Google Pixel 6 vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro: Which affordable flagship to buy?

Google’s Pixel line of phones has been quite underwhelming in the past few years. The Pixel 5 had a mid-range chip, the Pixel 4 had poor battery life, and the Pixel 3XL had a bathtub notch. While they had their own positives, they weren’t really THE phone to recommend for most people. Google is trying to change that with the Pixel 6 series. The new Pixel and Pixel 6 Pro make a strong case for a flagship phone that can compete against rival brands. The baseline Pixel 6 also starts at a pretty affordable price of $699. For a similar price, you can also find a used or refurbished Apple iPhone 12 Pro from last year. While Apple doesn’t officially sell the iPhone 12 Pro anymore, you can find it in stock at plenty of third-party retailers, especially at discounted prices, and the pre-owned market for iPhones will surely land you a great deal on this phone. The iPhone 12 Pro was also a flagship phone last year which might confuse you as to which one you should get between the two — the Pixel 6 or the iPhone 12 Pro?

Well, we’re here’s a comparison of the Google Pixel 6 vs the Apple iPhone 12 Pro to help you decide which one’s better for you!

Google Pixel 6 vs Apple iPhone 12 Pro: Specifications

	Google Pixel 6	Apple iPhone 12 Pro
CPU	Google Tensor	Apple A14 Bionic
Body	158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm Weight: 207g	146.7×71.5×7.4 mm Weight: 189g
Display	6.4-inch FHD+ AMOLED 1080 x 2040 pixels 411 PPI 90Hz refresh rate 20:9 HDR10+ Gorilla Glass Victus	6.1″ Super Retina XDR OLED Display 2532 x 1170 pixels 460 PPI 60Hz refresh rate 19.5:9 HDR10 Dolby Vision Ceramic Shield
Camera	50MP Primary, f/1.9 (OIS, Laser AF) 12MP Secondary f/2.2 ultra-wide 8MP Front-facing, f/2.0	12MP Primary, f/1.6 (OIS, PDAF) 12MP Secondary f/2.4 ultra-wide 12MP Tertiary f/2.0 2X telephoto 12MP Front-facing, f/2.2
Memory	8GB RAM 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage	6GB RAM 128GB/256GB/512GB storage
Battery	4,614mAh 30W fast charging Qi wireless charging (21W) Reverse wireless charging	2,815mAh 20W fast charging MagSafe support (15W) Qi wireless charging
Connectivity	5G: Non-Standalone (NSA), Standalone (SA), Sub6 / mmWave Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e Bluetooth 5.2 A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	5G: Sub 6GHz mmWave for the USA Ultra-Wide Band (UWB) Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 Bluetooth 5.0 A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
Sensors	Fingerprint sensor (under-display), Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor	Face ID, Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro sensor, Proximity sensor, Light sensor
OS	Android 12	iOS 15
Colors	Sorta Seaform, Kinda Coral, Stormy Black	Pacific Blue, Silver, Graphite, Gold
Material	Aluminum	Stainless Steel
Price	Starts at $699	$700-900 (Used/Renewed/Refurbished)

Build and Design

There’s not a lot separating the Pixel 6 from the iPhone 12 Pro in terms of build quality and the materials used in the construction of the two phones. The iPhone 12 Pro does use a slightly more premium material on the chassis — Stainless Steel — compared to the aluminum frame on the Pixel 6. The Pixel 6 has Gorilla Glass Victus on the front while the iPhone 12 Pro has Ceramic Shield. The iPhone 12 Pro is thinner, marginally lighter, and more compact which means it’s going to be easier to use as well as carry around in your pocket or purse. Both phones are also IP68 dust and water-resistant. You shouldn’t be worried about picking up either device since they’re both solid.
While the way both phones are built is similar, they look quite different from one another. The iPhone 12 Pro goes for a more conventional look and is similar to the iPhone 11 Pro barring the flat, shiny sides and a boxy look similar to the iPhone 4. It’s quite basic and is similar to what we’ve been seeing on modern-day phones. A plain glass back with a camera module housed on the upper left corner. The Pixel 6 takes a different approach here. Google has given the phone a two-tone finish with a large camera bar separating the two colors.

The colors are nice and playful and the camera bar really adds character to the phone. It spans across the entire width of the phone similar to what we saw on the Nexus 6P from a few years back. This sort of look is quite unique which makes the Pixel 6 score high in terms of design. Looks and design are extremely subjective so the winner in this department should ideally be chosen by you. Some may like the clean and proven design of the iPhone 12 Pro while some may prefer the bolder look of the Pixel 6. The flat sides appeal to some while some may find the curved sides on the Pixel 6 easier on the palms.

Display

Before we get into the particulars of the display, the first thing you would notice while looking at both phones is that iPhone 12 Pro has a notch but has slimmer bezels, while the Pixel 6 has a hole-punch but with thicker borders. Again, this comes down to personal preference. A lot of people seem to hate the notch since it’s an eyesore while you’re viewing content on the screen. Others don’t mind it since it’s just there and you get used to it in a couple of days. Well, I belong to the second category. Apple has reduced the size of the notch on this year’s iPhone 13 by about 20%, but the iPhone 12 Pro still has a slightly bigger cutout.

The Pixel 6 does have a more immersive display since there’s no big notch, but the bezels are quite thick and uneven. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people, but it’s something worth mentioning. The Pixel 6 also offers a larger canvas in the form of a 6.4-inch AMOLED display versus the 6.1-inch panel on the iPhone 12 Pro. A larger display means you can view more content and it’s a better experience while watching movies and shows.

On the other hand, a smaller display with slim bezels on the iPhone 12 Pro means the phone is compact and relatively easier to use one-handed. If you don’t watch a lot of content on your phone, the iPhone 12 Pro’s 6.1-inch OLED display should serve you well. Even if you do watch a lot of content, it’s going to look better on the iPhone 12 Pro’s display thanks to the support for Dolby Vision. However, the Pixel 6 hits right back with its 90Hz refresh rate display which makes scrolling and gaming a lot smoother. A faster refresh rate is something you will appreciate since things like scrolling through lists and social media feeds will appear smoother.

