Is the Galaxy Note 9 too big for most people?

You can learn to live happily with a giant phone, but it’s still not for everyone.

Few phones fill out a spec sheet quite like a Note. Samsung’s wildly popular Galaxy Note lineup has always been about packing in all the latest and most powerful specs, and the Galaxy Note 9 is no exception. It comes packing a Snapdragon 845, 6 or 8GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage — not to mention water resistance, wireless charging, a headphone jack, and the ever-important S Pen.

Those big specs demand a big phone, though. The Note 9 features a gorgeous, massive 6.4-inch display — the biggest to ever grace a Samsung phone. Even with Samsung’s minuscule bezels, that’s a lot of phone to handle, especially if you like to use your phone in one hand. So is the Note 9 … too big?

That sort of depends on how you use your phone. The Galaxy Note line has never been about one-handed usability in the first place, and to use one comfortably, you need to throw that idea out the window. This is a two-handed phone through and through, and using it as one makes it significantly easier to handle — a PopSocket can help a lot with this.

You’ll also have to either start wearing pants with extra deep pockets or just get used to part of it sticking out at all times. The Galaxy Note 9 is a whopping 162mm tall, after all.

That all sounds inconvenient to someone like me, who carries a Galaxy S9 specifically because of how often I use gesture typing or scroll through Twitter and Slack with one hand. But for some, the Note 9’s benefits can outweigh the inconvenience of having such an imposing stature.

A huge screen is one of the biggest reasons to buy a Galaxy Note, but sometimes it’s more hassle than it’s worth.

Having a 6.4-inch display gives you a huge, open canvas for the Note 9’s halo feature, the S Pen. Whether you’re drawing in Screen Off Memos or signing a document, it’s nice to have ample screen space to work with. That huge screen is also great for watching videos — so much so that YouTube has named the Galaxy Note 9 a “Signature Device,” which basically just means that it’s one of the best ways to view YouTube content.

No matter how many benefits the Note 9 brings, though, it still won’t be a good fit for everyone. Some people’s hands are just too small to work with such a massive phone, and even people with bigger hands may still prefer easy one-handed usability.

If you’re not sure how you’d handle the Galaxy Note 9 and don’t want to wait until pre-orders are over to find out, just try out a Galaxy Note 8; they’re more or less the same size (the Note 8 is a hair taller while the Note 9 is just a bit wider), though the Note 9 has an easier-to-reach fingerprint sensor.

How do you feel about the size of the Note 9 and the Galaxy Note lineup as a whole? Have you been a longtime user that’s unfazed by huge phones, or are you tired of the ever-expanding selection these days? Let us know in the comments below!

See at Samsung

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

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The Walking Dead’s final season starts off with a bang despite rough pacing

Clementine’s final journey may be her most perilous yet.

AC
Score
4

After following her journey since the beginning, Telltale is closing the chapter on Clementine’s story with their final season of The Walking Dead. While we’re only a few pages in with Episode One – Done Running, it looks to set up an emotional farewell in her coming of age story. Clementine isn’t all grown up by normal standards, but in The Walking Dead’s world she needs to be.

The Good

• Season One role reversal
• Unexpected twist
• Solid performance
• Guardian Clem

The Bad

• Pacing
• Doesn’t find footing until the end

See at PlayStation Store

Familiar waters

Since his birth in Season Two, AJ has been an integral part of The Walking Dead’s identity, even without being a playable character. The history that Clem and AJ share isn’t glossed over in its final season. When The Walking Dead isn’t all about survival of the fittest, it’s about the intimate character moments and their development.

At one point during Done Running, Clem has a chance to relax and play a game of cards with the new group of kids she ran into. It’s during this game that Clem is asked if she’s ever had to kill someone she’s loved, and while Lee may be the first person that pops into most people’s minds, she also had to make a difficult decision regarding Kenny at the end of Season Two that stemmed from AJ. It’s clear that the choices she’s been forced to make in the past are still affecting her to this day, and have shaped her into who she is. Remembering its past has always been what The Walking Dead has done well, and I’m glad to say that the tradition continues.

Remembering its past has always been what The Walking Dead has done well.

