Google is rolling out the two handy features first announced at I/O in May: Call casting and internet sharing. They're the first wave of the company's new "Cross-device services" that make it easier to hop between Android devices, 9to5Google reported.
According to Google's help page, Call casting lets you switch video calls "from your device to another device with the same Google Account... for example, a video calling app may let you cast your call to another device and the app will show a list of your nearby devices that you can cast to." At the moment, this only works for Google Meet; to use it, you select the Cast button that looks exactly like the existing Cast/Chromecast icon).
Google
Internet sharing, meanwhile, lets you "automatically share hotspot access with your own devices," Google wrote. It works with Chromebooks and Android devices signed into your Google Account, provided you have Bluetooth and device location enabled. It doesn't work with Samsung devices, though, so Google suggests using the auto-hotspot feature instead.
The new feature is currently on Android 11+ running Google Play services version 24.28.34. That's currently in beta, so we should see a wider rollout soon.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/googles-first-cross-device-sharing-features-for-android-now-rolling-out-123019094.html?src=rss
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series has always tempted me more than the Z Fold. Maybe it’s the flip-phone nostalgia taking hold; maybe it's the fact that I don’t want to watch video inside a square; maybe it's simply the Z Flip’s more palatable price.
The Z Flip series has launched in tandem with the Z Fold for several years, but often with specifications that put it around the bottom of each flagship family, including the traditionally shaped Galaxy S family. That changes this year, with Samsung addressing some of the Z Flip 5’s biggest shortcomings: battery life and middling cameras.
It’s a good thing too. As we mentioned in our Z Fold 6 review, there’s more foldable competition than ever. In fact, in the face of Motorola’s most recent foldables, while Samsung is doing something, is it enough?
Design and display
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference, visually, between the Z Flip 6 and last year’s Z Flip 5, with only some minor design changes. The upgraded camera array now has a metal edge around each lens, and the sides are flatter this year, in line with the design of other 2024 Galaxy devices. There’s alo a largely imperceptible reduction in thickness when the device is closed too, likely down to a newer hinge design. Compared to my year-old Z Flip 5, the crease seems once again even less visible this year.
While and display sizes and resolutions remain the same, the main screen on the Z Flip 6 tops out at 2,600 nits, compared to the 1,750 nits of the Z Flip 5's display. Samsung claims this is its brightest foldable display yet, and it’s more than enough to handle temperamental summer weather here in the UK. It’s another crisp, smooth, beautiful flexible AMOLED.
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
The Z Flip 6’s cover display is the same size, brightness and resolution as its predecessor. Does it look as good as the Moto Razr 50 Ultra? In my opinion, no, but there’s enough screen space to read notifications, frame your photos and even watch videos.
Also, if you’re worried about screen toughness on your new foldable, Samsung’s new Z Assurance program is worth noting. It offers a free one-time replacement of Samsung’s factory-installed screen protector on the Z Flip 6 and even a one-time discount on screen replacement if the very worst should happen.
When it comes to utility, despite more widget support (and space for more of them), the Z Flip 6’s Flex Window doesn’t do enough. Notifications are still a swipe away, and the expansive screen (introduced last year) offers enough space to take selfies with the device without unfolding it.
Samsung’s software innovations, like AI-powered translation, take advantage of the dual-screen Z Flip 6, showing both parties what’s being said. It’s generally pretty accurate, and combining audio and text should help reduce misunderstandings and mistranslations.
Galaxy AI powers new photography features tied to the cover display, too. AutoZoom takes at least some of the guesswork out of framing when setting up the Z Flip to take a timed photo or record video without direct supervision, and it works well, cramming in friends or cropping your surroundings to focus in on your group. Editing and modifying the Flex Window is still unnecessarily complicated. Other features are buried away in the Labs section of settings, and there are not enough widgets for a device on its fifth iteration. (Samsung never launched a Z Flip 2.)
But, when other flip foldables offer a truncated version of your home screen, and can (with mixed success) run most apps, some new widgets aren’t enough. Fortunately, Samsung’s Labs settings can run a handful of apps on the cover screen, including YouTube, Netflix, WhatsApp, and Google Maps. It’s a start, but if the cover display can handle streaming video, surely I could get a Kindle reading app, or a stripped-down version of Chrome. I wish Samsung had pushed it further. (There are some tools and apps to work around this, many Galaxy Z Flip users swear by Good Lock, but I don’t want to have to work around this constraint.)
The Z Flip 6 also gets a RAM upgrade this year, up to 12 gigs from 8GB last year. Like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S24, it has a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and I didn’t notice any performance issues during testing.
