As we inch closer to Samsung’s second Galaxy Unpacked event for 2023, a series of possible press renders have recently surfaced for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and  Z Flip 5.

These images come from tech news site MySmartPrice, and truth be told, there isn’t a lot of brand-new information in these leaks. If anything, they serve to reiterate previously heard rumors, giving some past information a bit more validity. Case in point, it looks like both smartphones will feature a waterdrop hinge, a design change we first heard about back in January. This means they’ll be able to close completely flat. It’s a small addition but could go a long way in improving the durability of these devices plus reduce the on-screen crease – if only a little bit. 

Any reduction of the crease, however small, is welcomed. If you check out TechRadar’s review of the Galaxy Z Fold 4, one of our biggest complaints was the very noticeable crease down the middle. So it is good to see one of our demands for the Fold 5 is being (somewhat) met. 

Design changes

Speaking of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, it looks like Samsung is sticking pretty close to the design of the Z Fold 4. The USB Type-C port, speaker grills, and rear camera system line up pretty closely with the older model. The only outward design difference, according to MySmartPrice, is the smaller bezels around the Fold5’s screen. This allows for a bigger screen-to-body ratio resulting in a more “immersive viewing experience”. 

As for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, MySmartPrice’s other leak seemingly confirms the phone’s larger 3.4-inch outer screen, a feature that was first seen back in May. And as previously reported, the display will have an arch around the side-by-side camera lenses.

The renders also demonstrate a couple of use cases for the external screen. You can show off some high-quality images or use it to “control music playback.” We might even see Google Maps on there as Google is apparently optimizing several of its apps to work with the outer display. 

Samsung’s second Unpacked showcase is set to be held in late July in Seoul, South Korea. There, we expect to see the official reveal of both the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5. The launch date remains a mystery although there is some speculation both phones will release on July 26 in South Korea first, before moving onto a global launch event on August 11. This third mini-event will reportedly be held in the “United States and Canada separately.”

If you’re interested in picking up a foldable phone or just curious to learn more, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best foldable phones for 2023.

A series of leaked renders for OnePlus’ Nord 3 have recently surfaced, potentially giving us our first look at the upcoming smartphone.

The renders come from German tech website WinFuture, and they appear to be either marketing or press images which may indicate an imminent launch. If you check out the photos, you may notice the device has an identical design to the China-exclusive OnePlus Ace 2V. This gives credence to a previous rumor stating the company is rebranding the Ace 2V as the successor of the Nord line for Western users. It’ll even come in the same black and mint green color options. 

Specs

Assuming it really is a renamed Ace 2V, the Nord 3 at launch will look a little different than what current rumors suggest. A leak from March 2022 claimed the future device would sport a 6.7-inch screen outputting a resolution of 1080 x 2412 pixels. With the new information in mind, the Nord 3 may have a 6.74-inch, 120Hz AMOLED screen outputting a resolution of 1024 x 2772 – a small bump in quality.

Under the hood, the phone is set to come with the high-end Dimensity 9000 chipset (not the Dimensity 8100 as previously reported) alongside 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage. Other potential changes include a 5000 mAh battery complete with 80W fast charge, plus a three-camera system led by a 50MP wide lens; not 64MP as seen on the Ace 2V. The ultra wide-angle and macro lenses on the Nord 3 will remain the same at 8MP and 2MP, respectively.  

Pending launch

Of course, take this information with a grain of salt. OnePlus can final adjustments to the Nord 3's hardware at any time. If the leaks do come true, however, it’ll make the Nord 3 a more than worthy follow-up to the OnePlus Nord 2. It appears the brand is building on what made the Nord 2 so great and addressing some of our complaints, such as the lackluster 90Hz screen on the older model.

A release date for the Nord 3 remains unknown although it is worth pointing out that the smartphone has already appeared on several certification sites leading many to believe the launch is almost here. Those same websites, by the way, also hint at the 80W fast charging mentioned earlier – providing further proof the Nord 3 is a renamed Ace 2V. Price tag is a mystery, too, at least at the time of this writing. We expect the price point to be around £379 to £399.

