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Google drops latest Android P Dev Preview with Dark Mode and more

Andrew Myrick
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It’s been almost two months since the first Android P Developer Preview was released in the wild. Google has just released the latest preview, coming with a build number of PPP4.180612.004. This update is available now for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL.

While you may think this is just another boring update, you would definitely be wrong. Thanks to our friends at Droid Life, we know about a slew of new features that have arrived.

Read More: How to download Android P on your device!

Android P DP4 Changes

Here’s a quick breakdown of these features:

  • New Back Button – With the release of DP4, Google has changed the back button from an enclosed triangle to just a back arrow in the navigation bar.
  • Notification Shade Tweaks – Some of the icons found in the Notification Shade are now outlines, versus being filled in. This is similar to the change in the back button.
  • Dark Theme – Android P DP4 now lets you choose between Automatic, Light, or Dark themes. Originally, this was automatically changed depending on your wallpaper.
  • Software Info – Now that we are into the month of July, it makes sense for Google to bring the latest Android security patch. This new patch carries a date of July 5, 2018.
  • New Rotate Button in Navigation Bar – As is the case with the back button, Google has changed the icon used for the rotate button in the Navigation Bar.
  • Call Volume Control – Under the Sound settings, there is a new volume bar for Call volume, which is separated from Media, Ring, or Alarm volume.
  • Updated App Switcher – Thanks to all of the new gesture controls in Android P, we were introduced to a new App Switcher. The UI for this has changed in DP4, as the cards are slightly larger, the scroll bar has been lengthened, and the quick gesture shows “close-to-full-screen previews”.

These are just some of the changes that have arrived in the latest Android P Developer Preview. However, since the software just became availalbe a few hours ago, chances are that more changes will be discovered.

We’re Getting Close

What makes this release so surprising is that it was a few days late, but is considered a “release candidate”. This means that we are getting closer to the final launch of Android P. Additionally, we are getting closer to learning what the actual name will be.

If you are enrolled in the Android P Beta Program, you will see an update in the next few hours. However, if you just can’t wait, you can download the official factory images and have some fun.

Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think Android P will be named. Also, let us know what you think about the new changes and if you are excited to see a new Dark Mode available.

Meater review: Your secret ally to a perfectly grilled steak

AndroidGuys
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As we get more and more “connected” around the house, our favorite place to see new smart devices is probably the kitchen. Whether dealing with someone who is adept and knows their way around the room or someone looking to learn more, today’s connected kitchen offers a lot of opportunities — and fun gadgets. One such device is the Meater, a wireless smart meat thermometer.

Ask five people how they like their steak prepared and you may receive five different replies. Rare? Well done? How much longer do you leave it on the grill before taking it off? How many minutes difference is there between medium-rare and medium? How hot is the grill to begin with?

Whether cooking steak on the grill, a ham in the roaster, or chicken in the oven, dealing with meat isn’t always easy. If you’re not preparing something familiar, you may be constantly cutting into the meat to see if it’s ready. Pull it out of the oven, check, put it back. Repeat.

Meat thermometers are not new. They’ve been around quite a while, and can be very helpful. The problem, though, is that some of the so-called smarter ones can have extra hardware pieces, or cables that connect to a probe. These can get damaged or wear out over time. Cleaning and maintenance can be pesky. The Meater ($69) makes aims to address some of those pain points.

What it is and what it does

The Meater has the thickness of a mechanical pencil but is roughly two-thirds the length. It’s a single unit that pairs to your phone over Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi. In short, you stick the Meater into your food and then wait for your phone to tell you when it’s done.

For Your Consideration: Belkin USB Type C chargers and cables

The initial setup and first meal is a breeze to get started. You’ll be walked through the process by the app and then handed off to start cooking. It’s here where, in the app, that you tell it what you’re cooking or grilling and how you like it prepared.

Getting a ham ready for a holiday dinner? Maybe you’re throwing a couple of filets on the grill. Simply tell the app what you’re doing and let it do the rest.

Anything else?

Aside from just registering the internal temperature of your meat, the Meater also measures the ambient temperature, too. This way you know if you even have the right amount of heat. Moreover, it will constantly monitor and report the temps, graphing them and estimating the time for finish.

Don’t worry about keeping your eye on the app; it will push out notifications when things are ready. Give yourself a five minute warning if you’d like that way you can begin setting things aside or prepping to pull the food off.

