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Galaxy Z Flip 6 vs iPhone 16 Pro: We compare the incomparable

Intro

At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the iPhone 16 Pro are incompatible, just like the theories of General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory in physics. These two might seem incomparable, but there’s something hidden, just like a hidden variable in the collapse of the wave function.

In the end, everything should lead us to a unified theory that should apply to all situations and everywhere in the universe, and that applies to cell phones, too. We’re sure someone, somewhere, will be considering whether to buy a flip phone or play it safe and buy the upcoming Apple Pro.

So, today we will try to unify these two entities in a cohesive theory—we mean comparison. The iPhone 16 Series landed on September 9, so we have every ingredient to cook this sub-atomic comparison. Let’s get to it!

>>>EB-BF741ABE Battery for Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

Table of Contents:

Design and Size
Display Differences
Performance
Camera
Audio Quality
Battery and Charging
Summary

Design and Size

Apples and… exotic lychee fruits?

The world is holding its breath, waiting for the moment when Apple will finally announce a foldable phone, but until then, iPhones are bound to stay as they are now, rectangular slabs of glass and metal. The Apple “It’s Glowtime” event on September 9 didn’t bring any significant changes to the iPhone Pro design, with some minor exceptions. There’s a new Camera Control button onboard, which is really a Touch ID-inspired pressure sensitive sapphire crystal coated button. It also supports touch gestures but more on that in the Camera section.

Other than that, the iPhone 16 Pro looks and feels like its predecessor, it has a tad larger screen at 6.3 inches but thanks to the thinner bezels it has more or less the same dimensions as the previous model. There’s a new hardened glass on top of that 1-nit minimum brightness screen, and it’s next-gen Ceramic Shield glass that Apple says is two times more resistant than the one found in previous iPhones. There are some new hues available with the new iPhone 16 Pro model as well.

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Appl iPhone 16 Pro available colors:

Apple debuts iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max - Apple

（Image from Apple）

Black titanium
Natural titanium
White titanium
Desert titanium

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 follows in the footsteps of its predecessor, with minor tweaks and changes here and there. The dimensions are almost identical to its predecessor, but we have a redesigned hinge for better stability, and a slightly less prominent hinge.

There’s a conceptual difference between these two, you can fold the Galaxy Z Flip in half and it becomes a different device. But you already knew this. In its unfolded state, the Z Flip 6 is somewhat close to the iPhone 16 Pro experience-wise.

As far as colors are concerned, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is available in a wide range of hues

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 available colors:

（Image from Samsung）

Blue
Mint
Silver Shadow
Crafter Black (Samsung.com exclusive)
Peach (Samsung.com exclusive)
White (Samsung.com exclusive)

Display Differences

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features the same size for its main and cover screens as its predecessor, 6.7 inches and 3.9 inches, respectively. Those, of course, are AMOLED, and the main screen is capable of going up to 120Hz refresh rate and sports FHD+ resolution. The Z Flip 6 was able to output around 1,200 nits of brightness in our display test, and the minimum brightness figure was even more impressive at 0.7 nits. The color accuracy is not the best in the business, though, with an average deltaE of 2.76.

The iPhone 16 Pro comes equipped with a larger 6.3-inch display, with ProMotion 1-120Hz dynamic refresh rate, and the same resolution from its predecessor. Apple didn’t mention anything regarding the screen brightness figures for the iPhone 16 Pro, so we have to wait and test it in our lab, but we suspect it’s the same as last year. The last gen iPhone 15 Pro can shine with up to around 1,100 nits (real life brightness), so it’s not far off the Z Flip 6. What’s new is the 1-nit minimum brightness that Apple cited during the official event, so we should try to replicated this in the lab as well.
In terms of biometrics, the status quo remains unchanged; the iPhone 16 Pro relies on FaceID, while the Galaxy Z Flip 6 uses the same side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner as the previous Z Flip model.

Performance and Software

Due to the specific launch cycle these two models have, their beating hearts, the chipsets inside, are a generation apart. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset onboard, while the iPhone 16 Pro comes with the newest Apple silicon, the A18 Pro chip. We have the benchmark scores of the Z Flip 6, and they are quite impressive – 2251 and 7131 in single and multicore Geekbench 6 respectively.

This result is very close to the iPhone 15 Pro, but Apple said the new A18 Pro chip is 15% faster than A17 Pro, so the iPhone will continue to be the smartphone to beat, when it comes to synthetic benchmarks. The thermal design has also been redesigned in the new model, giving it 20% improvement in heat management and better performance under sustained heavy loads. Speaking of heavy loads and benchmarks, we will add the results once we run all the tests on the newly announced iPhone 16 Pro.

In terms of RAM, due to the different ecosystems and the way Android and iOS handle apps and optimize them prior to putting them on their respective stores, differences in RAM don’t always translate into a difference in performance. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 has more RAM on paper, 12GB, while the iPhone 16 Pro features the same 8GB RAM capacity as its predecessor. Both of these phones support the newest and fastest Wi-Fi 7 standard.
The software situation is an interesting one. We know that Samsung already has Galaxy AI to help people get onboard with the new reality, but Apple seems to be missing the party. On September 9 Apple announced a lot of new and interesting Apple Intelligence features, such as comprehensive writing tools, contextual search in photos and in videos, mail and notification summaries, something called “Visual Intelligence” (which looks very similar to Google Lens), as well as some Siri upgrades, but they will start to arrive in October and only in Beta shape and form.
Software updates used to be Apple’s forte in the past, but ever since Google decided to offer seven long years of software support, things have changed. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 comes with seven years of major OS updates, while the iPhone 16 Pro offers “only” five.

Camera
Three is more than two, even in quantum physics

How to use Auto Zoom photo feature on Galaxy Z Flip 6 | Samsung UK

Apple debuts iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max - Apple (ML)

（Image from Samsung）（Image from Apple）

The iPhone 16 Pro comes with a triple camera system and some cool upgrades to it as well. The main camera is the same as the one found on the iPhone 15 Pro, though. It’s a 48MP, f/1.6 camera which Apple now calls Fusion Camera. The ultrawide camera has been upgraded, though. It now features a 48MP sensor with 0.7 microns pixel size or 1.4 microns when pixel binned under an f/2.4 lens, and you now have the ability to capture 48MP, 24MP and 12MP shots, and also macro shots.

The iPhone 16 Pro also moves to a tetraprism telephoto camera, taken from the Pro Max mode, and it offers 5x optical zoom, so there’s no camera differences between this year’s Pro and Pro Max models. This telephoto camera, consequently, is the biggest differentiator when it comes to comparing the phone to the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
The Galaxy Z Flip 6 features a dual camera system on the back, consisting of one upgraded 50MP main sensor, and one additional 12MP sensor for the ultrawide camera, and no dedicated telephoto onboard.

The other big advantage for the iPhone 16 Pro in this battle is the new Camera Control button. It’s a capacitive, pressure sensitive button that can do a lot of things. A single click opens the camera app, you can light press it to bring up a menu, and you can swipe your finger to control settings such as zoom range, exposure and even apply post effects and styles.

Audio Quality and Haptics

Apple has redesigned the audio system inside its iPhone 16 Pro models, and we now have some very cool new features onboard. There are four studio-grade microphones able to capture high-quality recordings and thanks to Apple Intelligence do some interesting stuff, such as apply different Audio Mix styles, remove background noise, focus on the voice of the person in a video, and also overdub sounds over recordings in the Voice Memo app.

The Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, sports a stereo setup where the earpiece doubles as a secondary loudspeaker, and there are no upgrades to the audio quality or loudness, compared to the previous model. The same goes for the haptic motor. They are decent but nothing to write home about. There’s no fancy-shmancy AI-driven audio magic at the moment, but it might come, as we live in the world of software updatable features.
Neither of these two phones is expected to have a 3.5mm audio jack.

Battery Life and Charging
Upgrades

There’s a battery upgrade on the iPhone 16 Pro, and even though Apple didn’t cite any numbers during the “It’s Glowtime” event, we know that the battery is roughly 100mAh bigger than the one found on the last generation. The Galaxy Z Flip 6, on the other hand, features a substantial upgrade compared to its predecessor; we now have a 4,000mAh battery inside Samsung’s latest flip phone, and that’s a 300mAh bump compared to the Z Flip 5.

