HoFo Blog

Reliable leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (aka @OnLeaks) has apparently got the scoop on the next Samsung flagships, not due for their official unveiling until next January:



Galaxy S21



Galaxy S21 Ultra

Sources: SamMobile, Twitter, Voice (1) (2)

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Pixel 5 owners report gaps between phone's display and frame

Pixel 4a 5G review: Buy this instead of the Pixel 5

Why I hold OnePlus to a higher standard

iPhone 12 series selling twice as fast as iPhone 11: report

iPhone 12 Diary: Steve Jobs is still being proven right

From The Forums:

Keeping my old Gold Rewards account but transferring number to Mint ? Possible?

Verizon to buy Bluegrass Cellular

Need to switch to new plans to get 5G UWB with iPhone 12?

HelloMobile now sends only GSM SIM cards

T-Mobile's 5G lead begins to widen

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, October 12th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, October 13th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, October 14th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 15th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, October 16th, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 68 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

T-mobile Experience

Congrats to buckspaul for our forty-sixth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Xiaomi’s 80W wireless charging fills a 4000mAh battery in 19 minutes

Apple ditching chargers saves costs but not the planet

Why aren't we using NFC to its fullest potential?

Top 10 trending phones of week 42

Amazfit X review

From The Forums:

Switching back and forth between Android and IOS devices

Does TF charge me a txt if I don't open/read it?

Target Clearance

Need cellphone plan with unlimited hotspot

Cheapest possible unlimited talk

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Pixel 4a 5G review: The forgotten middle child is a better deal than the Pixel 5

Google Pixel 5 Review – A flagship chip isn’t needed for a flagship phone

Liberal Promise to Cut Wireless Prices by 25% Will Happen ‘Organically’ Says Email

The iPhone 12 is the rocket booster that 5G desperately needs

How long until Samsung copies Apple, stops including chargers, and deletes this ad?

From The Forums:

Cheapest way to get data with Tracfone?

Hotspot no longer working on Tracfone multiple ATT sims!!??

Unlocking E5 with New 360 day SIM?

PostPaid Verizon - Which MVNO (red pocket won't activate)

Just want your opinion about iphone SE 1stGEN VS iphone 12 mini in T-mobile.

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

OnePlus 8T Review: One of the Best Phones You Shouldn't Buy

We won! OnePlus no longer pre-installing Facebook apps and services on phones

OnePlus 8T emerges mostly unscathed from JerryRigEverything beating

The Android 11 update will roll out for the OnePlus 7 and 7T series in December

OnePlus Watch is on the way, official teaser confirms

From The Forums:

Something is going on between Red Pocket and T-Mobile

SIM swapable between different Tracfones?

WiFi Calling Audio Quality

iPhone 12 and lack of mmWave

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Apple’s iPhone 12 event: the 7 biggest announcements

Breaking down Apple’s three new iPhone 12 camera systems

For the first time iPhone pre-orders will go live simultaneously around the world

iPhone 12 on 5G Networks in Canada ‘Not a Game Changer’ Yet Says Analyst

Bell, Telus and Rogers $75 20GB promo plan ends today

From The Forums:

First mentions of nationwide 5G

Verizon Rolls Out Low Band 5G Nationwide

iPhone 12 Trade in offer

Lowest per-month light usage service?

iphone 12 bands

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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iPhone 12 Pro Max
6.7 inch OLED display, 2778 x 1284 pixels @ 458 ppi
A14 Bionic chip with 5G support
128 / 256 / 512 GB storage
12 MP ultra wide, wide and telephoto rear cameras
MagSafe wireless charging @ 15W / Qi @ 7W
iOS 14
Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue colourways
Starts at $1099 USD / $1549 CAD
Preorder 11-06 / Available 11-13

iPhone 12 Pro
6.1 inch OLED display, 2532 x 1170 pixels @ 460 ppi
A14 Bionic chip with 5G support
128 / 256 / 512 GB storage
12 MP ultra wide, wide and telephoto rear cameras
MagSafe wireless charging @ 15W / Qi @ 7W
iOS 14
Silver, Graphite, Gold, Pacific Blue colourways
Starts at $999 USD / $1399 CAD
Preorder 10-06 / Available 10-23



iPhone 12
6.1 inch OLED display, 2532 x 1170 pixels @ 460 ppi
A14 Bionic chip with 5G support
64 / 128 / 256 GB storage
12 MP ultra wide and wide rear cameras
MagSafe wireless charging @ 15W / Qi @ 7W
iOS 14
Black, White, Product Red, Green, Blue colourways
Starts at $799 USD / $1129 CAD
Preorder 10-06 / Available 10-23

iPhone 12 mini
5.4 inch OLED display, 2340 x 1080 pixels @ 476 ppi
A14 Bionic chip with 5G support
64 / 128 / 256 GB storage
12 MP ultra wide and wide rear cameras
MagSafe wireless charging @ 15W / Qi @ 7W
iOS 14
Black, White, Product Red, Green, Blue colourways
Starts at $699 USD / $979 CAD
Preorder 11-06 / Available 11-13

