Fast Charge
140 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 1 year ago -Fast Charge is a weekly show from the Tech Advisor team on all things phones (and sometimes other stuff too). Dom, Toddy, and the rest of the team will be here every week to run through the latest news and rumours for all things Android and iPhone, along with reviews, rants, and more.
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Episodes
What's the S23 going to be? | Fast Charge 140
January 17, 2023 11:33 - 1 hourSamsung has announced when it will launch its next flagship phones, and we think we know a lot about what to expect – plus Nothing has finally released the Phone (1) in the US (sort of) and Dom has gone hands-on with the Razer Edge handheld. First up, we’re previewing the three Galaxy S23 phones, now confirmed to debut on 1 February. Extensive leaks have given us a pretty good idea of what to expect, with minimalist designs, camera upgrades, and a custom Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inside. Meanwhile, ...
The one with the OnePlus 11 | Fast Charge 139
January 10, 2023 14:18 - 55 minutesWe're back, and the biggest tech trade show of the year is in full swing... but our main news has nothing to do with CES at all. On the other side of the planet from Vegas, OnePlus decided this busy week was the perfect time to reveal the OnePlus 11, its latest flagship phone - and confirm that a global launch is coming in February too. An 8 Gen 2, 100W charging, and upgraded cameras all sound good to us - so is OnePlus back to winning ways? After that we'll be chatting about a secret phone -...
Oppo flips into the global foldable market | Fast Charge 138
December 15, 2022 16:00 - 1 hourIt's the last episode of 2022, which of course means we're already stuck talking about the biggest launches of 2023. First up, Xiaomi unveiled the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro, its first two phones powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Throw in updated cameras and an overhauled design and you should have a pair of pretty promising flagships - so why aren't we all that enthused yet? We're more excited by the Oppo Find N2 and Find N2 Flip - especially the latter, as it's both Oppo's first flip phone and t...
2022: The year reviewed | Fast Charge 137
December 05, 2022 11:47 - 1 hourDecember has begun, the advent calendars are open, and Spotify Wrapped has taken over social media, which means we're ready to declare 2022 basically done with. It's been a big year for tech. We got our first 1-inch smartphone camera sensor, Apple began its first halting steps away from the notch, and there's even still time left for Elon to destroy Twitter for good. But what were the best, the worst, and the weirdest products to hit the market this year? Dom, Henry, and Lewis are ready to pi...
Honor's 2nd foldable and Vivo's flagship chip debut | Fast Charge 136
November 25, 2022 12:26 - 1 hourWelcome to our Black Friday safe space: you won't find any deals discussion here this week. Instead, we're focussed on a trio of major launches from Vivo, Honor, and Oppo. First up, Vivo unveiled its X90 series, including the debuts of both the MediaTek Dimensity 9200 and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 - a dual debut we've not seen happen before. Beyond the chips the big upgrades are to the camera, with the top Pro+ model using the same 1in IMX989 camera sensor we saw on the Xiaomi 12S Ultra. If...
Qualcomm chips in with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Fast Charge 135
November 18, 2022 18:58 - 1 hourQualcomm has announced its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset hot on the heels of MediaTek, whose Dimensity 9200 chip we discussed last week. There are many similarities between the two high-end mobile platforms but Qualcomm’s brand power means it is a few steps ahead of its rival, promising the 8 Gen 2 will appear in phones from most of the major Android players. This week on Fast Charge Anyron, Lewis and Henry Iook into the specs of the 8 Gen 2 to discuss whether you would notice the difference bet...
Chips Ahoy! MediaTek’s flagship Dimensity 9200 | Fast Charge 134
November 15, 2022 23:41 - 1 hourJoin the team as they discuss MediaTek's Dimensity 9200 launch this week, a chip that's all but confirmed to appear in a premium Vivo phone by the end of the year. The gang also discuss the latest Huawei flagship phone, the Mate 50 Pro, which Henry has had in for review. It ships without native support for Google Mobile Services or the Google Play Store, but Huawei says it has made strides with its own AppGallery and ways to download and use popular apps – is the Mate 50 Pro a viable smartpho...
