Black Friday: Discounts on Samsung and Apple products in Australia

Samsung is more willing to discount its devices than Apple is, but seeing how it’s Black Friday, Amazon has discounts for both. We also included some other interesting deals we stumbled upon, including Nothing and a couple of VR headsets. We start off with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Amazon has models with 512GB and 1TB storage, the 256GB one is not part of this week’s offers. The 2024 S-phones are a couple of months away, of course, and there will be some pre-order perks, but the S23 Ultra has one of the best cameras from 2023 and even its predecessor, the S22 Ultra, is still being...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/black_friday_deals_discounts_on_samsung_and_apple_products_in_australia-news-60698.php

Meizu 21 specs officially confirmed ahead of November 30 announcement

Earlier this week Meizu officially announced the launch event for the 21. It will take place on November 30 in China, and ahead of that, the company has now confirmed some of the 21's specs. For example, the 6.55-inch OLED screen provided by Samsung. This comes with "1.5K" resolution, SGS low blue light certification, and 1,920Hz high frequency PWM dimming. The screen is flanked by symmetrical 1.74mm bezels on all sides. Meizu 21 specs officially confirmed The Meizu 21 is also confirmed to have a 4,800 mAh battery, which, when paired with the energy efficient screen, the (also...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_21_specs_officially_confirmed_ahead_of_november_30_announcement-news-60707.php

iQOO 12 to offer 3 years of OS updates, Funtouch OS 14 seriously reduces bloatware

As we are waiting for the global iQOO 12 series release, the company announced that it's getting rid of the annoying bloatware with the arrival of Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14. The new version of the software was announced a couple of months ago and even shared a list of devices eligible for the update. Anyone who has used Funtouch OS knows that iQOO likes to include a set of "Hot Apps" and "Hot Games" with its devices out of the box. With Futnouch OS 14 going forward, there won't be any of those. In other words - iQOO is getting rid of the bloatware. Additionally, the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iqoo_12_to_offer_3_years_of_os_updates_funtouch_os_14_gets_rid_of_the_bloatware-news-60706.php

Black Friday: Samsung US offers exclusive discounts on foldables, the S23 Ultra and more

You’ve been hearing about Black Friday deals for a couple of weeks now, but today is the day. Once again Samsung US is using the opportunity to get you to try out its Shop Samsung app with some exclusive discounts. You can go through the web store too, though you will need a student discount to get the same price drops that the app offers. Let’s start with the foldables. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 comes with a free storage upgrade to 512GB and you can get 25% off through the app. The student discount is also 25%, but they don’t stack. What does stack is the trade-in credit – you can drop...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/black_friday_samsung_us_offers_exclusive_discounts_on_foldables_the_s23_ultra_and_more-news-60704.php

Realme GT5 Pro is arriving on December 7

Realme GT5 Pro is scheduled to arrive on December 7, the company revealed today. The smartphone is set to be “a symphony of chipset supremacy and pixel-perfect imagery”, refering to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and Sony IMX890 sensor for the telephoto lens. The company went to lengths in its press release, explaining how good the Sony sensor is and how the GT5 Pro will “set a new benchmark for telephoto imaging quality.” It also said the flagship would be the first to combine Qualcomm's new chipset and the IMX890. Realme partnered with ArcSoft to develop the device's photo...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/realme_gt5_pro_is_arriving_on_december_7-news-60693.php

Samsung Galaxy A34 is now receiving Android 14 update with One UI 6

Samsung's rollout of One UI 6 based on Android 14 seems to really be picking up steam these days, and following a bunch of devices from earlier this week, today it's the Galaxy A34's turn to taste the new goodies. The update is rolling out in Europe, and seems to be rather widely distributed, having been spotted in Austria, Croatia, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Czechia, and the UK. The new build is labeled A346BXXU4BWK2 and, as you might expect, includes the November security patch level. As always, such rollouts are staged so it might...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a34_is_now_receiving_android_14_update_with_one_ui_6-news-60692.php

Counterpoint: global phone market shows signs of recovery, breaking a 27 month negative streak

