MacRumors Giveaway: Win AirPods Retro From ColorWare

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with ColorWare to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of custom-painted AirPods that have been designed to look like a classic Macintosh.

The AirPods Retro case has been painted a soft beige shade that matches the design of Apple’s earliest computers, with gray lines representing faux vents. There’s also a rainbow colored button at the back that mimics the classic rainbow-colored Apple logo, and an all-over matte finish.

ColorWare has painted the AirPods themselves a nice matching beige color, for an overall look that’s sleek and a throwback to the early Apple design language all at once.

AirPods Retro, priced at $399, aren’t cheap, but you’re not going to find AirPods that look like this anywhere else. These are also a limited edition from ColorWare and won’t be available to purchase for long.

ColorWare has been offering custom-painted electronic accessories for years now and has established itself as a company that offers impeccable quality thanks to years of experience perfecting the painting process.

ColorWare uses a coating process that includes a primer, an application of a proprietary color formula, and an X2 liquid plastic coating that protects the new color for all of its AirPod paint jobs, and speaking of other paint jobs, ColorWare also offers custom AirPod painting in a range of colors. Pricing for a custom paint job starts at $299, and ColorWare is now one of the only companies offering custom AirPod painting.

Because ColorWare is using traditional AirPods for the Retro AirPods paint job, full AirPods functionality is intact, with a W1 chip for easy pairing, a long battery life, a built-in accelerometer for ear detection, iCloud support for quick device switching, and support for gestures.

We have one set of AirPods Retro to give away to a MacRumors reader. To enter to win, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winner(s) and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (August 10) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on August 17. The winner will be chosen randomly on August 17 and will be contacted by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before a new winner is chosen.

Tags: giveaway, ColorWare
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Best Samsung Galaxy Note 9 cases

You can hardly fail to be impressed by the feature-packed Samsung Galaxy Note 9. It’s packing plenty of power, has a gorgeous curved display, and sports a souped up S Pen stylus capable of doubling as a remote control. But for all it’s tempting features this phone is still a glass sandwich that runs the real risk of picking up scratches or cracking if dropped.

Check out some of the best Galaxy Note 9 cases and get yourself some protection.

Incipio DualPro Case ($30)

Dual layer cases that combine flexible and hard materials are commonplace now, but Incipio designed one of the first in the shape of the DualPro series and it’s still going strong. This case has a shock absorbing interior wrapped in a tough, polycarbonate shell. It will cushion your Note 9 in the event of a fall from up to 10 feet. It does add some bulk to an already big phone, but that’s the price of proper protection. There’s also a lip around the screen, accurate cutouts, and chunky covers that make the buttons easy to find and use without looking.

Buy one now from:

Incipio

Speck Presidio Grip Case ($45)

One of our favorite case series, the Presidio Grip is also a dual layer case with flexible material surrounded by a polycarbonate shell that safeguards your Note 9 from drops of up to 10 feet. It also has chunky button covers, accurate openings, and a raised lip to protect the screen, but what sets it apart is the ridged pattern that adds a flourish of style and serves a practical purpose in enhancing grip.

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Speck

Moment Photo Case ($24)

This slim case comes with a back panel in black canvas or walnut wood. It offers basic protection from bumps and minor drops, but the real attraction is the ability to add Moment’s lenses for enhanced photography, which can be securely attached to the case. You can pick up a wide lens for $100, a superfish lens for $90, and lots more. You can also fit a filter mount for $40 and buy an array of filters to get the precise look you want. If you want more from the Note 9’s excellent camera, then you need to check out Moment’s wares.

Buy one now from:

Moment

Otterbox Symmetry Series Case ($55)

Offering excellent drop protection Otterbox’s cases are fashioned from a combination of flexible rubber and hard polycarbonate. The Symmetry Series isn’t quite as protective as the Defender, but it’s also less bulky and restrictive. You can get the usual combination of complementary colors, but there’s also an eye-catching triangle design for people who want something less muted. The button covers, generous cutouts, and raised lip to safeguard the screen are all spot on.

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Otterbox

Skech Polo Book Case ($45)

If you’re a fan of folio-style wallet cases, then this one from Skech may interest you. Plain black styling gives it a business feel and the synthetic covering is durable with cutouts for the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back. Open it up and you’ll find three slots for cards, with the front one windowed for an ID, and a money pocket behind. Best of all the minimal hard shell that holds your Note 9 in place is detachable for when you want to travel light.

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Skech

Tech21 Evo Check Case ($45)

This slim, transparent, check-patterned case comes tinted in orchid pink, ultra violet purple, or smokey black and the ridged bumper section provides impressive drop protection for falls of up to 10 feet. It allows easy access to everything and has the usual raised beveled edge at the front to safeguard the screen. This case is also easy to grip, so you’re less likely to drop your Note 9 in the first place.

