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Pixel 3 versus Pixel 3a: Which is right for you?

AndroidGuys
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Now that Google has officially released its Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL consumers are likely going to have questions. What is the difference between these and their counterparts which came out roughly six months ago?

It’s easy to throw the word flagship at a phone maker’s annual device, particularly when it might offer multiple products throughout the year. For Samsung, it’s the Galaxy S series. For LG, it’s the G series.

Google, up until today, only offered one model per year. Yes, we know there’s technically two now, but that doesn’t change this particular argument. Bigger screens and batteries don’t qualify as being separate models in our book.

To call the Nexus or Pixel phone a “flagship” is only half accurate. It’s more of a benchmark device than anything. It’s what Google sees as being where phones should be in terms of hardware and software.

Things have changed for 2019. Now we have a high-end and a mid-range take on phones from Google. Let’s break down the differences between the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a. What makes one more expensive than the other? More importantly, does that make it a better phone for your needs?

Price

Price is perhaps one of the first things consumers use when determining whether they will buy something. No matter how much we like something, we’ll pass if we cannot afford to pay for it. To that end, there’s a huge difference between the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a price.

As of today, the Pixel 3 has a starting retail price of $800 for the 64GB model. Contrast that with the Pixel 3a and its $400 sticker. That’s literally half the price and something that opens the door to a much wider audience. Split up over two years we’re looking at about $33/mo. and $16.50/mo., respectively.

Availability

Currently, there are but a few ways to pick up the Pixel 3. You can purchase it unlocked or buy through Verizon. In addition to buying directly from Google, you’ll also see it sold through retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and B&H Photo Video. Consumers can choose from Clearly White, Just Black, and Not Pink color options.

When it comes to the Pixel 3a, things get a little different. In short, it’s even easier to find one of these. Not only can you buy it unlocked in all the normal outlets, you will see it sold with more carriers. Indeed, the Pixel 3a is offered with Verizon as well as T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular. Moreover, it’s coming to carriers like Visible in June, too.

In addition to different carriers, you’ll also find these in a new color, too. Instead of the Not Pink, the Pixel 3a comes in Purple-ish. Dare we say it’s our favorite color scheme yet?

Hardware

We’re surprised by how similar these two devices stack up to each other given the vast difference in price. Both run Android 9 Pie and come with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. And, for the most part, where they differ, it’s not all that much.

The screen sizes and resolution are nearly identical at 5.5-inches (Pixel 3) and 5.6-inches (Pixel 3a). Batteries are also very close at 2,915mAh and 3,000mAh, respectively.

The processor is one area where things are notably different. The Pixel 3a comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor (and Adreno 615 GPU) while the Pixel 3 still has the Snapdragon 845 (and Adreno 630) under the hood.

For most consumers this isn’t going to matter one bit. For heavy users and enthusiasts, however, they’ll want that faster and more powerful CPU/GPU combination. Games, VR, AR, and demanding apps will appreciate the performance and so will users.

Don’t know, or care about what CPU and GPU means on a phone? Go with the Pixel 3a as its hardware is more than enough to power your social media, messaging, casual gaming, and daily tasks.

When it comes to having water resistance or protection against splashes and dunks, you won’t get that in the Pixel 3a. That may or may not be a deal breaker for some. We’ve come to expect it in pretty much all major releases in 2019 but it’s absent here. Gotta cut corners, right?

Speaking of exteriors, the Pixel 3a XL is made entirely from polycarbonate and not the glass and aluminum of the Pixel 3. It’s certainly not as glamorous but it’s got the same design language and looks every bit Pixel.

The camera situation is also an area where the two phones are similar… but they are also different. Sounds confusing, right? It’s not.

The Pixel 3, which is highly praised and respected for its camera, offers a 12-megapixel dual-pixel camera on the back. Around front it has two 8-megapixel cameras, with one of them being wide-angle. Google ran a number of ad campaigns around this feature as it allows for group shots using the front camera.

