Category: Cell Phone Batteries

Despite the initial controversy around this year’s Pro iPhones, is the newer design, 5x telephoto camera, and A17 Pro worth the higher entry price?
Apple released its 2023 iPhone lineup to the masses, and with it comes the new iPhone 15 Pro Max, packing the best hardware that Apple has to offer for users who want it. This year’s Pro iPhone brings subtle but impactful design changes, a new processor with a pro moniker, multiple camera improvements, USB-C, and a few other nifty features.

A New Titanium DesignThe Pro iPhone models offer a new material that replaces the stainless steel from before: titanium. This material has shown up on other Apple devices, such as the Apple Watch Ultra and the titanium Apple Watch Edition (but is no longer available to buy).
Aside from the different feel, the biggest improvement the new material brings is reducing the phone’s weight. If you own an iPhone 13 Pro Max or 14 Pro Max, you will notice the difference with this year’s model since it’s about 19 grams lighter.
Along with the new material, the phone now features contoured edges. Apple says that this design change makes the iPhone more comfortable to hold.

Since the iPhone switched to a squared-edge design with the iPhone 12, the edges have been sharper and less comfortable to hold than rounded-edge iPhones. You’ll feel the difference right away with the contoured edges of the 15 series.
Additionally, the bezels on the iPhone 15 Pro Max are slightly slimmer, making the phone look a little more modern.
When it comes to color choice, the iPhone 15 Pro Max comes in four colors: Black Titanium, Silver Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Blue Titanium. I chose Natural and Blue, and both look fantastic.
At Apple’s reveal event, the Blue Titanium color seemed to resemble the Pacific Blue color that was on the iPhone 12 Pro. However, when you see Blue Titanium in person, it is more of a navy blue, which I prefer. I hope both Natural Titanium and Blue Titanium stick around on future iPhones.

, the iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly shorter than the previous 14 Pro Max. While it is minimal on paper, it is somewhat noticeable when you hold the phone. It seems to make it easier to use Apple’s larger model.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max’s design feels like what the 14 Pro Max should have been, since that model was the final version of the iPhone 12 cycle. Regardless, I like the 15 Pro Max’s design a lot. It may very well be one of my favorite smartphone designs ever. It almost makes me want to go without a case, but I’m not that bold.
The DisplayThe iPhone 15 Pro Max features the same display as its predecessor. It’s a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display with a resolution of 2796 x 1290. The display can reach 2000 nits of peak brightness when the phone is outdoors, making it easier to view in sunlight. Since this is a Pro iPhone, the 15 Pro Max also includes up to a 120Hz adaptable refresh rate.

iPhone 15 Pro Max display
Therefore, you can enjoy smooth animations when swiping between home screen pages, scrolling, and more. The iPhone 15 Pro Max still features Dynamic Island, Apple’s version of a hole punch display cutout, which remains unchanged this year. Although there are no changes to the display this time around, it’s still excellent, so no complaints here.
The Action ButtonThe physical Silent Mode switch has existed on every iPhone since the start. But smartly, Apple decided to replace that switch with the Action button. This button is customizable, allowing you to map it to a specific action (even Silent Mode, if you can ‘t live without it!)
It initially showed up on the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra and has now made its way to the iPhone.

Only on the Pro models, the Action button can be used to open the camera, turn on the LED flash, enable a Focus Mode, and more. But you can also configure it to any Shortcut (read our beginner’s guide to Shortcuts on the iPhone ), which lets you do things such as open a specific app or even lock and unlock a Tesla. To trigger an action, you have to press and hold the button instead of just clicking it once.
I think this was a smart decision. The Action button on the Apple Watch Ultra only needs to be momentarily pressed for it to activate, which has led to accidentally triggering the flashlight, in my experience. Having to press and hold requires more intention.

It’s puzzling that Apple didn’t replace the physical Silent switch sooner. I always have my phone on mute, so the switch has been useless to me for years. The Action button is an excellent addition to the iPhone, since it’s multipurpose and adds a bit of customization. I’m interested in seeing if it will come to the standard iPhone models in 2024.The A17 Pro Chip2 Images15 Pro Max Geekbench CPU results15 Pro Max Geekbench GPU scorePowering the iPhone 15 Pro models, you’ll find a new chip: the A17 Pro. The A17 Pro is the first 3nm chip in any smartphone, which translates to better performance than a chipset built on a larger nanometer process.Apple claims the A17 Pro has a 10 percent faster CPU and a 20 percent faster GPU. It features a new Neural Engine that’s twice as fast as the A16 Bionic, as well as a 6-core CPU and a 6-core GPU; that’s one additional GPU core compared to the A16. Lastly, there is now 8GB of RAM, up from 6GB.

