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Blackview XPLORE 2
Gaming Gear

A rugged beast with a 20,000mAh battery and a camping light joins 2025’s unstoppable projector smartphone craze

by admin September 28, 2025



  • Blackview XPLORE 2 480p projection resolution risks underwhelming image quality
  • 20,000mAh battery promises endurance but adds significant device weight
  • Outdoor device with a 467lm camping light, infrared control, survives a six-meter drop, and is resistant to boiling water

Several rugged smartphones have arrived in 2025 with built-in projectors, including the Oukitel WP100 Titan, Doogee V Max Play, 8849 Tank 4, Ulefone Armor 34 Pro, and the Blackview Active 12 Pro rugged tablet.

The new Blackview XPLORE 2 Projector 5G joins this growing list, reinforcing the idea that smartphone projectors are no longer isolated experiments.

Yet the pattern raises questions about real-world use and long-term value, especially since these devices still largely target niche outdoor or industrial users rather than mainstream consumers.


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Projection performance and screen specifications

The XPLORE 2 reportedly offers, “up to 100-inch 480p ultra-clear projection” at “100 lumens high brightness,” featuring auto vertical keystone correction and a 2-watt Smart-K Box Speaker.

The 480p resolution and 100-lumen brightness suggest that the image quality will likely lag behind that of even entry-level dedicated projectors.

Claims such as “300% smoother projection” at “up to 120 frames per second” indicate an effort to deliver fluid visuals, but without independent verification, these specs remain unproven.

The phone features a 6.73-inch 3.2K AMOLED screen with a “2600 nits industry-leading peak brightness” and adaptive refresh rates.

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It is powered by the Dimensity 8300 chipset with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM (expandable by 32GB) and up to 1TB UFS4.0 storage with 2TB expansion.

Under the hood, there is a 20,000mAh dual-cell battery, marketed as the largest rugged phone battery.

This battery offers 75 days of ultra-long standby and 13 hours of non-stop projection, alongside 120-watt charging.


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The practical benefits of such capacity may be offset by the device’s heavy 710-gram weight and 29-millimeter thickness, more in line with a rugged tablet.

Blackview XPLORE 2 has IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications, with drop resistance up to six meters, and the company says this device can survive a 500-kilogram load or 80°C boiling water.

These specifications target extreme conditions such as camping, construction, or rescue work, and is designed for outdoor use with a 467-lumen camping light, an infrared remote control, dual waterproof USB ports, and AI rainproof touch.

The XPLORE 2’s extensive feature list, including AI tools, voiceprint activation, and eSIM support, suggests a push to position rugged projector phones as versatile flagships.

However, the combination of low-resolution projection and bulk may limit the device’s appeal beyond enthusiasts or field professionals.

Although currently out of stock, the phone is listed on Blackview’s website for about $634.

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September 28, 2025 0 comments
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Crypto Thieves Target Smartphone Users For Digital Wallet Access
Crypto Trends

Crypto Thieves Target Smartphone Users for Digital Wallet Access

by admin September 20, 2025



Despite increasing regulations, London is emerging as a hotspot for crypto-related crimes. In a recent incident, a 42-year-old man, Christian D’Ippolito, had nearly £40,000 worth of crypto assets stolen. 

According to a report by The Financial Times, Christian became a victim of a crypto theft earlier this month. While heading home after a night out near Old Street roundabout, his mobile device was snatched by four men. Over the next few hours, his crypto wallet was emptied of nearly £40,000 worth of assets.

This isn’t a lone case. The London Metropolitan Police say that there is a surge in cases where smartphones of crypto asset holders were stolen in street encounters, notably in areas around Old Street roundabout and Brixton. This allows thieves to access their cryptocurrency wallets and drain tens of thousands of pounds of crypto assets. 

Young Adults are the Primary Prey

With increasing popularity of cryptocurrency, theft incidents are also surging in the UK. Financial Times notes that one in four people aged 18 to 34 own crypto in the country, in which men are most likely to be so. 

The modus operandi of these thieves target young men returning from social events in the evenings. They then engage them in informal talks before snatching their phones. They swiftly move money by getting around security measures, occasionally resetting Apple IDs or taking advantage of cryptocurrency apps.

“They seemed pretty friendly, we were just talking. One of them asked me to take his number for the future. I logged in. At that point, they just grabbed my phone,” said Neil Kotak, another victim who had lost £10,000 in a similar phone snatching incident. 

Smartphone dependency increases vulnerabilities.

