Meet MHL, the easiest way to wire your phone to your TV

Thanks to Google’s Chromecast and a host of other options, wireless streaming from your phone to your TV has never been easier. But if you’re looking for something a bit more reliable — and with a few more options — you may want to utilize a little known technology called MHL. Using an MHL connection to wire your phone directly to your display via HDMI may not be as convenient as casting or mirroring wirelessly, but for a variety of reasons, it’s an enticing option. The thing is, many people are unaware the technology even exists.

For those looking to figure out what those three little letters on your TV or A/V receiver’s HDMI input actually do, we’re here to lay it out for you. The following covers all the basics of MHL so you can take full advantage of the technology and its capabilities. Now let’s get to sending all the coolest stuff on your phone to your TV — the old fashioned way.

Note: Before you go ordering MHL equipment online, check to see if you can mirror your smartphone to your TV using gear you already have at home. 

What is MHL?

In 2010, a band of electronics companies, including Sony and Nokia, developed the MHL connection protocol. Short for Mobile High-Definition Link, MHL utilizes a special type of HDMI input on compatible TVs and A/V receivers to connect a growing list of smartphones, tablets, and other devices. The standard takes smartphone and tablet content to the next level, allowing you to showcase everything from your phone on your TV with a single connection.

Given the proliferation of wireless screen mirroring methods, MHL has fallen out of favor with many manufacturers, but you can still find plenty of televisions that support it.

How do I use MHL?

The most common way to connect for most people is to use an MHL adapter (such as the one shown below), which consists of a male Micro USB plug on one end and a female HDMI port on the other. If your phone hosts a Micro USB port, all you need to do is simply connect an MHL adapter to your phone, and run an HDMI cable from the adapter to the MHL-enabled HDMI port on your television (the correct port will be labeled “MHL”) and you’re all set.

If your phone or tablet does not host a Micro USB port, you’ll also need another adapter, which we’ll discuss in more detail in the next section below.

A typical MHL adapter.

When MHL first launched, adapters like the one shown above were more or less the primary way to utilize the technology. Now, though, there are lots of different cables that support MHL, including direct Micro USB-to-HDMI cables.

The next step is simply plugging in your compatible device, which will allow you to display all of its applications, games, movies, photos, and music right on your TV, with resolution at 4K Ultra HD (and above).

Does my device work with MHL?

If you’re looking into MHL, you should make sure your device and display are compatible with the protocol by checking the official MHL site — found here — for a full list of supported devices. If your display device isn’t on the list, don’t bother buying an MHL adapter — it’s not going to work. If your display device is on the list, but your mobile device isn’t, there are also some other ways to connect.

If you’re an Apple enthusiast, your iPhone or iPad does not have the correct output for the default MHL adapter or cable described above. Luckily, there are workarounds; any device with a Lightning port (most newer iOS products have them) can be used with one of the adapters found here. You can then connect to an MHL adapter, such as the one pictured above, or an MHL to HDMI cable.

Newer Android phones have USB Type-C ports, rather than Micro USB; they’ll need third-party adapters to work with MHL as well. In the same vein, some compatible Samsung phones require a different (eleven-pin) adapter, as the default (five-pin) adapter won’t properly interface. Just like with Apple products, there are also third-party direct connectors for these devices. However, be aware that these won’t charge your phone like standard MHL, and they can be quite unreliable (we had a hard time finding any with positive review scores). Don’t accidentally buy Micro-HDMI — that’s the wrong type of cable.

Why use MHL?

Great question! As mentioned, there are several wireless methods that work for mirroring mobile devices to bigger screens; Apple’s AirPlay for iPhones and iPads, for example, or Miracast for Android devices. And of course, Google’s Chromecast lets you stream video and audio from multiple apps. These methods don’t always offer the same level of video and sound quality as MHL, but the wireless connection is more convenient for many applications.

There are some cases where MHL would come in handy, though. The system is especially useful for those without cable or internet, for instance. In such a scenario (assuming you’ve got games or movies loaded directly on your phone), MHL essentially turns your phone and TV into a full-blown entertainment center, no Wi-Fi required.

In addition, there are a few protocol-specific benefits that might make it worth going with MHL. First, MHL connections tout the convenient ability to transmit control data, which essentially means the remote that controls your display may also be able to control the connected device. For mobile gamers, MHL connection also offers zero latency, which allows for lag-free display of your device on your TV during the most rigorous of gaming sessions. The cable also charges mobile devices up to 40W without any subsequent lag while displaying the content.

Where else can I use MHL?

As we’re sure you’ve surmised by this point, MHL’s most useful function is to send data from a smartphone or tablet to a compatible TV or A/V receiver lag-free. But MHL also lets you plug your smartphone or tablet into a car’s compatible infotainment system, as well as a compatible computer monitor at home or at work.

By plugging a phone or tablet into a car with an HDMI input (or using some adapters to jury-rig a setup), you’ll have the ability to utilize up-to-the-second traffic reports, charge your device while commuting, and access your personal music library. The system gives easy touchscreen access to all content on your phone right through the infotainment center. Likewise, plugging a smartphone or tablet into a compatible computer monitor can turn your device into a work station, one you can pair with a Bluetooth keyboard or mouse to create a (semi) functioning mini office.

How much does MHL cost?

