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  • Is Samsung’s Newest Phone Worth the Price? Galaxy S10+ Review

    Is Samsung’s Newest Phone Worth the Price? Galaxy S10+ Review

    Samsung is the big dog in the world of Android phones. Their Galaxy line is a juggernaut, largely defining each era of Android smartphones. Their newest phone, the massive Galaxy S10+ with its unusual hole-punch design in the front is upon us. Is the newest Galaxy phone worth the $1000 price of entry?

    Galaxy S10+ Review

    Galaxy-S10
    Photo Credit: CNET

    Specs

    Under the hood, the Galaxy S10 and S10+ both sport all the bells and whistles you expect from a modern flagship phone. This includes the Eight-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 CPU, 12 MP main camera, 4100mAh battery in the Plus model and flashy specs like an in-screen fingerprint scanner and wireless charging.

    The most noticeable feature about the phone, however, is that weird hole-punch in the top corner. It’s incredibly eye-catching, and you’ll often find your eye drawn to it during normal use of the phone. This isn’t a case like the iPhone X’s notch, which fades from your notice shortly after using it.

    The Issues

    If you’ve used a Galaxy phone in the last three years, you know that they’re great. The phones are fast, responsive and sport beautiful screens and great cameras. However, the Galaxy S10 has some noteworthy issues we want to discuss.

    The first is that in-screen fingerprint scanner. It’s a 3D scanner, mounted under the screen and impossible to see unless you shine a flashlight at the screen. However, it’s tiny, much smaller than a fingertip and hard to use. It often misses the finger, takes several seconds to unlock, and makes using the phone awkward and cumbersome.

    The phone also comes pre-loaded with shovelware, even if you buy it unlocked directly from Samsung. Within, you’ll find McAfee antivirus cooked into the OS, Facebook (which can’t be uninstalled), your photos will want to share your location with FourSquare, and both FlipBoard and Spotify are on the phone when you open it.

    Bottom Line

    The Galaxy S10 is $900, while the S10+ is $1,000. For those prices, you could opt instead for an iPhone XR, a much more user-friendly and well-designed phone. If you want to keep your phone in Android’s ecosystem, you could opt for any number of more affordable options from Huawei, OnePlus or even one of Samsung’s own older Galaxy phones.

    For the huge price tag, it’s not much worth getting a Samsung Galaxy S10 or S10+. Opt instead for the S9 if you’re dying to own a modern Galaxy phone.

  • Samsung Delays Galaxy Fold Launch Events

    Samsung Delays Galaxy Fold Launch Events

    The Galaxy Fold is hitting some snags. It’s been reported that the first-of-its-kind foldable smartphone is having some serious issues with its early review models. Flickering, dying screens, bulges in the hinges and even full internal screen failures have been common with early review models.

    In a reportedly unrelated move, Samsung has delayed two Galaxy Fold launch events. Now its unclear if the Fold will be hitting its shipping dates on time. However, Samsung holds that the delay in the April 23rd and 24th events were delayed due to issues with the venue, not the phone.

    Galaxy Fold Launch Events Delayed

    Casting Doubt

    When the Galaxy Fold was first announced, it was greeted with cautious optimism by smartphone enthusiasts. However, there are now a number of questions being asked about the incredibly expensive folding handset.

    The Galaxy Fold will retail for around $2,000, making it one of the most expensive smartphones ever released. On top of being incredibly pricey and sporting an unusual design, early issues with review models have some people wondering whether the phone will even be worth that price tag.

    Folding Phones

    Some have even gone so far as to question whether folding smartphones are going to work out. The apparent fragility of the phone and its supposed lack of difference from existing Galaxy phones has many enthusiasts worried. Will general consumers even be willing to drop thousands of dollars on a phone that could break so easily?

    Official Word

    The official word from Samsung is that the Galaxy Fold is still on track for its April 26th launch date. While Samsung assures the public that the phones will be moving along at a good clip, many are drawing parallels to the disastrous Galaxy Note 7 launch. During that launch, many people noted their Note 7’s batteries overheating and even catching fire in some cases.

    Time will tell if the tremendously expensive foldable phone, which sports double the screen size in the same space as a normal smartphone, proves popular enough to overcome these early hurdles. Samsung certainly has their work cut out for them convincing the public that the Fold is worth the expense.

