Android Advisor 96 - 2022 UK

INSIDE: ANDROID 12 TIPS & TRICKS
ANDROID
ADVISOR
ISSUE
96
GALAXY S22 ULTRA

SAMSUNG’S AWESOME NEW FLAGSHIP
CONTENTS
GALAXY UNPACKED 2022 FEATURES

4 Samsung Galaxy S22 series: 62 24 advanced tips and
Everything you need to know tricks for Android 12
12 Samsung Galaxy Tab 73 Android’s forgotten
S8 series: Everything shortcut superpowers
you need to know 79 6 secret settings for better
18 Samsung adds extra browsing in Chrome
year of Android updates 86 The Android 12 Quick Settings
for 2021 flagships trick you’ve been missing
91 Advanced Assistant actions
REVIEWS for Google’s Pixel phones
20 Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 96 The ambitious Android tablet
31 Moto G60s option Google tossed away
41 Vivo X70 Pro+
53 TCL 20 R 5G
2 ANDROID ADVISOR • ISSUE 96

Credit: Getty Images/gorodenkoff Credit: Getty Images/Charday Penn
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73
91
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62
ISSUE 96 • ANDROID ADVISOR 3

Credit: Getty Images/PeopleImages Credit: Getty Images/MStudioImages
GALAXY UNPACKED 2022
Samsung Galaxy S22

series: Everything you
need to know
There are camera upgrades and glass bodies for the S22 and S22+, while
the S22 Ultra is a Note in all but name. DOMINIC PRESTON reports
T
he Galaxy S22 series is Samsung’s no bad thing, to be fair – the S22 Ultra
latest set of flagship smartphones, is a bit more radical, with a new design
with three new models that sit at (and features) that are heavily inspired by
the top of the company’s non-foldable Samsung’s now-defunct Galaxy Note line.
phone line-up. With pre-orders for the three phones
While the Galaxy S22 and S22+ are now live, here’s everything you need to
pretty much business as usual – which is know about every Galaxy S22 model.

AVAILABILITY Galaxy S22
The S22 series is available to pre-order Let’s start with the main model in the
now and goes on sale on 11 March. series: the standard S22.
In terms of design, this looks pretty
PRICE similar to last year’s S21, with a familiar
While many had expected Samsung shape and roughly the same camera
to raise prices for the phones this year, layout. The big difference this year is that
for the most part the prices of the S22 the phone’s rear is now made of glass
range are the same as the S21. Here’s rather than plastic – Samsung-exclusive
how the models break down: Gorilla Glass Victus+, to be precise.
It’s available in black, white, pink and
Galaxy S22 green by default, but if you order from
128GB: £769 Samsung’s website you can also grab it
256GB: £819 in graphite, cream, violet or sky blue.
One thing we’d hoped for is the
Galaxy S22+ possibility that Samsung would offer
128GB: £949 customizable colours for the S22, similar
256GB: £999 to the Bespoke Edition Galaxy Z Flip
3 options. There’s no sign of this yet,
Galaxy S22 Ultra but perhaps Samsung will expand this
128GB: £1,149 offering if it proves successful – though
256GB: £1,249
512GB: £1,329
1TB: £1,499
DESIGN AND
SPECIFICATIONS
There’s plenty that’s new
in the three phones,
along with a lot of
differences between
them – so to keep things
simple, we’re breaking it
down by model. In terms of design, the S22 looks similar to last year’s S21.

maybe not until a few months after extra graphical features, including ray
the S22’s launch. tracing, thanks to support from AMD,
On the front you’ll find a 6.1in but it’s not clear how much these will
AMOLED display – a touch smaller than be supported by the S22 anyway.
last year’s model. It’s otherwise similar, Whichever version of the phone
with an FHD+ resolution, and support you get, it will be paired with 8GB of
for dynamic refresh rate scaling from RAM and a choice of 128- or 256GB
10Hz up to 120Hz. As you’d expect, an of storage.
ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is built As for battery, the regular S22 has
into the display. a capacity of 3,700mAh – a small drop
In some markets (including the from last year. It supports wired charging
US) the S22 – and indeed the other at up to 25-watt speeds, and wireless
S22 phones too – is powered by the charging up to 15 watts.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while Europe Finally, let’s turn to the camera, where
and elsewhere will get Samsung’s own we’re getting some serious upgrades.
Exynos 2200. Both are 4nm chips that The main camera is all-new, with a
use the Armv9 architecture, and are 50Mp sensor at aperture f/1.8, supported
expected to deliver broadly comparable by Dual Pixel Autofocus and optical
performance. The Exynos supports a few image stabilization (OIS). It’s joined by a
12Mp, f/2.2 ultra-
wide and a new
10Mp, f/2.4, 3x
zoom telephoto that
also supports OIS.
On the front, you’ll
find a 10Mp, f/2.2
selfie camera.
The main camera
and the telephoto
are the two big
upgrades. After
pixel-binning, the
On the front you’ll find a 6.1in AMOLED display – a touch smaller former features
than last year’s model. 23 per cent

larger pixels than its
predecessor, while the
telephoto is replacing
the 64Mp, 1.1x zoom
lenses the company has
used for the last two
generations, cropping
in to replicate zoom.
In addition to the
hardware changes,
software and algorithmic
changes should improve
performance in low light
and video across the The main camera is all-new, with a 50Mp sensor.
lenses. The new Adaptive
Pixel tech also allows you to capture • Octa-core (1x 2.8GHz Cortex-X2, 3x
better full-resolution photos if you need 2.5GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x 1.8GHz
them, combining the full resolution 50Mp Cortex-A510) CPU
shot with colour depth and brightness • Xclipse 920 GPU
detail from the 12Mp pixel-binned shot. • 8GB RAM
Finally, software. All of the S22 • 128GB/256GB storage
phones ship with Android 12 and • Three rear-facing cameras: 50Mp,
Samsung’s One UI 4.1. Impressively, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56in, 1.0µm,
Samsung is also promising up to four Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 10Mp, f/2.4,
years of Android version updates and 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94in, 1.0µm,
a fifth year of security patches – even PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 12Mp,
more updates than Google promises f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree (ultra-wide),
for the Pixel 6. 1/2.55in 1.4µm, Super Steady video
• Selfie camera: 10Mp, f/2.2, 26mm
Specifications (wide), 1/3.24in, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel
• 6.1in (2,340x1,080; 425ppi) Dynamic PDAF
AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ display • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band,
• Android 12, One UI 4.1 Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Exynos 2200 (4nm) processor • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE

• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, different. The S22+ supports Wi-Fi
GALILEO 6E – while the regular S22 only has
• NFC Wi-Fi 6. The Plus model also offers
• USB Type-C 3.2, USB On-The-Go Ultra Wideband (UWB), the tech that
• Fingerprint scanner (under display, powers trackers like the Apple AirTag or
ultrasonic) Samsung’s own Galaxy SmartTag+.
• Non-removable 3,700mAh lithium-ion
battery Specifications
• Fast charging 25 watts • 6.6in (2,340x1,080; 393ppi) Dynamic
• 146x70.6x7.6mm AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ display
• 167g • Android 12, One UI 4.1
• Exynos 2200 (4nm) processor
Galaxy S22+ • Octa-core (1x 2.8GHz Cortex-X2, 3x
Now let’s turn to the S22+, which shares 2.5GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x 1.8GHz
many of its specs with the standard S22, Cortex-A510) CPU
along with essentially the same design – • Xclipse 920 GPU
including the same range of colours. • 8GB RAM
The big change is obviously that the • 128GB/256GB storage
S22+ is larger. Its display is 6.6in across • Three rear-facing cameras: 50Mp,
the diagonal (in fact a little smaller than f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56in, 1.0µm,
the S21+ though), and
as a result the phone is
taller, wider, and heavier
– though it’s no thicker,
thankfully.
The core specs are
exactly the same, but the
bigger size does help it
pack in a larger 4,500mAh
battery. It also has faster
charging, with wired
speeds up to 45 watts.
Finally, connectivity
is also ever so slightly The most obvious change is that the S22+ is larger.

Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 10Mp, f/2.4, • 157.4x75.8x7.6mm
70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94in, 1.0µm, • 195g
PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 12Mp,
f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree (ultra-wide), Galaxy S22 Ultra
1/2.55in 1.4µm, Super Steady video The Ultra model is always a little different
• Selfie camera: 10Mp, f/2.2, 26mm to the others, but Samsung has really
(wide), 1/3.24in, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel pushed that to its limit this year.
PDAF The S22 Ultra doesn’t really look
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, anything like the other two phones, with
Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot different colours, a different shape and
• Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE an entirely different camera module.
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, In fact, the design is closer to 2020’s
GALILEO Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, with rounded
• NFC sides and squared off top and bottom
• USB Type-C 3.2, USB On-The-Go edges. In fact, it’s so much like the Note
• Fingerprint scanner (under display, 20 Ultra that it also supports the S Pen
ultrasonic) stylus, and even has a space for the
• Non-removable 4,500mAh lithium-ion stylus to slot into the phone – this really
battery is a Note in all but name.
• Fast charging 45 watts The camera module is all new
though, with the
rear lenses sitting
almost flush with
the body in discrete
circles, rather than
within a larger
camera island.
The S22 Ultra
ships in white,
black, green and a
unique burgundy
finish, while
Samsung’s online
The S22 Ultra doesn’t really look anything like the other two phones. store also offers it

in graphite, sky blue, and red. The battery is bigger too, with a full
As before, the Ultra is larger than the capacity of 5,000mAh. Charging is the
other models. It’s taller, wider, thicker and same as the S22+, with 45-watt wired
heavier, thanks in part to an expansive and 25-watt wireless, and like that phone
6.8in display. This isn’t just bigger than it offers Wi-Fi 6E and UWB connections.
the other two phones’ screens – it’s Beyond the size and design, the
also higher resolution, at QHD+, and main changes in the Ultra are to the
has improved refresh rate tech, able to camera – though funnily enough, this
slow down to just 1Hz when needed to has had fewer changes compared to
conserve battery. the S21 Ultra.
The chipset is the same, so there The core set-up is basically the same,
won’t be a huge performance jump with a 108Mp main camera, 12Mp ultra-
compared to the other two models – wide, and dual 10Mp telephoto lenses at
and this year even the starting RAM is 3x and 10x zoom each. The 40Mp selfie
the same, with just 8GB. That version camera is also essentially the same.
comes with 128GB storage, but if you Those specs are a little deceptive
jump up to 12GB of RAM you also get though, as there have still been hardware
the option of 256GB, 512GB or even changes. The big one is to the main
1TB of storage space. camera, which uses a new 108Mp
sensor. This is
larger than last
year’s, delivering
improved
performance
especially in
low light. The
S22 Ultra also
enjoys the same
algorithmic
tweaks and
Adaptive Pixel
tech as the other
phones, plus
Just like the Note 20 Ultra, the S22 Ultra supports the S Pen stylus. some unique

enhancements to
the telephoto lenses
that have remarkably
improved results at
high zoom levels.
It should be
noted that at the
time of writing the
number one spot
on our best camera
phone chart is
occupied by the
Samsung Galaxy S21 The main camera has a new 108Mp sensor.
Ultra, so it’s already
doing most things right. pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom;
12Mp, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree
Specifications (ultra-wide), 1/2.55in, 1.4µm, dual pixel
• 6.8in (3,088x1,440; 500ppi) Dynamic PDAF, Super Steady video
AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+ display • Selfie camera: 40Mp, f/2.2, 26mm
• Android 12, One UI 4.1 (wide), 1/2.82in, 0.7µm, PDAF
• Exynos 2200 (4nm) processor • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band,
• Octa-core (1x 2.8GHz Cortex-X2, 3x Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
2.5GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x 1.8GHz • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE
Cortex-A510) CPU • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS,
• Xclipse 920 GPU GALILEO
• 12GB RAM • NFC
• 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB storage • USB Type-C 3.2, USB On-The-Go
• Four rear-facing cameras: 108Mp, f/1.8, • Fingerprint scanner (under display,
24mm (wide), 1/1.33in, 0.8µm, PDAF, ultrasonic)
Laser AF, OIS; 10Mp, f/4.9, 230mm • Non-removable 5,000mAh lithium-ion
(periscope telephoto), 1/3.52in, battery
1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x • Fast charging 45 watts
optical zoom; 10Mp, f/2.4, 70mm • 163.3x77.9x8.9mm
(telephoto), 1/3.52in, 1.12µm, dual • 228g

Samsung Galaxy Tab

S8 series: Everything
you need to know
Samsung announced three tablets at its Unpacked event, with the Tab S8
and S8+ joined by a brand-new S8 Ultra. ANYRON COPEMAN reports
N
ot long ago, it felt like Samsung picking up a Galaxy Tab was your main
was the only Android tablet alternative to Apple.
maker worth talking about. But that’s changed significantly in the
Such was the iPad’s dominance, few past year or so. Competitive slates from
other phone companies dared make the likes of Xiaomi, Realme and Nokia
slates of their own. Unless you wanted have all come to market – Samsung can
a Surface tablet running Windows, no longer consider itself the default

company for Android tablets. The Galaxy Tab S8+
company needed to respond, and it did 128GB: £849
so in style at its February 2022 Unpacked 256GB: £899
event. The Galaxy S22 Series might have
been the star of the show (see page 4), Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
but Samsung also revealed three new 128GB: £999
flagship tablets in the Tab S8 Series. Like 256GB: £1,099
its smartphones, this now includes three 512GB: £1,249
models – the Tab S8, Tab S8+ and the
brand-new Tab S8 Ultra. There’s even a For context, that makes the S8 Ultra’s
more affordable ‘FE’ version expected starting price identical to the latest
later in the year. 12.9in iPad Pro. The key advantage here
Here’s everything you need to know. is that pre-orders will include a Backlit
Book Cover keyboard, while Apple
AVAILABILITY sells its Magic Keyboard separately.
The Tab S8 series is available to buy now. Pre-ordering the Tab S8 or S8+ will also
Later in the year, we’re also expecting a get you a similar accessory for free – the
more affordable fourth entry in the line- Slim Book Cover Keyboard.
up. This will be a successor to the Tab S7 When it gets announced, the Tab S8
FE, so all signs point to it being known as FE is expected to be significantly more
the Tab S8 FE. affordable. However, it’s not clear how
much pricing will differ compared to the
PRICE S7 FE’s £529 starting price.
So far, we only have confirmed starting
prices for the three new tablets, but they DESIGN
don’t come cheap. The regular Tab S8 There’s plenty to talk about when it
and S8+ are both £30 more than their comes to the Tab S8 Series. Let’s start
predecessors, while the S8 Ultra is the with what all three have in common.
most expensive tablet Samsung has ever Arguably the most exciting is the
made. Here’s what we know so far: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor under
the hood. It’s just two months since
Galaxy Tab S8 Qualcomm revealed its latest flagship
128GB: £649 chip, with the Tab S8 Series the first
256GB: £699 tablets to take advantage of its extra

power. While
other display
specs vary
between
models,
all three
tablets also
have 120Hz
screens. You
also get the
same dual
rear cameras,
consisting of
13Mp main
and 6Mp
ultra-wide. All three tablets come with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor.
However,
don’t expect them to rival the Galaxy page 18). That makes it one of the most
S22 smartphones or most other flagship generous Android manufacturers out
handsets for image quality. there when it comes to software.
Other features consistent across all The Tab S8 Series are also expected
three include Wi-Fi 6E and 5G support, to be one of the first in line for Android
fast charging (via USB-C) up to 45 12L, a version of the operating system
watts, quad stereo speakers and an specifically designed for tablets and
S Pen stylus in the box. However, the foldables. This should help the software
latter is unchanged compared to the feel better optimized for the bigger
Tab S7 Series. displays, something Android tablets
There’s also been significant have often struggled with.
developments when it comes to
software. All the Tab S8 devices run Tab S8 and S8+
Android 12 out of the box, but Samsung The Tab S8 and S8+ are both cautious
has now committed to ‘up to four years” upgrades from Samsung, with the
of operating system updates, alongside company reserving its more ambitious
a further year of security updates (see features for the S8 Ultra. An 11in,

