Samsung’s Android Go phone won’t run stock Android, revealed in leaked photos

Android Go is Google's slimmed down, barebones OS for devices with low-end specs. We've seen several of these devices launch from a variety of OEMs around the world, but the biggest Android player has been absent. A couple of weeks ago we heard Samsung was testing an Android Go device in several countries. Today, we have our first look at the device in the flesh.

All of the Android Go phones we've seen so far have basically run stock Android. However, that is not a requirement for these devices. Leave it to Samsung to be the first OEM to customize the OS. These new leaked photos show Android Go with the Samsung Experience UI on top. It looks like the same UI you would find on a Samsung Galaxy S9, but with an array of Android Go apps. One of the core features of Android Go is the data saving and storage management, which is crucial for low-end devices in emerging markets. Samsung is using their old Smart Manager app for this.

In terms of the hardware, this is a pretty typical Go device. It has a small 5-inch AMOLED display with virtual navigation buttons. The rumored processor is the Exynos 7570 and it has 1GB of RAM with 16GB of storage. On the back is an 8MP camera with a 5MP selfie cam up front. The battery is 2,600 mAh and it runs Android 8.1 Oreo Go Edition. We're not sure when this device will launch, but with the frequency of leaks and rumors picking up, it should be soon. It's rumored to be called the Samsung Galaxy J2 Core.

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Source: SamMobile

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[VIDEO] OnePlus 6 Red Hands-On

OnePlus has a well-documented release strategy for its devices: launch a few colors, and then release flashier designs throughout the device's six-month lifespan. Last year's OnePlus 5T is a tough act to follow, not just because of its specs, but because it introduced the blindingly bright Lava Red and the nostalgia-inducing Sandstone White. Just a month after the release of the OnePlus 6, the company unveiled their first limited edition color variant with the OnePlus 6 Silk White, and this week they finally announced the OnePlus 6 Red version of their latest flagship.

In this video, we're taking a look at the latest OnePlus 6 Red with a quick hands-on that'll walk you through everything that has changed in its design, and how it compares to previous color releases. If you don't have time for the video, read on for a short text summary.

The almost blood-red body of the OnePlus 6 Red has a frame that doesn't feel like it is coated with a glossy or matte finish. It pops around the front of the all-black, near-bezelless display giving it a hot rod aesthetic with its subtle chamfer. The buttons and SIM tray are all the same color, and even the radio antenna trim filler blends in well. Around back is one of the most beautiful red devices I have personally seen. It has a unique six panel glass layering setup giving it glint and a surreal sense of depth that's best appreciated in motion (as shown in the video). Unlike the HTC U12 or U11, this hue of red is not "strawberry red", and it isn't "glossy flat red" like offered with the iPhone 8 either. It is a "proper red", with a slight orange hue that was added to the base layer. You'd be hard pressed to see it except on certain angles, but it's there and it is most noticeable when looking at the trim piece that almost reflects orangey gold, giving it an Iron Man-like feel.

But those trim pieces, like the OnePlus logo, are sadly silver toned instead of black like I had hoped, and the fingerprint sensor is always reflecting the wrong color, dark when the body is light and light when the body is dark. Those are the only two things I think I would change about this phone though, because otherwise it is otherworldly in appearance. After using both the white and red models for a while now, this is the color I would go with ten out of ten times. Its stunning, quite bold, and offers surprising depth.

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OnePlus 6 Red Pricing and Availability

The OnePlus 6 in Red will go on sale on July 10th for a price of $579/€569/£519, and it only comes in one variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This is a limited edition device so if you are considering one, be sure to head over to the OnePlus website once it goes on sale. Stay tuned to the XDA Portal for more OnePlus 6 coverage!

Check out XDA's OnePlus 6 Forums! >>>

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MIUI 10 China Alpha 8.7.2 now available for 11 Xiaomi devices

MIUI is available in two forms: MIUI China Stable and MIUI Global Stable. The two ROMs have important differences in functionality, as Global ROMs are intended for a global audience. MIUI Global ROMs have Google Play services integration, while MIUI China ROMs don't come with Google Play services are integrated with Xiaomi's online services. Languages and region-specific functionality are different as well. It's important to keep the above the mind when dealing with MIUI 10. MIUI 10 China was announced by Xiaomi alongside the Xiaomi Mi 8, Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition, and the Xiaomi Mi 8 SE at an event in China in May. MIUI 10 Global, on the other hand, was announced at the Xiaomi Redmi Y2 event in India last month.