Another reason MHL is a viable choice is the fact that an adapter won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Adapters can run as little as $9 (or less), though you’ll still need a long HDMI cable — such as this one from Monoprice, which runs another $12-13 or so — unless you want to stand right next to the TV the whole time. Depending upon the adapters or cables you need, getting set up with MHL can cost anywhere from $10 to $40, which is pretty affordable any way you slice it.

So there you go. Now you’re ready to get down and dirty with MHL. Time to start streaming to that TV, latency-free!

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to mirror your smartphone or tablet on your TV
• 12 tips to free up storage space on your Android phone or tablet
• Share the power and juice up your phones with the best USB charging hubs
• How to connect your PlayStation 4 to a smartphone or tablet
• 22 last-minute gifts for last-minute travelers (or maybe for your wishlist)

Asus Zenfone 5 hands-on review

Research Center:
Asus Zenfone 5

The Asus Zenfone 5 was just unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2018 in Barcelona. It’s the middle sibling of the new Asus trio, flanked by the budget Zenfone 5 Lite and the flagship Zenfone 5Z. Asus has been rethinking its mobile strategy, and keeping a keen eye on smartphone trends as it tries to revive its mobile fortunes. We went hands on with the new phone to find out what it’s all about.

An unoriginal design

Asus doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to smartphones. The last two phones we reviewed, the Asus Zenfone 4 and the Zenfone AR, both scored 2.5 out of 5 stars, and we criticized the frustrating software and dull design. There’s some evidence that Asus was listening, because it has taken a very different approach with the Zenfone 5.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Let’s tackle the elephant in the room straight away – the Asus Zenfone 5 looks a great deal like the Apple iPhone X. At the press event, Asus pointed out that Apple didn’t invent the notch, mentioning the Essential phone, but we can’t help feeling it’s being a bit disingenuous. The average person on the street, upon seeing the Asus Zenfone 5 slide out of your pocket is going to think it’s an iPhone X and that’s no accident.

The 6.2-inch IPS display is Full HD with a 19:9 aspect ratio. It’s really eye-catching. We found it bright and sharp. It has the same distinctive notch as Apple’s flagship at the top, but the bottom bezel is a fair bit thicker.

More than just an iPhone X clone, the Asus Zenfone 5 could be a mid-range master.

Flipping it over, there’s a dual camera module at the top left corner of the glass back, but that’s where the iPhone X similarities end. The flash is below the camera lenses and there’s a fingerprint sensor in the middle. The glass catches the light in interesting ways, but it was quickly covered in smudged fingerprints. It’s a common problem for glass phones, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying.

On the bottom edge, there’s a USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. You’ll find the power key on the right spine with a volume rocker above it.

The Asus Zenfone 5 is a comfortable phone to handle, with a satisfying heft, and it’s definitely attractive.

Mid-range specs

When you dig under the arresting display, you find the mid-range heart of this smartphone in the shape of the Snapdragon 636 processor, with Qualcomm’s Adreno 509 GPU. Asus saved the cutting-edge Snapdragon 845 chip for its flagship, the 5Z, but the truth is most people will find the 636 fast enough to handle everything they need to do. There’s also an AI Boost option in the quick settings, which we’re told is for demanding games or heavy multitaskers.

Asus Zenfone 5 Compared To

LG V30S ThinQ

Alcatel 5 Series

Google Pixel 2

LG V30

HTC U11

Nokia 8

Moto Z2 Play

HTC One Remix

Huawei Ascend Mate 2

LG G Flex

LG Lucid 2

Motorola Droid Razr HD

Sony Xperia P

Motorola Droid Bionic

T-Mobile myTouch 3G

Speaking of multitasking, the Asus Zenfone 5 comes in two versions with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Unusually, both have 64GB of internal storage – manufacturers tend to pair extra RAM with extra storage, but Asus does things a little differently.

Promising dual cameras

One of the headline features for the Zenfone 5 is the dual main camera. There’s a 12-megapixel, Sony IMX363 image sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, and a second 120-degree wide-angle lens. If you’ve used an LG phone in the last couple of years, you’ll know exactly what to expect. The wide-angle option is great for capturing big scenes and there didn’t seem to be much distortion when we tested it.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The front-facing camera is rated at 8-megapixels and has a Portrait mode that allows you to capture selfies with a blurred background. We shot a couple and it was instantly clear that the software needs some fine-tuning – in one portrait photo it cut out a random portion of hair as it was clearly struggling to correctly identify subject and background.

We found the camera app to be a bit unstable. It crashed and stuttered a little, but this is a pre-production model and an Asus spokesperson explained that the software isn’t final. We hope they can refine it a bit further before release.

One of the headline features for the Zenfone 5 is the dual main camera.

The camera app isn’t particularly intuitive either — it took a while to identify the portrait mode. There are also options enabling you to create GIFs, slow motion video, and a few other bits and pieces, as well as a Pro mode that lets you tweak every facet of the camera performance.

There is some AI scene detection at play here as well, which is something we’re hearing from every manufacturer at the moment, but we didn’t have much time to assess it properly.

A couple of the shots we snapped in our short time with the Asus Zenfone 5 looked promising, so the camera certainly has potential, but Asus has some work to do to nail the software side.

Intelligent charging

There’s another AI feature in the Asus Zenfone 5 that we found appealing – intelligent charging.

