Monday, May 31, 2021

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti, 3070 Ti are the newest graphics cards announced at Computex 2021

Computex 2021 officially kicks off with NVIDIA introducing two new graphics cards under its RTX 30-series. As various leaks and rumors predicted in the past, we now have two new high-end cards in the form of RTX 3080 Ti and the 3070 Ti.

The ‘Ti’ in the name suggests that these new GPUs are enhanced versions of the existing RTX 3080 and RTX 3070. By the looks of it, the new RTX 3080 Ti should sit between the RTX 3080 and the RTX 3090. Similarly, the RTX 3070 Ti will go on to be a new member of the series sitting between the RTX 3070 and the RTX 3080.

As per NVIDIA, the new RTX 3080 Ti is priced at $1199 and will be available starting June 3, while the RTX 3070 Ti is priced at $599 and should reach markets starting June 10.

The RTX 3080 Ti is a souped-up version of the RTX 3080 featuring 12GB GDDR6X memory with 80 Ray Tracing cores, 10,240 CUDA cores, and 320 Tensor cores. With a power draw of 350W, it is almost similar to the mighty RTX 3090 with the exception of the memory, as the RTX 3090 has 24GB.

The RTX 3070 Ti comes with the same amount of memory as the regular RTX 3070 but upgrades to GDDR6X, which means significantly better memory bandwidth. It features 6,144 CUDA cores, 48 Ray Tracing cores with 192 Tensor cores. The new RTX 3070 Ti also has a much wider bandwidth of 608GB/s compared to the 448GB/s on the RTX 3070.

It is interesting to see NVIDIA introducing even more graphics cards at a time when the chipset crisis around the world is still a huge concern. The company has been trying to get its GPUs into the hands of gamers by reducing crypto-mining abilities on its RTX 30-series models. NVIDIA also has launched dedicated GPUs for crypto-mining purposes under its CMP or Cryptocurrency Mining Processor series; however, it seems that it hasn’t helped all that much. At the moment, almost every single graphics card from the company, including the older generation GTX series, is selling at inflated prices. It is extremely likely that the newly announced GPUs will also be sold higher than the suggested pricing. For many consumers, it then makes more sense to buy a good gaming laptop instead of a GPU just because the laptops are available to purchase and at sane prices.

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Google promises it won’t build a backdoor for Chrome’s FLoC ad targeting

Google now has a near-monopoly on web browsers, search engines, and online advertising. The company’s massive reach is already resulting in an antitrust lawsuit from the United States Department of Justice, and its new Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) technology isn’t helping the situation. FLoC was intended to be a replacement for tracking cookies, which have been used for years to track people across websites. And now, Google is promising that it definitely won’t build additional tracking methods into the Chrome browser for itself.

Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoC) is a new feature being tested in Google Chrome, which allows targeted advertisements without using cross-site tracking cookies (which many browsers and ad-blockers no longer allow). FLoC looks at your browsing history and places you into an ad targeting group based on your behavior. The technology is intended to be more private than cross-site tracking cookies, because there are no longer individual profiles but only targeting groups. Even then, it has been criticized for being enabled by default and allowing other types of tracking.

It’s also possible Google could bypass FLoC entirely, and use the browser histories and other data synced to Google accounts for serving ads. This would give Google an unfair advantage over other advertising providers, but the company now promises it won’t do that. Jerry Dischler, Google’s VP for advertising, said during a virtual marketing event recently that “we’ll be using these [Privacy Sandbox] APIs for our own ads and measurement products just like everyone else, and we will not build any backdoors for ourselves.”

That might be good news for other advertising companies, but it doesn’t fix the mess FLoC has become. Publishers and advertisers are hesitant to say goodbye to cross-site tracking cookies, and nearly every other web browser that was already blocking trackers is promising to disable FLoC. Vivaldi Browser said “it does not protect privacy and it certainly is not beneficial to users,” while Brave called it “bad for Web users, bad for sites, and a bad direction for the Web in general.” Microsoft, Apple, and Mozilla are still deciding if they will bring FloC to their browsers in the future — it’s not available in Safari or Firefox right now, and Microsoft has turned it off in Edge.

