T-Mobile Makes Upgrades to its 5G Network
T-Mobile has announced two key steps in upgrading its 5G network to be faster and more advanced. First, the company has successfully tested four-carrier aggregation with 5G SA (stand-alone). In the test, this technology allowed a Samsung Galaxy S23 to hit peak speeds topping 3.3 Gbps. The test combined two channels (carriers) of 2500 MHz spectrum (band 41) and two channels of 1900 MHz spectrum (band 2/25), creating an one effective channel of 5G SA that was 225 MHz wide. "Customers with the Samsung Galaxy S23 will be among the first to experience four-carrier aggregation later this year with more devices to follow." The other announcement is the deployment of VoNR in six cities. VoNR is 5G-native voice calling; currently, most voice calls are still made over 4G LTE. The six cities that now have VoNR enabled are: New York City, Seattle, Portland, New Orleans, Cincinnati, and Salt Lake City. Consumers are unlikely to notice a change, although voice call setup time should be slightly faster. Behind the scenes, VoNR allows phones to stay connected to 5G continuously, which in turn enables 5G SA features like network slicing (for enterprise customers). VoNR is also necessary to enable the eventual phase-out of 4G LTE, although that is not expected any time soon.
Bullitt Announces First Phones with Satellite Messaging
Bullitt has announced the first Android phones that will include two-way satellite messaging capability. The Motorola defy 2 and CAT S75 are both designed to connect to Bullitt's new Satellite Connect platform. The platform enables two-way messaging via satellite, for both emergency and non-emergency use. The two phone models appear to be essentially the same phone, sporting nearly identical specs and features. Those include sub-6 5G, a 5,000 mAh battery, 15W wireless charging, 6.58-inch FHD+ display with 120 Hz refresh protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, 50 megapixel main camera, 8 megapixel wide camera, and underwater photo capture. Both phones are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 930 chipset, paired with 6 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage (expandable with memory cards). The phones are rated IP68 and IP69K for water and dirt. They're also military rated for vibration, humidity, salt mist, and thermal shock. The phones come with Android 12 and a promise of three years of quarterly software updates (including two full OS upgrades), and two additional years of "emergency" security updates. The CAT S75 is launching initially in Europe, while the Motorola defy 2 is coming to "selected operators" in North America before the middle of the year. The defy 2 is priced at $599, which includes one year of SOS Assist via satellite. For additional satellite service, "plans start from as little as $4.99/ month". Bullitt also announced the "motorola defy satellite link", a small Bluetooth device that can add the same satellite connectivity to any iOS or Android phone.
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New Bluetooth Dongle Lets Any Phone Message via Satellite
Bullitt and Motorola has unveiled the "motorola defy satellite link", a small Bluetooth device that acts as a gateway for two-way satellite messaging, adding that capability to any iOS or Android phone. Using Bullitt's Satellite Messenger service, a connected phone can both send and receive text messages where cellular service isn't available. While it includes an SOS mode, the service is also available for non-emergency use. The device has a rugged, waterproof design and multi-day battery life. It can function independently of a phone with two buttons: an SOS button and a "check in" button that sends your location to a predefined contact. The Motorola defy satellite link will be available globally in April for $99. Service is extra, starting at $4.99/month. Or, for $149, a bundle will be available that in includes the device and one year of service, including SOS Assist and up to 30 non-emergency messages per month.
Cox Will Offer Unified Billing
In the next few months, Cox "customers will be able to combine Cox Mobile and Cox Internet". Cox recently launched Cox Mobile for Cox Internet customers, but with separate billing.
TCL's Newest 5G Phone for US is Most Affordable Yet
TCL this week took the wraps off three new affordable Android phones coming to the US next quarter. All three share a similar "minimalist" design and will sell for under $200.
- The TCL 40 XE 5G is TCL's most affordable 5G phone to date at just $169. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset paired with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB storage. Its 6.56-inch HD+ display has 90 Hz refresh and TCL's NXTVISION display technology. The main camera is 13 megapixel.
