Say hello to the newest member of the Nintendo Switch family. It might look like a pink Switch Lite, but the color is actually coral, a pink or red shade of orange named after sea creatures of the same color.
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Living Coral was Pantone’s color of 2019, which might explain the choice?
Slated for release on March 20 in Japan, it joins turquoise, gray and yellow Nintendo Switch Lites.
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In relation to the hardware delays caused by coronavirus, Nintendo announced that the Coral Lites scheduled to go on sale next month were already made in mid-January.
Pre-orders start on March 7. No word yet on an international release.
Even though MWC 2020 will no longer take place this year, smartphone announcements will still happen and we'll be here to report about them. LG is one of the first companies that decided to go ahead with its roadmap and revealed a new lineup of mid-range Android smartphones – the 2020 K series.We know that many of you are waiting for LG to introduce its new flagship for the first half of the year, but that probably requires a bit more preparation and a dedicated event that hasn't been announced yet.
Anyway, LG's new 2020 K series focuses on premium camera features. It's not just that, but it's for the first time in many years that LG's smartphones look different than what we're used to seeing from the South Korean company. They're sleeker, thinner and more stylish in comparison with other LG mid-range smartphones.
Three new smartphones have been revealed today, which will go on sale in the coming months: LG K60, LG K51S, and LG K41S. Their prices haven't been announced yet, but we do know they will be available for purchase in Q2 in the Americas, followed by select markets in Europe and Asia.
Chang Ma, senior vice president of the product strategy group at LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company, says these phones' main selling points would be price and premium features:
The key value propositions of LG’s K series are advanced technologies and competitive pricing. We believe the K series will be the most competitive smartphones in its category offering features consumers really appreciate.
Quad camera, massive battery and Android 10
As anyone can see from the official pictures, all three LG K series phones have four cameras. Also, all three feature massive 6.5-inch displays. The most powerful of the three, the LG K60 is equipped with a 2.3GHz octa-core processor, 4GB RAM and either 64GB or 128GB expandable storage.
There are four cameras on the back: 48MP main camera, 8MP super wide, 2MP macro, and 5MP depth sensor. Also, the smartphone packs a 16-megapixel selfie camera, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a big 4,000 mAh battery. The phone will be available in Titanium, White and Blue colors.
LG K51S has the same 2.3GHz octa-core processor inside, but only 3GB RAM and 64GB expandable storage. Apart from the fingerprint sensor, the backside features four cameras too: 32MP main camera, 5MP super wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor. There's also a 13-megapixel camera in the front and a similar 4,000 mAh battery inside. This one will be available in three colors as well: Titanium, Pink, and Blue.
LG K51S
Last but not least, judging by its specs, the LG K41S should be the cheapest of the three. First off, the phone is powered by a 2.0GHz octa-core processor, coupled with 3GB RAM and 32GB expandable storage. The quad-camera setup on the back includes the following: 13MP main camera, 5MP super wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth sensor.
Other highlights of the phone include an 8-megapixel selfie snapper, a fingerprint sensor and a 4,000 mAh battery. Just like the other two, LG K41S will be available in three colors: Titanium, Black, and White.
LG K41S
LG doesn't mention anything about the Android version these mid-range phones are running, but we can safely assume it's Android 10, otherwise, it would be a disaster market-wise. It's also worth noting that all three phones feature MIL-STD-810G standard for durability and DTS:X 3D Surround Sound that should offer a more immersive sound experience with headphones.
If LG plans to introduce these new mid-range smartphones in Q2 in the Americas, we'll probably be able to tell you about the prices next month. It will be interesting to see which carriers will pick up LG's new 2020 K series phones and whether or not they'll be priced competitively, as the company's officials promised.
Foldable phones are once again facing questions about their durability.
The Galaxy Z Flip and the Motorola Razr are now both available to buy in the US - but early reports suggest the screens are easily damaged.
One outlet published photos of two layers of the Razr's display separating, affecting the touch screen.
The Galaxy Z flip, meanwhile, boasts a "flexible glass" display - but tests appear to show it scratching as easily as plastic.
It's not yet clear how widespread the issues might be.
In a statement, Samsung said the display had a protective layer, and had undergone extensive testing.
"While the display does bend, it should be handled with care," it said.
It follows the troubled release of Samsung's first foldable phone one year ago, leading some analysts to question whether foldable screen technology is ready for mainstream release.
The Samsung phone costs nearly £1,300 in the UK ($1,380 US), sim-free; while the Motorola is only available locked to a two-year, £94+ per month contract.
