New update to Google's Camera app brings Selfie Flash

Google has pushed out a new update to its Camera app that bumps the version to 4.4. Among the key changes the update brings along, is the Selfie Flash feature that's aimed at improving your low-light selfies. To access the functionality while taking a selfie, just make sure the Flash option is set to automatic or on. That's it. Now when you capture...

Essential hosting a 'First Look Event' for its PH-1 phone on August 25

Following some bad press over repeated delays in the launch of its PH-1 smartphone, Essential promised a few days ago that the actual release date of the handset will be revealed within the next week. While you wait for it, there's an opportunity to see and try the smartphone at a special 'First Look Event' that the company has scheduled for August...

Official name for Android O tipped to be announced on August 21 (solar eclipse day)

The official name of Google's upcoming Android operating system - currently being referred to as O - will be officially announced on August 21. The information comes courtesy of Android Police's David Ruddock, who cited a source whose info, he say, he cannot verify. I'm not going to ruin the surprise of the name. It doesn't really matter and I feel...

Hype surrounding Snapchat's Spectacles seems to have died down

Back in September last year, the company behind Snapchat changed its name to Snap. Reason being, the Snapchat app was no longer the only product the company was offering - a pair of sunglasses (dubbed Spectacles) were announced on the same day. Spectacles featured a built-in video camera, capable of capturing 10 second vidoes (in circular format)...

Gear Fit 2 Pro moniker spotted on Samsung's website, Gear Sport gets FCC certified

Shortly after it stopped by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Gear Fit 2 Pro has been officially confirmed. The moniker has been spotted on the South Korean company's official website, along with the model number SM-R365. Nothing much is known about the wearable at the moment, except that it's likely to have a design similar to the...

Moto Z2 Force review: Nothing less, nothing more

Motorola has had quite a busy year thus far. Now that there are five tiers of Moto smartphones for folks to choose from (6 if you include the Asia-specific Moto M), we have been introduced to the highest-tier of smartphone that Motorola has to offer: The Moto Z2 Force. Source: http://www.gsmarena.com/moto_z2_force-review-1639.p...

Apple Pay might land in Germany very soon

Apple Pay is available in quite a few countries and territories already, but its international expansion isn't slowing down. One of the countries most rumored to get the mobile payments service has been Germany, with some mumblings from May suggesting a launch in the fall or winter. The former of those time frames seems more likely in light of new...

Android O will be the last major update to hit the OnePlus 3 and 3T

OnePlus' track record with software support for its devices has been decent for some products, and very bad for others (remember the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X?). And with the release of the OnePlus 5 it's understandable that owners of last year's flagships, the OnePlus 3 and 3T, have gotten a bit antsy not knowing exactly what to expect from this point...

Sony Xperia XZ Premium arrives in Canada on August 15, or in September

Sony will release the Xperia XZ Premium in Canada soon. The device is already on sale in the US, where it's even received a $100 price cut recently. It will be out up north either on August 15, or in September. Two different reports came out on the matter today, and they don't agree on much. What is clear is that Amazon will be offering the unlocked...

Deal: Galaxy S7 edge on Verizon or Sprint for just $191.76, today only

Sure, the Galaxy S8+ is official and on sale, and has been for many months now. But that doesn't mean last year's Galaxy S7 edge isn't a good performer even in this day and age. And since it's older, the deals for it are much better than for its successor. Case in point: today only, Best Buy is holding a sale on S7 edge units for Verizon and Sprint....

Samsung Galaxy Note8 visits Geekbench with Exynos 8895 and 6GB of RAM

With its official introduction fast approaching, we've always known it was just a matter of time before we saw the Samsung Galaxy Note8 in a benchmark. And today that's exactly what happened. A prototype Note8 has been put through the paces of Geekbench, and this has resulted in the confirmation of a couple of the phone's oft-leaked specs. The device...

Moto X4 press renders leak alongside full specs

Last week we got confirmation that some long ago leaked shots of the upcoming Moto X4 did in fact depict the phone's final design, and earlier today the Brazilian equivalent to the US FCC outed quite a number of live images of the prototype that went through its testing. Now we have an image showing leaked press renders of the Moto X4, adding to...

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) starts getting Nougat update

Shortly after doing it for the Galaxy A7 (2017), Samsung has now started pushing out the Nougat update to the Galaxy A5 (2017). Weighing in at around 1.3GB, the update is currently hitting units in Russia. As for changes included, the list is similar to the one for Galaxy A7 (2017), meaning things like refreshed UI, quick setting buttons, and multi...