Charging

The Meater comes in small box about the size of what might house a fancy ink pen. Constructed of bamboo, it is where you’ll charge it up using one (included) AAA battery.

The thermometer is silver with a black handle and features an etched line. This is essentially how far you you’ll want to insert the unit into your food. The black part is what measures the environmental temperatures, tracking how hot it gets under the roaster lid or inside of the closed grill.

We tried cooking using the Bluetooth connection and found it had pretty poor range. When using it with an Easter ham inside of a counter-top roasting oven we found that we couldn’t get more than a couple of feet away. This was a nuisance as it kept us, or the phone, within a small circle in the kitchen.

Fortunately, we have multiple phones and tablets in the home and the thermometer can be setup using Meater Link. In essence, you leave one device close enough to stay in range and then others on the same WiFi network can monitor and manage the cooking. If you have a dedicated tablet for the kitchen, you’ll want to install the app on it right away and use it as the central device.

Conclusion

We had a lot of fun with the Meater and look forward to using it more this summer as we grill out. It’s easy to setup, almost impossible to screw up, and simple to clean up.

For just $69 you’ll have something that takes the guesswork out of cooking new and exciting meals or precisely-grilled steak. Not only that, but it gives you a cool device that you get to show off and discuss over dinner.

OnePlus 6 review: The best value smartphone of 2018

Alexandra Arici
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OnePlus’ creed has always been to deliver smartphones packing the latest technology at an affordable price. When the OnePlus One came out in 2014, it quickly became a wild success.

It was a hard-edged phone with a backside covered in sandpaper. It offered high-end components and the freedom for nerds to tinker around with the phone’s software.

Four years later, the Chinese indie brand has unveiled the OnePlus 6, and it’s the company’s most mature phone to date. Yes, it costs nearly double than what the OnePlus One use to, but the company has evolved a great deal and with this model, I believe it has completed its transition to the big league.

Don’t Miss

It’s a stellar piece of technology that looks and feels like a million bucks. And the best part is, it won’t burn through your savings like the iPhone X. Instead, OnePlus has managed to once again keep prices relatively low (compared to the competition), so the OnePlus 6 starts at $529 for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage model.

So if you’re on the market for a phone right now that doesn’t compromise on specs and features, the OnePlus 6 is one of the best options you have available at this point.

Not 100% sure you want to jump on board yet? Keep reading below for more details on OnePlus’ latest flagship.

Design

Much of the OnePlus 6’s appeal comes from the fact that it now sports a completely new build and design. This year, OnePlus abandoned the aluminum back of its previous phones in favor of glass, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 to be more precise. Which now covers the back and front of the device. Despite the change, the phone does retain the slight palm-curved shape of earlier models.

As far as I’m concerned, the OnePlus 6 looks stunning and feels really premium, but the all-glass design might feel a bit overused to some. After all phones like the LG G7 ThinQ, Galaxy S9 and others also adhere to the same current.

OnePlus has also incorporated other trendy design details into the new flagship. Yes, there’s a notch on the 6.28-inch Optic AMOLED display, but if you’re not a fan of that don’t fret. The company gives you the option to easily hide the notch from settings.

Now, if you were to hold the OnePlus 6 next to the 5T you’ll immediately notice that screen real estate on the former is bigger. It’s grown from 6-inches to 6.3-inches, leading to a slight increase in thickness (0.4mm) and weight (14g). Though the newcomer has shrunk a bit in width.

Display

The display itself is still excellent, although there are no major upgrades to speak of. The resolution is the same FHD+ or 2,280 x 1,080, and the AMOLED display continues to offer bright, sharp and vivid colors, with great viewing angles.

Like on its predecessor, users can choose between a number of different screen calibrations including default, sRGB, DCI-P3 and Adaptive.

The only area where I found myself wishing the OnePlus 6 would be better sunlight readability. It’s summer here and days are super-sunny. On most occasions I was forced to shield the screen with my palm in order to be able to read something.

The back of the OnePlus 6 looks quite reminiscent of the Galaxy S9+. Both devices have a vertically stacked, centrally arranged dual-rear cameras and a candy bar-shaped fingerprint scanner below. Which is super fast, although I’m not such a big fan about the shape. I prefer circular.

