Final Oxygen OS 10 update rolling out to OnePlus 7 series https://ift.tt/2Jezjrx

Update: February 1, 2021 (2:30 AM ET): After the first Android 11 beta build rolled out to the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro late last month, the phones are now receiving their final Oxygen OS 10 updates.

OnePlus is now pushing Oxygen OS 10.3.8 to global and Indian phones, and Oxygen 10.0.11 to European models.

The changelog is brief as this update is seemingly meant to be a bridge for those who haven’t yet received the Oxygen OS 11 beta build. See it below:

• System
  • Updated Android Security Patch to 2021.01
  • Updated GMS package to 2020.09

OnePlus’ wording suggests that the stable Android 11 update may not be too far away now. But if you want to switch from the stable channel of Oxygen OS to the beta, it’s really not difficult. Follow our guide here!

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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)

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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.

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OnePlus 8 is officially coming April 14

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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.

Oxygen OS 10.0.9/10.3.6 rolled out in late October and brought with it the same changelog as the previous update.

Open Beta 19 arrived at the end of October, bringing with it general stability improvements, the Android security patch for October, and a fix for the front camera flash.

In November 2020, the OnePlus 7 series received a new stable update to Oxygen OS. Numbered as 10.0.10 globally, and 10.3.7 in India and the EU, the update brought some touch-ups to the status bar and Phone app. Also included in the update was the November security patch for Android and the August GMS update.

OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro owners got their first taste of Android 11 in January 2021. Oxygen OS 11 beta 1 brought with it a lengthy changelog with tweaks to the camera, Shelf, and other OS features.

The OnePlus 7 series is expected to see stable Android 11 in early 2021. 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.

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You told us: You’d buy a Huawei phone again if Google support returned https://ift.tt/3bbMsh9

Credit: Ryan-Thomas Shaw / Android Authority

Huawei has been through a ton of challenges since it was subjected to US sanctions back in May 2019, as software, component supplies, and even its in-house chip capabilities were affected by the US move.

The biggest effect from a consumer point of view is probably the lack of Google support, as the US trade ban means that new Huawei devices can’t run Google Mobile Services.

It’s been almost two years since the trade ban, but that got us wondering whether Android Authority readers would buy a Huawei phone again if Google support returned to the company’s devices. Or do enthusiasts have second thoughts? Here’s how you voted.

Would you buy a Huawei phone again if GMS returned?

Results

We posted the poll on January 27, 2021, and a grand total of 11,195 votes were cast as of writing. The results clearly show that the vast majority of respondents (86.9%) are willing to buy a Huawei phone again if the company regained Google support.

It’s easy to see why voters would buy a Huawei device again if things change, as the company’s last few Google-free flagship phones have generally delivered fantastic hardware. In fact, our own Ryan-Thomas Shaw called the Mate 40 Pro a contender for best all-round smartphone of 2020 when it came to hardware, but bemoaned the lack of Google support.

Furthermore, fellow reviewer Oliver Cragg said the P40 Pro Plus was a “brilliant piece of engineering,” while stopping short of recommending the device due to (you guessed it) the lack of Google support. And the device beat Samsung by offering a 3x and 10x camera combo first.

A grand total of 13.1% of respondents said that they wouldn’t buy a Huawei phone even if Google came back to the table. Voters cited everything from Huawei’s approach to developers, the pending introduction of HarmonyOS, and the firm’s Chinese trappings as a reason to avoid the brand.

Comments

• PhoenixWitti: I’ve said, since the beginning of the sanctions against them, that the only way I would buy a Huawei phone is if they PERMANENTLY gave up Google support.
• Kevin Hoang: I’d rather wait for them to release their official OS on the up coming p50.
• Faisal Shahzad: i’ll still buy Huawei phones if it doesnt support google play services
• SanBlarnoi: As long as i cant put a custom rom on the device when i want to (e.g. no more updates from huawei), its on my ignore-list.
• DigitalBenny: I have a Mate 20 Pro (Last Mate to have GMS) still going strong, but if a new Mate was released with GMS I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
• Santoren: No because Huawei is a shady company with too many ties to the CCP.
• Joel: Yes, Absolutely….but it would have to be a phone that’s sizeable 7″+….aka, the Mate 20x, that would be more like 18.7:9, Not a String Bean 20.5:9 phone that most everyone else is making…..OH, and NO Waterfall anything. Flat as a pancake baby! 
• Wongwatt: I’d buy a P40 Pro Plus tomorrow if it had official Google support.
• veesonic: We never had any Huawei flagships here in America but if we did I’d be willing to give them a try.

