The holidays are fast approaching and we couldn’t be any more excited. We all want to show our family and friends we care about them and to be loved. Holiday gifting is typically a way to express our sentimental feelings and keep in touch.

But isn’t it weird how Christmas always seems to sneak up on us—even though it’s the same day every year? One minute it’s Halloween, the next minute you’re running around to score that Black Friday Deal, and suddenly Christmas is less than a week away—and you don’t have a gift in hand.

If you find yourself in the above conundrum, chill; relax; sit back. We have some of the best last-minute Christmas gift ideas that are likely to come across as thoughtful and unique. Like the article’s title implies, the gifts on this list are hand-picked with the last minute gifter in mind. They’re easily accessible in online shops and they’re relatively inexpensive (under $100).

Here are 10 of the best Christmas gifts 2020 for the last-minute shopper:

1. Echo Dot (4^th Gen)

All factors considered; the Echo Dot is easily one of the best last-minute Christmas gift ideas. Amazon’s latest smart speaker recaps the news, answers your questions, play music, set timers/alarms, and even control other connected home devices. We loved the relatively bigger LED display that shows the current temperature and time.

2. Long Distance Touch Bracelet Set

Self-isolation and stay at home measures are important in curbing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. But this also means that loved ones can be separated miles apart during the holidays. In such a scenario, the Long-Distance Touch Bracelet Set stands out as one the best holiday gift ideas. You simply tap on one bracelet and the other vibrates—subtly reminding the other person that you’re thinking of them. Sweet, right?

3. Fujifilm Instax Mini 9

For less than $70 on Amazon, you can get your hands on the adorable Fujifilm Instax Mini 9. It’s a good-quality and easy-to-use instant camera that’s a perfect gift got a teenager. This model features a selfie mirror and tons of color options to meet different user preferences. Snapping a Christmas photo and watching it develop right before your eyes is a great way to keep the holiday spirit alive.

4. Tile Mate

Do you have that family member or friend that always seems to lose their items/belongings? We all do! A thoughtful Christmas gift idea for such people is the Tile Mate. It’s ideally a Bluetooth-enabled tracking device that’s attached to a keychain, wallet, or even suitcase.

Tile is a company with an enviable track record when it comes to durability and dependable performance—so you’re assured of a quality product that’ll serve the gift recipient for a while.

5. Sega Genesis Mini

Dubbed the best tiny console, the Sega Genesis Mini has everything a retro fan could ask for in a gaming unit that defined most of our childhoods. It’s software and hardware and hardware have the familiar feel and aesthetic of its popular predecessor—albeit a few tweaks.

And even if someone never played the original Genesis, the device is simple to use and the huge library of games is great to keep players busy. All these pros translate into an awesome holiday gift idea for kids and adults alike.

6. Temperature Control Smart Mug 2

If you have a friend or family member who’s overly fond of their daily cup of hot coffee, tea, of chocolate, the Temperature Control Mug 2 is an easy way to their heart—making it one of the best Christmas gifts.

It allows you to use your smartphone to activate the charging coaster of this temperature-controlled mug. Just input the command on the app and find your Java all warm and delish.

7. TopVision Mini Projector

The holiday season is all about connecting with loved ones and sharing memories. One way to spend time together with friends and family is by sitting down to watch a moving or fun Christmas movie.

Now, consider whipping out a mini projector that shoots our bright and clear images/film from your computer or mobile device. What we’re describing is the TopVision Mini Projector.

8. Magnetic Car Mount

Whether you use your phone as a makeshift music control system while on the road or as a navigation system, this Tech Armor Universal Magnetic Car Mount comes in handy.

It has a suction cup that clings tightly to your windshield. The gadget is simple and affordable, but also highly useful. It’s one of those things that you never knew you needed until you had them. And we’re sure your loved ones will feel the same when you gift them phone car mount this holiday. PS: Don’t worry about the phone models; it’s designed for most popular brands—including iPhones, Google, and Samsung Galaxy devices.

9. Mobile Device Cleaning Kit

How often do you clean and disinfect your phone? Whether it’s wiping off oily grime and dust or purging disease-causing germs on the surfaces of your mobile devices, this Cleaning Kit by Tech Armor is heaven-sent. It comes with screen wipes, microfiber clothes, and a water-based disinfectant formula.

It ranks as one of the best Christmas gifts for last-minute shoppers because it’s available for as low as $14.95, you can order it in no time from Tech Armor’s online store, and it plays a part in keeping everyone healthy.

• Portable Power Bank

A power bank is not necessarily the most unique holiday gift idea—unless it packs a punch in a small package. This is the exact offerin of the ActivePower 3000mAh External Battery Portable Dual USB Charger Power Bank by Tech Armor. It’s compatible with all tablets and smartphones—making it a great gift for virtually anyone with a mobile device.