Until we get more info about the Nord 3, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best OnePlus phones for 2023 if you’re in the market for a new handheld.

Newly discovered leaks reveal Google is working on several ways for Pixel owners to customize their device’s look as well as the opportunity to create their own cinematic photos.

This information comes from the Google News Telegram channel, which is not officially affiliated with Google itself but is run by industry insider Nail Sadykov. There, it is revealed the tech giant has recently rolled out the Emoji Workshop Wallpaper app to Pixel phones running the third Android 14 beta. 

The software allows users to select up to 14 individual emojis, choose from five different patterns (Mosaic, Lotus, Stacks, Placer, and Prism), and pick a color for their wallpaper. The Pixel device will then generate the wallpaper, which can be set as either your lock or home screen, based on the selection. This customized wallpaper is also interactive as touching the screen causes the emojis to dance a little. 

If you’re too lazy to make one up yourself, the app can also randomly generate wallpapers for you.

Installing Emoji Workshop can take a bit of work, however, as you’ll need to install Android 14 Beta 3 on your compatible Pixel device. Be sure to check out TechRadar’s guide for detailed instructions on how to download the beta. Once installed, you also need to download the app from the Emoji Workshop’s Google Play Store page. 

Bear in mind that it only works on Pixel phones. Also, opening the Play Store link with anything else causes an error message to appear.

A different way to read the news

The Google News app has also received new Material You widgets. The smaller Quick View widget focuses on just one story so people can still use their phone as normal. You also have List View to show you multiple headlines about a particular topic. 

The post in the Telegram channel states this update will appear with the launch of version 5.82 of the Google News app. As a word of warning, there are third-party sites out there offering the opportunity to install version 5.82. We strongly advise against downloading these for safety reasons. You’re better off waiting for the official release.

Finally, Google will allow users a way to create their own cinematic photos. This AI feature originally came out back in December 2020, adding a slow camera pan animation to photographs. Up to this point, Google chose the images to edit, but moving forward, there will be new controls in the Library/Utilities section of the Google Photos app. 

According to the leak, the update is apparently already rolling out to a select few. Be aware it will remain exclusive to those who own a Pixel device and a subscription to Google One.

No word on the launch date of either the emoji wallpaper or Google News widget, although we expect both to come out alongside Android 14 later this summer.

• TechRadar's best Pixel phones rated for 2023

Belkin returns with a new set of Apple-exclusive products, the most important of which is the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand.

The little brother of the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand that launched last year, this new model not only allows you to quickly charge iPhones and AirPod charging cases but also offer support for charging in landscape mode. It's a new feature that takes advantage of the new StandBy Mode coming to iOS 17.

StandBy Mode, as revealed at WWDC 2023, gives iPhones the ability to control smart home devices from smart light bulbs to door locks. Sitting on top of the BoostChargePro 2-in-1 stand, you can turn your smartphone into your very own smart home display. For those uninterested in having a smart home, people can still use the BoostCharge Pro and iPhone pairing as a side table assistant of sorts.

MagSafe and secure

The BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 shares a lot of the same features as the older model, including “MagSafe technology” for “up to 15W” fast wireless charging. 

The first thing you will notice about this upgrade, however, is it loses the T-shaped arm from the previous installment. That's because Belkin has removed support for Apple Watches. But don't worry as it'll sport the same level of performance as before plus a cheaper price tag and the aforementioned compatibility for landscape mode.

It is secure enough for both portrait and landscape placements so you don’t have to worry about your device falling off. On the bottom is a Qi wireless charging base exclusively for AirPods. It is a bit smaller than Belkin’s 3-in-1 Wireless Charger, however, as it measures 4.72 x 4.72 x 6.22 inches (120 x 120 x 158 mm).

Available in white and black, you can purchase the BoostCharge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless Charger Stand for $99.99 from Apple’s website with the shipping date is set for June 12. Do note that you will need to own an “iPhone 12 or newer” device to use the charger. 