Apple’s incremental changes make it hard to spot the differences between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15. So, let’s compare the two and see what’s new.
The iPhone 15 is simply a slightly improved version of the iPhone 14. While most cutting-edge features have been directed toward the more expensive iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models, the standard iPhone 15 has received notable upgrades.
So, if you’re considering purchasing a new device and can’t decide, we’ll help you choose between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15.

Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t made any major display changes to the standard iPhones since the iPhone 12. Besides adopting the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 looks almost identical to its predecessor.
Both models have a 6.1″ Super Retina XDR Display and share the same dimensions. However, the iPhone 15 can deliver 2,000 nits of peak brightness, compared to 1,200 nits offered by its predecessor, making it better for outdoor use.
While both models sport an aluminum frame with a glass back, the iPhone 15 ditched the glossy back for a matte textured finish. It also features slightly contoured edges, making it more comfortable to hold.

Camera configurationiPhone 15 on a tableImage Credit: Apple
The iPhone 14 features a dual-camera system, with a 12MP primary camera and an ultra-wide lens. On the other hand, the iPhone 15’s main camera takes a leap forward because Apple has bumped the resolution to 48 megapixels. This means you can capture pictures with immaculate detail and more accurate and realistic colors, with the flexibility to shoot at both 24MP and 48MP.
The iPhone 15’s 12MP ultra-wide camera, however, remains unchanged from its predecessor. You can capture great selfies with both devices, though, since both feature the same 12MP selfie camera.

However, Apple has introduced next-generation portraits on the iPhone 15, allowing you to take portrait shots in the default camera mode that you can tweak later on in the Photos app.
Pricing, Colors, and Storage Optionsiphone 15 and 15 plus colorsImage Credit: AppleAfter the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple dropped the starting price of the iPhone 14 to $699. The base 128GB model of the iPhone 15 retails for $799, the same as the iPhone 14 did at launch. Both models come in three different storage variants : 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB.

The iPhone 15 comes in five different colors: Yellow, Green, Blue, Black, and Pink. Besides the Black option, all the colors appear muted this time. So, if you’re struggling to decide on a color, make sure to check out which iPhone 15 color is best for you.
On the other hand, the iPhone 14 is available in six bright color options: Blue, Purple, Yellow, Midnight, Starlight, and (PRODUCT)RED. The iPhone 15’s Black color option no longer carries the subtle navy blue visible in the Midnight iPhone 14.

Performance and Battery LifeUSB-C port on the iPhone 15Image Credit: Apple/YouTubeThe iPhone 15 is powered by the A16 Bionic chip, the same processor that shipped with the iPhone 14 Pro models. The iPhone 14, on the other hand, features the same A15 Bionic chip that Apple introduced alongside the iPhone 13 Pro models. Apple claims the A16 chip consumes 20% less power than the A15.

Given the 4nm architecture of the A16 chip, you can expect better performance than the 5nm A15 chip. All in all, the iPhone 14 is equipped with all the power you need for daily use. However, upgrading to the iPhone 15 might be a good idea if you plan to use it for several years.

Apple has also ditched the Lightning port for USB-C on the iPhone 15. While this change does mean that you can use one cable to charge all your devices, there are no improvements to data transfer and charging speeds.

When it comes to battery life, both devices boast up to 20 hours of video playback and 80 hours of audio playback, according to Apple’s claims. This is surprising, considering the iPhone 15 packs a slightly larger battery. The charging speed remains the same for both devices—up to 50% charge within 30 minutes using a 20W adapter or higher.
Unless you want the slight performance advantage and all the perks USB-C brings to iPhones, you’ll likely notice no improvements if you choose the iPhone 15 over its predecessor.

Is Upgrading to the iPhone 15 Worth It?

You may be wondering if minor design tweaks, similar battery life, and slight performance improvements justify upgrading to the iPhone 15. When deciding whether the upgrade is worth it, you must consider the specific features that matter to you most.

If you want a newer device that’ll support iOS updates for slightly longer, the iPhone 15 is a no-brainer. However, if you simply need a device for daily use at a cheaper price, the iPhone 14 won’t disappoint.
Finally, if you already own an iPhone 14, it’s better to skip the iPhone 15 altogether and save your hard-earned money, as there’s no point upgrading to a new iPhone every year.

