Tag: smartphones

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Mobile Syrup

Do you buy your smartphones outright?

Smartphones are expensive; even those that aren’t supposed to be can get pretty pricey aftertax. That’s why carriers like Bell, Telus and Rogers offer subsidized pricing, breaking down the cost of a phone to a more manageable amount.

However, often when, especially if it’s a new phone involved, the carrier adds a premium to the monthly cost, plus you have to purchase a phone plan, making your monthly payments more than you expected and in some cases more expensive than the phone itself. If you’re someone like me who likes to update your smartphone often, the Big Three carriers also offer a loaner option. You purchase the smartphones for a lower cost, and then after two years, you have to return the phones. This option is similar to loaning a car, which means you have to keep your phone in pristine condition for two years.

There is another option that many people don’t seem to consider, however. If you’re purchasing a Samsung or Apple flagship directly from the company itself, you can subsidize the cost of the phone, and you won’t be charged a premium or required to buy a phone plan, so that’s another option.

So our question this week: do you purchase your phone outright, or do you subsidize it? And if you do subsidize it, do you grab it from the manufacturer directly or buy it from a carrier. Let us know in the comments below.

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Mobile Syrup

Samsung’s latest S22 series will reportedly release in these four colours

We already know quite a bit about the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup through leaks, including the fact that the S22 Ultra will likely feature less RAM than its predecessor.

However, leakers have been relatively quiet about the device’s colours — at least until now. Often-reliable leaker Evan Blass has shared several reported press renders that show the S22 series in its full glory.

Check out the images below:

 

The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus will reportedly be available in the same ‘Black,’ ‘Dark/Olive Green,’ ‘Pink’ and ‘White’ colourways, while the larger S22 Ultra will offer the same shades and a darker pink variant.

From what we know so far, the Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra will feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, up to 12GB of RAM, 512GB of storage and work with an S Pen. The other S22 models reportedly lack the S Pen support, sport an S21-like design with three cameras and feature the same Snapdragon 8 gen 1 chipset as the S22 Ultra.

While Samsung hasn’t officially announced a reveal date for the S22 series, previous leaks have indicated that we might get our first look at the device at Samsung’s Unpacked event on February 8th or 9th.

Image credit: @evleaks

Source: @evleaks 

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s Pixel Watch could be revealed on May 26th

Google has been rumoured to be working on a Pixel smartwatch for years at this point.

Though reports surrounding the project disappeared for a few months, reports recently surfaced that the long-awaited wearable could arrive in 2022. Now, thanks to a rumour from Jon Prosser — a sometimes reliable source of tech leaks — we have a better idea of when we may finally catch an official glimpse of Google’s fabled smartwatch: May 26th.

Prosser says that this is “the first we’ve seen a set date on the device behind the scenes.” While it’s odd for such a specific date to leak this far ahead, it lines up with Google’s annual I/O developer conference, which usually takes place in late May.

Little is known about Google’s Pixel Watch, but it’s expected to feature a circular watch face, minimized bezels and an Apple Watch-like ‘Digital Crown.’ Previously rumoured features include a heart rate sensor and other fitness-focused functionality borrowed from Google-owned Fitbit.

As a long-time Apple Watch user, it would be great to see Google enter the wearable space in a meaningful way. While the Apple Watch remains the best smartwatch around, the tech giant has little incentive to add notable new features to the wearable with each yearly release.

For example, the Apple Watch Series 5 is nearly identical to the Series 6 beyond its more rounded sides. If Google is able to make a splash with its smartwatch, there’s a possibility it could push Apple’s line of wearables forward as well.

Image credit: @jon_prosser

Source: @jon_prosser

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Mobile Syrup

Google’s Pixel Watch could be revealed on May 26th

Google has been rumoured to be working on a Pixel smartwatch for years at this point.

Though reports surrounding the project disappeared for a few months, reports recently surfaced that the long-awaited wearable could arrive in 2022. Now, thanks to a rumour from Jon Prosser — a sometimes reliable source of tech leaks — we have a better idea of when we may finally catch an official glimpse of Google’s fabled smartwatch: May 26th.

Prosser says that this is “the first we’ve seen a set date on the device behind the scenes.” While it’s odd for such a specific date to leak this far ahead, it lines up with Google’s annual I/O developer conference, which usually takes place in late May.

