Category: News

Up‑to‑date Android news, smartphone launches, software updates and industry trends, written in a clean, editorial style for informed readers.

  • Where to buy or sell Clash of Clans accounts safely

    Where to buy or sell Clash of Clans accounts safely

    The thought of skipping the grind and jumping straight into advanced gameplay in Clash of Clans is undeniable. Whether you’re looking to sell an account you’ve outgrown or purchase one already developed, you’re entering a marketplace in a gray area. This guide walks you through the realities of CoC account trading, offering practical advice on minimizing risks while navigating the ecosystem.

    The Official Stance vs. Reality

    Let’s address the elephant in the room: According to the Clash of Clans terms, buying or selling Clash of Clans accounts isn’t allowed, and if detected, your account could face a permanent ban. However, account trading happens constantly, and the market for high-level Clash of Clans accounts remains active, particularly among players unwilling to invest months or years to reach advanced Town Hall levels.

    Trusted Marketplaces for Account Trading

    Choosing the right platform can make all the difference if you’re venturing into this territory, and several marketplaces have great reputations for facilitating safer transactions:

    igitems

    unnamed

    igitems stands out with its low commission fees and trusty escrow payment system, which holds funds until both parties confirm the transaction is complete. The platform connects sellers with verified Clash of Clans buyers while offering built-in safety features that protect both parties through their trading protections, making igitems our number one pick.

    ZeusX

    unnamed 1

    ZeusX requires sellers to verify their IDs before listing accounts, creating an additional security layer against fraud. They allow players to set their prices, creating a more dynamic marketplace. Their security systems are designed to protect against account recovery scams, a common issue in gaming account transactions.

    U7BUY

    unnamed 2

    This platform advertises a limited-time promotion with no transaction fees for sellers (normally 5%), U7 supports various payment methods, including Payoneer, PayPal, Bank Transfer, and cryptocurrencies, making it accessible to global users.

    Traditional Options

    unnamed 3

    Platforms like eBay and PlayerAuctions also maintain solid reputations in the gaming marketplace ecosystem. These sites typically offer various payment methods and have established processes for account verification.

    Valuing a Clash of Clans Account

    clash of clans

    Understanding an account’s worth requires looking at several key factors:

    • Town Hall level: The single most important value factor
    • Hero levels: Maxed heroes significantly increase value
    • Troop and spell upgrades: Fully upgraded armies command premium prices
    • Defensive structures: Maxed defenses add substantial value
    • Special items and achievements: Limited edition items and rare accomplishments boost worth
    • Account history: Clean accounts with no previous bans sell better

    The best approach to pricing involves checking similar listings on marketplaces to understand current market rates. Accounts with clean histories linked to Supercell ID typically sell faster and command higher prices.

    Minimizing Ban Risks: The Smart Approach

    unnamed 5

    While no method guarantees safety from the Clash of Clans detection system, these practices can reduce risks:

    For Sellers:

    1. Never mention the sale in-game.
    2. Transfer via Supercell ID: Change the registered email to one the buyer controls
    3. Advise waiting period: Recommend that the buyer wait at least 12 hours before logging in, especially if their location differs significantly from yours.
    4. Remove personal identifiers: Disconnect any personal information from the account

    For Buyers:

    1. Use platforms like igitems with escrow systems to prevent payment fraud
    2. Keep all communications on the trading platform to maintain evidence if disputes arise
    3. Verify account details thoroughly before finalizing payment
    4. Change all recovery information immediately after gaining access
    5. Wait before playing to avoid triggering location-based security alerts

    The Final Verdict

    Can you build your Clash of Clans experience with a new account? Only you can answer that question, but now you can at least make that decision with a clear understanding of the landscape. Have you had experiences buying or selling gaming accounts? What precautions worked best for you? Share your insights and continue the conversation.

  • Will next Galaxy smartphone costs more after US tariffs?

    Will next Galaxy smartphone costs more after US tariffs?