Android O will add support for in-band ringtones

Android O will be a massive update to phones' Bluetooth features. Your phone will finally be able to show you the battery level of accessories and in the case of Bluetooth headsets, it will support in-band ringtones. That's a feature that iPhones have had for ages and Android users have wanted for about as long (since 2009!). What's "in-band ringtones"?...

Weekly poll: are camera humps bad?

If you've been following the iPhone 8 leaks, the camera hump may have caught your attention. Yes, a vertical dual camera with an LED flash between the two lenses is an attention grabber, but today we want to talk about the hump. Is it a deal breaker? In last week's Counterclockwise, we concluded with a simple truth - the trend of thin phones killed...

Weekly poll results: AMOLED runs laps around LCD

No hard feelings, liquid crystals, but users just prefer AMOLED - over 60% of them. It's hard to argue with such a dominant vote, but the second most popular option (by quite some distance) was the practical response "only quality matters". LCD and Quantum Dot displays both failed to capture a significant share of the vote. Still, LCD has the market...

Xiaomi celebrates 5 million Redmi Note 4s sold in India

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 has grown to 5 million sales in India. Back in March, it celebrated over 1 million units sold in 45 days and sales have remained strong since. To mark the occasion, Xiaomi created the world's largest grain mosaic (using millet, the namesake of its phones). The mosaic covered an impressive 6,000 square feet. Besides promotion,...

ZTE Z982 found on GFXBench: 6" screen and 2160p video recording on a budget

Earlier this year, ZTE released the MAX XL, a 6" smartphone on a budget. That is more of a carrier phone, however, and its camera can't shoot 2160p video. What if that could change? A ZTE Z982 appeared on GFXBench with a similar 6" 1080p screen and Android 7.1 Nougat. It seems to use the same Snapdragon 435 chipset as well with 2GB of RAM and 32GB...

LG V30 could cost $700, a Plus model will launch simultaneously

The rumors of the price of the Galaxy Note8 gave us sticker shock ($1,000-$1,100!), can LG challenge with a better price for the LG V30? ETNews thinks "yes" and it has more to share. First, there will be two models - V30 and V30 Plus - which will cost $700 and $875 respectively. They will launch simultaneously on September 15 in South Korea and on...

Xperia ZG Compact with Snapdragon 810 found in Geekbench

Is someone playing a prank? Geekbench results show multiple entries of "Sony Xperia ZG Compact" with Snapdragon 810. You'd think that this is just the Xperia Z5 Compact, but someone fiddled with the software so that it reports as ZG. Still, the RAM is slightly different between ZG and Z5 entries - 1812 MB and 1764 MB respectively. The benchmark has...

Details of 5.2" HTC U11 Life revised, pic included

The U11 is HTC's best phone in years and the company is working on a smaller, 5.2" variant that will go under the moniker HTC U11 Life (its code name is Ocean Life). Of course it's IP67 waterproof, just like its bigger sibling. And like it, it will lack a 3.5mm headphone jack. The good news is that you're getting the USonic headphones with noise...

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A images and specs surface

The Redmi Note 5 leaked a month ago and later we found out that there will be a more affordable Note 5A variant (the regular 5 will reportedly start at CNY 1,200 / $175 / €155). Additional details have emerged and the 5A isn't quite what we expected. Dropping down from the Snapdragon 630/660, the more affordable model will use Snapdragon 425 instead...

Samsung SM-T385S with Android 7.0 gets WiFi certified

A new Samsung device has received WiFi certification from the WiFi Alliance (WFA). Carrying a model number of SM-T385S, the device runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box. Here is the listing in question: While the listing clearly mentions the device as a smartphone, given the model number, it could well be a tablet instead. In fact, the SM-T385S...

Samsung begins testing Nougat on multiple Galaxy C-series devices

According to tipster @mmddj_china who is based out of China, Samsung has started testing the Nougat update on multiple Galaxy C series devices. Specifically, Android 7.0 is being tested on the Galaxy C5, Galaxy C7, and the C9 Pro. C5000ZCU1BQH2C7000ZCU2BQH1C9000ZCU1BQH2C5 C7 C9 Pro Chinese version start testing Android7.0— 萌萌的电教 (@mmddj_china) August...

Motorola Moto Z2 Force goes on sale in US

Announced late last month, the Motorola Moto Z2 Force has been available to pre-order in the US. However, that was until now, as sales for the device have begun - all major carriers (the Big Four) are now selling the handset. Motorola is also offering the carrier variants officially. Price starts at $720, and goes up to $810. So it all depends on...