Nokia X30, new VR headsets and the mess at Twitter | Fast Charge 133
November 07, 2022 16:30 - 1 hourThis week's show will kick off with Lewis and his thoughts on the Nokia X30, the top-end mid-ranger from HMD Global. But rather than being much of the same as last year's X20, the X30 has a few key upgrades that could allow it to compete with the OnePlus Nord 2T and Nothing Phone (1). We then move on to VR headsets, with Lewis taking us through the latest announcements from Meta, Pico and PlayStation following the expensive PSVR 2 RRP reveal earlier this week. Then it's time to turn our tho...
Nonplussed by the iPhone 14 Plus | Fast Charge 132
November 01, 2022 10:33 - 1 hourThis week we're revisiting the iPhone 14 series as Henry shares his thoughts on the 14 Plus, before we dive into a couple new Xiaomi models. The iPhone 14 Plus marks the return of the big, cheap(ish) iPhone flagship, after two years of the ultimately unsuccessful Mini model. But with Apple reportedly slowing production already, it looks like Henry isn't the only person unconvinced by the need for a big iPhone that costs almost as much as the Pro models. Then Anyron jumps on the show to talk a...
iPad Pros and cons | Fast Charge 131
October 25, 2022 11:27 - 53 minutesAfter a couple weeks off, we’re back… with a vengeance? Well, we certainly may have it out for Apple, after it unveiled a new iPad range that’s left us scratching our heads. The new regular iPad boasts a slick new design, a landscape camera, updated keyboard with function keys, and USB-C. But it’s also much more expensive, and strangely similar to the Air. Meanwhile the new Pro models pack all the power you’d expect thanks to an M2 chip upgrade, but miss out on half the new features added int...
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra reviewed | Fast Charge 130
September 30, 2022 13:24 - 1 hourWe spoke about the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra a couple of weeks ago, but it's back with a vengeance after Dom's been testing the phone and is surprised to discover it might be one of his favourites of the year so far. Launched alongside the cheaper Edge 30 Fusion and Neo, the Ultra is a high-specced phone that can match almost any flagship out there, while undercutting them all on price. It may be headlined bya 200Mp main rear camera, but to be honest that's not even the real draw: this is simply...
iPhone 14 Pro & Oppo Reno 8 Pro reviewed | Fast Charge 129
September 27, 2022 11:58 - 1 hourIs the iPhone 14 Pro the best iPhone you can buy right now? And can the Oppo Reno 8 Pro compete in a very competitive mid-range market? First up on Fast Charge this week, Lewis gives his thoughts on the iPhone 14 Pro after a week of use. Is the Dynamic Island all it's cracked up to be? Is the new 48Mp camera as revolutionary as Apple suggests? And most importantly, is it an iPhone that can last all day? The crew discuss. Next up, the Fast Charge team discuss the rising prices of tech. No mat...
Motorola on the Edge of success | Fast Charge 128
September 27, 2022 11:57 - 1 hourIs Motorola finally on the edge of flagship phone success with the new additions to the Edge 30 range? And is iOS 16 the enormous update we were promised? First up on Fast Charge this week, we talk about the new Motorola Edge 30 phones, launched last week. This is headline by the Edge 30 Ultra, an all-singing, all-dancing flagship with a 200Mp camera, super-fast charging, and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, all for an unexpectedly affordable price tag. The Edge 30 Fusion and Neo have taken our fancy a l...
Apple Event bonanza | Fast Charge 127
September 12, 2022 09:41 - 1 hourComing hot off the heels of IFA 2022, Apple has revealed a slew of new smartphones and wearables - including an entirely new model of Apple Watch. Lewis, Henry and Anyron will dive into chat about the iPhone 14 and new big-screen iPhone 14 Plus along with the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. The team will then move on to the Apple Watch Series 8, an updated Apple Watch SE and Apple's new ultra-rugged Apple Watch Ultra, designed for triathletes, divers and other extreme sports fans. We then round o...
