Best Cases for OnePlus 6T

The OnePlus 6T is a good-looking phone. Heck, it’s actually quite stunning. Those good looks do come at a cost, however, as the all-glass back will likely show signs of use a lot sooner than you’d like. Thankfully, you can prevent that and keep the 6T looking brand new with a case. Here are the best ones we could find.

Straight from OnePlus

OnePlus Bumper Case

OnePlus’s official bumper case is one of the best you can get. It provides edge-to-edge protection, shock-resistant bumpers, and a hard outer shell. You’ve also got your choice between Karbon, Ebony Wood, and Nylon.

$30 at OnePlus

All-around champ

Dretal Carbon Fiber Case

Need a basic, durable case that’s easy on the wallet? Dretal’s carbon fiber case is a great pick. The TPU rubber is scratch resistant, has a sleek design, and offers fantastic grip while being shockproof. Black is the only available color, but at least it’ll match your black 6T, right?

$8 at Amazon

Thinnest you can get

Anccer Colorful Series

Once again, Anccer delivers one of the best thin cases you can get. Measuring in at just 0.3mm, the Anccer Colorful Series case offers basic scratch and drop protection so your 6T will keep looking nice without adding any extra bulk. Better yet, you’ve got eight gorgeous colors to pick from.

$13 at Amazon

Simple folio

OnePlus Flip Cover

If folio cases are more your jam, OnePlus offers an official one for a little over $20. Opening the cover will automatically turn the screen on, while closing it shuts the display off. It’s made out of PU leather and has room for one credit/debit card.

$21 at OnePlus

The clear winner

VRS Design Crystal Chrome

Want to show off your OnePlus 6T to the world without risking its safety? This clear case from VRS Design is for you. The TPU bumper keeps the 6T safe from nasty drops and is resistant against scratching and yellowing that some other clear cases are prone to.

$12 at Amazon

So grippy

KuGi TPU Case

This case from KuGi is an all-around great choice. It comes in three colors (navy, black, and red) and features a unique texture on the back that provides really nice grip you won’t find with a naked 6T. You also get a 100% satisfaction guarantee that lasts for 30 days.

$9 at Amazon

Serious protection

MYLB Hybrid Rugged Case

For our readers that need maximum protection, we recommend getting this MYLB case. It has a dual layer design that protects the OnePlus 6T from just about anything, and all four corners of the phone are covered with a TPU airbag for maximum security. This thing is a beast.

$6 at Amazon

Sandstone has returned

OnePlus Protective Case

Want to relive the sandstone material that was made so popular on the OnePlus One? The official protective case is outfitted with just that and gives the 6T a truly unique look and feel. Add that together with raised edges over the screen and a sleek profile, and you’re all set.

$21 at OnePlus

Functional wallet case

DUX DUCIS Folio Cover

Another great wallet case for the OnePlus 6T comes from DUX DUCIS. Made out of a PU leather and available in three colors, this provides full protection for the 6T’s front and back, can double as a stand for watching movies, and holds one debit or credit card.

$8 at Amazon

If it were my money, I’d probably splurge for the official OnePlus Protective Case. It offers solid protection in a slim profile, but most importantly, it has the OnePlus’s iconic Sandstone material. On the lower end of the price spectrum, cases from Dretal and Anccer have proven to be top-notch with other smartphones and are definitely worth a look.

With these heavy duty cases, your Google Pixel 3 is in good hands

Some people prefer to use a brand new phone without a case — but if you’re on the exact opposite end of the spectrum and know you need the most rugged protection for your Pixel 3, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up some of the best heavy duty cases available for the Pixel 3, from perennial favorites like the Otterbox to more wallet-friendly options from other trusted brands we like. We’re sure you’ll find a case that speaks to you and your needs.

X-cellent protection

Ringke Fusion X

The Ringke Fusion-X is one of the more unique-looking cases you’ll find for the Pixel 3. It offers heavy-duty protection with a clear PC backplate combined with an impact-resistant bumper around the edges to protect against drops and bumps.

$10 at Amazon

Spigen’s toughest

Spigen Tough Armor

This case offers maximum durability without adding too much bulk to the Pixel 3’s design. Designed with a shock-absorbing TPU sleeve hugged by a rugged shell, the Tough Armor will live up to its name with a built-in kickstand offering a nice little bonus.

$16 at Amazon

All-round protection

Poetic Revolution 360 Degree Protection 

The only case on this list that comes with its own screen protector, Poetic Revolution is able to claim 360-degree protection with this heavy duty case that certainly looks the part. Thick, textured edges should ensure you always have a solid grip on your phone, and there’s a built-in kickstand that works in both landscape and portrait orientations.

