Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Specs, Ultra & Watch 6 differences, and more

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is the best Android watch of 2024. We’ll help you decide if keeping the Watch 6 or upgrading to the Watch Ultra is better.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 is one of the best Android watches of the year, and with the year winding down, you may be deciding whether to grab one as a last-minute holiday gift, whether to yourself or someone else — or if you should choose an alternative like the Pixel Watch 3 or OnePlus Watch 2.

OurGalaxy Watch 7 reviewlargely had a healthy range of positives and only a couple of nitpicky complaints, saying it lacked “pizazz.” You might be bored of its appearance without a Galaxy Watch 7 Classic or Pro as an alternative. But you can be assured that it’s a very good smartwatch.

>>>EB-BR965ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy Watch6 Classic R965 47mm

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Price, availability, and models

The Galaxy Watch 7 was announced on July 10 and shipped to customers on July 24; you can order it from Samsung.com, Amazon, Best Buy, and select U.S. carriers. TheGalaxy Ring and Galaxy Watch Ultra shipped out on the same date.

After the Galaxy Watch 5 and 6 both got minor price bumps, the Galaxy Watch 7 remains at the same price point as last year: $299 for the 40mm Watch 7 and $329 for the 44mm Watch 7. Samsung lets you upgrade to an LTE version for $50 extra.

Both Galaxy Watch 7 sizes ship in Green. The 40mm Watch 7 also has a Cream option, while the 44mm Watch 7 has a Silver option. You can choose a Sport, Fabric, or Athleisure watch band as your default option.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 7: Specs and sensors

CategoryGalaxy Watch 7 40mmGalaxy Watch 7 44mm
Display1.3-inch Super AMOLED, 432 x 432 resolution, sapphire crystal1.5-inch Super AMOLED, 480 x 480 resolution, sapphire crystal
ProcessorExynos W1000Exynos W1000
RAM2GB2GB
Storage32GB32GB
Size40.4 x 40.4 x 9.7 mm*44.4 x 44.4 x 9.7 mm*
Weight28.8g33.8g
ColorsGreen, CreamGreen, Silver
Battery300mAh425mAh
ChargingFast charging (WPC-based wireless)Fast charging (WPC-based wireless)
SoftwareOne UI Watch 6 (Wear OS 5)One UI Watch 6 (Wear OS 5)
CommunicationsNFC, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHzNFC, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G, Wi-Fi 2.4GHz and 5GHz
SensorsSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal sensor+ Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light SensorSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Bio-signal sensor+ Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
Water and dust resistance5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H
Price$299$329

The Exynos W1000 is Samsung’s first 3-nanometer CPU used in a smartwatch, built with five cores instead of the usual dual-core design: one Arm Cortex-A78 and four Cortex-A55 clocked at 1.6GHz. Samsung promises it loads apps 2.7x faster than the Exynos W930 in the Galaxy Watch 6, while outperforming it in single-core and multicore benchmarks by “3.4x and 3.7x, respectively.”

Samsung told us that much of that extra processing power goes into the revamped health sensor array. Although the Galaxy Watch 7 tracks the exact same data as theGalaxy Watch 5or Watch 6, the bottom sensor has 13 LEDs for heart rate and blood oxygen readings instead of four LEDs. Samsung says this new “multi-optical path” gives the Watch 7 94% accuracy during high-intensity workouts, compared to 88% on the last generation.

OurGalaxy Watch Ultra fitness testshowed real-world improvements in heart rate accuracy during workouts, and the Galaxy Watch 7 has the same sensor array, so this health & fitness reliability applies to both watches.

Most smartwatches have red, green, and infrared LEDs for capturing your health data, but Samsung addedblue, yellow, violet, and ultraviolet LEDsto the Galaxy Watch 7 to “pursue unexplored aspects of health monitoring on wearables.” The Watch 7 and Ultra launched with an experimental metric called AGEs Index that Samsung says is “one of the many new advanced features planned” with these LEDs.

Unfortunately, the new metric isn’t especially useful — we found that Samsung gave everyone near-identical AGEs Index scores regardless of differences in health — and we don’t know what to expect from future health metrics yet.

A more exciting upgrade is dual-band GPS, which triangulates your position from multiple satellite angles to avoid obstacles like buildings, foliage, or mountains. It’s vital for accurate outdoor workout results, and it’s rare to find in affordable smartwatches. Thankfully, this new GPS system did excellently in our fitness test, living up to Samsung’s promises.

Samsung also gave the Galaxy Watch 7 32GB of storage. That might sound like overkill, but we noticed that the Galaxy Watch 6’s 16GB of storage was closer to 6GB thanks to the default OS. With extra storage, you’ll have plenty of space for large music playlists or podcasts, if you like to leave your phone at home during walks or workouts. It also leaves room for all thebest Wear OS appsyou could want.

>>>EB-BR890ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 SM-R870NZGAXAA SM-R870NZSCXAA 44mm

One UI 6 Watch (Wear OS 5) key features

All of the recent Galaxy Watches have or will receive One UI 6 Watch soon, based on the latestWear OS 5update. So these features aren’t necessarilyspecificto the Galaxy Watch 7, but they’re worth explaining for anyone unfamiliar withWear OS watchesor considering another brand like thePixel Watch 3with “stock” Wear OS software.

The Galaxy Watch 7 offers an Energy Score, calculated by Galaxy AI algorithms based on your recent sleep, stress, and activity data, indicating if your poor sleep or hard activities are impacting your body, and tracking new metrics like movement during sleep or sleep latency.

Galaxy AI also takes your Watch 7 data and generates wellness tips for how to improve your health, tracking specific metrics like your resting heart rate over time to help you judge your progress. Plus, the Watch 7 has FDA-approved sleep apnea detection.

Another new Galaxy AI feature is AI-powered suggested replies, making it potentially easier to respond to your Google or Samsung Messages without having to pull out your phone or type on the small QWERTY keyboard. You’ll need a Galaxy phone to use these, however.

While past Galaxy Watches had shortcut gestures like double-tap in the accessibility menu, One UI 6 Watch makes those gestures more readily available to all users.

>>>EB-BR890ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic 46mm SM-R895 SM-R895U

Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Watch 6

The Galaxy Watch 6 40mm (left) and Galaxy Watch 7 44mm (right)

Before we highlight theGalaxy Watch 7 vs. 6differences, let’s look briefly at what’s the same:

  • Both ship with 1.3- and 1.5-inch displays and the same resolutions
  • Memory (2GB)
  • Battery capacity (300/425mAh)
  • Health sensors (HR, SpO2, ECG, skin temp, BIA)
  • Connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, WiFi, optional LTE)
  • Protection (Sapphire Glass, IP68, MIL-STD-810H)

As for the biggest changes, we’ve already noted how the new Exynos W1000 beats the Exynos W930. However, our Galaxy Watch 7 reviewer noted that, while “this is the zippiest smartwatch I’ve ever used,” she’s “not seeing” the 2.7x boost over the Galaxy Watch 6 that Samsung promises. “In the day-to-day, it’s faster, but not noticeably.”

We think the Exynos W1000’s biggest impact is its efficiency; despite having the same battery capacity as the Watch 6, the Watch 7 consistently lasts about two days per charge, while the Watch 6 falls closer to 1 to 1.5 days. We suspect the Watch 7 will stand the test of time a little better.

As we said above, the Galaxy Watch 7 will deliver more accurate heart rate and GPS results. OurGalaxy Watch 6 fitness testdisappointed us, so we welcomed these upgrades, but if you’re not much of an athlete or just don’t need exact results, then you don’t necessarily need the Galaxy Watch 7.

The Galaxy Watch 7 launched withWear OS 5and the One UI 6 Watch skin and will get consistent software updates through summer 2028. Theofficial Wear OS 5 rolloutbegan on November 19 for the Galaxy Watch 6 series, with older models receiving it by early December.

As mentioned above, the Galaxy Watch 7 has more HR LEDs and LEDcolorsthan the Watch 6. Although Samsung’s first use of these sensors — the AGEs Index — didn’t impress us, their team has promised future health metrics using this data, which the Galaxy Watch 6 won’t be able to access. It’s a vague reason to upgrade, but still worth mentioning.

