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With 80W fast charging, Realme’s rumored battery powerhouse could get fully charged in 70 minutes.
What you need to know
Realme’s next flagship could pack an extra-large battery ranging from 7,000mAh to 8,000mAh.
The current Realme GT 7 Pro features a 6,500mAh battery that’s already much larger than most flagships, but Realme is shooting for an even bigger one next year.
According to leaker Digital Chat Station, there are three potential battery configurations being tested for Realme’s next phone.
Realme may not be a household name, but the brand is known for making Android smartphones with built-in high-capacity batteries. The latest Realme GT 7 Pro has a 6,500mah battery built in, and even the Realme 12 Pro Plus 5g has a respectable 5,000mah battery. The two phones also charge fast, at 120W and 67W respectively. As it turns out, Realme may want to improve its incredibly high-capacity, fast-charging technology on its next flagship product.
The company is reportedly testing three new variations of batteries, all with a larger capacity than the GT 7 Pro, according to leakerDigital Chat Station on Weibo(viaAndroid Authority). Per the tip, these are the characteristics of the three batteries being tested for Realme’s upcoming flagship phone:
A 7,000mAh battery supporting 120W fast charging that can be charged to full in 42 minutes
A 7,500mAh battery supporting 100W fast charging that can be charged to full in 55 minutes
An 8,000mAh battery supporting 80W fast charging that can be charged to full in 70 minutes
Realme has a few decisions to make for the battery that will power an upcoming flagship, which Digital Chat Station didn’t name specifically. It could be the Realme GT 8 Pro, and the phone could debut in 2025. However, as the leaked configurations show, the company will almost certainly be choosing between capacity and charge speed.
Evidently, the 8,000mAh battery rumored to be in consideration for a to-be-released Realme flagship has slow charging, relatively speaking. It can only charge at 80W speeds, resulting in a 70-minute charge time from 0% to 100%. That might not be such a bad thing, though. There could be less of a need to charge to full with a phone sporting an 8,000mAh capacity, with an overnight charge doing the trick for a day-plus of use.
When you compare the worst charging speeds of Realme’s purported battery options (80W, 70 min), they stack up quite nicely to the leading iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones, which still have atrocious charging speeds. It’s clear that Realme would be padding its own lead in battery and charging tech if it released a smartphone with either 7,000mAh, 7,500 mAh, or 8,000mAh battery capacities.
The best smartphone of 2024, at least in the eyes of a well-known tech YouTuber, is not even on the market in Europe yet and was only recently officially unveiled. For the first time, smartphones that have been launched in China in recent weeks are playing a role in an YouTube awards ceremony.
The award ceremony for the best smartphones of 2024 hosted by YouTuber Arun Maini (aka MrWhosetheboss) names some surprising winners. (Image source: MrWhosetheboss)
Up to now, we’ve been used to seeing award shows like this on Marques Brownlee’s MKBHD channel. In recent years, however, the well-known tech YouTuber has been facingincreasing competition from other YouTube tech aficionados and in 2024 Arun Maini, better known as MrWhosetheBoss, has beaten the currently somewhat controversial YouTuber from the USA to the punch.
Which is fine for us as the Brit offers a somewhat more European perspective of the smartphone market, which certainly makes for surprises in his awards video. Although many of the candidates are not available on the US market, they are certainly available in Europe, albeit sometimes a little late. All categories and winners of the YouTube awards ceremony are listed at the end of the article, but those wanting to first see the video without spoilers can click on the video below.
Such rankings usually only include smartphones that were launched on the European or US market. Arun breaks with this tradition and awards four categories to fairly new smartphones that were only launched a few weeks ago and some of which are not even available in Europe yet. Thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Elite, the ROG Phone 9 Pro blows all other competing models out of the water.
However, the surprise of this award ceremony is theVivo X200 Pro, which is currently only available in China and several Asian countries. Not only does it steal the title of “Best Smartphone 2024” from Samsung and Apple, it is also the only candidate to win in several categories. It is also striking that Apple’s iPhone 16 Pro does not get a mention in any category, but these awards are of course always somewhat subjective.
The best smartphones of 2024 (according to MrWhosetheboss)
With a slightly smaller design, improved sound and Apple’s powerful H2 chip features, the Apple AirPods 4 are a worthy upgrade. But what really makes them special is the noise canceling in the step-up ANC model.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Pros
Same H2 chip found in AirPods Pro 2
More compact design
Active noise canceling that works
Improved sound
Excellent voice-calling performance
Personalized spatial audio
Case has wireless charging and speaker for Find My
The AirPods 4 are, unsurprisingly, the fourth generation of Apple’s original true-wireless earbuds that feature an open design, which means they don’t have silicone ear tips like the AirPods Pro 2. A lot of people still don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears and find open earbuds more comfortable, and the AirPods 4 are made for those folks. Not only do they feature a slightly smaller design and better sound than their predecessor, but they’re equipped with Apple’s H2 chip that improves overall performance and powers new features.
In a first for Apple, the AirPods 4 comes in two versions: a $129 entry-level model and a $179 step-up model with active noise canceling. ANC is a rare feature for open earbuds because it typically doesn’t work with an open design — at least not with the few noise-canceling open earbuds I’ve tried, including Samsung’s new Galaxy Buds 3.
The AirPods 4 replace both the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 in the lineup that also includes the AirPods Pro 2 and the updated AirPods Max with USB-C. And in terms of their design, the AirPods 4 are sort of a cross between the AirPods 2 and 3; they’re slightly smaller than the AirPods 3 but also slightly larger than the AirPods 2. That said, at 4.3 grams per bud, they weigh the same as the AirPods 3.
AirPods 4 design improvements
Apple is hoping the new design is a better fit for a wider range of ears. They did fit my ears slightly better than the AirPods 3, though I sometimes had to adjust the angle of the buds to get a really secure fit. Like a lot of people, one of my ears is slightly different than the other, and I got a marginally better fit with my right ear than my left.
