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iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Xiaomi 14 Ultra camera shootout: Hardware matters
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a very capable camera system. How does it fare against a phone made in collaboration with Leica with newer sensors?
We all know the iPhone is the most popular phone in the world, and for most people, it is the best overall phone. But in the niche corners of the mobile enthusiast scene, there is a growing fandom for Xiaomi's Ultra series, which has earned a reputation for pushing the possibilities of smartphone camera hardware year after year. But does flashy camera hardware with big numers actually matter in the smartphone scene when it's increasingly about computational photography? Let's find out in this camera shootout.
XDA's Best of MWC 2024 Awards: The best gadgets from the show
From crazy concepts to impressive technology, this year's MWC had it all.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) is a massive technology event that takes place every year in the city of Barcelona. Thousands of people go there to take a glimpse at the latest and greatest tech being launched, and we attended to get some hands-on time with some of the best out there. Some of these are concepts that you can't buy, some of these are products that you can buy today, but all of them deserve a place on our list of the best products available at the show this year.
How to boot into recovery mode using button combos, ADB, and root apps
If you have an Android or iOS device and are wondering how to boot into recovery to clear cache or reset your device, this is how to do it!
All smartphones — including the budget-friendly ones — have a built-in recovery mode, which you can use for a variety of tasks depending on the operating system of your device. On Android smartphones, it can be used for things like performing a simple factory reset, installing update packages, and clearing the cache, among other things. On an iPhone, the recovery mode is used to restore the device using your computer if it's experiencing issues like being stuck on the Apple logo while booting.
Download Android USB Drivers for popular OEMs
Not sure which driver to install for your Android device? We can help. In this guide, we'll explain how to install the correct USB driver.
Dipping your toes into the Android modding world isn't a very complicated job, but you have to fulfill a few prerequisites. Be it rooting or installing a custom ROM like LineageOS, most of the aftermarket tinkering requires you to connect your Android smartphone to a computer using a USB cable, so you can use tools like the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to interact with the device. Things are usually more jolting for a power user, as they may also want to reinstall the factory firmware on the phone or tablet, which means the OEM-specific flashing utilities come into the picture as well.
Best fitness trackers in 2024
From simple trackers to more sophisticated options that double up as a smartwatch, these are the best fitness trackers to buy in 2023.
Health is wealth. It’s a simple yet true mantra; nothing is more important than your personal health. But where to start? Fitness trackers have come a long way since being glorified pedometers, although they still do that too, and incredibly well. Today, the best fitness trackers provide helpful insights like heart rate data. Many also provide coaching to improve your workouts, insights on how you can better recover, and in some cases, they can even track and help relieve your stress.
Android 14 beta tacker: List of major phones getting the latest update
A lot of phones have already received a taste of Android 14, with more to follow soon.
Android 14 picked up the "beta" tag a while ago on Google Pixel devices, but that doesn't mean the non-Google phone you’re carrying in your pocket will get the same treatment anytime soon. This is because, unlike Apple, Google allows other OEMs to customize Android and ship their phones with various skins, which naturally takes time to develop and evaluate whenever a new version of the operating system is about to release.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 is a great combination of the Z Fold 5 and the Pixel Fold
Xiaomi’s new Mix Fold 3 is one of the thinnest and lightest foldable phones around that still offers a capable and versatile camera system
This has been an exciting year for foldable phones in the West. In the U.S., Samsung's de facto monopoly finally ended with Google launching its first foldable, Motorola made its return stateside after a two-year absence, and OnePlus is now promising an upcoming foldable. Over in Europe, Honor and Oppo have launched foldables, making for an even healthier scene.
These AirPods rivals cost just $72 on Prime Day
The Redmi Buds 4 Pro offer good sound and ANC, and they're currently down to their lowest price ever.
Great headphones or in-ear wireless earbuds under $100 are hard to find, which is why you must snag unmissable deals like this one. Xiaomi's Redmi Buds 4 Pro earbuds are currently discounted for Prime Day, and you can get them for as low as $72 if you act fast. They offer great value for your money and are packed with a ton of awesome features like ANC, support for Hi-Res audio, and more. Though they're not as feature-packed as the AirPods, they're still excellent budget alternatives. This limited-time Amazon Prime Day deal makes it that much better, as it's the lowest price we've seen for it yet.
Poco F5 Pro review: Another superb value proposition, but not for Americans
The Poco F5 Pro offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and WQHD+ 120Hz OLED screen at an attractive price. But marketing availability questions remain
Xiaomi's sub-brand Poco is back with another phone that, if you squint, could almost pass for a flagship phone, but at a price that's less than half of what actual flagships command. The Poco F5 Pro, starting at US$449, packs a WQHD+ 120Hz OLED display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a solid 64MP main camera, wireless charging, flagship-level haptics, and speakers. There's even an official IP rating, which most Chinese mid-rangers omit.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra review: Refinement more than revolution
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra doesn't quite drop jaws the way last year's 12S Ultra did, but it's still easily one of the most premium hardware packages around.
Last year's Xiaomi 12S Ultra was in my (and many reviewers') opinion the best smartphone camera of 2022 due largely to its new 1-inch type sensor developed by Sony. However, it was only sold in China. This year's Xiaomi 13 Ultra finally goes "global" (or, at least, to Southeast Asia and parts of Europe along with China), but is now in a much heavier market since that sensor can now be found in several other phones. So for the 13, Xiaomi made refinements around that star sensor, such as adding a variable aperture, improving peripheral cameras, and even adding a camera grip accessory that turns the device into more camera than phone. But are these enough to keep the lead it built over rivals last year?
The POCO F5 will be the first smartphone outside China powered by the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2
It's rumored to be a rebranded Redmi Note 12 Turbo which Xiaomi launched exclusively in China.