The Watch 6 and 7 have nearly identical weights—the Watch 7 40mm and 44mm weigh 0.1g and 0.5g less, respectively—but Samsung notes that the newer watch is 0.7mm thicker, and its measurement doesn’t include the sensor array. The extra LEDs make the Watch 7 sensor bump more dome-like, so it “sits slightly higher on your wrist” than the Watch 6, according to our reviewer.

Galaxy Watch 7 vs. Watch Ultra

Despite the $350 price gap between the Galaxy Watch 7 and Galaxy Watch Ultra, the two watches aren’t all that different, aside from the obvious design differences. 

Specifications

CategorySamsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Display1.5-inch Super AMOLED, 480×480, 3,000 nits
ColorsTitanium Sliver, Titanium Gray, Titanium White
ProcessorExynos W1000 (1.6GHz)
RAM & storage2GB + 32GB
Battery590mAh
SoftwareOne UI 6 Watch (Wear OS 5)
SensorsSamsung BioActive Sensor (Optical Heart Rate + Electrical Heart Signal + Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis), Temperature Sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Geomagnetic Sensor, Light Sensor
Dimensions47.1 x 47.4 x 12.1mm*
Weight60.5g
ConnectivityLTE, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 2.4/5GHz, NFC, GPS (L1+L5), Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
Durability5ATM + IP68, MIL-STD-810H, Sapphire Glass
Price$649

The Watch 7 Ultra uses titanium grade 4 instead of aluminum, with a 47mm case that weighs 60.5g without the strap (26.7g more than the larger Watch 7). It feels significantly heavierandmeasures 2.4mm thicker; while you can wear the Galaxy Watch 7 for sleep tracking relatively comfortably, that won’t apply to the Watch Ultra.

Both the Galaxy Watch Ultra and Watch 7 44mm have 1.5-inch, 480×480 AMOLED displays, so there’s no visual upgrade except for a brightness boost from 2,000 to 3,000 nits on the flagship watch.

Like the Watch 7, the Watch Ultra has a digital bezel along the display edge. Unfortunately, while the Ultra’s side button is a crown,it’s inactiveso you can’t scroll through menus. On the other hand, the Quick Button lets you pause and restart workouts quickly instead of having to swipe through menus with sweaty fingertips.

The Galaxy Watch Ultra has the same 590mAh battery as theWatch 5 Pro, or 165mAh extra capacity compared to the Watch 7 44mm. On paper, Samsung says the Ultra lasts 60 hours with AOD, but our reviewer found it lasts closer to 48 hours with it. Still, that matches what the Watch 7 hitswithoutAOD; for the most battery life possible, the Galaxy Watch Ultra is the clear choice.

Like the Watch 7, it has 2GB/32GB memory and an Exynos W1000 CPU, plus the same sensors. The upgraded LEDs and dual-band GPS are the same, too. The Galaxy Watch Ultra has LTE capabilities built in, while you must pay extra for it on the Watch 7.

Mainly, you’re paying for some serious ruggedness. The Galaxy Watch Ultra passes the ISO22810 diving standard for 10 minutes in water at 100-meter depth. It has an 85-decibel siren and Samsung’s promise that it can survive elevations up to 29,527 feet or temperatures between -4°F and 131°F (-20ºC to 55ºC).

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7?

The main reasons to buy the Galaxy Watch 7 if you have a Watch 6 are the faster processor, more accurate health data, pinpointed GPS, and extra storage. Admittedly, the last three are more niche features that some users won’t need; the Exynos chip is the key upgrade, giving the watch more compute headroom that’ll make future Wear OS updates run more smoothly.

If you don’t like certain aspects of the Watch 6 like the design or digital bezel, that hasn’t changed with the Watch 7. Unless you want to hold out for theGalaxy Watch 8(which is rumored to switch to a squircle) or pay double the price for the Watch Ultra, your only other option is to look into the otherbest Android smartwatcheson the market.

We’ve seen reports of”ghost notifications” on the Galaxy Watch 7in recent weeks. We hope that Samsung will find the source of these and fix them, as it’s a bad look for this Wear OS watch to buzz users constantly with nonexistent notifications. Otherwise, most users have had few complaints about the Galaxy Watch 7’s software.

Vivo X200 Pro review: Zooming into greatness

The X200 Pro has one of the best camera packages around, and the rest of the phone is pretty good too.

Vivo X200 Pro back angle
Verdict
Vivo didn’t make too many changes to the X200 Pro, and that’s a good thing. You still get terrific cameras and a versatile auxiliary package that includes a 200MP telephoto lens from the X100 Ultra, and it shoots groundbreaking portrait photos. The new design is great to hold, the AMOLED panel gets noticeably brighter than the X100 Pro, there’s even more power, and the phone lasts two days thanks to a bigger battery. If you’re in the market for a flagship and want something that has the best camera package, the X200 Pro should be at the top of your list.

Pros

  • +Outstanding cameras
  • +The best telephoto lens you’ll find today
  • +Elegant design
  • +Class-leading battery life with 90W bundled charger
  • +Incredibly powerful
  • +IP68/IP69 ingress protection
  • +Good software features

Cons

  • -Selfie camera is average
  • -Won’t get as many software updates as Pixel 9 Pro XL
  • -Limited global availability

I’ve always enjoyed using Vivo’s X series devices, but it wasn’t until theX90 Prothat the brand really started showcasing what it can do on the imaging side of things. Vivo turned that up a notch earlier this year with theX100 Pro; the phone continues to have one of the best camera packages around, and it’s only bested by the China-exclusiveX100 Ultra— no small feat.

While the X100 Ultra is the best phone camera I’ve ever used, the fact that it isn’t available globally makes it a non-starter. Thankfully, Vivo is addressing that with the introduction of the X200 Pro. The phone has the same 200MP telephoto lens as the Ultra, and it also takes magnificent portrait shots. You get a new 50MP main camera, and while it doesn’t have a 1-inch sensor like the X100 Pro or Ultra, it takes standout photos and videos in challenging scenarios.

Honestly, that’s all you need to know about the X200 Pro — it brings the best features of the X100 Ultra to a global audience, and takes photos of the same caliber. That alone makes the phone immediately worthy of consideration, and you get plenty of other extras, including a new design, brighter AMOLED panel, more efficient MediaTek hardware, a much bigger 6000mAh silicon battery, and IP69 ingress protection.

I used the global model of the X200 Pro for a week, and here’s why I think this is the camera phone to beat in 2025.

>>>BA15 Battery for Vivo X100 Pro

Vivo X200 Pro: Pricing and availability

Vivo unveiled the X200, X200 Pro, and X200 Pro mini in China in October 2024, and the phones made their global debut on December 12 in India. Vivo isn’t bringing the X200 Pro mini outside China, but the X200 and X200 Pro are available in global markets, starting with select regions in Asia over the coming weeks.
I got used to the 1TB model of the X100 Ultra, but Vivo isn’t bringing that storage variant to global markets; the X200 Pro is instead sold in a single 16GB/512GB configuration outside China. This 16GB/512GB variant is now available in India for ₹94,999 ($1,120). The standard X200 is also on sale in the country at ₹65,999 ($778) for the 12GB/256GB configuration, and Vivo has an additional 16GB/512GB model that costs ₹71,999 ($849).

>>>BA06 Battery for VIVO X100 V2308 V2309A

Vivo X200 Pro: Design

Most Android manufacturers have switched to iPhone-esque designs, and Vivo isn’t immune to the trend either. The X200 Pro has a distinctly boxier design with flat sides, and it doesn’t look as elegant as the X100 Pro. While I still prefer devices with smooth curves, I will admit that Vivo did a good job with the design; the phone is much more comfortable to hold than the iPhone 16 Pro Max or Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Predictably, the camera island dominates attention at the back; Vivo has steadily increased the size of the housing over the last three years as it slotted in bigger camera sensors, and the module on the X200 Pro stretches nearly across the width of the device. I would have liked the interior of the housing to have the same color as the back — like the OnePlus 12 — but Vivo went with a standard black design. That said, the ring encircling the camera housing differentiates the design a little bit.

I got the Titanium variant of the device, and it feels great to hold and use. The dull grey sheen makes the device look understated, and the back glass has a satin texture that’s much better than the usual glossy finishes, and it minimizes smudges. The sides are made out of aluminum, with Vivo mimicking the feel of titanium.