Learn how to turn off Sleep mode on your iPhone to start receiving notifications again if you get up early.

Sleep mode (or Sleep Focus) is a feature in your iPhone’s Health app to help you get better quality sleep. But sometimes, you might need to turn off Sleep mode on your iPhone.

Why Turn Off Sleep Mode on Your iPhone?

Sleep mode is one of the iPhone features that helps improve your health as it aids in creating better sleeping habits. Based on the bedtime you scheduled, Sleep mode then dims your screen brightness, hides Lock Screen notifications, and only allows calls from specific people to come in (as per your Focus preferences).
But it’s not possible to always follow the sleep schedule you have set for yourself. So, to continue using your device as usual without these changes, you’ll have to turn off Sleep mode on your iPhone.

How to Turn Off Sleep Mode via Your iPhone’s Control CenterThe fastest way to turn off Sleep mode is through your iPhone’s Control Center. Here’s how:
Access the Control Center. The method may differ depending on your iPhone model. If you’re not sure, refer to our quick guide on how to open your iPhone’s Control Center.Tap on Sleep (the bed icon) to turn off Sleep mode.If this opens a list of Focus modes, tap the active mode to disable all of them.

How to Turn Off Sleep Mode in Your iPhone’s Health AppIf it’s annoying to manually turn off Sleep mode on your iPhone every time it’s activated, the other method is to prevent it from turning on automatically. Here’s how to disable your iPhone’s Sleep mode through the Health app:

In the Health app, select the Browse tab.From the list, select Sleep.Scroll down to the Your Schedule section. Tap Full Schedule & Options.Toggle off Use Schedule for Sleep Focus.3 Imagesbrowse tab in iphone health appsleep settings in heath appfull schedule sleep settings in health app Use Your iPhone to Improve Your HealthDue to work and other responsibilities, you occasionally have to sacrifice some sleep, stay alert, and turn off Sleep mode on youriPhone.The two methods to turn off Sleep mode on your iPhone are via the Control Center and the Health app.

Did you know that the average cell phone battery only lasts two years? But just because your battery is slowing down or won’t hold a charge doesn’t mean you need a completely new phone. 

You might be able to simply replace the phone battery in Warsaw, Indiana, and get another 2-3 years out of your phone!
Signs Your Battery Needs To Be ReplacedYour phone battery won’t usually just stop working with no warning. There are signs you can look for in order to plan for a replacement.

Sluggish PerformanceYou might start noticing that your phone is responding slower to taps or prompts. Do apps take longer to launch than they used to?
Increased Battery DrainIf your phone’s power isn’t lasting as long as it used to, that is a sign that your battery needs to be replaced. If you need to charge your phone more than once a day, it’s definitely time to bring it into The Lab.

Won’t Hold A ChargeHas your phone stopped powering up to 100% or shuts down unexpectedly? If this keeps happening, especially if it’s paired with your phone overheating, it’s a sign that your battery should be replaced.
Tips For iPhone UsersIf you have an iPhone 6 or newer, you can use the Battery Health feature to check in on your battery.

Photo provided by digitaltrends.comThis iPhone feature gives you crucial information about your battery’s performance. “Maximum Capacity” shows you how well your battery is performing compared to when it was brand new. 
While a slightly lower percentage is lower as your phone ages, it should still retain about 80% of the capacity at 300-500 charge cycles. If it starts dropping below 80%, it’s time for a battery replacement.
Tips For Android Phone UsersMost current Android phone models provide a battery usage setting similar to the iPhone. If your Android phone doesn’t offer that setting, try looking for a third-party app in the Google Play store that can help.

Photo provided by digitaltrends.comWith Android devices, you still want to keep your phone’s battery at 80% and above percentage the same way you would with an iPhone. 
When It’s Time To Get A New Cell Phone Battery In WarsawIf you have a new phone that you’re using the way a typical phone would be used, your battery should work at 80% and above for 2-3 years.

You can keep your battery lasting even longer by keeping it protected from extreme cold and heat and charging it appropriately.
Replacing cell phone batteries is one of the most common repairs we do at The Lab. Replacing the battery in your smartphone is often much cheaper than recycling it and purchasing a new device.

Check out the estimated battery replacement costs on our Phone Repair page and bring your phone into The Lab today! Our expert repair technicians can get your battery replaced and your phone back in your hands fast.

