How many? The Samsung Galaxy A9 has 4 camera lenses in the back

Count them: One, two, three, four. That’s the number of camera lenses on the back of the Samsung Galaxy A9 2018, and the company is calling it a world-first. We’ve seen phones with more camera lenses, but this is the first with four on the back. Overkill? No, it’s part of Samsung’s masterplan to make the A series phones more desirable, and it’s targeting Instagram fans with the versatile Galaxy A9 2018.

What features do those camera lenses provide? The 24-megapixel main lens is joined by a 5-megapixel depth-sensing camera lens, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens, and a new 8-megapixel, 120-degree ultra-wide lens. The main cam has an f/1.7 aperture for lowlight shots. Think about this. Almost regardless of the scene you want to capture, the Galaxy A9 2018 has you covered. Even selfies will turn out well with the 24-megapixel, f/2.0 camera above the screen.

Although Samsung A series phones aren’t as high-spec as the Galaxy S series, the A9 2018 has a curved body made of glass and metal, and the 2220 x 1080 pixel, 6.3-inch screen is one of Samsung’s Super AMOLED panels, so the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system will look almost identical to that on the more expensive phones. Add Samsung Pay and Bluetooth 5.0, and it’s a strong package.

Where the Galaxy A9 2018 differs from the S9 and Note 9 is the processor. It’s a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 inside, with 6GB of RAM, plus 128GB of internal storage space. There’s also a MicroSD card slot to add up to 512GB of additional storage. The 3,800mAh battery is larger than that in the Galaxy S9 and can be fast charged, but there’s no wireless charging. This is unfortunate, as we were expecting new mid-range Samsung phones to come with it.

The quad-lens camera is the Galaxy A9 2018’s standout feature, but the colors Samsung has chosen for the phone are also really exciting. The caviar black model looks good, but we love the bubblegum pink and the lemonade blue versions more. Both look superb, and shimmer and change when they catch the light. The Galaxy A9 is light at 183 grams, and at only 7.8mm thick, it’s great in the hand.

How much does the phone cost? It’s 550 British pounds, which converts over to $725, so this is far from a budget device. However, the features are closer to Samsung’s high-spec phones than the cheaper J series devices it also sells. The Galaxy A9 2018 will be available in the U.K. from November through Samsung’s own website and various networks. No U.S. release has been announced yet.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The Huawei P20: Here’s everything you need to know
• Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus: Here’s everything you need to know
• Too close to call: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus vs LG G7 ThinQ camera shootout
• Samsung looks to Huawei for inspiration, and the new Galaxy A7 is born
• LG V40 ThinQ Review

Samsung Galaxy A9 goes official with four rear cameras

The Galaxy A9 is the first phone in the world to feature four cameras at the back.

Samsung unveiled the Galaxy A7 three weeks ago, with the phone becoming the first from the South Korean manufacturer to feature three cameras at the back.

The company is aiming to do one better with the Galaxy A9, the world’s first quad camera phone. There’s a primary 24MP f/1.7 module joined by an 8MP wide-angle sensor with a 120-degree field of view, a 10MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 5MP depth shooter that facilitates Live Focus.

There’s also a 24MP camera at the front. On the hardware side of things, the Galaxy A9 features a 6.38-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 660 chipset, up to 8GB of RAM, 128GB storage, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, an LTE Category 9 modem, and a 3800mAh battery.

There’s also a dual SIM slot with a dedicated MicroSD slot, and you get Samsung Pay as well as Bixby. Coming to the software, the Galaxy A9 offers Android 8.0 Oreo, and knowing Samsung, the Pie update isn’t likely to roll out until 2019.

The Galaxy A9 will be available in three color options — Caviar Black, Lemonade Blue, and Bubblegum Pink — with sales set to kick off in select global markets from November.

The quad camera definitely looks interesting, but we’ll have to wait and see how useful it is in real-world usage conditions. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the Galaxy A9?

Should you upgrade your Pixel XL to the Pixel 3 XL?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. With years of experience testing hundreds of Android phones, we’re here to help you make an informed decision when considering an upgrade.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Latest and greatest

$899 at Google Store

Pros

• Stunning cameras.
• Fantastic OLED display.
• Wireless charging.
• Stereo speakers.

Cons

• Sizeable notch.
• No headphone jack.

