Apple may be planning to limit data transfer and charging speed on USB-C ports used in its devices, by introducing MFI certification!
Earlier : Apple Forced To Adopt USB-C Port!
Apple has been hesitant about moving to the superior USB-C port for years, limiting it to Mac computers and iPad tablets.
The 12-inch MacBook was the first Mac computer to get USB-C in 2015, while the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro tablets made the switch from Lighting to USB-C in 2018. However, Apple stubbornly refused to migrate its iPhones to USB-C.
The choice to stick with their proprietary Lightning port was taken out of their hands on October 4, 2022, when the European Parliament voted decisively to adopt the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.
By the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB-C charging port. This directive is more or less directed at Apple, which is the only brand that continues to use its own proprietary Lighting connector.
Apple MFI plan to limit speed, power on USB-C leaked!
Now that the EU is firmly forcing everyone to use USB-C, Apple will start using the USB Type C port in its upcoming iPhone 15 models.
However, Apple apparently isn’t going to give up its lucrative side gig of selling its users MFI (Made for iPhone) cables and accessories at exorbitant prices.
According to ShrimpApplePro, who accurately leaked on the iPhone 14, Apple will introduce MFI for its USB-C cables and accessories.
And even worse – cables that lack MFI certification will have their data and charging speeds limited.
Yeah usb-c with MFI is happening
Foxconn already in mass production accessories like EarPods and cables
Cables w no MFI will be software limited in data and charging speed
MFI-certified cables have a small authenticator chip to verify that they are “certified” to work with Apple devices. If you use cables that lack this authenticator chip, you will get the “This accessory is not supported” warning on your Apple device.
Apple gets paid for every authenticator chip, so MFI cables and accessories are priced at a premium, even if they work just as well as non-MFI cables and accessories.
Apple is already expected to limit the iPhone 15 base model, and iPhone 15 Plus, to USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of up to 480 Mbps (60 MB/s), while Pro models will get the much higher transfer rates of 20 Gbps (USB-C 3.2) or even 40 Gbps (Thunderbolt 3).
People may not bat an eye at Apple limiting data transfer speeds to differentiate their Pro models from the non-Pro models, but limiting battery recharging speeds for non-MFI cables should ruffle some feathers. After all, there is technically no good reason why Apple cannot allow their devices to benefit from faster charging using non-MFI cables.
Naturally, Apple benefits financially from introducing MFI for USB-C. It will force Apple users to pay the notorious “Apple tax” on top of the “Apple premium” they paid for their Apple devices.
Imagine if Apple introduces MFI for USB-C and phases that in for future Mac computers and iPad tablets, as well as the upcoming iPhone 15 smartphones. Even those who have been happily using regular, non-MFI USB-C cables will have to switch them to MFI cables, and for what?
There is really no discernible benefit for Apple users to use MFI-certified cables over regular USB-C cables. It’s not like they will give your Apple devices magical powers. If there is any reduction in transfer rate or charging speed, it will only happen because Apple intentionally chose to make it so.
Of course, this leak may turn out to be true, and Apple may not be quite so evil as to foist the MFI tax on its loyal users. But I fear that Apple believes its users are more loyal than discerning, and will yet again, quietly pay for MFI cables just because Apple said so.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
It’s official – the EU has ordered all brands to standardise on the USB-C connector for all mobile chargers, including Apple!
EU Orders All Brands To Use USB-C, Including Apple!
On Tuesday, October 4, 2022, the European Parliament voted decisively in favour of adopting the USB-C (USB Type C) port as the new standard for all portable devices.
The directive passed with an overwhelming vote of 602 MEPs in favour, and just 13 against (with 8 abstentions), and now heads to the EU Council for the formality of a final approval.
Once the Council signs off on the directive, it will enter into force 20 days after publication in the EU’s Official Journal. Member states will then have 12 months to transpose the new directive, and another 12 months after that transposition period, to apply the new rules.
Once these new rules are enforced, consumers will be able to use and share chargers since all portable devices use the same charging port.
The EU expects the directive to greatly reduce e-waste, and help consumers save up to €250 million a year on purchasing chargers of different standards.
In the EU, chargers alone account for about 11,000 tonnes of e-waste every year. So this directive will help to cut down on the environmental impact of disposing of so many old or unused chargers.
Details Of EU Directive On USB-C Standardisation
Here is my quick round-up of the new EU directive on standardising portable devices and laptops on the USB Type C charging port.
All Devices Must Come With USB-C Charging Port
What this means is that by the end of 2024, all portable devices sold in the EU must come with a USB Type C charging port.
Regardless of their manufacturer, all new mobile phones, tablets, digital cameras, headphones and headsets, handheld videogame consoles and portable speakers, e-readers, keyboards, mice, portable navigation systems, earbuds and laptops that are rechargeable via a wired cable, operating with a power delivery of up to 100 Watts, will have to be equipped with a USB Type-C port.
Small devices like smartwatches and health trackers that cannot fit a USB-C port are exempted from this requirement.
This directive is more or less directed at Apple which persists in using its own proprietary Lighting connector for its devices – everything from iPhone, iPad, AirPods and even its wireless keyboard and mouse.
The only way for Apple to get around this is to switch their new devices to wireless charging before the end of 2024.
All Devices Must Support USB-C Fast Charging Standards
Also important is the fact that the EU is going to force all brands to adopt USB-C fast charging standards.