We love a good life hack here at The Lab, especially the ones that make our iPhones and Android devices work better for us. How many of these phone hacks are you already using and which ones are you ready to try?

iPhone Hacks & TricksQuick Edit A ScreenshotAfter you take a screenshot, take a shortcut by tapping it to make edits.
Move Your Cursor

Did you know you can move your cursor using the space bar while you’re typing?

Give up trying to tap all over the screen and just use that space bar instead!
Locate An AppCan’t find an app you downloaded? Just drag one finger down anywhere on your iPhone’s screen to search for it.

Undo & Redo TypingAll you have to do is undo your last text edit is double-tap with 3 fingers or swipe left. If you want to restore your last edit, just swipe right with 3 fingers.
Add A Home Button

Want to add the home button function to your iPhone? Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch >AssistiveTouch. On iOS 12 or older, go to Settings > General > Accessibility. When AssistiveTouch is on, a gray dot will appear on the screen. Just tap it to access your Home button.

Android Phone Hacks & TricksCharge Your Phone FasterThe best way to charge your phone faster is by switching it to airplane mode before plugging it in.
Use Two Apps Side By SideDid you know you can run two apps side-by-side in a split-screen style? Just tap the Overview button and choose which of your recently used apps you want to see. 

Hold and drag it to the top or left and then choose another open app to appear beside or above it.

Personalize Your Default AppsYou can set up defaults exactly the way you want them! Go to Settings > Apps then tap the cog icon in the upper right corner. Select any of the categories to see a list of installed apps that have the option to be set as your default .
Make Your Phone One-Hand FriendlyGoogle’s custom keyboard (Gboard) on Android phones has a one-handed mode you can switch to using a shortcut. Once you open the keyboard, tap and hold the comma key. Drag it up to the right-hand icon to switch over to one -handed mode.

Save your dataAndroid phones come with a built-in backup system. It does vary per model, so make sure you know how your specific backup system works. Most Android phones have switched from Google Photos (since it’s no longer free) to One Drive or Samsung Cloud .
Need Help With Your Phone In Warsaw?Whether you need help setting up a new device or have a phonethat needs to be repaired, we’re here for you! 

Being responsible for their own cell phone can help your child become more independent. It can also connect them with their friends and family. With the rise of virtual learning and social events, is your child ready for a phone in Warsaw, Indiana?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), developmental and health concerns continue to exist for young children if they excessively use any form of digital media. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t prepare your child to safely and responsibly use digital devices as they grow older.

The AAP suggests creating a Family Media Plan, and revising it as your child grows. Practical ways to limit your child’s screen time appropriately can include:
Create unplugged spaces and times of day in your home where devices aren’t used.Stay up-to-date on the latest apps and digital technology and how they can interact with and affect your child’s developmentSet limits for when your child’s device will be turned off at the end of the day.

Using digital devices close to bedtime can inhibit their sleepTalk to your pediatrician about the best choices for your child’s access to digital devices as they growHow To Get Your Child Ready For A Smartphone Common concerns most parents have about getting their child a smartphone are usually related to safety. Making sure you have the right filters, parental controls, and apps to ensure your child accesses age-appropriate content is important. However, there are a few other things to consider as well.

Is your child responsible for their own belongings?

Being able to remember to keep their phone charged, avoid damaging it, and remember where they left it are key indicators that your child is ready to have their own cell phone. 
If your child finds it more difficult to remember to bring their belongings home from school or regularly loses them, you might want to wait a little longer before giving them their own device.

Do you have time to set and help them understand the “ground rules”?

Before handing your child their own cell phone, it’s important to establish rules and expectations. Talk about what apps they’re allowed to download and use. Discuss which contacts are appropriate for them to add (friends, family members, extended family, etc. ). Be clear about time limits for using their phone throughout the day.
If you need help setting boundaries around your child’s cell phone usage, this blog post can get you started.

Will a smartphone help your child navigate their daily life?

Sure, your child wants their own phone, but do they really need one yet? There’s not only the financial price tag of adding a smartphone to your child’s life to consider but also the questions of necessary access. 
If there’s a different device that could meet their needs if you’re concerned they’re too young to have full access to a cell phone, that could be the better choice.

 Does your child just want to FaceTime with their friends?

 They can easily do that from their iPad, as well as access tons of games and apps with your approval. 
If you’re concerned about being able to know their whereabouts and allowing them to communicate with a limited number of people, a Smart GPS Watch could be the best choice for younger children.

Is your child prepared to navigate digital communication?

It’s easy to be misunderstood via texts, social media posts, and emails. Emojis and GIFs can help provide tone and context, but your child should also be able to both communicate and understand written messages well. 
If your child has their own smartphone, they won’t just be texting their friends and family. They’ll be using email, apps, games, and platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. 