Little is known about Google’s Pixel Watch, but it’s expected to feature a circular watch face, minimized bezels and an Apple Watch-like ‘Digital Crown.’ Previously rumoured features include a heart rate sensor and other fitness-focused functionality borrowed from Google-owned Fitbit.

As a long-time Apple Watch user, it would be great to see Google enter the wearable space in a meaningful way. While the Apple Watch remains the best smartwatch around, the tech giant has little incentive to add notable new features to the wearable with each yearly release.

For example, the Apple Watch Series 5 is nearly identical to the Series 6 beyond its more rounded sides. If Google is able to make a splash with its smartwatch, there’s a possibility it could push Apple’s line of wearables forward as well.

Image credit: @jon_prosser

Source: @jon_prosser

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Google’s Pixel Watch could be revealed on May 26th

Google has been rumoured to be working on a Pixel smartwatch for years at this point.

Though reports surrounding the project disappeared for a few months, reports recently surfaced that the long-awaited wearable could arrive in 2022. Now, thanks to a rumour from Jon Prosser — a sometimes reliable source of tech leaks — we have a better idea of when we may finally catch an official glimpse of Google’s fabled smartwatch: May 26th.

Prosser says that this is “the first we’ve seen a set date on the device behind the scenes.” While it’s odd for such a specific date to leak this far ahead, it lines up with Google’s annual I/O developer conference, which usually takes place in late May.

Little is known about Google’s Pixel Watch, but it’s expected to feature a circular watch face, minimized bezels and an Apple Watch-like ‘Digital Crown.’ Previously rumoured features include a heart rate sensor and other fitness-focused functionality borrowed from Google-owned Fitbit.

As a long-time Apple Watch user, it would be great to see Google enter the wearable space in a meaningful way. While the Apple Watch remains the best smartwatch around, the tech giant has little incentive to add notable new features to the wearable with each yearly release.

For example, the Apple Watch Series 5 is nearly identical to the Series 6 beyond its more rounded sides. If Google is able to make a splash with its smartwatch, there’s a possibility it could push Apple’s line of wearables forward as well.

Image credit: @jon_prosser

Source: @jon_prosser

Categories
Mobile Syrup

Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro could feature 120Hz displays

A new research note from Haitong International Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) states that all four of Apple’s 2022 iPhones will feature a 120Hz display refresh rate.

With the iPhone 13, only the Pro models offered a smoother refresh rate. This would move Apple’s smartphones more in-line with high-end Android devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S series.

Pu also says that all iPhone 14 models will feature 6GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 4GB of RAM currently featured in the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, and the same amount of RAM offered in the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Pu also mentions that the iPhone 14 series’ main camera measures in at 48 megapixels and that internal storage will start at 64GB, while the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max start at 256GB of storage.

Earlier rumours surrounding Apple’s next-gen iPhone indicate that the smartphone line will ditch the display notch entirely for a Samsung-like front-facing hole-punch camera that features a “pill-shaped” design. 

Likely, Apple will officially reveal its iPhone 14 line during the tech giant’s annual fall hardware event held in September or October.

Source: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Apple’s iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro could feature 120Hz displays

A new research note from Haitong International Securities’ analyst Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) states that all four of Apple’s 2022 iPhones will feature a 120Hz display refresh rate.

With the iPhone 13, only the Pro models offered a smoother refresh rate. This would move Apple’s smartphones more in-line with high-end Android devices like Samsung’s Galaxy S series.

Pu also says that all iPhone 14 models will feature 6GB of RAM, an upgrade from the 4GB of RAM currently featured in the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13, and the same amount of RAM offered in the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Pu also mentions that the iPhone 14 series’ main camera measures in at 48 megapixels and that internal storage will start at 64GB, while the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max start at 256GB of storage.

Earlier rumours surrounding Apple’s next-gen iPhone indicate that the smartphone line will ditch the display notch entirely for a Samsung-like front-facing hole-punch camera that features a “pill-shaped” design. 

Likely, Apple will officially reveal its iPhone 14 line during the tech giant’s annual fall hardware event held in September or October.

Source: MacRumors

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Mobile Syrup

Here are the Pixel Fold and Galaxy S22 series leaks from this past week

Images, renders and videos of upcoming smartphones continuously leak. These can be challenging to follow, so we’ve compiled a list of the past week’s hottest rumours.

From January 10th to January 16th, we saw several leaks regarding Google’s rumoured Pixel 6 foldable, Samsung’s S22 series and Motorola Edge 30 Ultra.