The combination of smartphone dependency and the growing popularity of crypto has created new vulnerabilities. An unlocked phone can expose emails, passwords, two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, and even photos of passports, giving thieves full access to victims’ digital assets. 

Even though most crypto transactions are traceable, most thieves are able to get away with the thefts. The police in the UK lack the capacity or the specialist knowledge to follow stolen crypto. 

Only a small percentage of reported fraud, according to Pounder, the former Met and City of London police officer, receives action. In his recent work, Pounder reports 20 thefts to Action Fraud, the police’s specialist fraud unit, and provides supporting evidence. Though the police proceeded with none of the cases. 

Also Read: BitGo Discloses its Financials in Latest SEC Filing Ahead of IPO



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September 20, 2025 0 comments
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Product Reviews

The best midrange smartphone for 2025

by admin September 15, 2025


A great mobile phone doesn’t need to cost a fortune. In 2025, features once exclusive to high-end devices – big batteries, multi-camera arrays, high refresh rate OLED displays and more – have trickled down to more affordable models. Sure, you’ll still need to buy a flagship smartphone to get the best camera or fastest processor, but you don’t need to compromise nearly as much anymore if you’re looking for a great handset at a reasonable price. If you have less than $600 to spend, let us help you figure out what features to prioritize when trying to find the best midrange smartphone.

Table of contents

The best midrange phones for 2025

Sam Rutherford for Engadget

Screen size: 6.3 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 256GB | SIM card type: Nano-SIM, eSIM | Front camera resolution: 13MP | Rear camera resolution: 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide | Weight: 6.6 ounces

Read our full Google Pixel 9a review

The Pixel 9a isn’t especially flashy and it doesn’t have any special features that aren’t already available on its more expensive siblings. In fact, it actually has slower charging speeds and it’s missing support for some of Google’s homegrown software like the Screenshots app. But for everyone who just wants a simple phone with a solid design, a nice AMOLED display, excellent camera quality and strong battery life, the Pixel 9a is really hard to beat. It handles low light shots impressively well for a phone at this midrange price, and Google’s smart AI features enhance both the main camera and editing experience. So while it’s not super fancy, the phone has all of its most important bases covered (and then some). But most importantly, starting at just $499, this phone feels like an incredible deal that punches well above its price point. — Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter

Pros

  • Sleek design
  • Awesome battery life
  • Nice display
  • Great cameras
  • IP68 rating for dust and water resistance

Cons

  • Charging could be faster
  • No Pixel Screenshot app
  • Macro Focus mode can be a bit finicky

$499 at Amazon

Cherlynn Low for Engadget

Read our full iPhone 16e review

Screen size: 6.1 inches | Storage capacity: Up to 512GB | SIM card type: Dual eSIM | Front camera resolution: 12MP | Rear camera resolution: 48MP Fusion main | Weight: 5.88 ounces

The iPhone 16e is closer in specs to the iPhone 16 than the iPhone SE was to the iPhone 13. And that makes choosing which iPhone to buy harder than ever. Should you save $200 and give up a dual camera system, Dynamic Island, Camera Control and MagSafe? That depends largely on your priorities and budget.

While I think that anyone who can afford the price difference should opt for the iPhone 16 over the iPhone 16e, I can’t deny that this is Apple’s best entry-level iPhone to date. It has an Action button, USB-C, a larger, brighter screen and an A18 CPU that enables Apple Intelligence. My biggest concerns with it are limitations brought on by its single rear camera setup — things like not being able to capture ultrawide shots or Portrait mode not working if there isn’t a face in the scene. If you’re coming from an iPhone 11 or newer, you should consider whether the improved camera quality is worth giving up an ultrawide camera for. If it is, and if you can live without snapping portraits of objects and faceless items, the iPhone 16e’s selfie camera will be satisfying.

There are other factors to consider, like whether you regularly use MagSafe accessories or wireless charging. If you do, then the iPhone 16e will frustrate you as it doesn’t work with the magnetic attachment system (you can get a MagSafe case to remedy this) and charges at a slower speed than the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16 (but there’s no fix for this). You can consider the $699 iPhone 15 for a better camera and wireless charging experience, but you’ll be giving up Apple Intelligence and an Action button. — Cherlynn Low, Managing Editor

Pros

  • Solid performance
  • Long battery life
  • Clean, durable design
  • Bright, vibrant screen

Cons

  • Only one rear camera, leading to many limitations
  • Expensive compared to previous iPhone SE
  • No MagSafe

$599 at Apple

Nothing

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 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It also comes with a 5,000mAh battery, a decently speedy Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 CPU and a 3x periscope telephoto camera — a standout feature at this midrange price. That last feature is something that’s difficult to find in the 3a Pro’s price point, especially in North America. The camera system also performs better than expected in low light and supports handy AI features for enhanced photography.