Buy one now from:

Tech21

Snakehive Vintage Wallet Case ($30)

If you’re after a good-looking, real leather case, then you could do a lot worse than Snakehive. Crafted from full grain cowhide nubuck leather, these wallets cases come in a range of interesting colors from burnt orange to navy. You’ll find three card slots in the cover alongside a larger money pocket and there’s a magnetic clasp to keep the cover securely closed. A basic plastic shell holds your Note 9 in place, but there are cutouts for the ports and camera.

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Snakehive

Spigen Liquid Crystal Case ($20)

You may want to avoid covering up Samsung’s stylish design, in which case this simple, flexible, transparent TPU case could fit the bill nicely. You’ve got the full range of cutouts required, slim button covers, and air cushions in the corners to help deflect drop damage. Don’t expect rugged protection, but this case should be enough to ward off scrapes and protect your Note 9 from minor drops.

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Spigen

Samsung Protective Case ($38.50)

The textured back of this official case from Samsung reminds us of strengthened luggage, but it also enhances grip considerably. It has well-defined button covers, accurate openings for everything from the camera to the S Pen, and it comes in black or grey. The headline feature is the kickstand on the back which bears the Samsung logo – perfect for propping your Note 9 in landscape and enjoying a movie on that impressive 6.4-inch display.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun

LifeProof Next Case ($80)

Will your Note 9 be accompanying you on adventures into the great outdoors? This could be a good case for you if you want protection against dust, dirt, and snow. It forms a tight seal with your Note 9 shielding your ports, buttons, microphone, and speakers and preventing anything unwanted from gaining access. The thick bumper section also provides protection from falls of up to 6.6 feet. It is quite bulky, but the transparent back allows Samsung’s design to shine through and the bumper section comes in black or rose.

Buy one now from:

Lifeproof

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best Galaxy S8 Plus cases and covers
• Best Samsung Galaxy S9 cases
• The 25 best Galaxy S7 cases to safeguard your Samsung smartphone
• The best protective iPhone cases
• The 22 best iPhone 8 cases

Munich and Shanghai are getting their own Nvidia esports boot camps

Andy Boxall

Competitive gaming teams are about to get a great new training opportunity in both Asia and Europe. Following the success of its GeForce esports boot camp in Silicon Valley, hardware giant Nvidia will be opening similar camps in both Munich and Shanghai later this year.

The Nvidia GeForce esports boot camps are designed to allow top-tier gaming teams to refine their skills and stay sharp while they’re traveling around the world for events. The camps offer three meals each day to team members, as well as gaming rigs “mirroring the setups of the world’s biggest gaming tournaments,” complete with 240Hz G-Sync monitors. These monitors offer 4K resolution and high-dynamic range, as well as a dynamic refresh rate that automatically syncs between the GPU and the screen. Nvidia also promises ultra-low latency on the monitors, which should help players in quick-moving first-person shooters.

“If you’re part of the top esports scene, you have to prepare yourself and your team to win,” Nvidia said in a blog post. “Communication, teamwork, team building, physical workouts, diet, sleep routines, strategies, and, of course, game skills all have to be honed.”

Nvidia highlighted games like PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for the camps, but it appears another game could be a popular choice. Blizzard apparently wants The Overwatch League’s matches to be played in teams’ own cities by 2020, and it just so happens that one of its current teams is based in Shanghai. The Shanghai Dragons likely need the extra help more than any other team in the league, as the team managed to post an unspeakably bad 0-40 first season.

Other games Nvidia is helping teams prepare for include Dota 2 — as The International is quickly approaching — as well as League of Legends. Fighting games, which have traditionally found an audience on consoles rather than PC, don’t appear to be emphasized.

Esports have continued to soar in popularity in recent years, and they’re even being considered for inclusion in a future Olympics. A forum to discuss this possibility was held by the International Olympic Committee and the Global Association of International Sports Federations in July. If allowed in, esports will likely first appear in the 2024 games.

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A brand-new Mac can be hacked remotely during its first Wi-Fi connection

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

If you’re using a company-issued Mac running a version of Apple’s operating system prior to MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6, you will want to tell your system administrator to upgrade your OS to the latest version. At the Black Hat security conference in Las Vegas, researchers demonstrated a method where a malicious actor could remotely take control of a new Mac due to vulnerabilities with Apple’s corporate Device Enrollment Program (DEP) and Mobile Device Management (MDM) tools.

A new Mac could be compromised when it connects to a Wi-Fi network, security officer Jesse Endahl from Fleetsmith and Dropbox staff engineer Max Belanger discovered. Apple has since patched the security flaw last month when it released the MacOS 10.13.6 software update, so companies will want to migrate their Mac fleet to the latest software and not issue employees a Mac with a prior version of the OS out of the box.

