Android Authority

UK announces ban on sale of network-locked phones

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 09:39:31 GMT

The UK’s regulator has barred the practice of networks selling locked phones.
The change comes into effect from December 2021.

Locked smartphones are one of the more annoying trends in the industry, as operators bar consumers from using their phones on other networks. Now, the UK’s regulator has announced that it’s banning networks from selling locked devices.

The change was announced by communications regulator Ofcom and comes into effect from December 2021, the BBC reported (h/t: Android Central). This new change will reportedly affect EE, Vodafone, and Tesco Mobile. BBC adds that O2, Sky, Three, and Virgin all sell unlocked phones already.

“We know that lots of people can be put off from switching because their handset is locked. So we’re banning mobile companies from selling locked phones, which will save people time, money and effort — and help them unlock better deals,” Ofcom connectivity director Selina Chadha was quoted as saying on the regulator’s website.

The operators apparently claimed in the past that locked phones deter theft and fraud. But it’s tough not to see this as an attempt to simply make it harder for people to leave a network. Operators frequently subsidize the cost of devices on contract too, so locking the phone presumably gives networks a chance to recoup that cash.

Ofcom notes that it typically costs around £10 to unlock a phone, but added that half of all people who attempt to do so experience issues. These obstacles include a long wait to receive the code required to unlock the phone, and the code simply not working.

The watchdog also claimed that some consumers don’t know their phones are network-locked, resulting in loss of service/coverage when they try to switch to another carrier.

We asked, you told us: You think OnePlus is relying too much on gimmicky cameras

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 08:50:41 GMT

Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority

OnePlus phones have many powerful specs and features, but their cameras aren’t the best you can get in the market. Underperforming cameras are a constant theme with brand for the most part, even though prices of its flagship phones are steadily going upwards.

To spice things up, the company has been adding more and more camera lenses to its phones, including some that feel like outright gimmicks. Take for instance, the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro that serves a very niche use case or the unremarkable monochrome lens on the OnePlus 8T. Instead of these extra camera lenses that serve no real purpose, we would like to see fewer lenses on the next OnePlus phone and it looks like you agree with us.

We recently put up our OnePlus 9 wishlist, where we asked you if you think OnePlus is relying too much on gimmicky cameras. Here’s how you voted in our poll.

Is OnePlus relying too much on gimmicky cameras?

Results

A total of 3,461 readers voted in our poll and the results are very clear. 86.2% of Android Authority readers think that the extra color filter/monochrome/macro lenses on OnePlus phones are gimmicky and that OnePlus can do without them.

Meanwhile, some respondents beg to differ. 13.8% of the poll takers voted in favor of OnePlus adding these extra camera sensors and said that they actually like using them.

Your comments

SKJ: Yes, it’s true. Oneplus is giving unnecessary cameras just to increase the camera modules. There should be only three cameras: the main, ultra-wide, and telephoto. But in place of a normal telephoto camera, OnePlus should give a periscope telephoto camera (5x optical zoom) in all variants. If Oneplus is planning to give a fourth camera, it should try to give a night sight that will help the other three cameras to take better low-light shots and videos.
MachtSchnell: I like a macro for moderate close-ups. But not single digits megapixels ones.
Ccp Maggots: Less junky camera and improvements in photography software will be very nice!
Thom K: The general shitting on macro lenses needs to stop. Macro lenses are great if they can pair it with a decent sensor for once.
Devaesh D: I hope that OnePlus 9 has a pop-up selfie camera! And definitely a flat screen with a 4500-5000 maH battery!!

Also read: The best OnePlus phones you can buy right now

Redmi K30S Ultra announced: The Xiaomi Mi 10T in a new skin

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 07:38:30 GMT

Credit: Xiaomi

The Redmi K30S Ultra has launched in China.
It’s a rebranded version of the Mi 10T which launched in Europe earlier this month.
The K30S Ultra is significantly cheaper than the Mi 10T’s European price though.

Xiaomi launched the Mi 10T series earlier this month, featuring powerful processors, high refresh rate screens, and big batteries. The phones launched in Europe and India, and now it looks like at least one phone is coming to its home market of China.

Yes, the company has brought the standard Mi 10T to China, but it’s undergone a name change and is now known as the Redmi K30S Ultra. It’s still the same phone despite the name change though, packing a 6.67-inch 144Hz FHD+ LCD screen, Snapdragon 865 processor, and 5,000mAh battery.

The Redmi K30S Ultra also shares the same camera setup, namely a 64MP main shooter, 13MP ultra-wide lens (123 degree field of view), and a 5MP macro sensor. A 20MP camera in the punch-hole cutout is on selfie duty.

Other standout features include Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, 8K recording support, 33W wired charging, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, an IR blaster, and MIUI 12 atop Android 10.

The Redmi K30S Ultra starts at 2,599 yuan (~$388) for the 8GB/128GB model, while the 8GB/256GB option retails for 2,799 yuan (~$418). Either way, that’s significantly cheaper than the Mi 10T’s European pricing, with a 6GB/128GB option retailing for €499 (~$590).

Next: What would make a true Poco F1 successor? Here’s what we want to see

Report: Don’t expect a charger or earphones in the Galaxy S30’s box

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 07:12:57 GMT

A report from Korea suggests Samsung will follow Apple by ditching the charger from the Galaxy S30 series’ packaging.
It adds that Samsung won’t include a pair of wired earphones in the box either.
The Galaxy S30 series is expected to launch in early 2021.

Reports from July pointed to Samsung ditching the bundled charger from its future smartphone packaging. Now, another report from the firm’s home country is substantiating this claim, suggesting that the Galaxy S30 may not arrive with a full box.

ChosunBiz, citing industry insiders, suggests that Samsung will follow Apple by not only ditching the in-box charger but its bundled earphones, too. While the Galaxy S20 series included a 25W charger and a pair of USB-C AKG earphones, the Galaxy S30 series may just include a cable and a SIM eject tool.

Despite its open criticism of Apple’s charger-less boxes, not including accessories with its phones makes financial sense for Samsung. Instead of dropping these components in the box for free, it can coax buyers to purchase its range of wireless earbuds and chargers if they so wish. It’s done just that before, asking users to buy another $50 charger to activate the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 45W charging mode.

Not including these in-box goodies won’t massively reduce Samsung’s environmental impact. Although smaller boxes will cut down on shipping costs, like Apple, it’ll still have to produce chargers and earphones to sell to users who require replacements.

It’s also likely that users will feel the real impact of the move. Android Authority readers aren’t thrilled by Apple’s decision to empty its phone boxes of accessories and we can’t imagine the move would be appreciated by Samsung users.

While Samsung won’t be the first Android OEM to skip bundled earphones, we’d expect its premium devices to be among the last. When buying a $1,000 smartphone, you’d also expect the device to arrive with a full box of accessories, or at least cost a little less. It’s unclear if Samsung would adjust the price of the Galaxy S30 series to offset the missing charger and earphones.

Either way, we’ll likely find out soon. The Galaxy S30 series is rumored for a January 2021 launch, much earlier than Samsung’s previous S line.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 updates: All the new releases (Updated: One UI 3.0 beta)

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:22:08 GMT

Update: October 27, 2020 (2:05 AM ET): The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra are now receiving the One UI 3.0 beta update in the US and multiple other markets including India and Germany.

In the US, the One UI 3.0 beta update is rolling out to Sprint, T-Mobile, and unlocked versions of the Galaxy Note 20 series. Those interested in trying out the new software will have to sign up through a banner in the Samsung Members app.

The update reportedly brings a bunch of new Android 11 features to the phones, including a dedicated chat section in the notifications shade as well as visual improvements to Samsung’s web browser, volume slider, home and lock screens, and contacts.