    So far, this month has been somewhat turbulent for the tech sector. In addition to a standard 10% tariff on all nations, US President Donald Trump placed sweeping tariffs on the majority of significant production hubs. Samsung may have to drastically increase the cost of its Galaxy phones and other items in the US as a result of this.

    With his announcement of tariff exclusions for important consumer electronics products including laptops, smartphones, memory products, and more, the president seems to have changed his mind before the weekend.

    sansung galaxy costs

    For the moment, Samsung is not compelled to increase pricing.

    Samsung phones are manufactured in Vietnam and shipped to the US. Samsung would have to pay a 46% surcharge over the import value when it brought such phones into the US because the nation was slammed with a 46% tax.

    Samsung’s alternative was to ship phones to the US via its manufacturing plants in India. Despite being high, India’s 26% tariff rate was still much lower than Vietnam’s. In any case, Samsung would have to lower its profit margins or increase consumer prices.

    In talks with the administration, a number of significant tech companies have pointed out that if the tariff structure remained the same, consumer electronics prices would increase to unaffordable levels.

    Given that the US is its largest market and that 90% of all iPhones are made in China, which has the highest tariff rate at 145%, Apple was most likely the driving force behind this. According to some estimations, this might have caused the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s price to go from $1,199 to $2,937.

    As long as the government does not alter the tariff system again, Samsung and other companies can continue operating as usual because smartphones, computers, memory chips, and other storage products are now exempt from the 10% global baseline tariff.

  • Samsung discontinues software updates 5 Galaxy phones.

    Samsung discontinues software updates 5 Galaxy phones.

    This month delivers bad news to the owners of various vintage Galaxy cellphones. The Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung’s first game-changing flagships, will no longer receive software updates going forward.

    The Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy A72, two additional game-changing Galaxy smartphones, will also no longer receive software updates. These were among the first mid-range devices to provide flagship-level features such as high refresh rate displays, dual speakers, 5G connectivity, and faster charging at a lower cost.

    galaxy s20 series e1744227734197

    Samsung has discontinued support for the Galaxy A52 5G Enterprise Edition. The normal edition, as well as the Galaxy A52 and Galaxy A52s, stopped receiving updates quite some time ago. The Galaxy A52 and A52s enterprise variants will still receive upgrades.

    In addition to the Galaxy S20, S20+, S20 Ultra, A52 5G, and A72, Samsung will no longer provide updates for the Galaxy A32. Support for the S20 series will terminate after five years, and for mid-range devices after four years.

    Samsung may provide an update that was already in the works for these devices before support ended, but if you possess one of them, you should upgrade if you want to continue receiving software updates.

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  • Big update is coming tommorow for HyperOS

    Big update is coming tommorow for HyperOS

    Xiaomi supporters have waited patiently during the Qing Ming Festival vacation, but their wait will soon be over. Previously, the tech titan declared that it would halt update releases due to Chinese tradition. With Qing Ming concluding on Sunday, Xiaomi will resume software releases on Monday, much to the delight of Mi enthusiasts worldwide.

    The temporary delay in updates is in accordance with Chinese tradition on Qing Ming, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, which honors ancestors and fallen heroes. Many Chinese enterprises, including Xiaomi, pause operations during this important cultural holiday to allow employees to partake in traditional observances.

    xiaomi hyperos update release

    Significant updates expected early next week.

    Monday will be a thrilling day for the proprietors of Xiaomi devices. Multiple important updates are expected after Monday, including:

    • HyperOS 2.2 for the Xiaomi 15 Ultra
    • Final beta releases of HyperOS 2.2 for other devices
    • Security updates for different models in the series

    These releases are especially welcomed as they come after the lengthy festival break, potentially providing significant upgrades the development team had more time to polish.

