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Samsung’s latest Galaxy S24 line is the first to go all-in on AI, and the S24 Ultra, the most premium of the three, is the best Android phone today. The new Galaxy AI model embedded in the device brings a host of generative capabilities, including real-time phone call translations, the ability to circle an object on screen to perform an image-based Google search, AI-assisted photo editing and transcriptions, and even a Chat Assist feature for figuring out how to phrase a message in different tones.Like its predecessor, the S23 Ultra, the S24 Ultra is built with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display and a reliable 5,000mAh battery. Though the price has gone up to $1,299 ($100 more than the S23 Ultra), the phone’s upgrades make it well worth it: The S24 Ultra is made of a lightweight yet durable titanium frame, compared to last year’s aluminum, and features Corning’s latest Gorilla Armor. Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraThe difference in display protection means the S24 Ultra is more glare-free than ever, which ZDNET reviewer Jason Hiner suggested: “makes its screen more enjoyable to use than the iPhone 15 Pro Max and other flagship phones.” Reddit users seem to agree with Hiner, including one who said he believes “the anti-reflective glass really makes a difference.”Under the hood, the S24 Ultra includes an upgraded Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset for improved graphics and AI features, 12GB RAM (an increase from last year’s 8GB), and 2,600 nits of brightness — a big improvement over last year’s 1,750. As for the new camera system, the big upgrade comes in the form of a 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. As Hiner discovered, the results were sharper and less noisy images and an overall camera system that could pull in more light than ever before.Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Display size: 6.8 inches | Storage options: Up to 1TB | Rear cameras: 200MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 50MP telephoto (5x), 10MP telephoto (3x) | Front camera: 12MP | Battery: 5,000mAh More

The S95D sits at the top of the company’s OLED line of TVs, and not only will you get signature OLED picture quality, you’ll also be able to push your TV’s refresh rate as high as 144Hz for smoother action during fast-paced scenes in movies, shows, and video games. You’ll also get high-quality audio with support for both Dolby Atmos and Samsung’s Object Tracking Sound+ technology for audio that follows the on-screen action as it moves.  If you’re a gamer, you’ll find support for AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR technology to prevent screen tearing and other visual glitches, plus Samsung’s Gaming Hub that gives you access to a depth of settings.Also: Samsung’s S95D OLED is the best TV of CES 2024 and best in the world right nowZDNET’s Editor-in-Chief, Jason Hiner, went hands-on with the S95D at a Samsung event, and he praised the new anti-glare coating on the screen, which helps improve visibility in brighter rooms and under harsh lighting. He also highlighted the TV’s ability to maintain bold, bright colors even with a matte finish for an impressive picture.Samsung S95D tech specs: Screen size: 55-77 inches | Panel type: OLED | Refresh rate: Up to 144Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: OLED HDR Pro | Audio: Dolby Atmos, Object Tracking Sound+ | Voice controls: Alexa, Bixby, Hey Google  More

Kerry Wan/ZDNETThe “free phone” deal is nothing new, and if you’ve clicked into this article with a bit of skepticism, that’s normal. Such offers are almost always too good to be true, whether promoted by AT&T, T-Mobile, or Best Buy. But for the right customer, they’re the perfect opportunity to own a new phone for less than retail.The latest variation of the “free phone” comes via Boost Mobile, who’s selling the iPhone 15 More

Jack Wallen/ZDNETZDNET’s key takeawaysThe Mojawa Run Plus More

If you’ve cut the cord with your cable or satellite provider and moved exclusively to streaming, the TCL QM8 is an excellent option. It uses the Google TV platform to give you a preloaded suite of popular apps, including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Disney+, and access to thousands of other apps to turn your TV into the ultimate entertainment hub. Review: TCL QM8The 120Hz refresh rate provides smooth action for sports, high-intensity movies and shows, and gaming. The QLED panel provides bold, bright colors, sharp contrast, and fine details that make everything from the latest blockbusters to 20-year-old cartoons like Teen Titans look their best. With Dolby Vision support, you’ll get enhanced detailing and contrast with upscaled, sub-4K media.I got to do some hands-on testing with the TCL QM8, and the screen looks just as good in person as it does in photos. Colors pop in shows, movies, and games, and both music and dialogue sound clean, crisp, and clear, even at higher volumes.TCL QM8 tech specs: Screen size: 75 inches | Panel type: QLED | Refresh rate: 120Hz | Resolution: 4K | HDR: Dolby Vision | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Voice controls: Alexa, Hey Google More