Samsung's 'flexible glass' under pressure
The Z Flip's "ultra thin glass" is one of Samsung's primary marketing messages for the new phone.
But a durability test conducted by popular YouTuber Zack Nelson suggested it was no more durable than a soft plastic screen - and could even be dented by a fingernail.
Nelson, who has more than 5m subscribers to his YouTube channel, where he regularly tests new tech, said Samsung's screen scratched "exactly how a plastic screen would react".
"I don't know what material this is, but Samsung definitely shouldn't be calling it glass," he said.
He found that the screen of the Motorola Razr scratched as easily but it is not marketed as "glass".
Ben Wood, analyst with CCS Insight, said the new technology of foldable displays was on "a voyage of discovery as volumes ramp up."
He highlighted the success of Samsung's first foldable, the Galaxy Fold, despite a rocky launch - and said the newest generation has learned lessons from its predecessor.
"Samsung appears to have made tremendous progress with the Galaxy Z Flip in terms of hinge design, screen protection and the overall engineering of the device," he said.
Raymond Wong, Input's reviews editor, said the upper layer of the Razr's screen separated from the bottom, creating "a giant horizontal air bubble" for no apparent reason.
He wrote that the fault appeared after a 45-minute train ride during which the phone was in his pocket.
When he took it out, "the screen was completely warped from hinge-to-hinge with the top layer raised like a poorly applied screen protector," he wrote.
But Mr Wong said that apart from the visual problem, the damage has affected the responsiveness of the touchscreen.
Motorola's parent company, Lenovo, said it was investigating.
Mr Wood said Motorola was facing the same challenges as other companies making their first foldable phone.
"No matter how much testing you do, it's impossible to replicate all real-work usage scenarios when a device is being used by thousands of consumers on a daily basis," he said.
"Despite the early teething problems with devices using flexible displays, I remain convinced that this technology is going to re-shape the consumer electronics business."
Welcome back to the week. You might have noticed the return of the durability test. Thanks to a new phone form-factor (hello, foldables!), there's never been a better time to ruin a thousand-dollar purchase. The Galaxy Z Flip, which we've had for a day or so, is the latest torture victim. (Wince here.)
YouTuber JerryRigEverything put Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass to the test with some puncture testing. It didn't fare too well -- even if it seemed more robust than Motorola's Razr or last year's Galaxy Fold.
Over 20 years ago, people used to put iPhones in blenders. Admittedly that was to test the blender, not the iPhone, but why are these stress 'tests' back again?
It's because they're good for business. You have phone repair companies, companies that have phone-folding robots, people looking to sell blenders and media looking for a spicy headline to compliment the biggest gadget launches.
At the same time, it doesn't help that companies are often creative with their claims -- especially when it comes to durability. I recall water-testing a smartphone a few years ago, where I dunked a flagship smartphone in seawater. And it never worked again. Apparently those 'it-lasts-30-minutes-in-water' claims were for water that wasn't quite as salty. (Note: Galaxy's Z Flip is not rated for water- or dust-resistance at all.)
We need both sides, the phone makers and the phone breakers, to help make informed judgment calls on how hardy devices are, but no-one can truly test the resilience of your next smartphone, except you. Maybe you would barely open a foldable phone, or maybe it'd float in the bottom of your bag most of the time -- your mileage will vary. I'm looking forward to our final verdict on the Galaxy Z Flip as the folding nature should mean the screen is hidden away when not in use.
Foldable smartphones already have a reputation for being more delicate than the traditional smartphone, but this was also true of the original smartphones that came after candy-bar feature phones. They should -- they must -- toughen up.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Galaxy Z Flip -- a 6.7-inch phone that, like the Razr, folded in half -- is Samsung's second folding smartphone, sturdier than the Galaxy Fold and with a more valid proposition. A flagship phone that'll fit into your pocket. The phone arrived in stores on Valentine's Day, and after testing out a sample for 24 hours, Reviews Editor Cherlynn Low already has feelings of a sort. While we work on our full review, here are some early thoughts.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Boring Company has finished excavating the first of the two tunnels planned for Las Vegas Convention Center's underground loop transportation system. If you'll recall, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) tapped Elon Musk's company to develop the LVCC loop, which could cost around $52.5 million. The company retweeted a video posted by the LVCVA of its machinery breaking through a wall in the facility. Boring's crew spent three months digging the nearly mile-long tunnel 40 feet underground. LVCVA says the project is scheduled to debut in January 2021.
