The Sony Xperia 5 III has finally gone on sale in the US

Sony unveiled its flagship Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III all the way back in April last year. However, the company didn’t share pricing and availability details for the phones at the time. A few months down the line, Sony finally opened pre-orders for the top-of-the-line Xperia 1 III and said that the Xperia 5 III would go on sale in Europe in September. But it still didn’t share any details regarding the US launch. This left many fans wondering whether the company even planned on launching the compact flagship in the US or not. Almost nine months after unveiling the phone, Sony has now finally brought it to the US.

In case you forgot, the Sony Xperia 5 III is a compact version of the top-of-the-line Xperia 1 III. It features a 6.1-inch DHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz peak refresh rate, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection. The device packs last year’s flagship Snapdragon 888 chip, 8GB RAM, 128GB onboard storage, and a microSD card slot for further expansion.

On the camera front, the Xperia 5 III features a 12MP f/1.7 primary camera with OIS and Dual Pixel PDAF, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera with Dual Pixel PDAF, and a 12MP f/2.3-2.8 telephoto camera with OIS and Dual Pixel PDAF. On the front, it has a single 8MP selfie shooter. Other noteworthy features include a 3.5mm headphone jack, full-range front-firing stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res Audio certification, 5G support, NFC, and IP68 water and dust resistance.

The Sony Xperia 5 III originally launched with Android 11 out of the box, but Sony has already released the stable Android 12 update for the device. It’s available through authorized Sony retailers in the US at a price of $999.99. The device comes in two colors — Frosted Black and Green — but the Green variant is exclusive to Sony’s online store. If you order the device before February 27, you’ll receive Sony’s WF-1000XM3 TWS earbuds for free, along with 43,200 Call of Duty: Mobile CP points. If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on the Xperia 5 III, you can order it from BestBuy by following the link below.

Sony Xperia 5 III

The Xperia 5 III is Sony's compact flagship for 2021, featuring the Snapdragon 888 chip and impressive camera hardware.

Buy from BestBuy

The post The Sony Xperia 5 III has finally gone on sale in the US appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3qmn2EU
via IFTTT

You can also buy the Galaxy S21 FE in this exclusive blue color

When Samsung announced its mid-range Galaxy S21 FE at CES last week, there were four colors on display, three of which are the playful, bright pastel kind that we at XDA adore. Well, not even a week in and a new navy blue colorway has popped up, but it is exclusive to Best Buy.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is an excellent mid-ranger that comes in fun colors, including the new exclusive navy blue colorway.

View at Best Buy

 

We can see that, just like the other colorways, the aluminum frame has been painted to match the plastic back. The navy blue is a bit understated compared to the olive and lavender colors but serves as a happy medium between those two and the more standard black and white colorways that were shown off at CES.

Best Buy is selling the new navy colorway in both unlocked and carrier models (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) at the same $699 price as other colors.

The S21 FE, in case you are unaware, is the so-called “Fan Edition” version of the Galaxy S21 series, and the point of this series is to sell previously flagship Galaxy S phones at a more affordable price. The S21 FE, to this end, is very very similar to the standard Galaxy S21, with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, a larger (6.4-inches) but similar 120Hz Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and the same main and ultra-wide camera (both 12MP shooters). The S21 FE’s telephoto camera differs from the S21’s, in that it is an 8MP shooter with 3x optical zoom ability, but a slower aperture (f/2.4) than the S21’s 64MP, f/2.0 telephoto lens. The S21 FE also has a superior selfie camera (32MP) and a larger, 4,500 mAh battery.

Finally, the S21 FE also has the distinction of being the first Samsung phone to come with One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 out of the box. While the $699 price tag is attractive, the S21 FE comes at an odd time, as the Galaxy S22 series is just around the corner. Still, if you know for sure you don’t want to pay more than $700 for a phone, then the S21 FE is one of the best options right now, as the S22 series will surely be priced well above that.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is an excellent mid-ranger that comes in fun colors, including the new exclusive navy blue colorway.

View at Best Buy

The post You can also buy the Galaxy S21 FE in this exclusive blue color appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3qeXLMB
via IFTTT

You can also buy the Galaxy S21 FE in this exclusive blue color

When Samsung announced its mid-range Galaxy S21 FE at CES last week, there were four colors on display, three of which are the playful, bright pastel kind that we at XDA adore. Well, not even a week in and a new navy blue colorway has popped up, but it is exclusive to Best Buy.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is an excellent mid-ranger that comes in fun colors, including the new exclusive navy blue colorway.

View at Best Buy

 

We can see that, just like the other colorways, the aluminum frame has been painted to match the plastic back. The navy blue is a bit understated compared to the olive and lavender colors but serves as a happy medium between those two and the more standard black and white colorways that were shown off at CES.

Best Buy is selling the new navy colorway in both unlocked and carrier models (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) at the same $699 price as other colors.

