Mobile Devices
Droid Turbo 2 release date set for December

Motorola’s Droid Turbo from last year was a sensation, many people describing the phone as having only one major fault: Verizon. Rumors about the next Droid Turbo 2 have been circulating around the web for the past few weeks, with various information. One of the most interesting rumors regards the Droid Turbo 2 as the Motorola Bounce or Motorola Force and it pegs it to be the international version of the device, without the Verizon contract tied into it. Apparently, the Droid Turbo 2 release date is also almost confirmed, sources putting the release just before Christmas this year or on October 2.
The Motorola Droid Turbo 2, Bounce or Force will be the successor to the ruggedized, powerful handset that made waves last year, MKBHD calling it one of the best smartphones of the year, too. Although there are numerous flagships out there with performance and design exceeding those of the Droid Turbo, it is doubtless that the handset remains one of Motorola’s best efforts at creating an affordable, yet premium and durable smartphone. We hope they continue that tradition this year.
The Droid Turbo 2 has been code-named Bounce in various certification documents and leaked benchmarks, but we’re not sure if the Droid Turbo 2 and the Force/Bounce are completely the same, as various leaks suggest different specs. Whichever the case may be, it is apparent that Motorola and Lenovo are not finished for the year. Even though the companies launched a new Moto G and Moto X line-up of devices this Summer, the Droid Turbo 2 will be an important staple in that line-up and hopefully, a crowd favorite.
It looks like the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 will still be launched on Verizon in the U.S., but our sources tell us this time people will have access to an international version, too, like the Droid Maxx from last year in Brazil. We’re definitely hoping for an international version, as many people would not appreciate having to switch carriers or even get into contracts in order to buy a powerful phone that they desire, but we’ll have to see how things go. Verizon is the staple of Droids, so we might not be so lucky this time around.
Regardless, it looks like the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 will have quite the suite of features to compete with against major players like the totally new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus, as well as against Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5 and many more. Motorola has been doing things right for the past couple of years, so our expectations of their new launch are definitely higher than ever. With the successful launch of the new Moto X Play and Pure, the company’s future looks bright.
As for the Droid Turbo 2, the handset seems to be quite future-proof if we are to trust the leaked information and our various sources. Droid Turbo 2 features include a Snapdragon 810 CPU and 4 GB RAM, and a whopping 64 GB storage for starters. 4G LTE Cat 6, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and even a fingerprint sensor are said to be part of the new device, although we’re a bit skeptical on that last element. Motorola hasn’t been using fingerprint sensor in their devices, and neither has Lenovo, so if the Droid Turbo 2 does have the feature, we’re going to be curious abut its implementation.
The Droid Turbo 2 display size will be bumped up to 5.4-inches from last year’s 5.2-inches, which might be a mistake, as the preferred screen size for people vased on various surveys was exactly last year’s display. Nonetheless, a QHD resolution and Gorilla Glass 4 are said to also be part of the display setup, alongside a new anti-reflective coating that will make outdoor viewing a breeze like on no other smartphone. Moreover, the display might even be made from sapphire glass, if the Gorilla theory doesn’t pan out, which would make the display unbreakable.
One of the appreciated features, besides the design, of the Droid Turbo from last year, was the camera, and this year, it should be revamped and upgraded to make for a device that can easily compete against champions like the Galaxy Note 4, iPhone 6S Plus, LG G4 and future devices like the Microsoft Lumia 940 and Lumia 1030 (although competing against that one might be impossible). The Droid Turbo 2 camera is supposed to measure 21 MP and come complete with a depth sensor, optical image stabilization, autofocus, dual-tone LED flash and 4K video recording. The front camera should measure at least 8 MP and sources tell us to expect a small single LED flash to be present up front.
Since pricing is very important and it will always be, Motorola has to nail this aspect of the new handset. Supposedly, the Motorola Droid Turbo 2 price will be set at $620, which is a bit expensive but still decent if we consider the specs and features of the device, and the fact that it will sport 64 GB internal storage. A removable 3750 mAh battery has also been rumored to be part of the device, but we’re not so sure about the removable part. At the same time, a microSD card slot should also be part of the design of the phone, embedded in the side of the phone. Wireless- and fast charging are a given for any new flagship phone launched in 2015, so we’re positive they’ll be part of the Droid Turbo 2.
One last important element of the Droid Turbo 2 is its design. Motorola will most likely want to make the second generation of the Droid Turbo as interesting as the previous one, with unique materials used for design. Last year, we got kevlar and polycarbonate weave, and this year should be just as unconventional. A trend involving mosaic patterns of plastic or metal on the back has emerged, and we think that’s what the Droid Turbo 2 will be sporting, too, but made out of kevlar or some stronger material. An IP certification of at least water resistance is also anticipated.
Overall, the Droid Turbo 2 should be an excellent flagship device with all the features that a phone needs in 2015 and more. Design-wise, it should be even more unique than last year’s models, employing totally new materials and design elements. I would personally love a texturized mosaic back panel that can change colors, but that’s possibly more of a fantasy than an expectations. Still, the mosaic part is completely plausible and also a very likely development.
Now the Motorola Droid Turbo release date is set for December, apparently, but rumors also suggest that the device release date could be October 2, with an international launch to follow. We’re not sure which release window is more plausible, although the October one would make much more sense than launching a device when most people are already done with holiday shopping. Hopefully, an October release date of the Droid Turbo 2 is more accurate.
Consoles
PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro

PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!
Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.
According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.
As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.
However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.
Android
Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400

The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.
The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.
The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.
They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.
Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition
The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.
The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.
Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus

Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.
The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.
Redmi Note 12 Pro

Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.
The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.
Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).
Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.
Gadgets
What Has Changed Over Time Between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3, and Galaxy Z Fold 2?

