Latest news with #mmWave5G
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Yahoo
Google Pixel 9a
PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. Starting at $499, the Pixel 9a is the most affordable member of Google's Pixel 9 lineup. It takes everything that's great about the $799 Pixel 9 and subtracts some nice-to-haves like mmWave 5G, reverse wireless charging, and satellite messaging. That still leaves a bright and sharp display, a powerful Tensor G4 processor, sharp cameras, Gemini AI, and a long software support window. With these flagship-level features, the Pixel 9a easily stands out as the most well-rounded handset you can buy for less than $500, earning it our Editors' Choice award for midrange Android phones. Measuring 6.1 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches (HWD) and weighing 6.6 ounces, the Pixel 9a is just a bit taller and lighter than the outgoing Pixel 8a (6.0 by 2.9 by 0.4 inches, 6.8 ounces). It's taller and thicker than the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro (starting at $999), both of which measure 6.0 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and 7.0 ounces. Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone 16e (starting at $599) is smaller at 5.8 by 2.8 by 0.3 inches and 5.9 ounces. Google has turned half a page as far as design is concerned. The 9a is distinct from the other Pixel 9s thanks to its flat back panel that nixes the camera bar. A small black bezel surrounds the dual rear camera array, which protrudes only slightly from the surface. From all other angles, the 9a closely resembles its Pixel siblings with its flat front and flat sides. The power button and volume rocker are on the right side, while a USB-C port (v3.2), down-firing speaker, and SIM tray are on the bottom edge. The buttons are clicky with good travel. The large screen is covered in Corning Gorilla Glass 3 and surrounded by a relatively thick bezel compared with the Gorilla Glass Victus and thin bezels of the other Pixels, but it's not distracting. The Pixel 9a doesn't support microSD cards and has no 3.5mm headphone jack. A fingerprint sensor is located under the display. More importantly, the front-facing camera near the top of the display powers facial recognition for biometric authentication that is secure enough for sensitive applications like banking. The fingerprint sensor and facial recognition worked without issue in testing. The phone's metal frame elegantly transitions into the front glass and the 81% recycled plastic back. The back panel's sandblasted finish gives it a smooth, matte look and a good grip. The Pixel 9a is available in Iris (lavender), Obsidian (black), Peony, or Porcelain (white). I received the Iris model for testing. Its purple shade is subtle and frequently appears as blue depending on the light. It's a good look, and I'm happy that Google offers affordable phones in fun colors instead of just black or white. For durability, the Pixel 9a is rated IP68, which means it can withstand water and dust, just like the other Pixel 9 models. This is an improvement over the Pixel 8a's lesser IP67 rating. Spec for spec, the Pixel 9a has the same display as the Pixel 9. It's a 6.3-inch OLED screen with a resolution of 2,424 by 1,080 pixels, a density of 422 pixels per inch, a refresh rate from 60 to 120Hz, and a maximum brightness of 1,800 nits for HDR content and 2,700 nits at its peak. It's larger and brighter than the Pixel 8a's 6.1-inch display, which reaches a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits. The 9a's bright display makes it easy to use the device outdoors, even under sunlight. Meanwhile, the iPhone 16e features a 6.1-inch screen with a resolution of 2,532 by 1,170 pixels, a fixed refresh rate of 60Hz, and a peak brightness of 1,200 nits. The Pixel 9a uses the exact same Tensor G4 processor found in the rest of the 9 series. Google says it has the same number of CPU, GPU, and NPU cores, which are all at the same clock speeds as in the pricier Pixels. It comes with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB ($499) or 256GB ($599) of storage. In Geekbench 6, which measures raw CPU Power, the 9a earned a single-core score of 1,704 and a multi-core score of 4,425. These numbers are a moderate jump from the Pixel 8a's 1,545 and 4,208 but essentially the same as the Pixel 9's 1,742 and 4,573. The iPhone 16e destroyed them all with scores of 3,441 and 8,362. On the PCMark Work 3.0 test, which measures how a phone performs general mobile tasks, the 9a scored 12,857, which is another small improvement over the 8a's 11,982. To assess graphics performance, we use the GFXBench Aztec Ruins test. The phone ran it at 68fps, which is well ahead of the 8a's 55fps and the 16e's 58.8fps. In general, the Pixel 9a is competitive with the rest of the Pixel 9 lineup, with scores that sometimes exceed even the