The design is cleaner than previous years, with Vivo eschewing the various taglines and metal-etched accouterments it added on the X90 Pro and X100 Pro. The overall aesthetic feels mature, and while the grey model doesn’t attract attention as much, the blue option is the way to go if you want a color that stands out.

Thankfully, Vivo put the ultrasound fingerprint module higher up this time around, and I didn’t run into any issues accessing it. While I prefer optical modules, Vivo is using a Goodix sensor that’s among the best around; it’s fast to authenticate, and doesn’t have any problems with oily or wet fingers.

Coming in at 228g, the X200 Pro is one of the heaviest phones I used recently, as well as the biggest; that said, Vivo did a great job with the weight distribution, and even though it has massive cameras at the back, it doesn’t feel unwieldy in the least. I now put cases on phones that have flat sides as I don’t like the in-hand feel, but I didn’t have to do so on the X200 Pro; although it has a flatter design, the beveled edges and subtle curves at the back where it meets the mid-frame make it much easier to hold and use.

The power and volume buttons have better tactility than the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Find X8 Pro, and the rest of the ports are standard: you get a dual-SIM tray, IR blaster, and dual stereo sound. The X200 Pro picks up IP68 and IP69 ingress protection, giving it added resilience against water jets. While I didn’t test that yet, the phone fell into a bowl of chutney and came away unscathed, and that’s good enough for my use case (I eat a lot of chutney).

>>>B-X5 Battery for Vivo X90

Vivo X200 Pro: Display

The X200 Pro retains the 6.78-inch size as its predecessor, and you get the same 2800 x 1260 resolution. What’s different this time is the brightness; it manages to hit 4500 nits in HDR content, and there’s an easily noticeable difference in daily use as well.

What’s particularly great is that the X200 Pro got just as bright as the X100 Ultra in outdoor use, and in my testing, only the Pixel 9 Pro XL managed to outmatch the device. It does a much better job in this area than the X100 Pro, and it’s evident when using the phones next to each other. You get the usual LTPO tech, and the phone gets 2160Hz PWM dimming at all brightness levels, giving it a distinct edge over Google and Samsung phones.

While it doesn’t have anywhere close to the same curvature as previous models, the panel has a very subtle curve around the sides that makes it a little better to use. Colors and contrast levels are excellent out of the box, and like all high-end phones, you get a great range of customizability in tweaking the color balance. Vivo has useful eye protection features as well, including an anti-fatigue mode and automatic blue light filter.

There’s a decent selection of always-on styles too, and the phone has a smooth transition from the lock screen to the home screen, which is something you’ll see on ColorOS as well. I didn’t have any issues streaming HDR content on the phone, and after a dozen hours of gaming, there were no problems in this regard either. The onboard sound is better than the X100 Pro, and you get a good stereo effect.

The only issue with the panel is that the oleophobic coating is starting to wear out after just a week of use; my daily usage hasn’t differed, but the top edge has a visible line where there’s no coating, and that’s troublesome. By contrast, the X100 Pro has been in regular use throughout 2024, and it doesn’t have any issues with the coating. I saw a similar occurrence on theFind X8 Protoo, and I’ll provide an update once either brand confirms what the problem might be — it could just be the coating that was used on these two devices.

Vivo X200 Pro: Performance

While the X100 Ultra switched to Qualcomm hardware, Vivo is clearly intent on using MediaTek’s Dimensity on the rest of the X100 series, and that’s a good decision. The X200 Pro uses the Dimensity 9400 — same as the Find X8 Pro — and it is fantastic in daily use. I didn’t see any slowdowns or lag, and it handled gaming without breaking a sweat.
The phone tends to get a little hotter than the Find X8 Pro, but just by two degrees Celsius. The stability score of 49% in 3DMark’s Steel Nomad Light test is on the lower end of the scale, but thankfully, you won’t see any jitter even in demanding games, and while it throttles in extended gaming sessions, it still delivers steady framerates. With 16GB of RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage onboard, you don’t have to worry about multitasking or storage issues.

CategoryPixel 9 Pro XLVivo X200 ProiQOO 13
PCMark Work 3.0 (Overall)130281573116043
PCMark Work 3.0 (Web Browsing)103221371616307
PCMark Work 3.0 (Video Editing)760658236899
PCMark Work 3.0 (Writing)155822474420445
PCMark Work 3.0 (Photo Editing)192931358239044
Geekbench 6 (single-core)189523812954
Geekbench 6 (multi-core)411171756650
Geekbench AI (Quantized Score)262024363915
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (score)248360704514
3DMark Wild Life Extreme (FPS)14.86536.3527.025
3DMark Solar Bay (score)NA110217287
3DMark Solar Bay (FPS)NA41.9127.695

Given that the iQOO 13 also runs Funtouch OS and is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite instead, we can see how the two devices differ. Obviously, there’s no difference between the two in regular use, but the iQOO 13 holds up a little better in gaming — it doesn’t throttle as early. Other than that, you get a similar level of performance.
I didn’t see any issues with cellular connectivity, but calls were garbled at times; I’m not sure if this was down to where I was at the time or the cellular signal, but I don’t usually run into this problem, so thought to highlight it. There’s the usual LDAC and LHDC codecs in addition to AptX HD, and you get dual-band GPS, NFC, and a USB-C port based on the USB 3.2 standard.
The new vibration motor has exquisite feedback, and it makes using the device that much more engaging. Overall, there isn’t much amiss with the X200 Pro in this area, and it is has one of the best hardware packages around.

Vivo X200 Pro: Battery life

Like most other 2025 flagships, the X200 Pro picks up a huge battery, with Vivo slotting in a 6000mAh unit inside the device. It also usessilicon-carbon techto deliver better density, and the increased size along with better efficiency allows it to last two days. Even with heavy use, I only had to charge the phone every other day, and it’s liberating.

There’s no battery anxiety whatsoever with the device, and when you need to plug it in, the X200 Pro uses Vivo’s 90W charging standard, and the requisite charger is bundled in the package. It takes just under 50 minutes to charge the battery, and it’s on par with the best phones in this area.

Vivo X200 Pro: Cameras

The X200 Pro gets a new 50MP Sony Lytia-818 imaging sensor with a 1/1.28-inch sensor, and while it isn’t as big as the 1-inch sensor on the X100 Pro, it does a great job in its own right. The highlight is the inclusion of the 200MP Samsung HP9 telephoto lens, which is the same one used in the X100 Ultra to great effect. The wide-angle lens is a 50MP Samsung JN1, which is unchanged from last year, as is the 32MP front module.

Vivo uses a custom V3+ imaging module in conjunction with the Dimensity 9400, and this allows the brand to eke out better detail with HDR video. The X200 Pro has 4K60 Dolby Vision video out of all the sensors and focal lengths at the back, and the phone does a standout job with video in general. There’s portrait video, 10-bit LOG, and a street mode that adds a noticeable vignette to resultant shots.

The camera interface itself hasn’t changed, and you get a decent number of shooting modes and filters. Vivo’s collaboration with Zeiss is evident in the portrait shots and tonal balance of the photos, and you can pick between three styles: Vivid, Textured, and Zeiss Natural. The Vivid mode has the best colors, and that’s the one I used as default when testing the X200 Pro.

As you’d imagine, there are no issues with photos taken in daylight conditions. The X200 Pro does a great job preserving detail, and you get vibrant colors with excellent dynamic range and white balance. While the sensor itself isn’t as large as last year, tweaks to the tuning allows the X200 Pro to deliver a similar caliber of photos.

The main camera does an incredible job in low-light conditions as well, delivering accurate colors and details. Honestly, I don’t have anything to fault with the main camera, and the X200 Pro delivers everything I need — photo quality is always consistent, it does a good job with fast-moving objects, and there’s no shutter lag whatsoever.

The biggest change this time is the 200MP telephoto lens; it goes up to 3.7x via optical zoom and has OIS, and while the increased focal length is obviously useful, where the lens truly shines is at portrait shots. The X200 Pro takes delightful portrait shots, with class-leading segmentation and bokeh. The best part about the mode is that you get to choose between five focal lengths, giving you plenty of options to frame a subject.

Although the wide-angle lens is an older sensor, it does a decent enough job most of the time. It’s only in demanding low-light scenarios that you can make out its limitations, but in all other shooting conditions, it delivers usable photos. The only quibble I have in this area is that the selfie lens isn’t quite up to scratch. It’s still a decent module and takes good photos, but it doesn’t have the same quality as the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Vivo should have switched to a newer sensor.