“We found a bug that allows us to compromise the device and install malicious software before the user is ever even logged in for the very first time,” Endahl told Wired. “By the time they’re logging in, by the time they see the desktop, the computer is already compromised.”

Typically, when you begin setting up a Mac, the device communicates with Apple’s servers to identify itself. If Apple’s server recognizes that the Mac’s serial number is registered with the DEP, it will initiate an MDM configuration sequence. Most companies hire a Mac management firm, like Fleetsmith, to help facilitate MDM provisioning to allow Macs to download the necessary programs required by the company. For security, Apple employs certificate pinning to identify web servers, but when the MDM hands off to the Mac App Store to download enterprise apps, “the sequence retrieves a manifest for what to download and where to install it without pinning to confirm the manifest’s authenticity,” Wired reported.

This opens up a vulnerability where a malicious hacker could replace the original manifest with a malicious one. When this happens, the computer could be instructed to download malware, like keyloggers, spyware, cryptojacking software, or software that could monitor the corporate network and spread itself to other devices. “And once a hacker has set up the attack, it could target every single Apple computer a given company puts through the MDM process,” Wired said.

Though the attack cannot be easily pulled off, it still represents a dangerous vulnerability given that hackers can just target one Mac to gain entry into an entire corporate network. “The attack is so powerful that some government would probably be incentivized to put in the work to do it,” Endahl said.

Editors’ Recommendations

• To save the Mac, the App Store needs more than just a redesign
• Another Mac-less Apple event has come and gone
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• Mac Mini could make a comeback this year with a rumored refresh

Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1180 Founders Edition graphics card could have two fans

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

A rumor stemming from the recently leaked printed circuit board for Nvidia’s upcoming GeForce GTX 1180 (or 2080) add-in graphics card claims that Nvidia redesigned the drum fan to accommodate an open-air dual-fan design. This rumor specifically focuses on the Founders Edition model, which would make it the first Founders Edition-branded card from Nvidia to sport two fans.

Speculation points to two reasons for a dual-fan setup. First, the GTX 1180 may simply require more power than even the GTX 1180 TI, requiring a better, two-fan design to keep the components cool. Second, Nvidia may simply be competing with its hardware partners who will undoubtedly produce GTX 1180 cards with custom dual-fan designs.

Pictures of the printed circuit board, the foundation that plays host to the graphics chip, memory, outputs and all the required transistors, appeared on Baidu last week. Presumed to be a reference board for Nvidia’s hardware partners like EVGA and Zotac, we got a glimpse of the slots for power connectors and memory chips, the new SLI connection, and more.

Many reports state that the smaller port connector seen on the printed circuit board is reserved for a USB-C port. But unnamed sources claim Nvidia will include a proprietary connector designed specifically for virtual reality headsets. While it could still resemble a USB-C port, it will reportedly support 120Hz refresh rates based on the current HDMI 2.1 specification over a single cable.

Right now, the memory amount provided on the GTX 1180 is unclear outside its use of Micron’s new GDDR6 memory. While there is no disputing that serving up the GTX 1180 with a mere 8GB of GDDR6 would be a “downgrade,” Nvidia could reserve 16GB for the GTX 1080+ to offer two price models instead of one. This card is expected to arrive on September 30.

A recent email from one of Nvidia’s hardware partners to an unknown retailer explained why Nvidia and its partners delayed the GTX 11 Series. The email also provided a release schedule, listing the GTX 1180 to arrive first on August 30 followed by the GTX 1170 and GTX 1180+ on September 30 and the GTX 1160 on October 30. Nvidia hardware partner Galax also spilled the beans saying that we’ll see the new series by September.

“The release time of the next-generation Nvidia graphics card will not be far away,” a Galax representative states. “Players will be able to see the information about the new graphics card in September. The performance will certainly have a breakthrough growth and will support the most advanced Nvidia ray tracing technology.”

Nvidia is expected to reveal the GTX 11 Series during its pre-show Gamescom event on August 20. Called the GeForce Gaming Celebration, it will be held at an off-site location in Cologne, Germany. It’s open to everyone provided there’s enough space, but Nvidia is supposedly flying in members of the press to cover the event. That’s a long way to fly just to showcase games running on GeForce GTX 10 Series cards. That said, the GTX 11 Series reveal will likely be one of Nvidia’s “spectacular surprises.”