In terms of AirPods, the base is compatible with most models going as far back as the first generation. The one exception is the AirPods Max. Neither of Belkin’s products work with the headphones so you’ll have to stick with using the Lighting port for charging. A full list of compatible product can be found on the charger's product listing.

Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best iPhone chargers for 2023. We cover a wide variety including cables, mats and blocks for your mobile device. 

Without any sort of formal announcement or tease, OnePlus recently revealed its next mid-range device for the US: the Nord N30 5G, a direct successor to the Nord N20 5G.

Although the new model still runs on a Snapdragon 695 chipset, the Nord N30 5G introduces a variety of hardware upgrades. The processing unit is paired up with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of onboard storage. It runs on the company’s proprietary OxygenOS software which, itself, is “based on Android 13”. 

On the front is a 6.72-inch (about 170 millimeters) LCD display with Full HD Plus resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate. Additionally, there’s a punch hole at the top center of the screen for the 16MP (megapixel) selfie lens.

Slight differences

Looking in the back, you’ll find the three-camera system led by a 108MP lens with f/1.7 aperture, backed up by a two-megapixel depth lens and a two-megapixel macro lens. Users will be able to shoot videos up to 1080p resolution (1920x1080 pixels) at 30 FPS. It is good to see the rear camera system getting an upgrade. If you read our review of the Nord N20 5G, you’ll find that while we liked the phone, the camera left a lot to be desired.

Other notable features include a 5000mAh battery supporting 50W SuperVOOC for fast charging, a fingerprint scanner on the side, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The last entry may not seem like a big deal, but with so many smartphones nowadays eschewing a physical audio jack, we thought it was worth pointing out.

Availability

If any of this rings a bell, that's because the Nord N30 5G is nearly identical to the Nord CE 3 Lite with a few differences.  

For example, the Nord CE 3 Lite comes with noise cancellation whereas the Nord N30 doesn’t. The battery on the Nord CE 3 Lite supports 67W SuperVOOC meaning its fast charging capabilities are a bit better. The Nord N30, however, does come with a few extra features not present on its cousin such as Screen Flash for better-illuminated selfies and Face Unlock allowing facial recognition on the device.

You can pre-order the Nord N30 5G right now for $299 – the exact same price point as the N20 5G – on OnePlus’ website. It will only be available in one color: Chromatic Gray. No word if there will ever be a Pastel Lime green like with Nord CE 3 Lite. We reached out to OnePlus asking if there are plans to increase the color options and for clarification on software patches. Another online report states the Nord N30 5G will get just “one major Android update.” 

This story will be updated at a later time.

• TechRadar's best OnePlus phones of 2023: all the best premium and bargain OnePlus Androids

Several new renders of the Nothing Phone (2) have leaked online showcasing what the upcoming mid-range smartphone may look like at launch.

The images come from industry insider OnLeaks who then shared his findings with news site Smartprix. According to the breakdown, the Nothing Phone (2) will look similar to the first model with some slight changes to make it more ergonomic and aesthetically pleasing. The front and back of the phone are said to have a slight curve to them. Paired up with a rounder frame, the redesign is claimed to provide “a more comfortable grip” as well as adding a “touch of elegance to the overall look of the device.” 

The more notable changes, however, are on the back. The signature Nothing glyph is now segmented into six individual pieces instead of a continuous line. Smartprix claims this configuration will allow users to “create custom lighting… around the wireless charging area” for a personalized touch. 

Additionally, the LED camera flash has been upgraded to a dual setup, enabling “improved lighting capabilities”. In our review of the Nothing Phone (1), we found the cameras “serve up nice quality shots [when it’s bright out] but the system struggles in the dark”. So the Phone (2) may sport better low-light photography – at least, that's the hope.

The design shown in the leak is “based on live pictures of a testing stage unit”, meaning that the final product may look a little different. For example, the SIM tray is on the right edge of the phone instead of on the bottom as seen on the Phone (1). The renders show the bottom edge only housing a USB Type-C port and a speaker grille; there's no 3.5mm headphone jack though, as is par for the course with Nothing.