Cameras
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
The primary camera sensor on this year’s Z Flip has finally been upgraded to 50 megapixels, putting it on par with this year’s Galaxy S24. It’s better, sure, but doesn’t quite match the capabilities of leading camera phones like the Pixel 8 Pro, S24 Ultra, or iPhone 15 Pro.
Pitting the Z Flip 6 against the Z Flip 5, I was surprised how often the images pretty much matched each other. Predictably, if I chose to shoot on the Z Flip 6 in full 50-megapixel stills, that offered more fidelity than the Z Flip 5. If I shot in 12MP on the Z Flip 6, there often was little difference between the two foldables. The newer phone was less prone to blowing out an entire image when everything was brightly lit. At the same time, it’s more reliable in low-light situations, especially when you choose the 12MP setting, letting the phone process those extra pixels for a more detailed shot. The Z Flip 6 seemed more capable of pulling out finer detail, whether that was blades of grass or the soft outline of this patient dog.
A bigger benefit of that bigger sensor is that the Z Flip 6 can zoom in by cropping the 50MP image to a 12MP one. You can capture a nice image at 2x and even 4x zoom, without a dedicated telephoto lens.
Unsurprisingly, thanks to Samsung’s processing, the higher-resolution sensors in the Z Flip 6 perform better in low light than last year’s model. Samsung’s imaging processing occasionally got a little too aggressive, with clothing and skylines often marred by crinkly lines and artifacts. It’s not really a leap beyond the Z Flip 5’s cameras, but it wasn’t a terrible imaging setup in the first place. This form factor ensures that you’re using these high-resolution cameras for any selfies or video calls, meaning nothing else comes close in quality.
Galaxy AI features come to foldables
Samsung’s Galaxy AI software lands on its foldables this year, and the company continues adding and refining. Alongside Chat Assist for writing texts and emails, the fantastic Google Circle to Search is here, making it easier to investigate practically anything you’re looking at on your phone. It’s the camera features I’ve been most impressed with – and were pretty much the only Galaxy AI tricks I used with any regularity.
Samsung’s improved AI photo editing tools are easy to use and right where you need them to be. Once you open a photo, you tap on Samsung’s AI sparkle icon, and select objects by circling them. You can then delete your selection or move it into a better position and, with another tap of the AI button, let Samsung’s AI fill in the gaps.
In complete contrast to the laborious widget menus and settings for the front display, it’s so easy to use and does what you want it to. After your AI nips and tucks, there’s a ‘view original’ button to compare your images.
Then there’s Sketch to image, a delightful distraction. Making a few cursory lines, or attempt to draw something specific, and Galaxy AI will generate an object and apply it to your photo, often in a photo-realistic way. Sometimes, it even nails it.
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
Galaxy phones will add an “AI-generated content” watermark, but the bigger signs of AI objects and editing were scale (hi, giant goose), blurry outlines or the rules of physics.
I was surprised at how capable Sasmung’s image generation was. Sketching a ghost (successfully!) behind a mesh barrier generated my spook behind the barrier. It would also apply appropriate light shading and shadows for some uncannily accurate results. That dog picture earlier? There was no ball there. Also: multiple photorealistic white hats. It was a shame I couldn’t change the color of these items, or offer some text-based guidance to recognize my scribbles. It’s a gimmick, sure, but it’s a good one. I’m still using it a lot, days later. It’s a lot of fun.
Not all the AI features are that successful: Portrait Studio will automatically detect images of people and offer multiple AI-generated drawings/ sketches and 3D renders, all of which make me look like all the other white male tech journalists who wear glasses. Which is harsh, but fair.
Battery life: Better, not great
The Z Flip 6 packs a bigger 4,000mAh battery, and the Z Flip series’ biggest weakness has been lasting an entire day, especially under heavy use. The Z Flip 6 scrapes through here. Using it as my main phone, it always lasted through a day of heavy use, with around 10 percent left at around 10PM. I would still keep a charger on me, anxious that I might not make it through an evening.
On our video rundown test, it lasted over 13 hours of playback on the main screen. Sadly, the frustratingly slow charge speed is still here. The Z Flip 6 can charge up to 25W, and after years of higher charge rates, I felt it took its time to recharge. From empty, it took two hours to top up fully. For comparison, the S24 Ultra can charge at up to 45W, and the Pixel 8 Pro can charge at up to 40W. I think this would also be less of an issue if I weren’t worried about the Z Flip 6’s battery going the distance.
Foldables have typically taken lower power input over the years, likely due to how battery cells are arranged inside a foldable device. However, if the 2024 Motorola Razr+ can handle 45W, why can’t the Z Flip 6?
