The Pixel 3 XL leaks aren’t stopping: More info on USB Type-C Pixel Buds, Google Camera update

Google Pixel 3 XL prototype leak Rozetked

  • More details have emerged about the leaked Google Pixel 3 XL units obtained by multiple Russian media publications.
  • The devices seem to be prototype units with non-final software, but do contain a lot of features and design elements that are expected to make the final product.
  • The latest reports detail Camera app changes and the bundled Google Assistant-supported USB-C earbuds.

The recent flurry of Google Pixel 3 XL leaks will no doubt go down as one of the most stunning and comprehensive early product reveals of all-time, and it seems the leaks aren’t stopping any time soon.

Mobile-Review’s “first look” at the Pixel 3 XL confirms that what we’re looking at is in fact a pre-production prototype. The publication says the software is far from final and that there are iffy design elements, like a gap between the edge and back panel, that absolutely won’t make the final product.

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The site also notes that the rear is “plastic,” but we’re guessing this is the same two-tone glass/plastic-coated finish we saw on the Pixel 2 series.

In fact, the final Pixel 3 XL may be so similar in design to its predecessor that it actually fits into cases made for the Pixel 2 XL, according to Rozetked.

Google Pixel 3 XL prototype vs Huawei P20 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9
Google Pixel 3 XL prototype vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs Huawei P20 Pro

As well as comparison shots picturing the Pixel 3 XL prototype alongside the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Huawei P20 Pro (above), Mobile-Review has also shared camera shootout comparisons and explored the newly updated Camera app, which now has a carousel slider for all the camera modes instead of the existing hamburger menu.

Elsewhere, several Settings screenshots show off a “Google Lens suggestions” toggle, an option to store videos “more efficiently” in HEVC format, and an “Automatic” setting for the display. Unfortunately, there’s no sign of any special face unlock feature which seems a dead cert for the final product given the inclusion of two front-facing cameras.



Mobile-Review also touches on the bundled earbuds. The Pixel Buds-lookalikes are USB Type-C earphones with a remote that consists of a volume rocker and a separate button for call/playback control. According to the leaked manual, the same button can also be held to summon Google Assistant.

But what about the million dollar question: how on Earth did all these Pixel 3 XLs get into the hands of Russian media publications in the first place? Mobile-Review says that an “anonymous well-wisher” reached out and offered to send over the prototypes back in early August “without any conditions and free of charge.”

Google Pixel 3 XL earbuds leak Mobile-Review

It’s worth noting that there’s evidence which suggests that the leaks allegedly started with a Ukranian black market merchant who’s been selling the devices anonymously for $2,000 a go via Telegram.

Regardless of the truth behind how the leaks began, however, it’s certainly been a ride to watch almost every aspect of the larger third-generation Pixel come to light ahead of its expected reveal in October.

Google is expected to launch plenty of other exciting products besides the Pixel 3, of course — including potentially a new Pixelbook and as many as three Pixel smartwatches — but it’ll be interesting to see if the search giant alters its plans at all following such a blowout.

What do you make of the Google Pixel 3 XL prototype? Do you think there will be any major changes between now and October? Let us know in the comments.

Source: Android Zone

The post The Pixel 3 XL leaks aren’t stopping: More info on USB Type-C Pixel Buds, Google Camera update appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Honor Note 10 now official with massive 6.95-inch display, gaming focus

The Honor Note 10. Honor

  • The Honor Note 10 has been launched in China, packing flagship specs and a large, 5,000mAh battery.
  • Honor’s new device also stands out thanks to its gigantic, 6.95-inch AMOLED screen.
  • The new phone offers a performance mode, which is activated via a hardware key.

It’s been two years since the last Honor Note device was launched, but fans can now look forward to another massive phablet from the Huawei sub-brand with the Honor Note 10, which was announced in China today.

The Honor Note 10 packs flagship-level horsepower thanks to a Kirin 970 chipset, 6GB to 8GB of RAM, and 64GB or 128GB of expandable storage. The brand seems to be targeting the gaming market too, owing to the use of “liquid cooling” to keep the internals from running hot.

The gaming focus extends further than the cooling method, as the phone has a dedicated turbo key to enable a performance mode. And yes, Huawei’s much-hyped GPU Turbo enhancement for better gaming performance is also here.

Read: Honor 10 review — Reflections of a flagship

But the phone’s biggest selling point (quite literally) is the 6.95-inch display (full HD+ AMOLED, 18.5:9), which is drifting incredibly close to full-blown tablet territory. The display size suggests Honor is hoping to attract users who might want a little more power than the likes of the similarly large Mi Max 3.

The large screen means a large body, and a large body generally means a big battery. The Honor Note 10 doesn’t disappoint here either, packing a 5,000mAh cell that should deliver two days of solid usage without much of a sweat. The phablet supports fast charging (5V/4.5A) to full capacity in 1.7 hours, according to Honor.

What else does it have?


The Honor Note 10.
The Honor Note 10.

The Honor Note 10 has some solid camera credentials too, serving up a 24MP monochrome and 16MP RGB camera pairing (f/1.8) and a 13MP f/2.0 selfie shooter. The phone also supports smart scene recognition and so-called “AI stablization” for night mode shots.

Then again, if “AI stabilization” is anything like the P20 series, it’s just a fancy term for accurate image stacking and stitching. Those hoping for proper optical image stabilization are out of luck too, so you’d better just hold your phone as still as possible.

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Other noteworthy features include a rear fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 4.2 (instead of Bluetooth 5.0), NFC, reverse charging, hybrid SIM slots, and EMUI 8.2 atop Android 8.1 Oreo.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a water-resistant body, headphone jack, or wireless charging support. At least one or two of these features would’ve been welcome, but having all three absent is a bitter pill to swallow. Then again, the device doesn’t have traditional flagship-level pricing…

You can expect to pay 2,799 yuan (~$410) for the 6GB/64GB model, 3,199 yuan (~$468) for the 6GB/128GB variant, and 3,599 yuan (~$527) for the 8GB/128GB version. There’s no word on a global release or regional pricing just yet, but previous Honor Note phones have made it out of the brand’s home nation before, so there’s a good chance we’ll hear more in the coming weeks/months.

What do you make of the Honor Note 10? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Source: Android Zone

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