The Sonic the Hedgehog movie has come a long, long way from that horrifying initial trailer. Paramount's adaptation just broke the record for a video game movie's three-day opening in the US, pulling in $57 million compared to Detective Pikachu's $54.3 million. Estimates have Sonic raking in $68 million over four days, which could give it one of the best Presidents Day performances of any movie. It might be enough to coax even more video game adaptations out of the woodwork. Not sure how I feel about that...
While there is a Strava app for the Apple Watch, there's not as much of an incentive to get the wearable if your data stays isolated -- which it did until now. Strava has added Apple Health syncing to its iOS app, letting it pull in activity data from the past 30 days. You can pick the workouts you want to share, title them and add photos to boast about your achievements.
It's a two-way connection as well. You can automatically send any Strava activities to Health, so you don't have to worry if you leave your Apple Watch at home.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Welcome back to the week. You might have noticed the return of the durability test. Thanks to a new phone form-factor (hello, foldables!), there's never been a better time to ruin a thousand-dollar purchase. The Galaxy Z Flip, which we've had for a day or so, is the latest torture victim. (Wince here.)
YouTuber JerryRigEverything put Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass to the test with some puncture testing. It didn't fare too well -- even if it seemed more robust than Motorola's Razr or last year's Galaxy Fold.
Over 20 years ago, people used to put iPhones in blenders. Admittedly that was to test the blender, not the iPhone, but why are these stress 'tests' back again?
It's because they're good for business. You have phone repair companies, companies that have phone-folding robots, people looking to sell blenders and media looking for a spicy headline to compliment the biggest gadget launches.
At the same time, it doesn't help that companies are often creative with their claims -- especially when it comes to durability. I recall water-testing a smartphone a few years ago, where I dunked a flagship smartphone in seawater. And it never worked again. Apparently those 'it-lasts-30-minutes-in-water' claims were for water that wasn't quite as salty. (Note: Galaxy's Z Flip is not rated for water- or dust-resistance at all.)
We need both sides, the phone makers and the phone breakers, to help make informed judgment calls on how hardy devices are, but no-one can truly test the resilience of your next smartphone, except you. Maybe you would barely open a foldable phone, or maybe it'd float in the bottom of your bag most of the time -- your mileage will vary. I'm looking forward to our final verdict on the Galaxy Z Flip as the folding nature should mean the screen is hidden away when not in use.
Foldable smartphones already have a reputation for being more delicate than the traditional smartphone, but this was also true of the original smartphones that came after candy-bar feature phones. They should -- they must -- toughen up.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Galaxy Z Flip -- a 6.7-inch phone that, like the Razr, folded in half -- is Samsung's second folding smartphone, sturdier than the Galaxy Fold and with a more valid proposition. A flagship phone that'll fit into your pocket. The phone arrived in stores on Valentine's Day, and after testing out a sample for 24 hours, Reviews Editor Cherlynn Low already has feelings of a sort. While we work on our full review, here are some early thoughts.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Boring Company has finished excavating the first of the two tunnels planned for Las Vegas Convention Center's underground loop transportation system. If you'll recall, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) tapped Elon Musk's company to develop the LVCC loop, which could cost around $52.5 million. The company retweeted a video posted by the LVCVA of its machinery breaking through a wall in the facility. Boring's crew spent three months digging the nearly mile-long tunnel 40 feet underground. LVCVA says the project is scheduled to debut in January 2021.
The Sonic the Hedgehog movie has come a long, long way from that horrifying initial trailer. Paramount's adaptation just broke the record for a video game movie's three-day opening in the US, pulling in $57 million compared to Detective Pikachu's $54.3 million. Estimates have Sonic raking in $68 million over four days, which could give it one of the best Presidents Day performances of any movie. It might be enough to coax even more video game adaptations out of the woodwork. Not sure how I feel about that...
While there is a Strava app for the Apple Watch, there's not as much of an incentive to get the wearable if your data stays isolated -- which it did until now. Strava has added Apple Health syncing to its iOS app, letting it pull in activity data from the past 30 days. You can pick the workouts you want to share, title them and add photos to boast about your achievements.
It's a two-way connection as well. You can automatically send any Strava activities to Health, so you don't have to worry if you leave your Apple Watch at home.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Welcome back to the week. You might have noticed the return of the durability test. Thanks to a new phone form-factor (hello, foldables!), there's never been a better time to ruin a thousand-dollar purchase. The Galaxy Z Flip, which we've had for a day or so, is the latest torture victim. (Wince here.)