The Pixel 3a still has the 12-megapixel dual-pixel camera on the back, which is a huge win at this price. The front-facing camera is just one 8-megapixel sensor and it’s not a wide-angle one. The aperture, field of view, microns, and other specs are only slightly different between the two.

Truth be told, we still need to wait for the real world results and examples before we can say more about the camera situation. From what we can tell, though, the Pixel 3a has a really quite a compelling camera experience.

One feature that really sells the Pixel 3a is the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Yes, the cheaper phone has it while the more expensive models do not. We don’t need to tell you how awesome this is.

Software

Both of these phones run Android 9 Pie, the latest version of Google’s software to be released to the public. To that end, each will see updates to Android Q later this year and will pick up timely, consistent patches and bug fixes.

We’re really fond of the cohesive experience that is modern Android on a Pixel phone. It’s the best of what Google has and it rivals what other carriers do even when they try to improve upon it with extras.

Which is Right for You?

Our hot take, immediately after the announcement and release of the Pixel 3a is that it’s the first one we’ll recommend to consumers. Not that it necessarily takes anything away from the Pixel 3, mind you. There’s definitely more bang behind the buck with the standard bearer.

For just $400 Google’s latest phone plays on a different field and puts itself in the place where most consumers reside. For all of the commercials, hype, and fanfare around flagships, the stats are starting to show that buyers don’t flock to the expensive stuff in droves. They’re content to buy last year’s models when they go on sale and hold onto them longer.

We live in a time where phone hardware outpaces our needs and demands. There’s more than enough under the hood for the Pixel 3a to fast track it to the top of our recommendation list.

The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL go official with cheaper price tags, impressive cameras

Matt Adams
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At Google I/O 2019, Google finally gave us our first official look at the budget-friendly Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. The long-rumored and oft-leaked devices were center stage at the company’s developer conferences that featured more than one big announcement.

First, let’s jump into the specs.

The smaller Google Pixel 3a will feature a 5.6-inch 2220 x 1080 OLED display with an 18:9 display aspect ratio and 441 PPI. In the battery department, it’ll have a 3,000 mAh cell that supports quick and wireless charging. The larger 3a XL features a 6-inch 2160 x 1080 OLED display with 402 PPI and a 3,700 mAh battery, also supporting quick and wireless charging.

Internally, we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 SoC, Adreno 615 GPU, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of non-expandable memory. Both devices also have a Titan M chip for enhanced onboard security.

Beyond that, the phones start to look remarkably similar to each other. Both have 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, much like their big brothers, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. We see just two cameras on these wallet-friendlier devices, with a rear 12.2 MP main shooter and an 8 MP front shooter. The main module is set at an aperture of f/1.8 and has dual pixel phase detection and optical image stabilization (OIS). The front-facing camera has an aperture of f/2.0.

So, how do these cameras compare to the more expensive Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL? The jury is still out on if the cameras are just as good, but most of Google’s camera magic happens in software, so we know that we’re going to get great pictures nonetheless. The biggest difference is that the 3a and 3a XL lack the wide-angle front-facing camera that Google has leaned so heavily on in its advertising of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Whether that camera module and step down in processor is worth saving a few hundred dollars will be an interesting discussion among fans and customers, but we do know that portrait mode will be available on both the front and rear cameras.

Price is one area that leaks generally could not agree on. We have known most of the specs for months now, but different prices have been floating around and they varied wildly. Initially set at $499 for the smaller Pixel 3a and $599 for the Pixel 3a XL, we’re actually going to be able to pick the devices up for $399 and $479 respectively– a much more reasonable ask.

When and where to buy the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL

As for when you can actually buy them, you don’t have to wait. The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL are available starting today, May 7, 2019. They’ll be available in a ton of countries including Australia, Germany, Italy, Spain, USA, Canada, India, Japa, Taiwan, France, and more. As for carrier agreements, the Pixel devices had only been previously sold through Verizon (at least in the US), but Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, US  Cellular, Google Fi, and the Google Store will all carry the devices moving forward.

