Phone and communications

We're expecting Huawei to unveil the Mate 20 Pro at a special event on October 16, alongside the standard Mate 20 – part of a very busy October for smartphone launches we might add – and some new renders of the upcoming phone just hit the web.

Picked up by SlashLeaks, the renders show the Mate 20 Pro in a blue silicone case, as well as a "smart view" cover where part of the screen is left free to show an always-on display (with the time and date and other information). Around the back, we can see the rumored triple-lens rear camera in its rectangular configuration.

The leaks would appear to confirm that the Mate 20 Pro won't have the teardrop-style notch up at the top, like the Mate 20 is said to be carrying. Instead it goes for a more conventional display notch, possibly to hold some extra face-scanning technology.

We've already had one Huawei Mate 20 device see the light of day, of course: the Huawei Mate 20 Lite. While this phone is likely to share several design cues with the handsets that are yet to come, the more expensive phones should come packing more of a punch.

So far we've heard that the Mate 20 and the Mate 20 Pro are going to come rocking in-screen fingerprint scanners on the front, and the new leaks (with no cut-out on the cases for a rear fingerprint scanner) would seem to confirm that. Wireless charging is apparently on the way too, based on accompanying renders of a charging dock.

The same source has shared images of a new "NM card" as well, which is apparently Huawei's own take on the standard memory card format. If you want some expandable storage for your new Mate 20 Pro phone, then Huawei will sell it to you.

• Huawei Mate 20 Pro could have a clever camera and an odd bezel

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Those of you who went into 2018 hoping there would be a few leaks of the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL ahead of time have had your wildest dreams exceeded: we've seen an avalanche of unofficial videos and images showing off Google's new flagships from all angles. If you still want more, well, we've got more.

First up is renowned tipster Evan Blass, who posted renders of the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on Twitter. You can see the two screen sizes, rumored to be around 5.3 inches and 6.2 inches, and the chunky, distinctive notch on the display of the larger phone. No look at the software or the back of the phones here though.

Second up is Twitter tipster Ishan Agarwal, who has posted what seem to be genuine snaps of the Pixel 3 XL in white. This time you can see the phone powered up and the back of the device, sporting a single-lens camera. There's a fingerprint scanner on the rear, so no in-screen reader for Google this time around.

Agarwal says his sources have told him the Pixel 3 XL features a "frosted" glass back and plastic sides (or perhaps metal with some kind of coating). The SIM tray is located down at the bottom too, apparently (it's on the left-hand edge on the Pixel 2).

None of these pictures are guaranteed to be the real deal of course, but considering we've seen so many similar snaps in recent weeks and months, it's highly likely that what you're looking at here are Google's new handsets. They get officially unveiled on October 9.

Don't expect any revolutionary innovations though – all signs point to a specs boost (so a faster, more capable phone), and the usual round of camera improvements (possibly as much on the software side as the hardware side), but nothing too dramatic.

• Google 'Pixel Stand' charger leaked ahead of next month's Pixel 3 launch event

Via Android Police

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In a clear sign that the world has run out of Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL leaks in advance of the October 9 launch event, accessories for the two forthcoming smartphones have now surfaced.

Specifically, we're seeing the Google Pixel Stand – what's believed to be an official wireless charger that doubles helpful notifications display, theorizes 9to5Google.

Yes, there could be a hidden USB-C connector sticking out of this charger (masked by the phone), but a wireless charger would make this a more novel accessory in 2018.

What's interesting is that the Pixel 3 appears to sit upright in portrait mode, judging by the diagram photos the site found inside the latest Google app APK. It can show notifications and even a photo-filled slideshow; it's not just a static lock screen.

• Android Pie update, features, release date and phones list

It won't be alone

Google's October 9 launch event is poised to usher in a new era for the traditionally software-based (but increasingly hardware-savvy) search company.

We're expecting to see a lot of devices – the Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3 XL, and the now Google Pixel Charger. We may also get a new Google Home speaker.

The Google Home Hub, said to have a 7-inch tablet-shaped display and a shrunken Google Home Max-like speaker stand, could launch at the October 9 event, too.

The Google event next month is going to be Ultra packed, to say the least. TechRadar will be reporting on the announcements live in New York, so stay tuned for more.

• Competition: hands-on Amazon Echo Spot (3rd Gen) review and Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Generation) review

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Just when you think that Three mobile has set the SIM only bar to unreachable heights, it comes along and pushes it up even further. It's our favourite ever sim only deal – and it just got even better.