Editors’ Recommendations

• Pictures of a blank GeForce GTX 1180 card reveal connectors and memory slots
• Nvidia confirms its preshow Gamescom event, promises ‘spectacular surprises’
• Nvidia may release the GTX 1180 Founders Edition in July
• Nvidia prototype graphics card sports 12GB of GDDR6 memory
• Nvidia’s GTX 11 Series may get people ready for the next generation of VR

Philips Hue Announces Lineup of New Fixtures and Lights, First Few Launching August 20

Over the summer, a few new and upcoming Philips Hue light fixtures leaked online, including an Outdoor Light Strip and White Ambience Adore Vanity Mirror. This week, the company has announced prices and confirmed an August 20 launch date for most of these products, as well as revealed a collection of new Hue lights. As usual, all of the new Hue lights are compatible with Apple’s HomeKit platform.

To start off, the previously seen Outdoor Lightstrip is designed specifically for all-weather use with a diffused coating that ensures the Lightstrip can be used as both a direct or indirect light source. Users can easily bend and shape the Lightstrip for all yard designs, or apply it to fences and railways using included clips and screws.

The White and Color Ambiance Outdoor Lightstrip will cost $159.99 in a 16 ft. model and $89.99 in a 7 ft. model. Pre-orders will go up on August 20, and then the product will launch in early October.

The White Ambiance Adore Collection consists of the Adore Vanity Mirror and a flushmount ceiling fixture, which are both Damp rated to ensure bathroom moisture won’t degrade them over time. Each Adore light includes a ringed outer-edge area that “prevents unwanted shadows” from appearing in a bathroom, with four pre-set light recipes for morning and nighttime routines.

The Adore Vanity Mirror will cost $249.99 and the flushmount Adore Ceiling Light will cost $179.99, and both will be available starting August 20.

A new kitchen and dining area light has also been announced in the form of the White Ambiance Being Pendant. This fixture is a brushed aluminum light that complements the company’s existing Being flush ceiling fixture and aims to give users the “right shade of white light” for dinners and relaxing.

The Being Pendant will run for $249.99 and launches on August 20.

Also aimed at kitchen use is the White and Color Ambiance Enchant Pendant Light, a slim hanging fixture that the company says is designed to place over a kitchen or dining table, island, or bar. The light includes one Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 bulb.

The Enchant Pendant Light will be priced at $99.99 and also launches on August 20.

Lastly, the White and Color Ambiance Ascend Collection includes a Pendant Light, Floor Light, Wall Light, and Table Lamp, all designed for everyday lightning needs. Each fixture has a 360-degree open glass design for optimal light output, and the floor, wall, and table lamps have a movable head so you can point the light directly where you need it.

The Ascend Pendant Light (left) and Floor Light (right)
The Floor Lamp and Pendant Lamp come with a White and Color Ambiance A19 bulb, and the Wall Light and Table Lamp include a White and Color Ambiance E12 candle bulb. The prices on the Ascend Collection are as follows: $99.99 (Wall Light), $129.99 (Table Lamp), $149.99 (Pendant Light), and $179.99 (Floor Lamp). Every fixture in the Ascend Collection launches in early October.

The Ascend Wall Light (left) and Table Lamp (right)
On the software side of things, Philips Hue has received a few updates over the past few months for both its iOS and macOS apps. In May, the company debuted a revamped 3.0 update to the iOS app, bringing improved navigation, brightness controls and light visualization for individual lights and not just grouped-together rooms, and new color pickers for a better overview and grouping of lights in a room.

A few days later, the company launched a “Philips Hue Sync” macOS and PC app, allowing users to sync their Hue lights to any film, song, and game that they have on their computer.

For the new lights, it appears that some have yet to propagate on the company’s website, but they should all begin appearing within the next few days, ahead of the launch/pre-order date on August 20.

Tag: Philips Hue
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Apple Music Launches New Classical Music Section Curated by Deutsche Grammophon, Including Full-Length Operas

Apple Music this week began rolling out a new section in Browse curated by Deutsche Grammophon, known as one of the biggest classical musical labels in the world. In this section, classical music fans will find featured playlists of specific composers, highlighted radio stations, and all-new visual albums stocked with the “full-length performance” of select operas (via Engadget).

Specifically, one of the three visual albums is a staging of composer Charles-François Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, which was held at the 2008 Salzburg Music and Drama Festival. The visual album includes 32 tracks, which can be played all at once and runs for 2 hours and 33 minutes.

The other operatic visual albums were also staged during the Salzburg Festival, including a Mozart Gala from 2006 and Giacomo Puccini’s La bohème opera from 2012, staged at the Grosses Festspielhaus opera house. Of course, Apple Music has launched non-opera visual albums in the past, including Frank Ocean’s Endless, but as Engadget notes this is the first time the service has debuted a full-length opera as a visual album.

From the Apple Music editors:

Deutsche Grammophon has been home to the world’s greatest musicians ever since gramophone inventor Emile Berliner founded the label in 1898. For decades, legendary conductor Herbert von Karajan epitomized the style and elegance of The Yellow Label – so called for its striking cartouche emblem.