    What’s Coming in HyperOS 2.2

    The forthcoming HyperOS 2.2 update will introduce a variety of upgrades on Xiaomi devices:

    • Enhanced system performance and stability
    • Improved AI features for camera and productivity
    • Refined user interface elements
    • Better battery optimization
    • New customization possibilities

    Xiaomi has always maintained an open update policy, alerting consumers of both scheduled releases and temporary holdups. It has created belief in their consumers while also being sensitive to key cultural events such as Qing Ming.

    For all users who have been waiting for these upgrades, the company recommends that devices have enough power and storage capacity when they begin rolling out on Monday.

  • One UI 7 adopts Vulkan support boosting performance like never before

    One UI 7 adopts Vulkan support boosting performance like never before

    The largest update in years is One UI 7, which is based on Android 15. Samsung has made numerous optimizations, performance enhancements, and UI changes. Vulkan system-wide integration is another feature of One UI 7 that offers numerous advantages.

    The API is now supported across the board in Samsung’s One UI 7 update for Android 15. This important connection allows more programs to default to Vulkan rendering, including UI components. Users of the Galaxy with One UI 7 can anticipate:

    • Smoother animations and transitions
    • Better gaming performance
    • More efficient battery usage
    • Potentially better visual effects with lower power consumption

    Compared to more antiquated APIs like OpenGL and DirectX, Vulkan is intended to offer more efficiency and control over GPU resources. Lower CPU overhead, improved multi-core CPU usage, more direct GPU control, and cross-platform compatibility are some of its salient characteristics.

    vulkan on mobile games

    How was the One UI 7 x Vulkan update made public?

    A perceptive A UI 7 Beta tester observed that the Galaxy S24’s graphics API varies. The system was using the new API in the initial beta version, but in the subsequent beta releases, it reverted to OpenGL.

    One of Samsung’s Beta employees arrived to verify the update after the disclosure generated discussion in the community. Vulkan is now more widely supported as a system-level graphics API for applications and user interface components with the new One UI 7.

    Yes, Android 15 (and by extension, One UI 7) has broader support for Vulkan as a system-level graphics API, and in some cases, apps and UI elements may default to Vulkan where supported.

    Samsung (US Community Moderator)

    The moderator also disclosed that during continuous testing, the graphics API fluctuates based on compatibility or stability issues. Additionally, the rendering behavior may change based on performance optimization, app compatibility, or device.

  • The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with Kryo CPU and Adreno 825 GPU was announced.

    The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with Kryo CPU and Adreno 825 GPU was announced.

    Qualcomm recently unveiled the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, their newest high-end smartphone chipset. Internally referred to as the SM8735, it is built on TSMC’s N4P 4nm production node and uses the older Kryo CPU rather than the Oryon core that is present in the top Snapdragon 8 Elite chip.

    Three Cortex-A720 cores at 3.0GHz, two at 2.8GHz, two at 2.0GHz, and one Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at up to 3.2GHz make up the CPU layer. Qualcomm claims that the new chip uses 39% less power and is 31% faster than the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 from the previous year.

    Additionally, the chip has a new Adreno 825 GPU, which Qualcomm claims will increase graphics by 49% over the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. Additionally, Snapdragon Elite Gaming capabilities including Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0 and Adreno Image Motion Engine 2.0 are included, along with support for on-device ray tracing.

    On-device AI operations are performed 44% better with the upgraded Qualcomm Hexagon NPU. Additionally, Qualcomm included an 18-bit triple image signal processor (ISP) that can record HDR video at 4K60 frames per second and accommodate up to 320MP camera sensors.

    8s Gen 4 performance

    The integrated Snapdragon X75 5G modem in the new chip can download files at up to 4.2Gbps, however it only supports sub-6GHz spectrum rather than the speedier mmWave frequency ranges. Additionally, the chip has Bluetooth 6.0 and Wi-Fi 7.

    LPDDR5X RAM, USB 3.1 Gen 2 connection, and UFS 4.0 storage are all supported by the 8s Gen 4. Additionally, it has Qualcomm’s Extended Personal Area Network (XPAN) connectivity, which is currently available on certain new wireless earbuds like the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro and uses Wi-Fi to send music.

