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Finnis Springer
Android tends to be more customisable than iOS, and in general Android phones are cheaper than iPhones, but the differences between the two are probably more negligible than ever these days and it usually just comes down to personal preference.
At least with Android the wide-ranging list of manufacturers means you have plenty of choice when it comes to handsets, with nothing to stop you switching from Samsung to Sony or OnePlus to Google almost seamlessly.
Buying a new smartphone can be a daunting process. It's a device that's used for so much more than making and receiving texts and calls; nowadays they serve as portable music and movie players, handheld gaming consoles, productivity machines and digital cameras. To make that process a tad easier for you, we've rounded up the very best handsets we've reviewed on this page.
We are, of course, most interested in how they work as portable media devices, meaning we test them much like how we test TVs. You can find a full breakdown as to how we test smartphones at the bottom of the page, but the main crux is watching movies and listening to music on them to see how they deliver on picture and sound performance.
That seems odd to us, especially when you consider just how good the iPhone 15 Pro Max is when it comes to music and movies. Admittedly the changes are subtle, but they are significant. Brightness has been boosted, which gives way to extra contrast and helps to give the picture more depth. In fact, everything about this 6.7-inch OLED is impressive, from the high level of detail to the way it handles motion.
Elsewhere the 15 Pro Max has everything you could want from a modern smartphone. The cameras are excellent, its A17 Pro processor is capable of running console-quality games, the battery can keep it going for two days before it needs charging, and its titanium chassis is lightweight but strong.
The S24 Ultra is a clear step up in both the build and features departments, even if it looks eerily similar to the S23 Ultra from yesteryear. However, the new flat display is a clear upgrade, while the Galaxy AI features are truly useful even if they're not our primary area of concern.
While it is lacking in subtlety, the S24 Ultra delivers a bright and crisp image that's very easy to enjoy, and it is aided by its large screen that helps to give a semblance of cinematic scale even on this handheld device. It also sounds decent, with support for Dolby Atmos for headphones and the built-in stereo speakers.
Bundle that with lightning-fast performance, a quality camera system and a new titanium frame, and we think Samsung is onto a winner. If the next generation of Galaxy smartphones can nail the picture and sound subtleties then Sony and Apple could be in trouble.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus: The iPhone 15 Plus takes a lot of what we like from the Pro Max and brings it down to a cheaper price point. The large OLED screen with Dolby Vision support is crisp and rich, while the sound performance is equally well-tuned. This is a stellar all-rounder if you're looking for an iOS alternative to the Sony Xperia 5 V on this list.
Picking the right smartphone that suits your needs best is harder than it sounds, and may in fact be a trickier task than picking the best TV or headphones. You use your smartphone every day, and for many of us it houses all the integral things we need to keep our day running smoothly. This is where the essentials come into play: good battery life, a design that's comfortable to hold, and a screen that's not too big and not too small.
Many of us also acquire our smartphones through a contract, most commonly these run for 24 months, so you need to plan ahead. Will the phone you choose have a powerful enough processor and enough RAM to last for two years? Which software platform do you want: Apple's iOS that's exclusive to iPhones, or Google's Android platform that's used by the likes of Samsung, Sony and OnePlus? And does the phone have enough features to keep you going for that time, such as a versatile camera or micro SD card support to expand the memory.
However, if you're after the highest quality AV performance (as we are), then that's where things become more black and white. You'll want an OLED screen for inky blacks and vibrant colours, with a 18:9 or 21:9 aspect ratio and minimal bezels, ideal for watching content uninterrupted and as the the filmmaker intended. As standard, many phones come with either a 1080p or 1440p, or in some cases a 4K display on the highest-end models. As smartphone displays are much smaller than TVs and even tablets, they are often very pixel dense, meaning that the highest resolution isn't always paramount, so don't be put off if your handset doesn't feature the highest-spec screen.
Audio is equally important, and the audio landscape on mobile phones has changed greatly in the last few years. Many now feature a stereo speaker setup that combines a loudspeaker and earpiece to create an often impressively loud and spacious sound. However what modern smartphones giveth, they must also taketh away as is the case with the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is an endangered beast on modern devices.
With all of these key factors in mind, many see it a daunting task to pick a new phone, dreading the day their contract is up. But fear not, all of the picks above are fully approved by us, which should be enough to help you make your decision.
If you can't find the app in the Google Play Store, it's possible that it doesn't exist or is currently unavailable on Android and Google TV platforms. In that case, you might resort to casting content.
Alternatively, you can use the voice search or keyboard search on the Home screen to look for apps without using the Apps tab. If the app is available, you will get a Google Play Store search result, and you'll be able to download the app immediately.
Alternatively, press the input key on your remote (). You can add apps to your input menu by moving to the right and selecting them from the available list. The Google Play Store is one of those apps.
Finally, you can use the voice search or keyboard search on the Home screen to look for apps without using the Apps tab. If the app is available, you will get a Google Play Store search result, and you'll be able to download the app immediately.
Moreover, older TVs can't support new apps because of system requirements and a lack of processing power.
It's like trying to install a new app on first-generation smartphones. It requires too much of the device.
While it has its ups and downs, Netflix will always have a special place in our hearts. From its preservation of beloved movies and TV shows to its compelling original content, the streaming service is still kicking after all these years. But even polished, streamlined applications have hiccups here and there, and Netflix has its fair share of common errors. These bugs, for the most part, have simple solutions with fairly minimal required effort from the user.
Here's AP's roundup of methods for remedying the common error codes of the Netflix app, covering smart TVs, iOS devices, and the best cheap Android tablets. Read on so you can get back to watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S for the millionth time.
This error code can appear upon startup, accompanied by a message that prevents you from using the app. This is a common glitch with smart TVs that have the Netflix app installed. Try these methods if you're having trouble.
You'll encounter the message after selecting a particular title that won't play. It can result from a poor Wi-Fi signal or corrupted data that needs to be refreshed. Try one of the following options to troubleshoot.
This is a common error message, especially these days with unpredictable Netflix terms of service. Users receive this message if a payment does not go through from their account. This may be caused by the bank or financial institution not approving the transaction, the payment method no longer being valid, or the credit card information listed on the app being incorrect.
This one is unique to Apple and iOS devices. The error message appears while you're watching something, preventing you from continuing. This can be caused by a connection issue, an excess of benign corrupted data obstructing the app, or the use of an outdated version of the app. Either way, this error's countermeasures are straightforward. One of the following solutions should fix the problem.
This error can occur while using the Netflix app on Android devices, popping up at random when you watch any of the app's titles. It's caused by the device needing to refresh itself. Try out these fixes.
Errors can be a little panic-inducing, making us feel like we've done something wrong or broken the system somehow. But it's important to remember that most errors on Netflix are nobody's fault and easily fixable. Coordinating diverse programming that shifts in availability depending on the region of the user provides an amazing viewing experience, but that many moving parts are going to hit turbulence sometimes, even on Androids' most reasonable phones. Take back control of your favorite streaming service and enjoy the content you love.
Your compatible device must be connected to the Uconnect system via the USB port. If your device is streaming music via Bluetooth or if it's connected through the available auxiliary port or SD card slot, Voice Command will not be available.
Your compatible digital music player must be connected via the USB port. If your device is streaming music via Bluetooth or if it's connected through the available auxiliary port or SD card slot, Voice Command will not be available.
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