Spotify launches audiobook-only tier

Spotify has had audiobooks for a while now, but no special plan for them. That changes today with the launch of the new Audiobooks Access subscription tier. This costs $9.99 and grants you access to 15 hours of listening to audiobooks. That sounds great, maybe, but consider that the Spotify Premium plan is only $1 more at $10.99, also gets you 15 hours of listening to audiobooks, but on top of that you have ad-free music and podcasts - a perk that's missing from the Audiobooks Access tier. It seems like a no-brainer to just go for Premium if you're ever going to want to enjoy ad-free...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/spotify_launches_audiobookonly_tier-news-61835.php

Infinix Smart 8 Plus lands in India, priced to sell

The Infinix Smart 8 Plus was initially announced back in January, and was released last month. Now it's finally also made it to the Indian market, joining the Smart 8 which has already been available for a while. The Smart 8 Plus comes in Galaxy White, Timber Black, and Shiny Gold colorways and is priced in India at INR 7,799. It will be on sale at Flipkart starting on March 9 at 12 noon local time. With the exchange offer you'll be getting, the effective price for the phone will be just INR 6,999. So that's cheap. Now you may be wondering what specs you're getting for such a low...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/infinix_smart_8_plus_lands_in_india_priced_to_sell-news-61834.php

Poco M6 5G hands-on review

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/poco_m6_hands_on-review-2676.php

Samsung Galaxy F15 and Galaxy M14 4G prices for India leak

The Samsung Galaxy F15 is finally getting official in India next Monday, on March 4, after having leaked quite extensively in recent times. It might be joined by the M14 4G, which we've seen in late January on a Samsung support site. Today the purported prices in India of both of these devices have been leaked by a usually reliable source, as you can see below. Samsung Galaxy F15 5G and M14 4G Indian variant price.F15- 4GB+128GB 💰 ₹13,499 (₹1,500 card off) effective price will be ₹11,999- 6GB+128GB 💰 ₹14,999M14 4G Price- 4GB+64GB 💰 ₹9,499- 6GB+128GB 💰 ₹12,499#Samsung #GalaxyF15...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_f15_and_galaxy_m14_4g_prices_for_india_leak-news-61815.php

New report confirms Samsung Unpacked in early to mid July, points at Paris as location

Earlier today, sources close to SamMobile stated that Samsung may hold its annual Unpacked event to unveil its foldable phones, the Galaxy Z Flip6 and Z Fold6, in early July. Now, a separate source coming straight from South Korea also believes the event will be held in early to mid July. Alleged Galaxy Z Fold6 render The report says the Unpacked event will take place about two weeks earlier than last year, when it was held on July 26. That would give us a target around July 12. This new report also names Paris as the purported location. The company wants to time its launch before the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/new_report_confirms_samsung_unpacked_in_early_july_points_at_paris_as_location-news-61814.php

ZTE nubia Flip, Focus Pro, Neo 2, Music hands-on

It was a busy MWC for ZTE and its nubia subsidiary with the announcement of five new phones. We managed to get some hands-on time with a few of the new models and these are our first impressions of the nubia Flip, Focus Pro, Neo 2 and Music smartphones. nubia Flip The nubia Flip is arguably the most interesting device from the bunch – a budget flip foldable to rival the Galaxy Z Flip5 and Moto Razr 40. It feels great in the hand with a nice brushed aluminum frame that folds completely flat. It’s a bit heavier than its key competitors at 214 grams but we don’t mind the extra heft as the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/zte_nubia_flip_focus_pro_neo_2_music_handson-news-61813.php

Motorola shares F1-themed Moto X50 Ultra teaser video that is drenched in AI

2024 will be the year of AI, even more so than last year was. Moto just released the first teaser video for the Moto X50 Ultra and despite featuring a Formula 1 car, it’s AI that is the highlight of the video. The video itself offers brief glimpses of the phone itself, showing a leatherette back and a camera tucked into the top left corner. The Weibo post that shared the video is vague, but it mentions the F1 China Grand Prix (Motorola owner Lenovo is an official F1 sponsor). The race in China is scheduled for April 21 and given the post, Motorola is probably planning to unveil the Moto...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_shares_f1themed_moto_x50_ultra_teaser_video_that_is_drenched_in_ai-news-61812.php

Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 with Oryon CPU is coming in October

Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC last year in October at the Snapdragon Summit hosted in Hawaii, and we have now learned that this year's Snapdragon Summit will also be held in October, where the chipmaker will introduce the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4. This revelation comes from Qualcomm CMO Don McGuire, who, in a video posted on X from the ongoing Mobile World Congress (MWC), said the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 will use the Oryon CPU. You can watch the two-minute video below. Before announcing the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4, Qualcomm is expected to introduce another Snapdragon 8 Gen...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/snapdragon_8_gen_4_launch_confirmed-news-61797.php

MediaTek unveils the 4G-only Helio G91 SoC

Without much fuss, MediaTek announced a new but somewhat familiar Helio G91 SoC designed for entry-level 4G smartphones. The G91 has mostly the same hardware as its Helio G88 and G85 siblings but offers an upgraded ISP. All three aforementioned chips share the same CPU configuration - 2x Crotex A75 clocked at 2.0 GHz joined by 6x Cortex-A55 ticking at 1.8 GHz. The trio also share the same GPU - Mali-G52 MC2 clocked at 1.0 GHz. Of course, the same 12nm manufacturing process by TSMC is used too. However, the newer G91 now supports up to 108MP sensors, which would make the chip a...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/mediatek_quietly_releases_the_4gonly_helio_g91_soc-news-61796.php

The nubia Pad 3D II launches with an improved glasses-free 3D display, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Avatar 3 is coming out next year – however, we are well past the 3D craze after the first one came out and these days very few people have 3D capable displays at home, much less glasses-free ones. Last year ZTE launched the nubia Pad 3D with a glasses-free 3D display. Now the company has come out with a second generation model with major improvements. The nubia Pad 3D II is marketed as the “world’s first 5G+AI eyewear free 3D tablet”. It’s quite a mouthful, but it’s correct. The previous model had a Snapdragon 888 chipset and no cell connectivity. This one gets the much newer Snapdragon 8...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_nubia_pad_3d_ii_launches_with_an_improved_glassesfree_3d_display_snapdragon_8_gen_2-news-61795.php

Tecno Camon 30 5G and Camon 30 hands-on

After our hands-on experience with the Tecno Camon 30 Premier 5G, we turned our attention to its two siblings – the Camon 30 and Camon 30 5G. The Premier is definitely the premium model, but these two are not that different. They share a design language and some of the features too. Tecno Camon 30 5G The Tecno Camon 30 5G is powered by the Dimensity 7020 chipset. This is a 6nm part based on the Dimensity 930 with two Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2GHz and six A55 cores at 2.0GHz. It has a PowerVR IMG B-series GPU and a 5G modem (sub-6GHz). While not as powerful as the Dimensity 8200 Ultra...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tecno_camon_30_5g_and_camon_30_handson-news-61781.php

iPhone 17 and 17 Plus to get 120Hz displays with Always-on

Apple introduced its so-called ProMotion displays with 120Hz refresh rate a couple of generations back, but we are yet to see the premium panels trickle down to the more affordable iPhones. This has been a reason for complaints from owners for some time now. Per the latest supply chain report Apple plans to bring its premium LTPO OLED panels to the cheaper iPhones in 2025, meaning the iPhone 17 and 17 Plus will be the first ones to get it. And since the LTPO panel allows for granular refresh rate control, enabling the ProMotion feature and the dialing down to 1Hz, Apple will finally...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/iphone_17_and_17_plus_to_get_120hz_displays_with_alwayson-news-61784.php