POCO, the mobile phone manufacturer that started as a subsidiary of Xiaomi, will be the first company to bring the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 processor to handsets outside of China. As confirmed in a tweet from Snapdragon India, the POCO F5 should have “50% higher overall performance” compared to the previous Snapdragon 7+ generation. It’s not the most powerful chip on a mobile phone, but it represents longevity and robustness in a market where upgrading a handset every year is often impractical.
Everything you need to know about Android Enterprise Recommended smartphones
Android Enterprise Recommended smartphones are ideal for business environments, and we're here to explain why you might want them.
Timely software support from Android OEMs has long been a heated topic for Android enthusiasts. While Google has made some efforts in the last few years to coax manufacturers to provide better software support, it can't completely fix the issue without directly impacting the openness of Android as an ecosystem. However, when it comes to Android phones for businesses, the company takes strict measures to ensure businesses get reliable software support from OEMs through its Android Enterprise Recommended (AER) program.
Android hidden codes: All the custom dialer codes and what they do
Access a plethora of secret service menus and other useful options in your Android phone.
Google has numerous hidden features inside its Android OS. Besides the venerable Android version-specific Easter eggs, it is also possible to utilize custom dialer codes to access a plethora of apps and settings that are otherwise unreachable for regular users. Some of these codes are universal, which means you'll get the desired output on any device, whether it's a cheap budget phone or one of the best Android phones. Having said that, custom OEM skins (like One UI by Samsung and MIUI by Xiaomi) and carrier-customized models often come with their own set of hidden codes.
The Xiaomi 13 Ultra takes smartphone photography to a new level with its versatile quad-camera system
Xiaomi's latest flagship is here to take on the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Xiaomi's latest flagship lineup is finally complete, as the company has officially unveiled the highly-anticipated Xiaomi 13 Ultra. The top-of-the-line flagship joins the base Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, which launched internationally at MWC earlier this year. It brings several noteworthy improvements over the Xiaomi 12S Ultra from last year, including a refreshed design, an updated SoC, a brighter display, and better cameras. The Xiaomi 13 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best phones to hit the market this year, and here's what you need to know about it.
Xiaomi 13 Ultra render shows off massive camera bump, curved display, and unique textured finish
The upcoming Xiaomi 13 Ultra makes an appearance, showing off its fabolous design and massive camera.
A couple of months ago during Mobile World Congress, the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro made its international debut, and while these were fantastic devices, some hinted that something even better was just on the horizon. The Xiaomi 13 Pro is already considered one of the best smartphones of 2023, so the fact that the company is preparing to release an Ultra version of the phone is cause for some excitement. The handset is slated to April 18 but before that, it looks like we're getting an early peek at the device through leaked renders, showing us the beautiful handset from all angles.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Xiaomi 13 Pro camera test: Large sensor or more megapixels?
The two most high-profile Android releases of 2023 so far duke it out in a camera shootout.
What's more important in digital imaging, sensor size or megapixel count? Now's as good a time as any to find out because the two most high-profile Android releases of 2023 so far also happen to bring new camera systems headlined by main cameras that have taken those opposite paths. Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra packs a new 200MP main camera, while Xiaomi's 13 Pro uses a 1-inch type sensor. Xiaomi's sensor is significantly larger than the S23 Ultra's 1/1.3-inch sensor, but Samsung's camera can produce shots with four times as many pixels as Xiaomi's.
Xiaomi's first Wear OS 3 smartwatch could debut in 2023
Xiaomi has released smartwatches in the past, we could see a Wear OS 3 model sometime in the near future.
There are a lot of different smartwatch options available, but it's no coincidence that some of the best smartwatches for Android devices run Wear OS. While Xiaomi has had success in the smartwatch space over the years, even recently debuting the Watch S1 Pro at Mobile World Congress, there's always one thing that has been missing — Google's Wear OS. A proprietary can be pretty good, but it can also really limit the experience, especially when you're comparing it to the vast ecosystem of Wear OS. Well, it looks like Xiaomi could be making some changes in the new year, with a report stating that the company could debut a new smartwatch this year running Wear OS 3.
XDA's Best of MWC 2023 Awards: Our favorite gadgets from the show
From high-end smartphones and foldable devices to some rollable concepts, MWC 2023 had a handful of devices that caught our attention.
Mobile World Congress (MWC) is one of the biggest technology events of the year, with thousands of people flocking to Barcelona to get a glimpse of the latest gadgets. MWC 2023 was packed with a ton of cool new tech products, and we got some hands-on time with many of them. From flashy prototypes and concept phones to gadgets you can actually buy, we're here to highlight some of our favorites from the MWC show floor.
Xiaomi shows off 300W charging, making 240W passé
Xiaomi has shared its 300W charging technology, taking a smartphone from zero to 100 percent in just five minutes.
Just when you thought Realme's 240W charging speeds were lightning quick, Xiaomi drops the mic by showing off its 300W charging technology. The firm shared a demo of its new tech, charging up a modified Note 12 Pro with a 4,100mAh battery in just five minutes. As you can imagine, that kind of speed isn't just impressive, quite frankly, it's mind-blowing. While Xiaomi didn't really show off how this magic is accomplished, you can be certain that this charging tech will eventually find its way into upcoming handsets.
Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro and Bud 4 Pro get unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2023
We've seen these launched previously, but now Xiaomi is bringing its latest accessories to more markets.
Along with the announcement of the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro at MWC 2023, the company has also debuted some of its latest accessories to new markets. The Xiaomi Watch S1 Pro is a sleek-looking smartwatch that offers physical controls through its rotating crown, while the Bud 4 Pro are a stylish and compact set of earbuds that offer excellent sound paired with powerful active noise cancelation abilities.