There are three colors, Just Black, Clearly White, and Purple-ish, and they come with a 3.5mm headphone jack, a returning feature to the Pixel phones. We’re also getting support for call screening, active edge, and AR Maps. As with other Pixel devices, three years of software updates are guaranteed.

What do you think about the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL? Are they compelling midrange options or have they missed the mark? Let us know down in the comments.

Master & Dynamic MW65 review

AndroidGuys
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What happens when you pair one of the best headphones in its class with the leading digital assistant? You end up with something like the Master & Dynamic MW65 headphones.

Having had the chance to review multiple models in its portfolio over the years, we’ve really come to appreciate what Master & Dynamic puts forth. It’s not cheap stuff by any means, but it’s built with quality materials and attention to detail. And, of course, the headphones sound tremendous.

The MW65 are the latest in the line of headphones and arrive as the first since the launch of the MW50/MW50+ in late 2016. As the first pair to feature active noise cancelling (ANC), they also boast built-in support for Google Assistant.

We were fortunate enough to have received a demo pair of the MW65 a few weeks ahead of their formal debut. These were the last pre-mass production build and should largely be what consumers see when they ultimately go on sale.

Build

The MW65 comes with a soft protective canvas carrying case with zippered pouch, a flight
adaptor, 3.5mm audio cable for optional wired connection, and both a USB-C charging cable and USB adaptor.

The first thing we noticed about the MW65 was just how similar they looked to other models in the Master & Dynamic line. The color we received, silver and brown, was the exact same configuration as the MW60’s and MW50’s we tested. To us, this was a good sign.

These are the sort of headphones that beg to be looked at before putting them on. The small details are worth looking at, including the stitching, aluminum frame, and the overall textures. They’re nothing like the standard plastic and foam you would see in a cheaply made or lower-end pair of headphones.

The lambskin ear cups are present yet again, making for an incredibly comfortable wearing experience. It didn’t matter if we had these on for 20 minutes or two hours, they always felt good going on. More importantly, they never get to the point where you are essentially anxious about taking them off.

Some headphones, particularly over-ear, can lead to a fatigue of sorts. If you’ve ever had a pair that feels like it’s squeezing your head and pushing on your temples, you know how aggravating and distracting it can be. That doesn’t happen here. As for the ear cups themselves, they can be replaced without any fuss whatsoever. They literally snap on and off inside of seconds.

Google Assistant

Having Google Assistant built directly into your headphones is an interesting experience. Of all the ways we interact with it, this is perhaps the one where you have to “think” about it. On phones, and with smart speakers, it’s often as easy as speaking and/or asking. For headphones like these, you must hold a button down to activate.

It sounds trivial, but there’s something about it that makes it feel more intentional. Does that mean we use it less? At first, yes. There’s a bit of a learning curve in feeling for buttons without looking. Trying to identify the right button is a smidge awkward for the first few times.

Experience

The MW65 can’t necessarily be faulted for employing this tactic to activate Google Assistant. There’s not really any other way to go about it. To that end, you’ll use your volume buttons and music control buttons to manage Google Assistant. The buttons have excellent feedback and travel.

The same can be said of the power, Bluetooth, and ANC buttons. Each has a distinct feel to it and they have very noticeable movement. There’s no accidental pressing here.

We appreciate being able to quickly look at a device to see if it’s charging and that’s possible with the MW65. Moreover, you can also check a light to see the battery level, too. Using green, yellow, and red, one can easily identify where it is in terms of remaining battery.

The MW65 headphones promise 24 hours of playtime but that will vary based on whether you’re using active noise cancelling and how loud you like your music.

Did we ever get to 24 hours? No, but we weren’t trying too hard. Once we got to where it was red we plugged in the headphones overnight and awoke to a full charge. Speaking of battery, the USB Type C charging port lets us charge up around 50% in just 15 minutes.

Sound

The ANC feature is a nice one to have, especially in those times where you really want to dissolve into the music. Listening to podcasts or audiobooks often sounds pretty much the same across over-ear headphones. What’s more, we’re often able to put up with ambient and environmental noises.