While the legislation won’t stop manufacturers from implementing special fast charging capabilities, it will ensure that their chargers and devices support USB-C fast charging standards as a minimum.
All devices that support fast charging will now have the same charging speed, allowing users to charge their devices at the same speed with any compatible charger.
USB-C Mandate To Extend To Laptops In 2026
On top of that, the directive also requires laptops to standardise on the USB Type C charging port by spring 2026.
This new directive will not please Apple MacBook users who just celebrated the return of the MagSafe connector, but it will be a great advantage for consumers.
Once enforced, everyone will be able to use their laptop’s USB-C charger to also recharge their other devices, because they all have the same USB Type port!
Dedicated Labels
The directive also requires brands to use dedicated labels to help consumers decide if their existing chargers will support their new devices, or if they need to purchase a new charger.
This will hopefully prevent consumers from being hoodwinked into purchasing a new charger with every new device, when their existing chargers will work just as well.
Dedicated labels will inform consumers about the charging characteristics of new devices, making it easier for them to see whether their existing chargers are compatible.
Buyers will also be able to make an informed choice about whether or not to purchase a new charging device with a new product.
Wireless Charging To Be Standardised Too
The directive also commanded the European Commission to tackle wireless charging interoperability by the end of 2024.
It highlighted the risk of brands using proprietary wireless charging technologies to “lock in” users, replicating what Apple did with its Lightning connector for wired charging.
Like with wired charging, the EU wants wireless charging to be interoperable as well.
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Dr. Adrian Wong has been writing about tech and science since 1997, even publishing a book with Prentice Hall called Breaking Through The BIOS Barrier (ISBN 978-0131455368) while in medical school.
He continues to devote countless hours every day writing about tech, medicine and science, in his pursuit of facts in a post-truth world.
Dell just unveiled the UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) – a new UltraSharp USB-C hub monitor for CES 2021!
Find out if this is the productivity monitor you have been waiting for!
Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) USB-C Hub Monitor
The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) is a 27-inch Full HD monitor, with a built-in USB-C hub for greater productivity.
It has a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels, with ComfortView Plus for low blue light emission, a wide viewing angle of 178°, and ultra-thin bezels.
On top of that, it has a wide colour gamut of 100% sRGB, and 95% DCI-P3, as well as support for 1.07 billion colours.
Thanks to its USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C input, the Dell UltraSharp 27 also doubles as a productivity hub, offering Ethernet connectivity and up to 15 watts of power delivery.
The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) comes with a 3-year Advanced Exchange Service, which means if a replacement is necessary, it will be shipped to you the next business day.
In addition, it comes with Dell Premium Panel Exchange, which allows a free monitor replacement during the 3-year Limited Hardware warranty, even if only one bright pixel is found.
Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) : Specifications
Specifications
Dell UltraSharp 27
Model
U2722D
Display Size
(Diagonal)
27 inches
Native Resolution
2560 x 1440 pixels
Native Refresh Rate
60 Hz
Aspect Ratio
21:9
Pixel Pitch
NA
Pixel Density
NA
Brightness
NA
Colour Gamut
100% sRGB
100% Rec. 709 95% DCI-P3
Colour Accuracy
Delta-E < 2
Colour Depth
1.07 billion colours
Contrast Ratio
NA
Viewing Angle
178° vertical
178° horizontal
Response Time
NA
Panel Type
IPS (In-Plane Switching)
Backlight
LED
Display Coating
Anti-Glare Treatment
3H Hard Coating
Other Features
ComfortView Plus
Dell Display Manager
Speakers
Optional Slim Soundbar (SB521A)
Warranty
3 Years Advanced Exchange Service
Premium Panel Exchange
The Dell UltraSharp 27 (U2722D) will be available in Malaysia in March 2021, but there’s no indication of how much it will cost. We will update this article when we know more.
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Bundled with the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro is the HUAWEI MateDock 2 – a nifty little USB-C dongle. Let’s take a closer look!
HUAWEI MateDock 2 : A Nifty Little USB-C Dongle!
Ultra-thin laptops like the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro have limited ports by necessity. Ports require space and more critically, will force the laptop to be thicker.
So, the solution is to move the ports off to a separate portable device – a dongle like the HUAWEI MateDock 2.
The HUAWEI MateDock 2 is a slimmer evolution of the original MateDock, offering two display output ports and two different USB ports in a handy little dongle.
Available only in the white colour, the MateDock 2 connects to your computer’s USB Type C port, and offers these ports :
USB Type A : supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 drives
USB Type C : supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 drives
HDMI 2.0 : supports video resolution up to 3840 x 2160 (30 Hz) or 2160 x 1440 (60 Hz)
VGA : supports WUXGA resolution up to 1920 x 1200 (60 Hz)
HUAWEI MateDock 2 : Specifications
Specifications
HUAWEI MateDock 2
Input
USB Type C connector
Output
1 x USB Type C port
1 x USB Type A port
1 x HDMI 2.0 port
1 x VGA port
HDMI Support
3840 x 2160 @ 30 Hz
2160 x 1440 @ 60 Hz
1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
VGA Support
Up to 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Material
Plastic
Dimensions
58.9 mm wide
71.8 mm tall
14.5 mm thick
Weight
75 g (maximum)
HUAWEI MateDock 2 : Price + Availability
The HUAWEI MateDock 2 is bundled FREE with selected HUAWEI laptops, including the new HUAWEI MateBook X Pro. But here are some online purchase options (prices accurate as of 12 May 2020) :
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Transcend Information Inc. just announced the StoreJet 200 for Mac portable hard drive. This is a large capacity and lightweight drive for Mac devices.
