Weekly Authority: Edition #155
Welcome back The weekly authority, the Android authority Newsletter with the most important Android and tech news of the week. The 155th edition starts now
How did the new Galaxy of Foldable Objects appeal to you? I was interested to see a lot of interest in the Flip 3, but battery size can be a limitation if the words from very, very early reviews are true …
Popular news this week
Galaxy unpacked: Samsung’s August 11 event brought up the new Galaxy Z Fold 3, Flip 3 ($ 1,799 / $ 999), its new Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic ($ 250 / $ 350), and the Buds 2 ($ 160 ).
- The foldables focused on improved mechanics and refined designs, some calling them “S-year” releases that perfected the previous generation rather than aiming for a revolution. We know more when reviews come up.
- I’m also waiting for reviews on the new versions of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. The new Wear OS, the chipset and the calculation of the body fat from the wrist via a body composition sensor are neat, but let’s see how it all works in practice.
- After all, the Buds 2 seemed like the weakest version considering how it messes up the water. Cheaper earbuds are always welcome, but if someone wants to know if the Buds Pro or Buds 2 are better because of names or even prices when the Buds Pro are on sale (usually they are and $ 120 was the lowest price yet ). ), could they get stuck a little?
Samsung rollable: Soon? Samsung recently patented a roll-up phone and some clever renderers figured out what it might look like. Samsung has also protected the names Z Roll and Z Slide.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 4: This was a powerhouse in the traditional non-foldable world, with Xiaomi adding a selfie camera under the display. Interestingly, Xiaomi manager Lu Weibing suggested via Weibo that the phone prioritize a full screen display over selfies and said directly (via translation), “If you are particularly concerned about the effect of selfies, I recommend you take one [punch-hole] Screen.”
- Xiaomi has also launched a questionably menacing CyberDog robot, while the Mi Tab 5 release was stifled by not a word of global availability and the approach of just copying the iPad Pro.
Honor Magic 3: This new flagship from Honor was a fresh start for the former Huawei offshoot and still has plenty of roots in Huawei’s design elements and specs – but that’s not unexpected given the cycle of phone releases. The Magic 3 was launched as a series, with the top-spec Pro Plus equipped with all the latest features, at a corresponding price: € 1,499 (~ $ 1,759) for the single configuration, a 12 GB / 512 GB device.
Pixel 5a: It looks like the Pixel 5a might be out soon, possibly even next week, based on reports. The problem is that it will only appear in the US and Japan for unknown reasons, although it is likely related to delivery bottlenecks.
Apple: iPhone 13 (aka the next iPhone) reports came from this week Bloomberg, which highlighted improvements like new camera features, better displays with higher refresh rates, improved performance, longer battery life, and a smaller notch. That’s basically what iPhones do for most years, with the streak sticking to a Mini, Pro Max, and two models in between. Will Apple really stick to the classic Bad luck 13 or mix up its naming system?
- Also at Apple: His decision to review photos on devices for CSAM echoed during the week of criticism and concern, and revelations that Apple employees also eagerly discussed on its internal Slack channels (MacRumors).
- VP Craig Federighi had to admit that Apple handled it badly, stressing that scans only apply to photos sent to iCloud, and in the US only for the time being.
- It may be a little late on the frontline of damage control, but has that even carried over to the average iPhone user?
reviews
- Poco F3 GT in the test: high performance, low price
- Hands on: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 impressions and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 impressions?
features
- Samsung’s innovative streak is fighting an uphill battle with Android.
- The future of PC gaming is portable
- Samsung has its own AI-developed chip. Soon others will (Wired).
- In the mysterious, semi-illegal, high-stakes world where … the best mangoes in the world are imported via WhatsApp (Eater).
- Oh UFOs where are you Five reasons why it is so scientifically difficult to clarify all of this.
- Typos, tricks, and misprints: why is English spelling so strange and unpredictable? (aeon.co).
- Also a new feature in a different sense: Android Authority now has Dark Mode! Try it out with a toggle switch in the top right corner of the desktop and it should automatically match your settings on Android. I can’t say for sure what will happen on the iPhone, but hopefully automatically?
Tech calendar
- 18th of August: Realme Fan Festival – Realme GT Master Edition Series and new Xiaomi devices launch?
- August 19th: Opposite “special camera event”.
- Also in August: Pixel 5a? Android12?
Tech tweet of the week
The very first picture of the earth and moon in a single frame. Taken in 1979 by Voyager 1 from a distance of 11.66 million km!
(Credit: NASA / JPL) pic.twitter.com/GEpYQ08Qf6
– World and Science (@WorldAndScience) August 12, 2021
Have a great week!
Tristan Rayner, Managing Editor