The Moto X5 will feature an iPhone X-like notch, according to new leak

The Moto X may have been replaced as Lenovo’s flagship Moto phone with the Moto Z, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying. On the contrary, recent Moto X phones have offered some pretty awesome features — and based on early leaks, the 2018 Moto X, also known as the Moto X5, will be no different.

There’s a lot we don’t know about the Moto X5, but thanks to recent leaks there’s now a lot we do know. Here’s everything we know about the Moto X5 so far.

Design

The Moto X5 may offer some design features that we haven’t seen in Moto phones yet — even though it’s no longer the flagship Moto. For starters, a leaked image from Droid-Life seems to show a phone with an iPhone X-like “notch” at the top, with status icons on either side of it. It’s unclear what that means for the software in general and where notification icons will show up.

Speaking of the display, it also seems to sport nicely rounded corners, and the report notes that it sits in at 5.9-inches with a FHD+ resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio.

Like the Moto Z3 leak, it seems like the new Moto X does not feature a fingerprint sensor, though there is a dual-sensor front-facing camera. We’ll have to wait and see if that means that Lenovo is replacing the fingerprint sensor with facial recognition, like Apple, or if the fingerprint sensor is embedded in the display like the Vivo phone that was shown off at CES 2018. There’s also a new white software navigation button — though Droid-Life notes that you’ll probably be able to replace that with the standard three-button Android navigation buttons.

According to text that accompanies the Moto X5 images, the device will also feature “Moto XP’s,” which is billed as being “Moto’s Smart Ai.” We’re not sure what that means yet. It’s possibly it could be a kind of Google Assistant competitor.

Specs

We don’t really know much about the specs of the upcoming Moto X5 just yet. Last year’s Moto X featured a Qualcomm Snapdragon 630, which is a decent chip, to be sure, but also decidedly midrange. Considering Lenovo has its flagship bases covered with the Moto Z, we expect the new Moto X to feature a similarly midrange chip.

As far as RAM and storage goes, the device will likely feature around 3GB or 4GB of RAM, along with 64GB of storage — though that’s just speculation. We’ll have to wait and see what the device offers in real life.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The upcoming Lenovo Moto Z3 apparently leaks online in all its mod-packing glory
• Nokia 6 vs. Moto G5 Plus
• Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra, XA2, and L2 hands-on review
• LG’s three new cutting-edge Nano IPS monitors will wow your eyeballs
• Huawei P20 teased as company’s 2018 device plans are laid bare

Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra vs. Moto X4: 2018’s new midrange challenger

It might be tough at the top, but it’s even tougher in the middle. The midrange market is a highly competitive space, and handsets from above and below constantly challenge the midrange for the ultimate goal of being your favorite pocket filler.

Sony has announced the follow-up to 2017’s XA1 Ultra, the Xperia XA2 Ultra, into that very market. But before it can challenge anything above or below its price range, it needs to prove its mettle against another great midrange device. The Moto X4 is a fine phone, and one of the front runners in this category. We took a look at the two phones, side-by-side, to figure out which deserves your time and your money.

Specs

Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra

Moto X4
Size
163 x 80 x 9.5 mm (6.42 x 3.15 x 0.37 inches)
148.4 x 73.4 x 8 mm (5.84 x 2.89 x 0.31 inches)
Weight
221 grams (7.80 ounces)
163 grams (5.75 ounces)
Screen
6-inch Super LCD
5.2-inch IPS LCD
Resolution
1920 x 1080 pixels (367 ppi)
1920 x 1080 pixels (424 ppi)
OS
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 8.0 Oreo/Android One
Storage
32GB, 64GB
32GB (64GB international market)
MicroSD card slot
Yes
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
RAM
4GB
3GB (4GB international market)
Connectivity
GSM / HSPA / LTE, 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi
GSM / HSPA / LTE, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
Camera
23MP rear, dual 16MP & 8MP front
Dual 12MP & 8MP rear, 16MP front
Video
2160p up to 30 fps
2160p up to 30 fps, 1080p up to 60 fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0
Audio
3.5mm headphone jack
Front speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, proximity, compass
Gyroscope, accelerometer, proximity sensor
Water resistant
No
Yes, IP68 rated
Battery
3,580mAh
3,000mAh
Charging port
USB-C
USB-C
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Colors
Silver, Black, Blue, Gold
Black, blue
Availability
To be announced

Newegg, Amazon, Motorola

Price
To be announced
$399
DT review
Hands-on review
3.5 out of 5 stars

Specifications aren’t everything, but they are a good baseline for the general performance of a device. Based on these specs, you’re likely to see a similar level of day-to-day performance from these phones, since both come with the Snapdragon 630 processor. It’s a decent chip, but as we pointed out in our Moto X4 review, if you’re a heavy user who likes to play high-performance games, you might want to look elsewhere, as performance is simply not as smooth as it is on phones with cutting edge processors. Anyone who’s not an avid gamer (or is a more casual gamer) should find good, steady performance here, with an occasional sluggishness that reflects the lower price of the devices.