Samsung also has a thread going on its community forums to gather feedback from all those trying out the new One UI 3.0 beta on their Note 20s. The company notes in the thread that if you rely on banking apps, you might want to wait for the stable update.

You can sign up for the One UI 3.0 beta update on your Galaxy Note 20 or Note 20 Ultra by heading to the Samsung Members app. Here, you should see a One UI beta banner. Tap on the banner and press the “enroll” button. Now wait for a few minutes then go to the “Software updates” section and check for updates.

Original article: August 7, 2020 (2:42 AM ET): Welcome to the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 update hub! Here you’ll find all the latest information about software updates for the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. We’ll list the current software version for each phone and also regularly update this hub when new updates roll out.

Samsung usually does an excellent job of rolling out important updates simultaneously for all versions of its flagships. However, keep in mind that different versions of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 might receive updates at different times. So you might see a discrepancy in updates for unlocked and carrier-branded versions of the phones.

Are you looking to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 or Galaxy Note 20 Ultra? Check out the deals below. Head further down the page for the information on each Galaxy Note 20 update.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 A "cheaper" Note

The standard Galaxy Note 20 has some trade-offs to hit a lower price point, but it should still satisfy many Note users.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Bigger, better, and pricier

Samsung's Galaxy Note line has always been for the power users, and this year's models are no different — especially the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This new ultra-premium phone is Samsung's most refined device yet.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra updates

Current stable version: Android 10
When will Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra get Android 11?: Q4 2020 (Estimated)
How many updates will Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra receive?: Three major software updates

Samsung launched the Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra on August 5. Pre-orders for the two 2020 Note flagships went live on August 6. Both phones will be available via carriers and retailers starting August 21. The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra both feature Android 10-based One UI 2.5 out of the box.

Samsung has already opened the beta program for One UI 3.0 based on Android 11, so you can expect the Galaxy Note 20 duo to get the new software by the end of 2020. The company has also promised three major Android versions for the phones, so you’re all set till Android 13.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra: What you need to know

The Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra are now receiving their first software update even before they hit store shelves. So anyone who buys the new Notes will have this first update waiting for them.

As spotted by SamMobile, the first software update for the Galaxy Note 20 series brings stability and performance improvements. It also squashes some bugs and adds new features, but Samsung hasn’t gone into the details in the changelog. The update is almost 500MB in size and also carries the August security patches for the phones.

On September 7, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra received their second software update. The OTA update added the September Android security patches to the phones.

The next update for the Galaxy Note 20 series arrived in early October. It carried the October security patches and also added some improvements for battery life, camera stability, and dark mode features.

Here are the current stable versions of all Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra models.

Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra	Android 10	Android 11
AT&T	Yes	TBA
Verizon	Yes	TBA
T-Mobile	Yes	TBA
US Cellular	Yes	TBA
International unlocked	Yes	TBA

Let us know which Samsung Galaxy Note 20 update you are rocking when you get your phone. Tip us if you’ve spotted an OTA that we haven’t.

Are you looking for more device updates? Check out our Android 10 update tracker.

Deal: The OnePlus 7T is an absolute steal for just $399 ($100 off)

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 06:01:49 GMT

Credit: BH Photo Video

The OnePlus 8T might be out now, but we think last year’s OnePlus 7T is well worth considering too. And judging by the results of our recent poll, Android Authority readers think it’s still a great buy as well.

The 2019 model already received a $100 price cut from $599 to $499 several months ago, but B&H Photo Video has discounted the OnePlus 7T by a further $100. That means you can get the phone for just $399. That’s almost half the price of the $750 8T, although you’re missing out on a 120Hz refresh rate, 5G, and brand-new flagship silicon.

This deal applies to the 128GB unlocked model, although it’s unclear how long the promotion will last. Furthermore, the retailer notes that this particular model (HD1907) won’t work on Verizon.

In any event, the OnePlus 7T was a good deal at $499 and it’s a fantastic deal at this discounted price tag. For $399, you’re getting a powerful Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset, a 90Hz FHD+ OLED screen, and a 3,800mAh battery with 30W wired charging.

You’re also getting a triple rear camera setup with a 48MP main camera, a 16MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 12MP 2x telephoto camera. The latter isn’t available on the OnePlus 8 or OnePlus 8T.

Like the idea of this discounted OnePlus 7T? Then check out the deal via the button below. Otherwise, you can also take a look at our rundown of the best OnePlus phones.

Buy OnePlus 7T

Wait, wasn’t every OnePlus phone supposed to have a high refresh rate screen?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:29:04 GMT

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

A OnePlus executive previously promised that all future OnePlus phones would have Fluid Display tech.
However, the OnePlus Nord N100 has a 60Hz LCD screen.
The company told Android Authority that the promise was in reference to flagship phones.

OnePlus is having a bumper year in terms of budget-focused devices. It launched its first mid-range phone in five years in the OnePlus Nord and it’s now followed up with two more budget phones, the OnePlus Nord N10 and N100.

The OnePlus Nord N100 in particular is an interesting release for the company, as it offers a 60Hz LCD screen. This is noteworthy because OnePlus seemingly made a promise to offer high refresh rate screens on all its future phones back in September last year.

“From now on, all future OnePlus smartphones will come with the Fluid Display technology,” former OnePlus executive Carl Pei was quoted as saying at the OnePlus 7T India launch.

Does that mean the company broke its promise with the release of the OnePlus Nord N100? We asked OnePlus.

“Nord is a different product line and [the quote] from the OnePlus India launch was said in reference to our flagship devices,” a company spokesperson told Android Authority.

The OnePlus executive clearly didn’t mention “flagship” when announcing that all future phones would offer Fluid Display tech though, and the Nord line wasn’t around at the time of Pei’s statement. For what it’s worth, the executive noted at the time that Fluid Display was “much more” than just having a high refresh rate screen, saying that a “great panel,” performance, and animations also formed part of the technology.

Nevertheless, this omission is a little perplexing because the Oppo A53, which seems to be the basis for the OnePlus Nord N100, offers a 90Hz refresh rate anyway. It’s possible OnePlus decided against the higher refresh rate for performance or cost reasons, or because it wanted to further differentiate the Nord N10 from the cheaper phone.

Next: The nine things we want to see from the OnePlus 9 series

Facebook is the latest to jump into mobile cloud gaming

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 16:47:21 GMT

Credit: Facebook

Facebook has launched cloud game streaming in its app and on the web.
The first titles are mobile games like Asphalt 9 and WWE SuperCard.
Facebook doesn’t intend to rival Google Stadia or Amazon Luna, however.

Facebook can’t entirely resist the allure of game streaming services like Google Stadia and Amazon Luna. Facebook has introduced a cloud gaming feature that lets you stream several mobile games through its Android app and the web without downloads or worries about performance.

The initial catalog includes several recognizable but not necessarily blockbuster games, including the racer Asphalt 9: Legends, wrestling title WWE SuperCard, PGA Tour Golf Shootout, Mobile Legends: Adventure, and Solitaire: Arthur’s Tale. More games will be available for streaming in the “coming weeks,” Facebook said, including Red Bull’s Dirt Bike Unchained.

Facebook added that it chose “latency-tolerant” games for its first proper foray into cloud gaming, but that you might still notice hiccups. It promised to ask for feedback and refine the feature over time. And in case you’re wondering: Facebook doesn’t see a “viable path” for iOS access, even over the web, due to Apple’s policies.

Read more: What is cloud gaming?

The service is rolling out in earnest across the US following early regional streaming, although the need for low latency will still limit just where you can play. Facebook game streaming will first be available in California, Texas, and states in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic like New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Expansions will widen access in the “coming months.”

It’ll be easier to try games, too. On top of a redesigned Facebook Gaming web portal with easier discovery, the social network is debuting Cloud Playable Ads for Android and iOS users in the US. Similar to Google Play Instant or Apple’s App Clips, you can try a game without a download or even visiting an app store. You’ll initially see demos from developers like Angry Birds’ Rovio, 2K, Gameloft and others.

