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ASUS Zenfone Max (M1) with 4,000 mAh battery goes up for pre-sale in the US for $169

Alexandra Arici
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If you’re looking for a phone that won’t break the bank, consider ASUS’ new Zenfone Max (M1) offering. The phone just went on pre-sale in the US via B&H and is available unlocked for only $169.

Interested parties can get the phone in black, rose gold or red. The handset is compatible with only GSM/LTE carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T.

The new model shouldn’t be confused with its larger brother, the Zenfone Max Plus (M1) which also launched in the US earlier this year and is a bit more expensive.

What will $169 get you?

The Zenfone Max (M1) arrives with a 5.5-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 1440 x 720 resolution. It’s powered by Snapdragon 425 processor, which is backed up by 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage.

On top of that, the device includes a dual-camera arrangement on the back that consists of a primary 13-megapixel sensor and a secondary wide-angle 8-megapixel one. The back is also home to a circular fingerprint scanner. As for the front, it hosts the 8-megapixel selfie snapper.

But the best part about the Zenfone Max is its battery. The phone boasts a 4,000 mAh power source which according to ASUS can provide:

  • Up to 41 days on 4G standby
  • Approximately 26 hours of 3G talk time
  • 16 hours of video playback
  • Up to 23 hours of Wi-Fi web browsing

The phone also supports fast charging, so users will be able to juice it back up quickly.

B&H doesn’t say when the phone will start shipping, although the website states it’s going to be “soon”.

If you think this affordable Android 8.0 Oreo phone might be for you, then you can go ahead and place a pre-order at B&H.

The larger ASUS Zenfone Max Plus (M1) is also available with the online retailer. You can pick it up for $229.

How to enable Continued Conversation in Google Assistant for longer interactions

Alexandra Arici
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At I/O 2018, Google spent a lot of time talking about the Google Assistant. One of the most interesting features announced was Continued Conversations. This was designed to allow users to continue talking to the Google Assistant without using the wake-up word each time. Basically, it lets you string string multiple commands together by saying “Hey Google” only once.

The feature started rolling out to users in the US last week. If you haven’t had the chance to test it out yourself, here’s how it works.

First off, Continued Conversation is not enabled by default, so you will need to turn it on manually from your Assistant’s settings.

Don’t Miss!

To enable the new feature, you first need to make sure your Google Assistant app is up to date. Once that’s out the way, open the app on your device and tap the Explore button located in the top right corner. Alternatively, you can open the Google Home app and select More Settings from the left menu.

How to turn on Continued Conversations in Google Assistant

  1. In the Explore tab, tap on the three-dot menu (Settings) located in the top right corner.
  2. Select Preferences
  3. In the Preferences screen find and tap on the Continued Conversation option
  4. Toggle the Continued Conversation feature to enable the setting

Once this feature is enabled, your Google Assistant will continue listening on your device for an additional 8 seconds. During this time, you can continue issuing commands or asking questions as needed. After 8 seconds, Google Assistant will stop listening and you will be required to use the wake-up word again to issue another command. However, if you want the Google Assistant to stop listening sooner, just say “thank you” or “stop”.

For example, you could ask your Assistant something like “OK, what’s the weather today?” Then you might say “What about tomorrow” and “Add an umbrella to my shopping list.” Then switch it up and ask the Assistant to “Turn on the TV”.

If you have yet to give Continued Conversations a try, you can go ahead and quickly activate the new feature by following this simple tutorial. Since it’s an opt-in feature, you can turn it off at any time in case you find it doesn’t work how you hoped it would.

Jaybird Run Review: Truly wireless headphones done right

AndroidGuys
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Ever since Apple released the AirPods, Android users have been hoping for a proper competitor. We have seen options from Bragi, Samsung, and others, but nothing really has stuck with us.

READ MORE: Zolo Liberty+ Headphones Review

Then, Jaybird decided to jump on the hype train with the Jaybird Run. These headphones are completely wireless, come with a charging case, and come from a trusted brand.

In fact, Jaybird has been one of the de-facto choices for Bluetooth headphones if you want to move out of the budget market. But how well do the Jaybird Run really stand up?

Design

When you unpackage the Run for the first time, you will notice that these are a bit bulky. You can thank the included battery for that, but it won’t take away from how good these look.

No, the Run won’t turn any heads and make you rush to your local Best Buy to pick up a set. But it’s a muted design that you would expect to see from Jaybird.

Inside the packaging, you receive the left and right earbuds, charging case/cable, along with a few different ear-tips. This is a much-welcome addition so that you can get the perfect fit. There are even “fins” that will fit into a groove and help provide a better fit in your ears.