Both devices have space for a MicroSD card for additional storage, and they both come in 32GB and 64GB flavors, though the 64GB Moto X4 only seems to be available in international markets, so if you’re looking for more storage, then the Xperia might be your bag. The Xperia gains more points with the addition 4GB of RAM — the Moto X4 only has 4GB options available in international markets. That said, RAM isn’t everything in smartphones, so the 3GB offered by the U.S. Moto X4 is going to be plenty for most people.

Moving on, we find even more similarities. Both devices are rocking the latest Bluetooth 5 with all the benefits that brings, both devices offer NFC for Google Pay, and both have the increasingly rare headphone jack.

With the specs being as close as they are, we have to award the win to the phone that creeps ahead, even ever-so-slightly. The extra RAM and additional extra onboard storage in the Xperia XA2 Ultra takes the day.

Winner: Xperia XA2 Ultra

Design and display

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

While there were rumors of a redesign for the Xperia range throughout 2017, we’re not really seeing that with the Xperia XA2 Ultra. The bezels have shrunk when compared to last year’s models, especially the Xperia XZ1, but it’s still not at the point where we could call it “bezel-less“. It’s clear the bezels around the sides of the phone and the top and bottom edges have reduced, but it’s still a phone that looks very 2016 — and it’s safe to say we’re a little disappointed. One nice addition is the fingerprint sensor being moved from the side of the phone to a more conventional area on the back. It’s also finally being included in the U.S. model, which must be a relief for anyone who’d been put off by the bizarre omission in previous Sony smartphones.

With that said, we still prefer the Xperia Omnibalance style to the also dated looks of the Moto X4. The glass and metal design on the X4 is nice, but the extremely large camera bump means the phone rocks when placed on its back, and the glass used tends to attract fingerprints very quickly. It’s a problem solved with a good case, but it would still have been nice to not feel compelled to buy one. Still, it’s a decent design, and not ugly. It’s just fairly basic, and not as nice as some of the previous Moto X models.

There’s a massive difference between the two phones in terms of their displays. While both devices have IPS LCD screens displaying a 1,920 x 1,080-pixel resolution, the Xperia XA2 Ultra has a much larger 6-inch screen, compared to the 5.2-inch display on the Moto X4. If you’re a fan of a larger screen, then the XA2 Ultra is the perfect midrange device for you — but fans of sharper displays may appreciate the larger pixels-per-inch measurement on the smaller Moto phone. It is also worth mentioning that the Xperia XA2 Ultra is significantly larger and heavier than the Moto X4, being a plus-sized version of the regular sized Xperia XA2, so keep the additional bulk and heft in mind when you’re considering the Xperia.

For pure physical durability you’re going to be looking at the Xperia XA2 Ultra over the Moto X4. While the aluminum frame and polycarbonate back on the Xperia doesn’t exactly feel premium, it is more resistant to damage than the glass on the Moto X4. However, the Moto X4 turns the tables with a very impressive IP68-rating that should see the Moto phone survive trips down the toilet or into the bath; not something the Sony phone can boast since it has no water-resistance at all.

This is a tough category to call. The XA2 Ultra has the edge in looks and pure physical durability, whereas the Moto X4 has full IP68-rated water-resistance and a sharper display. It really comes down to which set of advantages you prefer and the disadvantages you’re willing to put up with.

Winner: Tie

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Moto X4 has a dual-sensor rear camera, pairing a 16-megapixel lens with an 8-megapixel lens. It’s a good combination, and as well as offering “bokeh” style selective-blur shots, it also offers a wide-angle mode like the LG G6 or V30. It takes good photos, but you need good lighting to get the best out of it; low lighting led to some disappointing shots in our review testing. The shutter lag in the camera software itself was also quite significant.

Around the front of the Moto X4 you’ll find a 16-megapixel selfie camera with an accompanying flash. It performs okay, but the quality doesn’t seem good enough for such a high megapixel count. Still, it took good enough selfies during our tests, and the flash was useful.

We haven’t had any significant time with the Xperia XA2 Ultra’s camera yet, but the raw numbers are encouraging. Sony has prided itself on cameras with exceptionally high megapixel counts and that continues here with the 23-megapixel monster mounted on the rear of the XA2 Ultra. In the small amount of time we had with it we noticed very little shutter lag, and a very high ISO of 12,800 — which should mean the XA2 Ultra is very good at handling low light. We’ll delay proper judgement until we’ve really tested it.