This is quite a departure from the OnePlus 5T that had a horizontally-aligned dual camera located in the top-left corner and a circular fingerprint reader position centrally.

As you would expect, though, from a phone with such a glossy finish, it’s a dust and fingerprint magnet. On the bright side, I found it to be less slippery than the OnePlus 5T.

In any case, you can easily slap a case on the back of the phone. I particularly liked the rugged Bumper case OnePlus provided in the box with the phone. It’s very stylish in nylon and gives your device the soft feel of fabric.

Other details

There’s been a switch-up in other classic OnePlus design elements too. For example, the iconic alert slider has been moved to sit on the top right side. Regrettably, it’s a bit stiff and requires a firm grip on the phone to slide. But that’s just a minor detail.

Beneath it sits the power button. On the left side, you get a volume rocker and the phone’s dual SIM card slot. At the bottom edge resides the USB Type-C connector, 3.5mm audio jack port and a sole speaker.

Like on the 5T, the speaker is pretty basic, albeit it being enhanced by Dirac. You won’t find here a dual speaker setup or anything fancy like special audio chambers. If you’re an audiophile, you will have to look somewhere else. Perhaps in the direction of the LG V30 family.

We should also note at this point that the phone is water resistant for “everyday use”, but does not carry an “official” IP67/IP68 rating.

Performance

The OnePlus 6 is as good as any flagship launched in 2018. It includes Qualcomm’s top-of-the-line Snapdragon 845 in combination with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. For the first time, the company is offering a 256GB storage option, alongside the 64GB and 128GB one.

This means that the phone is really fast and responsive, and games load quickly and reliably with minimal stutter or frame dropping. I’ve been using the device for a few weeks and I can’t say I’ve experienced any odd occurrences or random freezes. Our review variant has the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage configuration.

On top of the pure power radiating from under the hood, the OnePlus 6 also gets the new capability to support two LTE connections simultaneously.

Battery-wise, the OnePlus 6 is a winner. It still retains the same 3,300 mAh juice box of the OnePlus 5T, but it lasts just as long, in some occasions even longer!

For example, I fully charged my phone Sunday morning and on Monday morning I still had 55% left.

Yet, despite having a glass rear, the OnePlus 6 does not support wireless charging. Fortunately, it has Dash Charge which can take you from around 27% to 100% in an hour or so. However, I should note that Dash Charge is proprietary, so it won’t work with another USB-C cable. You must use the one that OnePlus provided.

Camera

The camera performance was one of my main complains when I reviewed the OnePlus 5T. I hoped OnePlus would address the issue with the OnePlus 6 and it did.

Yeah, the camera it’s still not as good as the Pixel 2’s or Huawei’s fancy P20 Pro, but it’s definitely a step up in the right direction.

You might not believe this looking at the bare specs. On paper, the dual-cameras on the back are pretty much identical to the previous model. There’s the same 20-megapixel + 16-megapixel with f/1.7 combination. BUT, and there’s a big but, the main camera now has a 19% larger sensor.

Which means the sensor is capable of capturing more light, which in turn translates into being able to take better low-light pictures. Oh, and we also get optical image stabilization.

When compared to the OnePlus 5T, the OnePlus 6 is able to pick up more of the finer details, even in poorly lit environments. Sure, things aren’t amazingly sharp in low-light, but you will certainly be able to notice the improvements. Even as it falls behind phones with larger sensors and wider aperture like the beastly Huawei P20 Pro, the OnePlus 6 can take a decent bar or concert picture.

Where the OnePlus 6 shines is in daylight photography, with Portraits looking particularly remarkable.

Sure, there’s still work to be done. For instance, the second camera is only there to add depth data for the phone’s blurred background portrait mode. Which granted, works pretty well. Yet, the sensor doesn’t bring anything extra like optical zoom or the ability to capture monochrome images.

OnePlus has also added a new slow-mo video mode which lets you shoot 720p video at 480fps or 1080p at 240fps. You can also shoot video in 4K resolution at 60fps with OIS enabled, which is pretty sweet.

The selfie-camera remains a 16-megapixel sensor, but it seems to be able to take sharper selfies, as least as far as I can tell. A new selfie Portrait mode was also recently added via a software update.