    Later this month, the iQOO Z10 Turbo is anticipated to be the first gadget to use the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, with other Xiaomi, Oppo, Meizu, and other products to follow shortly.

    snapdragon 8s Gen 4 features

    Main Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Features

    • Our Qualcomm® AI Engine includes:
      • Qualcomm® Hexagon™ NPU
        • 2x larger shared memory for improved memory bandwidth
      • Qualcomm® Sensing Hub
      • Support for INT4 and INT8 precisions 
    • Snapdragon Elite Gaming™ Features
      • Real-time Hardware Accelerated Ray Tracing with Global Illumination for improved lighting, shadows, and reflections
      • Qualcomm Adaptive Performance Engine provides ultra-fast and super-smooth performance while providing longer gameplay sessions
      • Snapdragon Game Super Resolution 2.0 intelligently upscales low-res game scenes in up to 4K
    • Our Qualcomm Spectra™ AI ISP features:
      • Real-time Semantic Segmentation for photo/video with up to 250 layers
      • Real-time skin and sky tone correction intelligently captures natural color tones even in challenging environments
      • Night Vision 2.0 captures detailed videos in low light at 4K30 FPS
      • An always-sensing camera enables features like hand gestures, face unlock, and QR code scanning
    • Featuring our integrated AI-accelerated Snapdragon® 5G Modem-RF System
    • Qualcomm® FastConnect™ Mobile Connectivity System offers leading Wi-Fi 7 with speeds up to 5.8 Gbps and Bluetooth® 6.0 technology 
    • Supports Snapdragon Sound™ Technology Suite
      • Qualcomm® Expanded Personal Area Network Technology (XPAN) keeps earbuds and headphones connected via Wi-Fi for untethered, whole-building audio coverage
    • Snapdragon Seamless experience connects all your compatible devices so you can switch between them intuitively and quickly
  • #leak – pictures with Motorola Edge 60 Pro appeared online

    #leak – pictures with Motorola Edge 60 Pro appeared online

    Motorola will introduce the Edge 60 Fusion, the first member of the Edge 60 family, in just a few hours. While this is the first Edge 60 gadget we will receive, it will not be the last, as the Edge 60 and Edge 60 Pro are both set to arrive later this year.

    Motorola Edge 60 Pro leak images

    Today, the Edge 60 Pro was noticed in a couple of live photos that appear to have been shot during a certification procedure, probably at the FCC.

    Motorola Edge 60 Pro specs and price

    As you can see, the Edge 60 Pro includes a curved-side display as well as a fake leather back in grey/black. According to a recent leak, the Pro will also be available in purple, blue, and green. The price in the EU for 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage is €600. With 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, it is expected to cost €650.

    The phone features three cameras on the back, as you can see. A Geekbench AI test indicated that it will also have a variant with 12GB of RAM and will run Android 15 from the start. The Edge 60 Pro will be powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 SoC. According to TUV and Dekra certifications, it contains a 5,100 mAh battery and supports 68W fast wired charging.

  • Xiaomi Android 16 tracker: is your device eligible for update?

    Xiaomi Android 16 tracker: is your device eligible for update?

    Google’s recent announcement to release two Android SDK updates every year has raised many concerns among technology enthusiasts. As a result, Android 16 could be released before June 2025, far ahead of schedule. While the events of Android 15 updates continue across all devices, Xioami is preparing to take the next significant step by integrating Android 16 capabilities into their next HyperOS.

    The following is a comprehensive list of Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices that may receive an update to Android 16-based HyperOS, which is simply categorized for review.

    Xiaomi Android 16 tracker

    Current Android 16 Internal Tested Devices

    Android 16 is currently being tested on HyperOS 2. It is not known when the internal test versions will be released.

