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Made by Google Pixel 10 Event Watch Party: Watch the New Phone Reveals With Us Tomorrow
Gaming Gear

Made by Google Pixel 10 Event Watch Party: Watch the New Phone Reveals With Us Tomorrow

by admin


The Pixel 10 series will get its big reveal on Wednesday, and you can watch the Made by Google event right alongside CNET’s editors.

Starting at 12:30 p.m. ET (9:30 a.m. PT), the Pixel 10 watch party will kick off on CNET’s YouTube channel. Hosts Bridget Carey and Iyaz Akhtar will review and analyze details and rumors about the Pixel 10. 

Preshow guests include CNET Managing Editor Patrick Holland, who will share what we already know about the Pixel 10 (Google’s been openly teasing the phone line for weeks). Minutes before the event begins, Senior Editor Mike Sorrentino will call in from the show floor.

Next comes the Made by Google event, which starts at 10 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on our livestream. 

When the Made by Google event wraps, our post-show begins with CNET Senior Editor Abrar Al-Heeti and Mashable’s Timothy Beck Werth calling in to discuss all the reveals.

Want to join our show? You can leave questions or comments using the live chat on CNET’s YouTube page. 

CNET is also running a Pixel 10 live blog throughout the event, and you can check out every Pixel 10 rumor we’ve heard so far.

Don’t miss any of CNET’s unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome.

Watch this: What We Expect From the Made by Google Pixel 10 Event

07:11



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Blackview BV7300
Product Reviews

Blackview BV7300 rugged phone review

by admin



Why you can trust TechRadar


We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Blackview BV7300: 30-second review

Blackview is a thriving technology brand that initially specialised in rugged outdoor phones designed to support rugged lifestyles and survive demanding and challenging environments. Over the years, Blackview has expanded its product range to include mainstream smartphones, smartwatches, earphones, tablets, and laptops.

The Blackview BV7300 is a rugged smartphone designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals who need a durable and reliable device. It features a reinforced frame and textured back for a secure grip, making it both tough and stylish. The BV7300 is equipped with dual camping lights and a 20MP night vision camera, ensuring safety and visibility in low-light conditions. Its super-large 15000mAh battery supports 45W fast charging, providing long-lasting power for extended use.

The device runs on Android 14 with DokeOS 4.0, offering a smooth and personalised user experience. With up to 18GB RAM and 256GB ROM, the BV7300 delivers powerful performance for various tasks. Additionally, it boasts IP68 and IP69K ratings for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810H certification for durability in extreme environments.

The BV7300’s weaknesses include an odd low-resolution screen and a limitation to 4G comms, not 5G. And at 528g, this is a bulky phone to use for everyday use.

It is unlikely to be our top choice for rugged smartphones, but it offers excellent value for those who occasionally venture into challenging environments.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300: price and availability

  • How much does it cost? $280/£166
  • When is it out? Available globally
  • Where can you get it? Direct from the maker or via an online retailer

Available directly from the maker’s own shop, the asking price is £166 in the UK and $279.99 for US customers, making it a substantially better deal in those countries that don’t apply tariffs to Chinese goods.

If bought via Amazon.com and with a coupon applied, it can be had for only $219.99, but the standard price is $249.99. UK customers can get it via Amazon for £170.

For those willing to wait for AliExpress to deliver, it can be found for less than £150 or $195.

Typically, I’d mention another phone that uses the same platform as the BV7300, but alas, it’s almost unique to this device. The only other Android device using the G81 SoC is the Oukitel RT3 Pro tablet.

Based on the specification, this is a decent phone for what is the bargain basement end of recent rugged phones

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300: Specs

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Item

Spec

Model

BV7300

Processor (SoC)

MediaTek Helio G81 (12nm), Octa-core (2×2.0GHz Cortex-A75 + 6×1.8GHz Cortex-A55)

GPU

Mali-G52 MC2

RAM

6GB (expandable up to 18GB with virtual RAM)

Storage

256GB eMMC 5.1

Expandable Storage

microSDXC (up to 2TB, shared SIM slot)

Display

6.67″ IPS LCD, 720×1604 pixels, 90Hz refresh rate, 700 nits brightness

Rear Cameras

50MP (Samsung S5KJN1, f/1.8, PDAF) + 20MP (Sony IMX376 night vision, f/2.0)

Front Camera

32MP Galaxycore GC32E1

Video Recording

1080p @ 30fps (front and rear)

Operating System

Android 14 with DokeOS 4.0

Connectivity

Dual SIM (Nano), Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, FM radio

Wireless Networking

Dual Bands: 2.4G/5.0GHz,802.11 ab/g’n/ac, BT 5.3

2G Bands

850/900/1800900(B2/B3/B5/88)

3G Bands

WCDMA: B1/B2/B4/B5/B8

4G Bands LTE-FDD

81/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B17/B19/B20B26/B28A/B28B/B66

4G Bands LTE-TTD

B40/B41/B38

Ports

USB Type-C (no 3.5mm headphone jack)

Sensors

Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Flashlight

800-lumen dedicated flood flashlight

Battery

15,000mAh Li-Po, 45W wired charging, 7W reverse wired charging

Durability

IP68/IP69K water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810H compliant

Build Materials

Polycarbonate, TPU, Aluminium alloy

Dimensions

186.2 × 85 × 24 mm

Weight

528g

Blackview BV7300: design

  • Built to last
  • Large camping light
  • No headphone jack

Blackview devices often feature sharp lines, reinforced corners, and textured surfaces that evoke a tool-like toughness. They look like they belong in a toolbox as much as a backpack. And, the BV7300 is no exception.

It has metal sides and buttons that, together with the rubberised bumpers, reinforce the rugged identity. These style aspects aren’t just decorative; they are a signal of durability, and this phone was made to operate in harsh environments.