Wrap-up
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
Samsung’s Z Flip series remains the most realistic flagship option when pitted against the smartphone slab status quo. The latest model is satisfying to use and satisfying to fold away and slip into a pocket. The Z Flip 6 also has better cameras, improved battery life and comes with all the Galaxy AI features that are shaping up to be Samsung’s smartphone USP.
Perhaps this focus on AI meant that the cover display has barely evolved since last year’s Z Flip — especially frustrating when the Z Flip 6 costs $100 more than its predecessor. While you can tap into experimental features to enable YouTube playback and Google Maps access, it’s a little underwhelming, especially when rivals like Motorola have proved that more is possible on a foldable’s secondary screen.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-flip-6-review-a-slightly-better-foldable-aimed-at-everyone-120041523.html?src=rss
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip series has always tempted me more than the Z Fold. Maybe it’s the flip-phone nostalgia taking hold; maybe it's the fact that I don’t want to watch video inside a square; maybe it's simply the Z Flip’s more palatable price.
The Z Flip series has launched in tandem with the Z Fold for several years, but often with specifications that put it around the bottom of each flagship family, including the traditionally shaped Galaxy S family. That changes this year, with Samsung addressing some of the Z Flip 5’s biggest shortcomings: battery life and middling cameras.
It’s a good thing too. As we mentioned in our Z Fold 6 review, there’s more foldable competition than ever. In fact, in the face of Motorola’s most recent foldables, while Samsung is doing something, is it enough?
Design and display
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference, visually, between the Z Flip 6 and last year’s Z Flip 5, with only some minor design changes. The upgraded camera array now has a metal edge around each lens, and the sides are flatter this year, in line with the design of other 2024 Galaxy devices. There’s alo a largely imperceptible reduction in thickness when the device is closed too, likely down to a newer hinge design. Compared to my year-old Z Flip 5, the crease seems once again even less visible this year.
While and display sizes and resolutions remain the same, the main screen on the Z Flip 6 tops out at 2,600 nits, compared to the 1,750 nits of the Z Flip 5's display. Samsung claims this is its brightest foldable display yet, and it’s more than enough to handle temperamental summer weather here in the UK. It’s another crisp, smooth, beautiful flexible AMOLED.
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
The Z Flip 6’s cover display is the same size, brightness and resolution as its predecessor. Does it look as good as the Moto Razr 50 Ultra? In my opinion, no, but there’s enough screen space to read notifications, frame your photos and even watch videos.
Also, if you’re worried about screen toughness on your new foldable, Samsung’s new Z Assurance program is worth noting. It offers a free one-time replacement of Samsung’s factory-installed screen protector on the Z Flip 6 and even a one-time discount on screen replacement if the very worst should happen.
When it comes to utility, despite more widget support (and space for more of them), the Z Flip 6’s Flex Window doesn’t do enough. Notifications are still a swipe away, and the expansive screen (introduced last year) offers enough space to take selfies with the device without unfolding it.
Samsung’s software innovations, like AI-powered translation, take advantage of the dual-screen Z Flip 6, showing both parties what’s being said. It’s generally pretty accurate, and combining audio and text should help reduce misunderstandings and mistranslations.
Galaxy AI powers new photography features tied to the cover display, too. AutoZoom takes at least some of the guesswork out of framing when setting up the Z Flip to take a timed photo or record video without direct supervision, and it works well, cramming in friends or cropping your surroundings to focus in on your group. Editing and modifying the Flex Window is still unnecessarily complicated. Other features are buried away in the Labs section of settings, and there are not enough widgets for a device on its fifth iteration. (Samsung never launched a Z Flip 2.)
But, when other flip foldables offer a truncated version of your home screen, and can (with mixed success) run most apps, some new widgets aren’t enough. Fortunately, Samsung’s Labs settings can run a handful of apps on the cover screen, including YouTube, Netflix, WhatsApp, and Google Maps. It’s a start, but if the cover display can handle streaming video, surely I could get a Kindle reading app, or a stripped-down version of Chrome. I wish Samsung had pushed it further. (There are some tools and apps to work around this, many Galaxy Z Flip users swear by Good Lock, but I don’t want to have to work around this constraint.)
The Z Flip 6 also gets a RAM upgrade this year, up to 12 gigs from 8GB last year. Like the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and S24, it has a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and I didn’t notice any performance issues during testing.
Cameras
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
The primary camera sensor on this year’s Z Flip has finally been upgraded to 50 megapixels, putting it on par with this year’s Galaxy S24. It’s better, sure, but doesn’t quite match the capabilities of leading camera phones like the Pixel 8 Pro, S24 Ultra, or iPhone 15 Pro.
