INTHEBLACK February 2022 - Magazine - Page 70
WORK SMART
// T E C H TA L K
STORY GLENN REES
NEW
SMARTPHONES
THAT WILL LAST
PHONE M ANUFACTU RERS CO NTI NU E TO A D D M OR E P OW E R,
FE AT UR ES AND, I N S O ME CAS ES, I NNOVAT I ON S W I T H E AC H
N EW M O DEL R ELEAS E, AND TH E L ATEST S M A RT P HON ES TO
C OME ON THE M ARK ET ARE NO EXCEPT I ON.
S
martphones stopped being just about
a phone a long time ago. Each new
release sees more and more tech and
gadgetry being added. For example, with
screen resolutions commonly higher than
“high definition”, the focus is now on refresh
rates higher than the old standard of 60Hz.
Higher-end smartphone screens now tend
to offer 90Hz or 120Hz rates for smoother
scrolling and game-playing.
When you’re looking to buy a new
smartphone, one lesser-known feature to
consider is an eSIM, an electronic or
embedded chip that can replace a physical
SIM card. It means you can change your
mobile service provider with a simple
software download and use the physical SIM
card slot for a second phone number, for
example for business. Telstra, Optus and
Vodafone support eSIMs, along with many
newer smartphones.
70 ITB February 2022
LATEST SMARTPHONE RELEASES
There is plenty of choice for consumers in the
market for a new smartphone. Here is a closer
look at some of the latest models on offer.
The latest Pixels have larger batteries and
improved cameras, including a 4x optical zoom
for the Pro. They also come with Google’s latest
mobile operating system, Android 12.
GOOGLE’S NEW FLAGSHIPS
SAMSUNG’S FOLDABLES
The latest Pixel phones mark Google’s return
to the premium end of the market, after two
years in the mid-range space. Despite the
high-end specifications, however, Google
seems intent on shaking up the market with
very competitive pricing: from A$999 for the
6.4-inch Pixel 6 and from A$1299 for the
6.7-inch Pixel 6 Pro.
The headline new feature is the first
Google-designed chip, the Tensor. In addition
to being a high-performance chip, it allows
enhanced security, artificial intelligence and
photography features. It can, for example,
allow you to instantly translate messages and
videos without internet access.
Samsung leads the market when it comes to
innovative hardware, offering two models of
foldable phones. At the premium end is the
Galaxy Z Fold3, a flexible device with two
displays – a conventional 6.2-inch screen on
the front and a 7.6-inch fold-out display inside.
The phone is hefty both in the hand,
weighing 271 grams, and in the hip pocket,
priced from A$2499 in return for high-end
performance and features.
If you want a smartphone that doubles as
a small tablet, the Galaxy Z Fold3 is your best
option. Alternatively, the Galaxy Z Flip3 is
Samsung’s modern take on the flip phone. The
Flip has a 6.7-inch display that folds up into a