The iPhone is known for its awesome camera. Every year, Apple improves them, and they provide consistently good results. But which iPhone has the best camera?

It’s easy to assume that the newest iPhone has the best camera. But is the more expensive Pro version really that much better than the base version?

How much of an improvement does the latest model provide over the previous year’s iPhone?

If you are looking to snag a new iPhone and value camera quality, don’t worry. We’ll explain which iPhone has the best camera and what makes it great.

So, which iPhone has the best camera?

Short answer: The iPhone 14 Pro

Without a doubt, the iPhone with the best camera is the iPhone 14 Pro.

The iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max are the stars of Apple’s iPhone lineup. And both phones have the same camera, so you can save a little money by purchasing the iPhone 14 Pro instead of the Pro Max.

READ MORE: How to turn on your iPhone’s camera flash

The camera in the iPhone 14 Pro is a real powerhouse. The triple-lens array is what really accelerates the camera, with standard, ultra-wide, and telephoto configurations.

The 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max feature a 48MP wide-angle camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 3X 12MP telephoto lens.

The camera on the iPhone 14 Pro features a macro function that can focus on objects as close as 2 cm away from the lens. The telephoto module has a 3x range, which is the same as the iPhone 13 Pro.

READ MORE: How to change iPhone alert sounds and ringtones

Additionally, the camera’s low-light abilities and night mode have continued to improve. Overall, the iPhone 14 Pro camera system is a decent step up from last year’s iPhone 13 Pro.

While the iPhone 14 Pro Max is technically the best phone that Apple has to offer, it doesn’t include any improvements to the camera.

That means the iPhone 14 Pro offers the best iPhone camera today at a more appealing price than the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What do you think? Interested in the iPhone 14 Pro for its camera quality? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• When was the iPhone 14 released?
• Does the iPhone 14 have USB-C?
• How much is the iPhone 14?
• Does the iPhone 14 have Touch ID?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Most modern-day smartphones have at least some sort of water protection. The same goes for the Samsung Galaxy S22.

The Galaxy S22 is Samsung’s 2022 flagship entry into the smartphone market. The range includes the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, and S22 Ultra, each with upgrades over previous models.

Samsung’s 2022 smartphone line has many features, like an impressive camera array and plenty of storage options.

But what kind of water protection can you expect with the Galaxy S22? Is it waterproof?

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 waterproof?

Short answer: It isn’t quite waterproof, but the Galaxy S22 is water resistant.

Most electronics aren’t completely waterproof. Complete waterproofing in tech is typically reserved for diving apparatuses and similar gadgets that are made to be used underwater.

But the Samsung Galaxy S22 does have water resistance (the jury is still out on the Galaxy S23, however).

In fact, all three versions of the phone come with IP68 water resistance ratings.

IP is a scale that judges a product’s water and dust resistance. The first number, six, represents dust resistance.

Six is the best dust resistance rating on the IP scale, offering a fully dust-tight seal for protection.

The “8” in the IP68 rating for the S22 line is its water resistance rating.

That rating states that a device can be submerged in water deeper than one meter for up to 30 minutes.

READ MORE: Is the iPhone 13 waterproof?

Samsung specifies that the Galaxy S22’s maximum water depth is 1.5 meters. After that, water pressure can cause damage more quickly.

The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof, but it can survive minor accidents

As a safe bet, it’s best to keep your phone away from water whenever possible. The Galaxy S22 isn’t waterproof. But, it isn’t fragile either.

In the case of accidents, it’s nice to know that there is some protection against permanent damage built into these smartphones.

You could also add a protective case for additional safety measures.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 14 vs. Galaxy S22 – which smartphone is the better buy?
• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?
• Review Roundup – Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s but one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Leaks for the chip powering the devices, rumored design changes, and a big display change are all floating around. Renders of what the devices could look like are also out, and they’re impressive.

Everything sounds like Google wants to keep its place as one of the top Android handsets.

Expect an Android experience that’s Google’s view of what a mobile operating system should be, without the manufacturer tweaks that other Android device makers clutter their devices with.

We’ll keep updating this post as more news comes in, but until then, here’s the current state of the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Pixel 8 release date

Google traditionally releases its flagship line in October with a release event the week before retail availability. That was true for the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro and pretty much every recent flagship.

That makes it an easy prediction that the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will release in October 2023.

As to the names, currently, they are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” internally, with Shiba likely being the base model. That’s according to Winfuture.de, and these two devices are using a new SoC for power.

How much will the Google Pixel 8 cost?

A big data dump from YouTuber Science & Knowledge says the price of the Pixel 8 Pro will start at $800. That’s $100 cheaper than this year’s Pixel 7 Pro, so perhaps the leak was of a price after launch discounts.

We can’t see Google rolling back the price on its handsets unless it’s an attempt to increase sales volume.

Features of the Pixel 8

The Pixel 8 SoC is codenamed “Zuma” and has “the same modem as the Google Tensor G2.” That’s a Samsung 5G modem, but what’s changed is that now the SoC has 12 gigabytes of RAM.

Android 14 will be running on the new handsets, as Google uses the flagship Pixel release to coincide with the next major feature upgrade to Android.

Another leak says the under-screen fingerprint sensor will be upgraded to an ultrasonic one, improving scan times and accuracy.