What will they do if they see harmful or offensive messages? How will they handle seeing cyberbullying or if they’re bullied themselves? Do they know how to see the signs and tell a parent or teacher?
Navigating the digital world of communication can be overwhelming for both adults and children. Be sure to consider the best ways to help your child interact safely online before handing them a smartphone.

Your Child’s Phone Is Your Responsibility…Are You Ready?

As a parent, you are ultimately responsible for your child’s cell phone usage. From setting it up properly to locking down privacy settings and evaluating their app requests, it all comes back to you.

Are you ready to enforce screen time limits, educate yourself about texting acronyms, your child’s digital footprint, and how to set strong passwords?
When it comes down to it, you’ll need to know more about smartphone technology than ever before so you can empower your child to use their own technology safely.

When your cell phone’s speaker stops working properly,it can negatively impact almost everything your phone does. The music stops playing, you can’t make calls using the speakerphone, and you don’t hear notifications. Your phone uses its speaker constantly and that means there is a high likelihood that it will eventually become damaged or simply wear out.

The speaker on your cell phone is constantly exposed to the environment and all the debris it contains. While your phone itself is built to withstand a lot of these environmental factors, its speaker doesn’t always protect itself well against small particles that can damage or muffle it.

Before you worry that you have a broken phone speaker in Warsaw, try:
Rebooting your phoneChecking for software updatesMaking sure your volume levels are turned up. If you have an iPhone, make sure it isn’t set on “do not disturb” or vibrate.Ensuring your speaker isn’t set on “mute” in any appTaking your phone off “Headphone Mode”Being sure your phone isn’t set to play sound through a Bluetooth speaker, TV, or other devicesCommon Broken Phone Speaker Causes
Once you’ve tried all of the above simple fixes for a muffled or broken phone speaker in Warsaw, Indiana and haven’t been able to get your phone working, it’s time to bring it into The Lab.

Our certified repair technicians can take a look at your iPhone, Samsung, or Google Pixel and diagnose the problem with your speaker. Whether you need your speaker repaired or completely replaced, The Lab can handle it for you.
Dirt & Debris In The SpeakerYour cell phone’s speaker vents collect all kinds of debris over time (makeup, dead skin cells, pocket lint, etc.) and that can cause the sound to become muffled. 

This isn’t a repair you want to try to do yourself. Using compressed air, chemicals, or water to try to clean your speaker at home can damage not only the speaker but your entire phone!

Liquid DamageDamage from a liquid is a common cause of speaker problems. If you’ve spilled water on your phone or dropped it in a puddle, even if your phone starts working again, your speaker still might need to be repaired or replaced.
If you’ve spilled something like soda, juice, coffee, or tea on your phone, that can leave a sticky residue on the mesh that covers your speaker. Until that film is cleaned, the sound on your phone will continue to be muffled and distorted.

Improper Phone StorageIf you aren’t storing your phone in a clean, dry place, it can easily be damaged. Because your phone’s speaker is one of the most delicate parts of your phone, it is very susceptible to damage. 

Make sure to keep your phone in a protective case whenever possible. If you’ve dropped your phone recently without its protective case, that could be the cause of your speaker damage.
Software IssuesIf your phone’s software isn’t working or is outdated, your phone might not be the right signals to its speaker. The good news is that most software problems are easy problems to fix that can be remedied with sending a simple software update or reinstall.

Bring Your Phone Into The Lab In Warsaw, IndianaMuffled, distorted sounds caused by a broken phone speaker can make using your phone nearly impossible. Stop stressing about your phone’s damaged speakers and bring it into The Lab so we can help.

Learn how to use software or gadgets to record calls on Android or iPhone.

OUR MEMORIES ARE imperfect, so it can be helpful to record important calls. As a journalist, I often record phone calls to preserve a subject’s words. It is surprising how often there are differences when I check my impressions against what was actually said. If you expect perfect recall of the details of a meeting, you must record it. There are various ways to record a phone call on your iPhone or Android phone, and I’ ve tried them all. These are your best options.

