Category: Technologies

T-Mobile continued adding phone and home 5G internet customers as it grew its base by a total of 1.6 million net added customers across the board during the second quarter of 2023.

T-Mobile’s subscriber growth comes amid more modest growth from AT&T during the quarter, with a struggling Verizon adding far more home internet than phone customers.

T-Mobile reported 760,000 postpaid net phone additions, a metric used by the industry to denote success and dependable revenue. T-Mobile maintained that its 5G network reaches 98% of Americans, which has gone unchanged since last quarter. Its higher-speed Ultra Capacity 5G network has continued growing as it now covers 285 million people and still has a goal to reach 300 million by the end of the year.

Most of the Ultra Capacity 5G network is midband, including the 2.5GHz of spectrum acquired in the merger with Sprint. T-Mobile has limited deployments of the highest-speed millimeter wave 5G spectrum in its network, with no plans for big expansion, but it could be used to support the network.

“Millimeter wave could potentially be an interesting play for us when it comes to enhancing capacities for us that could be used, for example, with [T-Mobile’s High Speed Internet],” T-Mobile President of Technology Ulf Ewaldsson said during the second-quarter earnings call, referring to the carrier’s 5G fixed wireless service. The carrier is working with its vendor and manufacturer partners to explore the possibility.

The carrier will continue to grow its midband 5G into next year with spectrum converted from LTE to 5G and from the so-called C-band spectrum of 5G, Ewaldsson said, as well as spectrum won in auctions covering the 2.5GHz and the 3.45GHz ranges. “There is so much more for us to run out, and I couldn’t be more excited that we’re expanding our lead in terms of our network,” Ewaldsson said.

During the quarter, T-Mobile introduced a pair of new 5G plans in April — Go5G and Go5G Plus — that are slightly pricier than the existing Magenta and Magenta Max plans, but add more high-speed data for use in Mexico and Canada and 10GB of extra hotspot data. Over 60% of the accounts that are joining T-Mobile are subscribing to Go5G Plus, T-Mobile Consumer Group President Jon Freier said on the call.

“Go5G Plus instantly became our most popular plan,” T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert said.

T-Mobile added 509,000 High Speed Internet customers for its 5G fixed wireless service, which it noted was more than its rival carriers, Comcast and Charter, combined. T-Mobile has 3.7 million high-speed internet customers and is “right on track” to reach 7 million to 8 million subscribers to its fixed wireless service, Sievert said: “We’re speeding up, not slowing down, on this network.”

T-Mobile’s High Speed Internet does have a population limit since, as it’s currently arranged, it uses “excess capacity” of 5G service from its network. While Sievert didn’t comment on specific plans to grow the fixed wireless part of its network beyond its base of 2.5GHz spectrum, he noted that “we’re always on the hunt for other ways to add capacity to our network.”

The carrier is still trialing fiber wired internet, but had no expansion news to share.

T-Mobile reported $15.7 billion in revenue, growing 3% year over year for the same period. That broke down to a diluted earnings per share of $1.86, which came in above the $1.69 earnings per share predicted by analysts polled by Yahoo Finance.

T-Mobile stock fell 1.99% in after-hours trading.

The first public beta of iOS 17 released earlier this month, introducing new features to the iPhone like contact posters, live voicemail and StandBy Mode. But that’s just the beginning.

Related story: iOS 17 Public Beta Is Out. I’m Excited About These New iPhone Features

Like every new mobile software release, iOS 17 has several hidden features and settings that are just as useful as the popular features — and ones you might end up using every single day on your iPhone.

If you want to take a deep dive into what your iPhone has to master, read on to check out 5 hidden features currently available in the iOS 17 public beta, which you can download right now (as long as you’ve got a supported iPhone).

If your iPhone isn’t compatible with iOS 17, it might be worth taking a look at the best iPhone models of 2023 and our review of the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

Automatically delete verification codes sent to you via text or email

Every time you sign in to an application that uses two-factor authentication, or 2FA, you’ll first need to get a text message or email verification code sent to you. You might have hundreds of these verification codes littered in your text messages or email, and though you can delete these codes one by one, there’s now an easier way to clean house, thanks to iOS 17.