The company has already detailed the roll-out schedule for both MIUI China ROM as well as the MIUI Global Beta ROM. Since MIUI 10's announcement, many Xiaomi phones have received MIUI 10 China Alpha/Beta ROMs as well as MIUI 10 Global Beta ROMs. Now, MIUI 10 China Closed Alpha 8.7.2 is available for 11 Xiaomi devices. They are noted as follows:

• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X (Redmi Note 4 Qualcomm variant)
• Xiaomi Redmi 4X
• Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (device codename: vince; known as Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 in India)
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Prime (known as Xiaomi Redmi Y1 in India)
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Lite (known as Xiaomi Redmi Y1 Lite in India)
• Xiaomi Mi 6
• Xiaomi Mi 5X
• Xiaomi Mi 5S
• Xiaomi Mi Note 3
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
• Xiaomi Mi Max 2

Installation instructions for MIUI 10

Sideloading MIUI 10 will require an unlocked bootloader, which you can apply for here. Unlocking the bootloader will wipe the device. Please make a backup of all your data before you attempt the upgrade!

1. 1. Setup ADB and Fastboot on your computer if you haven't already.
   2. Connect your phone to your PC.
   3. Download the right TWRP image for your phone:
      1. TWRP for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X
      2. TWRP for the Xiaomi Redmi 4X
      3. TWRP for the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus
      4. TWRP for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Prime/Redmi Y1
      5. TWRP for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Lite/Redmi Y1 Lite
      6. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi 6
      7. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi 5X
      8. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi 5S
      9. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi Note 3 (unofficial)
      10. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
      11. TWRP for the Xiaomi Mi Max 2
   4. Download the Google apps package.
   5. Download the right MIUI 10 build for your phone:
      1. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X
      2. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi 4X
      3. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus
      4. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Prime
      5. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Lite
      6. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi 6
      7. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi 5X
      8. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi 5S
      9. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi Note 3
      10. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
      11. MIUI 10 for the Xiaomi Mi Max 2
   6. Transfer the MIUI 10 ROM and GApps package from your PC to your phone.
   7. Reboot to the bootloader by powering off your phone and holding down the power key and volume down keys simultaneously.
   8. Boot TWRP on your device with the following command: fastboot boot /path/to/twrp.img (Replace /path/to/twrp.img with the actual filename and the location where you stored it.)
   9. Once you have booted into TWRP, tap on "Wipe" and then "swipe to factory reset" to do a factory reset. This may not be necessary, but it's always recommended when flashing a beta update of a major operating system upgrade.
   10. Go to "Install" and find where you stored the MIUI 10 ROM. Select it and flash it.
   11. Tap "back" and then flash the Google apps package.

1. Once the flashing has completed, tap on "reboot system" and you should boot into MIUI 10!

Download links via @xiaomiui on Telegram.

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Huawei Nova 3 with 6.3″ display and dual front/rear cameras appears online

This year, Huawei has launched the Huawei P20, Huawei P20 Pro, and the Huawei P20 Lite. Huawei's subsidiary Honor has launched the Honor View 10 as well as the Honor 10. Recently, Honor also launched the Honor Play — a HiSilicon Kirin 970-powered smartphone with GPU Turbo tech, as well the Honor 9i. Now, the Huawei Nova 3 has appeared on TENAA.

The TENAA listing of the Huawei Nova 3 with model numbers PAR-TL00 and PAR-AL00 reveals most of the phone's specifications. The phone will be powered by a 2.36GHz octa-core processor, likely to be the HiSilicon Kirin 970. This is HiSilicon's current flagship SoC, and it consists of four Arm Cortex-A73 cores paired with four Arm Cortex-A53 cores, along with the Mali-G72MP12 GPU. The Kirin 970 also has a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) and an i7 co-processor. The Nova 3 will likely have support for GPU Turbo as well.

The phone will have 6GB of RAM paired with 64GB/128GB of storage. It will have also a microSD card that supports up to 256GB expandable storage.

The Nova 3 will have a 6.3-inch Full HD+ (2340×1080) 19.5:9 LCD with a display notch and 2.5D curved glass. It will have dual rear cameras, consisting of a 16MP primary (RGB) camera paired with a 24MP (likely to be monochrome) camera with f/2.4 aperture. It will have dual cameras on the front as well, with a 24MP front-facing camera paired with a secondary 2MP camera.