In mid-2021 people were stuck at home and their disposable income often went towards upgrading their phones. But then the market hit several difficulties in quick succession: first it was component shortages, then inventory build-up depressed shipments, then people started keeping their old phones for longer. It has been 27 months since this all started, but Counterpoint Research is now reporting that sell-through rates are showing year-on-year growth once again. October sales were bigger than previous months going all the way back to January 2022. It’s a modest increase, sell-through...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/counterpoint_global_phone_market_shows_signs_of_recovery_breaking_a_27_month_negative_streak-news-60688.php

OnePlus 12 will come in White, Green, and Black colors

OnePlus just announced the colors for the upcoming OnePlus 12 - White, Green, and Black. The company has put some thought behind the colors - white is a touch of blank space, green is a pale rock among thousands of rivers and mountains, while black represents ten years of hard work, a nod to the company's ten-year anniversary. These colors will likely be the official ones for the Chinese market, where the OnePlus 12 will launch on December 4. It's not clear whether the global variant of the phone will have the same options - the OnePlus Open is Black only in Europe and Green...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_12_will_come_in_white_green_and_black_colors-news-60690.php

Samsung Galaxy A54 vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE

The popular Samsung Galaxy A54 and the new Galaxy S23 FE are similarly priced smartphones that have become hot offers during the Black Friday craziness. And that is why we’ve decided to pit those two against each other and see which one turns out to be worthy of getting and why. The Galaxy S23 FE is more like a Galaxy S22 FE that's late to the party as it features the previous generation chips, and it shares much of the S22 series hardware. The extra weight and thicker bezels give away its less-than-premium nature, thus positioning it closer to the Galaxy A series instead. Table of...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a54_vs_samsung_galaxy_s23_fe_review_battery_camera_price_compared-news-60659.php

Report: Apple doesn't plan to bring back Touch ID

Apple is unlikely to put a fingerprint scanner of any kind in any of its future iPhones. According to a Chinese report, Apple has reportedly shut down the tools it used to produce and enable Touch ID in the past, while the last of the Touch ID components were used in the third-gen iPhone SE (2022). Apple is expected to adopt a full-screen design for the fourth-generation iPhone SE with Face ID on board, instead of developing an under-display Touch ID sensor as most Android makers do. For years we heard that Apple would bring back Touch ID to iPhones. It has been a while since the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/report_apple_has_no_plans_to_bring_back_touch_id-news-60675.php

Poco C65/Redmi 13C review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_poco_c65-review-2637.php

Black Friday: US deals for the Google Pixel 8, Xperia 1 V and more

We've chased down some solid smartphone deals from the US market. As usual, Apple isn't the biggest fan of slashing prices be it for Black Friday or any other occasion, but we did include a deal on the iPhone 14 at BestBuy where you can save a whole $50 (it's something). Apple iPhone 14 128GB save $50 Read our review $680 at BestBuy Google is more obliging when it comes to discounts. You can save $125 on the Pixel 7a and Pixel 7, $200 on...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/black_friday_us_deals_for_the_google_pixel_8_galaxy_s23_xperia_1_v_and_more-news-60671.php

Redmi starts teasing the K70E, it will have the Dimensity 8300 on board

Xiaomi sub-brand Redmi has today started teasing the upcoming Redmi K70E smartphone, which is now confirmed to arrive by the end of the month alongside the K70 and K70 Pro. As always, the K series is Redmi's highest-end. This time around, the K70E is confirmed to be powered by the just-unveiled MediaTek Dimensity 8300 SoC. The word comes straight from Redmi's official teasers, so there's no denying it. This isn't any 8300, though, it's the 8300-Ultra. What that "Ultra" stands for is, for now, anyone's guess. Sometimes in such cases it's little more than a branding exercise, other times...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/redmi_starts_teasing_the_k70e_it_will_have_the_dimensity_8300_on_board-news-60660.php

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Pixel 8

The Google Pixel 8 duo this year brings a handful of improvements compared to its predecessors despite recycling the same design for a few generations now. The new generation offers new camera hardware, nicer displays, faster charging, and a more powerful chipset with improved AI capabilities. They are the first Pixel phones to offer seven years of full software support. In theory, they should receive Android 21. However, if you are still determining which of the two you should get, we are here to help. Aside from the obvious differences in size and pricing, there are a few nuanced...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_8_pro_vs_pixel_8_review_battery_camera_price_compared-news-60648.php