Falling in line

Looking at the leaks in their entirety, they all do seem plausible with what we know about the Nothing Phone (2). 

The company recently confirmed the display will measure 6.7 inches, up 0.15 inches from the older model. A bigger size means more weight, which can result in hand fatigue after repeated usage. This could also explain why the developers are making ergonomic design changes as a way to mitigate this problem. The pill-like video indicator shown in the leaks was actually first revealed in early May on Nothing’s official Twitter account.

As with any other leaks, take this information with a grain of salt. Apart from a few other minor things, not much else is known about the Nothing Phone (2). We’ll just have to wait until the model releases later this summer to learn more. The launch date will probably be around July to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the Nothing Phone (1). 

Until then, be sure to check out TechRadar's coverage of the Nothing Phone (2) such as the recent confirmation that the smartphone will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 mobile platform.

• TechRadar's best cheap phones 2023: top budget smartphones in the US

Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) 2023 event is happening soon (June 5, 2023) and like clockwork, the leaks are popping up. The rumors this time suggest iOS 17 will have a new lock screen that will turn your iPhone into a sort of smart display.

What gives this rumor more credence than others is the fact it comes from notable industry insider Mark Gurman from Bloomberg. He claims in a recent report that Apple is looking for a way to “make iPhones more useful when they’re [sitting] on a person’s desk or nightstand.” The tech is reportedly based on the customizable lock screen from iOS 16 which allows “users “to see small snippets of information”. 

Beyond that, not much else is known. Gurman’s anonymous sources state the iOS 17 features function similar to Amazon’s Echo Show displays and it’ll utilize a “dark background with bright text” similar to the Apple Watch's Nightstand Mode.

Smart home expansion

It's been known for a while now the company has been working on growing the smart home side of its business. All the way back in January of this year, rumors were floating around stating the tech giant is planning to launch a low-end iPad as the company’s first official smart home controller. Gurman’s report states it’s been “designed to control things like thermostats” and house lights, as well as “show video”.

It's hard to say whether or not Apple wants the iPhone to play a bigger role in its smart home plans. Sure, a smart display is useful for displaying basic information, but there has to be more to it than that. And we can't help but wonder how this will affect the Matter standard. 

The protocol is in dire need of some support, after all. Matter 1.1 recently launched, and what was supposed to be a major upgrade, but without more device-type support, it's a little underwhelming. Looking at Gurman’s leaks, there isn’t a single word about Matter, which is rather concerning.

Either way, mum's the word for now.  Gurman states that “an Apple spokeswoman declined to comment on [the company's] plans for iOS 17.”

A peek at the future

As for the rest of the report, it mostly consists of previously seen leaks like watchOS 10 getting widgets as part of a major revamp and the world premiere of the company’s VR headset. Some of the more interesting tidbits, however, include “significant changes to the iPhone’s Wallet app” plus an AirPlay upgrade “to make it easier for users to beam [content] to devices they don’t own.” Apparently, Apple spoke to some hotels "that offer TVs and speakers" to make the latter possible.

Be sure to stay tuned for our coverage of WWDC 2023. We do expect to see the official reveal of iOS 17.

Google will finally be updating the App Pairs feature for the native version of Android 14, giving users a way to save certain split-screen apps on their phone.

For those who need a refresher, App Pair is a multitasking tool allowing Android owners to open two apps, place them side-by-side, and interact with them at the same time. The annoying thing was you couldn’t save them on Pixel hardware, so you had to redo the pairing every time you closed them. That is, until this latest leak, which was discovered by freelance tech journalist Mishaal Rahman who shared his findings on Twitter. 

He came across a “launcher flag” digging through the files of the second Android 14 beta “that, when enabled, surfaces” a new ‘Save app pair’ option “in the context menu of split-screened apps”. Rahman states the selection doesn’t work at the moment, but he does expect it to work as intended later down the line. There’s no indication in his findings whether or not the feature will be available with the launch of Android 14, however.