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Thanks for voting in our poll and for leaving comments, we really appreciate it. What do you make of the topic and results? Leave a comment below!

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Leak: Mid-range Xiaomi with unannounced Snapdragon 700 series chip incoming https://ift.tt/3bCmmSk

• Xiaomi is reportedly readying a mid-range smartphone with an unannounced Snapdragon 700 series chip.
• Based on the model number, it’s possible that the chip is the successor to the Snapdragon 765.

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Xiaomi is reportedly planning a warm send-off for the Mi 10 series with a Snapdragon 870-powered model, but the company’s also reportedly set to add to its newer device lines. Per a leak from Digital Chat Station, Xiaomi is readying a new mid-ranger with an unannounced Snapdragon 700 series chipset.

The post to Weibo suggests the phone will sport an OLED display, a 64MP primary camera, and 5x zoom. The leaker also mentions the Snapdragon SM7350 — a model number yet to be used by Qualcomm on any current hardware. However, it’s understandable that if the Snapdragon 765 wore the SM7250 tag, this chipset is the next model in the line. There’s no official word on what Qualcomm will call this chip, but reliable WinFuture journalist Roland Quandt previously claimed that it’s the Snapdragon 775.

As for which Xiaomi device could sport the new silicon, that remains a mystery.

There’s a chance Xiaomi could use the chip in a Mi 11 series model. In that case, as a mid-range device, it would likely be the Mi 11 Lite. However, previous leaks suggest that the phone will launch with a Snapdragon SM7150 chipset — namely silicon from the Snapdragon 730 family.

Read more: Snapdragon SoC guide — All of Qualcomm’s smartphone processors explained

The mystery phone may also belong to the Redmi K40 line, as the K30 also employed a 700-series chipset and a 64MP primary shooter. However, Xiaomi would have to trade that 120Hz LCD for an OLED panel. Redmi general manager Lu Weibing also confirmed that a K40 model will employ the Snapdragon 888 chipset. It remains unclear if that will include both the vanilla and Pro models.

We don’t have to wait too long for confirmation, though. Xiaomi is set to announce the Mi 11 series globally on February 8. The Redmi K40 series should also make its bow this month.

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Asus ROG Phone 5: Everything we know so far (Updated: Feb. 1) https://ift.tt/39jzGtR

Asus ROG Phone 3

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

Update: February 1, 2021 (12:38 AM ET): We’ve added some more details about the specs of the Asus ROG Phone 5 revealed in a new regulatory listing. Read on for all the latest.

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Original article: January 18, 2021 (1:10 PM ET): The Asus ROG Phone series has established itself as the lineup of choice for those wanting the best phone for gaming, and it’s easy to see why. Between the high refresh rate OLED screen, the top-notch horsepower, and those neat shoulder triggers, the device family is one of the best picks for gamers.

We’re expecting Asus to offer a new ROG Phone in 2021. It will have high standards to live up to thanks to the ROG Phone 3, but the upcoming device will likely set a new standard for the range when it launches.

We’re guessing that a launch is coming sooner rather than later thanks to the initial leaks. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to gather all of the major leaks and rumors in one place. Make sure you bookmark this page as we’ll be regularly updating it with the latest credible Asus ROG Phone 5 leaks and rumors.

Name and release date

We figured at first that the upcoming device would be called the ROG Phone 4, given that last year saw the release of the ROG Phone 3. However, Weibo user WhyLab (h/t: MySmartPrice) posted an image in mid-January, showing “05” branding on a supposed device. This suggests that the new handset will be called the ROG Phone 5.