Software

The OnePlus 6 comes running the latest version of Google’s mobile operating system, Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. Like always, you’ll get a smooth and clean experience, with only a handful pre-installed apps. Obviously, OnePlus has included a few software tweaks of its own.

For example, a new gesture control system can replace the familiar Android on-screen nav button triad with an iPhone-X like swipe system. Which, unfortunately, need more perfecting because it’s often times unreliable and frustrating to use.

Other features you’ll find on board the OnePlus 6:

  • OnePlus’ home screen Shelf – lets you write a quick memo or view recent contacts and apps.
  • Gaming Mode 2.0 – kicks in a do-not-disturb mode while gaming, but also boosts app loading speeds specifically for games. It also has improved app prioritization, so it will know to kill off apps in the background if they are affecting performance
  • Reading Mode – creates a monochrome effect that’s conducive to reading.
  • Schedule Do Not Disturb Mode – allows you to set up custom rules for Do Not Disturb and configure a preset time so it kicks in automatically. This way you won’t have to toggle the Alert Slider every time you go to bed in the evening.

Finally, the OnePlus 6 is one of the phones on Google’s Android P beta list, so you can give the latest version of Android a try if you buy it.

Final thoughts

With the OnePlus 6, the Chinese company has delivered a suitable successor for the OnePlus 5T. Boasting a beautiful design, top-notch specs and much-improved camera, the new flagship should definitely be on your radar if you’re on the market for a new phone.

Obviously, no phone is perfect and the OnePlus 6 is no different. It does lack a microSD card slot, waterproofing and despite having a glass back, it does not offer wireless charging. Which would have been nice.

But none of these are actually deal breakers, especially at this price. Just think about it, you’d be getting a premium glass phone with a Snapdragon 845, great display and competitive dual-camera for only $529.

If you’re not looking to spend more than $600 on the phone, then the OnePlus 6 is absolutely the best device you can get on this budget. Aside from the minimal issues we’ve outlined in this review, the OnePlus 6 is more than capable to compete head-to-head with the top flagships available on the market today. And in some respects even outdo them.

However, there’s a caveat to be taken into account before buying the OnePlus 6. It does not work on Verizon or Sprint networks. Thankfully, it works just fine with GSM carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T. So if you’re already a subscriber, you should be good to go. If not, you might want to consider switching carriers. Or, you could take a look at the alternatives. The Honor 10 View and ASUS ZenFone 5Z (which is not yet available in the US) are the closest options right now.

The OnePlus 6 is currently available in the following coloring options and configurations:

  • Mirror Black with 6GB of RAM + 64GB of storage – $529.00
  • Silk White with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage – $579.00
  • Mirror Black with 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage – $579.00
  • Midnight Black with 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage – $579.00
  • Midnight Black with 8GB of RAM + 256GB of storage – $629.00

Buy the OnePlus 6

Motorola’s Moto Z3 flagship will probably be unveiled on August 2

Alexandra Arici
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Motorola introduced the premium middle-range Moto Z3 Play last month. But what about a proper flagship? Don’t worry, it’s coming soon.

The company recently posted a teaser video in which it announces it will be hosting an event on August 2 at its HQ in Chicago. No other details are revealed in the clip, but our bet is that the company will unveil the Moto Z3 flagship.

In the video description, Motorola invites you to say hello to a new way to “connect, stream, download, video chat, and more” on the said date. This suggests we will soon see new additions to its smartphones lines.

Are you ready for a new Motorola flagship?

The Moto Z3 flagship is expected to arrive with a 6-inch display – up from the 5.5-inches of both Moto Z2 Force – with 18:9 aspect ratio. It will feature a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, similar to a lot of other 2018 flagships.

The phone will most likely pack a Snapdragon 845 processor and will include a dual-camera setup, although the exact details are unknown so far. Obviously, the Moto Z3 will work with Moto Mods, old and new.

On top of the Moto Z3, we also expect to see Motorola unveil its first notchy phone, the One Power. The device will be part of Google’s Android One program. According to leaks, the Moto One Power will be a mid-range device coming with a large 6-inch display with 2280 x 1080 resolution.

The phone will take advantage of a Snapdragon 636, backed-up by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Other specs include a rear-facing dual-camera setup, 3,780 mAh battery and Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box.

The event could also, perhaps, include a preview of the 5G Moto Mod that has been leaked in photos not so long ago.