Now you may be asking: “doesn’t this already exist on Android?” Yes, it does. The problem was split-screen saving was never available on the base version of Android OS nor on Pixel. It's something usually added by third parties to their respective tech. Samsung, for example, gave users the ability to save app pairings from the get-go when it introduced its own rendition of App Pairs to Galaxy phones back in 2017. Pixel devices, for whatever reason, have lagged behind.  

Improved multi-tasking

Staying on this thread of Google playing catch up, industry leaker Nail Sadykov discovered another new multitasking feature in the latest Android 14 beta. This time, the operating system will allow you to “use system navigation” while dragging and dropping items. So, you’ll be able to grab a photo from one app, “open another, [then] drop it there” without much hassle. It also works with text. Highlighting a string of words lets you move them to somewhere else, effectively eliminating the need for copying and pasting.

Just like Rahman’s findings, the improved drag and drop tool does exist on other smartphones from iOS to Oppo hardware. It's just that Google has been a little slow on the uptake. Hopefully, these quality-of-life updates will appear on the Pixel 8. While they’re not the most game-changing additions, the small stuff does add up, and it can turn an okay device into something special. 

Speaking of the Pixel 8, a recent leak for the Pro model reveals it may be getting a thermometer of all things. It’ll be next to the camera lenses on the rear. We're not sure what Google intends to do by adding a thermometer to Pixel, which seems a pretty random inclusion.

Once you’re done catching up on our coverage of Google's next flagship, be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best Pixel handsets for 2023 if you’re looking to upgrade. 

Carl Pei, CEO of Nothing, recently confirmed on Twitter the upcoming Nothing Phone (2) will run on the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 mobile platform.

This reveal comes a couple months after initial rumors hinting at the chipset’s inclusion, which raised some eyebrows at the time. Some questioned the decision to equip the company’s new flagship smartphone with last year's tech instead of the latest advancements, which is what Samsung did with the Galaxy S23. Pei, seemingly aware of these concerns, followed up the announcement with a Twitter thread explaining the reasoning behind the company’s decision to go with the older hardware. He states “it’s not just about speed – it’s about the complete package.” 

Potential features

Pei states the camera on the Nothing Phone (2) will support Raw HDR image files and 4K video recording at 60 FPS. This is thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 sporting “an 18-bit Image Signal Processor (ISP) capable of capturing over 4,000 times more camera data” than the Nothing Phone (1). He’s also quite confident in the chipset’s efficient “power consumption and heat management”, calling it “best-in-class”.

It is interesting to point out Pei understands that the Phone (2) won’t be a powerhouse. The thread goes on to say the company is prioritizing the “user experience over being first in the specs race.” But at the very least, the flagship device will see an 80 percent boost in overall performance compared to the Phone (1) so improvements are indeed being made. Speed just isn’t a priority for them which is probably the smarter move.

Ol' reliable

If Nothing were to install the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 into the Phone (2), the price tag would most likely shoot up a considerable amount – not to mention all the bugs the users will have to deal with. An expensive phone would also fly in the face of its consumer base. After all, the company has carved a niche for itself as an affordable option to high-tech smartphones like the aforementioned Galaxy S23.

And as Pei states, the Gen 1 platform “has been thoroughly tested and continuously optimized through numerous updates since its introduction”, so it’s not like people are getting the dog days or anything. You could even argue customers will be using the chipset in its prime.

We should mention a recent report from tech news site Inverse claims Nothing OS is getting a redesign in order to be more distinct. The system has been criticized in the past for being a “mostly stock Android experience with a few sprinkles of Nothing’s custom dot matrix font”. According to Inverse, the new user interface will break from the “established grid layout”. However, there weren’t any screenshots showing off the redesign nor could the report confirm that it’ll end up on the upcoming device.

The Nothing Phone (2) is set to launch later this summer.

• TechRadar's list of the best Android phones 2023: top Google-powered phones

If you like your Galaxy S23 camera system today, you might like it even more next month as Samsung is apparently implementing a 2x zoom for portrait mode.

