Qualcomm

OnePlus Watch 2 Review: It’s Close to Android Smartwatch Perfection

Android users have long expressed frustration with the lack of compelling Wear OS smartwatch options compared to the seamless integration and features enjoyed by Apple Watch users through the iOS ecosystem. We’ve seen multiple companies try and fail at Android Watches for multiple reasons, including a lack of features or simply horrific battery life. The OnePlus Watch 2 aims to tackle these issues with a premium design that uses a dual-engine architecture with two flagship chipsets to optimize performance so the Watch 2 can deliver up to 100 hours of battery life in Smart Mode with full Google apps integration.


Best of MWC 2024: AI Takes Focus, but Hardware Still Rules

Mobile World Congress (MWC) – the trade show that’s all about mobile tech – just took place in Barcelona last week, so here’s a recap of the best stuff I saw at the event. Not surprisingly, AI was the buzzword du jour at MWC this year – just like it was at CES in January – but this didn’t detract from manufacturers launching some interesting products and showing off exciting concepts.



OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition: The Perfect Smartphone If You’re a Fan of the Game (or the Color Purple)

If you read Dan’s review of the OnePlus 12R, you already know it delivers a premium experience in almost every way. But if you’re a Genshin Impact fan or the Iron Gray and Cool Blue colorways don’t quite do it for you, you’ll be glad you waited for this. The OnePlus 12R Genshin Impact Edition inherits the OnePlus 12R’s flagship specs, specifically tailored for Genshin Impact enthusiasts.




OPPO Find X7 Ultra Review: A Premium Photography Powerhouse, but You Should Expect a Few Trade-offs, Since It’s a Chinese Market Exclusive

There’s a certain allure to having a different smartphone than anyone else, and there are so many interesting phones with amazing hardware that are only meant for the Chinese or other global markets that far too often do not include the United States. The China-exclusive OPPO Find X7 Ultra is just such a device, but there is still much to admire, even if it isn’t specifically meant for the U.S. market.


OnePlus 12 Review: OnePlus Delivers an Affordable Android Flagship That Should Make Google, Samsung, and You Take Notice

OnePlus blasted onto the scene in 2014 with the tagline “Never Settle” and an invitation-only limited-release of the One, cheekily billed as a “flagship killer.” The One challenged the status quo by delivering quality and performance at a shockingly affordable price that, for all it offered, some considered “ridiculously cheap.” Ten years later, the OnePlus 12 is the brand’s latest flagship, offering excellent battery life, camera performance, speeds, and charging capabilities. If you’re weighing the pros and cons before purchasing a new flagship from Samsung and Google, you should also consider the OnePlus 12.


IQOO 12 Legend Edition Review: A Sporty Exterior Hints at the Power Inside

IQOO stands for “I Quest On and On.” Though this emerging Vivo smartphone sub-brand may be unfamiliar to those in the U.S., it’s earning a reputation for combining flagship chipsets with smartphones that emphasize mobile gaming. The iQOO 12 Legend Edition adds a sporty twist to premium styling that will appeal to minimalist design fans as it’s a powerful daily driver with few compromises. Although the iQOO brand is aimed at users in Asia, Europe, and Australia, by the end of this review, I think you’ll agree that it’s too bad iQOO hasn’t yet set its sights on the States.





OnePlus Open Review: The Best Foldable Smartphone Available in the U.S. Also Happens to Be the Most Affordable

It’s only been a few weeks since my review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5, which included a comparison of the Z Fold5 to the Google Pixel Fold. With the launch of the OnePlus Open, we now have a third 2023 full-size foldable to explore. Finally, we are getting real U.S. market competition in this exciting smartphone-to-tablet category! Offering impressive specs that include highly capable cameras, the largest foldable inner and main displays in their class, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and the current top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, the Open offers more for less with little compromise.


AT&T Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: Is the OG of Foldables Still the Best Choice?

This year marks a significant shift for Samsung, a company with five generations of the Z Fold series under its belt. What sets this year apart is the emergence of new competitors in the US market, with the Google Pixel Fold already making its presence felt and an upcoming OnePlus foldable on the horizon. With these fresh contenders in the arena, the question naturally arises: Now that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 isn’t necessarily the only choice, is it still the best choice for someone who wants a phone that can unfold into a tablet?


Unlocking the Future: Why Wi-Fi 7 Will Be Essential for Your Evolving Home Network

In a world where connectivity is the lifeblood of our digital existence, Wi-Fi technology continues to evolve at an astonishing pace. While Wi-Fi 6 has only recently made its debut, the relentless demand for faster, more reliable internet connectivity is propelling us into the era of Wi-Fi 7. This next-generation wireless standard is poised to play an even more integral role in our home networks, promising to meet the ever-increasing demands of our modern online lives. So, why is Wi-Fi 7 stepping into the spotlight so soon after Wi-Fi 6? Let’s explore the reasons.


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.


Samsung Unpacked Introduces Latest Folding Flagships, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5; Are You Ready to Upgrade?

At this morning’s Samsung Unpacked event in Seoul, details were revealed regarding the brand’s latest foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold5 and Galaxy Z Flip5. But unlike previous years, Samsung’s no longer one of the (very) few foldable readily available with US carrier financing. Now, we can choose from the Google Pixel Fold, the updated Motorola Razr, and, if the rumors hold true, an upcoming OnePlus device. With more Android foldable choices available, we’ll soon know if the latest Samsung Galaxy offerings will be enough to keep its future-forward users loyal; in the meantime, let’s discuss Samsung’s latest flagship releases.


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!


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.


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!


Qualcomm at MWC Reminds Us That Their Connectivity Runs The World

Qualcomm quietly powers so much of our lives, from the processors in your phone to the connectivity in your house. They never stop innovating, though, and they came prepared to show off at MWC! We’ve gone from SIM cards down to eSIM, but Qualcomm looked at that and thought, “needs to be smaller.” Enter the iSIM, which takes the eSIM to the next step by integrating the SIM directly into the processor. This may not sound like a big deal to the end user, but it will save significant space under the hood. That means more room for your phone…