Small phones are a dying breed – but Apple might just have changed that. Finding a compact and powerful phone is an even tougher ask. Earlier on in the year, Apple released the iPhone SE 2020. While it is hailed for its performance, it is housed in the body of the iPhone 8, making it a step away from the design language of the newer iPhones. It debuted with the A13 Bionic which was the latest Apple processor at the time making it a performance beast at the sub-$400 bracket. However, the 4.7” screen is flanked by huge bezels and the battery is not all that impressive. Still, it is an option for anyone who likes compact phones.

A Welcome Addition

Fast forward to late 2020 and Apple added a new variant to the iPhone 12 lineup – the iPhone 12 Mini. Naturally, it had everyone buzzing. A small phone that was just as powerful as the biggest of the bunch? Yes, please. Over in the Android universe, big means powerful, stacked, expensive – small means the opposite.

First of Many?

Enter Tim Cook and Co. It was not enough that the 12 Mini is tiny, they released it alongside the biggest iPhone ever made – the 12 Pro Max. Any iPhone user who chose to forego the 12 and 12 Pro siblings has a choice to make: Max or Mini? Does it hold its own? Is it the best compact phone there is? Let’s find out, shall we?

iPhone 12 Mini

It is all in the name. This is the iPhone 12 – mini. It quite literally is the vanilla iPhone 12 shrunk down. It is very reminiscent of the iPhone 5, and if you had that phone, it is bound to trigger some nostalgia. While comparing it to the iPhone SE 2020 might seem like the logical thing to do, it goes toe to toe with its bigger siblings. There are plenty of compromises with SE, and while there are a few inevitable ones with the 12 Mini, it is otherwise only comparable in size.

Less Is More?

Whether it is size or value, there is truth to be found in that statement as regards to the 12 Mini.

Display

Coming in with a 5.4” display, it much smaller compared to the 6.1” on the 12 & 12 Pro and the 6.7” on the Pro Max. It has a bigger screen than the iPhone SE, but the modern design means it has a smaller body, making it the smaller device. It has the same brilliant OLED display as the other 2020 iPhones with a resolution of 1080×2340 and a PPI count of 476. All other features like Ceramic Shield, Dolby Vision and HDR10 are present as well.

Size & Build

The first thing you notice when you have the 12 Mini on hand is the ease of usability. Coming from a much bigger phone, you will find yourself admiring just how compact it is as you reminisce on the last time your thumb could reach all four corners of a phone. It is a different experience – but a welcome one. The size does not take anything away from the premium feel of the phone. It has the same high-quality build as the regular iPhone 12 as well as IP68 certification. It weighs 135g compared to the iPhone 12’s 164g.

Value

The base variant comes in at $729, making it the cheapest iPhone 12 variant. The base iPhone 12 starts at $829, making the difference in size worth about $100. But what if you actually like the smaller phone?

In the comparison between the iPhone 12 and 12 Pro, the vanilla iPhone 12 came out on top in terms of its value proposition. The price difference is substantial and the feature differences are somewhat minimal unless the extra camera and storage space is an absolute must. Now, the Mini upstages the 12 to a greater degree.

The two phones have the same base storage and the same number of camera lenses. The only difference is the screen size and battery capacity (and consequently battery life). Is the extra $100 worth it?

Baby iPhone Packs a Punch

Performance

Cute, but powerful. The 12 Mini has the same processor internals as the 12 Pro Max – Apple’s 5nm A14 Bionic. What else is there to be said? It breezes past tasks. The lack of a high refresh rate does nothing to dampen the speed of the 12 Mini. IOS 14’s shiny new features work well on this phone, even though the icons are much smaller than you are used to.

Camera

The 12 Mini packs the same dual-lens camera found on the iPhone 12. The main 12mp sensor takes great shots, and the inclusion of night mode on the ultrawide lens does wonders for those dramatic shots taken in low light. Its siblings like the 12 and 12 Pro Max have extra telephoto lenses and a larger sensor in the case of the Pro Max, but the Mini remains a great camera. It has support for Dolby Vision, which is a higher standard for shooting on mobile – something not found even on the most high-end Android phones as of yet. No corners were cut for the mini in the camera department.

Compromises in the 12 Mini

For such a small-sized phone, it would have been impossible to replicate what was found on the other variants. Necessary internal components like the 5G antennas take up space that would otherwise have been used to enhance other features.

Battery & Charging

The iPhone 12 Mini has a 2227 mAh battery. Before you understandable scoff at that number (looking at you Android users), there is a reason why Apple does not bother to mention the battery capacities on iPhones. Control over the hardware and software allows Apple to optimize efficiency which means that smaller battery capacity lasts for much longer than expected.