A big leak from Science & Knowledge about the Pixel 8 Pro has even more rumored specifications.

Those include up to 1TB of storage and up to 16GB of RAM. The earlier leak of 12GB RAM could be the base Pixel 8 or internal testing platforms for the devices.

The designer also created two mock-ups of the Pixel 8 device, which is said to have a small touchscreen on the back of the device. One has an OLED screen above the camera bar, while the second has an OLED screen.

Those would be great for notifications or as a selfie mirror when using the Pixel’s main camera.

What we’d like to see from the Pixel 8

We like what we see, especially the useful rear OLED screen. We have a short list of improvements that Google can make this time.

The most important is fixing the temperature issues with the Tensor chip. This will be the third-generation chip, and the process should be mature.

There is no excuse for any flagship device to overheat to the point where it stops the software from working, something that constantly happened on the Pixel 6a we had for a short while.

We’d still love to see a OnePlus-style switch for muting notifications or switching focus modes. Battery life that lasts longer than a day would be great, as Pixels have often struggled with this.

We’ll keep updating this post as we get more leaks, tips, and rumors. If you have a tip, send it to our contact form or slide it into our social media DMs.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Does the Pixel 7 have a headphone jack?
• Does the Google Pixel 7 have wireless charging?
• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date

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Apple has released the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro, but tech doesn’t happen in a vacuum.

The development of next year’s iPhone 15 is likely underway, and we’ve been hearing predictions and rumors about its capabilities.

Some of these are significant changes, like the form the charging and data port will take. Others are not so big, but this will mean Apple is less reliant on one other company for parts.

A year is a long time in tech, so take any of these predictions with a healthy dose of skepticism. That said, here’s everything we’ve heard about the iPhone 15.

iPhone 15 release date – when will it be?

The iPhone 15 will likely be released in September 2023.

Apple likes to hold the iPhone event on the second Tuesday in September, and we see no reason they will change things.

The world is still in turmoil; that date could be wishful thinking.

Between supply chain issues, the war in Europe, and the coronavirus and its variants, it’s hard to forecast tech releases.

How much is the iPhone 15?

The iPhone 14 range starts at $799 and goes up to $1199 for the 14 Pro Max. We can’t see Apple increasing the price of the base iPhone 15.

Another $100 hike would make it $899, closer to its Android competition’s “Pro” models.

The Pro models might be another story. Apple is trying hard to differentiate the two tiers of iPhones.

A rumor says the Pro Max will get a periscope zoom lens. That will increase the price to build, and Apple will pass that on to the consumer.

There could also be an increase to a 2TB storage tier for the Pro models. That could mean a $2,000 iPhone Pro Max.

As of 11/11/2022, a new leak from LeaksApplePro says that iPhone 15 Ultra will “cost substantially more to manufacture than iPhone 14 Pro Max.”

Without additional context, that’s probably a given. Inflation is one factor, as are ongoing supply chain disruptions.

The same leaker said that the iPhone 15 Ultra (the renaming of the iPhone 14 Pro Max) would come with a titanium case.

If so, titanium is more expensive to buy and machine than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

What design changes does Apple have in store?

The biggest expected change is the move to USB-C. When Apple released the Lightning port with the iPhone 5, it promised a decade of support.

That decade ends this year, but that’s not the only reason for the change.

The European Union’s new law makes USB-C the only acceptable plug for smartphones. This goes into effect in 2024.

According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, the USB-C iPhones are already in the testing stages. Apple is also working on an adapter to allow existing Lightning accessories to work with USB-C.

USB-C was confirmed by Apple’s SVP of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak, on October 27. Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, he said that the EU mandate means USB-C is coming.

New iPhone shape?

According to multiple reports, Apple is currently finalizing the design of the iPhone 15.

Some reports believe that the design will continue with the squared-off edges. Other reports point to a more rounded design.

Faster speeds are coming to the iPhone 15 Pro models

Another supply chain analysis from Ming-Chi Kuo says while all iPhone 15 models will get USB-C, only two will get faster speeds.

His latest survey says that USB 3.2 (or possibly USB 4/Thunderbolt) will come to the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.

The base iPhone 15 will still use the USB 2.0 speeds from the current, Lightning-equipped iPhones. That would further differentiate the Pro models as a tool for professional use.

New, high-end iPhones could scrap the physical buttons

A new supply chain analysis says that the two “high-end iPhones” for 2023 won’t have physical power or volume buttons.

Instead, they’ll have solid-state buttons powered by two Taptic Engines to make it feel like the user has pressed a button.

That will feel like mini MacBook touchpads, which also use Taptic feedback to make it feel like the touchpad moves when pressed.

An earlier analyst note thought Touch ID could be coming back as an under-screen fingerprint reader.

A new analysis says not to expect it for the iPhone 15 but maybe for the 2025 models.

Speaking of Face ID, Ming-Chi Kuo says that at least one iPhone 15 model will get an under-display Face ID.

Korean website The Elec agrees, but they said both iPhone 15 Pro models would get the new sensors.

If so, that would mean that the iPhone 15 Pro could have a seamless screen or a single-hole punch for the selfie camera.

Apple may have an under-screen camera in development that could be used in a future iPhone.