The button layout is by-the-numbers, with the volume rockers and fingerprint-reading power button on the right, and the user-definable function button on the left.

In addition, the left side is also where the SIM tray resides, and it’s one where you can use two Nano SIMs or one and a MicroSD card for additional storage.

The rear mounts the two cameras near the top and relatively central, making them easy to aim, but the majority of the back is taken up with a substantial camping LED.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

To diverge for a moment, many phones these days come with a substantial metal label stuck to them. This details the model, spec, IMEI number, serial number and various standards that the maker wishes to acknowledge. Do you leave these on, or do you peel them off?

Until now, I’ve always left them on, as the information might be necessary at some point and locating it could be crucial.

Why am I mentioning this? On the BV7300, the label is slapped over half of the camping LED, and therefore, it needs to be removed if you want to use that feature. I chose to leave it in place for my photographs, but if I were to use this device in anger, it would need to be removed.

The use of the back with the dual-element LED lamp also negates the possibility of wireless charging, but with a battery this big, that probably wasn’t a possibility.

What this design lacks is a headphone jack, although you could use an adapter with the USB-C port if you own one.

As is often the case with Blackview hardware, the BV7300 sells its robust credentials confidently and doesn’t stray away from the feature set that most of its customers expect.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4/5

Blackview BV7300: hardware

  • MediaTek Dimensity 7300
  • Odd resolution display
  • 15000 mAh battery

The MediaTek Helio G81 is a mid-range SoC introduced in August 2024, designed primarily for budget-friendly Android smartphones with a focus on gaming and multimedia performance.

It has an older brother, the G80, that has basic AI features, and this chip added Enhanced AI (MediaTek NeuroPilot, Android NNAPI support), allegedly. It also sports  EIS (electronic image stabilisation), along with support for a 120Hz display. The makers, Mediatek, have also added the Helio G85, which is remarkably similar to the G81 used in this phone.

All the G8X series use dual A75 performance cores combined with six A55 efficiency cores to deliver both power and long battery life. They also all use the Mali-G52 MP2 GPU, which isn’t especially powerful, but is good enough for smooth video playback.

It’s a solid choice for rugged phones and budget gaming handsets, offering a good balance of efficiency and features without pushing into premium territory.

One potential improvement could be that this chip uses a 12nm FinFET (TSMC), whereas the latest Dimensity chips use 6nm and even 4nm. That limits how far its efficiency can go, and it also has a capped bandwidth by using LPDDR4x 1800Mhz memory.

But this chip does support a screen with a 2520 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, but unfortunately, that wasn’t what Blackview gave the BV7300.

The 6.67-inch IPS LCD has the curious resolution of 720 x 1604 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate and a 700 nits brightness. That means it can’t display 1080p video at its full quality, and that includes the video captured by the primary camera.

If neither the screen nor the SoC are the star of this show, what is? Possibly the battery, which has a capacity of 15000mAh, is mostly responsible for this phone weighing more than 500g.

If you aren’t put off by such a bulky device, that’s plenty of battery capacity, and it can be shared with other devices using reverse charging.

When we get to the benchmarking, it will become evident that those comments are foreshadowing, in many respects.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300: cameras

  • 50MP and 20MP sensors on the rear
  • 32MP on the front
  • Three cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The Blackview BV7300 has three cameras:

Rear camera: 50MP Samsung JN1 primary, 20MP Sony IMX376 Night Vision
Front camera: 32MP Galaxycore GC32E1-WA1XA

I wasn’t expecting much considering the cost of this camera and its inevitably tight production budget. But the 50MP Samsung JN1 primary is a workmanlike sensor that, in good lighting conditions, can deliver some decent quality images.

I’d recommend that, unlike me, you disable the AI and HDR functionality, as it tends to oversaturate the colours to the point of making some captures pop-art.

The JN1 is a decent, if now slightly old, Samsung sensor that uses pixel-binning to create generally good 13MP captures from its 50MP source data.

Its limitation is that it isn’t great in low-light conditions, resulting in blurry and grainy results. Blackview’s answer to that was to make the second sensor the 20MP Sony IMX376, which is a specialist Night Vision camera.

What’s mildly confusing is that within the Android camera app, there are ‘Night’ and ‘Night Vision’ modes, with the first being an AI-enhanced EIS mode that uses the Samsung JN1 but longer exposure times.

Electronic Image Stabilisation (EIS) is a technology used in the context of the MediaTek Helio G81 System on Chip (SoC) to reduce blurriness and shakiness in videos and images. EIS works by using software algorithms to compensate for small movements and vibrations during video recording or photography. This is particularly useful for handheld shooting, where even slight hand movements can cause noticeable shake in the footage.

While EIS helps, it’s not the same as optical stabilisation, and the results are a bit mixed. If you truly want to take images in low light, the MX376 is a much better choice as it uses IR flash to bathe even the darkest locations in light that the sensor can see and generate an image from. It’s only B&W, and the images are in 20.2MP resolution.

Using this mode, you should be able to capture nocturnal creatures if you turn the screen brightness down and stay quiet enough that your presence isn’t an issue.

As a camera system, the BV7300 is better than I expected, but it’s also worth noting that it is a budget device. So you get a Pro mode, panoramas, time-lapse, document shooting and even AR stickers. But equally, the best video resolution is ‘high’, which translates into 1080p when you’ve recorded something.

When you consider that the Samsung ISOCELL JN1 is capable of 4K at 30fps, that’s an intentional omission.

It’s normal at this point in my phone reviews to moan that the makers only support Widevine L3 video encryption, reducing the quality of streaming to only 480P from most of the big streaming brands.