Both phones offer good displays that have their own pros and cons. Pick the Pixel 6 if you want a larger display that’s also smoother while scrolling and gaming, and doesn’t have a notch that might be interrupting. Pick the iPhone 12 Pro if you want a more compact display with corners that you can reach with the thumb of your hand, provided you’re okay with the notch.

Performance

Since both the iPhone 12 Pro and the Pixel 6 are flagship phones, they have top-of-the-line internals to power them. It’s important to note, though, that the iPhone 12 Pro is last year’s flagship whereas the Pixel 6 is more recent. The iPhone 12 Pro gets Apple’s A14 Bionic while the Pixel 6 has Google’s new in-house Tensor SoC. Over the past few years, Apple’s chipsets have been ahead of the competition in terms of raw performance. Google is trying to catch up with the Tensor, especially in terms of processing computational algorithms.
The iPhone 12 Pro, despite being a year old, will still perform better in intensive tasks like video editing, rendering, and gaming. However, day-to-day tasks like running social media and messaging apps, casual gaming, watching videos/movies, etc. should ideally feel similar on both phones. With the higher refresh rate, it may even be faster on the Pixel 6. The Tensor isn’t too good with graphics performance so if high-end gaming is your priority, the iPhone 12 Pro is the one to pick. Apple’s hardware and software integration has gotten stronger over the years which has resulted in apps being better optimized for the iPhone. This is only Google’s first attempt at making their own hardware and software, so we can hope that it gets better with time.

You shouldn’t be worried about performance on either phone. It’s seldom that last year’s phone performs as well as this year’s flagship but that’s just how good Apple’s chipsets have been lately.

Needless to say, the software on both phones is very different. The Pixel 6 runs Android 12 and will receive three years of major Android version updates and five years of security patches. The iPhone 12 Pro, on the other hand, runs iOS 15 and should ideally get four to five years of software support going by Apple’s track record. Note that it’s already a year old at this point, though. It again comes down to personal preference as to whether you want an OS that’s customizable to a large extent or one that gets the basics right and is better optimized.

Cameras

This is an area where the Pixel 6 absolutely shines. While the iPhone 12 Pro does click some great pictures, the Pixel 6 just does better. The Pixel 6 has a higher resolution primary sensor which captures more details. It’s also better at low-light photography compared to the iPhone 12 Pro. Google’s Night Sight mode is quite magical and captures more light than the night mode on the iPhone 12 Pro. The still images clicked by the Pixel 6 in almost all scenarios are better than those clicked by the iPhone 12 Pro.

That’s not saying the iPhone 12 Pro is bad by any means. It’s still got a solid set of cameras that are arguably more consistent than most phones out there. The colors look natural on the images shot by the iPhone 12 Pro and the dynamic range looks great. In fact, the iPhone 12 Pro even has a slight hardware advantage here in the form of a dedicated telephoto lens that the Pixel 6 lacks. However, it’s just a 2X lens which isn’t that useful anyhow except while capturing portrait mode shots.

The Pixel 6 outputs images with slightly boosted colors and contrast. Selfies are good on both phones with no clear winner. In terms of still images, the Pixel 6 captures photos that are pleasing to look at which probably makes it a better pick for the average consumer, despite the iPhone 12 Pro having an extra lens.

One area where the iPhone 12 Pro does slightly better is videography. The Pixel 6 has improved considerably from previous generations in terms of capturing videos. However, it still loses to the iPhone 12 Pro in this department. The iPhone 12 Pro’s video looks more crisp, stable, and better in terms of colors and dynamic range. The iPhone 12 Pro can also shoot in 4K 60fps via all three cameras onboard, something that the Pixel 6 can’t do.

Overall, you’ll be happy picking up either phone in terms of camera performance. The iPhone 12 Pro is consistent, but if still images are all you care about and you want photos that can be readily posted to social media, the Pixel 6 is a great pick.

Battery Life and Charging

The iPhone 12 Pro has got a pretty small battery so it’s surely not winning any endurance awards. You can expect about 6 hours of Screen-on time from the iPhone 12 Pro before having to plug it into the charger. This should be good for most people but if you’re a heavy user, you might have to start looking for a charger late in the evening. The Pixel 6, on the other hand, has a much larger battery that can last a full day with moderate to heavy use. It’s not the best in terms of battery life, but it is slightly better than the iPhone 12 Pro.

The Tensor chip isn’t really an endurance champion and the 90Hz display can also drain more battery especially in apps that make use of that high refresh rate. Both phones will not disappoint you though as Apple’s optimization is pretty good. However, you’ll have to charge the Pixel 6 less frequently. Speaking of charging, the iPhone 12 Pro supports fast-charging up to 20W while the Pixel 6 can go up to 30W. Both phones have wireless charging too with the iPhone 12 Pro capping out at 15W via MagSafe and the Pixel 6 going till 21W. A huge advantage that the Pixel 6 has over the iPhone 12 Pro is that it charges via USB-C instead of the proprietary lightning connector on the iPhone.

Pixel 6 vs iPhone 12 Pro: Which one should you buy?

The Pixel 6 starts at $699 in the US, while the iPhone 12 Pro can be more expensive depending on where you get it from and in what condition. Other than that, there’s not a lot of differences between the two phones. Both of them have great cameras, good battery life, a nice display, and a flagship processor. It all boils down to the age-old Android vs iOS debate, doesn’t it? Well, kinda. The iPhone 12 Pro is better at gaming, taking videos, and has a compact form factor. It’s also got additional features like AirDrop, Continuity, Hand-off, etc. that you’ll appreciate if you’re into the Apple ecosystem.

The Pixel 6 has a bigger display with no notch, an equally good set of cameras, a unique design, slightly better battery life, and it runs on Android 12 with the new Material You overhaul. It’s one of the best Pixel phones made to date. Unless you really want a phone with iOS that syncs with other Apple products, and a 2X telephoto lens, the Pixel 6 actually makes more sense since it’s also more recent and gets most of the basics right. You can even check out our Pixel 6 review to know more about the device. In fact, if you’re already into the Apple ecosystem and like iOS, you can also consider picking up the iPhone 13 which you might find cheaper than the iPhone 12 Pro.