Fitbit's upcoming smartwatch leaks in new images

We already know that Fitbit is working on a new smartwatch, and have also seen some leaked images in the past. Now, a new set of images have leaked, giving as a clear view of the device from multiple angles. The watch - which is reportedly internally dubbed Project Higgs - will remind you of the company's Blaze fitness tracker, as it has similar...

Latest leak shows Motorola Moto X4 from all angles

A week after the usually reliable tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks on Twitter) shared the final design for the Motorola Moto X4, a new leak has emerged, showing the device from almost all angles. These leaked images are from Anatel, Brazil's homologation agency. So, on the front, we can see thin side-bezels, and a fingerprint sensor at the bottom. The...

Doogee Mix review: Dress to impress

We've always tried to maintain an impartial perspective and shy away from bias in our work. Whether that shines through or not is really up to you, our readers to decide. However, we will admit right off the bat that Doogee hasn't really received any significant attention from us in the past. While there are perfectly good reasons for that as well,...

Deal: Moto G5 Plus drops to all-time low of $179.99 shipped, saving you $50

Another week has passed, which means another Moto G5 Plus deal is now available. At the beginning of the month, we saw Moto's device going for just $199.99 in its iteration with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, possibly as a reaction to the launch of the newer G5S Plus. The G5 Plus isn't an old handset, however - remember that it only got official...

Coolpad to launch the Play 6 in India

Coolpad published an event on Facebook, teasing the launch of the Play 6 in India. With series of posts, the company will lead to the actual release of the phone. Once the event reaches its end date of August 20, the Coolpad Play 6 will start hitting the shelves. The Coolpad Play 6 comes with It has a Snapdragon 653 chipset, putting itself on par...

Deal: Google Pixel XL and Sony Xperia X are 30% cheaper

If you are interested in exquisite deals for outstanding smartphones, look no further. If you are a fan of the Google Pixel XL but don't want to cave into a massive price tag of about £720, today is your lucky day. The Very Silver version with 32 GB storage is sold for "only" £499.99 or 30% less. The Sony Xperia X is another impressive smartphone...

Nokia 6 passes 1 million registrations on Amazon India

The Nokia 6 was announced for the Indian market way back in early June, but but Amazon started accepting registrations in mid-July for an August 23 flash sale. Things have been going slowly, but the interest is there - Amazon just marked 1 million registrations. It has exclusivity in the country and has put up an INR 15,000 price tag. Note that registrations...

Asus Zenfone 4 and a smaller Zenfone 4 Max also leak

It's a Zenfone kind of day - first the Selfie and Selfie Pro, now the base Zenfone 4 and a smaller version of the Zenfone 4 Max. The Zenfone 4 ZE554KL seems to have inched up to basically flagship-level pricing - €500. The spec sheet feels a bit on the light side for five bills, though. We start with a 5.5" 1080p screen (IPS or AMOLED, it's not clear)...

Samsung wins Korean lawsuit over Galaxy Note7

Last year, a group of Galaxy Note7 owners filed a class action lawsuit against Samsung in South Korea. They sought KRW 300 thousand ($267) per person for the inconvenience called by the recall. Since then, the number of claimants has grown to 1,900 and the money to of KRW 935 million ($822,000 total, $433 per person.) Now a local court has ruled...

Samsung Galaxy S8 appears in Rose Pink, set to launch in Eastern Europe first

Earlier this summer Samsung announced a new color of the Galaxy S8+ flagship. Then the phone was about to appear in Mexico as well, but no images of the smaller Galaxy S8 appeared anywhere. Famous leakster Roland Quandt unveiled the images, and unsurprisingly, they are the same as the Plus-sized flagship. He claims Eastern Europe is the first region...

Ristar joins the Sega Forever Collection on Android and iOS

The Sega Forever Collection just received a new addition - Ristar. While not as popular as Sonic, the game is a platformer made by the same team and published in 1995 for the Sega Genesis. While Sonic has his speed, Ristar uses his stretchable arms, which are the core mechanic of the game - they are how you navigate obstacles through the many levels...

Zenfone 4 Selfie and Selfie Pro show up early, flaunt dual selfie cameras with flash

The new Zenfone 4 models will not be unveiled until August 17, but the company's online shop jumped the gun and released specs and images of the Zenfone 4 Selfie ZD552KL and Zenfone 4 Selfie Pro ZD553KL (not to be confused with Zenfone 4 Pro). The Selfie duo has something in common - a dual selfie camera. The Pro model means business with a 24MP...