There’s one major reason to expect Asus to skip a number and go to five. It’s because of a Taiwanese/Chinese superstition. The number four is believed to be unlucky, as it sounds similar to the Chinese word for “death.” In fact, Asus wouldn’t be the first OEM to skip the number. OnePlus and Realme also went straight to five for their popular devices.

See also: The best gaming laptops you can buy right now

It would be a change for Asus, as it was quite happy to release the Zenfone 4 series a few years back. Nevertheless, we’re going with the leaks for now and calling it the ROG Phone 5.

As for a ROG Phone 5 release date, the first leaked images and videos have already emerged. This suggests that the phone is undergoing mass production, or that the device in question is an advanced prototype. We’ve also seen a trend towards early flagship launches in 2021, so Asus could be hopping on the bandwagon too.

Design

The ROG Phone 5 is expected to offer a very similar design to the ROG Phone 3, which in turn had a similar design to the ROG Phone 2. Quite possibly the first real-world ROG Phone 5 image via Weibo user WhyLab lends credence to this, as it features that familiar back panel. This image does offer up a few potential tweaks though, such as the aforementioned “05” branding. Check it out below.

Credit: Whylab / Weibo

However, a video posted on Weibo (embedded below) and spotted by MySmartPrice on January 19 shows a ROG Phone 5 with a tiny secondary display strip on the back. We’ve previously seen displays on the back of phones, such as the Vivo Nex Dual Display Edition.

There’s no word on what to expect from this screen. However, we’re guessing that it’ll be used as a notification ticker and a hub for essential quick-toggle settings (e.g. Bluetooth, Do Not Disturb) at the very least. Knowing gaming brands, we wouldn’t be surprised to see customizable light effects either.

Oddly enough, Asus teased a ROG Phone with what looked like a full-screen design earlier in January. Yet, looking at the video above, it’s clear that the phone has a slim forehead in place to host the selfie camera and other sensors.

A new ROG phone with model number I005DA was also listed on Chinese regulatory website TENAA. However, the images attached in the listing don’t show a secondary display. They do, however, feature a phone with the “05” branding and a triple rear camera system as seen on the real-world images and video pasted above.

Credit: TENAA

Specs and features

The Asus ROG Phone line traditionally adopts the Snapdragon 8xx Plus chipset, owing to both the chip and phone usually launching in the second half of the year. But the recent stream of leaks suggests an earlier release. This likely means the ROG Phone 5 will stick with the Snapdragon 888 processor instead.

Weibo tipster Digital Chat Station on January 16 said the phone would have a Snapdragon 888 chipset as well. He also added that the ROG Phone 5 will pack a 6,000mAh battery capacity and 60W to 65W charging. These battery details were also touted in an NCC certification listing spotted by Twitter leaker Sudhanshu Ambhore as well as the aforementioned TENAA listing. The latter also confirmed that the phone will house a pair of 3,000mAh batteries to make up the full 6,000mAh capacity.

The charging speed would be an improvement over the ROG Phone 3’s 30W wired charging option, which took over 100 minutes to hit full capacity in our experience.

Our verdict: Asus ROG Phone 3 review — A gaming powerhouse for everyone

The TENAA certification also confirms that the ROG Phone 5 will carry a 6.78-inch display and come with Android 11 out of the box.

The leaked video and image above also points to a triple rear camera setup with a 64MP primary shooter. For what it’s worth, the ROG Phone 3 packed a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide snapper, and 5MP macro lens.

We saw the ROG Phone 2 and 3 ship with trigger keys, with two serving as shoulder buttons when in landscape mode. The previously disclosed video and image indeed show a red button on the lower-left edge, suggesting that physical buttons will be a thing.

Asus ROG Phone 5 price and availability

The ROG Phone 3 launched at $999 and €999 in the US and Europe, respectively, while 2019’s ROG Phone 2 retailed for $899/€899, respectively. If Asus follows the trend of price hikes, then we can expect a more expensive ROG Phone 5. Nevertheless, we hope that the brand maintains the current price or even follows Samsung’s lead and comes down a notch.