This increase in capacity has indeed translated into longer battery life for the Z Flip 6, compared to its predecessor, and we’re talking about hours. We still don’t know how will the iPhone 16 tackle our battery test, but there’s some solid challenge from the Z Flip 6. We expect all the efficiency upgrades as well as the potential bump up in capacity to result in about an hour on top of the battery life we’re familiar with from the latest iPhone Pro models, but we’ll have to run some tests to verify that.

Sadly, there was no word on faster wired charging during the Apple “It’s Glowtime” event, so the iPhone 16 Pro retains the same 27W wired charging speeds we know and lament from the previous model. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 also retains the 25W wired and 10W wireless charging speeds from the previous generation, so we suspect he charging test will be pretty close between these two.

Summary

It’s very early to tell whether one of these two will be a better choice, all things considered. The only thing that makes these two comparable is the price, which is very close indeed.
The question is, do you want a flip phone for that kind of money, or do you want to play it safe and get an iPhone Pro. On the one hand, the iPhone 16 Pro has a better camera setup and a faster chipset. To flip things once more, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a phone you can fold in half, and it has two screens, providing a completely different user experience.

Why I chose the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 over the new iPhone 16

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 hands-on: A losing battle | Android Central

I’ve been the reputed ‘iPhone ambassador’ in my group for as long as I can remember, fiercely defending it in every debate about Android vs. iOS. But then came the flip phones, and suddenly, I found myself on the other side. Who doesn’t love the idea of grabbing eyeballs every time you whip out your phone?

But as fancy as they may sound, flip phones have long been associated with the prettiest trophy in our homes- one that boosts the aesthetics of your house, but doesn’t come in handy on a day-to-day basis. However, Samsung has changed this notion.

Samsung first introduced its Galaxy Z Flip in 2020, marking a new era in the smartphone world, and they’ve only been refining it ever since. Fast forward to now, and I got my hands on the latest Galaxy Z Flip 6, which is making waves in both tech and fashion circles. To put it simply: flipping sides has never felt so good. At first glance, the phone screams retro fun—hello, 90s vibes! But beyond the cool factor of it flipping shut, there’s a lot more to love, especially if you’re all about style and functionality. The compact, glossy design screams elegance, and that satisfying snap when it folds shut is just the beginning of what makes this phone a game-changer.

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Hands-on: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6's Auto Zoom is a must-have for selfie lovers - HardwareZone.com.sg

Before I dive deeper, I have to admit—I’m no tech expert. This is purely based on your average customer’s experience. My main focus when buying a phone is always the camera. However, after playing around with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, I can confidently say that along with its stellar 50MP dual cameras and clever design, this phone has a lot more to offer than just a pretty face. And it tempts you to unfold new features, every single day.

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First Impressions

My first foray into the world of flip phones was with the Z Flip 4 back in 2022, and while I was impressed, I was also nervous—would the hinge last? Would the screen get damaged? This time around, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, feels even more polished and refined. One of my initial concerns was the fold—would you see or feel the crease where the screen bends? While it’s there, it’s much less noticeable than before, and it fades into the background when you’re immersed in using the phone. The phone definitely has the world of creators and fashion fanatics in a chokehold, including me.

Design & Display

Samsung has truly elevated the design this time. The sleek aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 make it feel luxurious, and the new colour options like Mint, Graphite, Cream, and Lavender add a touch of elegance. Compact enough to fit in any pocket or purse, it opens up to reveal a stunning 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from scrolling to streaming incredibly smooth, with vibrant colours that pop off the screen.

The Flex Mode is where the Z Flip 6 really shines. Half-open, it’s perfect for hands-free selfies, video calls, or binge-watching your favourite show on the go. Plus, the 3.4-inch cover display gives you quick access to notifications, messages, and w

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 128 GB Fiyatları, Özellikleri ve Yorumları | En Ucuzu Akakçe

Performance & Features
Under the hood, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, making it a powerhouse. Whether you’re multitasking, switching between apps, or editing a bunch of videos in a go, like me, it handles everything without a buffer. Boasting a 3,700mAh battery, which might appear modest compared to other flagship models, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 delivers around 10 hours of continuous use and extends up to 17 hours with more mindful usage. Plus, when it’s time to recharge, the 25W fast charging has your back, ensuring you’re up and running quickly. The brand has introduced a game-changer integrated vapor chamber cooling system in Z Flip 6 for the first time. It effectively keeps the phone cool, even under heavy usage. While I did notice a slight warmth during intense gaming sessions, it never reached uncomfortable levels.

Sketch to Image
The Fold 6 I’m testing introduces a cool feature called ‘Sketch to Image. ’ Simply draw a rough sketch on a photo or a blank note, and the phone’s generative AI will magically transform it into a detailed image. Whether you’re looking to add a new furry friend to your solo kitty’s life or just want to see your doodles come to life, this AI tool is both fascinating and addictive.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 – Final Thoughts

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 Review: A Beautiful but Limited Foldable

The price is (not) right
The price is a major consideration. While the Z Flip 6 boasts cutting-edge technology and elegant design, it comes with a premium price tag. It’s a luxury device that offers a glimpse into the future of mobile technology, but whether it’s worth the investment depends on how much you value its unique features and stylish design.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a beautifully crafted device with several standout features, particularly for those who appreciate innovative tech and a high-fashion touch. The cost and battery life are notable factors, but if you’re looking for a blend of style and high-tech functionality, it’s definitely worth considering.

iPhone 15 Pro discontinued as Apple pushes users to buy the iPhone 16 for Apple Intelligence

iPhone 15 Pro no more

iPhone 15 Pro review front flat angled handheld

Were you waiting for the iPhone 16 announcement to decide between the new iPhones and last year’s best iPhone, the iPhone 15 Pro? Well, you might be out of luck, as Apple has discontinued the iPhone 15 Pro and its bigger sibling, the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

While this isn’t necessarily a shock, considering Apple discontinues its Pro model iPhones every year, it does handcuff new buyers wanting to use Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of AI tools.

Until this week, the only iPhones capable of the upcoming Apple Intelligence features like proofreading, Genmoji, and Siri’s overhaul were the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, but now you can’t buy them from Apple anymore.

Instead, Apple’s lineup of iPhones now includes the iPhone SE, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. Of these, only the 16 lineup can use the new AI technology.

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It’s worth noting that you’ll be able to pick up the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max for the same price as last year’s 15 Pro and Pro Max, although it would’ve been nice to see Apple include the old Pro devices to offer an extra option for those who don’t want the iPhone 16, but don’t want to fork out for the Pro.

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There’s still hope

As it stands, you can still pick up the 15 Pro and Pro Max from carriers, but the offers on the older models might not last for long, with emphasis pushed towards Apple’s new shiny smartphones.

In terms of Apple Intelligence capabilities, expect all but one of the same features on the new iPhones and last year’s offering. Visual Intelligence, Apple’s Google Lens competition, is activated from the new Camera Control side button, which is exclusive to the iPhone 16 line, so iPhone 15 Pro owners will miss out on that particular AI tool.

If you’re unsure about whether to pick up an iPhone 15 Pro for Apple Intelligence or opt for the iPhone 16, check out our hands-on iPhone 16 review and our hands-on iPhone 16 Pro review to see how they fare with Apple Intelligence.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: What’s the difference?

Finally, a smaller Pro phone!

Without a shadow of a doubt, Google makes some of the best Android phones — its handsets are some of the most popular iPhone alternatives and the biggest competition tends to be Samsung’s flagship phones.

So what sets them apart? Pixels offer the most intelligent AI and search features on any phone, killer camera systems and unique designs. What’s great about Pixels is that there are options for every budget, even if you buy an affordable handset like the Pixel 8a you won’t have to make too many sacrifices.

Previously, if you wanted the very best Pixel you would have to buy a Pro phone with a huge screen. While that works for some people, others will inevitably be put off by having a handset that feels more like a mini tablet than a smartphone and will barely fit in your pocket.

Now for the first time, Google has shrunk the size of its Pro handset. The Pixel 9 Pro has the same 6.3-inch screen as the Pixel 9 and Google has launched a separate XL phone for those who do want a big 6.8-inch display. But how else does the latest 9 Pro smartphone compare to its predecessor, the Google Pixel 8 Pro? And which one should you buy?