If you’re interested to hear the latest news from Motorola, mark the August 2 date in your calendar.

Facebook’s new Keyword Snooze lets you mute keywords

Alexandra Arici
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Trying to avoid American Horror Story spoilers or you’re simply sick of seeing the name of a certain politician in your Facebook newsfeed? We have some good news for you.

The social media giant recently announced that it’s testing a new snooze option called Keyword Snooze which will allow users to hide any posts from their timeline that contain certain keywords.

Facebook is rolling the new feature to a small number of users, so you might not be able to use it at the moment.

How to take advantage of Keyword Snooze

However, if it’s available to you, you should be able to see it in a post’s options. To access the options, simply tap on the three-dot drop-down menu located in the upper-right of each post.

Previously, Facebook offered an option which allowed users to snooze all content from an individual for 30 days. With Keyword Snooze, people will be able to stop seeing particular types of content for 30 days. So if you’re trying to avoid spoilers of the upcoming Handmaid’s Tale finale, you can set “Handmaid’s Tale” as a keyword to be muted for a month.

But there’s a caveat to be considered here. In order to set a keyword to snooze, you first need to stumble upon a post which contains that keyword, at which point it might already be too late.

The good news is that as reported by TechCrunch, Facebook is considering other options for Keyword Snooze like a pre-emptive snooze option in News Feed Preferences or a recurring snooze list.

Another limitation is that you can’t permanently snooze a keyword like you can on Instagram or Twitter. Yet, a Facebook spokesperson said this feature might be added eventually, depending on user feedback.

What’s more, we should also note that Keyword Snooze only works on posts that contain texts, although it does not exclude ads.

Are you seeing the new feature in your Feed? If so, let us know in the comment section below.

Master a new language with one of these Android apps!

Alexandra Arici
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Fascinated by a particular country or region and you’d like to be able to learn its native language? That’s awesome!

Learning a second language has been proven to strengthen cognitive abilities like intelligence and memory while lowering risks of brain aging and dementia.

Aside from that, language learning is fun and can expand your horizon of knowledge. After all, the world is becoming increasingly multicultural, so being multilingual might come in handy one day.

Today, students learning a new language have the option of modernizing their learning style by adopting an app. Indeed, there are many language apps available for Android users out there. And with the pace of technology adoption speeding up, you can now learn a new language from the comfort of your own home without a teacher.

See Also: Buyer’s Guide: Bluetooth Speakers

All you have to do is install the right apps to start learning the basics of grammar, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

So for those of you who dream of being able to speak fluent Swedish or Turkish one day, we’ve put together a list of some of the best language apps you can download on your Android right now.

Duolingo

What it is:

Duolingo is probably one of the most well-known language learning services out there. The app uses text, pictures and audio to help you learn new words and phrases.

Why we like it:

  • The app comes with a wide selection of languages you can learn, from the more common Spanish, French or German to the more exotic Japanese, Korean, Welsh, Vietnamese and Swahili.
  • Duolingo uses games to teach students the basics of the new language and that’s why it’s a great place to start for beginners.
  • The app also teaches you how to pronounce the new words.
  • You can track your progress with shiny achievements.
  • Cute green-owl mascot guides you through the lessons.

Install Duolingo

Memrise

What it is:

A language learning especially useful for memorizing characters, vocabulary and phrases. The app also incorporates questions and quizzes, so it’s not merely a flashcard app. The app is free to download, but to get access to certain tools you will need to pay.

Why we like it:

  • Memrise also uses gaming-style learning to teach you the foundations of the language you want to learn.
  • The free account gives you access to plentiful content (note: you will need to unlock the Pro version for additional features like chatting with users who speak the language you’re trying to learn).
  • The app uses adaptive learning technology, meaning it changes how it teaches you based on your performance. It’s certainly something you see the teacher do in the classroom.

Install Memrise

Innovative

What it is:

An app which gives users access to a wide range of lessons including audio and videos. It requires a subscription after the 7-day trial period expires.

Why we like it:

  • The app lets you choose between 34 different languages including English, French, Thai, Arabic, Filipino, Persian and more.
  • It offers a 7-day free trial which gives users access to basic learning tools such as full video/audio lessons with .pdf transcripts. These are supported by a vocabulary section.
  • Supports other advanced features such as the ability to create personal word lists or 1-on-1 learning with Your Own Teacher option. You can also get a personalized learning program & guidance. But you’ll have to pay to get access to them.