  • Which Smartwatch Should You Buy? Samsung vs Apple

    Which Smartwatch Should You Buy? Samsung vs Apple

    The Apple Watch Series 4 finally has a true competitor in the form of the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. The two tech giants are each pitting their best wearable tech against the other. If you’re wondering which of these two excellent smart watches is right for you, read on.

    Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

    Price Point

    The first, and most notable, aspect of the two watches when paired head-to-head is the price point. Where the Galaxy Watch only costs $200, the Apple Watch Series 4 is double that price. That’s a pretty stark difference out of the gate. Does Apple do anything different enough to merit that huge uptick in price?

    Appearance

    The next most obvious difference between the two watches is the shape and appearance. The Apple Watch has the distinct square shape and rounded bezels that make it look like a baby iPhone X strapped to your wrist.

    The Galaxy watch, meanwhile, sports a round face that looks more reminiscent of a traditional watch face. Both are stylish, with large screens and bright colors.

    Fitness Features

    The main show with both of these smart watches is the fitness features. Both watches track your fitness activity an let you set daily goals. The Apple Watch can automatically detect swims, while the Galaxy can auto-detect cycling. Both are water-resistant, so they can both function as swim trackers.

    Both offer breathing exercises, GPS solutions and fun visuals to track your various fitness activities. The Apple Watch is a bit faster to note heartrate changes and keeps up quickly with what you’re doing.

    Bottom Line

    Both watches feature ample smartwatch features, such as getting texts and notifications on your wrist and even answering calls through your watch. While the Apple Watch is the significantly pricier option, it’s sufficiently different to be its own thing.

    Which one is right for you? Well, if you like Apple’s iOS and general feel, you’ll love the super-premium Apple Watch. If you like Samsung’s simple, straightforward and third-party forward design style, you’ll love the Galaxy Active.

  • Early Galaxy Fold Models Experiencing Critical Failures

    Early Galaxy Fold Models Experiencing Critical Failures

    Samsung’s taking a huge gamble with their foldable smartphone. The Galaxy Fold is the first foldable smartphone with a plastic display hitting the market. However, within a few hours of each other, several prominent reviewers had their Fold review models begin experiencing critical screen failures and issues.

    Galaxy Fold Early Woes

    The Errors

    The errors on display have varied by reviewer, but they almost all include issues with the inner screen. The fold has a normal, Gorilla Glass display on the outside. The inside of the phone sports a huge 10-inch screen that folds in the middle, and this is the one experiencing issues.

    Primarily, the issues appear to be related to parts of the screen flickering, blacking out or breaking. One reviewer has a strange bulge under their screen. Another reviewer has one half of their screen blacked out entirely. Yet another has one side of the screen flickering and washing out in strange patterns.

    Crucial Points

    This is a critical point for Samsung. As the first company to hit the market with a foldable phone, all eyes are on them to deliver a top-quality product. With so many reviewers experiencing issues with their early production models, concerns are growing that Samsung’s ambitious phone might be dead on arrival.

    Samsung has stated that they’re aware of the issues the reviewers are having and are sending technicians out in person to review the damage.

    Causes

    It’s unclear what, exactly, is causing the damage to the screens. There is a thin layer of protective film on the inner screen that has is to not be removed. Some of the reviewers removed this film, resulting in the issues. Others, however, didn’t remove it and are still experiencing strange problems with their screens.

    Hopefully Samsung will be able to address the problem with the screens before the first mass production models hit store shelves. For Samsung, if the Galaxy Fold goes down as a buggy, easily-broken mess, then foldable displays might be perceived as an unrealizable fad.

  • Galaxy S10 Too Pricey? Say Hello to LG G8

    Galaxy S10 Too Pricey? Say Hello to LG G8

    The Android phone market is rather saturated at the moment. Between Samsung’s numerous Galaxy handsets, Google’s Pixel line and ample competition from other third-party developers, Android users have a ton of options. The newest competition for Samsung’s Galaxy S10 flagship phone is the LG G8, a more budget-friendly Android heavy-hitter.

    LG G8

    Head to Head

    The LG G8 is expected to retail for around $820, a solid $80 less than Samsung’s own Galaxy S10. How does it stack up in terms of features, though? Well, the G8 sports a 6.1-inch display, gorgeous OLED screen and bright colors contrasted with deep blacks.

