Articles and competitions.

Competition time! To help keep your home safe and secure this summer we’re offering 4 lucky winners the chance to win one fantastic home security gadget in this month’s competition. You could win either a RING Video Doorbell Pro With Chime or one of three PHILIPS Hue White & Colour Ambience Wireless Bulb Twin Packs. With the RING Video Doorbell Pro, you can keep track of what's happening around your property at all times, with alerts sent to your smartphone. And you can control your lights from anywhere with the PHILIPS Hue app, sync with your smartphone and choose from 16 million colours to create your desired mood. Comment below and tell us what content you’d like to see more of from iD Mobile? You’ve got until midnight on 7 July to comment and we’ll pick the winners at random. T&C’s Apply Good Luck!

Find out more about Android Q – What is it? What new features will it have? How do you get it? What is Android Q?To put it simply, Android Q is the next update to Android’s operating system. We’ve got no idea which tasty treat it’ll be named after this time, but we’ve heard it’s got plenty of exciting new features. What’s new in Android Q?Rumours have been flying around for the last few months about what kind of features we can expect from Android Q. But thanks to Google I/O, we’ve got our first real glimpse inside Android’s next OS update. Here’s our rundown of the standout features coming to Android Q: Live Captions This works a bit like ‘automatic captioning’ on YouTube, it can recognise speech in any video and display captions in real-time. Great for anyone who’s hard of hearing, or for those times when you want to watch a video without sharing the audio with everyone around you. Google Focus Mode This is a handy little feature that shuts down any apps that might distract you from the task you’re focusing on – great for getting stuff done. Universal Dark Theme Dark themes are great for when you’re using your phone in low light conditions because they’re a little easier on your eyes, they can improve battery life too. There are a few apps that already come with dark themes included, (Twitter, for example). But what if you want to apply a dark theme to everything? Soon, you’ll be able to do just that. Parental Controls Keeping kids safe online can be a constant worry. Thankfully, Google is bringing a version of its “Family Link’ to Android Q, so you’ll be able to set usage limits on your child’s device and apps. Incognito Mode on Maps Handy for those concerned about privacy. Incognito mode makes sure that no tracking cookies or browsing data are stored on your device. You’ll be able to turn it on or off whenever you like. How do I get it? If you weren’t lucky enough to get one of the Beta versions from the Play Store, don’t worry, you won’t have long to wait. Google is due to start rolling out the final version in August. As always, when you’ll be able to get it depends on your handset. If you’ve got a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3a, you’ll almost certainly be the first to get the update. As long as you’ve got automatic updates switched on, you’ll just need to wait until you see the little icon at the top of the screen, telling you there’s an update waiting. Then, just make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi and you’ve got plenty of battery. It’s likely to be a big update, so it will use a lot of data and could drain your battery. Need a new phone? Check out our full range.

Competition time. Fancy winning an incredible Google Pixel 3a smartphone? Comment below, and tell us why you think we’ve got a million happy customers. You’ve got until midnight on Monday 24 June to comment, and we’ll pick the winner at random. Good luck! T&C's Apply

Like your movies? Then this is the one. When you’re looking for a new phone, some of the specs you’re probably keeping an eye on are the screen and the camera, since they’re both very important to consider for a phone. Sony agrees, and the Xperia 1 is a great bit of tech for a budding film maker on the go. But, before we get into it, let’s have a look at the design. Elegant and slender design The first thing you notice is that the body of the Xperia 1 is very tall and narrow, and holding it feels great. It’s thin and lightweight, but that doesn’t mean it’s made with cheap materials, no sir. The phone is covered in super-tough Corning Gorilla glass, with a metal frame around the middle. First smartphone with a 4K HDR OLED display Key features: Large 6.5-inch screen Same 21:9 aspect ratio as the cinema Cinematic multi-dimensional Dolby Atmos® sound The display on this phone has so much to offer. For a start, it’s not just widescreen, it’s CinemaWide, and it’s huge at a massive 6.5 inches. It’s OLED HDR too, which means all the colours are bright and the details practically pop off the screen. And, with a 21:9 aspect ratio (the format films are usually recorded in) you can watch the movie exactly as the creator intended, right on in your hand. Most Netflix content is available in 21:9 too, so you can use your morning commute to catch up on that episode you dozed off to the night before. You might find a few other passengers wanting to take a peek too! Take photos like a pro Key features Triple lens main camera 2x optical zoom 4K HDR movie recording 8MP selfie camera Two lenses are better than one, but the Xperia 1 has three! The triple lens main camera will let you take stunning photos that are a perfect Insta addition, with all three packing 12MP. One is also a telephoto lens, while another is an ultra-wide angle lens. But it’s shooting videos that truly takes this camera to the next level. With the built-in Cinema Pro app, you can shoot film footage in 21:9 aspect ratio, and use a range of tools like frame rate, white balance, control the lens shutter speed and change the resolution. With this phone, anyone could try their hand at filmmaking. Under the hood Key features Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 3,330mAh battery Fast charging 129GB inbuilt storage For a phone that runs nice and smooth but has buckets of power behind it, the Xperia 1 is just what you’d want in your pocket. The Snapdragon 855 chipset is the best you can get, which is what makes the Camera app so pro, and it makes the phone great for gameplay too. Once we got our hands on it, we didn’t want to put it down. There’s loads of built-in storage space too, so you can snap, shoot and play away without worrying about running out of room for everyting. Android 9 is a clever operating system that adapts to how you use it, and it’s super intuitive. For example, it can get your favourite music ready as soon as you plug your headphones in, and it’s the operating system the Sony Xperia 1 uses. If you want your phone to be the best for shooting films as well as one that can anticipate your needs, the Xperia 1 is for you. Got any questions? Pop them in the comments and we’ll answer them for you.

