Android | Gear Diary

UPDATED: At IFA, the Honor Magic V2 Impressed As the V Purse Concept Raised Eyebrows and Questions

During their keynote titled “Unfold Tomorrow,” CEO George Zhao introduced the Honor Magic V2 as the brand’s slimmest and lightest inward-foldable smartphone. Not content to announce only one impressive new foldable at IFA, Zhao then segued to the Honor V Purse. This outward-foldable smartphone concept was described as blurring the lines between technology and fashion. While the Magic V2 seems like the natural progression for Honor’s foldable line, the V Purse concept (if ever made) will be a tougher sell that begs answers to many immediate questions.

Gear Bits, Events

The Promising OPPO Find N3 Flip Is Now on Pre-Sale in China and Coming Soon to Global Markets

Hey, are you on the hunt for a flip phone that’s not only compact but also folds like a champ? Well, guess what? The OPPO Find N3 Flip might just be your dream come true! Freshly announced today and already up for pre-sale in China, it won’t be long before they spill the beans on when the rest of the world can get in on the action.

Gear Bits, Events

TLC 40 NXTPAPER Series Brings Paper-Like Experience and Eye-Care Technology to Its Two Newest Smartphones

TCL has made some really impressive phones that punch well above their category. They’re budget devices loaded with eye-popping screens and excellent cameras. Now TCL is adding a new angle to what makes their phones great by combining it with a different area of screen expertise — NXTPAPER’s paper-like screens on the TLC 40 NXTPAPER Series!

Gear Bits

Unleashing the Power of the Meta Llama 2 LLM: MediaTek Boosts On-Device Generative AI for Edge Devices

The next big thing is always around the corner in the tech world, and artificial intelligence is the newest and most exciting innovation. Sure, AI can power ChatGPT and other engines, but it can also make devices more efficient, learn our habits to adjust our tech to meet our needs, and even improve everything from emailing to photography. MediaTek is looking to help boost that to the next level with their partnership with Meta, Facebook’s parent company, to use the Meta Llama 2 LLM (Large Language Model) to bring on-device generative AI to our pockets and homes.

Gear Bits

Get a Google Pixel Fold from Verizon, and Enjoy the Savings

If you’re a fan of Google Pixel devices, as I am, and you’re curious about their first folding device, you’re going to want to check out these deals on the Pixel Fold from Verizon. I’ve had the 512GB version in Obsidian for a couple of weeks, and I really like it!

Gear Bits

Enjoy Fun and Entertainment at the NYC Samsung Galaxy Experience Space from July 26th Through August 20th

Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked event is coming up on July 26th, and to celebrate, Samsung is bringing back its Galaxy Experience Space in locations around the world, including one at 50 W 34th St in Herald Square in New York, which will run from Wednesday, July 26th and running through Sunday, August 20th.

Gear Bits, Game Diary

OnePlus 11 5G X Genshin Impact Custom Gift Box Looks Like the Perfect Gift for Genshin Fans

If you haven’t yet upgraded to the OnePlus 11 5G and are a Genshin Impact fan, your wait has paid off. For just $50 more than the regular price of the OnePlus 11, on July 21st, you can order the OnePlus 11 5G X Genshin Impact Custom Gift Box. This limited collectible will only be available in an edition of 1000, so you’ll likely have to act fast to score one!

Gear Bits

MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ Makes 5G Even More Affordable

Connectivity isn’t just about being able to post fun selfies on Instagram. It’s a lifeline to a world that’s become increasingly digital. So it’s become incredibly important to offer 5G at every phone level, whether the budget line or the ultimate flagship. MediaTek aims to bring 5G to the masses, and they’re getting one step closer with the new MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ series!

Reviews

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G Review: A Powerful Phone with an Excellent Camera

We’re in an era where there’s a plethora of phone options, especially for Android phones. If you need a bigger screen, a sharper camera, or a more pocketable device, there’s one out there to fit your criteria. We had the chance to test the new Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G, and the camera blew us away!

Gear Bits

Qualcomm Brings Powerful Speed and Visuals with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2!

We depend on our phones for so much, and the baseline expectation of what you expect just keeps getting higher. Luckily, Qualcomm is ready to keep up with the demand, and they’re consistently refining their Snapdragon platform, from the highest flagships to everyday devices. Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is coming to bring the power to more budget-friendly devices worldwide!