Display changes

Ross Young, an analyst for all things display-based, has an interesting nugget of information. Dynamic Island will be on all iPhone 15 models.

That change makes the iPhone 14 the last model with a display notch.

After this, they’ll all have Dynamic Island, making things easier for developers as they only have one screen type to write code for.

Just don’t expect ProMotion or Always-On Display to feature on the base iPhone models. Young thinks those will still stay on the Pro line.

iPhone 15 cameras

Ming-chi Kuo has now stated that he doesn’t believe the iPhone 15 Pro will get an “8P” lens. This 8-element plastic lens would technically allow for better pictures.

The big rumor around the iPhone 15 cameras is a dedicated periscope zoom lens. Only the iPhone 15 Pro Max will get this lens, which will feature a 5-6x optical zoom.

That’s according to the ever-accurate Ming-Chi Kuo, who says both Pro models will get it the year after.

Another recent report from Nikkei speaks of a partnership between Sony and Apple for new sensors on iPhone 15 cameras.

Sony will supply Apple with its advanced image sensor with double the saturation signal level of conventional sensors.

That allows the sensors to capture more light, reducing underexposure and overexposure.

For example, the sensors should allow the cameras to take clear images of a person’s face, even with a strong backlight.

Other rumors

Another report from the usually-correct analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said that Apple’s latest chips will only be used in the Pro models from now on. If so, that will be the same for the iPhone 15.

TSMC plans to start production of its 3nm chips later this year. Out of Apple’s chips, that includes the M3 Mac chips and the A17 for the iPhone 15 range.

We’re also expecting to see Apple’s own 5G modem in 2023. After buying Intel’s modem division, Apple has been having issues getting the technology to its standards.

Next year could be the first time an iPhone doesn’t have a Qualcomm 5G modem.

A titanium iPhone?

Another leak from the LeaksApplePro Twitter account claims that the iPhone 15 Ultra will be made out of titanium instead of stainless steel.

That could mean a pretty hefty price tag for the iPhone 15 Ultra, as titanium is much more expensive than stainless steel.

Another leaker, ShrimpApplePro, backs up the titanium frame rumors. They didn’t specify if it’s for the base, Pro, or potential Ultra version of the iPhone 15.

Their leak also says that the squared-off back corners will be more rounded, while the iPhone 15 will still use back glass. This will make it echo the current MacBook shape.

We’ve also heard rumors of a foldable iPhone for years now. If those early predictions are true, 2023 is the year Apple puts out its first foldable.

The rumors and other information we’ve seen paint a picture of two classes of iPhone users.

Those who want the base model for everyday tasks and those who want the higher specifications and features of the Pro models.

The iPhone 15 will further cement that link, differentiating from what we know about the iPhone 14 range. We’ll keep updating this article as new rumors and leaks come in.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments, or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Captain America says his new iPhone 12 is just too damn heavy
• iOS 16 is on the way, but not for all iPhones – here’s how to check
• Apple plans to launch an ‘extreme sports’ version of its Apple Watch
• How much is the iPhone 14?

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While there aren’t many major Samsung Galaxy S21 changes compared to the S20, a few key updates make the S21 a more affordable option.

Like the iPhone 12, this iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone doesn’t come with a charger. This is an effort to reduce electronic waste and help keep the phone’s price down.

Samsung has been known for years for its high quality and sleek design. The Galaxy S21 line is no different.

This may lead some potential buyers to wonder what other things might be left out. The Galaxy S20 line from Samsung released in 2020 was the first Galaxy phone to launch without a headphone jack.

This came several years after Apple began producing iPhones without the 3.5mm headphone port. But what about the Galaxy S21?

Does the Galaxy S21 have a headphone jack?

Short answer: No

Samsung has decided to leave the headphone jack off the Galaxy S21. All Galaxy S21s, including the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra, don’t have a headphone jack.

So what does this mean for Samsung smartphone users? While there is no headphone jack on the Galaxy S21, you still have other options.

Firstly, there are a plethora of Bluetooth headphone options available. The Galaxy S21 supports any Bluetooth headphones.

Another option is using a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to connect wired headphones to the Galaxy S21.

Where is the headphone jack on the Samsung Galaxy S21

Sadly, the Galaxy’s S21 headphone jack is gone, but with all the wireless options available, it seems logical to start phasing them out.

Phones are thinner and ergonomic. Plus, not having a phone jack also cuts down a little on prices, which is good for everybody.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 waterproof?
• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 have an SD slot?
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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Samsung’s Galaxy S21 is a powerful and affordable option in the smartphone market.

At the starting price of just $799, it offers great value. But did Samsung skimp out on waterproof protection to cut the Galaxy S21 price?

With smartphones becoming more and more a part of everyone’s everyday life, you’ll likely have concerns about the reliability of these expensive devices.

$800 is a lot of money, so you’ll also want to keep your Galaxy S21 safe.

One of the biggest questions concerning any smartphone is whether or not the device is waterproof. In the case of the Samsung Galaxy S21, the answer may surprise you.

So, is the Galaxy S21 waterproof?

Short Answer: Yes, the Galaxy S21 has an IP68 rating.

Samsung users will be pleased to hear that the Galaxy S21 is, in fact, waterproof. Technically, the Galaxy S21 is IP68-rated.