Unlike Amazon or Google, Facebook has no ambitions of replacing classic console or PC gaming with its cloud offering. This is strictly about adding a game streaming option on Facebook rather than replacing the usual experience. It doesn’t intend to launch a dedicated service, and warns that streaming “still has a way to go.” Even so, it’s notable that Facebook is trying this in the first place —it clearly wants to deliver more than simple web games.

Speed Test G: OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 8 (prepare to be surprised)

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:41:50 GMT

By this point, you’ve probably had a chance to read our OnePlus 8T review to find out how the phone compares to its predecessor, the OnePlus 8. But if you’re still on the fence about whether an upgrade makes sense, our own Gary Sims is here to help with the latest Speed Test G challenge.

Despite the two phones both featuring the same Snapdragon 865 chipset, the benchmarks don’t play out how you might think they would in his OnePlus 8T vs OnePlus 8 comparison. After taking an initial lead, the OnePlus 8T ultimately loses the contest to the older OnePlus 8. In the end, the difference is small, but the 8 consistently completes the testing suite in 2.1 seconds less than the 8T.

Keep in mind benchmarks don’t provide a full picture of how a phone performs in day-to-day use. Putting the two phones side-by-side, most people would come away with the impression the 8T was the faster phone with its 120Hz refresh rate display, but the results help highlight how little has changed between the two devices.

Google is working on dark mode for Chrome OS, here’s how to try it

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 15:00:53 GMT

Credit: Android Police

Google has started testing a system-wide dark theme for Chrome OS.
Provided your Chromebook is in the Canary channel, you can check it out.
No word yet on when we can expect a stable release.

Chrome OS may finally get a dark mode. Over the weekend, Android Police spotted a change in the Chrome OS Canary channel that indicates Google is at least working on a system-wide dark theme for Chromebooks. It’s not clear when the company plans to roll out the feature to a stable build of Chrome OS, but provided you’re running a Canary build of the operating system, you can check it out now.

Credit: Android Police

Start by pasting “chrome://flags/#enable-force-dark and chrome://flags/#enable-webui-dark-mode” into your URL bar and then toggling both flags from the drop down menu. And that’s it, you can play with the new system theme to your heart’s content. Keep in mind what’s here is at an early stage of development. You’ll likely encounter bugs as you use theme, and, as Android Police points out, not every element has been skinned properly just as yet; the title bar is a good example (see above).

Still, the fact that Google is working on a dark theme for Chrome OS is welcome news. Both Windows 10 and macOS have had system-wide dark modes for a while. Not to mention that it’s been a part of Google’s mobile operating system since last year’s release of Android 10.

See also: The best Chromebooks

OnePlus 7T series gets a new stable Oxygen OS build: What you need to know

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:20:08 GMT

Update: October 26, 2020 (9 AM ET): There’s a new Oxygen OS stable build available for the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro. Numbered 10.0.14 in the EU and global markets, and 10.3.6 in India, the update brings a number of fixes to the phones’ system apps, and the September Android security patch.

Those currently running a stable version of Oxygen OS will receive this build as an OTA update. Others can download it here.

See the full changelog below.

System
- Newly added user assistance feature to help user master usage skills quickly(Route: Settings>OnePlus Tips&Support)
- Optimized power consumption of the system and improve user experience
- Fixed the issue that the alarm clock does not ring in certain scenarios
- Fixed the unstable issue with Messages in special cases
- Fixed the flashback issue with some third-party apps
- Fixed known issues and improved system stability
- Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.09

Welcome to the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro update hub. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the latest Android updates for the two devices, including their current versions and when future updates are likely to arrive.

Both the 7T and 7T Pro run Oxygen OS, OnePlus’ proprietary Android skin. Oxygen OS is known for fast updates that come for a very long time, so be sure to bookmark this page and visit often.

Note the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro sometimes receive updates at the same time. Also, note that the T-Mobile variant of the OnePlus 7T might receive software updates at a later date.

Buy the OnePlus 7T (US)

Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro (UK)

OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7T Pro updates

Current stable version: Android 10
When will the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro get Android 11? September 2020 (estimated)

The OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro launched on September 26, 2019, and October 10, 2019, respectively. Both launched with the latest version of Android out-of-the-box (Android 10). It’s expected both devices will receive at least two major Android updates in the future — Android 11 in 2020 and Android 12 in 2021. It’s possible that it will also receive an update to Android 13 in 2022, as the OnePlus 3T received four flavors of Android during its update lifespan (Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, and Pie).

	Android 10	Android 11
OnePlus 7T -- US unlocked	Current	TBA
OnePlus 7T -- US T-Mobile	Current	TBA
OnePlus 7T Pro -- International unlocked	Current	TBA

OnePlus rolled out Oxygen OS 10.0.5 for the OnePlus 7T on November 7, 2019. The update brought the Android security patch up to October 2019 and fixed an issue with the double-tap gesture when activating the screen. This is in addition to a bunch of general bug fixes and stability improvements.

On November 15, 2019, OnePlus began rolling out Oxygen OS 10.0.6 for the OnePlus 7T. The update brought optimizations to standby power consumption and the expanded screenshot feature. It also improved Bluetooth connectivity in cars.

OnePlus announced the Oxygen OS 10.0.6 update on its official community forums and you can view the full (but short) changelog here.

Meanwhile, the OnePlus 7T Pro received the Oxygen OS 10.0.4 update. GSMArena spotted the 166MB update, which brought the security patch of the phone up to October 2019. It also optimized standby power, Bluetooth, and expanded screenshots just like the OnePlus 7T update. OnePlus also fixed the black bar issue while charging or playing a video.

In addition, both phones got general bug fixes and stability improvements.

The best OnePlus 7T cases available

The OnePlus 7T brings everything that makes the OnePlus 7 Pro great to a more affordable price point. Not only is the 7T one of the best premium mid-range smartphones you can buy, but it …

In December, OnePlus rolled out Oxygen OS 10.0.7 for the OnePlus 7T and Oxygen OS 10.0.05 for the OnePlus 7T Pro. The new updates improved the launch speed of some apps, optimized RAM management, fixed black and white screen issues, and updated the Android security patch to November, 2019.

More recently, February 2020 brought Oxygen OS 10.0.7 (EU and global) and 10.3.1 (India) for OnePlus 7T Pro. This brought the January 2020 security patch, bug fixes, and several other minor tweaks.

In March, the OnePlus 7T and 7T Pro got their first Open Beta update. The update brought the February 2020 security patch, better RAM management, and several fixes. But the biggest addition was that of Live Caption, following in the footsteps of the Google Pixel series and Galaxy S20 family.

The second Open Beta followed late in March, bringing the March 2020 security patch, Instant Translation feature, and improved Adaptive Brightness.

Shortly after that, the OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren 5G received the Oxygen OS 10.0.31 stable update. The update rolled out to the T-Mobile variant, and it included 5G enhancements, the March security patch, and other general bug fixes.

We also saw the Open Beta 3 for the OnePlus 7T series land on May 15, bringing dirty lens warnings for the camera, 4K recording via the ultra-wide shooter, and 960fps video. It also packed the April 2020 security patch. The Open Beta 4 update arrived on May 21, fixing a few issues and packing the May 2020 security update.

We recently saw OnePlus push out the Open Beta 4 update to the OnePlus 7T series on May 28. The Oxygen OS 10.3.3 update for India and Oxygen OS 10.0.11 update for global devices was spotted by XDA-Developers and brings a few notable features. Some of the more prominent additions here include 960fps recording, the Epic Games store in the Game Space on Indian devices, and Dolby Atmos support for the Bullets Wireless Z.