There’s no word on an official launch date just yet, but the fact that we’re seeing official teasers suggests that Asus will buck the trend of launches in the second half of the year. We think a February or March launch is looking likely as a result.

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The best upcoming PS5 games: Final Fantasy XVI, God of War: Ragnarok, and more https://ift.tt/2VbPRDn

Credit: Sarah Chaney / Android Authority

The long-awaited next-generation PlayStation is here. The PS5 launched with some great titles like the Demons Souls remake and Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, but many of the best games are yet to come. We’ve selected some of the most intriguing PS5 exclusives and non-exclusive titles headed to the platform in the near future. Here are the best upcoming PS5 games you can expect in 2021 and beyond.

Don’t miss: Sony PlayStation 5 review: A beautiful, speedy upgrade from last-gen

New PS5 games:

1. Final Fantasy XVI
2. Stray
3. Horizon: Forbidden West
4. God of War 2: Ragnarok

5. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart
6. Deathloop
7. Gran Turismo 7
8. Honorable mentions

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1. Final Fantasy XVI

Release date: TBD

Final Fantasy seems to be returning to its more traditional roots for the sixteenth mainline game of the series. The new installment is set in the medieval-esque realm of Valisthea — a world littered with towering Mothercrystals that grant power and prosperity to the kingdoms surrounding them. However, the fragile peace between the different factions is threatened when a blight begins to engulf the land. Clive Rosfield finds himself amidst this chaos, as he seeks to protect his little brother Joshua. We see him both as a young knight and as an adult bent on revenge, although we are not told what put him on the latter path.

Finally got a new PS5? Here are 7 things you should do first

Unfortunately, the timed-exclusive Final Fantasy XVI doesn’t have an exact release date yet, so we may have to wait a while to find out. Nevertheless, the game promises to fix many issues from previous installments and includes a real-time combat system that looks promising. Combine that with its compelling story, and we have one of the best upcoming PS5 games.

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2. Stray

Release date: October 2021

Who needs Cyberpunk 2077 when you have Cyberpunk with a cat? Set in a post-apocalyptic future in which humans seem to have disappeared, Stray lets you see the world through the eyes of a lonely feline. You wander around a city that seems to be inhabited solely by robots. We don’t know in search of what yet, but that makes the mysterious game and its fluffy protagonist even more intriguing. However, you can expect the titular stray to behave much like a real cat. The developers from BlueTwelve Studio are cat owners themselves and have said their pets’ playfulness and “lovingly annoying” behavior has inspired them.

Stray is coming out in October 2021, as a timed PS5 exclusive. It’s without a doubt one of the best new PS5 games you should be on the lookout for next fall.

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3. Horizon Forbidden West

Release date: TBD

When it came out in 2017, Horizon Zero Dawn quickly became one of the most critically acclaimed PlayStation 4 games. Now, its sequel Forbidden West looks to be following in its footsteps, promising another engrossing open-world adventure. This time, Aloy will explore “The Forbidden West” – the overgrown ruins of what was once San Francisco. All is not well in this seemingly gorgeous and vibrant area, however. Massive, fearsome machines roam the land, and an unexplained environmental cataclysm threatens to cause another mass extinction. It’s Aloy’s job to discover the cause and restore balance.

PS5 vs Xbox Series X: Which next-gen games console should you buy?

Horizon Forbidden West promises to be even better than its predecessor, making it one of the new PS5 games we’re the most excited to see in action. Unfortunately, there is no concrete release date yet, but we hope to see it land on the console in 2021.

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4. God of War: Ragnarok

Release date: 2021

Although it is one of the games we know least about, God of War: Ragnarok is also one of the most highly anticipated. The 2018 God of War reboot breathed new life into the franchise, sending Kratos and his son on a journey through mystical Norse realms. The game was universally praised for its masterful art direction, graphics, music, and more. However, the true standout was the touching relationship between father and son. In short, the sequel — rumored to be called God of War: Ragnarok — has a lot to live up to.

