Why the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is totally worth buying

At a price tag of $1,400+ is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra worth it?

That's a question tech bloggers are tackling with mixed results. The overwhelming majority are finding reasons you shouldn't buy the Galaxy S20 Ultra, and while those arguments have some merit, I have a much different point of view. I bought the Galaxy S20 Ultra myself (two of them actually) and I'm excited to share my reasons for declaring the Galaxy S20 Ultra as totally worth buying.

The "Ridiculous" Price

There is no denying that the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is expensive – that's a fair point. But Ultra critics cherry-pick specs by pointing out "comparable devices" for half the price or less:

• The S20 Ultra has a periscope optical zoom but so does the Huawei P30 Pro ($700) and Oppo Reno 10X Zoom ($630) for half the price
• The S20 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery but so does the Moto G7 Power ($175), Zenfone 6 ($750), and Nubia Red Magic 3 ($540)

Yes, you can find S20 Ultra specs and features on other much cheaper devices, but put the entire S20 Ultra spec sheet side-by-side with any phone on the market and it's easy to understand why it costs so much more. There isn't a single area in which Samsung skimps on specs. There is no weak point.

It's important to distinguish between budget phones, value phones, flagship phones, and premium phones. Different devices target different types of customers at different price points. The S20 Ultra is intentionally expensive but if you want the top of the line smartphone, care about photo and video quality, and can afford $1,400 – you're not going to find a better device.

This is the exact same reason that MKBHD spent $42,399 on a Mac Pro with zero regrets. And it's why YouTubers like Austin Evans insist you should "Stop buying expensive smartphones" and then confirm the $1,400 Ultra is worthy of the price tag:

You'll always pay a premium for the best of the best. In this case, the S20 Ultra is the best of the best. It might not be the best value, but that's not what makes something "worth it". If the $1,400 doesn't make you flinch and you're mostly interested in buying the absolute best phone with the best camera? The S20 Ultra is worth it.

The DSLR Replacement

I've been waiting for an Android device to replace my DSLR since I blogged about the original Samsung Galaxy Camera way back in 2012. That article started off with this very telling sentence: "On a scale from 1 to Awesome, I rate the Samsung Galaxy Camera a 12."

The Samsung Galaxy Camera wasn't an Android phone but a camera running Android.

It was discontinued after 2 years but not long after they filled the gap between DSLRs and Smartphones with the likes of the Galaxy K Zoom:

Unfortunately, that experiment didn't fare too well, either.

Let me be clear: I understand that smartphones won't replace the quality of a DSLR and that's not what I'm expecting. What I'm suggesting is that – as a person who loves traveling and taking photos and videos, I want a smartphone that makes me feel good about leaving my DSLR at home. I want to do away with the burden of lugging around a bulky camera and be happy with the single electronic device that I always carry with me everywhere I go. Better the camera, the happier I am.

To that end, no device outperforms the Galaxy S20 Ultra. If you're like me and love your DSLR but find yourself leaving it at home because it seems like more trouble than it's worth? Yes, the S20 Ultra is worth it. Especially considering the cost of a DSLR.

The 100X Space Zoom Fake News Gimmick

Samsung is catching a lot of heat for the marketing behind the Galaxy S20 Ultra camera specs. The biggest complaint is surrounding the "100X Space Zoom" which is supposed to "change photography forever".

Does the name overhype the feature? Perhaps… but maybe that's just good marketing. Or consider that maybe it's called Space Zoom because the images look like they came from a satellite or a Google Earth screenshot.

The feature is supposed to be more fun than useful and this is clearly illustrated in Samsung's own ads for the Galaxy S20 Ultra:

See the guy in the hot air balloon? Kinda sorta. That's the point. The Galaxy S20 Ultra 100X Zoom allows you to see something you normally would never be able to see and capture it if you'd like. If anything, it's a pretty good replacement for a pair of binoculars.

Unfortunately, sensationalism goes both ways and many news outlets (including the Wall Street Journal) are covering the S20 Ultra as a privacy-invading tool for creepers. And while you're at it turn off that rap music and get off my lawn? Sheesh.

The Galaxy S20 Ultra has icons for each zoom level:

• It has true 4X Optical Zoom
• It has 10X Hybrid Zoom (optical + software magic)
• Up to 30X Zoom still looks pretty darn good
• At 100X Space Zoom it's mostly blurry blobs

The bottom line is that the Galaxy S20 beats every other smartphone's zoom by a landslide. Even Dieter Bohn from the Verge claims that it "embarrasses the iPhone":

His complaints about 100X Space Zoom are spot on. They might not be something you use for social media shots or YouTube vlogs, but it's a powerful and fun tool to have at your disposal. I don't think it's the type of thing you use with specific moments in mind, but instead, you have it in your arsenal for when those unpredictable moments arise.

It's Too Damn Big & Ugly!

The Galaxy S20 Ultra is gigantic! .The phone has a 6.9-inch screen and weighs nearly half a pound. This is a fact and a legitimate complaint from which we can't escape. Simply put, if you hate large devices, the Galaxy S20 Ultra isn't worth it for you. For me, the pros outweigh this con.

The screen is gorgeous but critics have also complained that it only comes in two boring color options: black or grey. ON top of that, the rear of the device doesn't exactly turn heads. I'd argue that 99% of users will slap a case on the phone, rendering the color limitations meaningless and hopefully protecting the Ultra from the inevitable falls when you fumble and bumble and ultimately drop it on the ground… more than once. It's a $1,400+ device that most people are going to protect with a case it's being purchased for its camera features not it's sleek and sexy design.

Although this criticism has the most merit, it's one of the tradeoffs that come with the territory. When it comes to stuffing all the highest-end specs into one device you either go big or go home. That's up to you.

No 3.5mm Headset Jack?