It’s around the front you’ll find major changes on the Xperia phone. The XA2 Ultra is rocking two front-facing selfie sensors; paired 16-megapixel and 8-megapixel lenses. The 16-megapixel lens seems to do most of the work, but the 8-megapixel lens kicks in when you want to take a wide-angle shot for group selfies, or if you want more of the background in view. It’s well implemented, with little lag when switching between the two lenses. Sony has also included a “slow-sync” flash on the front that helps to illuminate the background of shots, as well as the foreground. It’s especially handy in dim areas you want to show off, like nightclubs, and it worked well in our short amount of time with it.

The Moto X4 has a good camera, but it’s let down by poor low light performance and too much shutter lag. We might not have had too much time with the XA2 Ultra’s camera yet, but we’re confident it will be the better performer.

Winner: Xperia XA2 Ultra

Battery life and charging

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Battery life shouldn’t be too much of an issue with either of these devices thanks to their large battery capacities. The Moto X4 comes with a 3,000mAh battery that should easily last you the day, even with heavy use. With lighter use, it should last even longer than that. When recharge time came around, Motorola’s TurboPower fast-charging charged the Moto X4 from zero to 85 percent within 40 minutes. That’s really good.

But it’s up against a monster. Sony has taken battery capacity seriously in this generation of phones, and has significantly increased the battery capacity of all of 2018’s models so far. The XA2 Ultra comes with a massive 3,580mAh battery that should easily see you through the day. That’s bolstered by Sony’s Smart Stamina battery technology to help your charge last for as long as possible, and QuickCharge 3.0 means that your battery refills quickly when plugged in. We’ve not had a chance to test the XA2 Ultra in the wild yet, but we’re anticipating the battery life to be one of its high points.

While we are fans of the Moto X4’s battery capacity, with its significantly bigger battery, the Xperia XA2 Ultra takes this round.

Winner: Xperia XA2 Ultra

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

There are two versions of the Moto X4 that you can pick up; the regular version, and the Android One version. Android One is essentially a pared-down version of Android made for lower-end phones that comes without any additional manufacturer bloatware, and benefits from security patches directly from Google itself. However, unless you’re really into the idea of Project Fi, you might want to stick to the regular version of the Moto X4. It still runs close to stock Android, and comes with additional features like Amazon Alexa integration, and the Tempow Bluetooth Audio Profile that we really liked. Updates to Android 8.0 Oreo have been rolling out since December as well, so there’s no need to worry about being left behind.

How’s the Android 8.0 Oreo experience on the Xperia XA2 Ultra? Again, we need longer with it to really give you the low down, but despite being close to stock Android, the model we saw did have a good few pre-installed apps from Sony. Your mileage on that will vary, and patience for bloat depends entirely on your previous experiences, but it’s certainly not ideal for us. The XA2 Ultra does come with AptX HD as well, combating Tempow on the Moto X4.

Android vs. Android is always a tough task, and it’s made extra difficult when Android One is thrown into the mix. However, we prefer the implementation of Android on the Moto X4, and the option for Android One is good, if you want it. The Moto X4 takes this round.

Winner: Moto X4

Price and availability

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The Moto X4 is currently available, and you can grab the Android One version from Google’s Project Fi for just $324 at time of writing. Alternatively, if you want the regular version of the Moto X4, then you can grab it from a number of retailers, including Newegg and Motorola for a reduced price of $350. Amazon Prime members can increase their savings by buying a version with lockscreen ads and “offers” for just $280 — but you have to make the choice of whether that’s worth it for you.

At the moment, we’re not sure of the price of the XA2 Ultra. We’re hoping it’ll be around $400, putting it in a similar initial price bracket as the Moto X4. We’re also not sure about who will be offering the phone, but we expect it will at least be available from Sony and on Amazon.

Sony’s Xperia phones haven’t traditionally been supported well in the U.S.. We’re giving this to the Moto X4 for the better value, as well as the larger marketplace.

Winner: Moto X4

Overall winner: Xperia XA2 Ultra

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

There might be a lot of elements of the XA2 Ultra that we’re unsure about, but based on what we’ve seen, there’s also a lot to love. At the moment, the Xperia phone looks to be a fine contender in the midrange smartphone market, capable of trading blows with the very best. But that doesn’t mean that the Moto X4 is bad; quite the contrary — there are plenty of reasons to buy the Moto phone over the Xperia, not least value. The much smaller size is also a big selling point if you don’t fancy the massive XA2 Ultra.

Still, for our money, the Xperia XA2 Ultra is currently the stronger of these two handsets.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Sony Xperia XA2 Ultra, XA2, and L2 hands-on review
• HTC U11 Life vs. Moto X4: Who rules the midrange smartphone market?
• Moto X4 review
• When is your phone getting Android 8.0 Oreo? We asked every major manufacturer
• Sony’s latest Xperia smartphones boast changes, but not a major redesign

Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime is designed to fuel your impulse buying habits

Samsung’s latest budget phone has an interesting trick up its sleeve.

