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Samsung’s Galaxy S24 has placed a nail in the Google Pixel coffin

by technovatica.com on

It’s time to put an end to Google Pixel’s CPR. I am making the call. Time of death: 10 a.m. on January 17, 2024, when Samsung launched the Galaxy S24. I am sorry for your loss, Pixel enthusiasts, but there is nothing else we can do. I see that the Pixel was an organ donor, therefore its passing will help others. Now, if you don’t mind trading in your old equipment, there is a line forming to pay tribute.

I was a major fan of Google Nexus phones and tablets, particularly the HTC Nexus One and Samsung’s softly curved, pocketable Nexus S. Those were cool phones for technology enthusiasts. When Google changed the branding to Pixel, things felt a little more ludicrous, unfortunately, more inexpensive.

Google has worked over the years to create a premium Pixel phone, but this year it is stretched too thin, and the entire Pixel ecosystem is suffering needlessly.

Google made a fantastic phone, but then it began to branch out. It released the Pixel Watch in 2022, but it never really took off. It had battery life issues and was not particularly competitive.

Google recently announced the Pixel Buds Pro, which are now significantly cheaper than Apple’s similar AirPods Pro 2. Since their initial release, both of these products have received significant updates, including spatial audio and conversation detection on the Buds Pro.

In 2023? We finally have a Pixel Tablet, and it comes with a speaker dock attached?! That is a lot. We also received the Pixel Fold, which is a tablet/phone combo. Both of them should have come with a completely new version of Android, but Google couldn’t even be bothered to make a clock widget to accommodate the new, larger screens.

Every Pixel owner is intimately familiar with this sensation

When I left for CES 2024 in Las Vegas, I instructed my Google Pixel Tablet to turn off all of the lights. “Turning off six lights. “Sorry, 5 lights are not available right now,” was the semi-familiar reply. My flat contains thirteen Philips Wiz lights and a Nanoleaf Shapes.

When I returned from CES, I instructed the Pixel Tablet to turn on the lights. “Sorry, three lights aren’t available right now.” No lights were switched on, yet the light in my children’s bedroom had been on all week.

I’d want to say that it was simply a horrible experience, but which one? Is the Pixel Tablet encountering problems? Google Assistant? What about Google Home? I suspect all of the above. Pixels operate okay on the first day, but they progressively deteriorate and ultimately quit working.

Samsung just received all the good stuff

Google’s year in mobile has been a failure. Android 14 created no waves, however Apple’s iOS 17 is so wonderful that police are warning parents that it may be corrupting their children. Android is folk music, whereas Apple is rock and roll.

Now, Google has lost its best features to Samsung. I still bring a Pixel 8 Pro to work since the Google Recorder app is excellent. It transcribes while it records, and you may then tap on a word in the transcript to hear what was actually said. It’s incredible and invaluable for journalists, students, and anyone who need a concise record.

It is now available on the Galaxy S24 as the Samsung Voice Recorder app. Identical features and functioning. Oh, and the incredible generative AI wallpaper that was only available to the Pixel 8 family? Also on the Galaxy S24.

In fact, the next Galaxy will include many Pixel-specific capabilities. Circle to Search, Google’s newest search function, will be available on the Galaxy and the Pixel 8 on January 31, the same day the Galaxy S24 is released in shops.

Seven years of support: who do you believe?

If that wasn’t enough to kill Google’s Pixel, here’s the final nail in the coffin. Samsung has confirmed seven years of support for Android upgrades for the Galaxy S24 family. That’s a significant commitment from Samsung, and it overshadows Google’s comparable vow.

Why? Because we can’t trust Google just yet. Google cancels products. Google also cancels promises.

When Google announced the Pixel 6, it included a ‘Pixel Pass’ upgrade scheme that allowed buyers to exchange in their phone for a new one within two years. Those buyers were supposed to trade in for a Pixel 8, but Google halted the program before they could do so. Frankly, that’s a huge damage to Google’s credibility, which is why I raise an eyebrow whenever I hear about a seven-year commitment to the Pixel 8.

Samsung, on the other hand, fulfills its promises. It may discontinue products and services, but when Samsung promises three or four years of Android updates, you can be certain that the phone is still up to date three or four years later. I’ve done that with every Samsung Galaxy S phone, and the company has an excellent track record.

I don’t understand how Samsung can support a phone from 2024 to 2031. Will our phones even work in our lunar homes? But, if I’m suspicious about Samsung, I’d bet against Google pulling it off. There is no way it will support the Tensor G3 chipset on the 2023 Pixel 8 until 2030. I expect we’ll see an Android fork for older phones, or a comparable letdown. Why even bother?

When I consider the futures of Samsung and Google, I envision two very distinct scenarios. Samsung seemed confident. Is it expanding on its Google connection or swallowing its struggling competitor?

When I look at Google, I see Pixel promises that will be more difficult to follow, whether it’s renewing the new tablet, adapting Android to foldables, or simply keeping the older devices running for as long as promised. I don’t believe Google’s Pixel crew can handle everything at once, so perhaps it’s time to call it quits.

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Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 5x zoom camera is not the disaster I expected

by technovatica.com on

The groaning you heard was mine when I found out that Samsung was going to reduce the optical zoom on its flagship Android phone, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, from 10x on the S23 Ultra to 5x. My favorite Galaxy function was gone, and I had no idea why.

Now that the Galaxy S24 series has debuted, and I’ve even had some hands-on time with the titanium-rich Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, I’m ready to reconsider my skepticism and ponder whether – just maybe – Samsung did the right thing.