However, since the best resolution this display can support is only 720p, it’s probably not an issue in the greater scheme of things.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300 Camera samples

Image 1 of 16

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300: performance

  • Not 3D game-friendly GPU
  • Decent battery performance

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Phone

Header Cell – Column 1

Blackview BV7300

Doogee Fire 6 Power

SoC

Row 0 – Cell 1

Mediaktek Helio G81

Unisoc T606

GPU

Row 1 – Cell 1

Mali-G52 MP2

Mali G57 MP1

Mem

Row 2 – Cell 1

N/A

N/A

NPU

Row 3 – Cell 1

6GB/256GB

8GB/256GB

Weight

Row 4 – Cell 1

528g

430g

Battery

Row 5 – Cell 1

15000

15500

Geekbench

Single

446

391

Row 7 – Cell 0

Multi

1469

1368

Row 8 – Cell 0

OpenCL

218

460

Row 9 – Cell 0

Vulkan

361

461

GFX

Aztec Open Normal

5.5

5.5

Row 11 – Cell 0

Aztec Vulkan Norm.

4.8

4.8

Row 12 – Cell 0

Car Chase

3.2

5.4

Row 13 – Cell 0

Manhattan 3.1

4.9

8.8

PCMark

3.0 Score

7391

7790

Row 15 – Cell 0

Battery

30h 40m

31h 18m

Charge 30

%

16

13

Passmark

Score

6767

6289

Row 18 – Cell 0

CPU

3268

2947

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

789

1479

Row 20 – Cell 0

Slingshot Ex. OGL

490

985

Row 21 – Cell 0

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

504

976

Row 22 – Cell 0

Wildlife

226

432

Row 23 – Cell 0

Nomad Lite

N/A

49

It wasn’t easy to find a phone I’d reviewed recently that was comparable to the BV7300, because most that use the Helio G99 or one of the Dimensity series MediaTek SoCs are significantly more powerful than the G81 used here.

Eventually, I chose the Doogee Fire 6 Power, and its underwhelming Unisoc T606 SoC to be something to compare.

Performance-wise, these phones are closely matched, both in CPU and GPU speeds, and neither is a phone you would pick to play 3D games on.

What ultimately divides them is that the BV7300 only comes with 6GB of RAM, and the Nomad Lite test refuses to run with less than 8GB. And, I did try RAM expansion mode, and that 3D Mark test wants real memory, not mapped storage.

Where both phones excel is in respect of battery capacity and running time, with the Fire 6 being a little better because it has 500mAh more battery at its disposal. I worked out the running time per mAh, and the Blackview has a tiny advantage, although it’s also nearly 100g heavier for that win.

Overall, this isn’t a phone that anyone wanting high performance would gravitate towards, but if you want a rugged phone that can take reasonable pictures and last at least four working days without a recharge, then the Blackview BV7300 might be for you.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Blackview BV7300: Final verdict

Looking for an affordable phone that can withstand some abuse, whether on holiday, a building site, or in the jungle? Then the Blackview BV7300 might fit the bill.

There isn’t much about this phone that stands out, other than perhaps the battery life and the price, but for some, having a phone that can get wet and be dropped and still work is the critical requirement.

The BV7300 ticks that box, even if it makes it less than lightweight, and in a company scenario, you are unlikely to take flak for going over-budget.

Should I buy a Blackview BV7300?

Swipe to scroll horizontallyBlackview BV7300 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Cheap and chunky

4/5

Design

Heavy, but designed to take abuse

4/5

Hardware

MediaTek Helio G81, odd screen, big battery

4/5

Camera

Two rear sensors but only 1080p video

3.5/5

Performance

Budget phone performance but good battery life

3.5/5

Overall

A practical device if you don’t mind the weight

4/5

Buy it if…

Don’t buy it if…

Also Consider

For more durable devices, we’ve reviewed all the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

Blackview BV7300: Price Comparison



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The Methaphone Is a Phone (That’s Not a Phone) to Help You Stop Using Your Phone
Gaming Gear

The Methaphone Is a Phone (That’s Not a Phone) to Help You Stop Using Your Phone

by admin


Earlier this year, Eric Antonow was in a coffee shop with his family when he felt the familiar, twitchy urge to reach for his phone. He patted his pockets for relief—the cool, thin slab was still there. He joked to his family that, like an addict jonesing for a hit, he would one day need a medical-grade solution to detox from his phone. Opioid addicts had methadone. iPhone addicts would need … methaphones.

“It was a joke, but I got two laughs from my two teenagers, which is gold,” Antonow says. “I was like, ‘I’m going to commit to the bit.’”

Antonow, a former marketing executive at Google and Facebook, has been committing to bits for half a decade, making what he calls “mindless toys.” His online shop features projects like a “listening switch” to indicate when one is paying attention, and a vinyl for silent meditation, with 20 minutes of recorded silence on each side (record player not required).

So within days of his latest joke, he had enlisted ChatGPT to mock up an image of a gadget in the shape of a phone, without all of the contents: a translucent rectangle that one could look at, or through. From that original generative sketch emerged a more realized design: a 6-inch slab of clear acrylic with rounded corners, like the iPhone, and green edges that resembled glass. Antonow placed an order for samples, and started an Indiegogo campaign for the Methaphone: to “leave your phone without the cravings or withdrawal.”

The first Methaphones were sold for $25 through a crowdfunding campaign.

Courtesy of Eric Antonow

The dilemma of the smartphone is that we all want to use our phones less, but few of us actually do. Apple and Google offered a few life preservers in 2018, in the form of self-regulation tools like screen time limits, but most of that went out the window during the pandemic years when screens became a window into the outside world. Now, a person hoping to reclaim their attention is trapped between two unappealing choices: downgrade to a minimalist “dumb phone,” or surrender to the dopamine drip-feed of infinite content. Either way, the phone wins.