2,460x1,600 LTPS
display is unremarkable
by flagship tablet
standards, even if it is
at 120Hz. Sticking with
the same refresh rate,
the S8+ steps up to a
12.4in, 2,800x1,752
AMOLED screen.
On both models, the
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
combines with 8/12GB
of RAM and 128/256GB
of storage, although the Each model comes with an S Pen.
latter is expandable up to
1TB via microSD. The dual rear cameras • Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen
are joined by a single 12Mp selfie 1 (4nm) processor
lens, which also supports face unlock. • Octa-core (1x 3GHz Cortex-X2, 3x
However, you’ll probably want to use 2.5GHz Cortex-A710, 4x 1.8GHz
the fingerprint sensor instead – this is Cortex-A510) CPU
side-mounted on the regular S8, but • Adreno 730 GPU
in-display on the S8+. • 8GB/12GB RAM
The Tab S8+’s larger display means • 128GB/256GB storage
it gets a bigger battery – 10,090mAh • Two rear-facing cameras: 13Mp, f/2.0,
versus 8,000mAh on the regular Tab 26mm (wide), 1/3.4in, 1.0µm, AF; 6Mp,
S8. It’s also slightly heavier, although f/2.2, (ultra-wide)
Wi-Fi-only and 5G models of both • Selfie camera: 12Mp, f/2.4, 120-degree
devices weigh between 500- and 600g. (ultra-wide)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e,
Specifications dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
Galaxy Tab S8 • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE
• 11in (2,560x1,600; 274ppi) TFT, 120Hz • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS,
display GALILEO
• Android 12, One UI 4.1 • NFC

• USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector optical)

• Fingerprint scanner (side-mounted) • Non-removable 10,090mAh lithium-
• Non-removable 8,000mAh lithium- polymer battery
polymer battery • Fast charging 45 watts
• Fast charging 45 watts • 285x185x5.7mm
• 253.8x165.3x6.3mm • 567g (Wi-Fi), 572g (5G)
• 503g (Wi-Fi), 507g (5G)
Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Galaxy Tab S8+ First up is a 14.6in display, dwarfing even
• 12.4in (2,800x1,752; 266ppi) Super the largest iPad Pro you can buy. With a
AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ display 16:10 aspect ratio, it comes in at 208mm
• Android 12, One UI 4.1 tall and 326mm wide. It’s also relatively
• Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 heavy, at 726g for Wi-Fi models and
Gen 1 (4nm) processor 728g if you want to add 5G.
• Octa-core (1x 3GHz Cortex-X2, 3x The 120Hz AMOLED display here has
2.5GHz Cortex-A710, 4x 1.8GHz a resolution of 2,960x1,848, although
Cortex-A510) CPU tiny bezels mean there is a notch for the
• Adreno 730 GPU selfie camera. This does at least include
• 8GB/12GB RAM two sensors, with the 12Mp ultra-wide
• 128GB/256GB storage lens joined by 12Mp wide here.
• Two rear-facing cameras: 13Mp, f/2.0, Alongside the Snapdragon 8 Gen
26mm (wide), 1/3.4in, 1.0µm, AF; 6Mp, 1 chipset, you get additional options
f/2.2, (ultra-wide) here for 16GB of RAM and 512GB of
• Two selfie cameras: 13Mp, f/2.0, 26mm internal storage. Again, the latter can be
(wide), 1/3.4in, 1.0µm, AF; 6Mp, f/2.2, expanded up to 1TB.
(ultra-wide) That extra screen real estate also
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, requires a bigger battery – it’s an
Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot impressive 11,200mAh cell here.
• Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE In general, Android tablets have
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS, focused more on entertainment than
GALILEO productivity, partly due to software
• NFC limitations. With the Tab S8 Ultra, it’s
• USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector clear Samsung wants it to be a great
• Fingerprint scanner (under display, device for getting work done too.

The Tab S8 Ultra’s 14.6in display is bigger than the largest iPad Pro you can buy.
Specifications 26mm (wide); 12Mp, f/2.4, 120-degree

• 14.6in (2,926x1,848; 240ppi) Super (ultra-wide)
AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ display • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band,
• Android 12, One UI 4.1 Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE
1 (4nm) processor • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS,
• Octa-core (1x 3GHz Cortex-X2, 3x GALILEO
2.5GHz Cortex-A710, 4x 1.8GHz • NFC
Cortex-A510) CPU • USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector
• Adreno 730 GPU • Fingerprint scanner (under display,
• 8GB/12GB/16GB RAM optical)
• 128GB/256GB/512GB storage • Non-removable 11,200mAh lithium-
• Two rear-facing cameras: 13Mp, f/2.0, polymer battery
26mm (wide), 1/3.4in, 1.0µm, AF; 6Mp, • Fast charging 45 watts
f/2.2, (ultra-wide) • 326.4x208.6x5.5mm
• Two selfie cameras: 12Mp, f/2.2, • 726g (Wi-Fi), 728g (5G)

Samsung adds extra

year of Android updates
for 2021 flagships
Samsung extends Android updates to four years and security to five years,
and it isn’t just for new devices in 2022. CHRIS MARTIN reports
A
s we’ve already seen, Samsung devices but also to 2021 flagship and
used its event to announce foldable phones.
new phones and tablets. But The S22 and Tab S8 ranges will
that wasn’t all: the company also said it receive operating system updates for
would provide longer software support, four years and security updates for five
and that will apply not just to the new years. This is great news for buyers, as

it means they can keep their devices devices should get to at least Android 16
for longer. What’s surprising is that this while the S21, Z Flip and Z Fold models
will also apply retrospectively to a large mentioned above should reach Android
number of older Samsung phones: the 15. However, note that Samsung’s
Galaxy S21 range (S21, S21+, S21 Ultra wording says “up to four generations”,
and S21 FE), Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy so there is no guarantee at this point.
Z Fold 3. It does seem as though Samsung
No other smartphone maker offers intends to give them all four generations
software support for longer. Even of updates, but this may come down to
Google’s own Pixel phones – including Google’s Android release schedule which
the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro – are only is out of Samsung’s control.
guaranteed three years of Android OS
updates, although they do get the same
five years of security support.
“We know true durability is not
just about hardware. As part of our
commitment to giving users the best
possible mobile performance and
experience, the entire Galaxy S22
series will be supported by up to four
generations of Android OS upgrades,”
said Samsung in a press release.
“Now millions of Galaxy users can
take advantage of the latest security,
productivity and other exciting new
features, for longer. Samsung will scale
this effort across our product line-up to
ensure you’re fully supported across your
Galaxy ecosystem,” it added.
Of course, the availability and
release timing of the Android OS
updates will vary by device and market,
but you will get them. As they ship with
Android 12, the Galaxy S22 and Tab S8

REVIEWS
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

Price: £699 from fave.co/3ss4qmC
P
hone delays are nothing unusual, is a few months older than it should be,
but few phones have been as the rivals it would have had last summer
delayed as the Samsung Galaxy have since had price cuts (as has the
S21 FE. First tipped by leakers to launch regular S21, lest we forget). So while
as early as August 2021, the phone there’s nothing wrong with the S21 FE
instead didn’t launch until January 2022, per se – it’s a pretty great phone, really –
when Samsung unveiled the new handset it’s trickier to recommend right now, as at
at CES in Las Vegas – over 11 months full price there are better buys elsewhere.
after the other S21 phones arrived.
That delay hasn’t had a direct impact DESIGN
on the phone itself, but does change It only takes one glance at the S21 FE
where it sits in the market. The tech here to see what it shares in common with

the rest of the S21 line. From the front it and plastic back, with an IP68 rating to
looks almost identical to the other S21 protect from water and dust.
phones, with a slim bezel and central
punch-hole selfie camera, while on the DISPLAY
rear you’ll spot the trademark ‘contour The 6.4in display used here is just a
cut’ camera in the corner. little larger than the 6.2in screen on
The main difference is in colour the regular S21, but not so much as
and finish. Like the S20 FE before it, to make this feel like a big phone – it’s
Samsung has opted for more colourful still comfortable to hold, helped by the
hues for this phone. There’s black (well, curved body and lightweight material.
‘graphite’) and white, but also an olive With a 120Hz refresh rate, Full HD+
green and a pastel purple. resolution, and an AMOLED panel, this is
This time around the camera is essentially just as good a display as you’ll
wrapped in the same colour as the rest of find in the other phones in the series –
the phone too, rather than a contrasting which is to say, it’s about as good as you
reflective finish – a nod to the design could hope to get at this price.
we’re expecting to
see in next month’s
S22. I’ve got to say, I
actually think this leaves
the S21 FE looking
better than its more
expensive sibling.
In terms of size
this phone sits in a
sweet spot between
the S21 and S21+, and
is only a little heavier
than the regular model
at 177g. It’s got basically
the same build quality
too – Gorilla Glass With a 120Hz refresh rate, Full HD+ resolution, and an AMOLED
Victus over the screen, panel, this is essentially just as good a display as you’ll find in the
an aluminium frame, other phones in the series

REVIEWS
You’ll also get a fingerprint sensor Google Pixel 6: 2,897

built into the display, which has worked OnePlus 9: 3,492
well for me so far, along with the option Sony Xperia 5 III: 3,185
to use the selfie camera for face unlock. Xiaomi Mi 11: 3,684
Samsung has also still packed stereo
speakers into the phone, so you’re GFX Manhattan 3.1
getting decent audio – though naturally Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: 66fps
there’s no headphone jack. Samsung Galaxy S21: 67fps
Google Pixel 6: 76fps
PERFORMANCE OnePlus 9: 60fps
In most parts of the world the S21 FE is Sony Xperia 5 III: 60fps
powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Xiaomi Mi 11: 54fps
888 chipset, which is paired with either 6
or 8GB RAM, and 128 or 256GB storage. PCMark battery life
Some markets – including Australia – Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: 7 hours, 18
instead get Samsung’s own Exynos 2100, minutes
but the majority get the 888, which is Samsung Galaxy S21: 8 hours, 4 minutes
what I’ve been testing. Google Pixel 6: 10 hours, 38 minutes
That’s a powerful chip, and if the OnePlus 9: 9 hours, 6 minutes
phone had launched last summer that’s Sony Xperia 5 III: 8 hours, 33 minutes
all there would have been to say about
it. Unfortunately, since then Qualcomm Charge in 30 minutes
has launched the 888’s successor – the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: 51%
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 – and we’re already Samsung Galaxy S21: 56%
seeing the first phones launch with that Google Pixel 6: 48%
chip. Again, it doesn’t make the S21 FE a OnePlus 9: 95%
worse phone, but does raise the spectre Sony Xperia 5 III: 52%
that most buyers would be better off Xiaomi Mi 11: 79%
waiting another month or two to buy a
new phone with the next-gen chip. In any case, benchmarks reveal
predictably impressive performance
Geekbench 5 (multi-core) from the 888, though not up there with
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE: 3,185 the fastest phones using that chip. I’ve
Samsung Galaxy S21: 3,263 noticed the phone getting hot during

benchmarks and other
demanding applications,
which is no doubt
holding it back a little, so it
looks like Samsung’s heat
management leaves a little
to be desired.
I’ve actually been
testing the model with
just 6GB RAM, so anyone
buying an 8GB model
should expect slightly
better results, though that’s
unlikely to help with the The S21 FE’s main lens is the same as the S21’s main camera.
overheating.
The Snapdragon 888 provides 5G far off, and this is a good example
support too, of course, and you’ll also of why. Shots are routinely crisp and
get Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 to round vivid, with vibrant colours and excellent
out the wireless connectivity. dynamic range. Thanks to the OIS it
holds its own in the dark too. Light
PHOTOGRAPHY sources still tend to get a little blown
The camera is perhaps the chief area out, and there’s a softness to some of my
where the S21 FE is, on paper, a slight night mode photos that suggests more
downgrade from the regular Galaxy stabilization is needed, but few phones
S21 – though the gap is small, and at this price would do much better.
in some specific respects the FE may It’s joined by a 12Mp ultra-wide and
even have the edge. 8Mp telephoto. The former is not quite
The main camera is in fact the same to the same standard as the S21’s thanks
as the S21’s main shooter: a 12Mp, f/1.8 to a smaller sensor, which especially
sensor with Dual Pixel auto-focus and holds it back at night. In good lighting
optical image stabilization (OIS). though, this is still better than the
It’s pretty excellent, truth be told. average ultra-wide.
Samsung doesn’t quite make the best The telephoto offers 3x zoom, and
cameras around right now, but it’s not thanks to OIS shots stay crisp and clear,

REVIEWS
Our first
series of
test shots
were taken
using
the main
camera…
…the ultra-
wide lens…

…and
finally the
3x zoom.
Next up,
we have
some low
light shots
taken with
the main
lens…

REVIEWS
…the ultra-
wide lens…
…and
finally the
3x zoom.