Google’s promise to follow its own rules might not be convincing enough, especially when the Chrome browser that Google distributes (different from Chromium) is not open-source, so it wouldn’t be difficult to hide additional tracking behavior in the browser. Google could also change its mind at any time, especially if investors and executives are pressured to generate more advertising revenue.

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Alienware fully unveils new X-series to show what it can do

Back when Intel unveiled its latest H-series processors, Dell announced a bunch of laptops too. What might have flown under the radar at the time was the Alienware X-series, more specifically the X17. It was just a teaser, but now the wraps are being taken off.

In Dell’s blog post, it refers to the “X factor”, a quality that makes something great. It’s something that makes it stand out above the rest. With the Alienware X-series, this is where the company intends to show what it can do. As the blog post puts it, that’s where Alienware X-series “exemplifies our values of bold innovation, high performance, iconic design and premium quality.”

Rear angled view of Alienware x17

Alienware x17

The two laptops in the X-series are the Alienware x15 and x17, obviously 15- and 17-inch laptops, respectively. They’re showing up with the new Alienware design language, Legend 2.0, and that actually debuted with the latest Alienware m15. Obviously, Legend was the design language that we’ve been seeing for the past few years, and it’s been pretty iconic. These laptops are also strangely thin. The x15 is less than 16mm, and Dell is making the claim that it’s the world’s most powerful sub-16mm 15-inch gaming laptop.

Part of that is the new cooling, which is the main thing that it teased in May. Both laptops introduce a new thermal interface material called Element 31. It’s made from Encapsulated Gallium-Silicone liquid metal compound, and it sits between the CPU and thermal elements. Alienware is promising a 25% improvement over what’s available on the market.

Angled view of Alienware x15 on yellow background

Alienware x15

Thermals are super important when it comes to gaming laptops. The reason for this is because all of these PCs have the same parts, including 11th-gen Intel Core H-series CPUs and NVIDIA GeForce 30 series graphics. Whichever laptop can keep those components the coolest is the one that will get the best performance, and moreover, it’s sustained performance.

Another thing being touted with the Alienware X-series are the hexagonal vent patterns. The laptops are meant to be pretty, but they’re also meant to be functional. You get the pretty lighting, and those pretty vents also keep the machine cool.

Alienware x15 and Alienware x17 on black background

Aside from the obviously 11th-gen Intel processors and up to an RTX 3080 GPU, there are plenty of other options. There’s a Thermal Control Circuit feature that lets you set a limit to the CPU temperature, and along with that, there are Tailored Power States including full speed, performance mode, balanced mode, battery saver, and quiet mode. All of those can tweak the cooling, the fan, and so on for different levels of performance or efficiency.

The Alienware X-series also comes with an optional Cherry MX keyboard with a 3.5mm ultra-low-profile design. This is a partnership that Alienware announced a few months ago.

Limited configurations of the Alienware X-series are available today, with the x15 starting at $1,999.99 and the x17 starting at $2,099.99. Full configurations will be available on June 15.

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HP has some new AMD Ryzen-powered PCs for businesses

At COMPUTEX today, HP announced a couple of new business PCs from its Elite and Pro lineups, including the EliteDesk 805 G8 series and the ProDesk 405 G8 series. They include AMD’s Ryzen PRO 5000 desktop chips.

For the HP EliteDesk 805 G8 series, the company says that users can finely tune the fans. That way you can choose to keep the machine quiet, or you can turn up the fans for maximum performance. HP says that this is its quietest AMD business-class mini-PCs. Security is top-end too with HP Wolf Security for Business, along with Ryzen PRO processors.

HP EliteDesk 805 G8 and ProDesk 405 G8 PCs in Mini and SFF form factors

There are two HP EliteDesk 805 G8 PCs being announced, a Desktop Mini PC and a Small Form Factor PC. The Mini can be mounted behind a monitor, and in fact, HP makes a product called the Mini-in-One 24 display that’s designed to mount the product. The firm says that this is the smallest and most powerful AMD-powered ultra small form factor business PC.

Obviously, the Small Form Factor model is bigger.  It has two bays, two half-height slots, three M.2 slots, and 11 USB ports, so there are lots of expandability options here.