READ MORE: Are the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Flip 4 water and dust-resistant?

It is generally a good idea to keep your smartphones as far away from water as possible. However, exposing your phone to wet areas can sometimes be unavoidable.

So, how waterproof does that make the Galaxy S21?

IP68 is an international standards rating that ensures that this device is capable of withstanding submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.

And the 6 in IP68 also means that the Galaxy S21 is dustproof, as well. However, it is important to note that water and electronics still do not play well together.

Though the phone can go through that kind of stress, it is a good idea to avoid water as much as possible.

Where this water resistance thrives is for people like me, who tend to drop their phones in the toilet or the bathtub, as opposed to a pool or the ocean.

Wrapping up: No, the Samsung Galaxy S21 is not waterproof. But slapping on a waterproof case can help protect your Galaxy S21, S21 Plus, or S21 Ultra from water – essentially making it waterproof.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 have an SD slot?
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?
• Leaked Samsung AR glasses show Watch compatibility, AR overlays, and more

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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A recent study from Ookla, makers of the popular Speedtest benchmark used to measure internet speeds, shows that the iPhone 14 Pro has faster 5G speeds than any Android phone in the U.S. and the U.K.

The report, posted on Ookla’s website last week, displays the fastest 5G speeds of various phones across several locations.

In places other than the U.K. and the U.S., phones other than the iPhone 14 Pro showed more success in terms of speed.

Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ shows the best speeds in South Africa. Motorola holds the fastest speeds in Brazil with its Moto G 5G Plus. And the fastest 5G speeds in China are reserved for Huawei and OnePlus phones.

But if you’re in the United States or the United Kingdom, the iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best option.

In the U.K., the iPhone 14 Pro Max averages around 171 Mbps 5G download speed. That’s compared to 165 Mbps from the iPhone 13 Pro Max in second place.

United States speeds are slightly faster, with the iPhone 14 Pro Max getting around 177 Mbps download. The regular iPhone 14 Pro is second in the U.S., with 175 Mbps.

Interestingly, the speeds in the United States and the United Kingdom are significantly slower than other markets that Ookla tested. 5G speeds in China and Brazil reach well over 300 Mbps download.

It will be interesting to see which phones can maintain their position as 5G speeds increase in the United States and the United Kingdom.

But for now, iPhone 14 Pro Max is the best option for the fastest 5G speeds in the U.S. and U.K.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Samsung Galaxy S23: news, rumors, features, and release date
• Google Pixel 8: Release, price, and features
• Apple Music is finally coming to Teslas

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

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The company’s new product Doogee V30 is a big statement to its competitor. It is one of the best-designed smartphones of the year, with eco-friendly leather on the back.

It is also the only rugged phone with eSIM as one of its main features. Moreover, this is a unique feature, so a little background on why this is an amazing feature before we move on.

SIM cards are important on any smartphone to make phone calls. However, anyone with a smartphone understands its importance.

For people whose livelihood has them traveling around the world, physically buying a SIM card anytime they are in a new country is time-consuming and inconvenient.

Thus, eSIM was developed, which is now being adopted by the V30 rugged phone.

The Doogee V30 eSIM feature is perfect for all travelers.

With this feature, all you have to do when you arrive in a new country is to scan the QR code of a service provider and follow a few setup processes, and then you are ready to go.

Therefore, this removes walking to a physical store anytime you want to switch carriers. The Doogee V30 joins the short list of smartphones offering this feature to its many customers.

With what is already written, the advantages of the eSIM are very evident. Doogee V30’s eSIM features facilitate a cheap way to transfer service providers.

Additionally, it eradicates the potential of damage to SIM cards and saves on the transfer cost. These advantages reduce the anxiety of traveling to a new place.

At this point, it is time to talk about the phone’s design. At an initial glance, the V30 looks like every rugged phone on the market, but you realize it is much more upon closer look.

The back is covered in eco-friendly leather that is pleasant to the eyes and feels great in the palm.

To complete the design, the side panel finish was inspired by wood grains giving an entirely unique and fresh look. 

Doogee keeps providing its clients with advanced technologies and an improved experience.

With more details of the V30 set to be released, it is safe to say the V30, like the V20 and V10 before, is certain to come with flagship-level features.

Now Doogee is holding a promotional campaign where you can leave comments and win free prizes like a D11 watch or a $50 V30 coupon. Come and join it now.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Doogee S96 GT – the first smartphone to feature a night vision camera
• Doogee S89 Series with 12000mAh battery and 65W fast charge officially launched
• Doogee’s first tablet, the T10, will refresh you with entertainment
• The iPhone 14 Pro Max is the fastest 5G phone available

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With so many reviewers taking their sample images at different times or locations, it’s hard to tell which is best.

Popular UK YouTuber Mrwhosetheboss had a great idea to pit the new iPhone 12 Pro Max against the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra while taking all the comparison footage simultaneously.

He did this using a clever dual-clamp rig that let both smartphones take their images from virtually the same point in space.

Then he put both cameras through the same 12 sets of tests, looking at 8K and 4K videos, slo-mo, zoom, night mode, and more. You can watch the full testing in the video below, but we’ll summarize it.

Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra vs. iPhone 12 Pro Max

Over the 12 categories, Samsung won five, Apple won three, and four were undecided. The upshot of the 12 tests is that Samsung won, but it was a close race.

If you could combine the two, you’d have a smartphone camera with almost no drawbacks, as “each failing of one of these phones is something that the other is particularly good at.”

If so, I can’t wait until Apple starts putting sensors bigger than 12 megapixels into the iPhone.

The other thing about smartphone cameras is how the stock camera app behaves.

Apple takes great pains every year to keep the user experience simple while adding new features that mostly run in the background.

Samsung loads their camera app with features upon features to choose from, adding extra functionality over their competition.

iPhone 12 Pro Max vs. Samsung S21 Ultra camera: Which is better?

When it comes to the best camera, is Samsung or iPhone the superior choice? Well, that depends on how you use your smartphone camera and if you want a simplified experience or more control.

Samsung might have won this round, but there’s always next year…

Have any thoughts on this? Surprised by Samsung’s performance? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung’s Galaxy S21 phones will not come with a charger or headphones
• If you have a medical implant, keep the iPhone 12 and MagSafe devices away from it
• The iPhone 12 Pro LiDAR camera finally has a use case – TikTok filters
• The Samsung S20 FE is a low-cost Galaxy that probably cost a fortune in marketing

The post Galaxy S21 Ultra or iPhone 12 Pro Max: Who has the best camera? appeared first on KnowTechie.

The feature completely blocks all third-party trackers on the Android device it is installed on. That’s important, as it keeps your digital fingerprint out of the hands of advertisers.

It’s part of the DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser, which features private search, email tracking protection, forced HTTPS encryption when possible, and other privacy-focused tools.

Once enabled, it runs in the background, blocking third-party tracking in all apps the user opens. A list of blocked trackers is also displayed in the app.

DuckDuckGo can block all third-party Android trackers

The App Tracking Protection feature resembles Apple’s App Tracking Transparency rules. The difference here is that DuckDuckGo’s implementation doesn’t require the participation of the app developers.

That means the user is in charge of blocking any apps they want. You might not think you need this, but DuckDuckGo’s investigations found the scale of app tracking to be immense.

According to them, the “average Android user has 35 apps on their phone.” Those apps can get 1,000-2,000 tracking attempts daily, with data going to over 70 tracking companies.

These companies gain a ton of information, like specifications about your Android device, your location, contact details, and other identifying data. Then, profiles are built around your data and sold to advertisers.

The new feature stops that by passing your data through a local VPN. That strips all identifying information away, so it’s not there for anyone (including DuckDuckGo) to get.

If you’re going to enable the App Tracking Protection feature, remember it is still in the beta stage. It could make apps glitch, miss some trackers, or produce any number of other bugs.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• DuckDuckGo now offers free email protection for everyone
• New Chrome update makes it easier to theme your browser
• TikTok’s in-app browser can track every tap you make
• Apple faces privacy lawsuit over app activity tracking concerns

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Thanks to Jon Prosser over at FrontPageTech, who made a ton of renders based on actual images of the device that his source provided, we can see that Google is keeping things slim on its foldable.

Only two colors will be made, with Chalk (white) and Obsidian (black) versions hitting the market next year.

Pixel Fold is slim and seemingly crease-free

Google’s current Pixel design language is slim and refined. The Pixel Fold looks to continue that trend, looking more like one of the foldables from Chinese brands like Xiaomi than the chunkier Galaxy Fold devices.

The camera bar from the Pixel 7 is still there, except it’s been shortened to not go to the edge of the device.

The hinge assembly is slimmer than most of the competition, which might mean a visible crease when the Pixel Fold is unfolded flat.

We can also see that the Pixel Fold has a full-face external screen with a hole-punch selfie camera. The internal screen doesn’t appear to have a selfie camera, but it could be under-screen.

Prosser says that the Pixel Fold will be coming in May of 2023. The other big surprise is that the price will be the same as Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, starting at $1,799.

It looks like with the Pixel Fold, Google is ready to play with the big boys of the mobile market.

That will leave Apple as the only major mobile manufacturer without a foldable device. All current leaks point to a foldable iPad before an iPhone. Is that too late for the market? A billion iPhones disagree.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Google Pixel 8: Release, price, and features
• Modders in China have unveiled their own foldable iPhone
• Samsung’s old foldables and watches are getting new features
• Does Google have a foldable in the works?

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YouTuber Technological Aesthetics kicked off the project aimed to create a foldable iPhone because Apple hasn’t done one yet.

He says that out of the top seven phone manufacturers, Apple is the only one not to release a foldable yet.

To do this, they started with the screen of an iPhone X. Why? Because that screen is already using a flexible OLED, even if the device Apple put it in doesn’t fold.

We know this screen is flexible because Apple told us. Early promotional videos for the iPhone X show a folded-over OLED display to get the bezel-less look Apple wanted.

The modders went through 37 original iPhone screens before they discovered this. That’s a lot of broken displays, all in search of the perfect foldable.

A foldable iPhone exists, but you can’t buy it

Then they had to figure out which hinge assembly to use. Samsung might be the market leader, but their hinges fold too far for the iPhone X’s OLED.