PlayStation 5 vs PlayStation 5 Digital Edition: Find out which console is better for you

Unfortunately, the short teaser doesn’t tell us much. Yet, the title itself is quite the big hint. In Norse mythology, Ragnarok is an apocalyptic event that leads to the deaths of many Norse gods. This is heavily teased in the first game alongside the arrival of a certain God of Thunder. It’s expected that Kratos and his “boy” will take on the hammer-wielding diety and other figures of legend in the next God of War installment. It promises to be one of the hottest new PS5 games, and we might get it sooner rather than later. If the teaser is to be believed, God of War: Ragnarok is coming out this year.

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5. Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Release date: TBD

Colorful, lively, and as entertaining as ever — this is what Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart promises to be. The latest entry in Insomniac Games’ series sees dimensions merging and collapsing on one another, sending Ratchet and Clank down these rifts at dizzying speed. However, the dynamic duo quickly gets separated. They have to make new allies along the way if they want to take on the evil emperor.

Read more: The PS5 is good, but the DualSense controller is what’s really blowing my mind

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart looks not only to be a blazing interdimensional adventure, but also a technical showcase for the PS5’s new hardware. The console’s SSD should make transitions seamless, while the DualSense’s adaptive triggers and haptic feedback will make the experience even more immersive. The game doesn’t have a set release date yet, but it’s one to look out for if you want a game that’ll take full advantage of the next-gen console’s power.

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6. Deathloop

Release date: May 21, 2021

A Groundhog Day-esque shooter is probably the best way to describe this upcoming PS5 game. Deathloop, as its name implies, has protagonist Colt stuck in a day that endlessly resets. He has to assassinate eight targets on the island before time runs out, but his job is not going to be easy. Colt has to contend with Julianna — a rival assassin whose only mission is to thwart him and to keep the cycle going. To make things more interesting, Deathloop offers many paths you can take. No two days are the same. Better yet, the game offers multiplayer gameplay akin to Dark Souls’ invader phantoms. You can join other player’s campaigns as Julianna and keep them stuck in the Deathloop forever.

If you are intrigued, you’ll be happy to know that you won’t have to wait too long. Deathloop launches this May and is shaping up to be one of the best new PS5 games you can buy this spring.

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7. Gran Turismo 7

Release date: 2021

Gran Turismo is a staple of every PlayStation console, and the PS5 is no exception. The next-gen console brings with it Gran Turismo 7. This installment of the racing sim looks to be pushing realism to the next level with support for 4K visuals. However, it’s also a return to simpler times. The game is reintroducing the fan-favorite GT Simulation Mode and has changed its interface to resemble older installments. If it is as good as the trailer promises, Gran Turismo 7 could return the franchise to its old glory, allowing it to finally challenge Forza for the racing sim crown.

At the moment, there is no exact release date for the game. It will likely drop sometime this year.

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The best upcoming PS5 games: Honorable mentions

There are plenty of other new PS5 games coming in the future that piqued our interest. We couldn’t fit all of them in the main list, so we’ve included some of them in our honorable mentions!

• Mass Effect 5 — After the less than stellar Andromeda, the Mass Effect series seems to be returning to its old roots. We still don’t know if Mass Effect 5 will be a direct sequel to any previous installment, but we know that Liara is back.
  
• Dragon Age 4 — Bioware’s fantasy franchise will soon be back with its fourth installment in the series. Set in a land ruled by mages, Dragon Age 4 promises that a new hero will emerge — not one foretold by prophecy, but one that will rise to the challenge regardless.
  
• Ghostwire: Tokyo — Tokyo seems to be overrun with paranormal creatures only you can see. As such, it is your task to save the city and fight back with your own supernatural abilities.
  
• Returnal — A mind-bending sci-fi epic, Returnal is another title in which time seems to endlessly reset. A lone astronaut has to uncover the secrets of the strange planet she crashed on and stop the cycle before it drives her mad.
  
• Season — A quiet, atmospheric indie, Season follows a young woman on a journey of exploration as she discovers the world around her seemingly for the first time.
  