We’ve looked at the question of whether you should charge your phone overnight before and the short answer is that it’s safe, but not ideal. For optimum battery health and longevity, you should keep it between 20 and 80 percent. The problem with charging overnight is that it strains the battery by keeping it at 100 percent for a prolonged period.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Asus has applied AI to the issue, so your Asus Zenfone 5 will charge up to 80 percent and then wait. It can learn when you usually get up in the morning and time the last bit of charge up to 100 percent for when you wake, ensuring minimal battery strain. We’ll test it out properly when we do a full review, but it’s a smart idea that could allow your battery to last a good while longer. The battery in the Zenfone 5 is rated at 3,300mAh, which should be plenty to see you through an average day and into the next.

Through a partnership with DTS, Asus developed louder than average stereo sound on the Asus Zenfone 5. It has dual speakers and Asus played a quick audio demo, comparing it with some other popular phones. The Zenfone 5 was definitely louder, but whether it sounded better is arguable.

We’re pleased to see that Asus has scaled back its ZenUI Android skin and stuck with Google apps for all the main phone services, dispensing with superfluous doubles. There’s also a satisfying lack of bloatware, and the Zenfone 5 runs Android 8.0 Oreo.

Price and availability

We enjoyed our time with the Asus Zenfone 5 and it should appeal to anyone who appreciates the iPhone X design, but prefers Android to iOS, or simply lacks the spare cash to spring for Apple’s flagship. The phone will be available from April, but we’re waiting for final confirmation on the price. Assuming it comes in around the $400 mark or less, we think it’s a compelling prospect.

The flagship Asus Zenfone 5Z is almost identical, but it packs the more powerful Snapdragon 845 processor inside and comes in three varieties: 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage, 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM with 256GB of storage. Prices on the 5Z start at $500 or 479 euros and it will be available from June.

Here’s how to use FaceTime for all your video-messaging needs

Video conferencing seemed to be finally finding its footing when the late Steve Jobs first announced FaceTime at the 2010 World Wide Developers Conference. More than seven years later, the feature is in full swing, allowing MacOS and iOS users to make video calls over both Wi-Fi and cellular networks on a variety of Apple devices. It may not have revolutionized the way we carry out phone calls with our loved ones and peers, but it still serves as a handy alternative to Skype or Facebook Messenger. Best of all, it works right out of the box and doesn’t require a special account or screen name to utilize — just the contact info for the person you’re trying to call.

Here’s our guide on how to use FaceTime. After you’ve tackled video messaging, check out our comprehensive guides on how to use iCloud and how to use Find my iPhone, along with our reigning picks for the best iPhone apps if you’re still becoming acquainted with Apple’s flagship operating system.

Checking your system requirements

FaceTime comes with a few stipulations. First off, the app can only be run on the following devices:

iPhone 4 (or later)
iPad Mini and iPad 2 (or later)

Fourth-generation iPod Touch (or later)
Mac with Mac OS X v10.6.6 (or later)

Keep in mind FaceTime video calling availability depends on carrier policies and data charges may apply while using the app over your wireless network. You will also need the phone number or email address of the person you are trying to call in order to use FaceTime.

Launching and activating FaceTime

Launching FaceTime isn’t tough. Compatible iPhones offer the functionality directly out of the box, and the software comes bundled with OS X Snow Leopard and later versions of the OS. Moreover, Mac users can download the FaceTime application straight from the Mac App Store. Though iPhones automatically register your phone number for FaceTime upon activation, you will need to enable FaceTime while using the iPad, iPod Touch, or Mac desktop app. Launch the software as you would normally to begin, enter a valid Apple ID and password, or click the dark-gray Create New Account button located in the right-hand column and fill out the necessary fields — name, email, location, etc. —before clicking the Next button.

Next, choose the phone number and email addresses you want to be associated with your FaceTime account and allow Apple to automatically verify your account information. If you’re using an iPhone, navigate to the main Settings, scroll down and tap the FaceTime option, and toggle the slider directly right of FaceTime on the resulting menu. Afterward, view your listed phone number and add any email address you want to be associated with your FaceTime account before allowing Apple to verify the information. You can also choose which email address or phone number you want to appear during outgoing FaceTime calls at the bottom of the menu.

Making a FaceTime call

There are several ways to make a standard FaceTime call, all of which depend on the specific FaceTime-enabled device you’re using. If you are using an iPad, iPhone, or the FaceTime app for Mac, you need to add a person as a contact using the FaceTime or Contacts app before you can place a call with them.

iPhone:

• Call using Contacts: Tap the blue FaceTime video icon directly right of the FaceTime option when viewing a contact to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.
• Call using Messages: Tap the blue i option in the top-right corner when viewing a message, followed by the FaceTime video icon at the top of the screen to the right of the contact’s name to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.
• Call using phone: Tap the circled FaceTime video icon located at the bottom-center during a phone call to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.
• Call using Siri: Assuming Siri is activated and Allow Hey Siri is enabled, you can hold the Home button for two seconds, or invoke Siri by saying Hey Siri and say “FaceTime video  [insert contact name]” to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.

iPad, iPod touch, or FaceTime app for Mac OS X:

• Call using Contacts: Tap or click the FaceTime video icon directly right of the FaceTime option when viewing a contact to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call.
• Call using FaceTime: Tap or click a contact from the Favorites, Recents, or Contacts list, and tap or click the dark-grey FaceTime button located in the right-hand column to invite the other party to a FaceTime video call. Alternatively, click the blue FaceTime video icon directly right of the contact’s mobile number if available.

