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Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone 8 Plus tie for top spot in camera test
Like it or not, DxOMark is currently the go-to tester for smartphone camera quality. Companies will even base their marketing around its scores. As such, it's a big deal when the outfit declares a new winner... and it just declared two. DxOMark has given Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 an overall score of 94, putting it in a tie for the lead with the iPhone 8 Plus. No, that's not going to trigger endless fan wars, is it? Of course, diving into the scores reveals that the devices reached their scores through different means.
Engadget giveaway: Win an iPhone 8 or 8 Plus courtesy of Caseology!
I've seen enough Candy Crush players skimming their fingers over fractured displays to know that if you've snagged one of Apple's new iPhone 8 handsets, a case is highly recommended. That's why Caseology has launched a new line of phone protection modules to keep your smartphone looking sexy for the duration. This week, the company has provided us with both an iPhone 8 and an iPhone 8 Plus to get two lucky winners fast-tracked into the world of Apple's latest pocketable computer. You'll also get six new Caseology cases to help keep those things cozy. The Parallax and Apex lines boast geometric styling along with shock-absorbing protection. The Legion puts its military-inspired design to work, while framing your logo for all to see, whereas the Coastline case exposes your entire handset through a clear cutout framed by an edge-defending border. All you need to do is head down to the Rafflecopter widget below for up to three chances at winning one of Apple's latest iPhones along with an assortment of protective cases courtesy of Caseology! Additionally, readers can get 30 percent off any Caseology case for iPhone X, iPhone 8 and iPhone Plus at Amazon with this code: LKCOQVPP Winners: Congratulations to Mitchell S. of Dubuque, IA and Chris R. of Oakdale, PA!
The iPhone 8’s glass back costs way more to repair than the front
Over the last couple of weeks, the price of AppleCare+ has gone up for Plus model iPhones and screen repair for the 6s and newer models has gotten $20 more expensive. However, while screen replacements for phones under AppleCare+ warranty are still $29, that's not the case for replacing the back glass of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, according to AppleInsider.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 43: Hits, misses and leaks
If last week's episode was overwhelmingly about Apple, this week's episode includes some partial respite, in the form of another tech titan: Google. For the first half of this episode, senior editor Chris Velazco and I recap his review of the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, which posted on Tuesday. We also get into the Apple Watch Series 3's LTE connectivity issues, and reminisce about other Apple product launches that haven't gone quite as planned. Then, in the second half of the episode we talk about the implications of Google buying HTC's Pixel team, and finish up by running through everything that's been leaked about Google's upcoming hardware announcement. (And my, there have been a lot of leaks.) Enjoy! Relevant links: iPhone 8 and 8 Plus review Apple Watch 3 struggles to connect to LTE Apple TV 4K hands-on Google is buying HTC's Pixel team for $1.1 billion Google's next Chromebook Pixel is reportedly called... the Pixelbook Google's mini Home speaker and Pixel 2 XL leak ahead of October event Subscribe on Google Play Music Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Pocket Casts
There's something called 'Enhanced HD Voice' and EE supports it
Most weirdos people that actually use their smartphones to make calls will be aware of the eerily crisp connections of HD Voice. All major carriers in the UK support the standard at this point, which is technically known as Voice over LTE (VoLTE), since 4G frequencies are responsible for the improved call clarity. But apparently, there's something better. It's called Enhanced HD Voice, and EE is today boasting it's the first network in the UK to support it.
Netflix adds HDR support for iPhone 8, iPhone X and iPad Pro
Netflix is adding high dynamic range (HDR) support to more mobile devices. A handful of Android handsets are already benefitting from the picture upgrade, including the LG G6, Sony Xperia XZ Premium, and Samsung Galaxy Note 8, among others. Now, thanks to the release of iOS 11, iPhone users suffering from FOMO can get in on the action too. You'll be able to binge watch in Dolby Vision HDR on the newly launched iPhone 8, 8Plus, and the upcoming iPhone X. Along with Apple's new smartphones, iPad Pro (2nd-gen) owners will also receive the bump in picture quality -- that goes for both the 10.5 and 12.9 inch models of the tablet.
