Wednesday, 30 June 2021

Can you guess which device won the best smartphone award at MWC 2021? https://ift.tt/3yb91e1

Galaxy S21 Ultra vs iPhone 12 Pro Max camera dark
Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority
  • The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was awarded the Best Smartphone at MWC 2021.
  • Samsung’s flagship was shortlisted with four other devices, including headliners from Apple, OnePlus, and Xiaomi.

MWC 2021 was a tiny shadow of its usual frenetic self this year due to the ongoing pandemic. As a result, few companies turned up, and even fewer showcased devices during the show. However, MWC still handed out awards for the year’s best products, including an award for the Best Smartphone.

The Global Mobile Awards’ Best Smartphone of 2021 plaque went to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The device beat four other nominees, including the iPhone 12 Pro Max, the OnePlus 9 Pro, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, and the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra.

Notably, the Galaxy S6 Edge was Samsung’s last smartphone to take the crown back at the 2016 show.

A worthy winner?

The Galaxy S21 Ultra is arguably a worthy winner. We praised the device in our review for refining its predecessor’s strengths and remedying its weaknesses. In addition, its lower price, S Pen support, and versatile camera system made it a solid flagship.

Then again, the other nominees impressed us, too. The Galaxy S20 FE was a solid cheap flagship. Xiaomi demonstrated its serious world-beating credentials with the Mi 11 Ultra. The iPhone 12 Pro Max also continued to beat its rivals on shipments and a revenue basis in 2021. At the same time, the OnePlus 9 Pro is the company’s best device in years.

Our verdict: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review: Ultra refined

But what do you think? Did the MWC judges get the decision wrong? Should another device claim the best smartphone title? Be sure to vote in our poll above.



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Samsung Galaxy F22 will bring a monster battery, 90Hz display on July 6 https://ift.tt/3w8riHI

Samsung Galaxy F22

Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority
  • The Samsung Galaxy F22 is coming in hot on July 6.
  • The phone will feature a massive battery and a 90Hz display, likely at a very affordable price.

Samsung is gearing up to launch a new phone in its affordable F series. Called the Galaxy F22, the device was previously thought to be a rebadged version of the Galaxy A22 4G launched in Europe a while back. However, an official spec reveals now confirms that the Galaxy F22 will launch with a bigger battery compared to the A-series phone.

Samsung’s F series phones are mostly meant for the Indian market and the Galaxy F22 is no different. The company will debut the device in the subcontinent on July 6, and a teaser page put out by e-commerce platform Flipkart has confirmed its key specs.

Samsung Galaxy F22 spces

The biggest draw of the Galaxy F22 will be its 6,000mAh battery. In contrast, both the Galaxy A22 4G and 5G models feature a 5,000mAh power source.

Elsewhere, the Galaxy F22 will feature a 6.4-inch HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. An image of the device shows it’ll have a U-shaped notch in the center.

The camera system will house a 48MP primary sensor. There are three other cameras at the back in a square housing along with a flash underneath. We don’t know the configuration of the other sensors, but if they’re the same as those on the Galaxy A22 4G, you can expect an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro shooter.

As for pricing, the Samsung Galaxy F22 is expected to launch under Rs 15,000 (~$201). At that price, it’ll compete with offerings from Redmi and Realme in India.



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Android users will soon be able to carry a COVID vaccine card on their phones https://ift.tt/367yLvQ

Android Covid Card

Credit: Google
  • Google is making it easier to carry COVID vaccine and test information on Android devices.
  • Users will soon be able to download a COVID card and pin it as a shortcut to their device home screen.
  • Google says it won’t use the information for ad targeting purposes.

Google will soon let Android users carry a COVID vaccine card on their phones. It has updated Android’s built-in passes system to enable a “simple and secure” way to store digital vaccine and test cards on Android devices.

The feature will initially roll out in the US, followed by other countries. Google has allowed healthcare providers and government organizations to create a digital version of a person’s COVID vaccine or test information.

The vaccine card will include information about the vaccine’s name, the lot and dose number, the date you received it, the name of the administering entity, and your future appointment details.