The laws on recording phone calla vary from country to country, and for the US, from state to state. Sometimes consent is required from both parties. Sometimes consent from one person on the call is enough. Recording a call you are not participating in is Generally illegal. For folks in the US, this law firm document breaks it down clearly. Check your legal obligations before you record any calls.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get a 1-year subscription to WIRED for $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com and our print magazine (if you’d like). Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day .
Use the Phone App (Android)

Some Android phones offer call recording built right into Google’s Phone app, or the manufacturer’s phone app. Whether it appears for you depends on your phone manufacturer, carrier, and the region you are in. Here’s how to use the feature if you have it:

Open the Phone app.Tap the three vertical dots at the top right (a gear icon on some phones).Choose Settings.Tap on Call Recording (Record calls on some phones).You can choose Always record or pick Selected numbers.Once you have turned this feature on, you should also see a Record button on screen during any calls. Tap Stop recording or simply end the call when you’re done.
You can listen to recorded calls in the Recents section in the Phone app. Tap the caller’s name, select the recording from the list of calls, and tap Play to listen.
Use Google Voice (Android or iOS)If you are in the US, you can use the Google Voice app for Android or iOS to record incoming calls (it cannot record outgoing calls). This voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) service is free to sign up for and easy to use. Here’s how:

Go to Google Voice and create an account.Tap the gear icon at the top right.Choose Calls on the left-hand side.Toggle on Incoming call options.Now you can simply press 4 on the dial pad during a call to start and stop recording.To listen to recorded calls, choose the Recorded option from the menu in the Google Voice app or website.
Use a Third-Party Call Recording App (Android or iOS)While Google’s crackdown on apps using Android’s accessibility APIs for non-accessibility reasons effectively purged many call recording apps, and Apple never allowed those kinds of apps in the first place, there are still several options if you want to use a third-party app to record calls. Unfortunately, most of them are awkward to use or expensive or both
They tend to fudge by creating three-way calls where you merge in the recording line. If you plan to try one, ensure your carrier supports three-way calling, and check for technical issues with your phone model and carrier first. We also advise reading the privacy policy to ensure your calls stay private.

Perhaps the best known option is TapeACall for Android or iOS. The free version is limited, and the price for a subscription fluctuates, but it usually starts from $3 per month for unlimited recording. Additional features like transcriptions and word search are also available as in -app purchases.
Use Another PhoneIf none of our suggestions thus far work for you, maybe consider using another device to record calls. You will probably have to crank the call volume up or put it on speaker for this to be effective. We will look at dedicated devices in a moment , but if you have a second phone you can use, there’s no need to buy anything else.

All phones come with a voice recorder app. Google’s Recorder app for Pixel phones is my favorite because it can automatically transcribe conversations and has a dedicated site where you can review or download them. For other Android phones, your manufacturer has likely included an app. For example, Samsung phones have an app called Voice Recorder. You may also consider a third-party recording app, such as Easy Voice Recorder, but always read the privacy policy first. You can use Voice Memos on an iPhone.

Use Another Recording DeviceFor frequently recording conversations in person and on the phone, you might consider a dedicated device. Aside from the cost, you must activate it at the right time, and be aware that it may pick up background noise, so it likely won’t work well for you if you can’t take or make calls in a relatively quiet space.
I tested the iZyrec Mini Recorder ($100) recently and was quite impressed by the audio quality of recorded calls. It’s small enough to hold against the back of your smartphone, easy to use, and can record both sides of a call without the need for speakerphone mode. The companion app connects via Bluetooth, enabling you to download and review recordings on your phone. Sadly, the voice activation is a bit flaky.

The Sony ICD-PX470 Stereo Recorder ($47) is an old-school digital recorder that’s affordable and works well. You get 4 GB of storage built in with a microSD card slot to expand if required. It can record for up to 55 hours from two AAA batteries, and plugs directly into your computer via USB-A to download calls.

One final option is the RecorderGear PR200 Bluetooth Recorder ($109), which connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and acts like a remote handset. Calls are channeled through the device, and you simply tap a button to record. It has 8 GB of storage inside , and the battery lasts up to 12 hours. There’s also a USB-A connector to plug directly into your computer to review calls.

The new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones have price jumps and a slew of new features, and Google’s latest smartwatch and earbuds got upgrades.Google Pixel 8 smartphones in various colors on a table

GOOGLE’S OCTOBER HARDWARE event took place this morning in New York City. During its presentation, the company showed off three new pieces of hardware: the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones, and the Pixel Watch 2. The new phones are flush with new features, from secure face authentication and seven years of software support to a built-in thermometer, while the second-generation Pixel Watch has more modest improvements over its predecessor. There are also some software upgrades coming to the Pixel Buds Pro, Google’s wireless earbuds. 