Outside of that, the X200 Pro has what is arguably one of the strongest camera packages, and the combination of the 50MP main lens and versatile zoom lens gives it a distinct advantage. I’m intrigued to see what Vivo does with the X200 Ultra, because barring that, I don’t see any other device outmatching the X200 Pro in 2025.

Vivo X200 Pro: Software

I like what Vivo is doing on the software side of things. The X200 Pro runs Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, and it is different enough to ColorOS 15 and its derivatives that you don’t feel like you’re using the same UI. The interface is clean and optimized incredibly well to take advantage of the hardware, and I now prefer it to ColorOS or MIUI — a big deal considering its iOS-esque heritage.

I don’t have any negatives in this area; I didn’t see any problems with push notifications or errant crashes, and the UI was fluid in the week I used the device. That’s just with this device; as mentioned earlier, I used the X100 Pro as a secondary phone for much of 2024, and didn’t run into any issues there either.

Like every other interface, you get a decent amount of AI-backed utilities, including Circle to Search, AI note summarization, transcribing, and translation. Whether they’re actually usable is down to your needs; I don’t see the point of most AI tools in their current state, and the only one I use with any regularity is the transcribe feature that lets me convert audio to text.

Vivo does a good job with software updates, and the X100 Pro picked up consistent updates over the course of the year. The X200 Pro will receive four Android OS updates along with six years of security updates, and while that’s not on par with Google and Samsung, it is in line with what other Chinese manufacturers are doing.

Vivo X200 Pro: The competition

The Find X8 Pro is the closest rival to the X200 Pro, with both phones featuring the same MediaTek Dimensity platform and delivering standout cameras. With the X200 Pro confined to Asian markets, the Find X8 Pro is a viable choice if you need a device with versatile cameras. While Vivo’s phone has the edge at portrait shots and zoom, the Find X8 Pro does a great job on its own. I like Vivo’s color tuning better, and Funtouch OS is better to use than the most recent iteration of ColorOS, so the X200 Pro wins out.

Vivo X200 Pro: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if:

  • You need one of the best camera packages available today
  • You want a fantastic telephoto lens
  • You need a phone that takes stunning portrait shots
  • You want class-leading battery life
  • You need the latest hardware

You shouldn’t buy this if:

  • You need the best selfie camera
  • You want long-term updates similar to the Pixel 9 Pro XL
  • You need a device that’s sold in the U.S. or U.K.

Vivo didn’t need to change too many things with the X100 Pro, and thankfully, the brand retained the best features from the device. The X200 Pro has one of the best camera packages you’ll find today, and the addition of the 200MP telephoto lens gives it a distinct advantage. The portrait shots you get out of the phone are truly incredible, and while the X100 Ultra still has a slender edge, it isn’t much.

I like everything else about the phone. The AMOLED panel is among the best I’ve used, the hardware is on par with the best from Qualcomm, and the battery lasts two days between charges. The software is great to use as well, and Funtouch OS 15 delivers a good balance between a fluid UI and plenty of customizability.

The only point of contention is that the selfie camera isn’t quite on the same level as other flagships. And with the phone limited to Asian countries, there’s no reliable way to get a hold of it in the U.S. or U.K., and that’s a real shame. But if you’re in a country where the device is sold by Vivo, you should consider picking it up.

Having used the iPhone 16 Pro Max, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Find X8 Pro in the last three months, I’m convinced that the X200 Pro has the best cameras of the lot, and my SIM is staying put in this device long after the review is done.

Garmin’s latest beta brings 40 fixes and features to the Fenix 8, Enduro 3

Get the latest Garmin beta now

Both the Garmin Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 support the new beta.

  • Garmin has dropped a new beta for the Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 range
  • New features including Sail Race and Jumpmaster Activities
  • It also includes a slew of fixes and tweaks

Garminhas rolled out a brand new beta for its Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 smartwatch ranges, with a slew of bug fixes, tweaks, and a couple of new features for early adopters.

The new update, announced onGarmin’s website, is available for the Fenix 8 AMOLED 43mm, 47mm, and 51mm; Fenix 8 Solar 47mm and 51mm; Enduro 3; and Fenix E.

Users enrolled in the Public Beta program can download the update from the ‘Check for Updates’ section of their Garmin wearable.

Version 13.12 brings 40 different new features, tweaks, and bug fixes to Garmin’s top two rugged smartwatches, the Fenix 8 and the Enduro 3. A word of warning, however, Garmin says the new beta for the Fenix 8 will disable the ECG and Dive feature, but that they will be made available again “on versions of beta software that we anticipate becoming Live updates.” The company hasn’t said why the beta disables these features, although the Dive issue could be related to problems with the Fenix 8 crashing when dunked in cold water.

If you’re still interested, here’s a look at everything new in the latest beta.

Also:361-00096-00 Battery for Garmin Fenix 5S 361-00096-00

Garmin’s latest Fenix and Enduro beta

The headline new features include Garmin’s new CIQ System 8 with support for new Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.

There are big upgrades for sailers, including a new Sail Race Activity and a new Trolling Motor app so you can sync up to your boat’s motor. The beta also adds the Jumpmaster skydiving Activity, and there are new Insight Hints coming to the Health and Fitness app.

Finally, Garmin is adding a Stress Card to the Gaming Activity, and a respiration graph to the Meditation Activity Summary.

Also:361-00086-11 Battery for Garmin Forerunner 645 635 735 245

  • Added CIQ System 8: Supports the latest Connect IQ apps, watch faces, and data fields.
  • Added Sail Race Activity.
  • Added Jumpmaster Activity.
  • Added Trolling Motor App.
  • Added connection type information for paired sensors.
  • Improvements to the icons that display with notifications.
  • Added Insight Hint to Health and Fitness Apps.
  • Added Missing Map Option in Mountaineering Activity.
  • Added Respiration Graph to Meditation Activity Summary.
  • Added Stress Card to Gaming Activity Summary.
  • Added Support for HRM as Speed and Distance Monitor for BLE Sensors.
  • Added Support for Nautical Units.
  • Added Support to Show Needed Equipment for Strength Workouts.
  • Added Touch Support to Dismiss Popup Notification.
  • Fixed a possible issue where touchscreen input could not be disabled in activities.
  • Fixed Apps that were Inaccessible from the Recents Menu.
  • Fixed Auto Climb Data Screen Selection.
  • Fixed Blank Calendar Card in Morning Report.
  • Fixed Blank Map for Power Guide Preview.
  • Fixed Current Time Indicator on the Tides Graph.
  • Fixed Do Not Disturb Smart Notification Setting.
  • Fixed InReach Contacts List Layout.
  • Fixed InReach PIN Code Display Page.
  • Fixed Morning Report Showing Stale HRV Data.
  • Fixed Pool Swim Interval Details Page Layout.
  • Fixed Potential Crash after Deleting Activities from the list.
  • Fixed Potential Crash during Meditation Setup.
  • Fixed Potential Crash on Body Battery Glance Folder View.
  • Fixed Potential Crash on Fitness Age Page.
  • Fixed Potential Crash when Dismissing Notifications.
  • Fixed Potential Crash when Enabling Broadcast HR.
  • Fixed Potential Crash when Viewing Breathwork Preview.
  • Fixed Round Trip Routing Not Calculating Full Distance.
  • Fixed Sleep History Graph after Traveling.
  • Fixed Sleep Window Setup Sometimes Getting Skipped on Initial Setup.
  • Fixed Weather App Accidentally Returning to Watch Face.
  • Improved Countdown Glance Folder Info Text.
  • Improved GPS Progress Bar Presentation when Beginning Search.
  • Increased the Maximum Speed of Virtual Partner to 48.95 kph.
  • Updated Sunrise/Sunset Time Alert Range.

I tested astrophotography on the iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL — here’s the winner

You don’t have to be a pro to get pro results

In the last year, I’ve taken up a new, rewarding hobby with astrophotography. Today’sbest phonesmake it easier than ever before to get breathtaking shots of the night sky, which is why I want to share my favorite shots from each of the flagship phones I’ve tested throughout the year.

