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New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer


New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer


New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer

As part of its I/O 2022 developers' conference, Google showcased the next iteration of its Android Auto app mirroring interface for cars rolling out this Summer. The refreshed interface now features a split screen layout that should make multitasking easier by reducing the number of times users will need to return to the home screen for simple tasks.

Android Auto was originally revealed at I/O 2014 before making its way into the first vehicles and aftermarket head units the following year. Today, Google says over 150 million cars globally, from nearly every major auto manufacturer, now have Android Auto connectivity; and every one of them -- from the oldest to the ones still rolling off assembly lines -- should benefit from today's announced updates.

The configuration of Android Auto's new tiles and status bar will depend on the aspect ratio of your car's display.

Google

The new Android Auto is scalable and able to adapt to standard, vertical and ultrawide configurations. Along the bottom edge -- or the left edge for ultrawide screens -- is a bar with shortcuts to the app launcher, notifications and Google Assistant on one end. On the other end you'll find status icons for signal strength, phone battery level and time . The main area of the display is now split into three sections with two tiles dedicated to displaying navigation and media controls -- the features Google thinks drivers prioritize when behind the wheel. 

The split screen, three-panel design will be able to scale to fit normal, ultrawide and even vertically oriented displays.

Google

The contents of the third section will shift depending on the context: Sometimes, it's a simple clock. When starting a trip, estimated time to the destination may appear here with a link to share. When a message comes in, a preview will sit in this flexible space waiting for the user to interact or reply. Users will also now be able to quickly respond to those incoming messages with a single tap using Google Assistant AI-suggested quick replies -- like "OK" or "On my way" -- similar to those offered on Pixel devices. Of course, composing a custom reply via voice input is still on the menu.

Android Auto's new look and new functionalities should start rolling out this Summer.

Apps that support long form content like audiobooks and podcasts will soon be able to show a progress bar in the media browser.

Google

Earlier this year, Android Auto rolled out a media recommendations shortcut powered by Google Assistant and today it announced new developer tools to help more apps hook into that feature. Developers will also gain access to new templates to customize how their apps display in the Android Auto interface and new tools to help users more efficiently interact with long form content, such as audiobooks and podcasts. Google will also continue to open up new app type categories, building on the CES 2022 announcement that ridesharing driver apps such as Lyft, along with electric vehicle charging apps and parking services, are coming to Android Auto.

Switching gears, Google also announced new features are coming to its baked in Android Automotive OS -- which runs natively on the vehicles' hardware rather than being streamed in from a host phone via USB or wireless connectivity -- found in vehicles like the Polestar 2, the Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge and GMC's Hummer EV. 

video-in-car

More video streaming apps and even Chromecast support will join YouTube in Android Automotive OS dashboards later this year.

Google

Google previously announced it was bringing YouTube to the dashboard later this year, allowing drivers to entertain themselves while parked and, for example, waiting for their EV to charge. At I/O 2022, Google says to expect more video-based apps like Tubi TV and Epix Now on the horizon, better browsing of video content and even cast support that would allow you to stream content from Chromecast-compatible mobile apps from your phone to the vehicle's larger screen.

Developers should also find it easier to develop for Android Automotive OS with new tools that help translate tablet-sized apps to parked car experiences and speed up the development and publishing of apps for both Android Automotive OS and Android Auto.


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New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer


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New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer


New Split Screen Android Auto Redesign Coming This Summer

As part of its I/O 2022 developers' conference, Google showcased the next iteration of its Android Auto app mirroring interface for cars rolling out this Summer. The refreshed interface now features a split screen layout that should make multitasking easier by reducing the number of times users will need to return to the home screen for simple tasks.

Android Auto was originally revealed at I/O 2014 before making its way into the first vehicles and aftermarket head units the following year. Today, Google says over 150 million cars globally, from nearly every major auto manufacturer, now have Android Auto connectivity; and every one of them -- from the oldest to the ones still rolling off assembly lines -- should benefit from today's announced updates.

The configuration of Android Auto's new tiles and status bar will depend on the aspect ratio of your car's display.

Google

The new Android Auto is scalable and able to adapt to standard, vertical and ultrawide configurations. Along the bottom edge -- or the left edge for ultrawide screens -- is a bar with shortcuts to the app launcher, notifications and Google Assistant on one end. On the other end you'll find status icons for signal strength, phone battery level and time . The main area of the display is now split into three sections with two tiles dedicated to displaying navigation and media controls -- the features Google thinks drivers prioritize when behind the wheel. 

The split screen, three-panel design will be able to scale to fit normal, ultrawide and even vertically oriented displays.

Google

The contents of the third section will shift depending on the context: Sometimes, it's a simple clock. When starting a trip, estimated time to the destination may appear here with a link to share. When a message comes in, a preview will sit in this flexible space waiting for the user to interact or reply. Users will also now be able to quickly respond to those incoming messages with a single tap using Google Assistant AI-suggested quick replies -- like "OK" or "On my way" -- similar to those offered on Pixel devices. Of course, composing a custom reply via voice input is still on the menu.

Android Auto's new look and new functionalities should start rolling out this Summer.

Apps that support long form content like audiobooks and podcasts will soon be able to show a progress bar in the media browser.

Google

Earlier this year, Android Auto rolled out a media recommendations shortcut powered by Google Assistant and today it announced new developer tools to help more apps hook into that feature. Developers will also gain access to new templates to customize how their apps display in the Android Auto interface and new tools to help users more efficiently interact with long form content, such as audiobooks and podcasts. Google will also continue to open up new app type categories, building on the CES 2022 announcement that ridesharing driver apps such as Lyft, along with electric vehicle charging apps and parking services, are coming to Android Auto.