With that said, however, the 12 Mini has average battery life at best. Hardcore users will not make it to the end of the day. The charging is not great either. MagSafe tops out at 12W compared to 15W on all the other iPhone 12s. This is possibly due to thermal concerns considering it is such a small body.

Media Consumption

It’s a relatively smaller screen and media consumption take a hit. The screen is brilliant, but bigger screens offer a better experience. The notch size on the Mini is the same size as the one on the 12 Pro Max – meaning it takes up more screen real estate.

Typing

There is a learning curve when it comes to typing, especially if you’re coming from a much bigger phone. This is more of a personal compromise as opposed to a compromise on Apple’s side.

Verdict

The iPhone 12 Mini is a great phone offering great value. The compromises are understandable and the perks can genuinely not be found anywhere else. It is easily the best compact phone of the year and is bound to have a cult following in a few weeks. Whether you choose to go Max or Mini, make sure your phone lasts you a long time by getting some protection for it. Browse for great Tech Armor screen protectors right here.

What is your cut off point for phone sizes? How big do you like your devices?

Apple has come around to joining Android in making screen sizes that users would never have been fathomed years ago. Steve Jobs was an open critic of huge phone sizes but it’s fair to say that Tim Cook & Co have made it work. There is always an iPhone for everyone.

It’s Not Just The Size

While previous years releases saw identical phones with different screen sizes, 2020 has seen a shift to that approach. The inclusion of the iPhone 12 Mini will be a welcome niche addition to many who wanted a compact flagship phone. For the rest of the Apple faithful, however, choosing the iPhone of choice is bound to be a headache. See, the differentiation this year is not only the size but the quality of internals and choice of externals as well.

Similar – Yet Different

With that said, there is a lot of consistency to be found across the entire 2020 iPhone 12 lineup. Similarities in the processor, screen technology, some camera lenses, and new-ish additions like MagSafe are to be expected – and are present – but each iPhone tries to appeal to a certain user.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max

Even if you were to go by the sheer length of each device name, the biggest of the bunch is still the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Just how good is it? Is it better than the 12 Pro and the 11 Pro Max? Let’s find out, shall we?

Size and Build

The ‘Max’ in its name is not a marketing gimmick. The Pro Max is huge. It is the biggest iPhone ever made. It is both larger and (very slightly) heavier than the 11 Pro Max, so if that was not your cup of tea, this one surely isn’t. The flat-edged design, though prettier, makes it more difficult to wield. It is not a device to be used with one hand, and it is bound to dig into your hand if used without a case.

The Pro Max build screams premium. It is built to look expensive. The Gold variant has gold-coated (really shiny) stainless steel rails on the edges and a frosted back with gold ring around the three camera lenses. Other color options include Silver, Graphite, and the fan-favorite Pacific Blue which also made its way to the regular 12 Pro. The edges on the Pro Max, however, are insane fingerprint magnets. Regardless, it genuinely looks like something these luxury phone-customization companies would come up with to sell for an insane amount for those with cash to spare.

Display

On the flip-side, the bigger body means a bigger and more immersive display – a beautiful 6.7-inch OLED screen with the typical iPhone notch up top. This is the one blemish on an otherwise fantastic front side of the phone. It is still indispensable – FaceID remains as the only other option to unlock your phone apart from the traditional passcode/password. Who knows, maybe TouchID will make a return as it was included in the 2020 iPad Air. Notch aside, the bezels are much thinner than the iPhone 11, which is impressive.

Even though a high refresh rate was not included this year, it is still the best display on an iPhone and an improvement on the iPhone 11 lineup. It has a resolution of  2778×1284, putting it somewhere between FullHD and QHD. It has a PPI count of 458. The Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10-capable display also supports Dolby Vision – a first for phones. It truly is a sight to behold.

For protection, Apple added their Ceramic Shield display technology that improves its resistance up to 4 times more than normal displays.

Performance

Apple has continued its trend of churning out the most powerful mobile processors and the A14 is testament to that. Coupled with 6GB of RAM and either 128, 256, or 512GB of RAM – it flies. From benchmark scores to real-world use, the Pro Max will leave you satisfied on that front.

This year’s iPhones also come with 5G, both sub-6GHz and mmWave. As 5G coverage increases, more users will get to enjoy the faster speeds that come with the technology. Software on this year’s iPhones is optimized to be able to switch from 4G to 5G depending on the situation.