I never got a great fit from the AirPods 2 or AirPods 3 (I had trouble keeping them in my ears when I ran with them), but these do fit my ears the best of the three, and I did find them very comfortable to wear. However, I get a slightly more secure fit from the AirPods Pro 2.
From left to right: the AirPods 2, AirPods 3 and AirPods 4 buds with their corresponding cases above them.
Everybody’s ears are different, of course, so I asked some of my colleagues, including some who had small ears, how they felt about the new design compared to the AirPods 3’s design (you can see some of their reactions in my companion review video). They all preferred the design of the AirPods 4 and most of them got a secure fit. Basically, the design does seem to be an improvement, but like with any earbuds, I can’t guarantee they’ll fit everybody’s ears equally well.
AirPods 4’s upgraded sound quality
To be clear, both new AirPods 4 have the same design, same sound quality and same voice-calling performance. And they both have Apple’s H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3. That’s the same chip found in the AirPods Pro 2.
Apple has upgraded both buds with a new acoustic architecture and amp. Also, it’s slightly changed the angle of how the drivers are pointed into your ears, which is supposed to improve sound quality. The combo of the new drivers and the upgraded H2 chip’s processing power for Apple’s Adaptive EQ — a feature that optimizes audio quality on the fly as the position of the buds changes ever so slightly in your ears — gives the AirPods 4 better sound than the AirPods 3. And needless to say, because these are open earbuds, the sound does have an open quality to it.
The AirPods 4 feature a new acoustic architecture.
Overall, the sound is a little cleaner (improved treble), and you get a bit more bass, so there’s a touch more depth and fullness to whatever you’re listening to. They’re still a notch below the AirPods Pro 2’s, but they’re close, and these are easily among the best-sounding open earbuds out there. You’re still not going to get as much bass as you do with the AirPods Pro 2, but the gap has narrowed. I didn’t feel as if I was making much of a sound quality sacrifice compared with the AirPods Pro 2, at least when I was listening in a quiet room.
Like the AirPods Pro 2, both AirPods 4 models are equipped with 5GHz radios (as opposed to 2.4GHz). That not only helps improve the Bluetooth connection reliability with Apple devices but allows for lossless audio withApple’s Vision Pro headset, as well as low-latency gaming audio with recent iPhones, iPads and Macs running the latest versions of their respective operating systems. Wireless streaming of lossless audio over Bluetooth is available only for the Vision Pro because the buds have to be right next to your audio source device for a glitch-free listening experience (the headset sits on your head right next to the buds).
Of course, if you’re in a noisy environment, these buds do still let sound into your ears, which impacts sound quality. But things get interesting with the addition of noise canceling, so let’s get into that key difference between the two models and what you get with entry-level AirPods 4 versus the AirPods 4 ANC.
The AirPods 4 are rated for up to 5 hours of battery life with noise canceling off.
AirPods 4 ANC’s added features
The ANC version of the AirPods 4 is $50 more than the regular model, but you also get more than just noise-canceling for the money. For instance, while the charging cases are the same size and look nearly identical, the step-up ANC model’s case is equipped with a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) chip and has a speaker integrated into it like the case for the AirPods Pro 2. The entry-level model’s case has neither of these features (the entry-level AirPods 4 use a less sophisticated version of FindMy that can track the buds but not the case and play a sound through the buds).
That speaker emits a sonar-like noise when you use the Find My feature with proximity finding, making it easier to locate the case if it gets hidden behind something or stuck in your couch cushions. Also, the entry-level model’s case doesn’t have wireless charging, while the ANC model’s case does. Note that neither model has the more advanced Precision Finding of the AirPods Pro 2, which have a U1 chip in their case.
The AirPods 4 charging case is a little bit smaller than the AirPods 3’s charging case, but there’s one other difference: There’s no longer a physical button on the AirPods 4’s charging case for activating Bluetooth and pairing it with non-Apple devices. Instead, you now double-tap on the front of the case near the LED to initiate pairing and double-tap three times to initiate a reset. Both the buds themselves and case have an IP54 rating, which means they’re splash-proof and dust- and sweat-resistant.
Surprisingly effective noise canceling
I was really impressed with the noise canceling. The reality is that it’s not that great compared with what you get with the AirPods Pro 2 and top noise-canceling earbuds like theBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbudsor theSony WF-1000XM5. But that it works at all and is reasonably effective is kind of wild because, as I said, noise canceling and open earbuds usually aren’t a good mix.
For instance, Samsung says its Galaxy Buds 3 have noise canceling, but I couldn’t really hear a difference when I turned the noise canceling on. But with the new AirPods, you really hear the difference. You feel it kick on and muffle the ambient sound around to a certain degree — enough to enable you to hear your music better in noisy environments.
The AirPods 4’s noise canceling is more adept at tamping down low frequencies and was able to cut down the engine noise level by about 40% when I wore them on a plane. And they were also somewhat effective when I wore them on the streets of Wellington and on the subway. I’d say the noise canceling is a little less than half as good as what you get with the AirPods Pro, which also provide some passive noise isolation with their ear tips. But again, that the noise canceling worked as well as it did seems like a major technological feat. Not even Bose, a leader in noise-canceling technology, tried it with itsUltra Open Earbuds.
Entry-level AirPods 4 vs. AirPods 4 with ANC feature comparison
I want to clarify what features the entry-level model has — and doesn’t have — because Apple’s introduced some new features with iOS 18 and there’s a bit of confusion about which model does what.
Both models have personalized spatial audio (with head tracking) for music, movies and now games that have been updated by the developer to support it. There’s also quick pairing and auto switching for Apple devices, as well as always-on Siri, so you just have to say the wake word to issue voice commands.
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation have a few extra features, including Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio.
Also, both models have new force sensors in the stems with pinch controls to control playback, though apparently noswipe controls for volumethat are available with the AirPods Pro 2. And last but not least, the H2 chip allows for Siri Interactions, which are gesture controls that give you the option to nod or shake your head to dismiss or answer calls or engage with or dismiss notifications and messages. You nod your head for yes and shake your head for no.
The two features you get with the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are Conversation Awareness and Adaptive Audio because those features require noise canceling and transparency modes.