The Transcend StoreJet 200 For Mac
Featuring the USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface, a USB Type-C connector, and pre-formatted with the HFS+ file system, the Transcend StoreJet 200 is ready to go right out of the package.
Lightweight and capacious
Transcend’s StoreJet 200 for Mac is only 9.95 mm thick and weighs in at just 133 g. Yet, the StoreJet 200 for Mac comes with a storage capacity of 2TB.
Stylish and speedy
Enclosed in a sleek aluminum housing, the StoreJet 200 for Mac features a classic silver color, CNC-finished edges, and sturdy industrial design. In addition, it utilizes the high speed USB 3.1 Gen 1 interface and USB Type-C port.
Both a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to Type-A cable are included in the package to ensure that it will work with all MacBook, Macbook Pro, and iMac models.
Native formatting in HFS+
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The StoreJet 200 for Mac is factory formatted with the HFS+ file system, allowing it to be used right out of the box with Time Machine. Users can select it as a backup destination directly without worrying about the storage capacity.
Advanced Transcend Elite software
Transcend Elite is an advanced software suite compatible with both macOS and Windows that features powerful and user-friendly applications, such as backup and restore, data encryption, and cloud backup that help users manage data and increase productivity.
Warranty
The Transcend StoreJet 200 for Mac portable hard drive is backed by Transcend’s three-year limited warranty.
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Transcend Information, Inc. (Transcend ) is pleased to introduce its next generation portable storage device for the business professionals – the pocket-sized portable SSD, ESD220C and ESD400. Aimed at business professionals, the ultra-compact design makes Transcend ESD220C and ESD400 incredibly easy to take your data anywhere and provides high-speed performance on the go.
The Transcend ESD220C
If you’re a business professional with needs for an extremely compact yet blazing fast portable storage device, the Transcend ESD220C (Amazon) portable SSD is the perfect companion you’ve been looking for.
It features capacity of up to 480GB, form factor that’s no larger than a credit card (77mm x 55.7mm x 9.6mm) and weighed at only 52g that guarantees a perfect fit in your wallet or purse and a layer of anti-scratch coating so that it looks sharp even after the long run.
To meet the needs of business professionals, the Transcend ESD220C (Amazon) is specifically designed with a USB Type-C port, offering the flexibility of being used on different platforms to accommodate devices with different USB ports. While a USB Type-C to Type-A cable is included, users can use their own adapter or compatible cable to attach the ESD220C to on-the-go (OTG) mobile or USB Type-C devices.
This feature offers the convenience and flexibility for business professionals to access the data for work without having to pull out the laptop all the time.It also features support for UASP and USB 3.1 Gen 1 as well to deliver exceptional transfer speed of up to 410MB/s and 400MB/s read and write speed respectively when used with your workstation or laptop computer with USAP-enabled.
The Transcend ESD220C (Amazon) comes with Transcend’s free to download software, Transcend Elite data management software that comes with data encryption feature to prevent unauthorized users from accessing sensitive data stored on the drive, and the extremely convenient one-touch auto backup feature that allows business professionals to cut down the time used for file transfer and backup to the minimum.
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The Transcend ESD400
For business professionals who is looking into replacing their traditional portable HDD with a more compact portable storage device that offers blazing-fast transfer speed and high storage capacity, look no further than the ESD400 portable SSD.
The Transcend ESD400 (Amazon | Lazada) features not only support for SuperSpeed USB 3.0 and UASP for that blazing-fast transfer speed of 410MB/s read and 380MB/s write, but also a whopping high storage capacity of up to 1TB that allows you to save almost everything you need for your work with ease.
Measuring at just 92mm x 62mm x 10.5mm and weighing a mere 56g, the poker card sized Transcend ESD400 (Amazon | Lazada) portable SSD can easily fits into any of your pocket or travel pouch for the ease of travel.
With Transcend’s proprietary Transcend Elite data management software, business professionals can configure for the easy one-touch backup feature to perform quick and easy instant backup with a single touch on the button on the device enclosure, and keep important files up to date, organized and protected with ease.
Warranty
Both the Transcend ESD220C (Amazon) and ESD400 (Amazon | Lazada) portable SSD are backed by Transcend’s Three-year Limited Warranty.
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The Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro was the sleeper hit of 2016. It was a large 6″ phablet that saw limited release and lacked a stylus, but proved to be highly popular. Samsung now attempts to replicate that success with the new Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (SM-C900F) phablet. Let’s see how well they did!
The Galaxy C9 Pro vs. Galaxy A9 Pro Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) appears to be a direct evolution of the Galaxy A9 Pro phablet. Here is a specification comparison of those two phablets.