Google Pixel 6

The Pixel 6 comes with Google's new Tensor chip, a modern design, and flagship cameras.

Order from Amazon

Order from AT&T

iPhone 12 Pro

The iPhone 12 Pro is last year's flagship from Apple but is till a good smartphone to purchase in 2021.

View at Best Buy

Which one are you going to buy —  the Pixel 6 or the iPhone 12 Pro? Let us know in the comments below! You can check out the best Pixel 6 deals if you plan to buy the phone and also the best Pixel 6 cases or the best iPhone 12 Pro cases to protect either of the two devices.

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AetherSX2 is the best way to play PlayStation 2 games on your Android smartphone

PlayStation 2 emulation has been in a weird place on Android for a long, long time. While it’s been possible to emulate the system on your smartphone using a certain emulator available on the Play Store, allegations of stolen code and unethical business practices meant many, ourselves included, refused to promote the app, even if it was the best way to play them. Now, AetherSX2 is the best way to play PlayStation 2 games on your Android smartphone. It’s free, you can download it from the Google Play Store, and it’s the fastest, too.

I ran some tests to see what games work and don’t work, and the results are surprisingly excellent. To use AetherSX2 at the moment, you will still need a smartphone with top-of-the-line specifications. I tested on the OnePlus 9 Pro on Android 12 switching between Vulkan and OpenGL dependant on which the game performed best. The OnePlus 9 Pro is one of the most powerful devices on the market for emulation currently, and it struggles to achieve 100% speed in some of the most popular titles. I tested the original Ratchet & Clank, Need for Speed: Underground 2, and The Simpsons: Hit & Run. I wanted to also test Sonic Heroes, as while it ran perfectly on a previous build, it has broken in the most recent one.

Note: this is an early alpha build. The developer gave us access to a private alpha build that we have been testing for a number of weeks. There is now a public alpha, which you can sign up for. There are plenty of broken games and features currently, and updates may introduce regressions. You should also check out the official AetherSX2 website for more information.

AetherSX2 is the best way to play PlayStation 2 games on your phone

There are really only two alternative emulators out there for PlayStation 2 emulation — one is Play!, a high-level emulator that doesn’t require a BIOS to run, and the other is in violation of the license agreement of PCSX2. While AetherSX2 makes use of PCSX2 code, the developers of PCSX2 have given AetherSX2 their graces. The PCSX2 developers have explained the licensing situation too; in essence, its core code is LGPLv3 licensed, and any of the code still leftover in AetherSX2 that’s covered under GPL will be removed by the time the app is officially released. Currently, AetherSX2 is available in early alpha.

To run AetherSX2, you’ll need a 64-bit device and the chipset will need to have “big”/performance cores — the developer recommends at least a Snapdragon 845. You can play games either using Vulkan or OpenGL dependant on which performs best on your device, and you can hot-swap between the two while in-game. There are a lot of great features in AetherSX2, including internal resolution scaling, save states, multiple control schemes, and more. As already mentioned, it’s still in alpha, so your mileage may vary on performance. For example, only recently was Ratchet: Gladiator (known as Ratchet: Deadlocked in the U.S.) actually made playable, as it would crash after completing the first cutscene before a recent update.

For those looking for source code, Tahlreth shared on Reddit that the LGPL portions will be available on request. You will also be able “to relink the combined shared library as required by the license with the provided object file“. No Java source code will be made public according to Tahlreth, and the reason given is to prevent clones stuffed full of advertisements and in-app purchases. Given that there are already apps purporting to be AetherSX2 out there, this argument does make sense. AetherSX2 does not have advertisements, and it doesn’t even have internet access.

If you’ve seen any footage from AetherSX2 as well, you’ll have noticed that there’s no D-Pad, and there’s only one control stick. That can be changed in the middle of a game from accessing the emulator menu to display those extra controls too. The problem is that because of the decreased screen real estate, there’s no reason to show those all the time, especially as plenty of games work without them. The only game I had problems with in relation to this was Ratchet: Gladiator, as the second control stick is needed to turn the camera around.

Setting up Aether SX2 for optimal performance

There are steps you can take to improve AetherSX2’s performance, and in fact, the developer has been testing it a lot on their POCO F3 with the Snapdragon 870. There are a ton of settings you can tweak and play with, but there are only three that I’ve actually modified.

The first setting you can tweak that arguably matters most is the GPU renderer. You can choose between Vulkan or OpenGL, and the performance you get will depend on the device you’re using and the game you’re playing.

If you haven’t heard of the Khronos Group’s Vulkan Graphics API, think of it as an alternative to graphics APIs like OpenGL or OpenGL ES. It’s backed by companies like NVIDIA and Intel, and it’s intended to give developers more options when they’re programming cross-platform games. It also has a lower CPU overhead, which in turn can lead to better performance. As Tahlreth says, OpenGL is only faster in some games because it has framebuffer fetch. Your mileage will vary as a result.

The next option is underclocking, which I’ve found has great results when underclocking to 75%. The third and final one is a new option added in the most recent AetherSX2 update at the time of writing, and that is “skip presenting duplicate frames”. It attempts to detect the game’s internal framerate and prevents it from presenting duplicate frames. A combination of this and underclocking turned games like Need for Speed: Underground 2 from borderline unplayable to running at a consistent 100% speed.

Games tested

Ratchet & Clank

Ratchet & Clank is a nostalgic favorite of mine from the PlayStation 2, and one that I was the most excited to play on my smartphone. While performance isn’t perfect just yet, there are steps you can take to improve it. The video above is recorded on the OnePlus 9 Pro with the straight out-of-the-box AetherSX2 experience — that is, no tweaks or other changes were made.