Next up is the ProDesk 405 G8 series, which also comes in Desktop Mini and Small Form Factor solutions, as you probably guessed from the image above. According to HP, the Small Form Factor one is the world’s most configurable AMD-powered business small form factor desktop. In case you haven’t noticed, HP likes to use “world’s most” a lot when describing its products.

Out of the four products being announced today, both the HP EliteDesk 805 G8 and HP ProDesk 405 G8 series are expected to be available in August. HP didn’t provide any pricing though, as that will all be announced as we get closer to the launch.

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Lenovo’s Smart Clock Essential has Google Assistant and only costs $30 right now

Lenovo released the Smart Clock Essential last year as a digital alarm clock with Google Assistant (and some other smart functionality) built in. The original $49 MSRP was a bit on the steep side, especially considering the more feature-packed Lenovo Smart Clock was often on sale for the same price, but now the new model is discounted to just $29.99.

The Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a digital clock, with large LED digits, a night light with three levels of brightness, a temperature indicator, and a USB Type-A port on the back for charging your phone (or anything else that can power up over USB). It also functions as a Google Assistant smart speaker, allowing you to stream music, set reminders, control smart home devices, check your calendar, and much more. Finally, the clock is a Chromecast target on your home network, so you can stream audio content from supported apps on your phone or tablet.

    Lenovo Smart Clock Essential
    This digital alarm clock doubles as a Google Assistant smart speaker. It's available on Home Depot's website for $29.99, and you can even pick it up in select physical stores.

Considering the Google Nest Mini normally costs around $49, and Amazon’s latest Echo Dot typically costs $50 (though is on sale for $35 right now), the Lenovo Smart Clock Essential is a cheaper alternative with the bonus of an always-on clock. The main drawback is that there’s no battery backup, so if you frequently deal with power cuts, it might not be as reliable as ‘dumb’ alarm clocks.

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These are the Best T-Mobile Phones available right now: Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, and more!

Researching and buying a new smartphone can be a tedious task. That’s why we’ve made a list of the best T-Mobile phones that you can pick up and buy today. T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless carrier in the United States and offers smartphones at competitive prices.

While completing this list, it was very important for us to ensure that all of the devices are compatible with T-Mobile’s network and that they can be purchased directly. 5G has also become more widely available, which is why we focused on offering devices that support it, but this of course is not yet available for some budget and cheap Android devices. The list includes some of the best overall smartphones on the market today and some of the most premium Android flagships. We also have a list of the best Verizon phones and the best AT&T devices, in case you’re interested in those. And now we’re out t complete the list of Best T-Mobile phones right now!

Navigate this guide:

Best Phone Overall: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has everything you need – and probably even more than you require. The Galaxy S21 Ultra has a premium build quality and a unique design. It even supports the S Pen which is a first for a non-Note Samsung flagship. It has the latest and most powerful Snapdragon 888 SoC, 12 or 16GB of RAM, a massive 6.8-inch display with support for a 120hz high refresh rate, a massive 5000 mAh battery with 25W fast wired charging, and much more. The camera is also one of the best we’ve seen on a smartphone today and it takes some of the best pictures both day and night.

If you are looking for the ultimate and most premium Android flagship device in 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the one that does it all. It not only has all of the specifications, but it also has all of the features that you can expect from Samsung.

    Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
    The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the flagship that does it all. It has a flagship SoC, excellent display, premium build quality, and one of the most diverse and amazing camera setups. It’s the ultimate premium flagship on the market today that does it all.

Runner-Up: Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max

Apple is often overlooked by a lot of people because of its hefty price tag and its fanbase, but the truth is that it’s very capable and one of the best devices on the market today. It’s a premium smartphone with a large 6.7-inch display, an excellent triple rear camera with a LiDAR sensor and it’s powered by Apple’s own A14 SoC. It’s excellent for multitasking and just about everything you can think about doing on a smartphone.

If you are in the Apple ecosystem, want to try out a device from the other side, or just want to try something new, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is one of the most premium devices that you can pick up today. The current generation of iPhones is also the first set of devices from Apple to support 5G, if that’s something you’re interested in.

    Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
    If you want the latest and the greatest from the other side, the iPhone 12 Pro Max offers all of the power, camera, excellent build quality and beautiful display in a very premium package.

Best Value: Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G

Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G

Picking the best value device wasn’t an easy task. There are too many great devices out there that ace this category, but I eventually settled on the Galaxy S21 Plus. It’s a very popular smartphone and it provides one of the best value. Its 6.7-inch display, Snapdragon 888 SoC, 8GB of RAM, and 4800mAh battery are true flagship quality and a real powerhouse.

The camera on the Galaxy S21 Plus is also one of the best and includes sensors for all of the things you may need it for. It has a 12MP wide sensor for taking normal images, 64MP telephoto with 3x hybrid zoom when you need a closer look, and a 12MP ultrawide with a 120˚ when you want to capture the whole scene.

    Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G
    If you are looking for the best value at a reasonable price, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus is the one for the majority of people looking for a reliable device with all of the flagship features.

Runner-Up: Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

For the runner-up, I was debating whether to pick the Galaxy S20 FE or the OnePlus 9, but I ended up with the S20 FE. The reason for picking Samsung comes down to the camera and better software support. While the OnePlus 9 does have a more powerful chipset, the rest of the specifications are very similar between the two devices. OnePlus has proved itself to make great devices, but recently they have started lacking in areas where they stood out previously – such as timely OS updates and security patches.

The Galaxy S20 FE is an affordable mid-range device with some of last year’s high-end specifications. It has a large 6.5-inch display, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 865 SoC with 6/8GB of RAM and it even has a MicroSD card slot. The rear camera setup is more than capable and it has proved to be near flagship level and the battery performance is also outstanding.

    Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G
    The Galaxy S20 FE might not have all of the latest specifications, but it does hold up well and it has a beautiful display, a still very powerful chipset, flagship features and an amazing camera at an affordable price tag.

Best Budget: Google Pixel 4a 5G

Google Pixel 4a 5G

If you have a tight budget but still want a powerful device with the best camera on the market, the Pixel 4a 5G is the one you should consider. If you don’t care much about the high refresh rate display, the 4a 5G is actually a really great pick. It has most of the same features as the Google Pixel 5, except wireless charging, more premium build quality, and the display. Overall, the Pixel 4a 5G is just a cheaper and more affordable Pixel 5 with very little sacrifices, depending on what type of user you are.

If you have a tight budget but still want a flagship experience with one of the best cameras on the market and excellent performance, this might just be the best device for you. It’s more than capable to play games and allow you to complete all of your tasks.

    Google Pixel 4a 5G
    The Pixel 4a 5G has one of the best cameras on the market, and the fact that it’s available at a very affordable device is enough to convince most people. It’s not a powerhouse by any means, but that shouldn't be expected at this price range.

Best Cheap Android Phone: OnePlus N100

OnePlus Nord N100 render

The OnePlus N100 may not be a powerhouse, but its Snapdragon 460 SoC can keep up with the tasks and get the job done. It has a large 6.52-inch display and it even supports 90Hz which isn’t something that you see on devices at this price range. It has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage as well as a MicroSD card slot. The 5000 mAh battery also supports 18W fast wired charging, so topping it up also should be pretty straightforward.

    OnePlus N100
    The OnePlus N100 gets all of the basics right and offers it at an impressively low price.

Best Compact: Apple iPhone SE (2020)

Apple new iPhone SE 2 2020

While I was considering giving the best compact title to the Samsung Galaxy S21, I thought the iPhone 12 and iPhone SE came the closest to actually offering the most compact size that is manageable and easily usable for most people – often with one hand. While the hardware itself may not look as premium and great looking today next to some bezel-less devices, it is still a very great pick today thanks to Apple’s great software support and features.

    Apple iPhone SE
    The SE was launched last year with a lot of iPhone 11 hardware components. It had a bright and colorful 4.7-inch display, a powerful Apple A13 Bionic SoC, a decent camera, and wireless charging. All of this in a very compact and affordable package that holds up well today and will likely continue holding up well in the next 2-4 years.

Runner-Up: Apple iPhone 12 mini

Apple iPhone 12 Mini

Unfortunately, there really aren’t any true flagship compact devices out there by Android manufacturers, and there hasn’t been for a few years now. If you want the most compact and most flagship-like device, the Apple iPhone 12 mini is the one that gets it right.

