The latest iPhone range was highly anticipated and well-received, and it is clear that many people want to enjoy the iPhone experience. Nonetheless, a lot of consumers are put off by the high prices of new iPhones. The small iPhone 12 mini starts at $ 1,999 with the biggest of them all, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, goes for $2,300 while Apple’s most affordable new iPhone, the iPhone SE 2020, starts at $649.
The prices are way too high for many people, which is why Boost Mobile and supermarket giant Coles are teaming up to bring second-hand iPhones to cost conscious and environmentally focused consumers. The refurbished iPhone 7 Apple phones will hit the shelves of the supermarket from Wednesday, 4th November. If you are a Coles customer, you might as well own a refurbished iPhone 7 (32GB) at a promotional price of $259 the next time you go shopping.
The refurbished iPhone 7 phones will be sold in Coles stores in South Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, ACT, and the Northern Territory this week. In Victoria and Queensland, the phones will be available at a later date.
These aren’t just any second-hand phones; the devices have undergone a rigorous 72-point inspection process to ensure they are in excellent condition for sale. The method includes wiping all existing data in the phone and cross checking with the national police lost and stolen databases. The devices must also have 80% of their original battery life before being accepted.
They are then polished before being packaged in a premium Boost Mobile box. Inside the box is a $10 boost mobile SIM card, although the devices are not locked to any mobile network and can therefore be used with any service provider. You also get a charging cable, 12 months warranty, and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Coles’s non-food general manager, Jonathan Torr, hailed this as a great way to deliver value to their customers in a more sustainable way. “Coles has had a strong mobile phone offering for many years, and this partnership with Boost to offer quality refurbished smartphones is another great way we can deliver value for our customers in a more sustainable way,” he said.
Cost-conscious shoppers will soon be able to buy refurbished Apple iPhones at the checkout as Coles this week will begin selling second-hand Apple iPhone 7 32GB devices at many of their supermarkets across the country. https://t.co/wtJy5kjJon
These refurbished devices will significantly appeal to parents who do not want to spend hundreds of dollars on smartphones for their children. A recent survey commissioned by the telco company found that 56% of parents with children between ages 10 and 17 were interested in buying a refurbished phone. The survey also found that 44% wanted to spend $300 or less on a new smartphone for their child. By providing consumers with iPhone 7 features for $259, Coles is finding value for their customers.
After getting one of these iPhones, the other thing that will give you value for your money is buying an iPhone 7 case from Campad Electronics. We sell classy and durable iPhone cases that will protect your phone from wear and tear and damage after falls.
Over the past few years, Oppo has cemented its dominance on the budget phone market by releasing excellent devices that deliver unmatched value. This year, the company has released a couple of budget phones, and the latest ones are Oppo A53 and Oppo A53s. The A53 came out first in August 2020, and the A53s followed two months later in October.
Which Is The Better Phone?
Deciding which of the two phones is the better one is quite a challenging task. This is because both phones are exact replicas of each other in almost every aspect, except for the ROM. They even retail at the same starting price; $299. Therefore, one can say that there is no battle at all between these two devices, and it will all boil down to whether you need extra storage on your smartphone.
The Oppo A53s is available from Telstra as one of their Telstra prepaid devices (and is locked to the Telstra network if you purchase the Telstra version), Woolworths mobile and JB Hi-Fi.
The A53 is available from JB Hi-Fi, mobileciti and Woolworths Mobile.
There are Oppo A53s cases and Oppo A53 cases available so charger, cases and accessory wise you could choose either phone.
Design
Starting from the design, both phones have the same design. You can’t possibly tell them apart at first sight. They completely mirror each other with the same weights and dimensions, a similar triple camera module and fingerprint sensor at the rear, and a hole punch cutout on the display’s top left corner. The design is a good one, and the overall size of the phones makes them compact to hold. The A53 comes in either mint green or electric black, while the A53s in either fancy blue or electric black.
Display
Speaking of displays, both phones have the same 6.5-inch display with a resolution of 720 x 1600p. The bezels are slim except at the bottom, but the overall viewing experience is unobstructed. Even better, both phones have a flagship screen refresh rate of 90Hz. Therefore, your gaming, streaming, and scrolling experience is going to be top-notch. The display on both phones is protected by corning Gorilla Glass 3.
Storage space
Going on to the memory, both phones have the same 4GB RAM but differ in ROM. The A53 has 64GB worth of internal storage while the A53s has 128GB. Therefore, the ROM may influence you to choose one over the other, but both capacities are good enough. The internal storage in both phones is expandable up to 256GB. Performance-wise, the phones are powered by the Snapdragon 460, which is pretty decent for a budget phone.
Camera power
In the camera department, both phones are still the same. The selfie camera is an 8MP lens, and there are three cameras on the rear; 13MP primary, 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The photo output is as expected in that price range. Some supported features include LED flash, panorama, HDR, and 1080p video recording at 30fps.
As if the phones couldn’t get any similar, they have the same 5000 mAh battery and support fast charging at 18W. Therefore, the battery life is quite good for both phones, and you can expect a whole day on moderate use.
Verdict
Both phones are quite good for $299. With impressive displays, flagship refresh rates, and storage capacities, owning one of these phones is a bargain. Nonetheless, the A53s slightly edges the A53 thanks to the massive 123 GB internal storage and will deliver more value. That takes away nothing from the A53, which is still quite a good phone for that price. If you happen to own a different Oppo smartphone you can view our cases for Oppo phones here.