Pitting the Z Flip 6 against the Z Flip 5, I was surprised how often the images pretty much matched each other. Predictably, if I chose to shoot on the Z Flip 6 in full 50-megapixel stills, that offered more fidelity than the Z Flip 5. If I shot in 12MP on the Z Flip 6, there often was little difference between the two foldables. The newer phone was less prone to blowing out an entire image when everything was brightly lit. At the same time, it’s more reliable in low-light situations, especially when you choose the 12MP setting, letting the phone process those extra pixels for a more detailed shot. The Z Flip 6 seemed more capable of pulling out finer detail, whether that was blades of grass or the soft outline of this patient dog.
A bigger benefit of that bigger sensor is that the Z Flip 6 can zoom in by cropping the 50MP image to a 12MP one. You can capture a nice image at 2x and even 4x zoom, without a dedicated telephoto lens.
Unsurprisingly, thanks to Samsung’s processing, the higher-resolution sensors in the Z Flip 6 perform better in low light than last year’s model. Samsung’s imaging processing occasionally got a little too aggressive, with clothing and skylines often marred by crinkly lines and artifacts. It’s not really a leap beyond the Z Flip 5’s cameras, but it wasn’t a terrible imaging setup in the first place. This form factor ensures that you’re using these high-resolution cameras for any selfies or video calls, meaning nothing else comes close in quality.
Galaxy AI features come to foldables
Samsung’s Galaxy AI software lands on its foldables this year, and the company continues adding and refining. Alongside Chat Assist for writing texts and emails, the fantastic Google Circle to Search is here, making it easier to investigate practically anything you’re looking at on your phone. It’s the camera features I’ve been most impressed with – and were pretty much the only Galaxy AI tricks I used with any regularity.
Samsung’s improved AI photo editing tools are easy to use and right where you need them to be. Once you open a photo, you tap on Samsung’s AI sparkle icon, and select objects by circling them. You can then delete your selection or move it into a better position and, with another tap of the AI button, let Samsung’s AI fill in the gaps.
In complete contrast to the laborious widget menus and settings for the front display, it’s so easy to use and does what you want it to. After your AI nips and tucks, there’s a ‘view original’ button to compare your images.
Then there’s Sketch to image, a delightful distraction. Making a few cursory lines, or attempt to draw something specific, and Galaxy AI will generate an object and apply it to your photo, often in a photo-realistic way. Sometimes, it even nails it.
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
Galaxy phones will add an “AI-generated content” watermark, but the bigger signs of AI objects and editing were scale (hi, giant goose), blurry outlines or the rules of physics.
I was surprised at how capable Sasmung’s image generation was. Sketching a ghost (successfully!) behind a mesh barrier generated my spook behind the barrier. It would also apply appropriate light shading and shadows for some uncannily accurate results. That dog picture earlier? There was no ball there. Also: multiple photorealistic white hats. It was a shame I couldn’t change the color of these items, or offer some text-based guidance to recognize my scribbles. It’s a gimmick, sure, but it’s a good one. I’m still using it a lot, days later. It’s a lot of fun.
Not all the AI features are that successful: Portrait Studio will automatically detect images of people and offer multiple AI-generated drawings/ sketches and 3D renders, all of which make me look like all the other white male tech journalists who wear glasses. Which is harsh, but fair.
Battery life: Better, not great
The Z Flip 6 packs a bigger 4,000mAh battery, and the Z Flip series’ biggest weakness has been lasting an entire day, especially under heavy use. The Z Flip 6 scrapes through here. Using it as my main phone, it always lasted through a day of heavy use, with around 10 percent left at around 10PM. I would still keep a charger on me, anxious that I might not make it through an evening.
On our video rundown test, it lasted over 13 hours of playback on the main screen. Sadly, the frustratingly slow charge speed is still here. The Z Flip 6 can charge up to 25W, and after years of higher charge rates, I felt it took its time to recharge. From empty, it took two hours to top up fully. For comparison, the S24 Ultra can charge at up to 45W, and the Pixel 8 Pro can charge at up to 40W. I think this would also be less of an issue if I weren’t worried about the Z Flip 6’s battery going the distance.
Foldables have typically taken lower power input over the years, likely due to how battery cells are arranged inside a foldable device. However, if the 2024 Motorola Razr+ can handle 45W, why can’t the Z Flip 6?
Wrap-up
Image by Mat Smith/Engadget
Samsung’s Z Flip series remains the most realistic flagship option when pitted against the smartphone slab status quo. The latest model is satisfying to use and satisfying to fold away and slip into a pocket. The Z Flip 6 also has better cameras, improved battery life and comes with all the Galaxy AI features that are shaping up to be Samsung’s smartphone USP.