Its final season also sees a role reversal of sorts, adding a new angle to the retreaded ‘parent/child’ storyline fraught in post-apocalyptic media. Lee served as Clem’s parental figure in the first season, helping her adjust and navigate to a world she was entirely unprepared for. Now it’s Clem’s time to be that parental figure for AJ. It’s clear that Clem is much more equipped to deal with the situation than Lee ever was as it’s been years since the dead started walking. She’s been hardened by her environment.

This plays a role in how she interacts with AJ. He’s only known the world after its devastation, which becomes even more apparent during a scene where he is confused as to what firemen and policemen were. Though he’s ignorant of pre-apocalyptic life, Clem doesn’t hold this ignorance against him, and in fact even trusts him with a gun. It’s this duality of his innocence and the responsibility thrust upon him in this universe that makes for compelling interactions between him and other characters.

Clem simultaneously needs to treat AJ as a child that needs protecting while also realizing that he needs to grow up fast. She allows him to feel useful and help whenever possible, but she won’t put him in direct danger. Even after just one episode, I’m interested to see how their relationship developers.

Uncharted territory

The new group of kids that Clem and AJ come across are survivors who have made a home out of Ericson’s Boarding School for Troubled Youth. (X-Men reference, anyone?) The children all appear to be a group of misfits just struggling to get by, making a new life for themselves without adults, who abandoned them when everything went to hell. Interacting with other teenagers is a breath of fresh air from usual. They’re all relatively the same age, meaning they have a lot more in common. Though a boy named Marlon appears to be the de-facto leader, everyone has their own importance within it. They’re not shoved aside just because they’re kids.

I look forward to witnessing the character dynamics and relationships develop as the season goes on. A few characters that grated on my nerves initially ended up becoming my saving grace by the end of the episode. If Telltale keeps it up, they may have even created some of my favorite characters in the series to date.

New threats

Since the beginning, The Walking Dead has pushed the idea that walkers aren’t always your biggest threat. It’s the people around you that you need to be just as careful of. We don’t get a feel for the real threat until the very end up the episode, and since we don’t get a good look at them, they’re hard to judge. This does make most of the episode’s direction seem bit aimless for a time as you can’t see the larger picture, but the possibilities of what’s at play will give you chills.

The Telltale Tool

Telltale’s engine, the Telltale Tool, is on its last legs. Over the years the performance of the studio’s games has gotten rougher and rougher. This season of The Walking Dead is expected to be the last of its game’s to run on the Telltale Tool before they switch over to a Unity engine. Despite the old engine’s age, however, Done Running may have been the best Telltale episode I’ve played in a long time in terms of performance. I didn’t encounter the usual lag during quick time events, nor did the game freeze or cut dialogue. All in all, it made a good first impression for the rest of the season.

Conclusion

The Walking Dead: The Final Season is off to a satisfying start. The pacing for a majority feels uneven and it doesn’t find it’s footing until the end, but what an ending it is. While the final scene is shocking, it’s the twist set up minutes beforehand that tees up the conflict going forward, and I can’t wait to see how it ends.

This is also my open letter to Telltale asking them not to hurt Rosie the dog.

4
out of 5

See at PlayStation Store

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

Pre-order the new da Vinci color mini 3D printer and save up to $600

3D Printing has never been so easy!

XYZPrinting has a new 3D printer called the da Vinci Color mini available on Indiegogo for $999. We have seen several 3D printers from XYZPrinting in the past, but this one is something altogether new. Where most 3D printers require multiple colored filaments or by-hand painting to create 3D objects in different colors, the da Vinci Color Mini will actually use three ink cartridges, similar to what you’d find in a regular printer, to stain the filament as it prints.

Originally developed last year, the da Vinci Color was called the “world’s first full color 3D printer” by XYZPrinting. The mini version is designed for consumers like you and me. It’s compact enough to fit in a small office or right on your desktop, and it can build objects up to 5.1 x 5.1 x 5.1 inches in size. It can work in a classroom, a business, or anywhere else you want to use it. Print gifts, create sculptures, or learn something new altogether.

The best part is the price. When the da Vinci Color mini fully releases it will retail for $1,599, which is already a huge chunk off the original 3D printer’s value of $3,500. Right now if you pre-order through Indiegogo you can get it for $999, but that price is only available to the first 100 pre-orders. After that, you can still get it for $1,199. Not quite as magnanimous but still an amazingly low price for full color 3D printer. The estimated shipping date for your new 3D printer is November 15, which is right around the corner.