In June, OnePlus rolled out Oxygen OS Beta 5 for the OnePlus 7T series. The updated added a couple of new features and plenty of smaller fixes that owners of the phone would appreciate. One of the biggest additions in this update was a new dark mode toggle that many users wanted for a long time. The June security patch was also released with this update. You can find the entire changelog here.

OnePlus on August 4 began rolling out Oxygen OS 10.3.4 for the OnePlus 7T in India with Oxygen OS 10.0.12 for global markets following later. In a forum post, the company said the update would add support for the OnePlus Buds, include a number of new clock styles, and bring the Android July 2020 security patch along with it.

On August 10, Oxygen OS Open Beta 8 arrived adding new user assistance features, optimizations for the Messages app, and improvements to Wi-Fi transfer stability. The update also brought minor bug fixes to notifications and the screen recorder as well as tweaks to Game Space and Community apps. September’s Android security update and August GMS update arrived in tow.

Let us know which OnePlus 7T/7T Pro update you’re rocking in the comments, and if you’ve spotted a recent update we’ve missed, tip us!

Looking for another device update? Head to our general Android 10 update tracker at the link.

New stable Oxygen OS builds arrive on the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 13:00:24 GMT

Update, October 26, 2020 (8.40 AM ET): A new stable build of Oxygen OS is rolling out to OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro users.

The update – numbered as Oxygen OS 10.3.6 for those in India and other global markets and Oxygen OS 10.0.9 for those in the EU – addresses system power consumption and stability. The changelog hasn’t been altered from the previous patch, so it’s unclear if there’s any real changes not listed by OnePlus.

Nevertheless, find the full and fairly brief changelog below:

System
- Newly added user assistance feature to help user master usage skills quickly (Route: Settings>OnePlus Tips&Support)
- Optimized power consumption of the system and improve user experience (OP7 Pro Only)
- Fixed the flashback issue with some third-party apps
- Fixed known issues and improved system stability
- Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.09

If you want to switch from the stable channel of Oxygen OS to the beta, it’s really not difficult. Follow our guide here!

Welcome to the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro updates hub. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the latest Android updates for the two devices, including their current versions and when future updates are likely to arrive.

Both the 7 and 7 Pro run Oxygen OS, OnePlus’ proprietary Android skin. Oxygen OS is known for fast updates that come for a very long time, so be sure to bookmark this page and visit often.

Note the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro sometimes receive updates at the same time. Also, note that T-Mobile and Sprint variants of the OnePlus 7 Pro might receive software updates at a later date.

Buy the OnePlus 7 Pro (US)

Buy the OnePlus 7 (UK)

OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro updates

Current stable version: Android 10
When will the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro get Android 11? September 2020 (estimated)

The OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro launched on May 14, 2019, with the then-latest version of Android, Android 9 Pie. It’s expected both devices will receive at least two major Android updates in the future.

Unlocked variants of the two phones started receiving Android 10 in late September, though many users didn’t see the OTA for weeks after before OnePlus quietly shelved it due to a few pesky bugs. The rollout began anew in mid-October as OxygenOS version 10.0.1.

At the end of December, the Android 10 update for the T-Mobile variant of the OnePlus 7 Pro finally began rolling out. The update came in as Oxygen OS 10.0.1 and included the November 2019 security patch. Unlocked 7 Pro models are on Oxygen OS 10.3.0, although it’s not clear which features the T-Mobile update is missing, if any.

OnePlus has confirmed that the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G will eventually be upgraded to OxygenOS 10 — though users will have to wait until Q1 2020 to see it.

What did 2020 bring so far?

Right after the beginning of the new year, OnePlus released the latest Oxygen OS Open Beta 8 builds for OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro users. This update brought several bug fixes including touch screen optimizations and camera performance tweaks as well as the December security patch.

In mid-February, OnePlus released the Oxygen OS Open Beta 9 build and Oxygen OS 10.3.1 stable update for the OnePlus 7 Pro. Both updates include several bug fixes, tweaks, and January’s security patch.

In March, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G was also updated to the stable version of Android 10. This exclusive version of Oxygen OS 10 landed as a 2GB+ download and its changelog was the same as the one for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro Android 10 update.

OnePlus 8 is officially coming April 14

OnePlus The OnePlus 8 series will be officially unveiled on Tuesday, April 14, the company announced in an email to Android Authority. We expect to see the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro make their debut, though it's …

Later in the month, the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro got the new Oxygen OS Open Beta 10 update. According to a post on the OnePlus Forums, the update included the February 2020 security patches as well as some bug fixes and system optimizations.

The Open Beta 11 update followed shortly thereafter, bringing the March 2020 security update, as well as the Instant Translation feature. This function translates audio in video calls to the native language of users, supporting English, French, German, Hindi, and Chinese.

March 2020 was also the month when OnePlus 7 Pro 5G devices on Sprint finally got updated to Android 10. Not long after, the EU variant saw the OxygenOS 10.0.5 OTA, which introduced general bug fixes and tweaks.

On the last day of the month, OnePlus released the stable OxygenOS 10.3.2 update with the March 2020 security patch in tow for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro. This brought improved RAM management, slow-mo recording stability, video playback fluidity, and more.

The firm released the Open Beta 13 update on May 8, bringing dirty camera lens notifications, the April 2020 security patch, and various fixes.

OnePlus in June brought a new Dark Mode toggle in the notification bar, tweaks to the dialing interface, and a number of bug fixes. The June 2020 Android Security patch also arrived in tow.

In August, Open Beta 17 brought a new user assistance feature to help onboard new OnePlus users, optimizations to File Manager and Wi-Fi transfers, and the Android security patch for August 2020.

Mid-September saw the rollout of Open Beta 18 for the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro which packed a lengthy list of tweaks and enhancements to Game Space and Community apps. The update also included the September 2020 Android security patch and the August 2020 GMS package.

On October 1, the OnePlus 7 series gained Oxygen OS 10.0.8 in India and other global markets, and 10.3.5 in the EU. It brought improvements to system power consumption, patched various system stability issues, and added Android’s security update for September.

The OnePlus 7 series is expected to see Android 11 in 2020. It’s possible that it will also receive an update to Android 12 in 2021, as the OnePlus 3T received three updates during its lifespan (to Nougat, Oreo, and Pie).

	Android 10	Android 11
OnePlus 7 Pro — US unlocked	Yes	TBA
OnePlus 7 Pro — T-Mobile	Yes	TBA
OnePlus 7 Pro — International unlocked	Yes	TBA
OnePlus 7 — International unlocked	Yes	TBA

Let us know which OnePlus 7/7 Pro update you’re rocking in the comments, and if you’ve spotted a recent update we’ve missed, tip us!

Looking for another device update? Head to our general Android 10 update tracker at the link.

OnePlus Nord N10 and N100 announced: First OnePlus phones with SD card support

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 12:00:25 GMT

Credit: OnePlus

OnePlus today announced two new budget smartphones: the OnePlus Nord N10 and Nord N100.
The phones mark the return of the headphone jack and the first phones ever from the brand with a microSD card slot.
The new Nords will launch in Europe and the UK first, but both will eventually land in North America.

OnePlus just took the wraps off yet another pair of 2020 smartphones. The phones are budget entries in the brand new Nord series and land as the N10 and N100. The former is just underneath the OnePlus Nord as far as specs and value go, while the latter is the lowest the company has ever gone in specs/value.

The N10 will start at £329/€329 (~$429) while the N100 will cost £179/€179 (~$233). Both will be available in the United Kingdom and Europe. Eventually, they will land in North America, though OnePlus did not divulge any concrete info on release dates yet.