In Settings > Passwords > Password Options, you can now toggle on a new Clean Up Automatically setting so that verification codes in the Messages and Mail applications are automatically deleted after being used with the autofill feature that appears at the top of your keyboard.

Use Apple Maps offline to navigate

You might be surprised to learn this, but you’ve never been able to use Apple Maps offline. Instead, you’d have to be connected to the internet, which is useless if you need to find your way back home when you’re out in the wilderness or in an area with no connection. In iOS 17, you can finally download an offline map to grab directions even when you don’t have service.

In Maps, tap your profile photo in the top right of the navigation window and go into Offline Maps. Depending on where you drive most, you may see a suggested map to download, along with the size of the map, in case you don’t have much storage. You can also just hit Download New Map, type a city, manually adjust the map if needed and download it to your iPhone.

Crop your photos using the zoom feature in Photos

Cropping a screenshot or picture in the Photos app is a relatively easy process, but Apple has made it even easier with iOS 17.

Now, when you’re viewing a photo and you zoom in on it, a new Crop button will appear in the top-right. This will automatically take you into edit mode and allow you to then adjust the crop even more, or you can simply hit Done to finish the crop. You must act quick though, as the crop button appears for only a few seconds after you zoom in to a photo.

Use Crossfade for smoother transitions in Music app

If you’re in charge of playing music at a friend’s party or in the car, you now have the option to use a cross-fade effect between songs in Apple Music on iOS 17.

In the Settings app, go to Music and toggle on Crossfade. Once the setting is enabled, you can choose how long you want the cross-fade to be: Choose between one second and 12 seconds, in second intervals. If you choose five seconds, for example, the next song in the playlist/album will begin to slowly play in the background five seconds before the current song ends.

Interact with certain widgets on your home screen

The widgets that live on your home screen are no longer there just for looks. Apple has brought interactive widgets to the iPhone, allowing you to control applications from your home screen, much like you would from the control center.

For now, the number of interactive widgets is limited, but if you want to add one to your home screen, press down on an empty space on your home screen to enter edit mode, tap the plus sign in the top right, and scroll through the list of widgets. A few interactive widgets available include Podcast, Home, Notes and Music.

For example, in Music you can play or pause music, while in Home, you can turn any connected devices off and on, such as a smart light bulb or a thermostat.

For more on Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system, check out our hands-on look at iOS 17, as well as what you should know about Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Reddit is joining other social media platforms in verifying certain accounts. The social media site announced Wednesday that it is testing out a new “Official” label on some accounts that have confirmed their identity.

Reddit said a small number of organizations that have existing relationships with the site will get the new label. The social media site also said the Official label doesn’t come with any extra perks, like the additional privileges that come with a blue check mark on the site formerly known as Twitter.

“This label is designed to help mods and users quickly identify these organizations, and allows them to trust that these users are who they say they are,” Reddit wrote online. “Our main goal is to explore ways in which we can help increase authentic engagement between organizations and users.”

A Reddit administrator also said in a post on the site that the Official label should not be confused with the Promoted label, which is used to mark paid advertisements.

For more, check out what to know about the Following tab in Threads, what to know about Apple’s hidden social network and how to delete your Twitter account.

You don’t need to splurge on the iPhone 14 or Galaxy S23 to get the latest version of iOS or Android, or perks like multiple cameras, photography tools and access to your favorite apps and games. When it comes to the basics, the best cheap phones provide plenty of value but cost noticeably less than their flagship competitors.

Our top picks come as cheap as $160, while more advanced models will run you $500 — which is substantially cheaper than top-of-the-line models from Apple, Samsung and Google. If you have a specific budget in mind, you can also check out our best phones under $200 and best phones under $500 lists for other affordable phone options.

What is the best cheap phone?

Even without discounts, you can find brand-new phones for less than $200. But when a phone’s regular price is set under $400, you’ll start to notice concessions a company makes to offer a more affordable phone. That’s why the $349 Google Pixel 6A is our favorite best cheap phone. Google delivers all the big features that matter, such as a peppy processor, great cameras and years worth of software support. And to keep the price low, Google makes smart compromises, most notably a display that looks dim under direct sunlight.
The Pixel 6A accomplishes its intended purpose of providing a lot for less. Even though Google’s Pixel 7A at $499 is also a very good value, the Pixel 6A still takes crisp and colorful photos for its price. You also get the same eye-catching design and Pixel-specific software features like Magic Eraser and Live Translate.