If your COVID card is about your COVID test, it’ll include information such as the name of the test, the result, the date you received it, and the name of the administering entity.

Once users store a digital vaccine card on their Android phones and other devices, they’ll be able to access it through a shortcut on the home screen.

To use the feature, your device needs to run Android 5 or a later version. Google says the card will be accessible even when users are offline or in areas with low internet connectivity.

As far as data security is concerned, Google says all vaccine information will be stored on the Android device itself. If users want to access their vaccine/tests card across multiple devices, they’ll have to store it on all of them manually.

Google promises it won’t retain a copy of the information and will not share it with third-party services for ad-targeting purposes. However, the company will know how you use your COVID card, such as the number of times you access it and on which days.



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Save up to 35% on Amazfit smartwatches, and more fitness tracker deals https://ift.tt/3x8qYdj

Amazfit T Rex Pro 1
Credit: Adamya Sharma / Android Authority

A fitness tracker is one of the most helpful gadgets when it comes to getting in shape. It won’t magically make you fit, but it can keep you on top of your fitness goals and stay motivated. Some manufacturers even offer fitness trackers just for kids. We’ve gathered deals from all of the major players, and you can check out our favorites below.

Related: The best smartwatches you can buy

There’s quite a lot of overlap with smartwatches and fitness trackers these days. If you’re looking first and foremost for smartwatch functionality, you might prefer to peruse our list of the best smartwatch deals available right now.

Featured deal: Save up to 35% on Amazfit smartwatches

Amazfit GTS 2e GPS Smartwatch Deal

Credit: B&H

Amazfit hasn’t quite got the name recognition of Fitbit or Garmin, but it makes solid fitness trackers at affordable prices. Three nice Amazfit models are either matching or bettering their lowest-ever price today, saving you as much as 35% on the retail price.

B&H has a $50 off coupon on both the Amazfit GTR and GTS 2e right now. The GTR is the older of the two models, but still offers a nice design, a vibrant display, and impressive battery life. It’s available for just $89.99 ($50 off). The GTS 2e only hit the shelves in the US at the start of the year, but it’s on offer for the same great price of only $89.99 ($50 off).

See also: The best fitness trackers

If you have a slightly bigger budget and you’re looking for something more rugged, then the Amazfit T-Rex Pro is a good option. Its standalone GPS, Always-on AMOLED display, and over 100 sports modes are just a few of the nice features it offers, and it’s seeing only its second price drop since it launched in the Spring. It’s available for $254.99 ($25 off) on Amazon.

Check out all three deals via the widgets below, or keep scrolling for the best deals from Samsung, Fossil, Fitbit, and more.

Amazfit GTR (47mm)
$89 .99 Save $50 .00
Buy it Now
Amazfit GTS 2e
$89 .99 Save $50 .00
Buy it Now
Amazfit T-Rex Pro
$154 .99 Save $25 .00
Buy it Now

Fitness tracker deals

We’ve sorted the deals by the manufacturer to keep things simple. All of the deals were live at the time of writing, but we’ll do our best to keep the post updated as deals end and new offers pop up.

Fitbit deals

Fitbit Versa 2 family shot fitness tracker deals

Fitbit is probably the first name most people think of when they need a new fitness tracker. Whether it’s the app that allows you to compete against family and friends or the variety of models you can choose from, Fitbit makes a sensible choice for many people.

See also: Best Fitbit apps: Get the most out of your fitness tracker

With so many models, however, it can be difficult to choose the Fitbit that meets your needs. The Inspire HR is a good choice if you just want the basics, but the Charge 3 or Charge 4 offer larger displays and a more interactive interface. Fitbit also offers a few models of the Versa, which packs the most app capabilities and smartwatch features.

Here are a few of the best Fitbit deals we could find:

Garmin fitness tracker deals

garmin vivoactive 4 review workout screen breathwork elliptical

Although Garmin makes a variety of fitness trackers with running in mind, it also offers plenty of general-purpose trackers too. If you’re looking to rack up miles and make GPS maps, the Forerunner line is your best bet. For everyday fitness tracking, the Vivosmart 4 and Vivofit 4 are good choices.