That led to the Motorola RAZR, which provided a hinge that worked without snapping the screen.

Then it was on to making everything else fit into the two smaller halves of the foldable. The team used a smaller battery, removed wireless charging, and one of the two speakers.

The internal structure was reversed, so the battery is now at the top, with the mainboard at the bottom. Parts were 3D printed to hold the internal hardware lifted from the donor iPhone.

The result is a foldable iPhone that looks closer to the original prototypes for foldable OLED displays than something Apple would put its name on.

The touchscreen works, but iOS wasn’t usable. That left some software modding to do, with split-screen mods similar to the Galaxy Z Flip’s operating system.

The screen started to break down after a few days of actual use. The OLED wasn’t designed for the additional strain. That shows how much design and engineering go into flagship foldables from Samsung and others.

It’s impressive that a group of tinkerers and modders have managed to create a foldable device from an iPhone. The modders encountered issues that any foldable device maker will also face.

We expect that’s why Apple is still working on its own device.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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COVID-19 restrictions have affected output of Foxconn’s main iPhone 14 factory in Zhengzhou, China. This will result in customers having to wait longer. It also affects customers that have already ordered their iPhone 14 Pro.

The striking thing is that Apple took the time to issue a short press release about the situation. This is out of character for Apple, who are usually tight-lipped about any potential issues.

Barron’s reports that the timing couldn’t be worse for Apple. The run into the holiday season is historically strong for demand.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max have shown strong demand since they were released earlier this fall.

Apple didn’t mention if production of its base iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus was affected. Perhaps those aren’t selling as strongly this year compared to the premium models.

Strong iPhone 14 sales have enabled Apple to gain 1.6% market share. That’s even with an industry-wide drop of 9.7% in shipments in the quarter. That market share looks to be in jeopardy, if the slowdown at Foxconn continues.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post You may wait even longer for your new iPhone 14 Pro Max appeared first on KnowTechie.

The Wall Street Journal got the scoop from Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, Greg Joswiak. He was asked about the European Union mandate on USB-C as the common charging port.

His response didn’t sound like Apple was happy about the mandate: “Obviously, we’ll have to comply; we have no choice.”

That’s a little sulky from a company whose operating budget is larger than some countries GDP.

Apple confirms to the WSJ that USB-C is coming to the iPhone

The rest of Joswiak’s answer is worth watching. The gist of it is that Apple isn’t happy about being forced to do, well, anything.

He talked about how historically, Apple preferred to trust its engineers instead of being forced into compliance with mandated standards.

His exact words were, “we don’t mind governments telling us what they want to accomplish.” Joswiak obviously thinks highly of Apple, but is that surprising?

Joswiak also mentions that the EU’s plans are well-intentioned but can be somewhat solved by power adapters with detachable cables. But that argument is a bit weak, as well.

Lightning still uses USB2.0 for data transfer, and it doesn’t fast charge, not anywhere near the levels of USB-PD.

Maybe if Apple updates Lightning to have faster charging and data rates, the EU would let them keep the port. But we can’t see that happening on either end.

Apple is the most prominent phone maker still to use a port other than USB-C on its phones. The iPad range finished transitioning to USB-C this fall, and the Mac range has used USB-C for years.

The other thing the EU mandate means for Apple is a shift to USB-C for the AirPods range. The mandate covers every consumer device large enough to fit a USB-C socket.

We expect Apple to comply with the EU mandate. For how long, though, we couldn’t say. Maybe Apple will go all-in on wireless, portless devices in the future.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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Microsoft, alongside its internal studio and creators of Age of Empires World’s Edge, announced the new mobile game during the Age of Empires 25th anniversary broadcast.

While we didn’t learn much about how the game will play on mobile, the company did share a teaser trailer. Of course, the trailer doesn’t give us much information, so we’ll still have to wait to learn more.

This isn’t the first time that the Age of Empires franchise has come to mobile. Although, Microsoft will be hoping for better results this time around.

Microsoft released two Age of Empires mobile games back in 2015. Age of Empires: Castle Siege was a tower defense game that lasted for a few years before being shut down.

Age of Empires: World Domination was a more traditional real-time strategy. However, it never got any legs, and Microsoft shut it down after only a year.

Hopefully, the new Age of Empires title doesn’t suffer the same fate. It has been a while since those original games failed, and mobile gaming has improved a lot since then.

Still, real-time strategy games can be pretty complex, and Age of Empires is no exception. It will be interesting to see how Microsoft and World’s Edge adapt that complex gameplay to mobile devices.

We don’t know when the studio plans to launch the new Age of Empires for mobile. But Microsoft did say we’ll hear more in the “not too distant future.”

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Age of Empires is going mobile on iOS and Android appeared first on KnowTechie.

This new feature waits to charge your iPhone to those times when lower carbon-emission electricity is available. This is done with a forecast of the carbon emissions from your local energy grid.

But, that’s not all it can do. So let’s dive into the feature a bit more and discuss how you can enable it on your own iPhone.

Clean Energy Charging will learn from you

The new feature also ties into the Optimized Battery Charging feature, which learns your charging habits. That way, your iPhone will still charge normally if it thinks you will take it off the charger.

Apple says it won’t engage the feature if you’re in a new location or anywhere you don’t regularly go. It monitors this through location data on your iPhone.