Finally,
we have a
selfie…
…a selfie
portrait…

REVIEWS
…and last,
but not
least, a low
light selfie.
even in the dark. This lens is trickier to spec-heavy way of saying that this is
compare to the S21’s, as that phone different to the selfie camera on the S21,
actually uses a regular 64Mp camera but not drastically better or worse. It’s
instead of a true telephoto, and crops clearly on a par in good lighting, but at
in digitally – to surprisingly good night it falls back, with a loss of detail
effect. Those who follow the specs may and slightly soft focus.
appreciate that the FE features a ‘true’
telephoto camera, but in practice the BATTERY LIFE
results are pretty similar. Battery and charging are two areas where
On the front you’ll find a 32Mp selfie Samsung phones tend to be fine, but
camera. This is actually higher resolution nothing special – certainly not compared
than the S21’s equivalent, but that to devices coming from the likes of
doesn’t always prove much. It’s also a Oppo and Xiaomi.
larger sensor, but the extra resolution The same is true here. The 4,500mAh
means it works out to smaller pixels. battery will last a day of normal use,
All of which is a long-winded, but not loads more than that. That’s

probably good enough for most people, of the phone’s whole interface – is
but if you know you’re a heavy user you here, but given a somewhat narrower
might want to look at other phones with implementation than on the Pixel 6. You
better battery life. won’t see the custom colours appear in
Charging is a similar story. Samsung as many places, so the effect is a little
doesn’t supply a charger with the S21 more muted.
FE, so you’ll have to either buy one Importantly, the main Android 12
or use your old phone’s charger. The privacy features are included. There’s
phone is capable of up to 25 watts wired a tweaked version of the privacy
charging – testing with a third-party dashboard – here called ‘permission
charger, it was enough to return 51 per usage’ – which lets you know which
cent of the phone’s battery life in half an apps have used which of your phones
hour. That’s not bad, but with phones security permissions recently. Alert icons
out now that can offer a full charge in when the microphone and camera are
the same time frame, you can definitely in use also feature here, protecting
get better elsewhere. you from unwelcome apps activating
It is good to see wireless charging features they shouldn’t be.
though. The 15-watt speed is decent, The other good news is that Samsung
if you can find a charger that supports remains one of the Android brands with
it – most Qi chargers are limited to the best update promise. The S21 FE will
5- or 15 watts – but Samsung also get three major Android version updates
includes reverse wireless charging, so – so should ultimately get Android 15 –
that you can use the phone to top up along with four years of security patches.
headphones or other accessories. That helps the phone look like a long-
term purchase, rather than something
SOFTWARE that will need replacing in a year or two.
Samsung is shipping the S21 FE with
Android 12 out of the box, running the VERDICT
company’s own OneUI 4.0 skin on top. The S21 FE is a phone out of time. It’s
Samsung has incorporated some, but a pretty great, well-rounded hardware
not all, of Android 12’s biggest features. package, that’s really only let down by
Most notably, Google’s Material You tech some minor overheating issues and the
– which pulls colour tones from wallpaper fact that Samsung still lags far behind the
images and used them to set the colours Android pack on battery and charging

REVIEWS
tech. If it cost £100 less than it does • Three rear-facing cameras: 12Mp, f/1.8,
I might be here singing the phone’s 26mm (wide), 1/1.76in, 1.8µm, Dual
praises – but, for now at least, it doesn’t. Pixel PDAF, OIS; 8Mp, f/2.4, 76mm
And at this price, it’s a phone I can’t (telephoto), 1/4.5in, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS,
wholeheartedly recommend. 3x optical zoom; 12Mp, f/2.2, 13mm,
If you love the look, or think the 123-degree (ultra-wide), 1/3.0in,
feature set is just right for you, then 1.12µm
go for it. This is a good phone and I • Selfie camera: 32Mp, f/2.2, 26mm
doubt many people would come away (wide), 1/2.74in, 0.8µm
disappointed from it. • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band,
But if you want to shop around and Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
get the best bang for your buck then • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE
other Android phones will give you more • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, BDS,
for less. And with the S22 just around GALILEO
the corner, you’d probably only have to • NFC
spend a little more to get a much better • USB Type-C, USB On-The-Go
phone from that range. Dominic Preston • Fingerprint scanner (under display,
optical)
SPECIFICATIONS • Non-removable 4,500mAh lithium-ion
• 6.4in (2,400x1,080; 411ppi) Dynamic battery
• Android 12, One UI 4 • Fast charging 25 watts
• Version 1: Qualcomm SM8350 • 155.7x74.5x7.9mm
Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) processor; • 177g
Version 2: Exynos 2100 (5nm) processor
• Version 1: Octa-core (1x 2.84GHz Kryo
680, 3x 2.42GHz Kryo 680, 4x 1.8GHz
Kryo 680) CPU; Version 2: Octa-core
(1x 2.9GHz Cortex-X1, 3x 2.8GHz
Cortex-A78, 4x 2.2GHz Cortex-A55)
CPU
• Version 1: Adreno 660 GPU; Version 2:
Mali-G78 MP14 GPU
• 6GB/8GB RAM
• 128GB/256GB storage

Moto G60s
Price: £219 from fave.co/3JgZNmc
S
ince its acquisition by Lenovo in to get lost in the sea of similarly-priced
2014, the Motorola brand has Moto phones – that’s before you even
been releasing new phones at consider other companies.
an alarming rate. In 2021 alone, we’ve One device seeking to avoid this fate
seen a total of 35 Moto handsets is the Moto G60s. At £219, it’s towards
announced, and there could be even the more expensive end of Motorola’s
more before the year is out. 2021 line-up, but remains in contention
That’s despite Motorola focusing for our budget phone chart. The
almost exclusively on more affordable headlining feature is 50-watt fast wired
devices. It’s easy for individual releases charging, something you don’t often get

REVIEWS
but it’s also available

in a more dynamic-
looking Ink Blue.
Predictably, the
back of the phone is
where you’ll find the
rear camera module.
It houses three lenses
and impressively sits
almost flush with the
rear of the G60s.
More on how they
The Motorola logo doubles as a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner. perform later.
The Motorola
at this price point, but is there enough logo doubles as a rear-mounted
else here to make it worth your money? fingerprint scanner in its classic position
Read on to find out. about a quarter of the way down the
centre of the device. Many phones
DESIGN have shifted to in-display sensors these
As you might expect, the design of the days, but the physical one here is
Moto G60s is nothing we haven’t seen extremely fast and reliable.
before. The glass display combines I certainly didn’t feel like I was missing
with a plastic back and frame, both to out here, although that might be the
cut costs and keep the device lighter. case if you regularly use your phone
At 212g, it’s reasonably hefty, but I still while it’s resting on the table.
found it comfortable enough to use on Flipping the phone over reveals
a daily basis. the 6.8in LCD display, housed within
The textured back helps a lot with some slim bezels. These are punctured
this, adding plenty of grip and making it by a teardrop-style notch – this houses
easy to use case-free. This design choice a 16Mp selfie camera which can also
gives away the fact it’s a budget handset, be used for face unlock. Still, I really
but I’m happy practicality was prioritized can’t complain about an 85.1 per cent
over aesthetics. I found the Iced Mint screen-to-body ratio. On the right side
finish I tested to be a bit underwhelming, you’ll find the regular power button and

volume rocker, although these have been between this and a 1440p panel. OLED
shifted down slightly to make way for is another thing that would have been
a dedicated Google Assistant button. nice to have, but it’s absence here
This led to many accidental triggers doesn’t affect the experience too much
in the first few days of usage, proving and is understandable at this price.
extremely frustrating. What’s more, it That’s especially true when you
can’t be remapped to open something consider refresh rate. The Moto G60s
you might find more useful. can hit 120Hz, making everything feel
However, you do still get a 3.5mm smoother and more responsive. It’s
headphone jack on the top of the phone. particularly apparent while multitasking
Many people still prefer wired audio, so or scrolling social media, but you’ll notice
it’s nice to have the option here. an instant difference compared to 60Hz.
It’ll probably be an upgrade on By default, this is set to automatically
the sound you get from the single adjust depending on what you’re doing
downward-firing speaker, despite being in order to save battery life. But you can
supplemented by the earpiece. Voices change this to a fixed 60- or 120Hz if
are clear and music impressively punchy, you’d prefer.
but it quickly becomes muddy and There’s more good news when it
distorted at high volumes. comes to brightness. Using the SpyderX
The G60s does use USB-C for Pro, I recorded a maximum of 513 nits,
charging and data transfer. I’d be making it easy to use in most outdoor
surprised to see anything
else on an Android phone
above £100.
DISPLAY
Let’s talk about the main
event. The display on the
Moto G60s is a 6.8in LCD
panel with a resolution
of 2,460x1,080. It offers
vibrant colours and plenty
of detail – I certainly didn’t
notice the difference The 6.8in display offers vibrant colours and plenty of detail.

REVIEWS
environments. Direct sunlight will still tendency to stutter or not respond for
be a struggle, but that’s true for the vast a couple of seconds. If you’re serious
majority of phones. about mobile gaming, I’d recommend
stepping up to something more
PERFORMANCE powerful. However, the benchmarks
The Moto G60s is powered by below put it in line with many handsets
MediaTek’s 12nm Helio G95 chipset. It’s around this price point:
a popular choice for budget phones,
considered roughly comparable to Geekbench 5 (multi-core)
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 720G. Neither Moto G60s: 1,651
supports 5G networks, but that’s not yet Moto G9 Power: 1,375
a deal-breaker at this price point. Poco X3 Pro: 2,646
It has a Mali-G76 GPU and works Poco X3 NFC: 1,764
alongside 4GB of RAM on the model Realme 8 5G: 1,762
I tested. Performance isn’t bad per Oppo A54 5G: 1,661
se, but there are enough stutters and
hesitations to make everyday use GFX Manhattan 3.1
frustrating. Several pre-installed Google Moto G60s: 26fps
apps also seem prone to freeze or crash. Moto G9 Power: 26fps
There’s no guarantee that more RAM Poco X3 Pro: 62fps
will solve these issues, but it should help. Poco X3 NFC: 27fps
Basic everyday performance is still fine Realme 8 5G: 22fps
across web browsing, social media and Oppo A54 5G: 26fps
watching YouTube videos, especially at
120Hz. It just doesn’t feel like something PCMark battery life
you can rely on. Moto G60s: 11 hours, 35 minutes
Interestingly, MediaTek specifically Moto G9 Power: 16 hours, 18 minutes
advertises the Helio G95 as being Poco X3 Pro: 11 hours, 25 minutes
suitable for mobile gaming. That might Poco X3 NFC: 14 hours, 24 minutes
apply for casual games but doesn’t quite Realme 8 5G: 12 hours, 5 minutes
extend to demanding titles such as Call
of Duty: Mobile or Asphalt 9. Charge in 30 minutes
Performance here is better than the Moto G60s: 73%
specs suggest, but the G60s still has a Moto G9 Power: 27%

Poco X3 Pro: 58% depth sensors add very little to the
Poco X3 NFC: 59% photography experience. Close-up shots
Realme 8 5G: 31% are lacking in detail, while portrait-style
Oppo A54 5G: 23% photos have a really hard time with
edge detection. If you’re considering
In terms of internal storage, you’re this phone, keep in mind that there are
limited to 128GB. That feels a bit on the only two rear lenses you’ll be using on a
low side, but it can easily be expanded regular basis.
via the microSD card slot. You also get a software-based night
mode (known here as ‘Night Vision’),
PHOTOGRAPHY but aside from brightening images,
Cameras are always a big talking point it doesn’t make a huge difference to
on modern smartphones, even if they’re low-light scenes. On the front, a 16Mp
lower down the priority list at this price camera produces decent selfies. It suffers
point. That rear module I mentioned from some of the same exposure issues
earlier houses four lenses, with a 64Mp as the rear lenses, but the subject is
main joined by 8Mp ultra-wide, 5Mp usually in focus and there’s plenty of
macro and 2Mp depth. detail in the foreground.
In general, stills from the Moto G60s On the video side, the Moto G60s
deliver good dynamic range and decent is capable of up to 4K at 30fps. 1080p
colour accuracy but
struggle with exposure.
Most of my test shots
were taken on an overcast
day, which meant you
lost almost all detail from
the sky.
It tends to saturate
what you see in real life,
but that does lead to
images that are more
pleasing to the eye.
As is usually the The rear module houses four lenses, with a 64Mp main joined
case, the macro and by 8Mp ultra-wide, 5Mp macro and 2Mp depth.

REVIEWS
Our first
two photos
were taken
using
the main
camera…
…and the
wide-angle
lens.

Next up
we have
examples
of a couple
of low light
shots.

REVIEWS
Our final
image is a
selfie.
is more realistic for most people, but to 200 nits, I recorded 11 hours and 35
without any image stabilization, footage minutes. That’s an above-average score,
is juddery with any sort of movement. even if it won’t be winning any awards.
However, an area where the Moto
BATTERY LIFE G60s really excels is charging, with a
Battery life is a key strength for the 50-watt adapter included in the box.
Moto G60s. The phone has a 5,000mAh From empty, I got to 43 per cent in
capacity, although that’s needed to 15 minutes and 73 per cent in half an
power the large, high refresh rate hour. For most people, that means a full
display. Still, you can comfortably get a charge in the time it takes to get ready
full day’s moderate usage from a single in the morning – there’s really no need
charge – this can even be extended to to charge the phone overnight.
two days in some cases. The cable in the box is USB-C to
That’s reflected in PCMark’s battery USB-C, although there’s also the option
benchmark, designed to be reflective to connect a USB-A port on the same
of real-world usage. With brightness set power brick. While you don’t get wireless

charging, the wired charging experience so-called ‘stock’ Android. For many
more than makes up for it. people, this is a big advantage over
many Chinese phones.
SOFTWARE
The Moto G60s runs Android 11 out VERDICT
of the box. There’s no word on when it The Moto G60s hardly reinvents the
might get the update to Android 12, wheel with regards to Motorola phones,
despite Google’s latest OS having been but it does impress in several key areas.
released a couple of months ago. Battery life from the 5,000mAh cell
Motorola phones usually get two is solid, while the 50-watt adapter in
years of OS updates, so we can expect the box makes charging a breeze. The
it to get Android 13 but nothing past software experience is excellent (despite
that. That’s also when security updates being based on Android 11) I really
usually end. I really wish Motorola enjoyed using the 120Hz display.
would follow other phone companies in However, there are other key pillars
committing to longer software support. of a great phone where the Moto G60s
Right now, the software you’ll find on doesn’t quite hit the mark. Performance
the Moto G60s is reassuringly familiar. isn’t great for anything more than basic
Motorola usually keeps the influence of usage and the cameras are unreliable.
its Android skin to a minimum. With no 5G and a rather cheap build,
There are a handful of additional apps you’ll have to be content with plenty
which can’t be uninstalled
(bloatware), but these don’t
get in the way of the user
experience. The ‘Moto’
app, which allows you to
control a range of gesture
shortcuts, is a genuinely
useful addition.
Aside from some
tweaks to stock apps and
new widgets, it’s hard to
tell the Moto software
experience apart from The Moto G60s runs Android 11 out of the box.

