Latest from Ben Sin
What do smaller Chinese phone brands have planned after the Mobile World Congress was cancelled? From Nubia’s Red Magic 5G to Realme’s X50 5G, here are the phones we expect to see soon, and how they might be launched.
What do smaller Chinese phone brands have planned after the Mobile World Congress was cancelled? From Nubia’s Red Magic 5G to Realme’s X50 5G, here are the phones we expect to see soon, and how they might be launched.
Huawei’s Mate X is the best-looking folding phone on the market. Opening it inspires looks of wonder on the streets. It uses last-generation components, but the finely tuned software makes up for any lag.
Huawei’s Mate X is the best-looking folding phone on the market. Opening it inspires looks of wonder on the streets. It uses last-generation components, but the finely tuned software makes up for any lag.
Chinese phone brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo have dominated trade show in Barcelona, but the coronavirus outbreak spreading from China could affect their presence this year.
Chinese phone brands such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Oppo have dominated trade show in Barcelona, but the coronavirus outbreak spreading from China could affect their presence this year.
Apple AirPods led the way for truly wireless earbuds, but other brands are catching up. The Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro from Chinese start-up Mobvoi look similar, but have upped the ante when it comes to features.
Apple AirPods led the way for truly wireless earbuds, but other brands are catching up. The Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro from Chinese start-up Mobvoi look similar, but have upped the ante when it comes to features.
The Insta360 One R action camera allows you to shoot different types of footage and edit it on the fly. With its amazing software, features and ability to swap out lenses, it is like having your own professional film crew. Here’s our review.
The Insta360 One R action camera allows you to shoot different types of footage and edit it on the fly. With its amazing software, features and ability to swap out lenses, it is like having your own professional film crew. Here’s our review.
The best processor available, the same camera set-up as much pricier Huawei Mate 30 Pro – it’s a shame Honor handset lacks Google Home Services because of US sanctions against Chinese electronics giant.
The best processor available, the same camera set-up as much pricier Huawei Mate 30 Pro – it’s a shame Honor handset lacks Google Home Services because of US sanctions against Chinese electronics giant.
New handsets from Oppo, Huawei sub-brand Honor, Realme, and LG, and a OnePlus concept phone are expected at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. Apple will be back at CES too.
New handsets from Oppo, Huawei sub-brand Honor, Realme, and LG, and a OnePlus concept phone are expected at Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in February. Apple will be back at CES too.
The Black Shark 2 Pro is a huge improvement on last year’s Xiaomi gaming phone, and results in a mobile gaming experience on par with the PlayStation Vita or Nintendo Switch – but only when you invest in two controller accessories.
The Black Shark 2 Pro is a huge improvement on last year’s Xiaomi gaming phone, and results in a mobile gaming experience on par with the PlayStation Vita or Nintendo Switch – but only when you invest in two controller accessories.
The incredible battery life – Apple Watches only last two days – is a huge bonus, while Huawei’s watch software is quicker than Google’s WearOS. But the one digital assistant available only uses Mandarin.
The incredible battery life – Apple Watches only last two days – is a huge bonus, while Huawei’s watch software is quicker than Google’s WearOS. But the one digital assistant available only uses Mandarin.
Social role-playing game Sky: Children of Light named iPhone game of the year. Shanghai native Jenova Chen, who developed it, explains why players win by showing kindness, not killer instinct.
Social role-playing game Sky: Children of Light named iPhone game of the year. Shanghai native Jenova Chen, who developed it, explains why players win by showing kindness, not killer instinct.
Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 finally dumps the butterfly keyboard, automatically making it a winner, while insane power, great battery life, improved design and superb speakers make it one of the best laptops out there.
Apple’s new 16-inch MacBook Pro 2019 finally dumps the butterfly keyboard, automatically making it a winner, while insane power, great battery life, improved design and superb speakers make it one of the best laptops out there.
The ZTE Nubia Z20’s OLED back screen allows users to take selfies with the phone’s main camera system, which sports a 48-megapixel Sony sensor, and easily flip between apps like games and WhatsApp.
The ZTE Nubia Z20’s OLED back screen allows users to take selfies with the phone’s main camera system, which sports a 48-megapixel Sony sensor, and easily flip between apps like games and WhatsApp.
Physical buttons could be replaced by highly sensitive pressure sensors made by Shenzhen tech company NDT. The sensors can detect 1,000 levels of pressure and sit under the phone’s screen or body.
Physical buttons could be replaced by highly sensitive pressure sensors made by Shenzhen tech company NDT. The sensors can detect 1,000 levels of pressure and sit under the phone’s screen or body.
The 108MP specialist lens will be of most use to travellers and adventurers who want to photograph landscapes and architecture. However, the lens – one of six – struggles in low light and overall, this Chinese-made phone does not offer great value.
The 108MP specialist lens will be of most use to travellers and adventurers who want to photograph landscapes and architecture. However, the lens – one of six – struggles in low light and overall, this Chinese-made phone does not offer great value.
LG’s two screens are great for multitasking, typing documents and playing games. As a smartphone it’s nothing special, but the dual-screen configuration makes up for any shortcomings.
LG’s two screens are great for multitasking, typing documents and playing games. As a smartphone it’s nothing special, but the dual-screen configuration makes up for any shortcomings.