OnePlus Nord N10 and N100 specs

	OnePlus Nord N10	OnePlus Nord N100
Display	6.49-inch IPS LCD Full HD+ resolution 90Hz refresh rate	6.52-inch IPS LCD HD+ resolution 60Hz refresh rate
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 690	Qualcomm Snapdragon 460
RAM	6GB	4GB
Storage	128GB internal microSD support (up to 512GB)	64GB internal microSD support
Power	4,300mAh battery Warp Charge 30T wired charging	5,000mAh battery 18W wired charging
Ports	microSD slot 3.5mm headphone jack Dual-SIM (Europe and UK) Single SIM (North America)	microSD slot 3.5mm headphone jack Dual-SIM (Europe and UK) Single SIM (North America)
Cameras	Rear: 64MP Main 8MP Ultra-wide 2MP Macro 2MP Monochrome Front: 16MP	Rear: 13MP main 2MP Bokeh 2MP Macro Front: 8MP
Security	Rear fingerprint sensor	Rear fingerprint sensor
Connectivity	5G + 4G LTE	4G only
OS	Android 10 Oxygen OS 10.5	Android 10 Oxygen OS 10.5
Dimensions and weight	164.9 x 65.1 x 8.49mm 188g	163 x 74.7 x 8.95mm 190g
Colors	Midnight Ice	Midnight Frost
Availability	United Kingdom Europe North America	United Kingdom Europe North America

OnePlus’ lineup just got really confusing

Of the two new devices, the OnePlus Nord N100 makes the most sense. It touches on a segment of budget shoppers who, up until now, simply avoided OnePlus because it didn’t offer anything for them. The N100 will allow them to give Oxygen OS a shot (even if it is based on Android 10) for an incredibly low price.

The N10, however, is spec’d a lot lower than the OnePlus Nord but only costs £50 less. If someone is thinking about the Nord N10, they might as well put in the extra cash and get a phone that is better by pretty much every metric. The main Nord also features the signature OnePlus alert slider, which both the N10 and N100 appear to lack. OnePlus would not confirm or deny for us if the alert slider is a feature of either phone.

Things will be a bit different when the phones land in the United States, though. Since the OnePlus Nord didn’t launch here, the Nord N10, specifically, will fill in an empty gap in the market.

This release marks, by far, the most phones OnePlus has launched in one year’s time. It will be very interesting to see how the company handles transitioning from a flagship-only brand to a more all-around company.

The best cyber security courses for career advancement and personal security

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 11:24:01 GMT

The best cyber security courses can advance your career, build a futureproof resume, and even help you protect your own personal data.

Cyber security specialist is arguably one of the more glamorous roles for an IT professional. Hollywood has a fascination with cyber warfare and the idea of large companies being “hacked” by malicious-yet-ingenious bad guys in their basements. This is a battle of the minds, with the most precious commodity of the 21^st century at stake: information.

Of course, we all know that Hollywood has embellished the role of the information security professional. Yet, even with the reality being significantly less dramatic, it is still an exciting, important, and in-demand skill. Cyber security really does require lateral thinking, creativity, and technical know-how. And you could really be protecting data that is worth thousands or millions of dollars in some cases.

It’s no wonder then, that the average salary for a computer security specialist in the US is anywhere between $67,000 and $111,000. It’s also a role that is in high demand, which is only likely to increase in the coming years.

So, how do you get started? Below, we’ll be breaking down some of the best cyber security courses you can take right now. These include courses for beginners looking to keep their own personal information safe, as well as advanced courses with specific exam preparation for professionals. We also have access to some amazing discounts, so don’t miss out!

Note: We’ll be adding to this list from time to time, so bookmark this page to stay notified.

The Four Volume Cyber Security Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

This “four-volume” bundle, as the name suggests, is comprised of four of the best cyber security courses. They are aimed at beginners looking to keep their data safe. You’ll learn how to defend yourself against malicious hacks, government surveillance techniques, and general intrusions on your privacy. The courses are interesting and easy to get started with: a perfect introduction to the subject.

If you buy now from Android Authority, you’ll get 93% off of the regular $555 asking price. Gain peace of mind for just $35!

Why you should buy

Perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about cyber security
Easy to follow
Four of the best cyber security courses

Why you should pass

No exam preparation
Doesn’t dive into deeper, professional skills

$35 .00

The Four Volume Cyber Security Bundle

Save $520 .00

Buy it Now

The Four Volume Cyber Security Bundle Buy it Now

Save $520 .00 $35 .00

The Advanced Cyber Security Career Advancement Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

This bundle represents fantastic value for money, offering 56 hours of content. It is geared toward preparing the student for industry-standard cyber security certifications. That includes specific training for:

CISA Certification
CompTIA Cloud Essentials
CCSP Certification
CISM Certification
CISSP Certification

A sixth course serves as a general overview and introduction to Cyber Security. This selection is perfect for beginners that are looking to add cyber security to their skillset.

The bundle is usually sold for $4,500. Buy through Android Authority though, to get this professional training for just $49.99.

Why you should buy

Preparation for major certifications
Excellent value
Loads of content

Why you should pass

A little heavy for those that just want a basic overview
“Advance” is in the title twice

$49 .99

The Advanced Cyber Security Career Advancement Bundle

Save $4450 .01

Buy it Now

The Advanced Cyber Security Career Advancement Bundle Buy it Now

Save $4450 .01 $49 .99

Zero to Hero Cyber Security Hacker Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

The Zero to Hero Cyber Security Hacker Bundle is like a buffet of great cyber security courses. These are aimed at both beginners with topics like “Fundamentals of Computer Hacking” and experts with more advanced courses like “Advanced Web Hacking and Security.” There are eight courses in total, with a combined 339 lessons and 12.5 hours of content.

Android Authority readers can benefit from a 91% discount that brings the total cost down to just $29.

Why you should buy

Good range of topics aimed at different skill levels
Interesting content on hacking

Why you should pass

No professional exam preparation
Those serious about going pro may need further education
Not as much content as some other options on this list

$360 .00

Zero to Hero Cyber Security Hacker Bundle

Buy it Now

Zero to Hero Cyber Security Hacker Bundle Buy it Now

$360 .00

The CompTIA Cyber Security Pathway Certification Prep Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

This is by far one of the best cyber security courses for those interested in CompTIA certification. It is a focused series of lessons that cover the entire Cyber Security Pathway.

While other bundles, like the Advanced Cyber Security Career Advancement Bundle, offer preparation for multiple exams, this one benefits from keeping things focused. With so much direct tuition, it offers the highest likelihood of success for that specific course. We would certainly recommend this prep bundle to those looking to get certified!

Act quickly to get the course for just $34.99 (normal price: $1,134).

Why you should buy

Highly focussed preparation for the CompTIA Cyber Security Pathway
Excellent in-depth instruction from experienced teachers
Transferrable skills that could benefit other courses

Why you should pass

Only for those interested in CompTIA certification

$1134 .00

The CompTIA Cyber Security Pathway Certification Prep Bundle

Buy it Now

The CompTIA Cyber Security Pathway Certification Prep Bundle Buy it Now

$1134 .00

The A to Z Cyber Security & IT Certification Training Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

This bundle is another highly comprehensive selection of the best cyber security courses, this time focussing on specific techniques and methods used by both hackers and information security specialists. You’ll learn about SQL Injections, Pentesting, Cloud Security, Ethical Hacking, and more. The bundle also includes exam prep for a number of different certifications: GSEC, CISSP, CISM, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CSA+, and CISA.

Why you should buy

In-depth explanation of common techniques and terms
Specific preparation for multiple certifications
One of the most well-rounded packages overall
Wide variety of courses and lessons

Why you should pass

A little piecemeal in the content offered

$39 .00

The A to Z Cyber Security & IT Certification Training Bundle

Save $1398 .00

Buy it Now

The A to Z Cyber Security & IT Certification Training Bundle Buy it Now

Save $1398 .00 $39 .00

The Complete InfoSec & Business Continuity Bundle

Credit: Adam Sinicki / Android Authority

Finally, this bundle provides a selection of the best cyber security courses for professionals and businesses. Learn about business continuity and disaster recovery: how to help your business bounce back from a malicious attack. You can also learn about the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and discover tools and protocols like email and website encryption with OpenPGP and SSH.