Read more: What’s the best Garmin watch?

These are the best Garmin deals we could find across the board:

Samsung deals

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active on fitness tracker deals list

If you’re already well-entrenched in the Samsung Galaxy ecosystem, a Samsung fitness tracker probably makes the most sense. The Galaxy Fit pairs well with Samsung Health so you can keep up with your steps on multiple screens.

Related: The best Samsung fitness trackers and smartwatches

Here are some of the best fitness tracker deals we found, including on the Galaxy Watch Active 2.

Fossil fitness tracker deals

fossil sport fitness tracker deals

Fossil made its name in the smartwatch game by offering one of the best Wear OS watches you can get right now. However, it also developed the Sport with fashion-forward fitness junkies in mind. The Fossil Sport probably looks the most like a watch of any option on the list and it offers plenty of smart functionality.

Other deals

apple watch series 3 on fitness tracker deals list

While we’ve covered most of the biggest manufacturers, we’ll throw any other nice fitness tracker deals in this section.

See also: The best cheap fitness tracker deals

Right now the best of the rest include the Mi Band 6 from Xiaomi and an Apple Watch that are both worth checking out.



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Pick up a like-new Pixel 5 for just $429.99, and more Google Pixel deals https://ift.tt/3dtID5S

Google Pixel 5 display 1
Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

The Google Pixel family has long had a list of features that make it a go-to for die-hard fans. Whether it’s the vanilla Android experience or the powerful camera, the Pixel packs some features that set it apart from the pack. As Android nerds, we’re always on the lookout for Google Pixel deals. With the Google Pixel 5 finally here, we’re hoping that we’ll start to see bigger discounts on previous variants soon.

Here are some of the best deals from the Pixel 5 to the original Pixel XL and everything in between.

Featured deal: Pick up a like-new Pixel 5 for just $429.99

Geek Squad Certified Refurbished Pixel 5 Best Buy Deal

Credit: Best Buy

Even with the Google Pixel 5a potentially on the horizon, there hasn’t been a significant price drop on the Pixel 5 in a long time. Trust me, I’ve been checking. In lieu of any discounts on a new model, you can save $270 by picking up this Geek Squad certified refurbished Pixel 5 for just $429.99.

We recommend the Pixel 5 at full price, so landing one for under $450 is a great opportunity. In particular, it offers a fantastic display, great battery life, wireless charging, an IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and an excellent UI. This particular phone is locked to the Verizon network, so it would need to be unlocked to work with a different carrier.

See also: The best Google Pixel 5 cases you can buy

Some people are skeptical about refurbished products, but Geek Squad certified refurbs are tested to verify they work like new and restored to the original factory settings. The worst you can expect is the possibility of minor superficial blemishes, and a 90-day warranty ensures your peace of mind.

This offer could end at any time, so hit the button below to check it out while you can. Keep scrolling for more Google Pixel deals.

$429 .99
Google Pixel 5 (Certified Refurbished, Verizon)
Save $270 .00
Buy it Now
Google Pixel 5 (Certified Refurbished, Verizon) Buy it Now
Save $270 .00 $429 .99

Best Google Pixel deals

Editors note: These deals change frequently, so we’ll do our best to keep them updated and add new ones regularly.


Pixel 5 deals

Google Pixel 5 holding in hand against sunset

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

Google’s Pixel 5 was a long time coming, and it turned out to be worth the wait. It’s not the highest-spec phone on the market but that wasn’t the aim. At $700 retail price, it ditches higher-end features like face recognition and the quirky Motion Sense gestures to bring you the stuff you love: a fantastic display, great battery life, and joyous software.

The Pixel 5 officially hit the market at the end of October. That means it’s not going to be seeing big discounts for some time, but you can do better than retail value here and there. As an unlocked option, Best Buy will offer you $50 in savings as long as you activate it to a network on purchase.

Check out the deal below.

