Smartphones News and Discussions

[Tadasuke]

As we know, smartphones are being gradually designed, engineered and produced to be faster and faster. ........ Real-world performance is a resultant of CPU speed, storage speed, memory speed, GPU speed, ASIC speed and all the latencies combined (bottlenecks are the worst).

My observation is that smartphones from a given price category usually have a similar performance to 10 years old desktop PCs from a corresponding price category (typically treat desktop prices as 2x smartphone prices):

2009 top smartphone CPU (HTC HD2) = 1999 PC CPU like Athlon K7 500 (500 MHz)
2011 top smartphone CPU (Galaxy Note) = 2001 PC CPU like Athlon XP K7 1900+ 1600 MHz
2014 top smartphone CPU (Galaxy Note 4) = 2004 PC CPU like Athlon 64 K8 3500+ 2.4 GHz
2016 top smartphone CPU = 2006 PC CPU like Core2Duo 2.6 GHz or Athlon 64 X2 K8 2.9 GHz
2019 top smartphone CPU = 2009 PC CPU like 1st-gen i7 4/8 3.2 GHz or AMD Phenom II X6 K10 3 GHz
2023 top smartphone CPU = 2013 PC CPU like i7-4960X 4 GHz (equivalent to Ryzen 3 3300X 4.5 GHz or i5-10400F 3.5 GHz, which are ~10x faster than the aforementioned C2D 2.6 or A64X2 2.9)
2023 top smartphone GPU is probably about as fast as the 2013 Radeon 270X (Radeon HD 7870). However, you need to take into consideration the probability of throttling due to thermals.

I guess that 2030 top smartphone CPU will be about 4x faster than 2023 top smartphone CPU. Hopefully, cache, storage and RAM will be able to keep up. I guess they will be able to. It would be nice to get better (solid-state) cooling solutions and much longer lasting batteries by that time. Perhaps cooling is going to be about 65% better by 2030 and batteries 45% better than today.

[Tadasuke]

Here is my current virtual touchscreen keyboard choice (Gboard) for my Android smartphone:



It will probably be different in a few months.
I type this using voice. Most of this text is recognized incorrectly.

[weatheriscool]

T-Mobile to acquire most of U.S. Cellular in $4.4 billion deal

Source: CNBC

Published Tue, May 28 2024 7:37 AM EDT Updated 6 Min Ago

T-Mobile announced Tuesday that it plans to acquire most of U.S. Cellular, including stores, some of the wireless operator’s spectrum and its customers, in a deal worth $4.4 billion. The deal includes cash and up to $2 billion of debt.

Up to $100 million of the deal’s cash portion depends on certain financial and operating metrics being met between its signing and closing. Shares of U.S. Cellular jumped more than 10% in premarket trading. T-Mobile shares were flat.

T-Mobile will acquire about 30% of U.S. Cellular’s wireless spectrum as part of the deal. It plans to use that to improve coverage in rural areas while offering better connectivity to U.S. Cellular customers around the United States. The company said it will allow U.S. Cellular customers to keep their current plans or switch to a T-Mobile plan.

U.S. Cellular will retain 70% of its wireless spectrum and towers and will lease space on at least 2,100 additional towers to T-Mobile.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/05/28/t-mobil ... -deal.html

[weatheriscool]

Google Plans Recall-Like AI Feature for Pixel 9
Google AI is expanding on the Pixel 9.
By Ryan Whitwam July 2, 2024

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/goog ... or-pixel-9
Google invented the transformer architecture that underlies all of today's inescapable generative AI systems like ChatGPT and Google's own Gemini. The company had a slow start with its user-facing AI, but it's ready to kick things into high gear with the release of the Pixel 9. According to a new leak, Google's next phone will include a collection of new AI features, including a mobile equivalent of Microsoft's creepy Recall feature. However, Google's version is somewhat less uncomfortable.

Google will organize all its top AI features under a new heading on the Pixel 9 called "Google AI," reports Android Authority. Some of these features are old, including Circle to Search and the Gemini chatbot. They are joined by some new additions: Add Me, Screenshots, and Studio. The report doesn't include much information about Studio and Add Me. The former appears to add expanded sticker creation using generative AI. As for Add Me, that's probably a more capable version of Google's Best Take feature, which swaps in better versions of everyone's face in a group photo.

[weatheriscool]

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Tipped to Have 12GB of RAM, Larger Battery
Samsung's clamshell-style flip phone is getting an upgrade.
By Ryan Whitwam July 3, 2024

Samsung's next Unpacked event is coming up fast, on July 10. The Korean technology giant is expected to reveal new wearables and foldable phones, including the Galaxy Z Flip 6. We won't know all the details until the event, but some specifics have already leaked. The latest information includes some specs for Samsung's smaller foldable, including a nice spec upgrade.