Tecno unveils Camon 30 series, the Pro model has three 50MP cameras

In addition to the Premier model, Tecno also unveiled three more Camon 30 members – a Pro 5G model, a 5G model and a vanilla 4G model. Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G Like the Premier, the Tecno Camon 30 Pro 5G is powered by the Dimensity 8200 Ultra. It even has the same 50MP 1/1.56” sensor in the main camera (which also boasts OIS), 50MP ultra wide and 50MP selfie camera with autofocus. However, the 3x periscope is gone, replaced by a 2MP depth sensor. While the Pro doesn’t have an LTPO display like the Premier, its own panel is still quite good – its basically the same size at 6.78” and it...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tecno_unveils_camon_30_series_the_pro_model_has_three_50mp_cameras-news-61782.php

Infinix demos color-changing back panels for phones with E Ink technology

A few years ago we tested the Infinix Concept Phone 2021, which offered impressive 160W charging and had an electrochromic film on the back. That film allowed the phone to change color from slate gray to steel blue. Now the company is back with a new prototype technology, called E-Color Shift. This is a more advanced version of the same idea – the back of the phone can change colors, except this time there are more colors to choose from and the back is divided into individual segments (the color of each segment can be controlled individually). A prototype of the Infinix E-Color...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/infinix_demos_colorchanging_back_panels_for_phones_with_e_ink_technology-news-61764.php

Samsung Galaxy Ring first impressions

Samsung unveiled its first foray into the smart ring category with the Galaxy Ring earlier today and since we’re attending MWC, we got to see the health tracker in person. It comes in three official colors - Ceramic Black, Platinum Silver, and Gold. The ring features an interesting design choice – it’s concave so the sides taper into the middle, kind of like a miniature car rim. It’s also really shiny regardless of which color you pick up, and seems like it will attract plenty of smudges. All of the demo units were placed behind glass but Samsung representatives assured us it’s extremely...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_ring_first_impressions-news-61768.php

Infinix unveils a new active cooling concept for smartphones called CoolMax

As the performance target for smartphones keeps going higher, engineers have had to reach for increasingly more elaborate cooling solutions, including active cooling. Infinix has been prototyping a system of its own, dubbed CoolMax. This is built into a concept gaming phone, so it’s just a preview of what might come. According to the company, CoolMax reduces the temperature of the chipset by 10°C (50°F). The chipset in question is MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 with four Cortex-X4 cores instead of the usual one. With the help of CoolMax and an AI management platform, Infinix managed to push...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/infinix_unveils_a_new_active_cooling_concept_for_smartphones_called_coolmax-news-61760.php

Android's February feature drop adds 9 new nifty features

Just in time for this year's MWC, Google is seeding new Android updates that could potentially make your life a bit easier. Most of the features leverage AI, while others are just enhanced functionalities of existing features. If you are on the road and someone messages you, you can let the AI-powered assistant summarize your incoming messages, even if they are from a group chat, and then offer contextual replies or actions. For instance, you can make a quick call with just one tap or simply send your route and ETA. The AI can also describe an online image, photos or a picture...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/androids_february_feature_drop_adds_9_new_nifty_features-news-61766.php

TCL 50 SE and 50 5G hands-on review

TCL decided to bring its new entry-level TCL 50 SE and 50 5G to MWC 2024 and offer a bit more detail on the two devices. Both of these phones have an MSRP of € 149, so adjust your expectations accordingly. We spent some time with both models, but since their design and build are so similar, most of our early hands-on impressions will apply to both. You can distinguish between the two devices by color. The TCL 50 SE unit we were allotted is in gray, while its TCL 50 5G sibling is blue. Let's start with the TCL 50 SE. It is technically the "higher-end" of the two phones, depending...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/tcl_50_se_and_50_5g_handson_review-news-61750.php