Battery and Charging

5G brings with it the battery life question – how well does the Pro Max hold up? Compared to the other iPhone 12s, the bigger body comes in handy for the Max as it packs in the largest battery of the lot. Its 3687mAh battery tops the 2815mAh on the 12 Pro but is smaller than the 3969mAh on the 11 Pro Max. The optimization on the 12 Pro is evident because even with 5G and the screen upgrade, the battery life – though shorter – is not far off that of the 11 Pro Max. It does have 20W fast charging, and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe.

Cameras

The 12 Pro Max cameras are fantastic. One of the major upgrades it has over the 12 Pro is the camera system. The main sensor is much bigger than the one in the 12 Pro, which is great for low light photography. Also great for low light situations is the LiDAR sensor, which allows for fast autofocus even in dark scenes. The result is much better low light photos.

The ultrawide camera is the same as the one in the 12 Pro but is an improvement on the 11 Pro Max with the improvement of Night Mode and software correction.

The telephoto camera is also an improvement on the 12 Pro even though the sensors are identical. The 12 Pro Max has 2.5x zoom capability with just 2x on the Pro.

As for the main camera, the Pro Max has a larger sensor than both the 12 Pro and the 11 Pro Max, with a f1.6 aperture. With the larger sensor and the small aperture, the main camera images are awesome, to say the least. Optical Image Stabilization is via sensor-shift technology, similar to what is sound in some mirror-less professional cameras. Most phones shift the lenses instead.

Is It Worth It?

The price difference between the Pro and the Pro Max is $100. Do you think it is worth the extra money? If you can handle the size, this is the phone to go for. You could always throw on a case to make gripping it easier. Screen Protectors also offer protection for your new and very shiny iPhone and help you maintain the premium look. Get yourself a Tech Armor screen protector for your iPhone 12 Pro Max.

In our ‘What to Expect’ article on the Pixel 5, we started by raising the question, “What comes to your mind when you think about the Pixel phone lineup?” Before we establish the relevance of that question to what Google unveiled as the Pixel 5, how accurate were the rumors? Interestingly, while the Pixel 5 was not as blatantly leaked as its predecessor, this year’s rumors were pretty on point – no, really on point. Over 90% of the predictions came true.

The approach Google took with the Pixel 5 is a far cry from what they had tried to achieve with earlier iterations. It seemingly dawned on them that no matter how many high-end specs they put in their line-up, they just could not compete with the elite – the true flagships. An introspective Google decided to focus on what they do best; a great camera and excellent software experience – the answer to the question referred to at the very start of this article. So, what did we get?

Pixel 5 – The Faux Flagship

A flagship, kinda. Google Soli, the technology behind the gimmicky Motion Sense feature in the Pixel 4, is nowhere to be found. Another more significant omission is the lack of a proper flagship processor. Google opted for the upper-midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor as opposed to the 865 or 865+. Other features are as follows:

Google Pixel 5 Specifications:

With the specs out of the way, let’s see just how good (or bad) the Pixel 5 actually is.

1. Design

Google has always had polarizing designs, especially over the last few years. This year, the motto for the Pixel 5 is simplicity. A far cry from the go-to 2020 smartphone design, the Pixel has a (recycled) aluminum back with a ‘bio-resin’ coating. This is to enable the inclusion of a wireless charging coil in spite of the aluminum build. The coating feels – different. Depending on whoever is wielding it, it may feel less premium than glass-back phones. On the flip-side, the smooth sandstone feels great and the grip is only rivaled by the OnePlus One.

By today’s standards, it is a small device. Users with smaller hands will certainly appreciate this. Its size makes the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner – another 2020 rarity – easy to reach every time. There is no orange color this year, with the two options being Just Black and Sorta Sage.

2. Display

The Pixel 5 has a 6-inch, 1080p OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It has Gorilla Glass 6 protection and a single camera cutout, bringing the panel design up to speed with the rest of the 2020 smartphones. The front of the Pixel 5 looks great – modern even. It has slim bezels all round. There are no bathtub notches or uneven bezels in sight. The screen is HDR-capable and supports 24-bit color rendering. It is a flat display with good color accuracy.

3. Performance

Google decisions to forego the Snapdragon 865 and opt for the 765 has paid off. Not only is the price much lower than previous Pixels, the average user is not able to tell that they are not using a flagship processor. It is a smart trade-off, making the Pixel a more compelling buy than previous years, albeit facing stiff competition from the Samsung Galaxy Fan Edition and the OnePlus 8T.

Combined with the 90Hz screen, the Pixel feels buttery smooth and flies through most tasks, only mildly faltering in the most demanding games.

As with every other year, the Pixel 5 marked the advent of Android 11. It has some Pixel-specific apps and features that speak to the optimization of Pixel phones when it comes to software.

Battery life sees a massive improvement, thanks to the 4080 mAh battery (largest on any Pixel), the Snapdragon 765, and a smaller 6-inch screen. It is the best battery life on any Pixel.