It’s difficult to squeeze 10x optical zoom into a 7.6mm thick smartphone. Samsung must use periscope technology to turn the light from the lens 90 degrees and direct it down through the body to a waiting sensor. That requires experience, innovation, and room. The 5x zoom, which is becoming the standard on most flagship phones, may be the limit of what you can do optically without periscope technology.

While I’ve lately reconsidered my early delight for Samsung’s 100X Space Zoom (too much AI artistry for my liking), nothing could dampen my joy for pure, Galaxy S23 Ultra 10x optical zoomed imagery. In practice, this allowed me to get twice as close to the action as the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 5x zoom camera. I like using the S23 at concerts when I had nosebleed tickets, but especially when I had good seats and wanted professional-level images of The Boss bounding over the stage.

In a straight comparison, Apple outperformed Samsung in the zoom megapixel category. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s highest zoom camera was powered by a 10MP sensor. The iPhone 15 Pro Max 5x Zoom features a 12MP camera. Nonetheless, the megapixel differential never placed the finest iPhone ahead of the best Samsung phone, at least in the telephoto competition.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will now have the same telephoto zoom capabilities. There are two 5x zoom cameras, so no periscope is required. Samsung, on the other hand, made a crucial decision that, even in my brief hands-on, made me think that Samsung may still have an advantage in terms of zoom.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 5x zoom camera is powered by a massive 50 MP sensor. That’s a lot of pixels, significantly more than you’ll get from Apple’s greatest zoom. More surprisingly, Samsung still claims that its S24 Ultra has 10x zoom. It appears on the camera app after 5x (see gallery above). I’m not impressed that Samsung doesn’t distinguish between optical and digitally assisted zoom in the app.

So, what’s happening here? Well, Samsung is employing a rather typical approach. While its 5x optical zoom may reduce the 50MP of pixels to a 12MP photo, its 10x zoom scans the entire 50MP frame and selects 12MP in the center for a full-resolution “zoom” image.

Critics have claimed that, while Samsung provided 10x optical zoom on the S23 Ultra, the low megapixel count resulted in subpar and possibly murky image quality. Now, we have additional megapixels from a new sensor, which could lead to a superior, ultimate “10x zoom” device.

I would always prefer true 10x optical zoom over anything digital, but I see the goal here, and after a brief interaction with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, I began to see how this controlled 10x zoom might not be as bad as I had feared.

I can’t quit you, 10x

Look, I still want smartphone firms like Apple, Samsung, and Google to break the 5x optical zoom barrier with as many pixels as possible, but I also understand the trade-offs required to make that happen.

In a standard camera, the only way to achieve zoom is to use larger and longer lenses. A zoom requires a distance between the glass lens and the sensor as well as space to draw enough light into that gap. Our flat slab phones are not built to accommodate this. For Samsung and Apple, there will always be a trade off. If you cram the necessary periscope within a phone, you may lose a small amount of battery life, and Samsung may not have been able to incorporate the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s considerably larger vapor chamber, which will keep the phone running cooler, more efficiently, and maybe longer.

It’s early days for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. I’m still disappointed that Samsung removed the 10x optical zoom, but I think I can tolerate the optical/digital/sensor compromise. Will my Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra 10x images be as good as those taken with the Galaxy S23 Ultra? They might be better. They might potentially be slightly worse.

I’ll reserve final judgment, but I believe Samsung may have a point here.

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Mobile

Moto G Play 2024 provides a new 50MP camera for the customary low price tag

by technovatica.com on

Motorola is revamping its budget-friendly Moto G line with a new model that features a 50MP rear camera, similar to top devices like the Galaxy S23.

Granted, the 2024 Moto G Play will not have the same level of technology or features as the S23, but it is a huge improvement from last year’s model, which had a mediocre 16MP camera. Nevertheless, it will have a few software features to improve image quality. Motorola says the handset will offer HDR, which allows for brighter photographs, as well as Phase Detection Autofocus, or PDAF for short. The latter enables the phone to better “detect where light rays” are originating from. Android Authority calls it the “best method for autofocusing” on smartphones, and it can also be found in some of the top mirrorless cameras on the market.

Keep in mind that it is only one lens. There will be no telephoto or similar options available alongside it. The back camera has a variety of shooting settings, including but not limited to night vision and 8x digital zoom.

The selfie lens has also been updated, with an 8MP sensor replacing the 5MP one. Motorola also added the Photobooth feature, which allows users to “stitch together four different poses” into a series of successive photos.

Hardware improvements (as well as downgrades)

The 2024 Moto G Play will see advances in some areas, however, it will retain a few limitations of the earlier generation.

For example, it retains the 6.5-inch 720p LCD screen, but now features a maximum refresh rate of 90Hz for seamless video playback. If you wish to save battery life, you can reduce the frequency to 60 Hz. Furthermore, the smartphone will be powered by a 6nm Snapdragon 680 CPU, although it will lack 5G connection, similar to the 2023 gadget.

Motorola is doing this bizarre back-and-forth with the Moto G Play, introducing an upgrade then quickly scaling it back. Presumably, this is done to keep the price low.

The Moto G Play is interesting because it offers features that make it an excellent first phone for children. Motorola expressly says that the display is constructed of Corning Gorilla 3 glass and has an IP52 rating to defend against accidental spills. On board, the tablet will include the Family Space application, which allows parents to establish screen time limits and regulate which apps are accessible on the device.

Availability

Other significant features include Moto Secure malware protection, Dolby Atmos immersive audio, and a 5,000mAh battery capable of lasting up to 46 hours on a single charge.

