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Saturday Savings: Massive discounts from Huawei, Anker, Belkin, Toast, and more

Andrew Myrick
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It’s back-to-school time once again and we’re heading into the dog days of summer. The fourth quarter is breathing down our neck, and with that another fun buying season of discounts and limited-time sales.

Fortunately, you don’t have to wait for Labor Day or Black Friday for some incredible savings. In fact, there are plenty of items on sale on a regular basis.

Whether you are looking for a phone from a big-name player or some accessories from a few lesser-known companies, there’s a lot to consider. That’s why we’re here.

We have gathered up a number of promotions, discounts, and other savings across a variety of categories.

Phones

Cables & Chargers

Other Mobile Accessories

General Tech & Gadgets

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Do you have a deal you would like to see listed here? Please take a few moments to fill out this form and we’ll be happy to consider it for a future post.

Editor Note: On occasion, some of the links we use on our website are part of an affiliate network or program. Sales generated from purchases are used to help support the website and “keep the lights on”.

Weekend Recommender: Anker, Adonit, Baseus, Novoo, and iDeaPlay

AndroidGuys
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Welcome to the weekend! We’re now in the dog days of summer. The temps (and humidity.) are on the rise but we’re not letting that get us down. Today, we have some really awesome tech to tell you about. We’re looking at a couple pairs of really nice and affordable headphones, a great precision stylus, and more. And the best part? Everything on this list is under $100. Tech is great, but it is even better when it’s affordable too.

Without any more delay, let’s take a look.

Anker Soundcore Space NC

A lot of people are beginning to catch on to the fact good phones are getting cheaper and cheap phones are getting pretty good. But, a lot of people are missing that trend happening in the audio world too. The case used to be that you’d have to spend a week’s paycheck to get a pair of premium noise-canceling headphones. Not anymore!

Anker shipped over the Soundcore Space NC headphones recently and we’re in love. Yep, that NC on the end of the name does sound for Noice Cancelling and it is a lifesaver on long trips or during the morning bus ride. We were blown away by just how effective the noise cancellation actually was on these $99 headphones.

Noise cancellation or not, these things sound awesome. We loved the bassy beats and the soaring vocals in our favorite pop songs. Rap, R&B, and electronic music were also standouts, but honestly, these are going to be great for anything you’re listening to.

We also loved the touch panel controls on the side of the device. It’s incredibly easy to answer a call, advance the track or turn up the volume without much thought. Battery life is another standout with a 20-hour rating playing in wireless noise canceling mode. If you go wired, you can last up to 50 hours. Obviously, those numbers are going to be lower if you’re really bumping these things LOUD, but that’s still pretty impressive.

Amazon

Baseus Fast Wireless Charging Car Phone Holder

I’m one of those people who can never find the right spot in my car for my phone. Whether I’m using the Note 8 or the OnePlus 6, no spot ever quite fits. The phone rolls around too much in a cup holder, it’s not secure in the door handle, and it falls out of my pocket if I leave it in there. So, what’s a guy to do?

Well, the answer is pick up one of these Baseus Fast Wireless chargers. This awesome car phone holder hooks onto a vent in your car which puts your phone in the perfect spot to use Google Maps. I recently used this on a ~ 500-mile journey and absolutely fell in love with it.

The killer feature here is the fast wireless charging. Most wireless chargers are pretty slow, but some devices like Samsung’s recently flagships and the Apple iPhone 8, 8 Plus, and X can take advantage of fast wireless charging. This puts it about on par with regular wired charging which should keep your battery level consistent while navigating.

I was also pretty impressed with the clamp on my phone. It uses the phone’s own weight to secure it! Once you slot your device in, the bottom bar skins down and pulls the sides together. You can’t use this in landscape which is kind of a bummer, but I never felt like my phone would fall out of the holder when I hit a pothole or had to hit the brakes hard. In the next revision we’d love to see landscape support and maybe USB C instead of micro USB, but overall we really enjoy this car holder.