Galaxy Z Flip 4 & Fold 4 reviews | Fast Charge 126
August 30, 2022 11:58 - 1 hourWe’re back, and ready to review Samsung’s latest two foldables, along with the Buds 2 Pro and both new Galaxy Watch 5 models. Just in time to then look forward at what we’re expecting from Apple’s just-confirmed iPhone 14 launch. Lewis, Dom, and Henry have all spent the last two weeks testing various bits of Samsung kit, and we have our hot takes at the ready as we review the Z Flip 4, Z Fold 4, both Galaxy Watch 5 models, and the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. Is this a bumper year for Samsung, or so-so...
Android 13, unlucky for some? | Fast Charge 125
August 24, 2022 08:22 - 54 minutesWe are well and truly into smartphone summer silly season with software releases, beta tracks, rumour mills, and flagship phones galore all vying for our and your collective tech attention. Android 13 is officially rolling out to Pixel 6 phones around the world. It's a little earlier in the year than usual, but will many people notice many differences given Android 12 was such a huge visual change? The new version appears to be an iterative update to 2021's big step into Material You and colo...
Everything folds now | Fast Charge 124
August 12, 2022 09:42 - 1 hourThis week has been a foldable fest, with not one, not two, not even three, but four new foldable phones announced in quick succession - in fact, they all debuted within 24 hours of one another. First up, Samsung gave a global launch to the Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4. After transformative updates to last year's models, this year is more about iteration, but there's still a lot to like here. The Flip 4 in particular has been re-designed to fix its predecessor's biggest flaws, while the Fold 4...
Asus Zenfone 9 review | Fast Charge 123
July 29, 2022 11:18 - 1 hourThe smallest flagship of the year is here: the Asus Zenfone 9. Dom has been testing the dinky Android phone for the last week or two, and he's a little bit in love with the portable powerhouse, which packs in an 8+ Gen 1 and gimbal-stabilised camera. But can the chassis contain that much power, and are there problems lurking in the unique new polymer finish? Anyron has been testing out another 8+ Gen 1 phone, the Red Magic 7S Pro. It's a compelling gaming phone if you don't mind the under-dis...
Google Pixel 6a vs Nothing Phone (1) | Fast Charge 122
July 22, 2022 13:25 - 1 hourIt's a battle of the mid-rangers as we review both the Google Pixel 6a and the Nothing Phone (1), and in the process pit these two similarly priced phones up against one another. The Pixel 6a was announced a whole two months ago but we finally have the phone, just as pre-orders start, and Henry is ready to explain why he thinks this is the new best mid-ranger on the market after two weeks of putting it through its paces. Dom has in turn been testing out the Nothing Phone (1), which sits at th...
Xiaomi 12S Ultra & Asus ROG Phone 6 | Fast Charge 121
July 21, 2022 14:18 - 1 hourThe Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is finally here, arriving in five phones from two manufacturers this week - with plenty more to come. Xiaomi got there first, equipping its entire Xiaomi 12S line with the new flagship Qualcomm chip. The trio of phones may be exclusive to China, but the Leica-branded, camera-centric 12S Ultra is a phenomenal powerhouse that any phone fan will want to know about. Asus may have launched second, but it's the first to bring the 8+ Gen 1 global in its ROG Phone 6 gaming pho...
HTC Desire 22 Pro: The metaverse phone | Fast Charge 120
July 04, 2022 11:01 - 1 hourHTC's smartphone revival is here. Sort of. The Desire 22 Pro is an Android mid-ranger that's launching in the UK and Europe, with the key hook that it's set up to stream directly to the company's Vive Flow headset and hook into its Viverse ecosystem. Is that enough to attract customers though? Meanwhile, the Osom OV1 is no more. The first phone from the start-up was due this year, but instead the company is now working together with blockchain company Solana on the Saga, a handset built for w...
Sony Xperia 1 IV review | Fast Charge 119
June 24, 2022 11:15 - 1 hourSony's 2022 flagship is finally out now and we have thoughts - plus Poco has unveiled two new phones, and Anyron explains why Windows Mobile is due a return. The Xperia 1 IV officially went on sale here in the UK last week, and not one but two of us have gotten samples to test out. Henry and Dom have both been putting Sony's flagship through its paces over the past week, and are ready to decide if Sony has nailed it this year, or produced another flagship that only a fanboy could love. Meanwh...