• Open Roads — Every family has its secrets, and this mother and daughter duo are determined to uncover theirs. They embark on a road trip, with a relative’s diary as their only clue.
  
• Kena: Bridge of Spirits — Although very little is known about it yet, Kena: Bridge of Spirits looks to be one of the most magical upcoming PS5 games. The spirit-inhabited world is gorgeous, and the art style seems like a perfect Ghibli and Pixar blend.
  

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These are our picks for the new and upcoming PS5 games to keep an eye out for. We’ll update this list as games are released and new titles are announced.

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Motorola One 5G Ace review: Not an ace up your sleeve https://ift.tt/2YvVfTv

Motorola isn’t being shy about the Motorola One 5G Ace’s best features. According to the company, its latest mid-range smartphone has the two things that people want most: a big battery and support for 5G. Modern phones, however, are far more than a radio and a power pack. Does the Motorola One 5G Ace offer anything else? Find out in the Android Authority Motorola One 5G Ace review.

$399 .99

Motorola One 5G Ace

Buy it Now

Motorola One 5G Ace Buy it Now

$399 .99

About this Motorola One 5G Ace review: We tested the Motorola One 5G Ace review unit over a period of seven days. The phone shipped with Android 10. Motorola supplied the review unit to Android Authority for the purposes of this review.

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What is the Motorola One 5G Ace?

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The 5G Ace is another affordable entry from Motorola that falls in its One line of devices. The One phones are known for their simple designs, basic features, and middle-of-the-road performance. Can the 5G Ace stand apart from its stablemates?

See also: The best budget phones you can currently buy

One thing certainly helps the phone get noticed: it’s silver. When manufacturers release “silver” phones, they often mean some sort of gray, but the Motorola One 5G Ace is true silver. It is also the only colorway available for the phone. The front may be black, but the entire rear panel is bright silver, which stands out when compared to other budget phones. It reminds me of the Tin Man from Wizard of Oz.

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Motorola One 5G Ace is a big phone. It’s as tall as a Samsung Galaxy Note, though not quite as wide. However, it is thick, ostensibly to accommodate the larger battery within. I’d call it bulky even though there are bigger phones in the market. The overall size makes the top of the screen a little difficult to reach. Glass covers the front, while the frame and rear panel are formed by polycarbonate. That means it’s relatively light for its size — a saving grace.

The Motorola One 5G Ace's bright silver colorway is a real head turner.

The rest of the hardware design is run of the mill. The volume toggle and screen lock buttons are positioned on the right edge of the phone, right where they’re expected. Unfortunately, these buttons feel a bit cheap to me. More plasticky than loose or anything like that.

A dual-purpose SIM card/microSD card tray is tucked into the left edge of the phone. Additionally, a USB-C port is available on the bottom edge for charging and data transfer, and a headphone jack is positioned to its left. A downward-firing speaker can also be found on the bottom. This makes it a mono phone and the sound is only so-so.

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The mid-frame almost comes across as metal. Almost. This thick band of plastic holds the front and rear panels together. Motorola also gave the rear panel a fine ridged pattern. It looks like it should have some physical texture to it, but the plastic is actually smooth.

The rear fingerprint reader is right where your finger expects to find it, and that’s a good thing. I found it easy to train and use, with quick and accurate performance. Further up, the camera module is encompassed in a small squircle in the upper left corner. With three lenses and a flash, it looks a bit cramped.

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The phone is rated IP52 thanks to a nano-coating on the inner components. This means it can handle some sweat or light rain/splashing, but not submersion. Don’t drop it in the pool!

In sum, the Motorola One 5G Ace is a simple offering that doesn’t do much to impress.

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How’s the screen?

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The Motorola One 5G Ace’s screen is good, particularly for a $400 phone. It stretches 6.7-inches across the diagonal and packs Full HD+ resolution (2,400 x 1,080) in a 20:9 aspect ratio. Of note, the screen relies on LTPS LCD technology rather than IPS LCD tech. The low-temperature polycrystalline silicon is made at a much lower temperature than IPS LCDs, and it creates a faster, more responsive screen — particularly for big pieces of glass like this one. Most importantly, LTPS is easier to work with and thus has a lower cost. It’s a 60Hz panel, no fast refresh rates here.