Perhaps this focus on AI meant that the cover display has barely evolved since last year’s Z Flip — especially frustrating when the Z Flip 6 costs $100 more than its predecessor. While you can tap into experimental features to enable YouTube playback and Google Maps access, it’s a little underwhelming, especially when rivals like Motorola have proved that more is possible on a foldable’s secondary screen.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/samsung-galaxy-flip-6-review-a-slightly-better-foldable-aimed-at-everyone-120041523.html?src=rss
There are so many songs and trends floating around on TikTok that it can be hard to keep track of them. If you're open to singing — or at least humming — a little tune, that might change. TikTok has started rolling out a new feature called "Sound Search" that allows you to hum, sing or play a song, and the platform will show you the tune and videos that use it, TechCrunch reports.
That last point sets it apart from YouTube, which lets you search for a song in the same way but doesn't pull up videos that have it. It's also ahead of the long-standing Shazam, which requires you to play the real song rather than hum a few bars to identify it.
TikTok's Sound Search, however, does seem to work better when a song is more popular on the app. In some instances, singing lyrics might show, instead, a video about a topic or word mentioned instead of the actual song. The new feature is accessible by going to the search bar, clicking the microphone and picking Sound Search. Currently, Sound Search is only available to a small group of users in select areas.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktoks-sound-search-lets-you-find-videos-by-humming-or-singing-120029367.html?src=rss
There are so many songs and trends floating around on TikTok that it can be hard to keep track of them. If you're open to singing — or at least humming — a little tune, that might change. TikTok has started rolling out a new feature called "Sound Search" that allows you to hum, sing or play a song, and the platform will show you the tune and videos that use it, TechCrunch reports.
That last point sets it apart from YouTube, which lets you search for a song in the same way but doesn't pull up videos that have it. It's also ahead of the long-standing Shazam, which requires you to play the real song rather than hum a few bars to identify it.
TikTok's Sound Search, however, does seem to work better when a song is more popular on the app. In some instances, singing lyrics might show, instead, a video about a topic or word mentioned instead of the actual song. The new feature is accessible by going to the search bar, clicking the microphone and picking Sound Search. Currently, Sound Search is only available to a small group of users in select areas.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/tiktoks-sound-search-lets-you-find-videos-by-humming-or-singing-120029367.html?src=rss
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple Intelligence may not be part of September’s public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, out by October. It’s not all bad news: The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers as soon as this week.
It’s a bit of a disappointment, though — just like my experience with the early beta of iOS 18. A lot of the most exciting software features teased seem to require the might of Apple Intelligence.
When the company’s take on AI does finally arrive, it may not offer everything teased at WWDC: An AI-powered Siri should arrive later.
Samsung’s new product category has arrived: Lightweight, comfortable and with a surprisingly rich trove of health metrics and data, it’s an impressive debut. No subscription also puts it ahead of the existing competition. It’s still a little pricey, however. Read on for our full review.
A new government program is distributing federal funds through states to encourage internet service providers (ISPs) to offer lower rates for lower-income customers.
However, a letter sent to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo signed by more than 30 broadband industry trade groups, such as ACA Connects and the Fiber Broadband Association, raises “both a sense of alarm and urgency” about their ability to participate in the program. It claims a fixed rate of $30 per month for high-speed internet access is “completely unmoored from the economic realities of deploying and operating networks in the highest-cost, hardest-to-reach areas.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-intelligence-may-not-arrive-with-ios-18-112000779.html?src=rss
According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple Intelligence may not be part of September’s public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.
According to Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, out by October. It’s not all bad news: The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers as soon as this week.
It’s a bit of a disappointment, though — just like my experience with the early beta of iOS 18. A lot of the most exciting software features teased seem to require the might of Apple Intelligence.
When the company’s take on AI does finally arrive, it may not offer everything teased at WWDC: An AI-powered Siri should arrive later.
Samsung’s new product category has arrived: Lightweight, comfortable and with a surprisingly rich trove of health metrics and data, it’s an impressive debut. No subscription also puts it ahead of the existing competition. It’s still a little pricey, however. Read on for our full review.
A new government program is distributing federal funds through states to encourage internet service providers (ISPs) to offer lower rates for lower-income customers.
However, a letter sent to US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo signed by more than 30 broadband industry trade groups, such as ACA Connects and the Fiber Broadband Association, raises “both a sense of alarm and urgency” about their ability to participate in the program. It claims a fixed rate of $30 per month for high-speed internet access is “completely unmoored from the economic realities of deploying and operating networks in the highest-cost, hardest-to-reach areas.”