Need for Speed: Underground 2

Need for Speed: Underground 2 is one of the games that required additional tweaks to work. However, when applying a 75% underclock and removing duplicate frame rendering, it went from roughly 50-60% speed to 100%. The footage above was also taken on the OnePlus 9 Pro, though the game did hang at the very end of the video. This game was problematic to emulate on PCSX2 for years, making it an incredible achievement that it runs as well as it does here.

The Simpsons: Hit & Run

The Simpsons: Hit & Run is a game I come back to often when testing smartphones because it’s a game I’m hugely familiar with. Through AetherSX2, this is definitively the best way to play the game and runs much better than it does through the likes of Dolphin Emulator. I even tested it on the Google Pixel 6 Pro, and while there were a lot of graphical glitches, the game ran well — better than with Dolphin Emulator. You can see a short snippet of gameplay below. The Vulkan renderer does not work on non-Adreno GPUs.

How to download AetherSX2

AetherSX2 is currently in a public alpha phase, meaning that while it’s not available freely on the Google Play Store, it’s not hard to test it out. Simply sign up for the alpha while logged into your Google account, or navigate to the Google Play Store listing for the app and enroll in the alpha from there.

Given the alternatives for PlayStation 2 emulation in the past, AetherSX2 is a fantastic step forward. Its support from the PCSX2 developers also goes a long way, and we’re looking forward to seeing how the emulator grows and matures in the future. I’m personally excited to see how the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 will fare. Be sure to give it a try and let us know what you think in the comments!

AetherSX2 (Free, Google Play) →

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These are the Best USB-C Hubs for MacBook Pro in 2021

Buying a MacBook doesn’t mean just spending on the laptop itself. All MacBook Pro models from 2016 only come with USB-C ports, which has thankfully changed with the new 14-inch and-16 inch MacBook Pro. If you have an existing MacBook though, you’ll have to purchase additional dongles and USB-C hubs to plug in some of your devices. So we’re going to help you find some of the best USB-C hubs you can buy for your shiny new MacBook Pro. While you’re at it, you might also want to get a good protective case for your MacBook Pro since Apple repairs are rather expensive if you end up damaging your Mac.

If you’ve recently purchased a MacBook Pro and are new to macOS, you might also be interested in some software tips that can be useful while using the Mac regularly, like the different ways in which you can force quit apps on Mac if they’re unresponsive or even the proper way to uninstall apps on your Mac without leaving any residue behind.

Belkin USB-C Hub for MacBook Pro

Reliable and functional

Belkin is one of the most well-known brands in terms of accessories and this USB-C hub from them offers all the basic ports you would need - 2 USB-A ports, a USB-C port, an SD card reader, an HDMI port, and a LAN port as well.

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NOV8Tech 7-in-1 USB-C Hub

Good for basic use

This USB-C hub offers a selection of 7 different ports - 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, an HDMI port, an SD card reader and even a microSD card reader. It's affordable and will get the job done for most users.

View at Amazon

MOKiN USB-C Dongle for MacBook Pro

All the basics covered

The MOKiN USB-C hub is a great option for those getting their first dongle for the MacBook Pro. It takes up one USB-C port and provides 2 USB-A ports and an HDMI port along with a full-size SD card and microSD card slots.

View at Amazon

Dockteck 7-in-1 USB-C Dongle

For 1Gbps ethernet

This 7-in-1 dongle comes with all the usual ports and also has a 1 Gbps ethernet port. If you want fast, reliable internet connectivity through a LAN cable, this is the dongle you need.

View at Amazon

Satechi 9-in-1 Multiport Adaptor

For power users and travellers

This USB-C hub comes with a detachable cable so it's easier to carry while traveling. It also offers a VGA port and a Gigabit Ethernet port along with the usual USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports and SD card slots.

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Baseus USB-C Docking Station

Best for triple monitor setups

The Baseus docking station is the only USB-C hub you need for almost every use-case. It has 3 HDMI ports for a triple monitor setup along with 3 USB-A ports, 4 USB-C ports, an ethernet port, a headphone jack, and SD card slots. One of the best hubs you can get.

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9-in-1 USB-C Hub for MacBook

Additional USB port

This USB-C adaptor is slightly unique in the sense that it offers an additional USB-A port compared to some of the other options. It also has an HDMI port, SD card slots, and an Ethernet port. This is a good option if you have a lot of USB accessories to plug in.

View at Amazon

Ikling 9-in-1 Hub for dual displays

Another one for power users

The Ikling USB-C Hub is for those who want to attach two displays to their MacBook, one via HDMI and the other via VGA. This one also has an additional audio jack accompanied by 2 USB-A ports, a USB-C and Ethernet ports, and SD card readers.

View at Amazon

Anker 7-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 Hub

Functional and long-lasting

Anker is a popular accessories brand and if you get this particular dongle, you can be assured it will last you a long time. You get all the basic connectivity like 2 USB-C ports, 2 USB-A ports, an HDMI port, along with SD card readers.

View at Amazon

These were some of the best USB-C Hubs for MacBook Pro and guess what, they work with any MacBook Pro from 2016 onwards that have USB-C ports including the new M1 MacBook Pro. All the dongles are Thunderbolt 3 compatible so they even work with a MacBook Air and even some Windows laptops. The Baseus Docking Hub is one of the most versatile USB-C hubs that we would recommend if you work from a desk all the time. If you’re constantly on the move, the Satechi 9-in-1 Hub should be your default option.

No matter which USB-C Hub you get, make sure you handle it with care as these accessories are more often than not quite fragile. Also, keep in mind that the new M1 MacBook Pro doesn’t support multiple displays via the USB-C port so you’ll only be able to attach one display even if your USB-C hub has multiple HDMI/VGA ports.

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Xiaomi’s new battery tech offers 10% more capacity at the same volume

Although we’ve seen some significant advancements in fast charging tech over the last few years, smartphone batteries have remained largely unchanged. However, Xiaomi finally seems to have a better solution. In a recent post on Weibo, the company announced its upcoming High-Silicon Lithium battery technology, promising increased capacity at the same volume.