When you want warm, rich audio, though, you don’t want to be distracted by chatter on the metro or people and cars at the park. Heck, sitting poolside or at the beach, there are times where we just want to go off the grid and fully immerse ourselves. The MW65 provides just that.

Taking calls on headphones, earbuds, or earphones, is often a weird experience, too. Having audio on both sides of your head can be awkward as we are used to callers coming from one speaker in one ear. The MW65, for its part, doesn’t do anything to change that other than provide a deep, full sound.

For a pair of Bluetooth headphones, the MW65s sound every bit as good as wired models. Further, we suspect that most readers and listeners couldn’t tell the difference between these and other, more expensive wired pairs.

Bass is rich and low but never comes over as heavy or damp. Mids and highs are also very pronounced and the separation between levels is excellent. When you have music that is mastered, or remastered, with attention to fine detail you want headphones that can discern and deliver. These do just that.

Layered and nuanced music really shines with the MW65s. Picking up minor guitar strums, bass pedal squeaks, vocal imperfections, and ambient sounds is really easy when you have a nice pair of headphones.

There’s a reason why The Wall stands the test of time – it’s damn good music. No cover band can do Pink Floyd justice as the band’s warmth and enveloping sound cannot be replicated. When you have the right headphones you can dive right in and find yourself surrounded in that welcoming, atmospheric sound. The MW65 allow us to get comfortably numb.

Conclusion

Given that the Master & Dynamic MW65 cost $499 they’re obviously not for everybody. The price point puts them outside of the area of impulse and “on a whim” buying.

As we pointed out earlier, it’s possible that the average reader couldn’t discern these from other, pricier headphones. The same goes for the other way around, sadly. We imagine there are plenty who wouldn’t pick up subtle differences between the MW65 and something a hundred dollars, or two, cheaper.

We’re not audiophiles and we don’t pretend to be heavy into headphones, drivers, and specifications. That’s just not who we are and we suspect it’s not who our target audience is, either. With that said, we’ve done our fair share of reading up on the Master & Dynamic brand over the years. Everything we’ve ever seen tells us this is a brand to consider.

What we do care about are things like everyday usage, wear and tear, battery, and features like Google Assistant. To that end, the MW65 are built with precision and care and we’ve truly enjoyed our time with them.

A quality pair of headphones is an investment. The right pair will last you years. There’s something to be said about getting what you pay for or cheapening out. These will easily outlast four sets of $150 headphones that you’d buy over the next decade.

Nokia and Best Buy have an awesome $100 discount on the Pureview 9

Andrew Allen
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The Nokia Pureview 9 is a truly unique device from HMD Global with 5 camera sensors to give you some amazing shots. However, with its original price tag of $699, it may have scared a few folks away. Now, the company is giving you a chance to get this great phone from Best Buy at a $100 discount.

That puts the Nokia Pureview 9 at a much more palatable $599. So, for those that haven’t heard, what makes the Pureview 9 so unique? It’s the first smartphone with ZEISS five camera array. The camera takes information from all 5 sensors and then presents a 12MP photo with increased depth of field and dynamic range.

Oh, and the Pureview 9 is an Android One phone. These certified units are guaranteed to get 3 years of monthly security updates as well as 2 years of full OS versions. Android One also comes with no UI or OS alterations completing a smooth, clean version of Google’s operating system.

The remaining specs are pretty competitive for a current Android flagship:

  • Snapdragon 845 processor
  • Qi Wireless Charging
  • Gorilla Glass 5
  • Under screen fingerprint scanner
  • 128GB of internal storage with microSD expansion
  • Unlocked GSM compatibility

Best Buy currently has the discount with the single color SKU of midnight blue available for the $100 discount. It’s also worth a mention that the discount goes another $50 further if you activate the Pureview during purchase. This brings the take-it-home price down to $549 for a really good phone from Nokia and HMD Global.

We’ve not had hands-on time with the Nokia Pureview 9 yet, but reviews have been mostly positive. Either way, the specs alone say this is a deal worth pondering. Pair that with Android One and all it’s a promise you have a very compelling combination. The offer started this Sunday on May 5th and will end on May 11.