The lack of a 3.5mm headset jack might be a deal-breaker for you. I was the same way for a long time but recently jumped ship. Three months ago I got fed up with the wires and upgraded:

• From the wired Bose QC35 (Series I) to Bluetooth Bose QC35 (Series II) at my desk
• From the old-school Sony behind the head headphones to the Powerbeats Pro on the go

I couldn't be happier. My only complaint is the QC35 MicroUSB charging port instead of Type-C, forcing me to carry around an extra charging cable. The growing pains of technological progress can be annoying but it's usually for the better. In this case, I'm finally coming around on the trend towards Bluetooth and I'd urge you to just give it a try.

If you're in the 3.5mm tribe then perhaps this is a deal-breaker for you. That would make the Galaxy S20 Ultra not worth it. But if the fact that you don't own Bluetooth headphones is what's holding you back, consider that Samsung is offering free Galaxy Buds with the purchase of the Galaxy S20 Ultra.

The Bottom Line

The $1,400 price tag makes the Galaxy S20 Ultra seem stupid for anyone focused on value. For half the price you can find a smartphone that's almost as good in nearly every category: nice screen, great camera, large battery, plenty of storage, yada yada yada. But the Galaxy S20 Ultra isn't for people seeking the best value. It's for people seeking the best.

The zoom features blow every other smartphone camera out of the water and when comparing basic photo/video quality, the S20 Ultra fares well against the perennial favorites (iPhone & Pixel). In perhaps the most critical and thorough look at the S20 Ultra vs iPhone 11 Pro Max, you'll see it holds up very well in side-by-side examples:

The world of smartphones is crowded and the outstanding value offered in mid-range devices has made things seem a bit boring at times. Phones like the Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy S20 Ultra are re-imagining what a smartphone can be and re-energizing consumers, including me.

If you love tech, you're in the market for a new phone, and you want to take the best photos and videos possible: the Galaxy S20 Ultra is definitely worth it. Even at $1,400 bucks.

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Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro review

Mobvoi made a name for itself with its smartwatches, but it's also known for its AirPods competitors. Some may even call them copies, though one could argue that they differentiate themselves enough. The company has released an update called the TicPods 2 Pro and they pack even more features into a true wireless earbud without a seal.

Overview

• Drivers: 13mm
• Bluetooth version: 5.0 with aptX
• Water resistance: IPX4
• Battery life: 4 hours, 20 hours total
• Size: Earphones: 16 x 17 x 40mm, case: 24 x 32 x 71mm
• Weight: 4.4g each, 29.5g case
• Price: $139.99 (Amazon)

The case of the TicPods 2 Pro is surprisingly small and lightweight. At under 30 grams, it's significantly lighter and smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Buds. This makes it super portable and easy to throw into that weird little pocket above your main right jeans pocket. Unfortunately, the size also means a lack of wireless charging.

Once you open the textured lid you'll find the earbuds inside, tightly magnetized in. For the most part, this magnet will align the earbuds if you put them in close enough. There's also a button that allows you to re-pair the earbuds.

The earbuds have an elongated stem like Apple's AirPods, but the entire thing is a touch surface. This opens up the possibility of multiple touch gestures, but Mobvoi kinda dropped the ball here. The only track control gesture is double-tap. It's customizable (I set mine to pause the music), but that means there is no track skipping. There are also no unique gestures side to side. However, you can slide your finger up and down the stem for volume controls which is nice. Still, there needs to be a way to skip tracks.

Build quality

The earbuds themselves are extremely well built out of durable plastic. They have no flex, creak, or give and feel solid and dense. The grill covering the driver is well attached and hard to rip out when cleaning the earbuds.

The case is a different story. The base is reasonably nice but the lid is very thin and cheap feeling. It flexes and creaks even when closed and the back of a detent in the open position leads to easy, accidental closes. There's a light spring that pops it open once you push it past the magnet but it's still floppy and annoying. It's not awful by any means but it's behind similarly priced earphones.

Sound quality

Audio quality is just as much a factor of earphone design as it is driver design. You could have the best drivers on the market and still have poor-sounding earbuds if they weren't designed right. And frankly speaking, non-sealing earphones generally sound worse than sealing ones.

The TicPods 2 Pro feature very large 13mm moving coil drivers. And thanks to the large drivers paired with the Qualcomm aptX codec, they can produce some big sound. The highs are relatively clear, the mids are powerful, and the bass is quite a surprise.

Despite having no seal, there is a substantial amount of bass. It's not particularly sharp, but it is more impactful than expected. You're not getting a ton of detail out of it, but it's there to bring the music alive beyond the tinny sound of many earphones in this class. The TicPods 2 Pro get very loud, loud enough to drown out almost any noise. However, at high volumes the highs get shrill and the bass starts to disappear. Still, the extra volume headroom is appreciated.

Overall the sound isn't great for the price, but it's definitely pretty good. And for unsealed earphones, it's surprisingly competent. Firmware updates have really helped the overall sound signature in the past, so things may get even better in the future. One of the updates did make the sound warmer and bassier in a very good way.

If you take a lot of calls, the TicPods 2 Pro won't disappoint. The dual mics per side sound particularly good and people told me I sounded clearer than usual which is a benefit.

There's one more thing to praise. Mobvoi's choice of sounds for the connection and button activations are lovely, both noticeable and soothing.

Comfort

With a design almost identical to the AirPods, you know what to expect. They use a full hard plastic construction and do not seal. And thanks to this, they're ridiculously comfortable. They can stay in your ears without you feeling them and they have no major pressure points that cause long term discomfort.

Some people do find AirPods and their copies uncomfortable, and some find that they don't stay in their ears. But for a majority of people, these are going to be a pleasure to wear.