REVIEWS
of compromises. That’s to be expected • 169.7x75.9x9.6mm

at this price point to some extent, but • 212g
several other budget phones deliver
more of what the average person is
looking for. As such, it’s difficult to
recommend the G60s unless you’re
only considering Motorola handsets.
Anyron Copeman
SPECIFICATIONS
• 6.8in (2,460x1,080; 395ppi) IPS LCD,
120Hz, HDR10 display
• Android 11
• Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm) processor
• Octa-core (2x 2.05GHz Cortex-A76, 6x
2GHz Cortex-A55) CPU
• Mali-G76 MC4 GPU
• 4GB/6GB RAM
• 128GB storage
• Four rear-facing cameras: 64Mp,
f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF; 8Mp, f/2.2,
119-degree, (ultra-wide); 5Mp, f/2.4,
(macro); 2Mp, f/2.4, (depth))
• Selfie camera: 16Mp, f/2.2, (wide)
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band,
Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.0, A2DP, LE
• GPS A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
• NFC
• USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go
• Fingerprint scanner (rear-mounted)
• Non-removable 5,000mAh lithium-
polymer battery
• Fast charging 50 watts

Vivo X70 Pro+
Price: £766 from fave.co/3pMVR5A
F
or one of the biggest phone of the design, and Vivo’s Android
manufacturers in the world, Vivo skin can get in the bin, but in terms
remains remarkably unknown in the of pure performance this phone is
UK. That’s never felt more true than with nearly flawless.
the X70 Pro+ – a phenomenal flagship,
with a credible claim to being the best DESIGN
camera phone in the world. Vivo has been steadily evolving the
Those lucky enough to be able to design language of its X-series flagship
buy an X70 Pro+ will find a fantastic phones. In many ways the X70 Pro+
phone that fixes most of the problems feels like a natural next step for the
that have plagued Vivo’s flagships so line, while in others it makes some
far. I’ve got my hesitations over aspects unexpected – and mostly unwelcome

REVIEWS
– sideways moves. finish. It’s also almost unbelievably slick

Let’s start with the positive. Like the and smooth – in a sense it makes the
X70 Pro, this is a slim and light phone phone incredibly comfortable to hold,
– at least by ultra flagship standards. At but it also always feels like it’s just on the
8.9mm thick and around 210g this isn’t verge of slipping out of my hand.
a small phone per se, but considering That won’t really matter if you decide
the spacious 6.78in display its other to put a case on the phone of course,
dimensions are positively petite, and and Vivo does include a slightly flimsy
with curved edges it feels comfortable leather-effect number in the box. You
in the hand. might want to buy your own though,
The X70 Pro+ is also waterproof, a because this case draws attention to the
first for Vivo’s flagship series. The phone X70 Pro+’s other weird design choice.
has an IP68 rating – the highest around – The phone has a chunky, rectangular
meaning it has good protection against camera module to hold its four rear
both dust and water. lenses, with a slightly accented right
While China has orange and blue border – a nod to the stepped camera
models, in most countries the phone modules of earlier X phones. Next to
is only available in black – but it’s an that, though, is a large, mirrored plate
unusual black to be fair. The phone is of glass interrupted by ‘Pro+’ branding
coated in a material Vivo calls ‘Fluorite and the logos of both Vivo and camera
AG’ which has a speckled, almost glittery partner Zeiss.
I don’t know why this
plate, officially called the
Ceramic Cloud Window, is
there. Reflections are too
distorted for it to serve
usefully as a viewfinder
mirror for selfie, not to
mention the ugly logos
right in the centre. It’s
mostly just an ugly, shiny,
square-ish block that
The Vivo has a chunky, rectangular camera module to hold its both distracts from and
four rear lenses accentuates the camera

Really, this is an area
where it’s almost
impossible to pull most
flagships apart these
days, and while Vivo
isn’t driving the tech
forward particularly with
this phone, it’s certainly
keeping up with the
competition. The
display is interrupted by
a small, central punch-
hole selfie camera
that you can also use
The 6.78in panel is impressive by almost every metric. for face unlock. You’ll
also find a fingerprint
module. To be blunt: it’s weird, and I scanner built into the screen, which
don’t like it. has proved one of the faster and more
reliable that I’ve tried.
DISPLAY As for audio, the phone packs in
If elements of the design sometimes feel stereo speakers and support for Hi-Res
like a step back from the X60 Pro+, the Audio, though unsurprisingly you won’t
same can’t be said for the display. find a headphone jack. The speakers
The larger, 6.78in panel is impressive are probably one of the phone’s weak
by almost every metric: 120Hz variable spots – the bass is thin, and max volume
refresh rate, WQHD+ resolution and unimpressive – but this isn’t a big factor
HDR10+ support with over 1 billion for most users anyway.
colours. The panel uses E5 LTPO
AMOLED tech, which is a jargon-heavy PERFORMANCE
way of saying that you’ll get the colour The X70 Pro+ is powered by the
range and deep contrast of OLED, plus Qualcomm Snapdragon 888+ – the
big power savings that make the screen most powerful chipset around up until
more efficient. the recent launch of the Snapdragon 8
In practice, the panel looks beautiful. Gen 1. It’s joined by up to 12GB of RAM,

REVIEWS
and up to 512GB of storage – though Google Pixel 6 Pro: 9 hours, 15 minutes

with no microSD slot, you can’t expand Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: 9 hours, 51 minutes
this any further. Oppo Find X3 Pro: 10 hours, 20 minutes
I don’t want to dwell on the phone’s
performance too long, because it’s Charge in 30 minutes
essentially typical for a phone with Vivo X70 Pro+: 83%
this tier of chipset in; by which I mean, Vivo X70 Pro: 67%
it’s great. The Pro+ keeps up with all Vivo X60 Pro+: 82%
the important competition in artificial Google Pixel 6 Pro: 39%
benchmarks, and in real-life it can game Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: 88%
smoothly and multi-task with ease. Oppo Find X3 Pro: 96%
Samsung S21 Ultra: 56%
Geekbench 5 (multi-core)
Vivo X70 Pro+: 3,586 One quick note – it might look
Vivo X70 Pro: 3,181 like the X70 Pro+ is being trounced
Vivo X60 Pro+: 3,781 on graphical performance by the X70
Google Pixel 6 Pro: 2,875 Pro and even the older X60 Pro+. It
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: 3,499 isn’t – these two phones have lower
Oppo Find X3 Pro: 3,360 resolution displays, so have an easier
Samsung S21 Ultra: 3,511 time with rendering. All the other
phones in that graph have similar
GFX Manhattan 3.1 WQHD+ resolutions to the X70 Pro+,
Vivo X70 Pro+: 50fps and thus get similar results.
Vivo X70 Pro: 71fps As for networking, there’s 5G
Vivo X60 Pro+: 101fps support, of course. Wi-Fi 6 and
Google Pixel 6 Pro: 45fps Bluetooth 5.2 complete the networking
Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra: 53fps specs, with NFC support for mobile
Oppo Find X3 Pro: 40fps payments and the like.
Samsung S21 Ultra: 50fps
PHOTOGRAPHY
PCMark battery life If there’s one reason to buy the X70
Vivo X70 Pro+: 9 hours, 30 minutes Pro+, it’s undoubtedly the camera. Vivo
Vivo X70 Pro: 13 hours, 25 minutes has flown under the radar for a few years
Vivo X60 Pro+: 8 hours, 28 minutes when it comes to smartphone camera

5x periscopic
zoom lens.
Those
zoomed shots
are almost always
crisp thanks to
the stabilization,
which also
means that even
the periscope
is a functional
lowlight option.
The best results
Performance across all four lenses is phenomenal, in almost any setting. here still come
from the larger
sensors on the main and ultra-wide
rankings, but the company is ready cameras though, which put out night
to make good on its promise – and mode photos only rivalled this year by
plenty of R&D. the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro.
This phone features four rear Where Vivo excels further is in video
cameras: a 50Mp main camera, 48Mp though. Few Android brands come close
ultra-wide, 12Mp 2x zoom lens, and to Apple for videography, but Vivo is
8Mp 5x zoom lens. Remarkably, all one of them. In this case, it’s thanks in
four feature optical image stabilization large part to the OIS and gimbal tech,
(OIS) with the ultra-wide also packing which make this the perfect phone for
Vivo’s own miniaturised gimbal tech vlogging or filming on the go, steadying
for extra stability. everything you shoot. The standard
Performance across all four lenses stabilization works at up to 8K at 30fps,
is phenomenal, in almost any setting. though if you want to kick on the intense
I’ve never used a phone with better Ultra stabilization you’ll be limited to
dynamic range, especially when it comes shooting in 1080p.
to handling bright light sources without Finally, on the front you’ll find a 32Mp
blowing them out, and what’s most selfie camera. This is...fine. It’s perfectly
impressive is that this holds even for the decent, and will get the job done, but

REVIEWS
Our first
two photos
were taken
using
the main
camera…
…and the
wide-angle
lens.

This image
was taken
using the
2x zoom…
…while this
one was
taken using
the 5x
zoom.

REVIEWS
Here’s a
low light
shot.
This is an
example
of a photo
taken with
Night
mode.

Our final
two images
are a
selfie…
…and
a selfie
portrait.

REVIEWS
doesn’t keep up with the

exceptional level set by the
rear lenses. Look to Vivo’s
V21 if you want a better selfie
shooter, where they managed
to squeeze OIS into the front-
facing camera.
BATTERY LIFE
For all of the X70 Pro+’s power,
it’s no real surprise that battery
life isn’t its biggest strength.
To be clear, the battery life Vivo has committed to three years of Android updates.
isn’t bad. The phone will last a
day of typical use – web browsing, social charger – almost as fast as it is wired.
media, Spotify and a bit of camera use – Ten-watt reverse wireless charging
but it won’t do it with oodles of juice left completes the set, allowing you to
over. After a year or two of prolonged use the phone to top up the battery
use I worry this won’t really be an all-day on a smartwatch or headphones when
phone any more, but it’s hard to say for in a pinch.
sure – and to be fair, the same could be
said for most rival flagships. SOFTWARE
At least charging is more impressive. Software has long been the weak spot
55-watt wired charging returns from the for Vivo phones, and sadly nothing has
previous gen, topping the phone up to changed yet.
44 per cent in just 15 minutes, and 83 While in Europe the company tends
per cent in half an hour. to release phones with software that’s
More excitingly, Vivo has finally close(ish) to stock, the Asian markets
caught up with the competition and where the X70 Pro+ is found still get the
introduced wireless charging. The company’s Funtouch OS Android skin.
company certainly waited to get it right There are a few problems here.
– in addition to support standard Qi Funtouch is, by modern standards,
chargers, the Pro+ can handle 50-watt ugly and cluttered, with confusing
wireless charging with a compatible Vivo menus and an awkward interface. It’s

not unusable, but it’s not a patch on some misguided design choices that I
the efforts by the likes of Samsung hope the company will walk back in the
and OnePlus to improve on the base next generation. Its software struggles
Android experience. continue too, with an awkward UI and
Vivo also insists on shipping the bloatware that get in the way of a
phone not only with a full suite of Vivo’s premium experience elsewhere.
own apps that clutter the phone up, but Vivo is this close to making the
proper bloatware too. You’ll find third- best flagship phones out there, and its
party apps and games you don’t want operating system is the last piece of the
installed by default, and even built-in ads puzzle. As it stands, that subpar software
in the form of apps called ‘Hot Apps’ and may be a deal-breaker some – and I
‘Hot Games’, designed to look like app wouldn’t blame you if it were – but the
folders but in fact simply extensions of hardware here couldn’t be much better.
Vivo’s digital storefront for a few bits of Dominic Preston
sponsored software.
The only bright spot on the software SPECIFICATIONS
side is Vivo’s commitment to three years • 6.8in (2,400x1,080; 387ppi) AMOLED,
of Android updates. The X70 Pro+ ships 165Hz display
with Android 11, so in theory should see • Android 11, Funtouch OS 12
updates through to Android 14 before • Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+
it becomes obsolete – a promise that’s 5G (5nm) processor
comparable to other major brands and • Octa-core (1x 3GHz Kryo 680, 3x
still ahead of some of the competition. 2.42GHz Kryo 680, 4x 1.8GHz Kryo
680) CPU
VERDICT • Adreno 660 GPU
The X70 Pro+ is a fantastic piece of • 8GB/12GB RAM
hardware. You’ll get top performance, • 256GB/512GB storage
fast charging, and a beautiful display – • Four rear-facing cameras: 50Mp, f/1.6,
not to mention one of the absolute best (wide), 1/1.31in, 1.2µm, PDAF, Laser
cameras in any phone right now, and I AF, OIS; 8Mp, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope
really do mean that. telephoto), 1/4.4in, 1.0µm, PDAF,
There are downsides. This is the OIS, 5x optical zoom; 12Mp, f/1.6,
first Vivo flagship phone in a few years 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93in, 1.22µm,
that I haven’t loved the look of, with PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom; 48Mp,

REVIEWS
f/2.2, 14mm, 114-degree (ultra-wide),

1/2.0in, 0.8µm, AF, gimbal OIS
• Selfie camera: 32Mp, f/2.5, 26mm
(wide), 1/2.8in, 0.8µm
• Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band,
Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
• Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX
Adaptive
• GPS with dual-band A-GPS, GLONASS,
BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
• NFC
• USB Type-C 3.0, USB On-The-Go
• Fingerprint scanner (under display,
optical)
• Non-removable 4,500mAh lithium-
polymer battery
• Fast charging 55 watts
• 164.5x75.2x8.9mm
• 209g

TCL 20 R 5G
Price: £179 from fave.co/3sD9SmR
T
he budget smartphone market aesthetic. The tall, slim design is
is getting more competitive all obviously dominated by the 6.52in
the time, and it’s surprising what display, which features slim bezels and
you can get for not a lot of money a ‘V-Notch’ area for the selfie camera
these days. A contender for your cash (basically a small part of the bezel that
is Chinese company TCL, whose new curves down into the screen rather than
model brings 5G technology to a device a punch-hole opening).
that’s comfortably under £200. A metal band wraps around the
chassis, providing a home for the
DESIGN volume controls, power button, SIM
For a device with a low price point, tray, USB-C charging port, twin speaker
the TCL 20 R 5G cuts a pretty refined grills (although the phone only has a

REVIEWS
single speaker) and the

3.5mm headphone jack.
On the rear side,
there’s a raised camera
section that holds three
lenses and the LED
flash. The only real clue
that this is a sub-£200
device is the thin,
plastic back, but that’s a
reasonable concession
and just means that TCL
has spent the money The TCL is powered via the USB-C charging port.
elsewhere, which seems
the right approach. One omission that’s a little
A fingerprint sensor is situated in the disappointing is that there isn’t a silicon
upper third of the rear panel, and while case in the box. As this is hardly likely to
it works well enough, the lack of a raised be a huge selling device (not because of
section around it does make the sensor quality, but more due to competition and
hard to find at times. Muscle memory brand-recognition), you’ll struggle to find
will kick in after a little use though, so it third-party cases that will fit. I did take a
shouldn’t be a problem. quick look on Amazon and came across
With dimensions of 164.3x75x9mm, a small selection, but most Chinese
it’s a reasonably slim phone that’s easy to budget phones come with a basic case,
grip in your hand, and the 186g weight so it seems a silly thing to leave out.
while not being feather-light is certainly Power is handled by the 4,500mAh
manageable for extended periods of use. battery, which supports fast charging
TCL doesn’t list any IP ratings on the but not wireless.
device packaging or its web page, so
assume that getting the 20 R 5G wet will DISPLAY
not end well. One thing we do know is The 6.52in display is an LCD IPS panel
that you can choose between Lazurite rather than the AMOLED ones you’ll
Blue or Granite Grey liveries, both of find on more expensive models. This is
which look pretty smart. perfectly acceptable at this price point,

and remember that the cheaper iPhones tall, but again I didn’t find that this held
still use LCD, so it’s not like you’re things back.
getting a raw deal. In all honesty, this is probably one of
In use, the display is bright (maxes the nicest displays I’ve seen on a phone
out at 500 nits), colourful, and renders at this price point. It’s a fair size too, with
images and text well. In fact, at no point the 6.52in stretching to nearly all four
during my time with TCL 20 R 5G did I corners, giving a screen-to-body ratio
wish it had an AMOLED panel, as this of 90 per cent, so you won’t find any
one works just fine. chunky bezels around here.
TCL employs something called At the bottom edge of the device
‘NXTVISION’ on its phones, which is you’ll find twin speaker grills but, like
optimization software for the display many other inexpensive phones, the
panel. There are various settings for TCL 20 R 5G only comes with a single
colour and temperature (warmer whites speaker onboard. This is probably the
rather than hotter screens), plus a few most obvious clue of what the device
other options. The defaults all looked costs, as the audio quality is poor.
good, and it’s cool to have the ability to Thin and tinny frequencies are
‘dial-in’ the display to your preferences. pushed to the fore, with hardly any bass
Scrolling through pages is smooth, to beef things up. Thankfully there is
thanks to the 90Hz refresh rate a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you can
(which varies from 30-
to 90Hz depending on
which you’re doing)
with only the occasional
notable shudder
here or there. It also
benefits from a 180Hz
touch sampling rate,
which is good news for
gamers. The 1,600x720
resolution might not
be Full HD, instead, it
uses the HD+ badge The TCL has one of the nicest displays we’ve seen on a phone at
which denotes 720p and this price point.