Looking for a new phone but not sure whether to go for Android or Apple? Let’s weigh up your options… When it comes to choosing the best phone, you’ve probably narrowed it down to the two most popular options: Android and Apple. And if you’ve made it that far, you’ve also probably noticed there’s no clear winner. Both offer everything you need, and more. Both have all those important features like cutting-edge cameras and contactless payment technology. Both have their downsides, too. At the end of the day, it’s really a matter of personal taste. But if you simply must know which phone is better for specific functions, we’ve put together a handy head-to-head to help you decide… Good looks aren’t everything… …but when you’re going to be eyeing up your phone every day for the next couple of years, you’ll want it to look stylish. As the original pioneers of smartphone design, Apple doesn’t compromise on the effortlessly sleek look of its phones. Its latest model, the iPhone XS, features an edge-to-edge display, while older models retain the single, bezel-worthy Touch ID button at the bottom. Android devices, meanwhile, come in all shapes and sizes. From the Samsung Galaxy S10 with its Infinity-O Display to the lightweight Google Pixel 3 with its handsome curved edges, there’s plenty to choose from. We’re going to give this one to Apple, purely because it’s always one step ahead. It’s a close race though, so we advise making other features your priority. Winner: Apple Splash the cash or pinch the pennies? Your budget could make or break your final decision. There’s no denying that an iPhone will set you back – but then, you get what you pay for with Apple. The latest iPhone XS is available for monthly payments starting at £37.99 (with an upfront cost). With much more choice on offer, it’s no surprise that Android is a clear winner in this department. The premium option, the Galaxy S10 Plus, comes in at roughly the same monthly price as the iPhone XS – but you could still get the brand-new Google Pixel 3a from as little as £16.99 per month. Winner: Android An Apple a day keeps the doctor away This seems to be the case for online bugs as well. One study found that 97% of malware and viruses were found on Android devices, and zero for Apple. This is not to say Apple software is totally immune, but its devices are often less likely to be targeted. Not only that, despite being around for a shorter time, Apple’s Face ID is more advanced and secure than Android facial recognition. So, if security is top of your list, there’s only one choice… Winner: Apple Who deserves your App-lause? Both brands offer an extensive range of apps available via Google Play and the App Store, and both have their pros and cons. Put simply, Google Play has more apps – so if you’re looking for the most choice, you’ll be right at home with Android. But that’s saying nothing about quality. We know Apple is stricter with the apps it allows onto the App Store, vetting low quality and scam apps. New, anticipated releases also debut first on the App Store. And as for games, it’s actually Apple which offers the greatest choice. As it was the first to challenge Nintendo and Sony’s domination of the gaming world, developers are more eager to pitch their games to Apple first. However, Android has a higher percentage of free games, and is catching up on other fronts. You can sleep peacefully knowing each option provides all the essentials and games galore. It’s a tough one to call, so let’s just say it’s a… Draw! Who’s got the stamina? Life comes at you fast. If you’re a busy city-slicker, jumping from one meeting to the next, or a bit of social hub, spending your days WhatsApping and ‘Gramming, you’ll need a phone with a battery you can depend on. Apple has faced a lot of criticism about batteries over the years, but its latest devices can go all day and night, and boast fast charging on a par with Android. However, with iPhones you need to buy the fast-charging adaptor separately, while many Android devices feature it as standard. Plus, the best out-of-the-box batteries are still usually found on Android devices. This is a close one, but we have to give it to… Winner: Android Get some Siri-ous Assistance Both operating systems provide a handy voice assistant to answer all of your burning questions. If you’re looking for a wittier sidekick, we think Siri is best. But Google Assistant proved itself to be more knowledgeable, when Loup Ventures put both to the test. Out of 800 questions, Siri answered 79% correctly and Google Assistant 86%. With voice search the next big thing in mobile technology, it seems Android is firmly in the lead here. Winner: Android Will it fit in with your friends? For fellow tech heads, phones are likely to become part of a collection of devices. But to create a family, they need the same DNA – and there’s no question about it, Apple wins this one. Not only will your iPhone integrate seamlessly with devices such as your MacBook, Mac Pro and iPad, it can even mingle with Apple’s excellent accessories, such as the Apple Watch, AirPods, Apple TV and the HomePod. On the other hand, Android operating software is almost exclusively limited to phones. If you use your Google Drive and Google Apps a lot, you’ll love it, but for everyone else, you’re probably better off with Apple on this front. Winner: Apple So the end results are split either way, with both devices earning 3½ points apiece. But depending on which of the above mean more to you, hopefully we’ve settled your dilemma. Whichever phone you go for, you’re almost guaranteed satisfaction – and with competition between Android and Apple so fierce, there are surely many more great things on the horizon. Take a look at our Apple iPhone deals here Or alternatively view our great Android phones here

It’s summer. It’s hot. It’s holiday season. If you’re doing some late planning for an overseas trip, there’s a lot to think about. So check out our tips below, and be fully prepared. Bon voyage! 1. Pre-book your parking and transfers to the airport Airport parking can fill right up at this time of year, so it’s a good idea to pre-book it as far in advance as possible. And while you’re doing that, check if you need to book your transfer from the car park to the airport terminal. Most of the time you just need to hop on a bus, but it’s worth being sure – hanging around for ages in a car park isn’t a good way start to a holiday. If you do need to pre-book your own transfer to the airport, go for a reputable company like GetTransfer.com, Uber or Taxi2Airport.com. You can make bookings on their websites or through their free apps (although there doesn't seem to be an Android app for Taxi2Airport.com just yet). 2. Check if you need the two Vs (that’s visas and vaccines!) Do you need a visa to visit the country you’re travelling to? If you don’t know, check as soon as possible (you can do this on the Visa Central website). Remember – if you need a visa, it can sometimes take a long time to get one (we’re talking months in some cases). You might also need some vaccinations, especially if you’re travelling to a destination that’s classed as a high risk for health. The NHS Fit For Travel website has information on how to stay safe and healthy abroad, so check it out. Some vaccinations need to be started a couple of months before departure, and require more than one shot spread out over a few weeks. So don’t delay! 3. Don’t forget the iD Mobile app – your perfect travel companion The iD Mobile app lets you control your account anytime, anywhere. Yes, even overseas. And it doesn’t use up any of your precious data either. Download it here if you haven’t got it already, and when you’re on holiday you can keep a close eye on your data usage, and buy add-ons if you’re running low. Our data add-ons start at just £1.50 for 100MB, and they’re much better value than running out of data and racking up out-of-plan charges! You can also use the app to manage settings like roaming and voicemail. It’s a great little piece of kit, and it doesn’t take up an inch of space in your luggage. Get yours now! 4. Get your holiday money sorted, cash or card Of course, you can exchange money before you travel. Having some local currency in your pocket when you arrive at your destination is never a bad thing. But remember, currency exchange centres always charge a fee. So if you’ve got a cash card that comes with a 0% foreign transaction fee, you might want to use a cash machine at your destination instead. Oh, and be sure to tell your bank and credit card companies that you’re going abroad. If you don’t, they might think that your overseas card usage is suspicious and deactivate it! 5. Be prepared for emergencies Travel insurance is important, so make sure you’re covered. The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is free and valid until 31 October 2019. It’s not an alternative to travel insurance, but it does give you some rights to healthcare in EU countries. Find out more on the NHS website. A lost phone is another emergency you should prepare for, just in case. You’ll find details of what you need to do in this iD Community article: What to do if you lose your phone. 6. Be prepared for delays Use the Flightview app to see the status of all flights in your trips. If your flight is delayed, make sure you’ve got enough stuff to keep yourself entertained. Buy all the snacks, games, books and magazines you need. Or do it all on your phone, and download your favourite eBooks, music and movies. Then when you get on your flight, you can enjoy them all when you’re offline in aeroplane mode. There’s nothing worse than running out of power on your phone when you’re stuck in an airport lounge, so make sure it’s fully charged before you leave the home, and take a mobile charger as back-up. 7. Take some backup Scan copies of all your important travel documents: passport, visa, airport parking, flight and hotel confirmations, travel insurance policy, emergency phone numbers and anything else you can think of. Then email them to yourself, so you’ve got easy access to all the info in case you lose the physical copies. 8. Make a list of the essentials Don’t forget to pack the essentials. And the best way of remembering everything is to make a list before you travel (the Evernote app is a great way of creating lists and reminders on your phone). It’s up to you what you pack, of course. If you’re on a long flight, make it a little more comfortable with a travel pillow, earplugs and eye-masks. And to keep yourself connected and powered up all through your hols, don’t forget things like phone chargers, leads and universal sockets. Oh, and no matter where you’re travelling to, it’s always a good idea to pack some spare toilet paper. For obvious reasons. 9. Take a translator Having the Google Translate (free on iOS and Android) on your phone makes chatting with non-English speakers a whole lot easier than it used to be. It can translate bilingual conversations in 32 languages, and 103 languages if you type in the phrases. If it’s not a person you need to understand, but rather a menu or a street sign, you can hold up your camera and Google will magically translate the words in front of your eyes, as if by magic! We hope you find these top holiday planning tips useful. We think we’ve covered everything, but if you’ve got anything you’d like to add, post a reply below and share it with the Community.