Nothing Phone (1) design, ZTE Axon 40 Ultra & Astro Slide reviews | Fast Charge 118
June 17, 2022 14:24 - 53 minutesThe biggest news in the tech world this week was about nothing at all, as we got our first look at the Nothing Phone (1), while we've taken the excuse to give our thoughts on another pair of slightly odd phones. The Nothing Phone (1) is the first phone from Carl Pei's new start-up, and we finally know what it looks like. Transparent plastic, a visible charging coil, and LED light strips complete the undeniably unusual aesthetic, which is already divisive - and thus apparently doing exactly wh...
iOS 16, Realme GT Neo 3 & Black Shark 5 Pro reviews | Fast Charge 117
June 10, 2022 09:22 - 1 hourWe're back, and just in time to spend an hour obsessing over iOS 16. That's right, Apple has unveiled the latest version of its iPhone operating system - due to launch officially later this year - and there's a lot to like. The customisable lock screen has to be the most exciting change, though iPad owners may be more pumped for iPadOS's new multi-tasking features and - gasp - weather app. Meanwhile both the Realme GT Neo 3 and Black Shark 5 Pro have been given global launches, and Dom and Le...
Snapdragon & Dimensity, Oppo Reno 8 & Honor Magic 4 Pro review | Fast Charge 116
May 30, 2022 08:40 - 1 hourQualcomm and MediaTek have been head-to-head in the smartphone silicon war for a while, but never more so than each announcing new chips on either side of the same weekend. Qualcomm led the way with top-tier Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and the more mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 1, while MediaTek followed quickly with the mmWave-enabled Dimensity 1050 alongside the more affordable Dimensity 930 & Helio G99 - its first serious salvo at the US market. Meanwhile over in China Oppo unveiled the Reno 8 series...
OnePlus Nord 2T, Huawei Mate Xs 2 & Poco F4 GT review | Fast Charge 115
May 20, 2022 10:12 - 52 minutesDid you think OnePlus might have run out of phones to launch? Think again. The company has just unveiled the Nord 2T, a new mid-ranger for Europe and India - alongside a European launch of the Nord CE 2 Lite and budget Nord Buds. Our new phones editor Henry has been busy testing out the 2T, and has his first impressions ready to go. Meanwhile Toddy has been on a jaunt to Milan to go hands-on with the Huawei Mate Xs 2 foldable as it too gets a global launch, along with the Watch GT 3 Pro and a...
Google I/O, Sony Xperia 1 IV & ZTE Axon 40 | Fast Charge 114
May 13, 2022 14:21 - 1 hourWell, this has been a busy week. Google has obviously drawn the most attention. At a bumper Google I/O event the search giant not only showed off Android 13 and its new Wear OS, but also (deep breath) the Pixel 6a, Pixel Watch, Pixel Buds Pro, Pixel 7 and 7 Pro, and an entirely new Pixel tablet. Only hours early Sony held its own livestream, revealing the new Xperia 1 IV flagship and more affordable Xperia 10 IV - though there's no sign of the expected compact Xperia 5 IV. But with a familiar...
Galaxy A53 review, Google I/O preview & Future foldables | Fast Charge 113
May 06, 2022 20:26 - 1 hourWelcome to the eye of the storm. Last week was full of launches, next week will be full of launches. This week is a (perhaps welcome) lull. We're taking advantage of the breather to talk about the Samsung Galaxy A53, a mid-ranger that looks on paper to be an impressive entry in the space - and to wipe the floor with the iPhone SE. But is it all it's hyped up to be? Then we're turning to arguably next week's biggest launch: Google I/O. We've chatted about it a bit before, but with Android 13 n...
Vivo X80, Huawei Mate Xs 2 & Poco F4 GT | Fast Charge 112
April 29, 2022 11:05 - 56 minutesAfter a few slow weeks, phone season is in full swing again, with more launches this week than we have time to talk about on the show - so we're focussing on the big ones. First up, Vivo unveiled its flagship X80 series in China, and confirmed plans to bring them worldwide next month too. The X80 and X80 Pro (no Pro+ yet, but it's coming later in the year) both feature serious camera specs and use the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset - with an extra 8 Gen 1 option for the Pro. The X70 series w...