Today’s event wasn’t just about hardware. Google also unveiled its plans to inject Google Assistant with its Bard large language model, imbuing the voice chatbot with artificial-intelligence-fueled conversational powers. You can read more about that in a separate story. Below is everything you need to know about the Pixel 8 series phones and Pixel Watch 2.

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Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 ProGoogle Pixel 8 Pro smartphone
It’s year eight for Google’s Pixel smartphones, which means the handset line has officially survived longer than Google Reader. (I’m not salty.) 
The Pixel 8 is a bit smaller than last year’s Pixel 7, with a 6.2-inch screen; the Pixel 8 Pro retains the 6.7-inch screen size of its predecessor. Both phones have more-rounded edges than before—they mold to my hands quite nicely!—and the Pixel 8has a matte camera bar with a glossy glass back, whereas the Pro model has a soft-touch matte back glass with a glossy camera bar. Both of the new models have frames crafted out of 100 percent recycled aluminum. 

Google’s going the Apple route of giving its OLED displays a proprietary name—the Pixel 8 has an “Actua display” and the Pixel 8 Pro has a “Super Actua display.” Like Apple’s Liquid Retina Display, the cute name doesn’t really mean anything special. What’s new, however, is that the Pixel 8 can hit a peak brightness of 2,000 nits in outdoor conditions, 42 percent brighter than last year’s Pixel 7. The Pixel 8 Pro pushes this to 2,400 nits. Both phones support a screen refresh rate up to 120-Hz, making the animations on the display look smoother than ever, but only the Pro model has a low-temperature polycrystalline oxide screen, meaning it can dial back the number of frames per second displayed—anywhere from 120 to 1, based on what’s happening on the screen—to conserve battery life. 

One of the more surprising additions to the Pixel 8 series is support for secure face authentication. If you’ve been following Pixel hardware over the years, you’ll remember that the Pixel 4 was the only one to ever support facial recognition as a secure biometric authentication method, utilizing Google’s radar technology. The Pixel 8 series doesn’t have the Soli chip that powered that function in the older handset, but these new phones have the same capabilities. This means you can use your face to securely access banking and payment apps, or anything that usually requires a PIN or fingerprint authentication. If you don’t like face recognition, both phones still have fingerprint sensors.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find this next new feature on another smartphone: a temperature sensor. This is exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro. Google says you’re able to measure the temperature of almost anything by pointing the sensor on the back of the Pixel to an object. I measured cups of hot and iced water, and it delivered results quite quickly, though you have to get very close to the thing you want to measure, and you’ll get more accurate results if you choose one of the preset options on the material you’re trying to read, like glass or ceramic. (Google says these presets help calibrate the sensor.) Theoretically, you can even measure someone’s body temperature. Google has submitted the app to the FDA for this purpose, but it hasn’t been cleared for such use.

These new phones are powered by Tensor G3, Google’s third generation of its custom silicon processor, and the company says “every subsystem has been upgraded,” including the image signal processor to improve the Pixel’s picture-taking capabilities. Speaking of, the Pixel 8 has an upgraded 50-megapixel primary camera with what Google claims is a 20 percent improvement in light sensitivity. (More light sensitivity means brighter and sharper photos, especially in low light.) It’s joined by a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera that supports macro mode from the Pixel 7 Pro, so you can capture close-ups. 

The Pixel 8 Pro has upgraded light-gathering capabilities in all three of its cameras: a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide, and a 48-megapixel telephoto camera with 5X optical zoom. Its macro mode can now get even closer to a subject, and the Pro’s autofocus system is now “multi-zone,” allowing for a wider cone of focus in photos. This Pixel also gets an exclusive Pro camera mode that allows shutterbugs to tweak things like ISO and shutter speed while still taking advantage of the Pixel’s computational photography.

Both phones have a 10.5-megapixel selfie camera, but I have good news and bad news. There’s finally autofocus on the front-facing camera, allowing you to see all your pores in sharp detail. Unfortunately, this is available only on the Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 8’s front camera has a fixed focus.

There are some new camera software tricks this year. The coolest is Video Boost mode, yet another exclusive for the Pixel 8 Pro. Here, when you take a video in low-light conditions (up to 4K, 30 frames per second), the clip is sent to Google’s cloud servers for processing and is then sent back to you—depending on the length of the video, it can take several hours. However, the improvements are startling. Google showed me clips using this mode versus those from the iPhone 14 Pro, and the Pixel’s video was much brighter and sharper, with better stabilization.  

Most manufacturers want you to believe you can’t replace your battery, but that’s not true. Doing so can add years of life to your device.