The Huawei Nova 3's fingerprint sensor will be placed on the back. It will have a hybrid dual SIM slot (nano SIM + nano SIM/microSD). In terms of connectivity, it will have dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 4.2 LE, GPS, and a USB Type-C port. It will be powered by a 3650mAh battery with fast charging support, and it will run EMUI 8 on top of Android 8.1 Oreo. Its dimensions are 157.0 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm, and it weighs 165 grams.

The Nova 3 is expected to be announced on July 18th, and it will be made available in Black and Blue colors. Its pricing is rumored to start from CNY 2699 ($404).

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Source 1: TENAASource 2: TENAAVia: FoneArena

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What’s new in Android P Beta 3 for Google Pixel/Pixel XL & Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL

Google just released the Android P Beta 3/Developer Preview 4 for the Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel 2 XL. Likewise, Essential released the latest beta for the Essential Phone. We're still waiting on devices like the OnePlus 6, Sony Xperia XZ2, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, and the Nokia 7 Plus to receive it, though. There's not much new in the latest update besides the July security patches. But, Google still decided to add some slight changes to the user interface and the behavior of the system.

The changes listed below are cumulative with the changes we pointed out in the earlier releases. If you're interested, check out our earlier coverage of what's new in each Developer Preview.

Everything new in Android P Developer Preview 1

Everything new in Android P Developer Preview 2

Everything new in Android P Developer Preview 3

As always, I'll start with a bullet point list which includes all the changes that we have found so far. The following changes apply to the latest P preview for the Google Pixel and Google Pixel 2 series as well as the Essential Phone. Devices like the OnePlus 6 may include significant changes to the UI so we can't guarantee these changes will be present once the other devices receive the latest update.

Android P Beta 3/Developer Preview 4 Change Summary

• New 'back' button in the navigation bar
• New rotation lock button
• Tweaks to Quick Settings panel
• Manual dark theme
• 'App Actions' now work on the first generation Google Pixel and Google Pixel XL
• Recent apps are now bigger when sliding through them
• Status bar icons are now smaller
• Call volume is now separate in the settings
• New icon for keyboard switcher
• New icon for Battery Saver when activated
• New icons in the Settings
• Always On Display now hides notifications too
• New "Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload" option in Developer Options
• New animation when opening recents
• New animation when switching to the last app

New 'back' button

Google has been changing some things in the navigation bar since the first Developer Preview of Android P. First they added rotation lock in DP1. Then, in Developer Preview 2, also known as the first beta release, they introduced gesture navigation. Android P DP3 (Beta 2) brought haptic feedback and some slight adjustments to the gesture navigation. The latest beta version comes with a new 'back' button icon.

Maybe Google is trying to shift the focus from the back button as they'll eventually switch to full gesture navigation. It's just a matter of time, but we're not sure if it'll be ready for the full release of Android P.

New rotation lock button

Google also added an updated 'rotation lock' button in the place of 'recents' button in the navigation bar. Navigation bar now looks symmetrical, at least when you're rotating the phone. Rotation lock button was introduced in the first developer preview of Android P. It got a new look in the DP3, and now it got updated again. I think Google finally found the right place and icon for it.

Tweaks to Quick Settings panel

New icons are present in the Quick Settings panel. Almost all of them are just outlines now, instead of fully filled in.

Manual dark theme

You can now toggle dark theme manually in the Display settings under Device theme category. We knew the feature was coming as it was mentioned in the  Google Issue Tracker. As I've previously mentioned, it's still not close to the full dark theme, but still a welcome change. You'll need root access if you want a full, system-wide dark theme.

App Actions for Google Pixel & Google Pixel XL

This feature was introduced in the first beta version of the Android P, but it was only working for Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL. From this update, it works on the first generation of Google Pixel devices too. 'App Actions' suggest to you the parts of the app which you use the most. As you see, my most used 'actions' are XDA-Developers chat on Slack and our News board on Trello. You can see full details about App Actions here.

Bigger recent apps when sliding

You can now see that recent apps are bigger when you're swiping the gesture navigation pill/home button. You can also see that now you have more space for sliding between these apps as the pill uses almost the whole width of the device.

Smaller status bar icons

Icons in the status bar are now slightly smaller. I can't see the thinking behind it, but Google is probably making space for the notches. Don't quote me on that one though.

Call volume is now separate in the settings

You can now manually adjust the call volume by tapping the settings icon under the volume slider.

New icon for keyboard switcher

Navigation bar now features a new icon for switching keyboard when you're typing.

New icon for Battery Saver when activated

As it turns out, Battery Saver also follows the new outline look of the icons in the latest beta of Android P. You can see the new icon after activating the following feature.

New icons in the Settings

You can also see the updated icons in the Settings, too.