Let us know if you find any other great deals on the Pureview 9, or if you take Best Buy up on this current offer in the comments.

Paint it black: Android Auto gains dark mode and new UI

AndroidGuys
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Google’s approach to in-car navigation and technology, Android Auto, gets a fresh coat of paint this summer. Key among the changes is a new, default dark mode.

The phone-powered entertainment and information center that is Android Auto is approaching five years old and, as such, is due for a design refresh. Things have changed in the half-decade since launch and Google feels it has a more intuitive way of doing things.

The new look to Android Auto will be shown off at Google I/O 2019 but we’ve already got a few screen shots to see get a glimpse of what is in store.

Since we started five years ago, Android Auto has expanded to support more than 500 car models from 50 different brands, and we aren’t pumping the brakes there!

As you can see from the images here, the new UI is more in line with today’s design language and features a persistent navigation bar at the bottom. Rather than white buttons on a black background, users will see some apps taking over larger swaths of the screen and offering more control.

  • Get on the road faster: As soon as you start your car, Android Auto will continue playing your media and show your navigation app of choice. Simply tap on a suggested location or say “Hey Google” to navigate to a new place.
  • Stay on top of your apps: With the new navigation bar, you’ll be able to see your turn-by-turn directions and control your apps and phone on the same screen.
  • Do more with less taps: With the new navigation bar, you’ll be able to easily control your apps with one tap. Get turn-by-turn directions, rewind your podcast or take incoming call all on the same screen.
  • Easily manage communications: The new notification center shows recent calls, messages and alerts, so you can choose to view, listen and respond at a time that’s convenient and safe for you.
  • A color palette that’s easy on the eyes: We’re evolving Android Auto’s design to fit in better with your car’s interior. A dark theme, coupled with colorful accents and easier to read fonts, also helps improve visibility.
  • A screen fit for more cars: If you have a car with a wider screen, Android Auto now maximizes your display to show you more information, like next-turn directions, playback controls and ongoing calls.

Using Google Maps, for instance doesn’t require you to have the full app open on the display. The navigation bar shows your step-by-step directions at the bottom, similar to how it works on your phone. Likewise, if you have Spotify playing in the background, you can have the playback controls show at the bottom of your map.

The navigation bar also offers instant access to Google Assistant, making the tool even more readily available.

Best Sellers

Moto expands walk-in repair services with CPR: Cell Phone Repair

Andrew Allen
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Late last year Motorola announced that the company would start offering customers the option to use popular iFixit stores for on the spot repairs for Moto phones outside the factory warranty. Today, it expands this program to CPR: Cell Phone Repair. You can now take a broken Moto phone to any of CPR’s 500 locations across the United States.

While many retail fronts will offer to fix devices that have a busted screen, this new partnership is quite different. The parts used by CPR are officially licensed and produced directly by Motorola. You can then rest assured that the parts were indeed made specifically for your model phone.

Motorola states that giving consumers certified options to fix their phones locally is a key goal for the company and its brand. Not only will Motorola provide the OEM parts for repair, it will also provide training to CPR engineers to ensure they have hands-on training with the devices before they are set to repair them on the fly.

Executive Director of Motorola Customer Service reflected these thoughts in his statement:

“We believe that safe, quality and diverse repair options are important components of a consumer’s smartphone journey. Our collaboration with CPR Cell Phone
Repair will provide our customers a personalized, face-to-face option from a reliable repair expert.”

For those that are not familiar, CPR is one of the largest electronic repair franchises in North America. It offers repair centers in over 750 locations globally. Outside of cell phones, you can also have devices like laptops, tablets, and gaming systems repaired.

Motorola was also quick to point out that its in-house repair services are still available through its customer service website. I’ve personally had to use this service and it’s a top-notch experience that you should also explore if CPR is not available in your area.

You can see if Cell Phone Repair is a local option by navigating to https://www.cellphonerepair.com/motorola. One hopes you never have to use it, but Moto is setting a pretty high bar with iFixit and now CPR. More OEMs should take note from the veteran here.