These include theiPhone 16 Pro Max,Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra,Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, andOnePlus 12— many of which top batterymap’sbest camera phonesguide. They’re there for many reasons, but I will agree that the quality of images for astrophotography requires more than just the physical hardware. Plus, there’s a certain level of patience needed to get just the right images.

Most people don’t even know that these flagship phones are capable of capturing stuff besides the moon, stars, and constellations. As you’ll see, I’ve been able to image other deep space objects with their telephoto cameras — like nebulas and even some galaxies. Here’s all of my favorite shots.

>>>BLPA25 Battery for OnePlus 12 5G

What you need to know

Before I dive into it, I captured all the astrophotography images with each phone on separate occasions. Since astrophotography requires the phones to be extremely still with their long exposure, often upwards of 30 seconds, it’s not feasible for me to capture the same targets with each device. That’s why the images are from different days.

Secondly, it’s worth investing in a tripod and phone holder to capture astrophotography with phones. I’d recommend keeping them as close to the ground as possible because sometimes a slight gust of wind can ruin a shot. And finally, you’ll want to use the timer function to eliminate any shake when you’re hitting the shutter button.

Once you master these techniques, you simply need to switch to their respective night modes and select the longest exposure time.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

If you’re going to shoot astrophotography with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I’d recommend switching to its Pro Mode and manually setting the shutter speed and ISO. In the first shot of the gallery below, I do like how the overall image is brightened to see the details in the tree’s branches, but the sky itself is a bit overexposed given how dark it looks in real life. Still, I love all the twinkling stars it’s able to capture.

In the second astrophotography image with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, I used Pro Mode to try and capture M42: The Great Orion Nebula. This is one of my favorite shots because the night sky is properly exposed, with less of the banding effect of the night shot one. And since I used a longer exposure, it manages to keep the noise down by shooting at a lower ISO.

And finally, there’s the last closeup shot of the Great Orion Nebula with the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom. While I could’ve maxed it out 100x zoom, I chose not to in order to preserve the details. I think it does an excellent job of defining the gases that are coming from the nebula, which with the naked eye just looks like an ordinary twinkling star — but the S24 Ultra captures it in greater detail.

>>>EB-BS928ABY Battery for Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

Apple’s flagship is a low light beast, and these astrophotography snapshots I captured with the iPhone 16 Pro Max proves that. Starting with its 48MP main camera, it’s the only flagship phone I’ve tested this year that can capture a galaxy. With it pointed straight up into the air, I was able to capture M31 Andromeda Galaxy — complete with its wispy trails. You’ll have to look very close in the first image below, but it’s there.

Next up, I want to point out how it captures The Great Orion Nebula with its 12MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. I surmise that the clearer skies above me that evening attributed to what’s arguably my favorite astrophotography shot with these flagships, mainly because the nebula is better defined.

For my last pick, it’s the shot of M45 The Pleiades — which on that night was right above my garage. There’s a lot I love about this photo because not only are the seven main stars of the cluster visible with the main camera, but the colors of the leaves on the tree remain true-to-life.

OnePlus 12

Even though its flagships have often underperformed against its main rivals in the low light department, I will admit that the OnePlus 12 can get some respectable looking astrophotography images. The first one I tried getting of Jupiter in the night sky is a perfect example, especially when I was contending against the strong moonlight from the Moon. The overall shot may look underexposed compared to the brighter captures of the other phones here, but enough to give it a realistic look.

The second image in the gallery below is of M45 The Pleiades, which initially I thought was captured by its 64MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. But for some reason it stuck with the 50MP main camera, which I suspect is simply due to the low light conditions. Given how effective OnePlus leverages pixel binning here, I think it still pulls off an excellent shot.

Going back to M42 The Great Orion Nebula, the OnePlus 12’s main camera again captures an image that’s more underexposed, but it doesn’t have the banding effect that I tend to see with the night modes on other phones.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

There’s a reason why I saved the Pixel 9 Pro XL for last. Out of all the phones I’ve tested, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is my favorite for astrophotography. Not only does it have an excellent 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom, but there’s a dedicated astrophotography mode that pushes the exposure to 4 minutes — resulting in a neat timelapse video to complement the image it captures. The first shot of M45 The Pleiades below shows a few rolling clouds overhead, while still showing the movement of M45.

With an unobstructed view of Jupiter, I love how this shot from the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s main camera also manages to expose some of the nearby stars. If you look to the south-east, there’s the Great Orion Nebula — while the seven stars of The Pleiades are visible to the north-east.

In order to better show off its telephoto capabilities with astrophotography, I pointed the Pixel 9 Pro XL towards the Great Orion Nebula and used its 5x optical zoom for a closer look. Needless to say that I’m astounded by what it sees, unlike my own eyes that merely see the famous star cluster as a smudgy blob in the sky. Not only is Orion’s Belt clearly captured in the 5x zoom photo, but I really love how the nebula itself is exposed.

Sony LinkBuds Speaker review

Sony stakes its claim in the ultra-competitive Bluetooth speaker arena Tested at NZ$349.95

Verdict
The Sony LinkBuds Speaker is well made, simple to use and nice to listen to, even if it lacks the sonic punch to keep up with the class leaders

Pros

  • +Cohesive, balanced sound
  • +Plenty of textural insight
  • +Solid feature set and outstanding battery life

Cons

  • -Could sound more punchy and exciting
  • -Small size means compromises in bass delivery
  • -Faces extremely tough competition at this level

Sony’s LinkBuds line is made up of, as the name suggests, various pairs of wireless earbuds. Open ring designs, in-ear models, sporty types, there isn’t a set definition for what a LinkBud is exactly, but the single unifying constant has always been that they go into, or sometimes sit just outside of, the human ear.

There is, however, an exception. There’s one member of the LinkBuds family which, despite having the word ‘buds’ in its name, looks like it may have been adopted into the clan, as it isn’t a pair of wireless earbuds but a portable Bluetooth speaker. The Sony LinkBuds Speaker is the apparent anomaly in this expanding family, yet while it distinguishes itself by taking on a completely different form from the rest of its siblings, this is a product that’s clearly aimed at the same crowd that Sony was targeting with its Olivia Rodrigo-backed LinkBuds Fit: hip, trendy youngsters who want great sound on the go.

Sony has already attempted to break the JBL stranglehold at this level with its four-star ULT Field 1, a similarly-priced performer that couldn’t quite topple the might of the JBL Flip 6 or Charge 5. It’s a tough nut to crack, so maybe the Japanese audio titan has found the winning formula – or dare we say ‘missing Link’ – with this latest attempt.

>>>GSP-1S2P-F6D Battery for JBL Flip 6

Price

Currently priced at NZ$349.95/ AU$199, the Sony LinkBuds Speaker (SRS-LS1) has jumped straight into the lion’s den. This is the realm occupied by some of the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, speakers that are only getting more affordable as their respective prices drop with time.

Build & design

Sony LinkBuds Speaker tech specs

Power 18 Watts

Bluetooth? Yes, 5.2 (SBC and AAC)

Mains-powered or battery-powered Battery-powered

Battery life 25 hours

Features Sony Auto Switch, hands-free calling, IPX4 rating, stereo pairing

Connections USB-C (charging cradle)

Dimensions (hwd) 11 x 8.4 x 9cm

Weight 520g

Finishes x 2 (black, white)

Around the same height as a standard deodorant can, albeit a little fatter, Sony’s compact speaker is built to sit conveniently on your desk, perch on a nearby shelf or be thrown inside an accommodating rucksack as you take it on your travels.

If you’re planning on bringing the LinkBuds Speaker out with you, we have little doubt that its chunky, robust build will keep it intact. AnIPX4 waterproof ratingis a little disappointing when compared with the IP67 ratings of its rugged JBL Charge 5 and Flip 6 rivals, but it’ll do the job of keeping your speaker protected against drizzle and the occasional splash of water, but it won’t necessarily protect against dust ingress or full liquid immersion. Maybe not one for pool parties, then.

>>>Charge_5 Battery for JBL Charge 5

IP rating aside, we’re otherwise confident that, given our time with the LinkBuds Speaker, its solid, robust build will be enough to handle the bumps and scrapes that inevitably come with being a portable Bluetooth companion. The built-in carry loop, meanwhile, also feels as though it can handle the speaker’s 520g weight without losing integrity where the loop meets the main body.