On the outside of each headphone, you will see the Jaybird logo with a small LED placed at the top. The LED allows you to gauge battery life, along with pairing status and more.

On the inside of each headphone, you’ll find the charging pins so that you can use the charging case on the go. You will also find some labeling to let you know which headphone goes where.

Usability

The pairing process for the Jaybird Run is pretty simple. Before getting started, you’ll want to download the free Jaybird MySound app from the Play Store.

This will assist in the pairing process, along with including some extra goodies. Once the Run are charged up and ready to go, you can take them out of the case and power them on with the button on the outside.

That’s right, the big Jaybird logo on the outside of each earbud is actually a button. A long press of the button turns it on, and will also put it into pairing mode for the first time.

After these have been connected to your smartphone of choice, you can get started. Which brings us to the MySound application.

From within the app, you create and customize different sound presets. This will be super helpful so that your music sounds as crisp and clear as you want it to.

Overall, the pairing process is extremely easy, even if you want to pair it with more devices. There are even community playlists and EQ presets for you to save and take advantage of.

For those who rely on Jaybird for workout headphones, have no fear. The Run is both sweat-proof and water resistant. These will keep going, regardless of whether you’re running in the rain or pumping some iron in the gym.

Battery life

When it comes to these truly wireless Bluetooth headphones, the biggest question is battery life. Jaybird claims that the Run will last for up to four hours before needing to be recharged.

In our testing, the Run came close to this on a regular basis. At times we would see shorter battery life, but that was largely due to the EQ being put to work for bass-heavy music.

Listening to softer content such as podcasts and audiobooks gained us as much as an extra 45 minutes of usage. I look at this as a benefit due to the fact that the MySound allows for so much customization.

The included battery case will provide up to 8 extra hours of charge. Meaning that you can swing for two more playing sessions with the Run before having to completely charge everything.

But what makes life even better for Run owners is the Fast charge capabilities. If you’re going out for a bit, you can throw the Run in the charging case for 5 minutes and get an extra hour of play time.

That’s pretty impressive and is something that more of these headphones manufacturer’s should do.

Sound

The next big question when it comes to these headphones is the sound. Did Jaybird sacrifice anything to join the truly wireless headphone push?

In my experiences with the Run, the short answer is no. Of course, these headphones aren’t studio quality, but they will definitely hype you up during a run or workout.

Listening to some Rap or Dubstep? Pump up the base a bit. Listening to a podcast? Use the proper preset or create one for your personalized listening experience.

We can’t say enough good things about being able to customize presets to your needs. You won’t have to worry about being “stuck” with bass that is too heavy or treble that is too high.

Jaybird really hit the nail on the head with the Run and these are some of the best sounding earbuds on the market.

Conclusion

Jaybird is killing the game, as it has been for quite some time. With the release of the Jaybird Run, the company is finally moving out of the wired era, and into the wireless age.

Despite being the company’s first such iteration, you can definitely tell that some cues have been taken from previous products. But in the end, what you get is a solid product from a company that you trust and love, for about $110.

What you get for that $110 is a high-quality product that will survive anything that you throw at it. If you want to pick up a set for yourself, hit the button below and let us know what you think.

Buy the Jaybird Run!

Aukey Latitude wireless earbuds review: Wireless music on the cheap

Alexandra Arici
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With the lack of headphone jacks on so many smartphones today, it’s no wonder wireless earbuds are more popular than ever.

To answer the demand, many top companies like Google or B&O have released wireless earbuds, but unfortunately, these offerings aren’t really affordable. Google’s Pixel Buds, for example, will take you back with $129.99 (originally priced at $159.99).

But what if you like the convenience of being able to listen to wireless music while you go for your morning run, but are not willing to spend $100+ on a pair of wireless buds?

The good news is that you have options. A few weeks ago I was sent a pair of Aukey Latitude Wireless Headphones (EP-B40) and given that they were priced at just $25.99 on Amazon I was pretty skeptic to begin with. But as I set out testing them, I soon found myself presently impressed with the wireless earbuds.

Design

To make it clear from the beginning, the Aukey Latitude are not what you’d call “true wireless” headphones. Instead, they are earbud-style headphones that connect to each other through a wire.

SEE ALSO: Gear Up: myCharge portable chargers are perfect for Pokemon Go hunts

The design of the earbuds is minimal with a plastic construction to make them lightweight. The silicon wings and tips keep the earbuds secure and come in three different sizes, so you can get the optimal combination.

The Latitude earbuds boast a black finish with the Aukey logo plastered on each earbud. Yes, they do feel plasticky and a bit cheap, but hey they cost only $25.

