Best Apple Watch faces 2018: how to style your smartwatch home screen

What's the best Apple Watch face? Well, it comes down to your particular style.

Thankfully, no matter your taste, Apple surely has one that suits you. Whether you prefer a more traditional look in your watch face or one that will show off some memories in a personalized photo slideshow, you're covered.

Initially Apple only released ten watch faces to choose from on the Apple Watch, but now there are many, many more plus we expect Apple to bring others in the future with further watchOS updates.

In fact, watchOS 5 brought lots of improvements for watch faces such as the ability to put third-party app complications into the Siri watch face so you can see extra information directly from the opening screen.

To get started at changing your watch face, simply use Force Touch – essentially a firm press – on the face of the watch and you'll be taken to a gallery mode where various faces are listed. From there, you'll get the option to select one, with a few of them allowing further customization choices.

You've picked the watch, you've sorted between the best Apple Watch bands, so now have a look at the best watch faces available through Apple.

Currently an exclusive for the Apple Watch Series 4, this is one of the most feature rich watch faces you can have running on your smartwatch. You can customize the data displayed around the main clock, and change the complications in the center as well.

We particularly like how detailed the data can be that you can just get a quick look at your fitness rings, your latest calendar notification, the time in a different time zone and the temperature outside in a just a single glance.

If you've got an Apple Watch 4, you may want to test this one out and see what you can make with the Infograph face.

The Siri watch face added with watchOS 4 is arguably one of the most useful. It will show you cards with relevant information throughout the day, such as upcoming reminders, traffic details before your commute and the current weather.

The Siri watch face can pull in details from the likes of Breathe, Maps, Wallet, Activity and Alarms as well as a variety of third-party apps if you're using the latest watchOS 5 software. Those apps include things like Pokemon Go, Citymapper and Carrot Weather.

You can tap on a card to be taken to the app it’s related to, or if you want to access Siri itself the face has a complication for that.

If you’re a Toy Story fan this is the watch face for you. It features Woody, Jessie, Buzz Lightyear and Rex, each of which will come to life in a series of animations.

You can choose your favorite character or opt for ‘Toy Box’ mode, which cycles through them at random, and even mixes in a few other characters including Hamm.

The Kaleidoscope face turns a static image into a kaleidoscope-like pattern. You can select a photo and a kaleidoscope style, then see it get completely transformed.

This face offers a lot of variety, since you can choose from a selection of photos to turn into a kaleidoscope pattern.

Keeping track of notifications and calendar commitments is important, but for some, monitoring in-depth fitness data is even moreso.

The Activity Digital face visualizes your workout progress via the three colored circles so that you can see how many steps you've tackled and how many more you need to meet your fitness goal.

Starting from the inside of the circular model, the blue color tracks the amount of times that you've stood up. The green monitors how many minutes of exercise that you've tracked and lastly, the hot pink color gives you a readout on how many calories that you've burned.

One of the most recent Apple Watch faces was released in June 2018 and was released to celebrate Pride. It goes paired with a new Pride watch band from the company too.

It's an interpretation of the Pride flag that moves on your home screen to look like streamers of the iconic colors. If you pair it with the Pride watch band, it'll then match up on the screen as well looking like the flag goes all the way around your wrist.

It's fair to say that the Utility face is for utilitarians who like to keep things practical. This face shows the time, obviously, but also displays your fitness progress, as well as some other complications of your choosing.

We think this one is particularly suited to those who don't want a fancy design or anything extra apart from easy access to their most used apps.

Like the Utility face, the Modular option is all about cramming as much information as possible onto the Apple Watch's tiny screen. 

This is the face you want if you want a bit of customization and a good amount of hard info, so that you won't need to fetch your phone frequently.

The Motion face comes in a few different flavors, but this jellyfish one is our favorite. It's sedated, tranquil and adds some motion to your smartwatch. 

Rather than having your smartwatch cluttered with details and complications that jump out at your face encouraging you to interact with your watch, this one will keep it simple and just give you those core details like the time and date. What's not to love?

Looking at the clock is a trusted method to gather the time, but adding in the moon shows how much (or little) our glorious moon is coated in sunlight. OK, the moon might just make for a fun visual, but it's a very solid choice for minimalists nevertheless.

Like the Earth version of the face, turning the Digital Crown moves time backwards or forwards causing the various planets to shift and spin. Pressing the crown resets it back to the normal time.

For even more fun, tapping the moon will show you the current lunar phase and turning the crown back and forth will show future and past phases. You'll get the same effect with the solar system where the crown will show you various planetary alignments.