Switching gears, Google also announced new features are coming to its baked in Android Automotive OS -- which runs natively on the vehicles' hardware rather than being streamed in from a host phone via USB or wireless connectivity -- found in vehicles like the Polestar 2, the Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge and GMC's Hummer EV. 

video-in-car

More video streaming apps and even Chromecast support will join YouTube in Android Automotive OS dashboards later this year.

Google

Google previously announced it was bringing YouTube to the dashboard later this year, allowing drivers to entertain themselves while parked and, for example, waiting for their EV to charge. At I/O 2022, Google says to expect more video-based apps like Tubi TV and Epix Now on the horizon, better browsing of video content and even cast support that would allow you to stream content from Chromecast-compatible mobile apps from your phone to the vehicle's larger screen.

Developers should also find it easier to develop for Android Automotive OS with new tools that help translate tablet-sized apps to parked car experiences and speed up the development and publishing of apps for both Android Automotive OS and Android Auto.


Source

Galaxy Z Fold 3 Review: A Refined Foldable In Search Of A Purpose


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Galaxy Z Fold 3 review: A refined foldable in search of a purpose


Galaxy Z Fold 3 review: A refined foldable in search of a purpose

Samsung announced the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3  at the same time. But of the two, the $1,000 Z Flip 3 has a familiar design that's based on clamshell flip phones that have been around for decades. It folds in half from a 6.7-inch phone down to a square that's roughly the size and thickness of several coasters stacked. Meanwhile, the Z Fold 3 costs $1,800, with a futuristic design closer to something you'd see in a sci-fi movie or TV show like Westworld. The latter folds open from a regular phone, into a 7.6-inch square tablet and lacks the same "love at first sight" appeal as the Z Flip 3.

This is because Samsung's phone/tablet hybrid design is still inherently new compared to the tried-and-true flip phone motif the Flip 3 embraces. The Z Fold 3 is actually a wonderful tablet, but when it's folded up it has the same hefty appeal as an air conditioner remote control.

Like

  • 120Hz cover screen
  • Water resistance
  • Wonderful tablet experience
  • S Pen is a blast to use
  • Software improvements for multitasking and Flex Mode

Don't Like

  • Battery life lasts about a day
  • Weird, heavy phone when closed
  • $1,800 is still expensive

Despite its complicated allure, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a remarkable showcase of technology and innovation. Pretty much anytime I open the phone in public, there is someone with a dumbfounded look on their face. For the price, you get nearly every high-end feature one would expect in a flagship Android phone. And for $1,800, you better. The few compromises Samsung did make, like having B+ cameras instead of A+ ones, aren't deal breakers and stand as further reminders that the Z Fold 3's high price tag is because the phone folds in half.

Throughout my time with the Z Fold 3, I kept asking myself why the tablet even needs to fold in half? Or is there a better way to design a tablet that folds down to the size of a phone? As much as the Z Fold 3 has improved over its predecessors, it's still largely a concept in search of a purpose. And I couldn't escape that underlying conundrum. Yet if you want a tablet that can fold up and fit into your pocket, the Z Fold 3 certainly deserves your consideration. It's the second best foldable phone Samsung has made to date, with the best one being the more practical Galaxy Z Flip 3.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 storage and pricing


US UK Australia
Galaxy Z Fold 3 256GB $1,800 £1,599 AU$2,499
Galaxy Z Fold 3 512GB $1,900 £1,699 AU$2,649
Galaxy Z Fold 3

The Z Fold 3 has nearly all the refinements you could ask for, but it still feels like it's missing a purpose.

Patrick Holland/CNET

A stronger, lighter and thinner Fold

The Z Fold 3 takes on the same design and form as the Z Fold 2, albeit with a bunch of improvements. For some, the best improvement might be the $200 drop in price from the $2,000 the Z Fold 2 cost. Most of the phone's upgrades are more iterative, small touches that add up to a more refined package overall. 

For instance it's lighter than the previous Fold, which I noticed as soon as I picked it up. But it's still one of the heaviest phones I reviewed this year. It's thinner and more svelte than the Z Fold 2, but still one of the bulkiest phones I have ever tested.

It seems more durable. Obviously, I only had a couple of weeks with the Z Fold 3, so I can only be hopeful that the improvements I noticed span the life of the phone. The metal in the frame and hinge is reinforced and you can feel that extra tensile strength when you hold it, fold it and interact with it. The folding screen, hinge and body feel more like a single uniform whole instead of being separate features. The 7.6-inch main screen still has a crease but it doesn't bother me in the least. You could nitpick it if you want, but the iPhone's notch is far more of an eyesore.

The Gorilla Glass Victus-clad cover screen now has a smooth 120Hz refresh rate that matches the main display and looks lovely. The Z Fold 3 has water resistance and can be submerged up to 1.5 meters (about 5 feet), which is truly remarkable for a folding phone.

Using an S Pen on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a blast

One indication that Samsung is confident about the Z Fold 3's durability is that it sells a sharp pointy stylus for you to use on the screen. It's as if Samsung is saying, "We're no longer worried about your fingernails making indentations on the main screen. Go ahead and try out an S Pen."