- The TCL 40 X 5G is basically the same phone but with a better, 50 megapixel main camera. It will sell for $199.
- The TCL 40 XL is only 4G (using a MediaTek G37 chipset) but thanks to that trade-off, it offers a few upgrades for an even lower price. It has a larger screen at 6.75 inches, it has more built-in storage at 128 GB, it has a 50 megapixel camera like the 40 X, and it has stereo speakers. Yet it will sell for just $149.
Google Expands Access to Magic Eraser
Google is bringing its Magic Eraser feature of Google Photos to more users, including all Pixel phone owners and everyone that subscribed to Google One, even on iOS. Magic Eraser lets you "erase" unwanted people or objects in any photo, using AI to fill in the erased area.
Microsoft Brings its AI Chatbot to Mobile
Microsoft has added its (in)famous new AI-powered Bing chatbot to several of its mobile apps. The service, previously only available on the web and desktop apps, acts like an intelligent search engine that you can have a complete conversation with. The Bing service is based on ChatGPT from OpenAI. On mobile, Microsoft's Bing app, Edge browser app, and the Skype app now include access to the chatbot in both Android and iOS versions. In Skype, the chatbot can even be added to a group conversation.
Qualcomm Gets an Android Phone to Perform AI Image Generation
At the MWC trade show in Barcelona next week, Qualcomm will demo stable diffusion AI image generation software running completely within an Android phone powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The technology generates whole images with only simple text descriptions as input, similar to popular cloud-based services such as DALL-E 2 and Midjourney. By running the software completely on-device, Qualcomm is demonstrating that stable diffusion AI technology is possible on mobile devices without costly cloud infrastructure. Qualcomm's AI research team created the software using Qualcomm's existing AI development stack already available to partners. The demo uses a 1-billion-parameter AI model and goes through 20 steps to generate the final image. It takes 15 seconds to generate a 512x512-pixel image, comparable to services like Midjourney.
Samsung Phones Gain New Protection Against Malicious Messages
Samsung today announced Message Guard, a new security feature that protects Galaxy S23 phones (which go on sale today) against zero-click attacks delivered as images in messages. Samsung will update other Galaxy phones with the feature later this year. Message Guard intercepts incoming images before they reach Samsung Messages and Messages by Google, sandboxing and inspecting the files before they can carry out an attack. Only once Message Guard ensures a file "cannot infect the rest of your device" does it become available to the messaging app for viewing (processing an image for viewing is when this kind of attack can occur.) Samsung also committed to extending Message Guard to third party messaging apps "at a later date".
Samsung One UI 5.1 Brings New Features to Older Galaxy S Phones
Samsung has started rolling out an OS update that brings several key features of the new S23 series to older high-end models such as the Galaxy S22, S21, and S20 series. The update is also rolling out for the S21 FE, S20 FE, Z Fold4, and Z Flip4, and soon the Z Fold3 and Z Flip3. The One UI 5.1 update adds Expert RAW features as part of the Galaxy Camera app, bringing new pro-level options and a new Photo Remaster tool. (Only higher-end models will get this feature.) Samsung Notes with Google Meet offers new real-time collaboration tools. The update also includes new connectivity and integration features with Galaxy Book laptops. There's also a new weather widget, and "Modes and Routines have expanded to enable custom wallpapers, ringtones, touch sensitivity and fonts".