In response, a cottage industry has emerged to offer detachment tools. There are apps with symbolic names, like Freedom and Focus, that block distracting content. Startups like Brick and Unpluq offer physical NFC “keys” to lock and unlock addictive apps. (Unpluq’s cofounder, Jorn Rigter, says people use the device equally to block social apps, like Instagram, and work apps, like Slack, which have become just as sticky.) There’s Yondr, a lockable pouch to prevent phone use in courtrooms and concert halls. And there’s a growing lineup of “dumb phones,” some at premium, postmodern prices.

You can buy stickers that look like app icons.

Courtesy of Eric Antonow

Unlike those solutions, the Methaphone doesn’t do much of anything. It’s more of a statement: ceci n’est pas un phone. But in a culture of technological excess, the project has resonated widely, like Ozempic in an epidemic of screen obesity.

In May, when the first batch of Methaphones arrived, Antonow sent them to a dozen friends to get their reactions. One recipient was Catherine Goetze, who quickly posted a video about the Methaphone to her 400,000 followers on TikTok. In the video, Goetze is standing in line at a San Francisco boba shop, hunched over just like everyone else—but instead of scrolling her phone, she’s scrolling … a slab of clear acrylic. Commenters went wild with speculation. Was it a Nokia prototype? A Black Mirror trailer? Within five days, the video had more than 53 million views.

After Goetze’s video, Antonow says the Methaphone “massively sold out.” (He had initially ordered a run of 100 units, sold as a limited release, for $25.) While he plans to restock, he says the future of the Methaphone is less about individual purchases than larger-scale experiments—say, a restaurant that offers a Methaphone on the menu so that people can dine without distractions. Phones are more than just portals to other people, they’re portals to another dimension. “So the counterbalance also needs to be more important than just, ‘Oh, I need to remember not to use my phone at the table,’” he says.





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Alex Cranz
Product Reviews

The golden Trump Phone is almost certainly not made in the US

by admin


Not content with a real estate empire and the presidency of the United States, the Trump family is wading into the phone wars like it’s 2011 with a shiny gold monstrosity called the T1, the marketing of which leans extensively on the narrowest idea of patriotism. Beyond the immediate question — why do this, like, at all? — the T1 invites a question that’s perhaps easier to interrogate: How can any modern smartphone claim to be made in the US?

Over the last 40 years America has led a massive globalization effort that allows companies to pick and choose where they develop and build hardware that finds its way back to the US. The best chips to run your phone are built in Taiwan — regardless of the phone maker. The best phones are built in China, India or Vietnam. The displays are often produced in Korea. The glass is actually made in America. The sand that will eventually become the silicon wafers chips are made of is sourced here too. But most phones, and virtually all smartphones found in America, are globally produced devices. An all-American golden Trump phone is about as fantastical as the big, beautiful bill’s promise to make all Americans rich.

The phone has reasonable specs for the $499 price tag. There’s a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a punch hole for the 16MP front camera, 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage. Its rear array of cameras includes a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor and a 2MP macro lens. Notably lacking in the spec list is the processor. Perhaps that’s a typo, or perhaps that’s because nearly all smartphone processors are made overseas.

Multiple analysts have suggested the Trump T1 is actually a reskinned Revvl 7. That’s a $200 Android phone currently offered by T-Mobile in the US and manufactured by Wingtech, a (partially) state-owned Chinese phone maker and semiconductor manufacturer. However the specs and outer appearance better align with the €180 (also about $200) Coolpad X100, which is mentioned as a “related phone” to the T1 on the smartphone database GSMArena. Similarly, that phone has a 6.8-inch AMOLED display, 256GB of internal storage and up to 12GB of RAM, but its cameras are significantly higher resolution and it has a flash built into its camera module. It, like the Revvl 7, is manufactured in China by a Chinese company.

Don Jr and Eric Trump haven’t said if the T1 is a reskin of the Revvl 7 — or any other existing phone for that matter — instead insisting their device will eventually be made in the US. (Note that word “eventually.” It is doing a lot of work.) The Trump brothers have chosen their words like lawyers are watching, likely because the Made in America claim they’re making isn’t just marketing, it’s enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission. You can’t just slap it on a crummy Chinese phone and call it a day.

“The FTC actually has very strict regulations on how you label products and country of origin,” Todd Weaver, CEO and Founder of Purism, told me. Purism is an American company that produces its own operating system to compete with iOS and Android and is the only company in the US which can actually use any part of the “Made in America” claim for its phones. In our call he sounded a little irritated about the T1’s claims, but was eager to explain how the labeling works.

The Purism Liberty Phone. (Purism)

“I don’t make that claim and I manufacture all the electronics in the US,” Weaver said. Purism had to go with a non-phone processor for the Liberty phone because no company based in America makes phone processors (yet). Even with a non-standard chip, Purism’s processor comes from its supplier’s fabrication in South Korea. He found it financially challenging to source a chassis in the US as well. An unqualified Made in America claim would mean that a phone was not just assembled here, but every single part of the device was manufactured here as well. That’s an essentially impossible task for phone makers. It’s why Purism’s phone has the label Made in America Electronics instead. Weaver could get a lot, but not all of the parts manufactured in the US.

While it’s certainly theoretically possible the Trump brothers could take all the wealth they’ve been amassing since their father reentered the Oval Office to brute force a more American phone, it isn’t happening any time soon. The Trump T1, which they claim will be sold in September, cannot carry that label, at least not legally. (Whether the current FTC would prosecute the president’s sons for misrepresenting the T1 is another story entirely.) We’ve reached out to the FTC for comment and as of publishing have not heard back.

So what about other pro-American manufacturing labels? The Trump Brothers have hinted that the phones will be assembled here — even if the Revvl 7 (or Coolpad X100) is currently not. Those labels are also governed by the FTC and they’re not easy to get around. A simple “screwdriver” operation (importing almost entirely foreign parts and fitting them together in the States) is even provided by the FTC as a straightforward example of consumer deception.