In my time using the S Pen with the phone, the screen looks just like it did when I took it out of the box. And that's on top of all the times I folded and unfolded it, shoved it in the pockets of my jeans and threw it in my backpack along with whatever else was in there.

Samsung made two versions of the S Pen for the Z Fold 3: the S Pen Fold Edition, which lacks Bluetooth and costs $50; and the S Pen Pro, which has Bluetooth and costs $100. Both have a retractable tip that helps reduce wear and tear on the screen. I only got to try out the S Pen Fold Edition and I noticed that the tip rarely retracted all the way. Instead, it seems to relieve some of the pressure I put on the screen when I draw or write. There's a small arsenal of S Pen tricks such as hover to magnify, which activates when the S Pen is just millimeters away from the screen.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 S Pen

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the first foldable phone that supports the S Pen.

Patrick Holland/CNET

The cover screen doesn't support either new S Pen which is a bummer because there's no way to jot a quick note or a doodle without opening up the Fold. And if you have an old S Pen, you can't use it with the Z Fold 3.

As much fun as it is to use an S Pen on that giant vibrant screen, the Fold in no way replaces the inherent convenience that a Galaxy Note provides. The Fold doesn't let you quickly make a note. And there isn't a place to store the S Pen. It would be nice if you could magnetically attach the S Pen to the Fold 3's hinge in the same way you can attach an Apple Pencil to an iPad Pro. I should note that Samsung sells a bundled S Pen Fold Edition and phone case that stores it along the hinge for $80.

Under-display camera selfies and Zoom calls on the Z Fold 3

There are two, technically three, selfie cameras -- let me explain. You can take a selfie with the hole-punch selfie camera in the cover screen. Or you can flip the cover screen down, use it as a live preview and take a selfie with the main rear camera. Or you can use Samsung's first ever under-display camera, which is mostly hidden behind the main screen.

Out of the three options, the one that is the most curious is the under-display camera. The part of the display in front of the camera has fewer screen elements and translucent wiring. At certain angles or when brighter colors are on the display, you can see the part of the screen where the camera is. Think of this camera setup like looking through a window that has blinds on it.

Samsung Z Fold 3

The front-facing camera in the main display of the Galaxy Z Fold 2 (white screen) is housed in a hole-punch cut out. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 uses an under-display camera. Notice the tiny octagon shape in the green leaf wallpaper on the Fold 3's main display.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The under-display camera is only 4 megapixels, which isn't a lot, but that lower resolution helps it see through or around those screen elements. Samsung also uses AI processing to improve the image quality. I took selfies with all three options on the Fold and, no surprise, the photos from the under-display camera looked the worst. Indoor selfies look highly processed and outdoor snaps in good lighting do not look much better.

The under-display camera is intended for video calls and works fine for them. On the few video calls I made using it, people on the other end said that they didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

z-fold-3-selfie-comparison

I took selfies with the different cameras on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. From left to right, here are selfies from: the main rear camera, cover screen camera and under-display camera.

Patrick Holland/CNET

But let's go back to why there is an under-display camera. The idea is to reduce visual distractions on and around the display. There isn't a notch. There isn't a hole punch. Instead, you either see nothing (yay!) or when bright colors are displayed, you see a tiny glittery octagon that I found to be more distracting than something like a hole-punch camera. At this point, the benefit of having a screen free of visual interruptions isn't worth the tradeoffs from this under-display camera.

Z Fold 3 has B+ cameras at an A+ price

Despite all of the improvements to the phone's hardware, the cameras are one area that largely remain the same. In terms of quality and performance, they are a step behind the camera systems found on phones like the iPhone 12 Pro Max and Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra. These are good cameras and for most people the photos and videos they capture with them will be fine. 

There are five cameras on the Z Fold 3: the aforementioned under-display camera, the cover-screen selfie camera and a triple camera array on the "back" with a main wide-angle camera, an ultrawide-angle camera and a 2x optical telephoto camera that now has optical image stabilization. In bright lighting, photos look good. Digital zoom up to 4x magnification has minimal image deterioration. If you go past 6x, photos look less stellar and have softer details. Night mode on the Z Fold 3 is solid, but compared to the S21 or S21 Ultra, images look soft. Take a look below at a few photos I took with the new Fold.

Galaxy Z Fold 3

The camera hardware didn't change, but the Z Fold 3 gets a new image signal processor thanks to its Snapdragon 888 chip.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

Under good lighting, the Fold can capture great photos.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

Notice how it handles the highlights in the clouds and the details above the windows of the cream-colored building.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

There is something about the perspective of Samsung's ultrawide cameras that always gets me.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

This was taken with the 2x telephoto camera.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

A beautiful day yields some perfect views. Look at the highlights and shadows in the clouds.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

Night mode on the Fold 3 isn't quite to the level of the Galaxy S21, but it's still impressive.

Patrick Holland/CNET
Galaxy Z Fold 3

Images look bright and are mostly free of image noise, even from the ultrawide camera.

Patrick Holland/CNET

Videos are decent, but suffer from image noise in all but the most ideal of situations. Take a look at some videos I recorded with the Z Fold 3 below.

There will inevitably be some people who expect the absolute best cameras on a phone that costs $1,800. I'd argue that Samsung made a smart tradeoff to keep that price under $2,000.

Like the Z Flip 3, the Z Fold 3 is essentially its own tripod. Because of its size and flexibility you can put it nearly anywhere to capture a unique angle or perspective.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 gets multitasking right

On the inside, the Z Fold 3 packs nearly every 2021 Android spec you could want. It has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip and 12GB of RAM. It runs Android 11 and Samsung's One UI 3. Split-screen apps are more customizable, taking advantage of the larger tablet screen. You can put them side by side, stacked vertically or even have three. You can move each app around and resize their windows. You can also save split-screen app groupings and setups for later.