The Xperia 5’s quirky, narrow form will appeal to fans of Sony’s other smartphones and it feels good in the hand, but the relatively high price compared and mediocre camera performance will put some people off.
The Xperia 5’s quirky, narrow form will appeal to fans of Sony’s other smartphones and it feels good in the hand, but the relatively high price compared and mediocre camera performance will put some people off.
The X2 Pro by Oppo sub-brand Realme has a mesmerising 90Hz display that, in this reviewer’s opinion, is the best available on the market right now, and overall the phone offers value far beyond its price tag.
The X2 Pro by Oppo sub-brand Realme has a mesmerising 90Hz display that, in this reviewer’s opinion, is the best available on the market right now, and overall the phone offers value far beyond its price tag.
The cult Japanese game plays centre stage in this thinly disguised tribute to the Final Fantasy franchise. The film cuts between live action and CGI and despite the cheesy melodrama, it is fun to watch.
The cult Japanese game plays centre stage in this thinly disguised tribute to the Final Fantasy franchise. The film cuts between live action and CGI and despite the cheesy melodrama, it is fun to watch.
Cameras, battery life and design are the best on the market, but US export ban that means there’s no official Google apps support makes the phone useless for many. Don’t buy one until the Google issue is resolved.
Cameras, battery life and design are the best on the market, but US export ban that means there’s no official Google apps support makes the phone useless for many. Don’t buy one until the Google issue is resolved.
A predictable plot, terrible CGI and shaky camera work mar this sci-fi thriller. Smith’s CGI double is reminiscent of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but without the charisma.
A predictable plot, terrible CGI and shaky camera work mar this sci-fi thriller. Smith’s CGI double is reminiscent of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but without the charisma.
The US$199 Fitbit Versa 2 fixes many of its predecessors’ shortcomings, boasts a best-in-class five-day battery life and is spot on with its fitness tracking. There are some minor performance quibbles, though.
The US$199 Fitbit Versa 2 fixes many of its predecessors’ shortcomings, boasts a best-in-class five-day battery life and is spot on with its fitness tracking. There are some minor performance quibbles, though.
One of the few significant changes Apple has made from its Series 4 smartwatches is an ‘always-on display’ – but we don’t find much use for it; if you have a Series 4, don’t bother upgrading.
One of the few significant changes Apple has made from its Series 4 smartwatches is an ‘always-on display’ – but we don’t find much use for it; if you have a Series 4, don’t bother upgrading.
Foldable phone may be one of the small number of handsets that, like the iPhone, changes the direction of smartphone design; folded up its screen is small, but open it and you have a 7.3-inch display that’s great for multitasking.
Foldable phone may be one of the small number of handsets that, like the iPhone, changes the direction of smartphone design; folded up its screen is small, but open it and you have a 7.3-inch display that’s great for multitasking.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has three 12-megapixel lenses for general, wide-angle and telephoto shots with consistent image quality. In a first for Apple phones, it comes with a battery that can endure a whole day of heavy use.
The iPhone 11 Pro Max has three 12-megapixel lenses for general, wide-angle and telephoto shots with consistent image quality. In a first for Apple phones, it comes with a battery that can endure a whole day of heavy use.
With its huge 6.9-inch ‘waterfall screen’, triple camera and huge, fast charging battery, the Nex 3 is very good value for money. It lacks wireless charging, waterproofing and stereo speakers, but is cheaper than many high-end phones.
With its huge 6.9-inch ‘waterfall screen’, triple camera and huge, fast charging battery, the Nex 3 is very good value for money. It lacks wireless charging, waterproofing and stereo speakers, but is cheaper than many high-end phones.
Possibly the world’s smallest action camera, the Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is probably smaller than your thumb. There’s no other camera on the market of this size that can capture better videos.
Possibly the world’s smallest action camera, the Insta360 Go weighs 18.3 grams and is probably smaller than your thumb. There’s no other camera on the market of this size that can capture better videos.
The G8X ThinQ Dual Screen comes with a detachable second screen attachment that brings functionality not available elsewhere on the market – and is likely to be cheaper than a Samsung Fold or Huawei Mate X.
The G8X ThinQ Dual Screen comes with a detachable second screen attachment that brings functionality not available elsewhere on the market – and is likely to be cheaper than a Samsung Fold or Huawei Mate X.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is strong and more manageable than just about any other smartphone three-axis gimbal – it’s the smallest of its kind and its clever arm design allows it to shoot wide-angle camera modes without obstruction.
The DJI Osmo Mobile 3 is strong and more manageable than just about any other smartphone three-axis gimbal – it’s the smallest of its kind and its clever arm design allows it to shoot wide-angle camera modes without obstruction.
Hardware compromises mean the six-inch OLED screen has a resolution of just 720p, and it runs on an old processor, with only 4GB of RAM. But battery life is good and video recording in 1080p mode impressive.
Hardware compromises mean the six-inch OLED screen has a resolution of just 720p, and it runs on an old processor, with only 4GB of RAM. But battery life is good and video recording in 1080p mode impressive.
The latest smartphone from Asus is marketed as a gamer’s phone and it lives up to the claim. The screen refreshes twice as quickly as iPhones and Samsung handsets and there are plenty of game-centric options.
The latest smartphone from Asus is marketed as a gamer’s phone and it lives up to the claim. The screen refreshes twice as quickly as iPhones and Samsung handsets and there are plenty of game-centric options.