Pro line. It's worth noting, however, that the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL all have 12GB of RAM, which might help with multitasking and some AI tasks. Check out all the Pixel 9 benchmarks below: For real-world gaming performance, we play the resource-intensive Genshin Impact. The Pixel 9a had no problem with the game, whether it was set to medium or high graphics at 60 frames per second. The gameplay and animations were smooth, with no dropped frames or slowdowns. The back of the phone becomes warm during longer gaming sessions but not hot. The Pixel 9 packs the largest battery in the entire 9 series at 5,100mAh (the 9 Pro XL comes close at 5,060mAh). Its maximum wired charging speed is 23W (up from 18W in the 8a), and it charges wirelessly at up to 7.5W. Reverse wireless charging is unavailable, though it is supported by the remaining Pixels (except for the 9 Pro Fold). In our battery rundown test, in which we stream a 1080p video over Wi-Fi with the screen at full brightness, the Pixel 9a lasted 13 hours and 15 minutes, which is a 60-minute improvement over the Pixel 8a and a 90-minute improvement over the Pixel 9. It's surprising to see the cheapest Pixel supersede its peers here. The iPhone 16e is on another level at 21 hours and 39 minutes. Google doesn't include a charger in the box. When connected to a compatible fast charger, the 9a reached 23% in 15 minutes, 47% in 30 minutes, and 100% in 1 hour and 35 minutes. That's not a record, but it's quick enough. For connectivity, the phone supports sub-6GHz 5G with C-band frequencies but not mmWave like the Pixel 8a or the rest of the 9 series, which means wireless data speeds will be limited compared with those models. Google didn't have an answer when asked why it dropped mmWave support. The phone also includes Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, dual-band GPS, and Wi-Fi 6E. The 9a can hold one physical SIM card and operate one eSIM. On T-Mobile's 5G UC network in New York City, the phone reached a maximum download speed of 384Mbps and an upload speed of 67.1Mbps. For comparison, a Pixel 9 Pro reached 412Mbps down and 44.4Mbps up in the same location. When connected to a Wi-Fi 6 access point, the Pixel 9a reached peak speeds of 441Mbps down and 5.39Mbps up. The 9 Pro hit 392Mbps down and 4.68Mbps up in the same spot. When I took the phones to the limits of my Wi-Fi network, both performed well. The 9a reached 244Mbps down and 11.2Mbps up, while the 9 Pro reached 298Mbps down and 9.59Mbps up. Unlike the Pixel 9a, the 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL all support emergency satellite messaging services and are better choices if you often travel far from terrestrial wireless networks. Call quality on the Pixel 9a is good. In a test recording, my voice sounded clear even over loud background noise. In such cases, you hear only the faintest amount of the noise underneath. To test call volume, I press a decibel meter to the earpiece with the volume all the way up, where it reached 76.4dB. I conduct speakerphone tests with the same decibel meter placed six inches away from the phone's down-firing speaker. Here, the 9a reached 77.2dB. I find volumes at or above 70dB easy to hear, and the Pixel 9a meets this threshold. To gauge media playback, I use the same six-inch test. The 9a emits sound from the earpiece and down-firing speaker. When playing Metallica's "Enter Sandman," the Pixel 9a put out 92.2dB. The lowest bass notes of The Knife's "Silent Shout" weren't easily audible. For a richer audio experience, pick up a pair of good Bluetooth headphones. The Google Pixel 9a has a 48MP camera at f/1.7 with optical image stabilization (OIS). This is a change from the 8a's 64MP f/1.89 main camera, but thanks to the 9a's larger aperture, it lets in more light than the 8a and is better at low-light photography. Google carries over the 13MP f/2.2 ultra-wide camera from the 8a. Generally, images from the main and ultra-wide cameras are pleasing and consistent. Colors are bright, though slightly oversaturated, and photos have excellent detail. The 9a's main camera takes 12MP images thanks to pixel binning, and the resulting shots are nearly identical to the Pixel 9 Pro's. You cannot take full-resolution pictures with the default camera app; this is a feature Google limits to its Pro line. Shots from the ultra-wide camera are tonally the same as the main camera, though you'll notice some warping in the corners. The Pixel 9a and 9 don't have a telephoto camera, but the 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL do. The 9a and 9 support Google's hybrid Super Zoom, but the 9 Pro and Pro XL have superior optical chops when it comes to zooming in on faraway subjects. Like the Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9a features a 13MP f/2.2 front-facing camera. Once again, colors are a bit