Pros

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

Cons

  • Limited US warranty
  • No wireless charging
  • Tinny speakers

$459 at Amazon

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. 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. The display isn’t AMOLED, so you may notice deeper bezels and slightly lower contrast, but it’s still a solid screen. And thanks to its 50-watt wired charging speeds, you can top it up quickly, too. 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

$300 at Amazon

What is a midrange phone?

While the term frequently appears in articles and videos, there isn’t an agreed-upon definition for “midrange” beyond a phone that isn’t a flagship or an entry-level option. Most of our recommendations cost between $400 and $600 — any less and you should expect significant compromises. If you have more to spend, you might as well consider flagships like the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S25 if you want the best smartphone experience. Devices like Pixel phones often sit in this price range too, offering some of the best value for Android buyers.

What to consider before buying a midrange smartphone

Buying a new device can be intimidating, but a few questions can help guide you through the process. First: what platform do you want to use? If the answer is iOS, that narrows your options down to exactly one phone. (Thankfully, it’s great.) And if you’re an Android fan, there’s no shortage of compelling options. Both platforms have their strengths, so you shouldn’t rule either out.

Of course, also consider how much you’re comfortable spending. Even increasing your budget by $100 more can get you a dramatically better product. Moreover, manufacturers tend to support their more expensive devices for longer with software updates and security updates, so it’s worth buying something toward the top limit of what you can afford.

Having an idea of your priorities will help inform your budget. Do you want a long battery life or fast charging? Do you value speedy performance above all else? Or would you like the best possible cameras with high megapixel counts? While they continue to improve every year, even the best midrange smartphones still demand some compromises, and knowing what’s important to you will make choosing one easier.

What won’t you get from a midrange smartphone?

Every year, the line between midrange and flagship phones blurs as more upmarket features and functions trickle down to more affordable models. When Engadget first published this guide in 2020, it was tricky to find a $500 phone with waterproofing and 5G. In 2025, the biggest thing you might miss out on is wireless charging – and even then, that’s becoming less true.

One thing your new phone probably won’t come with is a power adapter; many companies have stopped including chargers with all of their smartphones. Performance has improved in recent years, but can still be hit or miss as most midrange phones use slower processors that can struggle with multitasking. Thankfully, their camera systems have improved dramatically, and you can typically expect at least a dual-lens system on most midrange smartphones below $600 with decent camera quality, selfie performance and software support to keep things running smoothly for years to come..

Midrange smartphone FAQs

How long do midrange phones get software updates?

Support varies by brand, but most midrange phones receive around three to five years of software and security updates. Apple tends to support iPhones longer while companies like Google and Samsung now promise several years of Android and security patches for their midrange models. Budget-focused brands might offer less so it’s worth checking the update policy before you buy.

Are midrange phones good for gaming?

Yes, many midrange phones handle gaming well, especially popular titles like Fortnite, Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile. They usually include capable processors, though you won’t always get the smoothest performance in the most demanding mobile games or at max settings. If you play casually or stick to less graphically intensive titles a midrange phone will feel more than adequate.

Georgie Peru contributed to this report.



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September 15, 2025 0 comments
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Product Reviews

Trump Mobile is promoting its smartphone with terribly edited photos of other brands’ products

by admin August 22, 2025


Since it was announced in June, Trump Mobile has committed to an increasingly-surreal smoke-and-mirrors approach to its promised T1 smartphone. Despite the initial claims that the phone would be made in the United States, it seemed highly unlikely from the start that it was accurate. The “Made in USA” claims were quietly removed from the Trump Mobile website at a later date. AppleInsider spotted the latest bizarre wrinkle to this story, which is that the actual phone still does not exist.

The publication noticed that promotional images for T1 all show different smartphones that appear to be tweaked in a photo editor to look gold. While the website shows a badly edited image of what appears to be a Revvl 7 Pro 5G phone, an Instagram ad seems to depict an iPhone 16 Pro Max, again with the company’s branding overlaid. A third confusing image edit was posted on X earlier this week:

That photo shows a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra equipped with a case made by Spigen. The South Korean accessory company’s logo can be seen behind the render of an American flag. Spigen’s response sums our reaction up pretty succinctly: “??? bro what.”



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August 22, 2025 0 comments
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