Belkin's iPhone dongle helps you listen while you charge
Last year's Belkin Rockstar dongle was a lifesaver for iPhone 7 owners who wanted to charge their device while doing just about anything else, but it had a problem: with two Lightning ports, you still had to add a second adapter to plug in your favorite pair of 3.5mm headphones. Thankfully, those days are over. Belkin has introduced a new version of the Rockstar with a 3.5mm jack in place of one of the Lightning connectors. This still won't change the clunkiness of your setup, but at least you won't have to explain why you carry two dongles with your iPhone 8.
iOS 11 is here with improved multitasking and AR
With multitasking, ARKit and more AI smarts, iOS 11 is one of Apple's biggest iOS updates yet. It just started rolling out around the world, so don't be surprised to see a message on your iPhone or iPad soon. If you've been procrastinating, now would be a good time to backup your photos, videos and other precious data -- in the past, iOS updates have been buggy, gone less than smoothly and eaten up precious storage.
iPhone 8 and 8 Plus review: Change in small doses
It's no secret that smartphones have tended to get sleeker and less obtrusive over time. Screens are growing, but bezels are shrinking. In a very real way, the boundaries between us and our information -- our apps, our contacts, our very desires reproduced in pixels -- are melting away. Apple has sensed the industry shifting around it, and it made the iPhone X in response to that. But, in a bid to make the transition less jarring, Apple also made the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. They're familiar-looking phones that mostly operate the way people expect them to. They're conventional. But that doesn't mean they're inherently lacking -- far from it, in fact. While I suspect all iPhones will look like the iPhone X soon enough, the 8 and 8 Plus are expertly built, high-performance devices for people who want to ease into Apple's vision of the future. And who knows? These just might be the last conventional iPhones Apple makes.
Apple's iPhone screen repair prices are now $20 higher
Some Reddit users reported yesterday that Apple has increased its screen repair prices for certain iPhone models. Fixing a broken iPhone 6s or 7 screen will now cost $149, up from $129. And repairs for iPhone 6s Plus and 7 Plus screens has increased from $149 to $169, according to Apple's service pricing page.
Sprint's updated deal gives you a 'free' iPhone 8 with a trade-in
Sprint's initial iPhone 8 offer was fine, but nothing special: you could get half off the price of an 18-month device lease. It's ready to sweeten the pot, however. It just launched an updated promo that gives you a 64GB iPhone 8 for free with a trade-in and an 18-month lease. You still have to hand in a high-end device like one of the iPhone 7 models, a Galaxy S8 or a Galaxy Note 8, so this is more for frequent upgraders or those with a serious case of buyer's remorse. It's better than before, though, and you can apply the $29.17 monthly credit toward the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus if you crave a larger screen.
The Engadget Podcast Ep 42: Everything Apple
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Apple held a keynote at its glass-empaneled new "spaceship" campus this week, during which it announced a boatload of stuff. So much stuff, in fact, that my colleague Chris Velazco and I devoted an entire episode of the Engadget Podcast to it. Join us as we talk about the new iPhones (all three of them), plus the Apple TV 4K and LTE-enabled Apple Watch Series 3. Relevant links: Live from Apple's iPhone X event! Our first look at Apple's new 'spaceship' campus iPhone X hands-on The iPhone X vs. the competition iPhone 8 and 8 Plus hands-on Apple TV's 4K movie pricing is exactly what the 4K world needs Apple Watch Series 3 hands-on The iPhone 8 won't get lost in the shadow of the iPhone X When there's the iPhone X, why bother with the iPhone 8? The iPhone X leaves a home-button-shaped hole in my heart Subscribe on Google Play Music Subscribe on iTunes Subscribe on Stitcher Subscribe on Pocket Casts
Pre-order your Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus now
Journalists are torn about whether consumers should get the pricey iPhone 8 or 8 Plus or the pricier, but new and exciting iPhone X. You can now vote with your wallet, as the two new iPhone 8s (but not the iPhone X) have gone on pre-order at Apple's Store, various carriers and retailers like Target and Best Buy in the US. Also on pre-order is the Apple TV 4K and Watch series 3, with all products set to ship on September 22nd. In the UK, pre-orders are also up on Apple's site and with EE and other carriers.