Claudio Abbado and Leonard Bernstein joined him, and now Andris Nelsons and Yannick Nézet-Séguin continue DG’s tradition of working with the finest conductors. Among pianists, Daniil Trifonov follows where Wilhelm Kempff and Maurizio Pollini led, while the current roster also stars violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter and soprano Anna Netrebko. Enjoy the best of these artists and more with playlists, albums, and videos.

According to Deutsche Grammophon, its new Apple Music section will be “regularly updated,” so fans of classical music can expect to see more of the label’s recordings and potentially more visual albums in the future.

Apple Music has seen a few slight updates over the summer, beginning with a new “Coming Soon” section for all users that highlights albums launching in the near future. Earlier this week, the service also began rolling out a “Friends Mix” weekly playlist, which curates a list of 25 songs that your friends have been listening to recently.

Tag: Apple Music
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Mophie vs. Belkin vs. Anker vs. iOttie: Who has the best wireless charging pad?

Brenda Stolyar/Digital Trends

The iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X are the first Apple devices ever to feature wireless charging, and now with an influx of wireless charging pads on the market, which one do you pick? We’ve tried out four of the top wireless charging pads with an iPhone 8 Plus to narrow things down.

Wireless charging with the iPhone 8 Plus

Back in October, we tested three top wireless charging pads with 7.5-watt output and support for the Qi standard on the iPhone 8 — which at time, could only accept 5 watts of power. Apple has since released the ability for its iPhone devices to accept 7.5 watts, which should speed up the time it takes to top up the battery. This time around, not only do all four of the wireless chargers output 7.5 watts (at the least), but the iPhone 8 Plus we’re testing them with can accept it. Some wireless charging pads are capable of pushing out 10 watts or more, but that doesn’t mean your iPhone will charge any quicker.

For each charger, we used the respective wall adapter and a wall outlet as a power source. We also completely drained the iPhone 8 Plus’ battery each time we placed it on the pad. Of the four wireless charging pads mentioned below, both Mophie and Belkin said they worked closely with Apple to create them.

The winner in our current test should also charge the iPhone 8 and iPhone X the fastest as well. Check out our best wireless phone chargers guide for more alternatives, but first, let’s see who came out on top in our test.

Specs and performance test

Mophie charge stream pad+

Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Pad

Anker PowerWave 7.5 Stand
iOttie iON Wireless Fast Charging Pad Plus 

Dimensions
3.82 x 3.82 x 0.46 inches
3.75 x 3.75 x .75 inches
3.2 x 2.7 x 4.6 inches
4.38 x 2.69 x 1.13 inches

Weight
5.12 ounces
4.8 ounces
5 ounces
3.7 ounces

Max Power Output
 10W (for Android devices)
 10W (for Android devices)
 7.5W
10W (for Android devices)

Reached 50 percent at (about):
1 hour and 27 minutes
 1 hour and 14 minutes
1 hour and 10 minutes
1 hour and 20 minutes

Total time to 100 percent (about):
4 hours and 6 minutes
3 hours and 5 minutes
2 hours and 44 minutes
4 hours and 2 minutes

Mophie charge stream pad+ ($60)

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On the outside, the Mophie charge stream pad+ looks identical to the company’s wireless charging base we tested previously — aside from the fact that it’s slightly bigger and heavier. Under the hood, the charge stream pad+ supports up to 10 watts for Android devices that can accept it, but the iPhone 8 Plus will only accept 7.5 watts.

On the outside, the charge stream pad+ is a puck-shaped charger with a rubberized finish. It doesn’t take up much room on a desk, and the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coating keeps the iPhone from sliding off the charger, and it won’t damage the glass back. But beware, the silicone material is a magnet for dust.

On the edges of the bottom, there’s an LED light to indicate the device is charging, though it’s a little tough to see because it’s so low.

We started charging the dead iPhone 8 Plus at 12:40 p.m., and after about two minutes it powered up at three percent. By 2 p.n., the phone hit 50 percent, and then reached 100 percent around 4:45 p.m. It took about four hours to fully charge the iPhone 8 Plus.

Mophie said the charge stream pad+ also includes fail-safe circuitry, which prevents devices from overcharging after the battery capacity is fully charged. The charger also controls temperature to prevent the phone from overheating. You can charge an iPhone with a case on, but only if it’s no thicker than 3 millimeters.

Buy now from:
Amazon

Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Pad ($60)

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Last year’s version of the Belkin BoostUp Wireless Charging Pad was the largest we tested. The latest model is significantly smaller, with a sleeker design than its predecessor, though we’re not fans of the extremely bulky wall adapter.