$17 at Amazon

Best on a budget

CoverON HexaGuard Series

CoverOn offers a great budget option for those who want to protect their Pixel 3 for under $10. This is a dual-layer case that is designed to take the abuse of your daily use (hey, that rhymes!). The back features a basketball-inspired grip pattern that looks and feel great in your hand.

$8 at Amazon

Iconic brand

OtterBox Defender Series 

One of the most trusted names in smartphone cases, OtterBox offers its premium product for the Pixel 3. This is by far the most expensive option on our list, but if you’ve ever bought an OtterBox case before and dealt with its superb customer service, you know that you’re likely to get your money’s worth.

$50 at Amazon

Front, back, and belt

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

Supcase’s dual-layer, rugged holster has an inner shell of flexible, shock-absorbent TPU rubber, a hard plastic outer shell, and a built-in screen protector. There’s also an included belt clip, and a dust cover for the charging port, making for all-around protection.

$20 at Amazon

Drop survivor

Caseology Legion

This all-black case is comprised of a flexible bumper case made of hard yet flexible TPU rubber, as well as an outer shell made from hard, textured plastic, so it’s sturdy and provides an excellent grip surface. The button covers provide great feedback, while all the necessary cutouts are precise.

$16 at Amazon

These are the best cases that offer heavy-duty protection for your Pixel 3. If you’re also interested in adding a screen protector to your phone, the Poetic Revolution is worth considering, but my recommendation goes to the Spigen Tough Armor. Spigen’s products are always top quality and the Tough Armor style in particular is a reliably rugged option for any smartphone. If you don’t mind spending a lot of extra money, the OtterBox Defender Series is going to be worth the money.

Amazon Alexa can now control NVIDIA Shield TV

Just in case the built-in Google Assistant isn’t good enough for you.

You can now control your NVIDIA Shield TV — that’s the uber-powerful streaming/gaming box that runs Android TV with Google Assistant — with Amazon Alexa.

Just in case you’d rather use an Amazon Echo to control the box that works directly with Google Assistant, which already can be triggered with an Android phone, or a Google Home speaker, or with the NVIDIA Shield TV remote, or hands-free with the NVIDIA Shield TV game controller.

Says NVIDIA:

Comfortably holding the crown as the most open streaming platform, SHIELD gives you more of what you want than any streaming media device. It’s the streamer with access to more of your music, movies and TV shows from multiple ecosystems. Not to mention the widest range of 4K content.

That now extends to voice services as SHIELD is the only streamer you can control with both Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. Available through a new Amazon Skill, you can ask Alexa to help with navigating and enjoying your favorite movies, TV shows, music and more.

Another cool feature for SHIELD users in the Amazon ecosystem: Dolby Atmos passthrough support for Prime Video. In addition to the jaw-dropping 4K HDR visuals, you now get breathtaking spatial audio to match in Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan.

So, there’s that. Hit the link below to get things set up, then get your Alexa on.

Get the NVIDIA Shield Alexa Skill

NVIDIA Shield Android TV

• Read our Shield Android TV review
• The latest Shield Android TV news
• Shield vs. Shield Pro: Which should I buy?
• Join the forum discussion
• Complete Shield Android TV specs

Amazon

Amazon Fire tablets, Vitamix blenders, and more are discounted today

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

There’s never a shortage of deals available, but sorting through all of them can be difficult at times. We’ve handpicked all the best tech, and everyday essentials discounts that you can take advantage of right now and brought them to one central location. From the Fire 7 tablet to Pretty Little Liars, these are today’s best deals.

Tech Deals

Everyday Essentials

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

Apple Store Expansion in China Said to Have Slowed Due to Red Tape, Fraud, and Other Factors

In 2015 and 2016, Apple aggressively expanded its retail presence in China with 30 new stores, according to the Apple Storefronts tracker. Since the start of 2017, however, Apple has opened just five new locations in the country.

Apple’s newest store in China in Suzhou
The Information’s Wayne Ma has shared a report today that offers explanations for the slowdown, including China’s bureaucratic government, scalpers, previously-reported fraud, and increasing competition from Chinese smartphone makers. The report is based on interviews with 17 former Apple employees.

On government bureaucracy:

Apple had to navigate a maze of government bureaucracy to obtain everything from business and tax licenses to construction, fire and customs permits for imported building materials, former employees say. The regulatory framework in China is far more complicated than in the U.S., with many more layers of government, these former employee say, and it’s far more opaque. Employees frequently scrambled to chase down permits and local approvals to keep store openings on track, they said.