4. Cameras

The Pixel 5 has a great camera system, duh! Google has once again placed its trust in computational photography, opting to use the same camera hardware as the Pixel 2 with its ever-improving camera software. It has dual cameras, trading the Pixel 4’s 2x telephoto lens for an ultrawide. A welcome addition, but why not have a triple-lens setup? Google makes up for the lack of a telephoto with software capabilities to attain the same result. The front camera is as good as it can get. Video is great, though it still falls behind the iPhone.

A Case For the Pixel

Google did really well with the Pixel 5 and you would not be making a bad decision if you decided to get it. If/ when you do, get a Tech Armor  screen protector to make sure that it lasts as long as it will continue getting Android updates from Google. Check out the available screen protectors here.

The 2020 iPhone 12 Lineup – An iPhone For Everyone

Apple CEO Tim Cook welcomed us to Apple Park for the globally anticipated October 2020 event. It was another pre-recorded tech release, with no audience to gasp, laugh, clap, cheer, or see all the releases live—unlike the Apple events of yesteryears. Cook promised huge announcements right from the start—which in hindsight is funny because of the mini devices that would subsequently be unveiled.

Before the iPhone announcements came the HomePod Mini smart speaker—a smaller version of the HomePod for $99. There were some interesting tidbits in its description, but it was only the opening act for the real stars of the Apple show, the new iPhone 12 lineup.

As the iPhones were revealed, one thing became clear; there were a lot of similarities and shared features across the entire lineup. This makes sense as they are all essentially different variants of this year’s iPhone, but it makes choosing which version to go for all the more interesting.

iPhone 12 – Features That Cut Across

1. 5G Connectivity

This year’s iPhones all come with 5G connectivity. In true Apple fashion, 5G was announced to be coming to the iPhones quite some time after Android phones first got it, but you would think it was a novel addition to the smartphone world. Granted, Apple does not jump onto new technologies until they have perfected it, and this seems to be the case here.

Arun Mathias, VP of Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems, talked of Apple approach to 5G that differed from any other manufacturer. As pertains hardware, hardware Apple designed custom 5G antennas and radio while including the most 5g bands in a single phone to work on 5G in more places than any other smartphone.

From a software standpoint, Apple optimized iOS frameworks so that apps can get the benefit of 5g without using more power. Apple also include a smart data mode for when the iPhone doesn’t need 5g speeds. In such scenarios, it automatically uses LTE to save battery. Apple have collaborated closely with certain carriers to ensure that the iPhone has great throughput coverage, call quality, and battery life. MmWave, the high frequency version of 5G, is supported in the US.

2. Design

2020 iPhones have the beloved flat-edge design that was leaked, much to the delight of pretty much everyone. The glass and aluminum stay flush giving off the premium feel that iPhone is known for. The notch remains the same as in previous iPhones, but that was to be expected.

The iPhone 12 has slimmer bezels, allowing them to occupy a smaller footprint for similar screen sizes, and come in 5 colors right off the bat, black, white, product red, green, and blue for the non-pro models. The Pro models come in silver, graphite, gold, and pacific blue.

3. Display

The iPhone lineup has Apple’s Super Retina XDR display. This is a huge improvement from last year, with the OLED display found on all 4 iPhones being amazing in all aspects. It has a higher resolution, with Apple claiming that it has twice the number of pixels as the iPhone 11 and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content. The display supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG.

For display protection, Apple has introduced their Ceramic Shield technology that is said to make the display way tougher than any smartphone glass. Apple claimed 4 times better drop performance, though that is more likely to mean shatter-proof than scratch-resistant.

4. MagSafe

MagSafe is back, but on the iPhone. It allows you to snap attachments and the wireless charger to the back of the iPhone. It is much more reassuring than other wireless charger, because with MagSafe, you do not keep second-guessing whether you properly placed the phone on the charging pad.

There’s bound to be numerous MagSafe accessories, including a wallet showcased by Apple. We’ll have to wait and see all the innovative ways third-parties will make use of this feature.

5. Processor

The A14 Bionic was unveiled in the 2020 iPad Air. It is built on the 5nm technology, allowing it to be as powerful as it is power-efficient and is found on all 4 2020 iPhones. It bumps up CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine (Machine Learning) performance, making it the most powerful iPhone processor yet.

6. Packaging

On their journey to being completely carbon neutral, Apple chose to forego adding charging bricks and earphones in their packaging, resulting in a much slimmer box. Arguments have been made for and against the move, and Apple did not make it easier by deciding to add a USB-C to lightning cable instead of a USB-A to lightning, with most people having charging bricks that can be used with the latter.