The Pixel 3 XL is Google’s best phone to date. With a huge 6.3-inch screen backed by stereo speakers, the phone offers considerable upgrades from the first-gen Pixel. But where the Pixel 3 XL truly shines is in the camera department — simply put, it has the best cameras you’ll find on a phone today.

Google Pixel XL

Outdated by comparison

$399 at Amazon

Pros

• Great camera.
• 3.5mm jack.

Cons

• Huge bezels.
• No waterproofing.
• No wireless charging.

The Pixel XL is now starting to show its age, particularly when it comes to the design side of things. The 16:9 display looks ancient in 2018, and although the Pixel 3 XL sports a notch, it offers a significantly larger screen in a chassis that isn’t all that bigger than the Pixel XL.

The Pixel line always stood out for its great cameras, and with the Pixel 3 XL, Google is introducing a slate of new features that allow the phone to stand out. Chief among them is the upgrades to the camera, and the switch to the 19:9 form factor means you get a larger screen in roughly the same size.

Reasons to upgrade to the Pixel 3 XL

The Pixel 3 XL is Google’s best showing yet in the smartphone segment. The phone has Gorilla Glass 5-backed glass at the front and back, but the back has an etched texture that’s designed to mimic a matte metallic finish.

It feels like the phone is made out of polycarbonate when you first pick it up, and the unique texture allows the Pixel 3 XL to stand out in a sea of glass-backed devices. The metallic chassis of the Pixel XL is much more durable, but the Pixel 3 XL definitely looks more premium.

With Google switching to an 18.5:9 form factor, the Pixel 3 XL offers a 6.3-inch display in a chassis that’s not noticeably larger than that of the Pixel XL. The downside is that the phone has an ungainly notch; even by Android standards, the display cutout on the Pixel 3 XL is hideous. That’s the tradeoff for the dual front cameras and stereo sound.

If you’re rocking the Pixel XL, it’s time for an upgrade.

The Pixel 3 XL is leagues ahead of the first-gen Pixel when it comes to the camera side of things. Google crammed a ton of camera features on the phone, including a Night Sight feature that lets you capture drastically better photos in low-light conditions, and you can interact with more AR-themed effects.

Some of the new camera features will be making their way to the Pixel XL, but the 3 XL has an upper hand thanks to the dedicated Pixel Visual Core chip. And while there isn’t a headphone jack, Google is including a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3 XL.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Latest and greatest

$899 at Google Store

A true flagship with the best cameras on Android today.

The Pixel 3 XL features an OLED panel that is easily the best Google put on a phone to date. You also get the latest software features, wireless charging, and a chassis that’s resistant to the elements. Combine that with the best cameras on a phone today and you get quite a potent package.

Google Pixel XL

Outdated by comparison

$399 at Amazon

The two-year-old Pixel XL is showing its age.

The Pixel XL is still a great device in its own right, but the 16:9 display looks dated in 2018, and you’re getting vastly superior cameras with the Pixel 3 XL. Now is the time to upgrade to Google’s latest.

The best cases for the Galaxy Note 8

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 may be “old news”, but it’s still a great phone and you might have picked one on discount in lieu of getting the latest Note 9. We’ve broken things down by the manufacturer and offered direct links to some of our favorite styles, such as the Samsung LED Wallet Cover case and the always great Spigen Rugged Armor. But ultimately the choice is yours, and there are a ton of cases to choose from. Here are your best options!

Samsung’s most stylish

Samsung LED Wallet Cover case

This brilliantly-designed case blends screen protection with functionality, allowing you to see the current time and view notifications via LEDs without exposing the screen — all you do is press the power button and presto! This case also features an interior pocket for storing your cash or cards, which can help you cut down on your pocket carry.

$33 at Amazon

Feels real good

Samsung Alcantara case

Alcantara is a fashionable material that’s been popping up more and more in smartphone cases, with Samsung really leading the charge. This is a sleek and minimalist case with a finish unlike any other case you’ve used.

$11 at Amazon

Best Protection

OtterBox Commuter case

When it comes to the best cases, many people instantly think of OtterBox. It has built a solid reputation of making great cases backed by outstanding customer service. We’ll recommend the Commuter Series case since it’s a great combination of the rugged protection that OtterBox is known for and a slimmer design so it’s easier to slip into a pocket or purse.

$20 at Amazon

Best for Grip

Speck Presido Grip

Speck cases offer cases that stylish-yet-functional design options for those who want to add a bit of glitz and glamor to their phone. Consider the Speck Presido Grip, a case that’s designed to prevent phone drops by giving you a case with a stylish and grippy exterior.