oversaturated and the overall image is brightened. Details are well preserved. Portrait images look good, but glasses and fine details like hair can get lost in the mix. As for video, the 9a shoots up to 4K resolution at 60fps on the rear and up to 4K30 on the front. Both cameras capture realistic color and fine details. The rear camera's OIS yields mostly smooth video, but there's some slight bumpiness here and there. Meanwhile, the front-facing camera doesn't have OIS, so be sure to steady yourself when shooting with it. Google ships the Pixel 9a with Android 15, and the phone will get OS updates, feature drops, and security fixes for seven years. This length of commitment is matched only by Samsung. The Pixel 9a shares many of the same AI-enhanced photography tools as the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. For an in-depth look at each feature, check out my Pixel 9 Pro XL review. Here, I'll provide a general overview. Google's AI photography tools take care of unblurring images and face replacement, so group shots look great. The 9a supports Add Me, which allows the photographer to join a group photo. The camera app walks you through the steps to make things simple. Auto Frame lets the phone crop or expand your shot for a better-composed image, and Reimagine lets you easily change the background of a picture with a few taps. The Pixel 9a handles all of these duties quickly; I didn't notice any significant difference in processing time compared with the Pixel 9. These advanced features are explained in an easy-to-understand way, so you can make major edits to your photos without needing to learn much. Google's Gemini AI assistant continues to impress with its ability to see your screen or see the world through your camera. I used Gemini Live for tips on improving my photos, and it helpfully guided me through the menus to make the needed adjustments. It's great to see this level of AI capability on a sub-$500 phone.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Yahoo
Apple's first custom designed modem did surprisingly well in benchmarks
Apple just introduced its first proprietary cellular modem, the C1, as part of the recently-launched iPhone 16e. Ookla, the company behind Speedtest, just ran the C1 modem through a series of benchmark tests and it did surprisingly well, even when compared to the Qualcomm chips that accompany the pricier iPhone 16 handsets. The C1 misses out on mmWave 5G support, but can still hold its own in the speed department. The company found that the iPhone 16e offered average download speeds of 560Mbps for the top 90th percentile of users on AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. The standard iPhone 16, with the Qualcomm chip, is faster in this scenario, with average download speed of 756Mbps. The difference, however, isn't stark. Things change when you move from the top 90th percentile to the bottom 10th percentile. In this case, the iPhone 16e actually outperforms the standard model. The average data speed for the 16e here reached nearly 218Mbps, whereas the Qualcomm-based model averaged 210Mbps. Interestingly, the newest iPhone model was fastest when using AT&T and Verizon's networks. It was slower on T-Mobile. As for upload speeds, the 16e outperformed the traditional iPhone 16 in nearly every test. Apple has touted the C1 as the 'most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone,' and that doesn't seem to be hyperbole. Ookla's tests match our experience, as detailed in the official iPhone 16e review. We found that the C1 modem outperformed even the iPhone 16 Pro in certain use cases. However, it's always worth noting that this chip doesn't support ultrawideband 5G. So Apple's investment to build an in-house modem looks to have been a worthy endeavor, just like those speedy M-series chips. The company reportedly has big plans for future iterations. Not only is the C2 likely on the way, but Apple is planning on creating an all-purpose processor that contains an integrated modem. This could allow for some serious energy and cost benefits.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Yahoo
The iPhone 16e hints at 5G limits for the iPhone 17 Air