Lenovo Yoga C630 Chromebook review

AndroidGuys
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It wasn’t all that long ago when the concept of a high-end Chromebook seemed like an oxymoron. Just a few years back we had $250-$300 products that sufficed for students and casual work needs. We were initially drawn to them because we realized most of our day is spent in the browser — and it didn’t hurt that they were a fraction of the cost of a traditional laptop.

A few years into the Chromebook line we started to see higher end devices like the Chromebook Pixel, and then later the Pixelbook. These were Google’s own products and offered up a much more powerful set of hardware with better build materials. They looked sharp, packed a punch, and provided a good alternative to portable PC and Mac units..

Somewhere in between, the laptop field evolved to include 2-in-1 products and things got even more interesting. Chromebooks have been there too, keeping pace.

For a while it seemed that the top-tier Chromebook experience was a Google-only space, but that’s changing. The Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 is the first Chromebook to feature a 4K display — ahead of Google. It features incredible hardware and positions itself in the upper echelon of Chromebooks.

EDITOR NOTE: Although the C630 is offered in 4K resolution, the review unit we received was 1920 x 1080 pixels.

Design

First things first, the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 is big. The 15.6-inch display feels incredibly spacious to someone who’s spent the last five years with something around 12-inches and 13-inches.

We’ve become migrated away from 4-inch phones and 7-inch tablets to feel comfortable with 6-inch phones and 10-inch tablets. A couple of extra inches on a laptop is like a bonus. But, when going all the way up to 15.6-inches it feels massive.

Before you even open the C630 you’ll note that it’s a heavy device. Why? Lenovo housed the experience in an aluminum chassis. It signals a serious experience right out of the box and certainly differentiates itself from cheap Chromebooks. Oh, and at more than four pounds this is heavy.

The Yoga Chromebook C630 isn’t the most visually interesting laptop we’ve seen as it could be mistaken for a Windows-based laptop. This is a 2-in-1 device which means it can transform into a tablet by flipping it 360 degrees on the hinge. And, now that we can routinely run Android apps and games on Chrome, this makes for a lot of fun.

There’s a lot of space for ports and slots but Lenovo doesn’t put forward all that many. You’ll find a microSD card slot, USB Type-C port and Kensington lock on the right side of the laptop. These are located near the volume and power buttons.

Over on the left side there’s a USB Type-C port for power, a USB 3.0 port, and a headphone/microphones combo jack. It’s definitely enough for 2019, particularly now that we can easily expand with docking ports through USB and USB Type-C.

The 15.6-inch is not just big, but it’s beautiful, too. Even at 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution the image is stunning and really does a great job to highlight animated films, games, and movies. Not only does content like Pixar’s Coco and Thor Ragnarok jump out but Android games do as well.

Developers spend a lot of time on beautiful gradients, intricate details, and fine lines, and 6-inch screens don’t always do them justice. Although Chromebooks don’t have the full breadth of Android apps and games, those that are compatible with large screens are often a sight to behold. To that end, we’ve found ourselves looking very closely at games.

Without getting into benchmarks and too heavy into specifications we can say that the Yoga Chromebook C630 is a little more dim than we would have expected. This is a shame, too, because we were felt like we were this close to something truly jaw-dropping. Yes, there’s a trade-off with battery and brightness, but we do like how bright we can make the Pixelbook at times.

We discovered that while the C630 is brighter than the Chromebook average, it did fall short of Google’s devices. This was probably the reason we welt the image wasn’t as bright as we’d like. Passing the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook to other, more casual, users the general consensus was that the picture was bright, vivid, and a lot of fun to look at.

In thinking about the target demographic and user base, we sense that this is a product that tends to stay in one place. Not that it isn’t portable or flexible, but it comes across as something that a content creator might primarily keep at a desk.

Keyboard

Given we’ve spent a lot of time with smaller form factors with laptops over the last few years, we found the keyboard on the Yoga Chromebook C630 felt big and closer to full-size. Typing speed and accuracy took a hit for us if only because of the learning curve associated with spacing things out just a smidge.