$649 .99
Google Pixel 5
Save $50 .00
Buy it Now
Google Pixel 5 Buy it Now
Save $50 .00 $649 .99

Read more: Google Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4a 5G vs Pixel 4a: Which should you buy?


Pixel 4a

Google Pixel 4a 5G standard back image

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

The Google Pixel 4a takes many of the style cues from the Pixel 4, though it starts at the incredibly low price of just $349. If you want the best Google’s software can offer you at the lowest possible price, it’s tough to overlook the Pixel 4a and its powerful camera.

Like the Pixel 5, the Pixel 4a isn’t yet discounted anywhere in unlocked form, but you can save $50 from Best Buy if you activate it on a carrier when purchasing.

The Pixel 4a 5G is, in essence, the 5G-enabled version of the Pixel 4a, but that’s not the only upgrade. The phone has a bigger screen, features a faster Snapdragon 765G processor, and comes with a bigger battery. It hits the balance between premium and budget perfectly, making it one of the best mid-range phones on the market.

If you’re willing to pay extra for the Pixel 4a 5G, you can order right here:

See also: Google Pixel 4a vs Pixel 4: Which should you buy?


Pixel 4

Pixel 4 colors and camera closeup

After less than one year on shelves, Google is axing the Pixel 4 from its lineup. That means you’ll have to hurry if you want the newest Pixel flagship in your pocket. There are pros and cons to the Pixel 4, but it offers a camera experience that’s tough to top.

The best, unlocked Pixel 4 deals available right now are from Amazon and eBay. There aren’t any hoops to jump through so you can bring the phone to your carrier of choice.

Learn more about the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL in our full review.


 Pixel 3a

3a XL Purple-ish

Stepping back half of a generation, the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL still make excellent choices for mid-range devices. They step down to a Snapdragon 670 processor but retain many top features such as Google’s powerful camera and integrated Google Assistant.

You might miss features like wireless charging and a water resistance rating, but there are plenty of tradeoffs that are worth the money. The Pixel 3a and 3a XL use Google’s powerful 12MP camera and both phones even have headphone jacks.

See also: The best Google Pixel 3a cases

Here are the best deals we could find on the Pixel 3a range. They’re unlocked so you should have no trouble getting set up on your favorite network.


Pixel 3

Pixel 3 back clearly white camera fingerprint sensor

While Google has ended sales of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, you can still pick them up at good prices from other retailers. The Pixel 3 family comes with a Snapdragon 845 processor onboard and dual front cameras for great selfies.

Related: The best Google Pixel 3 cases

The top unlocked Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL deals come from Amazon right now, and it’s a bit more affordable than the more recent Pixel 4. If you don’t mind an open-box model, you can get a bit of a bargain on eBay on the Pixel 3 XL too.


Other Google Pixel deals

If you’re itching for a dose of Pixel nostalgia, you can still pick up a classic Pixel XL at a low price right now. The Pixel may not be a top-notch daily driver anymore, but it still has reasonable specs and could well be used as a backup to your more recent Pixel model.

A top-rated seller on eBay also has refurbished Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones available. Prices vary depending on the model and specs you prefer but they start at just $60.



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Get a close look at Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 through a leaked video https://ift.tt/3xb3UdE

samsung galaxy z flip 3 video
  • A leak has provided video of the Galaxy Z Flip 3.
  • The footage shows Samsung’s foldable from most angles, including its larger external screen.
  • Samsung is rumored to launch the phone sometime in August.

You might not have to settle for static photos of the Galaxy Z Flip 3. Leaker Evan Blass has shared what appear to be official videos showing Samsung’s upcoming foldable from virtually every angle, both closed and open.

The clips are short, but provide a good sense of how the Galaxy Z Flip 3 will improve on the original model (no, there’s no Z Flip 2). Most notably, they show off the larger, reportedly 19.-inch external display and two-tone back panel — you should have an easier time checking notifications or taking photos without popping the clamshell open.

You only see a handful of the Z Flip 3 color range across the videos, including beige, black, gray, and light violet. Samsung is rumored to have dark blue, dark green, pink and white hues in development.