Making a FaceTime audio call

FaceTime audio-only calls are essentially voice over internet protocol — VoIP — calls similar to the ones placed by apps like Skype. It’s much like a phone call, but with higher quality audio.

iPhone:

• Call using Contacts: Tap the blue FaceTime audio icon directly right of the FaceTime option when viewing a contact to invite the other party to a FaceTime audio call.
• Call using Messages: Tap the blue i option in the top-right corner when viewing a message, followed by the FaceTime audio icon at the top of the screen to the right of the contact’s name. Afterward, select FaceTime Audio from the resulting pop-up menu to invite the other party to a FaceTime audio call.
• Call using Siri: Assuming Siri is activated, and Allow Hey Siri is enabled, you can hold the Home button for two seconds, or invoke Siri by saying Hey Siri, and say “FaceTime audio [insert contact name]” to invite the other party to a FaceTime audio call.

iPad, iPod touch, or FaceTime app for Mac OS X:

• Call using Contacts: Tap or click the FaceTime audio icon directly right of the FaceTime option when viewing a contact to invite the other party to a FaceTime audio call.
• Call using FaceTime: Tap or click a contact from the Favorites, Recents, or Contacts list, and tap or click the dark-grey FaceTime Audio button located in the right-hand column to invite the other party to a FaceTime call.

That’s basically all there is to it. Be sure to check out the Apple Support Center for additional information on how to enable and use FaceTime.

Editors’ Recommendations

• What is FaceTime? Learn all about Apple’s video-calling app
• How to use Skype
• 15 annoying iPhone 7 problems, and how to fix them
• How to watch Amazon Instant Video on Chromecast or Android TV
• How to record a Skype call

Galaxy S9 vs. Galaxy S8: Has Samsung improved on its best device?

The Samsung Galaxy S9 is official, and it’s clear that Samsung’s flagship range is bigger, badder, and cooler than ever. But how does Samsung’s latest stand up against the last generation? Specifically, how does the Galaxy S9 improve on the high standard set by the Galaxy S8?

With the launch of the S9, you can bet that there will be some discounts on the previous S8 generation — so if you’re looking to upgrade, is it worth paying the extra cash for the latest, or is the S8 still a viable choice? Perhaps you have an S8, and you’re considering updating to the latest model — is it worth your hard-earned money?

We took a look at the two phones and pitted them head-to-head in a true battle of titans to see which reigns triumphant.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy S9

Samsung Galaxy S8

Size
147.6 x 68.7 x 8.4 mm (5.81 x 2.70 x 0.33 in)
148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)

Weight
163 grams (5.75 ounces)
155 grams (5.47 ounces)

Screen
5.8-inch AMOLED display
5.8-inch AMOLED display

Resolution
2960 x 1440 pixels (568ppi)
2960 x 1440 pixels (570ppi)

OS
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 7.0 Nougat (Android 8.0 Oreo update on the way)

Storage
64GB
64GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes
Yes

NFC support
Yes
Yes

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

RAM
4GB
4GB

Connectivity
GSM / HSPA / LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
GSM / HSPA / LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

Camera
12MP rear, 8MP front
12MP rear, 8MP front

Video
2160p@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR

Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Audio
Headphone jack, stereo speakers
Headphone jack, bottom-firing speaker

Fingerprint sensor
Yes, rear-mounted
Yes, rear-mounted

Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2

Water resistance
IP68-rated
IP68-rated

Battery
3,000mAh

Fast charging

Qi wireless charging

3,000mAh

Fast charging

Qi wireless charging

Charging port
USB-C
USB-C

Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Colors
Midnight Black, Coral Blue, Lilac Purple
Midnight Black, Orchid Gray, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold, Rose Pink, Burgundy Red

Availability

Samsung, Best Buy, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon

Samsung, Amazon, Best Buy, AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint

Price
$720
$760

DT review
Hands-on review
4 out of 5 stars

Curiously, for an upgrade, there’s not actually all that much difference between the two Galaxy models. Both the S9 and S8 come with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. You can expand that amount on both models with a MicroSD card, so you’re unlikely to run out of space on either handset. You’ll find Bluetooth 5.0 on both handsets, too, with both devices taking full advantage of the advanced strength and features.

The processor is one area where we see real improvements. While the Snapdragon 835 powering the Galaxy S8 is still a powerful chip, the initial results from the Snapdragon 845 benchmarks are in, and it’s clear that Qualcomm’s latest chip is capable of far more than the last generation. In real terms, you’re unlikely to notice a difference day-to-day, but the boosted power will be evident over time as apps grow to take advantage of the increased power in the chip.

So much is even between these two handsets that the smallest difference can spell victory for one side or the other. The Snapdragon 845 isn’t a small difference, it’s a massive one, and it alone powers the Samsung Galaxy S9 to the win in this first round.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Design and display

The Galaxy S8 was one of the 2017’s most beautiful phones, and a radical change from the design of the Galaxy S7. So it makes sense that Samsung decided to let the design team take a year off, and took a good look at refining the S8’s great design, rather than starting from scratch. If you liked the Galaxy S8’s design, then you’re going to like the S9, since they’re basically identical. You’re looking at the same general shape, with thin bezels at the top and bottom of the screen, and a display that folds around the sides of the phone. Both handsets are clad in glass laid over a metal frame, and it results in a design that’s as beautiful as it is stylish.