Not that you’llnecessarilywant to have the LinkBuds Speaker out and about with you all the time. The unit’s tightly woven exterior mesh does seem to harbour dirt if exposed to mud and grime, and we’d certainly recommend getting the Sony in black if you’re planning on using it as a frequent portable – we find that handsome off-white finish is fairly susceptible to stains and marks.

The LinkBuds Speaker keeps things relatively minimalist design-wise, opting for an all-over speaker mesh design with few embellishments or adornments. That said, you’ll find four main control buttons at the top: two plus and minus signs for volume adjustment alongside a play/pause control and a preset button for quickly accessing streaming services such asSpotifyorAmazon Music. At the bottom of the speaker’s rear side sits a small power control and a covered USB-C port, although the LinkBuds Speaker also comes with a supplied wireless charging pad for faster juicing.

Features

A key benefit of Sony’s latest Bluetooth portable is that it’s designed to work with the extended LinkBuds family of products. One of the speaker’s party pieces is its seamless interconnectivity with the extended LinkBuds earbuds line, letting you flit between buds and speaker automatically as your tunes play. Put your compatible LinkBuds into their charging case and the speaker takes over musical playback automatically, but once the buds are out of their shelter and in your ears, the audio switches to the buds and the speaker takes a well-earned break. It’s a neat trick that works smoothly every time we try it with our LinkBuds Fit test pair via Bluetooth.

There’s more to the LinkBuds Speaker than its eagerness to cooperate with its Sony stablemates. A healthy battery life is vital for portable units of this kind, and the small Bluetooth speaker duly furnishes us with 25 hours of playback time, a monster figure that overshadows the 12 hours granted by the JBL Flip 6 and 20 hours provided by the more substantial JBL Charge 5.

You can use the LinkBuds Speaker to handle incoming voice calls, a feature that’s noticeably absent from the rival Flip 6. Sony’s champion does an admirable job, with voices coming through clearly on the part of the recipient while being reproduced ably on the other end thanks to the speaker’s built-in microphone.

(Image credit: Sony)

Sony has clearly made efforts elsewhere to make sure that the LinkBuds Speaker is easy to use and capable of keeping up with its competitors. Stereo pairing allows for two speakers to be hooked up together simultaneously, whereas quick access is genuinely handy for getting music playing from your favourite app at the touch of a button. Wireless connectivity is handled byBluetooth 5.2, though the LinkBuds Speaker only supportsSBC and AAC codecs– there’s none of theLDACcompatibility you’ll find with most of Sony’s wireless earbuds.

Setting which music service you’d like to delve into is done via the newly revamped Sony SoundConnect app, the same platform you’ll use for handling most of the brand’s new wireless speakers and headphones. It’s still not the most intuitive service you’ll find, but access to a customisable five-band equaliser, plus control of features such as quick access (to help you jump straight into your streaming service of choice) and stereo pairing, help the SoundConnect app earn its stripes.

>>>GSP-1S3P-CH40 Battery for JBL Charge 5

Sound

Sony’s wireless wonder uses a two-way speaker system consisting of a 16mm tweeter and a 48x56mm balanced mid/bass driver to produce what its maker describes as “impressive bass and clear vocals with less distortion”. Passive radiators work in unison with the mid/bass for more powerful bass reproduction, whereas Sony’s ‘Sound Diffusion Processor’ aims to ensure that the sound produced is spread out evenly rather than simply fired in a single direction.

While it’s not the most expansive listen, Sony makes good on its promise of omnidirectionality, and you’ll receive a consistent quality and timbre of sound no matter where you stand in relation to the speaker itself. Textural quality abounds, with perhaps the LinkBuds Speaker’s strongest card to play being its impressive levels of midrange detail. When going up against the JBL Flip 6, we discern a noticeably more authentic reproduction of the sombre guitar on The Killers’Christmas In LAthrough the Sony than we do with the JBL.

The LinkBuds Speaker also evidences a talent for vocal reproduction. It’s easy for a speaker of this size to make voices – be they Corey Taylor or Camilla Cabello – sound generic or drab, a trap the Sony does well to avoid. Michael Stipe’s charmingly reedy singing on REM’sNightswimmingis a heartfelt performance through the Sony, while Stephen Fry’s narration of PG Wodehouse’sRight Ho, Jeevesis packed with playful élan.

The Sony’s knack for detail is tempered nicely by a restrained, well-organised character that gives tracks a mature, even-handed flavour. There’s no flabby bass to be found at the bottom or screeching trebles ready to loosen a couple of your fillings, and while a tad more punch and rhythmic drive wouldn’t go amiss, the LinkBuds Speaker treads lightly to avoid spilling sounds into areas they don’t belong. Play Muse’sMadnessthrough the Sony and you’ll notice just how clean and fuss-free the composition is, an impressive feat for a relatively small speaker.

That love of order and refinement does leave the Sony feeling just a tad restrained, however, with most of the sonic sacrifices coming at the lower end. There’s not a great deal of punch from a speaker that prefers to keep things relatively clean and lightweight, and bassheads especially may become frustrated by a lack of lower-end oomph from heavier hip-hop and rock tracks. This is where the five-star Flip 6 and Charge 5 rivals pull ahead, offering the punch and power that the slightly lean Sony lacks. The JBLs certainly go further dynamically – the crashes and bashes amid the pandemonium ofHans Zimmer’sThe Battlearrive with more weight and gusto than they do via the Sony. If you like punch and verve to your tracks, the LinkBuds Speaker may not be to your taste.

Verdict

The Sony LinkBuds Speaker has its charms. It’s a portable, feature-rich and nicely-made Bluetooth speaker which digs out plenty of detail, even if the class leaders grant you a good deal more sonic punch and lower-end clout. Those rivals are perhaps better suited to getting the party started, but the Sony’s refinement and knack for organisation means that it shouldn’t be dismissed as a mere stick in the mud.

SCORES

  • Sound4
  • Build4
  • Features5

If your iPhone can handle iOS 18.2, it can probably handle iOS 19

How To Fix a Blurry iPhone Home Screen- The Mac Observer

The last few iPhone updates have brought a lot of changes with them. Just take a look atiOS 18.2: It introduced a ton of AI-powered features that had never before been available. If you have an older phone, it’s easy to worry that its hardware won’t be up to snuff for the next round of updates. For now, you can breathe easy: If your iPhone can handle iOS 18, then it should also work with iOS 19, according to a new leak.

The news comes from theFrench site iPhoneSoft. Although Apple guarantees five years of support for its devices, some devices get supported for longer periods of time, but this tip suggests that any phone currently capable of downloading and installing iOS 18 will also work with iOS 19, although some features could be limited.

Restricting features to expand update compatibility is nothing new. It’s already a part of the iPhone update cycle; this last update introduced Apple Intelligence features that only the most recent iPhones can use. Even an iPhone 14 is too outdated to handle it.

The leak says that any device from the iPhone XR or newer will be compatible. This includes the iPhone XS, XS Max, and the 2020 iPhone SE. It also includes the iPhone 11 and forward. However, some iPads will be left behind with the launch of iPadOS 19.

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The iPad Mini 5th gen, iPad 8th gen, iPad Air 3rd gen, and iPad Pro 2018 or later will all be compatible with the next update. Any devices that predate these will lack the power needed to run iOS 19.

The continued compatibility, even with phones as far back as 2018, suggests that iOS 19 might not be a major shift from what the current version can do. It’s likely that Apple will steer more toward Apple Intelligence features, utilizing the existing platform.

Google unveils an AI model that lays out its thought process clearly

Google drops Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, an AI model that thinks on its feet.

What you need to know

  • Google’s Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking lets you see how it tackles tough problems, giving you a peek into its thought process.
  • Unlike OpenAI’s o1 model, which keeps things hidden, Gemini spells out its reasoning, making it easier to follow and avoid AI mistakes.
  • This approach helps Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking handle tougher challenges better than the standard version.
  • The model is free to try on Google’s AI Studio, though it has a 32,767-token limit.

Google has introduced Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking, an experimental AI model that lays out how it tackles tough problems in order to let you peek into its thought process and make it easier to see how it works.

Gemini 2.0Flash Thinking blends Flash tech’s speed with the reasoning chops of OpenAI’s o1 model. The difference is thatGeminispells out its thought process, while o1 keeps things behind the curtain. That clear breakdown makes it a win for anyone needing to follow complex reasoning and dodge surprise AI slip-ups.