    The design is entirely water-resistant, like all modern smartphones, and it sports wireless charging capabilities. It runs on the same Android Pie operating system as the S10, and sports similar specs. The Snapdragon 855 chipset is as impressive as ever here, and the 3,500-mAh battery offers ample time away from the charger.

    What’s Different

    There are a few things going on here that set the G8 ThinQ apart from the competition. One such wrinkle is the presence of an actual headphone jack, something that premium smartphones haven’t sported for a couple of years. While most phones offer a dongle to convert your old-school headphones to USB-C, it’s nice to not need that.

    Is it Worth It?

    Samsung announced an astonishing five new phones while LG was launching the G8. Among them are the Galaxy Fold, the long-rumored folding phone that Samsung has been teasing for years. It’s clear that the LG G8 ThinQ has to go head-to-head with the Galaxy line.

    From price point to features, the G8 is clearly a direct challenge to Samsung. Can it stand up against the competition though? Aside from the headphone jack and a unique look, it doesn’t bring a lot to the table. Its features are largely found elsewhere, done better and with more style.

    Bottom Line

    The Samsung Galaxy S10 is a bit pricier, but only a bit. For an extra $80 you can upgrade to the best Android phone money can buy. If the LG G8 cost $700, or maybe $600, this would be a different article altogether. However, for the surprising sticker price of $820, it’s simply not worth it.

    Everything you find here is solid, but is done better on other phones in the same price range. After all, you could spend a similar amount of money on a Google Pixel 3 and end up with a much superior product. Sadly, this is a phone for no one: not high-end enough to beat Samsung, not inexpensive enough to be a budget option.

  • Even More Samsung Phones on the Horizon

    Even More Samsung Phones on the Horizon

    Samsung Galaxy S9’s are the newest Samsung phones, right? No, actually, the Galaxy S10 line just launched. There’s an S10 Plus that’s larger, and there’s the normal one. There’s even more Samsung phones coming soon: the massive Note 10 phones will be the follow-up to last year’s Note 9 phones.

    According to new rumors swirling, the Note follow-ups could be coming as soon as the end of this Summer. This would bring Samsung up to staggering 7 new phone releases in fiscal 2019. Could this kind of release schedule be sustainable for the Korean manufacturer?

    Samsung Note 10

    Specs

    It’s early yet, but we do know a few things about the Note 10. Firstly, it’ll come in two flavors, one with a 6.28-inch screen and one with a 6.75-inch screen. If those sound like ridiculously huge screens, that’s because they are. Tremendously so. However, that’s the entire appeal of the Note line of phones: they’re essentially phones mixed with tablets.

    Early rumors hold that the Note 10 phones will be released in both LTE and 5G compatible configurations. 5G is the coming network connectivity type that will allow for even faster wireless internet. If these rumors are true, it’s likely we’ll see these phones later in the year, around August or September.

    Samsung’s Release Schedule

    These rumors are a bit confusing, as this would mean that Samsung is releasing a full 7 new phones in the 2019 fiscal year. However, this comes amid the growing concerns that smartphone market saturation is reaching its peak.

    Samsung is, far and away, the most successful phone manufacturer in the world. The Korean phone manufacturer is rivaled only by Huawei, a Chinese smartphone company that is embroiled in legal drama at the moment. However, can even the juggernaut support so many phones coming out so quickly?

    Smartphone Saturation

    Smartphones are slowing in innovation as the limits of handsets are pushed by each new generation. Likewise, smartphone prices have climbed above the $1000 mark for many flagship phones. This has come to result in the slowdown of smartphone sales.

    Consumers hang on to their three- or four-year-old phones in lieu of upgrading for a huge fee. It’s not hard to see why: wages have been flat for decades in the West, and inflation hasn’t been met with rising wages. Can Samsung support a release schedule of so many high-priced phones in the face of this economic reality?

  • 5G Smartphones: What Phones Will Use the New 5G Tech?

    5G Smartphones: What Phones Will Use the New 5G Tech?

    5G technology is on the horizon, and we can expect to see the first phones using the new tech by the end of the year. Many people have wondered what the first phones using the tech will be.

