News on Smartphones, October 2020

iPhone 12

On October 13, Apple unveiled iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 mini with 5G technology. 

Features:

• expansive edge-to-edge Super Retina XDR displays for a brighter, more immersive viewing experience,
• new Ceramic Shield front cover, providing the biggest jump in durability ever on iPhone.
• the Apple-designed A14 Bionic, the fastest chip in a smartphone,
• advanced dual-camera system,
• MagSafe, offering high-powered wireless charging and an all-new ecosystem of accessories that easily attach to iPhone.
• iPhone 12 Pro models also introduce a new LiDAR Scanner for immersive augmented reality (AR) experiences 

iPhone 12, Mini, Pro and Pro Max will be in stores beginning Friday, November 13.

Full content and details (external sources): Apple.com (iPhone 12 & Mini Specs), Apple.com (iPhone 12 Pro & Pro Max)

Google Pixel

Google launched Pixel 5 on October 15. Google Pixel 4a 5G's launch is expected in November.

According to GMS Arena: "This year, Google has taken a drastically different approach with the Pixel lineup. They've focused on providing a great user experience without maxing out the specs on the processor or the screen. [...] The Google Pixel 5 is an evolution of the kind of smartphone that Google wants to offer. It solves the battery life issue that's plagued all Pixel phones before it, and it's taken a decision to switch up the hardware materials while keeping Google's obsession with using non-standard textures and an understated design and overall look."

Full content and details (external sources): GSM Arena (specs), GSM Arena (Review)

Google Pixel 5 won't be available worldwide. Here's when it became available in its countries of release:

• October 15: Australia, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom
• October 29: Canada, United States

Full content and details (external sources): Android Central

Google Pixel 4a 5G:

Expected release: November 05.

Full content and details (external sources): GSM Arena (specs)

The Pixel 4A 5G is the largest Pixel that Google is releasing this year, with a 6.2-inch screen. It runs a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G: more expensive than the regular 4A’s processor, but also faster and provides support for 5G.

It comes with Android 11 and like all Pixel phones, it will be first in line for future Android updates, and (guaranteed to get them for at least three years). 

Google has also introduced a new battery-saver mode called “extreme battery saver.”

Full content and details (external sources): The Verge

Samsung Galaxy F41

Launched in India on October 16. The specs of the Galaxy F41 is quite similar to the other Galaxy M series device.

Full content and details (external sources): GSM Arena (specs)

Xiaomi Mi 10T 5G

Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro were released on October 13, it comes with:

• 108MP/64MP AI triple camera
• 144Hz AdaptiveSync display with Truecolor
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 865 with 5G
• 5000 mAh (typ) battery with 33W fast charging
• OS: MIUI 12 (the newest release for Xiaomi smartphones)

Full content and details (external sources): GSM Arena (specs)

OnePlus 8T

OnePlus 8T is OnePlus's fourth release this year. A Snapdragon 865 powers the 8T, which comes with Android 11 as standard, augmented by the company’s own OxygenOS 11 software. A full charge is completed in 37 minutes.

Full content and details (external sources): Android Authority (review) and The Verge (review)

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