Specifications
Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro
Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro
Model
SM-C900F
SM-A910F
Display
6.0" Super AMOLED
- 1080 x 1920 pixels (369 ppi)
6.0" Super AMOLED
- 1080 x 1920 pixels (367 ppi)
Protection
Gorilla Glass with 2.5D edge
Gorilla Glass 4
Operating System
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow
Platform
Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM8976)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 (MSM8976)
Processor
4 x ARM Cortex-A72 cores (1.95 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.4 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A72 cores (1.8 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 cores (1.4 GHz)
4,000 mAh lithium ion battery (non-removable)
- Supports fast charging
5,000 mAh lithium ion battery (non-removable)
- Supports fast charging
USB Port
USB Type C (USB 2.0)
micro USB 2.0
Dimensions
80.7 mm wide
162.9 mm tall
6.9 mm thick
80.9 mm wide
161.7 mm tall
7.9 mm thick
Weight
188 g
210 g
Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) comes in the usual white cardboard box that Samsung uses for their mid-range devices. The only difference is the size – it’s quite a bit larger. Let’s take a look inside!
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Inside the box, you will find the following items :
One Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) phablet
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The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro Phablet
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) is a 6″ phablet with Samsung’s signature Super AMOLED display. It is protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass (unspecified version) with a 2.5D edge, and a full metal unibody chassis.
The Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) runs on the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 SoC as the Galaxy A9 Pro. But the Cortex-A72 CPU cluster has a small clock speed boost from 1.8 GHz to 1.95 GHz. Samsung also gave the Galaxy C9 Pro 50% more memory and twice the internal storage.
The Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) maintains the standard Samsung button placement of the Power button on the right, and the Volume buttons on the left. The separate SIM and microSD card trays are located on the right side, just under the Power button.
Like many thin devices, the audio port on the Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) is located at the bottom, next to the bidirectional Type C USB port. The package includes a micro USB to USB Type C adaptor, so you can reuse your old cables and OTG drives. But note that it is still using USB 2.0 standard, not the latest USB 3.1 standard.
Card Trays & Fingerprint Sensor
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) has dual SIM, dual standby capability. It has a dedicated tray for two nano SIM cards, and a separate tray for the microSD card (up to 256 GB). Both card trays are located on the right side, just under the Power button.
The Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) has an all-aspect fingerprint sensor that is integrated into the Home button. Our tests showed that it requires about 20 finger presses to register a fingerprint. However, it is very fast and accurate in recognising the registered fingerprint.
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Front & Rear Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) boasts a 8 MP front camera that uses Samsung’s own S5K4H5YC BSI sensor. It is capable of recording 1080p videos at 30 fps. Thanks to its f/1.9 lens, it will have great low-light capability equivalent to that of the Samsung Galaxy S6 edge (Amazon) smartphone. It will come in handy since the front camera does not have flash support, not even screen flash.
The main camera uses the same 16 MP Samsung S5K3L2 sensor from the Galaxy A9 Pro, paired this time with a dual-tone LED flash. It boasts the same fast f/1.9 lens, which allows for better low-light performance. We will take a look at sample pictures and videos later in the review.
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Setting Up The Galaxy C9 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) runs on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow, and is very easy to set-up. If you are setting it up as a new device, it should take you only 5 minutes to finish the setup process.
The Ergonomics
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) is a large 6″ phablet that is just over 8 cm wide, so this is definitely a two-handed device. The Super AMOLED display is excellent as always, and the large screen with its full HD resolution is just perfect for watching movies.
The anodised aluminium chassis is smooth to the touch, with a nice satin finish that imparts a nice shine and yet is resistant to fingerprint smears. It actually feels easier to grip than the Galaxy A9 Pro, probably because it’s thinner and lighter.
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Available Memory & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) comes with a whopping 6 GB of LPDDR3 memory, of which 3.8 GB (63.3%) is available for use. That is more memory than many smartphones actually ship with! Needless to say – you will never run out of memory with the Galaxy C9 Pro.
The Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) also has 64 GB of internal flash storage. Of that, 51.9 GB is available to use, which is just awesome. If that’s not enough, you can top it up with a microSD card (up to 256 GB).
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Camera Performance – Photos
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) uses the same excellent Samsung ISOCELL camera as the Galaxy A9 Pro, just upgraded with a dual-tone LED flash. The full 16 MP resolution is attained with the 4:3 aspect ratio. Each picture has a resolution of 4608 x 3456 and a file size of between 4.5 to 5.5 MB.
Here are 6 high-resolution samples for you to check out. Click on them to load the full-sized photos, which you can also download to examine.
As the pictures show, the Galaxy C9 Pro’s main camera performs best in natural light. It occasionally has white balance problems (see the Dala horse sample) under artificial lighting. The camera isn’t the sharpest we have seen, but the noise level is low, even in low light conditions. With suitable distance, you can even get a pretty nice bokeh (see the flower sample).
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
Despite sporting a 16 MP sensor, the Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) is only capable of recording videos of up to 1080p in resolution. This is likely Samsung’s way of differentiating the Galaxy C9 Pro from their more premium models like the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge. Let’s take a look at some sample videos.
Test #1 : Piano Recital
The first thing you will notice is how jerky the video appears. It is readily apparent that the Galaxy C9 Pro’s camera lacks both optical image stabilisation (OIS) and electronic image stabilisation (EIS). Noise cancellation was also sub-par. However, it showed pretty good control of the highlights in the background.
Test #2 : Food Trucks
We did this short take of some food trucks to test out the image stabilisation capability. Obviously, the Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) didn’t do well in this test, because it lacks OIS or even EIS capability.