See also: The best foldable phones

If earlier leaks are accurate, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 would run on a Snapdragon 888 chip and carry a larger battery than its predecessors. There have been claims Samsung would introduce an under-display selfie camera, although that isn’t necessarily the case — the video clearly shows a cutout at certain angles.

Samsung hasn’t said much about when it might put the new Flip on store shelves. However, rumors (and history) suggest the folding phone could be introduced at the company’s near-customary Unpacked event in August. If so, you could have the phone in your hands before the summer is over.



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Oppo’s virtual memory gives your phone more breathing room https://ift.tt/3Adezqd

Oppo Reno 5 Pro in hand
Credit: Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
  • Oppo is adding virtual RAM support to Reno 5 series phones.
  • The approach temporarily turns up to 7GB of storage into temporary memory when your physical RAM runs low.
  • Oppo’s sibling brand Vivo uses this feature, but not as aggressively.

Oppo is the latest phone maker to use virtual memory to offset hardware limitations. The brand is rolling out a virtual RAM feature that gives Reno 5, A94 and A74 phones extra headroom when physical RAM runs short.

As with a similar feature for Oppo’s sibling brand Vivo, you can tap a settings option that provides up to 7GB of virtual memory using your phone’s storage. It’s not as fast as real RAM, but it should prevent your phone from choking if you’re juggling multiple apps or running any particularly intensive software. You can choose from three capacities depending on how much you need.

Related: The best Android phones with expandable storage

The virtual memory update should be available now on at least some devices, although access might vary depending on your region and model.

This won’t give you the performance of a ROG Phone 5 or another device with giant heaps of real memory. Storage is typically much slower than RAM, and the virtual memory might struggle if you’re running certain games or other apps that need quick access. This should, however, reduce the pressure to buy a new phone just for the extra memory —and it might let you get away with a lower-cost phone if you otherwise aren’t very demanding.



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Google sunsets the APK format for new Android apps https://ift.tt/37khl01

share it android google play store
Credit: Andy Walker / Android Authority
  • Starting in August 2021, Google will require all new Android APKs to land on the Play Store as App Bundles instead.
  • This will invariably result in smaller file sizes and other boons for the end-user.
  • However, it will also require app developers to push out APK versions of their apps to other non-Play Store channels, as they won’t support App Bundles.

For as long as Android has been around, Android apps have been launched in the APK format (which stands for Android Package). However, in 2018, Google introduced a new format called Android App Bundles, or AAB (with the filename *.aab). Google touted that this new format would result in smaller app file sizes and easier ways to control various aspects of apps. Of the millions of apps on the Google Play Store, thousands of them already use the AAB system.

Today, Google announced that the AAB format will now officially replace Android APKs. This means that starting in August of this year, all new apps submitted to the Google Play Store must come in the AAB format. Apps that are currently APKs can stay that way — at least for now.

No more Android APKs: Good news or bad news?

In the end, this is good news for the average consumer. Android App Bundles can be up to 15% smaller than Android APKs, for example. Developers will also have more control over how they distribute updates to apps, which will likely result in faster and more efficient app updates.

However, there are two significant issues with AABs. The first is that developers who want their apps to appear in other distribution channels — such as the Amazon App Store or Huawei’s App Gallery — will need to manually export APK versions of their apps. This won’t require much effort on the dev’s part, but it would mean that any developer who wanted their app to only appear on the Play Store would have that power. In those cases, end users would need to export AABs as Android APKs on their own, as *.aab files would not work on alternative stores.

Related: An introduction to the Google Play Console for Android Developers

The other issue is that developers will need to give Google their app signing key to export an AAB app as an APK. This gives Google quite a bit of power. The app signing key is basically proof that a specific developer created a specific app. While it’s unlikely Google would ever do so, it is possible that it could sign apps on behalf of a developer. It’s also possible that someone could gain access to this key and then sign apps for themselves. As such, some developers aren’t too keen on the App Bundle format.

The bottom line, though, is that all new Android apps on the Google Play Store will need to be AABs. There’s no way around it. This is a bold new direction away from Android APKs, but we’ll need to wait for the dust to settle before we draw any conclusions.



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