    Today we’re going to delve a bit deeper into 5G technology and the smartphones we can expect to take advantage of it.

    5G Smartphones

    5G Technology

    5G technology, for the uninformed, is the next step in wireless connections. If you remember back when 3G was phased out in favor of 4G LTE, you’re familiar with what this process looks like. Originally, 4G was only available in large metro areas and only on the newest and best smartphones.

    The roll-out of 5G tech is likely to track quite similarly. Much like 4G LTE, 5G is a huge step up in terms of speed and accuracy. It will likely first be rolled out to primarily large cities where it can service the largest numbers of users. Over time, it will be rolled out nationwide.

    The Phones

    Most phones that are on the market today will not have 5G compatibility, so this likely won’t even affect you until you upgrade. You won’t need to upgrade for a bit unless you’re living in an early-access area like New York or LA, though.

    If you’re interested in future-proofing, you can pick up one of these 5G-enabled phones in the coming months as they become available.

    Samsung Galaxy S10 5G

    Samsung will be coming out of the gate strong with a 5G version of their Galaxy S10. What can we say about the Galaxy S10 that hasn’t already been said? It’s a great phone with a great suite of useful features, a beautiful display and a stellar processor. Add lightning-fast 5G speeds to that and you’ve got a real winner.

    iPhone 12

    We know what you’re thinking: iPhone 12? They haven’t even released the 11 yet! Well, rumor has it that Apple likely won’t be rolling out 5G integration on this year’s upgrade. Given the slow roll-out of 5G nationally, Apple’s focus won’t be on that tech until 2020, with the eventual launch of the iPhone 12.

    Huawei Mate X

    If you don’t mind importing, or dealing with a somewhat shady company, the Huawei Mate X will be releasing later this year. This folding, 5G-ready phone looks like a sci-fi device. The Chinese smartphone maker Huawei has been in hot water recently over some scandals, but they still make great phones.

  • Our Favorite Android Phones

    Our Favorite Android Phones

    The Android platform for smartphones is a very popular operating system. Many people are often wondering what the best phone on the OS is. If you’re looking to get the biggest bang for your buck with an Android phone, you might be wondering what our picks are.

    Today, we’re breaking down our favorite Android phones.

    Our Favorite Android Phones

    Samsung Galaxy S10

    Samsung’s name is nearly synonymous with high-quality Android phones. The Galaxy line has been consistently impressive in the decade since its launch, and the S10 is no exception. This phone has a big, beautiful screen and a wonderful display. If you’re a fan of watching videos or playing games on your phone, the Galaxy S10 is a great phone for you.

    Likewise, the processor in the S10 is a fantastic companion for gaming and multitasking. It’s fast-paced, allowing for quick flipping to various apps and high productivity. In short, the S10 is one of the best phones on the Android OS. It’s on the pricey side, however, as it’s the newest smartphone from Samsung. It comes in at $750

    Google Pixel 3

    Google’s becoming a big name in the world of Android phones recently, which is an interesting twist. Despite owning the Android operating system, Google hasn’t been a huge name in terms of hardware until recently. The Pixel 3 sports a beautiful display, a top-notch camera and a stellar processor.

    The Pixel also offers a great series of features, including wireless charging, water-resistance and a Night Mode for shooting in low-light conditions. There’s a lot to love about the Pixel, though it is a bit more expensive than the Galaxy S10. Starting at $799 for the normal Pixel 3, that shoots up to $999 for the XL version.

    OnePlus 6T

    If you’re looking for a great value on a high-tech smartphone, the OnePlus 6T is a huge bargain. Coming in at $550, the 6T is an import-only phone but a surprising value for the price. It sports a slick in-display fingerprint scanner, a gorgeous screen and good cameras.

    While it’s not going to go toe-to-toe with Google or Samsung’s phones, the OnePlus 6T is still a solid phone for Android lovers. If you’re looking for a high-quality smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, the 6T is a great place to start. It’s at the intersection of high tech and budget friendly.

  • Android: The Story of the Biggest Mobile Operating System

    Android: The Story of the Biggest Mobile Operating System

    When Apple unveiled the iPhone in 2007, it started the smartphone revolution. It’s hard for some people to remember a time before smartphones, in fact.

    However, for those who kept up with technology back in the late 2000s, it was like watching history unfold before one’s eyes.