The AirPods 4 with ANC have the AirPods 2 Pro’s extra microphones to enable those modes. When Conversation Awareness is activated (if you talk to yourself a lot, it’s probably best to turn it off), as soon as you speak, your music pauses and transparency mode kicks in so you can have a conservation. Sony pioneered the feature with its Speak-To-Chat option, and now Apple’s Airpods Pro 2 and the AirPods 4 ANC have it.
The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelling have a speaker in their case and wireless charging, two features missing from the entry-level model. Both AirPods 4 models have USB-C charging.
AirPods 4 voice-calling performance and battery life
Apple is also touting a new Voice Isolation feature that’s part of iOS 18 and helps with call quality. Both buds have the feature and so do the Airpods Pro 2. It basically helps callers hear your voice better while reducing background noise.
I did some test calls and callers said they could hear my voice well with almost no background noise, which is impressive. The AirPods have always delivered one of the best voice-calling experiences and the AirPods 4 don’t disappoint. It’s right up there with my voice-calling experience with Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 3 andBuds 3 Pro, which also deliver top voice-calling performance.
One thing that’s a tad disappointing, though, is that Apple wasn’t able to improve on battery life, and it’s actually slightly worse than the AirPods 3’s battery life. You can get up to 5 hours of battery life with noise-canceling off and 4 hours with it on. The case gives you an additional 25 hours with ANC off and 16 hours with it on.
AirPods 4 final analysis
In the end, the way to look at these two earbuds is that the standard AirPods 4 are slightly smaller versions of the AirPods 3 with better sound quality and the benefits of the more powerful H2 chip going forward. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are essentially the AirPods Pro 2 with an open earbud design. However, only the AirPods Pro 2 — and not the AirPods 4 — are getting Apple’s new hearing-aid feature, so take that into account before buying these if that’s something you’re interested in.
If you’re looking for basic AirPods, the standard AirPods 4 certainly have their appeal and should cost closer to $100 during flash sales, especially around the holidays. They may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 2, but they sound a lot better and have a lot more features.
Ultimately, however, the AirPods 4 ANC are simply more special. As I said, they’re the first open buds I’ve tried to have active noise canceling that actually works. That makes them the first noise-canceling earbuds for people who don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears. That’s pretty cool and worth the extra $50 if you can afford it.
Can you take your iPhone swimming? Here’s what those IP67, IP68 and IPX8 water-resistance ratings really mean.
If you’ve ever spilled a drink on your phone, or accidentally dropped it in the toilet, you’ll know that water resistance can mean the difference between a quick wipe with a towel or an expensive trip to buy a new phone. While waterproofing used to be something found only on beefy, rubber-sealed phones designed for construction workers or downhill mountain bikers, water resistance has become pretty much the norm in all today’s phones, including theiPhone 16 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro andGalaxy S24 Ultra. Even Google’saffordable Pixel 8Ais water resistant.
Not all phones can withstand a dunk in water though, and some shouldn’t be near liquid at all. Almost no phones should be taken swimming in a pool, and ocean swimming is still out of the question, unless you’re using a water-tight case of some kind. If you’ve shopped for a phone recently, you’ll have come across terms like “water resistant,” as well as the now common IP67, IP68 and IPX8 ratings. But what do those ratings really mean and, crucially, how waterproof is your expensive new phone?
Let’s break down the jargon and find out.
What do IP67, IP68 and IPX8 mean?
Ingress protection ratings (also known as international protection ratings) are a standard set forth by theInternational Electrotechnical Commission. According to the organization, the codes are designed as a “system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment.”
The first number in the rating code represents the amount of protection provided against the entry of foreign solid objects, such as sand or dust. These protection levels range from a low of 0 to a high of 6.
The second number represents the degree of protection against the entry of moisture or liquid, with protection levels ranging from a low of 0 to a high of 8.
Nothing’s earbuds are IPX4 rated, which is enough to keep them safe from sweat during your workouts.
Sometimes you’ll see an IP rating with a number replaced with an X, such as IPX8. In this instance, a company hasn’t provided testing details so the rating number is replaced with an X. An IPX8-rated device can survive being submerged in water then, but it hasn’t officially been rated for any protection from dust or other particles.
For an 8 on the IP rating, the IEC demands a device can withstand being submerged inat least1 meter of water for 30 minutes. Beyond that, it’s up to the manufacturer. The S24 Ultra can be submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes, while Apple says the iPhone 16 Pro is safe in up to6meters of water for up to 30 minutes. So while any phone with an IP68 rating will have had to hit that 1 meter-30 minute minimum threshold, it’s important to check the fine print and see exactly what your phone offers.
For further details on all the IP ratings, you can see charts at the end of this article outlining the protection levels set by the IEC.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max can be submerged in water up to 6 meters deep for up to 30 minutes at a time.
While the iPhone 16 Pro’s advertised 6 meters of water-resistance might make it seem like you can slip one into your swim shorts and hit the pool, you’d be well advised to leave it out of the water. The IP rating is tested in controlled conditions — in water with no movement. Moving your phone in the water will add more water pressure, making it more likely that water could find its way inside and do irreparable damage to your phone.
The IP tests are also done usingfreshwater; most pools will have additional chemicals such as chlorine, which could make a difference to your phone’s resistance. And you should absolutely keep your phone out of the sea: Salt water could cause a lot of trouble, including degrading the metal parts in your charging port.
Even if your phone has the top IP68 resistance rating, it’s good practice to treat the feature as a backup in case of emergencies. Your phone is not designed to go snorkeling, so don’t try using the camera to snag pictures of starfish or whatever. Nor should you try to recordTikTokvideos of yourself jumping off the high dive into the deep end. It’s there for accidents like spilling a drink or emergencies like making a call in the pouring rain.
The OnePlus Nord 2 does not have any stated resistance to water — keep phones like this extra safe when you’re around liquids.
My phone doesn’t have an IP rating. Can it get wet?