Best cheap phones of 2023

How we test phones

Every phone on this list has been thoroughly tested by CNET’s expert reviews team. We use the phone, test the features, play games and take photos. We assess any marketing promises that a company makes about its phones. And if we find something we don’t like, be it battery life or build quality, we tell you about it.

We examine every aspect of a phone during testing:

• Display
• Design and feel
• Processor performance
• Battery life
• Camera quality
• Features

We test all the phone’s cameras (both front and back) in a variety of conditions: from outdoors under sunlight to dimmer indoor locales and nighttime scenes (for any available night modes). We also compare our findings against similarly priced models. We have a series of real world battery tests to see how long a phone lasts under everyday use.

We take into account additional phone features like 5G, fingerprint and face readers, styluses, fast charging, foldable displays and other useful extras. We weigh all our experiences and testing against the price so you know whether a phone represents good value or not.

Read more: How we test phones

Best cheap phones FAQs

After months of rumors the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 was launched on Wednesday and you can place your preorder right now. Doing so should get you a new foldable phone on or around Aug. 11, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Order now and you will also benefit from the free storage upgrade offer that’s running at multiple retailers, too.

That means that buying a Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 for its starting price of $1,000 will not only get you the latest flip phone but also a full 512GB of storage rather than the 256GB entry-level model. And that isn’t even the end of the story — you’ll also save up to $900 when you trade in your old phone, too.

That special deal is with Samsung itself, and we’re expecting carriers to also offer their own discounts on the hottest new thing in tech. With a fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, a larger 3.4-inch outer display and a 6.7-inch foldable inner one, you’re going to get a lot of phone for your money regardless — and a notable upgrade over the older Galaxy Z Flip 4.

What colors does the Galaxy Z Flip 5 come in?

The Galaxy Z Flip 5 comes in a ton of colors, although some are Samsung-exclusive. Every retailer should offer the graphite, lavender, cream and mint colors. But those looking to pick up a new Galaxy Z Flip 5 in gray, blue, green or yellow are going to have to buy direct from Samsung.

How much does the Galaxy Z Flip 5 cost?

The starting price for the Galaxy Z Flip 5, before you add any trade-ins or take advantage of any discounts, read as follows.

• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 (256GB): $1,000
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 (512GB): $1,120 (currently offered as a free upgrade)

Best Galaxy Z Flip 5 deals

There are wireless speakers for everywhere these days, both those for inside the home and portable speakers for outside, and they make a great addition to your entertainment setup. Some of these Wi-Fi speakers can cost a pretty penny, but you don’t need to go broke to get a great one. Some of the best streaming speakers provide you with great sound quality and connect over your available Wi-Fi, but there are many Bluetooth speakers out there as well. To help you figure out which will be the perfect fit for your home’s audio setup, we made a list of the best Wi-Fi speakers we’ve tested in the CNET labs.

Wi-Fi streaming lets you control music in a multiroom environment, and most Wi-Fi speakers also offer voice control (for instance, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or Apple’s Siri). That means you can ask your speaker for a specific song, and it’ll play it back for you. For more on this, don’t miss CNET’s guide to the best smart speakers.

For the streaming speakers that do offer voice control, if you don’t want that you can just turn it off. Either way, you don’t need to spend very much — for instance, a fantastic “dumb” multiroom speaker like the Ikea Symfonisk Bookshelf starts at $140. To make sense of it all, keep reading for the best Wi-Fi speakers for your needs.