With hundreds of phones releasing in India every year, Samsung is looking to distinguish its products by offering interesting new use cases. The Galaxy On7 Prime — Samsung’s latest foray in the budget segment — comes with a visual search feature that lets you easily purchase products through photos. The feature is powered by Samsung Mall, which collates product information from several e-commerce sites to create a sort of all-in-one destination for your purchasing needs.

For instance, if you’re looking to buy a pair of blue sunglasses and have dialed in on a particular design, you’ll be able to feed that image into Samsung Mall, and it’ll look through Amazon, Jabong, Shopclues and Tata CLiQ to find all references of that design. Samsung Mall also comes with a Universal Cart feature that lets you buy products without ever leaving the app.

You can either take real-life pictures of products you’re interested in buying or feed photos saved in your gallery. The feature is aimed at millennials, but I can see it coming in handy for bargain-hunters as well. Say you’re at a retail store and are interested in buying a new TV. You can take a photo of the TV and use Samsung Mall to see if it’s priced lower at e-commerce portals.

Of course, it all comes down to how good Samsung Mall is when it comes to pattern recognition — after all, Bixby turned out to be a massive letdown for the company last year. I’ll share my thoughts on Samsung Mall once I get my hands on the On7 Prime.

Samsung Mall could either turn out to be a gamechanger or go the way of Bixby.

As for the internal hardware, you’re looking at a 5.5-inch Full HD display, 1.6GHz octa-core Exynos 7870 chipset, microSD slot, dual SIM card slots, 13MP rear and front cameras, 4G with VoLTE, and a 3300mAh battery. On the software front, the phone comes with Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, and it includes the lite version of Samsung Pay with compatibility for UPI.

The On7 Prime looks like a decent option in the highly competitive budget segment, but I can’t help but wonder that Samsung missed out by not offering an 18:9 display. Furthermore, the front fingerprint sensor and sizeable bezels make the phone look dated, and Samsung isn’t doing itself any favors by continuing with the two-year-old Exynos 7870.

That said, the On7 Prime is aggressively priced (for a Samsung device), with the base variant with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage retailing for ₹12,990 ($200). The model with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage will be available for ₹14,990 ($235), and both variants will go on sale starting January 20 exclusively on Amazon India.

See at Amazon India

Deal: Get the Sprint Unlimited Data Plan free for one year!

Sprint is offering new customers a full year of free calls, texts and unlimited data — a savings of $60 a month for one person.

Any new customers with an eligible phone who switch to Sprint from Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile (or other carriers) can get up to five free lines of unlimited data for a year. Keep your phone and your current number!

The Sprint Unlimited Data Plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data. However, after you have used 23GB of high-speed data in a month, speed can be temporarily slowed during times of high network traffic (data deprioritization).

What other goodies to do you get?

• 10GB of high-speed hotspot data
• High definition video streaming
• International roaming which includes 2G data and text messaging in over 165 countries

The fine print

• The free year of service expires January 30, 2019, when you’ll be charged $60 a month for the first line, $40 a month for the second line, and $30 a month for each additional line. (For a family of four, count on paying $160 a month.)
• You must own your phone in full and only eligible phones qualify for this offer (qualifying devices are listed below)
• Autopay enrollment is required

See at Sprint

Modern Dad has ALL the Amazon Dash Buttons

OK, maybe he doesn’t quite have ALL of them. But, damn, that’s a lot of Dash Buttons. Here’s why you should take a look at the easiest way to buy everyday items!

This video was sponsored by Amazon. I have a lot of Amazon stuff laying around. A half-dozen or so Echoes of varying ilk. A couple Fire TVs. Amazon’s little indoor camera. But the one thing — things, really — that I’d never gotten around to trying was the Amazon Dash Button.

It’s ridiculously simple. Just pick out the products you want to have a Dash Button for, and Amazon ships ’em to you. (Yes, you’re ordering things to order other things. Stick with me here.) They’ve got little batteries inside, and you’ll use your Amazon app to connect each button to your Wifi network. If there are different versions of a particular product, you’ll have the opportunity to choose exactly what it is you want shipped. That takes about 30 seconds. After it’s hooked up, all you have to do is tap the button to order that specific thing.

It really is that simple. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have questions.

For one, what happens if and when my kids start mashing the buttons over and over? Amazon thought of that. And by default, only one items is ordered at a time. Press the button again before the first order is delivered, and you’ll get a warning that someone’s pushing the buttons over and over. (In fact, this whole thing is really good about alerting you anytime anything is ordered. It’s very transparent like that.)