In order for a company to advertise that their product has an IP rating at all, it needs to have undergone strict tests to ensure it meets the requirements. These tests can be timely and costly, so it’s understandable that some companies simply don’t want to spend the cash, particularly when it comes to budget-focused models.
Some phones instead use terms like “water-repellent” or “water-resistant” without an official IP rating. These handsets may make use of methods like rubberized seals or water-repellent nano coating to keep moisture at bay. While these phones may well survive an accidental dunking, it’s worth keeping them safe from being fully submerged in water. But you shouldn’t need to worry too much about taking calls in the rain.
If your phone makes no mention of water resistance, then it’s best to assume that it has none and you should take as much care as you can around liquids.
Solid protection
IP Code
Protection
Object size
0
No protection
N/A
1
Protection from contact with any large surface of the body, such as the back of a hand. but no protection against deliberate contact with a body part, such as a finger
Less than 50mm
2
Protection from fingers or similar objects
Less than 12.5mm
3
Protection from tools, thick wires or similar objects
Less than 2.5mm
4
Protection from most wires, screws or similar objects
Less than 1mm
5
Partial protection from contact with harmful dust
N/A
6
Protection from contact with harmful dust
N/A
Moisture protection
IP code
Protection
Test duration
Usage
0
No protection
N/A
N/A
1
Protection against vertically dripping water
10 mins
Light rain
2
Protection against vertically dripping water when device is tilted at an angle up to 15 degrees
10 mins
Light rain
3
Protection against direct sprays of water when device is tilted at an angle up to 60 degrees
5 mins
Rain and spraying
4
Protection from sprays and splashing of water in all directions
5 mins
Rain, spraying and splashing
5
Protection from low-pressure water projected from a nozzle with a 6.3mm diameter opening in any direction
3 mins from a distance of 3 meters
Rain, splashing and direct contact with most kitchen and bathroom faucets
6
Protection from water projected in powerful jets from a nozzle with a 12.5mm diameter opening in any direction
3 mins from a distance of 3 meters
Rain, splashing, direct contact with kitchen and bathroom faucets, outdoor use in rough sea conditions
7
Protected from immersion in water with a depth of up to 1 meter (or 3.3 feet) for up to 30 mins
30 mins
Rain, splashing and accidental submersion
8
Protected from immersion in water with a depth of more than 1 meter (manufacturer must specify exact depth)
Don’t choose wrong when it comes to your Apple Watch size
Apple Watch Series 10 42mm
Smaller, cheaper
The 42mm Apple Watch Series 10 is lighter, cheaper, and less bulky than its larger counterpart. But you’ll miss out on a more expansive display.
For
Smaller
Lighter
Cheaper
Against
Display size
Harder to type on
Apple Watch Series 10 46mm
Bigger. Better?
The larger 46mm option is more expensive than the 42mm, but you’ll get a much larger display that’s easier to read and easier to type on.
For
Much bigger display
Easier to read
Easier to type on
Against
Heavier
Bulkier
More expensive
If you’re eyeing up Apple’s new Apple Watch Series 10, then one of the most important choices you’ll make when buying it is choosing between its 42mm and 46mm case sizes.
Apple’s mainstream flagship wearable for 2024 comes in two distinct sizes, both larger than in previous years. While the difference in shape and size might sound obvious, picking between the sizes does impact your purchase more than you might think.
A larger Apple Watch is going to offer more battery life and a larger display but at the cost of more weight and cash. A larger watch size will also be easier to type on thanks to its larger keyboard, but a smaller one will be less intrusive and is less likely to get scratched or bumped. As you can see, there’s more to this choice than you might think, so here’s everything you need to know before you hit “buy”.
The mm size of an Apple Watch refers to the vertical height of the watch case, which means you need a few more stats to compare the overall dimensions of the watch and the size of the display case.
Specs
42mm
46mm
Price
From $399
$429
Height
42mm
46mm
Width
39mm
39mm
Depth
9.7mm
9.7mm
Pixels
374 x 446
416 x 496
Sq mm display
989
1220
Weight
30
36.4
Weight + Cellular
29.3
35.3
Weight titanium
34.4
41.6
Battery life
18 hours (36 hours low power)
18 hours (36 hours low power)
Evidently, 4mm on paper quickly translates to a significantly larger display size: that’s a whopping 23% larger on the 46mm compared to the 42mm. While neither Watch is huge, these models mark a significant increase over the sizes of previous models, some 30% larger than the Series 6 design, and 9% larger than last year’s Apple Watch Series 9.
The difference in display is sizeable, and worthy of consideration before you make your pick. Both Watch models offer a Retina OLED display, so pixels won’t be distinguishable to the naked eye, but the larger 46mm version offers much more display real estate.
Apple Watch 42mm vs 46mm: Thickness and weight
(Image credit: Future) There is no difference between either model when it comes to thickness, both measure 9.7mm in depth, significantly less than Apple Watch models in previous years. As you might expect, the larger Watch does come with some extra weight, roughly 6 grams across every model, but that’s hardly enough to write home about. If you must have the lightest Watch possible, the smaller one is best, but the trade-off in display size probably isn’t worth it.
Apple Watch 42mm vs 46mm: Wrist sizes
(Image credit: Future)
Apple has always been quick to dispel the notion that its smaller and larger Apple Watch models are a simple ‘his and hers’ division. Instead, Apple focuses on wrist size. The 46mm Watch is posed as a watch for 140-245mm wrists (circumference, presumably), while the 42mm version fits 130-200mm wrists. No doubt, the larger Watch will feel obtrusive and uncomfortable on a more slender wrist, and it might not even fit properly depending on the type of band you have. Conversely, a 42mm Watch will fit on any wrist, but it could end up looking comically small for those with bigger arms.
Apple Watch 42mm vs 46mm: Battle of the bands
(Image credit: Future)
When it comes to band selection, it doesn’t really matter which Apple Watch size you choose. Pretty much every band made by Apple and third-party retailers comes in both sizes, either 42mm or 46mm, so picking one size or the other won’t limit you here. However, if you already own an Apple Watch or any Apple Watch bands, it’s important to get this selection right.