On scalpers:

Apple, too, had to contend with scalpers, known as “yellow cows” in colloquial Chinese. These scalpers swarmed its stores and elbowed out other customers during product launches and in-store promotions. …

Apple executives worried they were losing control of the customer experience in their stores, and along with it opportunities to interact with real consumers. The scalpers showed little interest in the accessories and add-on services Apple likes to offer customers.

Other factors, according to those interviewed, included low-level government officials asking for free iPhones and other products as a form of bribery, a tug-of-war between the Beijing and Shanghai local governments over taxes, and a vibrant gray market for iPhones smuggled from Hong Kong.

As a result of these difficulties, Apple is said to have “abruptly changed” its retail expansion plans in mainland China in 2017, resulting in the dramatic slowdown in grand openings. Apple’s latest store in China opened in the city of Suzhou on September 21, coinciding with iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max launch day.

Last quarter, Apple brought in revenue of $9.5 billion from the Greater China region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao. Greater China accounted for 17.9 percent of Apple’s revenue in the quarter, making it the company’s third largest market, behind the United States and Europe.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Related Roundup: Apple StoresTag: China
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Pencil 2 Rumored to Feature Gesture Support, New Charging Method and Minimalistic Design

The second-generation Apple Pencil that Apple is rumored to be working on will feature support for gestures, a new design, and a new charging method, according to leaker Benjamin Geskin.

Geskin, who sometimes provides accurate information on Apple’s plans sourced from Chinese social networks, says the upcoming Apple Pencil will feature a design that’s “more minimalistic” with no silver band at the top.

Apple Pencil 2018:

– Design is even more minimalistic, the silver rail on top is now gone.
– Tap and Swipe gestures along the pencil.
– Magnetically attachable to the new iPad.
– New charging method. pic.twitter.com/tS1ptCWgnh

— Ben Geskin (@VenyaGeskin1) October 29, 2018

It will attach magnetically to the side of the new iPad Pro models, and it is said to feature a new charging method, though there are no details on what that charging method might be. It’s possible the accessory will charge wirelessly when docked to the iPad Pro, with Apple eliminating the Lightning port.

Previous Apple Pencil 2 rumors have suggested the accessory will also feature a new pairing method, connecting to an iPad Pro device wirelessly much like AirPods rather than through a physical connection, which would be in line with the rumors of a new charging method.

Geskin also says that the new Apple Pencil will support tap and swipe gestures, a rumor supported by code in iOS 12.1 shared by 9to5Mac’s Guilherme Rambo over the weekend. The gestures are said to allow iPad Pro users to do things like change the size or color of a brush within a sketching app using the sides of the Apple Pencil.

We don’t have long to wait for full details on the second-generation Apple Pencil and the new iPad Pro models. Apple’s October 30 event takes place tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time or 7:00 a.m. Pacific Time, with Apple planning to live stream the event on its website and through the Events app on the Apple TV.

MacRumors will have live coverage of all of Apple’s announcements, both here on the site and on our MacRumorsLive Twitter account.

Related Roundup: iPad ProBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy)
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OnePlus 6T first impressions: All about trade-offs

Well, we’re here. After months of leaks, rumors, and statements, OnePlus has finally taken the veil off the OnePlus 6T. I’ve only been using the device since the evening of October 24, so I don’t feel comfortable delivering a complete OnePlus 6T review quite yet. That being said, I think a few days is more than enough time to deliver my first impressions, so here they all in all their glory. But first, let’s look at the essential details you should know.

OnePlus 6T: The facts

As soon as you hold the OnePlus 6T in your hand, you’ll notice it’s a bit thicker than the OnePlus 6, to make room for a bigger battery. OnePlus has also changed the curve of the phone to be more defined, and I was told this was done to make it fit in your palm better.

The battery is now 3,700mAh, which isn’t the most massive battery we’ve seen, but man, does it pack a punch. I got 7-8 hours of screen-on time on this device, topping off at 8 hours and 8 minutes with 5 percent battery remaining. This is probably the best battery life I’ve ever seen in an Android smartphone, proving that battery capacity doesn’t tell the whole story. OxygenOS is extremely lightweight as it is, which is likely why the battery life is so great.

Probably the best battery life I’ve ever seen in an Android smartphone

OnePlus has removed the rear-facing fingerprint reader on the 6T, switching to a new in-screen optical solution. This leaves the rear of the phone looking fairly clean overall, but I really didn’t mind the fingerprint reader in the first place – I loved it on the back of the OnePlus 6. You’ll find the dual camera lenses in the same position as before, seated atop the OnePlus emblem in the center of the device. The cameras are also less extruded than the OnePlus 6 due to the OnePlus 6T’s increased thickness. The back of the device uses the newer Gorilla Glass 6 from Corning.