It has a 5.4-inch display, 4GB of RAM, and the iPhone 12 series camera. It takes beautiful photos without any sacrifices, unlike its smaller sibling, the iPhone SE, which lacks certain camera features such as Night mode. Perhaps the only main downside of picking the iPhone 12 mini is the battery performance. Due to its small form factor, Apple was only able to place a 2,227 mAh battery inside, and while it can comfortably last for a whole day with normal use, it will certainly need to be topped up if you play games or do some more intensive tasks.

    Apple iPhone 12 mini
    The iPhone 12 mini is the most compact and most powerful flagship device in its category.

Best Foldable Phone: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 review

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 may not have the catchiest name, but it sure has the looks that will catch everyone’s attention. It’s Samsung’s second foldable smartphone and it has significant improvements over its predecessor such as better display(s), hinge, more powerful hardware, camera, and much more. Samsung fixed most of the issues, but some remain that will likely take a few years to get fixed such as the crease where the inside display folds in half.

It’s not a perfect device by any means, but it’s an excellent representation of what’s possible today and opens up a whole new range of possibilities of what may come in the near future. If you have always wanted a very portable tablet in your pocket, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is one of the best foldable smartphones that are available today.

    Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
    The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the second generation of foldable smartphones from Samsung and it has significant upgrades over its predecessor. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 offers everything a foldable should have today in a premium package.

Best for multi-tasking: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra with the S Pen

The Note 20 Ultra has an S-Pen included with the device

Although the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has the last generation of flagship Snapdragon 865 SoC, it’s still one of the best multitasking devices that you can pick up today. Unlike the S21 Ultra, the Note actually has a built-in S-Pen stylus and has all of the flagship specifications that you would expect.

While the S21 Ultra is better by all means, the Note 20 Ultra often sees a lot of discounts due to it being slightly older, which makes it even more appealing. I won’t bore you by listing all of the specifications, but it has an excellent display, overall great battery life, perfect cameras, loads of storage and all of the features that you expect from a Samsung Galaxy Note flagship.

    Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
    The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the ultimate device for all the power users. It has a beautiful large display, a powerful chipset and just about all of the features that you need on-the-go.

This concludes our list of the best T-Mobile phones in May 2021. There are a lot of devices on the list and we understand it may be hard to pick the best one, though the Galaxy S21 Ultra is going to be an easy pick for Android users on T-Mobile. Make sure to read through the whole list and read some of our reviews to get an even deeper understanding of how some of these devices work and function on a day-to-day basis.

What do you think about our picks? Let us know in the comments down below.

The post These are the Best T-Mobile Phones available right now: Samsung, Apple, OnePlus, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.

Leak: Motorola’s upcoming stylus-equipped phone will offer plenty of storage and 5G support

If you’re in the market for an Android phone with stylus support, your options are very limited. If money isn’t a constraint, you can pick up the latest Galaxy S21 Ultra with an S-Pen or a Galaxy Note 20 Ultra from the last year. On the other hand, if you’re looking for something more affordable, you can always turn to Motorola’s Moto G Stylus, which not comes with a stylus built-in, but also offers a solid hardware package and clean software. Earlier this year, Motorola refreshed the series with the Moto G Stylus 2021, and now the company is gearing up to launch a 5G variant of the same.

Reports about a 5G variant of the Moto G Stylus have been making rounds for a while now. Today, tipster Nils Ahrensmeier has shared more info about the device, including leaked renders showcasing the overall design. As per Nils, the Moto G Stylus 5G will be a US-only release and come equipped with 256GB of onboard storage. In terms of design, the Moto G Stylus takes a cue from the recently launched Moto G100 flagship. On the back, it features a quad-camera setup inside a square module along with a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner nestled into the Moto wing logo. At the bottom, we can see a speaker grille, a USB Type C port, a 3.5mm jack port, and a cavity to hold the stylus.

