Phones
Samsung rival Huawei launched Mate Xs 2 phone with outward folding display, stylus support
In fact, foldables are already starting to evolve. And thanks to Samsung for really providing the cover with phones like the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold. And for the third year in a row, Samsung has also won the award for Best Foldable smartphone for the Year.
In the meantime, the Chinese smartphone maker Huawei released its next foldable device, the Mate X2. However, the design is similar to its predecessor which was launched in the Mate Xs in 2020.
Huawei Mate Xs 2
The Huawei Mate Xs 2 smartphone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 with 4G connectivity. The device comes with 8GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, and a 4600mAh battery. All models also have an expansion slot that supports NM cards up to 256GB.
Surprising to know, this time the Huawei Mate Xs 2 is equipped with an OLED display, which offers up to 7.8-inches of the screen when expanded and 6.5-inches when folded. Both the screens offer a 120Hz refresh rate and touch sampling rate of up to 240Hz for a smooth scrolling experience and they also have resolutions of 2480 x 2200 pixels and 2480 x 1176 pixels respectively.
In terms of camera specification, the Huawei Mate Xs 2 offers a triple camera system, with the primary wide shooter coming in at 50MP at f/1.8. Further cameras include a 13MP ultra-wide at f/2.2 aperture and an 8MP telephoto camera with optical image stabilization (OIS).
However, the biggest difference from its predecessor is the addition of a front-facing camera located on the display with a resolution of 10.7MP. Similar to Galaxy S22 Ultra, it also has the company’s M-Pen 2S for drawing, and lastly, the phone will be powered by HarmonyOS 2.
It is now officially available for purchase from select retailers in China for a starting price of ¥9999 – or around $1510 USD. It is currently unknown whether Huawei is planning to launch this device outside of China.
On the other hand, Huawei last year introduced a clamshell folding phone called the P50 Pocket. But despite all the new entrants, Samsung is still able to sell more of its 2020 models than ever before. This shows how far the Korean brand has an edge in the foldable market.
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Along with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G, Samsung has officially ended software update support for two more Galaxy devices – the Galaxy M51 phone and Galaxy Tab A7 tablet. This means that these devices will no longer receive any software updates.
Both the Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 were launched in 2020 and came pre-installed with Android 10. They received updates up to Android 12, and are not eligible for more Android updates. Now, these devices have completed their software update cycle.
Although these devices still work well for everyday tasks, users will not get any new features or security patches. This lack of updates can make the devices outdated, as they will not receive important improvements.
Samsung Galaxy M51 and Galaxy Tab A7 have reached the end of their update cycle, after receiving 4 years of updates. Now, users of these devices can think about upgrading to newer models to enjoy the latest features and better security.
Still, both devices are secure and functional for everyday use. The devices run Android 12 and support all major apps, including those for banking, so users can continue to perform their daily tasks without issues. If you want to enjoy the new and advanced features of One UI, newer Samsung models are required.
Bye-Bye Monthly Updates: Popular Galaxy A series phone shifts to Quarterly plan
Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G is a well-loved smartphone in the Galaxy A series that has now shifted from a monthly to a quarterly update plan. This means that users of this device will now receive software updates every three months instead of every month.
The Korean tech giant has recently announced its revised update schedule for its Galaxy devices, which places the Galaxy A52s 5G in the Quarterly update category.
Launched in 2021, the Galaxy A52s 5G came with Android 11 pre-installed. Since then, it has received three major Android updates and runs on Android 14 with One UI 6.1. However, the device will no longer be eligible for additional major Android OS updates. Users will still receive security updates, which will now be provided every three months.
While the Galaxy A52s 5G will continue to function properly, the shift to a quarterly update schedule means that users may not have access to the latest features and security enhancements as quickly as before.
If you own a Galaxy A52s and are considering an upgrade, you can look at newer Samsung models like the Galaxy A54 and A55. These devices will provide monthly updates and newer features to ensure you stay updated with the latest technology.
Moreover, Samsung has recently launched the Galaxy A16 5G smartphone. It is the first budget phone to offer six years of Android upgrades, providing software support until 2030. This makes the A16 5G an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers.
Don’t forget, the Galaxy A52s will remain a reliable smartphone even after a new quarterly update plan.
Google launched the Pixel 9 series earlier than the usual Pixel flagship launch timeline. The Android 16 is also reportedly coming earlier than we’d expect, and the latest report says Google could launch Pixel 9a in the first quarter of the next year.
According to AndroidHeadlines, Google Pixel 9a could be announced by mid-March 2025. Multiple sources citing the outlet confirmed that the next affordable Pixel will go on sale before the end of March 2025.
It seems Google is preparing to bring its Galaxy S24 FE rival around the 2025 iPhone SE debut. Samsung has recently launched the new FE smartphone, while Apple is said to announce the next-generation iPhone SE early next year.
Recently, the CAD renders of Pixel 9a smartphone have been revealed. The images showcased Google’s design decisions. The next A series Pixel could not get bumped camera bar shown in the Pixel 9 series flagships.