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Google Pixel 8 Pro

Pros

Now much more affordable
Similar camera set up to the 9 Pro
Most of the same software as the latest phone

Cons

Dimmer display
10.5MP selfie camera

Pixel 9 Pro has different displays in some countries

Google Pixel 9 Pro

Pros

Comes in two sizes: 6.3-inch and 6.8-inch
Latest Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM
One year of Gemini Advanced for free

Cons

Expensive
Smaller battery cell

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Design and display

Perhaps the most obvious difference between the two generations is the size, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is smaller than its predecessor, a lot smaller. The Google Pixel 8 Pro had a 6.7-inch screen whereas the Pixel 9 Pro is only 6.3 inches. For those who prefer a bigger handset, the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL has a 6.8-inch screen but is otherwise a very similar bit of kit.

Another big design change is to the look of the long camera bar on the back, the 9 Pro replaces it with an island that sits in the middle at the top of the phone. Google has also done away with the glossy glass and curves, using polished matte glass and a flat back instead. Which of the two you prefer will be entirely up to you but the latest model undeniably keeps up with the trends, making it look super modern in comparison.

The two devices come in slightly different colours: the Google Pixel 8 Pro is available in obsidian black, porcelain white and bay blue, while the Google Pixel 9 Pro comes in obsidian black, porcelain white, hazel green and rose quartz pink.

Both handsets use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to protect them from scrapes and both are IP68 water and dust resistant.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7-inch screen with a resolution of 1344 x 2992 pixels at 489ppi with 2,400 nits of peak brightness, whereas the Google Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch display with a resolution of 1280 x 2856 pixels at 495ppi and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Both are very bright handsets but the Pixel 9 Pro takes things a step further and it’s a noticeable difference especially when you use it under bright sunlight.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Camera

Upgrades to the camera system have been minimal, both the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro feature a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultrawide camera and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. In saying that, the Pixel 9 does widen the aperture of its ultrawide camera from f/2.0 to f/1.7 so it will let more light in and improve the quality of the final photos, particularly in low lighting.

The front camera has had a bigger refresh going from a 10.5MP snapper to a 42MP camera on the Pixel 9 Pro, and it now has a wider field of view and can take in more light.

（Image from Google Pixel 9 Pro）（Image from Google Pixel 8 Pro）

Google’s cameras are so effective because of the selection of camera software to boost the look of photos both pre and post-capture. And every year it adds more of them into the mix.

The Pixel 9 Pro will get all the same features as the Pixel 8 Pro and some of the new tools for 2024 will be available in the eighth generation (but not all of them).

One feature unique to the latest series is Add Me which gets everyone in the photo, even the photographer — you just take a picture, switch photographers and take it again, the phone will then combine the two to create one final image. 8K video recording will also be limited to the newer model.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Performance and battery

Performance has been boosted for the ninth series which will help the phone cope with even more AI features packed into the system.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro uses the Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM, boosted from the Tensor G3 processor and 12GB of RAM in the Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones run smoothly but the Pixel 9 Pro is particularly slick, even if it still doesn’t reach the speeds of the most powerful phones on the market.

Because of the smaller body, the battery has shrunk from a 5,050mAh cell in the Pixel 8 Pro to 4,700mAh in the Pixel 9 Pro (the same size as the Pixel 9). But it’s worth remembering that it also has a less demanding phone to power. In practice, both easily last a full day out and about, although both will need charging before you leave the house the next morning.

Charging has had a slight downgrade where the Pixel 8 Pro supported 30W charging, the Pixel 9 Pro only supports 27W charging. In my experience it was a little slower because of it, the Pixel 8 Pro took about an hour for a full charge but the Pixel 9 Pro took about 80 minutes.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Software

Both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro ship with Android 14. The 9 series launch happened earlier than usual so didn’t line up with the release of the next version of the software.
Both came with seven years of software updates which means the Google Pixel 8 Pro will last until 2030 while the Pixel 9 Pro should still be going strong until 2031.

For the most part, the two devices will have the same extensive list of software features. Upgrades to Call Assist will be available on both handsets, with a new tool to transcribe your phone calls. Google’s Gemini AI chatbot is available across both too.

There are a few features that will only be available on the latest version. If you buy a Google Pixel 9 Pro you will get one year of Gemini Advanced for free, it works across Gmail and Drive and comes with 2TB of cloud storage. You’ll also get Satellite SOS to call for emergency help without the need for cellular, and some extra camera tools like Add Me and 8K video.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Which should you buy?

If you want Pro features but you’re not keen on having a huge smartphone, the Google Pixel 9 Pro will be a better option than the Pixel 8 Pro. However, it will set you back £1,000 or more unless you can find a good Pixel 9 deal.

In comparison to the Pixel 8 Pro, avid selfie snappers will enjoy the upgraded front camera on the Pixel 9 Pro, mobile gamers will appreciate its speedier performance and AI fans will be pleased with the year of Gemini Advanced that comes included. But ultimately the difference in size will likely be the deciding factor.
If you’d rather keep the price low and you’d prefer to have a big screen, Pixel 8 Pro deals should build momentum in the coming weeks and months.

The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold is the folding phone I wanted from Samsung

Samsung better watch it

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold - Review 2024 - PCMag UK

I was initially skeptical of the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, especially because I didn’t get a chance to try the previous phone.

Foldable phones exist in a vulnerable area where it’s hard to know who these phones are really designed for. The gimmick of the foldable screen is the high price and specifications, which are often not as good as flagship phones at the same price. It’s no wonder they’re hard to pull off quickly – but after using the Pixel 9 Pro Fold for a week, I’m feeling a lot better about this smartphone subcategory.

This year’s Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are closer to the Galaxy S24 series in terms of specs and aesthetics, but this is only Google’s second attempt at a foldable phone. Google’s phones are also known for being underpowered compared to other Android devices – that’s true of the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, but Google’s excellent operating system makes the transition to a foldable form much easier – and, in my opinion, it makes all the difference.

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

Google's Pixel 9 Pro Fold Might Be a Sequel That Actually Delivers - CNET

Open up

I’m quite a big fan of the Google Pixel range. Ever since the gentle reboot that introduced the camera bar with the Pixel 6 range, it has maintained a top spot for me as the phone I recommend to iPhone users that want to leave to Apple’s walled garden. I don’t think Google’s phones are as well suited for longtime Android users as you’ll get better performance from similarly priced flagship phones from Samsung, but the clean and lightweight Android OS on Pixel phones would give Apple lovers a sense of familiarity.

That’s absolutely true for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold – this phone is great if you’re an iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 user who wants to upgrade to a foldable, but don’t want to deal with a lot of the complications some versions of Android bring. It’s well designed and feels like a genuine competitor to Samsung’s foldable, while being cheaper than Samsung’s Fold.

That being said, it’s a bit expensive at $1,799 / £1,799 / AU $2,699 – a huge price increase from the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849 price tag. I don’t think the screen necessitates such a drastically higher cost than what is, specs-wise, a better phone, but it does make for a great option if you want a tablet and a phone in one device. If Google could make the price of its foldable more competitive, I think there’d be a lot more to love with this device.

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

Hivatalos a Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold - NapiDroid

The problem with foldables is that they exist in a small market with underlying disadvantages. You’re asking users to pay quite a lot of money for a gimmick that offers not much actual benefit, fitted to a device that’s not as powerful as flagship devices. That’s Samsung’s pitch at least – and although I do love Samsung’s latest slew of folding phones, it’s no wonder why international sales were reportedly low (per Phone Arena).

But I think that these problems expose a general advantage that Google can obtain over Samsung in the foldable market. Because it’s such a small space within the larger phone market, Google has a real opportunity to make some headway and convert iPhone buyers into the Android ecosystem with a flashy gimmick that has consumers curious. At the same time, foldable-curious Android users could latch onto the Pixel 9 Pro Fold as their first try at the technology.

The specs differences between the Pixel 9 Pro Fold and the 9 Pro XL are subtle, with the 9 Pro XL including a much more impressive camera array and a bigger battery – but the differences are not as dramatic when comparing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to the Galaxy Z Fold 6. A better camera system, better processing power and probably the best display you can get on a smartphone right now are just some of the things that put the S24 Ultra against its foldable cousin.

