Mobile

Specifications for the upcoming foldable have leaked ahead of its expected launch next month, with Smartprix reporting incremental improvements over its predecessor.

The device will supposedly feature a 7.6-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2x internal screen with a 2160 x 1856 resolution and a 4:3.4 aspect ratio. It’s also 14 grams lighter and powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip.

Honor launched its first clamshell style foldable today, the Honor V Flip, with a Haute Couture Edition designed by the fashion legend himself. Apparently he’s taking advantage of the big 4.0-inch cover screen and embracing the whole phone-on-your-shirt concept I’ve been experimenting with. I think he wore it better.

The V Flip is up for pre-order today — but only in China. It starts at 4,999 yuan.

Samsung is releasing six limited-edition pairs of the Shortcut Sneaker in collaboration with Dutch designer Roel van Hoff. The Galaxy-themed sneakers come with built-in motion sensors that trigger certain actions on your phone, such as dancing to make a phone call or play music.

That’s according to Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark, after making the world’s first phone call that utilized a codec for Immersive Voice and Audio Services (IVAS) from the upcoming 5G Advanced standard to improve call quality with three-dimensional sound.

Nokia says the technology is “now becoming standardized” and that most phones with at least two microphones are capable of supporting it, but widespread availability may take a few years.

Old:

Unauthorized Parts: You will not send in a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts – if You do, Your Device will not be returned to you.

New:

Unauthorized Parts: If You send a Device containing non-Google-authorized parts for repair, in certain situations (e.g., safety), Service Provider may not be able to repair Your Device. Service Provider will return Your Device except when health or safety requirements prevent us from doing so. If Service Provider can’t return Your Device, Google will work with You on next steps.

Google claims it never actually kept people’s phones.

HTC still makes smartphones, and it looks like a new one is on the way. HTC’s UK account on X is teasing an announcement for June 12th. I still fondly remember the early days of HTC smartphones, so I’m personally hoping for a return of the legendary HD2 Windows Mobile device that opened the door to custom ROMs and mobile mods.

That’s not quite how J.R.R. Tolkien started The Hobbit, but that’ll be how it goes when hobbit life simulator Tales of The Shire arrives exclusively on mobile via Netflix. Netflix also announced a ton more games joining the service this month and beyond including several games based on Netflix shows, The Case of the Golden Idol, and Don’t Starve Together.

Earlier this year Motorola launched a trio of Edge phones internationally. Now, the budget-friendliest of the bunch will be making its way to the US as the Motorola Edge 2024. It’ll cost $549 unlocked when it goes on sale June 20th.

Fingers crossed that the Edge 50 Ultra makes it to the US later this year — I’m ready for a wooden phone revival.

Samsung, unsurprisingly, but:

Samsung, a trailblazer in the foldable phone market, commanded over 80 percent of the market share in 2022. However, with increasing competition from various brands in 2023–2024, Samsung’s share dropped from 60 percent and it now struggles to maintain 50 percent.

The tech analysts at TrendForce say foldable phones will only represent about 1.5 percent of the global smartphone market by the end of 2024, but grow to 5 percent by 2028 after Apple enters the race.

Seems those renders from February were spot on according to the latest Ice Universe drop. We’ll know for sure on July 10th if that Samsung Unpacked rumor is true.

This special edition Nothing Phone 2A isn’t coming to the US and it’s already sold out, but dang it, I want one anyway. In true Nothing style it comes with an overwrought design story about “distilling things down” to their basic form. There’s a big ol’ dose of Bauhaus in there, too. What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants.

Like a rendered image that leaked previously, this apparently real-life pic suggests we’re getting a much bigger cover screen, following the trend of the next Razr foldables.

We’ll see what’s real at Samsung’s rumored summer event.

We have no problem recommending the Pixel 7 Pro now Woot is selling the unlocked 128GB model for $399 ($500 off) through May 31st.

It’s an amazing value, but not guaranteed to get newer Android versions beyond October 2025. The Pixel 8a promises updates through May 2031.

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The date, first reported by Sammobile back in March, is now being reported as fact by Chosun. It also makes sense given Samsung’s sponsorship of the Paris Olympics which kicks off on July 26th — oh, the advertising possibilities!

Expect to hear more on the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 and wearables like the Galaxy Ring, Galaxy Watch 7, and Galaxy Buds 3.