The 42mm Apple Watch is this year’s new “small” Apple Watch. That means that bands made for the 38mm, 40mm, or the 41mm Watch will work with this year’s new model. 46mm is the new “large” model and will work with bands made for the 44mm, 45mm, and even the 49mm Apple Watch Ultra series. Every band in our best Apple Watch band selection will work: just make sure you get the right size.
Apple Watch 42mm vs 46mm: Battery life
You might assume that a bigger Apple Watch will have more battery life, because the battery is larger. However, it has to power a larger display. As such, Apple doesn’t list any variance in battery life between the two sizes. Both are rated for up to 18 hours of regular use, or 36 hours inwatchOS 11’s Low Power Mode. Both also feature the same 0-80% in 30 minutes fast charging, too. There might be a tiny advantage to a larger watch in terms of battery life, but the gains are so marginal you shouldn’t let it influence your decision.
Apple Watch 42mm vs 46mm: Which should you buy?
(Image credit: Future)
As you can see, the difference between the 42mm and 46mm Apple Watch Series 10 is fairly slim. There aren’t any specific technical or feature differences between the two, so it’s all about taste, aesthetics, and the amount of bulk you want to carry around on your wrist. If you want a larger display that’s easier to read and type on and don’t mind the extra bulk or the more expensive price tag, pick the 46mm. If you want a smaller, less obtrusive Apple Watch, or you’re trying to save money, the 42mm is probably for you.
In a move that bridges luxury automotive engineering with wearable technology, Mercedes-Benz has just transformed the Apple Watch into a sophisticated car key. The prestigious automaker today unveiled its highly anticipated Apple Watch app, marking a significant shift in how owners interact with their vehicles.
Smart Features for the Modern Driver
The app’s capabilities extend far beyond basic remote control. Owners can now monitor their vehicle’s vital statistics, including real-time fuel or battery levels and remaining range, with just a glance at their wrist. Perhaps most impressively, the app includes an intelligent vehicle locator that not only pinpoints your parked Mercedes but also provides turn-by-turn walking directions to reach it.
For those adventures off the beaten path, Mercedes has implemented a clever solution: when traditional mapping isn’t available, the app switches to a virtual compass mode, ensuring you can always find your way back to your vehicle.
While the future of car control may be here, there are some requirements to note. The app works with Apple Watch models running watchOS 9 or later and requires the Mercedes-Benz mobile app on a paired iPhone. Additionally, these smart features are limited to Mercedes-Benz vehicles from 2019 onwards, with specific capabilities varying based on model and trim level.
The app’s launch responds directly to customer demand for more seamless vehicle interaction. “This new integration allows owners to interact with their vehicles seamlessly, without needing to access their smartphone,” Mercedes-Benz stated in today’s announcement.
With this release, Mercedes-Benz isn’t just launching an app – they’re redefining the relationship between luxury cars and personal technology, making vehicle management as simple as checking the time. The app is available for download now through theApple Watch App Store, marking another step forward in the integration of automotive luxury and wearable tech.
Google thinks huddles will “reduce meeting fatigue.”
What you need to know
Google first previewed “huddles,” a quick way to start instant audio conversations in Google Chat, in 2023.
Huddles are now coming to Google Chat users in select Google Workspace tiers.
They are instant-on audio calls that Google says will help “reduce meeting fatigue” for workers.
Google Chatis making quick conversations simpler with “huddles,” which are audio-first calls that resemble a Slack feature of the same name. Huddles are instant-on, and will significantly reduce the friction between Google Chat andGoogle Meet. Instead of needing to switch from Chat to Meet to start a quick video call, users will now be able to start a huddle from Google Chat in an instant.
The feature was initially previewed in 2023, but it’s only now rolling out to selectGoogle Workspacetiers. Business Starter, Standard, and Plus; Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus; Frontline Starter and Standard; Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus; Nonprofits will all be able to use huddles in Google Chat.
Although huddles are clearly intended to be an audio-first method of communication, users can also share their screen or use video to get their message across. Additionally, the button for huddles in Google Chat is joined by options for phone calls and Meet video calls, so there are still plenty of options. Huddles are entirely powered by Google Meet, and are simply integrated with Chat. Google says that employees in workspaces that don’t enable Google Meet can join huddles, but can’t create them.
To start a huddle, click theVideoicon in the Google Chat toolbar, which will open a dropdown menu. Here, you’ll see options forCall,Meet, andhuddle. Select theStart a huddleoption to begin the call, which begins as audio-only. All members of the Google Chat space or chat will receive a message that reads:[user] has started a huddle, click “Join” to enter the huddle.
“Huddles help to reduce meeting fatigue for hybrid workers, and eliminates the need for lengthy discussions over email or in Chat,” Google explains in aposton the Google Workspace Blog. “Instead of jumping out of the conversation and into a meeting, huddles integrates directly and smoothly into the Chat experience.”
This feature is rolling out now for users on rapid releaseGoogle Workspacedomains. Users on Google Workspace domains with scheduled releases won’t start seeing this feature until Jan. 6, 2025.
It’s a big oopsie, but we get to see what more is on the way.
It seems that Samsung will officially announce One UI 7 shortly. (Image source: Samsung)
What you need to know
Samsung trips up and accidentally posts its One UI 7 details early on a Spanish website.
The software is preparing to bring additional features to “Sketch to Image” and “Portrait Studio” like watercolor, 3D cartoon, and more.
Once again, the page reportedly highlighted previously rumored parental controls and previewed the updated icons and notification panel changes.
Samsung has reportedly delayed its Beta Program for One UI 7 to December.
There’s a lot of hype (and anticipation) surrounding One UI 7, but Samsung might’ve slipped up with this one.
Spotted by X tipsterChunvn, Samsung’s Spanish website variant might’ve accidentally published its complete One UI 7 details early. The publication quickly jumped on things and managed to capture a series of videos before Samsung took it down.