7. Cameras

All the 2020 iPhones have the same 12MP (f/2.2) TrueDepth front-facing camera, and the same 12MP wide (f/1.6) and 12MP ultra-wide f/2.4) cameras. Having the same internals means that the camera performance on those three lenses at least should be identical across the board,

Introducing the iPhone 12 Lineup

Similarities aside, there still are 4 different phones to choose from, all coming in at different price points.

iPhone 12 Mini | $699

At 5.4 inches, the iPhone 12 mini truly lives up (down?) to its moniker. It is the smallest iPhone in the lineup by some distance, and is the smallest 5G-capable smartphone in existence. This model was made solely for those who missed small form-factor phones in a world where phone screens are getting bigger, iPhone included.

iPhone 12 | $799

The base iPhone 12 is the sweet spot for most people. It is identical to the iPhone 12 mini is every aspect except size, and its 6.1 inch screen is not as unwieldy as other sizes. At $799, it is more expensive than last year’s base iPhone 11, but there are significant improvement that more than justify the bump up in price. Now more than ever, the base iPhone seemingly offers more value than the Pro models, but that will be down to personal preference.

iPhone 12 Pro | $999

Apart from the extra telephoto camera, the bigger 128GB base storage, and the different color options, there is not much to separate the base iPhone 12 from the 12 Pro. With a $200 difference between the two models, the Pro is definitely less appealing to the buyer.

iPhone 12 Pro Max | $1,099

It is the biggest iPhone ever at 6.7 inches. Like the Pro, it has an extra 12MP telephoto camera, except that the Pro Max’s is (f/2.2) as compared to the Pro’s (f/2.0). This enables it to have 2.5x optical, 12x digital zoom, besting the Pro’s 2x optical, 10x digital. Like the pro, storage options start at 128GB and top out at 512GB.

Making A Case for an iPhone Case

You have a tough choice on your hands – which iPhone to go for? One thing is for sure though, you will love whichever one you pick. What’s more is that your iPhone 12 will love you back for whichever TechArmor case you pick! Get one here.

Will there be an iPhone 12 announcement today?

As we wait to see if Apple announces the new iPhones today feel free to read up on all our other posts about the iPhone 12 rumors and what to expect…

June 15th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone12-rumors

July 27th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone12-rumors-2

August 17th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone-12-what-to-expect

Also another great post of our assessment of Apple vs Samsung was posted in early July 2020.  This is a longer read but very insightful.

https://techarmor.com/blog/apple-vs-samsung

We’ll post soon on the iPhone 12 updates!

Everything You Need to Know About 2020 iPads!

The world was thrown a curveball, but the tech world has regained steam after a shaky start. The rippling effects of the situation have affected even the biggest companies – not even sparing Tim Cook and his Cupertino bandmates. While the nerdy eyes and iPhone lovers look to the fall for the impending announcement (either to slate them or praise them), you have to wonder: where’s the iPad love?

A Pro Taste – The First of Many?

The Apple faithful have already been blessed with the new 2020 iterations of the iPad Pro 11 and 12.9-inch models. Was this to qualm the anticipation or whet our collective appetite? Who knows! Announced back in March, the 2020 iterations brought improvements on the 2018 models as opposed to overhauls. But that’s just the Pro, right? What about the standard iPad? The Mini? The Air??

First of the Bunch – 2020 iPad Pros

The 2020 iPad Pros doubled down on making them as close to a laptop replacement as they could be. They retained the 120Hz ProMotion display which iPhone users are crossing their fingers (and toes) for this fall. They are premium in both build and eye-watering prices. Nothing short of what is expected from Apple’s high-end iPads.

Under the hood is the A12Z Bionic chipset, a beefed-up A12 Bionic that was included in the 2018 iPhone range. Apple’s blazing fast processor does nothing to tarnish its great reputation here. A lot of things look and feel similar, with noticeable improvement. What’s new, however, is the camera.

Li-What? – Augmented Reality

The new camera unit now sports an ultra-wide lens, as well as a LiDAR scanner. A compressed word standing for Light Detection and Ranging, LiDAR uses light pulses to map objects and rooms by calculating the time taken for the pulses to bounce back. Cool, but why? AR. That’s why.

According to Apple, ‘… The LiDAR Scanner, along with pro cameras, motion sensors, pro performance, pro audio, the stunning Liquid Retina display and powerful apps, extends the lead of iPad Pro as the world’s best device for augmented reality (AR).’

So Apple went ahead and put a great camera and a SpaceX-worthy depth sensor on an iPad. You don’t want to be that guy who takes pictures on an iPad – who does that? This though, this is tipping the scale.