So the real win for Google stems from the fact that they’ve closed the gap between their flagship device and their foldable. I can’t give Google too much credit for this, given that Pixel phones are underpinned by an SoC that is effortlessly bested by Snapdragon’s silicon in Samsung devices, but it does lead to a great option for consumers – a cheaper book-style foldable than what Samsung is offering. Couple this to Google’s much friendlier OS and I think there’s an absolute winner here.

Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold hands-on: Something completely different | Android Central

But it’s up to Google to do something really interesting here

Of the three foldables released over the past three months, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold has won my heart – but despite this discussion of synchronization between foldables and flagships, Samsung’s Z Flip 6 is still technically the budget winner, even if the foldable aspect is less useful.

It’s honestly difficult to talk about the Galaxy Z Flip 6 and the Pixel Fold 9 Pro in the same article because the Z Flip 6 is much less powerful than its flagship counterparts and it’s a massively different form factor to its foldable siblings. The Flip is a winner as a compact phone (as its predecessor is currently listed as the one to pick on ourbest phonespage) and the design is easy to love if you long for the pre-smart phone age of flipping screens, but it’s an anomaly beyond these two niches.

My hope is that with an upcoming generation of Pixel devices, a Pixel Flip will launch as well. Google could avoid higher year-on-year costs by releasing updated Flip and Fold models interchangeably, so that one year there’s a Flip and one year there’s a Fold. Better yet, it’d be great for Google to release a foldable that has more in common with the standard Pixel device for its small form factor and less powerful specs, both as a way of further reducing the price and to introduce a better separation between the standard Pixel range and the annually-released ‘A’ series model – which is often so good that I’ll happily recommend it to people over Google’s standard range of devices.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a brilliant phone and I’ve loved using it. It feels great to use as a tablet at home and the office, as well as a phone on the go. I would love to see Google keep the momentum going with future devices, in presenting an accessible product in terms of both price and operating system.

Apple iPhone 16 event – everything Apple announced and 16 things we learned

Here’s everything we learned during Apple’s huge ‘It’s Glowtime’ event

Apple Watch 10, iPhone 16 Pro and AirPods 4 split into three segments

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple’s iPhone 16 event is now over, but we’re only just starting to get to grips with everything that was announced by Tim Cook and friends.

There was a lot to unpack – four new iPhones, one new Apple Watch, two new AirPods models, and a bunch of clever Apple Intelligence features. But there were also several notable absentees that had been heavily rumored before the event, and some notable updates to existing devices.

To get you up to speed with all the big announcements here’s our guide to everything Apple revealed, and a few things we learned along the way.

>>>A2830 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

1. The iPhone 16 gets not one but two new buttons

(Image credit: Apple)

At first glance, the iPhone 16 might look a lot like its predecessor, but Apple has brought a handful of meaningful upgrades to its latest base model.
On the design front, the iPhone 16 inherits the Action button from the iPhone 15 Pro, but the more exciting addition is an all-new Camera Control button, which can be used in a manner akin to Google Lens to help you quickly learn about your surroundings.

The iPhone 16 also gets a new, exclusive A18 chipset, which will power Apple Intelligence features from October onwards, and the phone’s rear camera lenses are now arranged vertically to allow for spatial video capture.

The iPhone 16 ships in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black, and will be available to pre-order from Friday, September 9. The new device hits store shelves on Friday, September 20 alongside the iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.

>>>A2866 Battery for Apple iPhone 14 Pro

2. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are now even more Pro – and bigger

We were expecting the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max to have a solid suite of upgrades, but what Apple has added to its next-gen smartphones is rather impressive – and a tad overwhelming.

Both phones get larger screens – 6.3 and 6.9 inches respectively – and have a powerful A18 Pro chipset that promises a heck of a lot more gaming power and the ability to deliver high-quality 4K video capture at 120 frames per second, which Apple is touting as a pro feature.

The Action button is more capable, and as with the base iPhone 16 there’s a new haptics-based Camera Control button that can recognize a mix of taps and swipes to trigger different camera and shooting modes.

Plus, for people who want to capture great sound, there are now four mics in the Pro phones with the ability to record Spatial Audio when capturing video.

On top of this, there are four color options – Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium – and smart features via an upgraded Siri and Apple Intelligence. And somehow Apple has decided not to increase the price of the Pro phones, despite the upgrades. We could be looking at two very powerful contenders for the top spot on our best phones list.

3. The iPhone 16 Plus is… well, it’s just bigger

The iPhone 16 Plus is one-to-one with the iPhone 16 in all but one area: size. With a 6.7-inch display, the Plus is now Apple’s second-largest phone behind the newly enlarged iPhone 16 Pro Max.

Along with the rest of the iPhone 16 lineup, the iPhone 16 Plus comes equipped with the new Action Button and Camera Control capacitive button. Powered by the A18 chipset, the iPhone 16 Plus will receive a suite of Apple Intelligence features as a beta release in October before they officially launch in December.

New AI tools include Visual Intelligence, which uses the vertically-aligned cameras to provide information about your surroundings (more on that below).

Preorders go live on September 13, with prices starting at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599 for the model with 128GB of storage.

4. Apple has – remarkably – kept iPhone prices static

Speaking of prices, we can’t believe we’re saying this, but given the upgrades Apple has brought to its iPhones with the iPhone 16 family, Cupertino’s smartphones might actually be good value. That’s because they haven’t risen in price.

That means the iPhone 16 starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399, the iPhone 16 Plus starts at $899 / £899 / AU$1,599, the iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,799, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,149.

Obviously, the prices can get a little eye-watering when you bump up the storage options, with the 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max topping out at $1,599 / £1,599 / AU$2,849. But go for a more conservative amount of onboard storage and the prices are easier to swallow.

All four new iPhone models will be released on September 20, butiPhone 16 pre-orders start on September 13. And we’ll flag anyiPhone 16 dealsas and when they pop up, so do keep that page bookmarked.

5. Seeing double? The iPhone 16 gets two new buttons

Alongside the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action button – a programmable shortcut button which replaces the mute switch on older models – Apple has given iPhone 16 models another new button: Camera Control.

You can tap the button once to open the Camera app, tap it again to take a picture, and by sliding your phone along the button you can adjust various camera settings to adjust the composition and appearance of your snaps. It looks like it’ll make taking pictures on the iPhone 16 more convenient, and we’re excited to try it out.

6. iPhone 16 Pro promises ‘studio quality’ recording hardware

Apple really wants creatives to use the iPhone 16 Pro for their music and video needs. It boasts four “studio quality” mics which – in combination with AI trickery – can be used to adjust the sound mix of your shots (focusing on just the key actors, what’s in frame, or a balance of all the sound), or used to help you layer song ideas in notes.

In one example shown during the event, a musician played a guitar riff they had recorded earlier while recording new lyrics over the top; they could then play back both together, or isolate just the riff or lyrics to help them create a new tune.

The iPhone 16 Pro is also able to capture 4K video at 120fps, and once you have your video you can adjust playback speed in the app to create cinematic slow-mo segments after the fact. You can also rely on the new Camera Control button to more easily adjust camera settings on the fly.

7. All iPhone models get new chipsets

The iPhone 16 family has brought with it the new A18 and A18 Pro chipsets, and as usual Apple has made some impressive claims about performance improvements without much in the way of actual benchmarks.

Nevertheless, the company claims the A18 found in the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus has a 30% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU than the A16 Bionic chipset it replaces. As for the A18 Pro found in the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple is claiming 15% CPU performance gains and a 20% GPU boost.

The A18 Pro also doubles video encoding speeds; welcome news to those making use of the iPhone’s ProRES recording abilities.What is concretely impressive is that these are the world’s first commercially available 3nm smartphone chipsets, something we heard relatively little about until the event itself.

8. Apple Intelligence is coming soon. Honest

Apple Intelligence finally has a release window, and while it won’t be available for the iPhone 16 lineup’s launch on September 20, we won’t have long to wait.

