Samsung has issued an update to the Galaxy S7 series.
The update for the 2016 flagships simply brings the September 2020 security patch.
Samsung announced earlier this year that it will be delivering three generations of Android version updates to a variety of devices. Unfortunately, the oldest phones and tablets included in this pledge only date back to 2019.
So we’re quite surprised to see the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge now receiving an update, according to SamMobile and users on Reddit. This isn’t an Android version update unfortunately, but rather the September 2020 security patch.
It’s still a noteworthy move for an Android OEM to update a phone line that’s well over four years old though. In fact, the Galaxy S7 series was dropped from the list of phones receiving even quarterly security updates, with the Galaxy S8 series being the oldest S series flagship still getting security patches. Presumably Samsung is throwing a bone to S7 owners or the patch simply fixed a critical vulnerability.
In any event, the update itself weighs in at 69MB according to a screenshot posted on Reddit, and is apparently hitting devices in Canada and the UK.
Samsung isn’t the only brand to offer updates to ageing devices in 2020 either. Huawei reportedlyupdated its 2015-era Mate 8 and 2016-era P9 earlier this year, delivering a security patch and smart charging feature to reduce battery degradation. Hopefully this becomes a trend of sorts for even more devices and brands.
We’re firmly in the age of big smartphones with big displays and there aren’t many compact device options left for Android fans. Yes, we now have devices with roomy screens and massive batteries, but some users just want a phone that’s comfortable to use.
Even for Android users, the iPhone 12 Mini was a breath of fresh air. And with the rumored early launches of the OnePlus 9 line and Samsung Galaxy S30 series, we asked Android Authority readers in two recent polls whether each firm should launch mini variants of their own. Here’s what you told us.
Would you like to see a Galaxy S30 Mini?
Two polls, two manufacturers, and two completely different sets of opinions. Let’s talk about the latter first. The poll results are as one-sided as you’ll see on Android Authority. A massive 88.3% of voters want Samsung to launch a Galaxy S30 Mini or an equivalent compact flagship. Just 11.7% of users are against this idea.
For Samsung, it wouldn’t be breaking new ground either. The firm has launched mini flagships before – remember the Galaxy S5 Mini? More recently, the Galaxy S10e proved that compact flagships can coexist with larger devices. We loved the Galaxy S10e, but a phone that should’ve been an easy sell fetched the lowest demand in the S10 lineup. Arguably, it’s a chief reason why we didn’t see a Galaxy S20e and probably why the Galaxy S20 FE took its place instead.
Should there be a small OnePlus 9?
Samsung’s skepticism is matched by voters on our OnePlus 9 poll. Unlike Samsung fans who are convinced the firm should debut a Galaxy S30 Mini, readers are more hesitant about a OnePlus 9 Mini. 51% of voters believe that there should be a small OnePlus 9 variant, with a 49% portion voting against this. Although it’s much closer than the Samsung poll, it’s still a vote in favor of a small form factor.
We should remember that smaller phones do have their tradeoffs. Constrained by dimensions, manufacturers would need to either fit a smaller battery or increase the phone’s thickness to compensate. Our readers believe battery life is the one thing going against smaller phones, and even Redmi agrees.
Despite this, the Mini gives potential iPhone 12 buyers more options. With screen sizes ranging from 6.68-inches to 5.4-inches, there’s an option for almost every user. It’s this variety that some Android device lines sorely miss, and you tend to agree.
Here’s what you had to say
Guy_Jorgen_Gold: The smaller form factor and the fast charging are the most important to me.
bjrg: Small phone is a possibility now since Apple has come up with one.
Dahlia Samar: You’re glancing over at the battery life which I’d argue, is the single most important factor to consider when making or buying a phone as small as the 12 mini. I’m currently using the s10e and the battery life is bad, and this isn’t coming from a ‘power user’ point of view.
Lucible: I’m an S10e user and I honestly don’t know what I’ll buy next. I want a small, fairly high-end device (small hands and I want to be able to use a phone one-handed when necessary) but I’m not interested in migrating back to the Apple ecosystem. An S30e would be ideal.
pda96: Samsung is sorely missing a 5.8″ phone in its lineup. Not everyone wants a huge phone.