AT&T's buy one get one free deal on the iPhone 8 has a big caveat
With the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus models ready for pre-order on Friday, various carriers are letting their respective deals loose. AT&T has a couple of options for its customers. The first, beginning Friday, the carrier will run a buy-one-get-one-free deal on a number of smartphones, including the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. Of course, that comes with a few caveats. You'll have to get both with the AT&T Next payment plan and you'll have to already have or sign up for DirecTV or U-Verse subscriptions. However, if you only want one of the new phones, AT&T is also offering a 32GB iPad for $100 if you get the phone on AT&T Next.
AppleCare now costs more for larger iPhones
Are you eyeing a larger-screened iPhone, like the iPhone X or 8 Plus? Unfortunately, it'll cost you extra to extend the warranty. Apple has quietly raised the price of AppleCare+ coverage for bigger iPhones, with the price varying depending on what you're getting. If you want to protect any Plus model, it now costs $149/£149 instead of the $129/£129 you continue to pay for mid-size iPhones. And brace yourself if you're getting an iPhone X: it'll cost $199/£199 to get your device covered.
Apple's Portrait Lighting uses AI to color our memories
People already hate inane Snapchat-like AI photo filters, but a new trick called Portrait Lighting on Apple's iPhone 8 and X might cause even more dismay. Here's how Apple VP Phil Schiller describes it: "You compose a photo, the dual cameras and the ISP sense the scene, they create a depth map, and they actually change the lighting contours over the face." At first glance, that sounds like a nice, innocent feature, but it might one day create much more consternation than puking rainbows.
The iPhone 8 won't get lost in the shadow of the iPhone X
The iPhone X is a clear indication of where the smartphone industry is headed. Within two years, Apple's entire iPhone lineup will probably consist of edge-to-edge screens with a dual-camera setup and Face ID (assuming the latter is as secure and convenient as Apple claims). As such, the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus might as well have been named "iPhone classic" -- 10 years in, it seems that big bezels and a home button are no longer necessary. But I'm not here to make the case for spending $1,000 or more on the iPhone X. (My colleague Mat Smith does that for you right here.) If, like me, you're in need of a new phone and prefer iOS to Android, there are plenty of compelling reasons to consider the iPhone 8 or 8 Plus. Chief among them are the classic "first generation" problems that plague many new Apple products. In the past, when Apple has radically redesigned devices or introduced entirely new ones, they've often come with issues ranging from mild to severe. Who can forget the iPhone 4 and "Antennagate" or the iPhone 6 and "Bendgate?" It's worth noting that Apple has maintained that these type of problems were affecting only a small percentage of owners, but I'd still rather not have my extremely expensive phone developing annoying problems right off the bat.
When there's the iPhone X, why bother with the iPhone 8?
Apple announced three new phones yesterday, increasing buying indecision even more than when it first offered a Plus model alongside the iPhone 6 two years ago. Over the next month or two, the iOS faithful will have to decide between the iPhone 8, the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X. But there really isn't a decision to make: If you can afford to spend a little more, get the iPhone X.
The most important stuff from today's iPhone event
This has been one busy day at Engadget. Today two of us found ourselves at Apple Park, the company's new California headquarters, where it held its first keynote to unveil the iPhone X and a bunch of other stuff. After a two-hour, news-filled liveblog, V headed off to the demo area, where he got hands-on with the iPhone X, iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, Apple Watch Series 3 and Apple TV 4K. Meanwhile, I found a spot in front of one of Apple Park's futuristic glass buildings to break down what the heck just happened. This is our first take, but it won't be our last: Stay tuned to Engadget as we continue posting photos, videos and news analysis. Follow all the latest news from Apple's iPhone event here!
Belkin and Mophie offer wireless charging pads for the new iPhones
Now that Apple is suddenly a fan of wireless phone charging, iPhone-oriented charging pads are coming out of the woodwork: Belkin and Mophie have announced their own peripherals, the Boost Up and Wireless Charging Base. Both use Qi to top up your iPhone 8 or iPhone X minus wires, supplying up to 7.5W whether or not you have a case on your handset. The differences really come down to personal preference. The Belkin device (on the left) is larger and has an LED indicator to let you know when charging starts, while the Mophie model is more compact.