LuLuLook

Novoo AC Power Bank

If your phone doesn’t have Qi wireless charging and you need something for the car, you might want to consider this Novoo AC Power Bank. It’s designed to fit in a cup holder and features one USB C and one USB A port flanking an AC port. Yep, you read that right,  you get an AC port to charge up your laptop or other devices that may require AC power.

We recently took this guy on a weekend away and it was really a lifesaver. Sure, it isn’t the most convenient thing to carry around (it’s round and heavy!) but sitting at the kitchen table playing cards or riding in the car, we were able to charge up three devices at the same time with no sweat. We also loved that the power bank supports Quick Charge 3.0 to get those devices charged up as quickly as possible.

Like most premium power banks, the Novoo AC Power Bank has a 20,100 mAh capacity. That’s enough to recharge your MacBook or a couple of flagship smartphones multiple times. The power bank comes with a couple of cables in the box and a charger. We’d love to see an option to recharge this guy with a USB C cable in future revisions to cut down on the number of cables we need to keep around.

Amazon

Adonit Droid Stylus

You might be surprised to know that we do a ton of work here at AndroidGuys on phones and tablets. I’ve been searching for a fantastic stylus for years and I finally came across one that I really like. The Adonit Droid Stylus is a premium stylus that is constructed from premium materials. It feels fantastic in the hand and looks classy too. The clip makes sure you can hold onto this bad boy in your pocket. If you’re one who loses pens on the regular (guilty as charged!), you’ll be thankful for that little clip.

The real magic of the Adonit Droid Stylus is the micro-sized disc on the tip. It measures in at less than 5 mm so you can be pretty precise when you’re writing, drawing, or coloring. I tried out a few coloring book apps with this stylus and came away pretty pleasantly surprised at just how well I was able to stay in the lines. I was initially worried about how it would fare when going up a screen protector, but it handled my tempered glass screen protector like a champ. Plastic screen protectors may be a different story.

Overall, it felt very natural to write and draw with the Adonit Droid Stylus. If you’re looking to pick up a premium stylus with a micro-sized pad on the tip to protect your screen, you should definitely check this one out.

Adonit Amazon

iDeaPLAY Active Noise Canceling Headphones

Proving that our theory of active noise canceling headphones are becoming a trend, we have another pair on our list. This pair comes from iDeaPlay and sports a more retro look. They remind us a lot of headphones we’d have seen in the 70’s or 80’s and we absolutely love it. With every pair of headphones out there looking the same, these offer a subtle difference that we really enjoy.

Not only do we love the look, but we love the sound too. Heavy bass and clear vocals are a real highlight. Add that to the active noise canceling and you have yourself a recipe for success. You can use these headphones in both wireless (Bluetooth) and wired mode. iDeaPlay claims 24 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, which would be pretty impressive. We’ve not used the headphones quite that long but we definitely haven’t had to charge them during our review period.

These headphones come with a nice hard carrying case and a 30-day money back guarantee, along with a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty. If you’d like to check them out, you can do so without breaking the bank as they’re just $80!

Amazon

How to Install Fortnite on your Android device

Alexandra Arici
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Earlier this week, Epic Games officially began rolling out the Fortnite beta for Android devices. After only a few days of exclusivity on the Galaxy Note 9, the game was now available for all with a compatible Android device.

But the process of installing Fortnite on your device is a bit tricky, due to the fact that Epic is using its own website and a Fortnite Installer program to give Android users access to the game. The company said the decision not to put Fortnite in the Play Store was taken in order to avoid paying Google’s 30% cut on in-app purchases.

So how you get Fortnite on your Android?

Step 1: Check device compatibility

Eager to jump into battle? Just follow these simple steps if you want to get the game on your Android-equipped smartphone or tablet.

