Fortnite maker’s lawsuit says Samsung Auto Blocker deters users from app downloads outside Google’s Play store Fortnite video game maker Epic Games on Monday accused Alphabet’s Google and Samsung, the world’s largest Android phone manufacturer, of conspiring to protect Google’s Play store from competition. Epic filed a lawsuit in US federal court in California alleging that a Samsung mobile security feature called Auto Blocker was intended to deter users from downloading apps from sources other than the Play store or Samsung’s Galaxy store. It’s Epic’s second antitrust suit against Google. Continue reading...

Taking the plunge and giving your child a handset? Here’s all you need to know – from the best models to the tariffs and networks (and how to use parental controls) As the schools go back, pressure mounts on parents to give their children their first phone. If you’ve decided the time has come, there are many options to choose from, whether it’s a smartphone, a basic handset, or an upgrade to something newer. From the handset to the mobile service that goes with it, and from key parental controls to how well the phone fits with the devices you already use, here are some of the things you should know before taking the plunge – including which models are the best. Continue reading...

Lighter weight, better screens, faster chip and fancy AI features are all welcome, but feel iterative for the price Samsung’s most advanced, hi-tech folding phone for 2024 is the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which looks to see off rivals from Google, OnePlus and others with a lighter frame, bigger and better screens, and the fastest chip available for Android. The latest phone-tablet hybrid from the category pioneer is designed to be the ultra-premium device of choice for buyers, but faces stiff competition from several worthy challengers, most of which undercut the South Korean firm on price. Continue reading...

Sixth-generation folder adds bigger battery, better camera, brighter screen and more fancy AI features Samsung’s popular folding-screen Z Flip phone is back for 2024 with a faster chip, much longer battery life and more AI. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is the smaller of Samsung’s two new folders for this year, launched alongside the book-style Z Fold 6. It takes the flat sides and slab-like design of Samsung’s standard Galaxy S24+ and folds it in half, turning a big-screen phone into a compact clamshell. Main screen: 6.7in FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED Infinity Flex Display (425ppi) Cover screen: 3.4in AMOLED Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: 12GB Storage: 256 or 512GB Operating system: One UI 6.1 based on Android 14 Camera: 50+12MP rear, 10MP front-facing Connectivity: 5G, nano sim + esim, wifi6E, NFC, Bluetooth 5.3 and GNSS Water resistance: IP48 (1.5-metre depths for 30 minutes) Folded dimensions: 85.1 x 71.9 x 14.9mm Unfolded dimensions: 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9mm Weight: 187g Continue reading...

Latest Copilot+ PC is thin, light and speedy with a stunning screen, but can’t live up to AI and battery life hype Samsung’s first take on Microsoft’s new Arm-powered Copilot+ PCs is the Galaxy Book 4 Edge, which promises to finally deliver the speed and battery life to properly take on Apple’s MacBook Air. The new ultra-thin and light laptop comes in a choice of 14in or 16in screen sizes and packs the very fastest of the new Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chips, which aim to dethrone Intel as the PC laptop chips of choice. Continue reading...

Titanium superphone has serious speed, battery life and unrivalled camera zoom but is ultra-priced Samsung’s latest smartphone packs a plethora of the latest flashy AI tools in an attempt to improve text, images, video and search – with both hits and misses. The new Galaxy S24 Ultra comes equipped with a combination of Samsung and Google’s latest AI layered on top of one of the most capable phones on the market, filled to the brim with competition-beating specs. Continue reading...