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/the-morning-after-apple-intelligence-may-not-arrive-with-ios-18-112000779.html?src=rss
Finding the right computer monitor is already hard enough, but as soon as you decide to go for one that’s designed for gaming, a whole host of new considerations come into the equation. Should you go for an LCD or OLED monitor? What about the differences between NVIDIA G-Sync and AMD FreeSync? How about refresh rates? Those are just some of the questions this guide aims to answer. In the process, my hope is to help you find the best gaming monitor for your budget.
Best gaming monitors for 2024
How we test gaming monitors
While I’ve not used every product recommended in our list, I have extensively tested dozens of gaming monitors in the past, including models with WOLED and QD-OLED panels. In the case of the Alienware monitor highlighted above, I bought one for myself with my own money. Separately, I spent dozens of hours over a two-year period researching gaming monitors to write the current version of this guide.
Factors to consider before buying a gaming monitor
LCD vs OLED
When shopping for a gaming monitor, you first need to decide if you want to go with a screen that has an LCD or OLED panel. For most people, that choice will come down to price: OLED gaming monitors are more expensive than their LCD counterparts. Even if money isn’t a concern, the choice might not be as straightforward as you think; both LCD and OLED panels come in a few different flavors and knowing the differences between each type is important to making an informed decision.
To start, LCD monitors come in three different varieties: twisted nematic (TN), vertical alignment (VA) or in-plane switching (IPS). For the most part, you want to avoid TN monitors unless you’re strapped for cash or want a monitor with the fastest possible refresh rate. TN screens feature the worst viewing angles, contrast ratios and colors of the group.
The differences between VA and IPS panels are more subtle. Historically, VA gaming monitors featured slower pixel response times than their TN and IPS counterparts, leading to unsightly image smearing. However, that’s improved in recent years. VA panels also frequently sport better contrast ratios than both TN and IPS screens. They’re not dramatically better than their IPS siblings on that front, but when contrast ratios aren’t an inherent strength of LCDs, every bit helps.
On the other hand, IPS panels excel at color accuracy and many offer refresh rates and response times that are as fast as the fastest TN panels. The majority of LCD gaming monitors on the market today feature IPS panels, though you will frequently find VA screens on ultrawide monitors.
All about OLED
If you can afford one, OLED screens make for the best gaming monitors. The ability of organic light-emitting diodes to produce true blacks is transformational; every game looks better when there isn’t a backlight to wash out shadow detail. What’s more, with an OLED screen, you can experience true HDR, something that LCDs aren’t known for.
In 2024, OLED screens come in two different flavors: WOLED and QD-OLED, with LG producing the former and Samsung the latter. I won’t bore you with the technical details of how the two panel types differ from one another other than to note both technologies broadly offer the same set of shortcomings.
Most notably, OLED monitors don’t get very bright. At best, the most capable models peak at around 250 nits when measuring brightness across the entire screen. In my testing, I didn’t find this was an issue, but your experience may vary depending on the ambient light in your gaming room.
If brightness is important to you, note that due to manufacturer tunings, different models can perform better than others, even if they feature the same panel from LG or Samsung. So it’s worth comparing monitors in the same class to find the model that’s right for you.
Separately, almost all OLED screens feature sub-pixel layouts that produce text fringing in Windows. The latest generation of OLED panels from both LG and Samsung are much better in this regard, to the point where I would say modern OLEDs are good enough for reading and image editing. However, it’s still worth going to your local Micro Center or Best Buy to see the model you want in person, as the text fringing issue is hard to capture in photos and videos.
Another (potentially more serious) issue is burn-in. Organic light-emitting diodes can get “stuck” if they display the same image for long periods of time. Every OLED gaming monitor you can buy in 2024 comes with features designed to prevent burn-in and other image retention issues. Provided you don’t use your new OLED monitor for eight hours of daily productivity work, you likely won’t need to worry about burn-in too much.
Screen size, resolution and aspect ratio
After deciding where you fall on the LCD vs OLED debate, you can start thinking about the size of your future gaming monitor. Personal preference and the limitations of your gaming space will play a big part here, but there are also a few technical considerations. You should think about size in conjunction with resolution and aspect ratio.
A 1440p monitor has 78 percent more pixels than a 1080p screen, and a 4K display has more than twice as many pixels as a QHD panel. As the size of a monitor increases, pixel density decreases unless you also increase resolution. For that reason, there tend to be sweet spots between size and resolution. For instance, I wouldn’t recommend buying a FHD monitor that is larger than 24-inches or a QHD one bigger than 27 inches. Conversely, text and interface elements on a 4K monitor can look tiny without scaling on panels smaller than 32 inches.