The new details come from frequent mobile technology leaker Ishan Agarwal. Some of the specs listed in the post on X (formerly Twitter) are predictable. There's a 6.7-inch 1080p foldable OLED, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, and your choice of 256 or 512GB of storage. The measurements of 165x71.7x7.4mm also look plausible—that's identical to the Z Flip 5's height and width, but it's just a little thicker.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... er-battery

[weatheriscool]

Xiaomi's self-optimizing autonomous factory will make 10M+ phones a year
By Loz Blain
July 10, 2024

There are no humans working the new Xiaomi production lines – this new Smart Factory is 100% automated. Indeed, the company says the system is smart enough to diagnose and fix problems, as well as optimizing its own processes to "evolve by itself."

The 80,000-square-meter (860,000-sq-ft) facility, located in the Changping district on the northeast outskirts of Beijing, follows a pilot smart factory in Yizhuang, which produced about a million units a year of the company's Mix Fold smartphone.

"There are 11 production lines," says Xiaomi Founder and CEO Lei Jun in a short video, embedded below. "100% of the key processes are automated. We developed our entire production and manufacturing software to achieve this."

https://newatlas.com/robotics/xiaomi-da ... c-factory/

[weatheriscool]

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6 With Higher Prices
If you can get over the sticker shock, there are also a lot of new Galaxy AI experiences.
By Ryan Whitwam July 10, 2024

Samsung has unveiled its last major hardware push for 2024, including sixth-generation foldables. You can pre-order the new Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 today, and they'll be on your doorstep later this month. They'll cost you a pretty penny, though, and Samsung is increasing prices this year. There are some improvements to justify the price hike, but Samsung is also hoping you'll attach some value to its expanded Galaxy AI features. You don't have to use Galaxy AI on Samsung's new foldables, but it might be hard to avoid.

Taking center stage at Unpacked were the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and Z Fold 6. These devices look very similar to their predecessors, continuing Samsung's tradition of iterative foldable improvements. It's also making a small change to pricing—both phones will cost $100 more than last year: $1,899.99 for the Z Fold 6 and $1,099.99 for the Z Flip 6.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... her-prices

[Time_Traveller]

Why Gen Z & Millennials are hung up on answering the phone

6 hours ago

Hi, you’ve reached the voicemail of Yasmin Rufo. Please don't leave a message as I won’t listen to it or call you back.

Unfortunately that isn't my answerphone message but do I, along with most Gen Z and millennials, wish it was? Absolutely.

A recent survey found a quarter of people aged 18 to 34 never answer the phone, external - respondents say they ignore the ringing, respond via text or search the number online if they don't recognise it.

The Uswitch survey of 2,000 people also found that nearly 70% of 18-34s prefer a text to a phone call.

For older generations, talking on the phone is normal - my parents spent their teenage years fighting with their siblings over the landline in the corridor only to then have their entire family listen in to their conversations.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crgklk3p70yo

[weatheriscool]

Apple Is Finally Committing to OLED iPhones, Say Insiders
Cupertino's more affordable smartphones will soon offer displays on par with pricier models, if the rumor is to be believed.
By Adrianna Nine September 3, 2024

After years of demand, Apple has finally committed to ditching liquid crystal displays (LCDs) in favor of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, according to those familiar with Apple's supply chain. The richer displays will reportedly be used across "all iPhone models sold next year and afterward." This statement has largely been interpreted to include the iPhone 17 series and the forthcoming iPhone SE 4, the latter of which Apple is expected to unveil in early 2025.

The rumor comes from Nikkei Asia, which heard from "multiple sources" this week that Apple had begun placing orders for OLED displays from BOE Technology Group in China and LG Display in South Korea. This move is a clear step away from Apple's norm, which has been to source LCDs from suppliers in Japan. While Sharp and Japan Display once produced a majority of Apple's iPhone displays, their combined share has spent the last decade gradually shrinking. Only the iPhone SE, Apple's lowest-priced iPhone, has recently incorporated the suppliers' LCDs.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/appl ... y-insiders

[weatheriscool]

[weatheriscool]

Google's New $1,800 Foldable Fails the Infamous Bend Test
Don't fold your expensive foldable the wrong way.
By Ryan Whitwam September 16, 2024

Google has released its second foldable smartphone, and it's a lot better than the first. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold rectifies almost all the shortcomings of last year's Pixel Fold, but is it any more durable? The JerryRigEverything YouTube channel has successfully snapped the phone in half, which isn't ideal for a $1,800 piece of mobile hardware. But maybe that's the price you pay for having a foldable that isn't obscenely bulky.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was announced as the thinnest book-style foldable in the world, a title it held for all of a few weeks until Honor announced the slightly thinner Magic V3. The 5.1mm frame of the Pixel is still impressive, though. Last year, Google went for thinness, too, but the phone couldn't even open completely flat. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold does open flat, which makes it feel more sturdy. However, the JerryRigEverything treatment suggests it may not be much more rugged in practice.

