductors despite an apparent thawing in political opposition.
The chip giant had agreed a $44 billion deal for NXP but withdrew in July after Chinese regulators declined to grant regulatory approval at a time of high trade tensions between the country and the US.
Qualcomm NXP
Qualcomm had been trying to acquire NXP, best known for its semiconductor work in self-driving cars, for more than two years, but missed a deadline to confirm its continued interest in the deal after months of delays from Beijing and paid NXP $2 billion to terminate the transaction.
However following talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 Summit in Argentina, Washington said the Chinese government was willing to grant the necessary approvals.
Qualcomm told Reuters that although it welcomed the development, the deadline for the deal to be completed had passed and it had no interest in resurrecting the deal.
“While we were grateful to learn of President Trump and President Xi’s comments about Qualcomm’s previously proposed acquisition of NXP, the deadline for that transaction has expired, which terminated the contemplated deal,” a Qualcomm spokesperson is quoted as saying. “Qualcomm considers the matter closed.”
Qualcomm itself was a takeover target for Broadcom earlier in the year, but Trump blocked the proposed $140 billion attempt on national security grounds. The perception was that Broadcom is more concerned with acquisitions than R&D, and any let up could allow Huawei to leapfrog Qualcomm, and thereby the US, in 5G.
- Here are the best mobile phone deals for December 2018
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The best Nokia 3310 deals and prices in December 2018
The reboot of the iconic Nokia 3310 phone has generated a lot of buzz since it was sensationally revealed in 2017. Do not underestimate the nostalgia for the simpler, cheaper mobile phones - or for Snake!
A growing number of retailers - including Amazon and Argos - sell the Nokia 3310, and we can tell you who has it cheapest below. And it's now finally available on contract, too, although we think it makes far more sense just to buy the handset and grab a separate SIM only deal.
If you decide that you want something a bit more advanced than the Nokia 3310, then try our selection of the best SIM-free phones and deals or check out the Nokia 3 and Nokia 5.
The 2017 Nokia 3310 is looking like a great purchase for anyone looking for a spare mobile to take camping, or to festivals, thanks to its super-low cost and long life between battery charges. Maybe you just don't need all the bells and whistles of a modern smartphone, or perhaps just want to bag a cheap mobile phone deal.
Where can I buy the new Nokia 3310 SIM-free?
Vodafone was the first big network to start stocking the new Nokia 3310, before other major retailers - such as Amazon, Argos and Tesco Direct - turned up to the 90s themed party. If you've got fifty pounds on you, you can get hold of a Nokia 3310 and still get change in return.
Once you've picked out the handset you want to buy, you can then head to our SIM only deals page to buy a cheap SIM to pop in it with prices starting from well less than a fiver per month.
Best Nokia 3310 deals on contract
We waited aaaaaaaages after the Nokia 3310's release to see some contract plans, and now it feels like we shouldn't have bothered. Although we've seen tariffs for as little as a tenner a month with nothing to pay upfront, we can't imagine why you'd bother committing yourself to a lengthy contract, when you can just buy the handset cheap as chips and get a more flexible SIM or pay-as-you go price.
Is the Nokia 3310 any good?
A new Nokia 3310 was always going to make misty-eyed a generation whose youth was spent whiling away hours on Snake. But there's more to this phone than purely nostalgia. Its featherweight design, convenient number keys, marathon battery and ridiculous price is going to appeal to people who just want a very cheap handset for festivals, holidays and emergencies. And did we mention Snake?
For those people who expect their smartphones to be kitted out with high resolution displays and industry leading cameras, clearly the Nokia 3310 is the polar opposite. Read more about the pros and cons in our full Nokia 3310 review.
What colours are available for the new Nokia 3310?
The new Nokia 3310 is available in a range of colours. Depending on where you buy it from, there are options in blue, black, red, yellow and grey.
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The best BlackBerry KEYone deals and prices in December 2018
A comeback story to match Liverpool in Istanbul or Elvis's '68 special, the fruity mobile phone company synonymous with business execs tapping away at a miniature keyboard has returned to grace. The BlackBerry KEYone arrived last year and (whisper it quietly) it's actually rather good.