And am I paying for next-day shipping (or even faster) every time I hit the button? (They default to whatever your Amazon one-click options are.)

Is this all a little lazy? I dunno — I prefer to pronounce that as “awesomely efficient.” Maybe I won’t use Dash Buttons for everything, but that doesn’t mean that they’re not way cool.

See at Amazon

Amazon Echo

• Tap, Echo or Dot: The ultimate Alexa question
• All about Alexa Skills
• Amazon Echo review
• Echo Dot review
• Echo Spot review
• Top Echo Tips & Tricks
• Amazon Echo vs. Google Home
• Get the latest Alexa news

See at Amazon

Would you rather get the Pixel 2 XL or LG V30?

No matter which phone you choose, you’ll find it hard to be disappointed.

If you’re in the market to buy a new phone this very second, two of your best bets are the Google Pixel 2 XL and LG V30. These are both large phones that came out in late 2017, and each one packs its own unique punch that makes it worth checking out.

One of our forum users recently said that they can’t decide which of the two phones to purchase, and as you’d expect, our community was quick to come to the rescue and offer any advice that they could.

Here are some of the top responses.

dov1978
01-11-2018 12:38 PM

“

It entirely depends what your main requirements are?
Sound quality, headphone jack, wide angle camera, themes, one handed mode – go with the V30

Updates, dual front facing speakers, superior cameras – go with the Pixel

I’d choose the Pixel 2 XL personally purely for the cameras and the speakers

Reply

neil74
01-12-2018 04:48 PM

“

I have both and it is a tough call.

Pixel – updates, camera, support, speakers, feels less fragile, slightly zippier in places

V30 – same size screen/noticeably smaller footprint, wireless charging, SD card, audio, headphone jack, less blueshift (on mine ymmv) right now with the p2 on 8.1 standby battery is better on the v30

Reply

SupraLB
01-12-2018 06:37 PM

“

I had the V10, V20 and loved those phones. Two of the best ever. I still miss the wide angle camera, both front and back. (Although the V30 front camera is a joke).

But everything else I just love more about the Pixel XL. Particularly no lag. I mean none. And I have all kinds of macros, taskers, and side buttons going on. Thing is zippity fast.

I’m still keeping my V20, as a home…

Reply

TwitchyPuppy
01-11-2018 01:22 PM

“

I love pure Android, but I’ve always had a soft spot for LG (and found the G6 to be a fantastic phone).

I’d go with the V30.

Reply

With that said, we’d like to pass the question on to you – Would you rather buy the Pixel 2 XL or LG V30?

Join the conversation in the forums!

ZTE is bringing the Axon M to China and Europe

Available first for China and later in Q1 for European customers.

The Axon M might not be the most popular phone on the market, but it must be doing good enough for ZTE to keep investing time and money into it. The company’s Vice President of Marketing announced at CES 2018 that we would see more foldable phones in the near future, and following that, it’s been confirmed that the Axon M will be heading to both China and Europe.

China will be the first to get the phone starting on Saturday, January 20. Customers will be able to purchase the Axon M online at MyZTE.com and JD.com, and China Telecom will even sell the device in physical retail stores across the country.

A final release for Europe hasn’t been announced yet, but ZTE says we can expect the phone to drop at some point during Q1 of the year (between January and March). Vodafone and TIM have been confirmed to carry the Axon M, and ZTE says that other “leading carriers” will offer it as well.

The Axon M will cost ￥3888 in China, but pricing for Europe is still up in the air.

ZTE plans on releasing more foldable phones like the Axon M

Honor View 10 review: Shaking up the affordable flagship space

Honor’s new flagship phone brings the best of Huawei to a wider audience, offering an 18:9 display and dual cameras for just £449.

The quick take

From build quality to battery life and performance, the View 10 leaves little to be desired and gives the OnePlus 5T a run for its money in the budget flagship category.

The Good

• Premium build quality and modern design
• Oreo out of the box
• Solid camera performance
• Impressive battery life

The Bad

• EMUI still isn’t for everyone
• No water/dust resistance
• Fingerprint sensor is a bit too small

See at Amazon

Honor View 10 Full Review

These days, there’s no shortage of great budget options for consumers that don’t want to spend four figures on a smartphone every year. That range spans across multiple devices from nearly every OEM, including many of Honor’s offerings like the Honor 7X. Likewise, most brands are happy to sell ultra-premium devices that satisfy even the most demanding power users’ needs.

On the other hand, there’s a pretty limited selection of “affordable flagships” out there — that is, phones that provide top-end features and performance without the increasingly prohibitive price tag. In recent months, the OnePlus 5T has reigned as the mostly uncontested champion of this space, but the View 10 stands as a fierce new competitor.