Like the Z Flip 3, the phone's settings has a section called Labs, which lets you optimize nearly any app for the screen. For example, natively Instagram shows up in a thin vertical aspect ratio with screen space on either side of the app. I went into Labs, and forced it to be displayed across the full screen, which worked well.

Galaxy Z Fold 3

Multitasking is fun and customizable on the Z Fold 3. You can save app window layouts to use the same setup again.

Patrick Holland/CNET

A useful trait that the Flip and Fold share is Flex Mode. You can position either phone half open like a mini laptop. Flex Mode gets more support in One UI 3 and there are more apps that can take advantage of it. Some apps just move to the top half of the screen with system navigation and brightness controls on the bottom. Other apps, like for videos and music, place the playback controls on the bottom half of the screen. Not every app is optimized for Flex Mode, but this is a huge step up from the Fold 2. I still would like to see apps go farther and even be designed around Flex Mode. Can you imagine a game designed for Flex Mode?

Galaxy Z Fold 3 has less than average battery life

The Z Fold 3's biggest drawback is its battery life. The dual 4,400-mAh batteries are actually a tad smaller than the ones in the Fold 2. As a result, the Z Fold 3 barely makes it through a day. I imagine that has a lot to do with the combination of 5G connectivity and the fact that there are two screens that run at 120Hz. Screen-on time during my review averaged about three and a half hours, which isn't great. I am still running CNET's battery test and will update this review with the results soon.

The Fold lacks dust resistance. In my use this wasn't an issue. But I recommend being careful if you take the Z Fold 3 to the beach or on a hike or anywhere there's potential for small particles to interact with the phone. This wouldn't be a good phone for Salt BAE.

The screens and finish on the body collect finger smudges easily. I find myself wiping it clean constantly.

Samsung Z Flip 3 and Samsung Z Fold 3

The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 are quite the pairing. One is aimed more at the mainstream and the other at early adopters.

Sarah Tew/CNET

A better foldable, but not the best

While I continue testing the Galaxy Z Fold 3, I still question who this phone is for exactly. A phone enthusiast might love all of the technology in the Fold, especially that folding screen. Foldable phones are still at a comparatively early stage, but the lower price offered by the Z Fold 3 and the Z Flip 3 compared to their predecessors shows an effort to make them more accessible. And I hope that's a trend that continues in the coming years. I still hold that most people who want a folding phone will likely want to consider the Z Flip 3 for its familiar flip-phone aesthetic, but if you want that larger tablet shape the Z Fold 3 fulfills that promise.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 specs vs. Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Fold


Galaxy Z Fold 3 Galaxy Z Fold 2 Galaxy Fold
Display size, resolution, refresh rate External: 6.2-inch AMOLED (2,268x832 pixels); internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,208x1,768 pixels) External 6.2-inch AMOLED (2,260x816 pixels); internal: 7.6-inch AMOLED (2,208x1,768 pixels) External: 4.6-inch AMOLED (1,680x720 pixels); internal: 7.3-inch AMOLED (2,152x1,536 pixels)
Pixel density 387ppi (external) + 374ppi (internal) 386ppi (external) + 373ppi (internal) 362ppi (internal screen)
Dimensions Folded: 67x158x16mm (hinge) ~14.4mm (sagging); unfolded: 128x158x6.4mm Folded: 68x159x16.8mm (hinge) ~13.8mm (sagging); unfolded: 128x159x6.9mm (frame) ~6mm (screen) Folded: 63x161x15.7mm ~17.1mm; unfolded: 118x161x6.9mm ~7.6mm
Weight 271 grams 282 grams 276grams
Software Android 11 Android 10 Android 9
Camera 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide),12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12 megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide), 16-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (telephoto)
Front camera 4-megapixel (under display), 10-megapixel (front cover) 10-megapixel (main display), 10-megapixel (front cover) 10-megapixel (main display), 10-megapixel (front cover), 8-megapixel (3D depth)
Video 4K 4K 4K
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Storage 256GB, 512GB 256GB 512GB
RAM 12GB 12GB 12GB
Fingerprint reader Side Side No
Battery 4,400 mAh 4,500 mAh 4,380 mAh
Special features Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate (front cover and main display), water-resistance, S Pen support, 5G Foldable display, 120Hz refresh rate (main display), wireless charging support, 5G Foldable display, Power button, wireless charging, fast charging
Price (USD) $1,800 (256GB) $2,000 $1,980

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Huawei Mate 30 Pro Review: Sublime Camera, Disastrous Software


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Huawei Mate 30 Pro review: Sublime camera, disastrous software


Huawei Mate 30 Pro review: Sublime camera, disastrous software


Huawei started 2019 strong with the excellent P30 Pro phone, but things went downhill from there. Due to concerns that its equipment could be used to spy on the US and other companies, the Chinese tech giant has been banned from using technology from US companies. As a result, it can't license Google Mobile Services. The Mate 30 Pro, its latest flagship, has no Google Play Store, and no apps like Google Maps, Gmail and YouTube. 