The One UI 7-centric page highlighted several features like Sketch to Image and Portrait Studio. Neither of these features is new; however, the next OS upgrade is set to take them further. According to the page, One UI 7 will improve Sketch to Image by giving it “3D Cartoon, Sketch, and Watercolor” options. The brief video captured showcases the ability of a user to draw a simple, flat image before tapping “generate.”
The example given seemingly shows the watercolor option selected. After a brief wait time, One UI 7’s AI will produce your desired drawing. The website reportedly offered extra details, stating that a watermark would be added to anything “generated with AI.” Moreover, edited images will become a resized product of “up to 12MP.”
Portrait Studio seems primed to pick up options similar to Sketch to Image. The post states Samsung will provide “3D Cartoon, Cartoon, and Sketch” options alongside a “Live Effects” feature. The page reportedly stated Live Effects will add “depth” and “perspective.”
The early One UI 7 highlights page also showcased the software’s revamped icons,notifications and Quick Settings panel split, and ongoing activity alert. We’ve seen most of this repeatedly; however, the ongoing alert is a large, pill-shaped icon nestled at the bottom of your device’s lock screen.
It will seemingly give users a clear view of their lock screen — but notifications will likely take up the space under the date.
We’ve seen additional (supposed) One UI 7 features leaked previously, likeparental and AI-focused features. However, with the latest accidentally posted One UI 7 page by Samsung, it seems these features are inbound. It was reported in October that the software would give parents better agency over their child’s online safety. They would have tools to block websites alongside tools to cut off access to certain apps.
Samsung’s accidental post seemingly confirms these features, as well as the additional AI features for Sketch to Image and Portrait Studio.
It seems like we’ve been waiting for One UI 7 forever — and the wait hasonly been extendedas Samsung pushed its beta back even more. Reports claim that the Korean OEM encountered additional problems within its software, which have forced it to delay the Beta Program until “the first week of December.”
With heady upgrades and outstanding battery life, the iQOO 13 is proof that you don’t need to shell out ridiculous amounts of money to get a terrific phone.
Verdict The iQOO 13 has considerable upgrades: you get a larger AMOLED panel, and it gets noticeably brighter. It has the latest Qualcomm hardware, and it is a gaming powerhouse. And then there’s the battery; the massive 6,150mAh unit lasts two days between charges, and you get 120W charging. The cameras are much better than previous years as well, and you get four Android OS updates. Where’s the catch, you ask? There isn’t one. Sure, the cameras may not be on par with the best phones, but that’s about the only limitation.
Pros
+Standout performance
+Much better AMOLED panel with QHD resolution
+Unbelievable battery life with 120W charging
+Terrific cameras
+Long-term software updates
+IP68/IP69 ingress protection
Cons
-Cameras not on par with other flagships
-Limited global availability
-Misses out on 3x zoom
Most brands are starting to roll out their flagships earlier this year; the Find X8 Pro is now available globally, the Vivo X200 is set to make its debut shortly, and other phones aren’t far behind. Vivo sub-brand iQOO is also getting in on the action, launching the iQOO 13 a month early.
The iQOO 13 retains a similar design as its predecessor, but it comes with a bigger 6.82-inch panel — the same size as theOnePlus 13, incidentally — and you get all-new cameras at the back alongside the latest Qualcomm hardware, and a massive 6,150mAh battery with silicon-carbon tech.
Clearly, iQOO is making a habit out of delivering significant upgrades on a yearly basis, and while I used the iQOO 12 extensively throughout the course of 2024, the iQOO 13 is considerably better in key areas. Thankfully, what hasn’t changed is the brand’s value-focused positioning — the iQOO 13 is the most affordable phone powered by Qualcomm’s new silicon, and that alone makes it worthy of consideration.
The iQOO 13 was unveiled in China on October 30, and the phone made its global debut on November 28. It is now available in Indonesia, and will be making its way to India on December 3. The global variant is available in 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB editions, and both models feature LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage. I’ll have details of Indian pricing shortly, but in Indonesia, the iQOO 13 costs 9,999,000 IDR for the 12GB/256GB version, and 11,999,000 IDR for the 16GB/512GB edition.
iQOO 13: Design
The iQOO 13 is virtually indistinguishable to its predecessor in terms of the design. Both phones share the same overall aesthetic, and you even get the same camera island, albeit with a few minor differences. The biggest change at the back is that the LED flash module now sits within the camera island, creating a cleaner overall look.
Other than that, the iQOO branding and the brand’s tagline — Fascination Meets Innovation — alongside the BMW M livery is now positioned on the left. Outside of these two changes, the design is identical. The camera island is marginally bigger on the iQOO 13, but you’ll only notice that if you’re using it alongside the iQOO 12.
I don’t mind that iQOO retained the same design this time; the iQOO 13 looks just as elegant as its predecessor, and the white color variant (it’s called Legend) is striking. While the phone still has flat sides, it has subtle bevels where it meets the back, and that makes using the phone much more comfortable. It’s a small thing, but you easily notice the difference when switching between the iQOO 12 and 13.
The sides are made out of aluminum, and the glossy coat isn’t to my liking. Thankfully, the glass back has a matte texture that feels great, and it doesn’t pick up smudges. The phone itself is a smidgen wider than the iQOO 12, and that’s because it has a larger 6.82-inch panel. Considering the increase in size, it’s good to see iQOO retaining similar dimensions.
But the most impressive achievement is that the phone is 0.4mm thinner while still featuring a massive 6,150mAh battery — 1,150mAh more than the iQOO 12. It is 10g heavier, and while you notice the added heft, it isn’t unwieldy, and it’s still 8g lighter than the Pixel 9 Pro XL while giving you a much bigger battery.
The power and volume buttons are on the right, and you get the USB-C port and SIM card tray at the bottom. The iQOO 13 has stereo sound, and you get a dedicated channel up top that makes a considerable difference. The IR blaster is also located at the top, and it holds up just as well as other Vivo and iQOO phones I used.
Interestingly, iQOO went with an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor this time around, and unlike the module on Samsung phones, it is actually usable and fast. It’s using a Goodix sensor — like Vivo phones — and I didn’t see any issues with authentication. Notably, it is positioned just right to access one-handed, unlike several devices I tested this year (looking at you,Find X8 Pro).