Connection

The connection of the TicPods is a major weak point. I've found that the connection between the two buds is pretty shakey. They often go out of phase, which is a bit disorienting as it almost sounds like the sound is shifting side to side. There's also some flickering in general, especially when one earphone is being used. Since the left earbud is the one that can be used on its own, and my phone is in my right pocket, walks with one earbud were often aggravating and had me put the TicPods away just because of connection issues.

The latest update did improve the connection, but it's still substantially weaker than any other earphones I've tested. I've had no such issues with the competition. And at this price, it's a hard pill to swallow. Hopefully, future updates will make this even better.

Battery life

The battery life of the earbuds is rated at four hours, but you'd be lucky to actually hit that. I've gotten around two and a half to three in actual use. A few years ago this would be considered decent outside of AirPods, which were the gold standard of true wireless battery life for a long time. But now, it's sub-par when factoring in what's being offered by the competition. The year-old Galaxy Buds get six at $10 less and the Creative Outlier Gold get 14 hours at $40 less.

With the case, the battery life is 20 hours total, which is pretty good. Plus putting the earbuds into the case for five minutes gives you an hour of charge. Honestly, four hours is not bad, especially with a short break giving you a few more hours of playtime. Crazy battery life isn't needed, and if the three hours of actual playtime is enough, you'll be happy. Unfortunately at this price point, it's simply not competitive.

Features

Mobvoi has included a few features to set the Ticpods 2 Pro apart from the pack. The first is the ability to control your music with voice commands without using a trigger word. You can say things like "pause music" and "next track" out loud. If you're alone and no one is there to hear you, I can see that as being pretty useful. But it doesn't work most of the time. Once in a while it'll work, but it usually takes a few tries in a quiet area and I ended up disabling the feature.

The feature that did work is Call Control. When there's an incoming call, you can nod your head to accept or shake your head to decline. It works perfectly, and even though it's a bit gimmicky, it's a lot of fun and a useful hands-free way to control calls. I love it.

These earbuds have wearing detection, so once you remove one the music pauses. This works pretty much perfectly, much better than some other earphones. You can also say "Hey Tico" to trigger your favorite assistant.

The app is pretty simple and not very useful outside of the initial setup, but it is where you update your earphones. One of the updates was a major improvement in both sound quality and connection, so keep an eye out for software updates that will improve your experience.

Conclusion

Mobvoi TicPods 2 Pro Rating: star_fullstar_fullstar_75star_0star_0 (2.75 / 5)

The Good

• Tiny, pocketable case
• Super comfortable fit
• Head gesture for controlling calls is fun

The Bad

• Battery life is terrible
• Connection issues abound
• Not enough control
• Case build quality could be better
• Too expensive for what you get

I wanted to love these true wireless earbuds. Between the tiny size and super comfortable fit, they were the ones I grabbed for work every time. They even sound pretty good and have many of the features you'd want like noise-canceling microphones, wear detection, and touch controls.

But the constant side to side phasing, sound disruptions, and other connection issues made them aggravating to use unless your phone is on the table. And the short battery life means constant breaks needed to give them a recharge. This really hurts when the price tag is a very high $140. They're priced quite a bit over mid-range, and they don't seem to be up to par for the price.

There's a ton of potential. Maybe software updates will improve the connection issues. Maybe an upgraded model will get at least six hours of real battery life. There's a lot to love here, but it's just not enough to recommend until the kinks are worked out.

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5 interesting Android apps to check out this week (FEB 29, 2020)

The Google Play store is full of awesome apps that can help you with tasks or simply help you take a break and relax with an engaging game. But how do you know what ones you should try? We can help you with that! Every week, we will share awesome new apps that we think you will enjoy. The highlights from this week include a news-curating app and an app to help you share files with your friends and family.

Take a look at the list below to find the perfect new app for you this week.

Beta Maniac – Life of a beta tester

Description: Beta Maniac is a great tool for adventurous Android users looking to try out the latest release of their favorite apps. The app periodically scans your device and informs you when new beta versions are available. You can easily subscribe and manage your subscriptions directly from the app.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.8/5
• Installs: 10K

Install Beta Maniac

Knewz: Local & World News App

Description: Knewz is a brand new news aggregator app for people seeking unbiased, trusted, true and quality journalism. All Knewz stories are presented to you after the content is critically reviewed and evaluated to make sure it presents a balance of coverage and context.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 3.9/5
• Installs: 5,000+

Install Knewz

Napkin Calculator and Notepad

Description: Napkin is a unique, but helpful app. Think of it as a cross between a calculator and a spreadsheet. Enter text and if necessary, associated value. Once everything is entered type the mathematical formula you want to Napkin to complete. Light and Dark modes are included in the app.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Installs: 100+

Install Napkin Calculator

Screencode – Offline File Transfer

Description: Screencode lets you quickly share files among friends and family. a screencode is similar to a QR code but contains more information and lets you easily transfer data without having to configure NFC, Wifi, or other commonly used methods of transferring data between devices. Screencode can transfer many types of files, but transfer speeds can vary greatly. It's best used for documents.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.4/5
• Installs: 100+

Install Screencode

Scroll: A better internet

Description: Twice as fast, 80% fewer trackers, no distracting ads. The Scroll app unlocks a fast, clean, ad-free experience on an increasing number of sites. Scroll works across Safari, Firefox, Chrome and lots of other in-app browsers including Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Flipboard. Ad-free sites include The Atlantic, USA Today, BuzzFeed, Vox, The Verge, Business Insider, Slate, Salon and hundreds of others.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.6/5
• Installs: 1,000+

Install Scroll: A better internet  

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Samsung confirms Galaxy S8, Note 8 will not receive Android 10 update

Typically, Android handset makers promise at least two years worth of major Android updates for their phones. Anything after that is pretty much up to the company if they want to continue supporting the device with additional updates. This is why it sounded like great news when it was suggested that both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Note 8 could be on the receiving end of Android 10.