It has the striking appearance of a futuristic slab of aluminum and glass, but I knew I was in for a rough ride just moments after booting up the Mate 30 Pro. Entering the AppGallery, Huawei's version of the Google Play Store, I was encouraged to download some of its most popular apps: Weibo, WeChat and the China Drama Channel. It quickly became clear that Huawei doesn't have much to offer its non-Chinese customers.

One question has enshrouded the Mate 30 Pro since Huawei's tech ban: Can Huawei, a huge, powerful company with deep resources, find a way to neutralize the loss of Google? 

The answer, unfortunately, is no.

The Mate 30 Pro is an exceptional piece of hardware. Its quad-camera setup shoots outstanding photos (sometimes better than the iPhone 11 Pro) a dazzling 6.53-inch waterfall display is the centerpiece of an inspired design, and its 4,500-mAh battery goes and goes and goes. But the fiasco that is Android without full Google support makes it impossible to recommend. 

Even more galling is the Mate 30 Pro's price. The phone starts at AU$1,599 in Australia, which converts to $1,100 or £830. (No availability has been announced for either the US or UK.) Yes, it's a premium phone and premium parts ain't cheap. But as a proposition to you, the buyer, that much money for a partially functioning phone is preposterous. 

Huawei tries Android without all of Google

Since Android 10 itself is open-source, the Mate 30 Pro still runs Google's most recent operating system fine. But since Google Mobile Services requires a license, Huawei has no access to the Google Play Store or any of Google's apps. 

Instead, you'll use Huawei's AppGallery, which the company says has over 45,000 apps. That sounds like a lot, but I could count the useful apps in the AppGallery on one hand.

There's no Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Netflix, Disney Plus or Reddit. You won't find Google apps, like Gmail, Maps or YouTube. (You can log into Gmail through Huawei's native email app, though.) Even if you do install Google apps by downloading their APKs -- the Android equivalent of Windows' .exe files -- they won't work without authentication from Google Mobile Services. Uber doesn't work either, since the ride-sharing app runs Google Maps. Losing Google's suite of apps is devastating; losing almost every useful app in the Google Play Store is debilitating. 

Huawei's AppGallery has over 45,000 apps. You'll find few of them useful.

Ian Knighton/CNET

Of all the apps I download onto every new phone, only one was available: Spotify. When I tried to find Spotify in the AppGallery a week later, however, it appeared to have been pulled. TikTok (which is owned by Chinese company Bytedance) was available at first, then disappeared and then appeared again. 

To get around the software obstructions I downloaded APKs from assorted websites. It was a dodgy process, and worked inconsistently. Some apps ran fine, others crashed after a few moments and others still didn't work at all.

It was a total mess.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro's camera credentials

If Huawei phones have been known for one thing, it's cameras. Huawei beat competitors to the punch with dual-lens cameras (P9), a dedicated Night Mode (P20 Pro) and 5x optical zoom (P30 Pro). Photography is undoubtedly the Mate 30 Pro's greatest strength.

The phone has a fantastic quad-camera setup. The main shooter has 40 megapixels. Then there's an 8-megapixel telephoto lens, which has a 3x optical zoom and 30x digital zoom; a 40-megapixel ultrawide-angle lens; and there's a 3D "time-of-flight" sensor that helps with depth perception.

The Mate 30 Pro has less zoom capability than Huawei's current flagship the P30 Pro, which has 5x optical and 50x digital. But it has a bigger, better ultrawide-angle sensor over the P30 Pro. This is a worthwhile trade, because I find ultrawide-angle capability much more useful than better zoom functionality. 

Some Portrait shots give the subject brushed, lightened skin.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Others work better.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

The Mate 30 Pro's quad-camera setup generally captures crisp, vibrant shots. 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

See that fountain all the way in the back? 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Here it is, shot with 30x zoom. 

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Photography isn't perfect. Thanks to heavy software processing, skin can look artificially brushed in Portrait shots. This processing also makes Night Mode superfluous: Low-light shots capture an impressive amount of light, and toggling on Night Mode often results in overkill. I didn't have the option to shoot a dark photo even when I wanted to because the scene is brightened with software by default. 

But despite these issues, the Mate 30 Pro has one of the best camera setups on any Android phone. Photos generally look spectacular, with rich color and crisp detail. 

And Huawei packed in another innovative trick, but this time for the video camera. The Mate 30 Pro features stupefying slow-motion capabilities. There are four options: 4x, 8x, 32x, 64x and an astonishing 256x. That 256x option uses AI software to slow things down to 7,680 frames per second. 

Slow-motion cameras need more light, so you'll need a reasonably bright environment to take advantage of ultra-slow-mo. And since 256x slow motion makes 25 seconds out of one-tenth of a second, you'll need good timing to shoot the split second you want in slow-mo. But I found the feature super fun to play around with. It makes something as little as a water splash look spectacular. 

Good parts, bad phone

In regards to hardware, the Mate 30 Pro is luxurious in every aspect.

Its 6.53-inch, 2,400x1,176x-pixel screen is beautiful, bright and crisp. Its OLED screen is a waterfall display, meaning it wraps around the side of the phone all the way to the aluminum back. Videos and browsing were a joy, and the glass body felt more luxe to hold than aluminum. The downside is that there are no volume buttons, so I had to tap the side of the display to activate an on-screen volume slider instead. This generally works OK, but makes quick volume changes more cumbersome than they need be.

Powered by Huawei's own Kirin 990 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Android heavyweight felt silky smooth to use. But where the Mate 30 Pro really shines is battery life. Running it through CNET's battery test -- turning the phone on Airplane mode and looping an HD video -- it lasted 24 hours, 12 minutes. That's crazy. 