Apple says the new AI features will arrive in October as part of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, although only in US English to start with. Initially, Apple Intelligence will launch in beta with writing tools, summaries, and Siri’s redesign, to name a few of its tricks.

More localized English languages will be added in December, and we expect to see more Apple Intelligence features such as Genmoji and Visual Intelligence trickle onto our Apple devices over the next few months. The version of Siri we’ve all been waiting for won’t arrive until 2025, however, so you’ll need to wait to ask the voice assistant about what’s on your device’s screen.

9. Visual Intelligence is like Google Lens for iPhone

(Image credit: Apple)

We were all hoping for a new Apple Intelligence feature exclusive to the iPhone 16 lineup, and Apple well and truly delivered. Press the new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, Pro, or Pro Max to activate Visual Intelligence and search for whatever you see using AI.

This new Apple Intelligence feature might sound similar toGoogle Lens, but it’s on an iPhone now and it looks seriously cool. Visual Intelligence arrives on the iPhone 16 later this year, so for now you’ll need to use the Camera Control button to, well, capture photos.

10. The Apple Watch 10 has a bigger screen and thinner body

(Image credit: Apple)

The Apple Watch Series 10 has arrived with its biggest-ever screen, thinnest-ever body, and fastest-ever charging.

With a new display that’s bigger than the Apple Watch Ultra’s 49mm beast (although we didn’t get an exact size for the Series 10’s new display) the wide-angleOLEDoffers 30% more screen space in comparison to the old Apple Watch Series 6.

Want more? A new S10 chipset offers the Translate app and machine learning-powered health smarts, including a new Breathing Disturbances feature for sleep apnea detection. And then there’s the speaker…

11. …and the Watch 10 has unlocked its speaker for music playback

Yes, the Apple Watch Series 10’s speaker can finally play music. That’s right, this oddity of the Apple Watch has been fixed so that you no longer need to connect a pair of AirPods to your Apple Watch to enjoy music you’ve downloaded to the wearable.

We expect the audio quality won’t be the most stellar – think of this as a back-up rather than your go-to music listening experience – but it will certainly be better than nothing on the occasions you forget your iPhone, or your AirPods run out of charge while you’re out on the go.

12. There’s no Apple Watch Ultra 3 – but the 2 does get some upgrades

(Image credit: Apple)

Even though we didn’t see an Apple Watch Ultra 3 make an appearance this year, Apple did offer a small update to the Ultra series overall. As well as the previously Ultra-exclusive Depth and Oceanic+ apps being available on the Apple Watch Series 10, the Ultra 2 now comes in a new, slick color – Satin Black.

The cool new look is complete with a new band style, Milanese titanium, which is meant to evoke the style of classic dive watches – and as such is corrosion-resistant for all your deep-sea needs.

13. The Apple Watch 10 and Watch Ultra 2 both get a sleep-apnea detection feature

(Image credit: Apple)

The Apple Watch 10 and Watch Ultra 2 are getting a potentially life-changing sleep apnea detection feature. Using the device’s accelerometer, the wearables will detect sleep disturbances that could indicate that the wearer temporarily stopped breathing, and analyze these findings every 30 days to identify signs of sleep apnea.

Given that up to 80% of people who suffer from the potentially life-shortening disorder may not even be aware they have it, this could be a valuable first line of defense in helping detect it.

14. The Apple AirPods 4 are here – and yes, you are seeing double

You know when you wait ages for a bus and then… that. Apple launched not one buttwo new sets of AirPods 4at ‘It’s Glowtime’, both with upgraded acoustic architecture in Apple’s original open-ear design.

The chief difference between the two? Active noise cancellation, Adaptive Audio and conversation awareness, which are reserved for the pricier pair. However, you do get personalized Spatial Audio and gesture detection in both, thanks to Apple’s H2 chip.

15. The AirPods Pro 3 didn’t show up, but the Pro 2 get some upgrades

While we’re a little sad that the AirPods Pro 3 weren’t revealed, the AirPods Pro 2 are at least going to get three new features aimed at protecting your hearing health.

There’s improved noise cancellation for particularly loud sounds, a hearing test so that you can chart changes to your hearing over time, and – most interestingly – the ability to turn your buds into hearing aids.

These features will come to the iPhone Health app with an iOS 18 update some time later this year, only for AirPods 2 owners, but presumably the future AirPods Pro 3 will get them too.

16. The AirPods Max 2 didn’t materialize either. Shame

(Image credit: Apple)

There were rumors that we’d be seeing the new AirPods Max 2 launched at the event, but instead we saw some minor upgrades to the existing AirPods Max.

It’s unsurprising, given that it’s been mandated by European regulators, that the Lightning port is gone, replaced by the USB-C ports used across the rest of the AirPods range. And the Max have received a glow-up with new Midnight, Orange, Starlight, Blue and Purple colorways. It seems like we’ll be waiting a little while longer for features like lossless audio and weatherproofing, though.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL reminds me why I like Google’s phones so much

It’s like an iPhone, but running Android

Two Google Pixel phones face down on a wooden table.

It’s difficult to break out of the Apple ecosystem. Sure, plenty of people find it a comfortable place to be, as Apple provides an exceptionally well-crafted user experience and interface, but for folks wanting a little bit more out of a device – particularly for better compatibility with Windows devices and a greater range of apps – Android is there for you… if you can deal with Android. Thankfully, Google offers the best Apple detox.

Back in 2022, I switched from the iPhone 12 mini to the Google Pixel 6a, and I loved it. I instantly fell in love with Google’s assortment of apps and the on par experience offered by Google. The search giant completely mastered the ins and outs of a competitive Android experience, backed up by a range refresh with the Pixel 6 phones from the year prior. It’s no surprise why I liked the phone so much; while Samsung and Oppo are both competitive smartphone rivals in terms of performance and stats, Google went all in on user experience and mastering the camera.

And in my opinion, this remains the secret sauce of the Google Pixel range – which I have rediscovered with the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Samsung’s phones are brilliant, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra remains my personal phone because of its immense performance. Google Pixels are, however, the best iPhones that Apple doesn’t make.

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

Looking to quit Apple? Start with a Pixel

A hand holding the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Using the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL over the past week has been brilliant. Google’s phones remain the easiest Android devices to get used to, without unnecessary bloatware heaped on top of the OS. The bloatware problem remains an annoying disadvantage to phones from, for example, Oppo and Asus – and to a lesser extent Samsung.
Instead of a slurry of apps from a wide range of developers, Google sticks to its own in-house developed apps and nothing more until you hop on the Play Store. The company already has the best maps app in the world, along with what I would consider to be the best cloud-based Drive and Photos app, so those bases are well covered.

For many Android phones, setup is an awkward tap dance between services linked to Google and services linked to the phone maker. Many of the apps made available to me on my Galaxy S24 Ultra have gone unused because I simply don’t want to use Samsung’s version of them (for example, Samsung Gallery and Samsung Pay) when I can simply use Google’s versions.

On a Pixel, setup is simple and reliant on a Google account that you probably already have (by virtue of Gmail being the world’s most popular emailing service, which doubles as a Google account). If you don’t, that’s fine, you can use a non-Gmail account to create a Google account. It’s an extremely clean process that’s helped by a really user-friendly OS design.
And then once all of this is done, you’re free. Install the apps that you want and enjoy the wider compatibility with non-Apple devices (including Android and Windows devices). There’s absolutely nothing wrong with sticking to Apple, but the Pixel represents an easy way out if you’re looking for one.

Not only does Google’s approach to software make it an attractive Apple alternative, but the hardware side of things has gotten noticeably more premium in recent years.

The camera bar, introduced with the Pixel 6 range, made the phones look both unique and exceptionally premium, while also ushering in a new camera system that put Pixels on the same stage as the iPhone and Galaxy S range. The Pixel 9 range includes a fairly redesigned camera bar that’s much more rounded, essentially making the need for a case necessary for how much it protrudes out.

>>>GS35E Battery for Google Pixel 8

But it’s not all Pixel perfect

The backside of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

In fairness, Google has squandered one of the more competitive aspects of the Pixel range. A modest price jump for thePixel 8 andPixel 8 Proin 2023, followed by another price jump in 2024 for thePixel 9and Pixel 9 Pro XL (spurred by the introduction of the Pixel 9 Pro as a separate device from the Pro XL) has made the phone noticeably less competitive on the price front.