Xiaomi claims that its new High-Silicon battery technology features three times the silicon content on the negative electrodes as existing lithium-ion batteries and a new packing technology that shrinks the control circuits. As a result, the company is able to pack 10 percent more capacity in the same amount of volume. As you can see in the attached image, Xiaomi’s new battery pack is a bit smaller than a conventional lithium-ion battery, even though they offer the same capacity.

L: Conventional lithium-ion battery; R: Xiaomi’s high-silicon lithium battery

While a 10 percent increase might not sound like a whole lot, it could make a significant difference. The higher capacity batteries will give OEMs the flexibility to either offer a higher capacity battery on their devices without the need to make more room for the battery pack or they could use the extra room left by using a smaller battery to pack more/better hardware on their devices. Along with the increased capacity, Xiaomi claims that its new high-silicon lithium batteries can increase the battery life by 100 minutes.

Xiaomi says it will begin mass-producing the new batteries in the second half of next year, so we don’t expect to see them on phones until much later. The upcoming Xiaomi 12 series will, most likely, not feature the new batteries, but we can expect to see them in next year’s Xiaomi flagship lineup.

Are you excited about Xiaomi’s new battery tech? Do you think the 10 percent improvement will make a significant difference or not? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Do you think the Moto Edge X30 has what it takes to put Motorola back on the map?

Motorola lifted the covers off the all-new Moto Edge X30 in China earlier this week. Not only is it the first phone to launch with Qualcomm’s latest flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, but it’s also the first non-Google phone to launch with Android 12 out of the box. However, these aren’t the only things that make the Moto Edge X30 special. The phone has much more to offer in terms of premium hardware, but the best part is that its top-end variant costs around $650 only.

Moto Edge X30: Specifications

Specification	Moto Edge X30
Display	6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display 144Hz refresh rate 576Hz touch sampling rate HDR10+ 10bit color DCI-P3 coverage 1024nits peak brightness
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM & Storage	8GB LPDDR4 + 128GB UFS 3.1 8GB + 256GB 12GB + 256GB
Battery & Charging	5,000mAh 68W fast charging support
Security	–
Rear Camera(s)	Primary: 50MP, 1/1.55″, PDAF, OIS Ultra-wide: 50MP, 1/2.76″, AF, 117° FoV Tertiary: 2MP
Front Camera(s)	60MP, 1/2.8″
Port(s)	USB Type-C
Audio	Stereo speakers
Connectivity	5G NFC
Software	MYUI 3.0 based on Android 12

---

The Moto Edge X30 starts at CNY 3,199, which is roughly around $500. For that price, it offers the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, a 6.7-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 144Hz peak refresh rate, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage, and a 5,000mAh battery with 68W fast charging support. In the camera department, the phone features a 60MP selfie shooter, which resides within a centered hole-punch cutout on all except the top-end variant, along with a 50MP+50MP+2MP triple camera setup on the back. The device also features stereo speakers, a USB Type-C port, 5G capabilities, and NFC support.

The Moto Edge X30 comes in three other RAM/storage configurations, which are priced as follows:

• 8GB + 256GB: CNY 3,399(~$533)
• 12GB + 256GB: CNY 3,599 (~$565)
• 12GB + 256GB (with under-display camera): CNY 3,999 (~$627)

As you can tell by looking at the specs alone, the Moto Edge X30 offers a lot for its price tag. It’s cheaper than most other flagships available in the market today, even though it features a newer SoC, and that could help make it one of the best smartphones of 2022. However, that all depends on whether Motorola launches the device at a similar price point in international markets or not.

Smartphones from Chinese brands like Xiaomi and Realme are almost always a bit more expensive in international markets than they are in China, and we believe that the Moto Edge X30 will also be priced a bit higher when it launches globally. But even if Motorola charges a $100 premium on each model in international markets, the top-end variant will still end up being significantly cheaper than its rivals.

Do you think the Moto Edge X30’s affordable price tag will help Motorola make bank in the flagship smartphone segment? Or do you think buyers will still stick to flagships from other OEMs? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and let us know why you think the Moto Edge X30 has (or doesn’t have) what it takes to put Motorola back on the map.

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Checking out Spigen’s iPhone 13 Pro case and accessory lineup

The Apple iPhone 13 series is destined to be popular till the next iteration comes around, possibly even beyond that, as Apple will likely sell it for a few years at a discount. For most people buying this phone, a case is going to be high up in purchase priority. We do have some recommendations for iPhone 13 cases, and one of the easy-to-recommend brands is Spigen. In this post, we’re checking out some of the most popular Spigen cases for the Apple iPhone 13 Pro to see how well they serve their purpose.

About this review: Spigen sent four of their Apple iPhone 13 Pro cases, an iPhone 13 case, and the MagSafe charger for review, while the rest of the cases and accessories were previously purchased by me for personal use. The company did not have any inputs into the content of this article.

I am Team No-Case predominantly, especially when it comes to reviewing phones. But every once in a while, I do need to make my own smartphone purchases. Or sometimes, the review device in hand just doesn’t feel that great on its own. With the new Apple iPhone 13 Pro, it was a case of both — it is a personal purchase that I need to keep in pristine condition for a year (so that I can get the best resale value on the phone when I jump onto the next one) and I detest the boxy design that digs into my palm every time I grip the phone for more than five minutes. The side frame also catches onto fingerprints and hand-oil stains, spoiling the otherwise premium look of this Apple flagship. A case just makes sense, so I went ahead with my long-time favorite, the Spigen Ultra Hybrid case. As someone who frequents the beach, I also needed a screen protector and I picked the Spigen EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector. I purchased both of these alongside the iPhone 13 Pro on day 1 of its India launch (September 24, 2021), so what you see in this article is how both of them have aged in the past 2+ months of regular use.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid (Crystal Clear) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The reason I immediately went with the Spigen Ultra Hybrid for the iPhone 13 Pro is that I have been a long-time user of this lineup of cases. I’ve recently used it on the iPhone 12, the OnePlus 8 Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra — all of which were personal purchases. I have accidentally dropped each one of them, but the device body has never taken damage through the case, though do note that I club the case with a screen protector too.