Also consider: Best Bluetooth Speakers of 2023

We also tested

• JBL Link Portable ($180): The Link Portable is a larger-size competitor to the Sonos, being both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, and it can play louder and with weightier bass. In his review of the Sonos Roam, reviewer David Carnoy says he preferred the sound and build quality of the Sonos and would buy it over the JBL, though the Link Portable is currently $100 off, making it a much more competitive pick.
• Bose Home Speaker 300 ($280): If you’re after a responsive smart speaker, the Bose Home Speaker 300 is both snappy in operation and lovely to look at. In terms of audio quality, however, it doesn’t measure up to its competitor, the cheaper Sonos One. In addition, the onboard Bose Music multiroom system is not compatible with existing SoundTouch products. The 300 appears to be out of production but it can still be found in new condition at select retailers. There are also plenty of refurbished models available for even less. Read CNET’s review of the Bose Home Speaker 300.

• Apple HomePod (2023) ($299): The new HomePod is a refined take on Apple’s first smart speaker with better sound and more features. Despite new-found support for Dolby Atmos it’s the temperature and humidity sensors which are the most palpable changes. Yet, at $300 most people are better off buying the HomePod mini which has an almost-identical set of features. Read CNET’s review of the Apple HomePod (2023)
• Bowers and Wilkins Formation Flex ($500): A smaller brother to the flashy Formation Wedge, the Flex is still quite stylish and boasts an open-hearted sonic signature. There’s plenty of competition at this level though, including the Sonos Five, which is capable of a much bigger, party-ready performance. Read CNET’s first take on the Formation range.

• Sonos Move ($399): If you want a wireless speaker model that’s (kinda) portable and water resistant, the Sonos Move offers great sound in a very large box. If you need to power a tailgate or large party this would be great, but for most people the Sonos Roam is both cheaper and more pocketable. Read CNET’s review of the Sonos Move.
• Sony SRS-RA5000 ($398): Where are people supposed to put large speakers like the Sony SRS-RA5000 and the McIntosh RS150? A dressing table — like, a really big one? The Sony is over a foot tall but adding to its potential awkwardness is its 360-degree playback, making the “best” place to put it at the center of a room. The sound is fine, but if you want to hear 3D audio, the Amazon Echo Studio is a quarter of the price. Read CNET’s first take on the on the Sony SRS-RA5000.
• McIntosh RS150 ($1,200): The massive McIntosh RS150 has some great things going for it — namely Chromecast built-in, Roon Ready and Spotify Connect. Nonetheless, the sound wasn’t as clear as I’d expected and the unit offers no EQ controls to compensate. In addition, while the previous RS100 had the fabled McIntosh blue meter this update misses a trick by replacing it with LEDs. The competitive Naim Mu-so Qb is more compact and offers excellent performance for the same price.

How does CNET test Wi-Fi speakers?

CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of our audio testing. We test Wi-Fi speakers ranging from simple bedside speakers all the way through to high-end systems. Our audio lab includes a Roon server running on a Synology NAS, Google Nest and Amazon Echo speakers, plus both iOS and Android devices. Similar speakers are compared side by side in a living room environment with different styles of music and utilizing multiple streaming platforms when required. We grade the sound quality of each by evaluating clarity, dynamics, bass response and stereo imaging (if applicable). If the speaker comes with a proprietary app we will compare that to other competitive controllers.

More audio recommendations

• Best Sonos Speakers for 2023
  
• Best Soundbars With Amazon Alexa for 2023
• Best Mesh Routers for 2023: Top-Tested Systems for Whole-Home Wi-Fi
• Best PC Speakers for 2023

• Best Wireless Bluetooth Boom Boxes for 2023

Australia will be looking to build on their good start to the 2023 Women’s World Cup as they take on Nigeria in their second Group B match in Brisbane.

The Matilda’s had to battle their way to a narrow 1-0 win over Ireland in their opening match in Sydney thanks to a 52nd-minute penalty from Steph Catley.

They now come up against a Super Eagles side that have shown they’re no push overs, having earned a hard fought goalless draw against the reigning Olympic champions Canada in their opening game.

That result came at a cost for Nigeria however, who will be without forward Deborah Abiodun for this match having she received a red card against he The Canucks.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch USA vs. Vietnam, no matter where you are in the world.

Australia vs. Nigeria: When and where?

This Group B clash takes place at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane,Australia, on Thursday, July 27, at 8 p.m. AEST local time.

That makes it a 6 a.m. ET or 3 a.m. PT start in the US and Canada, and an 11 a.m. kick-off in the UK time, while it’s a 10 a.m. NZST start for viewers in New Zealand.