Like Astronomy, Solar is another hidden gem. It keeps a low profile and doesn't let you add anything to the face but makes up by showing the various positions of the sun in addition to telling you how long it will be until sunset or how long ago sunrise was.

Simply move the Digital Crown back and forth to see what time the sun will be at a certain place, like noon or twilight. As it shifts, the face will subtly illustrate the time.

The Chronograph face is for those who yearn for a traditional style within this smartwatch. 

While the Apple Watch doesn't cut any corners on its chassis to resemble a standard wrist-based timepiece, this face mimics it in spirit.

This face keeps things simple, putting the flashy time lapse photography in focus. There's still room for complications, but this one makes a statement – just watch out for your battery life.

Like the Jellyfish variant of the face, the flower-flavored Motion face adds some zest to your Apple Watch display. The animation of a flower coming into bloom offers a moment of relaxation when you glimpse at the time or at a batch of notifications.

You won't get as much raw info here as you will with some of the other options, like the Modular face, but this one keeps things simple.

Though the Astronomy watch face doesn't provide extra features, it's more functional than the other similarly, minimal faces.

It shows you the solar system and the exact position of the planets, sun and moon while displaying the day, date and current time.

Turning the Digital Crown moves time backwards or forwards causing the various planets to shift and spin. Pressing the crown resets it back to the normal time.

For even more fun, tapping the moon will show you the current lunar phase and turning the crown back and forth will show future and past phases. You'll get the same effect with the solar system where the crown will show you various planetary alignments.

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Motorola’s secret flagship phone pops up in leaked photo

The Motorola One Power first appeared in a leaked render, but now the rumored phone’s existence is getting just a little bit more believable, though we’re still not too sure about that name. 

We’re still taking this leak with a dash of skepticism, it looks like Moto’s notch-equipped flagship to take on the iPhone X (and a lot of other phones) could be on its way after all. The phone has surfaced in a photo from 91mobiles that shows off its boot screen, which shows off the thicker chin bezel at the bottom and the notch up top that looks to be wider than we’ve recently seen on the OnePlus 6.

Credit: 91mobiles

Some details near the phone’s bottom appear to have been smudged using image editing tools, so it’s not clear if that section will host the Motorola logo or if it will be plain black.

Moto is expected to launch its next generation of Moto Z phones soon, but the One Power could grab the reign as the company’s focus for taking on the fleet of flagship smartphones from the likes of Samsung, Apple and more in 2018.

Via 9To5Google

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Nokia 8 Pro Camera update makes it even more competent

The Nokia 8 can already shoot some brilliant photos, but a new update is about to make it even better.

Nokia is in the process of delivering a new Pro Camera mode to the phone on a global scale. While it doesn’t seem to be truly original compared to manual camera modes seen on other capable camera phones, it’s definitely an appreciated update for buyers.

Perhaps the coolest aspect of the update is that is can show you what your finished photo will look like in real-time on the screen. For those who enjoy tinkering with settings, you’ll be able to tweak white balance, focus, ISO, shutter speed and exposure.

The Pro Camera mode will be available on phones across the globe soon, but Nokia is currently rolling out the update on a country-by-country basis, so don’t fret if it doesn’t show up on your Nokia 8 today.

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Google adds three more phones to the Project Fi lineup

Google’s US-only carrier, Project Fi, has added three new phones to its arsenal to give users (current and prospective) some more options. You’ll now be able to pre-order the Moto G6, LG V35 ThinQ and LG G7 ThinQ directly through Google’s online Fi portal.

Formerly limited to Google-made phones due to their unique cellular radios which utilize both CDMA (Sprint) and GSM (T-Mobile and US Cellular), Project Fi has grown considerably in the past year to include third-party options.

The current offering now includes the aforementioned additions, building on the lineup of the Moto X4, Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL. If you own a Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P or one of the original Google Pixel phones, those will work on the carrier as well.

Moto’s G6 and X4 are the cheapest options for Fi customers by a long shot, coming in at $199 and $249, respectively. If you want to opt for something more premium, your best bet is an outdated Google phone or the new Google Pixel 2, which starts at $649. LG’s options sit at the top of the offerings in terms of price and spec, with the G7 ThinQ at $749 and the V35 ThinQ at a staggering $899.

While only available in the US, Fi is an awesome pay-per-GB service that offers robust international coverage without charging an extra fee. It’s great to see this service growing, but we still wonder when Google will let international customers into the mix

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Rumored Motorola phone looks just like an iPhone X

Motorola is likely to unveil the Moto Z3 Play soon, but it may have another trick up its sleeve: the Motorola One Power.