That similarity extends to the displays. They’re both 5.8-inch AMOLED displays running 2,960 x 1,440-pixel resolutions, and they’re clear, crisp, and capable of showing the vivid colors that only AMOLED screens can. In terms of durability, you guessed it — the S9 will be much the same as the S8, with the IP68-rating returning, and the durability of the glass body being … well, a case is a really good idea.

It’s only when you flip the phones over that you see any real difference at all. Samsung has listened to the many, many complaints about the placement of the fingerprint sensor and moved it. It was one of our only real complaints with the S8, and with Bixby having been similarly toned down, it’s clear that moving the sensor underneath the camera is a good thing. Another big win for the S9 is the inclusion of stereo speakers, with the earpiece at the top of the phone pairing with the bottom-firing speaker to produce much better sound than the S8. The speakers have also been tuned by AKG to be louder, and they work with Dolby Atmos for some truly amazing sound.

Much like the specifications, there’s so much here that’s still the same — so it’s really obvious when even a couple of good changes have been made. The fingerprint sensor’s new position and the stereo speakers win the Galaxy S9 this round.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Of all the elements that the Galaxy S8 did right, nothing got old like the camera did. Samsung made few changes to the camera in the S8, relying on the proven quality of the S7’s camera suite, and while that paid off initially, the S8’s cameras quickly got lost behind a whole host of phones with superior cameras, such as the iPhone 8 Plus, the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, and Samsung stablemate the Note 8.

That’s not to say that S8 has a poor camera — nothing could be further from the truth. The S8’s main shooter is a 12-megapixel (MP) camera with an aperture of f/1.7, which makes it a respectable performer in a variety of different lighting types. It’s just nothing particularly special in this day and age. The 8-megapixel selfie camera around the front is slightly more interesting, not least because of Samsung’s array of Snapchat-style filters and effects to apply to friends and family.

Samsung seems to have realized it has something to prove, and tagged the S9’s reveal with the tagline: “The Camera. Reimagined.” It’s clear Samsung has focused hard on the cameras in the S9, and it shows. While the specifications may look similar — with a 12-megapixel lens on the back and an 8-megapixel lens around the front — there’s been a marked change in the underlying tech. The S9’s main camera features a variable aperture, which can switch between a massive f/1.5, which should make the S9 stronger in the low-light conditions, and f/2.4 for when lighting is good.

There’s been an improvement to the slow-motion capturing tech, too. Where the S8 could shoot at 260fps, the S9 can now shoot super-slow-motion video at an incredible 960fps. There’s also AR emoji software included in the S9’s camera, so users can turn themselves into emoji that mimic their facial movements — and that will soon also include Disney characters, thanks to a partnership with the House of Mouse.

There’s no contest here. While the S8’s camera continues to be strong, it’s been steadily outclassed by other competitors — and that now includes the Galaxy S9. The larger aperture (the largest in the world in a smartphone), the super-slow-motion video, and the AR emojis take the camera category for the Galaxy S9.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Battery life and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking at pure battery capacity, then you’re not likely to see much of a change between the S8 and S9. Both devices are rocking the same 3,000mAh battery, which should easily see you through the day with moderate use. Both devices also come with wireless charging and QuickCharge 2.0 that should ensure you aren’t spending too much time tethered to a charger when you do finally need to recharge your battery.

There’s no difference between the two devices here. This has to be a draw.

Winner: Tie

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Since both devices are Samsung-built, it’s no surprise at all that both devices are running on Samsung’s Samsung Experience over Android. Samsung may have been hoping that the S8’s Oreo rollout would be complete by the time that the S9 was announced, but since the rollout ran into issues with unexpected shutdowns, that may not be the case. So while the Galaxy S9 will be running on Android 8.0 Oreo, for the moment, the S8 is stuck with Android 7.0 Nougat.

Still, the Galaxy S8 will be receiving an update to Android 8.0 Oreo, so it seems unfair to penalize the phone for that shortcoming right now. Regardless of the version of Android, the Galaxy S9 still has the edge over its stablemate. While both have Samsung’s unique and fun features like Edge Panel, the Galaxy S9 will have features like the animated AR emojis mentioned in the camera section, as well as some key changes to Bixby, chief of which is the much-improved camera function. While we expect some of these functions to come to the S8 in time, that’s certainly not guaranteed, and it gives the S9 the edge.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Price and availability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is currently available from a wide range of carriers and shops, and with the impending release of the Galaxy S9, you might expect to see some significant discounts on it soon. Since it’s a major flagship device, you’ll find a version that works with every major U.S. carrier. The range of colors is also similarly impressive, with several new colors having debuted in the months following its initial release.

Pre-orders for the the Galaxy S9 will begin on March 2, with the phone releasing on March 16, with prices starting from $720. A few carriers have already announced their monthly deals for the Galaxy S9, and you can find full details on where and how to get your hands on Samsung’s latest and greatest in our full buyers’ guide.