About this review

We’re publishing this review after spending over a month with an unlocked Honor View 10 (OXF-L09). I (Hayato Huseman) have been using it on T-Mobile in Indianapolis, IN and Chicago, IL. The phone was running software version 8.0.0.41 based on Android 8.0 Oreo, along with the November 2017 Android security patch. The phone was provided to Android Central for review by Honor.

Modern chic

Honor View 10 Hardware

Alongside the cheaper 7X, the View 10 is one of Honor’s first devices fitted with some of the newer design trends popularized last year — namely dual cameras and an 18:9 display. That tall, narrow aspect ratio helps make the otherwise overbearing 5.99-inch Full HD+ (2160×1080) screen manageable, even during one-handed operation. Likewise, the slim profile and subtly rounded sides make the View 10 comfortable to hold, though the smooth aluminum finish is a bit slippery in addition to being easily smudged.

My review unit came in navy blue, though the View 10 is also available in midnight black, beach gold, aurora blue, and charm red. Whichever finish you choose, Honor does a nice job at blending the top and bottom antenna bands into the design with complementary shades.

The rear cameras stick out a fair bit from the rest of the body, and Honor made the interesting design choice to separate each camera protrusion rather than encasing the two lenses together.

Equally unusual, despite a high screen-to-body ratio (78.6%), the View 10’s fingerprint sensor sits below the display in the form of a narrow sliver. This seems like the perfect compromise for those that demand small bezels but don’t get along with rear-mounted fingerprint sensors — though that reduced size comes at the cost of reduced accuracy, and I often find myself having to scan three or four times before successfully unlocking the phone.

Still, I appreciate the symmetry afforded by the downsized fingerprint sensor. The View 10 isn’t the most exciting hardware around, but every aspect of its design is functional. No fragile glass backing or curved display — in fact, its reinforced corners could likely withstand most drops unscathed, though unfortunately it’s not backed up by any form of water or dust resistance.

The View 10 is every bit as well-made as the OnePlus 5T.

As more and more manufacturers are beginning to move away from the 3.5mm headphone jack standard (including Honor’s parent company Huawei), it’s relieving to see the auxiliary output alive and well on the bottom of the View 10. Alongside it rest a USB-C port (equally relieving given the microUSB port on the Honor 7X) and a speaker grill that puts out decently loud audio, if not unexceptional in quality.

Along the lefthand side of the frame is the receptacle for the phone’s dual-SIM tray. Both slots accept a nanoSIM card, but the second slot can also hold a microSD card for expanding the View 10’s internal storage.

Inside, the Honor View 10 runs Huawei’s powerful Kirin 970 chipset — the same one found in the much more expensive Huawei Mate 10 Pro — backed by 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Just like the Mate 10 Pro, the View 10 features Huawei’s Neural Processing Unit for AI enhancements.

Once you press the power button (which, along with the volume rocker, is wonderfully clicky), you’ll be greeted by the bright and vibrant 5.99-inch 18:9 display. At 2160×1080, it’s just as sharp as the OnePlus 5T, though it differs in panel technology. The View 10 features an IPS LCD panel which, though not quite as power-efficient as AMOLED, has great viewing angles and color reproduction.

It’s not a perfect panel, though; there’s a bit of light bleed around the edges on my unit, and there’s no Gorilla Glass protection to be found.

On the bright side, the View 10 does include NFC — unlike the cheaper Honor 7X. This means it fully supports mobile payments and quick Bluetooth pairing with devices like Sony’s WH1000XM2 headphones.

EMUI 8.0

Honor View 10 Software

When it comes to software, the View 10 is pleasingly modern. Out of the box, it ships with Android 8.0 Oreo, augmented with Huawei’s EMUI 8.0 firmware. If you’ve used the Mate 10 Pro before, you’ll instantly feel at home; this phone is nearly identical in operation.

If you’re used to stock Android, EMUI will certainly feel like a different experience — though with Google obfuscating Oreo on the Pixel, it’s hard to say what truly “stock” Android is at this point anyway (that’s a topic for a different article). By default, there’s no app drawer on the home screen, and there’s a pretty significant number of pre-installed apps from both Huawei and third parties that you may or may not be able to uninstall.

Aside from some aesthetic differences, though, EMUI is cleaner and less intrusive than ever. The settings menu is much better organized than in older versions, and the home screen even supports the Google Feed. The inclusion of Oreo’s notification dots and app shortcut menus is nice as well, along with the ability to run Google Maps or YouTube (if you’re a Red subscriber) in a floating window.