$11 at Amazon

Fan Favorite

Ringke Coastal Blue

Ringke’s Coastal Blue case is a stylish two-piece case that combines a soft TPU layer with a hard PC shell that’s designed brilliantly. The exposed TPU on the back features waves that will feel great in your hands.

$11 at Amazon

Thin thin thin

Spigen Thin Fit 360 with Screen Protector

For those who only need an ultra-thin case to protect from scratches and scuffs, the Spigen Thin Fit 360 is a good option that also comes with one of Spigen’s tempered glass screen protector so you get all-round protection for your Note 8. This case is available in three color styles and starts at just $18 for the standard black model.

$18 at Amazon

Rugged and sleek

Spigen Rugged Armor case

This sleek, one-piece case is designed to be rugged with carbon fiber accents that looks really nice on taller devices like the Note 8. It’s made of flexible, shock-absorbing TPU material so it’s easy to install and features a matte finish for a great look and feel. It’s a really slim case, too, so you won’t be adding a ton of bulk in exchange for a case that will provide rugged protection.

$11 at Amazon

Most Stylish

Incipio Carnaby Esquire Series case

The Carnaby Esquire Series case features a fabric finish that’s available in gray or blue starting at $30. Each case features a TPU frame that helps disperse the shock from drops and the button covers and port cutouts are precise. It’s an elegant solution to keeping your Note 8 protected and available in three color options on Amazon.

$30 at Amazon

Keep it Simple

RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper case

RhinoShield has developed a bumper case that offers truly rugged protection where your phone needs it most — in the corners, around the edges, and lips that come up around the front and back panels of glass. If you love being able to show off your brilliant new phone but also want to keep it protected from drop damage, you really can’t beat the RhinoShield CrashGuard.

$25 at Amazon

Strong and Light

UAG Monarch

The UAG Monarch for the Note 8 is a great option, featuring a really grippy back panel that feels great in you hand. There’s a soft rubber screen lip around the display and skid pads on the back, so your phone won’t be prone to slip and slide off any surfaces. These are also slim enough to not impede Samsung or Android Pay functionality and also allow you to wirelessly charge your phone without removing the case.

$30 at Amazon

Minimalist

Seidio Surface Case w/ Holster

Thin cases don’t need to be so bland and featureless. The Seidio Surface case is about as thin and slim a case as you’ll find, providing great scratch resistance around the back, a nice protective lip around the screen, and a pop-out kickstand on the back. It’s a dual layer case, too, so you should get ample coverage for drops, too.

$13 at Amazon

Dual-layer protection

Caseology Parallax Series

This case is designed around a TPU sleeve and a rigid polycarbonate frame which work together to offer superb protection. And that pattern on the back isn’t just for looks, the little grooves and ridges also help with grip for your fingertips. Get yours today, available in four unique colors.

$14 at Amazon

Deciding on one case can be hard, but with the cheap prices available here you might be best inclined to pick up a couple and swap between them! Choosing a case can be hard, but if you want maximum protection you’ll want a UAG Monarch or Otterbox Commuter. If you maintaining the look and hand-feel of your phone is most imporanat, then the RhinoShield CrashGuard Bumper is the right pick for you.

What do you actually get with an Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition?

Best answer: The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is quite the little bundle: an Amazon Echo Dot (2nd gen), a kid-friendly case in one of three bright colors, a power adapter and cable, a 2-year worry-free warranty, and a 1-year subscription to FreeTime Unlimited.

Amazon: Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition ($70)

What’s in the box?

The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition may not seem like a bundle, but indeed it is. This $70 bundle comes with quite a bit inside, although the biggest of its benefits are intangible:

• An Amazon Echo Dot (2nd gen).
• Kid-friendly protective case (available in red, blue, and green).
• MicroUSB power cable.
• 9W USB power adapter.
• Quick Start Guide.
• 2-year “worry-free” warranty.
• 1-year subscription to Amazon’s family-friendly FreeTime Unlimited.

When dealing with technology and kids, it’s accepted that accidents do happen, and Amazon knows this. That’s why while the normal Amazon Echo Dot only comes with a 90-day limited warranty, the Kids Edition comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee that will replace it if your kids get too rough with it — no questions asked.

When dealing with technology and kids, it’s accepted that accidents do happen, and Amazon knows this.