Xiaomi Mi 5X now comes in 32GB storage option as well

Xiaomi has launched a new, 32GB storage variant for its Mi 5X smartphone. The model is listed on the Chinese Mi online store for CNY 1,299, which currently translates to around $195. The Mi 5X was made official last month with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, and a price tag of CNY 1,499 (around $225). So the new variant is CNY 200 ($30) cheaper. Aside...

Live video of the iPhone 8 shows more than before

Another day, another iPhone 8 leak. This time we see a live video of a black device that looks like the flagship which Apple is going to launch in September. It might be just a dummy, but the evidence is mounting that Apple would have at least one phone, which will look like this given the increasing number of leaked prototypes. The clip is just...

Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 getting Android Nougat update now

Xiaomi has started pushing out a new update to its Redmi Note 4 smartphone. Weighing in at around 1.3GB and currently hitting units in Greece, the update brings along the much awaited Android Nougat (version 7.0). Arriving as MIUI version 8.5 (global), the update also includes Android security patches for the month of July. The device was launched...

LG V30 to feature the world's widest aperture on a phone camera and TouchSense haptics

LG has just shared some camera-related details about its upcoming V30 smartphone. The South Korean company claims the device "will include the world's largest aperture and clearest lens ever to be featured in a smartphone." The V30, like its predecessor, has a dual camera setup. However, the company says the main camera module includes an F/1.6 lens...

Samsung's flagships start getting August security patch

Samsung has started rolling out the latest security update to its flagship smartphones. Specifically, the August patch has begun hitting the Galaxy S7 edge smartphone. Arriving as version G935FXXU1DQH3, the update is currently rolling out to units in Mexico, but other regions should also get it sooner than later. It's worth mentioning that the Galaxy...

Lenovo's Phab2 Pro 'Tango' phone and other Phab series devices won't get Nougat

Lenovo has updated its software upgrade page to reflect that there will be no Nougat update for the company's entire Phab series of devices, including the Phab2 Pro 'Tango' smartphone that was launched less than a year ago. Other affected handsets include the Phab, the Phab Plus, Phab2, and Phab2 Plus. In addition, a couple of tablets from last year,...

iPhone 8, 7s, 7s Plus dummy units shown in family photo as all three devices enter volume production

Somewhat corroborating yesterday's report which said Apple would launch the iPhone 8, 7s, and 7s Plus at the same time next month, a new rumor now claims all three devices have entered volume production. This obviously wouldn't include the iPhone 8 if that model were to be launched later than the other two, as previously alleged. So the trio should...

T-Mobile makes the Revvl official, available tomorrow for $125

After a couple of leaks, the T-Mobile Revvl has finally become official today. The device only bears the carrier's brand, but it is manufactured by TCL. The Revvl will be available tomorrow from the magenta carrier. It can be yours for $125 full retail, or $5 down and $5 per month for two years if you go with the equipment installment plan. Alternatively,...

Nvidia voluntarily recalls European AC wall adapter plug head for Shield tablets and Shield TVs

Nvidia today had to announce that it's taking steps to mitigate a possible risk of electric shock posed by some AC wall adapters used for some of its products. The part in question is the plug head for Shield AC wall adapters designed for use in continental Europe (it's pictured to the left). The devices affected are Shield World Charger Kits, European...

Essential Phone will get a firm release date within a week, the company announces

The saga of the Essential Phone's release continues. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal today, company representatives promised to finally reveal the actual release date of the handset within the next week. That does not mean the product will be available in seven days or less, mind you - that's just a time frame for telling us exactly when to expect...

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 prototype allegedly stars in leaked image showing an all-screen front

Last year Xiaomi shocked the smartphone world by getting on the 'near-bezelless' train before we even knew that would be the main trend of 2017. This was achieved with the launch of the stunning Mi Mix, which came with essentially no bezels at all on three sides of its screen. This year the Mi Mix 2 will have to live up to that, and it might just...

Samsung Galaxy Note8 pre-orders start on September 1

Samsung pushed its Galaxy Note8 sales roadmap to carriers, Korean sources reveal. The company announced that the week following the official unveiling on August 23 would be reserved for events for network providers and retailers. The pre-order period will happen between September 1 and September 10, and the official launch is already scheduled for...

Samsung is now selling the unlocked Galaxy S8 for just $539.99, limited quantity available

Do you want to buy a Samsung Galaxy S8? Are you interested in the unlocked model? How about saving a whopping $185 in the process? Well, if that sounds good to you, then be prepared to act fast. The Korean company is currently offering its latest flagship smartphone, in its unlocked iteration, on eBay for just $539.99. That's a very big discount...