Hot tips to keep your phone cool this summer... Whether it’s a rare heatwave set to hit the UK or you’re going on a siesta to Spain, we Brits love it when it’s warm. Your phone however, isn’t so keen. It can get overheated, and your phone’s battery could take some serious damage if it’s left out in the sun for too long. Keep your phone cool in the hot weather with these essential tips. Why do you need to keep your phone cool?When you just want to relax in the sun and top up your tan, it can be easy to put your phone down next to you and forget about it. But your phone doesn’t love sunbathing as much as you do, and keeping it cool is important. Prolonged heat exposure can cause your battery life to take a hit, and your phone could feel slower to use too. Here’s some easy things you can do to keep it cool. Don’t let your phone get sunburntYour phone doesn’t enjoy basking in the sun like you do, so you should really find a way to keep it in the shade, or put it away. On the beach? Put a towel over it! Chilling in a beer garden? Then find a shady spot or, better still, put your phone in your pocket when you’re not using it. We wouldn’t recommend leaving it behind in the car though… Don’t leave it in the car eitherEvery year there are warnings about leaving pets in cars on hot days, but the same goes for your phone too. A car can get hot inside really quickly with the windows closed, and that heat could damage your phone’s battery and even the processor, so make sure you take it with you! Set your phone free from its caseOur bodies sweat to help us cool down when it’s hot, but your phone doesn’t have that option, so it just gets hotter. This is especially true when it’s in a case. Removing the case will let your phone breathe (in it’s own way) and cool down faster. You wouldn’t wear a jumper on a hot day, would you? Turn off any apps you’re not usingApps use up memory and the processor has to work hard to keep up with all the different ones your phone can run at a time. Even if it’s running in the background, it still takes work, so you should close any that you’re not using. Turn on airplane modeIf it’s really scorching and you don’t need to use your phone for a while, another good way to keep the temp down is by putting it in airplane mode. This will turn off all data, Bluetooth and other connection settings, so your phone will stay much cooler and you’ll also save some battery! Try not to charge your phoneYour phone can get quite warm while charging, so you should delay charging it unless it’s absolutely essential. If you can wait until you get home, that’s even better. For a phone that will last all day, the Google Pixel 3A XL has an amazing battery life so you won’t have to worry about charging it during the hottest part of the day, unless you forget the night before. But, even if you do, the super-fast charging will give you the juice you need in no time, with no overheating worries. Interested? Get the Google Pixel 3A XL today. Turn down the backlightEven something as simple as turning down the screen brightness can prevent overheating, because it reduces the battery use. You might already have it set to ‘automatic’ but you can still turn it down more. You might even get a bit more time out of your battery life, result. Play fewer gamesBig, heavy games will make your phone get warm when you play even on the coldest of days, so when it’s roasting outside playing your favourite games too much could result in your phone going into overdrive. Try to limit how much you’re playing if it’s hot out. There’s no need to stop altogether, just keep an eye on how warm your phone is getting, and stop if you feel it’s too hot. Got any more tips for keeping your phone cool in hot weather? Then share them with us in the comments below.

Polish up your hashtags and strike those selfies, it was Social Media Day on 30 June. A day to recognise and celebrate the role social media plays in our society. Thanks to social media, we’re able to connect with each other like never before. It’s a great way to make new friends and re-connect with old ones. Whether you like to watch cat videos, show the world what you’re having for dinner, or find information on causes and world events that matter to you, social media gives everyone a platform to create their own content, voice their opinions and connect with like-minded peeps. To celebrate this year’s Social Media Day, we’re running a fab competition. For your chance to win a £50 Currys voucher, all you have to do is follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/idmobileuk/ or Twitter https://twitter.com/id_mobile_uk?lang=en and comment on our recent post saying why or what you love about iD Mobile? (Competition closed) So, start a hashtag, upload a selfie, update your status and join us to celebrate #socialmediaday