The One 5G Ace has an ace of a display.

Practically speaking, it’s a really nice screen. I found it to be bright and sharp, with punchy colors and accurate white balance. It includes a full range of features for managing its behavior, such as night light, color balance, dark theme, peek display, and more.

According to Motorola, the screen fills 85% of the phone’s face, with just a slight forehead and chin above and below the display. Otherwise, the bezels are kept in check. A centered punch hole signifies the location of the selfie camera. The One 5G Ace has an ace of a display.

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Is the Motorola One Ace powerful?

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

The phone comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It handily beats top-level devices from three years ago (Snapdragon 820-835 era) in benchmarks. More importantly, the phone runs really well in daily use. I didn’t experience any stuttering, slow-downs, or frame drops while testing the phone. Most users will be happy.

Additionally, Motorola somehow wedged a 5,000mAh battery into the chassis, and it delivers big time. I easily coasted through two full days of battery life with the One 5G Ace. It was near depleted at the end of the second day, but there was still enough left in the tank that I wasn’t worried about it. The Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency cores do an admirable job of handling low-power tasks to keep the phone performing well while sipping (rather than slurping) power. Screen-on time reached nearly 10 hours over the course of two days, which is stellar.

Related: The best 5G phones you can buy right now

On the charging front, the device supports up to 15W wired charging. However, it ships with a 10W charger in the box. It took about 100 minutes to fully charge a dead battery.

Then there’s 5G. The phone supports sub-6GHz mid-band spectrum from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. Motorola sent the phone to us with a T-Mobile SIM card, so we gave it a spin on the Un-carrier. When 5G service was available, I saw solid speeds, but nothing like the blistering 1+Gbps downloads possible from mmWave. The best I got was 100Mbps. That isn’t bad, but it isn’t all that much faster than 4G either. The question in my mind is, could a 4G-only variant of the One Ace cost significantly less and still deliver a similar experience?

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Is the Motorola One 5G Ace camera any good?

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

Sigh. Motorola needs to update its camera strategy, and the One 5G Ace is a prime example of why.

The phone includes a 48MP main sensor that’s binned down to 12MP. It features PDAF and an aperture of f/1.7. Using the pro mode, you can shoot in the full 48MP resolution if you want. The main camera is joined by an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 2MP macro lens. I’d much prefer to see a telephoto lens over the macro. The majority of flagships feature standard, wide, and telephoto lenses. Motorola, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others continue to insist that users want macro lenses. I disagree (and I digress).

See also: The best budget camera phones you can buy

Motorola’s camera app is solid. A quick flick of your wrist launches the camera and brings you to a viewfinder that’s easy to understand and use. I like that the basic mode selector takes you from photo to video and then everything else. The mode picker includes the video tools, too, so you don’t have to switch to video before going for one of the advanced video modes. You also have access to the flash and timer from the main viewfinder. Everything else is buried in the settings menu. The settings themselves are rich with options, allowing you to adjust most facets of the camera app.

The main shooter does a fair job when taking photos in well-lit spaces. Shooting the river near my house at midday ensured that I came away with usable photos. The majority of the pictures had clean focus, accurate white balance, and proper exposure. However, colors sometimes came across as muted, and other times looked richer. Consistency could definitely be better and the lack of OIS is disappointing.

The HDR function didn’t work quite as well as I’d have preferred either. I like a bit more range. For example, there should be far more detail visible under the bridge.

The ultra-wide-angle gives you a bit more room to include stuff in your shot, though there’s some obvious optical distortion. The macro camera is a pain to use and requires you to focus by getting close to your subject and then moving the phone in and out to achieve the sharpest shot.

The selfie camera features a 16MP sensor that’s binned to 4MP. It does a decent job, though low-light situations lead to grainy, grainy photos. There’s no selfie portrait mode, which is a bummer.