The Galaxy A series for 2020 has been here for a while now and Samsung says that the “A” in “Galaxy A Series” means “A” for awesome innovation for everyone. The 2020 A Series line up is the 6th generation of the Galaxy A series.
What is the difference between Samsung Galaxy A Series 2020 and A Series 2019?
The Series A of 2020 has new features like geometric design, newer and faster SoCs (compared to the 2019 Series A), an Infinity-O punch-hole display on some of the devices and greater RAM with increased storage capacities and options such as expandable memory up to 512GB. Like the previous generation they are 3G and 4G capable, no 5G with the exception of the Galaxy A71 5G.
The Galaxy A series of 2020 makes use of Samsung’s Super AMOLED Infinity Display screens that provide vivid colour and high resolution.
Battery capacity has been improved to help keep you going through the day, and the A series comes with Fast Charging also.
The A series lower price comes with the deletion of several features that are present Samsung’s flagship phones such as the Galaxy S series or Galaxy Note series. The A series does not have wireless charging capability nor are they water resistant.
Samsung’s 2020 Galaxy A range in Australia includes the A11, A21s, A31, A51, A71, and A71 5G. Each model has an in the A series line-up has an increasing range of capabilities and they all run Android 10. We have cases, chargers and accessories for Samsung Galaxy phones.
Samsung Galaxy A11
The Galaxy A11 uses a Exynos 7 octa-Core 1.8GHz CPU. The A11 comes with 32GB of memory as standard with 21.5GB being available to use. Should you need additional storage space then you can increase the memory with a microSD memory card for up to an additional 512GB.
The screen display is impressive and it’s a 6.4 inch Infinity-O display. The screen fills the phone from edge to edge and the phone’s front selfie camera has been placed in the top corner of the screen.
The Galaxy A11 has a 4,000mAh battery and is capable of 15W fast charging.
Samsung’s Galaxy A11 has not one but three rear cameras and also a single front selfie camera. The A11’s three rear cameras consist of a 2MP depth camera that helps live focusing, there’s also a 13MP main camera and don’t forget the device’s 5MP ultra wide camera. The front camera is an 8MP unit that has live focus capability.
The Galaxy A11 measures 161.4mm x 76.3mm x 8.0mm, weighs 177 grams and is available in black and is currently priced at $249.00
Samsung Galaxy A21s
Samsung has given the Galaxy A21s an Exynos 850 octa core processor with 8 ARM Cortex-A55 cores that clock with up to 2 GHz , 32GB of memory with additional storage of up to 512GB being available via a microSD card. The A21s is the first device to use the Exynos 850.
The A21s’ screen is also impressive and it’s a 6.5 inch Infinity-O display with are resolution of 720 x 1600 for HD+ with wide aspect ratio that fills edge to edge.
Battery capacity is 5,000mAh and the Galaxy A21s is capable of 15W fast charging.
The Galaxy A21s has a quad lens rear camera setup that has a 48MP main unit, 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens for highly refined close-ups and 2MP depth sensors.
The 13MP front selfie camera provides clear, high-resolution photos. The A21s measures 163.7mm x 75.3mm x 8.9mm and weighs 192 grams.
The Galaxy A21s is available in black and is currently priced at $329.00
Samsung Galaxy A31
The A31 has a 2GHz, 1.7GHz Octa core processor, 4GB of RAM, memory is incraeased over the A21s with 128GB of onboard storage, 104.6GB being available for use and this can be increased with a microSD card of up to 512GB should you need more memory.
Samsung’s Galaxy A31 has a large 6.4 inch Infinity-U FHD+ Super AMOLED screen with 1080 x 2400 resolution. There is a notch at the top of the screen that contains the 20MP front facing selfie camera.
The rear camera setup is a quad camera that has a 48MP main sensor with an 8MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth camera and a 5MP macro camera.
Battery capacity is 5,000mAh and the Galaxy A31 is capable of 15W fast charging. The Galaxy A31 is available in Prism crush black or Prism crush red and is currently priced at $449.00.
This device measures 73.1mm × 159.3mm × 8.6mm and weighs 185 grams.
Samsung Galaxy A51
Samsung has given its Galaxy A51 an Exynos 9611 octa-core processor that has four Cortex-A73 cores with a clock speed of up to 2.3GHz that handle performance intensive tasks and four Cortex-A53 cores that run at up to 1.7GHz to take care of lighter and always on tasks. The handset has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard memory, 107.2GB being available for use and this can be increased with a microSD card of up to 512GB.
The Galaxy A51 has a 6.5 inch FHD+ Super AMOLED screen with 1080 x 2400 pixels, an aspect ratio of 20:9 with a bezel less design that helps the device sit comfortably in your grasp.
The A51 has a quad camera setup that consists of 48MP Main Camera for clear and bright images, and the ability to shoot close-up and ultra wide angle shots.
The A51 phone has a 4,000mAh battery and 15W fast charging.
The Galaxy A51 measures 158.5mm x 73.6mm x 7.9mm, weighs 172 grams and is available in black or blue and is currently priced at $599.00.
Samsung Galaxy A71
The A71 has a Qualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730 octa-core (with two ARM Cortex-A76 cores clocked at up to 2.2 GHz and six ARM Cortex-A55 cores at up to 1.8 GHz.) chipset and 6GB of RAM and there is up to 128GB internal storageand you add more with a 512GB microSD card.
Display wise the Galaxy A71 has a 6.7 inch, Super AMOLED Plus display with 1080 x 2400 FHD+ resolution. Again a bezel-less handset design assist the handset to feel comfortable in your grip.