Summer’s here, school’s out, and with holidays, festivals and day trips on the horizon, there are plenty of reasons to get out and about and enjoy the warm weather. While you’re having fun in the sun, keep your home safe and secure with our top 6 security tips. 1. Smart lights Smart lights can be programmed to turn on to make your house seem occupied when you’re out or away on holiday. Some lights use your phone’s location to switch on lights to welcome you home. Look out for smart lights you can sync with movies and music from your smartphone and colour changing bulbs that can create different moods. In this month’s competition, we’re giving 3 lucky winners the chance to get their hands on a Philips Hue Dual Pack of smart lightbulbs . 2. Wireless security cameras See what’s going on both in and outside your home when you’re not there, with wireless security cameras that you can monitor from your smartphone. Built-in night vision means you can see what’s happening 24/7 and you can even set up alert notifications when sound or movement is detected. Check out iD Mobile’s great selection of smartphones to help with home security. 3. Smart doorbell Using wi-fi to notify you via your smartphone when there’s someone at your door, a smart doorbell allows you to see, hear and speak to callers even when you’re not at home. You can save and review front door footage to help keep your home secure when you’re away, and when you’re in, you can see who’s outside before you open your door. Make sure you enter this month’s competition for your chance to win a fantastic RING Video Doorbell Pro with Chime . 4. Home security systems Put all these elements together with a complete smart home security system, which include a combination of wireless security cameras, motions sensors, alarms and lights. Smart home security systems connect to your home wi-fi and are controlled by an app on your smartphone. So, you can be in total control of your home security while sipping a Pina Colada on the beach. 5. Secure your garage If your house can be accessed from your garage, make sure all internal and external doors and locks are well-secured. Keep everything of value out of view and invest in a sturdy lock or smart door lock to keep your garage and its contents safe and secure while you’re away from home. 6. Lo-fi security Even without smart tech devices, there’s plenty you can do to keep your house safe. Make sure all your doors and windows are secure, lock gates, sheds and other outdoor buildings and don’t leave any tools or ladders on display in your garden. Remember to cancel the milk and paper deliveries and ask a friend or trusted neighbour to check on your home whilst you’re away. Why not consider joining your local Neighbourhood Watch scheme so you can enjoy total peace of mind as you head for the airport. Wishing you a safe and secure summer.

With Glastonbury about to kick off and Wimbledon just a few days away, nothing says summer more than National Sunglasses Day on 27th June. There’s no better day to don those shades and give your eyes some much-needed protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, while looking super-cool. And for the ultimate in super-cool gadgets, check out the Bose Frames Audio Sunglasses. The frames come complete with mini acoustic chambers, which produce rich, immersive sound. Open-ear audio allows you to stay aware of your surroundings while enjoying your music, and the integrated microphone means you can take calls and access Siri or Google Assistant. The premium lenses block up to 99% of UVA/UVB rays. So, all you have to do is choose from 2 designs, a classic angular look in the Alto [https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-and-headphones/headphones/headphones/bose-frames-alto-audio-sunglasses-black-10193032-pdt.html] or distinct rounded lenses in the Rondo [https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/audio-and-headphones/headphones/headphones/bose-frames-rondo-audio-sunglasses-black-10193033-pdt.html]. Grab yourself a pair of Bose Audio Frames, or don your fave shades and get involved with National Sunglasses Day by sharing a selfie with shades using #NationalSunglassesDay and #SunglassSelfie (Competition closed) You’re so cool, you probably wear your sunglasses at night.

Kids and the internet stick together like glue, but there are a few things you can do to make sure they’re safe online… Whether it’s socialising with friends or getting help with homework, the web has all sorts of useful information and can provide kids with really useful skills as they make their way through life. But, alongside the good websites, there are just as many that you wouldn’t want them going anywhere near so here are a few of the best ways to keep them safe. Download a parental control appWhen you’re working with one computer for the whole family it can be easy to keep everyone safe and monitor what’s going on, but personal devices like phones and tablets are a whole different story. By downloading some parental control software (if the device doesn’t have it built-in) you can monitor your kids screen time and even password protect some areas. QustodioQustodio is a great little app that can filter web content, monitor calls and even has a child location feature. There’s also a panic button included, so if your child has an emergency they can contact you quickly with just one click. Free for Android and iOS. Restrict purchasesIf you’ve been the victim of losing your hard-earned money to a computer game, you’ll know just how frustrating it can be, especially if you can’t convince the game company to refund it. Luckily, it’s easy to put a stop to those sneaky in-app purchases. On Android you can put password protection right there on the Google Play Store app. Just open the app, go to Menu > Settings > Require authentication for purchases > For all purchases. Now they won’t be able to buy anything without your permission. To do the same on an Apple device, go into Settings > General > Restrictions. Tap Enable Restrictions > enter a PIN, then go to In-App Purchases in the list of options under the ‘Restrictions’ tab. Job done. Make YouTube and Facebook saferSocial media is everywhere these days, and kids are going to use it. So, here’s some things you can do to keep them safe while they catch up with their mates and share stories. FacebookThe last thing you want is your child chatting to strangers or coming across inappropriate videos while on Facebook. While there aren’t any filters to restrict explicit content, you can block any individuals, groups, pages and apps through the settings. Remember, there is a minimum age requirement of 13 to have a Facebook account, so anything on there is intended for audience of that age and upwards. If your child is a bit too young, there are plenty of other ways for them to keep up with their friends antics. YouTubeRather than let your child have access to the full YouTube site, Google offers an easy to use app for kids, whether they’re on an Android or iPad. It’s free to use, and it has algorithms built-in to make sure unsuitable content isn’t shown in search results. Stay in the loop with Google Family LinkBy giving your kid their own Google account, they get to feel like they’ve got some freedom and you get to keep an eye on exactly what they’re doing. You can manage what apps they’re using and set a bedtime for phones, so they’re not overdoing it on screen time. Set some rulesIt’s one thing to put all these tech restrictions in place, but it’s hugely important to make sure children are educated about the risks associated with going online. Kids are digital wizards these days, so the best way to know what they’re up to is to encourage them to share it with you. Let them know what’s acceptable online, and that they can come to you for help if they see or receive anything inappropriate. Who knows, maybe you’ll end up being the next champion of Fortnite! Is there anything we’ve missed? What precautions have you got in place to keep your kids safe online? Let us know in the comments.