If that pre-order bonus still doesn’t quite put this 3D printer in your price range, but you are curious, Amazon has plenty of 3D printers at even lower prices.

See at Indiegogo

This $13 TrackR Pixel can help prevent you from misplacing your gadgets

What once was lost is now found!

Update: You can save even further by opting to pick up the eight-pack of this product which is currently on sale for $70. That brings the price of each down to just $8.75 apiece.

Right now you can pick up the TrackR Pixel for just $12.55 at Amazon, which is the lowest that it has ever sold for. Normally, this Bluetooth tracker sells for between $20 and $25, and has never dropped below $14 in the past. The device itself is on the smaller side, which means that you can easily attach it to just about anything that you find yourself misplacing.

It uses Bluetooth to find items at close ranges, and the free iOS and Android app can be used to ring your device and flash the light to help you find it even faster. There is a battery inside the TrackR, and the app will let you know when it’s running low. You’ll be able to order a replacement for free, directly from the app, meaning you don’t have to replace the whole unit like you do with a Tile tracker. You can see where you last had your device on a map, and if you have the device but lost your phone you can simply press the button on it to ping your phone.

These are extremely useful, and at this price, you may want to pick up a few of them!

See at Amazon

Android Messages gets new Material Theme UI and dark mode with 3.5 update

DARK. MODE. IS. HERE.

Android Messages is one of the best texting apps on the Play Store, and with the new v3.5 update that’s rolling out now, it’s about to get even better.

Similar to Tasks, News, and Contacts, v3.5 refreshes Android Messages UI to match Google’s new Material Theme aesthetic. This means that a lot of Android Messages’ colorful accent colors have been replaced by even more white and the in-app text now uses the Google Sans font.

The new Android Messages v3.5

Hold on, hold on. Before you grab your pitchforks and start charging at Google full of rage, there is an upside to this for those that don’t like all that white.

The old Android Messages

With Android Messages v3.5, there’s now a native dark mode.

🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

To enable the dark mode, just tap the three dots at the top right of the app and select “Enable dark mode.” To disable it, tap those three dots again but choose “Disable dark mode.”

Android Messages v3.5 is rolling out to the Play Store now!

Download: Android Messages (free)

Verizon Subscribers With Unlimited Plan Can Now Sign Up for Six Free Months of Apple Music

Verizon and Apple last week announced a partnership that provides six free months of Apple Music service to new and existing customers with a Verizon Unlimited plan, and as of today, Verizon customers can sign up for their free Apple Music subscriptions.

Verizon subscribers who have an unlimited plan can visit the Apple Music section on the Verizon website to begin the sign up process. Logging in with a Verizon subscriber account is required, and from there, customers will receive a text message with a link that needs to be opened on a mobile device.

For iPhone and Android users that already have the app installed, it will open it up with subscription options. If the app isn’t already installed, the App Store or Google Play store will open with instructions to download the app.

Apple Music is available to all Verizon Unlimited subscribers, including Verizon Plan Unlimited, Go Unlimited, Beyond Unlimited, and Above Unlimited. Customers who have one of Verizon’s original Unlimited plans (from earlier this year) can also sign up, and there have been some reports from Reddit users that other Verizon subscribers have been presented with the offer.

Verizon customers who already subscribe to Apple Music can activate the free trial offer, but will be prompted to cancel their existing Apple Music subscriptions through Apple to avoid double billing.

Apple Music subscribers who recently renewed will want to wait for a few weeks to activate their Verizon trials to make sure to get the full six months of free service. Annual subscribers may be able to cancel via Apple and get a prorated refund.

Each individual Verizon line is able to sign up for a free Apple Music trial, but it does not work with the family plan. Customers with an existing Apple Music family plan will need to cancel it, with each person in the family signing up for the free Verizon trial separately. The same goes for current student plans — cancel with Apple and resubscribe through Verizon to get the free six months.

It appears the Apple Music subscriptions will be billed through Verizon following the conclusion of the six month trial rather than through iTunes like a standard Apple Music subscription.

Customers who sign up for the six month free trial and who do not want to pay for a subscription afterwards can cancel at any time, including right after signing up. Access to Apple Music remains available for the full six month period after cancelling through Verizon.

Subscriptions redeemed today will expire in February 2019.