The 2024 Moto G Play will be released in the United States on February 8 for $150. It may be purchased at Motorola’s website or Amazon, and it will be “universally unlocked” so you can connect to your preferred carrier. If you don’t already have one, the smartphone is available from Verizon, Cricket, and AT&T, among others.

Canada will receive the phone a little earlier. It will be “available through select carriers” on January 26th. There is no indication on how much it will cost because it is dependent on whatever carrier is chosen.

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Mobile

Samsung Galaxy S24: Latest News, Rumors, and Everything We Know So Far

by technovatica.com on

The Samsung Galaxy S24 range is slated to be released in just a few days, with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra expected to debut alongside a basic Samsung Galaxy S23 replacement at Galaxy Unpacked 2024.

We expect Samsung Galaxy S24 preorders to begin on January 17th, following the phones’ official announcement, but you can get up to $100 in Samsung Store credit right now simply signing up with your email address and reserving your spot in line. Similar programs are running in the United Kingdom and Australia.

Samsung’s most recent flagships are three of the greatest phones available today. However, the next several entrants in the brand’s successful S series appear to continue pushing the boundaries of mobile performance and battery life, among other advancements.

We’re getting close to the debut of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, and this comprehensive guide to all the latest news and speculations about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S phones has all you need to know. For more Galaxy-related reading, check out our lists of five things we want from the Samsung Galaxy S24 and six things we want from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Release Date

  • Expected to go on sale on January 17.
  • Registration for pre-orders is available now.

Samsung announced the Galaxy S23 phones at Galaxy Unpacked in February 2023, with the Galaxy S23, S23 Plus, and S23 Ultra going on sale on February 17. The Samsung Galaxy S22 range was unveiled around the same time last year, thus we expect the Galaxy S24 line to be unveiled at this year’s inaugural Galaxy Unpacked event.

Samsung has now announced that Galaxy Unpacked will take place on January 17 at 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. GMT, or 5 a.m. AEDT on January 18, which is when we anticipate to get our first look at the Galaxy S24 lineup. A livestream link can be found here, but we’ll be updating this page with our own link closer to the time.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Cost

  • Price is likely to be around $799.99 / ₹89444.188 / AU$1,349
  • Prices could be comparable to last year.
  • However, the S24 Ultra may cost more than the S23 Ultra.

We haven’t heard much about Samsung Galaxy S24 pricing, but using last year’s Galaxy S23 phones as a benchmark, we may confidently make some Samsung Galaxy S24 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra price predictions. In short, we anticipate that the S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra will cost at least $799.99/₹89444.188/AU$1,349, $999.99/₹110529.91/AU$1,649, and $1,199.99/₹131603.30/AU$1,949, respectively.

Indeed, one Galaxy S24 price leak indicates that prices would stay similar to current models. However, one previous report suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra would cost even more than the S23 Ultra, so you may need to start saving if you’re interested in Samsung’s next top-of-the-line model.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Colors

We’ve heard a couple reports about potential Samsung Galaxy S24 colors, the first coming from serial Samsung leaker Ross Young.

According to the source, the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Galaxy S24 Ultra will be available in four colors: black, gray, violet, and yellow. As with the Samsung Galaxy S23, it’s likely that Samsung will make more color variants available only through Samsung.com, which Ross Young predicts will include orange, light blue, and light green.

Another major rumor says that the aforementioned colors will be available, as well as the same hues for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, albeit with slightly different names. The four major colors (those not specific to Samsung’s shop) have also been listed for each Galaxy S24 model in a retailer’s database.

In comparison, the Galaxy S23 line came in Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, and Cream, whilst the Samsung Galaxy S22 came in Bora Purple, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold, and Phantom Black.

If Young’s allegation is true, the Galaxy S24 will be the first yellow Samsung phone since the Galaxy S10e, which debuted in Canary Yellow in 2019. However, the Galaxy S24 may be the first Samsung phone since the Galaxy S9 to be available in a color other than white.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Design and Display

  • Rumors suggest that the S24 and S24 Plus will have similar screen sizes to last year’s iPhone 15 Pro models.
  • The S24 Ultra may feature a slightly modified camera configuration.

Assuming the S24 range includes three models, you’ll most likely have to choose between the Galaxy S24’s 6.1-inch display, the Galaxy S24 Plus’s 6.6-inch display, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 6.8-inch screen.

However, one Galaxy S24 Plus screen rumor suggests that the standard and middle models may be slightly larger, measuring 6.17 inches and 6.65 inches, respectively. The latter phone may also feature a WQHD display, making it more similar to the S22 Ultra than the original S24.

Unless Samsung surprises us, we expect the Samsung Galaxy S24 screen to be the same as the S23’s 120Hz AMOLED display (2340 x 1080 pixels), while the S24 Plus and S24 Ultra will have the S23 Ultra’s glorious dynamic AMOLED 2X panel (1440 x 3088 pixels) and dynamic refresh rate that can scale between 1Hz and 120Hz. However, this time around, the maximum frequency may be 144Hz.

There’s also speculation of a new, more power efficient M13 OLED panel being used on at least the S24 Ultra, with manufacturing scale determining whether this more efficient panel is also utilized on the S24 and S24 Plus. On the screen front, we’ve heard that all three Galaxy S24 variants could feature a maximum brightness of 2,500 nits.

Since then, another source has confirmed the brightness claim and stated that all three Samsung Galaxy S24 variants will include an M13 screen.