Both phones received their Android 9.0 Pie updates back in 2019 and according to erroneous statements made by Samsung reps (apparently on multiple occasions), they stated that both these phones could be updated to Android 10. It has since been confirmed by SamMobile, who spoke to Samsung at the company's Unpacked event, that this is simply not true.

Like we said, handset makers usually release at least two major Android updates, and Samsung has lived up to their promise with the Galaxy S8 and Note 8. To receive Android 10 would have been a nice bonus, but if you were holding your breath for the update, it looks like you can start breathing again.

That being said, it should be noted that while both devices will no longer receive major Android updates, they are still very much eligible for security updates that will patch bugs and vulnerabilities, so you can safely continue to use either handset for a while more.

Source: SamMobile

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Samsung unveils an OLED display that’s “optimized for 5G”

Unlike last year, 5G smartphones appear to be more common these days. For the most part, 5G smartphones aren't too different from non-5G smartphones, save for certain pieces of hardware like the modem which will now support 5G connectivity, but Samsung thinks that more components of the phone can apparently be optimized for the new mobile standard.

Samsung Display has recently unveiled a new OLED display which they are claiming has been "optimized" for 5G. We're not sure what exactly that means, but presumably they are referring to the amount of energy that this new display consumes.

According to the company, they boast that their new OLED display is now not quite as power-hungry compared to previous displays, where its power consumption has been reduced by 15%. It is widely believed that 5G will end up consuming more power compared to 4G, so by reducing the amount of power the display actually uses, it should help with smartphone battery life.

Jee-ho Baek, vice president of the mobile display strategic marketing team at Samsung Display was quoted as saying:

"5G is expanding into a rapidly commercialized ecosystem where consumers can be connected to 8K as well as 4K streaming services, cloud-based gaming content and infotainment networks, increasing mobile device usage everywhere. Our 5G-optimized OLED display is taking the lead in the 5G era with its crystal clear imagery, distinguished designs, economical power consumption and increasingly eye-protective functionality."

In addition to being "optimized" for 5G, the new display is also said to be easier on the eyes, where the amount of blue light it emits is 6.5%, versus 7.5% from Samsung's OLEDs from last year. For those unfamiliar, studies have found too much exposure to blue light is said to be bad for our eyes, where it has the potential to mess up our sleep cycles.

Source: Samsung Display

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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip real-world camera test (70+ photos & videos)

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is our new favorite foldable display smartphone for 2020. While it may not have all the bells and whistles found on 2020 flagship smartphones, it a much better device than the new Motorola Razr, packing a high-end processor, an amazing foldable display and flagship-tier cameras.

on the back, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip features two 12MP sensors, paired with f/1.8, 27mm (standard) and f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide) lenses while the 10MP front-facing camera sports an f/2.4, 26mm lens. All three sensors are capable of recording 4K 60/fps video, though you will need to bump down the resolution and frame rate to take advantage of OIS and the phone's HRD10+ video capture mode. 

Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

To give you an idea of how the cameras on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip will form in the real world, we took the phone out and captured more than 70 images and video clips with the device. Check out the embedded video and sample gallery to see if the Galaxy Z Flip's camera lives up to your expectations.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip camera samples

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5 action-packed Android games to check out this week (FEB 28, 2020)

The Google Play store is full of awesome apps that can help you with tasks or simply help you take a break and relax with an engaging game. But how do you know what ones you should try? We can help you with that! Every week, we will share awesome new games that we think you will enjoy. The highlights from this week include the mobile port of a popular web-based game and a new game for fans of Magic: The Gathering

Take a look at the list below to find the perfect new game for you this week.

Happy Wheels

Description: Happy Wheels is a popular web-based game that's been given the mobile treatment. You play as one of several unique characters including an Effective Shopper and a Business guy each with their own method of transportation. Travel through over 60 levels dodging spikes, harpoons, and other objects.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.5
• Installs: 100K

Install Happy Wheels 

Kiki's Vacation

Description: Kiki's Vacation sets you off to the breezy paradise of Kokoloko Island in a relaxing idle adventure! Join Kiki as she befriends the locals, explores the islands' secrets, finds romance (*wink*wink*) and discovers herself in the process!

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: Early Access
• Installs: 500+

Install Kiki's Vacation

Magic: ManaStrike

Description: Magic: ManaStrike is a battle-strategy game set in the Magic: The Gathering theme. Using mana colors players are familiar with, craft your team and use your cards strategically to defeat your opponent. Summon Planeswalkers to turn the tides of the battle and capitalize on their unique skills to win. Each battle lasts only a few minutes with Seasonal ranked play available. Bring on the battles!

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.1/5
• Installs: 500K

Install Magic: ManaStrike

MergeCrafter

Description: MergeCrafter is an idle puzzle game merging objects together to form new ones and discover new items in Runaria. Complete enough puzzles and you can unlock additional biomes and game mechanics. No internet? No problem, MergeCrafter can be played offline. Start building today.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: Early Access
• Installs: 100+

Install MergeCrafter

Stickman Trick Soccer

Description: Let's kick the ball into the goal! What sounds easy will be quite challenging because in Stickman Trick Soccer you have to find and play the best possible path to the goal which is covered by various obstacles. Use some of them for your advantages like trampolines, wheels and wind machines and try to avoid others like spikes, water, and explosives.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.3/5
• Installs: 10K

Install Stickman Trick Soccer

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Everything new that came to Netflix this month (February 2020)

You may not have caught all the new shows and movies Netflix put out in January, but that's not stopping the company from releasing more favorite shows again this month! February 7th brings us the highly-anticipated Locke & Key series. On February 12th, the popular high-school teen drama  To All the Boys is back with To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. We've embedded a handful of trailers but we also encourage you to take a look at Netflix's official teaser video for its February lineup.

Let us know which show or movie you're looking forward to the most this month.