All About the Accessories

A huge selling point of the 2020 iPads is the accessories; the Magic Keyboard in Particular. Sold by Apple, it is a backlit keyboard that doubles as the iPad Pro’s case. It has a pass-through USB-C port and attaches to the iPad via magnets. It has a 130° hinge which makes the iPad float. Oh, and it has a trackpad!

All this is partly thanks to iPadOS 13.4 with its mouse and trackpad support. This fall is supposed to see the release of iPadOS 14, which Apple teased in its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). iPadOS 14 is said to support all iPad models starting with the iPad Air 2.

Split Opinions – Bendgate 2.0

Zack from JerryRigEverything – Judge Dredd for phones and iPads – did manage to snap the 2020 iPad Pro in half, just like the 2018 model. This just shows that not a lot has changed in terms of build and design. It is all in the name of science though, whatever your opinion about breaking iPads may be.

See the summarized 2020 iPad Pro specs below:

Rumor-Ville – Upcoming iPads

There is a whole lot of speculation about what’s coming this fall. The standard 2020 iPad is certainly causing the most buzz, but so are the iPad Mini 6 and the iPad Air 4.

Word on the virtual street is that the iPad Mini 6 will at the very earliest see a 2021 release. Bummer. As for the iPad Air 4:

• Apple will ditch the lightning port for the more standard USB-C, as per MacOtakara.
• Will have a larger display and slimmer bezels like with the 2020 iPad Pros
• Could have a 10.8-Inch screen and will arrive in this half of 2020, as per Ming-Chi-Kuo.
• Could use Mini-LED technology with no notch or FaceID. It will instead have in-screen TouchID
• Could launch in October alongside the iPhones, as per Jon Prosser.
• Could be called the iPad Air 2020, going with the iPhone SE naming scheme.

All Aboard the Hype Train!

For the standard iPad, specific news has been a bit scanty. Most rumors do not refer to the iPad specifically, and most specs sound similar to those of the rumored iPad Air 4. Same device? Are we getting one or both? Whatever the case, stay tuned for more iPad rumors!

Finally, show your iPads and other devices some love. Check out some of our screen protectors!

After a few weeks of everyone working from home we decided to break the monotony and challenge everyone to the Getty Museum Challenge of recreating a famous work of art with only items around your house.  The simple rules are as follows:

1. Choose a painting/sculpture/work of art.

2. Use only things around your house (no buying anything) as props.

3. Recreate the art using these props.

The rules were strictly (kind of) adhered to and below are a few of the recreations the team came up with.  We were pleasantly surprised and I think there were some awesome submissions.  Take a look for yourself and feel free to reach out to shout out to us on Facebook, IG or Twitter if you also take on the challenge!

We hope you’re staying safe and healthy wherever you.

So, here we are! After a year of intense rumors, supply chain chatter, mockups, and renders, Apple has unveiled the long-awaited 2019 iPhone lineup: iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, and iPhone 11 to the public. 

If you missed the event, no worries, we’ve got you covered.
Here is a quick run-down on the new features, the tech specs, and importantly what it’s going to cost you out of the gates!

At the very core of this update is the integration of Apple’s brand new processor, the 123 Bionic, which Apple claims, is the fastest CPU and GPU we have yet to see in any other smartphone, ever.

Powered by 7-nanometer architecture, it packs 8.5 billion transistors into the package, a massive upgrade compared to the A12 Bionic, which has 6.9 billion transistors. THAT is a whole lot of processing power! 

The A13 bionic features four high-efficiency cores which are 20 percent faster and consume 40 percent less battery power than the previous generation, and two high-performance cores, which are 20 percent fast and 30 percent more efficient than the A12 Bionic.

The GPU is also 20 percent faster and 40 percent more efficient, while the neural engine come equipped with eight cores, is 20 percent faster and consumes 15 percent less power.

PHONE 11 PRO AND IPHONE 11 PRO MAX:SPECS AND FEATURES

• • New finishes: Space grey,silver,gold,and midnight green
  • 5.8- and 6.5-inch Super Retina XDR display, highest pixel density of any display Apple makes
  • A13 Bionic processor with new Machine Learning Controller and low-power design (most efficient 7m, architecture, 8.5 billion transistors)
  • All-day battery life (4 hours more battery life than the the iPhone XS)
  • Fast-charge 18W adapter included
  • 12-megapixel wide camera (26-mm,f1.8,6-element)
  • 12-megapixel telephoto (52-mm,f2.0,6-element)
  • 4K 60fps extended dynamic range video
  • 12-megapixel front-facing TrueDepth camera with 4K video support and slo-mo selfies (slofies)

IPHONE 11 PRO AND IPHONE 11 PRO MAX:PRICE

The iPhone 11 Pto starts at $999 USD, while the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts at $1,099 USD