The rear quad camera setup has the following lenses: 64.0 MP main camera, 12.0MP ultra wide camera, a 5.0 MP depth camera and a 5.0 MP macro camera. The Galaxy A71’s 32MP selfie, front camera also gives clear, high-resolution images.
There is an On-Screen Fingerprint scanner that gives secure access to the phone. The A71 has a 4,000mAh battery and 25W Super fast charging.
The Galaxy A71 measures 163.6mm x 76.0mm x 7.7mm, weighs 179 grams and is available in black or silver and is currently priced at $749.00.
Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
Samsung has given the Galaxy A71 5G as the name suggests 5G capability. There is a 6.7 inch Infinity-O display with Super AMOLED Plus colour technology and FHD+.
The Galaxy A71 5G has a quad camera setup with a 64MP Main Camera, a 12MP 123 degree ultra wide camera, a 5MP Macro camera and a 5MP Depth camera. There is a 32.0 MP front facing selfie camera.
Galaxy A71 5G has fast processing and a lot of storage. It has a 5G capable Exynos 980 Octa-core processor with two high performing Arm Cortex-A77 cores and six efficient Cortex-A55 cores and 8GB of RAM deliver smooth and efficient performance. WIth the Galaxy A71 5G you can download more and delete less as the device has up to 128GB internal storage and you can add even more with a 1TB microSD card
The A71 5G’s battery is a 4,500mAh battery and the phone is capable of 25W Super fast charging.
The Galaxy A71 5G measures 162.5mm x 75.5mm x 8.1mm (which are different dimensions to the Galaxy A71), weighs 185 grams and is available in Prism cube black and is currently priced at $899.00.
After months of anticipation, exiting rumors, and frustrating delays, Apple has finally held its iPhone 12 event. The hardware event was just as the rumors suggested. Apple used the event to promote the 5G technology in the new iPhones, unveil a new and improved HomePod Mini, and the biggest announcement of them all; the iPhone 12.
Yes, it’s finally here. The iPhone 12 arrives in four models with 5G capabilities and the latest A14 bionic chip (Hi, Speed).
Here is all you need to know about it and the HomePod Mini.
HomePod Mini
Apple kicked off the event by unveiling its latest device for the home- the HomePod Mini. The HomePod might not be the highlight of the event, but it is better than you expected. The smart speaker has a compact and elegant design with a backlit touch surface (glows when you invoke Siri) housing the volume and pause/play controls.
Apple then explained the features that make the HomePod mini a smart speaker you want to own. It has incredible sound capabilities due to features like acoustic waveguide for 360 degrees sound and computational audio thanks to the S5 chip on board.
The smart speaker also got more intelligent. Placing two HomePod Minis in a room instantly gives you a stereo pair. The handoff feature gives you visual and haptic effects every time your iPhone is nearby. Siri in the HomePod Mini comes with loads of new features to integrate the speaker with the rest of your smart devices for a more convenient smart home experience.
In Apple’s words, the HomePod Mini was built with four critical qualities
Amazing sound experiences.
A world-class Intelligent assistant
To serve as the brain of your smart home.
Your privacy and security at the forefront.
The HomePod Mini is available in White and Space Grey, starting at $149 here in Australia and in the US only US$99. Orders begin on November 6th and shipping on November 16th.
The iPhone 12 Series
Of course, these are the devices that the over 2.5 million watchers on YouTube turned up to see unveiled. The iPhone 12, just like in the rumors, comes in four models; iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
This is the first iPhone series to ship with 5G technology, and Apple made sure that everyone understood that. Labeling it as the most exciting step yet, invited Hans Vestberg, CEO and chairman of Verizon, on stage to discuss everything 5G.
· Introducing the iPhone 12
The iPhone 12 is the Apple device we have been waiting for all year. Every time Apple does something, it often involves quite several “the best in the world” features, and this device did not disappoint.
It features an all-new design with smooth and flat edges, a glass front and back, and an aluminum frame. The design is compact with a classy look reminiscent of the iPhone 5. It is available in white, black, green, product red, and blue. Memory capacities for the iPhone 12 are: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.
Despite being smaller, thinner, and lighter than the iPhone 11, the iPhone 12 still manages to bring the same 6.1 inch display. This time though, it is an OLED display with twice the number of pixels; 2532 x 1170 and HDR viewing support. Going by Apple, this phone will give you a fantastic viewing experience from things as simple as sharper texts, to more detail and precise colours for photos.
The display is protected by a new cover glass by Corning, the Ceramic Shield- praised by Apple as the toughest glass on a Smartphone. Apple terms this as the “biggest jump in reliability” they have ever had on the iPhone.
The iPhone 12 is all about speed, and for this, Apple gives it 5G capabilities and the new A14 Bionic Chip. 5G may be a long way from widespread use, but iPhone users tend to stick to their phones for four or five years before upgrading. This explains Apple’s massive investments in the 5G capabilities of the iPhone 12. The phone is optimized to take full advantage of the 5G network and internet speeds. It’s 5G is not only faster, but it is also smarter. And then there is the A14 Bionic chip, the world’s first 5nm chipset. The GPU and CPU speeds are 50% faster than any smartphone chip, with the Neural engine now 80% faster. It is so fast that League of Legends will now be available on iOS pretty soon.
The camera is a dual set up; 12MP ultra-wide and 12 MP wide lenses. Some new features are the seven-element lens for better low light performance, computational photography, and a better night mode.