Sources: Apple, Apple Canada

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

'The most significant iPhone event in years'

Carl Pei is leaving OnePlus to start a 'new venture'

Four Million Downloads and Counting: Everyone Should Install the COVID Alert App

Amazfit Bip S review: seriously good value

Just Buy a Dang Smartwatch

From The Forums:

Native Verizon Coverage Vs Total Wireless Coverage

Firstnet...some technical questions MR1001A1NAS Hotspot

Moto G7 Optimo Max XT1955DL Tracfone bundle from HSN - confirm carrier

Nightmare trying to port my number from Visible to Total Wireless

Stupid 5G Question

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, October 5th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, October 6th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, October 7th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 8th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, October 9th, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 29 replies as of this posting the most popular thread started last week is:

lol.. These are budget Androids? (Galaxy S20 FE vs Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4a)

Congrats to fstuff for our forty-fifth thread of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Top 10 trending phones of week 41

Leaker: iPhone 12 Lineup to Feature Faster Face ID, Improved Zoom, and Longer Battery Life

FBI sent a team to 'exploit' Portland protesters' phones

Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou denied access to confidential documents

Freedom Mobile offering $35 for 11GB if you switch from Telus, Koodo

From The Forums:

Maybe switching to TF from RedPocket - quick question on carrier

FreedomPop Upgrading Everyone to Premium Voice

T-mobile Experience

Porting from Total wireless to TracFone with new phone

How to use the Red Pocket 360 day plan?

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

iPhone 12 lineup’s pricing and release dates detailed in new leak

OnePlus’ upcoming iPhone 12 rival leaks in all its glory

Exynos 1080 is Samsung's first 5nm chip with Cortex-A78 and Mali-G78 GPU

Rogers Will No Longer Charge $15 for 5G Network Access in 2021

Purism Launch a $99/m Mobile Plan for Privacy Conscious Users

From The Forums:

Losing balance on Data charges

Will using smartphones outside in foggy days damage them?

Moto g7 Optimo Maxx gone crazy!

200MB for Life Free Plans Purged by T-Mobile

H2O Wireless Moto Power phone MMI error for CCF

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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About 10 years ago something weird happened with me and computers: I suddenly found myself much less interested in specs and far more interested in value. Instead of stretching my budget to get the latest model with the fastest processor, most RAM and biggest available hard drive I instead found myself content with a computer that was "good enough" for my predetermined price point.

In other words computers had become commodity items, to be purchased primarily on the basis of price rather than unique features. Cut to 2020 and it seems that with the Pixel 4a I finally have my first commodity smartphone—offering "good enough" features for a great price.



That price, $479 here in Canada, flips my usual checklist for smartphone expectations on its head; instead of being mildly annoyed at the things it can't do I find myself surprised and delighted by the things it can.

Here's a quick rundown of the "good enough" Pixel 4a:

Processor

The Snapdragon 730G powers the likes of the Moto G9 and Samsung Galaxy M51. Though the 'G' apparently stands for gaming, the only real issues I've had on my 4a are one or two games that refuse to launch. But the vast majority of software titles run great.

Camera

Coming from years of OnePlus phones, where the accurate capture of an image is a crapshoot about as often as not, what impressed me most about the 4a's single camera (and Google's computational image processing) is how reliable the results have been. Video capture seems fine too, though I personally shoot way more photos than video.



Google's camera app is very intuitive, and this level that appears when needed is much appreciated.

Software

My Pixel got a day one upgrade to Android 11, which has been smooth and responsive for me so far.



I'm personally not a fan of Google's algorithmic newsfeed—plus, app drawers are so 2010—so I'm currently using the more modern Niagara Launcher.

As for Pixel-specific features, I've only used it once but call screening is already my new best friend.

Battery



My first week or so with the 4a was admittedly filled with battery anxiety. At one point it seemed like I was going to have to do without a hallmark Pixel feature, the always-on display. But then, as if by magic, the battery suddenly "got me" and is now giving me a reliable 26 to 28 hours between charges.