This information comes from a moderator on the official Samsung Korean forums responding to another user asking for fixes to be made to portrait photography on the flagship device. According to a translation provided by Android Police, 2x zoom will arrive in the next software update, which is expected to roll out by the end of the month.

If you’re curious to know what the big deal is, think of 2x zoom as a Goldilocks mode for portrait photography on smartphones. The 1x zoom on the S23 is great for taking wide-angle shots while the 3x zoom is good for close-ups or taking a picture of far-off landmarks. However, neither is the best for taking portraits. With 2x zoom, you have this nice in-between option that’s just right. A similar mode is available on the iPhone 14 Pro, and in fact, it was one of the reasons why we liked its camera so much. 

It is unknown whether or not every phone in the S23 line will get the feature as only the standard model is specifically mentioned. When asked about the mode potentially rolling out to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the moderator states there’s a possibility, although there’s nothing set in stone as 2x zoom will have to roll out to the Galaxy S23 first.

We reached out to Samsung for confirmation on 2x zoom coming to its flagship line. This story will be updated if we hear back.

HDR fixes

The fixes don’t stop there. A recent leak from notable industry insider Ice Universe on Twitter shows Samsung developers are working on addressing a problem with the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s HDR (high-dynamic range) feature. The error is a bug that causes pictures of objects taken in either low-light or indoor conditions to have a strange glow to them. The effect is exacerbated if the primary lighting source is in the shot. Object details are also lost making things look more rubbery. Reportedly, this is caused by something going wrong with the “exposure value frame and local tone-mapping” on the S23 Ultra.

The text in Ice Universe’s leak is in Korean, but according to another translation provided by SamMobile, it states “improvements are in progress and will be included in the next version” seemingly referring to the patch coming later this month.

2023 has seen a fair amount of camera fixes for the Galaxy S23 like enhancing the stability of video recordings, but there's more work to do. Back in March, people began complaining about photographs taken with the phone as coming out weirdly blurry. It appears Samsung has yet to address the issue as recent Reddit posts show people are still dealing with this problem. It's unknown if the tech giant is working on a fix for that particular issue. Hopefully, it is.

If you're thinking of making a smartphone camera switch, check out TechRadar’s list of the best camera phones for 2023. 

Apple quietly changed the trade-in value for various product lines about two weeks after redesigning its Trade-In website.

Looking at the charts, the changes are not across the board as some older models and Android phones will stay at their current amount. For the most part, you will get more money back for trading in old Apple devices, but a few are seeing a drop in value. Below is a series of tables listing every single trade-in update for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. 

iPhones

iPad

Mac

Apple Watch

Be aware you’re not guaranteed to get these new trade-in values. The amount you’ll get in return depends on a variety of factors like whether or not the buttons on your iPhone 13 Pro work or if the touchscreen is cracked. A poorly kept phone won’t give you $630 worth of trade-in credit toward a new device. And for other gadgets not listed like AirPods or keyboards, your only option is to recycle them. 

Trade-in alternatives

Back in January, Apple slashed the trade-in value for many models; some by as much as $50. So it's good to see the company begin offering more money to make up for the cuts. But the flip side of that is the value for most of these devices is still lower than what they were at the beginning of the year. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, for example, originally had a trade-in value of $650.

The good news is there are alternatives out there. If you live in the US, you can use Flipsy to “see how much your phone is worth”. For those in the UK, Sell My Mobile is one of the better services. You can also try selling privately. 

But before you do, read TechRadar’s guide on what to do prior to selling. There’s more to it than just making an eBay listing. 

A new leak for Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 5 is making the rounds revealing some detailed specs for the external screen alongside images of the display in action.

This information comes from notable industry insider Ice Universe on Twitter, who claims the outer display will measure 3.4 inches diagonally and sport a resolution of 720p (720x748 pixels) and 305 ppi (pixels per inch). So, you’re looking at a pretty decent screen although it isn't anything mind-blowing. It is, at the very least, better than the Galaxy Z Flip 4's tiny 1.9-inch cover display. What's more, Samsung may be preparing to take advantage of all that free real estate with a new series of widgets.

