It looks like Samsung may be taking a quality-over-quantity approach on some of its upcoming phones, as a report suggests the Galaxy A54, Galaxy A34, and Galaxy A24 will all have one less lens than their predecessors.
Specifically, TheElec claims that none of these phones have depth sensors, so the Samsung Galaxy A53, Galaxy A33, and Galaxy A23 all feature triple-lens camera configurations.
That’s good news, because while decent depth sensors aren’t a complete waste of time, those on budget and mid-range phones tend to be full fillers, with little addition to the camera’s performance at all.
Of course, it wouldn’t be great if Samsung removed the depth sensor but kept everything else the same, but according to this report, the company will focus on beefing up its core camera offering. So presumably the money saved by not including the depth sensor will be poured into other lenses or sensors.
Speaking of which, apparently the Samsung Galaxy A54 will feature a 50MP main camera, a 5MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro camera, while the Galaxy A34 is said to have a 48MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro. Finally, the Galaxy A24 is said to feature a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro.
In terms of megapixel counts, if that’s correct, the Samsung Galaxy A24 will be oddly at its best, though it’s probably the cheapest of these phones, and the most premium — the Galaxy A54 — is reported to be in total Minimum of megapixels.
But that just goes to show that megapixels aren’t everything. If so, Apple’s 12MP phone wouldn’t continue to be among the best camera phones. As well as potentially leading to camera improvements, ditching the depth sensor could also reduce costs — although it remains to be seen whether those savings will be passed on to consumers.
As for when the phones will be available, the Samsung Galaxy A34 will apparently land in March, while the Galaxy A54 is said to arrive in April. There’s no word on when the Samsung Galaxy A24 will launch, but the Galaxy A23 landed in March of this year, so it seems likely around March 2023.
The Google Pixel 6 has proven to be one of the most popular Pixel phones of all time, and fans love its design, photography experience, and clean software. But one problem is that it’s a pretty pricey phone, and that’s exactly what Google‘s Pixel 6a is going to fix — it’s a new budget alternative to the flagship model that’s less expensive and has some cuts to keep costs down .
Below we’ll check out their specs in a row, let’s take a look!
Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 design
These are very similar looking phones. The Pixel 6 series is unified by its appearance, with a horizontal camera “visor” breaking up the back of the device. The 6a protrudes less, but that’s really the theme of this phone – it’s smaller than the 6.
The Pixel 6a also has a plastic back, unlike the 6’s glass, so it’ll feel cheaper, but will likely take more of a hit. Neither phone has a 3.5mm audio jack, and both use the USB-C standard for charging and data transfer. The Pixel 6a’s advantage is that it uses a more advanced version of the Pixel 6’s in-screen fingerprint scanner, so unlocking is significantly faster and more reliable.
Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 displays
The Google Pixel 6‘s 6.4-inch display panel looks larger compared to the Pixel 6a’s 6.1-inch.
Beyond what you think of “big versus small,” the Pixel 6 has a great display. It has the same resolution, 1080 x 2400, but with a 90Hz refresh rate instead of 60Hz, and more advanced display technology, so it supports HDR10+. Both phone displays use a “punch hole” cutout for the front-facing camera at the top center of the panel.
Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6 camera comparison
The Google Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 have two cameras in common, one different.
The first similarity is the selfie camera, both boast an 8MP f/2.0 snapper that worked well in our tests, and the second is a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera with a 114-degree field of view.
The main difference here is the main camera — while the Pixel 6 has a high-res 50MP f/1.9 main camera, the 6a has the same 12.2MP f/1.7 unit that Google has used in all of its smartphones for several years.
That’s not as big a downgrade as the numbers suggest – it’s still good for bright photos, but they won’t be as high-resolution as you get on the Pixel 6.
Google has done a good job with AI, especially scene optimization, and using the same algorithm to optimize images on the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6a, the results aren’t worlds apart. The 6a also has many of the Pixel 6’s camera features, most notably the Magic Eraser, which lets you pick unwanted background elements in your photos and scrub them using AI.
Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 performance and specs
All three members of the Google Pixel 6 series have the exact same chipset. That’s Google’s own Tensor chip, and these three phones mark its debut in a consumer phone. Its real strength is the range of AI intelligence it facilitates. A lot of that is in the camera department.
The Google Pixel 6a feels almost identical to the Pixel 6 when it comes to gaming, AI, and intensive processing. That said, the standard Pixel 6 has an advantage in terms of RAM, as you get 8GB, while the Pixel 6a has 6GB. They’re both 5G phones, so no matter which model you choose, your connectivity should be the same. One spec you can play with is storage, and while both phones have a 128GB option, only the Pixel 6 also comes with a 256GB option.
Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 software
Another area where the Google Pixel 6a and Pixel 6 are the same. Both phones run stock Android 12.
Pixel 6a vs Pixel 6 battery life comparison
Unfortunately, the two Pixel phones don’t have enough in common when it comes to battery life.
On paper, the Pixel 6’s 4,614mAh battery and the 6a’s 4,410mAh battery seem pretty similar. But in our experience, we’ve found that the Pixel 6 has decent battery life, but the Pixel 6a’s battery life is disappointing, rarely lasting a day.
Charging speed is another key difference – there’s only 18W on the 6a, which means it takes nearly two hours to fully charge. By comparison, the Pixel 6 has 30W of power and reaches 80 percent after an hour of charging, and the phone also features 21W wireless charging and wireless power sharing.
Summarize:
The Pixel 6a does lead the way in some areas, with a more responsive fingerprint scanner and a smaller body that might appeal to some users.
But in many ways, the Pixel 6 is the better phone, with a higher-resolution main camera, more storage options, faster charging, a longer-lasting battery, and a higher screen refresh rate.
The rumored “Pro” model of the Apple Watch could launch this year, and Apple could give its Apple Watch its biggest design shakeup in years.
According to reliable tipster Mark Gurman, the new Pro version won’t have the long-rumored square shape. In his start-up newsletter, Gurman mentioned that the design could be an “evolution of the current rectangle rather than a circle.” It also won’t have flat sides.
Apple is rumored to be launching not one, but as many as three this year — the Apple Watch 8, and a high-end Apple Watch 8 Pro (or simply the Apple Watch Pro). The Apple Watch 8 could also be released alongside the new Apple Watch SE. But the Pro should be the solid, sporty, and premium product of the line.
The Apple Watch Pro’s display will be “bigger.” So much so that it only “attracts a subset of customers.” Its display will reportedly be 7 percent larger than the standard Apple Watch. This is something we’ve heard before, and Gurman has mentioned that the diagonal of the display may span a full 2 inches. But a 7 percent larger screen could mean it could be bigger than the 2-inch figure previously thought.
The Pro will be different, not only in its improved design, but also in its materials. It will reportedly be made from higher-quality materials, such as “durable titanium,” to make it more robust.
The Apple Watch Pro gets better battery life and a new body temperature sensor, something Gurman mentioned recently. This time around, he said, the Apple Watch Pro can last for days on a single charge, thanks to a rumored low-power mode.
The only new sensor that could make its debut will be a body temperature sensor. Like the Apple Watch 8, the Pro is also rumored to run on the older S8 chip that supports the Apple Watch 7 and Apple Watch 6 models.
If Apple launches a Pro tier of the Apple Watch this year, it could be more aimed at athletes or high-intensity workouts. It is also rumored to have enhanced hiking and swimming tracking capabilities. In that sense, it’s on par with high-end Garmin sports watches and everything Apple does “professional” — and it’s also likely to command a higher price tag.
It remains to be seen whether the Apple Watch Pro will be able to include “professional”-level features beyond the rumored new design and premium build. Gurman mentioned that “the upcoming Apple Watch will be one of the company’s more exciting product launches this year.”
Many of the new features in iOS 16 are a welcome addition to Apple’s latest mobile operating system, especially the fully customizable lock screen and the ability to unsend and edit text messages. However, some of these new additions, as well as older ones, are not always universally loved. For example, Apple doesn’t allow you to delete built-in apps, even if you never use them. Eventually, Apple reconsidered the decision, and you can now delete any app on iOS, but there are still other annoying features.