Just dropped the OnePlus 8 Pro from about 4 feet — banged sideways onto a wall and double bounced on the floor.

Buy a Spigen case guys

— Aamir Siddiqui (@aamirsidd94) November 5, 2020

With the Spigen Ultra Hybrid case for the iPhone 13 Pro, I expected to get more of the same protection, and so far, I have not been disappointed. In India, you can get cheap silicone cases and TPU cases for as low as ₹50 (~$0.67), so the ₹1,599 (~$21.5) price tag on this Spigen case might seem over the top. But for a phone as expensive as the iPhone 13 Pro, I really did not want to cheap out. I have had one ~3-foot drop and a few careless flicks onto the table so far, there has been no damage to the phone, so I am really glad that I stuck with this case.

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid lineup primarily uses a flexible TPU bumper merged with a stiff polycarbonate backplate. This combination means that the case does not flex or twist as ordinary silicone cases do. The case barely budges if you twist its top and bottom in different directions. What does intentionally flex is the TPU bumper, letting you slide your phone in with relative ease while still holding it firmly in place. The TPU bumper sides of the case are flat but not sharp, so you retain the overall shape of the iPhone 13 series. You do get fingerprints onto the case, and even dust is fairly visible — but that is to be expected with a glossy transparent case. Spigen has Matte variants in case you want fewer fingerprints to remain visible, but that comes with a frosted glass look.

The Crystal Clear in the name represents the lack of color on the bumper — Spigen has a few color variants you can opt for, if you want something to match your phone. The case also has what Spigen calls “Air Cushion Technology” — it’s essentially a pocket of air at the corners, meant to take in the pressure from any direct impacts on the corners. I do not know if this approach yields any benefit over not having any air cushions, but I’ve not damaged any phone that I have used the Ultra Hybrid on (but I do recognize that correlation is not equal to causation).

Other protective elements on the case include a raised lip for the camera island. The lip protrudes a fair bit, but so does the iPhone 13 Pro’s camera, and in effect, you get a very slight gap for protecting your camera lenses if you place the phone on its back. There are raised lips on the other three sides as well, so the phone rocks a little less (otherwise it would have rocked a whole lot more). You also get raised lips on the front, and they are just enough to keep your phone in place yet stay out of the way of your phone use.

Spigen has precise cutouts for the charging port, the speaker hole, and the alert slider. For the buttons, you get thinner cavities, letting you click the volume rocker and the power button easily.

Note, this case is not MagSafe compatible — as you can clearly see, there are no MagSafe magnets on the case itself. MagSafe accessories will still stick to the phone’s magnets, but the magnetic pull is very light and you can easily dislodge the accessory. You can wirelessly charge the iPhone through the case, but note that you will not get full charging speeds.

I do want to address the apparent yellowing on the case. If you notice, the TPU bumper on the case has yellowed a fair bit in my two months of use (see the first picture vs recent pictures). The yellowing is fairly normal on practically all clear TPU cases — when exposed to heat and sunlight, there is natural chemical degradation that causes it to yellow. There is no degradation in quality, though. The case does not look as pristine as it did on day 1, and you can notice the yellow much more when you have it in hand. But the color is much easier to ignore when the case is on your phone, especially since the polycarbonate back retains its clear color and it is just the bumper that is yellower. A workaround for this could be to get the color variants for the bumper, but I have not really been bothered enough by the gradual yellowing to choose a colored case.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid (Crystal Clear) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid case lineup is one of the safest choices of cases, with a great balance between protection, bulk, style, and utility. The back is polycarbonate, and the bumpers are TPU. While the case is not MagSafe compatible, you can charge the phone through the case.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Ultra Hybrid (White) MagSafe Compatible case for the iPhone 13 Pro

This is the same case as above, but now with MagSafe Compatibility. As you can see, there is a white ring and dropoff visible on the back of the case, and those are magnets. The MagSafe case allows you to use MagSafe accessories with your iPhone, without needing to remove the case. The magnet grip is as strong as it is with a naked iPhone, if not stronger. You can wirelessly charge the iPhone through the case and get full charging speeds.

If you run your finger on the back of the case, you will not feel the white ring strip. The ring is placed on the inner side of the case, and the texture change can be felt here. Spigen has variants with different colors for the magnet ring, and the White in the name refers to the color of the magnet ring. I could not spot any color variants for the TPU bumper, though.

One very small change is that the power button cutout is larger on this MagSafe case than on the non-MagSafe case. However, I do not notice any difference in clickability — they work just the same practically.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid (White) MagSafe Compatible case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid case lineup is one of the safest choices of cases, and this particular case has the added advantage of being MagSafe compatible, allowing you to use all MagSafe accessories with the iPhone while having the case on.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Ultra Hybrid S (Crystal Clear) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

This is the same case as the non-MagSafe case above, but now with a Stand. The stand opens up from about 30º to about 75º. Anything below the minimum pullout will snap the stand back shut. There are magnets on either side of the stand, so it does not flop around when in a resting position, making it easy to carry around in your pocket without worrying about the stand getting stuck when pulling the phone out.

The primary use case of this case is obviously for the stand and for keeping your iPhone 13 Pro propped on a table. You can place the phone in landscape or portrait, but the most confident stance is landscape as the iPhone 13 Pro is top-heavy and can tip backward.

Note, this case is not MagSafe compatible. You can wirelessly charge the iPhone through the case, but you will not get full charging speeds. The stand will also get in the way of the charger, so you would need a wireless charger that would be able to accommodate the stand in its resting position.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid S (Crystal Clear) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid S is the same as the regular Ultra Hybrid case lineup, but with the added stand. The stand has a magnet to keep it securely shut, and you can place the phone in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Thin Fit (Navy Blue) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

As the name implies, the Spigen Thin Fit is a case that is meant for people who want a thin, lightweight, and not-bulky case. The focus here is scratch protection and adding some grip and non-slip coating, rather than drop protection. The case could possibly handle a drop or two, but I haven’t personally dropped the phone with this on yet.