Looking a lot like the iPhone X with its notch design and the placement of its rear-facing cameras, the Motorola One Power is said to be the company’s next big release, according to sources who spoke with Android Headlines.

Not much is known about the phone other than the fact that it’s basically cribbing the iPhone X’s style piece-for-piece. The leaked render shows an “Android One” logo on the phone’s back, which would put the One Power alongside the Moto X4, Nokia 7 Plus and other mid-range phones that run the latest stock Android. 

Android One guarantees major Android updates for two years and consistent security updates for three years following the phone’s release.

Credit: Android Headlines

The new flagship?

For the past few years, the Moto Z-series has sat at the top of the company’s phone offerings. While it’s possible that this rumored One Power will be a mid-range phone, building it to echo the premium build of the iPhone X and LG G7 ThinQ may indicate that it’s the new flagship phone from Moto.

We’re short on info, though Android Headlines’s sources state that this phone will launch in the US, though it could come to other countries as well.

Via PhoneArena

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Colorful iPhone X2 leak may not be real, but we wish it was

Everyone is desperate for some news on the new iPhones of 2018, but a recent leak that showcases an iPhone donning some new colors probably isn’t trustworthy.

We know that the 2018 iPhone X will arrive in September in a variety of colors, though none of them may take on the whimsical pastel options of the iPhone 5C (as much as we wish that it would.)

Pinning down the origins of the story that the next iPhone will take on some fresh colors seems to have been taken care of by prolific leaker @OnLeaks, who disputes the legitimacy of the leak. Originally said to be an exclusive by a site, @OnLeaks has shared that these pictures actually originated in a MacRumors forum post that has since been removed.

...we want new colors though

Recent iPhone models have played it safe with run-of-the-mill colors like white, black, and on the rare occasion, red for its iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. And even though this leak has more or less been proven to be false, it’s always possible that the next wave of iPhones, rumored to be called iPhone XI or iPhone X2, could introduce a new color, perhaps in a bid to distinguish the high-end model from the cheaper one.

Just recently, a leak surfaced that claimed to show off a golden iPhone X that never went into production, or at least hasn’t yet. It’s always possible that Apple could surprise us with it soon, but for now, it looks like these leaked purple and green models may not ever come to be.

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Moto Z and Moto Z Play finally receives Android Oreo in US

Moto Z and Moto Z Play users in the US are finally being treated to their long-awaited helping of Android Oreo

Following the September 2017 announcement that these phones, as well as many other Moto devices, would receive the Android 8.0 update, Moto failed to make it clear that there was still nearly an eight month wait ahead.

Wait or no wait, Moto has stuck to its word by sending out the update to its oldest Moto Z phones, which were the first to adopt the Moto Mods capability. To check your phone’s eligibility, head to the system updates screen. The Android Oreo update on the Moto Z and Z Play rings in at 1.4GB, so ensure that you have enough free space before you install it.

Better (very) late than never

For Android Nougat users, Oreo is a nice update that brings along notification dots, picture-in-picture mode, as well as several other refinements. Simply put, it’s worth having, even if Android P is right around the corner.

Given how long Moto took to issue its Oreo update, we’d be willing to bet that the new Android software for 2018 won’t be coming to the earliest Z phones. Moto will likely provide a comprehensive list of supported phones at the official launch of P, but as for when it will actually arrive on those phones, this rollout taught us that it could be quite a long time.

Via Android Police

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Best HTC U12 Plus cases: don’t be fooled by a fake

The HTC U12 Plus is a big, beautiful phone with an all-glass design that’s an absolute joy to look at. But if you’re buying one, you should probably also consider investing in an affordable case. 

No smartphone enthusiast wants a case, truthfully. But don’t worry, the shimmering glass will still be there, in perfect condition, for you to look at every now and then – that’s how you want to keep it.

Below is a small, but growing list of the best HTC U12 Plus cases to consider for your phone. While some of these options are untested, they are each a cut above the rest due to their value and design.

Editor's note: There are a startling number of cases available that are molded based on inaccurate rumors. Keep in mind that, while shopping, if the case image shown isn't representative of the HTC U12 Plus' final design, you might be getting ripped off.

Moonmini Polyurethane case

Want your HTC U12 Plus to look like a bizarro Google Pixel 2? Moonmini’s polyurethane faux-leather case does just that with its dual-tone design, leaving the bottom looking like the glass section on Google’s latest flagship.

This case snaps around the edges, protecting the gorgeous glass design of the U12 Plus, but leaving plenty of breathing room for its various ports, Edge Sense gestures and the haptic buttons.

If you want basic protection at a low price, this looks to be a solid option that looks pretty snazzy, too.