You also need to consider the performance costs of running games at higher resolutions. The latest entry-level GPUs can comfortably run most modern games at 1080p and 60 frames per second. They can even render some competitive titles at 120 frames per second and higher — but push them to run those same games at 1440p and beyond, and you’re bound to run into problems. And as you’ll see in a moment, a consistently high frame rate is vital to getting the most out of the latest gaming monitors.
If your budget allows for it, 1440p offers the best balance between visual clarity and gaming performance. As for 1080p and 4K, I would only consider the former if you’re on a tight budget or you exclusively play competitive shooters like Valorant and Overwatch 2. For most people, the user experience and productivity benefits of QHD far outweigh the performance gains you get from going with a lower resolution screen.
Previously, I would have said 4K was not a viable resolution for PC gaming, but then NVIDIA came out with its 40 series GPUs. With those video cards offering the company’s DLSS 3 frame generation technology, there’s a case to be made that the technology is finally there to play 4K games at a reasonable frame rate, particularly if you exclusively play big, AAA single-player games like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077, or enjoy strategy games like the Total War series. However, even with frame generation, you will need a GPU like the $999 RTX 4080 Super or $1,599 RTX 4090 to drive a 4K display. Plus, 4K gaming monitors tend to cost more than their 1440p counterparts.
If you want an ultrawide, note that not every game supports the 21:9 aspect ratio and fewer still support 32:9. When shopping for a curved monitor, a lower Radius, or ‘R’ number, indicates a more aggressive curve. So, a 1000R monitor is more curved than an 1800R one.
Photo by Igor Bonifacic / Engadget
Refresh rates and response times
And now for the fun stuff. The entire reason to buy a gaming monitor is for their ability to draw more images than a traditional PC display. As you shop for a new screen, you will see models advertising refresh rates like 120Hz, 240Hz and 360Hz. The higher the refresh rate of a monitor, the more times it can update the image it displays on screen every second, thereby producing a smoother moving image. When it comes to games like Overwatch, Valorant and League of Legends, a faster refresh rate can give you a competitive edge, but even immersive single-player games can benefit.
A monitor with a 360Hz refresh rate will look better in motion than one with a 240Hz or 120Hz refresh rate, but there are diminishing returns. At 60Hz, the image you see on your monitor is updated every 16.67ms. At 120Hz, 240Hz and 360Hz, the gap between new frames shortens to 8.33ms, 4.17ms and 2.78ms, respectively. Put another way, although a 360Hz monitor can display 50 percent more frames than a 240Hz screen in a given time period, you will only see a speedup of 1.14ms between frame intervals. And all that depends on your GPU’s ability to render a consistent 360 frames per second.
Ultimately, a fast monitor will do you no good if you don't have a graphics card that can keep up. For example, with a 1440p 360Hz monitor, you realistically need a GPU like the RTX 4070 Super or RTX 4080 Super to saturate that display while playing competitive games like Overwatch 2 and Valorant.
There’s also more to motion clarity than refresh rates alone. Just as important are response times, or the amount of time it takes for pixels to transition from one color to another and then back again. Monitors with slow response times tend to produce smearing that is distracting no matter what kind of game you’re playing. Unfortunately, response times are also one of the more opaque aspects of picking the best gaming monitor for your needs.
Many LCD monitor manufacturers claim their products feature 1ms gray-to-gray (GtG) response times, yet they don’t handle motion blur to the same standard. One of the reasons for that is that many companies tend to cherry pick GtG results that make their monitors look better on paper. In 2022, the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) created a new certification program to address that problem, but the grading system is unwieldy and, as far as I can tell, hasn’t had a lot of pickup from manufacturers.
For now, your best bet is to turn to resources like Rtings and Monitors Unboxed when shopping for a new gaming monitor. Both outlets conduct extensive testing of every screen they review, and present their findings and recommendations in a way that’s easy to understand.
FreeSync vs G-Sync
No matter how powerful your system, it will sometimes fail to maintain a consistent framerate. In fact, you should expect frame rate fluctuations when playing graphically-intensive games like Alan Wake 2 and Cyberpunk 2077. For those moments, you want a gaming display with adaptive sync. Otherwise, you can run into screen tearing.
Adaptive sync technologies come in a few flavors. The two you’re most likely to encounter are AMD FreeSync and NVIDIA G-Sync, and each has its own set of performance tiers. With G-Sync, for instance, they are – from lowest to highest – G-Sync Compatible, G-Sync and G-Sync Ultimate.
The good news is that you don’t need to think too much about which adaptive sync technology a display supports. In the early days of the tech, it was rare to see a gaming monitor that offered both FreeSync and G-Sync, since including the latter meant a manufacturer had to equip their display with a dedicated processor from NVIDIA. That changed in 2019 when the company introduced its G-Sync Compatible certification. In 2023, if a monitor supports FreeSync, it is almost certainly G-Sync Compatible too, meaning you can enjoy tear-free gaming whether you’re using an AMD or NVIDIA GPU.