Test #3 : Night Dancing
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) performed well in this test of its low-light capability. Its wide f/1.9 lens had no problem handling the low-light situation. It continued to exhibit good control of the highlights – the much brighter background was not completely washed out, as we have seen in many other smartphones.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro’s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
We then tested the Galaxy C9 Pro’s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
One of the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro‘s main attraction was its large 5,000 mAh battery. To make the Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) thinner though, Samsung reduced the battery capacity to 4,000 mAh. However, we are glad to note that it only reduced the battery life by 11.5% to 11.5 hours.
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Battery Recharging Performance
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) comes with an adaptive fast charger with a power output of 15 W. Take a look at how fast it recharged the 4,000 mAh battery.
It took the Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) just 74.5 minutes (1 hour 14.5 minutes) to recharge its battery from 19% to 100%. That is 80% faster recharging than the Galaxy A9 Pro, and a battery life : recharging ratio of about 9.4 : 1 – a truly amazing performance.
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Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the Galaxy C9 Pro’s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
If you liked the Samsung Galaxy A9 Pro, you will love the Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada). It is literally an improved Galaxy A9 Pro, with a faster processor and a lot more RAM and storage. Samsung also upgraded the front camera with a 16 MP sensor, and gave the main 16 MP camera a dual-tone LED flash.
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) also features a thinner, curvier design that fits better in the hand. The only downside – it has a 20% smaller battery, with a 11.5% shorter battery life. The good news – it takes just under 1 hour 15 minutes to fully recharge the Galaxy C9 Pro!
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro’s cameras lack stabilisation, so if you are taking videos, it’s best to use a tripod or a gimbal. But both front and back cameras have great resolution and low-light capability, thanks to their wide f/1.9 lenses.
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If you wish to use two SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously, you will be glad to know that the Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) has dedicated trays for two nano SIM cards and a microSD card.
Arguably, the main attractions are its large beautiful Super AMOLED display, coupled with its performance and large memory and storage capacities. They make the Galaxy C9 Pro a truly excellent entertainment / gaming device. Whether you like to watch movies or play 3D games, the Galaxy C9 Pro is well-suited to the task.
The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro (Amazon | Lazada) is a great option for those who want a large phablet, and do not need a stylus. We like it so much, we think it deserves no less than our Reviewer’s Choice Award. Congratulations, Samsung!
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The Samsung Galaxy A smartphones are very popular because they offer the key features of Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S series smartphones at more affordable price points. The new 2017 Samsung Galaxy A series is no different, borrowing the best features of the award-winning Samsung Galaxy S7 edge smartphone.
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones are now dust- and water-resistant, boasting the same IP68 rating as the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge! This means they can withstand complete immersion in up to 1.5 m of water, for up to 30 minutes. Jogging in the rain is nothing to the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones – take them out for a swim!
Upgrade #2 : Faster CPU & GPU
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones come with a faster CPU and graphics processor. They are powered by the 1.9 GHz Samsung Exynos 7880, which is about 20% faster than the 1.6 GHz Samsung Exynos 7580 used in the 2016 Galaxy A smartphones. They also boast a faster GPU than the one used in the 2016 Galaxy A series.
Upgrade #3 : Double The Storage!
One chief complaint users had with the 2016 Samsung Galaxy A series was their limited internal storage of just 16 GB. Samsung addressed this in the 2017 models by giving them double the storage capacity – 32 GB! They also doubled the microSD card support from 128 GB to 256 GB!
Even the main camera was greatly improved. Samsung upgraded the 13 MP sensor in the 2016 Galaxy A series to a 16 MP sensor with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto-Focus) technology in the 2017 Samsung Galaxy A series. This upgrade means the 2017 Galaxy A smartphones will not just take higher resolution photos, they will also have much faster and more accurate auto-focus performance.
The 2017 Samsung Galaxy A smartphones come with bigger batteries than their 2016 predecessors. But what’s more important is that they now support fast charging as well. This means they not only last longer, you can recharge them quicker for more enjoyment on-the-go!
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Boasting a unique Aurora Glass finish on its back, the new honor 8 smartphone is truly a work of art that has to be seen to be appreciated. But it is not just a good-looking smartphone. The honor 8 also features a dual-lens main camera, like its brother – the Huawei P9. So join us as we take a close look at the honor 8 smartphone!
The honor 8 Smartphone Specifications
First up, we would like to point out that the honor 8 is available in 5 different models, with 3-4 colours, depending on the location. But they basically consist of two versions – a standard honor 8 model, and a premium honor 8 model. Check out their specifications :
Single nano SIM (L14)
Dual nano SIM, Dual Standby (L19)
Connectivity
4G : LTE FDD LTE Cat6 : 51 Mbps (UL), 301 Mbps (DL)
3G : WCDMA
2 G : GSM
Bluetooth : 4.2 BLE
OTG, VoLTE
4G : LTE FDD LTE Cat6 : 51 Mbps (UL), 301 Mbps (DL)
3G : WCDMA
2 G : GSM
Bluetooth : 4.2 BLE
OTG, VoLTE
WiFi Capability
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz dual-band)
Hotspot supports up to 8 devices
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz dual-band)
Hotspot supports up to 8 devices
USB Port
USB 2.0 with USB Type C interface
USB 2.0 with USB Type C interface
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, 3D fingerprint recognition, 0.4 second unlock with Smart Key customisation
Yes, 3D fingerprint recognition, 0.4 second unlock with Smart Key customisation
Infra-Red Transmitter
Yes, with Smart Control 4.0
Yes, with Smart Control 4.0
NFC Support
Yes, tag read/write, P2P transfer, mobile payment
Yes, tag read/write, P2P transfer, mobile payment
Audio
HiSilicon Hi6402 audio DSP with Dolby DTS and HiRes Audio support
Dual-microphone noise reduction
HiSilicon Hi6402 audio DSP with Dolby DTS and HiRes Audio support
Dual-microphone noise reduction
Battery
2,900 mAh lithium-polymer battery
18 W fast-charging capability
2,900 mAh lithium-polymer battery
18 W fast-charging capability
Dimensions
71.0 mm wide x 145.5 mm tall x 7.45 mm thick
71.0 mm wide x 145.5 mm tall x 7.45 mm thick
Weight
153 g
153 g
Launch Price
RM 1,699 (~US$ 425)
RM 1,899 (~US$ 475)
The standard honor 8 models are priced at RM 1,699 / ~US$ 425 with 32 GB of storage, and is available in either Pearl White or Midnight Black. The premium honor 8 models are priced at RM 1,899 / ~US$ 475 with 64 GB of storage, and either Sapphire Blue or Sunrise Gold colours.