Always On Display now hides notifications in Do Not Disturb mode too

A user reported back on the 21st of June that Always On Display wasn't hiding new notifications if Do Not Disturb mode was enabled. It was marked as fixed just the day after. As it turns out, Android P Developer Preview 4 fixes this issue.

New "Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload" option

You can find a new option to disable "Bluetooth A2DP hardware offload" in the Developer Options. It's disabled by default on Google Pixel devices.

New animation when opening recents

You can now see a new animation when opening recents. The recent app kinda bounces in. Here's a video demonstrating the animation:

New animation when switching to the last app

You can also see a new animation while using swipe right feature in the navigation bar to switch to the last app.

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We'll be sure to update the article if we stumble upon anything new. You can already install Android P Beta 3 on these devices:

• Google Pixel
• Google Pixel XL
• Google Pixel 2
• Google Pixel 2 XL
• Essential Phone

The update will be available in the following weeks for other devices that are part of the Android Beta program. Head to this link for instructions about how to flash the newest update.

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Google Camera 5.3 prepares to add correction for wide-angle distortion on faces

Wide-angle lenses have been a great addition to smartphone cameras. They allow you to essentially take a step back and get more in the frame. However, wide-angle lenses are not without their drawbacks. Distortion is a common side-effect when using these lenses. The outside edges of the photo can appear warped and it can even affect faces. Google is working on a fix to make this problem less noticeable with Google Camera.

The following strings are from the latest Google Camera 5.3 taken from Android P Beta 3 (Developer Preview 4) on the Google Pixel 2 XL. They mention fixing faces when they are distorted by the angle of view.

  <string name="pref_acat_summary">Adjust faces to look more natural when angle of view distorts them.</string>  <string name="pref_acat_title">Correct wide-angle distortion on face</string>  

The Pixel phones don't have a secondary wide-angle camera like you can find on the LG G7, but the Google Camera has a nifty faux"wide-angle" mode in the Panorama section. It's very handy when you need to fit more in the frame. Taking these types of photos can create a lot of weird distortion when stitching photos together. If you're taking a big group photo with a lot of people you want to make sure faces look good.

Wide-angle mode on Pixel 2 Android P DP3

To try the wide-angle feature out for yourself, open the Google Camera app and swipe open the menu. Select Panorama and choose one of the styles up top (horizontal, vertical, wide-angle, or fisheye). The camera app will guide you through the steps to take the photo. When you're done, the photo will be stitched together and hopefully, this new trick can fix faces.

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Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 sources now available on CAF

Qualcomm's latest high-end system-on-chip, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, was announced late last year at the Snapdragon Tech Summit in Hawaii. With an Adreno 630 GPU, 4 efficiency cores and 4 performance cores, it's a performance beast and is the best to offer for Android phones to date. Nearly all of this year's major flagships such as the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, the Samsung Galaxy S9, the LG G7 ThinQ, and the OnePlus 6 have launched with it, and that's great for users. Qualcomm traditionally releases a lot of platform specific code on the Code Aurora Forums (CAF) which helps developers get started on building custom AOSP-based ROMs. However, the company delayed releasing the sources for the Snapdragon 845. When we contacted Qualcomm about this, we were told that they would be released in 6 weeks. That 6-week window has passed, and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 platform sources are now available on CAF.

For a quick note, the existence of CAF is one of the reasons why Android smartphones with Qualcomm chips are so popular with the development community on XDA. While the GPLv2 license requires that vendors release their kernel sources, that isn't always enough for creating custom ROMs based on AOSP. Releasing chipset-specific code is not required for SoC vendors, but Qualcomm often provides the public part of their chipset specific code for HALs, framework branches, and more which is a great benefit for developers. Developers can build for the platform without having to know how the new chipset features work. Without access to that code, it becomes a lot more difficult to build an AOSP-based custom ROM for a device.

That's exactly the problem as it took months for the Snapdragon 845 sources to be released. That's a lot longer than it usually takes, which led some developers to worry that Qualcomm was becoming like other SoC vendors like MediaTek and HiSilicon. Fortunately, the company has now released the code and developers can start building for their devices.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 sources on the Code Aurora Forums

But why did we have to wait so long? Well, previous code drops often spoiled upcoming chipset releases. That's a fair excuse given that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 was leaked well ahead of time thanks to CAF sources. Now that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, 439, and 429 platforms are out-of-the-way and the Snapdragon 845 sources are properly scrubbed of any mentions of unreleased chipsets, the company is comfortable releasing it publicly.

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