Nothing Chats partner Sunbird temporarily shuts down its service

Sunbird, the company with the eponymous app, has temporarily shut down its service citing security concerns that it is currently investigating. This information was provided to its users today through the app. The company has promised further updates when it is “ready to proceed”. Sunbird service offered Android users the chance to communicate over the iMessage protocol with Apple users. It did so by running an instance of an Apple account over a virtual machine running on a Mac on its servers and the user had to sign in with their Apple ID from within the Sunbird app to begin...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nothing_chats_partner_sunbird_temporarily_shuts_down_its_service-news-60658.php

Samsung to implement new blue phosphorescent OLED panels in 2025

A report from The Elec claims that Samsung might introduce a new kind of blue phosphorescent OLED panel in 2025, although industry watchers were expecting a 2024 debut initially. It looks like the development of the new material used for the blue sub-pixels isn't going smoothly. Samsung's current display technology implements phosphorescent green and red sub-pixels, but the blue diodes are still using fluorescent. So you can't call them PHOLED as it isn't technically correct. The new phosphorescent diodes offer 100% internal luminous efficiency, compared to the blue fluorescent ones...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_to_implement_new_blue_phosphorescent_oled_panels_in_2025-news-60655.php

Samsung Galaxy A54 is $324.99 for Black Friday but you shouldn't buy it

Samsung's Galaxy A54 is now offered by Amazon, as a Black Friday deal, for just $324.99. At first glance, that might sound like an awesome deal - after all, the phone is apparently 28% off, according to the retailer (down from its supposed full retail price of $449.99). But wait. Over at Best Buy, you can purchase the recently released Galaxy S23 FE for just $399.99, also for Black Friday. Sure, you're paying $75 extra, and for some that can be a lot - but if for you it's not, then we think that's the way to go. The S23 FE is a much better phone than the A54 in every conceivable...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a54_is_32499_for_black_friday_but_you_shouldnt_buy_it-news-60642.php

Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is showcased in leaked renders

According to previous rumors, Samsung is readying both a Galaxy A15 4G and a Galaxy A15 5G, and today the latter has been leaked in some renders, showing it in a dark blue colorway. Fret not, however, for it will also be available in yellow and black. The source of the images claims the A15 5G will come with a 6.5-inch 1080x2400 touchscreen with a 90 Hz refresh rate. It will allegedly be powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 6100+ SoC, paired with up to 128GB of expandable storage. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G leaked renders On the rear rumor has it we'll see a 50 MP main camera, a 5 MP...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a15_5g_is_showcased_in_leaked_renders-news-60641.php

Asus ROG Phone 8 Ultimate visits Geekbench with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Just a few days after we got our first set of details on the ROG Phone 8 Ultimate and its charging speeds, comes our second thanks to a listing on Geekbench. Asus ROG Phone 8 Ultimate on Geekbench ROG Phone 8 Ultimate (ASUS_AI2401_D) is listed on the benchmarking platform with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and a whopping 24GB of RAM. The device managed an impressive 2,235 points on the single-core test and 7,098 points on the multi-core test. These numbers are in line with the figures shared by Qualcomm. The Geekbench listing also confirms ROG Phone 8 will boots Android 14 which...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/asus_rog_phone_8_ultimate_visits_geekbench_with_snapdragon_8_gen_3-news-60640.php

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13R comes with yellow body, identical hardware to Note 13

Xiaomi launched the Redmi Note 13 series two months ago, and the vanilla Note 13 arrived with a Dimensity 6080 chipset, a 5,000 mAh battery and a 108 MP main camera. Today, the company announced a Redmi Note 13R, which is the same phone on the inside. On the outside, there is a yellow color option and a bigger camera island that now spans from one end to the other. The Note 13R has only one memory combo: 12 GB RAM and 256 GB storage. The screen is the same 6.67” OLED Xiaomi has been using for its phones for the past three years. The camera on the back is indeed the same 108 MP...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_launches_redmi_note_13r_in_yellow_rest_of_specs_same_as_note_13-news-60632.php