Fortnite debuted on Android as a Galaxy Note 9 exclusive. Apart from that, the other Samsung supported devices include the: S7 / S7 Edge, S8 / S8+, S9 / S9+, Note 8 and Tab S3 and Tab S4 tablets. If you own one of these devices, you can easily download Fornite via the Samsung Game Launcher (or the Epic website).

If you don’t own a Samsung device, check out Epic’s full list of supported devices which includes phones from LG, Huawei, ASUS and OnePlus. See if you find your phone and then head to the official Epic website.

Step 2: Stay away from the Play Store

Epic Games made it clear it will be distributing Fortnite through its own website. Which means, you shouldn’t download anything from the Play Store or any other third-party websites.

Actually, searching for the game in the Play Store only yields the following message: Fortnite Battle Royale by Epic Games is not available on Google Play. So remember, the only legit way to get the game is through the Epic Games website.

Step 3: Join the waiting list

Yeah, there’s a waiting list. So chances are you won’t get access to the game the minute you sign-up for the beta. Although, the process is indeed quite smooth. My colleagues already received their email invite without a problem. You can sign up either on mobile or on the web and Epic will only ask you for your email address. Easy breezy!

Step 4: Wait to get your invite

Epic says it’s inviting the players in waves, but from our experience, it doesn’t take long before you get one via email. The company says the process can take up to a few days, but they are just being cautious.

Step 5: Install and play

Downloading the game on your phone is done in two phases. First, you will have to get the Fortnite Installer, which is the APK file that will install the game on your device.

You’ll also need to turn off the special permissions in the settings of your Android to allow your phone to download third-party applications. Once this is done, follow the installation steps.

After the installation is done, log into your account and start playing. Epic Games is advising gamers to keep the Fortnite Installer on your phone, as that’s how the game will receive its updates in the future.

The HTC U12 Plus is now available in Flame Red

Alexandra Arici
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Update (8/17/18): Three months after its initial debut, the Flame Red HTC U12 Plus is making its way to our shores.

Originally only available in Translucent Blue and Ceramic Black, the U12 Plus hasn’t shown up in carrier stores. You can only purchase it through HTC’s website. That will be the case for the new Flame Red color as well. If you do decide to pick one up, you’re looking at shelling out $799 at the time of purchase or financing through HTC Financing. That’ll run you $34 a month for 24 months.

Even though the phone is older and doesn’t have the best specs around, we are kind of transfixed by it. The shimmering red color also has some hints of gold in it, depending on how the light hits it. HTC has always known how to make beautiful phones and the U12 Plus is no different.

Original post (5/23/18): HTC has been going through a rough patch for the past few years, thanks to slumping smartphone sales. And despite losing its Pixel design team to Google, the company has not given up the fight.

Actually HTC today unveiled its latest flagship the U12 Plus, the successor of last year’s U11. You might recall that the Taiwanese company also offered a U11 Plus last year, the first HTC device boasts a modern bezel-less design, but the phone had a very limited release and never launched in the US.

That won’t be the case for the U12 Plus which is already up for pre-sale in North America. More on that later.

The HTC U12 Plus has landed and here is what it’s all about

The first thing you notice when looking at the U12 Plus is that it doesn’t have a notch like most high-end smartphones launching today. Instead, HTC is focusing on bringing you innovations you can actually feel.

With the U12 Plus HTC is taking the phone’s standout squeeze feature, which was introduced on the U11, to the next level. So enter Edge Sense 2.0 with all its exciting, new improvements.

So now, on top of being able to squeeze the phone to launch an app, you’ll be able to double tap the sides of the device to turn on one-handed mode. Or you can set the double tap to act as the back button and forget about the traditional Android nav keys.

Additionally, just holding the phone will disable auto-screen rotation and auto brightness. The U12 Plus also offers a choice of digital assistant, with both Alexa and Google Assistant being on board. Just squeeze the phone to summon either of them.

But the most exciting part is that you’re given the option to map and adjust each and every interaction with the phone using the three main gestures: squeezing, tapping and holding.

What about the specs?