The rumor about MagSafe in the iPhone 12’s back was correct. Thanks to MagSafe, the iPhone 12 wireless charging experience will be better. Your experience when using iPhone accessories will also improve since MagSafe creates a whole new ecosystem of magnetic accessories. Apple while adding MagSafe to the iPhone 12 series has also kept Qi wireless charging capability.
Apple stated there will be no charging brick or iPhone charging adaptor in the box with the new iPhone 12s, so new iPhone users face a challenge and may have to purchase one. In the box will be USB C to lightning cable so Apple is saying goodbye it seems to the USB A to Lightning cable. The iPhone 12 starts at $1349 and in the US US$799. iPhone 12 pre orders will begin on Friday, October 16 at 11pm and the device will go on sale on Friday, October 23.
· The iPhone 12 Mini
Rumors of a mini iPhone 12 had us wondering what Apple’s endgame was, and now that the iPhone 12 Mini is confirmed, it is still not clear. The phone is still a very impressive accomplishment of technology. For starters, it is smaller than the iPhone 8 but has a bigger screen at 5.4 inch thanks to the edge to edge display. Except for screen size, all the other features are similar to the standard iPhone 12. It starts at $1199 or in the US US$699. The iPhone 12 Mini is available in white, black, green, product red, and blue while memory capacities are: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB.
iPhone 12 Mini pre orders start on Saturday, November 7 at midnight and the handset will go on sale on Friday, November 13.
· iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max
The pro version offers the same design and specs as the standard iPhone 12, with the difference being in its build material and triple camera set up. You get a stainless-steel frame instead of an aluminum one and a telephoto lens and the Lidar sensor. The iPhone 12 Pro is available in gold, graphite, pacific blue, and silver, and is available for preorder on October 16th, starting at $1699 here in Australia and in the US US$999. Memory capacities for the iPhone 12 Pro are: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB. iPhone 12 Pro pre orders start on Friday the 16th of October at 11pm. The device will be on sale on Friday, October 23.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max still packs the same specs as the Pro but has a larger 6.7 inch display. The telephoto lens has also been improved from 52mm to 65 mm. Both phones have excellent camera features and support Optical Image Stabilization. The Lidar sensor takes augmented reality to a whole new level in both iPhones.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max camera is more advanced and can capture, playback, and edit in Dolby Vision. Apple has also developed a new image format, Apple Pro Raw that lets you capture tweaks as data.
The iPhone 12 Pro Max is available for preorder from November 6th with the device being on sale from Friday the 13th of November. Pricing for the 12 Pro Max starts at $1849 in Australia while in the US pricing starts at US$1099. Memory capacities for the iPhone 12 Pro Max are 64GB, 128GB and 256GB, the device is available in the following colours: gold, graphite, pacific blue, and silver.
Apple held its annual software event on September 15, showing off the latest Apple products. Unfortunately, no new iPhone was unveiled during the event. Apple nonetheless showcased two new Apple watches and iPad models alongside two new services: Apple Fitness+ and Apple One.
New iPads were the big rumor of the event, and this rumor was confirmed when Apple revealed the new iPad Air 4 and the iPad 8th gen. Both of these tablets were significant improvements from their predecessors in their respective lineups.
The iPad 8th gen is a baseline iPad, which starts at $499 and will be available for order from September 18. On the other hand, the iPad Air 4 is a mid-range tablet that starts at $1,129. Apple did not state the exact date the iPad Air will be available to buy, but it’s estimated to be around October. Both tablets come in Wi-Fi only and Wi-Fi + Cellular models, with the cellular model costing more.
Design and Display
The two tablets look nothing alike. Whereas the iPad Air 4 features an all-new design with slim bezels, the iPad 8th gen looks like the 7th generation iPad with its large bezels. Touch ID is a common feature in both. Nonetheless, the iPad Air’s Touch ID is incorporated in the power button, while in the iPad 8th gen, it’s in the home button.
The iPad Air has a slightly larger display, at 10.9 inches, compared to the 10.2″ display in the iPad 8th gen. Whichever of these devices you pick, you are guaranteed a great viewing experience. The iPad Air 4 is available in five colours, while the 8th gen is available in three.
Memory and Performance
Both tablets have received a massive boost in performance over previous generations. The iPad Air 4 features Apple’s latest A14 Bionic Chip, which makes it faster than any Apple device out there. The A12 Bionic chip powers the 8th gen iPad on the other hand. Both devices are thus great performers.
The iPad Air 4 is available in 64GB and 256GB models, while the 8th gen iPad comes in 32GB and 128GB variants.
iPadOS 14, the Apple Pencil and Other Accessories
Both the iPad Air 4 and the 8th gen iPad will launch with the new iPadOS 14. With iPadOS 14, you can enjoy a wide variety of features, including a redesigned Siri, new and improved Maps, widgets, etc.
Both devices support the Apple pencil. Nonetheless, whereas the iPad Air is compatible with the 2nd gen Apple pencil, the 8th gen iPad is limited to only the 1st gen Apple pencil. The iPad Air is also compatible with the Magic Keyboard, whereas the 8th gen iPad is not. It is nonetheless compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard.
Battery and Camera
Apple did not announce the exact battery capacity of both tablets. Nonetheless, they should both give you up to 9 or 10 hours of on-screen time. The battery life will depend on whether you’re on Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
When it comes to cameras, the new iPad Air 4 has better cameras then the 8th gen iPad. Judging by the numbers, the iPad Air 4 takes better quality photos and videos than the new iPad. Nonetheless, the images taken by the 8th gen iPad are still decent.