The two headphones are connected by a wire with an in-line 3-button remote on one side of the cable, which allows you to perform things like adjusting the volume and skipping tracks.

On the left side of the remote lives the microUSB port which you will need to use to charge your wireless audio accessories.

In addition to extra silicone tips, the Latitude ship out with a tiny charging cable and a rubbery carrying case open at the top in the box.

Function

The in-ear headphones are really comfortable to wear, once you find your fit. You’ll probably have to try a few combinations before doing so. My ears are quite small, so most in-ear headphones are usually too loose or aren’t seated well in my ear. Aukey provides you with three sizes of ear-tips and in-ear ear-hooks in the box, and fortunately, the small sized one fit relatively well in my ear canal.

I do a bit of running in the morning, nothing too grand, but I found that during my sessions the buds stayed firmly in place. No slipping out! They also managed to provide pretty great noise isolation. I run in a small park that’s next to a busy road, so the buds helped me tune out the noise and focus on my workout.

On the negative side of things, the long cable does have a tendency to tug a bit when you turn your head, but it’s nothing I couldn’t get past.

The Latitude wireless earbuds are marketed as offering a Sports design. Which means they are IPX4-certified to be able to washstand sweet and rain. This is particularly helpful during workouts when every anyone would sweat profusely.

Another cool detail, the earbuds have magnets that allow you to clip the back of the Latitude around your neck when you’re not using them. If you’re forgetful like me, it’s a great addition.

How to get started

The in-ear headphones connect to any Bluetooth-enabled device including most Android phones. The Bluetooth range is fairly accommodating.

To get them started, hold the middle power button to turn them on (or off) and they will be ready to pair in seconds. The middle button doubles as play/pause music, answer calls (short press) and switch EQ modes (double press). While the volume buttons can be used to skip tracks back and forth (press 2 seconds).

Be warned that you might often find yourself hitting the wrong thing, especially if you’re running or jumping up and down at the gym. But the more you use them, the more you will get accustomed to the commands.

In case you’re wondering how much these budget earbuds can last you on a single charge, well I found them to be able to provide approximately 7-7.30 hours of music. Also in my experience, the buds need about an hour and 20 minutes to fully recharge.

Audio experience

For its tiny price, the Aukey in-ear headphones manage to deliver reasonably good sound. The manufacturer says it is using aptX technology to offer robust sound with punchy bass and a choice of three EQ sound signatures including vocals/bass/treble.

But despite the alluring presentation, I can’t really recommend the Latitude to an audiophile. Don’t get me wrong, for me, they proved great, although I have no real highlight to report. The earbuds are a lovely fit for hitting the gym or any place where stellar sound quality isn’t necessary.

Yet, if you want to be able to discern the subtle changed in the produced music, you’ll have to look somewhere else. And upgrade your budget for a pair of wireless earbuds.

Conclusion

All in all, these wireless earbuds proved perfect for my needs. I don’t focus much on audio quality while running or working out, but I do like the convenience of going wireless.

In situations when I do want great audio, for example while commuting, I will turn to my trusty over-the-year headphones. Basically, I don’t use the running buds all that often, as I usually jog once or twice a week. So the Aukey wireless earbuds are an excellent choice if you’re a casual user.

The bottom line is that the Aukey Latitude offer quite a lot for their price range. Yes, they might not be able to deliver stellar audio, but they get the job done.

So if you don’t feel like you want to invest a lot of money into a pair of wireless ear-buds you won’t use every day, the Aukey Latitude really offer a great package for only $25.

Our pair was all black, but you can also get a pair of Latitudes with Blue and Red accents on Amazon for $29.99.

Get the Aukey Latitude Wireless Headphones (EP-B40)

Is mobile Bitcoin mining actually profitable? (Promoted)

AndroidGuys
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When it comes to Bitcoin mining, many people imagine a large number of computers in one tiny room and huge amounts of electricity being built up from the use of expensive hardware. However, Bitcoin mining has since advanced dramatically and for the avid cryptocurrency enthusiast, mining can become even easier and more accessible as a result of mining via a mobile device. But is Bitcoin mining on a mobile actually profitable? We’re taking a look, here.

Mobile Mining vs. Normal Mining

One of the biggest differences between mobile Bitcoin mining and regular Bitcoin mining is the cost. As Bitcoin value continues to climb, the number of people looking to get involved is also going to rise, further making Bitcoin mining an attractive option. However, when it comes to mining via mobile, you don’t have to invest in a significant amount of hardware. Of course, you will need to invest in the mobile or tablet you are going to be using for the mining purposes, and the better quality for this the better. This is because Bitcoin mining is power-intensive and can therefore ruin a device quite quickly. Therefore, it is important to consider the lifespan of the device in relation to its usage when determining the most appropriate device and how much you would like to invest.