EMUI 8 brings some great features of its own to the table, as well. Swiping up from the bottom of the lock screen opens a small shade of useful tools like the flashlight or calendar that can be used without unlocking the phone. You’re also able to use the fingerprint sensor in lieu of the on-screen buttons to navigate the software, or even opt for a floating dock on the screen — both options rely on gestures. EMUI also embraces theme support, though the process of finding new themes isn’t quite as streamlined as on other phones; rather than offering its own hub to download new themes, you’ll need to search through the often dodgy selection on the Play Store.

While I still personally prefer a lighter touch to Android like OxygenOS, I actually quite enjoy the software on the View 10. Where EMUI used to feel a bit too heavy-handed, it’s now hitting a much better balance of bringing truly useful new features without deviating too far from the Android operating system it’s built upon. It still won’t be everyone’s favorite software experience, but I can’t imagine it being enough to run off anyone but the most die-hard stock purists.

EMUI 8 on top of Oreo feels intuitive, not intrusive, and that’s a big step for Honor and Huawei.

So let’s talk about AI for a second. Just like with the Mate 10 Pro, the Neural Processing Unit (NPU for short) baked into the Kirin 970 has been one of the View 10’s main marketing features. In short, it helps the View 10 process images faster and learns from your behavior over time to improve certain aspects of the phone. Right now it’s pretty limited in terms of demonstratable benefits, though Microsoft’s Translator app comes pre-installed on the View 10 to fill that role. It’s almost instantaneous when hovering the camera over foreign text, which can be incredibly useful when traveling.

Honor also says that the NPU will help prolong the degradation of performance over time — a problem that plagues every device. While that’s a bit difficult to judge after only a month, it’s nice to see the company making a commitment to long-term quality.

Dual cameras

Honor View 10 Cameras

The View 10 may not feature Leica-branded glass like some of its Huawei counterparts, but its dual camera system is still impressive. Both lenses pull off a fast f/1.8 aperture, but each plays a different role; the 16MP RGB camera serves as the main sensor, while the secondary 20MP monochrome camera pulls in finer details for a cleaner, clearer shot.

The NPU also plays a role in improving photography through AI. It’s able to identify 13 types of objects and scenes, then automatically optimizes your camera settings to best suit each shot.

Camera performance is a big win for the View 10.

All of this leads to some great photos coming from the View 10, with plenty of detail and dynamic range. The various shooting modes in the camera software help capture artsier shots, with wide aperture mode for bokeh or light painting mode for creative long exposures. Even in auto mode, though, the View 10 rarely disappoints.

Without OIS in either lens, things can get a bit shaky at times, and the View 10 isn’t the best low-light performer, but it’s aided on both fronts by the monochrome sensor and NPU. You’re also able to achieve mostly lossless 2x zoom, thanks to a combination of digital zoom and the higher resolution of the secondary sensor.

On the flip side, the View 10 features a surprisingly good front-facing camera: a 13MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture. Despite a tendency to overexpose in direct sunlight, it’s sharper than most selfie shooters, and produces pleasing colors — though you’ll probably want to turn off beauty mode before taking a photo (unless you’re into that unnaturally smooth look).

Long-lasting

Honor View 10 Battery Life

In spite of the phone’s slim profile, the View 10 packs a hefty 3,750mAh battery inside. Combined with the power-efficient Kirin 970 chipset, that leads to impressive battery performance — plenty to last through a full day of social media, music and video streaming, phone calls, and web browsing, and likely enough to last for two days with more conservative usage.

When you don’t need to make use of all the power of the KIrin 970, the View 10 can last even longer with the use of EMUI’s excellent power saving modes. To be clear, we aren’t talking about ground-breaking battery life here — this isn’t the BlackBerry KEYone, after all — but it’s still more than enough for most people’s needs, and certainly a better performer than the similarly priced OnePlus 5T.

The View 10 muscles its way to great battery life with raw capacity and power-saving features.

Since the View 10 is made of metal, you won’t be able to set it on a wireless charger and expect any results, but it does pack Huawei’s SuperCharge technology for extra-quick top-ups. Specifically, the View 10 charges at up to 5A at 4.5V, and Honor says you can expect to see a 50% increase in half an hour when using the included charger. In my experience, that’s about right.

The bottom line

Should you buy the Honor View 10? Yes

The Honor View 10 meets all of the basic requirements of a flagship phone at a significantly lower price point. Its hardware is attractive and well built. Its specs are powerful, and it even brings a unique dedicated component for artificial intelligence. Its cameras are excellent, beating out just about everything else in its price range.

As with all Honor phones, you’ll need to take Huawei’s EMUI software into consideration. With version 8.0, it’s more refined and cohesive than ever, but it’s still a fair leap from the stock Android experience offered by the View 10’s direct rival, the OnePlus 5T. You’ll need to decide for yourself whether that’s of any significant importance, but I think it’s a non-issue for most people.