This valuable product usually costs $6,490, but Android Authority is currently offering the package for just $59.

Why you should buy

Extremely valuable for businesses
Over 400 hours of content
Includes exam preparation for multiple certifications
Amazing value

Why you should pass

Not for beginners
Specifically business-oriented

$6490 .00

The Complete InfoSec & Business Continuity Bundle

Buy it Now

The Complete InfoSec & Business Continuity Bundle Buy it Now

$6490 .00

So, those are just some of the best online cyber security courses you can take right now. Keep checking back as we add to this list, and let us know about any we missed in the comments below.

We asked, you told us: The Pixel 5 takes better pictures than the Galaxy S20 FE

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 10:09:22 GMT

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

The Google Pixel 5 and Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition are two of the more reasonably priced high-end phones at the moment. Samsung’s phone offers better value for money on paper, thanks to that flagship processor, a higher refresh rate, and a triple rear camera setup.

Is a triple rear camera setup and a top-end processor enough to overcome the new Pixel’s dual rear camera and algorithmic photography smarts though? We pitted the Pixel 5 against the Galaxy S20 FE in a camera shootout, and asked you to pick a winner.

Which phone takes better photos: Pixel 5 or Galaxy S20 FE?

Results

A grand total of 8,191 votes were cast after we posted the poll on October 16, and 78.4% of respondents picked the Pixel 5 as the winner here. Meanwhile, 21.6% of you lot thought the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE delivered better results.

We thought the two phones were pretty evenly matched in daylight and middling lighting conditions, but felt that the Pixel 5 pulled ahead in low light. This seemed pretty apparent in the pictures showing our own David Imel, with Samsung’s phone churning out darker, noisier results.

Still, we thought the Samsung phone edged out the Pixel in a few scenarios, while the presence of a telephoto camera means it has better zoom capabilities than the Pixel 5 — even when taking night-time shots.

It’s also worth noting that the Pixel 5 is still using the IMX363 main camera sensor (1/2.55-inch size, 1.4 micron pixels) which first appeared on the Pixel 3 and is a negligible upgrade over the IMX362 sensor seen on the Pixel 2. The FE’s 12MP main camera sensor, on the other hand, is larger and has bigger pixels for better light-gathering capabilities in theory. So on the one hand, this is once again a testament to Google’s software prowess after all this time.

On the other hand, it really makes you wonder what Google could do if it used the S20 FE’s main sensor and tuned the software accordingly. In fact, we think Google’s phones are overdue for a camera hardware upgrade.

Your comments

Simon: The takeaway for me is how much samsung has closed the gap. It might only be about a year of advances behind pixel line now. Maybe we’ve reached diminishing returns in phone cameras though.
MrNobody: I was actually a little disappointed by both cameras. Given the praise dumped on Google’s photo abilities over the past few years, I wasn’t all that impressed. Maybe I shouldn’t be surprised, as they haven’t actually updated their hardware… then again, the price is reasonable for what you go. Samsung is … well, Samsung.
Tom23: Samsung just can’t take a decent shot of human subjects. Faces always look horrible. This is the only reason I don’t use their phones. I’m stuck using my pixel which is inferior in many other departments, so when I take photos of my family I know they’ll be usable.
Patrick PB21: Mmm, it’s really hard to choose here. Both have good points in one shot or the other, and I think it’s a draw for the test camera. For the other technical points, I think Samsung is a better choice (Google, in 2020 the fingerprint sensor on the back of a flagship is not possible!).
Donald Seguin: Both are a big let down…the reality is Samsung entire S20 lineup has been a disappointment …I mean come on a phone that cannot focus that cost over $1000 (both Ultras) combined with questionable software. In Google case basically the same low end hardware for 3 generations and basically little to progress and these 2 are the Android leaders…how are they gonna look against the I phone 12 lineup which is not actually that expensive…
Nnaemeka Nwokocha: Pixel has the better cameras, yes but I’d buy the Samsung if I had to carry one. It’s just a better phone overall.
MatteBlack: There are a couple of images I like better from the FE—mostly color at night due to night sight bringing up the colors too much to look more like day—otherwise it’s the Pixel by a mile to me. Just my opinion.

That’s it for our Pixel 5 versus Galaxy S20 FE poll! Thanks so much for voting and submitting comments. What do you make of the results and comparison? Let us know in the comments below.

Samsung Galaxy S30 Ultra specs leak: An S20 Ultra with a new coat?

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 08:36:32 GMT

New details of the rumored Samsung Galaxy S30 Ultra have leaked.
The phone is said to recycle a number of features from the S20 Ultra.
It may however feature a slightly smaller body than its predecessor.

Details of the Samsung Galaxy S30 series’ largest member has broken cover, but those hoping for ultra novel innovations may be disappointed. According to tipster Ishan Agarwal and 91Mobiles, it’s likely that the Galaxy S30 Ultra could recycle a number of specs and features from the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

The report reiterates the S30 Ultra details we’ve seen in previous leaks. This includes the 5,000mAh battery, the 108MP primary rear snapper, and the 40MP selfie sensor which may be retained from the S20 Ultra. Earlier renders suggest the S30 series may stick with a center punch-hole selfie design.

Dimensions may not shift much either. The Galaxy S30 Ultra measures 165.1mm x 75.6mm x 8.9mm, with a 1.9mm-deep camera hump, per the report. This isn’t much smaller than the 166.9mm x 76mm x 8.8mm of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Galaxy S30 Ultra specs: The same, but different?

It’s not all a copy-paste job, though. We’ve seen purported renders of the Galaxy S30 Ultra and its two family members earlier this month, so we do expect a redesigned camera array. The Ultra is also said to pack a 6.8-inch 2K AMOLED screen — a slight shrink over the 6.9-inch S20 Ultra.

Credit: OnLeak/Samsung

Additionally, we can expect the Snapdragon 875 to command the S30 series in the States, and the rumored Exynos 2100 for use almost everywhere else. Considering Samsung usually picks the latest and greatest Snapdragon chipset for its flagships, this addition seems highly likely. The Exynos 2100, while not officially announced, has been mentioned in earlier leaks.

Finally, the S30 Ultra will also run Android 11-based One UI 3.0, according to the report. We probably don’t need confirmation of this though. Samsung will surely launch the flagship on the latest version of its Android skin.

As an early report, it does neglect to mention some details. There’s no word on the S30 Ultra’s companion snappers, its RAM or storage configs, or its charging solution.

It’s perhaps a little too soon to suggest that the S30 Ultra will be an S20 Ultra with a new coat. But considering its rumored earlier launch window, we wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung did rehash some features from the outgoing models.

Next: The Samsung Galaxy S series, ranked

VR headsets not sharp enough for you? 10,000 PPI OLED screen tech revealed

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 06:54:12 GMT

Samsung and Stanford researchers have created a 10,000 PPI OLED screen.
This offers greater pixel density than even a 6-inch display with 32K resolution.

Pixel density is one of the key factors in screen quality, serving as a measure of how sharp a display is. The Sony Xperia 1 II and its 4K screen delivers 643 pixels per square inch (PPI), delivering the sharpest screen on a smartphone in 2020.

Now, Samsung and Stanford researchers have created an OLED display with a pixel density of roughly 10,000 PPI (h/t: IEEE Spectrum). In other words, even a 6-inch display with 32K resolution (30,720 x 17,280) wouldn’t match up, topping out at nearly 6,000 PPI.