Much of this has been supported by a thorough Samsung Galaxy S24 specifications leak, which says that the base model has a 6.2-inch FHD+ screen, the Galaxy S24 Plus has a 6.7-inch QHD+ screen, and the S24 Ultra has 6.8-inch QHD+ screen on all three handsets is supposedly capable of 2,600 nits of brightness. Another recent specs leak mentions the same dimensions.

All of this suggests that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra outperforms the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 in terms of screen quality, if not size. For more information on how both phones are likely to compare, see our comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Intriguingly, the actual appearance of the phones may change slightly from what we’re used to. Samsung has hired Hubert H. Lee, a former design executive at Mercedes-Benz, to manage its smartphone and wearable design department from 2023 onwards, therefore the S24 and S24 Ultra’s appearance may differ from recent Galaxy S models.

Another source (The Elec) mentions a titanium frame for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and one leaker claims that all three Samsung Galaxy S24 phones will have iPhone 15 Pro-style titanium sides, but given that this rumor contradicts reports from other prominent tipsters, we’d advise caution.

Indeed, a more recent leak says that only the Ultra will have a titanium frame, and a recently leaked marketing poster for the S24 Ultra appears to support this. We’ve also learned that all three Galaxy S24 variants will feature an IP68 grade for water and dust protection.

Camera and Battery of Samsung Galaxy S24

  • The Galaxy S24 Ultra is expected to have similar camera hardware as last year. However, it may lack a 10x or 3x zoom.
  • The Ultra might have a 50 MP 5x telephoto camera.

The most intriguing camera revelations from Galaxy Unpacked 2024 will most likely include the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, therefore to minimize confusion in this area, we recommend visiting our dedicated Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra hub for a detailed look at that phone’s reported camera array.

We expect the basic Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus to have the same rear cameras as their predecessors, with a 50MP primary, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto lens that will most likely enable 3x optical zoom.

We’ve subsequently learned that the Galaxy S24 may use AI to move or remove people and objects from photos, as well as extend image backgrounds. The Samsung Galaxy S24 may also enable you to remove persons and objects from movies, as well as employ AI to minimize graininess and increase stabilization.

According to one rumor, Samsung is developing an electric-vehicle-style battery for cellphones. This would use a stacked rather than rolled architecture, resulting in 10% more capacity in the same space. However, whether this will be ready in time for the Galaxy S24 is unclear.

We’ve also observed certification pointing to a 4,900mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and a 5,000mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. That would suggest a modest upgrade for the Plus model, as the S23 Plus had a 4,700mAh battery, but no change for the Ultra.

More subsequently, another certification appeared, mentioning 45W charging for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 Plus, but limiting the ordinary Samsung Galaxy S24 to 25W. Those are all the same speeds as the previous models.

The same battery details were revealed in a recent Samsung Galaxy S24 specs leak, which also stated that all three phones support 15W wireless charging and Wireless Power Share.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Specifications and Features

  • Expect a very powerful new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.
  • Samsung may have a unique ‘for Galaxy’ version of the chipset
  • Exynos 2400 may be used in some locations or models.
  • More baseline RAM than previous versions.

Under the hood, all three phones will most likely utilize Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Generation 3.

However, some locations may receive an Exynos 2400 instead, which will likely be significantly less powerful. Alternatively, Samsung may equip the regular Galaxy S24 with an Exynos 2400, while the Plus and Ultra variants receive a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Another report claims that the S24 Ultra will be equipped with the 8 Gen 3 in all regions, which increases the likelihood of this happening.

According to Geekbench, Samsung’s next base model scores 2,051 for single-core and 6,204 for multi-core. In our tests, the Samsung Galaxy S23 achieved benchmark scores of 1,855 and 4,903, indicating that the former phone will see real performance improvements.

Similarly, Samsung’s upcoming flagship, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, has a single-core score of 2,214 and a multi-core score of 6,744. In our tests, the iPhone 15 Pro Max scored 2,935 and 7,207, respectively, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra scored 2,011 and 5,365.

However, one source suggests that the Galaxy S24’s AI capabilities may require a subscription. Samsung might also switch from Google to Bing as its primary search engine, which will undoubtedly please Microsoft and almost no one else. However, a more recent story suggests this will not happen.

According to one source, the Samsung Galaxy S24 may receive more software upgrades than its predecessor, with support lasting up to seven years.

Finally, it appears that the Galaxy S24, like the Galaxy S23, may be without satellite connectivity.

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Mobile

These are the phone functions I’d like to bring back in 2024 and beyond

by technovatica.com on

I just discovered my old Samsung Galaxy S20 in the depths of a ‘lost electronics’ drawer, and the moment I had the phone in my hand, I was hit by more than just nostalgia.

With its compact form factor and elegant design, it made me wonder what we may have left behind in our never-ending search of newer technologies.

Some of the phones contain features that appear to be unjustly disregarded now, while others are deemed technological dead ends that may have been too quickly abandoned. So join me on a quest to discover which features from prior phones I’d want to see return this year or in the near future.

Smaller, thinner, and curved phones

More of a personal choice, but I liked the size and feel of slimmer, curved-shaped phones like my previous Galaxy S20, which not only looked sleek but also felt good in my hands and pockets.

However, since the iPhone 12, several phones have seen flatter edges and less curved designs, making them appear more utilitarian, despite the fact that curvier edges and screens were adopted in previous generations.

There are a few outliers, like as the OnePlus 11 and the Honor 90, but most phones appear to be going toward a similar design as seen on the latest iPhone and Samsung handsets; this makes sense considering that they are the best-selling smartphones, but it doesn’t provide much variation.

Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max have grown so huge and commonplace that they have displaced specialized ‘phablet’ phones like the now-defunct Samsung Note series. These were designed to provide larger screens for note-taking and productivity, not to become the worldwide standard for flagship phones, but that is exactly what has happened.

At some point, tiny phones can start to resemble tablets or simply become awkward, and there are precious few smaller phones with flagship features on the market; consider the discontinuation of the iPhone 13 mini as an illustration of the declining interest in compact phones.

So I’d want to see more flagship phone families have tiny choices that can be operated mostly with one hand. Or, failing that, more phones with curvier edges to resemble the pleasant phones of old.

Smaller camera modules

Older phones have much smaller camera modules. These were less advanced and had less capabilities than today’s flagships, but they were also more integrated with a phone’s back than they are now; we genuinely live in an era of bulky rear camera systems.

I’d love to see better-integrated cameras make a comeback, and happily, it appears that phones are usually moving in this direction. Even top-tier flagships, such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 series and iPhone 15 models, have far more subtle cameras that maintain high quality.

Larger camera modules, such as those found on the HONOR Magic 5 Pro and Xiaomi 12S Ultra, can be an eyesore in addition to being functional. Having said that, I enjoy how the Google Pixel 8’s visor is integrated into the design; nevertheless, I hope this will be reduced in the future.

Smaller cameras are one thing, but front-facing cameras are sometimes housed in display notches or cutouts, which complicates matters. Pop-up cameras, such as those found in the OnePlus 7 Pro, were a fantastic – but often forgotten – solution to this problem, allowing selfie cameras to be hidden until needed.

The sleek cool of pop-up cameras seemed to come and go quickly, which is a shame. This smart method, well integrated by OnePlus in 2019, kept a phone’s screen free of holes and was ideal for more security-conscious customers by housing the camera within the phone’s body. As a result, I believe it’s time for phone makers to revisit pop-up cameras.

MicroSD slots

MicroSD slots are the feature I miss the most from current phones. For the uninitiated, these let you to increase a phone’s internal memory beyond what it came with. They also made it easy to transfer files from your previous phones to your laptop.

Despite accusations that they caused instability or discussions about how they effect water resistance and dust protection, the underlying reason for their deletion is most likely financial. It is far easier for manufacturers to sell you the larger storage version of a gadget, or better yet, to persuade you to buy a more premium model by including greater internal storage by default. Of course, there’s the extra cash they can wring from you in the form of monthly cloud storage plans.

I’m convinced that if a flagship Android phone reintroduces a microSD card slot in 2024, it will have a stronger appeal than marginally quicker performance and mildly enhanced cameras.

An included charging brick

It irritates me that you can spend a lot of money on a high-end phone just to realize that it doesn’t come with the adaptor needed to charge it fully.

Not all manufacturers do this, and all include some sort of USB charging cord, but I don’t think that’s enough.

Despite the fact that nearly everyone has a USB port somewhere in their home, charging a phone from, say, a laptop port is significantly less convenient and faster than connecting to a charging brick in a power outlet.

Granted, phone manufacturers claim that the removal of charging bricks is for environmental reasons, but the cynic in me believes it is more likely to save the manufacturer money on production. And I believe that there should be more options for getting a charger packaged in a box, at least with flagship phones; allow me to opt out of having a charger rather than forcing it on me.

VR functionality

When I first saw the Samsung Gear VR in 2015, I was immediately convinced. In fact, I believed that phone-based virtual reality headsets were the future. Unfortunately, it wasn’t, as the Gear VR was discontinued in 2017.

It was a head-mounted attachment designed in partnership with Oculus that allowed certain Samsung Galaxy phones to be placed in a plastic head mount. Your phone would then serve as the VR experience’s display and processor, as well as providing head tracking, a microphone, and an interactive touchpad. It lowered the entry barrier for VR, allowing practically anyone to enjoy immersive virtual reality games, videos, and material.

However, this never happened, and the Gear VR is now a footnote in mobile phone history, alongside Google’s Daydream project. Sure, there’s the Meta Quest 3 and its ilk, but it’d be amazing to see smartphone VR make a true comeback, especially considering the power and high refresh rate display on the finest phones capable of providing high-fidelity VR experiences.

DeX

Technically, this capability is specific to Samsung devices and has not been deleted or withdrawn. However, I believe it should be standard on more Samsung phones, and I am disappointed that it is not featured on the Samsung Galaxy Flip 5 and other models in the series.

DeX allows you to leave your laptop at home by changing your phone into a full desktop experience similar to a PC, complete with access to all of your files. This allows you to write emails, view work photos, or even watch film and video.

Given the capabilities of modern phone chips, I don’t see why more phones can’t offer their own DeX experience. Perhaps even license it from Samsung to genuinely transform cellphones into a tech tool for almost everything.

Alert sliders

While not required, I always enjoyed the alert sliders on phones like the iPhone 14 and OnePlus 11, since they provided a simple method to turn off any interruptions without having to look at your screen or navigate any phone menus. That was (and still is, in the case of OnePlus phones) ideal if you are careful of your screen usage and easily distracted while muting your phone through a menu.

These dedicated switches date back to the OnePlus 2 and have been a common feature on iPhones since the beginning.

And I believe they should be included on more devices, allowing more people to spend time away from their phones without having to store them in drawers. Failing that, adopting a multi-function slider or switch, such as the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro, that can be customized to mute notifications and so on, would be an elegant way to bring back the classic alert slider.

Are you going to leave forever?

It’s unlikely that many of these features will reappear. However, flip phones have returned (although in the shape of foldable phones), and smaller camera modules appear to be the favorite of startup brands like as Nothing, so you never know what will come back.