Like the Mophie, the Belkin BoostUp has a non-slip surface on both the top and bottom and has a plastic lining surrounding the outer sides. It didn’t attract as much dust as the Mophie, but you still may need to wipe it down now and then. There’s also an LED indicator on the front rather than towards the bottom, so it’s easy to spot at a glance.

We started charging our iPhone 8 Plus at 10:40 a.m. from zero percent and reached a little over 50 percent by 11:54 a.m. In total, the Belkin took about 3 hours to fully charge.

Belkin also sells a similar version of this charger as a kickstand, so you can keep your smartphone propped up.

Buy now from:
Amazon

Anker PowerWave 7.5 Stand ($70)

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The Anker PowerWave is the only wireless charging stand we tested in this group, but it does come as a charging pad as well (which retails for $60). The stand looks a bit futuristic, especially with the metallic branding set against a white, rubberized coating, and the circular LED light on the front. The bottom of the charger also has rubber padding, which keeps it from slipping and sliding across the desk.

While charging our device, we liked the ability to easily access and see our screen without needing to take it off the charger. It also still charges regardless of the phone’s orientation — placing it horizontally or vertically works. Since it’s not laying flat, the TPU coating doesn’t attract as much dirt and dust as the Mophie and Belkin chargers; but like the Belkin, the adapter on the PowerWave Stand is also extremely bulky.

Anker took the least amount of time to charge the iPhone 8 Plus completely. We started at 12:04 p.m. with a drained battery and reached 50 percent by 1:18 p.m. By 2:50 p.m., the 8 Plus was at 100 percent — which only took about two hours and 45 minutes overall. Among the four wireless chargers, Anker is the only one that comes with a Quick Charge 3.0 wall charger which increases the charging voltage.

According to Anker’s site, the high-speed charging is also due to its internal cooling fan within the coils. This reportedly prevents the charger from overheating and slowing down, allowing it to quickly charge a smartphone without any interruption.

Buy now from:
Amazon

iOttie iON Wireless Fast Charging Pad Plus ($55)

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The iOttie iON Wireless Fast Charging Pad Plus is our favorite in terms of design. Rather than the rubber and plastic combination that’s typical with wireless charging pads, the iOttie has a fabric wrap finish. It looks good whether it’s on a desk, night stand, or kitchen counter. There are three stylish color options to choose from — ash, ivory, and ruby.

On the bottom of the charger, there are four small silicone pads to keep it steady. On top is a silicone ring to keep the iPhone from sliding off, and it blends nicely into the fabric. On the front is a LED light indicator to let you know when the device is charging (which blinks red when it detects the device is placed incorrectly on the charger), along with a USB-A port to charge an additional device on the back. At 3.7 ounces, it’s the lightest wireless charging pad we tested out of the four.

We started charging the iPhone 8 Plus at 2:02 p.m. and by about 3:20 p.m., it was at about 50 percent. In total, the iOttie took close to four hours and 2 minutes to charge — only a few minutes faster than the Mophie. We preferred the square shape when placing our phone down on the pad, because it made it easier to align without having to pay too much attention on whether the device is charging.

Buy now from:
Amazon

Winner: Anker PowerWave 7.5 Stand

Of all four wireless chargers, the Anker PowerWave 7.5 was our favorite. It includes all the same features as the Mophie, Belkin, and iOttie — a non-slip coating, a LED light indicator, and fail-safe circuitry to protect the device. To add to that, it also charges the quickest by a large margin, and it looks stylish. It’s the most expensive on the list, but you’re only shelling out about $10 more than you would for the others. The Anker PowerWave 7.5 can be purchased on Anker’s site, and all of these charging pads are available for purchase now.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs. Pixel 2 XL: Flagship face-off

Samsung announced its newest flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, in early August. It packs stunning specs along with an all-new S Pen, making it easier than ever to stay productive on the go. But how does the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 compare to Google’s Pixel 2 XL? We put the two phones to the test to find out.

Specs

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 
Pixel 2 XL 

Size
161.9 x 76.4 x 8.8mm (6.37 x 3 x 0.35 inches)
157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
201 grams (7.09 ounces)
175 grams (6.17oz)

Screen size
6.4-inch AMOLED display
6 inch OLED display

Screen resolution
2960 x 1440 pixels
2880 x 1440 pixels

Operating system
Samsung Experience 9 (over Android 8.0 Oreo)
Android 9.0 Pie

Storage space
128GB, 512GB
64GB, 128GB

MicroSD card slot
Yes, up to 512GB
No

Tap-to-pay services
Samsung Pay, Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

RAM
6GB, 8GB
4GB

Camera
Dual 12MP (with OIS) and 12MP (with OIS) rear, variable aperture, 8MP front
12.2MP rear, 8MP front

Video
Up to 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 960 fps
4K at 30 fps, 1,080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-Type C
USB-Type C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes

Water resistance
IP68
IP67

Battery
4,000mAh
3,520mAh

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, AT&T
T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon

Colors
Ocean Blue, Lavender Purple
Just Black, Black & White

Price
$1,000+
$849+

Buy from
Samsung, Best Buy

Google, Amazon, Verizon

Review score
Hands on
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When it comes to performance, both the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Pixel 2 XL are workhorses. That said, since the Note 9 was released nearly a year after we first got our hands on the Pixel 2 XL, it definitely has improved specs. You’ll find a more powerful Snapdragon 845 processor along with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM in the Note 9, compared to a Snapdragon 835 processor with just 4GB of RAM in the Pixel 2 XL.