How to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the tournament locally, you may need a different way to watch this match — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Australia vs. Nigeria in the US

Women’s World Cup matches are being broadcast on Fox Sports 1 in the US. If you’re already a subscriber, you can livestream games via the Fox website. if you’re not, you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries Fox Sports 1, the least expensive being Sling TV Blue.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox Sports 1 as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost more than Sling TV, but they also carry more channels. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.

NBC-owned Telemundo, meanwhile, offers all the games in Spanish, and can also be viewed via NBC’s streaming platform Peacock Premium.

One further option in the US for watching matches comes with Tubi TV, which is offering full-length replays of the games in English minutes after they end on the free ad-supported streaming service. You’ll have to sign up for a Tubi account in order to get the games, but you won’t need a credit card or subscription.

Watch Australia vs. Nigeria for free in the UK

Football fans in the UK are among the luckiest in the world, as all matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup being shown live on free-to-air channels, with the BBC and ITV sharing broadcast duties. This game will be shown live on BBC2, which means viewers in the UK will be able to stream the game for free on BBC iPlayer. Coverage starts at 10:45 a.m. BST on Thursday morning.

Stream Australia vs. Nigeria in Australia

Stream Australia vs. Nigeria in Canada

Comprehensive live coverage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup will be available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Stream Australia vs. Nigeria in New Zealand

Live coverage of 2023 Women’s World Cup for the co-host nation is with free-to-air channel Prime. Kick-off for this match is at 10 p.m. NZST.

Quick tips for streaming the 2023 Women’s World Cup using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the Women’s World Cup action live may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

The Manchester weather means this final Ashes instalment won’t be a cliffhanger for the ages, but there’s still plenty to play for as England face Australia at The Oval in London for this fifth and final Test match.

The hosts had pummelled the Wallabies in the fourth Test, only for heavy rain to intervene and cause the match to be called a draw.

That result washed away England’s hopes of levelling the series, so the Aussies now have an unassailable 2-1 series lead, ensuring they’ll retain the Ashes.

Ben Stokes’ men nevertheless still have the opportunity to level the series here and prevent their rivals from scoring their first Test series victory on English turf since 2001.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the match live wherever you are in the world.

England vs. Australia 5th Test: When and where?

The fifth Test of this summer Ashes series between England and Australia takes place at The Oval in London, between Thursday, July 21 and Monday, July 31. Play is set to start each day at 11 a.m. BST, the local time in the UK. (That’s 8 p.m. AEST in Australia, 6 a.m. ET or 3 a.m. PT in the US, and 3:30 p.m. IST in India.)

How to watch the England vs. Australia 5th Test online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the match — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream the England vs. Australia 5th Test in the UK

Cricket fans in the UK can watch all the action live from Old Trafford via Sky and its dedicated Sky Sports Cricket channel, which has the rights to show the entire Ashes series live. If you already have Sky Sports as part of your TV package, you can stream the first Test via its Sky Go app, but cord-cutters will want to get set up with a Now account, and a Now Sports membership, to stream the match.

Livestream the 5th Ashes Test in Australia for free

Aussie sports fans can enjoy the entire Ashes series broadcast on free-to-air network Channel 9.

That also means you’ll be able to livestream all the cricket action for free via the broadcaster’s 9Now streaming service.

Livestream the England vs. Australia 5th Test in the US

This final Ashes clash is streaming on dedicated cricket service Willow TV, as well as ESPN Plus, where coverage starts at 6 a.m. ET (3 a.m. PT).

Livestream the England vs. Australia 5th Test in India

Cricket fans in India can watch this third Ashes encounter by tuning into the Sony Sports Ten 5TV channel or by signing up to the Sony Liv streaming service.

Quick tips for streaming cricket using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming live cricket may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

The Anker Nebula Mars 3 updates and improves on one of our favorite portable projectors, the Mars II Pro. It might as well have just renamed it, because it bears very little resemblance to its predecessor. The Mars 3 is bigger, brighter and has a serious (and seriously cool) design — plus it has Android TV 11 built in. There are LED lights galore, making it far more impressive to look at than a typical projector.