Spigen Liquid Crystal case

If you are feeling strongly about letting the U12 Plus’ glass design sing, the Liquid Crystal case from Spigen is for you. It clasps around the phone’s edges, but it does so without covering up the design that you paid good money for.

The U12 Plus is already impervious to dust and water, but this case will protect against scratches and preventable cracks from minor drops or collisions with a wall while the phone is in your pocket.

Spigen Rugged Armor case

Looking for function over form? Most people aren’t, but if you want to protect your U12 Plus above all else, the Rugged Armor case from Spigen is worth considering.

Covering the U12 Plus from all angles, this case goes above the others by adding a lip to the front, so that the glass covering the screen never touches a table. 

Spigen says this case boasts shock protection and buttons are easy to access. Edge Sense gestures will work with this case, but you may need to increase the sensitivity for them to work in this case (and all cases, really).

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New Google Lens update brings real-time object recognition and text select

Google Lens is already fantastic for identifying objects in a still photo, but a new update is in the process of rolling out that will make it even smarter.

First seen at Google IO 2018, the update brings Lens’ powers to the forefront of the camera app, introducing real-time object recognition, as well as smart copy selection. Simply put, your phone will soon be able to automatically recognize a whole lot of places and things without having to Google it.

We’ve seen hints of brilliance from Lens before. It has been able to identify unique points of interest from a photo that we took in South Korea, as seen above, but the new update will let us see the result immediately without having to snap a photo.

Google Pixel 2 users have been able to copy text from an image and paste it elsewhere, but from the look of photos from 9To5Google, this Google Lens update brings the almighty power of context, and actually knows what’s in the photo and can do things like execute a search or translate on-the-fly. 

Google’s smart camera software recently launched on the LG G7 ThinQ and is in the process of making its way to more phones. The photos shared with 9To5Google were supposedly captured on a OnePlus 6, so signs are looking good for Lens to hit more third-party Android phones.

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Unreal Mobile will soon bring unlimited data and VoIP calling to US and UK

FreedomPop, a wireless carrier operating in the US and UK, has announced a new MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) that’s the direct result of Sprint and T-Mobile’s joint decision to merge.

It’s called Unreal Mobile, and compared to other MVNO options, like Cricket and Boost Mobile in the US, and Sky Mobile and Tesco Mobile in the UK, it includes more features in its unlimited plans, which start at $15 per month.

Beyond 4G LTE coverage, Unreal Mobile will provide to its users a VPN, ad blocking, and the flexibility of using phone numbers on phones, tablets or computers by leveraging VoIP, a severely underutilized technology on the carrier side.

FreedomPop stated that Unreal Mobile couldn’t have happened without the Sprint and T-Mobile merger underway in the US, as regulators are now “compelled to accept MVNO models and pricing that historically would have been seen as too competitive…”, according to statement provided to PhoneScoop.

The new MVNO hasn’t launched its service just yet, but is supposed to in the coming months. If you’re interested, you can check out the site here and sign up for more info by providing your email address.

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HTC U12 Plus vs OnePlus 6

The HTC U12 Plus has just been announced. It’s a big, beautiful Android phone that promises to bring a rather hefty price tag. It stands out from the fleet of competing flagship phones with its pearlescent glass look and its noted lack of a notch on its screen. 

HTC’s latest phone has more competition than usual, especially from an option that delivers many of the same specs for considerably less cash. We’re talking about the OnePlus 6, the sharpest, most feature-packed phone that the young company has made yet.

We’ll be drilling into several key categories to see how HTC’s shiny, squeeze-friendly phone stacks up against the OnePlus 6. Most phones win and lose some categories, making the buying decision rely more on taste than much else, but this one could be different.

Design

The HTC U12 Plus has taken a page out of 2017 design, but that’s not such a bad thing. Put next to its predecessor, the HTC U11, not much has changed.

HTC has maintained its peerless glass design, now available in a few colors: Flame Red, Ceramic Black, Translucent Blue. The former red option offers the same pearlescent effect that we loved in last year’s phone, shimmering in multiple shades of fiery red depending on the angle you hold it. Titanium Black is the most bland of the three, and the new Translucent Blue is the model that HTC will be pushing hard, with its see-through back that exposes some internals.

HTC’s U12 Plus may not have the OnePlus signature alert slider, but it definitely makes up for it with its intriguing haptic solution. You’ll find all of the familiar buttons here, but none of them are actually buttons, but are more like the non-moveable home button on the iPhone 8. You’ll feel a buzz each time you push it in, but there’s no pressing.