On the video front, you’ve got resolutions up to 4K at 30fps. The full-resolution video I shot looked fine. Color and focus were good, as was white balance. Exposure could have been more consistent, however. It’s a shame that it can’t manage 4K at 60fps either.

The Motorola One 5G Ace has an average camera that might be considered good in a world without competitors such as the Google Pixel 4a series.

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What I like about the Motorola One 5G Ace

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

• The screen. It’s big, it’s bright, it’s bold. You can’t ask for much more from a phone at this price point.
• Performance. The Snapdragon 750G pulls its weight and then some. No need to worry about performance.
• Battery life. What’s not to like about two full days of battery life, even with heavy usage? This phone delivers.
• Moto skin. I’ve always liked Motorola’s take on Android. It has subtle, helpful tools that genuinely make using the phone better.

What I don’t like

• Design. The phone is a bit chunky and that silver colorway isn’t for everyone.
• Cameras. Motorola needs to move on from the 48MP sensor and odd arrangement of lenses.
• Android 10. This is a killer. It’s 2021. There’s no reason to be shipping a brand new phone with Android 10. Fail, Motorola, fail.

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Specs

	Motorola One 5G Ace (2021)
Display	6.7-inch IPS LCD 20:9 aspect ratio FHD+ (2,400 x 1,080) 394ppi
CPU	Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G
RAM	6GB (North America, T-Mobile, Canada) 4GB (All others)
Storage	128GB internal (North America, T-Mobile, Canada) 64GB internal (All others) microSD slot (supports up to 1TB)
Power	5,000mAh battery 10W wired charging with included charger 15W wired charging with a compatible charger No wireless charging
Cameras	Rear: 48MP wide (ƒ/1.7, 0.8μm) 8MP ultra-wide (ƒ/2.2, 1.12μm, 118-degree FoV) 2MP macro (ƒ/2.4, 1.75μm) Front: 16MP wide (ƒ/2.2, 1μm)
Ports	Single SIM tray (nano SIM + microSD) USB-C port (USB 2.0 speeds) 3.5mm headphone jack
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.1 Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac NFC chip 5G NR: 2/5/25/41/66/71 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17 & 18/19/20/25/26/29/30/38/39/40/41/66/71 3G: 1/2/4/5/8 2G: 2/3/5/8 CDMA: BC0/BC1/BC10
Security	Rear capacitive fingerprint reader IP54-rated against water and dust (T-Mobile) IP52-rated against water and dust (Global)
Operating system	Android 10
Dimensions & weight	166.1 x 76.1 x 9.9mm 212g
Colorways	Volcanic Gray, Frosted Silver

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Motorola One 5G Ace review: Should you buy it?

• Motorola One 5G Ace: 6GB / 128GB — $399.99

If the Motorola One 5G Ace stood alone in the $400 price segment, it would be a decent offering. The problem for Motorola is that there’s a Google-sized elephant in the room. The Pixel 4a 5G is an excellent device, even if it is a bit more expensive than the One 5G Ace. If you don’t care about 5G, the regular Pixel 4a is a great alternative. Other competitors include the Samsung Galaxy A71 5G, and the OnePlus Nord N10, both of which are less costly than the Motorola. There’s also the $399 iPhone SE if you don’t mind looking outside of the Android ecosystem.

Motorola One 5G Ace Motorola One 5G Ace

• $399.99 at Amazon

Beyond the market for $400 phones, there are other issues facing the One 5G Ace. Sure, it has a good screen, solid build quality, and some of the best battery life available on a modern phone. However, it ships with Android 10 and will only be updated once to Android 11. That’s a major misstep. The phone should have shipped with Android 11 and been on deck to receive updates to Android 12 at least. That’s a big limitation. Moreover, the cameras are just so-so, the 5G access is limited, and the bright silver coloring won’t be for everyone.

If you want nothing more than a big screen and excellent battery life, the 5G Ace has you covered. However, for $400 the Motorola One 5G Ace should be just a bit better.

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