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New leak details Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra camera specs, and we're not overly impressed
Where’s the improvement, Samsung?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series is still at least three months away from its official launch. While there have been several leaks surrounding the Galaxy S22 Ultra, they have all primarily focused on its design and the S-Pen slot. Today's leak, courtesy of Ice Universe, shifts the focus on the camera specs of Samsung's next flagship phone, and if you were expecting a significant upgrade, prepare to be disappointed.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra might solve the S21 Ultra's S Pen problem
It's rumored to come with an integrated Pen holder
We all know that Samsung hasn't released new Note phones this year, instead passing the S Pen compatibility to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, complete with an ultra-ugly stylus storage solution. It's already mostly clear that Samsung has completely given up on the Note series in favor of its new foldable phones, but for those of us who aren't ready to let go of S Pen support in a more traditional form factor, the upcoming Galaxy S22 Ultra might have something nice up its sleeve. According to noted leaker Ice Universe, the S22 Ultra might come with the signature integrated S Pen holder known from the Note lineup (via GSMArena).
Android 12's stable release date may have just leaked
It looks like an internal Google document spills all the beans
Last week, Google published the fifth (and most likely final) Android 12 beta, saying that the stable release was only a few more weeks out. We originally speculated that the day could come as soon as September 13, which would be today. But in case that doesn't pan out, XDA's Mishaal Rahman managed to obtain an internal Google document that could point to a much later date: October 4.
The upcoming Snapdragon Wear 5100 chip might not be the major upgrade we were hoping for
Samsung's current Exynos processor could still have the high ground
It's hard to believe with Apple now being the dominant force in the wearable market, but Google and Qualcomm actually introduced their smartwatches earlier. Unfortunately, we all know how Wear OS (or back then, Android Wear) quickly got lapped by Apple's and Samsung's offers, regarding both hardware and software. While Google has given up on Wear OS as we know it and now partners with Samsung for upcoming versions, Qualcomm ist still basically the only manufacturer providing the underlying chipsets for smartwatches not made by Samsung. And according to an investigation conducted by WinFuture, we might soon be in for a brand-new chipset.
The latest Nord 2 leak gives you all the details OnePlus won't
Looking to be a solid iterative upgrade
OnePlus will make its proper Nord successor official on July 22, but for now, we can only learn more about the Nord 2 thanks to leaks. While we've already seen first renders of the phone and got official confirmation regarding a few key specs, we've now got a much more complete picture thanks to a leak from 91mobiles.
You might finally be able to afford Samsung's next folding phones
Rumors indicate that the Galaxy Z series is going to get considerably cheaper
Foldable phones are kind of like exotic sports cars: everyone can agree that they're cool, but very few of us can justify the expense for something only marginally more capable than a standard design. According to a recent leak, Samsung's next foldable phones will be considerable improvements in terms of price, bringing them within attainable reach for more consumers.
Motorola is adding 5G to one of its most interesting phones this year
Maybe the stylus and some extra storage will convince you to pick one up
If there's one thing Motorola likes more than not delivering timely updates to its phones, it's releasing multiple iterations of its devices with slight changes. The Moto G Stylus hit the market earlier this year, offering a Galaxy Note-like experience for a lot less cash upfront. If you've been holding out hopes for a 5G-compatible device, a new leak hints that you won't have to wait much longer.Nils Ahrensmeier — who leaked the LTE version of this phone prior to its official announcement— tweeted leaked renders of a US-exclusive 5G version of the Moto G Stylus. Besides its upgraded networking, this new model features 256GB of storage and a new four-lens camera module first shared by reputable leaker OnLeaks months ago. Outside of those changes, this looks to be pretty similar to the LTE model which, despite some issues with both the display and general performance, is a decent option for anyone who wants a stylus without ponying up for a Galaxy Note20.[EMBED_TWITTER]https://twitter.com/NilsAhrDE/status/1399124872626835469[/EMBED_TWITTER]Motorola refreshed the entire G-series in January, but none of its lineup of phones included support for 5G. For that, you had to step up to the Moto One 5G Ace, with a not-so-wallet-friendly price of $400. A 5G-equipped version of the Moto G Stylus could help lower the price barrier for anyone looking to future-proof their purchase. Right now, the LTE version is selling for 9 on Amazon. With any luck, the 5G version would fall somewhere below that $400 mark to help bring faster networking down-market.There's no word yet on when the Moto G Stylus 5G might be set for release or if it will launch locked to a specific carrier. Hopefully we won't have to wait much longer for official details.
If you were hoping for a small Pixel flagship, we've got some bad news for you
The Pixel 6 won't be as big as the 6 Pro, but it's still pretty massive
We got our best look yet at the upcoming Pixel 6 Pro yesterday — gone is the XL suffix, apparently — and now it's time to get a feel for the regular Pixel 6. Predictably, it's a smaller version (although not by much) of the Pro model with the same centered punch-hole selfie cam and the same intriguing horizontal rear camera module. Unfortunately, there's one less lens compared to the bigger phone.