Looking back while keeping an eye on evolution may be one way to keep future phones from being dull near-identical slabs with different branding, all caught up in repeated yearly upgrade cycles. So, I’m hoping that phone manufacturers will strive to be a little more adventurous in order to stand out; who knows what they’ll come up with and bring back.

But, for the time being, I believe I will keep my old Galaxy S20, not only for games and light tasks, but also as a nostalgic memory of all the practical features that smartphones have lost as technology has improved.

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Mobile

iPhone 16’s loss could be OnePlus’ gain, as it retains the physical alert slider

by technovatica.com on

The Action button is a fascinating new hardware feature that appears on the current iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, but it means Apple has had to remove the famous mute switch, which has been associated with the iPhone since its inception. If things continue to go as they are, there will soon be just one company to turn to for a physical alert slider: OnePlus.

Around eight and a half years ago, OnePlus released the OnePlus 2, the first in the series to include a physical alert slider in its design: a three-stage affair that allows you to easily choose between ring, vibration, and quiet profiles. This immediately became one of the distinguishing features of OnePlus smartphones. Although it was arguably inspired by Apple, when it first appeared, it provided significant value that has since become exclusive to the company’s phones.

Almost every premium OnePlus phone, with the exception of the 2022 OnePlus 10T, has a physical alert slider. While competitors such as Nubia’s Red Magic gaming phones have experimented with similar hardware features (albeit with different functionality), only OnePlus and Apple have remained steadfast brands for consumers seeking an eyes-free option to easily swap alert profiles on their phones.

However, with the release of the iPhone 15 series, the long-rumored Action button made its official appearance, replacing the famous mute switch on Pro versions. While the toggle remains on the vanilla iPhone 15 and larger iPhone 15 Plus, history suggests that its days are numbered.

While the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus had the then-familiar iPhone design language with a physical home button, the iPhone X’s notched full-screen shape, which debuted alongside, was a foreshadowing of what was to come the next year and ever since. More recently, the Dynamic Island’s transition from Pro to standard between the iPhone 14 and 15 generations tells a similar story. So a precedent has undoubtedly been established.

The Action button is expected to become standard on this year’s iPhone 16 models when they debut later in 2024, effectively ending the need of physical switches on the iPhone. As a result, OnePlus is the only remaining alternative with that feature. So… almost the only one.

OnePlus and OnePlus-like

When the iPhone 15 series emerged, OnePlus appeared to be the only smartphone option offering phones with physical alert sliders, but one other closely related contender selected this point (or shortly thereafter) to enter the fray: Oppo.

As early as 2020, sister businesses OnePlus and Oppo began to merge. While this was mostly seen on OnePlus phones with more Oppo-like software, when OnePlus introduced its first foldable in late 2023 – the OnePlus Open – we saw some of its influence trickle in the opposite direction, onto Oppo’s current smartphones.

The Oppo Find N3 is practically an identical replica of the Open, but with Oppo branding and software. It is also the first phone in the company’s lineup to feature a tactile alert slider, similar to those found on the Open and many other OnePlus phones. This also applies to Oppo’s latest clamshell foldable, the Find N3 Flip, which debuted alongside the bigger Find N3.

If you were looking for mute buttons on this year’s iPhones, don’t hold your breath. However, if tactile integration is essential for your future smartphone choice, check out the top OnePlus phones and best Oppo phones and switch on.

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Mobile

The iPhone 15 Pro has a case issue that we need to address

by technovatica.com on

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro and purchased a case for it, you may have noticed that something is missing. When the iPhone 15 was released, one of the most noticeable modifications was the addition of an Action Button instead of a mute switch to the Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max variants. Case makers were caught off guard, as many iPhone 15 Pro cases from some of the leading case makers have a mute switch cutout but no button.

The difference is enormous. I’ve been testing cases for my iPhone 15 Pro Max, and I can’t take using cases without an Action Button. The silent switch cutout (which does not work exists) makes pressing the button extremely difficult. 

The notch on most iPhone 15 Pro cases rises high enough to obscure the button. The button’s top is hidden beneath the case’s edge. I have to dig in with the tip of my finger or press hard. This is a dire situation.

The Action Button is a new feature available to iPhone 15 Pro customers. These shoddy cases make it more difficult to use. They’ve effectively removed the phone’s button. A case should never make a phone feature more difficult to use, and this is the first time this has happened in recent memory.

What a shock that Apple kept this a secret

It’s not difficult to imagine how this occurred. Apple does not divulge. Apple does not share information with anyone. I inquired about this with Casetify, a popular case maker, and Casetify representatives stated that “because few casemakers work directly with Apple, CASETIFY didn’t receive the final design from Apple until after the keynote.” Casetify directed us to the Wall Street Journal article mentioned in the quote.

It’s unclear which companies receive designs from Apple first. They are not permitted to boast about it. I asked Spigen, the case manufacturer, how they managed to get it right this year. Spigen’s cases have Action Buttons, which make pressing the actual button much easier. Spigen, on the other hand, never responded to my inquiries.

In the weeks leading up to the release of the iPhone 15, I received emails from phone case manufacturers. I ignored all of them. None of the case designers had any idea what the new iPhone 15 design would look like. If they had the designs, Apple would not have prohibited them from even mentioning the moniker iPhone 15 before its release. I knew they didn’t know anything about the new iPhone because they talked about it.

In the weeks leading up to the release of the iPhone 15, I received emails from phone case manufacturers. I ignored all of them. None of the case designers had any idea what the new iPhone 15 design would look like. If they had the designs, Apple would not have prohibited them from even mentioning the moniker iPhone 15 before its release. I knew they didn’t know anything about the new iPhone because they talked about it.