Qualcomm's Next 5G Modem Boosts Performance Across the Board
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon X75 Modem-RF System, the world's first to support 5G Advanced (3GPP release 18). It supports a number of new capabilities in the 5G standard that will improve maximum possible data speeds, and makes a number of other internal improvements to boost performance in various areas. It is the first chipset to support up to five carrier aggregation, and up to ten component carriers in mmWave. It is the first to support FDD+FDD carrier aggregation on the uplink, and FDD MIMO offers up to 50% better uplink throughput. The X75 supports more band combinations than ever, enabling more carrier aggregation (more bandwidth for higher speeds) on more networks. A new, simpler architecture (with a single transceiver for both sub-6 and mmWave) takes up 25% less space on circuit boards and offers 20% power savings. A new 2nd-generation AI processor includes the first Tensor accelerator in a 5G modem, and offers 2.5x the AI processing performance compared to the X70. The improved AI helps keep a stronger link on mmWave connections using beam management and new sensor input. It also brings up to 50% better GPS accuracy. 2nd-generation Smart Network Selection uses on-device learning to help the chip make smarter choices to maintain a connection in challenging areas such as elevators, parking garages, and subways. Naturally the X75 also supports Snapdragon Satellite technology announced recently at CES. The Snapdragon X75 is sampling now and the first X75-based devices should appear in the second half of 2023. The X75 will be integrated into the next flagship Snapdragon 8 chipset, expected in late 2023.
iOS 16.3.1 Fixes Important Security Issues
Apple has released security patches for most of its devices and OSes, including iOS, that users should install immediately. They fix several issues, including one where "processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution."
Qualcomm's Newest Chip Brings Power-Efficient 5G to Wearables
Qualcomm's new Snapdragon X35 chipset is designed to bring 5G to a wide variety of non-phone devices, including wearable devices like smartwatches, kids watches, health monitors, and XR glasses. The X35 implements NR-Light, a special flavor of the 3GPP release 17 5G standard optimized for such applications. By de-emphasizing raw data speed, NR-Light enables the X35 to be smaller, simpler, and cheaper. More importantly, the X35 is the most power-efficient modem chipset Qualcomm has ever made; it uses approximately half the power of the 4G LTE Cat. 4 chipsets it is designed to replace. Yet it still delivers faster data speeds than those chipsets, at up to 220 Mbps downlink and 100 Mbps uplink. The X35 also delivers many other benefits of 5G, including low latency, precise positioning, and 5G voice (VoNR). The X35 includes Qualcomm's advanced 5G enhancements such as envelope tracking and Smart Transmit. The X35 benefits carriers with the inherent spectral efficiency of 5G, and by supporting newer mid-band frequencies, so carriers can make better use of their whole spectrum portfolio. The X35 is also backward-compatible with 4G LTE networks. The X35 is designed for devices that can accomodate two antennae, while the X32 is a variant of the same chipset designed for single-antenna devices.
OnePlus 11 Pumps up Flagship Specs
OnePlus today launched its next flagship phone globally. The OnePlus 11 5G builds on the OnePlus 10 series with upgraded specs in most areas. It has unprecedented 80-watt fast charging in the US version (100-watt outside of US), but no wireless charging. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor supports ray-traced graphics. It's paired with up to 16 GB of LPDDR5x RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage. Simultaneous dual-band Wi-Fi makes the OnePlus 11 the first phone certified to power upcoming Snapdragon XR glasses. The 3rd-generation Hasselblad camera system includes three rear cameras (main, 2x tele, and wide), all of which have Sony sensors with 32–50 megapixel resolution. A dedicated 13-channel multi-spectral color sensor enables more accurate white balance and saturation. The camera app includes new "TurboRAW" HDR and Hasselblad portrait modes. The 6.7-inch AMOLED display has QHD+ resolution, dynamic refresh up to 120 Hz, and 10-bit color. It's certified for Dolby Vision HDR. The phone also supports Dolby Atmos and spatial audio. Its dual speakers offer 50% better bass response. The body consists of surgical-grade stainless steel and Gorilla Glass Victus. OnePlus promises four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. While the phone has good support for most 4G and sub-6 5G frequency bands used in the US, there "no plans" for the phone to be offered directly by US carriers, according to OnePlus. Pre-orders for this unlocked phone start today, with full availability February 16th. The base model — with 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage — sells for $699, while $799 gets you 16 GB RAM and 256 GB storage.