The S21 FE, in case you are unaware, is the so-called “Fan Edition” version of the Galaxy S21 series, and the point of this series is to sell previously flagship Galaxy S phones at a more affordable price. The S21 FE, to this end, is very very similar to the standard Galaxy S21, with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, a larger (6.4-inches) but similar 120Hz Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and the same main and ultra-wide camera (both 12MP shooters). The S21 FE’s telephoto camera differs from the S21’s, in that it is an 8MP shooter with 3x optical zoom ability, but a slower aperture (f/2.4) than the S21’s 64MP, f/2.0 telephoto lens. The S21 FE also has a superior selfie camera (32MP) and a larger, 4,500 mAh battery.

Finally, the S21 FE also has the distinction of being the first Samsung phone to come with One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 out of the box. While the $699 price tag is attractive, the S21 FE comes at an odd time, as the Galaxy S22 series is just around the corner. Still, if you know for sure you don’t want to pay more than $700 for a phone, then the S21 FE is one of the best options right now, as the S22 series will surely be priced well above that.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE

The Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is an excellent mid-ranger that comes in fun colors, including the new exclusive navy blue colorway.

View at Best Buy

The post You can also buy the Galaxy S21 FE in this exclusive blue color appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3qeXLMB
via IFTTT

Android 13 will reportedly make it easier to scan QR codes

QR codes are incredibly annoying to deal with, but for a lot of people, they’re essential. They can be found basically anywhere, and there have been loads of times where I have struggled on different devices to figure out how to scan a QR code quickly on my phone. Typically the stock camera app is where you’ll find a QR code scanner, but sometimes, I have to launch Google Lens manually and do it that way. Now, according to a report, Android 13 will make it easier than ever to scan them — and straight from your lock screen, no less.

Source: Android Police

A “trusted source” reached out to our friends over at Android Police, providing them with screenshots of how the new feature works. In the screenshots, there’s an option to “show QR scanner” on the lock screen, and a reference is also seen in the quick settings in the form of its own toggle. This would be a much more intuitive way of being able to scan QR codes than the current system and would make it a whole lot easier process in general. Android Police also recently learned of a new tap-to-transfer feature for media in Android 13.

QR codes are used for all kinds of things, and they’re even used in Android for sharing the likes of a Wi-Fi access code. Restaurants also make great use of them currently, and there are a ton of other uses too. Making them easier to interact with and to scan is only a benefit, especially given that it appears to be very much an optional feature to enable.

If you don’t find yourself ever using QR codes, then feel free to switch it off and remove the quick setting toggle. However, for those that do use them (such as myself), this might be one of the best quality of life improvements in Android 13 that we’ve seen so far. If Chrome OS can do it, why shouldn’t Android?

The post Android 13 will reportedly make it easier to scan QR codes appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3qdxlej
via IFTTT

Android 13 will reportedly make it easier to scan QR codes

QR codes are incredibly annoying to deal with, but for a lot of people, they’re essential. They can be found basically anywhere, and there have been loads of times where I have struggled on different devices to figure out how to scan a QR code quickly on my phone. Typically the stock camera app is where you’ll find a QR code scanner, but sometimes, I have to launch Google Lens manually and do it that way. Now, according to a report, Android 13 will make it easier than ever to scan them — and straight from your lock screen, no less.

Source: Android Police

A “trusted source” reached out to our friends over at Android Police, providing them with screenshots of how the new feature works. In the screenshots, there’s an option to “show QR scanner” on the lock screen, and a reference is also seen in the quick settings in the form of its own toggle. This would be a much more intuitive way of being able to scan QR codes than the current system and would make it a whole lot easier process in general. Android Police also recently learned of a new tap-to-transfer feature for media in Android 13.

QR codes are used for all kinds of things, and they’re even used in Android for sharing the likes of a Wi-Fi access code. Restaurants also make great use of them currently, and there are a ton of other uses too. Making them easier to interact with and to scan is only a benefit, especially given that it appears to be very much an optional feature to enable.

If you don’t find yourself ever using QR codes, then feel free to switch it off and remove the quick setting toggle. However, for those that do use them (such as myself), this might be one of the best quality of life improvements in Android 13 that we’ve seen so far. If Chrome OS can do it, why shouldn’t Android?

The post Android 13 will reportedly make it easier to scan QR codes appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3qdxlej
via IFTTT

How does the HUAWEI P50 Pocket Compare to the Galaxy Z Flip

The smartphone market now has a decent selection of foldable phones to choose from, if you are in the market. The clamshell-style is one of the more popular types of foldable devices, with Samsung leading the way in sales with the Galaxy Z Flip3. Since the launch of this device, HUAWEI has begun selling its own phone with a flip function called the P50 Pocket. Each phone has its own strengths, so let’s take a look at the areas where the HUAWEI P50 does it better than Samsung.

No More Hinge Gap

One of the most common complaints from users of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is the gap in the hinge. When the phone is closed shut, a small gap can be found between the two screens. When HUAWEI designed the P50 Pocket, they made sure to create a phone that doesn’t have a gap. So when the P50 Pocket is closed, both screens lie flat against each other.

The P50 Pocket also has a slimmer build altogether. Measuring only 15.2mm from one end to the other when the phone is close, which is smaller than the 17.1-15.9mm measurement on the Galaxy Z Flip3.