Verdict
These two tablets are excellent additions to the iPad lineup. Whether you want to purchase an iPad for the first time or upgrade from older iPad generations, both are a worthy investment.
When it comes to top tier midrange phones, fewer do it better than Oppo’s A series. The series always delivers value, and its two latest additions, Oppo A52 and A72 do just that. They were released within a month of each other, and almost wholly mirror each other. Both currently retail for the same price at $299. Thus, the question arises: of the two devices, which is the ultimate value phone?
Oppo A52 Red Case
Let the battle begin…
Oppo A52 and Oppo A72 have a whole lot in common than in contrast, and choosing between the two will be hard. For starters, as the two Oppo phones have the same design, look and very much the same internals, telling them apart is a challenge. In Australia, the Oppo A72 is exclusive to Optus and is locked to the Optus network. The A52 is available on multiple networks and is available for retail sale and more retailers.
They both have slim bezels, a punch-hole selfie camera on the top left corner, and even weigh the same. When it comes to display, both the A52 and A72 spot the same 6.5 inch full HD display. The screen resolution stands at 1080 x 2400 pixels for both phones, which beats most budget phones.
Going on to the rear, they both spot a quad-cam setup and a plastic back. What sets the phones apart is the colour. The A52 is available in Twilight Black and Stream White, while the A72 is available in Aurora Purple and Twilight Black. Of all the designs, the Stream White model stands out, but it may all go down to opinion.
In the camera department, both the A52 and the A72 spot a 16MP front sensor, which takes excellent selfies. Differences between the two-start showing in the rear cameras despite having the same quad-cam set up. For instance, the A52 has a 12MP primary camera while the A72 surpasses it with a 48MP main sensor.
Also, whereas Oppo’s A52 has a depth sensor and a macro lens, the A72 has two 2MP portrait style lens in place of the depth and macro sensor. The bigger sensor gives the A72 an edge over the A52 in terms of image quality. Nonetheless, for lovers of close up photos, the A52 wins due to the absence of depth and macro sensors in the A72. Both phones have 119° ultra-wide sensors, which take good wide photos.
Performance-wise, the two phones almost match each other. They both run on ColorOS 7.1 and Android 10 and are each powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 655 chip. Despite having the same RAM at 4GB, the A72 has a higher ROM than the A52. Their internal storage stands respectively at 128GB and 64 GB. Overall, the A72 is a tad bit faster than the A52 due to the higher storage space.
Battery capacity is another area where the two phones set themselves apart from the competition. Both spot an impressive 5000mAh battery that can easily last you two whole days. The battery life drops by more than half during heavy usage, but is still a lot by midrange standards. Both phones come with an 18W fast charger and a USB C cable.
Verdict
Oppo has done a great job with both of these phones, the Oppo A52 and A72 are clearly a step ahead of the competition in the budget phone market. Sporting impressive displays, a big battery, and a decent processor, the phones redefine the phrase ‘more for less.’ In our opinion, the A72 has a slight advantage over the A52 and delivers more value for the same price as long as you are with Optus as the device is locked to Optus prepaid. Nonetheless, both phones promise to deliver exceptional value for every penny.
Most people will agree that Oppo is one of the leading tech companies when it comes to smartphone fast charging. The company is behind some of the best fast charging tech solutions in the market, including the Dash Charge system in One Plus phone.
Oppo’s top position has been cemented further by its release of the 125W flash charger and the 65W Air VOOC Wireless flash charge technology. The two incredible pieces of tech were announced on July 15 in Shenzhen, China, alongside the 50W mini VOOC charger and the 110W mini flash charger.
Just announced:
125W Flash Charge 65W AirVOOC 50W Mini SuperVOOC charger 110W Mini Flash Charger
Read more about our 4 new flash charging technologies revealed today below! #FlashForward
The 125W flash charger, which Oppo claims is the most advanced piece of tech in the industry, was the biggest highlight of the announcement. Oppo says at its fastest, the charger takes only 20 minutes to fully charge a 4000mAh battery and 5 minutes to charge up to 41%. Currently, the fastest charging phone, a record held by an Oppo phone, fully charges in 31 minutes. If right, this charger will beat that record by 10 minutes. When developing such cutting edge technology, the company had to have the user’s safety in mind. For this, the charger has ten additional temperature sensors, a USB C to USB C cable, fuse overvoltage protection, and an advanced encryption algorithm. It has improved power density properties that ensure the charger doesn’t grow too large while simultaneously effectively reducing charging time. The 125W Flash Charge aims to meet consumer needs for faster chargers as a result of the upcoming 5G era. It is compatible with earlier VOOC and super VOOC flash charge protocols. It also supports mainstream protocols.
The Oppo 125W Flash Charge Tech
Here’s a first look at 125W Flash Charge technology in action. It can fully charge a 4,000mAh battery in 20 minutes. #FlashForwardpic.twitter.com/EWtfGcsL4m
The 125W flash charger, which Oppo claims is the most advanced piece of tech in the industry, was the biggest highlight of the announcement. Oppo says at its fastest, the charger takes only 20 minutes to fully charge a 4000mAh battery and 5 minutes to charge up to 41%. Currently, the fastest charging phone, a record held by an Oppo phone, fully charges in 31 minutes. If right, this charger will beat that record by 10 minutes.