Apple announced the iPhone 16e earlier this week. As expected, the company's latest budget smartphone features its first custom-designed modem chip, known as the C1. However, this chip does not support ultra-fast mmWave 5G technology, indicating that another upcoming iPhone model may also lack this capability. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air, expected to launch this fall alongside the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup, is also likely to include the C1 chip. This suggests that it too will probably not support mmWave 5G. What does this imply? While mmWave technology offers fast data speeds at short distances—ideal for urban centers—sub-6GHz provides broader coverage, which is still fast but slower than mmWave. Sub-6GHz technology is, however, the more widely used option globally. The introduction of the C1 chip tells us two key things. First, if the iPhone 17 Air utilizes this chip like the iPhone 16e, it will not support mmWave. Second, this means that the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max will continue to use a Qualcomm modem chip that supports both mmWave and sub-6GHz. Additionally, Gurman reports that Apple is already developing a second-generation in-house 5G modem with support for both sub-6GHz and mmWave technology. This new chip is expected to be incorporated into the iPhone 18 lineup, anticipated to arrive in September 2026. Is the C1 chip's lack of mmWave support a significant issue? Not really, as this is largely irrelevant outside the U.S., where Apple currently only sells mmWave models. For more information on mmWave technology, check out our primer from 2022. Preorders for the iPhone 16e will begin tomorrow, February 21, with initial shipments expected to arrive one week later, on February 28. The iPhone 17 Air, which is anticipated to replace the iPhone Plus in the iPhone 17 lineup, is expected to be Apple's thinnest iPhone to date. It is also forecasted to feature a new design that distinguishes it from the rest of the 2025 iPhone lineup.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Yahoo
The best smartphones to buy in 2025
You might already have a good idea of which smartphone you want to be your next one. But there are more solid options available now than ever before, making the decision not as cut-and-dry as it used to be. While the decision is a bit easier if you know you want an iPhone, there's even enough variation between those new models that you may have to think about it longer than you anticipated. If you're an Android person, you have even more options to choose from — including foldables — and more questions to answer before you spend any Engadget, we review phones regularly and have tested dozens over the years. Whether you've had your eye on one of our current top picks, one of Samsung's Galaxy S25 phones, a cheap phone or another device, we're here to help you decide which is the best phone to buy this year. When you're searching for the best smartphone, it becomes clear that each OS has its pros and cons. Apple's tight-knit ecosystem makes it super easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you're effectively locked in, as services like Apple Messages aren't available on other platforms. As for Android, there's a much wider range of handsets from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones don't enjoy that same length of software support and often have lower trade-in values. In short, there's no wrong answer. However, you will want to consider how your phone will fit in with the rest of your devices. So unless you're really fed up with one OS and willing to learn another, it probably doesn't make a lot of sense to switch from an iPhone to an Android phone (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform. Since your cell phone often pulls double duty as your primary camera, figuring out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, practically every mobile phone can take a great picture in bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you'll probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device. Mid-range phones often only have two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) and can sometimes struggle in low-light situations. Each phone maker also has various features that might be a better fit for your style, with Apple offering four different color presets on the latest iPhones, while Google's Pixel 9 Pro comes with neat tools like dedicated long exposure and Action Pan modes. The good news is that in 2025, most phones have at least Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6e and support for some kind of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest wireless speeds possible, it's going to cost you a little extra. For example, on certain networks, mmWave 5G offers up to gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But mmWave 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means support for it is often missing on less expensive devices. On the bright side, mmWave 5G isn't as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and what network you're on, you may not be missing out on much right now if you buy a phone that doesn't support it. It's a similar situation for Wi-Fi 7, which is available on some high-end handsets like the Galaxy S25, but harder to find on cheaper devices. Wi-Fi 7 also requires you to have a compatible router, so unless you know you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 7 shouldn't be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone. Because