While the Galaxy S9 is arguably Samsung’s best phone to date, our comparison has made is pretty clear that the S9 is very similar to the S8 in a lot of ways, with most of the changes being improvements to an already winning formula. If there’s a significant discount that takes the Galaxy S8 a few hundred less than the Galaxy S9, than that phone is going to be one heck of a deal. If not, then the S9 is a better deal at the same price point. This is a tie.

Winner: Tie

Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S9

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

It would have been a terrible outcome if the brand-new Samsung Galaxy S9 had been bested by its older stablemate. But although the Galaxy S9 won almost every category, the Galaxy S8 isn’t far behind. This became a tricky piece to write because, well, there’s so much that’s shared between the two models. When the S9 does deviate from the S8’s formula, it’s simply a refinement to the otherwise stunning phone that the Galaxy S8 is. Sure, the Galaxy S9 has the new hotness in the Snapdragon 845, and has removed one of the biggest gripes with the S8 by moving the fingerprint sensor, but it’s all extra polish to an otherwise stunning piece of tech.

The Galaxy S9 has the potential to be one of the best phones in the world right now; it’s powerful, the camera is incredible, and it has a design to die for. If money is no object, then there’s only one answer for you. But if you can snag a discount on the S8, there’s no shame in deciding to save some pennies with the Galaxy S8. You’re not getting a lesser experience, thanks to the S8 having so many of the same amazing features and gorgeous design you see in the Galaxy S9.

If you’re already using the Galaxy S8, then you shouldn’t feel pressured into updating. Your S8 already has a lot of what makes the S9 fantastic, you’re probably already used to the fingerprint sensor’s odd location, and it’s easy to live without the upgraded camera. But the Samsung Galaxy S9 is still the superior phone, simply by taking what the S8 did so well, and doing it better.

Qualcomm’s new 700 series could help create a new ‘premium midrange’

Maurizio Pesce/Flickr

Qualcomm is here to usher in a new wave of midrange handsets. The company has taken the wraps off of the new Snapdragon 700 series of chipsets, which promise to deliver more power and efficiency than the 600 series ever did.

The 700 series isn’t necessarily aimed at replacing the 600 series. Instead, it will serve as Qualcomm’s so-called “sub-premium” range of chipsets, offering a compromise between power and price. As you may have gathered, it’ll sit above the 600 series of chips, and the flagship 800 series, which is currently lead by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.

So what does the 700 series offer that the 600 series doesn’t? Well, Qualcomm is placing an emphasis on things like on-chip artificial intelligence and camera improvements. According to the company, the new series of chips will offer multi-core Qualcomm AI engines, which should offer two times the AI performance as the 600 series. The chipset will also offer Qualcomm’s Spectra image signal processor, which will enable things like slow-motion capture, low-light photography, and so on.

Next up is performance, and according to Qualcomm, the series of chips will offer up to 30 percent improvements in power efficiency, and will boast much better battery life compared to the Snapdragon 660.

“The Snapdragon 700 Mobile Platform Series will bring premium tier technologies and features into more affordable devices, something our global OEM customers and consumers are demanding,” Alex Katouzian, Qualcomm’s senior vice president and general manager of mobile, said in a blog post. “From our cutting-edge Qualcomm AI Engine to superior camera, device performance and power, the Snapdragon 700 series is optimized to support the experiences consumers have come to expect from the most advanced mobile devices at a lower price point.”

Qualcomm hasn’t given us any specific model numbers just yet, and details are slim as to when we can expect to see 700 series chips inside of a phone. Still, we do know that the company is planning on delivering the first chips to its partners in the first half of 2018 — meaning we may see phones with the chips towards the end of this year or the beginning of next. It will be very interesting to see what kinds of phones pop up using the new series.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Qualcomm’s crazy new Snapdragon chips are a lot more than just faster
• Mediatek’s new chipset could make cheaper smartphones a whole lot smarter
• Tiny new Bluetooth chip is a big revolution for high-tech headphones
• Meet the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, the power behind next-gen phones
• Tune in here for Qualcomm’s December 5 Snapdragon Technology Summit keynote

Get a free year of MLB.TV just for being a T-Mobile customer

Forget going out to the ballgame. Stay in and watch it on the couch.

If you love baseball, then now’s a good time to be a T-Mobile customer. You’ll soon be able to redeem a promotion to get a full year of MLB.TV, which is normally $115.99.

The promotion will be active between March 27 and April 2. You can redeem it on the T-Mobile Tuesdays smartphone app, which is available on iOS and Android while connected to the T-Mobile network. You can’t redeem while connected to Wi-Fi or roaming data.

The deal is only open to new MLB.TV subscribers, so if you’re an existing customer you’ll want to cancel that subscription before March 23. Once you’ve redeemed the promotion, you’ll be able to watch all of your favorite out-of-market baseball games on up to 10 devices.

See on T-Mobile

AT&T has two new unlimited plans and exclusive deals for parts of the U.S.

AT&T Unlimited Plus Enhanced costs $10/month less and has more hotspot data.

AT&T’s two unlimited plans – Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Choice – are about to get upgraded.

During the madness of nonstop news coming out of MWC 2018, the carrier’s announced two new plans joining its lineup, including Unlimited Plus Enhanced and Unlimited Choice Enhanced.