The best phone you shouldn't buy.

Ian Knighton/CNET

I wish I could say that the Kirin 990 CPU also scored well on Geekbench 5, a benchmark we run to test a processor's efficiency. Saying it performed well would be a safe bet but, after downloading the APK for Geekbench 5 from four different sites, the app never worked. I could try searching for more Geekbench APKs, but I think this anecdote is an apt encapsulation of the Huawei Mate 30 Pro.

It's a beautiful device with powerful parts and a sublime camera. But its software situation is a disaster. Don't buy this phone. 

Originally published Dec. 17.
Update, Dec. 28: Adds video review, comparison to iPhone 11 Pro camera.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro


Huawei Mate 30 Pro Google Pixel 4 XL Samsung Galaxy Note 10 OnePlus 7T iPhone 11 Pro
Display size, resolution 6.53-inch OLED 6.3-inch OLED 6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,280x1,080 pixels 6.55-inch AMOLED; 2,400x1,080-pixels 5.8-inch OLED Super Retina XDR; 2,436x1,125 pixels
Pixel density 409ppi 537ppi 401ppi 402ppi 458ppi
Dimensions (Inches) 6.22 x 2.88 x 0.35 in 2.9x6.3x0.3 in 5.94x2.83x0.31 in 6.34x2.93x0.32 in 5.67x2.81x0.32 in
Dimensions (Millimeters) 158.1x73.1x8.8 mm 75.1x160.4x8.2 mm 151x71.8x7.9 mm 160.94x74.44x8.13 mm 144x71.4x8.1 mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams) 6.98 oz; 198g 6.8 oz; 193g 5.93 oz; 168g 6.70 oz; 190g 6.63 oz; 188g
Mobile software Android 10 with EMUI Android 10 Android 9 Pie Android 10 with OxygenOS iOS 13
Camera 40 megapixel (standard), 8 megapixel (telephoto), 40 megapixel (ultrawide-angle), 3D ToF sensor 12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (telephoto) 12-megapixel (wide-angle), 16-megapixel (ultra-wide angle), 12-megapixel (telephoto) 48-megapixel (standard), 12-megapixel (telephoto), 16-megapixel (ultra wide-angle) 12-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultra-wide), 12-megapixel (telephoto)
Front-facing camera 32 megapixel, 3D ToF sensor 8-megapixel 10-megapixel 16-megapixel 12-megapixel
Video capture 4K 4K 4K 4K 4K
Processor Kirin 990 2.84GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, or Samsung Exynos 9825 2.96GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ Apple A13 Bionic
Storage 128GB, 256GB 64GB, 128GB 256GB 128GB 64GB, 256GB, 512GB
RAM 8GB 6GB 8GB 8GB Not disclosed
Expandable storage Up to 256GB No No No No
Battery 4,500-mAh 3,700-mAh 3,500-mAh 3,800-mAh Not disclosed, but Apple claims it will last 4 hours longer than iPhone XS
Fingerprint sensor In-screen No In-screen In-screen No
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C USB-C Lightning
Headphone jack No No No No No
Special features Up to 256x slow motion; wireless charging; reverse charging; IP68 resistance; dual-SIM; waterfall display Soli motion sensing and touchless gestures; 90Hz display; water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging S Pen stylus; Wireless PowerShare; hole punch screen notch; water resistant (IP68) 90Hz display; dual-SIM; Warp Charge 30T Water resistant (IP68); dual-SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); wireless charging
Price off-contract (USD) Converted: About $1,100 $899 (64GB), $999 (128GB) $949 $599 $999 (64GB), $1,149 (256GB), $1,349 (512GB)
Price (GBP) Converted: About £830 £829 (64GB), £929 (128GB) £899 Converted: About £485 £1,049 (64GB), £1,199 (256GB), £1,399 (512GB)
Price (AUD) AU$1,599 AU$1,279 (64GB), AU$1,429 (128GB) AU$1,499 Converted: About AU$890 AU$1,749 (64GB), AU$1,999 (256GB), AU$2,349 (512GB)

Source

Samsung Unpacked Live Blog: Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Watch 5, Buds 2 Pro Reveals


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Samsung Unpacked Live Blog: Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Watch 5, Buds 2 Pro Reveals


Samsung Unpacked Live Blog: Galaxy Z Fold 4, Z Flip 4, Watch 5, Buds 2 Pro Reveals

That's a wrap!

By David Lumb

And that's Samsung Unpacked 2022! That's only a tease of what these devices have to offer -- for in-depth looks, head to our deep dives on everything Samsung revealed today: 

No physical bezel on the Watch 5

By David Lumb

One thing that isn't here: a new Samsung Galaxy Classic. If you want a physical rotating bezel, you'll have to go with last year's model. And for the chip nerds -- no, the Watch 5 won't pack Qualcomm's upcoming W5 wearables chip, which promises huge battery life gains. Instead, it'll use the Exynos W920, which came out last year and is the same chip as used in the Watch 4.

Samsung Watch 5: Pricier than last year

By David Lumb

With advances come price bumps: The Galaxy Watch 5 starts at $279 for the 40mm noncellular version, which is $30 more expensive than the Watch 4. The Watch 5 LTE starts at $329, which is also up $30 from last year's watch. If you want the Watch 5 Pro, prepare to pony up $449 for noncellular or $499 for the LTE version.