February 1st

• A Bad Moms Christmas
• A Little Princess
• Back to the Future Part III
• Blade Runner: The Final Cut
• Center Stage
• Cookie's Fortune
• Dear John
• The Dirty Dozen
• Dirty Harry
• Driving Miss Daisy
• Elizabeth
• Elizabeth: The Golden Age
• Fools Rush In
• Hancock
• Love Jacked
• The Notebook
• The Other Guys
• The Pianist
• Police Academy
• Police Academy 2: Their First Assignment
• Police Academy 3: Back in Training
• Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol
• Police Academy 5: Assignment: Miami Beach
• Police Academy 6: City Under Siege
• Police Academy 7: Mission to Moscow
• Purple Rain
• Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
• Scary Movie 2
• Sex and the City 2

February 3rd

• Sordo — Netflix Film
• Team Kaylie: Part 3 — Netflix Family

February 4th

• Faith, Hope & Love
• She Did That
• Tom Papa: You're Doing Great! — Netflix Original

February 5th

• Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us'
• #cats_the_mewvie
• The Pharmacist — Netflix Documentary
• Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story

February 6th

• Cagaster of an Insect Cage — Netflix Anime

February 7th

• The Ballad of Lefty Brown
• Dragons: Rescue Riders: Season 2 — Netflix Family
• Horse Girl — Netflix Film
• Locke & Key — Netflix Original
• My Holo Love — Netflix Original
• Who Killed Malcolm X?

February 8th

• The Coldest Game — Netflix Film

February 9th

• Better Call Saul: Season 4
• Captain Underpants Epic Choice-o-Rama — Netflix Family
• Polaroid

February 11th

• Good Time
• CAMINO A ROMA — Netflix Documentary
• Q Ball

February 12th

• Anna Karenina
• To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You — Netflix Film

February 13th

• Dragon Quest Your Story — Netflix Anime
• Love is Blind — Netflix Original
• Narcos: Mexico: Season 2 – Netflix Original

February 14th

• Cable Girls: Final Season — Netflix Original
• Isi & Ossi — Netflix Film
• A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon — Netflix Family

February 15th

• Starship Troopers

February 17th

• The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia — Netflix Family

February 19th

• Chef Show: Volume 3 — Netflix Original

February 20th

• Spectros — Netflix Original

February 21st

• A Haunted House
• Babies — Netflix Documentary
• Gentefied — Netflix Original
• Glitch Techs — Netflix Family
• Puerta 7 — Netflix Original
• System Crasher — Netflix Film

February 22nd

• Girl On The Third Floor

February 23rd

• Full Count

February 25th

• Every Time I Die

February 26th

• I Am Not Okay With This — Netflix Original

February 27th

• Altered Carbon: Season 2 — Netflix Original
• The Angry Birds Movie 2
• Followers — Netflix Original
• Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution — Netflix Family

February 28th

• All The Bright Places — Netflix Film
• Babylon Berlin: Season 3 — Netflix Original
• Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 2 —Netflix Original
• Jeopardy!: Celebrate Alex Collection
• Jeopardy!: Cindy Stowell Collection
• Jeopardy!: Seth Wilson Collection
• La trinchera infinita — Netflix Film
• Queen Sono — Netflix Original
• Restaurants on the Edge — Netflix Original
• Unstoppable — Netflix Original

February 29th

• Jerry Maguire

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5 reasons you shouldn’t buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

By now you're up to speed on Samsung's S20 lineup for the year. Samsung's didn't bother to replace last year's Galaxy S10e, but kept its 3-device lineup intact with the introduction of the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra at the very high end of the spectrum.

If you're in the market for a killer flagship smartphone, on paper, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra appears to be perfect.  That being said, there are a few issues worth considering which may keep you from buying this phone. I've put together a list of items to consider before purchasing the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra.

Ridiculous price

I can't be the only one to think that smartphone prices are out of control. Not only does the Galaxy S20 base model now cost $999, but the Galaxy S20 Ultra comes in at $1399. That's completely absurd!

Sure, you get a ton of RAM 16GB to be precise), a periscope Zoom camera lens and a massive 5,000 mAh battery, but there's no reason why the price tag needs to be that high. Oppo included a 10x optical zoom in an 800 euro phone and 5,000 mAh batteries are becoming increasingly more common in mid-range devices that cost one third the price of the S20 Ultra.

Ultra-large

We all know that smartphones have gotten bigger and bigger with each new generation, but I think we can all agree that there's limited payoff when a phone weighs half a pound. The Galaxy S20 Ultra has a massive 6.9-inch display, roughly the size of a small tablet. Yes, it'll still fit in your pocket, but you'll want to pull it out every time you sit down if you don't want it to stab you.

The phone also weighs in at 7.83 ounces, (222 grams) just shy of half a pound. If you thought last year's galaxy S10+ was heavy, the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is 26% heavier.

A lot of people interested in this phone are looking forward to it's immense power and battery life for gaming, but they probably haven't factored in the extra hand fatigue they're looking at due to the phone's weight.

100x zoom is 100% gimmick

The marketing hype Samsung is trying to push with the Galaxy S20 Ultra is beyond ridiculous. Samsung's delivered a phone with 10x hybrid zoom thanks to its periscope lens, but they're marketing it as having 100x zoom.

Samsung has even printed "Space Zoom 100X" on the phone's rear camera module. Seriously?

Samsung claims that with a steady hand, you'll be able to take up-close photos of objects that are miles away and they even did a demo at the launch event. There's just one catch, the results are a blurry mess, even when you're using a tripod.

You'd probably be better off snapping a picture with the 108MP main camera sensors and then cropping it. That being said, the 10x zoom feature seems to work quite well and I'm honestly excited to use it more

You deserve a headphone jack

We all have our list of personal complaints we bring to the table. While I've been using Bluetooth headphones for years, but it still irks me when a phone of this size comes out without headphone jack.