The exact details on these two offerings are still fairly murky, but here’s what we know so far. Plus Enhanced starts out at $80/month for one line and comes with 15GB of monthly hotspot data. Compared to the current Unlimited Plus plan, that’s $10 cheaper per month with 5GB of extra hotspot allowance.

As for Unlimited Choice Enhanced, things are still unclear at the moment. AT&T says customers on the new plan will get four lines of unlimited 4G LTE, but that’s about the same as the current Unlimited Choice that costs $39/per line with four lines. If/when more info is made available, I’ll update this post accordingly.

Along with this, AT&T also announced a few market-specific deals that are coming to the U.S.

• New York City – If you upgrade to one of the above Enhanced plans, you can get a free year of DirecTV Now’s Live a Little package. If you want even more channels, you can use the $35/month bill credit towards a more expensive plan and just pay the difference.
• Chicago – After ditching your current carrier and switching to AT&T’s Unlimited Plus Enhanced, you’ll get free home internet for life. That’s right – AT&T will give you home internet access without charging you a dime for it. You’ll be limited to the 50 Mbps plan for this offer, but just like the one above, you can take the $30 monthly credit and apply it towards faster speeds.
• Los Angeles – Lastly, our readers in LA can buy one phone and get another for free. AT&T says this is available on “the latest smartphones”, and you’ll need to activate both phones on an AT&T Next plan while adding a new line of service.

T-Mobile and Sprint announce first markets to support their 5G networks

ASUS ZenFone 5 hands-on: This iPhone X runs Android

Yo dawg, I heard you like notches…

Are clones inherently bad? I’m not talking about Dolly the sheep or the clone army from Star Wars Episode II, but the typical kind we see in consumer electronics: one company makes a thing, its good ideas permeate into our shared culture, and other companies, wanting to stay on trend, copy one or all of those good ideas.

The ASUS ZenFone 5 is an unabashed iPhone X clone, so much so that during a press briefing in Barcelona during Mobile World Congress, the company’s head of marketing, Marcel Campos, admitted that his phone is regularly mistaken for Apple’s latest flagship. He also said that’s not such a bad thing: after years of skirting around the language of mimicry, ASUS is finally leaning into the fact that its phones are heavily influenced by the hardware and software that emerge from the secretive labs of Cupertino.

Of course, there are limits to what ASUS can produce given its size, engineering legacy, and desired market. The ZenFone 5, which comes to market in May for “around half the price of the iPhone X,” according to the company, runs Android, and its notch contains the standard array of sensors that adorn most devices from its competitors. In other words, the phone’s most distinguishing design choice is not just a blatant copy of another company’s original idea, but it’s also functionally hollow.

ASUS also claims that its phone utilizes AI for a number of situations to improve everything from camera quality to the color temperature of the 6.2-inch LCD panel, but these are features that have existed for years on other phones with no dedicated AI chips.

So does the ZenFone 5 have any redeeming qualities? And will it be worth buying when it goes on sale? I played with it for about an hour, using its toned-down version of Android 8.0 Oreo — besides ASUS’s predilection for design mimicry, the most common complaint levied against it has been its software bloat — and came away impressed with how well everything came together. The notch, like the cutout on the Essential Phone, gets out of the way when an app doesn’t support it, cutting off the content just below the perimeter. And because the phone’s display is in an extra-tall 19:9 aspect ratio, there’s always plenty of vertical space for apps to scroll and wide-screen content to scale. When an app does support the notch, like Google Maps, it scales up intelligently and looks great as a result. As far as counterfeits go, this one is pretty carefully orchestrated.

The phone’s specs are impressive for a phone of its ilk: Snapdragon 636 processor (down from a 660 from last year’s ZenFone 4, likely to cut costs), between 4GB and 6GB of RAM, a dual camera setup with Sony’s flagship 12MP sensor as the primary, stereo speakers that are loud, battery-preserving fast charging, basic face unlock support, a rear fingerprint sensor, and a metal-and-glass body. ASUS will also offer a Snapdragon 845-powered ZenFone 5X later this year at a higher price.

These are some of the loudest speakers I’ve heard on a phone.

Let’s talk about those speakers for a moment: ASUS says that it tuned them to be room-filling, with extra-large cavities for true bass, and thoughtful equalization that projects proper separation and sound stage. Despite demoing the speakers with the tragically-overplayed single, ‘Despacito’, it was clear that ASUS did a great job getting as much volume and depth as possible from its mobile speakers.

Aside from sound, ASUS says it put a tremendous amount of thought into its dual camera array, building on the success of the ZenFone 4’s combination. The Sony IMX363 sensor is new to the market, replacing the IMX362 found in previous ZenFones; it has 1.4um pixels, dual-pixel autofocus, and high light sensitivity, and is paired with an f/1.8 lens with optical image stabilization. ASUS hasn’t traditionally been known for its camera strength, at least when compared to the big names in the phone business, but I came away impressed after snapping a few shots in poorly-lit areas of ASUS’s Barcelona offices.

The secondary camera is comprised of an 8MP sensor and a wide-angle f/2.2 lens, which based on my experiences with devices like the LG V30 and Moto X4, I enjoy more than the telephoto or monochrome alternatives. Such a setup also facilitates portrait mode, which I only got to hastily test but showed promise.