Fortunately, there is a way to get rid of or disable some of the more annoying features and settings in iOS 16. Let’s take a closer look below!
Stop Featured Photos and Memories from popping up on your iPhone
Apple’s artificial intelligence helps you display the photos and videos you might want to see everywhere on your iPhone, as friendly reminders for family vacations, couples photos and vacations—but you might not always want your personal photos to be unexpected Pops, especially if they are personal, embarrassing, or inappropriate.
Luckily, in iOS 16, you can now prevent Featured Photos and a Featured Collection called Memories from appearing in the Photos widget on the Home screen, as well as Search and Suggested for You in Photos section.
To block these custom photos, launch the Settings app, go to Photos and turn off “Show Featured Content”. All featured content will no longer appear on your device, but will only be available in your photo library and albums.
Prevent side keys from accidentally ending a call
The side/power button on the side of your iPhone lets you quickly sleep and wake your device, but if you accidentally press it during a call, you’ll end the call prematurely. If this is something you’ve encountered in the past, iOS 16 finally allows you to prevent that from happening.
In Settings, go to Accessibility > Touch and turn off “Lock End Call” to prevent the side button from ending a call. If you accidentally press the side button, your screen will go to sleep, but you will continue to receive calls without interruption.
Remove search button from home screen
Search on iPhone lets you quickly find what you’re looking for, whether it’s text messages, third-party apps, files, notes, and locations—just about anything on your device or on the web. The best thing about this feature is that it’s easily accessible from the home screen; all you need to do is swipe down anywhere on the screen and it will appear.
iOS 16 also adds another way to access Search from the home screen, via a small button just above the Dock. Unfortunately, it’s easy to accidentally trigger because it’s close to where your thumb might move as you swipe between the various home pages.
Luckily, like many new features on iOS 16, this one can also be disabled. Just launch the settings app, go to the home screen and turn off show on home screen to remove the search button from the home screen.
Go back to the old lock screen notifications
Apple‘s latest redesign brings widgets to the lock screen, customizable fonts and colors, a gallery of wallpapers and stylized date and time, and an overlooked notification change. Notifications now no longer appear at the top of the lock screen, but at the bottom, which you can then tap to go full screen.
However, not everyone is happy with the change. If you want to go back to how notifications are displayed on iOS 15, launch the Settings app and go to Notifications > Display As. Then you will see three options:
Count: Notifications appear as numbered counts at the bottom of the screen.
Stack: Notifications appear in a stack at the bottom of the screen.
List: Notifications appear entirely on your screen.
To return to the old notification style, select the list option.
Google’s new $449 Pixel 6A and $429 iPhone SE are both under $500. Google’s new phone, set to launch on July 28, packs many of the Pixel 6’s best attributes, including its two-tone design, Tensor chip, and photography capabilities. However, compared to the Pixel 6, the 6A has a smaller screen, a lower-resolution camera, and lacks wireless charging. Apple’s iPhone SE debuted in March with the same processor as the iPhone 13.
Google and Apple have taken similar but different approaches to their more affordable phones. The Pixel 6A is essentially a smaller, cheaper version of the Pixel 6, while the iPhone SE is better for those who prefer a small-screen classic iPhone model.
We’ve got a full review of both phones now, but here we want to directly compare Google’s cheaper Pixel to the 2022 iPhone SE based on what we know so far.
The Pixel 6A has a bigger screen
One of the biggest differences between the Pixel 6A and the iPhone SE is their size. Google’s new phone has a 6.1-inch display, roughly the same size as the iPhone 13. The iPhone SE looks almost identical to the iPhone 8, including a smaller 4.7-inch screen.
But it’s not just size. The Pixel 6A has a more modern design, with a nearly bezel-less screen and a fingerprint sensor located below the display. Some may prefer the retro look and feel of the iPhone SE. Google’s phone also has an OLED display panel, which typically offers bolder colors and contrast than the LCD screen on the iPhone SE.