Whether the sun is out this Summer or you’re putting up with the typical British Summer, find out how to take the best photos with your phone to capture the memories. Your camera knows what it’s doingMost modern phones now have some kind of Artificial Intelligence built into the camera, and that helps you take those pro-looking photos. The clever tech figures out what you’re looking at and then changes the settings to give you the best result. Whether you’re snapping action shots of pups on the park, tempting your Insta followers with the sizzling BBQ food or showing off your travels, the artificial intelligence in your camera will help you get the best picture – without spending an age fiddling with the settings. One phone which has some extremely clever AI tech built into the camera is the Huawei P30. There is a powerful processor packed in there, as well as huge 28-hour battery, so your phone won’t start to slow down even if you spend all day on those power-hungry editing apps. Interested? Get the Huawei P30 today. Get a doubly good photoThese days, more than one lens is commonly packed in under the hood, sometimes as many as three! But, are two (or three) lenses really better than one? The short answer is, yes. That’s because a dual-lens camera can switch between both easily and on the go, so you’ll get different results depending on your subject. You’ll get much sharper images packed with details, and when you’re shooting ultra-wide angles with a shallow depth of field, the focus of the image will really stand out. For a phone that looks as good as it performs, take a look at the Samsung Galaxy S10. It’s got a stunning edge-to-edge display to fully appreciate the amazing photos captured with the TrueVision triple-lens camera. This ultra-wide lens helps to bring your landscape shots to life, and you won’t ned to squish everyone together for that group picture any more. Get yourself a Samsung Galaxy S10 now. Harness the power of Portrait ModeGetting a picture of the whole group, whether it’s friends or family, never seems to look quite as good as those professional headshots. But, that might be down to the settings on your phone. Portrait mode uses a dual-lens camera system to keep your subject sharp, while blurring out the background. It works especially well for bright, sunny backgrounds, so get snapping while summer is here. You can even get the same effect for your selfies, just switch over to Portrait mode once you’ve turned the camera and you’re good to go. One phone that impressed us with it’s portrait mode is the iPhone Xs. Its advanced sensor means you can even get those beautiful pictures after the natural light has faded so the shooting doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. And, you won’t have to put up with those dark pictures where you can’t tell if it’s your bestie or the cat. Take a look at the iPhone Xs. Become a selfie masterLots of people love a good selfie, and if you’re on of the ones wanting something good for Instagram this summer, you’ll need a dual-lens camera with a wide-angle lens on the front. They’re perfect for taking group selfies or ones where you want to make sure the background is captured too, so now there’s no need to awkwardly ask a passer-by to get that photo of you and your mates by that infinity pool. The Google Pixel 3 is amazing for selfies, and the wide-angle front camera means everyone will be able to fit into the frame. The low light sensor is pretty high-tech too, so if you’re going camping you can get some great pictures under the stars. Take a look at the Google Pixel 3. Boost the dynamic rangeYou might have seen the acronym HDR on your camera, which stands for High Dynamic Range. Simply put, this takes three pictures in one at three different exposures; one overexposed, one underexposed and one balanced. It then stacks all three together, producing a beautifully bold image with rich shadows and highlights. When you put your phone camera on HDR mode, it will help you to eliminate those over/underexposed anxieties and you’ll be left with nothing but crystal clear photos. One phone that does this brilliantly is the Honor View 20. It’s got a massive 48MP main camera, and a speedy AI processor to give you Insta-worthy shots anywhere, anytime. Check out the Honor View 20. Got any other phone photography questions? Does your phone take perfect summer snaps, and it’s not mentioned in our list? Let us know in the comments below.

Just when you thought the Samsung Galaxy A Series couldn’t get any better, the stunning Galaxy A10 is the latest model to be released... With a 6.2” Infinity-V display and a big bundle of tech packaged into a compact design, the Samsung A10 is well worth a look. So, we did and here’s what we found: Simple slender design The Galaxy A10’s slender 8.1 mm body is designed to sit perfectly in the palm of your hand and slip effortlessly into your pocket. With a choice of a sleek black or blue glossy finish, this phone looks the business. And it’s far more than just a pretty face … A phone you’ll love to watch With an immersive 6.2 HD+ Infinity-V display, you won’t be able to take your eyes off this screen. From blockbuster movies to intensive games, the edge-to-edge v-cut screen puts you right at the heart of the action. Pretty impressive for such a slender, compact design. Capture and create With the 13MP Wide rear camera and the 5MP front camera, you can keep those precious memories vivid, bright and clear with the simple tap of a button. And with the Galaxy A10, you can enhance the moment with AR stickers, stamps and filters to embellish your fave shots. Who says the camera never lies? Power for your everyday The Galaxy A10 comes complete with a powerful 3,400 mAh battery to keep pace with your life all day, every day. With the freedom to share and stream, you can do more of what you love on a phone that lasts. This handset’s got real stamina. Personalised protection As you might expect, the Galaxy A10 takes security seriously. Facial recognition technology gives you personalised protection, so only you can access your phone. Simply hold the handset to your face for an easy, secure way to unlock your phone fast. Under the hood The Galaxy A10 positively purrs under the bonnet thanks to an Octa Core processor with the power to keep everything running smoothly. You get 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, with the option to boost it up to 512GB with a Micro SD card. Our verdict With its slender compact design packed with cutting edge tech, the Galaxy A10 offers you the chance to get your mitts on the Samsung A Series at a more affordable price. It’s a definite Yes from us. Interested? Then here’s the good news. You can order a shiny new Samsung Galaxy A10 from just £9.99 at iD Mobile. Check out the full range of deals here.