The new flagship comes in roughly the same body as the U11 Plus. Meaning you’ll get the same 6-inch Super LCD6 display which now supports HDR 10 and DCI-P3. There’s also a tall 18:9 screen with 1440 x 2280 resolution. IP68 certification is also on the spec list.

Naturally, a Snapdragon 845 processor is at the center of the U12 Plus and HTC is also throwing in 6GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage.

Things get even more interesting in the photography department, as the U12 Plus is actually HTC’s first dual-camera phone since the One (M8).

The new-comer boasts a 12-megapixel main sensor with larger 1.4-micron pixels and optical stabilization, alongside a 16-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x magnification. HTC also ups things a notch when it comes to self-portraits, by embedding not one but two 8-megapixel selfie cameras on the front. The aim is to have better portrait shots and improved face recognition. Oh, and you’re also getting AR stickers.

Going back to the main camera, it can record HDR10 video and 4K video at 60fps. A 1080p slow-mo at 240fps mode is also included. Given that the U11 benefited from an excellent camera, we expect the U12 Plus to be able to produce some stellar results.

As before, you’ll also get stereo speakers, high-res audio over USB-C and fast charging. Rounding up the package is a 3,500 mAh battery, which is an upgrade for the U11’s 3,000 mAh juice box.

Like we mentioned above, the HTC U12 Plus is already up for pre-order on the company’s official website and Amazon. Prices start at $799 for the 64GB version, while the 128GB version can be yours for $849.

As expected, HTC is tempting us with some attractive color options. The U12 Plus comes with a mirror glass coating called Liquid Surface. Which is similar to Huawei’s gradient colors on the P20 series. There’s a Ceramic Black one and a Flame Red model (probably coming later on). But the most intriguing however is the Translucent Blue version which shows the phone’s internals.

Gmail for Android gets a new Confidential mode, here’s how to use it

Alexandra Arici
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Google rolled out a new feature meant to heighten the security of Gmail users on Android. The new tool is called Confidential mode and as the name suggests it can be used to send and receive “confidential emails.”

Confidential mode was first introduced when Google’s big Gmail redesign, but the feature was nowhere to be found in the Android app version of Gmail. But not anymore.

With the new mode enabled, users can now set an expiration date for messages. In case they change their mind about wanting the recipient to see the message, access can be revoked.

Confidential messages will be strictly about conveying the message to the person you choose to send it to. Which this in mind, confidential emails won’t have options for forwarding, copying, printing or downloading.

For advanced protection, the sender of the message can also require the recipient to enter a passcode. Recipients who are using a Gmail account will get the passcode via SMS, while those who are on a third-party email service can get it either via SMS or email.

For the time being, SMS-based passcodes are only available for users in North America, Europe, India, Japan and South America.

When setting an expiration date for your message, you can also opt for a “No SMS passcode” option which will allow recipients using the Gmail app to open the email directly. But those who use another email service will still have to use a passcode to access the info.

Even with all this, Gmail still allows users to take screenshots of confidential emails. So the solution is not perfect just yet.

Want to give Confidential mode a try? Here’s how to do it

  1. Open up the Gmail app on your Android device.
  2. Tap on the floating Pencil dot located in the bottom right corner to start composing a new message.
  3. Tap on the three-dot-menu in the top right corner and then tap on Confidential mode.

Changed your mind? Revoke access

  1. Open the Gmail app.
  2. Tap the hamburger menu in the top right corner.
  3. Click Sent.
  4. Open the confidential email.
  5. Tap the remove access option at the bottom of the email.

Just keep one thing in mind before you try this on your smartphone. This is a server-side update, so you don’t need to go looking for an update in the Google Play Store. If you’re currently not seeing the new option in your Gmail, it means you might have to wait a few days.

It’s nice to see Gmail for mobile gaining more and more new and useful functionalities. A few weeks earlier, Dropbox announced a new add-on for Gmail, the first product of a partnership between itself and Google.