I suspect that once I start travelling again I'll have to pack a portable charger for all the navigating and picture-taking that I usually do on holiday. For a phone this cheap I'm entirely okay with that.

To be clear, the Pixel 4a might not be for everyone, and I certainly wouldn't try to steer any Android user away from an expensive Samsung—or even the more expensive Pixels with 5G. I'm just here to let any interested parties know that, in my experience so far, the 4a is definitely good enough for daily use.

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Apple’s next iPhone will be announced on October 13th

The iPhone notch is here to stay for two more years, popular leakster says

Qualcomm schedules Snapdragon 875 announcement for December 1

Android 11 review: More than meets the eye

Here are all the 5G networks your Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a 5G can use

From The Forums:

Visible Hotspotting upload speed anyway to improve?

T-Mobile boosts 2.5 GHz with carrier aggregation on commercial LG 5G handset

How do I send an international SMS on Truphone?

Phone where Reception is #1 priority

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Google's Pixels get October update with many fixes

Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra get first public Android 11/One UI 3.0 beta

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE review: This could be the best phone of 2020

Google says 'beauty' filters are bad for your mental health, Pixel cameras won't use them by default

Why the Pixel 5 reminds us of the Nexus 5

From The Forums:

Looking for the cheapest cell only (no data) plan for Sprint.

Red Pocket CDMA Service

lg phone not working

Does Anybody Else Here Have Lines of Service On All Three Carriers?

Congestion question

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

These are the Best Android Phones to buy in 2020

Google is creating a special Android security team to find bugs in sensitive apps

The COVID Alert app isn’t working as well as it should be, and Canadians are part of the problem

Apple quietly stops selling Bose, Sonos and some Logitech gear — only Apple audio remains

If Your iPhone’s Battery Is Evaporating With iOS 14, You Are Not Alone

From The Forums:

lol.. These are budget Androids? (Galaxy S20 FE vs Pixel 5 vs Pixel 4a)

Can't use my GUDP after 5pm- did something change? Grandfathered unlimited data plan

Hotspot or buy GBs?

Page Plus / Total Wireless Activation issues

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

It's time for a new thread of the week, our way of recognizing forum members for promoting valuable discussion here.

Every weekday yours truly posts a morning briefing, including the most popular forum threads—that is, the posts with the most replies—for the previous 24 hour period. For reference, here are the briefings for the past seven days:

Your Morning Briefing for Monday, September 28th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Tuesday, September 29th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Wednesday, September 30th, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Thursday, October 1st, 2020
Your Morning Briefing for Friday, October 2nd, 2020

Remember that the Monday briefing includes forum posts from the prior Saturday and Sunday, so all weekend posts are similarly eligible.

In each briefing, forum posts are ranked by the number of replies (from highest to lowest). That's subject to change, of course, so I did a quick recount of replies for all forum posts in the briefings above. With 28 replies each the two most popular threads started last week are:

SoCal (Los Angeles North/Santa Clarita) 5G review/opinion.
Question about Pac Bell Wireless

Congrats to formercanuck and bankerdentist for our first-ever tie and forty-fourth threads of the week! As a small token of our appreciation, please enjoy a month of Gold Membership on us!

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
---------

From The Web:

YouTube and Facebook Began Tracking Misinfo Immediately After Trump's COVID Diagnosis

TikTok rolls out new in-app 2020 elections guide

Top 10 trending phones of week 40

How Qualcomm is Improving the Cameras on Android Phones

Designer makes £77,000 from iPhone icons in a week

From The Forums:

Recent Redpocket MMS problems on CDMA?

T‑Mobile Home Internet

"Rebranding" TF SIMs

T-mobile 5g Michigan road trip

Moto E5 Play Xt1921-1 compatibility with Verizon issue

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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From The Web:

Xiaomi’s Mi 10T Pro has a 144Hz screen and a 5,000mAh battery

The Pixel 5 and 4A 5G play it safe

The OnePlus 8T will be taller, wider than the OnePlus 8 despite having the same screen size

Apple iPhone 12 prices to start from $649, four models incoming

South Korea remains the global leader in 5G, Switzerland tops Europe

From The Forums:

Question about Pac Bell Wireless

Verizon expands 4G fixed wireless

Google Voice gone Goofy?

Data Rollover

SIM Card Question

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Andrew Currie has been blogging about mobile phones since 2001, smartphones (depending on how you define them) since 2002 and smartwatches since 2014.
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