Just a few weeks since the numerical network relaunched its best ever Black Friday SIMO sensation, it's gone and reduced the price…again. So now you get that incredible mound of 100GB data to use for all your streaming, surfing and downloading needs every month – together with unlimited calls and texts – for only £18 per month! That's another two quid less a month, and almost half of the £31 price Three's been flogging it at for most of 2018.

Possibly trying to take advantage of the new iPhone XS launch (released proper today), all Three SIM plans include travel upgrades with EasyJet, 4G hotspot, free international roaming and 'Go Binge' which allows you to stream the likes of Netflix and Apple Music without using up your data allowance – although the last of those seems pretty redundant when you already have 100GB to swim in.

Three has also discounted its mega-popular 30GB SIM only tariff – you can now get that one for £16 per month instead of £17. A small but glorious discount.

The best ever of Three's SIM only deals in full:

• See all of Three's best SIM only deals

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The Apple iPhone XS has started shipping out to customers, who are discovering something in the owner’s manual: instructions on how to charge it using the AirPower wireless charging mat, which Apple hasn’t even given a release date. 

The AirPower is (or was, as its fate is uncertain) a Qi-certified mat that Apple claimed would be able to wirelessly charge three devices at once at different wattages, like an iPhone and Apple Watch. A report hinted that the mat runs on an iPhone-like processor running a simplified iOS to interact with Apple products.

Apple introduced the AirPower in September 2017 and stated it would come out in 2018, but hasn’t officially mentioned it since. Sources suggested it would come out in March 2018 and, when the AirPower didn’t come out then, another stated it might come out in September. 

But the Apple event revealing the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and Apple Watch 4 came and went nary a word on the AirPower. Insider reports posited that the complexity of multi-device charging caused the delays. 

It’s unlikely that a company as meticulous as Apple accidentally mentioned the AirPower in the iPhone XS manual. That could mean they’ll release it at some point soon. There’s at least evidence that Apple is continuing to develop the AirPower: iOS 12.1 updated the part responsible for managing a charging interface, according to 9to5Mac.

But other reports aren’t so optimistic. Shortly after the recent Apple event, leaker Sonny Dickson cited several sources inside the company said that many who work on AirPower feel it ‘may be doomed to failure.’ It currently produces way too much heat to charge devices efficiently, inter-device communication is buggy, the charging itself is finicky and slow, and other issues plague the product-in-development.

• All the iOS 12 and 12.1 features on one page

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We're still waiting for the OnePlus 6T, but in the meantime the OnePlus 6 has just got a little bit better, as the company has announced that Android 9 Pie is now rolling out to the handset.

The update brings a new interface, Android Pie's gesture navigation, and adaptive battery life, which uses on-device machine learning to predict which apps you're likely to use and leave them open in memory, while closing those that you're unlikely to use for a while, thereby extending life.

The Android Pie update also includes a new do not disturb mode with adjustable settings, accent color customization and changes to the Gaming Mode, such as the addition of notifications for third-party calls.

Those are the highlights, but OnePlus says the update also includes other new features and system improvements, as well as the latest Android security patch.

A gradual rollout

If you don't see the OTA update (which will be called OxygenOS 9.0) on your OnePlus 6 yet, don’t panic. It's being rolled out in stages, with a limited number of users getting it today (September 21) and a wider rollout in a few days. 

The initial rollout isn't region-based, it's luck of the draw as to whether you get it now or later.

And if you're on an older OnePlus handset you won't necessarily be left out, as the company is working on bringing Android Pie to the OnePlus 5T, OnePlus 5, OnePlus 3T and OnePlus 3 as well.

• The OnePlus 6T is confirmed to have an in-screen scanner

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Samsung only recently launched the Galaxy J6, but it’s already back with the Galaxy J6 Plus, which has just been announced along with the Samsung Galaxy J4 Plus.

Highlights of the two phones include big 6.0-inch 18.5:9 screens with a HD+ resolution, facial recognition, 3,300mAh batteries, Dolby Atmos audio, a quad-core Snapdragon 425 chipset and a glass-like back cover, seemingly designed to help them look premium without upping the price.

The Samsung Galaxy J6 Plus (pictured above) is the higher end and more interesting option, as it additionally has a dual-lens rear camera, which has both a 13MP f/1.9 lens and a 5MP f/2.2 one, allowing it to take photos with the ever-popular bokeh effect (blurred backgrounds).