IPHONE 11:SPECS AND FEATURES

• • 6.1-inch LED Retina display
  • Anodized aluminum 
  • Six new colors
  • Dolby Atmos
  • 12-megapixel wide camera (26-mm, f1.8, 6-element)
  • 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera (13-mm, f2.4, 5-element, 120-degree view)
  • Updated image signal processing
  • Next-generation smart HDR
  • Portrait Lighting with Light Control
  • Night mode for low-light photography
  • 4k video at 60fps
  • 12-megapixel front-facing TrueDepth camera with 4K video support and slo-mo selfies (slofies)
  • A13 Bionic processor (fastest CPU and GPU in a smartphone)
  • All-day battery life (1 hour more battery life than the iPhone XR)

IPHONE 11:PRICES

Pricing for the iPhone 11 starts at $699 USD.

For all things Apple and iPhone 11 related as they transpired following the Apple Special Launch Event today, check out this Apple iPhone resource page on The Next Web 

We’ll continue forward all month with more coverage of this exciting for Apple’s new iPhone. Stay tuned for further coverage and don’t forget to share your initial thoughts on what you thought of what Apple presented yesterday. We would love to hear from you!

Thanks for reading.

With the iPhone XS,  iPhone XS, and iPhone XR now halfway through their estimated life spans, rumors about the upcoming iPhone have swirling as We are now literally counting down the house to Apple’s big launch event draws ever near. Apple’s iPhone 11 could include a variety of upgrades ranging from a new design to a triple-lens camera and other enhanced features. Here is everything we might expect about the devices so far. With Apple’s launch event going down just in the next few hours, we’re all pretty excited how any of these rumors might turn out to be absolute realities.

New Year,  New Model

In 2019, sequels to the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR are thought to be highly likely, and most leaked specifications and details seem to relate to these models. In a recent report from 9to5Mac , it is suggested that the new iPhone 11 models are known as the “D42”, which is the iPhone XS replacement, the “D43”, which replaces the iPhoneXS Max, and the N104, which is a sequel to the iPhone XR.

But with all things Apple, they may be planning an iPhone X-style surprise, that is, in that they may also launch two completely new phones this year. The unnamed iPhone devices may feature triple-lens cameras, while the other three iPhone devices will only receive internal updates. If this is the case, it may mean Apple will announce five new iPhone models for September 10th’s launch event.

Specifications

So, what is there to know about the technical specifications for the 2019 iPhone? Well the processor is surely to get an upgrade, according to an article posted on 9to5 Mac . The article notes that all three rumored models will feature a new Apple A13 chip, currently code-named Cebu. The same article also notes that a new iPhone 11 will have a Taptic Engine, which would help provide better haptic feedback in the absence of 3D Touch.

One rumor that continues to spread these days is the introduction of what is going to be called “bilateral wireless charging”, or two-way charging, which will let the iPhone wirelessly charge other devices. Huawei introduced a similar feature with the Mate 20 Pro, and Samsung followed suit for the Galaxy 10. In an investors report, an analyst, Ming-Chi Kuo said that he expects the 2019 iPhone models to support this feature, indicating it may be available across the range, rather than limited to one single model.

Camera

The camera has always been on the iPhone’s top features. So how will Apple upgrade it in 2019?  There are several reports, including one article again from 9to5Mac, linking this year’s iPhone models to a three-camera setup, and possibly a 3D sensor as well. Each camera may have 12 megapixels and be produced by Sony, with a telephoto, wide-angle, and super wide-angle configurations, according to research analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The selfie camera may also have 12 megapixels, up from 7 megapixels in the current range. According to the 9to5Mac report, the three-camera setup will enable a new feature called “Smart Frame”,

which would essentially capture the area around the framed area, allowing the user to adjust the framing even after taking the photo.

Design

What will Apple do with the iPhone design for 2019? It could look very different from the current iPhone, particularly from the back, where a new camera lens array may split opinion on the design. The unofficial renders and case leaks mostly show a large camera bump in the rear top containing several camera lenses and a flash unit. Aside from the unusual arrangement of the lenses, what stands out is that the rear panel may be made of a single piece of glass. The front of the iPhone in renders and leaks shows the screen retains the same wide notch introduced on the iPhone X.

The Apple Launch Event

We are literally counting the house. As momentum and excitement builds for the anticipation of news and launch of a new iPhone product, be sure to keep up to date by checking back here often for future blog posts. We’ll be continuing with our series of posts leading up to the launch of the new iPhone and keeping you informed of the latest iPhone news as it becomes available.

What are your predictions and hopes for the next iPhone device? Please feel free to share your thoughts.

Be sure to check out our latest screen protectors and accessories for your iPhone.

Thanks for Reading!