News
Google Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL still great for photos, now with 90Hz panel
All leaks mostly confirmed
The Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4XL are now official confirming most of the leaks that came out leading up to its launch. So what’s different, what improved, and what stayed the same? We’ll go through all of that right now.
No fancy waterfall displays, just thoughtful design
Google appears to be taking plenty of cues from Apple in the design department in the sense that not much has changed. Looking at the device up front, you might mistake it for the Pixel 2XL. That’s because Google is doing away with the notch but it’s keeping the thick bezel for a reason that we’ll get to later on.
On the back, the most notable difference is the square holding its dual camera setup. Yes, just two. One main shooter and another one that’s “roughly 2x telephoto.” Google says, “While wide angle can be fun, telephoto is more important.”
The back is also moving away from the two-toned design we’ve grown to associate with the Pixel. In its place is a solid glass back with only a single color and a frosted matte coating.
The power button is still a different color from the rest of the phone depending on the variant you choose.
Still the best camera on a smartphone?
Plenty of people are eagerly waiting for the Pixel just to see well they will fair in the camera department. Based on the latest numbers by DxOMark, the Huawei Mate 30 Pro currently holds the crown but that might be quickly taken away soon.
The hardware on the Pixel 4 are as follows: 12.2MP main camera with f/1.7 aperture, plus a 16MP f/2.4 telephoto zoom lens that supports hybrid zoom. But the Pixel has always been more than just hardware.
The true crowning glory of the Pixel cameras is Google’s computational photography. And that applies even on the telephoto lens. It combines both the 2x telephoto lens along with Super-Res Zoom to produce high quality, zoomed in images.
There’s now also what Google is calling Live HDR+. It basically means the HDR application happens real-time. Basically, whatever you see right before you take a shot is the photo that you should expect to come it.
That same feature allows Double Exposure — separate slides for highlights and shadows on Pixel 4 before you take your shot.
Computational photography also lends a huge hand in white balancing along with a wider range for portrait mode, and improved night sight.
That front-camera setup
Again, just like on the iPhone, there’s now a lot going on in that thick forehead bezel.
It’s not home to a bunch of new sensors that work together towards a more secure face recognition suite. There’s the selfie camera, a pair of IR cameras, flood illuminators, and DOT projectors.
Google says it’s the first smartphone equipped with a radar. It enables Motion Sense which Google claims is the fastest and most secure face unlock feature on a smartphone. It also allows you to control the Pixel 4 without touching it — similar to the Air Gestures that Samsung first tried a few years back.
Overall equipped with better hardware
Displays with high refresh rate might be a growing trend and the Pixel doesn’t want to be left behind. The phone is equipped with a 90Hz panel, similar to the one on the most recent OnePlus smartphones.
The rest of the device also gets a spec bump. Powering the Pixel 4 is Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 SoC along with 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage. Nothing to write home about as the numbers pale in comparison to other flagships in 2019. But, again like the iPhone, the Pixel isn’t exactly about the numbers.
You might also be happy to know that both the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL have an IP68 rating.
Pricing and availability
The Google Pixel 4 starts at US$ 799 and will start shipping on October 24. It will come in three colors: Just Black, Clearly White, and Oh So Orange. It will be available through all major US carriers.
The highly-anticipated vivo X300 series is officially coming to the Philippines next week. The smartphones will launch on November 26 via a vivo Philippines Facebook live event starting at 6 in the evening.
There will be three available colorways for the Philippine market: Phantom Black, Dune Brown, and Halo Pink. Memory and storage configurations are yet to be announced.
vivo’s latest flagships were announced globally less than a month ago. They are composed of the vivo X300 and vivo X300 Pro models, which both boast of 200MP ZEISS camera systems.
The Pro debuts a 200MP ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera with an upgraded Ultra-Sensing Sensor HPB.
Meanwhile, the 50MP ZEISS Gimbal-Grade Main Camera boasts of a large 1/1.28″ sensor and industry-leading CIPA 5.5-rated stabilization.
These enable the main camera to deliver more stable, faster, and clearer shots while greatly improving the overall imaging performance.
On the other hand, the X300 features a 200MP ZEISS Main Camera, along with a ZEISS APO Telephoto Camera with a LYT-602 sensor.