OnePlus 6 may offer gesture support for its screen, but HTC is going all in on its Edge Sense tech this year. The phone can recognize which hand you’re holding it in, and squeeze the screen down to one-handed mode with a tap of the thumb along its side trim. 

Have you ever gone from using your phone upright to laying down and been annoyed when the screen re-orients to landscape mode? Yes, it’s an incredibly specific issue, but the U12 Plus can recognize when your grip on the phone hasn’t changed and will keep things oriented in portrait mode.

OnePlus wins out with its inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack. You’ll also find a slick all-glass design here. What will decide it for you is if you want a phone with more screen on the front.

Display

Underneath the front glass of both phones, you’ll find some pretty good tech, but there are trade-offs to consider. 

The OnePlus 6 packs in a 6.3-inch display that’s considerably bigger than the U12 Plus’s 6-inch screen. Besting the OnePlus 6’s 1080p resolution, the U12 Plus opts for QHD. 

Despite its superior resolution and pixel density, it houses an LCD display versus OnePlus’ OLED display. You’ll always find more vibrant colors and better contrast on an OLED, so long as you’re alright with the OnePlus 6’s notch.

OS and power

Both the OnePlus 6 and HTC U12 Plus come with Android Oreo out of the box and are confirmed to receive the Android P update. However the former is one step ahead of the latter, as it’s already compatible with the Android P beta. That’s a pretty good sign that it’ll come to the OnePlus 6 faster than HTC’s latest phone.

When it comes to power, you’re getting a lot with these phones. Each comes with the Snapdragon 845, the latest high-end Qualcomm chipset. For those who enjoy multitasking and running the latest apps and games, you’ll be pleased to find 6GB of RAM no matter which phone you choose. But OnePlus 6 ups the ante with an 8GB of RAM configuration that HTC can’t match.

If you’re not a thrill-chaser looking for the most bleeding-edge specs, HTC’s phone will do you right, though the OnePlus 6’s high-end option will likely be the more future-proofed choice.

Camera and battery

The HTC U11 impressed us with its camera performance last year, and it looks like the U12 Plus may best it. Sporting a dual-lens rear camera system that brings OIS and EIS along for the ride, you’ll get a 12MP wide-angle lens that features HTC’s UltraPixel 4 tech, with an impressive f/1.75 aperture. 

The other lens is a 16MP telephoto lens that boasts a f/2.6 aperture. As you may know, a lower aperture value means that more light is let in, but what the phone’s processing does with that light makes all the difference in whether the image turns out well or poorly.

Compared to the dual lens setup on the OnePlus 6 and it’s easy to see that, on paper, the U12 Plus pales in comparison to its 16 + 20MP package. OnePlus manages an excellent f/1.7 aperture on both lenses and backs it with OIS as well.

Around front, the U12 Plus rocks two 8MP lenses for a hardware-based bokeh effect. OnePlus 6 features one 16MP lens, so we expect both lenses to do pretty well.

Specs aside, we expect the HTC U12 Plus to fare better when it comes to taking the one-off shot, thanks to its sensor that can capture larger pixels. We’ll have to wait for the final review to know for sure.

Moving along to battery, the U12 Plus beats out the OnePlus 6 with its 3,500mAh battery, which is interesting consider that OnePlus’ latest is a bit bigger. You’ll find a bit less there, to the tune of 3,300mAh. It’s honestly not much to get up in arms about, but HTC seems to be leading the charge here.

Both phones offer fast charging, each seeming capable of delivering half a day’s charge in 30 minutes.

However, you’ll likely be disappointed in both for their lack of wireless charging. A glass back is necessary for wireless charging to work, but neither company is participating in the trendy feature.

Price and availability

The HTC U12 Plus and OnePlus 6 will each be available in several countries around the world shortly after their respective launches. We expect these both to be easy to find no matter where you are in the months following release.

To say that the OnePlus 6 undercuts the U12 Plus is an understatement. Available starting at $529, it’s almost $300 cheaper than the latest HTC smartphone, which debuted today at $799 (£699) for its 64GB model, or $849 for the 128GB variation.

You can double the storage of the OnePlus 6 and opt for 8GB of RAM for $50 more, bringing the total to $579 (519 pounds). At that, maxing out the latest OnePlus phone still puts you in at a savings of over $200 compared to the HTC U12 Plus.

Takeaway

The OnePlus 6 and the HTC U12 Plus are neck-and-neck for most of the flagship race, with the latter losing its edge because of its high asking price and slightly inferior LCD panel.

OnePlus makes compromises to meet its lower price point, like opting for 1080p for its screen and slacking on an IP protection rating (HTC’s phone is IP68), but it’s still a far better deal that will appeal to more people. If HTC can get its price down over time, our feelings may change.