From $449

By James Martin

Watch 5 Pro upgrades: Routes, battery life and big size

By David Lumb

The Watch 5 Pro has improved workout routing, guiding you back along the route you too. And you'll have enough battery life to keep going, with a 590-mAh battery that's twice the capacity of the smaller 40mm Watch 5. That said, if you've got small wrists, the Watch 5 Pro might not be for you -- it's a massive 45mm. But that size allows room for a huge 590-mAh battery.

Galaxy Watch 5 Pro

By James Martin

The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is a big, rugged watch for the outdoors

By David Lumb

The rumors were true! The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro is real. It's a bigger, tougher version of the Watch 5 with more battery life and durability. It's an option for outdoorsy folks and rugged workout fans. How tough? It's got a titanium case and an even more durable sapphire crystal display than the Watch 5. It's twice as scratch-resistant as the screen on the Watch 4.

Wear OS will get better, we promise

By David Lumb

Samsung switched to Google's Wear OS for last year's Watch 4 and kept it with the Galaxy Watch 5. At Unpacked, Google is promising more apps and functionality, like improvements with Google Maps, which now syncs locations from your Google account and lets you navigate with voice commands. Great to have on the go.

Z foldables are the best of a niche

By David Lumb

Samsung has recently touted some big numbers for foldables, saying sales increased by around 300% last year. But it's all relative: Analyst firm IDC reported that 8 million foldables sold in 2021, a drop in the bucket considering the 1.3 billion phones sold overall last year. The firm projects that number to grow to 25 million foldables sold in 2025. 

Z Fold 4 cameras improve software, not hardware

By David Lumb

There's a newly redesigned under-display camera, but otherwise, the cameras aren't changed from the Z Fold 3. But like the Flip 4, the new Fold 4 will take better night photos. Space Zoom is a bit easier to use, too, harnessing that second screen to keep track of the overall picture while you're zoomed in. 

Z Fold 4 melds mobile and tablet software

By David Lumb

The big upgrade is in software, with a redesigned app dock at the bottom of the screen -- something inherited from the Android 12L software for tablets. It's small enough to stay tucked out of the way. It looks easier to tap and drag apps from the dock to one side of the screen, or swap them. 

Z Fold 4 brings better durability

By David Lumb

The Z Fold 4 also saw minimal changes from last year's Z Fold 3, but it's slimmer, which will help it fit in more pockets. The redesigned hinge is more durable, Samsung says, and its inside screen is also 45% stronger than the Fold 3's. It's also lighter, which is always nice when you're essentially carrying two phones in one.

Z Fold 4

By James Martin

Galaxy Z Fold 4: a foldable "for the mainstream"

By David Lumb

Roh came onstage to say that foldables were here "for the mainstream," echoing recent Samsung statements. If they want that, well, there's one feature that folks really want -- a lower pricetag.

Fold 4

By James Martin

Samsung's foldables and Buds 2 Pro packaged in 100% recycled plastic

By David Lumb

In a bid to show sustainability, the packaging of the Flip, Fold and Buds 2 Pro is made entirely of recycled plastic. Samsung has extended its Galaxy for the Planet sustainability program, started last year, to recycle ocean netting plastic for use in packaging for these products. But no parts of the Fold 4 or Flip 4 are made using recycled plastic, unlike the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which uses it for a few parts including the S Pen stylus sheath. Samsung has pledged to incorporate more sustainable plastic in the devices themselves in the future, but not for this year's foldables, apparently.

Galaxy Watch 5 upgrades

By David Lumb

Another big upgrade is its 15% larger battery from the Galaxy Watch 4 -- up to 276 mAh in the smaller 40mm size and 397 mAh in the larger 44mm size. Recharging is fast, too, getting 45% battery in 30 minutes. Thanks to the more advanced BioActive sensor, Samsung promises sleep coaching is better. Your morning sleep report now tracks sleep stages, blood oxygen levels and how much time you spent snoring. All that data is collected into an overall sleep score. It's one number you definitely want to go up.

Samsung x BTS: Another K-pop collab

By David Lumb

Samsung's Fall 2022 Unpacked event included a BTS ad, with the K-pop group sporting the new Z Flip 4 foldable.

Samsung

K-pop sensation BTS have appeared in another Samsung ad! They're repping this year's Z Flip 4 -- and I wouldn't be surprised if we see some sort of proper BTS edition Z Flip 4 at some point.

Galaxy Watch 5

By James Martin

Galaxy Watch 5's new feature: Tracking your skin temperature

By David Lumb

The new feature for the Watch 5 is reading your skin temperature. It won't take exact number readings, but will look at significant changes in temperature that could signify possible illness or other conditions. 

Watch 5: Slimmer design for better sensor readings

By David Lumb

At first glance, not much has changed since the Watch 4. But the Sapphire Crystal glass in the Watch 5 is 60% more resistant to scratches than the glass used in its predecessor. Samsung has also reshaped the curve on the back glass that covers the sensors so that more of it touches your wrist, which should improve readings.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is revealed

By David Lumb

Given how much we liked last year's Galaxy Watch 4, we were excited for the new Galaxy Watch 5. The Galaxy Watch 4 was the first to switch from Samsung's Tizen OS to Google's Wear OS 3, which integrates features from Tizen. But since any watch running Wear OS 3 so far isn't compatible with iOS, once again, iPhone owners are left in the cold as they won't be able to sync with the Watch 5. It's not clear how big the market is for iPhone users who want a Samsung watch.