Leading performance, efficiency, and endurance
Aside from impressive camera systems, the vivo X300 handsets also feature improvements across OS, performance, and design.
They run on the new OriginOS, which is supported by ultra-core computing, memory fusion, and dual-rendering engines.
Inside, the X300 phones are powered by a Dimensity 9500 chipset jointly defined by vivo and MediaTek.
Built on the 3nm process, the platform delivers exceptional power and remarkable energy efficiency. It features a fully-upgraded 12-core G1-Ultra GPU and ultra-efficient NPU.
In front are 8T LTPO displays (6.31-inch for the X300 and 6.78-inch for the X300 Pro) with up to 2000 nits global peak brightness.
Lastly, the phones have long-lasting batteries (X300 Pro: 6510mAh; X300: 6040mAh) both supporting 90W FlashCharge and wireless charging.
Apps
Android now supports AirDrop!
For years, there was an insurmountable wall between Apple and Android. One ecosystem’s features were constantly unavailable on another’s. However, times are changing. Previously, Apple started supporting RCS messaging, bridging the messaging between the two platforms. Now, Android is getting support for an even major iOS-only feature: AirDrop.
In a world where file sizes keep getting bigger, efficient file sharing services, such as AirDrop, are invaluable. AirDrop allows iOS users within proximity to share files seamlessly with one another. Technically, Android has its own version called Quick Share. However, the feature did not work with AirDrop, creating another rift between the two platforms.
Today, Android has dropped a surprise feature. Quick Share is now compatible with AirDrop. For now, the feature will start with the Pixel 10 series. But Google hopes to roll it out for other devices in the future.
To enable interoperability between the two platforms, the receiver, regardless of Android or iOS, must set their visibility to “everyone for 10 minutes,” meaning including those outside of their contact list. For those who are conscious about security, Android says that the feature will use the Rust programming language to ensure that security remains a priority.
Unlike the vocal spate for RCS messaging, there hasn’t been a comparatively huge clamor for AirDrop on Android. Everyone just seems to take it as granted. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s not a welcome feature. Despite being a complete surprise, it’s a huge boon for Android users with a lot of friends on iOS.
SEE ALSO: Android 16 is here!
News
realme C85 with 7000mAh battery, 5G connectivity officially launches
Starts at PhP 10,989 in the Philippines
The realme C85 5G is now available in the Philippines, marking the biggest leap yet in realme’s C series lineup.
Building on the features of previous releases, the realme C85 is the first to feature a 7000mAh battery plus 5G connectivity, pushing the brand’s budget smartphone line to new heights.
Customers can get the device for as low as PhP 10,989 via realme’s official TikTok Shop, from its SRP of PhP 14,999.
As a launch offer, a free TechLife Power Bank (10000mAh) is also included while supplies last when customers buy via official stores nationwide.
Built for heavy use, realme C85 features triple IP66, IP68, and IP69K water and dust resistance rating, as well as military-grade durability.
It can resist damage from several types of liquids — including household cleaning solutions — and handle accidental drops.
At its heart is a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor for ample performance. The large battery capacity enables all-day use, while 45W SUPERVOOC charging lets users replenish the device’s power up to 50% in just 42 minutes.
In front is a 6.8-inch display with 144Hz refresh rate. The panel also supports 1,200 nits of peak brightness for visibility even outdoors. AI Outdoor Mode also automatically boosts screen brightness and optimizes network performance.
Not to be outdone in the camera department, the C85 has a 50MP AI camera plus handy features like AI Ultra Clarity and AI Edit Genie.
Alongside the 5G model, a 4G variant is also available.
realme Buds Clip also launched
Aside from the C85, realme also launched the new realme Buds Clip, a new open-ear, ear-clip style Bluetooth wearable.
It has 11mm dual-magnet large-amplitude speakers and supports AI Dual-Mic ENC. There are likewise audio enhancements, including NextBass Algorithm, Sound-Leap Directional Tech, and 3D Spatial Audio.
Users can enjoy up to 36 hours of battery life with the charging case. The earphones also provide 45ms low latency, dual-device connection, and even AI real-time translation, among other helpful features.
The realme Buds Clip is priced at PhP 4,999.
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