Qualcomm announces X80 5G modem, FastConnect 7900 connectivity system

Qualcomm’s latest flagship 5G modem is all about pairing blazing-fast 5G speeds with AI and expanding support for satellite connectivity. The X80 5G modem is the maker’s seventh generation 5G modem for smartphones, extended reality (XR) devices, PCs, vehicles and industrial IoT devices and features a dedicated AI processor. Qualcomm’s latest flagship Snapdragon modem boasts a dedicated 5G AI processor with a tensor accelerator which promises enhanced data speeds, coverage and power efficiency while decreasing latency. The onboard 5G AI Suite Gen 3 brings AI enhancements which should help...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/qualcomm_announces_x80_5g_modem_fastconnect_7900_connectivity_system-news-61742.php

Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Xiaomi 14

Looking for a high-end compact phone? Look no further than the Xiaomi 14 and Samsung's Galaxy S24. This is perhaps one of the biggest dilemmas an Android user could have in 2024, in case you haven't moved up from the smaller form factor. We don't want to spoil the ending, but it's not an easy choice. On the one hand, the Xiaomi 14 makes a compelling case with a better specs sheet overall, but on the other, it's the more expensive choice too. There's much to unpack here, so let's start. For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor's...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s24_vs_xiaomi_14_review_battery_camera_price_compared-news-61697.php

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra arrives with brighter lens, bigger battery, Week 8 in review

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is here. The Chinese launch happened just before the Mobile World Congress started but the global announcement takes place today. The 14 Ultra made refinements to the design and the cameras - the main camera has a second generation 1-inch sensor and a brighter f/1.63 to f/4 stepless aperture. The periscope zoom lens also got a bump from an f/3.0 to an f/2.5, while the rest of the imagers remained the same. Xiaomi added the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, up to 16GB of RAM, a bigger 5,300mAh battery, and two-way satellite communication on the special Titanium Edition of the...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/the_xiaomi_14_ultra_arrives_with_brighter_lens_bigger_battery_week_8_in_review-news-61741.php

Weekly poll results: AI is not widely used yet, but it has a wide variety uses

For most people, AI is just not a tool they use daily – in last week’s poll the majority has not used AI besides maybe a few quick experiments to see what all the buzz is about. However, a third of voters do find occasional use for it and some 15% even use AI daily. What do they use it for? Surprisingly, gaming was by far the least common answer, despite being the first of the current branch of AI to be deployed at scale – Nvidia launched the GeForce 20 series in 2019 with DLSS and has kept improving it ever since. The chat bot topped the chart – people use ChatGPT and others to...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/weekly_poll_results_ai_is_not_widely_used_yet_but_it_has_a_wide_variety_uses-news-61695.php

Samsung boosts trade-in deals for the Galaxy S24 series and the Galaxy Tab S9 series

The legendary Galaxy Note series is no more, Samsung replaced it with the Galaxy S Ultra series. If you’re still holding on to a Note, now might be the best time to swap it for its successor as Samsung.com offers some heavily boosted trade-in deals. For example, the Galaxy Note20 Ultra from 2020 normally fetches $200, but is now worth $600 trade-in credit. There’s more – the Galaxy Note8, Note9 and Note10 will get you $400 credit right now (normally, they are closer to $100). And this might be a mistake on Samsung’s part, but it’s on the list – the Galaxy Note3 is also valued at $400....

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_boosts_tradein_deals_for_the_galaxy_s24_series_and_the_galaxy_tab_s9_series-news-61731.php

Here's how to watch the Honor Magic6 Pro global debut live

Honor is hosting its MWC event on February 25 in Barcelona, Spain, for the global debut of the Magic6 series, which will be joined by the Magic V2 series, Honor Pad 9 tablet and the MagicBook Pro 16 laptop. The event will begin on February 25 at 1:30 PM CET, and those who cannot attend it in person can follow it live with us by tuning to the stream below. The event will also be live-streamed on Honor's website, X account, and Facebook page. The Honor Magic6 series includes three smartphones - Magic6, Magic6 Lite, and Magic6 Pro. But the Lite model has already escaped China, so it will...

Source: https://www.gsmarena.com/honor_magic6_pro_global_debut_mwc_2024_event_live_stream-news-61747.php