JerryRigEverything has become a fixture on YouTube by prying phones apart, burning them, and yes, bending them to see if they break. The 2023 Pixel Fold didn't survive the bend test, and neither does the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The hinge doesn't snap, but it does deform as the aluminum frame buckles along the antenna lines. So, that's $1,800 down the tubes.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/goog ... -bend-test

[weatheriscool]

Apple Intelligence to Roll Out to Compatible iPhones Into 2025
Apple will introduce its AI-powered features in stages, culminating in a massive Siri overhaul in January.
By Adrianna Nine September 24, 2024

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/appl ... -into-2025
Most Apple hullabaloo as of late has focused on the iPhone 16 series, which the company unveiled earlier this month. But one of the main factors driving iPhone 16 discussion is Apple Intelligence, a suite of artificial intelligence-powered tools designed by Apple exclusively for Apple devices. Though early iPhone 16 buyers don't yet have access to Apple Intelligence, the suite is now expected to roll out in stages, beginning with a "type to Siri" update this October and culminating in a massive Siri overhaul in January.

In an issue of his Power On newsletter sent this weekend, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that iOS 18 will slowly drip Apple Intelligence features to those with higher-end iPhones. (While the iPhone 15 Pro's A17 processor makes it compatible with Apple Intelligence, the suite will largely find itself on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, and 16 Pro, thanks to the new A18 chip.) iOS 18.1, which is currently in beta, is expected to become available to the public in mid-October. The update will bring a Control Center redesign and the ability to type in Siri prompts, rather than bossing the smart assistant around with your voice.

[weatheriscool]

The Google Pixel 9a Could Launch a Couple of Months Earlier Than Usual
Google appears to be shifting its Pixel release schedule, with the Pixel 9a potentially arriving earlier than expected in 2025.
By Devesh Beri October 4, 2024

The Google Pixel 9a could be arriving early. According to Android Headlines, it is expected to be available for pre-order in mid-March 2025, with shipping and in-store availability before the end of that month.

This is a big change from Google's typical May launch window for its A-series devices. But it makes sense because Google also shifted the launch of the Pixel 9 series two months prior to its usual launch period in October. The new timeline is reportedly not a one-time occurrence but a permanent adjustment to the Pixel A-series release schedule, the report said.

The Pixel 9a is said to come in four color options: Porcelain, Obsidian, Peony, and Iris. The device's design images, which were released sooner than expected, confirm the early release.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/the- ... than-usual

[weatheriscool]

Samsung Unveils Super-Thin Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition
The differences are subtle, except for one—but the price is much higher than the non-special foldable.
By Ryan Whitwam October 21, 2024

The long-rumored Samsung Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition is now official, and you can pre-order one if you're in South Korea. If not, well, you probably won't get the chance to buy Samsung's slimmest book-style foldable phone. The device has only been announced for release on Samsung's home turf as a "thank you note for customers who love Galaxy Foldable." They'll have to love it a lot to drop $2,000 on one.

At a glance, you might not realize there's anything special about the Galaxy Z Fold Special Edition. However, the proportions are all a bit different. It's the thinnest foldable Samsung has ever made, at just 4.9mm when open and 10.6mm closed. That makes it even thinner than the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold at 5.1mm. The Honor Magic V3 still has the thinnest profile of any foldable phone at 4.4mm, but Samsung isn't far off.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... al-edition

[weatheriscool]

Tiny E Ink phone promises 6-day battery life and way less screen time
By Abhimanyu Ghoshal
October 30, 2024

As someone who constantly battles with their overly distracting phone, I'm glad to see more minimalist handsets on the scene that are designed to be used as little as possible – like the upcoming Mudita Kompakt.

Freshly minted on Kickstarter, this little phone from a Polish gadget brand comes with a custom OS, monochrome display, a limited collection of apps, and... that's mostly it. And that's the point. The idea behind the Kompakt is to help you get a grip on your screen time, so you can spend more touching grass and being out in the real world.

The Kompakt is built around a 4.3-inch 800x480-pixel E Ink touchscreen. It's powered by a quad-core MediaTek chip, with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage. That makes for modest performance suitable for a phone running basic apps, in a package that's easy to grip and use.

https://newatlas.com/mobile-technology/ ... a-kompakt/

[weatheriscool]

OnePlus 13 Set to Debut With IP69 Rating, Better Than iPhone 16 Pro Max
The new phone will push boundaries with an IP69 rating, a 6,000mAh battery, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.
By Devesh Beri October 30, 2024

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/onep ... 16-pro-max
OnePlus shared on their official Weibo account that big upgrades are coming for the Chinese variant of the OnePlus 13. The global version's specifications may differ slightly; past releases suggest that variations between regional models are typically minimal.