Another area where the iQOO 13 has a considerable advantage is ingress protection; the device has IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance as standard, and that’s on par with thebest Android phones.On the whole, the iQOO 13 is one of the better-looking devices around, and while you don’t get a brand-new design, the device is still stylish.
Although the design itself hasn’t changed, an area where the iQOO 13 has a considerable upgrade is the screen. You now get a bigger 6.82-inch AMOLED panel, and the refresh rate is increased to 144Hz, but that’s in select use cases — most of the time, it’s down to the standard 120Hz. The panel is noticeably brighter than last year — going up to 1800 nits in HBM mode — and while it doesn’t quite match the Pixel 9 Pro XL in this regard, there are zero issues using it under harsh sunlight.
What’s great about this generation is that the bezels are even thinner, and that is easily noticeable when viewing the iQOO 13 next to its predecessor. The razor-thin bezels make gaming and streaming content that much more immersive, and on that note, I didn’t see any issues with HDR content in Netflix or YouTube.
There’s stereo sound as well, and it gets loud and detailed enough that I didn’t see any issues in regular use. Color vibrancy is decent out of the box, although the hues on my unit tended to skew a little cooler. Thankfully, you get the ability to manually adjust color warmth, and switch to Bright or Professional modes. You even get the ability to dynamically adjust colors based on ambient light.
The panel has QHD resolution this time (3168 x 1440), and the increased pixel density makes a difference in daily use — you get two additional lines of text while browsing. Another trait I like is the suite of eye protection features iQOO is rolling out with this generation; the iQOO 13 has 2592Hz PWM dimming at all brightness levels, making it a great choice if you’re sensitive to DC dimming. It also has something called anti-fatigue brightness adjustment, which basically tweaks brightness levels over time to reduce strain.
There’s also a circular polarized tech, which claims to reduce dry eyes and fatigue by decreasing the glare coming from the panel. As is the case with all phones in this category, you get LTPO as standard, and the panel is able to go down to 1Hz when viewing images or in always-on mode. On that subject, you get always-on styles similar to most Vivo phones running Funtouch OS, but there are a few unique to iQOO.
Obviously, a big selling point of the iQOO 13 is that it comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite. Although most phones powered by the silicon cost upwards of $1,000, the iQOO 13 has the distinction of being the most affordable of the lot, coming in at the equivalent of $630.
Without burying the lede too much, what I can tell you right now is that the iQOO 13 is a performance beast. It blazes through daily use cases without breaking a sweat, and it handles demanding games just as well. I didn’t see any issues with overheating, and while the phone is on the conservative side with thermals, it doesn’t throttle anywhere as early as its predecessor.
Category
OPPO Find X8 Pro
iQOO 13
PCMark Work 3.0 (Overall)
16435
16043
PCMark Work 3.0 (Web Browsing)
19410
16307
PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Editing)
6834
6899
PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing)
14464
20445
PCMark Work 3.0 (Photo Editing)
31693
39044
Geekbench 6 (single-core)
2747
2954
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)
8404
6650
Geekbench AI (Quantized Score)
1946
3915
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (score)
6176
4514
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS)
36.985
27.025
3DMark Solar Bay (score)
9308
7287
3DMark Solar Bay (FPS)
35.395
27.695
The iQOO 13 scored significantly higher than the Dimensity 9400-based Find X8 Pro in Geekbench 6’s single and multi-core tests, and it was twice as fast in Geekbench AI. While it doesn’t quite measure up in 3DMark tests, it managed a better stability score of 75.9% in the demanding Steel Nomad Light stress test, and didn’t go beyond 42 degrees Celsius.
While most games are still locked to 60fps, there are select titles that go up to 90fps and beyond. Interestingly, iQOO uses a custom Q2 chip to upscale games and boost framerates, and it does a great job in this regard. What I like the most is that it reduces jitter by maintaining a steady framerate, with the feature similar to what NVIDIA and AMD offer with G-Sync and FreeSync.
I’m using the 16GB/512GB model of the iQOO 13, and I didn’t run into any issues with the storage or memory. Multitasking is handled effortlessly, and the software is stable and optimized to take advantage of the silicon. You get the entire suite of AptX codecs, and there’s Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and dual-band GPS.
The vibration motor has been overhauled, and it delivers much better feedback this time around. You can adjust the intensity of the feedback, and while the Find X8 Pro and Vivo X100 Ultra still have an edge in this area, there is a noticeable difference over the iQOO 12.
The iQOO 13 comes with a huge 6,150mAh battery, although the Indian variant has a slightly smaller 6,000mAh battery. The increased battery size along with the efficiency gains of Qualcomm’s latest silicon means you get a huge uptick in battery life, and I got at least two days of use between charges. Even with heavy use, I didn’t have to charge the iQOO 13 within the two-day window; it is one of the best devices I used in this regard.
The increase in battery size is attributed to the switch to asilicon-carbon anode. Going this route allows brands to increase battery density, and that’s why most Chinese-branded phones in 2025 have heady gains in this area. The limitation is that there’s a single cell, but as the iQOO 13 uses Vivo’s 120W charging tech, it takes just 34 minutes to fully charge the device.
It went up to the 50% mark in just 14 minutes, taking another 20 minutes to get the rest of the way. Honestly, if you need two-day battery life and the best charging tech currently available, the iQOO 13 is hard to beat.
iQOO 13: Cameras
The iQOO 13 gets a trio of 50MP cameras at the back, including a 50MP Sony IMX921 with 1/1.56-inch sensor and OIS, 50MP Samsung JN1 wide-angle lens with autofocus, and a 50MP Sony IMX816 telephoto with 2x optical zoom and OIS. If that sounds familiar, it’s because the cameras are identical to the Vivo V40 Pro — and the V30 Pro. The front camera is different, and it’s using a 32MP module.
The camera interface itself is identical to last year; you get the shooting modes in a grid at the bottom, and you can easily switch between the various lenses. The phone has a Humanistic street mode that boosts the contrast and adds a heavy vignette to the shots, resulting in images that look very different to what you get from the regular modes.