Install Innovative

Beelinguapp

What it is:

An app for people who prefer auditory learning, a learning style in which a person learns through listening. Beelinguapp is free to use but features some in-app purchases.

Why we like it:

  • Some people tend to learn faster simply by listening. Beelinguapp is an app based on this principle. It’s designed to help you learn a foreign language by practicing listening.
  • The app provides side-by-side readings of your favorite fairytales, novels and much more.
  • The app supports 12 foreign languages such as German, Italian and Chinese and includes a lot of interesting reading material.

Install Beelinguapp

Babbel

What it is:

An app which offers packs of lessons that cover certain abilities, including those targeted at beginners of advanced students. You get one lesson for free, but if you want more you’ll have to spend money.

Why we like it:

  • The app teaches you words and phrases and then asks you to spell them out, speak them aloud or fit them into sentences.
  • The app focuses on conventional learning and explains grammar rules as you go.
  • There’s the option of downloading lessons for offline use, so if you are going off the grid and want some study materials, this app is perfect.

Install Beelinguapp

Busuu

What it is:

A language-learning app with a very well-designed interface. It offers compelling lesson packages including a bunch of travel courses that will quickly prepare you for your next trip. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to pay to unlock some extra tools.

Why we like it:

  • You start off with a placement test, so you can start learning at the right difficulty level.
  • The app includes flashcards, grammar, writing and pronunciation exercise. Quizzes and games are also available for you to test your knowledge.
  • Learners can chat with native speakers, and even have them correct their exercises.

Install Busuu

Mondly

What it is:

Mondly is your new augmented reality (AR) language assistant that gives a unique spin to your language learning endeavors.

Why we like it:

  • Powered by ARCore, MondlyAR is like a foreign friend you can keep on your phone. It engages you in spoken conversation and gives instant feedback to your pronunciation.
  • The app tutors teaches new words by having you listen to conversations between native speakers.
  • Includes a special Verb conjugations module which teaches you full conjugations including the translation.

Install Mondly

So are you ready to learn a new language? Download one of these language apps to get started.

Verizon and Verizon Prepaid now offering Samsung Galaxy J3

AndroidGuys
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Verizon Wireless on Friday confirmed that it now offering the Samsung Galaxy J3 as part of its postpaid and prepaid services.

Announced earlier this month, the Samsung Galaxy J3, features a 5-inch HD display, 8-megapixel rear camera with f/1.9 aperture, and 5-megapixel front-facing camera (f/2.2).

Powered by Android 8.0 Oreo, the phone has an octa-core Exynos processor, 2GB RAM, and 16GB internal storage.

SEE ALSO: Verizon offering military discounts on Unlimited plans

Rounding hardware out, the Galaxy J3 has a 2,600mAh battery and the standard fare of connectivity. In terms of software touches, the phone has Samsung Easy Mode UI for larger icons and fonts as well as Bixby Home app for learned recommendations.

SEE ALSO: Verizon announces new Above Unlimited plan, mix-and-match option for families

The phone is sold as the Galaxy J3 V through Verizon’s postpaid service with a $168 retail price. Broken down over 24 months it comes out to $7 per month. It is available through Verizon Prepaid as the Galaxy J3 3rd Gen where it has a $124 sticker price.

Embracing the notch: top Android smartphones that have a screen notch

Alexandra Arici
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Whether you love it or love to hate it, the notch is here to stay in 2018. Notched displays are all the rage right now and basically, everyone is jumping on board the train.

Months after the iPhone X came out in September 2017, the notch started to crop up in smartphone launches by some Android vendors, keen to lure users who may desire the unique iPhone X aesthetic but at a cheaper price.

So what iPhone X-inspired Android smartphones can you get right now? Below you’ll find a list of models from key Android OEMs that have joined the trend.

LG G7 ThinQ

Announced last month, LG’s G7 flagship has a notch and an LCD display. But if you’re not a big fan don’t fret. You have options. You can either black out the bars on each side of the notch for a more traditional look. Or you can opt for LG’s other recent flagship, the V35 ThinQ. It’s notch-less and on top of that, it features an OLED display instead of LCD.