Newfound widgets

Looking at the image Ice Universe provided, the Z Flip 5’s external screen may be outfitted with a calendar widget complete with a clock and another one for the weather forecast. The battery indicator is pretty interesting because the leak shows the battery status of four devices connected devices. You have one for the Flip 5 itself plus a battery gauge for what appears to be a smartwatch judging by the icon. As for the other indicators, it’s difficult to make out what they are. One could be for a smart speaker, but the rest of the icons are pretty vague.

You will notice in the corner of the outer display is a series of four contextual apps for calling, texting, checking the weather, and adjusting the device’s settings. On the surface, this opens up interesting possibilities as users may be able to send texts without having to unfold the Flip 5. It could all be done on the cover screen. We do, however, worry if the icons are too small. Imagine trying to send a text only to inadvertently launch the weather or the phone app. That can get annoying pretty fast.

Stiff competition

It’s worth mentioning these specs are coming a few days after another leak showing off renders of the Z Flip 5. This latest round does add some credibility to the older information which also claimed the outer display would be 3.4 inches with a notch for the camera lens.

As with every leak, take this all with a grain of salt. Things can always change. The outer screen could actually be a flat square without the notch. But assuming it is all true, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 will face some stiff competition. Another spec leak reveals Motorola’s Razr 40 Ultra will have its own flat square cover display outputting a resolution of 1056 x 1066 pixels.

Either way, we'll just have to wait until later this summer for more info as that's when we expect the Galaxy Z Flip 5 to officially release.

If you can’t wait three months or so for the launch, check out TechRadar’s list of the best foldable phones for 2023. 

Motorola’s latest flagship phone, the Edge 40 Pro, will soon hit the shores of North America where it’s being rebranded as the 2023 version of the Edge Plus. 

If you compare the two devices, they’re almost the exact same phone with only a few differences. That’s either a good or a bad thing, depending on who you ask. On one hand, you have a decent mobile device, but on the other hand, it's literally more of the same. 

Either way, you can at least expect a good performance. The Edge Plus (2023) comes with a “virtually borderless [curved] 6.7-inch pOLED (polymer Organic Light Emitting Diode) display”, meaning it’ll have very small bezels for an immersive experience. The screen's resolution isn’t officially stated; however, considering its similarly to the Edge 40 Pro, there’s a good chance the new Edge Plus will output at Full HD Plus (2400 x 1080 pixels). It's also worth mentioning the model supports HDR10 Plus with a refresh rate of 165Hz much like its older counterpart.

Under the hood, it’s the exact same story. Powering this new Edge Plus is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for fast performance. The model’s “triple high-res camera system” consists of a 50 MP main lens with OIS (optical image stabilization) for “shake-free photos”, a 50 MP ultra wide lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens. On the front is a 60MP selfie camera which comes with the Snapdragon Cognitive Image Signal Processor “for greater color accuracy.”

Other notable features include Night Vision for taking video in “low-light environments”, Horizon Lock Stabilization to keep the camera rock steady while playing extreme sports like skiing, and Auto Focus Tracking to keep subjects “crystal-clear and in focus”.

Availability

Besides the name, the other major difference with the Edge Plus 2023 is the newfound 5100mAh battery which can provide a charge that lasts two whole days, at least according to Motorola. The Edge 40 Pro, meanwhile, has a 4,600mAh battery allowing it to last a solid day.

If you are interested in the Edge Plus (2023) and you live in the United States, the phone goes on sale on May 25 for $799.99 (pre-orders open May 19). It’ll be “available universally unlocked” at Best Buy, Amazon, and Motorola’s online store. None of the major carriers will sell the smartphone, unfortunately. If you want that option, you’ll have to opt for buying from lesser known carriers; namely Boost Infinite and Boost Mobile. In a few weeks time, both Spectrum Mobile and Consumer Cellular will begin selling the device as well. For the Canadians out there, the Edge Plus (2023) will be available through Motorola's website on May 25 for a hefty CA$1299.99 (pre-orders also open on May 19).