Below are all the major smartphone leaks from the past week:

Google

The new Android 12L Beta 2 update showcases animations that indicate Google’s rumoured Pixel foldable smartphone will feature an 8.4:9 aspect ratio that’s more square-like and in line with the Oppo Find N’s design. Previous device leaks made the device look like it featured a 22.5:18 aspect ratio similar to the Z Fold 3.

For more on this leak, click here.

Samsung

A Samsung representative reportedly told Digital Daily that Samsung’s Galaxy S22 reveal event will be held on February 8th. In Canada, the S22 series will likely sport the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, feature up to 12GB of RAM and offer a substantial battery.

For more on this leak, click here.

Samsung leaker @chunvn8888 claims that the starting price for the S22 series is $899 USD (about $1,123 CAD).

For more on this leak, click here.

Motorola

Rumours about the Motorola Razr 3 indicate that the phone will offer more processing power than its predecessors. This source suggests that the smartphone will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 next-gen processor, an HD AMOLED display, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The device is also poised to sport ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, allowing the foldable to work with digital car keys and other UWB-compatible accessories and devices.

For more on this leak, click here.

Motorola might also be working on a flagship smartphone that features a stylus, similar to Samsung’s Note series and the rumoured S22 Ultra. 

The Smart Stylus would connect via Bluetooth to the smartphone and supports air gestures/wireless charging. Further, the leaked details indicate that the stylus can be used as an air mouse with an external display and that its buttons can also be utilized to control media.

When the user connects the stylus to the phone, a bubble will show the state of the stylus and indicate whether it’s charging. Tapping the bubble launches the apps that support the stylus. Additionally, the phone will have a Moto Edge 30 Ultra Folio Case that offers additional features when connected to Smart Stylus.

For more on this leak, click here.

Apple

Apple will introduce its 3rd-gen iPhone SE in March or April during a virtual spring presentation, according to new rumours.

As expected, the smartphone will feature an iPhone 8-like design that includes a physical Home Button and sizable bezels, with key upgrades being 5G connectivity and the iPhone 13’s A15 chip.

For more on this leak, click here.

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Mobile Syrup

Honor announces new 7.9-inch foldable Magic V flagship

Honor’s latest flagship device, the Magic V was announced today, and what makes it unique is that it’s the first foldable device to feature Qualcomm’s latest 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.

The Magic V folds inwards like a book, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 3 and features a huge 7.9-inch primary OLED display (120Hz) and a 6.45-inch curved OLED cover panel (90Hz). The foldable features a unique waterdrop hinge mechanism which the company says is the slimmest among similar devices on the market.

On paper, the foldable sports an impressive triple camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide shooter, and a 50-megapixel colour spectrum lens. On the front, the device features two 42-megapixel selfie cameras, one hole-punched on the primary screen and one over the cover panel. How these cameras work is yet to be seen, but as mentioned, the Magic V’s specs seem decent.

Diving deep into the internals, all Magic V models feature 12GB of RAM as standard, with storage options ranging from 256GB to 512GB. The device has a chunky 4,750mAh battery — which is bigger than the Fold 3’s 4,400mAh battery — and supports 66W charging. It also runs Honor’s in-house Magic UI 6 built on top of Android 12 with support for split-screen and multi-window.

According to Honor, the Magic V will be available for purchase in China starting January 18th for CNY 9,999 (CAD $1,987.60) and CNY 10,999 (CAD $2,187.03) for the 12GB+ 256GB and 12GB+512GB models, respectively. The device will be available in Titanium Silver, Black and Burnt Orange colourways.

As always, we don’t know when and if the foldable will release for the international market.

Image credit: Honor

Source: Honor

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Mobile Syrup

Motorola Razr 3 rumoured to sport Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and UWB support

Rumours about the upcoming next-generation Motorola Razr 3 outline a smartphone far more promising than its predecessors, according to a source who reached out to XDA Developers. 

This source indicates that the smartphone will feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 next-gen processor, an HD AMOLED display, up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The device is also poised to sport ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which should allow the foldable to work with digital car keys and other UWB-compatible accessories and devices.

The first two Motorola smartphones weren’t well-received as they both featured 700 series processors instead of the flagship 800 series. Additionally, they weren’t waterproof and lacked any 120Hz refresh rate displays.

It’s unclear if Motorola Razr 3 will be as premium as Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3, but only time will tell.

Source: XDA Developers