That’s a lesson we all learned when Apple promised to start building computers domestically again. In 2019 it announced a big factory in Texas under pressure from the Trump administration to bring more manufacturing jobs to America. But even though people are putting screws into Mac Pros stateside, those can’t carry the label “Assembled in America.” Instead they’re “Designed in America” and a “Product of Thailand” with “Final Assembly in America.” It’s a global device.

Electronics are global devices and no amount of gold gilding or misleading claims from the sons of American presidents can change that. The best estimates from manufacturing experts claim it will be half a decade, minimum, before Apple or Samsung could be building phones in the US.

Weaver has already mused about reporting the Trump brothers for claiming their gold-gilded T1 is Made in America, and noted that anyone (even you, dear reader) could do the same.

If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission.



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CNET Perspectives
Gaming Gear

I’m an Anime Collector. 3 AI Phone Features I Used While Visiting Tokyo

by admin


I love collecting Japanese anime merch. I’m also a tech creator and an educator who loves using technology to make my life easier. On a recent trip to Tokyo, I decided to use AI features on my phone to help me navigate the city.

I’ve visited Japan six times in recent years, and as an avid fan and consumer of Japanese anime and pop culture, I fully intend to visit many more times for general tourism, pop-up events, specialty museums and parks. But my earliest visits to Tokyo were overwhelming and confusing. I had a basic understanding of the language, but this was a time before AI and Street View in Google Maps. I carried a Japanese dictionary with me, downloaded offline walking directions and read tutorials online about how to buy a train ticket. It was… OK.

With the recent popularity of AI, I am allowing myself to visit countries with a little less pre-planning and a little more serendipity. Instead of planning my itinerary based on previous trips, I can use my phone as a personal assistant to help me discover new and less-touristy spots along the way, opening up an opportunity to experience my favorite city again for the first time and keep my trips refreshing and new. And since I’m a collector, AI has also given me the ability to learn about vintage goods I find in overseas stores without wasting time or cash.

Here are three handy AI features that I recently tested in a real-world scenario.

Meet industry creators, contributors and emerging thought leaders that have paired with CNET’s award-winning editorial team to provide you with unique content from different perspectives.

Circle to Search

One of my favorite things to do in Tokyo is wander around all the small vintage toy shops. It’s kind of like a treasure hunt, and whenever I find something I don’t have in my collection, I get excited. The problem is that there are thousands of anime products, I don’t have them all memorized, and there’s a language barrier.

This happened to me in Akihabara, one of Tokyo’s electronics and anime centers. I found this box that featured a character I recognized, but I didn’t know what the product was. So, I opened the camera app on my Samsung Galaxy and held down on the bottom line to open Circle to Search.

The author drew a circle around the product to initiate an image search.

Shannon Morse

Circle to Search is an AI-powered tool built by Google that uses the image on your screen to find matching results. In my case, I circled a Sailor Moon R box. Google then searched for a match. The results showed me several images of the character, which would have been helpful if I didn’t already know who she was.

I then wandered to another vintage anime retailer. This time, I used Circle to Search specifically to check the price. The item was priced around $300 after conversion, but was that a good deal? Circle to Search identified the product and pulled up matching listings from eBay. In general, the price at the shop was $200 to $300 less than the listings I found in the US.

Instant Translate

This was an awesome price for a vintage Sailor Moon toy. But since it’s electronic, I wondered if anything was wrong with it. The condition is listed on the product label, but I’m not very good at translating by memory, so I used Google’s Instant Translate feature within Circle to Search. The nice thing about using this tool for translations is that I don’t even have to circle anything. I can just hit the translation button at the bottom of the screen, and it translates everything it sees for me.

The author used Instant Translate from their phone camera. AI detected the source language as Japanese, saving an input step.

Shannon Morse

I don’t even have to tell Instant Translate what language I’m trying to translate. It detects the written language for me and automatically translates it. I learned that the toy had been opened and slightly damaged. While the translation was mostly correct, it wasn’t perfect. And the label didn’t give me all the information I wanted.

Conversation Mode

I wanted more context, so I asked a store associate for more information using Google Translate’s Conversation Mode. Using AI, Google Translate automatically detects the spoken language and translates it into the opposite language.

In our conversation, I asked for help, then asked if the item worked. The store rep looked up the item number to confirm that it worked and had been tested. Previously, I’d have to translate each phrase separately by hitting a mic button every time someone spoke. But with these enhanced AI features, the mic stays open and uses live information to keep the conversation flowing.

When I use Conversation Mode, I try to keep my sentences very simple to prevent mistranslations, which can absolutely happen. Several words in the Japanese language sound very similar but can mean totally different things — kowai and kawaii (scary and cute) are a good example. I studied the language, but I still have much to learn, so I didn’t want to be misunderstood.

This live translation also detected my word “battery” as “batari,” and luckily, the employee understood that I was talking about batteries that power the device. In normal conversations, this would usually be translated as “denchi” in Japanese.

Conversation Mode works in real time, without having to press another button every time you ask a question.

Shannon Morse

I thanked the employee for helping me and didn’t buy this piece of merch either, choosing instead to buy a vintage but completely new item to add to my collection. By using Circle to Search, AI Overview and Conversation Mode, I saved myself money. I didn’t make any purchasing decisions based just on a fear of missing out, and I was able to ask for more context.

These AI-powered tools are fairly new, and they aren’t without their faults. But when it comes to breaking down a language barrier or helping me be smarter with my personal hobbies, I can truly take advantage of them. It’s an exciting time to be an anime collector, a worldwide traveler or both.