With the new add-on installed, users can add a file to an email message by directly linking to a folder or a file stored in Dropbox. Recipients will be then able to access that folder/file without the need to install any additional software.

With Gmail constantly receiving updates, we’re excited to see what the future might bring.

OnePlus finally strikes a deal with a US-based carrier

Alexandra Arici
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OnePlus’ next-flagship, the 6T will launch in a few months and it’s going to be a special device, at least from one point a view.

According to people familiar with the matter who have been talking to CNET, OnePlus and T-Mobile have partnered up to sell the 6T in the US.

The report claims this is a sure affair, although the process of technical approval might cause some delay. Either way, the unlocked global version of the 6T will also be available via the company’s official e-store.

OnePlus 6T to be the first OnePlus device to be sold by a US carrier?

The standard model will, of course, be compatible with GSM networks including T-Mobile and AT&T. But the 6T will come with support for the carrier’s 600MHz extended range LTE technology.

If the report is true, OnePlus is headed for a triumph that has eluded so many of its Chinese compatriots. Not so long ago, Huawei came so-very close to signing a deal with Verizon and AT&T.

But before the deal could go through, the two companies backed out, leaving Huawei high and dry. The Chinese tech giant still sells some models in the US through third-party retailers, although lawmakers recently banned government employees from using its devices due to hacking concerns.

Yet, unlike Huawei, OnePlus is a small company with no interest in security-sensitive businesses like telecommunications and networking equipment. So we believe there’s a pretty good chance that T-Mobile will start offering the OnePlus 6T later this year.

So far info related to the OnePlus 6T is pretty scarce. Even so, some believe the phone will bear a striking resemblance to the recently launched Oppo R17. The phone features a unique notch that’s very small and is shaped as a half-circle that appears to be dripping down from the top bezel. If the OnePlus 6T ends up looking like this, we’re sure many fans would approve.

In Brief: LG G7, Moto Z3, T-Mobile’s new uncarrier move, and much more! (Episode 19)

Matt Adams
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This time on In Brief, Matt, Andrew, and Donovan talked about the LG G7 ThinQ, T-Mobile’s UnCarrier Next program, the Z3 and its 5G Moto Mod, and our thoughts of Android 9 Pie. Check it out!

What we talked about today

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Sony and Motorola release their Android 9 Pie plans – Pie Update Tracker

Alexandra Arici
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Update, August 16th

Looks like Sony and Motorola have both outlined (or updated) their respective plans. Check out that info below.

Motorola

Motorola Android 9 Pie Graphic

Moto announced its plans yesterday (August 15th) for the Android 9 Pie update, including a mostly stock experience that’s become Moto’s signature over the last couple years. Android 9 Pie will launch on later-model Moto devices starting “this fall” – which is about as specific as OEMs ever get when it comes to future updates. The update will drop for the following devices: moto z3, moto z3 play, moto z2 force edition, moto z2 play, moto x4, moto g6 plus, moto g6, moto g6 play.

Sony

Sony already released some of their plans earlier this month (detailed below), but the following devices were added to the mix this morning with an estimated arrival date of “Early 2019”: XA2, XA2 Ultra and XA2 Plus.

Last week, Google pushed out the newest version of Android called Pie. The update brings plenty of exciting new features and updates to play with, so naturally, users are quite eager to try them out for themselves.

But the big question following almost every major Android release each year is: will my phone get it? And when?

Well to cut through some of the speculation and uncertainty, some OEMs have already released statements promising the Android 9.0 Pie update for some of their devices.

You can already get Android Pie if you have one of Google’s own Pixel phones or the Essential PH-1. But the new update is also coming to a number of other handsets in the near feature. Check the list below to see which devices will be part of the first wave getting the Pie treatment.

HTC

HTC was among the first Android manufacturer to provide a statement regarding plans to release the Pie update for some of its handsets.

According to a Tweet by the company, the HTC U12+ flagship, as well as the U11+, U11 and U11 Life will be getting Android 9.0 soon. Indeed the time frame is quite vague, so we don’t really expect the rollout to happen too fast. But then again, HTC could end up surprising us.