Anyway, going back to the notchy LG, the phone offers a 6.1-inch screen with 19:5:8 aspect ratio and 3120 x 1440 resolution. Like most flagships launching today, the G7 ThinQ includes a powerful Snapdragon 845 processor. Coupled with 4 or 6GB of RAM and 64GB or 128GB of storage, the phone should be among the fastest on the market.

On the new handset, LG leverages AI capabilities which it hopes will make the phone stand out. For example, the device comes bundled with a series of AI-powered camera features like being capable of analyzing the scene and automatically serving up the filters that make the phone look better.

LG G7 ThinQ purchase links: Verizon | T-Mobile | Sprint | Best Buy | B&H Photo

Huawei P20 and P20 Pro

Huawei’s P20 and P20 Pro are some of the most eye-catching devices we’ve seen this year. Both are available in a variety of colors, but the P20 Pro stands out due to its unique Twilight back. It features an eye-watering blue-to-purple gradient that changes tone depending on how the light hits it.

But that’s not the only reason you might want the P20 Pro. The phone comes with a three rear-camera assembly comprised of 20, 8 and 40-megapixel sensors. And like always, the cameras are Leica-optimized, so the phone should be able to take some stunning pictures.

As you’d expect the rest of the specs are pretty impressive too. The P20 Pro sports a 6.1-inch FullHD+ OLED display, 6GB of RAM and 4,000 mAh battery. As for the standard P20, it ships with a 5.8-inch FullHD+ LCD display, 4GB of RAM and 3,400 mAh battery.

Both are powered by Huawei’s Kirin 970, which is one of the first SoCs to come with dedicated hardware for AI, in the form of an NPU. The unit can do things like automatic scene recognition when taking photos.

Huawei P20 Pro purchase links: Amazon

OnePlus 6

The OnePlus 6 is the Chinese company’s biggest and most ambitious phone to date. It makes the jump to an all-glass design that gives the still-affordable flagship an even more high-end vibe. Even so, the handset still doesn’t come with wireless charging. On the bright side, it has Dash charging which fully juices up the phone in one hour.

The phone also features a gorgeous 6.3-inch AMOLED display, notch and all. If don’t think you can learn to live with the display cutout, you can easily hide the notch area from Settings.

When it comes to performance, the OnePlus 6 is a beast coming with a Snapdragon 845 and up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. Yes, there’s no microSD, but you get plenty of storage by default.

On the back of the phone, there’s a 16+20-megapixel camera setup with f/1.7 which should be able to deliver some great shots. The front-facing selfie camera is of 16-megapixel variety, so users won’t be disappointed when taking self-portraits either.

OnePlus 6 purchase links: OnePlus

Xiaomi Mi 8

Launched to celebrate Xiaomi’s 8th Anniversary (8 is a big deal in China), the Xiaomi Mi 8 packs great specs and a face reminiscent of the iPhone X.

The phone comes with a 6.21-inch AMOLED FullHD+ display and a great 88.5% screen-to-body ratio.

Much like the OnePlus 6, the Mi 8 relies on a Snapdragon 845 and ships with 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. There’s also the Mi 8 Explorer edition that packs 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also comes with a few other perks like the see-through glass back and pressure-sensitive in-display fingerprint scanner.

Returning to the standard Mi 8, on the back you get dual cameras with twin 12-megapixel sensors. The phone also uses AI to identify scenes and apply the best settings, as well as for “Studio Lightning” portrait photography. What’s more, Xiaomi’s new flagships caters to selfie lovers by putting a 20-megapixel sensor on the front.

Xiaomi Mi 8 purchase links: Oppomart

ASUS ZenFone 5Z

The ASUS ZenFone 5Z is perhaps the most affordable notchy phone in the list. Pity, it has yet to go on sale yet. But we expect it to drop this summer with a $499 price tag.

In return for this sum, customers will get a phone with a 6.2-inch display with 90% screen-to-body ratio and FHD+ resolution. The Snapdragon 845 processor makes a return here once again. The phone will be offered with 6 or 8GB of RAM and 64/128 or 256GB of storage.

As for cameras, the ZenFone 5Z has a 12-megapixel camera with f/1.8 and an 8-megapixel sensor with 120-degree wide-angle lens on the back. On the back, there’s a rather standard 8-megapixel camera.