Unboxing The honor 8 Smartphone
The honor 8 comes in a white two-piece cardboard box with a textured surface. The tall and thin design presumably allows more units to be placed side-by-side on a counter. The inner box slides downwards and is secured by a single clear security sticker. Be careful once that sticker is cut, because the inner box will slide right out!
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Inside the honor 8 box, you will find the following items :
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The honor 8 Smartphone Up Close
The honor 8 has a large 5.2″ LTPS display that covers almost its entire front – with a 72% screen-to-body ratio. To achieve that, honor eschewed the use of physical buttons, in favour of virtual on-screen buttons. In fact, it only has two physical buttons – a Power button and a Volume rocker switch on the right side.
The honor 8 has an infra-red transmitter at the top, which can be used as a remote control in conjunction with the built-in Smart Controller app. It is also the first honor smartphone to feature the new Type C USB interface. It is still a USB 2.0 port, but the Type C interface is bidirectional – you no longer have to worry about plugging the cable in the wrong way.
Even though the honor 8 is the same size as the honor 5C, they managed to squeeze in a 2,900 mAh lithium-polymer battery while reducing its thickness to just 7.45 mm. They even fit in the 3.5mm audio port, albeit at the bottom, together with the USB port.
Hybrid SIM
The honor 8 has dual SIM, dual standby capability. However, only the FRD-L09 and FRD-L19 models come with the hybrid SIM slot that allows for a second nano SIM card. These two models are only sold in Europe and Asia. The other models only support a single nano SIM.
Of course, the hybrid SIM slot means you have to choose between using a second nano SIM card, or a microSD card. You can’t use both simultaneously.
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Fingerprint Sensor & OTG Support
The honor 8 boasts a new 3D fingerprint sensor that can actually detect the ridges of the finger. This allows for more accurate detection of your fingerprint. With an auto-learning ability, the honor 8’s fingerprint sensor can recognise your fingerprint and unlock the honor 8 in just 0.4 seconds.
On the other hand, the honor 8 (like the honor 5C) does not support USB OTG (On-The-Go) drives. If you plug any USB OTG flash drive into its USB port, it will not be detected. The honor 8 also requires you to use the Huawei HiSuite software to access its files from your computer. This also limits what you can copy out from the honor 8 smartphone.
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Cameras
The honor 8 has an 8 MP front camera with an f/2.4 lens. It will deliver a maximum photo resolution of 3264 x 2448 in the 4:3 format. Again, a wider 16:9 format will crop that to 3264 x 1840. It will record videos in 1080p quality with electronic image stabilisation.
Its killer feature is the dual-lens camera at the back. It is actually two individual cameras, each with a Sony IMX286 sensors with f/2.2 lens. One camera captures the image in monochrome, while the other captures the same image in colour. They are then combined to deliver sharper and more detailed pictures. The camera is supported by a dual LED flash, and a laser autofocus system.
The photos have a maximum resolution of 3968 x 2976 in the 4:3 format. If you prefer a wider format, the honor 8 will do that by cropping the image to 3968 x 2240 (16:9). It is capable of recording video in full HD quality (1080p) with electronic image stabilisation.
Aurora Glass
The honor 8 has a 2.5D glass body on both sides with diamond-cut aluminium alloy edges to create an ultra-narrow bezel. Its 3D grate design and 15-layer craftsmanship on the back of the device, combines with the glass/metal back to create what honor calls Aurora Glass.
The Aurora Glass back gives the honor 8 a very reflective surface at the back. The only catch – it naturally lacks the oleophobic coating of the front screen for a proper grip. However, that means its highly-reflective back is easily smudged by fingerprint smears, which detracts from its lustre.
The Initial Setup
This video will show you the initial setup process when you power up the honor 8 for the first time. If you do not need to restore a backup, the whole setup process should take about 5 minutes. Note how fast it takes to register a fingerprint.
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Available Memory & Storage
The honor 8 comes with 4 GB of LPDDR4 memory. The Android 6.0 operating system and honor-preloaded apps take up about 1.3 GB of memory, leaving you with 2.4 GB (60%) of free memory. Very good!
This is a premium honor 8 model (FRD-L19), which comes with 64 GB of internal flash memory. This is expandable via a microSD card (up to 128 GB). Fresh out of the box, the honor 8 has 53.2 GB of available space (excluding the system files), of which 51.38 GB is free to use.