Sony

Sony has also already made plans to bring the Android Pie update to some of its phones. The company isn’t really known for providing fast updates, but hey maybe this year Sony wants to do things a little bit differently.

The company will apparently roll out the Android Pie update for six smartphone models between September and November. This will include the Sony Xperia XZ2 (which is part of the Android P Beta), Xperia XZ2 Compact, Xperia XZ2 Premium, Xperia XZ1, Xperia XZ1 Compact and Xperia XZ Premium. Additionally, the following phones will receive Pie in Early 2019: XA2, XA2 Ultra and XA2 Plus.

Sony is also getting ready to launch a new flagship, the Xperia XZ3 at IFA 2018 which is scheduled to start at the end of this month. In all likelihood, the smartphone will launch with Android 9.0 out of the box.

Huawei

Huawei has been notoriously slow when it comes to providing updates for devices. But surprisingly the Chinese tech giant has already confirmed it has already begun testing the Pie update for a number of handsets including the P20 flagships, Mate 10 Pro, Honor 10 and Honor View10.

Nokia

HMD, who is on the list of beta partners for Android 9.0 Pie plans to bring the update to all of its Android smartphones, even the most low-end ones like the Nokia 1.

However, the initial rollout will most likely include the newer devices like the:

  • Nokia 7 Plus (was part of the Android P Beta)
  • Nokia 8 Sirroco
  • Nokia 6 (2018)
  • Nokia 6.1 Plus
  • Nokia 5.1 Plus
  • Nokia 5.1
  • Nokia 3.1
  • Nokia 2.1

HMD also confirmed its last year’s models including the Nokia 8, Nokia 6 and Nokia 5 will be getting the Pie treatment, as well.

OnePlus

The OnePlus 6 was part of the Android P beta program, but the official update will come to devices that participated in the beta sometime this autumn. OnePlus’ older devices including the 5T, 5, 3T and 3 are also expected to receive the update.

Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S was also part of the devices included in the Android P program. While the beta which is currently available offers a Pure Android experience, the stable Android Pie update will mark the reintroduction of MIUI. The stable update should arrive sometimes this autumn, although we don’t have an exact date to share with you.

As you might have noticed this post leaves out companies like Motorola, Samsung or LG. That’s because so far they haven’t shared any info regarding which of their devices will get the new Android P update.

We’ll continue to update the list as more information becomes available.

LG G7 ThinQ Review – Is LG finally back?

Andrew Myrick
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LG has been stuck in a rut for the last few years, similar to other OEM’s not named Samsung. The company has been trying out different tactics, starting with the LG G6 from last year.

In a move that shocked just about everyone, LG released its 2017 flagship, the G6, with 2016 specs, namely the Snapdragon 821 chipset. Sure, this was fine for awhile, but then as we saw the Snapdragon 835 released, the G6 fell to the wayside.

Read more: LG G6 Revisited

Moving into 2018, there were a lot of rumblings about what LG would be doing with its 2018 flagship. Instead of making its debut at MWC 2018, the LG G7 was delayed due to LG’s attempts to change the design and more.

The G7 was officially announced back in May, and actually carries the following name: “LG G7 ThinQ”. I’m not going to continue referencing this phone as the “G7 ThinQ”, so you’ll just see G7.

The device has been out since May, but we really wanted to take our time with the device since this is such an important release for LG. Of course, it’s time to reveal our thoughts on one LG’s latest and greatest.

Design

In order to get started with the design, we’ll have to take another look at the G6. LG moved to glass on the front and rear, while an aluminum frame was sandwiched between.

Previous generations of LG flagships sported plastic builds, which was beneficial in some aspects. However, the introduction of an all-glass design has been a welcome addition for a flagship handset.

The G6 also sported more of a blocky design which was good for some and bad for the others. With the G7, we see some slight improvements, with more curves and less ridges.