Google's next Pixel phone could hop on the ultrawide bandwagon with Samsung and Apple
A trusted source says Google is testing UWB support on new hardware
Ultra-wideband support is a hot ticket in the phone world right now. The latest models from both Apple and Samsung support it, allowing them to work with branded tracking devices (the new AirTag and Galaxy SmartTag+, respectively) that can show you where a lost item is with augmented reality, among other things. According to a trusted source, that capability may make its way into future Google hardware.
Crash Bandicoot: On the Run is available on Android a day early
And it's filled with in-app purchases
It would appear that two Crash Bandicoot fans (Jump Button and Motwera) have uncovered an upcoming mobile Crash Bandicoot game through a Facebook search. Currently, there is a survey available for the supposed Crash Bandicoot Mobile title on StoreMaven (a mobile growth website) that mentions the game isn't available yet while simultaneously asking for input to improve the game's development. So while the existence of Crash Bandicoot Mobile has yet to be confirmed by King, the recent leak from Jump Button and Motwera looks pretty convincing.
Samsung is reportedly working on a dramatic dual-hinge Fold flagship for 2021
A wider tablet-style screen would work better for apps and video
If one fold is good, two folds are better. That appears to be the thinking at Samsung's R&D department, where engineers are reportedly hard at work on a double-hinged phone in the Galaxy Fold series. According to a business report from Nikkei, Samsung is looking into a double-hinged design, with hopes to unveil it before the end of 2021. That's on top of new iterations of Samsung's existing folding designs, the large Galaxy Z Fold and the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip.
LG's continued existence in the world of Android is looking less and less certain by the day. Despite hinting at signs of life after its LG Rollable passed through Bluetooth certification last week, new reports suggest that LG might still leave the smartphone industry entirely by shutting down its mobile division altogether.
Qualcomm allegedly exploring a cheaper Snapdragon 888 variant without 5G
We don't know much about the rumored chipset just yet
After releasing a slightly tweaked Snapdragon 865 Plus as the Snapdragon 870 earlier this year, Qualcomm seems set to launch yet another derivative of a successful high-end processor. Leaker Roland Quandt reports that the company has a lower-end version of the Snapdragon 888 in the works for 2021.
Android 12 could get a Game Mode and an option to reduce bright colors
Android manufacturers called, they want their custom Game Modes back
XDA is on a roll, detailing a whole slew of features that might come to Android 12, supposedly codenamed Snow Cone. The latest code the publication dug up points at a Google-made "Game Mode" and an accessibility option allowing the visually impaired to reduce bright colors.
OnePlus 9 Pro could up its camera game with Hasselblad collab
Leaked hands-on images show four rear cameras and slightly tweaked exterior
The OnePlus 8 Pro delivered some significant camera improvements but it still failed to impress us on several fronts. Vivo’s recent collaboration with Zeiss to co-develop imaging systems gave us reason to believe a similar deal could be in the offing for its sister brand, but it seems OnePlus has plans of its own. It's looking like a collaboration with industry giant Hasselblad is on the cards for the upcoming OnePlus 9 Pro.
LG discussing sale of smartphone business to Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup
The potential buyer is a large conglomerate in Vietnam
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- LG's life may not be as good as it was letting on. An internal memo from CEO Kwon Bong-seok, circulated by The Korea Herald, states that, "Regardless of any change in the direction of the smartphone business operation, the employment will be maintained, so there is no need to worry." In a statement to The Verge, LG confirmed that this memo was legitimate, showing that LG is indeed considering selling, withdrawing, and downsizing its smartphone business.
Not too long ago, Reuters reported that LG was looking to outsource some of its smartphone business, particularly when it comes to low-end devices. Now a rumor has popped up that the company is looking to sell its smartphone business altogether, courtesy of Korean outlet TheElec. However, LG's global communicator Ken Hong confirmed to us that there's absolutely nothing to these rumors.
Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S21 series is looking pretty nice based on the variety of leaked images, renders, and videos we've seen so far. Now a leak of a different sort has been released online, providing a glimpse at what we might expect to pay for Samsung's latest flagship lineup — and the news is both good and bad.
New OnePlus 9 leaks show off iPhone 12-like protruding lens rings on top of large camera bump
They also confirm March 2021 release date
Just a few days ago, we took our first glimpse at OnePlus' upcoming flagship device, thanks to its CAD renders leaking on the web. It's now time to learn more about the handset's higher-end model, the 9 Pro, thanks to a new leak revealing its design and some of its specs.
Google Pixel 5: Pricing, specs, release date, images, and everything else we know
Ahead of the Launch Night In announcement, we know pretty much everything
Google's Launch Night In is almost upon us, where we expect news of the Pixel 5 to be finally unleashed upon the world. Following-up on the smash-hit Pixel 4a, Google's latest "flagship" already has plenty of critics. Whether you like the picture painted by the last few months of leaks or not, our image of the upcoming phone is virtually complete.
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- Our friends over at XDA spotted a phone called the Galaxy F41 on the Google Play Console. This could be the first Galaxy F phone mentioned.
Most budget and mid-range phones don't usually have the most impressive camera setups, but Samsung is looking to change that — at least in the Indian market. 91mobiles is reporting that the Korean tech giant is set to launch a camera-centric Galaxy F series of phones very soon.