    • Xiaomi 15
    • Xiaomi 15 Pro
    • REDMI K70 Ultra
    • Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro

    Xiaomi Flagship Devices

    Currently, high-end models with great performance and features are taking center stage in Xiaomi’s update plans:

    • Xiaomi 13 Lite/Xiaomi Civi 2 (ziyi)
    • Xiaomi 13 Pro (nuwa)
    • Xiaomi 13 (fuxi)
    • Xiaomi 13 Ultra (ishtar)
    • Xiaomi 14 (houji)
    • Xiaomi 14 Pro (shennong)
    • Xiaomi 14 Ultra (aurora)
    • Xiaomi 13T Pro (corot)
    • Xiaomi 13T (aristotle)
    • Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro (liuqin)
    • Xiaomi Civi 3 (yuechu)
    • Xiaomi Pad 6 Max 14 (yudi)
    • Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 (babylon)
    • Xiaomi MIX FLIP (ruyi)
    • Xiaomi MIX FOLD 4 (goku)
    • Xiaomi 14 CIVI/Xiaomi Civi 4 Pro (chenfeng)
    • Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 (sheng)
    • Xiaomi 14T (degas)
    • Xiaomi 14T Pro (rothko)
    • Xiaomi 15 Ultra  (xuanyuan)
    • Xiaomi 15 (dada)
    • Xiaomi 15 Pro (haotian)

    Redmi Devices

    Known for good-level performance at competitive prices

    • Redmi K80 (zorn)
    • Redmi K80 Pro (miro)
    • Redmi A4 5G (warm)
    • Redmi Turbo 4 (rodin)
    • Redmi K60 Pro (socrates)
    • Redmi K60 (mondrian)
    • Redmi Note 13 Pro (garnet)
    • Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (zircon)
    • Redmi K70 Pro (manet)
    • Redmi K70E (duchamp)
    • Redmi K70 (vermeer)
    • Redmi 13R/Redmi 13C 5G (air)
    • Redmi K60 Ultra (corot)
    • Redmi Note 13 Pro 4G (emerald)
    • Redmi Turbo 3 (peridot)
    • Redmi 13 5G/Redmi Note 13R (breeze)
    • Redmi 13 (moon)
    • Redmi Pad Pro 5G (ruan)
    • Redmi Pad Pro (dizi)
    • Redmi 14R 5G (flame)
    • Redmi 14C/Redmi A3 Pro (lake)
    • Redmi Pad SE 4G (spark)
    • Redmi Pad SE 8.7 Wi-Fi (flare)
    • Redmi K70 Ultra (rothko)
    • Redmi Note 14 (beryl)
    • Redmi Note 14 Pro (malachite)
    • Redmi Note 14 Pro+ (amethyst)
    • Redmi Note 14 Pro 4G (tanzanite)
    • Redmi 14C/Redmi A3 Pro (lake)

    POCO Devices

    • POCO F7 (zorn)
    • POCO F7 Ultra (miro)
    • POCO X7 Pro (rodin)
    • POCO X7 (malachite)
    • POCO C75 5G (warm)
    • POCO F5 Pro (mondrian)
    • POCO X6 5G (garnet)
    • POCO X6 Pro (duchamp)
    • POCO F6 Pro (vermeer)
    • POCO M6 Pro 4G (emerald)
    • POCO F6 (peridot)
    • POCO M6 Plus 5G (breeze)
    • POCO M6 (moon)
    • POCO Pad (dizi)
    • POCO C75 (lake)

    What we will get along with Android 16?

    With Android 16 integrated into HyperOS, users can expect:

    • Enhanced multitasking by improving window management and application performance. Advanced AI features like improved accessibility, translation, and on-device processing.
    • Polished UI/UX with smoother animations and further personalization.
    • Better privacy and security settings to complement those updates made by Google.