The Galaxy Note 9 also has the edge when it comes to battery capacity and charging. You’ll find a massive 4,000mAh battery in the Note 9 — enough to get even the most demanding user through a full day. The Pixel 2 XL has a 3,520mAh battery capacity that is plenty for the average person, but may leave power users frantically searching for a charger by the end of the day. And while both phones feature quick charging, only the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has wireless charging capabilities.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the clear winner for this round. It’s not just the updated specs that make it a clear winner, but the 4,000mAh battery and wireless charging capability as well.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 looks incredibly similar to its predecessor: It has a glass sandwich design with a near bezel-less display. The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, looks much more utilitarian with its aluminum back and chunky display bezels. While aesthetics is largely subjective, we’d venture to say most people would prefer the refined design of the Note 9 as opposed to its competitor, but it is taller, thicker, and heavier than the Pixel 2 XL.

When it comes to durability, the competition is much closer. While we think the Pixel 2 XL would fare better in the event of a drop and should do fine with an accidental dunk in water, the Note 9 has a higher IP68 rating meaning it can handle slightly deeper water, up to 1.5 meters, for half an hour without damage. Both phones employ Gorilla Glass 5 which should able to handle an accidental tumble (though we definitely recommend a case for your phone).

This round is a really close call, but we’re giving the win to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. In addition to being a more refined design overall, the phone boasts slightly better water resistance.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While great internal specs are crucial, you can’t overlook display quality when comparing phones. Luckily both the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Pixel 2 XL have gorgeous OLED displays that offer excellent color accuracy. On the Note 9, you’ll find a 6.4-inch display with a 2960 x 1440-pixel resolution which translates to 516 pixels per inch (PPI). The Pixel 2 XL has a slightly smaller 6-inch display with a 2880 x 1440-pixel resolution which makes for a slightly sharper 538 PPI.

Thanks to the extra screen real estate and Samsung’s more mature Super AMOLED tech, we’re giving this one to the Note 9.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Since its release in 2017, one of the most talked about features on the Pixel 2 XL is its camera. So how does the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 compare to one of our favorite shooters? Surprisingly well!

On the Note 9, you’ll find a dual camera module with 12-megapixel sensors, both with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The Note 9 also has a variable aperture that can switch from f/2.4 to a much wider f/1.5 for beautiful low-light photos. It boasts support for 2x optical zoom and can record video at a higher frame rate than the Pixel 2 XL. There’s also a new A.I. feature, exclusive to the Note 9, that uses scene detection to adjust color, white balance, and other settings. Samsung even added a flaw detection feature that will alert you if someone has closed their eyes when a photo is taken.

The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, packs a single 12.2-megapixel sensor with OIS. The aperture is f/1.8, which should do well in most scenarios, though some detail may be lost in low-light photos. While the Pixel Visual Core processor and Google’s camera software can create stunning photos, it still lacks A.I. scene detection and other advanced features that are becoming more common on high-end smartphones.

It’s was a hard choice, but we’re calling this round for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. While the Pixel 2 XL has one of the best smartphone cameras we’ve ever seen, the Note 9 is much more versatile.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Looking for the latest version of Android? Well, if you’re using the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, you’re going to have to wait a while. However, Pixel 2 XL users are already enjoying all the new benefits of Android 9.0 Pie. In addition to getting the first stab at Android Pie, the Pixel 2 XL gets more frequent security and feature updates in general and will get future Android updates as soon as they’re released. If you’re a seasoned Samsung user, you’ll know the smartphone giant can be slow to update at times.

In this round, the Pixel 2 XL shines. Not only does it have the latest version of Android, it gets more frequent updates overall. And while the Samsung Experience UI has improved vastly, we definitely still prefer stock Android.

Winner: Pixel 2 XL 

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

When it comes to special features, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has lots to offer. It features a Bluetooth-powered S Pen that can control the phone remotely and be used to activate different features on the Note 9. There’s also DeX mode built in, meaning you can use your phone as a makeshift desktop by attaching it to a monitor.