Essential Phone

In case you weren’t aware, it was actually the Essential Phone and not the iPhone X which first brought the notch to the Western market. Since its release, many other notchy phones with updated hardware have made their way onto retail shelves.

But even so, the Essential Phone remains a pretty decent handset. Especially since it’s currently priced at $499.

The device boasts a 5.71-inch LCD display with 2560 x 1312 resolution and relies on last year’s Snapdragon 835. It ships with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage and runs stock Android. On top of that, it gets frequent updates, even before other flagships from major OEMs like Samsung and LG.

Essential Phone purchase links: Essential | Sprint | Amazon | Best Buy

OnePlus commits to future software updates and possible carrier support

Andrew Myrick
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The OnePlus 6 has been available for a little while now, and is still super popular. The handset became the fastest-selling OnePlus device ever, and the train hasn’t stopped yet.

READ MORE: 6 Useful tricks to get the most from the OnePlus 6

However, OP has some tricks up its sleeve to help keep the customers coming back. The first of which comes in the software update department, while the other could mean carrier support for a future device.

 Two years of updates

Starting off with the software side, OnePlus made a new post on its forums. This post revealed the ‘OnePlus Software Maintenance Schedule.’

This new schedule reveals that future handsets will be updated for two years with the latest version of Android. However, Security updates will be made for future handsets for up to three years.

The company also confirmed that this new Maintenance schedule will be applied to the following:

  • OnePlus 3
  • OnePlus 3T
  • OnePlus 5
  • OnePlus 5T
  • OnePlus 6

This means that we will likely be seeing the update to Android P on the OP3 and OP3T, but that’s likely the end. Meanwhile, the OP6 will be properly updated until the release of Android R or Android S (if we get that far).

Will history repeat?

With other, bigger, OEM’s suffering from providing regular software updates, it’s great to see OP make this announcement. There is still some concern, though, as there is some bad history with the OP2.

The company announced that the OP2 would be updated to Android Nougat. Instead, OP decided to abandon that device, leaving owners to turn to the rooting community for Nougat.

Hopefully, that won’t be the case, but only time will tell to see if OP follows through on its promise.

OnePlus working with carriers and 5G?

In case you weren’t aware, Mobile World Congress Shanghai is taking place this week. OP CEO Pete Lau was at the event and spoke to PC Mag about future handsets.

Lau confirmed that the company is “already working with US carriers” to bring a new device to even more folks. This new push also coincides with a possible 5G-enabled smartphone from OP in the works.

Lau also stated that the company “should be among the world’s first to feature 5G”. This is thanks to the great partnership between Qualcomm and OP. In fact, the OP5 was the first handset to launch with the Snapdragon 835 chipset last year.

The interesting thing here is that 5G is not expected to be ready for wide-spread rollout until 2019. If OP can get ahead of the curve, it will make the company’s next handset “future-proof” and would work on the new network before others.

Unfortunately, Lau stopped short of sharing any other information regarding the company’s future handset. We can only assume that the OP7 will be coming this Fall, if the company follows its recent release schedule.

Let us know what you think about these announcements and if you’re excited to see OnePlus finally hit carriers.

 

Save up to 50% on different products by joining the Koogeek VIP Club (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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Almost on a daily basis, you can find some pretty good deals and savings on various products. We try to highlight these with the Saturday Savings series, but those only come on Saturday.

Koogeek is trying to help you save some money all the time with its new VIP club. This new club will provide you up to 50% off of various products.

Since this program has just launched, there are not too many products available. However, here’s the full list:

Koogeek Discounted Products

Perhaps the most exciting options are the LB1 bulb and SK1 Smart Bulb Socket. These are both smart home products and can get your feet wet in making your home a bit smarter.

Plus, if you can save 50%, what’s stopping you from picking one up? The best part about the Koogeek VIP Club is that it’s completely free to sign up. Just use your own email, Facebook, or Twitter account and get signed up.

In order for you to sign up for VIP Club, you will want to hit the button below. From there, you’ll need to create a Koogeek account which will also offer the following benefits:

  • 15% off for all products
  • One-on-One Service
  • Receive Special Offers
  • Extended Warranty

It’s not often that you see so many different ways to save offered by a company. But Koogeek is looking to do just that.

Let us know what kind of deals you have found, and if you joined the new VIP Club from Koogeek.

Join the Koogeek VIP Club

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