In fact, I would go so far as to say you shouldn’t make your purchasing decision based on the level of adaptive sync performance a monitor offers. As of the writing of this guide, the list of G-Sync Ultimate-certified displays is less than two dozen models long, and some are a few years old now.
Photo by Igor Bonifacic / Engadget
Inputs
Almost every gaming display on the market right now comes with at least one DisplayPort 1.4 connection, and that’s the port you will want to use to connect your new monitor to your graphics card. If you own a PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, it’s also worth looking out for monitors that come with HDMI 2.1 ports, as those will allow you to get the most out of your current generation console.
A word about HDR
As fast and responsive gaming monitors have become in recent years, there’s one area where progress has been frustratingly slow: HDR performance. The majority of gaming monitors currently on sale, including most high-end models, only meet VESA’s DisplayHDR 400 certification. As someone who has owned one such monitor, let me tell you right now it’s not even worth turning on HDR on those screens. You will only be disappointed.
The good news is that things are getting better, albeit slowly. The release of Windows 11 did a lot to improve the state of HDR on PC, and more games are shipping with competent HDR modes, not just ones that increase the brightness of highlights. Unfortunately, if you want a proper HDR experience on PC, you will likely need to shell out for an OLED monitor.
Gaming monitor FAQs
Are curved monitors better for gaming?
It depends on personal preference. Many manufactures claim curved monitors offer a more immersive gaming experience due to the way the display wraps around your field of vision. However, I find the edge distortion distracting, particularly when you increase the field of view in a game. Try one for yourself to see if you like the effect.
What aspect ratio should I look for in a gaming monitor?
The short answer is either 16:9 or 21:9. The long answer is that the vast majority of 24-, 27- and 32-inch gaming monitors feature 16:9 aspect ratio panels, and that’s been the case for many years. In fact, nearly every game made in the last two decades supports 16:9 resolutions such as 1,920 x 1,080 and 2,560 x 1,440. And if you buy a standard sized monitor, you won’t need to worry about letterboxing.
In the case of ultrawides, 21:9 is the most common aspect ratio, with some very wide models sporting 32:9 panels. Among games, support for 21:9 and 32:9 resolutions is far from universal, so don’t be surprised if a game doesn’t fill the entirety of your screen. Still, if you’re set on an ultrawide, it’s a small price to pay for the extra screen real estate.
Is OLED good for gaming?
Yes, OLED monitors are excellent for gaming. Not only do they offer excellent motion clarity and input latency, but they’re also easily the best displays for HDR gaming. If money is no object, and you primarily use your PC for gaming, you can’t go wrong with an OLED monitor.
How much does a good gaming monitor cost?
While you could easily spend more than $1,000 to obtain the best gaming monitor on the market now, the reality is that the budget and midrange categories have never been more competitive. In 2015, I spent $500 CAD to buy a 1080p monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate and TN panel. The $110 AOC model I highlight above is not only cheaper than my first gaming monitor, it features a faster 180 Hz refresh rate and a higher contrast VA panel.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-gaming-monitor-140008940.html?src=rss
Apple Intelligence isn’t likely to be ready in time for the public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September, but you might not have to wait too long for it after that. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which the company expects to be out by October. The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers to start playing with as soon as this week.
Apple Intelligence won’t offer its full suite of features at the start. Some, like the AI-powered Siri, are expected to come later in the year.Gurman has reported that these updates could even slip into next year. And when Apple Intelligence does arrive, it won’t be compatible with every phone that can support iOS 18. Apple said during its announcement that it requires a device with an A17 Pro processor or M-series chip. That rules out all recent iPhone models except the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-intelligence-reportedly-may-not-arrive-until-october-with-ios-181-213406695.html?src=rss
Apple Intelligence isn’t likely to be ready in time for the public releases of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 in September, but you might not have to wait too long for it after that. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple is planning to introduce Apple Intelligence with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, which the company expects to be out by October. The betas for these — with some of the AI features — will reportedly be ready for developers to start playing with as soon as this week.
Apple Intelligence won’t offer its full suite of features at the start. Some, like the AI-powered Siri, are expected to come later in the year.Gurman has reported that these updates could even slip into next year. And when Apple Intelligence does arrive, it won’t be compatible with every phone that can support iOS 18. Apple said during its announcement that it requires a device with an A17 Pro processor or M-series chip. That rules out all recent iPhone models except the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/apple-intelligence-reportedly-may-not-arrive-until-october-with-ios-181-213406695.html?src=rss