When developing such cutting edge technology, the company had to have the user’s safety in mind. For this, the charger has ten additional temperature sensors, a USB C to USB C cable, fuse overvoltage protection, and an advanced encryption algorithm. It has improved power density properties that ensure the charger doesn’t grow too large while simultaneously effectively reducing charging time.
Oppo 65W Air VOOC Wireless Flash Charge
Today we’re not just announcing one flash charge innovation breakthrough.
Oppo’s 65W Air VOOC wireless tech comes at a time when the company is beginning to embrace wireless charging. The company now claims that this technology is the fastest wireless charging tech in the industry. The tech can fully charge a 4000mAh battery in 30 minutes, wirelessly, which makes it faster than most, if not all, current wired solutions.
With the 65W Air VOOC technology, consumers no longer have to endure slow wireless charging speeds. The tech has a foreign object detection function and five-fold safety protection. It is compatible with the Qi standard.
Oppo also showcased a concept of a wireless charger for the tech. The charger features sculpted glass, making it the first of its kind. To ensure your device doesn’t heat up during charging, there is a semi-conductor cooler at the bottom of the charger. This keeps the temperature of the phone’s back at 2°C lower than only using a fan.
Although Oppo is yet to announce which Oppo mobile phones that will ship with these technologies, commercial products that utilize this tech are expected to launch soon. Over 157 million people currently use the various VOOC tech worldwide, and this number is growing. The company has applied for over 2800 global patents and promises to continue improving and developing VOOC flash charging platforms.
Apple recently revealed iOS 14 in the just concluded WWDC 2020. This latest iOS version is set to rolled out for all iPhone users come fall. The update packs with it some amazing features that will transform user experience a great deal. Here is an overview of some of the exciting features packed in the iOS 14.
The Exciting Features You Should Expect
Widgets
Widget support is one of the biggest headlines of the iOS 14 release. For the first time, iPhone users will be able to make use of smart widgets. On top of this, is another feature that goes hand in hand with widgets – Smart Stack. Smart Stack basically allows you to stack widgets by dragging one and dropping it over another, of the same size. This creates a scrollable stack whereby you have multiple widgets in the same area.
App library
The App library is also another new iOS feature. This is the last page in your home screen that has all your apps, grouped by category, i.e., you can have all your communication apps in one folder, gaming apps in another, reading apps in another, etc. This feature is especially useful to those people who keep a lot of apps on their phones.
Hide Apps feature
As an average smartphone user, there are those apps that you don’t quite need, but there’s no way to get rid of them. iOS 14 allows iPhone users to keep all these apps in one folder, and then hide the folder, using the Hide Apps feature.
Compact user interface
A significant improvement in iOS 14 also comes in the user-device interaction.
Siri has been improved even further. When turned on, Siri doesn’t take up the whole screen as it did in previous iOS versions, with the iOS 14, Siri will only appear as a small animation at the bottom of the phone’s home screen.
A second upgrade comes with the incoming call pop up. With the iOS 14, incoming calls won’t take up the entire screen, but instead, appear as a drop-down notification. This means calls won’t interrupt whatever you were doing by blocking your view of the screen. Also, you can comfortably ignore calls without having to end them or wait them out.
Picture in Picture will now be possible with iOS 14. It will allow an iPhone user to watch a video via a small window while using other apps.
Sound recognition. This is a great accessibility feature, especially for people with visual impairment. If turned on, it uses the phone’s microphones to detect sounds in the environment and notifies the user.
Sign language recognition. iOS 14 will be able to recognize sign language during group face time and put whoever is using sign language in a conspicuous space above everyone else. Although this feature may not apply to the majority, the inclusivity of the iOS 14 is worth noting.
Back Tap
This interesting feature allows you to simultaneously switch between apps, and perform actions such as capturing screenshots.
Ability to change default apps
iOS 14 now allows users to choose the default apps that they wish to use. For example, one can now opt to work chrome instead of safari as the default browser.
App Clip
App Clip is a feature that allows you to try out an app before installing it. For instance, you can play a game or order food with a food ordering app without installing the app.
Final take
The iOS 14, with its new features and upgrades, is designed to give users the complete premium experience. For those who can’t wait till fall to start using it instead of iOS13, the developer’s beta version is already available and can run these features.
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference might have been held in front of a digital crowd, but that did not stop the mega corporation from showing off what it has in the works for the future. From operating system updates to significant Mac changes, here is everything that has been announced at the event.
iOS 14
The next version of iOS is currently out for developers today with a public beta scheduled to be held in July. As is expected with a whole operating system update, there are significant changes incoming including:
Messages now can be pinned, group messages can be muted unless you are mentioned by name, and Memojis have new customization options.
Siri no longer takes up the entire screen when turned on. A new speech-to-text translation app is also on the way that works very similarly to Google Translate.
iPhones will finally have a picture-in-picture mode so when you minimize a video or face call it will still be on display in a portion of the screen and you can move it around.
Maps will be receiving cycling directions, taking in consideration of bike lanes and hills. Electric vehicle owners will also have updated directions that consider your battery power and charging stations available.
App Library sorts your apps you use the most to be on display when you swipe past the final page of apps.
Widgets can be placed on the home screen.
CarPlay will allow you to use your phone as a key, if your car allows it. Apple is working with a bunch of car manufacturers to allow this, including BMW.
iPad Specific Updates
iPad will be receiving the above updates to its OS as well as some specific changes.
The iPad search user interface has been updated to no longer take up the whole screen. It can also search deeper in certain apps like Keynote, Messages, Mail, and Files.