While there are differences between the iPhone SE and Pixel 6A, they do have something in common: Both phones feature the manufacturer’s latest processors. The iPhone SE has Apple’s A15 Bionic inside, while the Pixel 6A will feature Google’s Tensor chip, the company’s first in-house mobile processor.
In both cases, you’ll get fast performance and features that other companies don’t make on phones. For example, Google’s Tensor chips enable pixel-specific photography features such as the Magic Eraser, which removes unwanted objects, and Real Tone, which more accurately depicts skin tones. Meanwhile, the iPhone SE has certain iOS features not available on older iPhones with aging processors, such as Photo Styles and spatial audio in FaceTime.
Pixel 6A has an extra camera
Google’s new phone offers more flexibility when taking pictures, thanks to a secondary ultra-wide camera. The iPhone SE’s single-lens camera does a decent job, but it doesn’t have an ultra-wide-angle lens, which means your field of view will be more limited than on the Pixel 6A.
Google’s phone has a 12.2-megapixel main camera with an f/1.7 aperture and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with an f/2.2 aperture. The iPhone SE has a 12-megapixel main camera with an f/1.8 aperture. The term megapixel refers to the resolution of a camera sensor, while aperture describes the size of the camera opening used to let in light, both of which are important factors in image quality.
Photo quality is hard to predict based on specs alone. Image processing algorithms also play an important role in the resulting photos you see when you take them. The Pixel 6A’s ultra-wide-angle lens means you can choose to take photos from a wider angle than the iPhone SE. The Pixel 6A can also do up to 7x digital zoom, while the iPhone SE has 5x digital zoom, making it a better choice for close-up shots.
Pixel 6A may have better battery life, but lacks wireless charging
Google claims the Pixel 6A can last more than 24 hours on a single charge, while Apple says the iPhone SE should last up to 15 hours while streaming video. But this isn’t an apples-to-apples comparison, so it’s hard to tell how they stack up until we test the Pixel 6A. In CNET’s tests, the new iPhone SE lasted a full day on a single charge. We’ll have to see if the Pixel 6A meets Google’s requirements.
Both phones support wired fast charging, but you’ll have to buy a power adapter separately. But unlike the iPhone SE, you won’t be able to wirelessly charge the Pixel 6A. It’s one of the few compromises Google has made to keep the Pixel 6A competitively priced, and in keeping with previous A-series Pixel phones.
other details
One of the big advantages of the Pixel 6A over the iPhone SE is its storage capacity. With Google’s new phone, you’ll get 128GB of storage, compared to just 64GB on the cheapest iPhone SE. You have to spend $479 to get the 128GB iPhone SE. Neither phone supports expandable storage, so that’s a limitation.
According to Apple’s website, both phones are rated IP67 for water resistance, which means they should be able to be submerged in 1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Both phones also support 5G.
Apple recently released iPadOS 15.6, and to the delight of affected iPad mini 6 users, it resolves the charging issues a large number of users were experiencing after updating to iPadOS 15.5. Many people are unable to charge their Apple tablet.
Luckily, the Cupertino-based tech giant has solved this problem with the introduction of iPadOS 15.6. With the update, the affected sixth-generation iPad mini should be able to detect chargers and other USB-C accessories.
Similar to iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6 corrects a long list of security flaws. In short, iPad 15.6 addresses issues around apps gaining root privileges, vulnerable avenues for remote users to abuse, and more.
Like iOS 15.6, iPadOS 15.6 also fixes the following bugs:
1. Settings may continue to show device storage full issue even though it is available
2. An issue that may cause braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail
3. An issue in Safari where one of the tabs may go back to the previous page
iPadOS 15.6 also brings new TV app features along with iOS 15.6, allowing users to pause, rewind and fast-forward live sports.
To update to iPad 15.6, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
Getting a Mac for the first time is exciting. Out of the box, it smells great, looks great, and is a solid and powerful machine. Sadly, many first-time Mac users end up making mistakes after damaging their Mac that they regret.
In this guide, we’ll help you prevent that from happening. From overcharging your Mac’s battery to installing unnecessary antivirus software, here are seven mistakes you should avoid as a first-time Mac user. Let’s take a look below!