These are our top picks for the best phones to take on your summer getaway… It’s a great feeling to know you’ve got a holiday coming up, and there’s even apps dedicated to just counting down to your big trip! So, if you’re lucky enough to be ticking off the days to your upcoming getaway, you might want to check if you’re due an upgrade on your phone before you go. There have been some amazing phone releases this year, especially when it comes to cameras, from astonishing zoom capabilities to crystal-clear 4K video. So, whether you want to take some beautiful shots of the local architecture, or you want to capture every thrilling second on your kayaking adventure, we’ve got a phone for you. These are three of our favourite ones that’ll make the ideal travel buddy, just in slightly different ways. Google Pixel 3 – the perfect all-rounderLet’s just start off with the fact that this is a great looking phone. The rounded-edge screen and two-tone back make it beautiful to look at, but then there’s some serious software which makes this device such a good all-rounder. The camera tech is particularly outstanding. Here’s what it’s got: · Top Shot – this handy feature uses Google AI to take multiple shots when you press the button, and then recommends the best one. · Group Selfie Cam – dump the clumsy selfie stick. The Pixel 3 has dual front facing cameras for wide-angle shots that everyone will fit into. · Portrait Mode – have you ever wondered how to get that background blur effect to make your photos look like they were taken by a pro? Just tap Portrait Mode on the Pixel 3 and it will do the rest. · Night Sight – using clever AI to digitally alter images taken in low-light, the Pixel 3 produces pictures that appear clearer, brighter and just as beautiful as daytime shots. Especially perfect for those rural overnight trips away. Worried about filling up your phone with all those holiday snaps you’ll be taking? With the Pixel 3, you don’t have to. Because it’s a Google phone, you get free, unlimited storage for all your photos on Google Drive – so you can snap away to your heart’s content! And, it’s got Google Assistant built in too, so all you need to do for some help is give the phone a squeeze and your assistant will open. Get help with almost anything from currency conversions, directions, and even translating local phrases in real-time. Huawei P30 – for the photographerThe Huawei P30 and its bigger brother the P30 Pro are equipped with, arguably, the best camera on a phone that’s currently available. When you want to capture stunning videos and photos with your phone, you really won’t get much better than the P30 Pro. The image stabilisation when filming at full zoom is incredible too. And then there’s the zoom itself. The P30 has a very clever periscope system that allows it to offer 5x optical zoom. That’s something you don’t see every day! On top of all these great camera features, you also get reverse charging. So, if you’re out and about and your group is running low on power, they just rest their phone on yours to get a boost. And, with the massive battery on the P30 Pro, you should have plenty to spare. What you get with the P30 Pro: · 5x Optical Zoom – you can take incredible wildlife and architecture shots, thanks to the ingenious periscope system. · 10x Lossless Zoom – because why settle for 5x when you can have 10x? · Wireless Reverse Charging – top up your mates phone by simply placing your phone on theirs. · Optical Image Stabilisation – gives you super smooth video even at full zoom, thanks to the all-powerful Optical Image Stabilisation software. Samsung Galaxy S10 – perfect for the sun worshipperThe Samsung Galaxy S10 boasts the brightest screen capabilities on any smartphone display so far, making it perfect for using in bright sunlight without tilting this way and that for the best angle. So, whether you’re getting stuck into that holiday book you downloaded by the pool, or sneakily catching up on your favourite show on the beach, you won’t need to squint to see the screen. That screen isn’t just bright either. With an incredible 550ppi pixel density, whatever you watch will be crystal clear, even 4K content. Perfect for keeping you entertained on those long-haul flights too. The camera’s got some power too, with a triple lens main camera. It’s got a wide-angle lens for regular shots, telephoto lens for those detailed close-ups and an ultra-wide lens for capturing those stunning scenery shots. What’s packed into the Galaxy S10: · Brightest phone display ever –you’ll see every detail, even in direct sunlight. · Super Hi-Res screen – 550ppi resolution provides super-sharp results. · Triple lens camera – capture any subject in any scene beautifully, with a dedicated lens for each scenario. Got something else in mind? Check out our full range of phones to upgrade your holiday memories.

Now Closed Fancy winning a £100 Red Letter Days voucher to get out and about this spring? Simply comment below where your favourite break destination is (either home or abroad!) and we'll choose two winners! Red Letter Days provide a range of experience days or breaks for every taste, occasion and budget. Whether it's a day out at the zoo with the kids, a romantic date night or your own solo adventure, there's plenty to choose from. Hurry! Competition ends midnight on Sunday 12 May. T&C's Apply

If you’re fed up of having to untangle headphone wires before you plug them into your phone, wireless Bluetooth headphones are the way to go. Interested? Then read on and we’ll help you pack in the jack! If you haven’t already got a pair of wireless headphones, what are you waiting for? From smashing your goals at the gym to breaking up the daily commute, they make everyday life much more bearable. If you’ve already treated yourself to a shiny new pair, read on to get set up… and clued up. How to connect Bluetooth headphones Okay, so you’ve unboxed your new headphones, and you can’t want to pair them up with your smartphone or one of your other favourite devices. The first thing you need to do is put your headphones in ‘pairing’ mode. If you’re not sure how to do this, check the instruction manual. The exact method varies, but it usually involves switching your headphones on, and holding the multi-function button for a few second (that’s the button you press to answer a call). Now you need to turn on your phone’s Bluetooth settings. If you’ve got an iPhone, you can do this in Settings > Bluetooth If you’ve got an Android phone, go to Settings > Device Connection When your phone’s Bluetooth is switched on, it’ll be able to communicate with other nearby Bluetooth devices. So make sure your phone and headphones are nice and close together, wait for just a few seconds, and the name of your headphones should appear on your smartphone display. Tap on the name, and when you’re successfully paired you’ll see a confirmation message like“connection established” or something similar. Your headphones will also do something to confirm a successful connection. You’ll probably either hear a noise or see a flashing light. Can I pair multiple Bluetooth devices? It all depends on your device. Some phones, such as the Huawei P30 or Samsung Galaxy S10, let you connect two different pairs of Bluetooth headphones. So you and your friend can enjoy listening to the same tunes together – or even watch a movie if you’ve got a big-screen smartphone like the Google Pixel 3 XL. There are also a few apps which let you connect multiple Bluetooth speakers to one device, like AmpMe. Check it out if you’re interested. Why is my Bluetooth not working? If your Bluetooth isn’t working, there are a few things you can try to get it up and running again. 1. Turn both the Bluetooth and your device off and on again (yes, we know it’s an obvious one!) 2. Double-check that your devices are paired and connected (you might need to search for it on your smartphone again) 3. Restart your device Hopefully, one of those suggestions should solve the issue! Bluetooth troubleshooting Just to round things up, here are a few common Bluetooth issues, with tips on how to solve them. Location, location, location Some devices have a shorter range of connectivity than others. So if you think your devices might be a little too far away from each other, try moving them closer together. Re-connect If your Bluetooth is playing up, try ‘unsaving’ the saved connection on the device you want it to connect to. Then re-pair the devices again. Compatibility If all else fails, double check that the devices are compatible with each other. For example, some devices might be Bluetooth-enabled but not compatible with Android devices – it does happen! We hope we’ve given you some useful advice about connecting Bluetooth headphones to your phone. If we’ve missed anything out, go ahead and ask a question below.