How do I enable Clean Energy Charging?

That’s it, you’ve now either turned on or confirmed that Clean Energy Charging is enabled on your iPhone.

While your iPhone is on a charger and Clean Energy Charging is on, you’ll see a notification on the lock screen with an estimate of when your phone will be fully charged.

You can long-press this notification and press “Charge Now” to override the feature.

What to do if Clean Energy Charging isn’t working

If you notice Clean Energy Charging isn’t working, Apple has a few suggestions for settings that need to be enabled.

From Apple:

If you were having issues with the feature, the above tweaks should help. If not, you might need to contact Apple.

A more sustainable charging option

Now your iPhone will tweak when it charges your device, based on the carbon emission forecast from your local grid. It’s only available in the US, with no word from Apple on when it will get a wider rollout.

We like the option to use greener electricity to recharge our devices, and hope Apple is working on adding the feature to all of its devices.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post iPhone Clean Energy Charging: what is it and how does it work? appeared first on KnowTechie.

This year, the Pixel devices got a second-generation Tensor chip, the Titan M2 security chip, and new camera tricks.

They also get a bunch of Pixel-only software features, and some impressive on-device AI processing.

Google created both flagship smartphones this year with an IP68 rating. That means they must meet specific requirements for dust- and water-proofing, but are they completely waterproof?

Are the latest Pixels waterproof?

Short answer: No

The “IP” in IP68 stands for Ingress Protection. IP68 is the highest rating on the scale.

The six means it has protection from contact with harmful dust. That means it won’t let in any dust after eight hours of contact.

We’re not quite sure what happens after eight hours, but it’s unlikely that your device will instantly fail.

The “eight” in IP68 is for the level of water protection the device has. It’s rated “up to a depth of 1.5m, for up to one hour.” That’s assuming fresh, clean water, not saltwater or corrosive liquids.

It doesn’t mean your Pixel 7 is waterproof, and you shouldn’t act as if it is. But if gets rained on while you are walking down the street, it should be fine.

Add a waterproof case to your Pixel 7

If you want to be sure your Pixel 7 can survive a dunk, you’ll want a waterproof case. That way, you can go on or near the water knowing your phone is protected.

The problem is that there don’t seem to be any waterproof cases compatible with the Pixel 7 or Pixel 7 Pro yet.

We’re sure they will come, as brands like Otterbox and Ghostek had waterproof cases for previous Google devices. There are also universal dry bag pouches, which you can use on any phone.

Your Pixel 7 is durable, but don’t push it

Google designed the Pixel 7 range with features like a scratch-resistant display. It uses Gorilla Glass Victus, the most robust phone glass on the market today.

You don’t have to baby your phone, as it can probably handle a few bumps or drops. That said, it is still glass, and you should remember that. A good case will go a long way to protect your new device.

We like Spigen cases, and the Google Store has a wide variety of cases, and ones from brands like ZAGG, OtterBox, and Bellroy. While you’re getting a case, buy a tempered glass screen protector, as well.

Now your new smartphone is protected, and you can get on with enjoying using it.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post Is the Pixel 7 waterproof? appeared first on KnowTechie.

YouTuber Golden Reviewer put the Pixel 7 Pro through their usual benchmarking, using the graphics-heavy Genshin Impact.

This is one of Josiah’s favorite games, thanks to its full roster of characters, a huge world to explore, and more.

But playing the impressive game on mobile can require a premium phone, and it doesn’t seem like the Pixel 7 Pro is living up to the task. Here’s what Golden Reviewer found out.

Pixel 7 Pro disappoints in gaming benchmark

The results were not flattering for Google’s self-designed second-gen Tensor G2. The Tensor G2 is built on Samsung’s 5nm process node, the same one used on the Exynos 2100, which debuted in the Galaxy S21 range.

The Tensor G2 in the Pixel 7 Pro performs similarly to the Exynos 2100, with an average 37.2 frames-per-second (FPS) and average power of 5.4W. The Exynos 2100 managed 36.1 fps with a 6.3W power average.

Almost every smartphone released since the Galaxy S21 Ultra beats the Pixel 7 Pro’s score. The iPhone 13 Pro gets 52.7 FPS average, the iPhone 14 Pro Max averages 58.4 FPS, and the Galaxy Fold 4 gets 41.4 average FPS.

Aggressive throttling could be the cause

He then checked the temperature of the back of the phone. That had a maximum of 42.4 Centigrade, which is “actually not very hot,” in his words.

That’s because Google appears to have gone for an aggressive throttling of the chip’s performance when it starts to get warm. Note that the Exynos 2100 got up to 46.3 C in the same test.

After a few minutes of gaming, the Pixel 7 Pro warmed up, and the throttle came into effect. He found the second half of the ten-minute test had lots of frame drops, even with a 37.2 fps average.

This could be to mitigate the issues with the Tensor chip in the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a. Those devices all had heat issues, more so than other smartphones.

Anecdotally, the Pixel 6a I purchased got returned to Google the very next day. It was overheating while doing basic tasks like reading emails, so I felt it was unsuitable.

The results aren’t great, but also aren’t the end of the world

The testing might not be the final word on the Pixel 7 Pro’s performance. It’s worth noting that the only mobile chips with big gains this generation are the Dimensity line from MediaTek.