The researchers used an OLED film to beam out white light to two reflective layers, with one being a silver film and the other being a “metasurface.” This metasurface features a “forest of microscopic pillars,” which serve as pixels measuring 2.4 microns in size.

The team notes that light is reflected back and forth between these layers, with this build-up enabling “twice the luminescence efficiency of standard color-filtered white OLED displays, as well as higher color purity.” Check out an image showing the screen tech below.

Credit: Samsung/IEEE Spectrum

VR could be one suitable use-case for this 10,000 PPI display, according to the researchers. It definitely sounds like an interesting use for the tech then, and it would be an exponential leap over existing consumer headsets. For example, the likes of the Valve Index and HTC Vive Cosmos offer PPIs well under 800.

It’s also worth noting that a 10,000 PPI screen would likely require a ton of horsepower for VR and general computing that just isn’t there yet for consumers. The latest and greatest RTX 3090 graphics card tops out at 8K, for example. This translates to 275 PPI for a 32-inch 8K monitor.

We wouldn’t bank on seeing a 10,000 PPI OLED display on smartphones anytime soon either. In addition to horsepower requirements, all those pixels would likely lead to massive battery drain.

Nevertheless, the Samsung and Stanford team’s research notes that 20,000 PPI is actually the theoretical limit for the technology. They do however note that brightness is a major trade-off when you shrink these pixels below one micron in size.

Next: The best monitors you can get for work and play

LG V70: What we want to see from LG’s next flagship phone

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 17:00:05 GMT

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The LG V60 might be one of the most underrated flagship phones of 2020, and we actually thought it was the firm’s best phone in years. LG just about managed to buck the trend of $1,000+ phones seen from the likes of Samsung, Huawei, Oppo, and even Xiaomi.

Coming in at a starting price of $800 without the Dual Screen case, you’re getting one of the most powerful Android processors on the market, a big battery, wireless charging, and water resistance. There’s still room for improvement though, so here’s what we’d like to see from the LG V70 or whatever LG’s next V series flagship is called.

Our verdict: LG V60 review — LG’s best effort in years is worth a look

A bigger step up in camera quality

It feels like a constant refrain at this point, but LG’s main issue at this stage is its cameras. That’s not to say the LG V60 takes bad photos, far from it. However, the likes of Google, Huawei, Samsung, Xiaomi, and others have all stepped their games up in recent years, especially for point-and-shoot photography.

LG’s phones tend to get left behind rivals when it comes to general consistency. Our own Eric Zeman noted that the V60 camera suffers from inconsistent exposures and issues with HDR. Fellow Android Authority writer Joe Hindy also found that while the phone takes above-average images in general, low light pictures aren’t as impressive.

Read: LG V60 tips and tricks — Get the most out of it!

LG is also long overdue for an ultra-wide camera upgrade. We’d like to either see more megapixels as we saw with the Oppo Find X2 Pro and OnePlus 8 Pro, much-improved low light quality as we see with Huawei’s recent flagships, or simply just adding autofocus for a more versatile experience.

Improved fingerprint scanner

In-display fingerprint sensors have been around since 2018, but it’s tough to say whether they will ever be truly preferable over physical scanners. The LG V60 doesn’t make us more confident in this regard.

The V60’s in-display scanner is nowhere as reliable as the rear-mounted scanners seen on LG’s previous phones. It tends to take a little longer to authenticate and fails to read just a tad more often than some competing devices.

Many brands have experienced teething issues upon first adopting this tech, but quite a few of them are now delivering faster, more accurate readers. It’s high time for LG to catch up.

Time to improve the software

Prior to the LG V60, the last time I had extensively used an LG phone was 2017’s V30. I was disappointed to discover that the software on the V60 still feels very similar to that release. Android Authority‘s David Imel bemoaned the Android skin’s extensive use of neon when he reviewed the LG Velvet — another odd design choice that makes LG UX look and feel dated and unsophisticated.

LG’s software isn’t the worst offender when it comes to Android skins from major brands (here’s looking at you, Vivo FunTouch OS). But we’ve recently seen Oppo and Realme both make major strides by embracing a stock-like aesthetic without losing functionality. Time to go back to the drawing board, then?

A longer commitment to updates (and a regular schedule)

LG’s had a mixed reputation when it comes to firmware updates, with months-long delays or even missing updates entirely. The company seems to have improved matters somewhat with its Android 10 rollout, but some owners will nevertheless be waiting until well into late 2020 for the upgrade.

We’d like to see the LG V70 — and all premium LG phones — get a longer, more timely commitment to Android system and security updates. This is particularly relevant in 2020, with Samsung announcing a three year pledge for Android version updates, matching the likes of Google and OnePlus.

A better Dual Screen experience

LG’s Dual Screen accessory is unique in the smartphone world, essentially giving consumers a foldable experience without delivering a fragile device at a hefty premium. Unfortunately, there are downsides to the pairing.

For one, the LG V60 paired with a Dual Screen case is an extremely cumbersome combination. You’ll struggle to get it in tight jeans, and the sheer heft and thickness means that there’s a good chance it’ll drag your pants down. Here’s hoping that the LG V70/Dual Screen pairing is slimmer and lighter.

Then there’s the software experience. You need to download a third-party app like WideMode to span an unsupported app across both screens. You’ll also need a third-party app if you want app links (e.g. Google Maps or reddit links) to open on the other screen. Here’s to LG focusing on these problem areas with future iterations.

Where’s the high refresh rate screen?

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

High refresh rate mobile screens have been around in some capacity since 2017’s Razer Phone, but they’ve exploded in popularity in the last 18 months. This tech delivers a smoother experience when swiping through menus, scrolling, and while playing supported games. It’s a pity that LG has so far opted to forego this tech while most other OEMs have adopted it.

A high refresh rate does consume more juice, but users can always revert to the standard 60Hz refresh rate to prolong battery life. We’ve also seen some brands offer software tweaks to optimize power consumption. Furthermore, the likes of Samsung use variable refresh rates to balance things out, automatically adjusting between a variety of refresh rates depending on the content.

Keep the headphone port

LG has resolutely stuck to the 3.5mm headphone port with its flagships for the most part, all while bringing in quad DAC hardware for a better audio experience. There is reason to be concerned about the V70 though, as the LG Wing ditches the standard.

More reading: The best smartphones with a 3.5mm port

The Wing is separate from LG’s traditional flagships, being the first device in the company’s Explorer Project of innovative smartphone designs. So, it’s entirely possible that the headphone jack omission was a one-off rather than a sign of things to come. In any event, we’d like to see LG stick with the 3.5mm port as it did on the V60, especially as the likes of Sony bring the standard back to their flagships.

What’s your biggest wish for the LG V70? Take our poll below!

Loading poll

The Weekly Authority: Google and OnePlus falling apart? Fun phone leaks

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 15:05:01 GMT

We asked, you told us…

First of all, thank you! Thank you to all that have cast a vote in our polls across the site, it makes us feel good to know that we’re usually in agreement about what manufacturers are doing right, and what they’re getting terribly wrong. We can tell you that the manufacturers are watching as well, so if you are looking for one more way to let a phone maker know they’ve done something worth talking about, be sure to get involved in future polls.

Look for our weekly poll in the right-hand column on the home page of the site, then find polls within many of the topics we cover throughout the week.

Popular News

There were plenty of new devices announced and launched already this month, and there are more to come, but this past week felt more like manufacturers hyping things to come, as well as trying to convince us that their decisions were the right moves for the devices. We won’t judge a decision to use LCD in times of OLED until we’ve tried the phone, but we’re definitely going to miss Google Play Music.