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HTC U12 Plus release date, price, news and features

The HTC U12 Plus is now upon us. The 6-inch flagship arrives in a crowded market of competitors, but it has plenty going for it. 

This year's phone comes with a refined glass design, now available in a few different colors – even one with a translucent back to see some of the U12 Plus' internals.

Not a whole lot has changed in general, but there are several new bits to this phone that certainly make it interesting compared to your average phone. HTC has jumped up to a dual-lens setup on the back of its U12 Plus – not just that, but it has put dual selfie cams on the front.

Edge Sense on the HTC U11 didn't totally win us over, but it looks to be expanded upon in this year's phone. We'll be digging into that, as well as touching on all of the other new features to be found in the lead-up to the full review that's coming soon.

HTC U12 Plus release date and price

  • HTC U12 Plus launch date: May 23
  • HTC U12 Plus release date: pre-sale begins May 23
  • HTC U12 Plus price: starts at $799 / £699

The U12 launch date reveal image tweeted by HTC

The HTC U12 Plus launched on May 23. HTC has confirmed that its latest phone will be making the rounds globally, though it wasn't able to confirm availability or pricing details for Australia.

In the US, you'll be able to purchase the U12 Plus through Amazon or HTC's own website. HTC has confirmed that US carriers supported includes AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Sadly, Sprint users will have to sit this one out.

Outside of the US, it currently seems that HTC.com may be the only avenue for buying one.

In terms of pricing, HTC is going rather high with a $799 (£699) tag. We'll have to see if the phone is worth it in our full review, but there are several phones with competing specs available for far less, like the OnePlus 6.

HTC U12 Plus design

  • A curvy glass back
  • Water and dust resistance
  • No headphone port

If you've been paying attention to the leaks leading up to the HTC U12 Plus, you'll notice that what's been confirmed matches up almost perfectly with the speculation.

HTC's 2018 flagship comes in a 156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7-9.7mm and weighs 188 grams. Compared to last year's HTC U11, this one is taller, a bit thicker and heavier, but a little less wide.

In terms of ports and button layouts, there's not a whole lot that appears to change – that is, until you hold the phone in your hand. The buttons actually aren't buttons, but haptic-driven sensors. You press them in and they vibrate. 

HTC's "Liquid Surface" design is taken a step further with a few new color options on offer. Not all colors are available in every region the phone will be released, but there's Flame Red, Ceramic Black and Translucent Blue – the latter of which HTC is pushing the hardest for this model.

A glimpse at the Edge Sense 2 options

It's worth talking a bit about Edge Sense 2, HTC's latest iteration on its feature that encourages you to squeeze away. This one can recognize how you're gripping the phone, and let you one-finger tap to make the screen a bit easier to navigate with a single hand. 

Keeping with knowing which fingers are wrapped around the phone, moving from a standing to a laying position will no longer send the U12 Plus' screen spinning out of control – if your grip hasn't moved, the screen won't either. 

HTC U12 Plus display

  • A 6-inch Super LCD6 screen
  • 1440 x 2880 resolution
  • Minimal bezel, but no notch

The HTC U12 Plus has a 6-inch WQHD+ 1440 x 2880 Super LCD6 display. Sure it's not an OLED display, like many of the company's competitors are opting for, but our early impressions of the phone proved that it puts on a pretty good show.

You'll find a pixel density of 537 pixels per inch here, with DCI-P3, sRGS color gamuts represented. Additionally, HDR 10 will be available out of the box, though its cameras can't capture HDR footage.

Unlike just about every other smartphone to release in 2018, the HTC U12 Plus doesn't feature a notch – whatever that's worth to you – some people like it, others don't.

Twin selfie snappers

HTC U12 Plus camera and battery

  • A dual-lens 12MP and 16MP rear camera
  • A dual-lens 8MP front-facing camera
  • A 3,500mAh battery, but no wireless charging

The leaks were right on about the cameras around the U12 Plus and the battery inside of it.

Starting with the cameras, HTC has really doubled-down (no pun intended) on the optics. It has stuck an extra lens on the rear, so now there's a dedicated 12MP UltraPixel 4 lens that has an aperture of f/1.75 and another 16MP lens that handles telephoto with 2x optical zoom and f/2.6 aperture.

Both OIS and EIS are employed for photo and video, so in theory, you shouldn't see any blurry content showing up in your camera roll. Additionally, HTC's camera software will let you adjust the depth of field in real-time, be in while the camera is aiming or in post-production.