DrcspyNz: Sony did the mini phones long ago and they were very good. Another foolish marketing decision when they stopped making them.
That’s it for this double poll! Thanks to everyone who voted and commented on each. If you have any further comments about a Galaxy S30 Mini, a OnePlus 9 Mini, or the results of either poll, be sure to drop a line below.
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We first heard about the LG Wing in the first half of the year, with murmurings that the firm was working on a whacky form factor. The idea of a phone with a smaller, second screen that pops out from the back sounded really outlandish, but it’s real and it’s finally here.
What should you expect from this offbeat smartphone? And is it a one trick pony or does it have much more to offer? Here’s what you should know about the LG Wing.
Editor’s note: This LG Wing buyer’s guide is current as of October 2020. We will regularly update it with new content.
LG Wing: At a glance
Credit: Supplied by LG
The LG Wing is the first phone in the manufacturer’s Explorer Project, promising innovative designs in the smartphone space. Of course, the dominant design feature here is the second screen that pops out from the back to sit at a perpendicular angle to the main screen. But another noteworthy design decision is a 32MP pop-up selfie camera, hidden at the top of the rear half.
Meanwhile, the LG Wing’s core specs are a Snapdragon 765G chipset with 5G, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 4,000mAh battery. The chipset in particular isn’t quite flagship-level, but LG is hoping that the camera experience is.
The Wing packs a rather interesting rear camera setup, featuring a 64MP main camera, 13MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 12MP “Ultra Wide Big Pixel” camera. LG says you also have a “Gimbal Motion Camera” feature which allows you to use the second screen as a grip and delivers a suite of capabilities to the 12MP camera.
Some of the touted photo/video capabilities in this regard include a “joystick” for controlling the camera angle, a lock mode to reduce blur and judder, follow functionality for smoother video when on the go, a pan follow mode for horizontal movement, and a “first person view mode” for “rhythmic and dynamic” movements.
The phone can be used in a so-called Basic mode or in the Swivel mode, with the former seeing the 3.9-inch second screen hidden away and operating like a normal phone. Pop out the screen for Swivel mode and LG says certain apps can be used across both screens or two apps can be used at once (one on each screen).
One early pre-release clip showed the main screen being used for GPS navigation while the second screen handled a call and music. A second pre-release video showed a racing game being played on the main screen and the game’s track layout on the smaller screen. LG also gave the example of watching a video on the main screen while texting on the second display, or watching a video on the big display and getting media controls on the small screen.
There’s no word on the number of apps that currently support the LG Wing, but we will hopefully see adoption improve over time. For what it’s worth, the LG Second Screen accessory hasn’t seen much adoption from developers.
LG is also offering a Multi App feature that echoes a similar feature seen on the Galaxy Fold and Surface Duo lines. This will allow you to create a shortcut to quickly launch a desired pair of apps. If you want to watch a local video while browsing the web, you could theoretically create a shortcut to open your video player and browser in one go.
LG has focused on durability too, saying that the hinge mechanism should last for 200,000 swivels. This is equivalent to just over 100 motions daily for five years, LG says. It’s also added a special material to the back of the main screen to protect the second screen from being scratched and to enable smoother pop-outs.
LG Wing specs
LG Wing
Display
Main:
6.8-inch OLED
2,460 x 1,080 resolution
20.5:9 screen ratio
60Hz refresh rate
Secondary:
3.9-inch OLED
1,240 x 1,080 resolution
1.15:1 screen ratio
60Hz refresh rate
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
GPU
Qualcomm Adreno 620
RAM
8GB
Storage
128/256GB
Expandable with microSD card (up to 2TB)
Front (pop-up):
32MP sensor, ƒ/1.9 aperture, 0.8μm pixels
Connectivity
5G (both mmWave and Sub-6)
Wi-Fi 5
Bluetooth 5.1
NFC
Durability
IP54 certified
Protected from limited dust ingress
Protected from water spray from any direction
Operating System
Android 10
Audio
LG 3D Sound Engine
No 3.5mm port
Dimensions and weight
169.5 x 74.5 x 10.9mm
260g
Colors
Aurora Gray, Illusion Sky
LG Wing competition and alternatives
The LG Wing is unlike any other phone we’ve seen yet, so finding alternatives to it might be a tough endeavor.