We let the specs speak for themselves. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 compares to the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 2 in the following table.
The revolutionary Galaxy Z Fold 4 from Samsung was released a few months ago. The foldable has the same $1,800 starting price as the Galaxy Z Fold 3 from the previous year. Samsung will need to convince consumers to pay up for its high-end devices this year, though, as a recession and record-high inflation are both predicted. But it would be difficult to find a better option than Samsung’s book-style foldables if you’re eager to ride the leading edge of foldable phone technology (and have the money to boot).
Continue reading Samsung Unpacked
Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, and Every Reveal from Samsung
Better Design, Same High Price for the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Galaxy Z Flip 4 from Samsung Gets New Software Features
The company calls its foldable phone-tablet, the Z Fold 4, a “multitasking powerhouse.” It features a higher-resolution display, the most recent Qualcomm chipset, Android 12L out of the box, and a new 1TB option. (Scroll to the bottom for a side-by-side spec comparison for more specific information.) The business claims that in addition to providing features like new gestures and an enhanced taskbar, it has tried to make multitasking more intuitive.
The camera system of the Z Fold 4 was also enhanced by Samsung. Three cameras—a 50-megapixel primary sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens—are located on the back of the device. Both optical and digital zoom up to 10x are supported by that telephoto lens. In addition, there are two “front cameras.” The Z Fold 4’s main display has a 10-megapixel sensor, which is the most noticeable, while the internal screen has a 4-megapixel under-display camera.
Along with the updated specifications, Samsung stressed its desire to create foldable phones that are more environmentally friendly. The Fold 4 is the first of Samsung’s folding devices to employ parts manufactured from recycled fishing nets. There are several recycled components inside the phone, including the connector cap for the display and the bracket for the side keys. Nevertheless, it’s challenging to assess the significance of these changes without tearing them apart.
In relation to sustainability, Samsung claims the Z Fold 4 uses stronger materials. An “optimal layer structure,” which provides better damage prevention, is now used for its main cover. The typical aluminum frames and Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover and back support everything mentioned above.
The lack of dust resistance on the Z Fold 4 is still a drawback of its foldable nature. It still has the IPX8 classification from the previous year, meaning it can be immersed for up to 30 minutes in freshwater up to 1.5 meters deep. The Galaxy S22 line of smartphones, in contrast, features IP68 water- and dust-resistance, which means the devices can tolerate sand, grime, and dust. They can also be submerged for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 1.5 meters.
The S Pen storage slot is still missing, but Samsung has introduced a cover with a S Pen holder that is available for purchase separately. Check out the specs table below from CNET for more details on how Samsung’s cutting-edge Z Fold series has changed over time.
See how the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Watch models compare for more information.
Galaxy Z Fold 4 vs. Z Fold 3 vs. Z Fold 2
Galaxy Z Fold 4 5G | Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G | Galaxy Z Fold 2 | |
---|---|---|---|
Display size, resolution | Internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,176×1,812 pixels); External: 6.2-inch HD Plus (2,316×904) | Internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,208×1,768 pixels); External: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2,268×832 pixels); | Internal: 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED; External: 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED; 2,260×816 + 2,208×1,768 pixels |
Pixel density | TBC | 387ppi (external) + 374ppi (internal) | 386ppi (external) + 373ppi (internal) |
Dimensions (Millimeters) | Folded: 67.1×155.1×15.8mm (Hinge) ~14.2mm(Sagging). Unfolded: 130.1×155.1×6.3mm | Folded: 67x158x16mm (hinge) ~14.4mm (sagging). Unfolded: 128x158x6.4mm | Folded: 68.0×159.2×16.8mm (hinge) ~13.8mm (sagging). Unfolded: 128.2×159.2×6.9mm (frame) ~6.0mm (screen) |
Weight (Ounces, Grams) | 9.27 oz; 263g | 9.56 oz; 271 g | 10 oz; 282 g |
Mobile software | Android 12L | Android 11 | Android 10 |
Camera | 50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 10-megapixel (telephoto) | 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) | 12-megapixel (main) + 12-megapixel (wide angle) + 12-megapixel (telephoto) |
Front-facing camera | 4-megapixel (under display), 10-megapixel (front cover) | 4-megapixel (under display), 10-megapixel (front cover) | 10-megapixel, 10-megapixel |
Video capture | 4K | 4K | 4K |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen Plus 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 865 Plus |
RAM/Storage | 12GB + 256GB/512GB/1TB | 12GB + 256GB/512GB | 12GB + 256 GB |
Expandable storage | None | None | None |
Battery/Charger | 4,400 mAh | 4,400 mAh | 4,500 mAh |
Fingerprint sensor | Side | Side | Side |
Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
Headphone jack | None | None | None |
Special features | Foldable phone, 30x optical, 30x space zoom, IPX8, 25-watt fast-charging (no in-box charger) | 5G-enabled; Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate (front cover and main display), IPX8 water-resistance, S Pen support | Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate, wireless charging support |
Price (USD) | $1,800 (256 GB); $2,000 (512GB), $2160 (1TB) | $1,800 (256GB); $1,900 (512GB) | $1,999 |
Price (GBP) | TBC | £1,599 (256GB); £1,699 (512GB) | £1,799 |
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