OnePlus Nord N20, Oppo Find N review & Netflix subscriber woes | Fast Charge 111
April 22, 2022 14:25 - 1 hourAs OnePlus unveils two more phones, we review the Oppo Find N and ask what Netflix has to do to save itself. First up, while the OnePlus Ace launches in China (which we discussed last week) the cheap Nord N20 is arriving in the US. With basic specs and T-Mobile exclusivity this is a far cry from the flagship 10 Pro, but the Nord line has been tearing it up in the US so far - can the N20 do the same? Meanwhile we've finally gotten our hands on the China-only Oppo Find N foldable, and Lewis has...
Vivo X Fold + X Note, OnePlus 10R/Ace & Red Magic 7 Pro review | Fast Charge 110
April 20, 2022 11:42 - 1 hourThis week a new player has entered the foldable fight, while OnePlus is readying its next launch and Anyron is reviewing the Red Magic 7 Pro. Vivo unveiled its first foldable, the Vivo X Fold, and on paper this offers enough to make Samsung and Oppo nervous thanks to top specs and a powerful rear camera. It's joined by the enormous X Note slab phone and the more affordable Vivo Pad tablet, and we'll run through what all three have to offer. Meanwhile OnePlus has announced a slew of phone laun...
WWDC, Google I/O and the Twitter edit button | Fast Charge 109
April 08, 2022 09:59 - 1 hourThis week we're looking forward, to both Apple and Google's big summer events and the prospect of a Twitter freed from the shackles of permanence. Or something like that. Apple has finally confirmed the dates for its annual WWDC event, taking place in early June, so there's no better to excuse to look ahead to what to expect, with both iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 set to debut, along with other software and likely a hardware announcement or two. Google will beat Cupertino to the punch though. Its Goo...
OnePlus 10 Pro, Dyson Zone & Google Pixel Watch | Fast Charge 108
April 06, 2022 13:30 - 1 hourDyson has revealed a ‘world first’ pair of headphones, while Google’s Pixel Watch is rumoured to make an appearance alongside the Pixel 7, and we finally give our thoughts on the long-awaited OnePlus 10 Pro. The show kicks off with Toddy giving his thoughts on the latest OnePlus flagship, the OnePlus 10 Pro, following its global reveal this afternoon. Is it the next big thing, or should you look elsewhere? Toddy has the answers you need. Next up is Dyson, a company you wouldn’t expect to rele...
Nothing Phone (1), Realme GT Neo 3, iPad Air & iPhone SE | Fast Charge 107
March 24, 2022 16:00 - 1 hourNothing finally has something to share, while Realme unveils its 150W charging tech and we give our early impressions on Apple's latest hardware. Carl Pei's start-up Nothing has confirmed longstanding rumours that it's working on an Android phone, though we don't know an awful lot more than that. The Nothing Phone (1) will launch this summer running NothingOS, but is there actually anything behind all the smoke and mirrors? Realme at least has something more concrete. The GT Neo 3 has launche...
Xiaomi 12 series, Galaxy A33 & A53, and S22 Ultra review | Fast Charge 106
March 21, 2022 16:09 - 1 hourIt's been a long time coming, but Xiaomi decided this week it was finally ready to bring the Xiaomi 12 series to the rest of the world - and not to be out-done, Samsung also took the opportunity to unveil its updated mid-range line-up. The Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro, and 12X are all making it to the global market, with prices starting from $649. Chris has reviewed the Xiaomi 12, while Dom tested the 12 Pro, so the pair of them are ready to share their thoughts on Xiaomi's latest and decide if they can...
Peek Performance: iPhone SE, iPad Air & Mac Studio | Fast Charge 105
March 11, 2022 11:11 - 1 hourThis was Apple's week, and just about every other tech company decided (perhaps wisely) to steer clear. Then again, given the state of the iPhone SE, maybe Apple should have too. So yes, the iPhone SE is...the same as the last one. Well, the chipset has been upgraded, and it's got 5G, but otherwise this is basically the same phone: big bezel, Home Button, and piddly 720p LCD display all included. Of course, this being Apple, it'll probably sell phenomenally anyway. At least the iPad Air is mo...