YOU MIGHT BE in the habit of replacing your smartphone every couple of years, but most phones can last a lot longer than that. Like your car, they might just need a new part every now and then, and the best repair you can do on your phone to make it last longer is a battery replacement. But most batteries aren’t user-replaceable. So how do you actually get one?

Unfortunately, user-replaceable batteries are becoming increasingly rare, and most smartphone manufacturers don’t go too far out of their way to let you know that you can get a battery replacement at all. In fact, when Apple briefly lowered the cost of iPhone battery replacements, it resulted in about 10 times as many people replacing their batteries as usual (and, coincidentally, far fewer new iPhones sold that year). However, even if your battery is locked inside your phone, you can get a new one and keep your phone lasting longer.

Some Things to Consider Before Replacing the BatteryEven though battery replacements are very useful, they can also be a hassle to get done. In fact it’s not unlike getting work done on your car: You might be able to do it yourself, but it’s probably easier to pay someone else to do it , and you should expect to be without your phone for a while as you wait for the repair to finish.
Many places offer same-day repairs, as long as the battery for your device is in stock. That is, for repair places with physical locations near you. If you have a local Apple store or a uBreakiFix location near you, they might have what you need. But in some cases you’ll need to mail in your phone to get a repair, which could leave you without it for days. And while you may be able to get a loaner phone from some places, it can still be a hassle. On the other hand, it’s a lot better for the environment, not to mention your wallet, if you replace the battery rather than buy a new phone.

When You Should Replace the BatteryAs a general rule, if you’ve had your phone for a couple years and it’s starting to show its age, that’s a pretty good time to look into a battery replacement. That’s right around the time you might be thinking about getting a new phone anyway–many carriers still offer upgrades or payment plans that renew every two years to entice you–but you can also check your battery’s health manually if you want to see if you need an upgrade sooner.

On iPhones, you can navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to find a Maximum Capacity value that will show what percentage of your battery’s initial charge capacity is left. This isn’t how full your battery is right now but rather how much charge it can hold relative to how much it could hold when it was new. If this gets down to 80 percent (especially if it’s still under warranty), get a new battery.

As always, Android phones are a little more complicated; there are many different models and they don’t all work the same. Instead, you can use an app like AccuBattery to get detailed stats on the health of your battery. The app uses an estimate, not an official report, and it may take a few days to get a full picture of your battery’s health. But if it’s below 80 percent of its original capacity, it might be time to take a look at a replacement battery.

Take Your iPhone Into an Apple StoreIf you have an iPhone and you want a battery replacement, you’re probably in the best position. If you’re still under warranty or AppleCare+, you can get a free battery replacement on most phones from the last several years. If you’ re outside of coverage, the fees range from $49 to $69, depending on which phone you have.
If you can bring your phone into an Apple store, they can often repair your phone the same day and have it back to you in a few hours. If the repair job is more complicated, the store may need to send it off to an Apple Repair Center, which can take up to 3 to 5 days to complete the repair. However, this is how long it would take to get a repair job if you mailed the phone in yourself anyway, so it makes sense to try an in-store repair first.

Try Third-Party Repair Shops for Android PhonesFor Android phones, there’s no single manufacturer that also handles all repairs, like there is with Apple, but you can still get same-day repairs done with third-party repair shops. The most prominent of these is uBreakiFix, which has locations in most US states. Some major manufacturers like Google and Samsung give uBreakiFix access to OEM parts, which means they can repair your phone with the same materials those companies would use if you send them in directly.
Prices on Android battery repairs can vary, but usually are around or below $100, but you might need to call in to get an estimate. In some places, the company can even send a rep out to you to repair your phone on-site, in addition to the usual options of either going into a store or mailing in your device.

When All Else Fails, Do It YourselfIn some cases, it might not be feasible (or even possible) to bring your phone into a store or mail it in somewhere. If you really want to keep your existing phone, and you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can try replacing the battery yourself. Repair site iFixit has guides for replacing batteries on most major phones that will explain in detail what tools you need and how to take apart your phone, with pictures for every step.

You might need a specialized toolkit (which iFixit also sells) that has the proprietary screwheads and other tools that might be required for opening up your phone. Also keep in mind, while you can replace a part without voiding your warranty (and in fact those warranty-voiding stickers are illegal!), the manufacturer still might try to fight you on the warranty if you break anything while doing so.

And potentially even if you don’t. If you’re comfortable with that–or if you’re already out of coverage anyway–then order a replacement battery for your phone online and give it a whirl.