Keep in mind that Google’s proprietary Tensor processors, now theTensor G4 chipwith the latest phones, is historically less powerful than its competition from Apple and Samsung. This performance gap was previously alleviated by a much lower cost, but it’s now exacerbated by costs that put it in more heated rivalry with those other companies. Most people probably wouldn’t notice a performance gap, but it’s something that might irk power users who use hugely demanding apps or play graphically intensive games.

Google has also opted out of a ‘Titanium’ model, bucking a trend established by Apple with the iPhone 15 Pro and followed by Samsung with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Unlike higher-end Samsungs, which also followed through with a price increase, there’s also no vapor cooling chamber to speak of and a noticeable lack of UFS 4.0 storage (Google uses 3.1) which results in slower read/write speeds compared to the S24 range.

So this is where my head is at: if you’re looking to try out an Android phone for the first time, then I would strongly recommend theGoogle Pixel 8aas a starter phone. If you want something more powerful, then consider gravitating to the Pixel 9 for better performance, or the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL for better photography.

If you’re comfortable with the Android world, then I would highly recommend the phones from the Samsung Galaxy S24 range or many other phones.

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

Android 15 is heading to Pixels in the ‘coming weeks’ – as Google reveals 4 new Android features to try while you wait

Google Pixel 9 in green Wintergreen color showing AI features on screen

>>>GUKD8 Battery for Google Pixel 8 Pro

Google has announced that the final version of Android 15 has been pushed out to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) – that’s where developers and manufacturers can pick up the code, and adapt their apps and Android releases accordingly.

It’s an important step towards a public release, but we’re not quite there yet. Google says Pixel phones like the Google Pixel 9 will get the update “in the coming weeks” (most likely October), while phones from other manufacturers (such as the Samsung Galaxy S24) will be getting Android 15 “in the coming months.”

Google’s announcement post highlights some of the new features we heard about at Google I/O 2024 back in May: a Private Space for your most important apps, better support for multitasking on large screens, improved battery life, and a low light boost for the camera that makes it easier to see what’s in the frame before you take a shot.

Now it’s up to Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and the rest to add their own tweaks and flourishes to Android 15 before it’s pushed out to users. For Pixel phone and tablet users, that could well include new screensavers and avatar options.

While the wait for Android 15 continues, Google has also pushed out four new Android updates. Google hasn’t specified which versions of Android these are for, so we’re assuming that means they’ll work on most modern phones and tablets running Android.

(Image credit: Google)

1. Earthquake alerts
Google has been experimenting with using Android phones as earthquake detectors for years, but now the feature is expanding across the whole of the US, which means a lot more people can get an important heads up about seismic activity. Google has posted a dedicated blog post about the feature, which explains more about how it works.

2. Audio descriptions powered by Gemini AI
Of course, AI is involved too: Android includes a TalkBack screen reader to describe images for those with visual impairments, and those descriptions are now going to be powered by Gemini AI. That should mean more detailed information about what’s on screen, whether it’s pictures in a chat thread, on a shopping website, or in a phone’s camera roll.

>>>GS35E Battery for Google Pixel 8

(Image credit: Google/Samsung)

3. Search for music with Circle to Search
As previously rumored, Circle to Search is getting the ability to identify songs. If it’s available on your phone, you can activate Circle to Search with a long press on the home button or navigation bar, then tap the music button to identify a song – whether the song is playing somewhere around you or in an app currently running on the phone screen.

4. Chrome can read out webpages to you
This is something we’ve previously seen tested, but it’s now officially available for everyone: in Chrome for Android, you can tap the three dots in the top-right corner of a browser tab, then choose Listen to this page to have it read out to you. You even get some simple, podcast-style playback controls (including speed control), and a choice of voices.

5 Best Xiaomi 14 Alternatives: More Value, Similar Pricing

Xiaomi 14｜小米香港官網 Xiaomi 14 was released in India in March this year. It is one of the best compact flagship phones available on the market. The smartphone boasts a solid set of specifications. However, it lags behind its competitors in some key areas.

If you plan to upgrade to the Xiaomi 14 (full review), don’t forget to check out its best alternatives, which will help you make a better decision. Before we move on to the alternatives, let’s quickly recall the device via the spec sheet below.

>>>BP4Q Battery for Xiaomi 14

Xiaomi 14 Specs
Body	152.8 x 71.5 x 8.20mm 193g
Display	6.36″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 1200 x 2670 pixels resolution HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 3000nits (peak)
Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) Adreno 750 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.6, 1/1.31″ 50MP (telephoto) – OIS, f/2.0, 3.2x optical zoom 50MP (ultrawide) – f/2.2, 115° FOV Video: 8K @ 24fps, 4K @ 24/30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60fps
Front Camera	32MP – f/2.0, 89.6° FOV Video: 4K/1080p @ 30/60fps,
RAM/Storage	12GB LPDDR5X RAM 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
Battery	4,610mAh capacity 90W (wired) 50W (wireless) 10W (reverse wireless)
Software	Android 14, HyperOS 4 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6E/Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 NFC supported

1. Vivo X100

>>>BA06 Battery for VIVO X100 V2308 V2309A

Vivo X100 Specs
Body	164.1 x 75.2 x 8.5mm 206g
Display	6.78″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 1260 x 2800 pixels resolution 1B colours, 3000nits (peak)
Chip	MediaTek Dimensity 9300 (4nm) Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.6, 1/1.49″ 64MP (periscope telephoto) – OIS, f/2.6, 3x optical zoom 50MP (ultrawide) – f/2.0, 119° FOV Video: 4K/1080p @ 30/60fps, 720p @ 30fps
Front Camera	32MP – f/2.0, 89.6° FOV Video: 1080p @ 30/60fps, 720p @ 30fps
RAM/Storage	12GB/16GB LPDDR5X RAM 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
Battery	5,000mAh capacity 120W (wired)
Software	Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 3 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 NFC supported

Unlike Xiaomi 14, the Vivo X100 has a curved display that’s around 6.6% bigger in size. The Xiaomi 14 uses an OLED panel, while the rest of the display specifications are almost similar.

Both smartphones are IP68 certified for dust & water resistance. However, the Vivo X100 lacks protection, whereas the Xiaomi 14 uses Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

The Vivo X100 rocks a big circular camera module that’s easily distinguishable from the crowd, whereas the Xiaomi 14 features a rectangular camera module.

Both smartphones have a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultrawide camera (the Vivo X100 has a larger field of view). The periscope telephoto lens on the Vivo phone supports 3x optical zoom, while it is 3.2x on the Xiaomi 14).

Both smartphones take stunning photos and videos using the main camera in varying lighting conditions with fine details, sharpness, and colour accuracy. However, the dynamic range could have been better on the Vivo X100.

The Vivo phone takes good shots with its ultrawide cameras in various lighting conditions. It also takes good macro shots. However, the selfies and videos using the front camera are pretty decent, with some sort of skin smoothing.

Notably, the Vivo X100 supports up to 4K video recording using the rear camera, but only 1080p with its selfie camera. In contrast, the Xiaomi 14 can record up to 8K videos using its rear camera and 4K with its selfie camera.

Both smartphones take excellent photos and videos. However, in most cases, the Xiaomi 14 produces better shots, particularly with its rear camera setup. The Vivo X100 might have an edge when it comes to portrait selfies.

The Vivo X100 is powered by a Dimensity 9300 chip, whereas the Xiaomi 14 uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. Both are the fastest mobile CPUs from their respective manufacturers and have similar benchmark results. They deliver excellent performance, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has slightly better gaming stability. Check out the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs. Dimensity 9300 for more details.

The Xiaomi 14 and Vivo X100 have similar connectivity features, except the former has a faster USB data transfer rate.