That said, the hardware is only half the story here. The Echo Dot Kids Edition’s biggest features — the bulk of the parental controls, the filtering of inappropriate content, the hours upon hours of audiobooks and family-friendly music — all of those are not a part of the Echo Dot Kids Edition itself. Those are features of FreeTime Unlimited, the subscription you’re going to want as long as you let your kids use an Amazon Echo.

FreeTime Unlimited: what sets the Kids Edition apart

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is a one-stop shop for family content and parental controls for every device in your house. Here are some of the FreeTime Unlimited features that the Echo Dot Kids Edition relies upon:

• Ad-free radio station and playlists for kids by Radio Disney, Nick Radio, and Amazon.
• Hundreds of Audible audiobooks, including Disney stories and classic fairytales.
• Premium Alexa skills and games from Disney and Nickelodeon, including alarms with popular kids characters.
• Parent Dashboard to review activity, pause Alexa, set time limits and bedtimes, filter age-inappropriate content from sources like Amazon Music and Spotify.
• Voice Shopping disabled by default, to avoid your little ones ordering snacks every time they get hungry.
• Help shape kids’ manners by rewarding them when they ask nicely and say ‘please’ when asking questions.

FreeTime Unlimited also comes with e-books, movies, TV shows, and age-appropriate games on Android, iOS, Kindle, and Fire tablets, but all of that content isn’t free. While the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition comes with a 1-year subscription of FreeTime Unlimited, once that year is up, the service will run Prime members $3/month for its “Single Child” plan and $7/month for a “Family” plan, which has room for up to four children. One year of the FreeTime Unlimited Family plan is $84, which makes an Echo Dot Kids Edition essentially free if our family uses the service regularly.

Family fun

Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition

$70 at Amazon

Endless entertainment

This bright little hockey puck of a speaker is ready to meet your family and answer all those curious questions your kids have about life and animals and the universe. FreeTime Unlimited’s robust parental controls and quality content ensure your kids can enjoy Alexa safely.

Samsung Galaxy A9 is eerste Galaxy met achterop 4 camera’s

De tijd waarin twee camera’s achterop voldoende was ligt officieel achter ons. Samsung heeft zojuist de Galaxy A9 aangekondigd met achterop 4 camera’s. Opvallend want meestal brengt Samsung dit soort primeurtjes eerst uit naar de Galaxy S-vlaggenschepen. Ook die tijd ligt blijkbaar achter ons.

De Samsung Galaxy A9 is het grootste model uit de A-serie en is de eerste Galaxy-smartphone van Samsung met achterop het indrukwekkende aantal van 4 camera’s. Volgens Samsung is het zelfs de eerste telefoon met een dergelijke Quad Camera. Om te zorgen dat ook de rest van het toestel nog wat aandacht krijgt zit hij vol functies.

De Galaxy A9 in Bubblegum Pink

In essentie verschilt de A9 niet zoveel met de onlangs aangekondigde A7 (2018) behalve dan de extra camera achterop en het iets grotere scherm van 6,3 inch. De Quad Camera is goed voor een aantal zaken waaronder 2x optische zoom om beelden dichterbij te halen. Een extra brede groothoeklens met AI Scene Recognition herkent razendsnel de beste instellingen voor de beste foto. De Depth Lens voegt scherpte/diepte aan je foto toe wat je handmatig nog kunt aanpassen. En de 24 megapixel hoofdcamera schiet levendige en altijd belichte foto’s met z’n lichtsterke f/1.7 prime lens. Volgens Samsung heb je hiermee genoeg lenzen en mogelijkheden tot je beschikking om voor vrijwel iedere situatie de perfecte foto te schieten.

Ontvang een e-mail wanneer de Galaxy A9 2018 verkrijgbaar is

E-mail

Samsung Galaxy A9 in de winkel

Om te zorgen dat je dit de hele dag door kunt doen is er een opvallend grote 3800 mAh batterij geplaatst. De standaarduitvoering komt met 6 GB aan werkgeheugen wat ruim genoeg is om snel van apps te kunnen wisselen zonder te wachten. Samsung levert de A9 standaard met het verouderde Android 8.0 Oreo zonder iets te noemen over mogelijke updates. Dat blijft een dingetje bij Samsung. Verwacht de Galaxy A9 vanaf november in de winkel voor een adviesprijs van €599. Beschikbare kleuren zijn Caviar Black, Lemonade Blue en Bubblegum Pink. De blauwe en roze uitvoering hebben een fraaie kleurovergang die we eerder bij Huawei zagen. Alle genoemde modellen komen met 128 GB aan opslaggeheugen maar is uit te breiden met nog eens 512 GB via een los verkrijgbare geheugenkaart.