Haven’t kept their Mac completely safe from day one. Since Macs are made of aluminum, they can dent if dropped. On top of that are Apple’s expensive repairs, which usually don’t extend to cover accidental damage like this.
In order to physically protect your Mac, you must ensure that it is always in a safe environment, has a physical cover, and is cleaned regularly. If the environment is not safe, your Mac can be dropped and damaged. But the presence of a physical protective case will minimize this damage. Likewise, if not cleaned regularly, dust can deposit in the keyboard and vents, affecting the performance of your Mac.
2. Charging your MacBook too much
The battery in a MacBook won’t overcharge, but staying plugged in can still affect its overall charge capacity. In other words, if your MacBook used to last about 8 hours, it probably won’t last long if you keep it plugged in until it only lasts 7 hours.
Also, it’s not a good practice to let the battery drain completely before plugging in the adapter, as this will also damage the battery. The best thing to do is to keep your MacBook’s battery between 20% and 80%. You should also keep it cool and monitor it from System Preferences > Battery, where you can also enable optimized battery mode.
3. Shutting down too often
Macs are expensive, and it’s natural for new users to shut them down too often because they don’t want to damage their computer by turning it on. However, here are a few reasons why you should always put your Mac to sleep:
1. It doesn’t break while sleeping, as modern Macs use SSDs instead of HDDs (hard disk drives), which has raised concerns in the past.
2. Compared to sleep, it does not save more energy when turned off.
3. It syncs and backs up all the data it processes in sleep mode, which is probably the most important reason to put your Mac in sleep mode.
Generally speaking, putting your Mac to sleep just makes your life easier. You don’t have to restart applications every time you start using your Mac. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll never shut down your Mac. Rebooting every once in a while to refresh the RAM is fine, but don’t overdo it.
4. Installing too many third-party apps
If you’ve been using a Windows computer before and have now switched to a Mac, you may want to install third-party applications now. Apple doesn’t restrict users from installing such apps, but you shouldn’t overuse them as they’re often redundant and slow down your Mac. The idea isn’t to say that you shouldn’t install third-party apps at all, it’s just that you don’t install apps for what your Mac provides.
5. Don’t use native apps
Not only do new Mac users install most of the unnecessary third-party apps, but they also miss out on using native apps. Apple regularly releases new and improved apps with macOS updates, which can replace the need for third-party apps.
The Pages, Keynote, and Numbers applications do not require Microsoft Office applications to be installed. Annual updates give us more reasons to use Safari, FaceTime, and Apple Maps than Chrome, Zoom, and Google Maps. Two reasons to stick with Apple apps are better continuity and battery optimization.
6. Install antivirus software
Security is a big selling point for Apple. So macOS includes an app called XProtect to protect against malware, which means you don’t need to install third-party antivirus software on your Mac.
In addition to established and well-known antivirus applications, many third-party antivirus applications are a threat in their own right.
OnePlus is about to launch a new phone, and the company has revealed to CNET that it will be announced at an in-person event in New York on August 3. Called the OnePlus 10T, the phone will run Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chipset globally.
The next-gen OnePlus devices don’t have the “Pro” moniker, and the company continues to use the “T” branding it has used since the OnePlus 3T debuted in 2016. OnePlus typically releases two flagships a year, one in the first half and one in the second half, though the company isn’t releasing a second-half device in 2021.
OnePlus says the 10T will carry the tagline “Evolution beyond speed,” though exactly what that means remains a mystery, as the only known upgrade is the processor. Judging by the invite, the device looks to have a similar design to the 10 Pro, and may even feature a “sandstone” finish similar to the back of the first-gen OnePlus One.
The launch will take place at Gotham Hall in New York at 10am ET (7am PT, 3pm BST) and will be streamed live on the company’s social media channels.
In addition to the 10T, OnePlus has some additional improvements with its upcoming OxygenOS 13 update, including a new always-on display widget it co-developed with Spotify. The widget allows users to view song titles, artists and albums on the lock screen, as well as control audio playback, even when the screen is off. OnePlus says that “most devices” with OxygenOS 13 will get this feature.