CHECK OUT: Lifetime second line for your phone, just $25

Nevertheless, purchasing a device like this can reduce the costs of mining dramatically when compared to a traditional mining rig which can consist of hardware worth thousands of pounds. However, you will also need to consider the potential of data fees if you are not connected to WiFi and energy consumption – your device may need to be charged almost constantly. Overall, when compared to traditional Bitcoin mining, mobile mining is less expensive and therefore more profitable, although you are unlikely to be able to produce the same amount of Bitcoin with this method.

Platforms & Devices

Unfortunately for Apple users, there are virtually no apps that are available to support your mobile Bitcoin mining. While there are a few mining games, these are not very profitable. For Android users, however, there are a number of mining apps such as Droid Miner and Electroneum. These apps can drain battery very quickly, and reviews are not always very good with these apps, mainly as a result of people expecting instant return. On the latter, users mine virtually as opposed to actually confirming blocks on the blockchain, which obviously isn’t a profitable venture.

Is Mobile Mining Worth It?

Despite the major benefit of mobile mining apps being cost-effective, mobile mining is unlikely to be able to compete with the major CPU and GPU mining rigs that are currently being used. Mining was originally a very niche hobby for a few experts in the industry, but since the rise in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, mining has since become a significant industry. While mobile mining is possible, the only way it is likely to be profitable is if electricity is very cheap or even free, if possible. Mobile mining cannot produce the same level of Bitcoin as traditional mining, but a long-term strategy could make mobile mining profitable in the long-run.

What’s the deal with FM radio chips in phones?

AndroidGuys
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Our smartphones nowadays have access to some advanced functions thanks, of course, to their internal components. Over the past few months and heading into the future, we’ll be focusing much of our time on 5G support.

With how advanced these current devices are it’s a shame that one of the more basic functions isn’t advertised or even widely utilized. That function? The simple FM radio.

Now, with streaming music services and keeping music files on the phone’s storage, you might be wondering who needs radio anymore? Well, radio can do much more than share music.

SEE ALSO: Buyer’s Guide: Bluetooth Speakers

We can use FM radio when cell towers are down, thanks to the frequency used for radio broadcast being different from 3G and 4G signals. That frequency takes less toll on your battery life and can penetrate more solid surfaces and dense areas than cellular.

We can use radio to send out emergency broadcast calls as well, for the times that cellular fails — such as in a hurricane. With all the benefits that radio can provide, it’s a wonder why this feature isn’t talked about more often.

Who to Blame?

At one point, the blame was on carriers. Since FM Radio uses less data, customers use less data, and carriers make less money. Carriers can’t stop manufacturers from adding the radio chip to phones though, and with the resurgence of unlimited data, carriers don’t care as much.

DON’T MISS: These are the best Android phones you can buy right today

It no longer matters if consumers stream music via the radio or a service, from the carrier’s mindset. Even carriers such as Sprint, with a stake in Tidal, or Verizon, and its streaming services, still won’t bat an eye at the use of radio.

It’s not the carriers with control though. Manufacturers ultimately hold all the power on whether or not phones include an FM chip and if it’ll be enabled. Most manufacturers have embraced having chips in their phones already.

LG, Samsung, HTC, and Motorola are a few big names to have consistently included FM radio chips in their devices. As you may have noticed, a huge, influential name wasn’t listed — Apple.

The Apple Effect

As much as it pains us to state, Apple has a lot of influence on the direction and impact of technology. Unfortunately for some, a lot of companies only start to work on new technology once Apple adopts it.

Apple hasn’t had FM radio included on their last three flagship devices (iPhone 7s, 8, and X). Another strange fact about Apple not including FM Radio chips is that it won’t disclose why it has stopped adding the chip.

It may have something to do with the success of Apple Music, but we don’t have a definite answer as of yet.

I’d be willing to guess, though, that most readers of this site don’t use Apple phones very often. Lucky for us, Apple’s decision doesn’t affect our ability to use FM Radio. With the help of an FM radio app you can quickly tell if your phone has an FM chip.

Apps to the Recue

One of the most popular apps out there is NextRadio. NextRadio has even helped with research and studies regarding the broadcast chip. Some phones may have one, but it may not be enabled. We’ve seen though, that manufacturers are willing to turn those on in future updates.

All in all, you most likely have an FM Radio chip embedded in your phone and can use it. That is unless you’re a recent iPhone user. Download an app like NextRadio, and start jamming to music…with voice overlays…commercials…and static, just like you did in the 90s.

Or, at least have the app ready in case of any emergencies.

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.

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