Here’s why the Xiaomi Mi 10T series uses LCD instead of OLED (October 20, 2020)
Google Play Music is finally shutting down for some users (October 22, 2020)
Redmi wants to produce a mini phone, but there’s one major hurdle (October 19, 2020)
All new Samsung phones will automatically block spam calls (October 22, 2020)
Report: WhatsApp is bringing face unlock support to Android (October 22, 2020)

There are a few leaks and rumors floating around as well:

Samsung seems to be exploring a phone with a pop-out display (October 20, 2020)
This could be our first look at the Samsung Galaxy S30 Ultra (October 18, 2020)
Leak: OnePlus 9 series is coming, and this is the code-name (October 20, 2020)
OnePlus Nord N10 and N100 specs leak, both could have headphone jacks (October 22, 2020)

Reviews

The busy season for new devices is not over, but as we’re busy putting new devices through their paces, you get a light reading week.

Sony Xperia 5 II review second opinion: Heading in the right direction – by Robert Triggs
Huawei Mate 40 Pro hands-on: Modernizing the Mate – By Ryan-Thomas Shaw
Fitbit Inspire 2 review: For new users only – by Jimmy Westenberg

Features & Opinion

Behind the scenes, the AA team has been engaged in debate over whether or not Google screwed up, both in terms of this big lawsuit they’re facing, and in knocking off support of the Pixel 2 before the Pixel 5 will ship out to most users. Also, what went wrong, if anything, with the Pixel 5 camera. OnePlus has been of discussion, Carl Pei is out, and they’re launching all sorts of weird phones, is this the company unraveling?

We’ve also been thinking about Huawei, both their problems and their attempts to overcome them. Finally, we’ve been watching the PC processor and GPU markets, wondering if there are any lessons that phone chip makers should be paying attention to.

Google Pixel 5 camera tested vs the best Android camera phones – By Robert Triggs, October 18, 2020
Understanding the different types of USB cables – By Mitja Rutnik, October 19, 2020
These are the 5 best Android alternatives to the iPhone 12 series – By Hadlee Simons, October 18, 2020
Why aren’t we using NFC to its full potential? – By Joe Hindy, October 18, 2020

Deals

If you’re shopping for tech right now, check out these popular deals:

Giveaway

This month, we’re giving away three prize packs! Enter the October giveaway for your chance to win. Only 1 week left!

First prize: Google Pixel 5, $50 Amazon eGift card, and an AA hoodie
Second prize: Fitbit Sense, and an AA hoodie
Third prize: Beats Powerbeats Pro, and an AA t-shirt

That’s it, folks! We’ll have more top Android stories for you next week. To stay up to date on all things Android Authority in the meantime, be sure to subscribe to our newsletters at the link below.

Why is everyone still giving Instagram a free pass?

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 15:00:35 GMT

Credit: Claudio Schwarz | @purzlbaum

Opinion post by

Suzana Dalul

Instagram recently turned 10. Throughout the years, the platform has transformed from an app for photography enthusiasts into a social media juggernaut. However, one of the biggest milestones in its history is undoubtedly its acquisition by Facebook. Although many of the incremental changes made by the new owner weren’t always easy to spot, today’s Instagram is undeniably a Facebook product.

Yet, Instagram hasn’t been put under nearly as much scrutiny as its parent company. Facebook has lost the trust of many consumers thanks to endless data breaches and privacy scandals. Instagram, on the other hand, has seen its userbase grow to over one billion monthly users in the last couple of years, despite Facebook’s ever-worsening reputation. But are the two platforms really that different, and is it time to stop giving Instagram a free pass?

Instagram and Facebook’s early history

The photo-sharing app was acquired by Facebook relatively early in its history. Mark Zuckerberg’s company bought Instagram for $1 billion in 2012 when the burgeoning platform had 80 million users and no revenue to speak of. Nevertheless, this move was a calculated one. Facebook wanted to eat up any serious competition it could encounter along its way to the top.

Even if you used Instagram at the time, you might not have known about the acquisition. The two platforms were not nearly as intertwined as they are today. There were some cross-platform features, but Instagram was relatively independent of Facebook in those early years.

If rumors are to be believed, this is because Instagram founders Systrom and Krieger made few compromises with their vision for the platform. As time went on, however, they were forced to agree to more and more changes, succumbing to pressures from Facebook owner Mark Zuckerberg himself. When the two parties could no longer reconcile, Systrom and Krieger ultimately left Instagram in 2018. Their absence has been felt in many of the changes made to the platform since.

Two platforms, one philosophy: collect data

Today, Instagram and Facebook are more alike than ever. You just have to look at the recent integration of Messenger in Instagram to see how blurred the lines between the two have become. This is part of Facebook’s larger effort to keep users inside its ecosystem, while its privacy problems remain unaddressed.

Instagram might not have found itself in hot water as many times as its parent company, but that hardly makes it a paragon of privacy. In fact, its data practices today are much closer to those of Facebook than many might realize. Recently, the company came under fire for allegedly collecting facial recognition data without consent. The lawsuit leveled against Instagram claims that included the facial data of non-users whose pictures were uploaded to the platform. Instagram claims it does not use facial recognition, but it’s hard to trust what the company says with Facebook’s past violations in mind.

Facebook was among the first to deploy facial recognition for tagging selfies, making users opt-out rather than opt-in. The FTC called this practice “deceptive” when it sued Facebook in 2012. The company was subsequently forced to pay a record-breaking $5 billion settlement for that and other privacy violations. With that in mind, it’s hard to trust any privacy claims coming from a Facebook-owned company.

Instagram’s privacy policy

But you don’t even have to look at alleged cases to be worried about Instagram’s privacy practices. You only have to sit down and read its Data Policy and Terms of Use. The social network collects vast amounts of data on your activity, including all actions you take on the platform as well as, “the time, frequency and duration of your activities.” Financial information and shipping details (your address) are collected any time you make a transaction on any of Facebook’s products. Device attributes and operations are harvested too, including unique identifiers, device IDs, mouse movement, and, “Bluetooth signals, and information about nearby Wi-Fi access points, beacons, and cell towers,” to name a few.

Cell tower and Wi-Fi information are particularly worrying since the social network can likely discern your approximate location even when you haven’t granted it location permissions on your phone.

Instagram receives and shares your data with third parties.

The collected information is used for running the service and for ad-targeting, but Instagram can also share some of the provided data with researchers and law enforcement. The company claims none of the information shared with advertisers is identifiable, but as we have seen in previous cases, with enough data points, especially location data, individuals are extremely easy to identify.

If that doesn’t faze you, Instagram’s Terms of Use should. The company states that it does not have ownership of the content you upload, but it retains “a non-exclusive, transferable, sub-licensable, worldwide license to host, use, distribute, modify, run, copy, publicly perform or display, translate, and create derivative works of your content.”

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Furthermore, Instagram receives data about your activity on third-party apps and websites that use Facebook’s Business Tools, such as the Like button or Facebook Login. With so much information, it’s no wonder algorithms can make scarily accurate advertising predictions. Worse yet, the data could be used to make the social media experience more addictive than ever.

Why are we still giving Instagram a free pass?

So, why has Instagram managed to avoid being put under the privacy microscope for so long? Its demographics tend to skew younger than those of Facebook, which should hopefully mean that its users are more tech-literate and privacy-conscious.

Perhaps Instagram has managed to stay under the radar because it’s a much less outwardly toxic platform compared to its parent company. It has received its fair share of criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty standards and other issues, but privacy has been on the backburner. Instagram managed to skirt by unnoticed when Facebook was plagued by major scandals like Cambridge Analytica.

Nevertheless, it is a platform we all need to keep a close eye on. Instagram is an integral part of the Facebook family, and that isn’t likely to change anytime soon. If privacy concerns you, it’s time to ask if using any Facebook-owned product is really worth it.

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Why is everyone still giving Instagram a free pass?

Instagram and Facebook’s early history

Two platforms, one philosophy: collect data

Instagram’s privacy policy

Why are we still giving Instagram a free pass?