Editor’s Pick

OnePlus 6T, Asus ROG Phone, and more – Every phone launching in October 2018

New phones get launched every month of the year, but it looks like the October 2018 smartphones are going to be something else. Not only are we seeing six major launches in the span of …

The cameras are 16 and 20MP f/1.7 sensors just like they were on the OnePlus 6, and image quality seems extremely similar. The main 16MP shooter has OIS and EIS. The big changes here are the new Nightscape Mode, as well as new studio lighting modes. The OnePlus 6T can also shoot 4K 60fps video and shoot 1080p at 240fps and 720p at 480fps.

The ports and buttons are seated in roughly the same positions as on the OnePlus 6. The power button on the side is now slightly more centered, and the headphone jack on the bottom has been replaced with a faux speaker grille to match the grille on the left side of the device. OnePlus says it has used the extra space from the missing headphone jack to increase the size of the resonance chamber.

OnePlus says it has used the extra space from the missing headphone jack to increase the size of the resonance chamber

The front of the device is where you’ll see the biggest difference. The notch from the OnePlus 6 has been shrunk to leave a smaller “teardrop” notch for the front-facing 16MP f/2 camera. The earpiece has been shifted up into the frame of the device in the form of a thin slit. The result is a larger 6.41-inch AMOLED display with an aspect ratio of 19.5.9 and a resolution of 2340 x 1080. The brightness has been increased compared to the OnePlus 6 for better viewing.

The biggest change in this display is the addition of a new in-screen fingerprint reader. OnePlus says this is the fastest reader in the industry, unlocking the phone in just 0.34 seconds. In my time with it, I found it to be quite a bit slower than that, taking considerably longer than the Huawei Mate 20 Pro to unlock the device. It isn’t slow by any means, but it is noticeably slower than Huawei’s solution.

On the software front, the OnePlus 6T comes with Android 9.0 Pie, with some updated navigation gestures that remind me a lot of the iPhone, and that’s not a bad thing. The company has also updated Gaming Mode to introduce floating notifications so you can see your notifications at a glance.

Smart Boost is a new software feature in the OnePlus 6T that stores app data in memory to improve cold boot times. OnePlus says this should increase app launch times by 5 to 20 percent, playing into the “Fast and Smooth” initiative OnePlus tries to implement into their devices.

The OnePlus 6T is running the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset as the OnePlus 6 and will be available in 6/128GB, 8/128GB, and 8/256GB RAM/storage variants for $549, $579, and $629 respectively. While the price of the base model has been increased by $20, you’re also getting twice as much storage space compared to the OnePlus 6. The other variants will cost the same as the OnePlus 6.

Smart Boost stores app data in memory to improve cold boot times by up to 20%

In quite a monumental move for the company, the OnePlus 6T will be sold at T-Mobile stores in the 8/128GB variant. Customers can pick up the device at the T-Mobile popup store in New York’s Times Square today at 6 PM, but otherwise, you’ll be able to order it November 1. The OnePlus 6T is also officially certified to work on Verizon Wireless, though you’ll need to buy it from OnePlus directly or pay off the device in full from T-Mobile.

My OnePlus 6T impressions

So those are the hard facts, but here’s how the OnePlus 6T actually feels in daily use.

I am not a huge fan of the added thickness and new shape of the device compared to the OnePlus 6. While it’s not extreme, it definitely gives the 6T a more rounded feel, which I usually associate with budget devices. That being said, the battery life is amazing. The OnePlus 6 didn’t have bad battery life at all, topping out at about six and a half hours, but the OnePlus 6T breaking eight hours is incredible to me.

I am not a huge fan of the added thickness and new shape of the device compared to the OnePlus 6

While I didn’t mind the notch on the OnePlus 6 due to its small size, the teardrop notch is definitely better when watching expanded media. Watching something like YouTube with only a small portion cut off is appreciated, though it wasn’t that bad on the OnePlus 6 either.

The software is incredible. OxygenOS is still my favorite Android skin of all time, bringing optimizations and additions that are actually useful, as opposed to pointless gimmicks. That being said, all the new software additions and optimizations from the OnePlus 6T will be ported to the OnePlus 6.

So the question is, should you switch?

Editor’s Pick

Pocophone F1 vs OnePlus 6: Can Pocophone steal the crown?