Apple Pencil handwriting recognition will now work in any text field. Also, if you draw a shape, you can have it digitally changed to a computer-generated shape by holding the Pencil in place when finished drawing it. Accessory makers are already making iPad cases with Apple pencil holders.
Gaming is also vastly improving with the new updates. Controller button remapping, haptics, rumble, motion, and even the ability to properly use a keyboard and mouse for iPad gaming are on the way.
AirPods
AirPods will automatically switch between devices if needed. While watching a video on your iPad, they will switch to the iPhone if you answer a call.
AirPod Pros will simulate surround sound by using the accelerometers to make it feel like is fixed in a set position.
Apple Watch
Apple Watches will be able to share their current watch face setup with other Apple Watch users. If they do not have the needed apps, they will be directed to the location to install them. Each app on watchOS can now also offer up multiple different watch face complications, instead of just one per app.
As with the iOS 14 update, Apple Watch will also have cycling directions.
Apple Watch can automatically detect when you are sleeping. It will record data and help track your sleep schedule.
Finally, Apple Watch can also detect when you are washing your hands and will automatically start a countdown to ensure you are scrubbing them the recommended 20 seconds.
Privacy Updates
Apps can now be given access to your approximate location rather than your precise location if you are worried about privacy.
iOS will also now show an on-screen indicator when an app is accessing your microphone or camera.
App developers will be required to provide what user data they are tracking or sharing with third parties. You can see this information before downloading apps.
Homekit
Homekit will now automatically change the brightness and temperature of your smart bulbs throughout the day to make sure they are not putting off as much heat during working hours but are warm enough during nighttime.
Homekit-enabled doorbell cameras now have facial recognition. If they see a recognized face, you will receive a notification on your devices letting you know who has arrived.
Security cameras will not have activity zones you can setup on each camera. This can be particularly useful so you are not receiving updates for a camera on your front porch picking up people walking alongside the sidewalk or a car driving down the street.
macOS
macOS will now be called Big Sur and will be a little closer to iOS in terms of recognizability. For example, apps will now have rounded squares.
The control center will be accessible via a dropdown in the upper right area of the screen for brightness, volume, dark mode, Wi-Fi controls and more.
Maps have been redesigned with support for things like in-door maps, guides, favorite locations, etc.
Safari can now track which of your passwords could potentially have been breached and show you what data is being tracked by a website. Extensions are also getting an update, limiting what data extension developers can access.
Notifications and widgets have been brought into one area while making it easier to clear out lots of notifications at once.
Macs are getting new processors
Apple is switching from Intel processors to custom ARM-based CPUs that they are making themselves. They have a history of doing this for iPads, iPhones, and Apple Watches, but this is the first time they do this for the Mac. Apple says the new processors will allow Macs to use less power while upping performance and allowing iOS apps to run on Mac. Developers will need to update apps themselves to run on it, but Apple promises the transition should not take more than a couple days of work to get running.
For some time now, the Australian mobile phone network provider Telstra has been doing everything to stay on top. A while back, the company introduced Wi-Fi calling, a system that allows users to make phone calls over Wi-Fi.
The system still comes in handy for people in areas that have low or no Telstra mobile network coverage as all they need is a supported Broadband Wi-Fi connection. According to Telstra’s website, the ability to make calls this way is not only possible through Broadband connection. Basically, a user can also make Wi-Fi calls over mobile hotspots and also over the Telstra Air Hotspot.
Now Telstra has gone a step further and rolled-out the turning on of SMS over Wi-Fi. This essentially means that you can receive SMS messages even if your phone is not in an area connected to Telstra’s network. All that is required is for you to connect to a Wi-Fi network that can access the internet.
According to a Telstra’s spokesman, the company saw that many Telstra customers in areas with no network were unable to send and receive messages, especially those working from home due to COVID-19. In a bid to help out its clients, the network provider then decided to introduce this feature.
Of course, with the rolling out of this new technology, many people will have questions. One of the most common questions is whether Telstra charges an extra cost for this service. According to Telstra’s official website, data used via the Telstra Broadband Wi-Fi Connection is not charged. However, the case is different when a person uses this service via non-Telstra Broadband. Here the data will be charged based on your current provider’s plan.
If you find yourself in a spot with no mobile coverage you may have found that you wouldn’t be able to receive some SMS…
Telstra is currently rolling out this new technology to all its customers. At this time, the service is supported on Telstra’s mobile network. The firm is first making the service available to devices that are compatible with the technology because they want to ensure the best user experience. As time goes, more devices will support the Wi-Fi SMS feature.
Here is a list of mobile devices that currently support the sending and receiving of SMS over Wi-Fi
With the other devices like the J Pro and A5, a little more work is required to enable this feature, Telstra, therefore, advises users to keep an ear out for news of updated timelines for such devices. It is also not clear whether other Android smartphones from other manufacturers will be able to use this feature. All in all, it is advisable to set up your phone to receive automatic updates so that you are able to receive this feature as soon as they are available. Read more on Telstras official website: https://exchange.telstra.com.au/switching-on-sms-over-wi-fi-on-our-mobile-network/
Apple has taken the budget phone market by storm by announcing the release of the new iPhone SE 2020. The SE 2020 is the second phone in the series and a significant improvement from its 2016 predecessor.
The phone boasts of features found in an iPhone 11 but has the design of an iPhone 8. It is available in three varieties going for AUD $729 for the 64GB version, AUD $829 128GB, and AUD $999 for 26GB. As is typical with Apple phones, the prices differ due to different internal storage size. The iPhone SE is available in white, black or product red.