REVIEWS
always connect to an external speaker Poco X3 NFC: 1,764

or headphones to make up for the sorry Realme 8: 1,692
state of the internal offering. OnePlus Nord 2: 2,694
PERFORMANCE GFX Manhattan 3.1

TCL has gone for a MediaTek Dimensity TCL 20 R 5G: 46fps
700 5G processor in the 20 R 5G, which Moto G31: 14fps
is similar to a Qualcomm Snapdragon Redmi 10: 13fps
732G and performs well in the budget to Poco X3 NFC: 27fps
lower-mid range tiers. Realme 8: 28fps
This is joined by a rather small 4GB OnePlus Nord 2: 57fps
of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage,
although the latter can be expanded PCMark battery life
by up to a massive 1TB through the TCL 20 R 5G: 16 hours, 3 minutes
microSD slot that sits in the same tray as Moto G31: 10 hours, 36 minutes
the Nano-SIM card. Redmi 10: 15 hours, 48 minutes
For general day-to-day tasks the Poco X3 NFC: 14 hours, 24 minutes
phone is pretty zippy, opening and Realme 8: 10 hours, 36 minutes
closing apps at a decent clip, albeit not OnePlus Nord 2: 11 hours, 17 minutes
lightning fast. I didn’t encounter any
unusual crashing out of apps while using Charge in 30 minutes
the TCL 20 R 5G, and even moderate TCL 20 R 5G: 35%
gaming was achieved without drama. Moto G31: 23%
It’s a steady, decent unit that will Redmi 10: 29%
serve you well, so long as you don’t Poco X3 NFC: 59%
expect a crazy-fast pocket rocket. Realme 8: 59%
In our standard barrage of benchmark OnePlus Nord 2: 100%
tests, the TCL 20 R 5G managed to total
up the following scores: As you’ve probably already guessed
from its name, the TCL 20 R 5G supports
Geekbench 5 (multi-core) 5G LTE, which is something of a bonus
TCL 20 R 5G: 1,628 at this price. We have seen other budget
Moto G31: 1,102 phones with this feature, such as the
Redmi 10: 1,159 Xiaomi Poco F3, OnePlus Nord CE 5G,

but they usually tend to
cost a bit more than the
TCL model.
While 5G might not
be top of your list when
searching for a cheaper
phone (especially with
5G plans often being
more expensive than 4G
ones), it’s good to have
the option available and
you can always just use a
4G connection instead.
Bluetooth 5.1 means There are three lenses on the rear of the 20 R 5G.
you won’t have to worry
about losing connections to wireless Photos aren’t terrible, but I’d warn
earbuds or Bluetooth speakers, and against relying on this device to capture
Wi-Fi 5 will keep you happily on the those all-important moments, as you’d
web at decent speeds. It’s a respectable probably be disappointed with the
selection of connectivity options, with 5G results. You can get better at similar
being the icing on the cake. prices without looking too far. You can
see a few examples of pictures I took
PHOTOGRAPHY with the TCL 20 R 5G overleaf.
While the camera array looks stacked Video is a similar story, with the lack
with options, it’s a little deceiving as of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization)
there’s only one main shooter, with the making footage a bit jerky unless your
two others for depth and macro duties. hands are stock-still. Again, it suffers
Again, not uncommon. from over-exposure and saturation issues
Sadly, the 13Mp camera isn’t the which make videos less than ideal. But,
best. Colours tend to be overly vivid in a pinch, you can document your
and focus a tad soft. There’s also the adventures with the TCL.
fact that shots are over-exposed, On the front, you’ll find an 8Mp
resulting in images that are too pale but camera that offers the same kind of
also too saturated. performance as the main shooter. It’s fine

REVIEWS
Here is a
series of
shots taken
with the
TCL.

REVIEWS
for quick selfies to post on social media, seen, with much of Android being left
alongside video calls as long as there is alone. You can decide whether to use the
lots of light in the room. newer gesture controls for navigation or
if you prefer things old school, then the
BATTERY LIFE navigation buttons are on hand.
The 4,500mAh battery in the TCL 20 You will find several TCL apps for
R 5G proved quite durable during my media and other functions, but these are
tests, with the phone usually finishing a easily uninstalled or moved to a folder
day with 20- 30 per cent left in the tank. where you can forget about them.
In fact, in our PCMark battery test, it TCL also promises that the 20 R
scored a whopping 16 hours, putting it 5G will receive security updates until
ahead of its closest rivals. August 2023, so you know that your
TCL states that the device supports device will remain safe until then. I still
up to 15-watt Fast Charging, which think this should be ongoing, but the
isn’t quite in the league of some of the whole Android ecosystem seems intent
newer Chinese phones, but again those on prematurely retiring perfectly decent
usually come with higher ticket prices. phones, which is a wider problem than
The same is true with wireless charging, TCL can solve.
which doesn’t feature
on the device.
Thirty minutes of
power got the TCL
20 R 5G from 0- to 35
per cent, and a full
recharge took around
an hour and a half.
SOFTWARE
Android 11 comes
as standard on the
device, overlaid with
the TCL UI 3.0 skin.
It’s fair from the most Android 11 comes as standard on the device, overlaid with the
cumbersome skin I’ve TCL UI 3.0 skin.

VERDICT 2Mp, f/2.4, (depth); 2Mp, f/2.4, (macro)
It wasn’t that long ago that looking for • Selfie camera: 8Mp, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)
a device at this price point would have 1/4.0in, 1.12µm
turned up some pretty grim fare. That’s • Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band,
not quite the case these days, as shown Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot
by the TCL 20 R 5G. • Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE
Okay, the cameras are not the best • GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO,
and the speaker is frankly awful, but if BDS
you’re after a stable, reasonably quick • NFC
everyday smartphone, then it can fit the • USB Type-C 2.0
bill – especially if you’re looking for 5G • Fingerprint scanner (rear-mounted)
support on a budget. • Non-removable 4,500mAh lithium-
The display is bright, colourful and polymer battery
clear, while the performance is certainly • 164.3x75x9mm
good enough for general duties. Add • 186g
to that some impressive battery life and
storage that can be massively expanded
from the restrictive 64GB, and it’s a
decent option when looking for a cheap
phone. Martyn Casserly
SPECIFICATIONS
• 6.52in (1,600x720; 269ppi) IPS LCD,
90Hz display
• Android 11, TCL UI
• MediaTek MT6833 Dimensity 700 5G
(7nm) processor
• Octa-core (2x 2.2GHz Cortex-A76, 6x
2GHz Cortex-A55) CPU
• Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
• 4GB RAM
• 64GB/128GB storage
• Three rear-facing cameras: 13Mp, f/2.2,
27mm (wide) 1/3.0in, 1.12µm, PDAF;

FEATURE
Credit: Getty Images/MStudioImages

24 advanced tips and
tricks for Android 12
Make the most of Google’s Android 12 software with these expert-
approved steps and adjustments. JR RAPHAEL reports
A
ndroid 12 is truly a tale of two since 2014’s Android 5.0 Lollipop era.
different Android updates Android 12 introduces a whole new
– at least, from a practical interface and design language that’s
perspective. On the one hand, if you much more than just a fresh coat of
own a Pixel phone, Google’s latest paint. It reimagines Android’s identity
and greatest software is easily the and transforms practically every part
most significant Android release of the operating system – extending

even into an ever-increasing number of invisible, one front-facing addition you’ll
third-party apps. want to uncover is the software’s new
If you own a Samsung device, on the series of switches for controlling your
other hand, Android 12 probably doesn’t phone’s microphone and camera.
feel that earth-shattering. As is often In short, Android 12 gives you
the case, Samsung has omitted many the ability to disable either item at a
of Google’s most meaningful design moment’s notice and with a single fast
changes and skipped over some of the tap. But in many cases, it’s up to you to
software’s core feature elements. As surface the switches ahead of time and
I’ve been saying for years, there really make sure they’re available in case you
are two completely different Android ever need them. Here’s how:
experiences – the Google Android
experience that’s present mostly just on • Swipe down twice from the top of
Pixel phones at this point and then the your screen to open your full Quick
alternate-reality version of Android that Settings panel.
Samsung delivers to its devices. • Look for the option to edit the
If you own a phone made by anyone Quick Settings. In Google’s version of
other than Google or Samsung – well, Android, it’ll be a pencil-shaped icon in
time will tell. Until more phone makers the lower-left corner of the panel. On
start to get Android 12 to their devices, Samsung phones, you’ll have to tap
we won’t know for sure. But odds are, it’ll the three-dot menu icon in the panel’s
probably fall somewhere between those upper-right corner, then select ‘Edit
two ends of the spectrum. buttons’ in the menu that pops up.
No matter which flavour of Android • Find the ‘Camera access’ and
12 you’re tasting, though, a trove of ‘Microphone access’ tiles. You may
new treasures is just waiting to be have to scroll down (or right, on
discovered. Read on to learn the ins Samsung devices) to the inactive tile
and outs of your phone’s snazzy new area to find them.
software and how to make the most of • Once you see them, press your finger
its changes, both big and small. onto them, one at a time, and drag
them into the active area of your Quick
PRIVACY PROTECTION Settings panel.
1. While Android 12’s most important • Tap the left-facing arrow in the corner
privacy progress is under the hood and of the screen (or tap the ‘Done’ button

FEATURE
at the bottom, with Samsung) when pulling back on that access as you see fit.
you’re finished. You can find the Privacy Dashboard by
heading into the Privacy section of your
With that step out of the way, you’ll system settings. There, you’ll see a little
now have one-tap toggles for turning something like the screen below, left.
your camera or microphone off, should It’ll look a bit different on Samsung
the need for such a swift switch arise. devices, but the basic elements should
all be present on most any device with
2. Android 12’s other prominent front- Android 12 in place.
facing privacy enhancement is the What’s worth noting is that you can
software’s new Privacy Dashboard. It tap on any specific permission to reveal
gives you a simple, streamlined place for a detailed timeline of exactly which apps
seeing exactly what system permissions tapped into that area of data and when.
your apps have been using and then And from there, you can sometimes
The Android 12 Privacy Dashboard, as seen Android 12 makes it easier than ever to see
in Google’s version of the operating system. exactly how permissions are being used.

even see specific explanations of why EXPERIENCE ENHANCEMENTS
an app required that permission – if the 5. Android 12 includes a new one-
developer took the time to provide that handed mode that can make it a heck
context. You’ll know that information is of a lot easier to get around your phone
available when you see a small circled ‘i’ with a single paw. In Google’s version
to the right of the app’s line. of Android, you can activate it by
going into the System section of your
3. While looking at Android 12’s new phone’s settings, then tapping ‘Gestures’
Privacy Dashboard, tap any app’s name followed by ‘One-handed mode’.
to review all of its permitted permissions Flip the ‘Use one-handed mode’
and optionally revoke or scale back any toggle into the on position, then
of those areas of access. Notably,
the permissions for location, camera,
and microphone offer more nuanced
options for allowing access only when
an app is actively in use or even for
requiring manual authorization every
time access is requested.
4. You can get more nuanced yet

with location access in Android
12 and decide whether you want
an app to have access to your
precise location – as in, your exact
whereabouts, provided by GPS
– or if you’d rather limit an app
to seeing only your approximate
location, which shows just your
general vicinity based on your
current network connections.
Open up the ‘Location’
permission in that same area of your Android 12’s one-handed mode can shrink the
Privacy Dashboard and then select active area of your display down to make things
any app in the list to find the option. easier to reach.

FEATURE
consider whether you want the system 6. Speaking of notifications, notice a

to shrink your entire screen down into curious new icon in the lower-right corner
a smaller area of the display, like the of your various alerts? That’s a new
image on the previous page. look for Android’s notification snoozing
Or if you’d rather simply have it pull function, which had been tucked away
down your notification panel without behind a long-press in previous Android
forcing you to stretch all the way to the versions. Now, all you’ve got to do is tap
top of the screen. that symbol anytime you want to send
Either way you go, once it’s activated, a notification away and schedule it to
you can launch one-handed mode by return at some future time. By default,
swiping downward on the bottom-centre your notification will be snoozed for one
area of your screen – starting about a hour, but you can also choose to have it
half-inch from the bottom and moving to return in 15 minutes, 30 minutes or two
the lower perimeter. And note that you’ll hours, if you prefer.
need to be using Android gestures in
order for it to work. 7. Android’s had a helpful Notification
On a Samsung device, look in the History option for a while now, but
Advanced Features area of your phone’s Android 12 continues the vexing
settings and then tap ‘One-handed tradition of keeping that feature disabled
mode’ to get started. Once activated, by default and out of sight – so most
the system (which was actually available people never even know it’s available.
in that environment even prior to Here’s how to buck the trend and
Android 12’s arrival) will work more or activate it on your Android device:
less in the same way as what we just
went over, only without the notification • Head into the Notifications section of
panel possibility present as an option. your system settings.
An unfamiliar icon might catch your eye in Android 12’s notifications.

• In Google’s version of Android, tap the which way your face is positioned and
line labelled ‘Notification history’. On a then make sure your screen’s orientation
Samsung phone, tap ‘Advanced settings’ always matches.
and then tap ‘Notification history’. That way, even if you’re lying on a
• Turn the toggle at the top of the screen sofa and holding your phone at an angle,
that comes up next into the on position. the screen will remain in its portrait
orientation instead of flipping into
And that’s it: you can now always pull landscape and driving you mad.
up a list of recent notifications in that
same area to review any recent alerts, STEP-SAVING SHORTCUTS
even after you’ve swiped them away. 10. Provided you’re using the
Pixel phone’s default home screen
8. Ever find your phone too bright environment in Android 12 (and not a
for comfort, even at its lowest display custom Android launcher), swipe up
brightness setting? Try out Android 12’s from the bottom of your screen to open
newly added Extra Dim switch for
extra-comfy dark-room viewing.
The option is available as a Quick
Settings tile, so swipe down twice
from the top of your screen to find
it – and if you don’t see it there,
use the same steps we went over
in our first tip to unearth it and
bring it up into the active area.
9. Attention, Pixel owners with

a Pixel 4 or higher: make sure to
march your way into the Display
section of your device’s system
settings and tap ‘Auto-rotate
screen’. There, you’ll find a clever
new option for allowing your
phone to use its front-facing The Android 12 app drawer search box has some
camera to automatically detect spectacular hidden search powers on Pixel phones.