    Shortly after the introduction of the iPhone, Google purchased Android, Inc., a company hard at work on their own mobile operating system.

    The Android system would function as a platform-agnostic OS for use by any third-party phone manufacturer. The rest, as they say, is history…

    The Story of Android

    Beginnings

    Android Inc. began work on the Android OS in 2005, a full two years before their acquisition by Google. When Apple up-ended the mobile phone market with the iPhone in 2007, Google moved quickly to get their slice of the pie. They snatched up Android, Inc. and unfurled plans to license the OS for third-party phone manufacturers.

    In this way, Android is not dissimilar from Microsoft’s Windows operating system. Much like Windows, Android can be used on third-party hardware, is more “open,” and competes directly with a proprietary Apple system.

    Hardware

    The very first commercially-available Android device was the HTC Dream, released in September 2008. This began the long-lasting association between HTC and Android, as HTC’s flagship phones defined the Android platform for years.

    However, HTC’s dominance in the field would wane eventually. In recent years, HTC has been eclipsed by Samsung’s Galaxy line of phones. Likewise, Google’s own Nexus line of devices has since given way to the Google Pixel lineup. Countless other devices have used the Android OS, from Motorola to Huawei, and the platform runs nearly unopposed in the Chinese smartphone market.

    Today

    In the modern era, Android supports 2 billion users, making it the largest mobile OS in the world by a wide margin. This is due to a few factors. For one thing, it has no meaningful competition outside of Apple’s iPhone line of products. While some competitors, like Windows Phone, have appeared, they’ve largely been unable to make a dent in Android.

    While iPhone’s Apple OS is a solid and user-friendly mobile OS, its biggest limitation is also its biggest strength. It’s closed-off and appears only on Apple devices. Android, on the other hand, is an open OS that can appear on pretty much any manufacturer’s phones. This gives it reach that Apple’s OS simply can’t have, as only so many iPhones will be sold.

    The future today seems to be quite bright for the Android OS. As it stands, it seems unlikely any other mobile OS could overtake the dominant Android. Even Apple, with their highly successful iPhone, isn’t in any danger of being overtaken by a new competitor. Time will tell, however, what new permutations the Android OS takes as phone change and evolve with new technology.

  • Best HTC Phones for Android: Our Take

    Best HTC Phones for Android: Our Take

    HTC was once the big name in Android phones. In recent years, they’ve fallen off a lot in favor of Samsung’s seemingly unstoppable Galaxy line of phones. However, HTC still has a lot to offer in the Android space for people looking for a great phone. Today we’re going to break down some of the best HTC phones you can find today.

    Best HTC Phones

    HTC 10

    The HTC 10 was released way, way back in January of 2017, making it a bit of a dinosaur by smartphone standards. However, as many people have noted, phones have largely plateaued in the intervening two years, and even phones from early 2017 are still viable for many people.

    The HTC 10 retails for around $500, making it a great budget pick for Android users. The phone’s build is sturdy, and it’s got a great design that makes it attractive and durable. If you’re looking for an affordable smartphone with a great camera and solid battery life, the HTC 10 is a great pick for you.

    HTC U11

    The HTC U11 first made it on to the scene in December of 2017, making it nearly a full year younger than the HTC 10. There’s a lot to love about the U11. It’s very colorful, glossy and flashy, making it a flagship-looking phone at an affordable price. You can still pick this phone up for somewhere in the range of $650.

    The first waterproof HTC flagship, the U11 has a lot to offer for Android lovers. The specs under the hood are comparable to other major Android releases, making this a great pick for those looking for power. It also sports an interesting feature called EdgeSense, which is a squeezable “button” with some interesting uses.

    HTC U11+

    While the HTC U12 is out, it’s got its share of problems. As such, we’re giving the nod for best HTC phone at the moment to HTC U11+. The 128GB of internal storage, the great processor and the stellar screen quality all give the HTC U11+ the edge. If you like a large phone with a big screen, the U11+ is a great pick for you.

    The notable thing about the U11+, though, is that it’s a bit underwhelming in the wider market. If you consider what the phone brings to the table, there are other Android phones that give you a similar (or better) experience. That said, you can often find the U11+ for cheaper than the competition, making it a good budget pick for Android fans.