One of the device's most notable features is its IP69 rating, which OnePlus claims is in addition to the standard IP68 certification. This dual rating could be an industry first.
The "6" in IP69 indicates complete protection against dust ingress, making the device dust-tight. The "9" means protection against close-range high-pressure and high-temperature water jets. So, IP69-rated devices can withstand steam cleaning procedures.

[weatheriscool]

Samsung Galaxy S25 May Finally Get Seamless Android Updates
It only took Samsung eight years to make the call.
By Ryan Whitwam November 4, 2024
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/sams ... id-updates

Samsung will release the Galaxy S25 family in early 2025—it won't admit that, but we all know it's happening. The new phones will undoubtedly run the latest Qualcomm silicon with big, bright OLED screens, but there may be a surprise inside. A leaker claims Samsung will finally add support for A/B system updates with the Galaxy S25.

On X (formerly Twitter), noted Samsung leaker Chun Bhai made a simple pronouncement: "S25 series support A/B update," said Bhai. This could mark a long overdue change for Samsung, which would see it join all other Android OEMs in supporting this update mechanism.

Android updates used to come along so rarely that it didn't matter much how they were installed. Today, flagship phones can expect a monthly OTA with security patches, and major OS updates come along on occasion, as well. Early on, devices would download the update and then force a restart to begin installing. That can take a long time, and your phone is not usable during the installation. This is true even of the latest Galaxy S24 (above).

[weatheriscool]

Here’s How Leaked Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Camera Specs Differ From S24 Ultra
Leaked Galaxy S25 Ultra camera specs reveal minimal hardware changes from S24 Ultra, hinting instead at potential software-driven improvements for Samsung's next flagship.
By Devesh Beri December 10, 2024
https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/leak ... r-from-s24

Recent leaks from the Camera FV-5 database have revealed possible specs for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's main camera, as reported by PhoneArena. The leaked information shows many similarities with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but there are some subtle differences and areas where information remains unclear.

The leaked specs show that the S25 Ultra will retain several key features from the S24 Ultra:

200MP Samsung HP2 sensor

16-in-1 pixel binning technology, resulting in 12.5MP output images

Virtual pixel resolution of 4,080 by 3,060 pixels

Lens aperture of f/1.7

Sensor size of 1/1.3"

Pixel size of 0.6µm

However, there are a few differences, such as the leaks revealing that the S25 Ultra reportedly has a 23.2mm equivalent focal length, which is slightly wider than the S24 Ultra's 24mm.

[weatheriscool]

iPhone SE 4 Includes 48MP Rear Lens, OLED Display: Supply Chain Leak
Users can expect to snap higher-resolution images—and view them on a bigger, more vibrant screen—once the new device hits shelves.
By Adrianna Nine December 10, 2024

Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE isn't expected to debut until March 2025, but details about its hardware are slowly making their way to the public. A supply chain document out of Korea reveals that the cameras on the least-expensive iPhone model have received a significant boost, with a 5-megapixel increase on the front and a whopping 36-megapixel improvement on the back. The smartphone will also feature the iPhone SE series' first OLED display.

As Korea's ETNews reports, LG Innotek, LG Display, Foxconn, and Cowell Electronics are each supplying parts to Apple for the iPhone SE 4. Documents from the LG Group affiliates are said to describe the forthcoming device's front camera, back camera, and display. While the iPhone SE 4 will use a 12MP TrueDepth camera on the front, the back camera will incorporate a 48MP wide angle lens. (Apple calls this a "Fusion" lens, as it's practical for both regular and 2x zoom photos.) This means users can expect to snap higher-resolution images—including selfies—once the new device hits shelves.

https://www.extremetech.com/mobile/ipho ... chain-leak

[weatheriscool]

$200 gadget brings global satellite texting to any smartphone
By Abhimanyu Ghoshal
January 10, 2025
https://newatlas.com/mobile-technology/ ... e-texting/

HMD is known for its budget-friendly Android phones and tablets, and it's now launched a potentially life-saving product for adventurers. Its OffGrid accessory pairs with any smartphone and enables texting via satellite networks – so you can reach people from the middle of nowhere.

The device is built tough and compact, so it should be able to take a beating in the great outdoors. It works with Android and iOS handsets, and connects to the Skylo satellite network that's powered other communication gadgets and services in the past, including the seemingly discontinued Motorola Defy Link. Presently, it offers satellite coverage in select areas in North America Europe, Australia, and New Zealand.

Once you've paired the palm-sized OffGrid with your phone, you can fire up its companion app and text your contacts through it. Those recipients can chat with you through said app, or receive and respond via bog-standard SMS. Plus, you can share your precise location easily.