The Vivo X100 has a larger battery capacity and supports much faster wired charging compared to Xiaomi 14. This means you’ll benefit from more screen time and quicker battery filling on the Vivo phone. However, the Vivo phone lacks wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip should make iPhone 15 nervous — here's why | Tom's Guide

2. Samsung Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon)

Galaxy S24 Specs
Body	147.0 x 70.6 x 7.6mm 167g
Display	6.2″ 120Hz Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution HDR10+, 2600nits (peak) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) Adreno 750 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.8, 1/1.56″ 10MP (telephoto) – OIS, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom 12MP (ultrawide) – f/2.2, 120° FOV Video: 8K @ 24/30fps, 4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/240fps
Front Camera	12MP – f/2.2, 89.6° FOV Video: 4K @ 30/60fps, 1080p @ 30fps
RAM/Storage	8GB/12GB RAM 128GB/256GB/512GB storage
Battery	4,000mAh capacity 25W (wired) 15W (wireless) 4.5W (reverse wireless)
Software	Android 14, One UI 6.1 7 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.3 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1

The Galaxy S24 (Snapdragon version) is another good alternative to the Xiaomi 14. It’s more compact and lightweight than the Xiaomi 14 and features a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X screen — the brightness peaks at 2600nits (slightly lower than Xiaomi 14).

The Galaxy S24 uses the second-generation Gorilla Glass Victus, while the Xiaomi 14 has the first-generation Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Both devices are powered by the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. There’s also an Exynos version, but it’s difficult to recommend because of Exynos problems.

The Galaxy S24 packs a lesser battery capacity than the Xiaomi 14, and as you may already know, Samsung is not a fan of superfast charging. Hence, you only get 25W charging support, while the Xiaomi 14 supports 90W fast charging. Both devices support wireless and reverse wireless charging, although they are faster on the Xiaomi phone.

Samsung phones are better known for software updates. The Galaxy S24 is promised seven years of Android and security updates, while the Xiaomi 14 will only get 4 Android updates and five years of security patches.

3. OnePlus 12

OnePlus 12 Specs
Body	164.3 x 75.8 x 9.2mm 220g
Display	6.82″ 120Hz LTPO AMOLED 1440 x 3168 pixels resolution HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500nits (peak) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) Adreno 750 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.6, 1/1.4″, 85° FOV 64MP (periscope telephoto) – OIS, f/2.6, 3x optical zoom 48MP (ultrawide) – f/2.2, 114° FOV Video: 8K @ 24fps, 4K/1080p/720p @ 30/60fps
Front Camera	32MP – f/2.4, 90° FOV Video: 4K/1080p/720p @ 30fps
RAM/Storage	12GB/16GB LPDDR5X RAM 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 storage
Battery	5,400mAh capacity 100W (wired) 50W (wireless) 10W (reverse wireless)
Software	Android 14, OxygenOS 14 4 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6E Bluetooth 5.4 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1

The OnePlus 12 is another solid alternative to the Xiaomi 14. It’s slightly bigger and bulkier and has an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance. Both smartphones have the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which delivers superior performance.

The OnePlus 12 has a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision support, and 4500nits of peak brightness. Compared to Xiaomi 14, it has a bigger display with more pixels and higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Also, it is protected by a Gorilla Glass Victus 2, while the Xiaomi 14 uses first-gen protection.

Both smartphones come with Android 14 out of the box and have been promised four years of Android updates from their respective brands.

The OnePlus 12 boasts a circular camera module featuring a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 64MP periscope telephoto lens with OIS, 3x optical zoom, and a 48MP ultrawide lens with 114-degree field of view (FOV). The camera setup is made in collaboration with Hasselblad to achieve better colour accuracy. There’s a 32MP camera for selfies.

4. iQOO 12

iQOO 12 Spec
Body	163.2 x 75.9 x 8.1mm 198.5g or 203.7g
Display	6.78″ 144Hz LTPO AMOLED 1260 x 2800 pixels resolution HDR10+, 3000nits (peak)
Chip	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) Adreno 750 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.7, 1/1.3″ 64MP (periscope telephoto) – OIS, f/2.6, 3x optical zoom 50MP (ultrawide) – f/2.0, 119° FOV Video: 8K @ 30fps, 4K @ 24/30/60fps, 1080p @ 30/60/120/240fps
Front Camera	16MP – f/2.5 Video: 1080p @ 30fps
RAM/Storage	12GB/16GB RAM 256GB/512GB storage
Battery	5,000mAh capacity 120W (wired)
Software	Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 3 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 7/Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.4 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 2.0

iQOO 12 was released last year with a strong spec sheet. It boasts a slightly larger LTPO AMOLED screen than the Xiaomi 14 with a higher refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000nits.

The iQOO device is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the same chip inside the Xiaomi 14. It’s the most powerful chip for Android phones, ensuring superior performance and efficiency.

Let’s get to the cameras. The iQOO 12’s main camera takes detailed, sharp daylight images with excellent dynamic range. The overall image processing is sound, but sometimes, you may observe various imperfections due to weak processing.

The telephoto cameras are excellent, offering great details, colours, right sharpness, and less noise. The dynamic range and overall contrast are also impressive. The 64MP high-res zoomed images are okay(ish) with a good amount of details, accurate colours and good dynamic range, but they are pretty noisy.

5. Google Pixel 8

Pixel 8 Specs
Body	150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm 187g
Display	6.2″ 120Hz OLED 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution HDR10+, 2000nits (peak) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Chip	Google Tensor G3 (4nm) Immortalis-G715s MC10 GPU
Rear Camera	50MP (main) – OIS, f/1.7, 1/1.31″, 82° FOV 12MP (ultrawide) – f/2.2, 125.8° FOV Video: 4K/1080p @ 24/30/60fps
Front Camera	10.5MP – f/2.2, 95° FOV Video: 4K @ 24/30/60fps
RAM/Storage	8GB LPDDR5X RAM 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage
Battery	4,575mAh capacity 27W (wired) 18W (wireless) reverse wireless
Software	Android 14 7 Android upgrades
Connectivity	5G/4G/3G/2G Wi-Fi 6 Bluetooth 5.3 NFC (supported) USB Type-C 3.2

The Pixel 8 has similar pricing to the Xiaomi 14 and offers good value for money. Hence, it is an alternative to the Xiaomi 14 worth exploring.

The Pixel 8 is a compact flagship phone featuring a 6.2-inch OLED screen, although it’s not an LTPO panel and has a lower peak brightness than the Xiaomi 14.

The smartphone is powered by an in-house Tensor G3 chip, which isn’t as powerful as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the benchmarks. That doesn’t make it a bad choice for high-end phones. The chip can still deliver great performance.

The Pixel 8 has only two camera sensors on the back — a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 12MP ultrawide camera with a 126-degree FOV. It is also equipped with a 10.5MP camera for selfies.

The smartphone takes good daylight shots with nicer details, consistent white balance, and good saturation. The ultrawide camera also shoots great images. It also has an autofocus that enables both general close-up shots and macro shots.

The Pixel 8 does an impressive job in low-light conditions, all thanks to good image processing. However, the portrait shots are just acceptable. The device takes nice selfies with good details. The video quality of the Pixel 8’s main camera is impressive. The ultrawide camera outputs an average video quality at night but does a fantastic job in daylight.

note:

The Xiaomi 14 is a solid flagship phone. However, these five phones are better than that in one or more key areas. Would you pick Xiaomi 14 or any of these alternatives? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: finally, the Plus has a reason to exist

Verdict

Despite its modest appearance, the Galaxy S24 Plus feels every inch a flagship phone. It boasts a better display, slightly better battery life, and more RAM than its standard-sized sibling, while Samsung’s suite of hit-and-miss AI features – which are available in equal measure across the Galaxy S24 range – narrow the gap between the Plus and the more expensive S24 Ultra. You don’t get the latter’s titanium frame and superior camera credentials here, but the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a comparable smartphone experience at a more accessible price.

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Pros

+Big, bright, outdoor-friendly QHD+ display
+Same Galaxy AI features as the S24 Ultra
+Class-leading battery life

Cons

-Cameras remain unchanged
-Design feels distinctly less premium than the Ultra

Two-minute review

Despite offering Galaxy Ultra sizing at a more accessible price, Samsung’s Galaxy Plus phones have seldom, if ever, proven better value for money than its all-singing, all-dancing Ultra devices. This year, though, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a much more enticing proposition: its display is objectively better than the one you’ll find on the standard-sized Samsung Galaxy S24, and it doesn’t lose out when it comes to the myriad AI features that Samsung is touting as the key selling point of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Specifically, the Galaxy S24 Plus benefits from QHD+ display technology – a feature previously reserved for the Galaxy S23 Ultra – and a bespoke Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (or Samsung’s own Exynos 2400, depending on your region) that places AI at the forefront of the mobile experience. The former upgrade is far from game-changing – it essentially means the Plus’s 6.7-inch screen is sharper and more detailed than the S24’s FHD+ equivalent – but it’s enough to better differentiate the Plus from its cheaper sibling. The AI features, by contrast, bring a parity to the Galaxy S24 range that we haven’t seen, well, ever; it’s one of the best AI phones.