We’ve done plenty of versus features in the past, but this one feels like a real grudge match: The Pocophone F1 vs. the OnePlus 6.

This is such an epic showdown because in many ways Pocophone …

At effectively the same price as the OnePlus 6, I see the OnePlus 6T as a horizontal option for users. Personally, I don’t think the in-screen fingerprint reader, smaller notch and bigger battery are worth it over the flatter design and headphone jack found on the OnePlus 6. If you’re already a OnePlus 6 user, skip the 6T. You’ll get much more bang for your buck by waiting for the OnePlus 7 or even the OnePlus 7T.

If you don’t own a OnePlus 6 but you want to join the OnePlus family, the decision between the OnePlus 6 and 6T is a difficult trade-off. If you absolutely want a headphone jack and like flatter designs better, get the OnePlus 6. It is still one of my favorite Android phones of all time, and I love how it looks and feels in my hand.

I see the OnePlus 6T as a horizontal option for users

If you’re already a wireless headphones user and want a bigger battery and some cutting edge tech in the form of an in-screen fingerprint reader, the 6T could be for you. It’s still hard to beat OnePlus in the pricing category, even as the cost of its phones has gone up over time. You definitely won’t be disappointed by this device.

More OnePlus 6T coverage

• OnePlus 6T announced: Everything you need to know
• OnePlus 6T: Where to buy, when, and how much
• OnePlus 6T specs: Everything you wish the OnePlus 6 was (but the headphone jack)

What are your thoughts on the phone? Is this device worth it over the OnePlus 6? Let us know.

RED Hydrogen One review

Research Center:

RED Hydrogen One

Red says the Hydrogen One is a phone the world “can’t stop looking at.” Yet we’re ready to put it down.

Perhaps the hype inflated our expectations, but we’re disappointed by the “better than 3D” display the company touted for a better part of the year. The technology is impressive, there’s no doubt about that, but the result feels jarring. Worse, many of the phone’s core features won’t be available until the end of 2019. While it’s undeniably the most interesting phone we’ve reviewed this year, it’s also among the least practical.

Unique, loud, and cumbersome

No other phone looks like the Hydrogen One. Its unique and loud design often draws curious eyes. The back packs a massive dual-camera module at the top, with raised lines that lead into a flashy red logo, with gold pogo pins below. Kevlar panels lie here with a weave pattern for added protection and flair. Minimal it’s not, but it does resemble Red’s camera gear.

The edges of the phone are ridged for better grip. They don’t look pretty, but they do make this behemoth of a phone easier to hold. We like the lined texture, too, as it also helps with grip.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

There’s a camera shutter button on the right edge towards the bottom, an indented fingerprint sensor on the same side (which doubles as the power button), a USB-C charging port at the bottom, and a headphone jack at the top. The fingerprint sensor is quick to react and unlocks the phone quickly.

On the front, you’ll see an aesthetic similar to the Razer Phone 2. Chunky bezels at the top and bottom deliver A3D Spatial Surround Audio, which we’ll get into later. The top bezel also houses two cameras, with a LED light that flashes when notifications come through.

No other phone looks like the Hydrogen One.

There’s a little too much going on all around, and even people with large hands will find it cumbersome to use. We constantly had to shuffle it up and down just to be able to reach the top or bottom of the screen, and it’s heavy at 263 grams. Apple’s 6.5-inch iPhone XS Max weighs just 208 grams, while the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 weighs 201 grams.

The build quality, however, is excellent, as the phone feels like it can withstand its fair share of drops. The model we reviewed is made of aluminum, but a titanium version is also available (at $1,595) for an even heftier, more luxurious feel.

Mods are coming…next year

There’s a reason for the ridged lines and pogo pins on the back of the phone — the Red Hydrogen One is a modular phone. It’s not magnetic like Motorola’s Moto Mods, but mods will attach to the back of the phone in some way.

We say “will” because it’s currently a promised, not delivered, feature. Red hasn’t shown any finalized mods yet, but we know of three planned so far: A battery mod, an expandable storage mod, and a Cinema mod. The latter is the most interesting, as the company says it will have a Red imaging sensor, and you will be able to attach lenses from Nikon, Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, and a variety of other camera-makers to turn the phone into a proper DSLR.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

That sounds incredible. Just one problem. The earliest we expect to see the mod is a full year after the Hydrogen One’s release, in the fall of 2019. It also sounds like it’ll cost a pretty penny, on top of an already expensive phone. While we’re excited to see how it works, the long wait and high price are a serious issue. Most manufacturers will release an entirely new flagship smartphone by then, putting the Red Hydrogen One well behind the curve before you ever lay hands on the promised Cinema mod.