In saying so, the Microsoft Surface Duo is similarly unique, while also offering two separate screens. The big difference here is that the Surface Duo offers two equally sized screens in a book-like arrangement, as opposed to the Wing’s big screen/little screen setup. Still, you’re also getting the ability to run an app on each screen or one app across both screens. You’re also getting the aforementioned app pair functionality to launch two specific apps at once. The Surface Duo’s $1,400 price tag and anemic spec sheet (no 5G, NFC, wireless charging, or multiple cameras) might be major deal breakers though.
Another potential LG Wing alternative is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2, also offering multitasking capabilities and two screens (a smartphone display on the outside and a tablet-sized screen on the inside). Toss in a 120Hz refresh rate for the main screen, nifty Flex Mode functionality, and capable cameras, and you’ve got a great foldable. Unfortunately, this comes at a cost of $2,000.
There's nothing really like the LG Wing, with other foldables and the LG V60 perhaps coming closest.
The LG V60 (seen above) could also be up your alley if you’re looking for a full-featured smartphone with an interesting trick up its sleeve. Like other recent LG flagships, the V60 has a Second Screen accessory that gives you a dual-screen foldable experience. This isn’t quite as polished and pocket-friendly as the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but you still have the ability to run an app on each screen or one across both displays. Best of all, it’s available for around $900 in the US, making it much cheaper than the aforementioned Samsung and Microsoft devices.
Like the idea of the LG Wing’s gimbal camera functionality but don’t care for the second screen? Then the Vivo X50 Pro might be for you, packing a micro-gimbal system on its 48MP main camera. This allows for “incredible” low light images according to our own Dhruv Bhutani, while also offering “exemplary” video quality. It’s packing the same chipset as the Wing, but also delivers two telephoto cameras (2x and 5x), a 90Hz OLED screen, and a slightly bigger battery. The X50 Pro retails for ~$680 in India, but there’s no word on European pricing/availability just yet.
Pricing and availability
The LG Wing came to the US via Verizon first on October 15, retailing for $999.99 and packing mmWave 5G support as well. AT&T has announced that the new smartphone will be launching via its network on November 6 for $1,050. T-Mobile has also confirmed that it will be offering the Wing, although no details have been revealed just yet.
LG confirmed Korean pricing on September 22 (h/t: Korea Herald), coming in at 1,098,900 won (~$944).
Top LG Wing questions and answers
Credit: Supplied by LG
Q: Does the LG Wing have a 3.5mm port?
A: Unfortunately, the LG Wing lacks a 3.5mm port. This means it’s quite possibly the first LG flagship without the port. The firm also says that it lacks quad DAC audio hardware as a result.
Q: Does LG’s new phone support wireless charging?
A: Yes, the Wing packs support for wireless charging. In addition to wireless charging, the phone also supports the Quick Charge 4 Plus wired standard.
Q: Does the LG Wing support storage expansion?
A: The phone packs plenty of storage, but it also supports microSD expansion up to 2TB if you really need more space.
Q: How much internal storage is available on the phone?
A: The Wing packs 128GB or 256GB of internal storage.
Q: Does the gimbal feature work with all rear cameras?
A: No, this feature is only available on the 12MP “Ultra Wide Big Pixel” camera.
Q: Is the LG Wing water resistant?
A: The Wing packs an IP54 rating, which means it’s splash-resistant. You don’t want to immerse it in water though, as it lacks the IP67 and IP68 ratings we see on water-resistant devices.
Q: What colorways are available for the LG Wing?
A: The phone is available in Aurora Gray and Illusion Sky.
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Update: October 28, 2020 (1:40 AM ET): After the first Android 11 stable build rolled out earlier this month, OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro users can now grab a new beta version of OxygenOS 11.
Open Beta 3 brings a number of system fixes, always-on Canvas mode to the phones’ Ambient Display, and the October security patch.
Those currently running an Open Beta version of Oxygen OS 11 will receive this build as an OTA. Before updating, make sure the battery level on your phone is above 30% and a minimum of 3GB storage is available to download the latest build. OnePlus also warns that beta software, by nature, comes with its potential risks.
You can view the complete changelog for the new update below.