The phone is 1mm thicker than the S10+ and as I've already pointed out, the phone is practically the size of a tablet. There's no reason why they couldn't throw in a 3.5mm headphone jack as well, especially thing they've charging nearly a grand and a half for this thing. What makes things worse is that the new Sony Xperia 1 II and the LG V60 both include a 3.5mm headphone jack, making them better (and cheaper) options for audiophiles.

Bland color options

For the past few years, we've seen some incredible new colors when it comes to smartphones. Changing build materials from metal to glass has produced some of the most incredible looking gadgets I've ever seen. I don't think anyone can deny that the prism glass back of the Note 10 last year was jaw-dropping and the orange, green and yellow finishes of last year's S10 lineup were fantastic as well.

But if you're going to spend $1400 on the S20 Ultra, you'll only be able to choose between grey and black. Tow of the most boring color options we've seen in a very long time. Now I know that this phone isn't going to be a huge seller, so having a half dozen color options really isn't needed, but there should at least be one color that matches what you'll be paying for the phone.

Final thoughts

And there you have it, my five reasons why you shouldn't buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. There's nothing fundamentally bad about the phone, but Samsung could have made it much more compelling with a few minor tweaks. It'll be interesting to see how well the phone sells since Samsung has already shown that its flagship lineup is no longer accounting for the bulk of its smartphone sales. With more and people opting for mid-range devices, I don't see how the Samsung Galaxy Ultra and its $1,400 price point will help reverse that trend.

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The Black Shark 3’s physical trigger buttons could make it the ultimate gaming smartphone

When Xiaomi first launched the Black Shark gaming smartphone, it felt like the company was simply hopping on board the gaming smartphone bandwagon. Fast forward to today, it seems that the Black Shark series is starting to shape up to be rather interesting, especially with the details teased about the Black Shark 3.

In a series of posts made on Weibo, Xiaomi's co-founder Lei Jun revealed some details about the Black Shark 3 ahead of its scheduled announcement on the 3rd of March. The highlight hardware feature revealed is physical trigger buttons on the side of the phone. While we're seen capacitive trigger sensors on devices like the Nubia Red Magic Mars, we haven't seen physical buttons like these since the Sony Xperia Play which made its debut 9 years ago.

A second unique feature is rather interesting as it seems that the phone will come with a magnetic charging port on the back that will support 65W fast charging.

Now, most smartphones typically charge via micro USB or USB-C, but the use of a magnetic port is interesting and convenient. Presumably, this will be similar to the Apple Watch's charger, where users can attach it magnetically and detach it just as easily. This is better than current wired methods and also faster than wireless.

Other details about the phone include a decently-sized 4.720mAh battery that's been split into two and placed on either side of the motherboard. We're not sure what else the Black Shark 3 will be hiding under the hood, but check back with us next week if you'd like the official details.

Source: XDA Developers

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The new Huawei P40 Lite could be the best mid-range smartphone of 2020

Huawei had recently confirmed that on the 26th of March, they will be announcing the Huawei P40 and P40 Pro smartphones. These are set to the Huawei's flagship smartphones for the first half of the year, but it seems that ahead of the announcement, the company has unveiled a member of the P40 family in the form of the P40 Lite.

Before you get too excited, note that based on its specs, it appears that the Huawei P40 Lite is a rebranding of the Nova 6 SE that was launched in China last year, but presumably this phone will be intended for a more international audience.

As for its specs, we're looking at a 6.4-inch FHD+ IPS display with a hole cut out for the front-facing camera. Under the hood, the phone will be powered by Huawei's Kirin 810 chipset and will be accompanied with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It will also feature the use of a quad-camera setup, which is a nice touch for a lower-end device.

The camera setup includes a main 48MP sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro camera. The P40 Lite will also sport a 4,200mAh battery which should last you quite a bit. As for pricing, the phone will retail for around $327. And that's what really sets it apart from the competition, making it one of the most powerful smartphones selling for sell than $400

The only drawback here is that all new Huawei phones will launch without access to the Google Play Store since the company is still on the US Entity List. That could change soon, but we're not holding our breath.

Source: Android Central

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HTC Wildfire R70 is a budget smartphone with a triple camera setup

It has been a while since we've seen a smartphone from HTC, but if you're a fan of the company's offerings, you might be interested to learn that HTC has since announced its latest smartphone.

No, it is not a high-end flagship, but rather this model comes in the form of an entry-level device called the HTC Wildfire R70. But don't let the term entry-level fool you because for a phone that's been categorized as such, it actually packs some pretty decent hardware, such as a triple camera setup that's typically reserved for higher-end flagship models.

The Wildfire R70 will feature a triple camera on the back that consists of a 16MP main camera with an f/1.75 aperture. This is accompanied by a 2MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor that will help with the bokeh effects. Granted, it doesn't sound like the most powerful camera, but it should be good enough to get the job done.

Other specs include a MediaTek's Helio P23 chipset, 2GB of RAM (which is a bit concerning), 32GB of expandable memory, a 4,000mAh battery, and a 6.53-inch LCD with a 720p+ resolution. It will also come with a 3.5mm headphone jack for those who still believe in using wired headphones.

Unfortunately, there is no word on pricing yet, but given its specs, we don't imagine that it will be breaking the bank. If a higher-end model is what you're after, we heard that HTC does have plans to launch a 5G smartphone later this year.

Source: PhoneArena

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Crazy discount knocks Samsung Galaxy S10e to its lowest price ever

The Samsung Galaxy S20 series is the company's latest flagship smartphone. It also represents the best that they have to offer at the moment. Unfortunately, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag to match, but if you want to save some money and don't mind a bit of "older" tech, then the Samsung Galaxy S10e might be worth taking a look at.