Look closely, and you will spot that the Thin Fit does share build ideas with the Ultra Hybrid line. There is a polycarbonate backplate, but this one does extend halfway onto the side. The TPU bumper also exists, and it is soft to touch on this case. You get raised lips for the camera bump, and more for the display side. The cutouts stay precise, and the buttons remain easy to press — no complaints.

Commenting on the feel of the case, it stays true to its name. There’s next-to-no added bulk because of the case, while you still get the benefits of using a case. Yes, I don’t feel as confident dropping the iPhone with this case on as I would with the Ultra Hybrid on. But that is okay, as this case intentionally serves a different audience. The matte feel of the polycarbonate back also does not let any fingerprints show up, so you maintain a very clean look on the phone.

Note, this case is not MagSafe compatible. You can wirelessly charge the iPhone through the case, but you will not get full charging speeds.

Spigen Thin Fit (Navy Blue) case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Thin Fit case is a case for people who dislike bulky cases. The case provides a decent base level of protection, without adding any weight or significant thickness to the phone.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Mag Armor case for the iPhone 13 Pro

I’ve used Spigen’s Rugged Armor cases in the past, but the Mag Armor is new for me. As the name would imply, the highlight of the Mag Armor case is the mix between great protection and MagSafe compatibility. Spigen asserts that it is their first case designed for MagSafe. From what I can see, the other Armor lineup cases such as Tough Armor and Slim Armor have had MagSafe compatibility added on, whereas MagSafe compatibility was a goal from the ground up for this case. Consequently, there is no non-MagSafe version of this case.

Let’s get the MagSafe bits out of the way first. There is nothing visible on the back of the phone, but on the inside, you do spot the obvious indications for the magnet ring. With this case, you can use MagSafe accessories with your iPhone, without needing to remove the case. The magnet grip is as strong as it is with a naked iPhone, if not stronger. You can wirelessly charge the iPhone through the case and get full charging speeds. Spigen does warn that the “case may show circular imprints from magnet charger compression over time“, but I haven’t had this happen in my two weeks of rotating use.

Moving on, the Mag Armor case is really well built, and I actually grew to like it more than the Ultra Hybrid. Most of the case is a TPU bumper and other TPU elements, but there is (what appears to be) half a polycarbonate backplate. Since the top and bottom are not covered by the plate, the case has a lot more flex to it. This case also has the Air Cushion technology on it. You also see the usual lips on the camera and front, precise cutouts for ports, and buttons that retain clickability.

The Spigen Mag Armor case adds just a hint of curve on the side frame on the otherwise flat side frame of the iPhone 13 Pro, making the phone far more comfortable to hold

There’s a variety of finishes on the exterior of the case. The back has this visible pattern on it, which hides fingerprints pretty well. The bottom and top of the bumper are soft and smooth, while the sides have a different feel that I can best describe as soft-sandstone (think OnePlus, but much softer and flatter). The case finally adds some curve to the boxy, flat sides of the iPhone 13 Pro, instantly making it much easier for me to hold the damn iPhone. Mind you, the curve is subtle, but the case softens the hard edges of the phone mid-frame just enough for me to not dread gripping this expensive rectangle of a phone.

Spigen Mag Armor case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Mag Armor case prioritizes MagSafe compatibility without compromising on drop protection. The case also adds a slight curve on the side frame, making this boxy phone more comfortable to hold.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Tough Armor Mag case

The Tough Armor Mag case that Spigen sent for review was mistakenly for the iPhone 13 and not the iPhone 13 Pro that I have. I’ve used Tough Armor cases in the past, but for obvious reasons, I could not use this particular case as it wouldn’t fit.

Nonetheless, the Tough Armor Mag case has all the usual hallmarks of a good case. It has the conventional flat edges that Spigen presents on this lineup, a hybrid TPU plus polycarbonate build, alongside MagSafe compatibility. There are pieces of foam in the middle for shock protection, but the total foam coverage is a lot lower on this MagSafe compatible case than it is on the non-MagSafe case. Note that the foam pieces are on the backplate only and not on the side frame, so the overall difference in practical utility between the MagSafe case and the non-MagSafe case may not be all that different from each other. On the regular non-MagSafe case, you also get color options for the backplate. However, you do get a circular cutout in the middle to show off the phone’s rear Apple logo on both variants of the case, which is something I did not expect to see on a case designed for maximum impact protection.

Spigen Tough Armor Mag case for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Tough Armor Mag case is part of one of the most popular lineups from Spigen. You get a TPU-polycarbonate hybrid build as well as pockets of foam on the backplate. The Apple logo also remains visible on this opaque case.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen Glastr EZ Fit Screen Protector for the iPhone 13 Pro

Before Spigen sent me one, I actually did purchase the very same Glastr EZ Fit Screen Protector on day 1 for my iPhone 13 Pro, the same as I did with the iPhone 12 too. I’ve used this screen protector line for the past year, and I have had no complaints about it.

For starters, you get two screen protectors in the pack. Each one comes set within its own tray that matches the silhouette of the phone. The tray is half the magic, as it facilitates a near-flawless application. You wipe the phone screen and set the phone down on a flat surface, remove the protective film from the screen protector within the tray, and then place the tray over the phone, where it will click and fit into place. Press down on the middle of the screen protector and you will see it sticking onto the phone screen. Remove the holder sticker from the tray and the screen protector will fully rest on the phone. You can then lift the tray and use the squeegee to remove any air bubbles.

The very first time I tried this screen protector, I actually messed up. I live in a rather dusty area, so despite my best efforts, a few specks of dust had managed to sneak in the application process, spoiling an otherwise perfect application. I had the screen protector applied for an hour like that before I decided to lift up the protector and remove the dust with cello-tape (I had already used up the dust removal stickers that were provided). Surprisingly, that worked and the same screen protector settled in perfectly after that. This application lasted for the entire duration of my iPhone 12 ownership, so it made sense for me to pick the same screen protector up for the iPhone 13 Pro as well.