It also has an 8MP front-facing camera, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of storage (in both cases the actual amount depends on your region), and a microSD card slot.

Lower end, fewer cameras

The Samsung Galaxy J4 Plus meanwhile has a single-lens 13MP rear camera, a 5MP front-facing one, 2GB or 3GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage and a microSD card slot. So the J4 Plus has potentially less RAM and storage, one less camera lens and no fingerprint scanner.

The big question is how much these phones will cost and when they’ll be available. Sadly we don’t know the answer yet, but we do know that they’ll both be coming to the UK and that you’ll be able to get the Galaxy J6 Plus in black, grey or red, while the Galaxy J4 Plus will come in black, gold or pink.

• Samsung also recently announced a phone with a triple-lens camera

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HMD Global – the company behind the recent Nokia phones – is holding an event on October 4 where it’s set to announce a new smartphone.

We know this because we've got an invite and it reads that the event will be used to “welcome the latest addition to the Nokia smartphone family," so there’s no doubt that we’ll get a new Nokia-branded handset there, what remains in question though is which one.

The invitation doesn’t contain any clues, but there are two obvious candidates, namely the Nokia 9 and the Nokia 7.1 Plus, as both these phones have been rumored.

Flagship or mid-range?

Of those the Nokia 9 is the most exciting option. This is a rumored flagship which is said to have a curved OLED screen, four or five cameras in total (split between the front and back), an iris scanner and a Snapdragon 845 chipset.

In other words it sounds like it could be the first ‘true’ Nokia flagship in a long time, since the Nokia 8 Sirocco was let down by a dated chipset.

However, exciting as that possibility is the Nokia 7.1 Plus is probably more likely to be revealed, as that has been leaked recently, whereas news has been quiet on the Nokia 9 lately.

The Nokia 7.1 Plus is rumored to have a Snapdragon 710 chipset, up to 6GB of RAM, a dual-lens rear camera and a Full HD+ screen, which would put it in the upper mid-range. Of course, if the price is right it could still be an exciting handset.

We’ll let you know exactly what actually is announced as soon as we find out on October 4.

• See what we thought of the Nokia 7 Plus

Via GSMArena

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Today is the big day – you will soon be getting your iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or Apple Watch 4 if you've already pre-ordered, plus you'll now be able to buy them from your local Apple store.

If you've already pre-ordered your phone, you should find it'll arrive later today. Some have found their pre-orders have been delayed until September 24, but if that's the case you'll have been notified by now.

Not pre-ordered? You can always head down to your local Apple Store to buy either of the phones or the newest Apple Watch when the stores open wherever you live. Be warned, there is the chance the products have already sold out.

That may mean you're not able to get your device immediately, and if that's the case we've put together a selection of our best deals we've seen for the phones so far. You can find them for wherever you live below:

• Best deals for the iPhone XS in the US
• Best deals for the iPhone XS in the UK
• Best deals for the iPhone XS in Australia
• Best deals for the iPhone XS Max in the UK
• Best deals for the iPhone XS Max in Australia
• Best deals for the Apple Watch Series 4

You also won't be able to buy the iPhone XR yet as it's set to open pre-orders on October 17 and you'll be able to buy it from October 26 as well. 

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When buying a new phone, the three key factors that drive the decision-making process are the camera, the phone’s design and its features. With the recent launch of the new iPhone XS Max, it was only logical to compare it with HUAWEI P20 Pro, one of Huawei’s leading flagship devices that has been making headlines since it was launched in March. Let’s compare each of these features to see which is a better phone to have and to hold!

Camera capabilities

HUAWEI P20 Pro is equipped with world’s first Leica Triple Camera, that helps produce images that are comparable to images taken by some of the best DSLR cameras in the market. It has yet to be challenged by any of the competition’s flagship – and that’s not about to change here.

The triple camera lens has a 40MP RGB sensor, 20MP monochrome sensor and an 8MP sensor with telephoto lens, which is far superior in terms of specs and capability when compared to Apple’s iPhone XS Max’s dual 12MP rear cameras and a 7MP “TrueDepth” front facing camera. The camera hardware on the iPhone XS Max is almost identical to that on the iPhone X, sorely lacking innovation in a flagship launch.

In simple terms, a user can expect higher resolution images with the HUAWEI P20 Pro that promise utmost clarity, optimum colour with every detail captured. In addition, both the rear and front camera on the HUAWEI P20 Pro can produce images with a higher resolution.

