Just last week, the company has confirmed the rear panel design of the soon-to-be-official Pixel 4. Over the years, leaks have been spoiling the launch events of Google, so they simply acknowledged what’s been floating on the internet.

This time around though, we have an actual Pixel 4 in the flesh. Google‘s upcoming flagship phone has been spotted by a 9to5Google tipster being used in public. While the images are quite low in quality, they further confirm the existence of the square camera module on the back of the new Pixel device.

The spy shots of the Pixel 4 don’t provide any extra info aside from the position of the secondary microphone on top. The phone is clearly sitting in a fabric case, too. It appears to be similar to the official cases by Google for the current Pixel lineup, no surprises there.

Image credit: 9to5Google

Additionally, according to 9to5Google‘s source, the device was spotted in London. There are no available images of the phone’s front, but the tipster confirmed that the rumored “forehead” of the Pixel 4 is real and it’s quite large. It’s expected to house two front-facing cameras, just like the Pixel 3 models.

Seeing an unannounced Pixel device doesn’t come as a shock. This ain’t the first time a Google product was leaked prior to its launch. We’re expecting to see more Pixel 4 leaks in the coming weeks or months until it goes official later this year.

SEE ALSO: Google provides official preview of Pixel 4

Huawei is still in hot waters because of the US trade ban, but that doesn’t mean things aren’t moving forward for the company. Back in February, the Chinese tech giant announced its foldable phone: the Mate X. The folding smartphone is initially scheduled to become available before the end of June; however, Huawei has a new release date.

The latest news about Huawei’s foldable phone comes from CNBC. According to a Huawei spokesperson, the company will launch the Mate X in September which is three months later than the initial plan.

The reason for the delay stems from Samsung‘s Galaxy Fold fiasco. The spokesperson said that Huawei is doing extra hardware tests and compatibility trials with carriers around the world. The company is also working with developers to make sure their apps will take advantage of the foldable phone’s form factor.

Huawei Mate X | GadgetMatch

It’s not surprising that Huawei is being cautious about releasing the Mate X half-baked after Samsung failed to pioneer the foldable phone market with multiple issues, especially regarding the display.

As you know, Samsung’s Galaxy Fold screen started to malfunction and break when tested by reviewers. Samsung eventually canceled the pre-orders for the phone and promised to fix things first.

When everything is set, Huawei will roll out the Mate X globally, focusing on markets where 5G is and will be available soon. The foldable 5G phone is set to go on sale for EUR 2,299 or roughly US$ 2,580, although there’s no update if Huawei will adjust the pricing after the delay.

SEE ALSO: Huawei’s foldable phone is delayed to make sure it won’t end up like Samsung’s

We’re about to hit the half-way mark of 2019, and with most major smartphone launches out of the way, it’s time to pick the best models so far.

After numerous new products around the globe, it’s impossible to cover everything and provide a top-to-bottom ranking. With this in mind, these are the top smartphones we actually tested and believe are front-runners till the end of the year.

In no particular order, here they are:

Xiaomi Mi 9

Whenever a new Mi flagship comes out, people’s heads turn. The Mi 9 is this year’s first “flagship killer,” owning the specs and attractive price tag that made the more premium brands rethink their marketing strategies. Despite being one of the earliest to release this year, its price-to-performance ratio is still one to beat.

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Even though the Galaxy S10+ borrows several key features from the past generation, it does so with grace. By combining the best of the best, we have a flagship smartphone that’s more refined inside and out compared to the other entries on this list. It may not be groundbreaking, but Samsung nailed what we want in a high-end device.

Huawei P30 Pro

Controversies and trade ban aside, the P30 Pro set the highest bar for smartphone photography this year. Its zooming capabilities are unreal, and when combined with the advanced image processing and incredible battery life, this is practically a standalone camera replacement. Let’s just hope the second half of the year is nicer to Huawei.

OPPO Reno 10x Zoom

OPPO made it clear that they’re serious about the premium segment when it unveiled the Find X last year. The Reno follows up on that ambition with an impressive set of rear cameras and one of the most unusual selfie shooters we’ve ever seen. It owns some of the best internal hardware, as well, making this a lot more well-rounded than you’d expect.

Google Pixel 3a

Months of leaks and rumors eventually blossomed into the lower-end sibling of the much-loved Pixel 3. Google’s Pixel 3a makes a few compromises here and there, yet retains the features we truly want, such as the unmatched single rear camera and always up-to-date software — all in a package that costs only US$ 399.

OnePlus 7 Pro

OnePlus may have veered away from its affordable pricing strategy, but the OnePlus 7 Pro justifies the price hike with possibly the best smartphone screen in the market, along with a gorgeous design and unrivaled specifications. This gadget most definitely does not settle.

Honorable Mention: Redmi K20 Pro

We’re currently in the process of reviewing this device, but from what we can tell so far, this is indeed a winner. As the spiritual successor to last year’s smash hit, the Pocophone F1, the Redmi K20 Pro looks to become 2019’s one true flagship killer. It’s got everything, from the sharp looks and top-shelf specs, to the high-tech cameras and lovely price.