4-View display, A3D speakers

Two features excited us most when we received the Hydrogen One — the Cinema mod and the 4-View display. We won’t be able to test the former until the end of 2019, but the 4-View technology is built into the screen of the phone and available immediately.

4-view means the screen can display supported content in 3D, or as Red says, “better than 3D.” Red hasn’t allowed anyone to take a photograph or video of the screen all year because the company believes it’s something you need to see in person to understand. We agree. It’s difficult to describe the effect, and each person we’ve shown has had a visceral reaction. You should visit an AT&T or Verizon store showing off the Hydrogen One and look yourself, because it’s impossible to properly show in video or photographs.

At the end of the day, you’ll need a supported screen to see content in 4-View.

The Lightfield Display powering the technology is made in partnership with Leia Inc., and it doesn’t require glasses. 4-View’s 3D is much more convincing than Amazon’s Fire Phone, and slightly better than the Nintendo 3DS. Images don’t “pop out” of the screen like a hologram, but you can clearly see depth, which helps makes the subject of an image or video stand out. The effect isn’t perfect, though. It can look fuzzy, doesn’t look great at angles, and we often found ourselves with a minor headache after staring into the 4-View screen for more than few minutes.

What can you watch in 4-View? If you take 4-View photos and video in the camera app, you can look at them in the Red Player app. Red also created an app called Holopix, which is a bare bones Instagram-like app that (strangely) isn’t pre-installed. You’re able to share 4-View photos and videos there, but they can only be viewed on the Hydrogen One phone. The company said it’s in talks with Facebook and Instagram to support the 4-View file format, but at the end of the day, you’ll need a supported screen to see content in 4-View.

The Red Leia Loft app is a curated store that houses apps and games that support 4-View technology. There’s not a lot of content yet, with only a handful of games available. We played games like Flippy Knife in 4-View, and we hardly felt like the effect was being used. It didn’t add anything to the game or the experience.

There’s also the Hydrogen Network, which is basically Netflix for 4-View content. You’ll can stream movies and shows with the 3D effect on the phone. Warner Brothers Studios will be releasing several films on this network in 4-View format, like Ready Player One and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (these two films will be free for the first 10,000 people who buy the phone from AT&T). We haven’t had a chance to watch a full-length movie in 4-View (thankfully), as only a handful of stock clips are available at the moment.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The technology that makes 4-View possible is impressive, but it doesn’t feel like more than a gimmick. Some photos and videos (that we captured) looked great, but we weren’t awestruck by the screen. After months of waiting for the reveal, we were a little disappointed when we laid eyes on the Hydrogen One’s screen for the first time. It made us do a double-take because of its novelty, yes, but it wasn’t as revolutionary as was implied. It’s jarring, and we can’t imagine watching anything more than a minute or two long before putting the phone down.

Beyond 4-View, it’s a typical 5.7-inch display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440. It looks good in day-to-day use. It’s sharp, delivers strong colors, and we had no issues viewing the display outside in broad daylight, but it’s not going to beat an iPhone XS, Samsung Galaxy S9, or other flagship phones from major brands.

Sound is provided by stereo speakers that include A3D+ Sound from Red. The company says it’s an algorithm that “frees the stereo files,” making them sound “spatial, immersive,” with or without headphones. We thought audio had great volume with good highs, but it also sounded muffled. We compared it with the Razer Phone 2, and much preferred the latter.

Somewhat sluggish performance, stock Android software

The Red Hydrogen One is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chipset — a processor from 2017. Most 2018 flagship smartphones use the Snapdragon 845 chipset, but Red says the 845 wasn’t before the company had to finalize its hardware. There’s 6GB of RAM, as well.

Don’t expect this phone to speed through every task.

Performance is acceptable, but the 835 sometimes shows its age. We often had to deal with apps that opened a little slowly, stuttering, and overall sluggishness operating the user interface. That may be partly because the device was a prototype unit with software that’s being tuned (we received an update during our testing), but don’t expect this phone to speed through every single task. It will get the job done, but it might struggle a little in the process.

Here are our benchmark results:

• AnTuTu 3DBench: 178,026
• Geekbench 4 CPU: 1,877 single-core; 6,039 multi-core
• 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 2,099 (Vulkan)

These scores put the Red Hydrogen One in line with 2017 phones that had the same processor. We’ll continue testing to see if an update improves performance.

Considering this phone is sold by AT&T, expect a lot of carrier bloatware, most of which can be removed. Otherwise, the phone runs a relatively stock version of Android 8.1 Oreo. There’s no word on Android 9 Pie yet. There’s a bit of customization available that’s quite similar to what you’ll find in third-party app Nova Launcher.