Moving to the front, HTC has doubled its offering here as well, tossing in two 8MP cameras that offer an 84-degree field of view with f/2.0 aperture. You'll be treated to the same bokeh effects as on the rear, but no OIS or EIS here.

HTC U12 Plus power and storage

  • A Snapdragon 845 chipset
  • 6GB of RAM
  • Up to 128GB of storage and microSD support

It's confirmed: the HTC U12 Plus has a Snapdragon 845 chipset, 6GB of RAM, and starts with 64GB of onboard storage with a microSD slot built-in. If you want to push over a little more cash, you can double the internal ROM size to 128GB, though you may be better off investing in a microSD card.

This all means that HTC finally has a phone that can compete with the best Android phones, though that doesn't mean that it isn't already being outpaced by the 8GB RAM variant of the OnePlus 6 – even if just by a little bit.

Android Oreo will be on this phone at launch with HTC's Sense 10 interface, though HTC has confirmed to TechRadar that Android P will be on its way to the phone following its release.

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Best OnePlus 6 cases to protect your new phone

While we’ve already started to see rumors of a OnePlus 6T, the existing OnePlus 6 is still the best the company has to offer. And, if you own a OnePlus 6 but no case, it’s probably time to get one, because the glass design introduced in this model is not quite as safe from drop damage as previous OnePlus phones were.

There are plenty one OnePlus 6 cases that will still let you show off the great looks of your phone, and even more that can go a long way toward protecting your OnePlus 6 from all sorts of potential hazards, whether they be water or high falls.

If you’ve been waiting because plenty of popular smartphone case manufacturers held out on making OnePlus 6 cases, don’t worry. We’ve found some good options anyway.

Spigen Rugged Armor case

Spigen's Rugged Armor case is a great combination of protection and affordability. It has a simple one-piece construction using flexible TPU to easily wrap around the phone and protect it from all sides.

Covering the rear, save for a camera and fingerprint scanner cutout, this case will go a long way toward protecting the glass back of the OnePlus 6. Meanwhile, the raised edges can also protect your screen from falls onto flat surfaces.

At $12.99 on Amazon, this is an easy pick for OnePlus 6 owners.

Otterbox Commuter case

Otterbox has a great reputation for making smartphone cases, so it's always refreshing to see one available for a phone like the OnePlus 6. 

The Commuter Case combines a rubber cover that goes around the OnePlus 6 with a hard polycarbonate shell to add extra protection and keep everything in place. The case also has port covers, so when you're not using the ports, you can prevent dust and dirt from getting in.

The Otterbox Commuter case may be expensive at $39.95, but preventing serious damage to your OnePlus 6 is well be worth that cost.

Tudia Arch S case

Likely to maintain its title as the most affordable OnePlus 6 case around, Tudia's Arch S is no slouch in terms of build quality or looks.

This model in particular is extra grippy and fits right around the curves of the phone to avoid any extra bulk that we commonly see with cases. You'll find access to ports and buttons unfettered by this case.

Available in a few different colors, this one won't cost you more than $10, that's with shipping included.

Ringke Fusion case

It’s about time that some cheaper OnePlus 6 cases hit the market, and it looks like Ringke heard the call with its Fusion case. This one comes in clear and black color options and provides a minimal, but comprehensive coverage around the latest OnePlus phone.

Despite its minimalist design, it actually adds a bit of buffer space between the corners to protect it better against drops. The case also comes with a wrist strap in case you want to keep it strapped to your wrist but out of your hand.

Anccer Slim Fit case

The OnePlus 6 is a dead-serious smartphone that’s packed with impressive specs for an appealing price, but Anccer says “lighten up a bit, will ya?” with a nice selection of color options for its Slim Fit case.

From predictable favorites like black and silver, there’s also red, rose gold, blue and green to select between, among a few others. This one certainly isn’t as protective as a ruggedized option, but if you’re looking for a bit more pizzazz for your OnePlus 6, this is a good place to look.

OnePlus Flip Cover case

Looking for a classy add-on for your new OnePlus 6, the flip cover is the way to go. If you take a call, a little cut-out near the top allows you to hear the ear speaker easily while the case is closed.

Flipped open, there’s a card slot where you can easily fit a few cards and a little cash. This doesn’t look like the most protective option around, but if you’re looking for a case that holds form and function in equal regard for $19.95 (£17.95).

OnePlus Bumper case

The most rugged option available through OnePlus, the Bumper case protects your OnePlus 6 from every angle and is available in a few different colors and build materials.

Most stylish is the nylon, which gives your phone the soft feel of fabric. Ebony wood and Karbon will both appeal to certain crowds.

This one goes for $24.95 (£23.95) and looks to be a worthy investment for your new phone.