Features of the iPhone SE 2020
1. Design and display
The phone borrows a lot of its design from the iPhone 8. It has a size of 138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm and weighs 148 grams with an aluminum body and a glass rear. Its small size makes it comfortable to use, and has an attractive design that easily appeals to the eye.
The phone is available in three different colors (Product) Red, white, and black.
The screen has a 4.7-inch Retina HD 1334×750 resolution with a pixel density of 326 ppi. Similar to the iPhone 11, the phone utilizes Apple’s Haptic Touch system.
2. Camera
The iPhone SE 2020 has a single 12MP rear camera and a 7MP front camera. Although the phone lacks multiple camera systems that are common in today’s smartphones, it can still take surprisingly excellent and stable photos.
The camera allows you to take photos in different modes; portrait, Smart HDR, portrait lighting, and QuickTake video. The SE is also capable of recording 4K videos.
3. Performance and battery
The SE runs on Apple’s latest A13 Bionic chip and therefore performs its processing tasks fast and efficiently. Apple hasn’t officially announced the phones RAM, but its rumored to have a 3GB RAM.
The battery has an estimated capacity of about 1,821mAh. This may seem small, but once fully charged, it has up to 13 hours video playback time. The phone supports wireless charging and has a fast-charging feature with an 18W adapter. See our chargers here.
4. Storage
The iPhone SE 2020 is available in three variants; 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. The higher the storage capacity, the more you’ll have to pay. Sadly, the storage isn’t expandable, but still, there’s more than enough space for all your files.
5. Security and other features
A Touch ID sensor is located just below the display. The sensor recognizes your fingerprint for unlocking purposes. Unfortunately, the iPhone SE 2020 lacks the facial recognition feature common in the most recent Apple releases.
The SE 2020 also boasts of dust resistance and water resistance (IP67). The phone also has dual sim capabilities, one slot for a nano-SIM, and it comes with an inbuilt e-sim.
Cases And Accessories
There is a good range of cases and covers for the iPhone SE 2020. Everything from fashion cases to wallet cases to tough tradesman type cases as well as everything in between.
Conclusion
For iPhone lovers with a limited budget, the SE 2020 is the budget phone to beat. The phone packs some impressive features at a relatively affordable price.
Pre-order dates and release date
Pre-orders for the much-awaited phone began on Friday, April 17. The release date for the iPhone SE 2020 was for a week later, on Friday, April 24.
Recently Apple announced its latest iPad Pro models, which have been built to advance the 2018 iPad Pro 11 and the iPad Pro 12.9. The latest release brings into the market a very potent iPad tablet that unlocks new possibilities for tablet lovers. One of the outstanding things on the release is the magic keyboard that comes with the iPad. The keyboard has its backlighting and a trackpad. iPad cases and accessories.
However, it is important to note that even though the new iPad has already been launched, you cannot get it from any physical store as all physical apple stores have been closed indefinitely due to the Coronavirus pandemic. You can however buy one from the Apple online store.
iPad Pro Specifications
It is important to point out that Apple has gone all out to brand the new iPad Pro has a potential replacement for most PCs. Looking at some of the specifications, it is true that this new release can outdo a good number of laptops that we currently have in the market. The following are some of its specifications.
Design and display:
In terms of display, you can choose between the 11-inch display or the 12.9-inch screen. The display comes with a 120Hz refresh rate that ensures that the screen remains smooth while you browse through the web. Both screens have a 264 PPI, which is quite okay for either size.
The screen features a liquid retina technology that gives a gorgeous and immersive display.
Software
The iPads come with the stock iPadOS 13.4. But you can always receive and install updates in the future.
Performance
This new release comes with an A12Z Bionic CPU, which makes it so fast. You can seamlessly carry out any task with your iPad pro, be it the normal daily tasks or intensive graphics workflows. The iPad has an 8-core graphics processor, which makes it a good tool for 4K video editing, and even 3D design.
The iPad comes with an enormous battery that can be used for ten straight hours.
Camera
Apple smartphones and tablets are known to capture the best quality images, and the new iPad release has taken the picture, taking the game a notch higher. Though not a big focus for most people, Apple has improved the cameras with two rear cameras, something that has not been done on any other iPad before. It is important to note that the camera can even record 4K videos.
Connectivity
iPad Pro has taken connectivity to a whole new level. You can print, project, and send files wirelessly. It also has a type C port for your charging needs and connecting the iPad to external devices like a camera and an external hard drive.
Pricing
Considering the features that this new release comes packed with, the set price is quite fair. However, it is essential to note that the price differs on different depending on the storage size, screen size, and for those that wish to get an LTE version. The cheapest iPad Pro 11 with 128GB of ROM retails at AU$1,329 while the most affordable iPad Pro 12.9 with 128GB retail at $1,649.
iPad Pro 2020 prices
iPad Australia
iPad Pro 11 128GB AU$1,329
iPad Pro 11 256GB AU$1,499.00
iPad Pro 11 512B AU$1,839.00
iPad Pro 11 1TB AU$2,179.00
iPad Pro 12.9 128GB AU$1,649.00
iPad Pro 12.9 256GB AU$1,819.00
iPad Pro 12.9 512GB AU$2,159.00
iPad Pro 12.9 1TB AU$2,499.00
Final Take
If you want to revolutionize how you run things using your laptop but are finding it difficult to render images, edit video, then you should consider getting the iPad Pro.
125W Flash Charge
65W AirVOOC
50W Mini SuperVOOC charger