I spoke with Moment, a startup that creates phone accessories such as camera lenses, bicycle mounts, and cases that work with those camera lenses and bike mounts. You’ll need a Moment case to attach your phone to your bike if you have a Moment bike mount. If you’re a Moment enthusiast and purchasing the iPhone 15 Pro, you can’t live without a Moment case. What would you do with your phone?

If your case lacks a button, you must purchase a replacement case

Some case designers are returning to the drawing board. I received samples from Burga, a small case maker, that did not have an Action Button. That company decided to make the adjustment and delivered me updated samples with the button in place a few months later. It was a wise decision.

When I asked Casetify if the Pro and Pro Max cases would be updated to include an Action Button, the firm stated that its “Ultra Bounce Case currently has a covered button and other products are being considered to include as well.”

Other case makers are staying firm. Incipio, a well-known company, told me that “unfortunately Incipio won’t be making any changes to the current iPhone 15 case designs and action button covers won’t be coming until the 2024 iPhone series.

“Unfortunately, the Action Button is a significant component of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max phones. I’d never say a case without an Action Button is one of the greatest cases for this phone. If you never use the Action Button, you might not notice, but it’s risky for case designers to stay with a bad design.

I’m not sure how to remedy this, but if Apple wants to maintain a vibrant ecosystem of accessory partners, it may need to play nice and give case makers some hints that a change is on the way.

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Mobile

The iPhone 16 may have the same processing power as the iPhone 16 Pro Max

by technovatica.com on

The latest leak claims that all four iPhone 16 models will have the same processor, which is good news for those who don’t want to spend money on the pricier (rumored) iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Early development copies of iOS 18 have been obtained by MacRumors, and they include references to all four expected iPhone 16 variants, namely the iPhone 16, the iPhone 16 Plus, the iPhone 16 Pro, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. And all four are described as using the Tahiti chipset, which is rumored to be Apple’s internal name for the A18.

Only the Pro iPhones have received the latest chipset in recent years, with the basic and Plus versions receiving the prior year’s chipset. The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, for example, have an A17 Pro chipset, whereas the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus have an A16 Bionic, which is also found in the previous iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max.

Peak performance at a reasonable cost

However, if this rumor is correct, the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus will receive a brand-new chipset, the same as the Pro models. That would represent a significant two-generation power increase over the A16 Bionic-powered iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus.

It would also imply that you might obtain the most powerful iPhone chipset without purchasing one of the most expensive versions. Though it’s feasible that the Pro models will have greater RAM, giving them an advantage.

According to MacRumors, there may be two variants of the A18, such as an A18 and an A18 Pro, with the Pro phones receiving the latter. In that situation, these phones may not all receive the same chipset after all.

In any case, another intriguing feature in this leak is the absence of an iPhone 16 Ultra, which some reports claim may be released instead of, or in addition to, the iPhone 16 Pro Max as an even more premium choice.

All of this being said, it’s still early days for iPhone 16 leaks, as these phones aren’t expected to arrive until September, so we’d take anything with a grain of salt. Meanwhile, among the finest iPhones, there are a plethora of excellent Apple options.

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Mobile

The Samsung Galaxy S24 line’s full specifications and exact launch date been leaked

by technovatica.com on

We’re well into Samsung Galaxy S24 leak season now, with a pair of leaks revealing much everything there is to know about these phones.

First and foremost, Evan Blass, a well-known leaker, has provided a GIF of what appears to be an official launch countdown for the Galaxy S24 range, suggesting that these phones will be launched on January 18 at 3 a.m. KST.

That may appear to be an unsociable time, but it is the time in South Korea, which converts to 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT on January 17, while it is 5am AEDT on January 18.

It was earlier reported that the Samsung Galaxy S24 range would be available on January 17. So, given how authentic the GIF here appears to be and Blass’s track record, we believe these things are most likely correct.

The GIF also mentions “Galaxy AI is coming,” which is consistent with earlier reports indicating that Samsung would prioritize AI for the Galaxy S24 range.

Every specification is stated

Next up is another leak from Blass, this time a full specs list for the Samsung Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus, and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

The specs shown are mostly what we’ve heard before, but in summary, the standard Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen, 128GB or 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, a 4,000mAh battery, a 50MP main camera, and both 2x and 3x telephoto lenses – though only one of those is likely to be true optical zoom. It also mentions a 50x space zoom, which will be a digital zoom.

The list for the Galaxy S24 Plus includes a 6.7-inch QHD+ screen, 256GB or 512GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, a 4,900mAh battery, and the same camera specifications.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 6.8-inch QHD+ display, 256GB or 512GB of storage, 12GB of RAM, a 5,000mAh battery, a Titanium frame (the other two have ‘Armor Aluminum 2.0’), a 200MP main camera, 100x space zoom, and four telephoto distances of 2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x.

According to prior reports, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will most likely only include 3x and 5x telephoto lenses, with the rest likely being ‘optical quality’ cuts.

All three phones also have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, an IP68 water resistant rating, a screen that can reach 2,600 nits of brightness, and the ability to record video in up to 8K resolution.

While charging power isn’t indicated, both the Plus and Ultra are listed as being able to charge up to 65% in 30 minutes, however the normal Samsung Galaxy S24 can only reach 50% in that time, implying that it charges slower. Based on past leaks, the regular model is anticipated to charge at 25W, while the others can charge at 45W.

We’d still take these statements with a grain of salt, but this close to debut, there’s a strong chance these details are correct, and if the above-mentioned launch date is correct, we’ll know for sure soon.