The View 10 is a well-rounded, powerful, and affordable alternative to the mainstream flagships on the market.

Honor is putting a lot of emphasis on its AI technology, but right now with its limited practical applications, it’s not exactly the biggest selling point for this phone. Maybe with a little more time and some third-party support, that’ll change.

In the meantime, the View 10 is absolutely still worth your money.

See at Amazon

Score a free set of AKG Bluetooth headphones with a Galaxy S8 or Note 8

Hear the savings for yourself.

Samsung’s latest promotion scores you a free set of AKG Bluetooth headphones when you purchase a new Galaxy S8 or Galaxy Note 8 online. These headphones are valued at $180, making this one of the better freebies we’ve seen the company include with its smartphone offerings. You can pick from a carrier model (excluding Sprint) or an unlocked one, and once you add the phone of your choice to the cart the headphones will appear automatically.

Of course, there are some exclusions and rules here, which Samsung states as:

*Must be 18+ & 50 US/DC res. From 1/16/17 – 2/16/17, purchase any Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S7 Active, or Note8, (Offer excludes all Sprint carrier devices) on Samsung.com or Shop Samsung App (“Qualifying Purchase”) and get Free AKG Wireless Headphones (EO-Y50BTBLKAKG-PROMO). Gifts will automatically be added to your cart and price will automatically be reduced to zero for the Gift in the cart. Must check out with both Qualifying Purchase and Gift in the same transaction. Gift may be shipped separately. If Qualifying Purchase is returned, customer will forfeit right to receive Gift or, if customer has already received Gift, will be charged for retail price of Gift on the form of payment used to make Qualifying Purchase. Offer valid 1/16/17 – 2/16/17 only, or while supplies last, whichever is sooner. Limit one Gift per Qualifying Purchase. Offer cannot be combined with any other rebate, offer or discount. Taxes, shipping fees and other costs may apply.

This offer runs through February 16, 2018. Samsung will give you up to $350 when you trade in your current phone towards one of these new ones, depending on what it is. Pair that with the free headphones and you’ve got quite a deal to consider here.

See at Samsung

Bridge Constructor Portal review: A physics-based puzzle game worthy of GLaDOS

Are you prepared for more testing with GLaDOS at the Aperture Laboratories?

I’m typically wary of cross-overs between franchises that I love — especially in the world of gaming, where an older game may get updated with a tie-in from a trendy franchise that’s marketed as a “brand new content”! It’s rare for crossover games to offer anything substantial for fans of either property and cynically seem to exist as a quick cash grab.

Which is why I’ve been so god damn excited about Bridge Constructor Portal.

On the surface, combining two of the best physics-based puzzle games seems like a no-brainer. Bridge Constructor is a deceptively simple game that tests your civil engineering skills, while Portal is an iconic first-person puzzle game developed by Valve as part of the expanded universe from the Half-Life series that introduced the world to the Portal Gun.

Developed by ClockStone Studios, Bridge Constructor Portal captures the exact look and feel of the Aperture Laboratories test chambers from the Portal series and ports it into the Bridge Constructor style of gameplay perfectly. GLaDOS is back to give you all the snide advice as you work your way through 60 challenging levels. Originally released for PC on Steam, it’s a perfect game to port to mobile, with the touch controls not impeding your ability to build, destroy, and rebuild sections of your bridge.

The charm of Bridge Constructor has always been the freedom to design any sort of “bridge” that’s capable of achieving the goal of getting cars from one side to the other. You start off by building supports for your bridge, which can be converted to roadways with a simple tap. There are also suspension cords that can be used for additional support.

In keeping with the themes found in Portal, the rules here are even looser. Each test vehicle starts out with little test subjects in the back, but your goal here is only to ensure that the vehicle itself makes it to the goal — by any means necessary. It doesn’t have to be pretty as long as it works.

As you progress through the different test chambers, familiar elements from the Portal series start to emerge — from propulsion and repulsion gels, to those creepy talking turrets and companion cubes. It provides a new wrinkle for hardcore fans of the Bridge Constructor games and is fan service done right for the Portal fans who will surely be drawn to this game.

There are some missed opportunities, however. While the game tracks how much money you waste on solving each test chamber, there doesn’t seem to be any gameplay mechanic or punishment for spending too much or too little. And while Convoy mode tests your structure by launching multiple vehicles through the chamber one after another, it would have been nice to see a couple more different tests included for variety sake. Still, with 60 test chambers to work your way through there is more than enough content here to justify the price.

As seems to be the case with most Steam games ported to Android, Bridge Constructor Portal is available for half price of the PC version — just $4.99. That’s quite a steal for a game of this quality, and should be considered a must-play for anyone with a Samsung Note phone who loves to get some use out of that S-Pen.

Download: Bridge Constructor Portal ($4.99)