6 gift ideas for every type of dad The iD Community loves celebrating real-life heroes. For most of us, the best heroes on the planet are our parents. They’re the ones who come to our rescue and save the day, time after time. As Father’s Day is coming up very soon (Sunday 16th June), we’ve come up with some exciting ideas every super-dad will love! Buy one for dad to get in his good books, or if you’re a parent yourself – drop some hints with the kids. 1. For the music loving dad Every dad deserves quality time without distractions now and again, and that’s exactly what wireless noise-cancelling headphones are designed for. Our gift suggestion: Sony WH-CH700N Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones Sony WH-CH700N Wireless Bluetooth Noise-Cancelling Headphones have clever noise-cancelling technology that shuts unwanted noise out, so you can lose yourself in your favourite sounds. The sound quality is crystal clear, and there’s a smart function on board that lets you temporarily disable the noise-cancellation, so you can hear the world around you without taking them off. The foldable design lets you pack them away neatly in the compact case when you’re not enjoying your favourite music. And the battery will provide up 20 hours of listening on a single charge. And don’t forget – because these Bluetooth headphones are completely wireless, they work on latest smartphones that have ditched the headphone jack. 2. For the dad that wants to be the boss Make your dad feel like he’s the boss of his home with a handy voice-controlled speaker. It gives him the power to issue commands and get things done from the comfort of his favourite chair, and he won’t have to lift a finger. Our gift suggestion: Amazon Echo Amazon Echo can find and play music, read out the latest sports news, give weather updates and answer any trivia question under the sun. And if you connect other smart home products to it (lights, locks, switches, thermostats), you can control your entire home. The days of dad moaning about the heating being too high and telling you to turn it down may finally be over. 3. For the dad that needs to upgrade his phone If your dad could do with a new smartphone, why not treat him to a brand new one that won’t break the bank? Our gift suggestion: Samsung Galaxy A20e The Galaxy A20e really delivers, with a 5.8-inch Infinity-V display that lets you see every inch of your favourite games and videos in incredible detail. There’s also an ultra-wide dual camera, to help you capture the whole scene and get spectacular shots. The best thing about the Galaxy A20e has to be its super low price. You can get it from iD Mobile (who else?) from just £9.99 a month with no upfront cost, and £30 cashback. Check out our Samsung Galaxy A20e deals here 4. For the dad that loves big screen action Is your dad a TV lover? Then give him the power to watch what he wants, when he wants. Our gift suggestion: Google Chromecast Ultra This nifty little dongle simply plugs into the TV, and lets dad stream content onto it from his phone, tablet or laptop. He can now watch his favourite YouTube videos, Netflix movies and catch-up TV shows, even if the TV doesn’t have those apps already built-in. And just because dad’s streaming the picture from his smartphone, it doesn’t mean he can’t do other things on it at the same time. If he minimises the Google Home app, he can take calls or send messages without interrupting what’s playing on the TV. 5. For the dad looking for super power We all get tired of fiddling with wires and ports when we need to power up our phone. So why not go for a wireless charging pad instead? Our gift suggestion: The Belkin Wireless Charging Pad The Belkin Wireless Charging Pad quickly and easily charges any Qi-enabled smartphone, without the need for wires. You simply place your phone on top of it, and it starts charging. Qi is one of the most popular wireless technologies available, and it’s used by leading smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. The best way of checking whether your phone is Qi enabled is to check the itruction leaflet (or just Google it). 6. For the dad that wants to get fit Obviously, you’ve got to tread carefully if you’re buying a fitness device as a present for someone. But if dad’s been talking about improving his health or shedding a few pounds, he’ll really appreciated getting an activity tracker as a gift. Our gift suggestion: Fitbit Flex 2 Activity Tracker The Fitbit Flex 2 is a great little device for anyone looking to get into shape. With a slim and lightweight frame it can be worn 24/7 to monitor activity throughout the day, as well as checking the amount and quality of sleep throughout the night. It monitors everything from the steps you take to the distance you travel. And, if you spend your days sitting at a desk, it’ll remind you to get moving occasionally to help you keep on track. The Fitbit Flex 2 doesn’t even need to be told what activity to track either… it just knows! Go for a swim, and with ‘SmartTrack' it automatically recognises the activity and starts tracking it. Then when you’re done, it syncs everything to the Fitbit app on your smartphone, making it easy to view your progress towards your fitness goals. With a large display for viewing all your fitness stats, and a water-resistant design that can handle adventures in any weather, the Google Pixel 3 XL is one of the best phones for fitness currently available. What do you think of our suggestions? Will you be buying one for Father’s Day, or will you be treating yourself? Do you have any other gift ideas for different dad types? Post a reply below and share your thoughts with the rest of the Community!

A lot of mobile gamers are getting excited about 5G, the fifth generation of mobile networks – and rightly so. It’s going to be a massive leap forward in terms of speed and performance, and it should make gaming completely seamless and very, very fast. One cloud-based gaming service that look set to harness the power of 5G is Hatch. Let’s check it out. Hatch cloud gaming Hatch is currently the world’s only ‘made for 5G’ gaming service, although you’ll be pleased to hear that it also works just fine over 4G or a good Wi-Fi connection. It’s free to download onto Android phones and will be on other platforms soon, according to the webpage. Hatch has a selection of great mobile games that you can stream straight onto your phone and dive into straight away. You’ve got instant access to the likes of Angry Birds, Monument Valley, Hitman GO, Chameleon Run, Mini Metro, Beach Buggy Racing, Bad Piggies, Leo's Fortune and a whole load more. There are over 100 games to choose from at the moment, and that number should keep growing as its popularity increases. The great thing about Hatch is that you can jump between different games any time you choose. Are you fed up of your wayward flicking on Angry Birds? Have you hit a dead-end on Hitman GO? Then just tap on something else to play, straight away! Hatch is a great way of getting into different games you might not normally try. And if you’re one of those people who has loads of yet-to-play titles on their smartphone, it could be a real space-saver. What is latency and how will 5G affect it? Let’s talk about latency, because 5G could make a huge difference to it. Latency is the amount of time it takes for the game you’re playing to react your button presses or screen taps. You want it to be as low as possible, especially if you’re in a multiplayer battle like Fortnite – because even a split-second delay in a weapon being fired can prove fatal. High latency means a higher response time, and that can be the difference between winning and losing. The good news for latency-weary gamers is that 5G networks are promising extremely low latency. This will make normal mobile game-streaming smooth and trouble-free, and it’ll also make multiplayer VR and AR gaming a real possibility. The slightest amount of lag can lead to feelings of nausea in VR users, and if 5G can cure that for good it’ll be a major breakthrough. The benefits of 5G aren’t going to be obvious straight away, and it might even take some time for game developers to work out how to make the most of it. So in the meantime, why not download Hatch onto your Android phone and give it a go? If you’ve any questions or thoughts on 5G and mobile gaming, post a reply below.