To go along with 1080p resolution and a claimed 1,000 lumens, there’s a 185-Wh battery which Anker says will give you around 5 hours of playtime in Eco mode. It can even double as a Bluetooth speaker.

Unfortunately, along with all the improved aesthetics and performance comes a corresponding price hike, and it’s significant — that is, it’s double. At $1,100 this puts the Mars 3 in direct competition with home projectors like the BenQ HT2060 and Epson HC2350. These don’t have a battery, but they do offer better performance. That doesn’t make the Mars 3 any less intriguing, however. Let’s have a look.

Lots of LEDs

• Resolution: 1,920×1,080 pixels
• HDR-compatible: Yes
• 4K-compatible: Yes
• 3D-compatible: No
• Lumens spec: 1,000
• Zoom: None
• Lens shift: None
• LED life: 25,000 hours

There are so many LEDs all over this thing it looks like a prop from Tron. That’s a good thing in my book. The back of the handle has a segmented circle that shows battery level, there’s a light bar on the back that can shed some illumination on a camp table, and, during bootup, there’s a red ring around the lens. The buttons on the top are backlit too.

Not accidentally, I’m sure, the Mars 3 has a strong familial resemblance to the Cosmos Laser 4K, for instance: Both have big, sturdy handles as an integral part of their design. The Mars 3 goes one step further by adding buttons and a joystick on top. I thought maybe I could trap ghosts with it but it turns out this resemblance is merely coincidental. Given how heavy the projector is (nearly 10 pounds), the handle is a good idea.

A claimed 1,000 ANSI lumens is a big jump from its predecessor, which had a light output somewhere around “OK.” I measured approximately 549 lumens in its most accurate mode, which is decent for a portable projector, but about half what you can get from other ~$1,000 projectors. In the less accurate Bright mode, I got 984 lumens, which is impressively close to the spec. However, it is visually quite green. That light is coming from LEDs, which Anker rates as having a lifespan of 25,000 hours. So basically the life of the projector.

There is no lens shift, which isn’t a surprise, and no zoom, which is. Few projectors in this price range have lens shift, but the lack of zoom means there’s exactly one place you can put the projector to fit a specific screen size. To fill a 100-inch screen, for example, it has to be 9.22 feet away. Like many recent projectors, the Mars 3 has automatic focus, which works well enough. It also has automatic keystone adjustment, which thankfully you can disable, as it is always bad in my experience.

One holdover from the Mars II Pro that I do like is the lens cover, which doubles as a power switch. Slide open the cover, the projector turns on. Slide it closed, it turns off. Simple and effective.

It’s got a handle!

• HDMI inputs: 1
• USB port: 1
• Audio input: 3.5mm
• Internet: 2.4GHz/5GHz
• Remote: Not backlit

With a HDMI and a USB for power, you can connect a streaming stick if you don’t want to use the Mars 3’s built-in apps. You might want to do this, as I’ll explain in a moment. Additionally, not only can you use the projector as a Bluetooth speaker, but there’s an analog aux-in if you want to connect an analog source.

On the back and sides are three drivers that share 40 watts of power. That’s a fair amount more than most projectors. There’s a surprising amount of bass, and the treble is quite clear. It’s one of the better “Bluetooth speakers” I’ve heard. It can play pretty loud, too, though it struggles a bit and overly accentuates highs at max volume.

Only in the Custom picture mode are there any basic settings. There is still no brightness control, i.e. the control to adjust the black level. This is something inexplicably missing on several recent projectors like this. There is contrast and a gamma control at least, so you can adjust the image to some degree. To be clear, there is a Brightness control, but it controls the total light output and not the black level. In Anker’s defense, that is a far better use of the word “brightness” for an image adjustment, but not having the traditional control at all is disappointing. You can turn off MEMC, aka the soap opera effect, thankfully.