MWC 2022: Honor Magic 4, Realme GT 2 & more | Fast Charge 104
March 04, 2022 15:01 - 1 hourMWC is back. Sort of. It's a bit smaller than usual, and there weren't quite as many major launches as we're used to, but the year's biggest smartphone trade show did throw up a few surprises. The biggest launch of the show was undoubtedly the brand-new Honor Magic 4 and Magic 4 Pro flagships, but we also got the global launch of the Realme GT 2, some new budget models from Poco, TCL and Nokia, and absurd new charging tech from Oppo and Realme. And that's not even mentioning a host of new And...
Oppo Find X5 Pro & iQoo 9 Pro reviews, plus MWC preview | Fast Charge 103
February 25, 2022 14:40 - 1 hourOppo has finally broken cover with the Find X5 (yes, 5 - not 4) series, which followed hot on the heels of the Indian launch of the iQOO 9 series, and there's plenty to look forward to with MWC next week. First up, Oppo. There are three Find X5 phones, but all the excitement is about the Find X5 Pro - which Dom has been reviewing for the last week. Oppo's outlandish design is back, along with an impressively well-rounded feature set that makes this flagship a bit of a people-pleaser. Meanwhil...
OnePlus Nord CE 2, Realme 9 Pro+ & Galaxy S22+ reviews | Fast Charge 102
February 18, 2022 14:09 - 1 hourAs we teased last time, this has been a busy launch week for phone lovers. Today saw OnePlus reveal the Nord CE 2, which is either a sequel to the Nord CE or a cheaper version of the Nord 2, depending on how you look at it. Dom has the lowdown on a phone he was meant to have reviewed by now, if a pesky flu hadn't had something to say about it. Fortunately Hannah has managed to review the Realme 9 Pro+, the top tier entry in the new Realme 9 range. It borrows the colour-changing design from th...
Galaxy Unpacked: Samsung Galaxy S22 & Tab S8 | Fast Charge 101
February 11, 2022 11:15 - 1 hourThis was Samsung's week, so it was no surprise to see just about every other tech company in the world step back and give the Korean giant some space. That means we're focusing on a Galaxy Unpacked deep dive on the show, starting with the Galaxy S22 series. There are three phones this time around, but really it's all about the Ultra, the souped up flagship that looks more like a Note phone than anything else in the S22 series, with a rounded body and space for an S Pen stylus to slot inside. ...
Huawei P50 Pocket & P50 Pro reviews + our best bad tech takes | Fast Charge 100
February 04, 2022 12:15 - 1 hourIt's official: Fast Charge is 100 (episodes). To celebrate, we're going to throw out our best bad tech takes, live on air, ready to be eviscerated in the comments for all the nonsense views we're desperately clinging to. But before that, we'll be reviewing the two latest Huawei flagships. First up is the P50 Pro, the camera-first slab phone that Huawei launched in China almost a year back. With its global launch now upon us, Toddy is ready to find out if the camera can still compete with the ...
Redmi Note 11 launch, Samsung Galaxy S21 FE & Moto G200 reviews | Fast Charge 99
January 31, 2022 12:49 - 1 hourNew week, new phones. Xiaomi has unveiled the Redmi Note 11 series, while the Fast Charge team is ready to review new offerings from both Samsung and Motorola. There are four phones in the Redmi Note 11 series, ranging from a regular model up to the Note 11 Pro 5G. Even that top-end model is affordable, coming in below $400, but offering a 120Hz AMOLED display, 67W charging, and a 108Mp camera. Dom is ready to review the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE - just in time before the launch of the Galaxy S22...
Vivo V23 Pro review, Samsung Galaxy S22 & Apple spring previews | Fast Charge 98
January 24, 2022 14:23 - 1 hourThis week Dom is ready to review Vivo's selfie-focussed V23 Pro, while we take advantage of the lull in launches to look ahead to what Samsung and Apple each have ready to launch this spring. The V23 Pro is the first Pro phone in Vivo's selfie-centric V-series, and launched alongside the regular V23 in India a couple of weeks back. It boasts a slick design and powerful front-facing cameras, but is that enough to make it a mid-range must-buy? Meanwhile we're just weeks away from what's hotly t...