Reviews

OnePlus Nord N30 5G Review: At $300, It’s an Excellent, Budget-Friendly Smartphone Choice

The OnePlus Nord series is known for mid-range smartphones that deliver better-than-expected cameras, impressive performance for their class, vibrant displays with fast refresh rates, ample RAM, and features that are generally found on more expensive models; the new OnePlus Nord N30 5G is no exception. The unlocked N30 features a refined slab style, a 108-megapixel main camera, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 8GB RAM (adjustable to 16GB), 128GB user memory, a 5,000mAh battery, and more for just $299.99. Read on to see if this might be a good choice for you.

Reviews

Realme 11 Pro+ 5G Review: A Fashion-Forward Mid-Range Smartphone That Rocks a Flagship-Level Camera

Realme is known worldwide for offering feature-rich smartphones at affordable prices, and their latest model, the realme 11 Pro+ 5G, is no exception. Available in China last month and soon to be available in India and Europe (and available in the US if you don’t mind using a reseller), the 11 Pro + 5G boasts a 200-megapixel camera, 5,000mAh battery, 100W fast wired charging, and impressively, the base memory option starts at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage for well under $500.

Reviews

Vivo V27 and V27 Pro Review: Quality, Affordability, and Impressive Cameras

We get quite a few good phones in the USA, but there are a lot of great devices out there beyond our borders. Vivo makes phenomenal phones, and we were given the chance to check out the Vivo V27 and V27 Pro devices. Are they worth seeking out if you have access in your country or if you’re willing to buy on the gray market? Read on to find out!

Crowdfunding, Reviews

CZUR StarryHub Review: A Smart Projector with AI Intelligence and Much More

I reviewed the CZUR Fancy Pro scanner some time ago and was impressed. So I was excited when the company reached out about an Indiegogo campaign for their newest product, the StarryHub AI projector. As they explain, “This revolutionary device combines a high-resolution projector and camera, offering an unparalleled immersive and interactive experience.” Let’s take a look.

News & Features

The Motorola Razr+ Is Here with Updated Specs and a Hint of 2000’s Nostalgia

Remember the satisfaction of snapping your Motorola Razr flip phone back in the day? In 2019, the brand reinvented the Razr as a full Android Smartphone with a folding display, and now they’ve announced the next iteration with the motorola razr+.

Vehicles & Gear, News & Features

MediaTek and NVIDIA Partner to Make Future Car Cockpits Smarter, Better Connected, and with Enhanced Computing Capabilities

As car interiors get more advanced, vehicle electronics rely on the same technologies found in today’s smartphones, like advanced AI, 5G connectivity, and computing capabilities. MediaTek and NVIDIA have just announced a partnership at Computex that will provide a complete range of AI cabin solutions for the next generation of software-defined vehicles to meet the demand for smarter vehicles.

Reviews

OnePlus Pad Review: A Gorgeous, Sub-$500 Android Tablet That’s Loaded with Useful Features

I’ve felt a sense of frustration because there really weren’t any real options if I wanted to own a stylish, thin, non-iOS tablet with a larger display, but now we have the OnePlus Pad to consider. The Pad is OnePlus’s first tablet, and they’ve loaded it to the gills with goodies, including a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, face unlock, Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos, all-day battery life, and an 11.61″ display with 144Hz refresh rate. Best of all, it is just $479. Is the OnePlus Pad the tablet that Android users have been hoping for?

Gear Bits

Qualcomm Brings Flagship Performance to Their Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 Series!

It seems like what we want and expect from our phones just keeps increasing. What started as just making phone calls on the go has rapidly evolved into a video game console, high-end camera, and even artificially intelligent digital assistants. Our phones need to work even harder to keep up with us, and Qualcomm‘s new Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor is aiming to outrun the competition!

Gear Bits, Events

MediaTek and Bullitt Team Up to Make Rugged Satellite-Capable Smartphones

Now that most areas are blanketed in 5G, companies like MediaTek are looking to the next big thing in connectivity-satellite. Satphones have existed for some time, but satellite to mobile has become a much bigger focus as of late. MediaTek has teamed up with British mobile phone manufacturer Bullitt to power several new rugged satellite-capable devices!

Gear Bits, Events

Realme GT3’s Insanely Fast Charging Makes the Laws of Physics Seem Like Only a Recommendation!

Realme has been a rapidly growing smartphone brand, and they’re looking to stand out with their new device, the realme GT3. The GT3 isn’t just a flagship smartphone; it’s a phone that has literally pushed charging to the limits!

Gear Bits, Events

OPPO Innovates with Their New Find N2 Flip and More!

The focus on foldables has mostly been on ones that expand out into tablet style, but OPPO is interested in tapping into our collective love of flip phones with the new Find N2 Flip!