The 2020 Galaxy Z Fold 2 set the bar for foldable devices that also serve as mini-tablets. The Z Fold 3 improved on that phone with two of the most highly requested features from Fold users (S Pen support and IPX8 water resistance), while the Z Fold 4 improved the rear cameras and form factor of the phone, and the Z Fold 5 upgraded the processor. The Z Fold 6, unveiled at Samsung Unpacked in July, brings the most polished version yet, with flatter edges, a wider internal display, and a lighter weight than its predecessor. It’s also more durable, with a new Dual Rail Hinge design with improved shock distribution, a folding edge for enhanced resistance to pressure and sharp objects, enhanced armor aluminum for scratch resistance, and, for the first time, an IP rating for dust resistance, scoring at IP48.Review: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6One of the biggest upgrades in the Z Fold 6 is the new Galaxy AI features, including Circle to Search, Note Assist, Interpreter (live translations and transcriptions), PDF overlay (transcribe and overlay copy on a PDF), Sketch to Image (apply generative AI on top of images), and more. These hybrid AI tools — meaning they run on-device and on the cloud — are powered by a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 12GB of RAM.While the cameras on the Z Fold 6 are the same as the Z Fold 5, you will find new AI image processing and editing tools. The Z Fold 6 is one of the most expensive phones on the market, starting at $1,900. However, Samsung has some good trade-in deals to drop the price down.Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 tech specs: Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Main display: 7.6 inches | Cover display: 6.3 inches | RAM/Storage: 12GB RAM with 256GB/512GB/1TB internal options | Cameras: 12MP ultrawide, 50MP wide angle, 10MP 3x telephoto, 10MP cover screen, 4MP under main display | Battery: 4,400mAh  More

Get a Babbel lifetime language subscription at a big discount right now.  StackSocial Learning a new language can be daunting. But right now, you can buy a lifetime subscription to Babbel Language Learning from Stack Social that lets you choose from 14 languages and access more than 10,000 hours of online language education for just $140 […] More

Screenshot by Nina Raemont/ZDNETApple has been touting the artificial intelligence (AI) features heading to the iPhone (as well as the iPad and Mac) since its WWDC event in June. Known as Apple Intelligence, the technology promises to simplify daily tasks, integrate OpenAI’s ChatGPT, help fine-tune your writing, and improve Siri. Unfortunately, Apple users won’t get to enjoy these features when the new OS versions arrive in September.According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company plans to start rolling out Apple Intelligence to users in a software update scheduled for October. Citing “people with knowledge of the matter,” Gurman said that the new AI features will likely arrive with iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1, a few weeks after the debut of the latest OS versions.Even now, Apple is preparing developer betas of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 for launch as soon as this week, according to Gurman. This move is unusual, as the company doesn’t typically release previews of software updates until the initial version has already reached the public.Also: How iOS 18 will impact your iPhone’s battery healthA lot is riding on Apple’s entry into the AI landscape, meaning the company needs to test and get feedback from developers as early as possible, especially amid concerns over the reliability of the new features. With major players like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI firmly entrenched in the world of generative AI, Apple is in the awkward position of playing catchup. The company is counting on Apple Intelligence to prove that it can compete, and Apple users who are tired of Siri’s embarrassing flaws are waiting to see if AI will deliver much-needed improvements to the voice assistant.Apple has been busy with the usual beta versions of its upcoming operating systems. For the iPhone, the company released the public beta of iOS 18 on July 17. Following the first developer beta launched in June, the fourth iteration for developers rolled out last week.These beta versions don’t include the much-anticipated AI features — another reason Apple wants to release the developer beta of iOS 18.1 as soon as possible.Also: Every iPhone model that can be updated to Apple’s iOS 18 (and which ones can’t)The delay in the rollout of Apple Intelligence also means that the iPhone 16 won’t include the AI features when it launches, likely in mid to late September. That’s also unusual as most new iPhones incorporate the latest features.Even when iOS 18.1 lands in October, certain key AI upgrades will be missing. In a June 16 release of his Power On newsletter, Gurman said that some AI features related to Siri will arrive in 2024, but others won’t pop up until the first half of 2025.As for Siri, the updates you can expect this year include a new interface, the ability to understand you if you make a mistake, more natural conversation, and a “Type to Siri” option that lets you type a request instead of speaking it.  More