not everyone agrees on what makes the best phone, you should think about any other specs that might be extra important for you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rates you get on phones like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 16 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you'll probably want to go with a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that's between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling a lot of devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which on Samsung phones even lets you recharge the company's Galaxy Watches. Like its predecessor, the S25 Ultra is an incredibly versatile phone. It's one of the few handsets that come with an included stylus and premium features like a gorgeous 6.9-inch AMOLED display, titanium frame and a 5x telephoto camera. It also has excellent performance and strong battery life. The issue is that, aside from improved AI, this year's phone doesn't offer that much more than the previous model (or the one before that), and with prices starting at $1,300, we feel it needs to do more to earn a top pick spot. While the OnePlus 13 features some basic AI features like Google's Circle to Search and Gemini assistant, it's really just an old-fashioned flagship in all the best ways. That's because instead of focusing on machine learning, OnePlus crammed the phone with tons of top-notch hardware. It sports a 6.8-inch OLED display with an incredible peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits. The OP13 also offers excellent performance thanks to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, along with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. There are also three 50-MP rear cameras including one with a 3x telephoto zoom and a massive 6,000 mAh battery that's bigger than what you get in practically all of its competitors. OnePlus didn't skimp on the phone's design either, as the OP13 still comes with the company's signature Alert Slider. Plus, if you opt for the blue or white variants, you'll get a durable and very touchable vegan leather back that helps the phone stand out among all its glass brick rivals. But the best part is that starting at $900, it costs less than an equivalent Galaxy S25+ too. While choosing the best smartphone can be challenging, it mostly comes down to how you plan on using the device. All of the best phones available now get the basics right — you'll be able to make calls, text and access the internet without many hiccups. If your smartphone is your most used gadget, you may want to consider paying for a device on the higher end of the price spectrum. That will get you better overall performance, higher-quality cameras and a phone that will last for many years. If you don't use your phone for everything, you may be able to compromise on performance and extra perks and spend less on a still-capable handset. Smartphones range in price from $300 to over $1,500. The best budget phones available now will usually compromise on overall performance, design, camera prowess and extra features to keep costs down. On the flip side, the most expensive phones will have powerful processors, triple-camera arrays and even flip or fold designs. Most people will find a phone that fits their needs somewhere in the middle of that wide price range — we've found that most of the best smartphones available right now cost between $500 and $1,000. Smartphones are essentially small, portable computers that let you do things like check email, browse social media, follow map directions, make contactless payments and more. This is all on top of the basics like making phone calls and texting, which we've come to expect in all modern cell phones. Smartphones have also mostly replaced compact cameras thanks to their high-quality, built-in shooters, and the fact that most smartphones today as just as portable, if not more so, as compact cameras. Smartphones can last years and people are holding on to their phones longer now than ever before. Software updates and battery life are two of the biggest factors that can affect phone longevity. Apple promises five years worth of software updates for its latest iPhones, and Google promises the same for its Pixel phones. Samsung phones will get four years worth of Android updates from the time they launch. As for charging speeds and battery life, your phone can deteriorate over time as you use and recharge your phone on a regular basis. January 2025: Updated to include details about Samsung's latest Galaxy S-series phones. September 2024: Updated to include the latest iPhone 16 models and a new midrange iPhone top pick. September 2024: Updated to include an editor's note about the latest iPhones and to mention the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold in the "best foldable phone for multitasking" section.