HMD Global maakt 6 inch grote Nokia 3.1 Plus officieel

Het Finse HMD Global heeft zojuist in India de Nokia 3.1 Plus aangekondigd. Een 6 inch groot toestel met dubbele camera voor een scherpe prijs. Tenminste als je hem in Roepie wilt afrekenen want een Europese release is nog niet aangekondigd.

Het aantal Nokia’s dat momenteel de markt bereikt gaat in rap tempo. De teller staat voor dit jaar al op 8 en als deze Nokia 3.1 Plus ook hier wordt uitgebracht verhogen we dat aantal graag naar 9. Voorlopig lijkt het toestel alleen bestemd voor India. Zij krijgen daar vanaf oktober de beschikking over een 6 inch grote Android-telefoon met HD+ resolutie, 2 dagen aan batterijduur, dubbele camera en laag prijskaartje vanaf € 159.

De in India aangekondigde Nokia 3.1 Plus

Zoals gebruikelijk draait de Nokia 3.1 Plus het kale Android One. Hiermee ben je gegarandeerd van jarenlange updates waaronder maandelijkse beveiligingsupdates. HMD Global is groot voorstander van het Android One-programma en brengt vrijwel uitsluitend haar toestellen hieronder uit. Dat is een groot voordeel voor consumenten die zich geen zorgen hoeven te maken over toekomstige updates en ondersteuning. De 3.1 Plus komt uit in de kleuren blauw, wit en ‘Baltic’ en in varianten met 2 GB aan RAM en 16 GB aan opslag of 3 GB aan RAM en 64 GB aan opslag. De eerste kost 159 euro, de tweede variant moet 179 euro kosten. Geen gek bedrag voor een toestel met 13 + 5 megapixel camera en groots 18:9-scherm. Nu alleen nog even hier uitbrengen.

Apple Acquires iPhone Power Management Technology in $600 Million Deal With Chipmaker Dialog

Apple has finalized a business agreement with Dialog Semiconductor to license its iPhone power management technology and transfer technical assets, in a deal worth $600 million.

As part of the agreement, Apple will acquire some of the Anglo-German chipmaker’s assets and 300 of its R&D staff, which is around 16 percent of Dialog’s workforce. Dialog’s shares rose as much as 34 percent on the news, their highest since 2002.

Announcing the deal on Thursday, Dialog said Apple would pay it $300 million in cash for the transaction and prepay a further $300 million for products to be delivered to Apple over the next three years. Commenting on the news, Apple SVP Johny Srouji told TechCrunch:

Dialog has deep expertise in chip development, and we are thrilled to have this talented group of engineers who’ve long supported our products now working directly for Apple. Our relationship with Dialog goes all the way back to the early iPhones, and we look forward to continuing this long-standing relationship with them.

Dialog shares took a tumble in late 2017 when the company admitted that Apple, its top customer, could build its own power management chips for future iPhones without the chipmaker’s help.

The admission came as a serious blow to Dialog, which exclusively designs the current main power management chip for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch models. Apple reportedly accounted for nearly three quarters of Dialog Semiconductor’s revenue in 2016.

However, today’s agreement gives Dialog time to reduce its dependence on Apple, which the chipmaker predicts will account for three-quarters of its sales over the course of this year.

Dialog CEO Jalal Bagherli told Reuters the chipmaker could now look forward to a “managed, smooth” transformation of the business as it seeks new opportunities for growth in other markets that could include home speakers, fitness trackers or smart watches.

The deal represents a huge investment for Apple, which will take over Dialog facilities in Italy, Germany, and the U.K., expanding its chip research and development significantly across Europe. Subject to regulatory approval, the deal is expected to close in the first half of 2019.

Tag: Dialog
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Razer Phone 2 hands-on review

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Razer Phone 2

What makes a “gaming” phone? It needs the power to play the latest mobile games with ease, with enough battery capacity and cooling to keep the fun going. Throw in a great screen, spectacular sound, simple-to-use software, and you have a winner, right? Almost. That was the Razer Phone. It fell short of being great because of its mediocre camera performance, especially when compared to the competition in its $700 price range.