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus hands on front handheld angled home screen

Galaxy AI is the umbrella term for Samsung’s suite of AI-powered features, which range from real-time text and call translation to generative photo editing. In truth, I suspect that only a handful of these tools will be genuinely useful long-term – namely Circle to Search and Live Translate – but I’m glad that Samsung opted to distribute its suite of Galaxy AI features across the Galaxy S24 line equally. If nothing else, it gives Galaxy S24 Ultra owners one less feature to boast about.

On the physical upgrade front, the Galaxy S24 Plus sports marginally narrower bezels and a slightly flatter design than its predecessor, though its stronger Armor Aluminum frame is the most noticeable change. The phone’s 4,900mAh battery is a touch larger, too; however this doesn’t equate to much real-world battery life improvement over the Galaxy S23 Plus (presumably due to the newer phone’s more demanding software). Still, the Galaxy S24 Plus is objectively the battery-life king of the Galaxy S24 line.

If you’re after the best camera phone around, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the way to go, but the new Plus model boasts some decent, if not groundbreaking, photography hardware nonetheless. The phone retains its predecessor’s 50MP wide lens (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom), and 12MP selfie camera (f/2.2), though the aforementioned addition of Galaxy AI has thrown some neat new AI-powered editing capabilities into the mix.

All told, then, Samsung’s latest second-tier flagship is an objectively better phone than last year’s S23 Plus, and it should make prospective Galaxy S24 Ultra buyers think twice about what they really value in a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Design

Samsung Galaxy S24 S24 Plus S24 Ultra hands on back straight

Slightly flatter edges and narrower bezels
New Armor Aluminum frame

For the second year running, Samsung’s newest Galaxy Plus model places an emphasis on meaningful internal upgrades over a dramatic aesthetic redesign; but that’s not to say the Galaxy S24 Plus looks identical to its predecessor.

Measuring 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm and weighing 196g, this year’s Plus phone has slightly narrower bezels, slightly flatter edges (think theiPhone 15 ProandGalaxy Z Fold 5) and a more durable Armor Aluminum frame than the Galaxy S23 Plus. Personally, I’m all for the changes – the S23 Plus’s mirrored frame was a garish fingerprint magnet – although you’d be hard pressed to distinguish the Galaxy S24 Plus from its predecessor when viewing the two phones at a glance.

The Galaxy S24 Plus is still stuck with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front, which wouldn’t be a problem if the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Gorilla Armor wasn’t so much more effective at reducing scratches. Annoyingly, my Galaxy S24 Plus review unit has picked up a fair few screen blemishes while bouncing around in my pocket and work bag, so I’d suggest picking up a compatible screen protector (if not a full-blown protective case) if you do purchase this phone.

As for theSamsung Galaxy S24 colors, the Galaxy S24 Plus ships in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue and Jade Green, with the latter three colors exclusive to the Samsung store. I was handed the Cobalt Violet color for this review, which shows off the phone’s matte finish and rear glass texture pretty nicely, though it’s no secret that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s titanium color options are much more premium-looking.

Design score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Display

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus hands on front handheld straight lock screen

QHD+ display for the first time in a Plus model
Enhanced outdoor visibility
New 2,600-nit peak brightness

For the first time, the display on Samsung’s latest Galaxy Plus model is objectively superior to the display used by its standard sibling. Specifically, the Galaxy S24 Plus uses a 6.65-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with QHD+ technology that delivers improved sharpness and detail compared to the screen on the smaller Galaxy S24. Previously, QHD+ displays have been reserved for Samsung’s Ultra phones, and although the differences here aren’t all that noticeable, it’s good to see Samsung giving the Galaxy S24 Plus the best screen possible.

The other display upgrades are shared between the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus. Both phones get a new peak brightness of 2,600 nits, as well as improved outdoor visibility thanks to Samsung’s Vision Booster feature. Their refresh rates have also been improved – you’ll now get 1-120Hz instead of 48-120Hz.

The usual color, anti-distortion and wide-angle viewing benefits of AMOLED display technology are present and correct on the Galaxy S24 Plus, too, and all of the above features combine to deliver the biggest, boldest and brightest Galaxy S Plus display yet.

Display score: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Performance

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus hands on back table angled

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the US, Exynos 2400 elsewhere
Larger vapor chamber and ray tracing support
Phenomenal speakers

Much to the chagrin of Samsung fans the world over, Samsung has again split the chipset offering for its latest Galaxy phones – though the situation isn’t as bad as it was for the Galaxy S22 line, where the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 outperformed the Exynos 2200 by some margin.

Specifically, the chipset powering your Galaxy S24 Plus depends on the region in which you buy the phone. Those in the US get a bespoke version of Qualcomm’s newly released Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while those in Europe and other regions get Samsung’s new Exynos 2400. As I’m based in London I reviewed the Exynos-equipped version of the Galaxy S24 Plus, and I can safely say that I never once felt that my phone was equipped with a second-rate chipset.

If you’re interested in benchmarks, my Exynos-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus achieved a single-core Geekbench 6 score of 2002, a multi-core score of 6732, and a machine-learning Geekbench ML score of 423. For comparison, our Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-equipped version of the S24 Plus – which we tested in the US using the same Geekbench programs – achieved a single-core score of 2272, a multi-core score of 7083, and a machine-learning score of 694 (using Geekbench ML). All tests were conducted with the phones in Standard mode rather than Light mode, which prioritizes battery life and cooling efficiency over processing speed.

Performance score: 5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review: Battery

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus hands on bottom handheld angled

4,900mAh battery is a slight upgrade
45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging

The Galaxy S24 Plus has a 4,900mAh battery, which is a 200mAh increase over the S23 Plus’s 4,700mAh power pack. Unfortunately, that size increase doesn’t result in much (if any) tangible battery life improvement, but the Galaxy S24 Plus is still a phenomenally long-lasting phone, and one that trumps the standard Galaxy S24 by some margin in this respect.

During testing, my Exynos-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus lasted well over a day and a half with moderate use, even with the always-on display enabled. In the US, our Snapdragon-equipped Galaxy S24 Plus registered 16 hours of battery life in two separate rundown tests (one with Adaptive mode enabled, the other with Standard mode enabled). So, regardless of which Galaxy S24 Plus model you choose, you won’t be left wanting for battery life.

Attributes	Notes	Rating
Value	The Galaxy S24 Plus is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s still a mightily expensive phone.	4 / 5
Design	The phone’s slim bezels and flatter sides look great, but the lack of Gorilla Armor glass is dissapointing.	3 / 5
Display	The Galaxy S24 Plus’ display is big, bright, outdoor-friendly and as good as the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s.	5 / 5
Software	Samsung’s Galaxy AI features are welcome addition, but they don’t do enough to mitigate OneUI’s dizzying complexity.	3 / 5
Cameras	The Galaxy S24 Plus’ camera array is objectively solid, but some hardware upgrades are long overdue.	3 / 5
Performance	Despite the region-based chipset discrepancy, the Galaxy S24 Plus is a phenomenally powerful phone.	5 / 5
Battery	The phone’s class-leading battery life and speedy charging make it a battery champion.	5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want Ultra-level specs for a cut price
The Galaxy S24 Plus is $200 / £250 / AU$500 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, yet you still get an equally-powerful chipset, the same amount of RAM, the same charging capabilities, the same peak brightness, the same variable refresh rate, and even better battery life.

You’re a fan of big phones
If you’re after a big-screened Samsung phone that won’t weigh down your pocket, the Galaxy S24 Plus is as portable as 6.7-inch phones come.

You want class-leading battery life
The Galaxy S24 Plus ranks among the best Android phones for battery life; if endurance is your primary concern, this is the phone to go for.