Moto G Stylus 5G leaked renders showing front, back, bottom and top

In terms of specification, rumors have it the Moto G Stylus 5G will be powered by the 5G-enabled Snapdragon 480 chipset. For reference, the standard Moto G Stylus uses the Snapdragon 678 SoC. Other rumored hardware of the Moto G Stylus 5G includes a 6.8-inch 60Hz FHD+ display, a quad-camera set up headlined by a 48MP primary shooter, and a 5,000mAh battery.

Motorola hasn’t yet officially confirmed anything about the Moto G Stylus 5G, so we’ll have to wait and see if these leaks and rumors indeed turn out to be true.

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These are the Best Android Launchers: Nova, Lawnchair, Niagara, and more!

Android is one of the most customizable OS’s considering all the various limitations imposed on its mobile counterpart, iOS. You don’t need to root your Android device or flash a custom recovery and ROM to spice up your home screen. If you’re majorly concerned about the pre-installed custom UI’s homescreen layout from your device maker and wish to change its look, all you need is to download one of the best Android launchers.

Android launchers provide an easy way for you to change the look of your Android smartphones in a cinch – avoiding all the technical side of things. Need something near to stock Android? There’s a launcher for it. Something minimal? Very customizable? There’s an Android launcher for that. If you’ve just grabbed a new device and want to add more aesthetics to your device or are just bored with your current homescreen, you can pick one of these Android launchers. Even if you have one of the best Android phones out there, there’s always a chance to soup things up without much overhead.

For new smartphone owners, be sure to check out our comprehensive list of the best Android apps, which includes apps in various categories from social media, music, to dating, to podcasting apps.

Here is our list of the best Android launchers that you can install today to change your device’s homescreen layout in just seconds!

Nova Launcher

Nova launcher's app drawer Nova launcher simple home screen Nova launcher customization options

Nova has become synonymous with the best Android launchers for quite some time. It’s heavily customizable, letting you change different things from app icon style, icon size, app drawer, and much more. Add in support for icon and theme packs, and you open up a whole new world of customization possibilities. Nova is light and fast as well despite its wide array of customization options.

The premium version gives you even more ways to customize the launcher to your preferred look and feel. It’s also one of the most supported Android launchers, with new versions coming out fast, and there’s a vibrant customization community. Also, you can back up your customization settings for an easy restoration when you switch phones or reset your Android device.

Nova Launcher (Free, Google Play) →

Lawnchair 2

Lawnchair 2 home screen UI Lawnchair 2 app drawer and recent app section Lawnchair 2 customization options

If you fancy minimal Android launchers, you should go for Lawnchair 2. The UI is clean and sleek much like Google’s Pixel launcher. Lawnchair 2 features icon pack support, which allows you to use other custom icon packs of your choosing.

It also supports adaptive icons, adjustable icon sizes, and, most importantly, is an easy Android launcher to customize. Lawnchair 2 is entirely free and is a go-to app if you’re looking for a Pixel launcher-like UI but with customization options for the homescreen.

Lawnchair 2 (Free, Google Play) →

Niagara Launcher

Niagara launcher home screen UI Niagara launcher sleek animations Niagara launcher customization options

Niagara is a new launcher, but its novel approach has made it climb the ranks to become one of the best Android launchers. Niagara sports a modern minimal UI, sleek animations and is very clean. You choose your favorite apps that will reside on the homescreen and navigate to any other hidden app by tapping the vertical alphabet-style navigation menu. Notifications from your favorite apps are integrated into the launcher allowing you to reply without opening an app.

Niagara is customizable, but your options are limited given its minimalistic nature. It supports widgets, embedded notifications, gestures, and a couple of options to customize the look and feel of the launcher. Most extras like calendar and weather widgets, advanced customization options, pop-up widgets are locked away behind a paywall. To balance it out, Niagara is totally ad-free.

Niagara Launcher 🔹 fresh & clean (Free+, Google Play) →

AIO Launcher

AIO launcher home screen layout AIO launcher information-packed sections AIO launcher minimal app list

AIO Launcher does things differently than typical Android launchers. Most notably, instead of a standard homescreen, it features an information-packed layout in one screen. It includes several categories covering everything from your frequent apps, notifications, dialer, mailbox, a control panel, and other helpful information. All your apps are just a swipe away – you can swipe forward or back.