System
Optimized the UI smoothness of Call
Optimized background process management mechanism to improve sandy-by performance
Fixed the issue that text was blocked in some games
Optimized the issue that input text was blocked in some games
Improved system stability and fixed general issues
Updated Android Security Patch to 2020.10
Ambient Display
Optimized the animation effect with Canvas, making the unlock experience smoother
Fixed the low probability issue that system settings interface stopped running when Zen Mode turned on
What else would you like to see from OnePlus 8 series updates in the future? Let us know in the comments!
Welcome to the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro update hub. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about the latest Android updates for the two devices, including their current versions and when future updates are likely to arrive.
Both the 8 and 8 Pro run OxygenOS, OnePlus’ proprietary Android skin. OxygenOS is known for fast updates that come for a very long time, so be sure to bookmark this page and visit often.
OnePlus 8 ProKiller flagship
OnePlus is all grown up. With the OnePlus 8 Pro, you get an unabashed flagship, with all the bells and whistles. Powerful specs, an amazing display, fast wireless charging, and water resistance make the OnePlus 8 Pro a great alternative to the Galaxy S20 Plus, and it's up to $300 cheaper.
The OnePlus 8 sticks to the formula that has made OnePlus so successful. It gets you the latest processing package, a versatile camera, and a beautiful display, running the smooth Oxygen OS. You miss out on wireless charging and the official IP rating, but for what it offers the OnePlus 8 is an attractive deal.
When will the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro get Android 12? October 2021 (estimated)
The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro launched on April 14, 2020. Both launched with the latest version of Android out-of-the-box: Android 10. We expect both devices to receive at least two major Android updates in the future — Android 11 in 2020 and Android 12 in 2021.
Days after the phones launched, OnePlus rolled out the Oxygen OS 10.5.4 update for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. It was a minor update, but brought Google’s Live Caption feature to the phones. It also enhanced support for the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z earbuds, optimized the cameras and fingerprint sensor, improved system stability, and more.
However, a bunch of users started reporting the appearance of a green tint on the displays of their phones. Some also reported a black crush issue which made dark areas of the screen lose detail.
OnePlus then rolled out Oxygen OS 10.5.5 for both the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. The update sort of fixed the green tint problem for some, but the black crush issue remained.
The changelog was also tight-lipped about the display problems. The only indication on it related to the display was a pointer noting “optimized the display effects,” which doesn’t clearly mean the green tint or black crush issue.
In early May, OnePlus rolled out Oxygen OS 10.5.6.IN11AA for the OnePlus 8 Pro and 10.5.5.IN21AA for the OnePlus 8. The changelog didn’t clearly verify a fix for the display problems on the OnePlus 8 Pro, but mentioned general system, camera, and network improvements.
However, some users who received this update weren’t too happy with it. A user on Reddit said that the update fixed the green tint issue on the OnePlus 8 Pro when DC Dimming was switched on, but it reappears when DC Dimming was switched off. Another user on OnePlus forums reports that the camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro became worse after the update and resulted in images showing random flares.
On May 29, OnePlus reportedly started rolling out an update to disable the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro, not just in China, but globally. The move came after it was recently discovered that the gimmicky color filter camera on the back of the OnePlus 8 Pro can be used as a sort of X-ray camera. The update was attached to Oxygen OS 10.5.9.
The aforementioned update was short-lived though, as the firm then pulled it and confirmed to Android Police that it was an accidental roll-out.
On June 4, OnePlus rolled out a heavy update for the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro. It added HEVC encoding to the phones allowing users to record videos at the same quality as the legacy H.264 codec while consuming far less storage. It also added a bunch of system optimizations, the May security patch, and more.
It also reinstated the “X-ray vision” capabilities of the color filter camera on the OnePlus 8 Pro. OnePlus had accidentally removed the controversial feature with an update in May. So if you happened to install the OnePlus 8 Pro update that disabled the feature, you can simply apply this OTA to get it back.
The OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro received the August 2020 security patch, optimizations for the 16MP selfie camera, some bug fixes, and system stability improvements in the August update.
Early adopters were given the option to install Open Beta 1 of Oxygen OS based on Android 11 in September, closely followed by the release of Open Beta 2. The beta versions brought a number of UI tweaks to the system as well as improvements to the ambient display, Game Space, Zen Mode, and Dark Mode.