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your app drawer and then tap the search You should see a prompt on the
box at the top of that area. second phone to turn on Nearby Share
You’d never know it, but the Pixel’s and accept the information, after which
app drawer search function got a major the network should automatically
upgrade in Android 12 – and you can connect – no manual password typing or
now search for contacts, conversations, clunky QR code scanning required.
settings, apps and shortcuts within apps
from that one streamlined spot to find 13. If you find yourself missing the
anything you need in a snap. excellent connected-device control
panel that was built into the power-
11. Make that new universal search button menu in Android 11, set a mental
system even more efficient by tapping reminder. That same information is still
the three-dot menu icon within the available in Android 12 – only now, it’s in
Pixel app drawer’s search box and your Quick Settings panel instead of the
then tapping ‘Always show keyboard’. power-button menu.
That’ll cause your on-screen keyboard Don’t despair, though. Here’s a trick
to automatically pop up and be ready to make that connected-device shortcut
for input as soon as you open the app section easier to access within this new
drawer, saving you the step of having to arrangement. Edit your device’s Quick
tap on the box to get it to appear. Settings area, using the same steps we
went over earlier, and look for the new
12. Need to get someone else on your Device Controls tile. Drag it up into one
Wi-Fi network, whether in the office of the top four positions and it’ll never
or at home? Android 12 has a handy be more than a single swipe away.
new system for sharing your current
network’s configuration wirelessly over 14. You’d be forgiven for failing to
Bluetooth. Tap the Internet tile in your notice, but you can also get to Android
device’s Quick Settings area, then tap 12’s Device Controls section directly
the gear-shaped settings icon next to from your lock screen – at least, in
your current network’s name. Tap the Google’s version of Android.
‘Share’ command on the screen that Provided your phone supports the
comes up next, then tap ‘Nearby’ and function, look for a house-shaped icon in
hold the other person’s phone back to the lower-left corner of the lock screen
back against yours. to hop directly to that area – and if you

don’t see that icon there, head into
the Display section of your system
settings, tap ‘Lock screen’, and then
look for the ‘Show device controls’
option to activate it.
15. On a related note, take

note: the tiles in your Android 12
Device Controls area may look
like basic buttons, but they’re
actually much more. In addition
to tapping, you can long-press
most of those commands to jump
directly to the full set of controls
in the associated app – and in
certain cases, like when a control
is for a dimmable light, you Open up Chrome in Android 12’s Overview area,
can swipe left or right on the button and a special new button will greet you.
to adjust its level without having to
open anything else. current Android gestures system – or
press the square-shaped button along
16. Don’t let the name Device Controls the bottom of your phone’s screen,
fool you. With the right tool and a few if you’re still clinging onto the legacy
minutes of configuration, you can add three-button nav set-up – and then
fast-access commands for almost any find Chrome in your list of recently
shortcut imaginable into Android 12’s used apps. See that new button in the
Device Controls area. browser’s thumbnail? Tap that, and
you’ll be able to copy the current page’s
17. On a Pixel, Android 12 adds in the link or share it directly to any other app
ability to snag and share a link to a on your phone in seconds flat.
web page from right inside the system
Overview area. Just swipe your finger 18. Another simple but supremely
up about an inch from the bottom of effective new second-saver in Android
the screen and stop, if you’re using the 12 (and, yes, another one that’s specific

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to Google’s own version of

Android – sorry, Samsung fans).
When you capture a screenshot
and see the confirmation graphic
show up in the lower-left corner
of your screen, you can now
swipe that confirmation away
to dismiss it. It’s a small thing,
admittedly, but it’s much more
natural and intuitive than the
awkward ’x’-tapping action that
was required in the past.
SYSTEM SMARTS
19. While we’re on the subject
of screenshots, Android 12
allows you to capture scrolling
screenshots that show more Android 12’s new scrolling screenshot feature lets you
than a single screen’s worth of capture an extended area of a website.
information. It’s a great way to
share an especially long email, web page 20. Google snuck a couple of subtle
or other piece of content without having but welcome improvements into
to capture multiple images. Android’s picture-in-picture system in the
The function is limited only to Android 12 release. First up is a faster
apps that support it, but it’s already and easier way to resize any picture-
available in Chrome and Gmail as well in-picture box on your screen with a
as in most parts of the Android system convenient new gesture.
interface. Just press your phone’s power The next time you’ve got one of
and volume-down button together those floating windows of content – like
to take the screenshot, then look for when you start a navigation in Google
the ‘Capture more’ button (or the icon Maps or play a video in YouTube (in
showing a box with two arrows inside certain conditions) and then go back to
it, on a Samsung phone) within the your home screen – try touching two
screenshot confirmation to give it a go. fingers to the box and then stretching

your fingers outward to enlarge it or weather widget in the list of options.
pinching them together to shrink it down • Drop that widget onto any open area
into a smaller state. of your home screen.
And speaking of minimization... • See the lines around the widget? (If
you don’t, press and hold your finger to
21. Android 12 allows you to push a it for a second to get them to appear.)
picture-in-picture window almost entirely Drag the line along the widget’s bottom
off the side of your screen, in case you edge downward to expand it, and you’ll
want to keep a video or navigation see a forecast for the next couple of
playing but need it out of your active days show up beneath the current day’s
viewing area for a while. Just touch your weather information.
finger to the box and slide it all the way
to either side. That’ll leave you with just 23. Last but not least, a pair of Pixel-
a sliver of the box’s edge visible, and you specific surface-level Android 12
can then press and hold that edge to additions that are well worth uncovering:
drag the box back into a more prominent First, press and hold your finger onto
area whenever you’re ready. an empty area of your phone’s home
screen and select ‘Wallpaper & style’.
22. After years of neglect, Google is Scroll down a bit and find the option
giving Android widgets some long called ‘Themed icons’. If the switch next
overdue love as of Android 12 (imagine to that isn’t already in the on position,
that!). And if you’re using a Pixel phone, flip it on, then watch the icons from
you can find some hidden extra widget supported apps on your home screen
elements by adding certain system-level automatically colour themselves to match
widgets onto your home screen and then your wallpaper and continue to do so
making them larger than their default whenever your wallpaper changes. (It’s
size. If you’ve got a Pixel, try this: mostly Google-made apps that support
the system at the moment. But with any
• Press and hold your finger onto any luck, that’ll expand over time.)
open area of your home screen and
select ‘Widgets’ from the menu that 24. Once more, only on a Pixel for now:
comes up. touch your finger to any open text field
• Tap the line labelled ‘Google’, then to pull up the Gboard keyboard. Touch
touch and hold your finger to the 4x2 the three-dot icon along the keyboard’s

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top row, then tap ‘Settings’ followed

by ‘Theme’.
Find and tap the ‘Dynamic Colour’
option, then back your way out of that
menu. And just like magic, your phone’s
keyboard will now follow that same
Android 12 auto-theming system and
change its colour to match the rest of
your system interface based on your
current wallpaper.

Credit: Getty Images/Charday Penn
Android’s forgotten
shortcut superpowers
These out-of-sight Android shortcuts can make you meaningfully more
efficient. JR RAPHAEL reports
I
do love a good time-saver, and my job, I frequently find myself surprised
sometimes the best time-savers of by how often I stumble onto something
all are the ones that are right under that I knew about at some point but long
the surface of our favourite apps and ago forgot to keep using. It happened to
services, just waiting to be seen. me with some of the Android Assistant
I’ll admit it. Even as someone who tricks we talked about a couple months
uses and thinks about Android almost ago, and it’s happened to me yet again
constantly, as part of both my life and now with a powerful shortcut system

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built right into Android and supported by to take advantage of these time-saving
oodles of different apps. possibilities. The especially tricky thing
The system is called, rather fittingly, about Android’s App Shortcuts is that
App Shortcuts. It’s been around since even if you do remember that they exist
2016’s Android 7.1 Nougat release, and in general, you never know which apps
it was originally framed as a response take full advantage of the system and
to Apple’s once-buzzworthy 3D Touch which don’t – or when any given app
feature on the iPhone. is updated with a richer set of shortcut
And that, as I wrote at the time, is options – unless you just haphazardly
the true Achilles heel of Android’s App press icons every few weeks to see
Shortcuts: the system tries too hard to what, if anything, happens.
emulate Apple instead of focusing on When you do press the right icons,
what makes sense for Android and would though, you’re bound to be delighted
provide the best possible experience by the buried treasures you unearth. And
in our preferred environment. Looking with a teensy bit of tinkering, you can
back at what I said about the shortcuts make some of them even more useful.
five-plus years ago seems almost eerily So enough of my blathering. It’s time
prophetic and like a too-perfect prologue to discover – or perhaps rediscover –
to what we’re talking about today: the productivity-boosting potential of
Android’s App Shortcuts.
“Their presence is completely hidden,
with no visual cues whatsoever; you’d THE INS AND OUTS OF
have to happen to long-press an icon to ANDROID APP SHORTCUTS
find them, and even then, you might not First, let’s back up for a quick primer on
fully grasp what happened or why those what exactly App Shortcuts are and how
items appeared. Users who know about you can put them to use: App Shortcuts
the options are likely to forget they exist are basically just direct links to specific
and underutilize them, too, as often functions within apps on your phone –
happens with non-obvious commands in ways you can get to individual actions or
a user interface. Out of sight, out of mind areas within an app without having to go
– it’s a very real phenomenon.” through the typical process of opening it
up, plopping around through its menus,
And here we are, all these years later, and tapping multiple commands to get
talking about how so many of us forget where you want to go (1.).

some of the most
broadly useful
(and yet woefully
underutilized) App
Shortcut actions.
Here are 16 excellent
options to surface
and then train
yourself to use on
your own Android
1.
device:
You can access App Shortcuts by 1. With Slack, long-pressing the

pressing and holding your finger down app’s icon will reveal single-tap
on an app’s icon – either on your home shortcuts for jumping directly into any
screen or in your app drawer – for about specific workspace connected to your
a second. And here’s where the true phone. Depending on the number
time-saving potential comes into play: of workspaces you have, you might
You can also place any of the shortcuts also see shortcuts for snoozing your
that pop up directly onto your home notifications and loading Slack’s ‘jump
screen for even easier one-tap access. to’ command – which lets you transport
Just press and hold the shortcut you yourself directly into any channel or
want when you see it come up, then direct message just by typing the first
drag it into an open space in your letter or two of its name.
home screen and let go. 2. With Google Docs, you can move
So where might this be helpful? straight into a new, blank document or
Well, in plenty of places. Let’s look at open up the search function to find what
the specifics. you need without having to first open up
the app and then poke around.
16 SPECIFIC ANDROID 3. With Google Drive, you can get
APP SHORTCUTS direct links for searching, uploading
WORTH EMBRACING a new file, or – one of my personal
I went through a bunch of different favourites – scanning a physical
productivity-oriented apps to identify document in via your phone’s camera.

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4. Gmail has hidden shortcuts for starting 11. In Maps, you can launch guided
a new message or jumping directly into navigations to any of your saved places
any account’s inbox (provided that you (including ‘home’ and ‘work’) by pressing
have multiple accounts connected to your finger to the app’s icon and then
your phone, of course). selecting the location you need.
5. You can long-press Google’s 12. Long-pressing the Chrome icon
Messages app to waltz your way directly will surface options for zipping right
into any recently used message thread. into a new tab – or incognito tab, even
6. And speaking of speaking to – right from your home screen.
people, pressing the official Google 13. The Nest app gives you shortcuts to
Phone app’s icon will give you one- commonly opened connected gadgets,
touch shortcuts for dialling any recent so you can hop right over to the control
contacts you’ve called – no app-opening panel for your home office camera or
or other steps required. desk-side Smart Display without all the
7. Google Keep has a handy collection usual steps.
of note-creating shortcuts, including one- 14. The Twitter Android app has
touch commands for firing up a new text shortcuts for galloping immediately
note, photo note, list note or audio note. into recent direct messaging
8. The official Google Clock app on conversations, in case you ever need
Android has App Shortcuts for starting to visit an active thread without
a stopwatch or a timer right from your getting sucked into the stream.
home screen. 15. The Android Settings app (which
9. Press and hold the Google Calendar itself is ultimately just a shortcut to
app’s icon, and you’ll find a simple your system settings) holds hidden
shortcut for creating a new event as shortcuts for hopping straight into the
well as for creating a new Assistant- Wi-Fi, Data Usage, or Battery sections
linked reminder that’ll appear on any of your system settings.
Assistant-connected device where 16. And the Play Store app has a
you’re signed in. supremely helpful shortcut for popping
10. Use Trello (fave.co/3szyQmP)? Its right into the ‘My Apps’ area of the
Android app icon holds shortcuts for Play Store to look through pending or
starting a new card with a single tap or recent updates to your various installed
for jumping into any recently opened applications. So long, cumbersome
board associated with your account. menu-wading.

This list could go on more or less do. It works natively with most of the
indefinitely, depending on what specific launchers I tend to recommend –
Android apps you use, but you get the including my current personal favourite,
idea. And all of that is still just the start. Niagara (fave.co/3gCLkEM), as well as
the long-standing Android fan favourite
ADVANCED ANDROID APP Nova (fave.co/2DUIB9s).
SHORTCUT ACTION So what exactly does Sesame do?
For as useful as they are, Android’s With the right sort of launcher set up,
App Shortcuts can be made even more you’ll be able to open up Sesame and
powerful with the help of an app I’ve select exactly what shortcuts appear
talked about in other contexts before. whenever you long-press different apps
It’s called Sesame (fave.co/3sxbaj7) and in your home screen environment.
it can do a lot of different things, but With Google Calendar, for instance,
specific to our discussion today, it lets in addition to the standard new event
you take control of an app’s shortcut list and new reminder shortcuts we talked
to both expand it and condense it in about a second ago, you can have the
some pretty effective ways. App Shortcuts system show your entire
To experience Sesame’s full benefit, next month’s worth of events from any
you’ll need to use it in conjunction with of your connected calendars – work,
a custom Android launcher designed personal, you name it. And if you want
to take full advantage of what it can any of those shortcuts to be prioritized
and permanently positioned at the top
of the list, you can simply pin them from
right within that same editing tool (2.).
And once you do – see 3..
2. 3.

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Other apps have different options. In Oh, and just with like Android’s
Messages, for instance, you can select standard built-in App Shortcuts, any of
certain high-profile contacts and keep the shortcuts you create with Sesame
shortcuts to their conversations pinned can also be dragged onto your home
at the top of the App Shortcuts list. In screen for even more direct access.
Gmail, you can pin one-tap access to (The app costs £2.99 to use after a
specific labels into the app’s long-press free two-week trial, by the by. Given all
menu. In the Google app, you can the precious seconds it’ll save you, I’d
make shortcuts for identifying a song on say it’s worth every penny of that cost
demand and even for pulling up a virtual – and them some.)
bubble level tool. And in Drive, you can Pretty nifty, right? Android’s App
pin shortcuts to specific cloud storage Shortcuts system certainly has some
folders for easy ongoing access (4.). conceptual problems, and it’s yet another
My favourite of all, though, has to be unfortunate example of Android sliding
Chrome, where you can create a specific, back into old bad habits and putting
set list of frequently accessed websites valuable options out of sight and out
and then have those sites show up as of mind. We could talk for hours about
one-tap options whenever you press the ways Google could fix this, but it’s
and hold the app’s icon – kind of like a far more productive to remind ourselves
simple, exceptionally accessible personal about what’s hidden and then train
start page, only you don’t even have to ourselves to start taking advantage of it.
open anything to get to it.
4.