We've been keeping a keen eye on the best Blackberry bargains out there, and the prices continue to slowly fall. Unlike when it was released, you can now get the KEYone on contract for way less than £30 per month - and now even under the £20-mark! And you don't have to scrimp on data either. Check out our price comparison tool and you'll see that these BlackBerry deals compare handsomely with some of the other best mobile phone deals out there.
Equipped with an updated version of that keyboard, Full HD screen and 12MP main camera, the Blackberry KEYone runs off Android. It may not quite be a match for the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, but it's not far off and it's way cheaper.
More options: Samsung Galaxy S9 deals | LG V30 deals | Best iPhone deals | Best SIM only deals | Mobile phone deals
The BlackBerry KEYOne is the smartphone for anyone who has said ever ‘I miss my old BlackBerry.’ We can't fault it for admirably resurrecting the best of BlackBerry: a physical keyboard, sophisticated-looking, two-tone design and smart, secure software. It looks and feels like it’s meant for business.
Exiled BlackBerry users who have felt forced to trade their physical keyboards for on-screen keyboards will undoubtedly rejoice.
Read TechRadar's full BlackBerry KEYone review
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Three's ridiculous unlimited data £20 per month SIM only deal ends today
All good things must come to an end, they say (which we're still suspicious of, because ice cream just keeps going and going), and thus the countdown is ticking away on Three's extraordinary unlimited data SIM only deal.
It was the SIMO plan that took Black Friday by storm, as Three just went all out and threw out a massive discount on its all-you-can-eat data SIM. The monthly bills were slashed down to £20 per month for as much data, calls and texts as you could possibly handle.
Click here to get Three's unlimited data SIM for £20 per month
But the SIM plan to end all SIM plans ends today. So whether you've been considering going for this tariff since Black Friday or you're hearing about it for the first time, you only have until midnight tonight to get your hands on what we're sincerely calling the best value SIM only deal ever!
And if you're looking at this page on December 4 or beyond, then don't despair too much. Head on over to TechRadar's dedicated SIM only deals guide to see what plan you should be going for instead.
The best ever SIM only deal - get it before it goes:
Why go for a Three SIM only deal?
Three loves an added extra. How do these look as an added incentive to take a plan with the network?
- Wuntu - Exclusive offers and freebies with Three's rewards app
- Go Roam - Roaming abilities in 71 worldwide countries at no extra cost
- Travel Swagger - Get travel upgrades with Easyjet with bag drop and early boarding
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The best Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL deals for December 2018
The Google Pixel 2, the 2017 apple of the search giant's smartphone eye, is almost at an end. The Pixel may soon be dead, but long live the Pixel - the Google Pixel 3 is now here and set to replace it altogether.
If last year is a good indicator, then don't expect Pixel 2 deals to be around for much time after its successor sees the light of day. So if you've been fancying the Pixel 2 for a while and really don't want to splash the cash on the much costlier new phone, then you'll have to strike pretty swiftly. And the same goes for the Google Pixel 2 XL.
Whichever handset you covet, you can use our price comparison below to identify the best Pixel 2 deal for you. Google's quest to build a smartphone as popular as the latest iPhone and Samsung Galaxy flagship mobiles took a massive step forward when the original Google Pixel launched last year. And its successor - the aptly named Google Pixel 2 - has continued the stellar work.
Need some more convincing? Use the 10OFF voucher code from Mobiles.co.uk that knocks a tenner off the upfront cost of any deal from that retailer - it's exclusive to TechRadar readers. And there's a summary of our expert review at the bottom of the page.
More options: Samsung Galaxy S9 deals | Samsung Galaxy Note 9 deals | iPhone 8 deals | SIM only deals | Best mobile phone deals
There's no doubt that the Pixel 2 was one of the very finest Android phones out there on release (and, to be fair, remains so), but the Pixel's successor is a familiar story of incremental improvements rather than whole-scale change. The feature that might just get you buying are the top-of the-line cameras for photos and video. While the delightful screen, great-sounding speakers and slick Android operating system will all appeal to a range of smartphone users.
Read TechRadar's full Google Pixel 2 review
Read TechRadar's full Google Pixel 2 XL review
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