The glass seems to melt into the metal frame on both the front and rear of the device. The rear glass is just slightly curved, which provides a very enjoyable experience when using the handset.

Also found on the back is LG’s latest attempt at a dual-camera system. We’ll touch on this setup more later on, but it is orientated at the top, with the LED flash placed to the left and fingerprint scanner mounted below.  

Found at the bottom, we have the standard USB-C charging port, flanked by a microphone and bottom-firing speaker. This may seem a bit boring, but there’s a reason behind LG sticking to a single speaker.

Keeping with the frame, the left-side sports the volume rocker and an all-new button. This is dedicated to activating Google Assistant, similar to Samsung’s Bixby button.

On the right side, LG has included a standard power button, removing the button from the fingerprint scanner. Previously, LG integrated the power button into the fingerprint scanner for easy access. It seems that now the company is falling more in line with other OEM’s.

In terms of placement, these are placed quite nicely, save for the occasional accidental press of the Assistant button. Finally, the G7 sports a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top. So there’s no need to worry about losing a dongle in your travels.

Display

All displays are great now. Sure, some are getting brighter or have deeper blacks, but the LG G7’s looks fantastic regardless of those buzzwords.

As for dimensions, we have a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display sporting a resolution of 3,120 x 1,440. With the notch and slim bezels, this equates to an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

If you are someone who wants more control over what your content looks like, LG has you covered. Hidden in the Display settings, you can adjust the RGB and color temperature sliders, along with using different display modes.

Another neat feature included with the G7 comes in the brightness department. It can be annoying to use your phone in direct sunlight, only to have to squint or shade the display with your hand just to see part of the screen.

This complaint has been removed with the new Super Bright mode. This boosts your G7’s display up to 1,000 nits, making it extremely easy to see what’s going on, regardless of what you are doing.  

Notch

You knew it was coming. LG is attempting to keep up with the trends, and it did just that with the LG G7. No, there aren’t six different cameras, but there is a notch on the display.

This notch is a little bit less intrusive than others found on the market, and actually blends into the screen quite nicely. However, if the #notchedlyfe is not your cup of tea, then LG has included a few software tweaks to actually “hide” this.

Instead of just calling it the notch, LG actually calls this portion of the display as the “New Second Screen”. From here, you can use a black wallpaper to hide the notch, or opt for a rainbow theme to have a more unique look.

The second screen is nothing new for LG as a similar feature was released starting with the LG V20. However, the difference is that instead of having two separate displays, the G7’s second screen is a part of the whole display.

Speaker

For years, LG has been integrating a quad DAC system into its flagship smartphones. This brings a higher-quality sound, less distortion, and a better dynamic range.

However, the G7 turns things up to 11 with its new interesting and unique bottom-firing speaker. Instead of opting to use stereo speakers, sound from the G7 will be amplified just by placing it on a flat surface.

You can truly notice the difference when you start the music playing in your hand than placing it down on a table. While this is a neat trick, it’s nothing more than that, and it doesn’t even mimic stereo sound.

It was still a nice touch and something that could be improved upon in future iterations.

Performance

Before jumping too far, let’s take a look at what is powering the G7. LG decided to use the best processor, which is currently the Snapdragon 845 from Qualcomm.

In the RAM and storage department, we have a couple of choices. The standard model comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. However, there is a pricier model which sports 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The storage space should be no concern, as the G7 is equipped with a microSD card slot compatible with a 2TB option. Of course, you can’t exactly get a 2TB SD card just yet, but 400GB should suffice. This is located next to the SIM card within the SIM card slot.

Now that the specs are out of the way, I have to say that the G7 is extremely snappy. I’m not sure if it’s due to “Samsung Experience”, but the G7 feels even faster than my S9 Plus.

Something LG did under the hood has really helped to improve the performance. Playing mobile games, including Fortnite/PUBG is a breeze, and multitasking is everything you could want and more.