In mid-October, a new stable version of Oxygen OS 11 rolled out improving the phones’ Ambient Display, Dark Mode, Zen Mode, and Gallery app. Tweaks to Game Space and general system fixes also arrived.
Android 10
Android 11
OnePlus 8
Current
TBA
OnePlus 8 Pro
Current
TBA
Let us know which OnePlus 8/8 Pro update you’re rocking in the comments, and if you’ve spotted a recent update we’ve missed, tip us!
Are you looking for another device update? Head to our general Android 10 update tracker at the link.
According to a new report, Huawei can buy displays from Samsung now.
The company could previously buy displays from BOE, so this doesn’t change much for day-to-day operations.
This is the first spot of good news related to the Huawei ban in quite a while.
The United States government’s ban on Huawei prevents the company from buying components from multiple major distributors. However, it looks like the US has given one component-maker the greenlight: Samsung Display.
According to Yonhap News(via SamMobile), Samsung’s display division can now sell OLED smartphone panels to Huawei. It’s not yet clear when or how Samsung earned this approval from the US government, as the Huawei ban’s statutes previously prevented this.
This likely won’t change much for Huawei’s situation, though. The company never lost access to BOE when it comes to display panels, so it didn’t necessarily need Samsung. However, Samsung is world-renown for its display quality, which is helpful for Huawei. Additionally, Huawei displays coming from multiple sources is always good for product integrity.
Regardless, this is good news for Huawei at a time when good news is hard to come by.
Huawei displays coming from Samsung
The Huawei ban is built on the idea that the company could use its products for spying on other nations. Considering it would be incredibly difficult to use a smartphone display alone for that, it makes sense that the US would allow Samsung to deal with Huawei for those products.
Unfortunately, what Huawei really needs is a company with which it can work to develop chipsets. With every major distributor blocked by the Huawei ban — except MediaTek, for now — Huawei can’t produce its Kirin chipsets any longer. This will make it incredibly difficult for Huawei to produce smartphones at all. Even if it can, they won’t be much like the Huawei phones we are used to.
Perhaps this news related to Samsung supplying Huawei displays is a sign that the tide is turning. Huawei could sure use some more good news.
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Fxtec has unveiled the Pro1-X, a keyboard phone that runs Android, Ubuntu, and even LineageOS.
It’s still using a Snapdragon 835 chip, however.
You can back the Indiegogo campaign for $499 or £386.
As a rule, you don’t really have a choice for operating systems for your phone. You don’t have access to a desktop-class OS if you run Android, for example, but you also won’t have the apps or simplicity of Android if you use a conventional Linux flavor. Fxtec wants to give you the option, however — it’s upgrading the Pro1 with the crowdfunded Pro1-X, an updated version of its keyboard phone with the choices of running Android, LineageOS, or Ubuntu Touch “out of the box.”
The team-up between Fxtec and XDA Developers promises more flexibility than you might be used to from a phone. Ubuntu lets you run a full-fledged Linux desktop environment when you connect the phone to a monitor, mouse, and keyboard. This is also the first phone to ship with LineageOS, according to Fxtec, giving you a ‘purer’ take on Android with more control over apps and privacy.
Credit: Fxtec
The Pro1-X will be familiar if you’ve seen its predecessor, and that may represent a mixed bag for some. The highlight is a slide-out, five-row keyboard to help with long emails and work. You still have to use the aging Snapdragon 835 chip, though, and the 5.99-inch 1080p curved AMOLED screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 3 rather than Victus. You do get 8GB of RAM, 256GB of expandable storage, a 3,200mAh battery, two 12MP rear cameras, and a 8MP front cam for video chats.
You can back the Indiegogo campaign for the Pro1-X now for $499 (£386 in the UK). It’s expected to ship in March 2021 if the project meets its funding goal.
Will this change your stance on Fxtec’s design? Not necessarily. Like the original Pro1, the X will likely appeal most to hardware keyboard loyalists. You can get similarly priced phones that are faster and take better photos. Support for LineageOS and Ubuntu may broaden the audience for the phone, though, whether you want more control over Android (but don’t want to install LineageOS yourself) or like the thought of a phone that doubles as a PC.