Tags: Verizon, Apple Music
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Microsoft Office Experiencing Activation Issues on Mac and PC

Microsoft Office appears to be experiencing activation issues on both Mac and PC today, according to several user reports on Twitter. MacRumors also received emails from multiple readers affected.

At least some Office 365 subscribers who have attempted to use Word, Outlook, and other apps in the Microsoft Office suite have been prompted to reactivate their license, but the process fails to complete.

Affected users have encountered various errors while Office apps hang on “activating” or “looking for licenses,” which eventually leads to a window that says “no license found,” with seemingly no workaround.

Hi @Microsoft,

Is @Office365 having trouble with it’s activation service right now? Just updated @Office for #macOS and it asked to be activated (again). Tried 3x over the past half-hour or so. pic.twitter.com/9VeLR0bVOC

— Henry Ferlauto (@HTFIII) August 16, 2018

The issue appears to be affecting not only individual users, but businesses and universities and with enterprise licenses.

We’ve reached out to Microsoft for comment and will update this article as soon as we hear anything back.

Tags: Microsoft, Microsoft Office
Discuss this article in our forums

MoviePass Now Limiting Subscribers to a Choice of Six Movies Each Day

MoviePass today announced new restrictions for its ever-changing movie service, with the company now limiting its subscribers to a choice of what appears to be six to seven movies per day.

On the MoviePass site, MoviePass lists “This Week’s Movies,” a section described as a “full lineup of movie titles available on MoviePass in the coming days.”

For this Friday, that includes Mile 22, Christopher Robin, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, We The Animals, Skate Kitchen, Juliet Naked, and Summer of 84. Noticeably missing is Crazy Rich Asians, which won’t be available until Sunday, and some of the movies seem to be limited distribution films not available in all areas.

We want to share more details about our service moving forward as part of our commitment to keep you fully informed. Here’s a full lineup of movie titles available on MoviePass in the coming days: https://t.co/BE9St1gDfF pic.twitter.com/OFCR56fcGd

— MoviePass (@MoviePass) August 16, 2018

Several popular movies that have already been released are not included for Friday, such as Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Mamma Mia, and Ant-Man.

MoviePass in early August restructured its subscription model to allow customers to see three movies per month for the $9.95 monthly fee. Prior to that, MoviePass had announced that it would raise its base subscription price to $14.95 per month, and before that, it introduced peak pricing and restricted major film releases, all in an attempt to stop hemorrhaging money.

For now, MoviePass seems to have settled on the $9.95 per month plan for three movies a month, while also restricting the movies available to customers each day.

Tag: MoviePass
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What do golden retrievers and Samsung Note 9 owners have in common? Loyalty

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is here, all $1,000 of it — but why should you buy it over the brilliant Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus? After all, it looks better, costs a little less, and has essentially the same top-end features. In fact, the Note 9 is so similar to the S9 Plus, there is confusion over why it still exists in Samsung’s line up, along with rumors that this model may be the last of its kind.

We sat down with Paul Scott, Samsung’s head of product management in the U.K., to find out what makes the Note 9 special, and whether this is the last time we’ll be talking about a new Note phone.

Loyalty

Samsung loves to chalk up Note consumers as its most devoted fans.

“When we look at our consumers, a typical S consumer is different to a typical Note consumer”

“When we look at our consumers, a typical S consumer is different to a typical Note consumer” Scott said, when asked about the similarity between the two devices today. Citing market research the company carries out, he told us, “Note owners are the most loyal.”

This won’t be the last time Scott refers to Note owners as loyal. Clearly passionate about not only the Note 9 but Samsung itself, Scott thought back to how the Note 9 came about.

“The Note has always been hugely popular — it’s almost a community,” he said. “We really listened to people about the Galaxy Note 8 to see what they wanted in the Note 9. What we heard was performance and battery life. [Note owners] are the most loyal. They want the an all-day battery, performance, the best gaming, the best display, and the best sound.”

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Surely the Galaxy S9 Plus has all this too? What makes people return to the Note 9?

“The S Pen is the differentiator for us, and it’s a feature Note users absolutely love,” Scott said. “It’s great to see owners come alive when they talk about it, and many first time users are so surprised by what it can do. There is a lot of, ‘I didn’t know it could do this.’”

Is the S Pen enough?