What I like about the Spigen Glastr EZ Fit is that it is case-friendly and is compatible with all of Spigen’s cases. Presuming you got the tray alignment right (how can you not?), all the other cases that I tried in this review have been worn and removed (cycled through 10 days, and then again when writing this up) on an iPhone with the protector applied, without unsettling it. There’s a thin gap between the case and the screen protector, just enough tolerance to allow the two products to harmoniously coexist. The screen protector also has rounded edges, so it doesn’t feel sharp if you use it without a case.

Over a year of use, the screen protector took the brunt of scratches in my pockets but had otherwise survived through a few drops (with a Spigen case on). If you are using just the screen protector without any cases, there’s a probability that a phone drop will get you a crack or some chipping — but that’s the very purpose of the screen protector. It needs to take the major brunt of use without transferring any damage to your phone screen, which is much harder and expensive to replace. To that end, the Spigen Glastr EZ Fit held up well in my experience. I also have no complaints on other aspects such as clarity or smudge resistance — it performs as I’ve experienced other screen protectors perform. This is not the cheapest screen protector around, but I have been very happy with how it performs and would consider it an investment into an expensive phone rather than an expense. Note that I use the regular version of the screen protector which is clear and does not cover the front camera and the Face ID sensors, and Spigen also sells a “sensor protection” version that does cover those sensors as well as a “privacy” variant.

Spigen Glastr EZ Fit Screen Protector for the iPhone 13 Pro

The Spigen Glastr EZ Fit Screen Protector is a case-friendly screen protector that is very easy to apply and does the job really well.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen PowerArc ArcField Magnetic Wireless Charger

Spigen also sent along their ArcField Magnetic Wireless Charger. This is essentially a MagSafe charger equivalent, but cheaper at $25 than Apple’s $39 charger. Neither Apple nor Spigen include a charging brick with their product. The Spigen wireless charger has a USB Type-C end on one side, and the wireless charger puck on the other. It is an extremely light puck that gently snaps onto the MagSafe magnets on compatible iPhones like the iPhone 12 and 13 series. It maxes out at 7.5W output (Qi) for the iPhone 13 Pro, while the Apple charger maxes out at 15W — I wouldn’t call either number as “fast” for wireless charging, and you can blame Apple for the difference in numbers. Note that there are no grip surfaces underneath the charger, so it will slide around your table — that is an intentional design decision as the MagSafe puck chargers are meant to allow movement with the phone. The Spigen charger works through thin cases, but the general rule of thumb is that the more the distance between the charging coil on the phone and the charger, the slower it will charge. You can charge other devices with this too, but you’d still be restricted to 7.5W and you might not get any magnetic latching.

I’ve not been a fan of the Apple MagSafe charger, and the Spigen ArcField Magnetic Wireless Charger does not reinvent the category in any way. If you specifically need a MagSafe charging puck, you can consider getting one. But otherwise, there are better wireless chargers for the iPhone on the market.

Spigen PowerArc ArcField Magnetic Wireless Charger

The Spigen PowerArc ArcField Magnetic Wireless Charger is a MagSafe charger alternative. However, it suffers from the same design limitations as the official charger from Apple, and Apple does not allow full 15W charging from Qi chargers.

Buy from Amazon.com

Spigen OneTap MagSafe Stand

The Spigen OneTap MagSafe Stand is a personal purchase and not part of Spigen’s review kit, and it has been the most surprising Spigen product for me. I didn’t realize how much I would like it, and it has now found a permanent spot on my desk.

As the name implies, the MagSafe Stand is a phone stand that relies on MagSafe to hold your iPhone in place. The phone snaps into place as you bring it close to the stand. You can place the phone in any orientation or angle as this is a MagSafe compatible stand. The head of the stand can be tilted all the way down till the head touches the stand, and almost all the way to the other side (but this causes imbalance). There are no other moving parts. There’s a slit in the stand to help you route a charging wire through. There’s also a magnet area on the back wherein you can stick a cable magnet that comes within the box (but was sadly missing on mine). The stand has rubber feet that felt like adhesive at first, but I later realized were not sticky, but grippy.

Why I really like the MagSafe Stand is because it does what it says on the box. The iPhone 13 Pro latches firmly onto it, and pulling it out takes deliberate effort, just the right amount you would expect on a stand. I’ve placed this next to my desktop, and combined with the phone’s FaceID, this lets me quickly read through the myriad notifications I receive in a day without needing to pick up my phone.

You can use the stand with non-MagSafe cases, but the magnetic grip is not very confident in such cases. Pair it with a MagSafe case, and it is strong enough for me to photograph the phone stuck on it 5 feet in the air. I am very happy with this stand, though now that I have it, I wished I had the one with wireless charging. Right now, to charge the phone, I need to route the wire and plug it normally, which is a bit inconvenient — wireless charging would have saved me the hassle entirely. There’s a $7 difference in the pricing between the two variants. I do consider phone stands a non-essential purchase, so you will have to decide if the $30 spend is worth the convenience to you, especially since you can’t place any other non-MagSafe product on this.

Spigen OneTap MagSafe Stand

The Spigen OneTap MagSafe Stand is a confident MagSafe stand for compatible iPhones. You can place your phone in any orientation, and the head tilt gives you plenty of angles to play with. It also has a nice sturdy base, but no wireless charging.

Buy from Amazon.com

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Spigen makes quality products, and this is another year where I have walked as a happy customer and a happy reviewer. A lot of cases and accessories you see in this review are personal purchases, and they were day 1 purchases because of the past goodwill that the brand has accumulated. Yes, some of the prices are on the expensive side, especially if you compare them with the sea of alternatives from lesser-known brands around the world. But I do not mind paying the small premium to get something I can and have truly depended on. Based on the product, it could be worth assessing if you would get the same value out of it as I did.

What are your thoughts on the above-mentioned cases from Spigen? Do you also have good (or bad) experiences with Spigen cases? Let us know in the comments below!

The post Checking out Spigen’s iPhone 13 Pro case and accessory lineup appeared first on xda-developers.

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