The Edge Plus 2023 certainly is a decent phone. But considering it’s mostly just the Edge 40 Pro living under a new identity, some may be disappointed with Motorola’s latest offering. If you want something potentially better, check out TechRadar’s list of the best Android phones for 2023.

Sometimes the best changes are the small ones. A quality-of-life update is coming to a future version of Pixel OS separating the volume controls for ringtones and notifications.

It’s a pretty basic change, sure, but considering the fact that you can already adjust the volume for media and alarms separately, it makes sense to have the tool cover everything. You can silence notifications in case your group chat is sending out tons of texts while still letting you hear phone calls, for example. Apparently, this one feature has been in the works for about a year and a half, according to the original Google IssueTracker post asking for this change. Looking through the thread, it seems Google didn’t really see this request as important enough to implement quickly so the company took its time.

At the bottom of the post, you’ll see a comment by someone, who presumably works at Google, stating the “requested feature will be available in a future build”. Exactly which one is unknown although 9to5Google did find a clue in the files of Android 13 QPR3 (Quarterly Platform Release) Beta 3. They found an ADB (Android Debug Bridge) command hinting at the design change. 9to5Google suggests the update could arrive with the release of the stable version of “Android 13 QPR3 Beta 3”, but that might be wishful thinking. 

Android 14 changes

An Android 14 launch seems more likely, though, given the current “stage of the development cycle”. This is backed by another discovery by Android Police where the publication found the two sliders already enabled on an early Android 14 build. And in said build, they discovered “setting the [Pixel] phone to vibrate” mutes both volumes.

The company’s next big event is Google IO 2023 (May 10) where we expect to get a good look at Android 14 before its official launch later this summer. Besides getting new features, “we’re also expecting [the operating system] to bring some quality-of-life upgrades” as well as a boost to device security. Perhaps the slider changes will be a part of that package or its reveal of the anticipated Pixel 7a phone.

It’s hard to say for sure, but we’ll know soon enough in about a week. Check out TechRadar’s recent roundup of the best deals for both the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro if you're looking to upgrade.

Samsung is kicking off the new month by releasing Astrophotography Mode to the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy S21 series following a similar update to the Galaxy S22 line several months ago.

Users of those Samsung devices will now have an easier time taking high-quality pictures of the night sky without, for the most part, needing any fancy equipment or extensive experience. Astrophotography Mode comes with a Sky Guide for pointing out the exact location of constellations by “drawing [an outline] on the screen”. You will also be able to choose how long those outlines stay up on screen by dragging an in-app slider from four minutes up to 10, according to SamMobile.

All you need to do is install the latest update for the Expert RAW app from Samsung’s Galaxy Store in order to get the feature on your Z Fold 4. For the S21 phones, you will need to download the April 2023 security patch first before you can try out Astrophotography Mode. Once everything is squared away, a new icon for the mode will appear on the far side of the in-app toolbar.

Be aware the tech isn’t foolproof. You will need to have a clear night sky (although a few passing clouds won’t ruin the effect) plus little to no light pollution which may be difficult to avoid if you live in a city. But if you’re able to make it work, the images you can capture are pretty stunning. We do recommend getting a phone tripod. Taking long exposure shots of the stars requires you to hold the camera steady for several hours so save your arms the trouble. 

Potential expansion

It’s unknown if other Galaxy phones will get Astrophotography Mode. However, it’s worth mentioning a leak back in February by Twitter user GaryeonHan that did correctly predict that the Z Fold 4 and S21 Ultra would get the feature. That same leak also claimed the Galaxy S20 Ultra, N20 Ultra, and Z Fold 2 would see the same update. As it turns out, all three are listed as devices that have recently obtained support for Expert RAW on the app's Galaxy Store listing. So it’s possible this isn’t the last we see of Astrophotography Mode coming to older Galaxy models. We did reach out to Samsung to see if we could get any hints at a future rollout. This story will be updated at a later time. 

In the meantime, be sure to check out TechRadar's roundup of the best Galaxy S21 deals for May 2023 if you’re looking for a deal on this now more feature-rich phone.