The S Pen does make the Note 9 different to the S9 Plus, but we’re not sure it’s enough of a selling point for anyone not already a loyal Note user. We’ve often struggled to find a reason to use it, and a (small) selection of Note owners we surveyed through an unscientific Twitter poll also found they weren’t using it either. Samsung has made this sixth generation pen better than the last, with a Bluetooth connection so it works as a remote control, but its appeal is still limited.

What makes people return to the Note 9?

Scott goes into more detail about what separates the Note 9 from the S9 Plus, citing the cooling system as one factor.

“We went from using silicon to using carbon fiber, which is 3.5 times better at cooling versus the Note 8, plus 2.5 times the amount of vapor so it cools down even quicker,” he said.

What about the 4,000mAh battery? The smaller 3,500mAh cell in the Galaxy S9 Plus is a weak point, and struggles to last a heavy day. Scott and his team didn’t have statistics for how the two compare, so we’ll wait for our long term test to discover if the extra 500mAh capacity makes that much needed difference.

Milestone

We talked about Samsung’s other two main product announcements, the Galaxy Watch — which Samsung also has high-hopes for — and the Galaxy Tab S4, with Scott commenting on Samsung’s strength as a hardware manufacturer and the advantages this brings in creating new technology. There was a positive, forward-looking tone to his words. Is the new range a first look at a different Samsung?

Drew Angerer/Getty Images

“It’s a look into the future of Galaxy,” Scott said. “Every time we launch a device, we’re always developing, and we’ve had some milestone devices that have put Samsung at the forefront. First the Galaxy S9 and now the Note 9.”

Samsung needs this positivity at the moment, as rumors from inside sources say the Galaxy S9 series may be a milestone for all the wrong reasons. Sales may not reach 30 million this year, making it the worst-selling Galaxy phone made, despite being the most technically competent. Other reports citing anonymous sources say Samsung pushed the Note 9 out earlier than usual, potentially in response to flagging sales numbers.

Note legacy

It’s not a surprise to hear Samsung talk about customer loyalty. But does this mean it will consider leaving devices that aren’t all that different to others behind, perhaps to generate excitement among new fans with a foldable Galaxy X? Is there really a future for the Note series? Scott smiles.

“Oh, absolutely,” he said. “The legacy of the Note will always remain and we’re taking it to the next level with the Note 9. We understand how loyal Note fans are.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung mocks iPhone X download speed in new ad for Galaxy S9
• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 hands-on review
• What’s the point of the Note’s S Pen? Samsung needs to find one or kill it
• Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus: Here’s everything you need to know
• Here’s everything announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked

Master your Sony Xperia XZ2 with these handy tips and tricks

Samsung and Apple tend to be the first two brands you think of when it comes to smartphones, but there are plenty of other excellent phones available. For example, Sony just released its latest trio of flagships, the Xperia Xz2, Xperia XZ2 Premium, and Xperia XZ2 Compact. The trio feature gorgeous design along with high-end hardware that can easily compete with any major flagship.

Whether you’re new to Xperia phones or you’re just upgrading, here are a few tips and tricks for the Sony Xperia XZ2 family.

How to use Xperia Assist

Xperia Assist is one of our favorite apps that comes baked in on the Sony Xperia XZ2. Xperia Assist is a hub for all of the utility apps on the phone. You’ll find apps to optimize your phone, extend battery life, and even request support. You can access all of these apps simply by tapping on the lightbulb icon and pressing the tools icon.

Of the apps you’ll find in Xperia Assist, the Xperia Actions app is particularly useful. Xperia Actions allows you to customize phone settings based on certain events or circumstances. You can make adjustments for your morning commute, when traveling abroad, or even while gaming.

To use Xperia Actions, you similarly tap the lightbulb icon followed by the Tools button. Then select Xperia Actions and tap on the menu selection you’d like to customize. Choose the time and/or location where you’d like to use the action and tap the blue menu bar at the bottom of the screen. Select the items you’d like to adjust when the action is enabled and tap the back button to return to the main screen. When finished, toggle on the Action.

How to disable unwanted apps

In addition to the usual array of apps you’ll find on a new smartphone, the Xperia XZ2 packs in a lot of bloatware. While you can’t delete many of these apps, you can disable them. Disabling an app removes unnecessary data from your phone and ensures it will not continue running in the background.

To disable unwanted apps simply long press on the app and select Disable. You’ll see a popup window appear asking you to confirm your option: Tap Confirm. You may be asked if you want to revert to an older version of the app in question; if so, select OK. Once the app is disabled you’ll no longer see it in the App Drawer and you’ll see a disabled indicator in the Settings menu.