There’s 128GB of internal storage, as well as a MicroSD card slot, in case you want to add more space. The titanium model comes with 256GB of storage.

A decent but average camera

The Hydrogen One has four cameras in total, two on the front, and two on the back. You can take 4-View photos and videos with both the front and back cameras. There’s a button in the camera app that lets you go into “4V” mode to capture them, or you can stick to 2D. Unfortunately, there’s nowhere to share these pictures except for the Holopix app which, as mentioned, only works with this phone. We can’t show these photos to you, and you would need a screen that supports this technology off to see it anyway. If you send a 4-View photo through some other medium, they will receive the 2D version of it.

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Note: Images are converted from 4-View

4-View photography is best with an isolated subject or object, as it helps make the image pop a lot more. The photos can look pixelated, as if you’re looking at them through a virtual reality headset. They’re fun to capture and share when you’re with a group of people that can see the results at the same time, but it’s not a feature we were inspired to use every day. We’d rather take great 2D photos. One downside with 4-View is the images tend to look not as good when they are converted to 2D.

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The 2D photos captured by this phone are good, but nothing special. There’s solid HDR (when it decides to kick in), and photos can look detailed with good colors. Low-light photos can be blurry and grainy, though if you’re perfectly still you might snag a shot that looks good.

We’re not fans of the Portrait Mode with the rear cameras, as the images looked washed out and lacking in detail. However, the front-facing cameras took great Portrait Mode photos in good lighting; in low light, a lot of grain ruins an otherwise good picture.  A Pro Mode is available, but it’s basic. Red said a more robust version is in the works.

In the end, the camera isn’t a strong point. It usually takes solid photos and works quickly, but we expected more from a camera company. It’s not as precise, detailed, or fun as the cameras on the Google Pixel 3, the iPhone XR/XS, and the Huawei Mate 20 Pro.

Great battery life

The Hydrogen One’s best feature is its battery life, which comes courtesy of a massive 4,500mAh battery packed inside. With medium to heavy use, including taking pictures and video, playing 4-View games, and streaming music and video, we frequently ended the work day with a little under 50 percent left by 6 p.m.

You don’t need to worry about battery life on this phone — it can easily go two days.

With light usage, we managed to end a day with around 70 percent left by 5 p.m. You don’t need to worry about battery life on this phone — it can easily go two days. Most flagship smartphones last one day at most, so Red is the clear winner here.

Price, availability, and warranty information

The Red Hydrogen One starts at $1,295 for the aluminum model, and $1,595 for the titanium. It’s available from AT&T starting November 2 for $43.17 a month for 30 months on AT&T Next. It will also be sold through Verizon.

Red offers a standard one-year limited warranty that covers manufacturer defects.

RED Hydrogen One Compared To

Razer Phone 2

Motorola Moto G6

Essential Phone (PH-1)

Asus Zenfone AR

LG G6

Huawei Honor 8 Pro

HTC U Ultra

ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe Special…

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

LG V20

Samsung Galaxy Note 5

Huawei Nexus 6P

LG V10

Motorola Moto X Style Pure Edition

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Our Take

The Red Hydrogen One is the most interesting phone of the year, but also the most disappointing. Red CEO Jim Jannard said people will want to buy the phone when they see the screen. We must disagree. This is clearly the first effort of a company that lacks smartphone experience. We’re excited to see how Red progresses, however, and can’t wait to take a look at the Cinema Mod when it arrives next year.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes, plenty. If you’re looking for an excellent all-around phone, the iPhone XS is an easy choice. It’s our top pick and it will still be less expensive than the Hydrogen One. The Pixel 3 is our Android favorite, and it has one of the best cameras around. Check our best smartphones guide for more.

How long will it last?

This phone should last you three years. It’s running a year-old processor already, and it’s on last year’s Android software. We’re not sure when or if it will be updated to Android 9 Pie. The body of the phone will likely be able to survive a drop, which is good, because you won’t want to add a case to this massive, thick phone. There’s no water resistance, however, so be careful near the pool.

Should you buy it?

No. There’s a lot you need to wait for, such as the Cinema Mod coming next year, which may elevate the Hydrogen One and make it truly special. Until then, this is an interesting phone that’s worth keeping an eye on, but not buying.

Alienware to offer Threadripper 2 CPUs in new Area-51 builds

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Dell is expanding its offering of AMD hardware inside its flagship Area-51 gaming system to include more first- and second-generation Threadripper CPUs. The new Alienware Area-51 R7 Threadripper Edition systems will come fitted with an option of three top-of-the-line AMD CPUs with up to 16 cores, liquid cooling, and options for the latest and greatest graphics from both AMD and Nvidia.