In the standard honor 8 models which come with 32 GB of internal flash memory, we can estimate that they will have about 19 GB of free space.
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Camera Performance – Photos
The honor 8‘s dual-lens camera has not one, but two, 12 MP Sony IMX286 sensor with reasonably fast f/2.4 lens. The photos have a maximum resolution of 3968 x 2976 in the 4:3 format. Check out these photo samples.
The honor 8 delivered excellent resolution in these photos. If you blow them up to 100%, you can see the amount of detail that is not possible in other smartphone cameras. The edge resolution (between elements of different colour), in particular, was very impressive. The amount of noise is also very low, even in dark areas.
While the honor 8 does not have the most user-friendly camera app in the industry, the photos produced by its dual-lens camera is very, very impressive. Even without turning on HDR, the colour are very vivid and visually pop out.
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Camera Performance – Video Recording
The honor 8 can record full HD (1080p) ideos with electronic stabilisation. This is an improvement over the honor 5X, whose main camera does not support electronic stabilisation. Here is a sample video we recorded of a piano performance by Mr. Yang I-Deun.
And this is a sample video taken at a street market.
The honor 8 did a great job maintaining focus and controlling exposure in the videos we took. Even bright backgrounds were not overblown. The honor 8 does not support optical image stabilisation, probably because it would prevent the dual-lens system from being in sync, but its electronic image stabilisation still did a decent job.
You should also notice that it records better audio than most smartphones. The piano music sounds richer, even through the background noise. And in the street market footage, the ambient sounds sound clearer and more authentic.
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Work Performance – PCMark
We tested the honor 8‘s performance using PCMark, which simulates work applications like web browing, playing video, writing text and editing photos.
honor 8
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra
HTC 10
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
Work Performance Score
(Average)
6350
6313
6105
4892
Web Browsing
8073
6257
5782
6908
Video Playback
4396
4287
3321
3218
Writing
6231
7166
7463
4629
Photo Editing
7352
8262
9694
5563
The honor 8 is powered by the top-of-the-line Kirin 950 SoC. These PCMark results show that the Kirin 950 proved to be more than a match for the Snapdragon 820 that powers the HTC 10, and the Snapdragon 652 that powers the ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra. In fact, it was 30% faster in this benchmark than Samsung Galaxy S7 edge‘s Exynos 8890!
Battery Performance – PCMark
We then tested the honor 8‘s battery performance using PCMark. It basically ran the PCMark work tests until its battery capacity dropped to 20%.
The honor 8 lasted just over 10 hours on the PCMark stress test. This is 1.5 hours less than the honor 5C, but is excellent considering it uses a more powerful processor and graphics processor, and comes with twice the memory. The HTC 10, for example, lasted just over 5.5 hours on the same test!
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Battery Recharging Performance
The honor 8 has a large 2,900 mAh lithium-polymer battery, with Fast Charging capability. honor claims that it will recharge from 0% to 47% in just 30 minutes. Let’s see if that’s true…
Our tests showed that the honor 8 will recharge from 17% to 100% in just 146 minutes (3 hours 26 minutes). This is decent, but not exceptional quick charging performance. It fully recharges the battery about 20% faster than the honor 5C, which does not support quick charging and uses only a 5 W charger.
That said, we can see that the honor 8 recharges fastest in the first 90%, before it tapers off to a slower recharging pace for the last 10 percent. Recharging 47% (from 17% to 64%) took 36 minutes in our test.
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Overall Performance – AnTuTu Benchmark
AnTuTu is a nice benchmark for testing various performance aspects of Android devices.
It was actually 12% and 47% faster than the HTC 10 in the UX and CPU tests, but its 65% slower 3D performance pulled down its overall results.
Gaming Performance – 3DMark
We tested the honor 8‘s gaming performance using 3DMark, using the Ice Storm Unlimited test.
honor 8
ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra
HTC 10
Samsung Galaxy S7 edge
Gaming Score
18659
17719
23171
28650
Graphics
19993
21124
27512
33685
Physics
15127
11328
14925
18810
Graphics Test 1
122.5 fps
115.2 fps
136.6 fps
162.9 fps
Graphics Test 2
67.4 fps
76.3 fps
106.4 fps
133.1 fps
Physics Test
48.0 fps
36.0 fps
47.4 fps
59.7 fps
The honor 8 is roughly equal to the ASUS ZenFone 3 Ultra in gaming performance. This means the ARM Mali-T880 GPU in the Kirin 950 is about as fast as the Qualcomm Adreno 510 GPU.
Our Verdict
The honor 8 is more than just a more powerful version of the honor 5C smartphone. Yes, they are both 5.2″ smartphones powered by Kirin processors from HiSilicon, a Huawei company. But the honor 8 is really a whole different beast targeting a different market.
The honor 8 is very fast, and comes with 4 GB of RAM and up to 64 GB of internal flash storage. On top of that, its dual-lens camera produces excellent photographs and videos. It even comes with a new 3D fingerprint sensor that activates the phone in just 0.4 seconds.
The honor 8 also looks the part of a premium smartphone, thanks to its Aurora Glass finish. This is honor’s top-of-the-line smartphone for those who want nothing but the best without paying through the nose.
Now, all that extra capability comes at a price, and it comes to no surprise that the honor 8 costs twice as much as the honor 5C. Even so, it costs less than half of what their competitors charge for equivalent smartphones.