Over on Amazon, the Samsung Galaxy S10e has been discounted by a whopping 30% which knocks its price down from $750 to $525, making it the lowest price we've seen for the phone to date.

Granted, it is a year old but it is still a pretty solid device. If you don't relish the idea of spending $1,000 for a brand new smartphone, then this could save you quite a bit of money, especially if you don't really see the need to have a triple camera setup or a phone display larger than 6-inches. We're not sure how long this deal will run for, but you best hurry if you want to get in on it.

Buy On Amazon NOTE: Links in this article may include affiliate codes that help us keep Phandroid up and running.

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Download Android 11 wallpapers for your Android smartphone

The Android 11 developer preview is out in the wild, packed with new features that most of us won't be able to use on our devices for at least another 7-10 months. Since waiting that long can get timesome, we've put together a collection of Android 11 wallpapers you can download to customize your Android device with.

How to install the Android 11 Developer Preview

To download the Android 11 wallpapers shown in the gallery below, long-press the image you want to download and then tap "Download Link".

If you happen to come across any other Android 11 wallpapers that you'd like to share with us and your fellow readers, please drop a link in the comments.

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Amazing new & updated Android apps to check out this week (FEB 27, 2020)

The Google Play store is full of awesome apps that can help you with tasks or simply help you take a break and relax with an engaging game. But how do you know what ones you should try? We can help you with that! Every week, we will share awesome new apps that we think you will enjoy. The highlights from this week include a Digital Wellbeing Experiment app an app to help you organize your notes.

Take a look at the list below to find the perfect new app for you this week.

Activity Bubbles – A Digital Wellbeing Experiment

Description: Activity Bubbles is a new way from Google for you to quickly see how often you use your phone. Every time you unlock an activity bubble appears on your home screen. The longer you are on your phone, the bigger the bubble. I know it's easy to lose track of time on your phone so this is a quick visual way to let you know if you need to lock your phone and walk away for a few minutes.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.0/5
• Installs: 50K

Install Activity Bubbles

 

Github

Description: GitHub is a development platform inspired by the way you work. From open source to business, you can host and review code, manage projects, and build software alongside 40 million developers.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: 4.3/5
• Installs: 10,000+

Install GitHub

Malwarebytes Call Protection

Description: Malwarebytes Call Protection helps eliminate scam calls and emails to your phone. Using their large data set of known bad numbers and text messages with malicious links, you can feel at ease knowing when a scam call comes into your phone.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: Ear;y Access
• Installs: 1,000+

Install Malwarebytes Call Protection

Microsoft Launcher Preview

Description: Microsoft Launcher Preview gives insight into upcoming features on a very popular launcher. The engine is rebuilt and allows features such as Dark Mode, Landscape Mode and numerous speed improvements in loading pages. As it is a preview build, you might run into a few quirky app behaviors so make sure you give the devs feedback.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: Early Access
• Installs: 10,000+

Install Microsoft Launcher Preview

Steno Notes – minimalistic note-keeping & writing

Description: The traditional art of note-taking and writing brought on your phone through a clean and clutter-free design to eliminate every distraction. Your creativity will do the rest. Steno is a lightweight note-taking and writing app centered around minimalism to avoid all the unnecessary and distracting stuff.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: Early Access
• Installs: 5,000+

Install Steno Notes – minimalistic note-keeping & writing  

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Best wireless chargers for Android and iOS in 2020

If you're looking for the fastest way to charge up your smartphone, there's no denying that using a cable will probably be the best way to go about it. The problem with charging with a cable is that if you knock your phone over, the cable might yank out and ruin your device. It is also a bit troublesome as it means having to plug and unplug it all the time.

This is where wireless chargers can come in handy, where they are convenient to use, that is if you don't mind a slightly slower charge. If you don't mind, then these wireless chargers we've listed below are definitely worth checking out, and the best part is that they will work with both iOS and Android devices.

RAVPower Fast Wireless Charger 10W

This charging pad will be capable of delivering up to 10W of charging when wirelessly charging your device. It will be compatible with pretty much all Qi devices, meaning that by today's standards, it should cover just about any phone that has wireless charging. It comes with a silicone grip that will prevent your device from sliding around, and also has heat dissipation that should help make it more efficient and reliable.

• Price: $26.99
• Rating: 4.8/5 (1,600+ reviews)

Buy On Amazon

Anker PowerWave 7.5W

When it comes to accessories, there's no denying that Anker is one of the more popular and trusted brands around. The Anker PowerWave might not be as powerful compared to some other wireless chargers out there, but it does come with an internal fan and what Anker calls a "state of the art" cooling system.

This should help keep the charger cool, which Anker claims will allow it to charge 30% faster than the competition. It will also work through phone cases, so you don't need to remove your phone case whenever you need to charge your device.

• Price: $49.97
• Rating: 4.0/5 (900+ reviews)

Buy On Amazon

Anker PowerWave 7.5W Stand

If you're a fan of Anker but you wanted something that could also prop up your phone, then Anker's PowerWave 7.5W also comes in a stand version. By propping up your phone, it lets you see notifications easily, and if you wanted, you could also use it to make video calls all the while your phone charges.

Once again, as with the previous Anker PowerWave, this charger will work with phone cases up to 5mm thick, removing the need for you to take out the case whenever you need to charge your device. It will also work with Qi enabled devices.

• Price: $29.99
• Rating: 4.6/5 (2,000+ reviews)

Buy On Amazon

Mophie Powerstation Hub

If you wanted wireless charging while on the go, then the Mophie Powerstation Hub is definitely worth taking a look at. This is an interesting device because not only does it wirelessly charge your device, but it does other things as well. For example, it is also a battery pack that comes with a 6,100mAh battery so you can charge other devices while on the go.