Special features are a little more sparse on the Pixel 2 XL. When it was first released, Google Lens was an exclusive feature, but it has now made its way to many Android phones. It does, however, have Active Edge, which allows you to squeeze the phone to activate Google Assistant.

We’re calling this round for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. The newly improved S Pen and built-in DeX mode make it the clear winner.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 

Price

Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Pixel 2 XL are flagship smartphones and carry a premium price tag. Pricing starts at a $1,000 for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the 512GB variant is even more expensive at $1,250. You can pre-order now and it will hit stores on August 24 with wide availability from major carriers and retailers.

The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, is a little more affordable. The 64GB version sells for $850, while the 128GB model comes in at $950. You can buy it right now direct from Google or with Verizon in the U.S.

Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While we adore the Pixel 2 XL, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the clear winner of this competition. For the most part, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 beat out the Pixel 2 XL because it’s a newer phone with better hardware. We expect a better matchup when the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 faces off against the upcoming Pixel 3 XL in the coming months.

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How does Samsung’s S Pen work so damn well?

The S Pen is part of the Galaxy Note and integrated through both hardware and software.

The Galaxy Note isn’t just a big phone. It’s Samsung’s cream of the crop and always ships with the best hardware and software Samsung has to offer, and the Galaxy Note 9 looks to be no exception. The Note is the Galaxy phone for people who want it all, or as close to “it all” as they can get. Part of that — a big part for many — is the S Pen.

Forget the idea that “nobody wants to use a stylus” because that’s clearly incorrect. A lot of users want to use some sort of pen on their go-to device, and we’ve seen Microsoft, Apple, and Google all offer a pen input device of some sort on their flagship devices since the Note appeared. It can be convenient for jotting down notes, or used for annotation in a presentation, or even just used for doodling and it works really well.

If you’ve never used the S Pen you’ll be surprised by how well it works.

And that’s the secret of its success; it works really well. if you’ve never used the S Pen you might think its like using an after-market stylus you can buy from Amazon, and you’d be dead wrong. The S Pen is super fluid and while it doesn’t feel exactly like drawing or coloring on paper, it works the same. And that’s because its completely integrated into the Galaxy Note, not just an add-on.

A regular stylus you buy is a capacitive input device. The screen on your phone is made from an insulator (glass in most cases) that also serves as the hard outer surface. This insulator is coated with a clear electrical conductor. Your finger, along with a “normal” stylus, is also an electrical conductor and when you touch the screen its electrostatic field is changed. The processor and OS in your phone take this data and turns it into a tap, long-press, dragging action or whatever else you did with your finger or stylus.

The S Pen is an inductive stylus. The display on the Note has what’s called an active digitizer under the glass. When the S Pen gets close to the screen, the magnetic field of the active digitizer induces a current that powers its internal circuitry. Power is passed here just like a wireless charging mat and phone that supports its work, it’s just not inducing nearly as much power.

The S Pen is an inductive device and needs special hardware built into the Note display.

When the S Pen is energized, the tiny circuitry inside of it does much of the work when writing or drawing. The digitizer layer in your phone has only one job — keep track of where the tip of the S Pen is. The Pen doesn’t need to touch the screen for this to happen, which is important because the touching action is what triggers the software to write or draw on the screen. The screen knows where the Pen is touching and tracks its movements and the Pen itself tells the software that it is drawing a line. The software draws the line on your screen and you see what you’re drawing or writing as it happens.

This is far more accurate than a capacitive stylus could ever be. It’s why the S Pen won’t work as a stylus on any other phone — it’s not an electrical conductor. It’s also why the S Pen, or Apple Pen, or Pixel Pen, or Surface Pen, etc. work so much better than a “regular” stylus.

The Note 9 adds some new functionality through the S Pen by pairing it over Bluetooth. You can use the button to snap a photo or present a slide deck or trigger whatever a developer can dream up. But this doesn’t change or interfere with the way the S Pen works to draw on the screen. It just makes it better.

A capacitive stylus works on every touchscreen. They just don’t work very well.

A capacitive stylus, like this one from Amazon, can be useful. I have a pair of these and use them for rough drawing or scribbling on a phone every now and then, and they can be useful when trying to select text on a phone with a small screen. The good thing about them is that they will work on any device that has a touchscreen — even the Galaxy Note.

But if you want to do any fine drawing or have a lot of writing to do, nothing comes close to a good inductive pen setup like the Galaxy Note series has. you can find capacitive styli that pair through Bluetooth to try and track movement like the S Pen does (those are called an active stylus and Android supports them in full) but they still aren’t as precise or accurate. Not by a long shot.

There are other reasons to want a Galaxy Note, but if you want a good Pen experience it’s really the only phone that has one. And that’s because Samsung has made the Pen part of the phone through both hardware and software.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 hands-on preview
• Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
• Galaxy Note 9 specifications
• Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Samsung