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The best budget Android phone for 2025
Gaming Gear

The best budget Android phone for 2025

by admin


You don’t need to spend a fortune to get a good phone these days. The best budget Android phones offer impressive performance, long battery life and capable phone cameras — all at a price that won’t drain your wallet. Whether you’re looking for a reliable everyday device, a backup phone or something for a younger family member, there’s a growing list of budget smartphones that deliver solid function without the high cost of flagship phones.

From Samsung phones with slick designs to models packed with smart AI features for improved performance and photos, Android’s budget lineup is better than ever. Some offer surprisingly decent Wi-Fi connectivity, while others aim to have the best camera in their price range. Whatever your needs, there’s a wallet-friendly Android option that doesn’t compromise where it counts.

OnePlus

Screen size: 6.72 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 16MP | Rear camera resolution: 108MP main, 2MP macro | Weight: 6.8 oz

When it first came out, the Nord N30 had basically everything you could want in a phone that cost $300. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset delivers strong performance along with speedy wireless connectivity that’s compatible with all the big US carriers, not to mention good specs including 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, making it a worthy upgrade. It also has a big 6.7-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is rare on a budget phone as most rivals feature slower 60Hz or 90Hz panels. And thanks to its 50-watt wired fast charging, you can top it up quickly, too. It also offers software updates for a decent period, ensuring its longevity. But most importantly, the Nord 30 recently got a price drop from $300 to $250, making it an unquestionably good deal and our top pick in this space.

Pros

  • Good performance for the price
  • 120Hz display
  • 50W wired charging

$230 at Amazon

SAMSUNG

Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 128GB/256GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP main, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro | Weight: 7.05 oz

For just $200, the Galaxy A15 5G is a pretty remarkable device. It has a 6.5-inch display with a slightly slower 90Hz refresh rate the Nord N30. However, because it features an OLED panel instead of an LCD display, it boasts better brightness and richer colors than basically all of its rivals. On top of that, you’re getting a 50MP main camera with solid low-light performance in a remarkably affordable package. It can also be configured with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, and its 5,000 mAh battery delivers a ton of longevity. And while its design isn’t too exciting, the polycarbonate Samsung uses on the back has a nice matte finish that feels more like glass than cheap plastic, giving it the appearance of a more premium design. Finally, the A15 comes with four years of security updates and three years of OS updates, which is longer than most handsets in this price range.

Pros

  • OLED display with good brightness and colors
  • Can be configured with up to 256GB of storage
  • 5,000mAh battery

$160 at Amazon

Motorola

Screen size: 6.5 inches | Storage capacity: 64GB + microSD | SIM card type: Nano-SIM | Front camera resolution: 8MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP | Weight: 6.53 oz

For those on a really tight budget, the 2024 Moto G Play covers all the bases well. It has a speedy Snapdragon 680 processor along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. And while that last number might seem small, the phone has a microSD card slot so you can add more space if and when you need it. Its 6.5-inch LCD screen is also surprisingly sharp with a 90Hz refresh rate. The Moto G Play even has an IP52 rating for dust and water resistance. That isn’t much, but it’s good enough to protect against an errant splash or two. Sure, the G Play is basic, but it’s basic in a good way, especially if you’re not too fussed about running multiple apps and just want a handset to perform everyday tasks.

Pros

  • 90Hz display
  • IP52 rating
  • Expandable storage via a microSD card slot

Cons

  • Only 64GB of onboard storage

$130 at Amazon

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM card type: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 64MP main, 13MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.63 oz

Read our full Google Pixel 8a review

For people willing to look at phones on the higher end of the budget bracket, there are some other candidates worth checking out. The Pixel 8a normally costs $499, but we’ve seen it discounted to as low as $399. So if you’re looking for an affordable handset with good performance, handy bonuses like wireless charging and one of the best main cameras on any device in this price range, you’d be foolish not to consider this Pixel phone if you can get a good deal on it. Google’s Pixel 9a is forthcoming; it’s unclear if the Pixel 8a will stay in the lineup, but considering the 7a stuck around after the 8a came out, we think you’ll be able to find this model for a little while longer.

Pros

  • Colorful 120Hz OLED display
  • Strong battery life
  • Excellent cameras
  • Great value

Cons

  • Slow wireless charging
  • Thick bezels

$499 at Amazon

Igor Bonifacic for Engadget

Screen size: 6.77 inches | Storage capacity: 256GB | SIM type: Nano-SIM + eSIM | Front camera resolution: 50MP | Rear camera resolution: 50MP main, 8MP ultrawide, 50MP periscope telephoto | Weight: 7.44 ounces

Read our Nothing Phone 3a Pro review

If you want something different from your next phone, there are few if any devices out there like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro. It has a translucent glass back that evokes the design of old Game Boys, allowing you to see some of its internal components, including the NFC antennas. At $459, it’s also one of the best deals in the industry, thanks to a compelling mix of features. The Phone 3a sports a bright 6.77-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset and a 3x periscope telephoto camera. That last feature is something that’s difficult to find in the 3a Pro’s price range, especially in North America. — Igor Bonifacic, Senior Reporter

Pros

  • Fun design
  • Large 120Hz AMOLED screen
  • Clean but customizable Android skin

Cons

  • Limited US warranty
  • No wireless charging
  • Tinny speakers

$459 at Amazon

We tend to define a budget smartphone as costing between $150 and $350. Any lower and the device runs the risk of suffering from too many compromises in function, and above that, you cross over to pricier midrange handsets (if you’re open to spending more, we shouted out a couple of our favorite flagship phones at the very end of this guide).

But for those with a little wiggle room, there are some things to consider. For example, a child may be better off with a cheaper device, especially if it’s intended mainly for emergencies, WiFi browsing or texting parents (and not social media). On the higher end of this price spectrum, sub-$350 Samsung phones and other Android devices have come a long way thanks to improved performance, better phone cameras with low-light capabilities, fast charging, and nicer displays like AMOLED panels. This makes them a viable alternative to, say, a flagship handset with a premium design, even if you have the flexibility to spend more.