A good camera and features like IP67 water resistance aren’t optional anymore. After all, this is still a phone – it needs to play games in addition to everyday tasks like snapping photos at a birthday party, not instead of them. Razer now understands all of this, and the company is trying to get the message out that its new Razer Phone 2 is not just a gaming phone, but a flagship as well. From the brief time we’ve spent with it, that claim holds up.

Glass, glass, glass

What do most flagship phones in 2018 have in common? Glass backs. It’s why even budget phones have glass on the back; it feels premium, even if it doesn’t offer any utility. But glass on most high-end phones does have purpose: The convenience of wireless charging, which doesn’t work with a metal back.

That’s precisely what Razer has done with the Razer Phone 2. You can place the phone on a Qi wireless charging pad to juice it up, which certainly is convenient, and Razer is selling a 15-watt wireless charging stand as a separate accessory (for $100). Glass does take points away for durability, though.

The original Razer Phone felt like a tank; you could drop it and there’d hardly be a dent on the back. Now, you’ll want to slap on a case to protect the beautiful Gorilla Glass 5 exterior. Without a doubt, the glass back  immediately delivers a more sophisticated look for the Razer Phone 2, and the darker black color helps make the Razer logo pop.

The Razer logo is no green or grey, but a RGB LED. With the pre-installed Chroma app, you can alter the color to whatever you want, and choose a pattern like “breathing” for a pulsating effect.

Razer has managed to make the screen 50 percent brighter, and the difference is stunning.

It can even change color based on incoming notifications: an incoming Gmail will turn the logo red, for instance. The Razer Wireless Charger has built-in LEDs that pull the same trick, which is a handy way to silently alert you to a notification when you’re across the room. You can’t customize the notification colors on either the phone or the wireless charger, sadly.

The dual-camera module on the back is now centered above the Razer logo, with a flash in between both cameras. That’s about it in terms of flourishes, except for all the fingerprints you’ll leave behind thanks to the glass.

Better display and sound, water resistant

From the front, the Razer Phone 2 looks exactly the same as its predecessor. The speaker grills flanking the display are just as massive, and the screen has the same 5.7-inch size. The power button on the right doubles as a fingerprint sensor — it’s still hidden in the aluminum frame — and the volume rocker is comprised of two circular buttons on the left edge.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The 5.7-inch LCD IGZO screen supports HDR10 content, and the stereo speakers have Dolby Atmos certification — this is a phone meant to entertain. The screen looks sharp with its 2,560 x 1,440 resolution, but we’re more excited to see the 120Hz refresh rate making a return. More frames per second means fast-paced games will look smoother, but even Instagram, Twitter, and the Android operating system feel more fluid and responsive.

The screen is colorful, but blacks don’t look as deep as an OLED screen would offer. That being said, Razer has managed to make the screen 50 percent brighter, and the difference is stunning. When watching a scene from Black Panther on Netflix side-by-side next to the original Razer Phone, we found sharper details and punchier colors on the Razer Phone 2, but most of all it was so much easier to see darker scenes because the screen is brighter overall. It’s excellent.

You can juice the 4,000 mAh battery up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes.

The speakers may look the same, but Razer said there’s now a much larger speaker box for improved sound output and bass response. It was easy to pick out stereo sound traveling from one end of the screen to the other, especially in a car chase scene in Black Panther. It helps you feel more immersed in the film, and it’s easily room-filling sound.

One of the biggest hurdles with the Razer Phone 2 was finding a way to make the phone IP67 water resistant without sacrificing the speaker grills on the front, but the company succeeded. You can take this phone underwater up to a meter for 30 minutes, and it’ll perform without a problem afterwards.

There’s no headphone jack, but Razer includes a THX-certified 24-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) in the box, which you can use with wired 3.5mm headphones. The company is also releasing a pair of USB Type-C earbuds with active noise canceling, but they’re sold separately.

Powerful gaming performance, big battery

The Razer Phone 2, like many other Android flagships, is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, but it packs a massive 8GB of RAM. Whether that much RAM is necessary is debatable, but we played a few games on the phone and didn’t run into any performance problems in our brief testing.

You should be able to play games on the Razer Phone 2 for an even longer period of time thanks to a new Vapor Chamber cooling system, which is a paper-thin sheet that sits in the middle of the phone, with vapor inside, that helps spread heat across the entire surface of the phone. Razer claims you should hardly expect to see any kind of performance throttling when gaming or doing graphics-intensive tasks, and while we did feel heat spreading, the performance never suffered.