The only complaint that I have in the performance department is the battery life. Including a 3,000mAh battery is a real disappointment nowadays, and if you are a power user, be prepared to have a charger handy. The saving grace here comes thanks to the wireless charging, along with compatibility with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0.

All-in-all, the G7 will definitely swing for the fences, but you may have to take a few hits in the battery department.

Camera

I don’t know if it’s just me or what, but I fell out of love with the wide-angle camera. Including one on the G7 is unique, as others are focused on providing “portrait” images with the secondary rear camera.

LG is doing the opposite and using a wide-angle 16MP secondary sensor. The lens has a 107-degree viewing range, which is slightly lower than that of previous generations.

Nonetheless, if you are trying to get as many people in the shot as possible, this is the camera for you. LG has really excelled over the last couple of years in the camera department, and this year is no different.

I’m not much of a selfie-taker, but the G7 doesn’t disappoint thanks to the crisp and clear photos. Plus, you won’t have to worry about extra gimmicks to make cartoons of yourself like AR Emoji or Animoji.

LG G7 ThinQ Samples

Overall, the LG G7 does an extremely good job at being the best camera you can put in your pocket.

Software

For years, LG has wavered between Samsung and Motorola in the software department. It’s not quite a stock Android experience, but there’s not a boatload of extra bloatware onboard.

It seems that the G7 is a fine medium between the two, while still giving enough extra customization options. You don’t have a settings panel for every minute detail, but the main ones can be found with relative ease.

The stock LG launcher is something that I continue to use, even though you can throw the ported Pixel 2 launcher onboard. LG has really improved in the software department, giving the users more control over what they use.

You may have to dive deeper into the settings to add back the app drawer, but it’s still serviceable. Loading up the camera or Google Assistant is a breeze and getting your work done should pose no problems. It still has some overlays from LG, but this software is far from as buggy as others offered.

Final Thoughts

If I am 100% completely honest, it’s difficult to recommend the LG G7 ThinQ. This is in large part to the $750 retail price tag offered through your favorite carriers.

However, the wonderful thing about LG smartphones is the deterioration in pricing. In just a few months, you can already find steep discounts on the G7, even as low as just $550 from eBay.

Another hang up that I have is with that wide-angle camera, as I have become accustomed to using a secondary zoom lens. But to each their own, and your experience may differ from mine.

Overall, the G7 ThinQ is still a wonderful device which will power through your work, and allow you to get some gaming done. The notch won’t bother you, especially if you use the software tweaks to hide it.

You just may run into some issues keeping charged up throughout the day.

Motorola announces its list of phones that will receive Android Pie

Andrew Allen
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Do you own a Motorola device and jealous of all the new great features of Android 9 Pie your Pixel friends are enjoying? Well, the company has released a blog post sharing which phones it will update to Android Pie. Did your phone make the list of 8 devices the company says made the initial cut for the upgrade?

Here’s the list of Android Pie-ready devices:

  • Moto Z3
  • Moto Z3 Play
  • Moto Z2 Force Edition
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • Moto X4
  • Moto G6
  • Moto G6 Play
  • Moto G6 Plus

Understandably, the new Moto Z3 and Z3 Play are at the top of this list. As is the Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus. Moving back in Moto’s timeline, it will also refresh the software on the Z2 Play and Z2 Force Edition. Rounding out the announcement is the Moto X4. The list contains most of its core mid-range to premium devices released in the last 18 months.

One thing it did leave out of the post is a date for rolling out the Pie software. The company is not giving anything in that regard and recommends that you keep an eye on its official update landing page for more information in the future. The blog post also leaves some rather new devices in the Moto E lineup with no mention of getting a software bump, but this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise with the Moto E variants targetting the super budget market.

Motorola has struggled under its new ownership to push timely updates. After setting the gold standard while Moto was under the umbrella of Google’s ownership several years ago, updates have slowed considerably since being a Lenovo subsidiary. Let’s hope these phones receive it sooner than later.

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