If we have any gripes, it is the lack of USB OTG support and the requirement to use the Huawei HiSuite to manage files using a computer. This unnecessarily makes it a pain to access the files in the honor 8 smartphone.
honor continues to impress us with their ability to focus on creating no-nonsense Android smartphones with practical features. Even the dual-lens camera proved to be a practical way to improve the quality of photos and videos taken using a smartphone.
We like the honor 8 enough to give it out coveted Editor’s Choice Award. Congratulations, honor!
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HTC Malaysia just launched the HTC 10 smartphone, promising that perfection in their latest creation. They will certainly be counting on the HTC 10 to overcome incredible challenges from the multitude of Chinese smartphone brands. Let’s take a closer look…
Ambient light, proximity, motion, compass, gyro, magnetic
GPS
GPS + GLONASS + Beidou (Europe & Asia)
Connectivity
WiFi : 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 GHz & 5 GHz)
Bluetooth : Bluetooth 4.2
USB : USB 3.1 Type C
Earphone : 3.5 mm stereo audio jack
Others : NFC, DisplayPort, DLNA, Miracast, Google Cast, AirPlay, HTC Connect
Battery
3,000 mAh lithium ion battery
- Talk time on 3G/4G : Up to 27 hours
- Standby time on 3G/4G : Up to 19 days
- Quick Charge 3.0 allows up to 50% charge in 30 minutes
Size
71.9 mm wide
145.9 mm tall
3.0 to 9.0 mm thick
Weight
161 grams
Available Colours
Carbon Grey / Topaz Gold
HTC 10 Lowest Prices (Amazon)
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TORRANCE, Calif. – Mar. 22, 2016 – TRENDnet announced today the launch of its USB-C product line. The new line will feature three USB-C adapters for HDMI, VGA, and Gigabit Ethernet.
“TRENDnet is committed to developing reliable products to improve user connectivity, and our line of USB-C adapters is designed to keep users up-to-date with the new USB connector standard,” said Sonny Su, technology director at TRENDnet. “The new USB-C line allows users to take advantage of improved data transfer speeds and more power, while extending the life of current devices.”
The Type-C port and connector are extremely compact and feature a reversible connector orientation. The new USB-C technology and connector support lightning-fast transfer speeds, and feature an increased power output. All TRENDnet USB-C products are conveniently powered by the computer’s USB port, and are Windows and Mac compatible.
[adrotate banner=”4″]USB-C to HDMI 4K UHD Display Adapter, model TUC-HDMI (Amazon)
Extend or mirror your computer’s display to a 4K monitor or HDTV
Flawless video with high speed USB Type-C to HDMI connection
Extend or mirror your computer’s display to a projector, monitor or HDTV
Flawless video with high speed USB Type-C to VGA connection
Max resolution: 1920 x 1200 resolution at 60 Hz
USB-C to Gigabit Adapter, model TUC-ETG
Adds a Gigabit Ethernet port to your computer
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 Type-C port
TRENDnet USB-C Pricing & Availability
TRENDnet’s USB-C to HDMI Adapter, model TUC-HDMI (Amazon), and the USB-C to VGA Adapter, model TUC-VGA (Amazon), will be available worldwide through major retailers and other authorized TRENDnet partners later this month.
The MSRP for TUC-HDMI is USD $32.99.
The MSRP for TUC-VGA is USD $29.99.
TRENDnet’s USB-C to Gigabit Adapter, model TUC-ETG, will be available in late July.
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Sharkoon expands its range of docking stations and introduces the fastest QuickPort to the product family, which thanks to USB 3.1, offers a data transfer rate of up to 10 gigabits per second.
The Sharkoon QuickPort USB 3.1 Type C is a compact docking station for convenient connection of a SATA hard drive to a PC or laptop. With USB 3.1 support, the QuickPort offers a transfer rate of up to 10 gigabits per second and is backwards compatible to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. The docking station is suitable for a 2.5″ HDD/SSD or a 3.5″ hard drive, which slides easily into the drive bay of the QuickPort.
Installation is also simple; your operating system recognizes the QuickPort without having to install a driver. If there is no hard drive inserted, a spring-loaded flap protects the inside against dust and dirt. The internal SATA interface of the docking station supports SATA Revision 3.0 and is backwards compatible to previous SATA Revisions.
[adrotate banner=”4″]A status LED on the front indicates operation and data transfer. The on/off switch is located on the back, along with the power inlet and USB the USB 3.1 Type C port for connecting to a computer. A USB 3.1 cable (Type A plug to Type C plug) and a power adapter is included, as well.
Fittingly, Sharkoon also introduces a new expansion card: The Sharkoon USB 3.1 Host Controller Card Type A+C conveniently expands a PC with two USB 3.1 ports. Here, both a Type A port and Type C port are available. Each port provides a transfer rate of up to 10 gigabits per second.
The PCIe expansion card supports PCIe 2.0 x2 as well as PCIe 3.0 x1 and is backwards compatible to USB 3.0 and USB 2.0. An internal SATA power inlet provides the necessary power supply. Windows 7, 8 and 10 operating systems are supported.
Sharkoon Quick Port Price & Availability
The Sharkoon QuickPort USB 3.1 Type C is available now for the suggested retail price of 39.99 euros from authorized retailers. The Sharkoon USB 3.1 Host Controller Card Type A+C is also now available for the suggested retail price of 29.99 euros.
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