The HUAWEI P20 Pro also supports 3x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom and 10x digital zoom while the iPhone Xs Max only supports 2x and 10x digital zoom. This means that when you zoom in with the camera on a scene or object, the HUAWEI P20 Pro, will retain more detail in the image and it can optically zoom in farther than the iPhone XS Max.

If the hardware capability hasn’t swung it for you, let’s look at how Artificial intelligence (AI) supports users to achieve outstanding pictures. HUAWEI has been leading the AI agenda since last year with the launch of its chipset Kirin 970 that was the first ever chipset with built-in AI.

While both Huawei’s NPU and Apple’s Neural Engine work to improve camera output quality, iPhone Xs Max only focuses on improving how human subjects look. Huawei takes this a step further by offering AI scene recognition, which recognizes over 500 scenarios in 19 different categories, such as blue skies, beaches, plants, animals, night shots, stage performances, flowers and more. Users just have to open the camera app and point, and the HUAWEI P20 Pro automatically adjusts to the best camera settings for capturing that scenario.

HUAWEI P20 Pro also offers unmatchable low light and night photography capability, which is equipped with state-of-the-art AI Image Stabilization. Phone users are be able to capture incredible blur-free, handheld shots in low-light using Night Mode, without the need for a tripod. 

Power packed performance

A phone’s performance is defined by its battery life. The HUAWEI P20 Pro’s 4000mAh battery provides one and a half to two whole days of battery life. If users forget to plug in their device at night they’ll still have sufficient battery life to support their daily activities.

While, Apple claims that the iPhone XS Max can charge to 50 percent in half an hour, the HUAWEI P20 Pro takes this even further with HUAWEI SuperCharge that charges the battery from zero to 58 percent in the same time. Also keep in mind that Apple does not include a fast charger in the box to support the above claims and you have to buy it separately over your phone.

While Apple has not disclosed the size of the iPhone XS Max’s battery, they said it will last an hour and a half longer than the iPhone X which has a 2716mAh battery. Consumers rely on their devices and want a mobile phone that will last a whole day, meaning they don’t need to keep close tabs on their battery life and stay close to a charger at all times. The HUAWEI P20 Pro eliminates this burden, even for the heaviest smartphone users.

Dual Sim usage made easier!

The HUAWEI P20 Pro supports dual SIM, dual VoLTE that require zero setup other than inserting the SIMs. The iPhone XS Max will also feature dual VoLTE; however, this will only be available with a future update on the device.

Like the HUAWEI P20 Pro, the iPhone XS Max can hold two SIMs, but one of these is an eSIM—an integrated SIM card which requires users to activate a wireless service plan. This poses two challenges to consumers: first, not every carrier supports eSIM. Consumers have to subscribe to the services of a carrier that supports this technology to reap the benefits of eSIM. And in the case where a current dual SIM user is subscribed to carriers that do not support the new SIM technology, he or she will have to either subscribe to a new service plan from a third carrier, or terminate an existing contract—both entail a significant cost.

True to its customer centric approach, Huawei offers, no such complications and supports easy dual sim usage on HUAWEI P20 Pro.

Stunning colours

How a phone looks and feels is one of the key features that a user considers before making the final decision to buy a phone. Phones today are an extension of our personality and style statement.

HUAWEI P20 Pro helps users up their style quotient by offering a variety of colour options including the unique gradient tones that are inspired by nature, the Twilight colour. The HUAWEI P20 Pro also comes in Black and Midnight Blue. The innovations Huawei made in the design showcase Huawei’s commitment to delivering a complete, premium user experience—inside and out. In comparison, the Apple iPhone XS Max continues to come in the standard mono-tone colours of Gold, Silver and Space Gray.

Verdict

Over the past few months since its launch, HUAWEI P20 Pro has by far exceeded expectations of any user. Whether considering the cutting-edge design, superior camera capability or powerful performance, HUAWEI P20 Pro has a lot more to offer than Apple’s latest offering.

While the rest of the phone is solid too, it’s the camera that steals the show and the new iPhone Xs Max just can’t compete. Moreover, the iPhone XS Max’s whopping starting price of AED 4669 may seem unreasonable to many, as it is every consumer’s desire to get more at the best price possible.

HUAWEI P20 Pro, priced at AED 2,599, offers optimum value for money to any and all users, proving to be the most efficient and competitively priced smartphone in the market currently. Hence, HUAWEI P20 Pro continues to reign as a phone of desire, at least just until, the next flagship launch by Huawei.

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