If you’re able to game for longer periods of time, you’ll need a battery that can keep up. Razer has opted for a 4,000mAh battery again, which should easily last a full day with high usage. What’s more, Razer is one of the few manufacturers supporting Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4+, and by using the included charger, you can juice it up to 50 percent in just 30 minutes. It supports Qi fast wireless charging as well, but a wired USB Type-C charging cable will still get the job done faster.

Razer Phone 2 Compared To

Sony Xperia XZ2

Samsung Galaxy S9

Moto G6 Play

Motorola Moto G6

Huawei Honor 8 Pro

Meizu Pro 6 Plus

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 4

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

No Android Pie — yet

Razer is continuing its partnership once again with the developer of popular third-party launcher, Nova Launcher. That means you’re getting a close to stock Android experience, with a simple-to-use Android launcher that’s deeply customizable.

The only other pre-installed apps are from Razer, like Chroma, which lets you change the colors of the logo on the back of the phone. There’s also Razer Cortex, which is a game launcher akin to Nvidia’s GeForce Experience Windows app.

The Razer Phone 2 is an improvement in almost every way.

A feature called Game Booster lets you tweak exactly how you want your games to look and perform. You can turn down the resolution for smoother framerates, or crank all settings to max for the best-looking image, framerates be damned. It won’t work with all games, but it’s a handy tool that gives players a lot of control over games.

The biggest downside with software on the Razer Phone 2 is that it’s not launching with Android 9 Pie, but Android 8.1 Oreo instead. The latest version of Google is definitely on the way, but Razer would not share a timeline for when we can expect it.

Promising camera

We haven’t had much of a chance to play around with the camera yet, but it’s the one area of the phone we’re most excited to test. Razer said it carried over “nothing” from last year’s Razer Phone in an attempt to start completely from scratch. The first improvement is the use of cameras from Sony. Both cameras on the rear have 12-megapixel sensors — the main one has a f/1.75 aperture with optical image stabilization, and the secondary lens is a telephoto with 2x zoom and a f/2.6 aperture.

The user interface is easier to follow this time — there’s finally a dedicated button to quickly swap to the 2x optical lens — and the camera app doesn’t feel so barebones. It snaps pictures quickly, and the image quality looks solid, but we’ll have to do more testing to see how it compares to the rest of the flagship market.

There’s an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with a f/2.0 aperture, but we haven’t had a chance to test it yet.

Price and availability

The Razer Phone 2 costs $800 for the mirror gloss finish you see here, which only comes with 64GB of internal storage (a MicroSD card slot is available in case you need more space). There will be a satin finish model for sale, but it costs $900 as it includes 128GB of internal storage.

Sure, it’s $100 more than the original, but the Razer Phone 2 improves upon its predecessor in almost every way. Razer has taken the time to listen to feedback and implement changes to create a phone that can compete with the rest of the flagship market in many categories other than gaming performance. Much of this hinges on the quality of the cameras, and we’ll be doing further testing to make sure they’re comparable to the competition.

Razer Phone 2 vs. Razer Phone: Time to level up?

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Razer Phone was something of a surprise last year, but it looks as though gaming phones are a new category that’s here to stay. This year, Razer is looking to level up with an improved smartphone that offers the best mobile gaming experience around and improves on some of its predecessor’s shortcomings.

On top of the inevitable adoption of a newer processor, the Razer Phone 2 has a better camera, water resistance, and wireless charging support. We decided to compare it to the original Razer Phone to see precisely what has changed. Game on.

Specs

Razer Phone 2
Razer Phone

Size
158.5 x 78.9 x 8.5 mm (6.24 x 3.1 x 0.33 inches)
158.5 x 77.7 x 8 mm (6.24 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
220 grams (7.76 oz)
197 grams (6.95 oz)

Screen Size
5.7-inch IPS LCD
5.7-inch IPS LCD

Screen Resolution
2,560 x 1,440 pixels (515 pixels per inch)
2,560 x 1,440 pixels (515 pixels per inch)

Operating System
Android 8.1 Oreo
Android 7.1.1 Nougat

Storage Space
64GB
64GB

MicroSD Card Slot
Yes
Yes

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

RAM
8GB
8GB

Camera
Dual 12MP + 12MP rear, 8MP front
Dual 12MP + 12MP rear, 8MP front

Video
4K at 30 frames per second
4K at 30 frames per second

Bluetooth Version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 4.2

Ports
USB-C 1.0
USB-C 1.0

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (side)
Yes (side)

