Week 16 in review: All about the Galaxy Fold, OnePlus 7/7 Pro, Pixel 3a/3a XL

Ivan, 21 April 2019

Welcome to your recap of the week's hottest tech stories. Week 16 of the year marked the first live encounters with the Galaxy Fold across the web (and here at GSMArena HQ) and it didn't take long for the first issues to arise.

Several of the early units' displays malfunctioned and while removing the protective layer on top of the screen was the explanation for some of them, other seemingly were just defective. Samsung issued a statement that it will look into the display issues and that users are not to remove the protective layer and that this would be made clear to buyers in the retail-ready packaging.

We also saw the first disassembly of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, which gave us our first look at the five part hinge mechanism and the two differently-shaped batteries, not to mention the "soft like rubber" inner display.

OnePlus made plenty of headlines with the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro. The most popular story detailed the displays and cameras of the two phones. The OnePlus 7 will retain the waterdrop notch and the 6.4-inch screen and will gain a dual camera with a main 48MP sensor. The OnePlus 7 Pro will have a larger 6.64-inch screen without a notch, a pop-up selfie camera and a triple camera on the rear (with the same 48MP main snapper).

Rumors that the OnePlus 7 Pro will have a QHD+ display with a 90Hz refresh rate appeared and were confirmed by the company in a teaser a day later, while stereo speakers are also allegedly coming.

Both the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro will be made official on May 14.

We saw the first official renders of the Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL this week. We also got wind of their future price - the Pixel 3a will cost between €400-€450 while the Pixel 3a XL will start at €530.

Apple finally settled its legal troubles with Qualcomm and in an interesting (and still unclear) turn of events Intel exited the 5G model business. It undoubtedly cost Apple a pretty penny to straighten things up with Qualcomm but it could potentially bring a 5G iPhone sooner rather than later.

Samsung announced the Galaxy A60 and Galaxy A40s for the Chinese market. The Galaxy A60 has a punch hole display while the Galaxy A40s is a rebranded M30.

Finally, Apple may bring back the iPhone SE in the form of a 4.7-inch phone in an iPhone 8 body with an A13 chipset and 128GB of storage. It's expected to arrive next March.

See you next week!

OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro's display and camera details surface

OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro's display and camera details surface

The OnePlus 7 Pro will come with a larger screen and an extra rear camera compared to the standard model.


Samsung issues statement after some early Galaxy Fold displays fail

Samsung issues statement after some early Galaxy Fold displays fail

A few units in the first round of devices have folding displays that failed in two main scenarios.


OnePlus 7 Pro to be unveiled alongside the OnePlus 7 on May 14

OnePlus 7 Pro to be unveiled alongside the OnePlus 7 on May 14

It still just a rumor at this point but it comes from a source with a good track record.


Samsung Galaxy S10 5G has the best camera yet according to DxOMark

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G has the best camera yet according to DxOMark

The combined score for the rear camera matches the Huawei P30 Pro, but the S10 5G pulls ahead with a much better selfie camera.


Motorola Razr 2019 and One Vision pass Bluetooth certification

Motorola Razr 2019 and One Vision pass Bluetooth certification

Razr 2019 and One Vision inch closer to launch.


Apple faces poor iPhone sales in Q2

Apple faces poor iPhone sales in Q2

Analysts predict shipped phones are 45 million at most, 10% less on a yearly basis.


Apple had no choice but to settle with Qualcomm – Intel exits 5G modem business

Apple had no choice but to settle with Qualcomm – Intel exits 5G modem business

Just hours after Apple and Qualcomm announce they are dropping the legal feud, we find out why.


Xiaomi Mi 9 SE global edition now available

Xiaomi Mi 9 SE global edition now available

The toned down Mi 9 went on sale in the Netherlands.


Samsung Galaxy Fold infographic describes the phone's front, back and inside

Samsung Galaxy Fold infographic describes the phone's front, back and inside

Yes, foldable phones are tricky - this one has two "front" cameras, for example.


Samsung announces Galaxy A60 and Galaxy A40s

Samsung announces Galaxy A60 and Galaxy A40s

The two new additions to the Galaxy A line might remain China-exclusives.


OnePlus 7 Pro could have a QHD+ 90Hz display, stereo speakers

OnePlus 7 Pro could have a QHD+ 90Hz display, stereo speakers

All three are firsts for the company, which has exclusively made phones with 1080p 60Hz screens and single loudspeakers.


OnePlus 7 Pro cases leak just as CEO starts teaser campaign

OnePlus 7 Pro cases leak just as CEO starts teaser campaign

Pete Lau is hinting at triple rear cameras with a four-second teaser.


Samsung Galaxy Fold disassembled, giving us a look at the hinge and the main screen

Samsung Galaxy Fold disassembled, giving us a look at the hinge and the main screen

Interestingly, the main foldable screen may be easier to replace than the small external screen.


Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL official renders are here

Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL official renders are here

We will see them go official next month on May 7 at Google's I/O 2019 developer conference.


Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL Canadian pricing leaks online

Google Pixel 3a and 3a XL Canadian pricing leaks online

The Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL won't come cheap, but what did you really expect?


Apple readying 4.7-inch iPhone with A13 chip for March 2020

Apple readying 4.7-inch iPhone with A13 chip for March 2020

It seems the iPhone SE successor will come in an iPhone 8 shell.



Related

Reader comments

And also remember... Water is wet

Sounds cool. I might/might not be able to catch up, dunno how it'll compare to my school's Forgot to mention, my school also has only ONE class (the top class) that teaches Biology, Physics and Chemistry altogether. Other classes learn General S...

They say college level, but it essentially is Bio faster and more in depth, making you think and work much more. That's about it

Popular articles

More

Popular devices

Electric Vehicles

More