The iPhone 8 goes up against a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

Before you start throwing down cash for new phones like a Grinch post heart-expansion, watch our video to directly compare more factors than just name brand and price on two of the most popular phones. The iPhone 8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are both less than $1000 (no thanks, iPhone X) but still expensive, beginning at $805 and $737, respectively. Either would make a great gift to yourself or someone else, but it all depends on what you’re going for. The iPhone 8 looks a little ho-hum in terms of standard old design, but acts zippier because of the new A11 bionic chip, which Apple claims makes it 25% faster. Alternatively, maybe you love Samsung or are just now open to one because of Apple’s no headphone jack policy. The S8 and S8 Plus have a slick design that our own phone reviewers absolutely love and its display (a dazzling 2220 x 1080) compared to Apple’s (a meh 1334 x 750) really put it at the top of the visual appearance heap. And then there’s the camera test. While on paper the smartphone’s cameras seem very similar, (Apple with a 7 megapixel front-facing camera, 12 megapixel back; Galaxy S8 Plus with 8 megapixel front-facing camera, 12 megapixel back), in practice, the selfies from the Galaxy S8 Plus seem far superior. After testing set-up, call quality, video downloading time, playback, visual appearance and cameras on each of the phones, we picked the Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus as the winner of this particular head-to-head challenge. Let us know in the comments what we should test next!

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The iPhone 8 goes up against a Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus

Netflix adds HDR support for iPhone 8, iPhone X and iPad Pro

Netflix is adding high dynamic range (HDR) support to more mobile devices. A handful of Android handsets are already benefitting from the picture upgrade, including the LG G6 , Sony Xperia XZ Premium , and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 , among others . Now, thanks to the release of iOS 11, iPhone users suffering from FOMO can get in on the action too. You’ll be able to binge watch in Dolby Vision HDR on the newly launched iPhone 8, 8Plus , and the upcoming iPhone X . Along with Apple’s new smartphones, iPad Pro (2nd-gen) owners will also receive the bump in picture quality — that goes for both the 10.5 and 12.9 inch models of the tablet. HDR essentially expands the range of both contrast and color in comparison to standard dynamic range. As a result, bright parts of an image look brighter, and the darker bits also pack more depth. If you’re on Netflix’s premium plan, and you’re selected programme carries the HDR or Dolby Vision tags, then you’re good to go. Source: Netflix

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Netflix adds HDR support for iPhone 8, iPhone X and iPad Pro

Samsung Rigged the S4 to Unnaturally Perform Better in Benchmark Tests

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is a damn fine phone. It’s fast, it’s big, it’s thin and it’s completely deserving to be in most people’s pockets. But apparently that’s not enough for Samsung. Samsung has gotten caught cheating benchmark tests to make itself look better. Basically, the S4 is specifically tweaked to be better at benchmarking than anything else it does. Read more…        

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Samsung Rigged the S4 to Unnaturally Perform Better in Benchmark Tests

Smartphone Used To Scan Data From Chip-Enabled Credit Cards

An anonymous reader sends this news from the CBC: “Using a Samsung Galaxy SIII — one of the most popular smartphones available in Canada — and a free app downloaded from the Google Play store, CBC was able to read information such as a card number, expiry date and cardholder name simply holding the smartphone over a debit or credit card. And it could be done through wallets, pockets and purses. … Although the NFC antennas in current smartphones need to be very close to a card in order to work — no farther than 10 cm — that could change with the next generation of Android smartphones. Legary said the Samsung Galaxy S4, set to go on sale this spring, might have a much more capable NFC antenna, which could not only read credit cards from a greater distance, but could also be able to read the chips embedded in enhanced driving licenses and passports.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Smartphone Used To Scan Data From Chip-Enabled Credit Cards