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Mobile

6 ideas the Galaxy S24 should grab from the iPhone 15 (and one thing it should not)

by technovatica.com on

The Samsung Galaxy S24 is on the way, and if history is any indicator, we should see it by the end of the year. It’s too late to make major changes to the phone, but that doesn’t mean I can’t wish for a few things. Since I’ve been using an iPhone 15 Pro Max alongside my Galaxy S23 Ultra, I’ve come up with a few ideas that I’d want to see Samsung take after from Apple’s latest and best iPhone.

1. Galaxy buddies’ NameDrop gestures

Okay, don’t call the cops because I suggested it, but I’d love to see Samsung include bump motions in its phones. I know that bump gestures used to be available on Android phones, but they were removed, and I now want them back. This is one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning an iPhone 15, bumping into friends and then bumping iPhones to give my phone number or whatever music I’m listening to.

In fact, the bump motion can kickstart a whole new world of iPhone sharing. You may exchange music, game sessions, and images, which all appear to be quite… It’s an Android thing to do. So, Samsung, let’s get started. Let Galaxy owners collide into each other.

In fact, let’s limit it to Galaxy owners alone, with no other Android aficionados permitted. Hah! I’m kidding. That would be extremely Apple, and Android is not about that. If Samsung adds bump to its phones, Google will very probably imitate it for future Android systems, much as Samsung did with multi-window on its Galaxy phones.

2. That titanium frame is stunning

It’s only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, but that titanium looks stunning. It’s strong, light, and looks great in any anodized color. I’d love to see titanium on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and possibly the whole of the Galaxy S24 series. It would be a simple method to outperform Apple’s base model iPhone 15.

Also, I’m sick of having glass on both sides of my phone. Whatever strength that glass has, it is still glass. It isn’t TITANIUM! As we all know, the only material stronger than titanium is adamantium, which I’m not sure exists. That’s right, it doesn’t exist. So, make it out of titanium!

3. Every phone should have check-in security features

Apple has launched a Check In function to iMessage that notifies your friends and family whether you arrive at a destination or if you are okay after a specific length of time. Check in before beginning your late-night drive home. Check in before going on a solo run or on a first date. The advantages are self-evident. A safety check in function on all smartphones is required in the same manner that a seat belt is required in a car.

On Pixel phones, there is a check-in feature incorporated within the Android personal safety app, but it is difficult to find. I’ve proven my case if you didn’t realize Android already has a check in option. Samsung provides SOS emergency choices, but no passive check in tool that is easy to identify and utilize.

Checking in should be a standard function in phones in the future, and it should operate across platforms. If it isn’t already, Samsung should include it in the Galaxy S24 as soon as possible.

4. A mute switch rather than another button

Here’s your chance to eat some of Apple’s lunch. Apple disabled the mute button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. There is still a way to instantly quiet the iPhone 15, but I’m utilizing the new Action Button to launch the camera on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. I do not have a mute button.

There has never been a mute button on a Galaxy phone that I am aware of, so this would be a significant shift, but it would be nice. OnePlus had a mute switch on their phones for years before removing it on the OnePlus 10T. Fans were furious. It was revived by the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus Open.

See! Fans are enthralled with a silent switch! At the very least, Samsung could add a mute switch to the Galaxy S24, then remove it for the Galaxy S26, and we’d have a yearly ‘will they or won’t they?’ drama about whether the following phone will have a mute switch. I’ll be there.

5. StandBy is nothing more than a glorified always-on display

The new iPhone 15 feature that I use the most debuted with the new iOS 17, thus it is available on a wide range of iPhones. When my iPhone is charging and in landscape orientation, the StandBy function turns it into a desk clock. It’s really handy, and instead of a worthless slab on my desk, it gives me a clock with weather, notifications, or even simply a photo album.

Samsung invented the always-on display for smartphones, and its OLED screens were capable of handling the feature before fancier LTPO displays arrived. This StandBy mode is essentially a glorified always-on display, so it’s a bad Samsung hasn’t already taken this feature from Apple. We’re hoping to see it on the next Galaxy S24.

6. Call screening so I can listen and determine whether or not to answer

Apple reintroduced the answering machine, complete with live voicemail. You can now listen to someone leave a message (or at the very least read a transcript) and decide whether or not to pick up the phone and take the call. It’s like reliving the 1980s. It’s also an excellent technique to screen calls, particularly those from people you care about.

Samsung should incorporate this into its phone app, however caution should be exercised when including AI functions. We only need a simple answering machine; we need a better means to screen calls than Caller ID. We don’t require a robot or a phone that responds with my voice. Keep it basic, but get it here as soon as possible.

7. Thank you, but no Samsung Journal app!

Apple’s new Journal app may entice Samsung, but we have plenty of apps on our Samsung phones already. PenUp, a social network for artists based on S Pen-enabled devices, is available from Samsung. It’s actually a lively and enjoyable community. If you’ve never heard of PenUp, I’ve proven my case yet again. There are far too many apps to keep track of.

Okay, Samsung, let’s make a deal. For every three apps removed, you can install one new app. Take away Samsung Notes, Gallery, and Internet Browser, and I’ll gladly accept Samsung Journal. We already have Google’s previous apps, and they sync with our Google account on Android. There is no need for duplicates.

Then I’d install the Samsung Journal app. Who knows, it could be just as good as PenUp. It wouldn’t be a carbon copy of a Google app, and it wouldn’t be trying to sell me anything. We’ll have more room to experiment if we get rid of some of the garbage apps.

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