ASUS prides itself on producing beautiful phones, but while the ZenFone 5 adopts the well-known concentric circle design from the company’s laptop lineup, the phone feels too light and concerningly fragile. It also irks me that ASUS placed its cameras in the same left-side vertical orientation as the iPhone X.

The parroting of Apple’s design language continues into ASUS’s version of Android. Still referred to as ZenUI, and significantly decluttered compared to last year’s models — ASUS says there are no duplicate services and only two pre-installed apps — almost every pixel has been rendered to imitate iOS 11 in some form. ASUS can only go so far given Android’s inherent navigation paradigms, but this is about as far from Material Design as I’ve ever seen on an Android phone.

ASUS is certainly not the only company designing Android phones with notches, nor is it alone in trying to rebuild iOS within Android’s framework. In fact, there are rumors floating around that Google will bake notch support in some form into Android P, which would give developers more control over how their apps behave when portions of the screen are covered obscured. Companies like Doogee, OPPO, Vivo, and even Xiaomi, are known for borrowing Apple’s ideas, but none of them have large distribution outside Asia, where the iPhone is often prohibitively expensive. But ASUS has always claimed that it values innovation and unique ideas.

Whether you come to covet the ZenFone 5 will come down to how much blatant apery you can tolerate in your phone’s physical and digital design. More simply, it will come down to whether you’ve ever considered what it is like to run Android apps on an iPhone.

If that idea turns you off, this is not(ch) your next phone.

See at ASUS

Best Game Controllers for Chromebooks in 2018

These are the controllers to check out if you want to game on your Chromebook!

With the addition of Android apps, Chromebooks can be used for reading e-books, using certain productivity services or — most importantly — playing games. Problem is, most Android games aren’t optimized for using a keyboard and trackpad. Fortunately, there are a few great controllers you can use with your Chromebook.

• Best overall
• A retro pick
• From your favorite console

Best Overall

SteelSeries Stratus XL

See at Amazon

This controller is also our pick for the best game controller for your Android phone or tablet, and with good reason: it’s well built and perfectly optimized for Android. The larger size will mean it’s as comfortable as an Xbox One controller, which is no small feat. It also boasts more than 40 hours of gameplay from 2 AA batteries, perfect for long gaming sessions.

Bottom line: The SteelSeries Stratus is a great choice for your Android phone, which makes it a great choice for your Chromebook.

One more thing: This controller can also work with your Windows or Mac computer, as long as you download the driver from SteelSeries’ site.

Why the SteelSeries Stratus XL is the best

An Android app running on your Chromebook is (mostly) just like the same app running on your phone or tablet. Stratus markets this controller specifically for Android games, so it will work wonderfully with your Chromebook. The comfortable design and long battery life will let you game for long periods of time as well.

A retro pick

8Bitdo SF30 Pro

See at Amazon

Playing some retro emulators? Complete the ensemble with the 8Bitdo SF30 Pro. This controller is styled after the SNES controllers of yore, but with Bluetooth connectivity and extra buttons to play modern titles. This controller works perfectly with Android devices, Chromebooks, and PCs. The battery only lasts 14 hours, but that makes the controller even lighter.

Bottom line: The 8Bitdo SF30 Pro is a great choice if you want that retro feel with your games, or if you just want a more compact option.

One more thing: The SF30 Pro is re-charged over USB-C, so you may be able to use the same charger that you use for your phone and Chromebook. You can also use this with a Windows PC over USB and Bluetooth.

From your favorite console — probably not worth the effort

PS4 Dualshock 4

See at Amazon

While finding a controller that works is great, being able to use one you already own is even better. Unfortunately, the Dualshock 4 controller from the PlayStation 4 isn’t something we can recommend. You’ll have an easy time getting it recognized and things look to be working, but once you try and use it with your favorite game things may go south very quickly.

Bottom line: If you already own a PS4, you should try it, but don’t be shocked if it doesn’t work with some or all of your games.

Xbox One controller

See at Amazon

While newer Xbox One controllers feature Bluetooth connectivity, they don’t actually work with Chromebooks. Like the PS4 controller, these can pair with your Chromebook or connect with a wire, but when you try to play any games it just doesn’t work.

Bottom line: Even if you already own an Xbox One controller, you’ll probably need to buy a different controller to use with your Chromebook.

What say you?

There are plenty of controllers out there, and you can test your controller with this website. Which controller do you use to game on your Chromebook? Let us know down below!

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

UK residents can now control Amazon’s Fire TV with Echo speakers

The walled-garden gets even better.

Although there may no longer be an official YouTube app, Amazon’s Fire TV platform is still a great way for consuming all your favorite content on the big screen – especially if you have an Amazon Echo, too.

On February 27, Amazon announced that residents in the United Kingdom can now control their Fire TV by talking to their Echo smart speakers – something the U.S. has had since last August.

This functionality is rolling out to all Fire TV boxes, sticks, and television sets, and it enables you to begin shows, control video playback, and much more on your TV by just using your voice.

In addition to these media-centric controls, you can also ask your Echo speaker to open apps on your Fire TV and stream video feeds from any Alexa-connected smart security cameras that you have.

If you’ve got a Fire TV and Echo, is this something you’ll be checking out?

Amazon Fire TV

• What’s new on Amazon Prime Video
• Read our full review!
• Get the latest news
• Join the discussion

Buy at Amazon