Despite the price tag, installing Netflix takes some extra steps, just as it does on many budget projectors. You can’t download it from the Google Play Store. Instead, you have to download it via the Nebula Play app. Unfortunately, it’s the mobile version of the Netflix app, which means it’s not designed to work with a remote. Your best alternative is to use the Nebula app’s trackpad. You can’t cast a Netflix show from your phone to the projector either. It’s also standard definition only. This is an annoyance in a budget portable projector, but in a product with an $1,100 MSRP, it’s pretty much inexcusable. I’m sure there are valid reasons for it, but to the end user, those don’t matter. Perhaps most infuriating, if you exit out of Netflix it continues playing in a window and there doesn’t seem to be any way to stop it playing other than restarting the projector. Adding your own streaming stick will obviously curtail this problem.

Picture quality comparisons

• BenQ HT2060
• Epson HC 2350

I’d initially thought I’d compare the Mars 3 to the Mars II Pro. Seemed logical, until I looked at the price. So I skipped that. The Mars 3 performs way better than the II Pro, no surprise there. Instead, I compared it to two of our favorite recent projectors. The BenQ HT2060 is basically the same price as the Mars 3 while the Epson HC 2350 is about $100 more expensive. I connected all of them to a Monoprice 1×4 distribution amplifier and viewed them side-by-side on a 102-inch 1.0-gain screen.

The differences were readily apparent. The contrast on the BenQ is noticeably better, 1,380:1 vs the Epson’s 348 and Anker’s 258. The BenQ looks like it has more depth than the other two, which looked fairly washed out by comparison. Black letterbox bars were more gray with the Anker and Epson, and especially so in the latter’s case, due to its bright image.

The Epson’s brightness is in a league of its own, one of the brightest projectors I’ve ever tested and easily its main strength. The BenQ is half as bright, while the Anker is a little more than half again. As such, it looked dim. It also means you can create a much larger, more watchable image with the Epson, even the BenQ, compared to the Anker. Though, of course, you’ll need to run an extension cord with the first two if using it outside.

The Anker has some strong colors, though it’s not as accurate as the other two. Green and red are a little oversaturated, and secondary colors like magenta and cyan are a little off. On its own, the Anker looks colorful, but the others just look a little more realistic.

The detail is good, though. The Mars 3 uses a DLP chip, like the BenQ, so it’s extremely sharp and has no motion blur.

Where does this leave us? Well, I think the BenQ is best for videophiles and film purists. It’s the most natural by far. Someone looking for the biggest, brightest image possible, while still having decent color and resolution should go for the Epson. The Anker is best for people who absolutely need a battery. If you’re going to use this near a plug, the other two are far better options.

Movin’ on up

Back in the ’90s, my family loved Volkswagens. We had three at one point. Then that was it. None since. I remember my parents scoffing as VW moved upmarket. “That much? For a Volkswagen?” They’d owned several in the ’70s when they were some of the cheapest cars you could buy. When companies try to shake off their budget roots, they run the risk of losing their current fans, just in the hope for new, more well-heeled ones. Is that Anker’s intention? It sure seems that way with the Mars 3. I loved the Mars II Pro as it had a fantastic size and it was easy to use. While not the best performer, it did well enough and nothing was overly wrong. Compared to the Mars 3, it seems like another company’s product entirely.

The Mars 3 is an impressively polished product. It feels luxurious, has a stellar design, and the myriad LEDs make it look like a spaceship compared to most traditional projectors. The price has inflated with this move upmarket and it’s double the cost of the Mars II Pro. Does it perform twice as well? Pretty much, yes. Does it perform as well as something like the BenQ HT2060 or Epson HC2350? Nope. But it has a battery instead.

Which brings me back to the question I always ask with these expensive, highly portable projectors. Who is this for, exactly? Are there really that many people willing to spend over $1,000 on a projector just because it has a battery? Is it so hard to run an extension cord for outdoor movie nights? If it’s for camping or something far from an outlet, wouldn’t something smaller be better? With the sheer number of projectors like this, I guess I’m missing something. Apparently there’s a market for them. I still think most people would be better off getting a “real” projector, either saving money or getting better, brighter performance. But if you do need that battery for reasons that I can’t see, the Mars 3 is one the best options currently.

Over the last four years, Samsung has been trying to convince consumers that foldable phones are the future. Now, almost half a decade after Samsung launched its first Galaxy Fold device, the company’s mobile chief says sales of foldables could outdo those of its once-popular Galaxy Note.