You tap the button to launch an app. Atop the list is a system information section. A search button resides on the bottom left, with which you can search other apps, contacts, and even information on the internet. Holding the search button opens settings, and swiping it will open the quick launch menu. The premium version unlocks Android widget support, themes and UI tuner, icon packs, custom font size, to name a few.

AIO Launcher (Free+, Google Play) →

Microsoft Launcher

Microsoft launcher home screen layout Microsoft launcher smart card Microsoft launcher customization options

This launcher is majorly focused on productivity which makes it a commoner in the list of best Android launchers. Swipe left, and you find a smart card composed of several sections, including tasks, sticky notes, a calendar, frequently used apps, screen time usage, and recent activities.

The smart card can be a handy way to keep up with your latest tasks if you’re into the Microsoft ecosystem. You can also modify to add or remove widgets. Customization is also available on the launcher, with options to customize your homescreen, gestures, app drawer, icon shape, visibility of the status bar, to name a few.

Microsoft Launcher (Free, Google Play) →

Smart Launcher

Smart launcher home screen UI Smart launcher smart search tool in action Smart launcher customization

Smart Launcher sports a sorted app folder that categorizes all your apps into six major categories, communication, internet, games, media, utilities, and settings. This categorization, plus the available search button atop every section, makes it easy to search for apps.

It also has a so-called smart search bar at the bottom of the homescreen that offers a one-stop-shop to search your contacts, apps, the web, and even Google Play apps. Smart Launcher provides several customization options from font styles, themes, icon appearance, colors, and more.

The premium version includes the ability to customize app categories, an ultra-immersive mode, multiple home page widgets, custom icon sorting, and pop-up widgets.

Smart Launcher 5 (Free+, Google Play) →

Poco Launcher

Poco launcher home screen layout Poco launcher app drawer layout Poco launcher setting options

Poco Launcher from Xiaomi includes a slightly customizable homescreen. The launcher thrives for its effortless yet familiar UI. It consists of an app drawer that’s just a swipe away, and you can easily find apps by swiping through the different categories. Poco Launcher allows you to customize the background, app transparency, icon size, app drawer, and manage app categories.

It does support icon packs, so you can use custom icons if you prefer those over Xiaomi’s icon style. Poco Launcher is free to download and is ad-free.

POCO Launcher 2.0 - Customize, Fresh & Clean (Free, Google Play) →

BIG Launcher

BIG launcher home screen layout BIG launcher settings menu pop-up BIG launcher app drawer

BIG Launcher is a simple to use android launcher for seniors. Icons are large and have distinctive colors that ensure it’s easier to differentiate between a handful of apps featured on the grid-style homescreen. It also prioritizes essential apps for seniors, including the dialer app, messages, gallery, camera, and an SOS button. There’s a button that takes you to the app drawer as well.

The heavily contrasty homescreen is also ideal for users with eyesight issues. BIG Launcher offers a handful of customization options, including text size, full-screen display, navigation bar, safe borders size, and others. It keeps it simple, so it doesn’t get overwhelming for the elderly. A one-time fee unlocks additional ways to customize the launcher.

BIG Launcher (Free+, Google Play) →

Launcher iOS 14

Launcher iOS 14 Control Center Launcher iOS 14 App Icons Launcher iOS 14

If you want your Android to mimic iOS 14’s UI, this launcher will help you. Launcher iOS 14 features an iOS 14-esque design from the lock screen to the control center, animations, wallpapers, and widgets. You can hide apps and customize several aspects of the layout, similar to what is available on OS 14 to some extent.

Launcher iOS 14 (Free, Google Play) →

Customizing your Android homescreen is a no-brainer with the best Android launchers. Want a minimalist launcher? Try Niagara, something that mimics iOS 14? Go for Launcher for iOS 14. BIG launcher is excellent for the elderly, and Lawnchair 2 gives you a Pixel launcher-like experience. Microsoft Launcher is your go-to for productivity and Nova is for those looking for a heavily customizable Android launcher. Niagara is for those seeking a whole new experience. While you’re freshening things up, do check out the best wallpaper apps for Android too.

The post These are the Best Android Launchers: Nova, Lawnchair, Niagara, and more! appeared first on xda-developers.