One of the first things we look for in keyboards isn’t the spacing, size, or configuration. To us, having a back-lit keyboard sort of trumps other features. It’s a small detail for some, but we really like having that for when sitting on the couch or in bed when trying to keep the display brightness down. Sadly, these keys are not back-lit.

As for the feedback, layout, and trackpad response, we were impressed. Keys are soft, and respond to touch nicely but there’s not much travel. We found ourselves “bottoming out” more often than normal as we learned our way around the laptop. Keys were a little stiff as compared to other products we use on daily basis but other users found them to be in line with expectation.

Audio

There are two bottom-firing speakers on the Yoga Chromebook C630 which we found to be generally good. As a rule we tend to hate laptop and phone speakers and lump them all into one group, but to be fair, this model produced a decent sound.

Although it was crisp and had a respectable amount of range, it never got to where it was loud. This was a good thing, though, as any louder and we would have preferred a Bluetooth speaker or headphones. Watching videos, listening to audiobooks, or general needs are decent but we’d quickly grow tired of full-length films or more than a few minutes of pulsing music.

Performance

Chrome, as a platform, is historically known for being lightweight. One of the promises we bought into with first generation Chromebooks was that the experience would never really deteriorate and should only improve with time. That’s somewhat true, but hardware definitely plays its part.

While our first few Chromebooks do seem to run just as good today as they did five years back, they don’t feel snappy. And, when you compare it to today’s current crop of devices, you certainly notice the difference.

The Yoga Chromebook C630 packs an Intel Core i3-8130U CPU and 8GB RAM which leads to incredible performance. We were able to get more than a few dozen tabs open with various types of websites loaded without running into lag.

You’ll have to try hard if you hope to push the Chromebook to its limits. A normal user won’t go anywhere near having so many tabs open at once, let alone mixing and matching video, music, and games. Even minimizing and opening up other apps doesn’t seem to impact the experience.

We’re not the sort of outlet that runs benchmark tests and pits devices against others, but we felt compelled to check a few out here. To that end, the C630 performed incredibly well on JetStream 1.1 where it scored 166.48 and far above the category average of around 78. It bests the Pixelbook, Pixel Slate, and others.

Conclusion

We’re a fan of the aluminum chassis and slate-like color of the Yoga Chromebook C630 but it can get cold to the touch. We’re reminded of the way the Chromebook Pixel would feel cool on the exterior.

As a whole, the body of the Chromebook is somewhat clinical and uninspired. But the performance? That’s a different story. We’ve not had played with laptops this powerful in some time, especially a Chrome OS device.

This isn’t to say this is an end-all-be-all device and world beating Chromebook. There are a few quibbles along the way such as back-lit keys and a somewhat dim maximum brightness. With that said, we have a tough time recommending spending more money on something else.

We’re still partial to the portability, keys, and brightness of the Pixelbook but that stuff comes with a cost. When it comes to pure performance and a large screen this is where we would draw the proverbial line.

Availability

You purchase the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook C630 for $600 and get 64GB internal storage; a $720 model provides 128GB space and a punched-up (i5-8250U) processor.

As of the time of publishing we found the 64GB model for just $470 with the upgrade going for just $600.

For $765 (normally $900) you get the i5-8250U processor, 128GB, and the UHD (3840 x 2160) display.

New leaks shows best look of Moto Z4; including headphone jack

Andrew Allen
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Moto has stuck to its guns concerning its Mods and the Z-series. The trend will continue at least one more generation it would seem with our best leak of the Moto Z4. Evan Blass has been at it yet again with showing us every angle of Moto’s new phone.

The Moto Z4 looks to be even thinner than the previous Z3, but there’s a note-worthy returning feature: the 3.5mm headphone jack is back! Otherwise, the design is similar to its predecessors.You get an aluminum body with traditional Moto camera hump.