It would be an important milestone indicating foldables are indeed gaining traction.

“As we speak, they are almost on par,” T.M. Roh, the president and head of Samsung’s mobile experience division, said through a translatorin an interview with CNET at the company’s headquarters in Suwon, South Korea. “And the expectation [is] that with the Flip and Fold 5, we will be able to finally surpass that.”

See also: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 Hands-On: Bigger Display, More Personal Customizations

Shipments of foldable phones still pale in comparison to those of regular smartphones. But the market is growing, with International Data Corporation estimating that worldwide shipments could reach 21.4 million units in 2023. Exceeding Galaxy Note sales would be an important benchmark because it would signal that foldables are inching closer to their breakout moment.

When the Galaxy Note debuted in 2011, it was largely seen as a niche device much like today’s foldables. The Galaxy Note was initially for those willing to pay a high price for a screen that was notably larger than those offered on standard smartphones at the time. But it eventually became a fan favorite and set the stage for Samsung’s more mainstream Galaxy S Ultra series. Not only did it influence Samsung’s own product lineup, but the Galaxy Note ushered in the era of large-screened phones we carry around today.

See also: Galaxy Z Fold 5 Hands-On: Same Phone, New Hinge

With the newly announced Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Galaxy Z Flip 5, Roh hopes foldables will take a similar route and surpass Galaxy Note sales this year. That follows comments from Samsung’s second-quarter earnings call in 2022, during which the company said its goal was to have sales of its foldables overtake those of the Note series. Samsung shipped about 12 million of its most recent Galaxy Note 20 phones, which launched in 2020, according to CNBC, while the company said last July that almost 10 million foldable phones were shipped worldwide.

Samsung established itself as a leader in the nascent but growing foldable phone space early on. But in 2023, it faces more competition than ever. Google released its first foldable phone, the $1,799 Pixel Fold, last month to rival Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold series. Motorola, meanwhile, launched a new version of its Razr flip phone in June.

While Samsung accounts for most of the foldable phone market share, both of its new devices include physical improvements that were missing from Samsung’s previous-generation foldables, such as a gapless hinge that enables a slimmer design and a larger flip phone cover screen. Samsung has caught up on both fronts with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Fold 5, both of which include the company’s new flex hinge.

Roh sees the increased competition as a sign that Samsung was correct in its vision to pursue foldable phones.

“Consumers will always judge which product is better, so I do not believe the competition is negative,” he said. “Rather, I believe that for foldables especially, competition will serve to expand the market and in the end bring even better value to the consumers.”

In addition to the redesigned hinge, Samsung’s new foldables have a more advanced processor that matches those found in the Galaxy S23 series, which should improve performance, battery life and camera quality. But one aspect that hasn’t changed is the price. The Galaxy Z Fold 5, like last year’s device, starts at $1,800, likely putting it out of most consumers’ reach. The Galaxy Z Flip 5 also remains priced at $1,000, although Samsung did add more storage to the cheapest model.

Roh says Samsung has been discussing the challenge of making foldables more accessible by reducing their prices both internally and with its partners. But it remains difficult due to the cost of materials, market demand and other factors.

That’s why Samsung decided to make the products more competitive by improving performance and adding new features at the same price rather than making a more affordable model. Motorola, however, has said that it plans to launch a cheaper version of the Razr Plus later this year.

“And given the materials cost today … it is probably not going to be easy for us to offer a less than $1,000 foldable in the very near future,” Roh said. “But we will keep trying.”

As Samsung works toward cheaper versions of its current foldables, it’s also already thinking about what could be next. At the CES conference in Las Vegas earlier this year, Samsung showed off various concept devices with slidable screens, including the Flex Hybrid tablet concept. When asked when ideas like these would graduate to real products, Roh explained that the company’s philosophy is to wait until both the hardware and software are ready for prime time before introducing new products.

But he did tease that Samsung has a lot more in its pipeline.

“We are preparing many different products and technologies until they are ready to be revealed to the consumers,” he said. “And also aside from the concepts and products that you have seen at CES, there are actually many more concepts and many other designs and technologies that are underway.”