OnePlus Silicone Protective case

Available only in red, the soft silicone case is the perfect option for those who want to protect their phones with something simple in look and feel.

Built to take a beating, silicone keeps your phone in one place on a surface and will likely age well, even if you get it dirty.

This rather basic case offers easy access to all buttons and ports, and will cost you $19.95 (£17.95).

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Best LG G7 ThinQ cases: a few options to protect your new phone

The LG G7 ThinQ is the company’s best-looking phone yet. Complete with an all-glass design and nearly no bezels, it’s got all of the makings of a winner.

We know that you don’t want to hear this, but you should probably stick a case on your new LG phone. There are a lot of bad cases out there, but we’ve spotted a few that make for a solid companion 

We’re currently conducting tests of our own, and will be updating this article with only the very best cases available on the market. But in the meantime, these cases below (while untested) look to be wise investments based on their design, robustness and overall value. 

Note: we’ve ranked these from cheapest to most expensive at the time of writing

TopACE Silicone case

Most people are conflicted on buying a case. Understandably so, as you’re essentially masking the purchase that you’ve made. If you’re one of those people, the silicone case from TopAce might be the best option for you, and it won’t cost a lot.

This one slips around the G7 ThinQ’s curves easily, fitting close to its all-glass design and the clicky metal buttons. With this option on your phone, say goodbye to deep scratches and potential cracks if you drop it or grind your keys across the back.

For its low cost, it’s more than worth the price of entry if you think you’ll put LG’s new phone through some abuse.

Ringke Scratch-resistant TPU case

Preserving the design of a phone is important to a lot of people, even moreso when you’re looking for a case to protect it. 

The Ringke scratch-resistant case comes in a few colors, unlike the above silicone case, and looks to suit those who are reluctant to adorn protection for their new LG phone.

Aside from the expected features, like easy access to buttons and ports, the one has an added groove near the fingerprint sensor to clue you into where it is, so you can find it without trying too hard.

Spigen Tough Armor case

If you’re looking for multi-layered protection and a bit of extra functionality as well, consider Spigen’s Tough Armor case. It’s relatively affordable and does something that the others cannot: act as a kickstand. 

Popping it out works perfectly, whether you’re at home eating a meal or on a plane or train. Beyond its more obvious uses for multimedia, this is a tough case that protects the G7 ThinQ from every angle.

Otterbox Symmetry case

This case from Otterbox offers the ultimate level of protection found on our list thus far, protecting the G7 ThinQ from just about every angle.

Available in all-black or in a magenta and grey color combo, this rugged case doesn’t detract too much from the sleek design on LG’s notch-equipped smartphone.

Compared to other cases on this list, this is the most drop-friendly, yet it offers easy access to the ports, and the rubber button extenders are nice and clicky.

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Moto Z3 Play design, specs and bundle details unearthed by leak

The Moto Z3 Play should be in for a slight redesign, if recently leaked documents are to be believed. 

Compared to its predecessor, the Moto Z2 Play, this one is said to be going under the knife to shift its fingerprint sensor around to clear the way for minimal bezels. But due to the nature of the company’s Moto Mods, which snap onto the phone’s back, it’s reportedly integrating the biometric feature into the side-mounted power button.

Some more alleged details have leaked on XDA Developers, citing that Moto’s premium mid-range phone will sport a Snapdragon 636, 4GB of RAM, with 32GB or 64GB storage configurations, both of which support microSD.

Moto appears to be making its Z3 Play a more movie-friendly phone with the jump from 5.5-inches to a 6-inch display. However, this is slightly troubling news, as it is said to stick with last year’s 3,000mAh battery to power the larger screen. The company has either cracked the code for all-day battery life with a big screen, or users might be forced to buy a new Moto Mod to alleviate that issue.

Ahoy, bundles!

Speaking of Moto Mods, Motorola has usually done well to incentivize buyers by including a modular attachment along with purchase. But it seems like it could go a step further this year by offering bundles aimed at certain audiences.

It is said to offer four unique bundles: Power edition, Style edition, Gamepad edition, and Projection edition. Moving down the list, the first will get you a battery attachment, “Style” will reportedly nab you a style shell to show off your phone in, you’ll get a gamepad attachment with the third, and lastly, Moto will likely bundle its projector mod with the final bundle.

Pricing and release details weren’t exposed in this leak, but we expect it to be priced for less than its Moto Z2 Force flagship model goes for, which is hovering around $700 (£600) on Amazon. You can currently find the Moto Z2 Play for around $300 (£300), so that may be the sweet spot that Moto is aiming for.

Via 9To5Google

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