Galaxy Watch 5

By James Martin

Buds 2 Pro are a bit pricier

By David Lumb

Samsung has also raised the price of the Buds 2 Pro by $30, and they'll retail for $229 when they go on sale on Aug. 26. You can get them in white, graphite and Bora purple.

Buds 2 Pro improves sound quality

By David Lumb

The Buds 2 Pro have 24-bit hi-fi audio for richer sound, Samsung says. The noise canceling has gotten better, with an expanded range of 3 extra decibels of noise reduction compared to the Buds Pro. The new earbuds will block more higher-frequency sounds, too. Later this year, LE audio will be added to capture 360-degree audio from the environment around you -- great for ASMR fans, I suppose?

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro: New elite earbuds

By David Lumb

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro brings a lot of small ergonomic changes. They're 15% smaller than the Buds Pro, with a redesign for better airflow, a windshield that's twice as big to block outside noise and tweaks to its shape to ensure they don't rotate.

Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

By James Martin

Galaxy Z Flip 4, the best clamshell foldable yet

By David Lumb

More durability, Flex Mode apps and extended battery life are are basically everything on our wishlist for the Z Flip 4. Well, everything but a price drop -- the Z Flip 4 price starts at $999, the same as its predecessor. Still, it's competitive with other premium flagships.

Bespoke Edition

By James Martin

Personalize your Galaxy

By James Martin

A more durable Z Flip 4

By David Lumb

New for this year's Flip is a more robust hinge and slightly slimmer design. Samsung has made durability improvements every year, which is encouraging after the initial wave of Samsung Galaxy Fold phones in March 2019 had to be recalled due to reports of easily damaged displays and hinges. The design hasn't changed much, but Samsung has added more app widgets for the outer display, like tapping to make purchases with Samsung Pay.

12 MP

By James Martin

Flex Mode gains for folding fun

By David Lumb

There are also more apps that work in Flex mode, splitting the top and bottom of the screen when the phone is partially folded. This means having a chat window on the bottom with a video call on the top, for instance, or making Instagram Reels without hands. It's a big feature that only a foldable can use, so we're eager to see more ways to use the split-screen function -- and using the bottom as a touchpad, new for the Flip 4, is one of them.

Z Flip 4 Cameras: New software, not hardware

By David Lumb

The cameras also haven't changed from the Z Flip 3, with a 12-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide. But the Z Flip 4 does inherit the camera software upgrades from the Samsung Galaxy S22 released earlier this year, which should enable better night photos. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is real

By David Lumb

And here it is! The Galaxy Z Flip 4, Samsung's next version of the clamshell foldable. New for this year's Flip is a more robust hinge and slightly slimmer design. Samsung has made durability improvements every year, which is encouraging after the initial wave of Samsung Galaxy Fold phones in March 2019 had to be recalled due to reports of easily damaged displays and hinges.

Z Flip 4

By James Martin

Samsung/Screenshot by James Martin, CNET

Z Flip 4

A decade in the works

By David Lumb

Samsung President TM Roh has taken the (prerecorded) stage to remind us that Samsung started making foldables a decade ago. It took eight years to get the the original Samsung Galaxy Fold to market in 2019.

What we don't expect

By David Lumb

There are several devices we aren't expecting. We haven't heard any rumors of a new Samsung Galaxy Tab tablet or of a Galaxy S22 Fan Edition. The FE is the more affordable and slightly lower-specced version of the flagship phone that usually comes out around this time, though the Galaxy S21 Fan Edition was delayed until early 2022. 

There's also no expectation of a Galaxy Note -- and it's safe to say we won't see one this year, if ever again. 

Leaks and expectations

By David Lumb

We saw plenty of leaks for the foldables we expect to see, including a listing on Amazon Netherlands supposedly for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 that showed slight design changes and a new external case for the S Pen. Maybe the stylus won't get a slot, like the S22 Ultra has?

So what are we expecting? Samsung foldables: the clamshell Galaxy Z Flip 4 and the larger Galaxy Z Fold 4. We also anticipate the brand's next smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch 5, which we expect will run Google's Wear OS 3, which incorporates Samsung's Tizen OS. 

Leadup to today's Unpacked

By David Lumb

A leak in mid-July from tipster Evan Blass suggested that Samsung's next Unpacked was a month away and that it would likely see foldables revealed. 

A day later, Samsung itself teased the Unpacked event with a colorful puzzle that, when solved, revealed the date: Aug. 10. That's today!

Samsung Unpacked for 2022 so far

By David Lumb

Samsung's first Unpacked this year was in February, when it revealed the Samsung Galaxy S22 series and Galaxy Tab S8 tablet line. Both of these ranges included more affordable devices and top-tier premium models: the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the huge Samsung Tab S8 Ultra. 

Samsung revealed the new Galaxy A53 and Galaxy A33 phones at another event in March. These phones are aimed at the midrange market. Only the Galaxy A53 is sold in the US for $450 (£399 or roughly AU$710). That's around the same price as the iPhone SE (2022) and Google Pixel 6A, which was released later in the year. All of them are competing to win over folks who don't want to pay top dollar for a capable 5G device.

It's Samsung Unpacked day

By David Lumb

Hello and welcome to our live blog for Samsung Unpacked! We're expecting a lot of updates on some fan-favorite devices. Here's the YouTube link, or you can watch at Samsung.com. There's also Samsung 837X for the AR and VR fans. CNET will also have a live show on our YouTube channel as the event begins, including commentary and reporting from our editors. You can send us questions for the show and watch it here.


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