Honor Magic V, iPhone 14 notch & BlackBerry 2022 | Fast Charge 97
January 14, 2022 14:13 - 1 hourIt's the week after CES, which means things are a little quieter. A little. Because it's still the week that's seen a major new foldable phone launch. Honor has unveiled the Magic V, its first attempt at a foldable phone - and already the most powerful foldable on the market, as it's the first to arrive with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 inside. With a Galaxy Fold-esque form factor, this looks like a solid foldable offering - but is it enough from Honor, and will we ever see it break out of China? Mea...
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, OnePlus 10 Pro & Realme GT 2 | Fast Charge 96
January 07, 2022 12:18 - 1 hourCES is normally a quiet trade show for smartphone fans, with launches focussed on cars, TVs, and the smart home - but 2022 has decided to buck some trends, with major phone launches taking place at the show. First up, Samsung finally launched the long-awaited (and much-rumoured) Galaxy S21 FE. This mid-range successor to the S21 line packs strong specs and a really sleek design, but after months of delays can it really command Samsung's $699 asking price? We also know a lot more than we expec...
Motorola Edge X30 & Oppo Inno Day 2021 | Fast Charge 95
December 12, 2021 17:20 - 1 hourHot on the heels of last week's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 unveiling, Motorola has managed to take the lead, in terms of launching a phone running on this cutting-edge silicon. Meanwhile, Oppo's forthcoming Inno Day event looks set to give us a wealth of interesting technologies, including the company's first foldable. First up, we're delving into the reveal of the first Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 smartphone, the Motorola Edge X30. Revealed on 9 December in China, the smartphone boasts flagship-level specs t...
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, Qualcomm × Razer, Honor 60 launch | Fast Charge 94
December 03, 2021 12:20 - 55 minutesIt's a Qualcomm double-whammy this week, with the company hosting its annual Snapdragon Summit in sunny Hawaii, with announcements aplenty. First up, it's time to talk Qualcomm's next mobile chipset – dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Rivalling Mediatek's Dimensity 9000 – revealed last week – we now have a better idea of what the 8 Gen 1 actually brings to the table, as well as the assorted mobile manufacturers chomping at the bit to stick this new silicon into their next flagship phones. Next...
MediaTek Dimensity 9000, OnePlus 10 Pro leaks & Black Friday | Fast Charge 93
November 26, 2021 13:51 - 1 hourAlright, fine - we said we wouldn't do a Black Friday episode, but here we are. But it's only the one segment, OK? Before that, we'll chat through the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 - announced just hours after last week's pod. This is the new flagship chip from Qualcomm's biggest rival, and for the first time it packs specs that not only stomp all over the Snadpragon 888, but may even best the upcoming Snapdragon flagship. Then there's the OnePlus 10 Pro. No, it hasn't been announced, but after the...
Moto G200, Realme GT Neo 2 & Apple Self-Service Repair | Fast Charge 92
November 25, 2021 14:32 - 1 hourDidn't everyone get the memo that it's the end of the year and they're supposed to stop launching phones? Motorola just dropped five new G-series phones, led by the G200: a surprisingly powerful Snapdragon 888+-powered device that's targeting the mid-range market at €449. It's joined by the Moto G71, G51, G41, and G31, with prices ranging down to €200 - even with waterproofing across the lot of them. Realme also held a launch event this week, though at least this was primarily for the Europea...
Poco M4 Pro, Windows 11 SE & Tech Advisor Awards 2021 | Fast Charge 91
November 12, 2021 11:18 - 1 hourThe tech world is slowing down right now, but that didn't stop Poco from barrelling in with its final phone launch of 2021, while Microsoft unveiled a more mobile version of Windows 11 and we unveiled our 2021 awards. The Poco M4 Pro is a pretty capable budget device from Poco, albeit one with some quirks. Like some other Poco phones this is really a re-branded version of an existing Redmi phone, but as part of that it borrows one real oddity: cosmetic camera lenses. Huh. Meanwhile Microsoft ...