As for devices starting to get the new software later this year, OnePlus will offer Update 2 Lite for its flagship 8-series (or later) phones, as well as the Nord 2, Nord 2T, Nord CE, Nord CE 2, Nord CE. The new 10T will be released next month with OxygenOS 12.1 at launch.
OnePlus says the 10 Pro and 10T will be the first devices to receive the OxygenOS 13 update, with plans to get the software later this year.
Fitbit has quietly added a major feature to its Charge 5 activity tracker, and it’s all about tracking your phone, not you.
The latest firmware version, 57.20001.171.50, released on Tuesday, adds the ability to ping your paired smartphone and make it make a loud noise in order to find it. After using the Find Phone button, tapping the Cancel prompt on Fitbit Charge 5 will stop the noise.
The feature isn’t new to Fitbit, but it was previously exclusive to the company’s smartwatches, such as the Versa and Sense lines. Of course, using the feature requires the phone to be paired via Bluetooth, within close range of the watch, and the Fitbit app running in the background. The Find Phone feature should work on any phone that supports the Fitbit app.
Quietly add utilities
While it’s odd that Fitbit, now owned by Google, isn’t hyping the Charge 5’s newfound phone-finding feature, it’s the only notable feature in this firmware update. Fitbit’s own line of Versa smartwatches sell for similar prices, so the company may not have announced the feature loudly because it didn’t want to cannibalize Versa sales.
Still, the feature does add more utility to an already value-oriented fitness tracker (compared to finding a misplaced iPhone), and provides another option for those who don’t want a full-featured smartwatch A way to find a misplaced smartphone. Fitbit also has the benefit of not being locked into a particular ecosystem. Samsung and Apple Watches have similar features, but they only work with Samsung and Apple phones, respectively.
After teasing clues about the date of its next big hardware reveal on social media on Tuesday, Samsung confirmed that its next Unpacked event is set for August 10.
The event invite shown above shows a Z Flip foldable phone, which seems to back up what previous whistleblower Evan Blass had hinted at: the Unpacked event will focus on Samsung‘s foldable phone. Specifically, it may reveal the successor to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and clamshell-style Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, which will be launched in August 2021.
Don’t expect much progress from Samsung‘s next foldable. Rumors have suggested that the tablet-sized Samsung Galaxy Fold 4 could have a new hinge and slimmer construction, but a jury of leakers has yet to determine whether it will include an S Pen slot like the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Other rumors predict a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Plus chipset powering the foldable device, as well as an under-display camera appearing on the outer display to complement the one on the inner screen.
According to other rumors, the compact-looking Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 could get a larger cover display, which could make it more useful for reading notifications and previewing selfie photos.
Even if the new foldable has only incremental spec upgrades, the biggest improvement might be the price. The Galaxy Fold 3 starts at $1,800 (£1,599, AU$2,499) cheaper than its predecessor, still around double the price of most high-end smartphones. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 sells for a staggering $1,000 (£949, AU$1,499), or close to the price of the iPhone 13 Pro, making it the most affordable foldable to date and a viable alternative to standard phablet smartphones.
But analyst Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, predicts that the upcoming Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 could be cheaper, tweeting that Samsung has ramped up production and the number of new foldables made That’s double what it was last year, which points to a possible price cut.
Regardless, we expect the new foldables to sell well, as the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 sold more in their launch month than in all of 2020. With more than 7 million foldables sold in 2021, Samsung is in a strong position to continue to dominate the niche foldable market, which is expected to grow to over 27 million by 2025.
Samsung may have other products to go with the foldable, most likely the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5. Rumors suggest that the next-gen line of premium smartwatches could feature a body temperature sensor and longer battery life, as well as an updated design. Hopefully it also fixes a glaring flaw in the Galaxy Watch 4 — no iPhone support — and better integration with Wear OS 3, as we felt last year’s watch was pulled between Google and Samsung’s ecosystems.
There are other things Samsung could show off, like Galaxy Buds 2 earbuds, a tablet or a laptop successor, but we haven’t heard a lot of rumors suggesting that either of those could be coming. Still, it’s easy to be surprised by the long-awaited foldable.