OnePlus 12 is launching on December 4

OnePlus is gearing up to celebrate its tenth anniversary by holding a big event on December 4 in Shenzhen, China. One of the key talking points will be the brand new OnePlus 12 which will be announced on stage by CEO and founder Pete Lau. OnePlus 12 launch event poster We’ve already seen several leaks for the upcoming flagship, including its 6.82-inch LTPO OLED panel developed by BOE with a 1,440 x 3,168px resolution and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. OnePlus 12 will also launch with an updated camera setup headlined by Sony’s new 48MP dual-layer stacked Lytia 808 main sensor...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_12_is_launching_on_december_4_-news-60631.php

More Honor 100 specs leak, including memory variants and prices

The Honor 100 series is coming on November 23, and we expect the vanilla variant to be the first phone in the world with a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, while the 100 Pro should have a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. More specs leaked over the weekend, suggesting once again both the Pro and the vanilla Honor 100 will feature 100W charging support. The two phones will have identical 1220p panels with 3840 Hz PWM and up to 2,600 nits peak brightness. Honor 100 Pro According leaks from China, the Honor 100 will pack a 50 MP main camera with OIS and a 12 MP ultrawide unit alongside...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/more_honor_100_specs_leak_including_memory_variants_and_prices-news-60629.php

Top 10 trending phones of week 46

Xiaomi 14 Pro just held on to the lead in our trending chart this week, extending its streak to four weeks in a row. The Samsung Galaxy A54 came really close to retaking the lead, but ended up second, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra retained its third spot. The Redmi Note 12 follows, meaning the top 4 are all the same as week. The first change came in the fifth position, as the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE staged a comeback to end in the top half. Newly announced vivo X100 came in sixth, ahead of the Redmi Note 12 Pro and Redmi Note 13 Pro+. Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max lost quite a bit of steam...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/top_10_trending_phones_of_week_46-news-60628.php

Weekly poll: can the vivo X100 and X100 Pro tempt you with their powerful hardware?

vivo unleashed a potentially unstoppable phone - the vivo X100 Pro could prove to be one of the best phones of 2023, whether you're looking for a camera phone, a gaming phone or just an all-round flagship. The camera is equipped with the 1" Sony IMX989 sensor in the main module. The telephoto module has the first mobile lens to get a Zeiss APO certification and combines a 100mm lens with a 50MP sensor. The 119° ultra wide completes the triple 50MP ensemble. vivo X100 and X100 Pro The vanilla vivo X100 is no slouch either. It has a 50MP main (a 1/1.49" IMX920 sensor), 64MP...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_can_the_vivo_x100_and_x100_pro_tempt_you_with_their_powerful_hardware-news-60588.php

Weekly poll results: most people prefer older flagship chipsets

What chipset powers a phone is a significant factor when choosing your next phone. Of course, this is a result from last week’s poll and our readers are more tech-minded than the general population, but still – very few people picked the “don’t care” option. The results clearly show that having the latest and greatest silicon isn’t particularly important. For over 40% of voters, an older but still capable chipset is a perfectly fine option. Recently, it is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the Dimensity 9200 that have been filling this role. Although only half as numerous, there is still the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_most_people_prefer_older_flagship_chipsets-news-60590.php

Nothing's iMessage clone pulled from the Play Store over security concerns

Nothing Chats, the iMessage clone that the company launched earlier this week, has been pulled from the Google Play Store. The official reasoning is "several bugs" that the company needs time to fix before launching it again after an indefinite period of time. We've removed the Nothing Chats beta from the Play Store and will be delaying the launch until further notice to work with Sunbird to fix several bugs. We apologise for the delay and will do right by our users.— Nothing (@nothing) November 18, 2023 However, there is enough evidence to support the idea that the app was pulled not...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/nothings_imessage_clone_pulled_from_the_play_store_over_security_concerns-news-60627.php

Here are the best early Black Friday deals on headphones in the US

Black Friday is still a week away, but the early offers include a wide variety of headphones with solid discounts. We mostly focused on TWS buds, but there are a few over-ear models as well. Starting with Samsung, the company is pushing its Shop Samsung app and offers exclusive discounts. The Galaxy Buds FE were already the cheapest in the Samsung TWS lineup, now even more so. These sub-$100 buds have ANC and multi-point connectivity and promise up to 6 hours of listening time (with ANC on). Note: when following the links to Samsung below, you will be asked whether you want the online...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/here_are_the_best_early_black_friday_deals_on_headphones_in_the_us-news-60614.php