Alienware’s Area-51 systems have been impressing us for years. They might be expensive, but they offer the most powerful contemporary hardware in a unique and understated chassis design. The new R7 Threadripper Edition systems will be no different. When they go on sale on November 8, prospective customers will have a choice of the 16-core Threadripper 2950X, the 12-core 2920X, or the first-generation, eight-core 1900X. Each will be fitted to an Alienware ATX X399 motherboard in its second-generation Triad case.

Although Alienware is promoting the system to gamers, its marketing does acknowledge that Threadripper excels when it comes to multitasking and high-level professional tasks. Pure, high-end gamers might like to opt for an Intel Core i9-9900K instead, but for those who want to work and play, Threadripper chips are a great choice too.

Each processor will be fully water-cooled for quiet operation and enhanced overclocking potential and paired up with whatever graphics card the user requires. Options start as low as a GTX 1050 Ti and go through the entire Pascal range up to a 1080 Ti. There’s also options for liquid cooled variants and a choice of RTX Turing cards, including the 2070, 2080, and 2080 Ti. On the AMD side of the aisle, there are options for RX 570 and 580 GPUs, as well as an RX Vega 64. There are also options for two and even three-card SLi/Xfire configurations.

Memory options include everything from a single 8GB stick of 2,666MHz DDR4, all the way up to 64GB of quad Channel HyperX memory at up to 2,933MHz. Storage options include single 2TB hard drives, or a combination of that and up to 2TB of M.2 NVMe PCI Express storage. Every configuration will support Dell’s Alienware Command Center software which gives full control over the system’s RGB lighting, thermal management software, and fan controls. It also adjusts the system clocks and power usage on a per-application basis, spooling up everything should it be needed for certain games or programs.

The Threadripper Edition Area-51 R7 build will go on sale November 8 at a starting price of $2,200.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs are coming to Alienware and Predator gaming desktops
• The best gaming desktops of 2018
• Nvidia vs. AMD
• Dell’s XPS Tower, Alienware Aurora desktops get Intel 8-core 9th-gen processor
• Acer brings Intel’s 8-core, 9th-gen processor to its Predator Orion desktops

Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti graphics cards are dying on a lot of users

Riley Young/Digital Trends

Concerns are mounting over the failure rate of Nvidia’s RTX 2080 Ti graphics card, with increasing numbers of reports of dead and dying cards from early adopters. Some display issues involving artifacting and instability immediately after being installed, whilst others begin to show signs of degradation after a few days, despite a lack of manual overclocking or voltage manipulation.

Nvidia’s recently released RTX Turing graphics cards are the most powerful consumer GPUs ever made and support exciting new gaming visual features like deep learning supersampling (DLSS) and ray tracing. That said, the performance enhancement over the last generation isn’t as dramatic as first hoped and inflated pricing left some concerned about the real audience for such cards. Mere weeks after they became widely available, quality assurance concerns now join those earlier issues.

Threads have been cropping up on Nvidia’s forum about dead and dying RTX 2080 Ti cards for weeks now, with almost every thread over several pages with hundreds of comments highlighting crashes, black screens, blue screen of death issues, artifacts, and cards that fail to work entirely. There are some reports of issues with the 2080, too, but the majority are referencing problematic 2080 Ti cards.

Reddit threads with a similar theme have been appearing as well, detailing the RMA process that many users are now going through. Worse still, some users who have been issued a replacement card by Nvidia have then been forced to return that one, too, suggesting that in some cases at least, the problem users are facing is not solved by simply giving them a new graphics card. That could hint at some sort of architectural defect.

The problems appear to be affecting those with Founders Edition versions of the 2080 Ti the most, though some users with third-party cards from Gigabyte and Asus have also reported failures and problems with their new GPUs.

It is worth noting that failure numbers may be skewed by the fact that people who aren’t facing problems are unlikely to report back with similar zeal. However, the similar issues that appear to be arising for such large numbers of 2080 Ti owners is cause for concern.

Digital Trends has reached out to Nvidia for comment on this story and we will update this post as and when we hear back.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Nvidia RTX 2080 reviews may not drop until September 19
• Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs: Everything you need to know
• Gaming laptops with Nvidia’s flagship RTX cards could arrive by CES 2019
• Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 vs. RTX 2080 Ti
• We tested Nvidia’s RTX 2080 and 2080 Ti. Are they a worthy upgrade?