Credit: Getty Images/PeopleImages
6 secret settings for better
browsing in Chrome
Supercharge your smartphone browsing experience with these powerful
yet completely concealed options. JR RAPHAEL reports
L
ast issue we revealed our favourite generally just more pleasant. They’re
time-saving tips in Chrome. This all just sitting there waiting to be found,
month we’re going to look at some too – so really, why not take advantage
of its secret settings, which will enhances of what they have to offer?
your mobile browsing experience. Before we continue, though,
The six settings in this article will one quick word of warning: all of
make your Android-based web browsing these settings are part of Chrome’s
more powerful, more efficient and flags system, which is a home for

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under-development
options that are still
actively being worked
on and aren’t technically
intended for mainstream
use. The flags system is
meant for expert users and
other similarly informed
users who want to get an
early look at advanced
items. It also evolves
pretty regularly, so it’s
1.
entirely possible some of
the settings mentioned
here may look different from what I’ve It’s an extra button that gets added
described or even be gone entirely at into the top of the Android Chrome
some point in the not-so-distant future. browser and then gives you extra-easy
What’s more, the flags system has access to whatever function you use the
loads of advanced options within it, most: sharing, opening up a new tab, or
some of which could potentially cause launching a new web search with only
websites to look weird or Chrome the sound of your voice.
itself to become unstable. In other If you really want to get wild, you can
words, proceed with caution, follow my even let Chrome analyse your usage for
instructions carefully and don’t mess you and turn the button into a dynamic
with anything else you encounter in this command center where the browser
area of the browser unless you actually automatically decides which of those
understand it and genuinely know what buttons is most likely to be useful for you
you’re doing. at any given moment and then adjusts
itself accordingly.
1. CUSTOM SHORTCUT BUTTON However you approach it, you’ll save
This first secret Chrome setting for yourself the step of first tapping to open
Android is my favourite as it’s so useful, Chrome’s main menu and then looking
no matter how you tend to hop around around to find the function you need.
the web on your phone. And if you use some of these functions

as frequently as I do, all those saved the widget for Chrome. The browser’s
seconds can really add up. widget selection has long consisted
So what are you waiting for? To get of the uninspired options for putting a
that extra option in Chrome on your browser-specific search bar or a bland
phone this instant: box showing your bookmarks on your
home screen, and that’s it. But now,
• Type chrome:flags into the browser’s you can add two far more appealing
address bar. browser control panels into that mix – if
• Type the word adaptive into the you know how to uncover them.
search box at the top of the screen that
comes up. • Once again, type chrome:flags into
• Look for the lines labelled ‘Adaptive your browser’s address bar.
button in top toolbar’ and ‘Adaptive • This time, type widget into the box on
button in top toolbar customization’. the screen that comes up.
• Tap the box beneath each of them and • See the line labelled ‘Quick Action
change its setting to ‘Enabled’. Search Widget’? Tap the box beneath
• Tap the Relaunch button at the that bad boy and change its setting to
bottom of the screen. ‘Enabled’.
And that’s it. Once your Android

Chrome app restarts itself, you can tap
the three-dot menu icon in the browser’s
upper-right corner and select ‘Settings’,
then look for the freshly added ‘Toolbar
shortcut’ option to configure exactly how
your fancy new button will work (1.).
Make that selection once, then
enjoy having the button of your choice a
single tap away.
2. A BETTER CHROME WIDGET

Android’s in the midst of a long-awaited
widget revival, but one widget that’s
2.
remained woefully underwhelming is

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• Tap the Relaunch button at the bottom • Type read into the box at the top of
of the screen. the screen that comes up.
• Find the ‘Reading List’ option, tap the
After Chrome restarts, head back to box beneath it and change its setting
your home screen. Long-press on any from ‘Default’ to ‘Enabled (with app
open area to find your device’s widget menu item)’.
selector. Find and tap ‘Chrome’ in the list • Tap the blue Relaunch button at the
of choices. You’ll see two new options for bottom of the screen.
your Android widget-using pleasure (2.).
Now, anytime you want to save a
3. A MORE SENSIBLE page you’re viewing into your Chrome
ARTICLE-SAVING SYSTEM reading list, all you’ve got to do is tap
Google added a handy way to save the browser’s three-dot menu icon.
pages from Chrome into a browser- Right there in that main menu is the
based read-it-later list a while back. obvious-seeming option to add that
The problem is that by default, the very article directly into your list (3.).
feature is strangely buried and difficult When you’re ready to find the stuff
to use on Android. you’ve saved, just tap the three-dot
If you want to save something
into your Chrome reading list
from your phone, the only way to
do it is usually to long-press on a
link within a page and then look
for the option to add that link
into your list. That’s fine, but what
if you want to save the current
page you’re actively viewing?
Vexingly, the Chrome Android
browser has no way to do it.
Unless, that is, you know this
simple trick:
• Type chrome:flags into the

3.
browser’s address bar.

menu icon in Chrome’s upper-right into your bookmarks within that main
corner, select ‘Bookmarks’, and look for Chrome menu.
the ‘Reading list’ option there.
5. A WEB-WIDE DARK MODE
4. A MORE MODERN Android’s had a system-wide Dark Theme
BOOKMARKS INTERFACE option since 2019’s Android 10 release,
Chrome’s bookmarks area on Android but you know what’s weird? Even when
hasn’t had much love as of late. The your device is in its fully darkened state,
interface has looked a bit boring for pages in your phone’s web browser are
quite a while now. But fear not, for still as bright as day.
Google hasn’t forgotten about it entirely. As of now, Android’s dark mode
You can fast-track your Android doesn’t have any impact on the web
phone into Chrome’s new-and-improved as it appears within Chrome – only on
bookmarks set-up by making this tweak: the menus and other areas around the
actual page you’re viewing. And that’s
• Type chrome:flags into the disappointing, since a big part of what
browser’s address bar. you do on your phone revolves around
• Type bookmarks into the search box what’s within your browser’s borders.
on the screen that comes up. But wait. Chrome actually does have
• Tap the line labelled ‘Bookmarks a way to make the entire web responsive
refresh’ and change its setting from to Android’s Dark Theme. It just isn’t
‘Disabled’ to ‘Enabled (everything)’. activated or available by default. Once
• Tap the Refresh button at the you find and flip the switch, though,
bottom of the screen. any page you open on the web will
automatically transform itself whenever
After your browser restarts, tap the your phone’s dark mode is enabled (5.).
three-dot menu icon in its upper-right Here’s the trick:
corner and tap ‘Bookmarks’ in that main
Chrome menu. You’ll be greeted with a • Assuming you have Android 10 or
freshened-up Android bookmark view higher on your phone, open up Chrome
that doesn’t look like it was last touched and type chrome:flags into the
in the prehistoric ages – and as an browser’s address bar.
added perk, you’ll also notice a new and • Type darken into the search box at the
less ambiguous option for adding a site top of the screen that comes up.

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• In the main Chrome

settings menu, tap ‘Theme’.
• Under the ‘System
default’ option, you should
see a new checkbox that
says ‘Apply dark theme
to sites, when possible’.
Check it.
• Make your way out of
that menu and back to the
main browser area.
And there you have it.

Whenever you activate your
phone’s Dark Theme, any
pages you’re viewing within
Chrome will automatically
5.
follow suit.
• See the item labelled ‘Darken websites 6. A MORE POWERFUL

checkbox in themes setting’? Tap the INCOGNITO MODE
box beneath it and change it from This last Chrome Android tip is a bit
‘Default’ to ‘Enabled’. more niche in nature, but if you’ve
• Tap the Relaunch button at the bottom ever felt the need around it, you’ll
of the screen. absolutely appreciate its arrival.
It’s a simple switch that removes
There’s one more step to finish. Once Chrome’s built-in policy of prohibiting
Chrome restarts itself, you’ll have to go screenshots while you’re in the
into the browser’s settings and enable browser’s Incognito mode – a somewhat
the new option we just uncovered: puzzling rule that typically makes it
impossible to capture anything within
• Tap the three-dot menu icon in an Incognito tab in Chrome.
the Chrome’s upper-right corner and So say, for instance, you’re using
select Settings. Chrome’s Incognito mode to look at

something without being signed in. Or
maybe you’re relying on it to check on a
certain search without having the term
get connected to your Google browsing
history. Whatever the case, there are
bound to be moments when you want to
snap a screenshot of something in that
sort of state. And now, you can.
Here’s all there is to it:
• One last time, type chrome:flags

into your browser’s address bar.
• Type incognito into the search box
on the screen that comes up.
• Find the line labelled ‘Incognito
Screenshot’ and change its setting
from ‘Default’ to ‘Enabled’.
• Tap the Relaunch button at the
bottom of the screen.
• And that’s it. You can now capture
screenshots of Incognito windows
whenever you want.
Just remember, If you snap

something accidentally, it’s up to you
to go find and delete it.

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Credit: Getty Images/gorodenkoff

The Android 12
Quick Settings trick
you’ve been missing
Got Android 12? This simple but supremely effective hack will have you
jumping for joy in no time. JR RAPHAEL reports
W
e’ve seen lots of significant experience. That’s because Android
changes to Android over the 12 is the first Android version in years
past decade. For the first to introduce sweeping changes to the
time in a long time, though, Android software’s front-facing appearance.
12 feels like a whole new smartphone The new Material You design standard

represents a big evolution for the way down once with two fingers side-by-
Android looks and what a device running side). And then there’s the partial
the operating system is like to use. Quick Settings view, which shows up
By and large, that evolution is a good above your notifications when you
thing. But with any progression comes swipe down a single time from the
certain quirks that don’t always jibe with top of your screen.
your day-to-day desires. On earlier Android versions, that
For lots of users, one such element is partial view allowed you to see and
Android 12’s adjusted approach to Quick interact with six – whichever Quick
Settings: the panel of fast-access tiles Settings tiles were in the first six
you can reach by swiping down from the positions within that area (1.).
top of your device’s screen. One reader On Android 12, though, the tiles
asked if I could provide a solution to bulked up. And consequently, you
help her customize her phone’s Quick can see only four shortcuts in that
Settings and undo the ‘improvements’ same amount of space (2.).
Android 12 introduced. From a purely functional
Well, here’s the good news. As with perspective, it’s tough to deny that
most things in Android, the power to having fast access to only four items
decide how you want your device to instead of six in the same amount of
work ultimately resides in your hands. space is a bit of a regression.
And if Android 12’s Quick Settings set-up Now, you may well adjust to the
isn’t cutting it for you, there’s a simple change and not be bothered by it after
way to flex that phone-owner muscle
and take control. Allow me to explain.
THE ANDROID 12 QUICK

SETTINGS CONUNDRUM
1.
As you probably know, being a fan
of all things Android, the operating
system’s Quick Settings area actually
exists in two different forms. There’s
the full Quick Settings panel, which
you find by swiping down twice from
2.
the top of your display (or swiping

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3. 5.
a while. But if you don’t like the larger, from there, you can fine-tune and tweak
less dense Quick Settings arrangement practically every imaginable pixel of the
Android 12 introduces, there’s an Power Shade interface to make it look
effective way to eliminate it. and work any way you like. The app
The trick revolves around an app has got options for everything (4.). You
called Power Shade (fave.co/3gCVsxi). could even expand the panel beyond
It’s a thoughtfully designed tool that lets those standard six first-swipe shortcuts
you replace your device’s entire default and show even more tiles in that initial
Quick Settings area with your own highly single-swipe view (5.).
customized alternative
– kind of like a custom
Android launcher, only for
Quick Settings instead of
your home screen.
And in fact, going back
to the pre-Android-12,
smaller Quick Settings style
couldn’t be much easier. If
you fire Power Shade up and
4.
leave it with its out-of-the-
box settings, it’ll give you
a new Quick Settings panel
that looks a lot like Google’s
older style – almost exactly
what you’re used to from
Android 11 and earlier (3.).
Here’s where things get
interesting. If you want,

Android 12-induced frustrations the way to the top of your screen.
aside, this could bring some interesting Now, before we call it a day, let me
little improvements in both visual mention a few important caveats to this:
appeal and efficiency in ways you
weren’t even expecting. • First, most of the Power Shade basics
Speaking of customization, one will work for free. There’s an optional
practical adjustment I’d strongly premium upgrade if you want to unlock
suggest making is tapping into Power all the app’s advanced options, but it’s
Shade’s extra Quick Settings gesture not at all required for the basic sort of
possibility. That makes it easier to get stuff we’re talking about today.
to your phone’s Quick Settings panel, • Second, be aware. Going with a
and it helps with the occasional issue third-party set-up like this will require
of the default Android Quick Settings you to give up the great-looking Android
panel popping up behind the Power 12 Material You theming within your
Shade replacement (which, annoyingly, Quick Settings area – the way that part
does seem to happen on occasion of the interface automatically adjusts
with this arrangement). its colouring to match your current
All you’ve got to do to activate wallpaper at any given moment. An
that feature is: app like Power Shade could tie into that
system eventually and act just like the
• Open up Power Shade. default system-level set-up, but as of
• Tap ‘Edge Triggers’ in its main menu. now, it’s not going to happen.
• Tap either ‘Left’ (if you tend to hold • And finally, by its nature, an app like
your phone in your left hand) or ‘Right’ (if this requires a fair number of permissions
you usually grip it with your right). to operate – nothing alarming, but a
• Flip the toggle next to ‘Enabled’ into level of access you may or may not feel
the on position. comfortable granting. When you first set
Power Shade up, you’ll be prompted to
Once that’s done, you can simply allow it access as an Android accessibility
swipe your thumb down along the side service and to grant it the ability to read
edge of your screen – at whatever exact your notifications. The app wouldn’t be
place you picked within that same set-up able to do what it’s doing without both
area – to trigger your fancy new Quick of those being available, and its privacy
Settings panel without having to reach all policy is perfectly clear that nothing is

FEATURE
ever collected, stored, or anything like

that. Power Shade has also been around
for a long time and has overwhelmingly
positive ratings in the Play Store.
Still, it warrants a mention that those
permissions are there and that it’s up to
you to weigh them over.