It also acts as a travel charger where you can connect it to a wall outlet and charge devices like laptops, phones, tablets, and so on. While it might not be the fastest wireless charger around, the fact that it pulls triple duty as a wireless charger, power bank, and a wall charger might excuse it.

 

Buy On Amazon

Nomad Wireless Charging Base Station

For those who own more than one wireless device, Nomad's Wireless Charging Base Station is definitely worth checking out. This wireless charging mat is capable of charging up to two Qi compatible devices at once, so you will be able to charge up to two smartphones at the same time.

It supports dual 10W charging and if you have other devices that need charging, it comes with one USB-A port and one USB-C port, meaning that it will be capable of charging up to four devices at once. The leather surface will also help protect your device from any scratches and scuff marks while it is charging.

Buy On Amazon NOTE: Links in this article may include affiliate codes that help us keep Phandroid up and running.

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Google applies for exemption to do business with Huawei

With Huawei being placed on the US Entity List, it means that they are not allowed to do business with US companies like Google, and vice versa. Both sides stand to lose as Huawei is the number two smartphone maker in the world, and losing their business is no doubt a huge deal.

Now according to reports, it seems that Google is eager to get back in business with the company and has reportedly filed for an exemption with the US government. For those who are unfamiliar, it is still possible for US companies to do business with those on the Entity List. They will need to apply for an exemption license, although whether or not this is granted is a different story.

That being said, while this sounds like potentially good news, remember that Huawei did previously say that they might not necessarily be so eager to get back in business with Google. We can't say that we blame them entirely, after all, who's to say that this won't happen again? It makes sense that Huawei wants to prepare themselves for the eventually that maybe they might never be able to use Google's services again.

The company has been busy finding alternatives to Google services like Google Maps, where they teamed up TomTom. It has also been reported that other Chinese smartphone makers such as Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo have also been looking into an alternative to the Google Play Store lest this fate were to fall on them in the future as well.

Source: GSMArena

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Microsoft Surface Duo “peek” feature shown off in video

Similar to LG who just announced their dual screen LG V60 ThinQ 5G, it seems that Microsoft is a big proponent for dual screen smartphones (as opposed to foldables). The company is expected to launch their Surface Duo smartphone later this year, and now thanks to a leaked video, one of the phone's features has been revealed.

In a video shared on Twitter, it looks like one of the features of the Surface Duo is the ability to "peek" at contents of the device without having to open it up fully. Given that the Surface Duo does not have an external display, it means that users will need to constantly flip it open to check on the contents.

pic.twitter.com/HeOQzQKOia

— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) February 26, 2020

This can be annoying, especially for the smaller things, but with the peek feature, users can get a glimpse and then decide what they want to do. For example, the video above shows what happens when a call comes in. Users only need to crack open part of the phone and it will display an optimized UI that shows who's calling.

Opening the phone entirely will bring up a different full screen call interface. Presumably this is applicable to other notifications like messages, emails, and so on, where users can peek at what's going on without having to commit themselves fully if they don't have the time. There is no word on when the phone will be released save for some time this year, but we'll be keeping our eyes peeled.

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5 incredibly addictive Android games to check out this week (FEB 26, 2020)

The Google Play store is full of awesome apps that can help you with tasks or simply help you take a break and relax with an engaging game. But how do you know what ones you should try? We can help you with that! Every week, we will share awesome new apps or games that we think you will enjoy. The highlights this time include another digital port of a popular board game and a uinique Word game to play solo or with friends and family.

Take a look at the list below to find the perfect new app for you this week.

Dream Detective

Description: Dream Detective finds you in the role of Allie as she finds herself in Dream Land. The time in Dream Land is unstable and Allie must navigate the realm of dreams to restore stability to the land. Help Allie through over 200 uniquely-styled levels with thousands of lines of dialog to help you get to know the characters in this world. Create your own style as you customize your character and uncover the mysteries of Dream Land. Dive in and enjoy!

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.1/5
• Installs: 100,000+

Install Dream Detective

Hexicon: Strategy Word Game

Description: Hexicon is a unique word game where the goal is to claim letter tiles and dominate the board. Improve your spelling and vocabulary as you play with game mechanics such as tile swap and area control. Hexicon includes multiple game options including timed mode and multiplayer. Looking for a solo game, play Hexbot and unlock harder levels as you increase your number of wins. If you are a fan of Word games, I'd suggest giving Hexicon a try.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: Early Access
• Installs: 500+

Install Hexicon: Strategy Word Game

Om Nom: Merge

Description: An abundance of fruit has started cropping up throughout the land. What a delicious treat! It's up to Om Nom to restore the balance and save the magic forest. However, he can't do this on his own, there's just too much fruit for one mouth! The Nommies hold the key to success – Om Nom's special friends can be merged together to unlock new, more powerful breed of Nommies to help munch through glade after glade of yummy treats.

• Price: Free
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.7/5
• Installs: 100,000+

Install Om Nom: Merge

Puzzle Pelago – A Drag & Drop Economy

Description:Puzzle Pelago is a Drag & Drop style game combining both economy simulation and turn-based gameplay. Combine materials to create more materials and use those newly-created materials to create the goods required by the homes on your island. The game includes 13 goods to produce and deliver along with over 100 to find and redevelop.

• Price: $3.49
• In-app Purchases: No
• Rating: New
• Installs: 100+

Install Puzzle Pelago – A Drag & Drop Economy

Terraforming Mars

Description: Terraforming Mars is a digital port by Asmodee Digital of the popular Jacob Fryxelius' board game. Place cards of the board and manage your resources to create cities and oceans to complete objectives and win the game. Play solo or against up to 5 other players either online or offline. The digital release also includes a few game variations for both multiplayer and solo modes.

• Price: $8.97
• In-app Purchases: Yes
• Rating: 4.4/5
• Installs: 1,000+

Install Terraforming Mars

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