When it comes to cheap phones, you get what you pay for. Most smartphones in this price range are made out of plastic, though the fit and finish of a specific model can vary a lot based on price. A bright screen is also important. Typically you’ll get LCD panels with a 60Hz or 90Hz refresh rate, but some phones may have OLED or AMOLED screens with increased color saturation. Long battery life is critical as well, so we tend to favor devices with larger power cells of around 5,000 mAh. In this price range, performance can vary a lot, so look for devices with at least 8GB of RAM and processors that can deliver stutter-free visuals. It’s also important to consider support length: as periodic security updates and lengthy software support can extend the longevity of your device, which will save you money in the long run.

iPhones tend to be more expensive compared to Android phones — even the cheapest iPhone, the iPhone SE, which starts from $429, is a harder pill to swallow compared to a cheap Android phone. In contrast, you can get your hands on a cheap Android device for as low as $100.



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kai-cenat-promises-one-more-time-twitch-ban-adin-ross
Esports

Twitch star RaKai under fire for staring at his phone & almost crashing car on stream

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RaKai is one of Twitch’s rising stars. The 16 year-old has quickly become one of the biggest creators on the platform. However, he’s been steeped in controversy after streaming himself almost crashing his car while staring at his phone.

Several clips have emerged from the livestream, displaying RaKai staring directly at his phone while driving down a rainy road. One of them shows him panicking and trying to get the wheel back in control after almost veering off the road.

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Viewers are infuriated, with several posts being made requesting Twitch ban the streamer for reckless driving, citing that driving while distracted is a direct violation of the Twitch TOS.

Rakai remains unbanned after almost crashing on stream

Averaging at over 20k viewers a stream, 2xRaKai is one of the biggest streamers on Twitch. He came up partially by interacting with Kai Cenat, and his Streamer University even was a huge boost in viewership for the young streamer.

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However, fans of RaKai have been pushing back on him after he willingly stared at his phone while driving.

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The clip above is one example, with it going viral on Reddit with some negative reactions from viewers.

“Hope he doesn’t kill anyone. I’ve lost a friend to rain + distracted driver,” said one user.

“This clip is egregious. You literally just made a new rule about driving and streaming. Here’s your first big test,” said another.

A second clip shows him staring at his phone for 7 seconds straight, putting it directly in front of his face and blocking the road.

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He suddenly slammed on the brakes before coming to a full stop to read his phone safely.

There is precedent for streamers getting banned for reckless driving, with ExtraEmily getting booted off the platform after she ran a red light on stream. She apologized for it and was allowed back on Twitch a short time later.

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It remains to be seen whether or not Twitch decides to ban RaKai after this controversy.



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Squid Game Fortnite
Esports

Fortnite drops mysterious Squid Game phone number for secret audio clues

by admin



Fortnite has just shared a phone number you can call to get a secret message regarding its Squid Game crossover.

Epic has just dropped the teaser for the upcoming Squid Game collab, and it’s safe to say that it’s unlike any other. Generally, a lot of collabs in Fortnite usually get leaked by dataminers early, followed by Epic releasing teasers or trailers shortly before they go live.

Alternatively, devs may also add Easter eggs in-game that suggest a particular character is coming, such as the case with Hatsune Miku’s leek back in Chapter 6, Season 1.

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While the Squid Game collab has already been officially confirmed, Epic has now caught fans off guard by suddenly sharing a new cryptic teaser that mimics the hit Netflix series.

You can call this phone number from Fortnite for a secret Squid Game message

The teaser itself wasn’t exactly announced in a social media post; it was actually a reply to a post by well-known leaker HYPEX.

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Without elaborating much, Epic dropped an image of a card with the iconic Llama logo as well as the number “121334 81760” next to it. These aren’t just regular numbers, though, as you can actually dial them to receive a message.

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Those who have watched the series will likely be instantly familiar with this reference, given that it looks similar to the invitation to the games.

If you call this number, instead of hearing someone speak, you’ll hear several sound effects, including the sound of a rift opening and faint applause in the distance, for about 30 seconds.

But wait, there’s a twist. As pointed out by leakers, running this audio through a visualizer reveals a secret message consisting of the following:

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When you call the new Squid Game x Fortnite phone number you get a ~25 second teaser audio where a rift can be heard in the background.

When put into a visualizer it reveals a secret message: pic.twitter.com/WXKVhrw1kn

— iFireMonkey (@iFireMonkey) June 12, 2025

  • Red Greens
  • Square Meals
  • Affluent Arrivals
  • June 27

June 27, 2025, is precisely when Season 3 will premiere, and now that the message has been decoded, it’s confirmed that this is when the collab will be dropping as well. 

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It’s still a while until then, but if you’re really excited, there are several Squid Game maps you can try out in the meantime.





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Vivo’s telephoto extender makes the world’s best phone camera better
Product Reviews

Vivo’s telephoto extender makes the world’s best phone camera better

by admin


When Xiaomi and Realme both rocked up to February’s Mobile World Congress with concept smartphones featuring attachable camera lenses, Vivo’s executives must have had a quiet chuckle knowing they were ready to launch the real thing just two months later.

Its flagship X200 Ultra went on sale in China a few weeks ago. Even by itself, it’s probably the best camera phone in the world right now, but it’s made even better by a unique accessory: a custom-made 2.35x telephoto extender lens, which attaches to the phone’s existing 3.7x telephoto for a total of 8.7x optical zoom, or the equivalent of a 200mm lens. It sounds (and looks) absurd, but it’s arguably a natural move for Vivo, which has built its brand around a long-running partnership with Zeiss and a growing reputation for crafting some of the best camera systems in any Android phone.