A Larger Display

While it isn’t a dramatic difference, the HUAWEI P50 Pocket has a slightly bigger screen than the Galaxy Z Flip3. The P50 Pocket fits a 6.9″ folding display at 1188×2790, while the Galaxy Z Flip3 has a smaller 6.7″ screen at 1080×2640.

Since you’re getting a phone with the ability to fold to half its size, opting for the larger display is probably a good idea. A slightly higher resolution benefits the 21:9 screen on the P50 Pocket, as your games, movies, and apps will look fantastic on this display.

No Folding Crease

Another common complaint about the Galaxy Z Flip3 is that users will find a crease begin to form in the center of the display, after moderate use. This is also an issue found in most other flip phones with these flexible folding screens. HUAWEI claims to have fixed this common issue to the point where users won’t experience it at all on the P50 Pocket.

More RAM and Storage

While these two phones share very similar specs across the board, the Premium Edition of the P50 Pocket will offer 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Flip3 will max out at 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. So the extra boost in memory is there for anyone that needs it. Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, so you can expect similar performance from both of these devices.

A Bigger Battery with Faster Charging

For anyone that values fast charging speeds and large batteries, the P50 Pocket is going to be the better option. HUAWEI put a large 4000mAh battery in their phone, with a 40W fast charging capability. The Galaxy Z Flip3 has a smaller 3300mAh capacity, and the fast charging maxes out at 15W.

In conclusion, both of these phones are great options for anyone looking to get a new flip phone, but the HUAWEI P50 Pocket exceeds in many ways that should be seriously considered. You can find out more information on the HUAWEI P50 Pocket on the official page here.

Also Read: The Huawei P50 Pocket is a great Galaxy Z Flip 3 alternative that you can’t buy

We thank HUAWEI for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

The post How does the HUAWEI P50 Pocket Compare to the Galaxy Z Flip appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3JYSssr
via IFTTT

How does the HUAWEI P50 Pocket Compare to the Galaxy Z Flip

The smartphone market now has a decent selection of foldable phones to choose from, if you are in the market. The clamshell-style is one of the more popular types of foldable devices, with Samsung leading the way in sales with the Galaxy Z Flip3. Since the launch of this device, HUAWEI has begun selling its own phone with a flip function called the P50 Pocket. Each phone has its own strengths, so let’s take a look at the areas where the HUAWEI P50 does it better than Samsung.

No More Hinge Gap

One of the most common complaints from users of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is the gap in the hinge. When the phone is closed shut, a small gap can be found between the two screens. When HUAWEI designed the P50 Pocket, they made sure to create a phone that doesn’t have a gap. So when the P50 Pocket is closed, both screens lie flat against each other.

The P50 Pocket also has a slimmer build altogether. Measuring only 15.2mm from one end to the other when the phone is close, which is smaller than the 17.1-15.9mm measurement on the Galaxy Z Flip3.

A Larger Display

While it isn’t a dramatic difference, the HUAWEI P50 Pocket has a slightly bigger screen than the Galaxy Z Flip3. The P50 Pocket fits a 6.9″ folding display at 1188×2790, while the Galaxy Z Flip3 has a smaller 6.7″ screen at 1080×2640.

Since you’re getting a phone with the ability to fold to half its size, opting for the larger display is probably a good idea. A slightly higher resolution benefits the 21:9 screen on the P50 Pocket, as your games, movies, and apps will look fantastic on this display.

No Folding Crease

Another common complaint about the Galaxy Z Flip3 is that users will find a crease begin to form in the center of the display, after moderate use. This is also an issue found in most other flip phones with these flexible folding screens. HUAWEI claims to have fixed this common issue to the point where users won’t experience it at all on the P50 Pocket.

More RAM and Storage

While these two phones share very similar specs across the board, the Premium Edition of the P50 Pocket will offer 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Galaxy Z Flip3 will max out at 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. So the extra boost in memory is there for anyone that needs it. Both phones share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset, so you can expect similar performance from both of these devices.

A Bigger Battery with Faster Charging

For anyone that values fast charging speeds and large batteries, the P50 Pocket is going to be the better option. HUAWEI put a large 4000mAh battery in their phone, with a 40W fast charging capability. The Galaxy Z Flip3 has a smaller 3300mAh capacity, and the fast charging maxes out at 15W.

In conclusion, both of these phones are great options for anyone looking to get a new flip phone, but the HUAWEI P50 Pocket exceeds in many ways that should be seriously considered. You can find out more information on the HUAWEI P50 Pocket on the official page here.

Also Read: The Huawei P50 Pocket is a great Galaxy Z Flip 3 alternative that you can’t buy

We thank HUAWEI for sponsoring this post. Our sponsors help us pay for the many costs associated with running XDA, including server costs, full time developers, news writers, and much more. While you might see sponsored content (which will always be labeled as such) alongside Portal content, the Portal team is in no way responsible for these posts. Sponsored content, advertising and XDA Depot are managed by a separate team entirely. XDA will never compromise its journalistic integrity by accepting money to write favorably about a company, or alter our opinions or views in any way. Our opinion cannot be bought.

The post How does the HUAWEI P50 Pocket Compare to the Galaxy Z Flip appeared first on xda-developers.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/3JYSssr
via IFTTT