This unique approach helps it outshine the standardGemini 2.0 Flashon tougher challenges.

Logan Kilpatrick, head of product for AI Studio, calls this model a big first step in Google’s push for smarter AI reasoning. Unlike most AI systems, these reasoning models can self-check their work, reducing common errors. The trade-off is that it takes a bit longer to get answers—sometimes seconds or even minutes.

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Google DeepMind’s chief scientist, Jeff Dean, showed off on X some capabilities of Gemini 2.0 Flash Thinking.

The demo featured the AI solving tough physics problems by breaking them into smaller steps, showcasing its knack for methodical problem-solving and delivering solid, reliable results.

In another demo from Kilpatrick, the model shows off its impressive reasoning skills by combining visual and text data to solve a problem. It highlights how well the model can process and blend info from different sources.

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While early demos have shown some missteps or missed details, it’s important to remember that this model is still in its early stages. Even so, these first impressions highlight the impressive potential of the DeepMind AI architecture.

The new model is free for everyone to try on Google’s AI Studio platform. That said, it has a 32,767-token limit, so it’s a bit capped compared to other versions. Still, it’s impressive how quickly it handles tricky problems that usually leave regular AI models scratching their heads.

Motorola phones could be banned in the US — what would that mean for the market?

This isn’t the first time a China-based phonemaker became embroiled in an international patent dispute.

Motorola’s comeback tour in the U.S. might be quickly coming to an abrupt halt. The brand, still a minor player in the overall market for thebest Android phones, found recent success with theMotorola Razr lineof budget and flagship foldables. However, a patent dispute between Sony Ericsson and Motorola Mobility (owned by Lenovo) could eliminate the availability of Motorola handsets in the U.S., according toReuters.

In an initial ruling Tuesday, Dec. 17, a judge for the U.S. International Trade Commission decided that Motorola’s phones infringe on key 5G patents held by Sony Ericsson. The smartphones in question include those in the Moto G, Edge, and Razr lineups. If the initial ruling by the ITC stands, imports of Motorola phones in the U.S. could be banned, all but eliminating their availability.

The ITC will issue a final ruling in April 2025, and if its initial decision is upheld, a ban on Motorola phones in the U.S. is likely to happen. That would have ripple effects throughout the U.S. market, because Lenovo made up 14% of the country’s mobile market share as of Q3 2024, according toCounterpoint Research. Crucially, some of the brand’s most successful smartphones are involved in the dispute.

Motorola’s absence would leave a hole in the market, notably where clamshell foldables are concerned. There simply isn’t another player making affordable foldables in the U.S. like Motorola did with the Razr 2023 and Razr 2024. It’s possible that instead of elevating a growing brand like OnePlus, a ban on Motorola phones would just make the big three of Apple, Samsung, and Google even more dominant.

In November 2024, one industry report indicated thata major competitor in the foldable market was considering an exit. Entering 2025, we could be down at least one foldable manufacturer if that report turns out to be accurate. Motorola could represent another, and it’s possible that no one steps up to replace it. We could be back where we started, with Samsung as the only major clamshell foldable manufacturer and no need to innovate due to a lack of competition.

It seems like patent disputes in the mobile sector are becoming increasingly common.OPPO and Vivo recently ended a dispute with Nokiaabout 5G patents, andOnePlus is now in hot water again in Germanyover a similar issue. While it’s great that brands are being held accountable for their use of patents, it’s a shame that these decisions only decrease the number of phones that are available for consumers.

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Motorola phones could be banned: How we got here

If that sounds familiar, it should. In recent years, multiple Chinese brands have become involved in patent disputes surrounding their uses of 5G technology in smartphones. Notably, Motorola itself is fighting the same battle with Sony Ericsson in multiple markets. Initial court decisions in Brazil and Columbia already ruled in favor of Sony Ericsson, and more legal battles are taking place in South America and the United Kingdom, per Reuters.

How did we get here? The tide started to turn in Sony Ericsson’s favor earlier this month when an ITC judge rejected Motorola’s best defense against the patent infringement claims. Motorola said that a 2011 license agreement between it and Sony Ericsson covered use of Ericsson technology inMoto G,Edge, and Razr phones. In other words, the company isn’t denying it used the technology — it’s arguing that it was allowed to.

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The problem with Motorola’s claim is that the 2011 agreement was penned ages ago, before the company was sold to Google and then soldagainto Lenovo. More importantly, a clause in the licensing agreement explained that Motorola would be able to use the licensed technology in “commercially reasonable updates or extensions of such Licensed products.” The ITC judge ruled in favor of Ericsson, tossing aside Motorola’s argument on the basis that none of the three phone lineups in question even existed at the time the 2011 agreement was reached (viaIP Fray).

Motorola could explore other legal avenues to block the move — lawyers for Lenovo previously argued that the licensing agreement was covered by U.K. law, and suggested that the ITC should wait for U.K. courts to rule before issuing its own ruling. Of course, in light of the ITC’s preliminary decision, that didn’t happen. And if the ITC’s ruling is upheld, Motorola phones could be off the shelves for the foreseeable future.

Kindle vs Kobo: how to choose the best ebook reader for you

Which of the biggest names in ereaders works best for you?

(Image credit: Amazon / Kobo)

Digital reading has gained popularity so much that ereaders are now one of the most popular tablets people are buying. It’s not uncommon to see someone on public transport staring at aKindleor someone scribbling away on an e-paper tablet at the airport lounge while waiting to catch a flight.

And while the name ‘Kindle’ is still synonymous with ‘ereader’, there’s a lot of competition coming from one other brand – Kobo. There are currently five Kobo ereader models to choose from, compared to seven Kindles, but how exactly do the two differ and does it really matter which one you choose?

Well, both brands have ereaders that are quite similar to each other, but they offer something a little different in terms of features. To help you make the best buying choice possible, we’ve put together this little guide to help you answer the ereader conundrum of Kindle vs Kobo – which is best.

Kindle, of course, is owned by Amazon, while Japanese company Rakuten owns Kobo. Both make exquisite e-paper tablets to suit all types of readers and budgets, but they are cut from different cloth. There are other players in the ereader market, of course, with the likes of Onyx Boox, Barnes & Noble’s Nook ereaders and even PocketBook offering alternatives, but their availability around the world is limited and, even though they can be imported, they could cost you a pretty penny to do so.

That leaves Kindles and Kobos as the main choice, so here’s what you need to know before you buy.

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Kindle vs Kobo design, display and features

When it comes to screen technology, both Kobo and Kindle ereaders arealmostthe same for the black-and-white models. The entry-level 2024 Kindle still uses the old hardware, so retains the E Ink Carta 1200 display, but the Kobo Clara BW and the two 2024 Paperwhites now use the E Ink Carta 1300 screen tech.

The next-gen in e-paper technology has a slight edge over the previous 1200 generation as it offers even better contrast than before. That means text on the page appears darker, so easier to read, and also sharper. It’s also a marginally more responsive screen, which makes page turns on the new Kindles remarkably quick.

All the current ereaders available from both Amazon and Kobo have a 300ppi screen resolution for grayscale displays, with the sole exception of the 10.3-inch Kobo Elipsa 2E, which gets a slightly lower 227ppi resolution. That, however, doesn’t diminish how well text and writing appears on the display. However, in terms of design, every Kobo screen is covered in plastic, while Kindle has a couple of models that’s topped with glass, giving them a premium look.

When it comes to screen size, though, Kobo has Kindle beat – covering 6 inches all the way to 10.3 inches, there’s even options for 7 and 8 inches. With Amazon, you get 6 inches, 7 inches and 10.2 inches.

IPX8 water resistance is available from both, (except on the entry-level Kindle and the 10-inch models from both brands), as are adjustable illuminated displays for reading in the dark. Most of the higher-end models also allow you to change the hue (or temperature) of the light from cold to warmer yellow for nighttime reading. However, only the 2024 Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and the 2024 Kindle Scribe have a front light with an ambient light sensor that auto-adjusts its brightness. The former is also capable of wireless charging, which Kobo doesn’t offer at all.

An increasingly popular feature available from both Kobo and Kindle is Bluetooth, great for pairing wireless earphones, primarily for listening to audiobooks, although Amazon has disabled Audible support for Australia.