$399

The Good

  • Compact and quick to disassemble
  • Captures detail at range that no other phone can
  • Excellent for video too

The Bad

  • It looks pretty silly
  • Build quality for everything except the lens isn’t great
  • Photos show a slight sheen from heavy post-processing

From a design standpoint, Vivo has split the difference between the two concepts I saw in Barcelona earlier this year. Realme imagined attaching full-size DSLR lenses on a phone’s existing camera, and Xiaomi pitched a custom, compact lens with its own built-in sensor that could magnetically snap onto a phone’s back.

The X200 Ultra fits in the mold of other Android “Ultra” flagships.

It even has an iPhone 16-esque take on a dedicated haptic camera button.

It has a serious rear camera in its own right.

Vivo echoed Xiaomi in creating custom hardware — co-engineered with Zeiss — but followed Realme by piggybacking on the sensor and other hardware already in the phone. This sits on top of the 200-megapixel telephoto, mirroring its f/2.3 aperture, but as a result has to make do with its 1/1.4”-type sensor, which is large for a phone, but undeniably small by camera standards. The cynic might say this is a more extravagant version of the clip-on lenses companies like Moment have been selling for years, or that Nothing sells as cheap add-ons to its budget CMF Phone 2 Pro, though neither operates on quite this scale.

The X200 Ultra is an outstanding camera in its own right, just edging its closest rival, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, and that’s before you strap on this extra lens. With the extender, I’ve taken photos and filmed videos I scarcely believe came out of a phone, and made my peace that I’m going to get some stares while doing so.

1/13At 200mm, shots are vivid, detailed, and have a great natural bokeh effect.

It excelled at taking shots in conditions ranging from bright sunlight to the variable lighting of a Feeder concert, with natural depth and impressively accurate colors. It has limits, and performance drops in proper darkness — street scenes at night looked better without the lens attached, especially when moving subjects like people and traffic were involved.

There’s also a slightly artificial sheen to some shots, signs of aggressive sharpening and other post-processing. The closer you zoom in, the more obvious that is, and pushing shots to the app’s maximum 1600mm option creates all the telltale signs of heavy digital zoom. But that still doesn’t detract too much when you’re taking photos that show off each hair on a bumblebee’s back, or the translucent texture of its wings.

That’s one reason I’m more impressed with the video capabilities, which lack most of that artificiality but are no less detailed. Excellent stabilization plays its part here, keeping output steady even at zoom levels where the slightest hand movement could ruin a shot.

The camera grip works even without the telephoto extender, and includes a 2,300mAh battery.

It includes a two-stage shutter, zoom / exposure dials, and video button.

The full kit includes two straps and multiple lens rings.

You can’t get away from how silly the lens looks attached to the phone.

The X200 Ultra is already a big, heavy phone, and strapping a telephoto lens to one end does nothing to help its weight or balance. It’s better than you might think, though, so long as you use it with the rest of the camera kit it’s sold as a part of, which includes a clip-on camera grip, filter ring mounts, and both wrist and shoulder straps, all for CNY1,699 (about $240) including the lens, though US importers like Giztop are offering it for $399 all in.

Vivo has taken more than just inspiration from Xiaomi’s photography kits for its Ultra flagships, shipping an almost identical camera grip, right down to the button layout and included battery, so that it doubles as a compact power bank. It may not be original, but it’s a good enough design to be worth stealing, and all the more important when paired with the add-on lens, balancing the weight and helping to keep this comfortable to use. Without the grip, this feels awkward and weighty, unnatural to hold; with the grip, it just feels like a slightly odd camera.

Vivo outsourced most of the kit’s design to PGYTech, and the quality has suffered. After just a few weeks of use, my case has fractures in each corner, the kickstand feels flimsy, and the quick-release button for filter rings and lens mount occasionally gets stuck. That’s a problem given the lens can’t be mounted without the case — I’d be pretty worried that the case will break before too long, leaving the lens entirely useless. A minor peeve is that the lens mount is capital-U Ugly, so I refuse to leave it on the phone 24/7. That means I can’t swap the lens on and off without changing the mount at the same time, adding just a little bit more friction to the process.

Without the telephoto attached, the lens mount isn’t exactly a looker.

You access the telephoto extender from its own shooting mode within the camera app.

Compared to other lenses, it runs pretty small, but the proportions are certainly odd.

And friction, or lack thereof, is essential to this telephoto’s appeal. It lives and dies by the idea that it’s more convenient (and often cheaper, even counting the phone itself) than a fully fledged camera. I’ve met a lot of people who seem skeptical about that, but it’s already won me over in just a few weeks. I don’t carry a digital camera around by habit, but I bring an old ’70s film SLR when I travel. It’s bulky, heavy, and takes up half my backpack, or it has to hang around my neck all day. I love it, but I can’t help but resent it a little, too.

Carrying this around feels different because it’s easy to disassemble. I’m already carrying the phone and it’s only a few seconds’ work to slip the lens and camera grip off. They’ll fit into my sling bag with room to spare for sunglasses and earbuds. And at the risk of a few “Is that a Vivo X200 Ultra telephoto lens in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?” jokes, I’ve even managed to stuff the whole set inside my jeans. You can’t do that with a DSLR.

It basically looks like a camera, if you squint a little.

And yeah, of course, a DSLR would take better photos. So would a mirrorless, and maybe even the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III that TikTok has been strangely obsessed with. But that isn’t the point. Because this might not be as good as a camera, but it’s for sure better than any phone out there at the same zoom distance. It’s a midway point, a half-step beyond the phone and toward the full camera, whether for a budding enthusiast considering investing in a larger setup or an experienced photographer who wants something lighter.

This isn’t a camera, but it’s not trying to be — it just wants to meet photographers in the middle.

Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge





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