    Xiaomi continues to innovate, ensuring that its devices remain competitive and feature-rich through frequent Android updates. With the release of Android 16 before mid-2024, the aforementioned Xiaomi, Redmi, and POCO devices will gain access to the latest Android SDK. More information will be released once Xiaomi begins handing out the HyperOS updates to these devices.

  • Google Pixel 9A launch date confirmed

    Google Pixel 9A launch date confirmed

    After a period of delay, silence, and technical challenges, Google has finally announced the launch date for the new Pixel 9a. The phone will go on sale on April 10 in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

    Following those nations, the Pixel 9a will be released on April 14 in Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, France, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Poland, Czechia, Romania, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, and Finland.

    Finally, on April 16, the Pixel 9a will become available in Australia, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Malaysia. The phone will ultimately be available in Japan, although there is currently no announced launch date.

    Google Pixel 9A white black pink e1743565643712

    The Pixel 9a was first unveiled earlier this month, with a starting price of $499 and no solid dates beyond a vague April availability frame. Since then, we have discovered that the firm encountered a component quality issue with the gadget, prompting it to push back the release window and review embargoes. This was done as a precaution, even though the problem appeared to affect just a limited number of units.

  • Crocodilus malware takes Android users’ crypto wallet keys

    Crocodilus malware takes Android users’ crypto wallet keys

    Using a warning to backup the key to prevent losing access, a recently identified Android malware known as Crocodilus deceives users into entering the seed phrase for the bitcoin wallet.

    Despite being a recent banking malware, Crocodilus has fully functional capabilities to remotely control, take over the device, and collect data.

    According to researchers at the fraud prevention firm ThreatFabric, the malware is disseminated by a custom dropper that gets around security measures in Android 13 and later.

    crypto

    The dropper circumvents Accessibility Service limitations and installs the virus without activating Play Protect.

    Crocodilus is unique because it uses social engineering to force victims to divulge their crypto-wallet seed phrase.

    A screen overlay alerting users to “back up their wallet key in the settings within 12 hours” or risk losing your wallet is how it accomplishes this.

    “This social engineering trick guides the victim to navigate to their seed phrase (wallet key), allowing Crocodilus to harvest the text using its Accessibility Logger,” ThreatFabric explains.

    “With this information, attackers can seize full control of the wallet and drain it completely,” the researchers say.

    Crocodilus was seen to target customers in Spain and Turkey, including bank accounts from those two nations, during its initial operations. Based on the debug messages, it seems that the infection originated in Turkey.

    Although the exact mechanism of the first infection is unknown, users are usually duped into downloading droppers by malicious websites, phony SMS or social media advertisements, and third-party app shops.

    When Crocodilus is launched, it has access to Accessibility Services, which are typically designated for helping individuals with disabilities. These services allow Crocodilus to make navigation motions, monitor for app launches, and unlock screen content.

    crocodilus malware

    Crocodilus puts a phony overlay over the legitimate app when the victim accesses a targeted banking or cryptocurrency app in order to obtain the victim’s login information.

    The bot component of the malware supports a set of 23 commands that it can execute on the device, including:

    • Enable call forwarding
    • Launch a specific application
    • Post a push notification
    • Send SMS to all contacts or a specified number
    • Get SMS messages
    • Request Device Admin privileges
    • Enable a black overlay
    • Enable/disable sound
    • Lock screen
    • Make itself the default SMS manager

    Additionally, the malware has remote access trojan (RAT) capabilities that let its operators swipe, tap, and browse the user interface, among other things.

    To collect one-time password codes used for two-factor authentication account protection, a specific RAT command is also available to snap a screenshot of the Google Authenticator application.

    To conceal the activity from the victim and give the impression that the device is locked, Crocodilus operators can mute the device and activate a black screen overlay while doing these tasks.

    Crocodilus may soon expand its activities and add more apps to its target list, even if it currently seems to be targeting only Spain and Turkey.

    It is recommended that Android users make sure Play Protect is constantly enabled on their devices and refrain from downloading APKs from sources other than Google Play.