How to use 3D Creator

While there are a lot of questionable apps that ship with the Sony Xperia XZ2, the 3D Creator app is one we actually enjoy. With 3D Creator you can easily create 3D scans of people and objects.

If you want to create a 3D scan, simply open the app and tap the 3D icon. Select the type of object you wish to scan and press the Tutorial button. The first time you take an image you’ll need to calibrate the camera, and you can do so by moving the camera around the object and connecting a series of dots. To get the best scan, you’ll want to capture the scan in an evenly lit room: You’ll know you’re in good light when the lightbulb icon has more than two rays.

For facial scans, you’ll want to remove your glasses. The first time you complete a scan you’ll need to calibrate the camera by connecting a series of dots. For other images, you’ll want to avoid taking photos of glossy or transparent objects. Once you’ve completed a scan you may be asked to further sculpt your scan by moving the camera around in a “figure eight” formation.

How to enable or disable App Drawer

Hate having the App Drawer button waste precious space in the app bar? You can easily remove it in just a few steps.

If you want to enable or disable the App Drawer button, long press on the home screen and tap Settings. Adjust the toggle bar next to Enable swipe up to your desired preference.

How to sort apps by name

While there is a lot we like about the Xperia XZ2 trio, we aren’t fans of the bloatware that ships with the phone. To make things worse, apps are arbitrarily organized. Luckily it’s easy to sort apps by other criteria. If you want to organize your apps, simply open the App Drawer and tap the overflow (three dot) icon. Tap the Sort apps option and select the radio button of your choice.

How to customize your home screen

Want to cram a few more apps in on your home screen? Or maybe change the way your phone transitions between screens? You can make changes to the home screen pretty easily on the Xperia XZ2.

To alter your home screen, just long tap on it. A series of options will appear on the bottom of the screen. From here you can add widgets, change your wallpaper, or even update your entire theme. When you’ve finished making changes, simply tap the Apply button.

How to turn on Ambient display

The Xperia XZ2 makes it easy to see when notifications arrive, even if you’re not using your phone. With Ambient display, your screen will illuminate each time you receive a notification.

To turn on Ambient display, go to Settings > Display. Toggle on the option for Ambient display. 

How to use Super Slow Motion

If you want to record Matrix-style slow motion video the Xperia XZ2 has an awesome feature built into its camera. With Super slow motion, you can record short bursts of video at 960 frames per second (fps).

To use Super slow motion, open the camera app and swipe right on the top menu bar until you enable video mode. Next, tap the Super slow motion icon to the right of the shutter button. Tap the shutter button to begin recording, and when you want to capture slow motion, simply tap the shutter button again: The camera will record at 960 fps for a short period of time before returning to its regular frame rate. When you’re finished with recording video, just tap the Stop icon.

Super slow motion works best in bright light. If you’re using the Xperia XZ2 Premium you’ll find an option to turn on the dual lens to record in ultra-low light.

How to record 4K HDR video

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Sony Xperia XZ2 allows you to easily record 4K video. To record in 4K simply open the camera app, tap Video > Settings. Select Video resolution and choose the 4K option. If you want more contrast in your video, simply select the HDR option at the top left side of the screen. To begin recording, simply tap the shutter button.

If you own the Sony XZ2 Premium, the secondary lens can be used in conjunction with the main lens to record 4K video in low light. To record in low light you’ll need to make sure HDR is turned off, and that the Low light sensitivity icon — at the top right side of the view finder — is set to auto.

How to disable Sony Dynamic Vibration System

This year Sony added its Sony Dynamic Vibration System to its Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Premium smartphones. The Sony Dynamic Vibration System uses haptic feedback to accompany video and gaming on the phone. While some may think it improves the overall user experience, others may just find the feature annoying. Luckily it’s easy to turn off.

If you want to turn off (or decrease) Dynamic Vibration on your phone, simply open YouTube or another streaming app and start a video. Tap the volume down rocker button and you’ll see a Dynamic Vibration slider that you can adjust to your preferences.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Sony Xperia XZ2 review
• Sony’s Xperia XZ2 Premium has a crazy-high ISO for photos and video
• Sony Xperia XZ3: Here’s everything we know
• Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact review
• The best Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium cases