Samsung Puts its Best Camera Yet in the Galaxy S23 Ultra
Samsung has officially unveiled its new flagship phones for 2023: the Galaxy S23 series. The S23 and S23+ have modest upgrades over last year's models, while the S23 Ultra has a significantly upgraded main camera. All three models are powered by a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 "for Galaxy" chip, with an accelerated CPU and upgraded GPU compared to the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powering other flagship phones this year. Samsung will use this chip from Qualcomm in all S23 variants worldwide, instead of using its own Exynos chips in some markets as in past years. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 200 megapixel main camera, which can output full 200 megapixel images or use 16-pixel binning for very low-noise photos even in low light. An Astrophoto mode lets users capture the night sky. The main camera also has wider OIS, meaning the camera can now move up to 3 degrees to compensate for hand shake, reducing blur. All three models have an AMOLED display with adaptive refresh up to 120 Hz. On the S23 Ultra, it's a 6.8-inch panel with QHD+ resolution. The edges are curved, although the curve has been reduced compared to the S22 Ultra. The battery stays at 5,000 mAh, but Samsung claims up to 20% better battery life thanks to the more-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip. The Ultra still has an integrated stylus. All three models come with 8 GB RAM standard, although a 12 GB option is available for the Ultra. The Galaxy S23+ and Ultra both come with 256 GB storage standard, up from 128 GB last year. The Galaxy S23 and S23+ both have slightly larger batteries (an extra 200 mAh for each) and upgraded front cameras (now 12 megapixel). The design is more unified across all three models, with the Contour Cut design scrapped in favor of "floating" cameras on matte glass, with the same four color options for all three models: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender. All three feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front and back) set in an Armor Aluminum frame. Most other specs and features carry over from the last year's S22 series. This includes dedicated wide and telephoto cameras (3x tele on all, plus a second 10x tele camera on the Ultra). All three also include IP68 water rating, mmWave 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, fast charging, and two-way wireless charging. The S23+ and S23 Ultra also include UWB and faster wired charging (45W instead of 25W). Like last year, the standard and Plus models have flat FHD+ displays and 50 megapixel main cameras. The Galaxy S23 starts at $800 (128 GB storage; 256 GB also available). The Galaxy S23+ starts at $1,000 (256 GB storage; 512 GB also available). The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at $1,200 (256 GB storage; 512 GB and 1 TB also available). Pre-orders start today, with widespread availability on February 17th. Pre-orders include a free upgrade to more storage, and pre-orders through samsung.com also include a $100 credit to spend with Samsung. Samsung.com is also offering four additional exclusive colors: Lime, Graphite, Sky Blue, and Red.
Nothing Phone (2) Will Come to US
Nothing CEO Carl Pei has confirmed that the company's next phone will officially be available for the US market. "We decided to make the U.S. our No. 1 priority in terms of markets," Pei says. The company's first phone, the Nothing Phone (1), has a distinctive pattern of functional light-up elements on the back, but was only sold in Europe and Asia. Even imported, it did not have good support for the frequency bands used by US networks. The Phone (2) will not only support US networks, but be certified by US carriers. The new phone will be "more premium" and launch in late 2023.
Samsung's New Flagship Phones Coming Next Week
Samsung will hold its next Unpacked event next week, on February 1st. The winter Unpacked is usually when the company reveals its next flagship phones, expected to be the Galaxy S23 series. Samsung is offering a $50 store credit to people who place a reservation for a pre-order before February 1st. The credit is toward any additional purchase when placing the pre-order for a phone, not a discount on the phone itself. Samsung will live-stream the event at 10am PT on Wednesday.
Metro's Latest Entry-Level Phone is the TCL ION X
This Thursday, Metro by T-Mobile will start selling the TCL ION X for $119 (for new customers). This entry-level 4G phone has a 13 megapixel camera with automatic scene recognition. It also has a 6-inch display, 3,000 mAh battery, and a headset jack. The MediaTek Helio G25 chipset is paired with 3 GB of RAM. The 32 GB of internal storage can be augmented with up to 512 GB of additional storage via memory card. TCL also recently launched the ION Z with Cricket and US Cellular. The ION Z has even lower-end specs.