When it comes to videos, all the lenses at the back can shoot 4K60, and that’s good to see. There’s decent stabilization, and while the resultant footage isn’t quite on the same level as other flagships I used, it is better than the iQOO 12.
The iQOO 13 takes fantastic photos in daylight scenarios, producing shots with great dynamic range and color accuracy. Just like the V40 Pro, foliage doesn’t have the best definition, but outside of that, I don’t have any issues with the camera as such. The phone does just as well in low-light shots, and while you don’t get quite the same color vibrancy as theVivo X100 Ultra,X100 Pro, Find X8 Pro, or other flagships, it delivers usable photos.
The wide-angle lens also does a great job in its own right, as does the 2x lens. Obviously, having a 3x zoom lens would be ideal, but you miss out on that, and while I got usable shots at up to 5x, it isn’t the same as having a dedicated optical zoom lens with a greater zoom factor. The auxiliary lenses don’t quite measure up at low-light, and this is where you see the biggest difference to the likes of the X100 Pro.
Ultimately, the iQOO 13 posts a strong showing, and while I put the phone one tier below other flagships, it does a much better job than its predecessor, and it is one of the best in this category. Yes, you’ll get better photos out of the Vivo X100 Pro or the Find X8 Pro, but you’ll also need to shell out much more cash.
There isn’t much to talk about on the software front. The iQOO 13 runs Vivo’s Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15 out of the box, and while it is technically new, the UI is visually unchanged to last year. You get the same notification pane, similar styling throughout, and the same customizability.
That said, the interface is fluid, and notably, it doesn’t feel quite as iOS-esque as ColorOS 15, and that’s an ironic turnaround considering the software’s roots. Anyway, what you need to know is that the styling isn’t cumbersome, and you get useful extras, including floating windows, a smart sidebar, and easy multitasking.
Interestingly, there’s an RGB LED ring around the rear camera island dubbed Monster Halo, and it can be used for anything from notification and call alerts to battery notifications, and an atmospheric mode that cycles lighting effects. Look, I’m all-in on RGB lighting, but I didn’t use this feature as much as it involves putting the phone face-down on a table, and I don’t do that. But I’ll have to admit that it is very cool, and you can customize colors and effects by going into the settings — it’s called Dynamic light.
The only annoyance I ran into is that Funtouch is still a bit aggressive with memory management, so you’ll need to go into the settings to disable optimization to get timely push notifications. Outside of that, I didn’t see many problems. As is the case with every phone, you get a suite of AI-enabled features, and these mostly involve image editing — similar to Magic Eraser on the Pixels.
There’s good news on the update side of things as well, with iQOO guaranteeing four Android OS updates alongside five years of security updates to the iQOO 13. That’s one platform update more than what the iQOO 12 will pick up, and it’s good to see iQOO matching Vivo in this regard. The phone picked up two software updates with stability tweaks and the latest security update, and it’s good to see iQOO’s phones getting the same level of attention as their Vivo siblings.
iQOO 13: The competition
The 2025 launch cycle is about to heat up, and the iQOO 13 is going up against the OnePlus 13. That device also has a massive battery and 6.82-inch AMOLED panel, and it should take better photos. It comes down to what it costs in countries like India, but it is unlikely to deliver the same value as the iQOO 13.
Although the X100 Pro is considerably more costly, it has one of the best camera packages of the year. If that’s a key consideration, I’d recommend getting the X100 Pro instead; otherwise, the iQOO 13 is the better bargain by a long shot.
iQOO 13: Should you buy it?
You should buy this if:
You need the latest Qualcomm hardware
You need the best battery life
You want a phone for gaming
You need a big AMOLED panel that’s eye-friendly
You want good cameras
You shouldn’t buy this if:
You need the best telephoto lenses
You want the best low-light photos
Ultimately, the iQOO 13 reinforces the fact that you don’t need to spend north of $1,000 to get flagship-tier quality. The phone has the latest Qualcomm hardware, a high-quality AMOLED display with useful features, fluid software, and it will pick up long-term software updates.
The phone does a brilliant job at gaming, and it isn’t hard to see why — iQOO is clearly targeting a younger audience with the device, and the unique additions allow you get stable framerates without worrying about overheating. On that note, the battery life is the best of any device I used this year, and you’ll only need to charge the phone every two days on average.
There are decent upgrades with the cameras as well, and while the iQOO 13 doesn’t quite measure up to the Find X8 Pro or Vivo X100 Ultra, it is much better than its predecessor in this regard, and that’s an achievement in and of itself. Overall, if you need the best hardware but don’t want to shell out quite as much cash, the iQOO 13 is the best choice.
Upcoming Apple Watches may be able to measure blood pressure in a non-optical and innovative way, but it remains unclear if and when Apple will actually implement the technology.
The Apple Watch may get a blood pressure measurement feature. (Image source: Daniel Schmidt)
That Apple is currently working on ways to measure blood pressure isno secret. In fact, such a feature would not necessarily catapult Apple to the top of the wearable manufacturers in this respect, but instead put the company on par withHuawei with its direct measurementorSamsung with its optical measurement. That said, a newpatent (PDF)from Apple has now emerged, which describes a new way of measuring blood pressure with a watch.
How the blood pressure measurement is supposed to work becomes clear when studying the flow chart. An inflatable chamber is first filled, which, together with a sensing chamber and a pressure sensor, work to detect the resulting ‘vibrations’ that occur in the user’s blood flow. In simple terms: Blood pressure is the externally applied pressure required to stop blood flow.Korotkoff sounds, the sounds or ‘vibrations’ that are emitted when pressure is applied to blood flow via a non-invasive procedure, can then be measured.
The patent mentions that the chamber is filled with liquid – what advantages liquid offers instead of air is not immediately clear, as liquids, unlike gases (and ultimately air) are considered incompressible. As always, just because Apple is patenting a particular technology does not necessarily mean that it will be implemented in the nextApple Watchor even at all.