YouTuber JerryRigEverything put Samsung's Ultra-Thin Glass to the test with some puncture testing. It didn't fare too well -- even if it seemed more robust than Motorola's Razr or last year's Galaxy Fold.
Over 20 years ago, people used to put iPhones in blenders. Admittedly that was to test the blender, not the iPhone, but why are these stress 'tests' back again?
It's because they're good for business. You have phone repair companies, companies that have phone-folding robots, people looking to sell blenders and media looking for a spicy headline to compliment the biggest gadget launches.
At the same time, it doesn't help that companies are often creative with their claims -- especially when it comes to durability. I recall water-testing a smartphone a few years ago, where I dunked a flagship smartphone in seawater. And it never worked again. Apparently those 'it-lasts-30-minutes-in-water' claims were for water that wasn't quite as salty. (Note: Galaxy's Z Flip is not rated for water- or dust-resistance at all.)
We need both sides, the phone makers and the phone breakers, to help make informed judgment calls on how hardy devices are, but no-one can truly test the resilience of your next smartphone, except you. Maybe you would barely open a foldable phone, or maybe it'd float in the bottom of your bag most of the time -- your mileage will vary. I'm looking forward to our final verdict on the Galaxy Z Flip as the folding nature should mean the screen is hidden away when not in use.
Foldable smartphones already have a reputation for being more delicate than the traditional smartphone, but this was also true of the original smartphones that came after candy-bar feature phones. They should -- they must -- toughen up.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Galaxy Z Flip -- a 6.7-inch phone that, like the Razr, folded in half -- is Samsung's second folding smartphone, sturdier than the Galaxy Fold and with a more valid proposition. A flagship phone that'll fit into your pocket. The phone arrived in stores on Valentine's Day, and after testing out a sample for 24 hours, Reviews Editor Cherlynn Low already has feelings of a sort. While we work on our full review, here are some early thoughts.
The Galaxy Fold fiasco proved that being first isn't always best. Subsequently, Motorola's Razr appeared just last week, but it's not great either. (Read our review on that foldable, here.)
The Boring Company has finished excavating the first of the two tunnels planned for Las Vegas Convention Center's underground loop transportation system. If you'll recall, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) tapped Elon Musk's company to develop the LVCC loop, which could cost around $52.5 million. The company retweeted a video posted by the LVCVA of its machinery breaking through a wall in the facility. Boring's crew spent three months digging the nearly mile-long tunnel 40 feet underground. LVCVA says the project is scheduled to debut in January 2021.
The Sonic the Hedgehog movie has come a long, long way from that horrifying initial trailer. Paramount's adaptation just broke the record for a video game movie's three-day opening in the US, pulling in $57 million compared to Detective Pikachu's $54.3 million. Estimates have Sonic raking in $68 million over four days, which could give it one of the best Presidents Day performances of any movie. It might be enough to coax even more video game adaptations out of the woodwork. Not sure how I feel about that...
While there is a Strava app for the Apple Watch, there's not as much of an incentive to get the wearable if your data stays isolated -- which it did until now. Strava has added Apple Health syncing to its iOS app, letting it pull in activity data from the past 30 days. You can pick the workouts you want to share, title them and add photos to boast about your achievements.
It's a two-way connection as well. You can automatically send any Strava activities to Health, so you don't have to worry if you leave your Apple Watch at home.
All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Samsung announced a slew of accessories for its new Galaxy S20 line-up yesterday, but failed to mention the one gadget everyone needs these days: battery packs. They may not be as sexy as LED or Kvadrat cases, but they can be real lifesavers, and soon Samsung will be selling an powerful pair of power banks with up to 25W USB-C output.
Although Samsung is positioning these battery packs as S20 accessories, they'll work well with any other smartphones that support 25W super fast charging (think Galaxy Note10, A60, A70, etc...). Both models have a 10,000mAh capacity, at least one USB-C port for input and output, and come with a charging cable.
25W Battery Pack
But the similarities end here. One of them (pictured at the top of the post) is taller and houses a 7.5W Qi wireless charging pad for your phone, accessory, or wearable. It also has an additional USB-C port, allowing it to fill up to three gadgets simultaneously. The second is more basic and offers a secondary USB-A port without any Qi abilities.
Price and availability for these power banks is unknown at this point, but it seems like they'll be available everywhere the S20 is. We'll let you know once we spot them up for sale.
US Pricing
The US listings for the two battery packs are now live. The bigger and better Qi model will cost $80, but we don't know how much the basic, non-Qi model will be priced at. Both aren't available on Amazon or other retailers yet.