Advanced Assistant actions
for Google’s Pixel phones
Pixel owners, listen up: you’ve got exclusive access to some of Android’s
most advanced Assistant time-savers. JR RAPHAEL reports
G
oogle Assistant has plenty of up to you to realize they exist and then
tucked away tricks for anyone remember to use them.
using Android. The problem is Here are our favorite Pixel-specific
that, like most typical voice commands voice commands that’ll save you time,
(and plenty of other Android features), make it easier to get around your
the Pixel-exclusive Assistant extras are device, and make it easier to get stuff
virtually invisible – and that means it’s done. All you’ve got to do is say “Hey

FEATURE
Google” – or use whichever other say, simply say delete. That’ll cause your
Assistant-summoning tactic you like Pixel to remove the most recent word.
– and then start talking. You can also say clear to delete an
entire paragraph of text or clear all
1. TEXT INPUT to delete everything in your current
Okay, one quick caveat. Our first section view. And if you ever utter one of
of Pixel-exclusive voice commands is those directives and then have second
relevant only for Google’s latest Pixel 6 thoughts, spew out the syllables
and Pixel 6 Pro phones, specifically. Since undo, and it will be undone.
those devices are the first to house a new What else? When you’re rattling out
Google-made processor, they’re able words in any sort of area with multiple
to handle some special sorts of features points of input, you can say next or
that aren’t possible on older models. previous to move between the different
If you’ve got a previous-generation fields. With an email, specifically, you can
Pixel, though, don’t fret. There’ll be say set recipient to move the focus up
plenty of other stuff after this first to the ‘To’ field, set subject to move up
section that’ll also work for you. to the ‘Subject’ field, and add John to
For the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro owners cc to add them into the ‘Cc’ field.
among us, though, your Pixel has some You can also ask your Pixel’s virtual
incredibly useful new text input tricks. helper to add in an emoji for you, in
First and foremost: anytime you want case you need to bring a touch of levity
to start typing by voice, no matter what to whatever Very Important Business
app or process you’re looking at, just Communication you’re creating. Try
summon Assistant and say type or saying any of the following to pull up
start typing. If you’re viewing an email the associated symbol:
or a message of some sort, you can
also say reply. That’ll pull up Gboard, • Lol emoji
activate the new Assistant-powered • Heart emoji
voice typing system, and immediately • Kissing emoji
start listening for your words. • Crying emoji
The new Pixel voice typing system • Smiling with teeth emoji
can handle all sorts of handy extra • Heart eyes emoji
dictation-related commands. If you see • Thumbs up emoji
a word appear that you didn’t mean to • Happy face emoji

Pixel 4 and up, and
lots of it will work on
Pixels older than that
as well (though parts
of it might be hit and
miss on the pre-Pixel
4 models, especially
once you get to the
now long out of date
Pixel 2 and earlier).
So, first things
first, the Pixel-based
Assistant has some
Pixel 6 owners will appreciate the text input tricks. extra intelligence
for helping you
• In love face emoji get around your phone hands-free and
• Thank you emoji faster than ever.
For instance, when you need to tap
And finally, when you’re finished into the Pixel’s excellent Recorder app,
talking, you can say stop to get your call up Assistant and say start recording
Pixel to stop transcribing, or, if you’re my meeting. (Just note that if you’re on
in an email or messaging app, say send an older Pixel phone, you might have
to stop transcribing and send whatever to go manually install the Recorder app
you’ve written in one fell swoop. That’ll first, if you haven’t already.)
work in apps like Gmail and Google Need to pull up your messages with
Messages, as you’d expect, and it’ll also a specific contact? Say Hey Google and
work in Slack and most other apps where then say Open my messages with Nicky,
sending is an available action. or whoever your contact might be.
Your Pixel’s Assistant will open up their
2. ADVANCED NAVIGATION specific thread within the Messages app
From here on out, you don’t need a and then start listening for you to dictate
Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro to pull any of a new message to that same person.
these feats off. All of this stuff will work How about photos? Try telling
flawlessly on any Pixel phone from the Assistant on your Pixel to find my

FEATURE
photos from Halloween (or from could call up Assistant and say search
whatever date, place, or occasion you Maps for restaurants near me. It’ll pull
want). You’ll be zipped over to Google up a list of places right then and there for
Photos with the types of images you you. And then you could narrow it down
mentioned pulled up and ready for even further by saying the ones with
your perusal – and from there, you can fish and chips, for example
narrow things down even further by
activating Assistant again and saying the 3. CAMERA CONTROL
ones with pumpkins, for example. All right – before we call it a day and
And it’s not just images, either. You go talk to our respective technologies,
can ask your Pixel’s Assistant to perform we’ve got some insanely helpful camera
searches for info in apps like Drive (find commands to consider. So make yourself
my Q4 sales documents), Gmail (find a note of these photo-centric Pixel voice
my emails from Jed) and YouTube (find command possibilities:
videos of Jed reading my Q4 sales
documents on YouTube) – and it’ll • Take a picture will, unsurprisingly,
eagerly do your bidding. take a picture – by opening your Pixel’s
The Pixel Assistant pays attention to Camera app, waiting for three seconds,
your current context, too. If you’ve got and then snapping a photo through the
Google Maps open, for instance, you main rear-facing lens.
• Take a selfie will
do the same, but
with the phone’s
front-facing camera.
• Take a picture
in Night Sight is
a simple way to
capture a photo with
the Pixel’s excellent
low-light mode
already activated.
• Take a selfie in
Night Sight will terrify
There are plenty of useful camera commands, too. all of your friends and

colleagues with a well-lit photo of your
greasy person-face, no matter how dark
your current surroundings may be.
• Take a picture (or selfie) in Portrait
does the same thing, but with the
Pixel’s Portrait mode, which brings extra
focus to the foreground and blurs the
background of the image for added
emphasis.
• Take a panorama takes a panoramic
photo, obviously.
• Take a video launches immediately
into a video capture, without any
countdown involved.
• Take a slow-motion video does the
same thing, but with the Pixel’s slow-mo
effect enabled.
• Take a video time-lapse takes you
right into the Pixel Camera app’s time-
lapse system, where you can select
from an array of specific settings
before proceeding.
And with any of those commands,

you can also add in [x] seconds to the
end to add or increase a countdown
ahead of the actual photo- or video-
capturing moment. Be sure to try that
the next time you’re propping your
phone up on a table and stepping
back to grab a group portrait.

FEATURE
Credit: Getty Images/piranka

The ambitious Android
tablet option Google
tossed away
This wild Android tablet concept could have completely changed the way
we interact with our devices. JR RAPHAEL reports
T
o say that Android tablets have after all – by a pretty hefty margin.
been a let-down might be the It’s easy to forget sometimes, but
understatement of the century. more humans carry Android-powered
When you step back and think about smartphones than any other type of
it, the fact that Android tablets are such device in the universe.
an under-emphasized afterthought And yet, for all of those advantages,
is almost shocking. Android is the Google has year after year failed to
world’s most popular operating system, turn Android tablets into a compelling,

sought-after type of technology that’s This is the story of the Android tablet
more than a mere blip on the mobile- interface that could have been.
tech radar. It’s reached the point where
I tell friends to stay away from Android THE ANDROID TABLET
tablets and consider Chromebooks ORIGIN STORY
instead, because unlike the typical Before we start, we need to step back
Android tablet, any Chromebook you for a minute and set the scene of what
buy will actually get updates. It’ll be was going on with Google in the early
supported with the latest privacy, security part of the 2010 decade.
and performance standards for years The Android tablet saga technically
after its purchase. And it’ll provide a started in the autumn of 2010, just
great all-around experience. months after Apple launched its first
Plain and simple, it’ll bring all the ‘magical and revolutionary’ iPad. At
qualities you want from an Android tablet that point, for context, Google didn’t
into a more productivity-minded, work- have a great way for Android to exist in
friendly set-up – one with plenty of perks a ‘big-screen’ form. (I put ‘big-screen’
and without all the standard Android in quotes because the earliest Android
tablet disadvantages. tablets weren’t much bigger than
Here’s what’s fascinating, though: our current Android phones.) So with
Android tablets didn’t have to be this everyone gushing over Apple’s inaugural
way. Nearly 12 years ago, Google slate-shaped creation, Android device-
bought a software start-up that was makers who were desperate to compete
doing incredibly interesting things with scrambled to slap together their own
interface design. The company had half-baked set-up.
all sorts of wild ideas about the future Most prominently, Samsung spewed
of large-screen touch interaction, and out its first-ever Galaxy Tab – a 7in slate
Google seemed destined to bring those that ran Android 2.2, worked exactly like
concepts into the land of Android. a phone, and even let you make and
This is the story of an alternate future receive calls with your own SIM card
for Android tablets – a future that could in certain scenarios. So in other words,
have seen Android-powered tablets yeah: it was basically just a big phone.
charting new territory and shaking up Early the next year, in 2011,
the way we thought about large-screen Google came out with its Android 3.0
computing experiences. Honeycomb software – a tablet-only

FEATURE
release that introduced

a totally new foundation
and prepared Android
to exist in a large-screen
form. The first true
Android tablets, including
the classic Motorola
Xoom, followed.
Android 3.0 was
actually an admirable
framework for a whole
new kind of mobile-tech The 2010 Galaxy Tab 7.0, with the requisite promo-shot mirror
experience – one in which effect at its bottom.
the core Android interface
was completely reimagined to take to advance or promote them. And that’s
advantage of the new-found screen space to say nothing of the Android tablet
and create a more efficiency-optimized, possibility that never made its way to the
productivity-minded environment. surface or had any chance to shine.
But that mindset wouldn’t last for
long. Apple had already made a serious AN ANDROID TABLET
splash with its iPad, and Google did its ACQUISITION
usual Google thing – first, failing to get Time to fly back now to May of 2010
developers on board quickly enough to – just a few short months after Apple’s
make a good first impression with how first iPad splashed its way into the world.
apps operated in its newly scaled-up Google, presumably hard at work on the
environment, then eventually losing its early efforts around Honeycomb, quietly
focus, pivoting away from its original bought a company called BumpTop.
vision, and ultimately just letting the idea Rumour has it the deal cost a cool
of the Android tablet languish without $25- to $35 million – no small chunk of
any meaningful movement forward. change, to say the least.
By 2016, Google had by all counts There was no formal announcement
given up on the idea of the Android or fanfare from Google about the
tablet. Android tablets still existed, of acquisition, but BumpTop alerted its
course, but Google wasn’t doing much existing users that its current software

would no longer be sold or supported future of Android in its larger-screen
and that it’d be taking the app “in an form. As Fast Company put it at the time:
exciting new direction” within Google’s
famed walls. “Most upcoming tablets will be looking
So what exactly was BumpTop? In to Android. ... But on a bigger screen,
short, it was a dramatically different take Android’s rough edges are pretty
on the traditional computing interface. obvious. A skin, like HTC’s Sense or
The software made your desktop look Dell’s Stage, is one option, but BumpTop
and act like a physical desk, with all might be a better solution. It’ll need
sorts of multitouch gestures and clever some tweaking (it doesn’t have any
systems for interacting with your stuff. of Android’s hallmark and completely
In a 2007 TED Talk, BumpTop’s essential UI features, like the notification
founder, Anand Agarawala said he shade or app drawer) but it has the
believed we were still in “the cave- potential to offer something really
painting era of computer interfaces” different for an Android tablet.”
and that it was high time for someone
to try something new. It made sense – almost too much
“One kind of information space I... sense. But, as you can probably imagine,
take inspiration from is my real desk. things didn’t exactly play out in the way
It’s so much more subtle, so much more anyone anticipated.
visceral – you know, what’s visible, what’s
not. And I’d like to bring that experience THE ANDROID TABLET PATH
to the desktop,” he said. Aside from the big BumpTop purchase,
BumpTop evolved into a much more something else significant happened
touch-centric interface in the months inside Google in the month of May
that followed. And it’s really something 2010. Towards the end of that very
you have to see to appreciate. This 2009 same month, just a few weeks after the
demo video shows the basics of the BumpTop deal went through, a well-
BumpTop desktop and how the software respected designer joined Google as its
reinvented the act of getting around a first user experience director for Android.
computer – see fave.co/3szGiOT. That designer was none other than
Once BumpTop became a Google Matias Duarte – the guy who’d led
entity, most people assumed its development of Palm’s webOS interface
approach was bound to become the and earned accolades for his efforts

FEATURE
on the Danger-made Sidekick (aka the flipping model to what we saw all
Hiptop) before that. throughout BumpTop.
And who had Duarte worked But aside from that, there isn’t much
alongside at Danger? Major nerd points obvious inspiration from BumpTop
if you know the answer: it was a certain anywhere in Android – at least, outwardly
Andy Rubin, who co-founded the – and it seems like most of its concepts
company and then went on to co-found got lost over time.
Android and oversee its evolution within As for BumpTop’s founder, Anand
Google all the way through 2013. Agarawala, he worked at Google for
Rubin’s legacy is now much more about four and a half years, according
complicated, to put it mildly, but at the to his LinkedIn profile – starting with
time, he was the grand commander of the moment of BumpTop’s acquisition
all things Android – and Duarte was his and going all the way through October
new deputy entrusted with bringing a of 2014. His profile indicates he played
greater focus to design for the platform. some manner of role in Android
Thus far, powerful as Android had been, interface development for the Android
the software had generally veered more 2.3 Gingerbread release that came
toward utility, with design taking a back out in December of 2010 as well as
seat to sheer power and function. the subsequent Honeycomb and Ice
Under Duarte’s direction, we saw a Cream Sandwich updates. After that, he
noticeable shift. First came the software apparently spent time working on ‘next-
known as Honeycomb – though with its generation AR assistant applications’
efforts already underway at the time of at Google X as well as on the Google+
Duarte’s arrival, the seven-months-later mobile apps and on the Google Photos
Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich release ‘automatic story creations’ feature.
is generally considered to be more Agarawala left Google in 2014 and
representative of Duarte’s full influence. has been heading up his own new start-
Either way, the concepts from up in the years since – a company called
BumpTop barely made a blip in the Spatial that brings some very familiar-
operating system. You can see what feeling interface concepts into the realm
seems to be a slight touch of BumpTop of augmented reality.
inspiration in the Honeycomb- And BumpTop itself is now available
era accordion widgets (1.), which as an open-source project, with a note
followed a similar sort of stacking and from Agarawala that states:

Google-watching
masses, Rich Miner
appears to have
joined Google last
March in order to
take on a new role
with the title of ‘CTO,
Android tablets’.
In case his name
doesn’t ring an
immediate bell,
1.
Miner was one of the
original co-founders of
“We really believe we’re just scratching Android – right alongside Andy Rubin.
the surface of what’s possible with the I interviewed him in 2016 for my (no-
way we interact with technology. As longer-publicly-available) podcast and
touch and virtual reality interfaces rapidly heard all about his winding path through
evolve, we think some of the ideas we the mobile-tech universe. He played a
explored might be relevant now more key role in Android’s birth and helped
than ever. The future of BumpTop is shape its direction over the first several
now in your hands, the community years of its existence, and while he may
of passionate fans and developers of not be a household name today, his
BumpTop who supported our mission of influence undeniably helped Android
a bold new, physical dimension of UIs grow into what it’s become.
since the beginning.” (I tried reaching out to Google to
request additional information on the
And so it goes. nature of Miner’s new role and to see if
he’d be available for an interview, but
THE ANDROID TABLET FUTURE I never heard back. I’ve also tried to
There’s one more fascinating footnote to contact Agarawala a couple times over
this story – and, perhaps, to the future of the years without any response.)
Android tablets and where things could Miner left Android in 2010 and went
go from here. In a move that seems on to work at Google’s venture capital
to have gone largely unnoticed by the branch. In 2016, he took a position

FEATURE
heading up some mysterious new

Google education project that may or
may not have ultimately resulted in any
tangible products. And now, it seems
he’s come back to his roots to pursue
another new beginning under the
Android umbrella.
The tale of Android tablets has
already had more than its share of twists,
turns, and missed opportunities. But
maybe, just maybe, the story isn’t over
yet. Maybe another chapter will emerge.
If there’s one thing you learn from
spending enough time watching
Google, it’s that you never truly
know what might come next.

ANDROID
ADVISOR
ISSUE FROM IDG
95
SECURITY
SPECIAL
ESSENTIAL TIPS, TRICKS & APPS

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INSIDE: ANDROID 12 TIPS & TRICKS

GALAXY S22 ULTRA

GALAXY UNPACKED 2022 FEATURES

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Samsung Galaxy S22

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Samsung Galaxy Tab

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• USB Type-C 3.2, magnetic connector optical)

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Specifications 26mm (wide); 12Mp, f/2.4, 120-degree

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Samsung adds extra

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Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

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You’ll also get a fingerprint sensor Google Pixel 6: 2,897

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but it’s also available

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of compromises. That’s to be expected • 169.7x75.9x9.6mm

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– sideways moves. finish. It’s also almost unbelievably slick

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and up to 512GB of storage – though Google Pixel 6 Pro: 9 hours, 15 minutes

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doesn’t keep up with the