Amazon has also discontinued its one and only asymmetric ereader (the Oasis), which means Kobo is the only one to still offer physical page-turn buttons on select devices for better ergonomics when holding a device single-handed.

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Kindle vs Kobo storage and connectivity

Current ereaders from both Kobo and Kindle go from 16GB through to 64GB (the high-end Kindle Scribe) of onboard storage, with all Kobo models from the Libra Colour and bigger offer 32GB as default. We’re not convinced that internal storage is hugely important unless you intend to cram an insane number of audiobooks onto your ereader as, otherwise, the base 16GB can hold hundreds of ebooks, if not thousands.

Kobo devices offer basic Wi-Fi across the entire range, which will suffice for most users, and that’s true on most Kindles, too, although dual-band Wi-Fi is now available on the newer Paperwhite models.

Amazon used to give Kindle users cellular connectivity for downloading ebooks too (and checking email) while away from Wi-Fi, though that no longer seems to be case in any market.

Kindle vs Kobo software, side-loading and storefronts

The most important differences between the Kindle and Kobo are in their software. Both devices are slick enough, especially since Kindle revamped its OS in 2021. Since then, it’s become very Kobo-like.

Depending on which ereader model you buy from either brand, your home screen setup will appear differently, with the number of tabs at the bottom changing if you have a note-taking ereader. Kobo’s OS is a bit more comprehensive here, with multiple tabs for ebooks, notes and Kobo’s own store. We found that the Kindle’s home screen can look comparatively more cluttered than on a Kobo, but it’s still easy to navigate.

Both brands offer direct access to their own online stores hosting many millions of ebooks. The major difference between Kindle and Kobo is that the former is locked to the Amazon store and the latter offers a more widely accessible experience. Kindles are best for those happy to download ebooks (and Audible audiobooks where support is available) to their device only from Amazon, whether via one-time downloads or while usingKindle Unlimitedand/orAmazon PrimeReading.

File format support is quite good from both brands, and that includes the Kindles now playing nice with EPUBs, which are natively supported. That said, you cannot plug in a Kindle directly to your PC to transfer files via a wired connection – you need to use the Send To Kindle platform.

On the other hand, Kobo offers unlimited reading viaKobo Plusin some markets, while its ereaders natively support all kinds of file formats from EPUB and MOBI to PDF and CBZ and CBR Comic Book formats, all of which can be side-loaded either via a wired connection or via cloud sync on the more premium models. Kobo will also allow you to side-load custom fonts too, including Amazon’s own (and rather popular) Bookerly.

In short, Amazon Kindles suit anyone willing to get tied up in a closed ecosystem, while Kobo is a little more open. The only exception that Kobo makes is audiobooks, which will play on it Bluetooth-enabled models when only purchased from the Kobo Store – no side-loaded audiobooks will work on a Kobo.

Kindle vs Kobo note-taking

It’s not much talked about, but ereaders from Kindle and Kobo allow users to highlight passages of text and type notes by pressing, holding and dragging a finger across text. On a Kindle those notes are fully searchable within an online notebook and accessible via the Kindle app on a smartphone.

However, full-featured note-takers are now gaining popularity and Amazon now has two Kindle Scribe models available for purchase. Kobo gives you a bit more variety, with stylus support on the Libra Colour, the Sage and the Elipsa 2E, so it covers different screen sizes. The last model is the only one that ships with the Kobo Stylus 2, but it can be purchased separately for use with the others.

Notes are accessible via the Kindle or Kobo apps, but you can email them to yourself on the Kindle Scribe, or sync toGoogleDrive or Dropbox on one of the Kobos.

While you can scribble in the margins of ebooks on a Kobo Libra Colour, Sage or Elipsa 2E, it works a little differently on the new Kindle Scribe. The latter uses afeature called Active Canvas(which the older Kindle Scribe will get in 2025), that automatically adds a box around your squiggles and indents the adjoining lines to reformat the page, wrapping text around your annotation.

You can create notes/notebooks of various kinds on note-taking ereaders from both brands, although the pen types and ink shades are far better on a Kobo. Moreover,Kobo’s Advanced Notebooksoffer a staggering number of tools that include handwriting recognition for converting your notes to text, plus the capability of inserting drawings, diagrams and formulae into your notes.

There are someAI features on the new Kindle Scribe, but currently available only to US customers. These include a summary option and handwritten conversion.

Borrowing library books

If you live in the US, your options to borrow ebooks from your local public library are much more. Both Kindle and Kobo ereaders will work, with the latter using OverDrive support to do so.

However, if you live outside the US and you wish to borrow library books, then Kobo should be your port of call. Every single Kobo ereader has OverDrive baked in, so you can check with your local library if support is available. After that, you just need a library card to get set up. Kobo is available in select countries, so you will need to check on library support in your local area before deciding to purchase – in Australia, for example, most public libraries now offer OverDrive support.

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Takeaway

There was a time when a Kindle was the better-value device but given Amazon’s penchant for price increases with each new release, it’s getting harder to justify a Kindle. That’s more so because in some markets, Amazon isn’t even offering Audible support on the Kindles anymore.

Kobo, on the other hand, has managed to balance price and features much better and, despite some models costing more, offers better value for money now. From waterproofing for its entry-level model (Kobo Clara BW) to adopting the latest screen tech, Kobo has stayed ahead of the curve.

Moreover, all the 2024 Kobo ereaders are repairable, which is a gold star in our books.

Moreover, if you really want to tinker with the parameters of the text, bring in ebooks and documents in several different formats and arrange them in custom collections, then you should be looking at a Kobo ereader. That goes double if you live outside the US and are keen on borrowing library books.

However, if you’re a bit less demanding and you’re fine with just downloading books from Amazon, a Kindle is probably going to be the most convenient option for you. Or if you live in the US, where there’s wider library support for Kindles.

Gemini update brings 2.0 Flash Experimental model and Google Home, Photos extensions to iOS app

It’ll be a major boost to the availability of Gemini features for iPhone users.

(Image credit: Google)

What you need to know

  • The public build of the Gemini app for iOS is getting Gemini 2.0 Experimental models before the Android version.
  • Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental hit the Gemini app in the Android beta channel earlier this week.
  • Additionally, the iOS app supports more languages and extensions.

Google is continuing to roll out experimental features based on its Gemini 2.0 models, and now, the Gemini app for iOS is starting to get feature parity with its Android counterpart. According to the release notes, the latest Gemini app update landed on the App Store on December 18. Among them, Google included support for the experimental Gemini 2.0 model and support for two additional Gemini extensions.

Currently, updating toversion1.2024.4970016of the Gemini app for iOS adds the option for Gemini Advanced subscribers to use Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental. This is an early version of Google’s smaller, lightweight AI model. Although the app’s release notes describe the update as adding support for “our latest experimental Gemini 2.0 models,” only 2.0 Flash Experimental appears to be live at the moment. The higher-end model,Gemini 2.0 Experimental, hit the Gemini web client Dec. 17 but isn’t available in the mobile app.

Notably, the Gemini app for iOS is receiving the Gemini 2.0 Flash Experimental model before the Android app. The functionalityreached beta testers this week, while it went straight to public release on the iOS version. It still requires Gemini Advanced, which costs $20 per month.

(Image credit: Google)

The iPhone app got a few other upgrades, too. It’s available in the following 11 new languages: Bulgarian, Estonian, Gujarati, Kannada, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Serbian, Slovenian, Swahili, and Urdu. Additionally, Gemini Live support was added for the following 21 languages: Bengali, Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Gujarati, Hungarian, Kannada, Korean, Latvian, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Marathi, Norwegian Bokmål, Romanian, Slovenian, Swahili, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

Gemini Advanced users can also agree to store their personal information to get better responses from Gemini. Plus, “conversation starters” are coming to the Gemini app for iOS for non-subscribers.

>>>DVT3-2 Battery for Google DVT3-2,Project Tango Tablet

Two new extensions are arriving on the platform for the first time, too. TheGoogle Home extension launched on Android last month, and it’s now available for iOS. The same goes for the Google Photos extension.

As it tries to build up Gemini to compete with ChatGPT, it has done a decent job of bringing its best features to both versions of the Gemini mobile app — iOS and Android. This time around, the public build of the Gemini app for iOS is getting a hit feature before the Android version.