Rumors have the specs for that camera at a whopping 48-megapixels too! There’s also assumptions surrounding the other internals. We think it’ll be 4GB of RAM, Snapdragon 855, and 64GB of storage when the Z4 hits store shelves. One omission from the renders is the side-mounted fingerprint scanner. We’d say this leans towards an in-display option being available.

 

Around the back you see the Z-centric pogo pins for Moto’s Mod systems. While Moto has invested much into Mods, one has to wonder how much longer they will fight the current. After its initial novelty wore off, the system has yet to show growth in the market.

With Moto having much more success in the mid-range with the likes of the G-series, the lack of momentum behind the Moto Zs points to an overhaul might be in the works over the next generation or so.

Does that mean they start over and scrap the Moto Mods altogether? Or does the company double down and refresh the system of snap on additions? Only time will tell, but personally, I like that they’ve held on to Mods. While not a huge profit maker, it is a truly unique offering in the mobile space.

We also know little of pricing or carrier partnerships, but history says the mark is between $400-500 with a Play option slightly cheaper. Verizon in the mix for the standard Moto Z4 exclusive would be no surprise either.

Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL pics and specs reveal all ahead of formal debut

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There’s less than one week to go before the so-called Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL arrive, or so we’ve been led to believe. Google’s annual developer conference, Google I/O gets started on May 7, and is the perfect venue to reveal new hardware.

There has been no shortage of rumors or speculation around the “Lite” versions of Google’s Pixel 3 phones. Things got started for the low-cost alternatives all the way back in fall 2018; however, they’re finally coming to a head.

A number of photos and renders have made their way online in the last few days, pretty much spoiling the look of the Pixel 3a and its larger counterpart, the Pixel 3a XL.

One such source of rumors, 91mobiles, provided a few clear looks at the phones and, in the process, seemingly confirmed hardware details. These images dovetail with those shared by DroidLife.

via Droid Life

Set to arrive in Clearly White, Just Black, and Purple-ish, the phones look every bit like a Pixel phone. For better or worse, this appears to be the design language that Google is content to use.

Here’s what figures to be the hardware specs for the forthcoming duo.

Pixel 3a

  • 5.6-inch display
  • 12-megapixel pixel camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB internal storage
  • 3000mAh battery
  • Active Edge
  • Rear fingerprint reader
  • Fast charging
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Android 9 Pie

Pixel 3a XL

  • 6.0-inch display
  • 12-megapixel pixel camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 670 processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB internal storage
  • 3700mAh battery
  • Active Edge
  • Rear fingerprint reader
  • Fast charging
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • Android 9 Pie

Reportedly, the Pixel 3a will have a starting price of just $399 with the larger sibling at $479. It has been suggested that 128GB variants will also be offered.

New pics of Honor 20 Pro emerge ahead of May 21 event

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Honor, a sub-brand of Huawei, has an event scheduled for May 21 where it’s expected to introduce the 20 series of devices. Based on a few recent leaks, we’re starting to get a pretty good look at what the Honor 20 Pro has in store for when it makes its formal debut later this month.

New pictures hitting the internet this week suggest the 20 Pro will be offered in a white and pink gradient. Or, that’s at least one version of the phone. We’ve also seen renders indicate it will be sold in all black and a greenish blue.

Looking at the pictures of the phone we can make out four cameras on the back of the 20 Pro. Assuming there’s one around front, this puts five total sensors on the device.

As to what’s inside the phone, we can anticipate some of the following details.

  • 6.1-inch display
  • Three rear cameras
  • Four rear cameras
  • In-display fingerprint scanner
  • Kirin 980 platform
  • 128GB/256GB storage
  • 6GB/8GB RAM

Assuming the specs that appeared on Wiebo are accurate, the camera setup could be similar that of the Huawei P30 Pro, meaning a 40-megapixel main lens and 20-megapixel ultra-wide lens. Additionally, there may be an 8-megapixel telephoto sensor and a time-of-flight-camera.

The Honor 20 series will break cover at a London event on May 21. With a few weeks to go before the line of phones officially arrives we might anticipate more details to bubble to the surface.

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