We should also say that the chart had a wide range of results from the same chipset when looking at Qualcomm’s Snapdragon models.

That could be better-designed cooling on the better-performing handsets or other design decisions like cutting peak power usage, so it takes longer to heat up.

Ultimately, these tests don’t spell disaster for the impressive Pixel 7 Pro. However, if gaming is something you care about on your smartphone, this is at least something to consider.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Google’s Pixel 7 Pro is a bad gaming phone appeared first on KnowTechie.

As the full name indicates, CAPTCHAs present computerized challenges that people can solve but computers can’t. 

Some might take you back to elementary school math class, asking you to answer what’s two plus four. Others make you squint at a string of distorted characters and type what you see.

Some CAPTCHAs show you several low-quality pictures and ask you to choose all the traffic lights or motorcycles.

However, some images are so blurry that it’s hard to differentiate the objects you need to find. 

These puzzles may slow your browsing activity as you try to click through them, but CAPTCHAs serve a relevant purpose by thwarting fraudulent activity online.

Computerized bots can’t solve CAPTCHA equations, so this technology helps weed them out. However, it can also present barriers for people with disabilities. 

The release of iOS 16, Apple’s new mobile operating system, will allow users to bypass CAPTCHA. Here’s a closer look at how the option works. 

Apple utilizes private access tokens

Apple developers pointed out that when people interact with websites for the first time, they’ve typically already done things that are hard for bots to imitate.

For example, they’ve unlocked the device with a password. They probably also used an Apple ID if they were on an Apple device. 

Private access tokens help web servers automatically trust users. Apple’s approach relies on a new HTTP authentication method called PrivateToken.

The tokens use cryptography to issue an unlinkable signature affirming that someone passed a security check.

Due to the unlinkable nature of the signatures, the servers can only verify they got through a check. However, they cannot learn client identities. 

A step-by-step look at the process

When a user’s compatible device attempts to access a server, the server responds with a token using the PrivateToken authentication scheme.

Apple then determines the person’s identity by checking it against certificates in the Secure Enclave. That’s the hardware-based key manager separated from the main processor to provide extra security. 

Apple’s attester can also carry out a process called rate limiting. It examines whether a user’s behavior follows expected patterns or may be associated with fraudulent internet activity, such as click farming. 

The signed token eventually gets to the server through a multi-step process. The server doesn’t know anything about the user or device but trusts the attester enough to validate the process.

All this happens quickly and in the background. The user notices nothing except a friction-free transition to their destination websites. 

Apple’s approach is one of the emerging strategies based on the move away from traditional security models and principles.

For example, there’s the zero-trust model, which has quickly gained traction in cybersecurity circles. It works on the principle that people’s identities must always be verified before they access the content.

They are never automatically trusted, even if they are the most senior person in the organization or someone who has worked there for decades. 

Automatic verification is easy to activate 

Apple’s CAPTCHA-elimination option sounds a bit technical to the average person. However, the company makes it easy to turn the feature on or deactivate it as needed.

First, tap Settings and click on your name in the left-hand panel. Next, go to Passwords & Security. From there, switch Automatic Verification on or off.

You’ll find it under the Advanced heading of that section. You’ll also find it turned on by default in iPhone and iPad versions of iOS 16.

How to enable Automatic Verification

If you’re on the beta of iOS 16 right now, Automatic Verification is on by default. We’re not sure if that will be the case when the public builds come this fall.

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap on your Apple ID

3. Tap on Password & Security

4. Scroll down and toggle Automatic Verification to ON

The end of pesky CAPTCHAs?

This progress represents a major step forward for Apple. Even when people know how CAPTCHAs work, they typically find them frustrating due to the way they disrupt the internet experience.

For now, this technology only works on Apple devices running iOS 16.

However, if this approach proves viable in the real world, there may soon be similar options for Android devices and other operating systems.

That’s especially likely since Apple makes it easy for people to turn the feature on or off.

Many less tech-savvy users won’t bother with CAPTCHA-free technology if they perceive it will be too cumbersome.

That’s not the case with Apple’s option, and hopefully, other technology companies will follow suit with user-friendliness.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post The science behind how iOS 16 can bypass CAPTCHA appeared first on KnowTechie.

This is another one of Google’s computational photography tricks. Powered by the machine learning in the second-generation Tensor G2 chip, it can improve any photo you’ve ever taken.

It builds on the Face Unblur feature introduced with the Pixel 6 range. That used machine learning to ensure crisp faces in images you took. That only worked when you took the image, but Photo Unblur can be done anytime.

You can see it in action in the tweet below or in the photo album above posted by Google. The difference between the blurred version and the final image is pretty startling, even in the few images that fall short.

The neat thing here is that it works on any existing photo. Any Google Photos user will likely have family photos from years ago, possibly taken on early digital cameras. Photo Unblur could bring some of those up to modern quality.

One of our most popular posts is about how to deblur photos. There’s a market for this feature, and we can’t wait to see how well it works when reviews start posting.

Google has said that Photo Unblur only works on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro right now. That might change, as other Pixel-only photo editing features like Real Tone has shown up in the Google Photos app for everyone to use.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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