Water resistance
IP67
No

Battery
4,000 mAh

Fast charging (Quick Charge 4.0+)

Qi wireless charging

4,000 mAh

Fast charging (Quick Charge 4.0+)

App Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

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

Colors
Black
Black

Price
$800
$700

Buy From
Razer
Razer

Review Score
Hands-on review
3.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Razer Phone 2 is packing a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor backed by 8GB of RAM. This year’s “flagchip” is in all the top Android phones and it’s significantly faster and more power efficient than last year’s Snapdragon 835, which you’ll find in the original Razer Phone. Both have 64GB of storage with room for expansion via a MicroSD card.

The battery capacity hasn’t shifted, still weighing in at 4,000 mAh, and you’ll find support for the incredibly fast Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0+ standard in both Razer phones, but only the Razer Phone 2 offers Qi wireless charging.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Design and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Quite honestly we wouldn’t award Razer’s design any plaudits. The chunky, squared-off look of the original, itself inherited from the ill-fated Nextbit Robin returns in the Razer Phone 2, but this time around the rear of the phone is black glass and the triple-headed snake logo glows with customizable lighting effects that can serve as app notifications. It’s a bold, unique look that definitely grabs your attention. The camera module has also been centered, giving the Razer Phone 2 a much more stylish look from the back than the original. You’ll still find the fingerprint sensor in the power button on the side of the frame. The front of these phones looks very similar with the 5.7-inch screen flanked by stereo speakers.

The first Razer Phone felt like a tank that could survive a drop or two. The glass-clad Razer Phone 2 doesn’t feel as durable, but it does add water resistance into the mix with an IP67 rating that means it can be submerged in shallow water for up to half an hour without sustaining damage.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The displays in these phones are identical on paper. They are both 5.7-inch IPS LCD screens with resolutions of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels. They also both offer 120 Hz screen refresh and 120 Hz touch sampling, which ensures that you never miss a frame of the gaming action. It still doesn’t match the quality of an OLED screen, but Razer has managed to make the screen 50 percent brighter this year and it really makes a difference.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We highlighted the camera as one of the weak spots of the Razer Phone. Despite pairing two 12-megapixel lenses it disappointed with most shots and we felt the experience was severely hampered by slow software that was lacking in features. Razer went back to the drawing board with the Razer Phone 2 camera to pair an all-new 12-megapixel wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x zoom. Based on first impressions, it seems to be a big step up on last year’s camera.

Both phones can record video at up to 4K at 30 frames-per-second and also have an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Software and updates

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The original Razer Phone launched with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, but has since been updated to Android 8.1 Oreo. The Razer Phone 2 is being released with Android 8.1 Oreo installed, which is a bit disappointing since Android 9.0 Pie is now available. There is a customizable launcher and a special Game Booster app, but the experience is fairly close to stock Android. We expect the Razer Phone 2 to get updates for a bit longer than the Razer Phone, so it scores the win here.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Both Razer phones have the fast refreshing, super responsive screen, though the brightness is improved in the Razer Phone 2. They also both offer plenty of customization options in the Game Booster app. However, only the newer phone boasts a Vapor Chamber cooling system which, paired with the more powerful processor, allows you to run demanding games for longer before the phone overheats. The Razer Phone 2 also has that versatile, eye-catching light-up logo on the back which can be fully customized with the pre-installed Chroma app.

Winner: Razer Phone 2

Price

The original Razer Phone costs $700, but the Razer Phone 2 will cost you $800. You can buy either one unlocked directly from Razer, but they won’t work with Verizon or Sprint.

Overall winner: Razer Phone 2

It’s refreshing when a manufacturer listens to feedback and works to improve as Razer has done here. A lot of the things we didn’t like about the original have been improved or fixed in the Razer Phone 2. The camera and design are much better, it’s faster, it’s water resistant now, and it supports wireless charging. Even at $100 more, the Razer Phone 2 is a much more attractive prospect and the obvious choice if you’re considering these two phones. If you already have the Razer Phone, we’re not sure you’ll want to upgrade so soon.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Razer Phone 2 hands-on review
• The Razer Phone 2: Everything you need to know
• Razer Blade 15 (2018) review
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