Find out what we know about the latest Beta version of Apple iOS 12.3… It’s always an exciting time when there’s new releases. And, we’re usually kept on our toes with bits and pieces of information being teased out in the run up to the final date. Recently, Apple released the latest Beta update (Beta 4) for its latest iOS, 12.3. Right now, only registered developers are lucky enough to get their hands on it, and it’s likely that we’ll see a few more Beta releases before the final release. What will be in the final iOS 12.3 update?So far we haven’t really seen anything huge, and there doesn’t seem to be any visible changes to the looks of the operating system. The Beta 4 download comes in at around 164MB on an iPhone X, so most of the updates seem to be tweaks to enhancing performance. This is what we’ve found so far: · Faster menu navigation for older iPhones. · Updated modem firmware for better connectivity. · Minor tweaks to battery efficiency. iOS 13 is just around the corner, ahead of the next iPhone release, and it seems that Apple is holding back on some of the bigger updates for now. Which is no surprise really, otherwise there wouldn’t be anything left to get excited about when the final release does happen. We’re excited to see what else the latest version of iOS has in store, and of course for the next iPhone release, because Apple always has something up their sleeve. Let’s hope it’s a peach! What else is Apple working on?We’re also anticipating the release of their new Gaming and TV subscription services, Apple Arcade and Apple TV, where users can pay a fee to enjoy unlimited access to libraries of unique, add-free content. Invites have now been sent out for Apples keynote at the annual Worldwide Developers Conference 2019, and the week-long event is likely to showcase these services alongside the upcoming version of iOS 13, the latest MacOS and possible some other hardware. It all starts on Monday the 3rd June in San Hose, California, and we don’t know if you’ve heard, but there are also rumours that iTunes could be being broken apart in favour of a few smaller standalone apps. Whatever Apple is holding back for the event is sure to be great, so we’ll be keeping up to date with all the latest thrilling revelations. What are you most excited about for the next version of iOS? Let us know in the comments.

Facebook’s private messaging service could be set to return to the main app – here’s what we know… You might remember that back in 2011, the Facebook mobile app split in two - one for your social media feed and Facebook Messenger. At the time, it was unexpected and confusing, and it didn’t get the greatest of responses, but people still continued to use it and now we’ve just gotten used to the idea. Well, that might be about to change. Rumour has it that Facebook Messenger will be returning to the main app, letting you see your newsfeed and your messages all in one place. Don’t worry, the Messenger icon won’t just disappear from your phone, but now instead of opening the standalone app, it’ll just take you to the Facebook app and open a new section, originally called ‘Chats’. That’s how things used to work before things merged, but if you can’t quite remember that far back don’t worry, we’ve slept since then too. The word on the street is that Facebook are making this change to try to introduce a more integrated messaging experience across its services, before it unifies with things like WhatsApp or Instagram. There are said to be thousands of developers working away to make this merger happen, and they plan to launch it later this year or early next year. App researcher, Jane Manchun Wong, spotted the app and was the first to start letting everyone know about it, and in a follow-up Tweet she notes that, at the moment, the “Chats” section only has a limited number of the normal features found in Messenger. You’re able to send and receive messages, but video-calling and sending pictures still needs to be done through the dedicated app. We’re excited to see what the future has in store for the messaging service. What’s your favourite thing about Facebook Messenger? Let us know in the comments!

Our pick of the best photo-editing apps you can use to make the most of your snaps. The cameras inside our smartphones are improving every time a new one is released, and that means we’re all taking more photos than ever. But, there’s more to getting the best pictures than having a great camera phone. The right app can make all the difference. The best photography apps don’t just put a nice filter on your pictures – they let you do so much more. Here’s our quick guide to some of the best photo-editing apps around. 1. Snapseed Snapseed is a filter-friendly app that specialises in giving your pictures a more artistic look and fine-tunes them, ready to share with your online followers. There are 29 filters to choose from, and all kinds of features to edit your photos, such as white balance for colour adjustment, and a healing tool that lets you get rid of unwanted background objects from the scene. A ‘lens blur’ tool even lets you add a bokeh effect (blurry background) just like the pros. And, you can save your edit history, so you can go back to any previous edits. Download on Android Download on iOS 2. VSCO If it’s fab filters you’re after, you’ll struggle to find an app better than this one. Sometimes Instagram filters can be a little heavy-handed with your pictures and lack some subtlety, and this is where VSCO is the perfect antidote. The filters here make your photo look as if it’s been taken on a quality analogue camera – with sliders that’ll give you just the balance you’re looking for. On top of that, there’s still all the stuff you’d expect - cropping, borders etc. Download on Android Download on iOS 3. Adobe Photoshop Express Photoshop is the household name when it comes to editing pictures, and Photoshop Express is the smaller mobile version – but it’s still great at what it does. For something that’s free and easy to use on a mobile screen, it’s pretty advanced too. Smart filters will put some of your issues right automatically –like exposure and colour temperature. You can then add in the other useful tools, for things like brightness, contrast, saturation, cropping and correcting red-eye, and you’ve got yourself a handy little app. First though, make sure you sign up for an Adobe ID account (don’t worry – it’s free). Download on Android Download on iOS 4. Enlight Enlight is one of the best photo-editing apps around if you feel like getting creative. It packs in a ton of features, letting you do almost anything with your photos. Besides the usual crop and effect options, you can also adjust the exposure of your shots, remove unsightly defects, superimpose images and even transform your pictures into works of art. You’ll never look at Instagram the same way again! Download on iOS 5. TouchRetouch This app’s all about getting rid of the things you don’t want in your pictures. Whether it’s that road sign spoiling your beautiful landscape, or an amazing view that would be so much better without that man on the side of the shot eating his lunch. Now you can get rid of ‘em all! And the best bit is it only takes one touch, so you can get your retouched photos ready to share in no time. Download on Android Download on iOS 6. Visage OK – so we all have things that we’d change about ourselves, whether that’s whiter teeth, smoother skin or getting rid of that spot that just decided to appear this morning!! Well, we think you’re great as you are, but if you really must retouch your selfie, you might find Visage useful. It can smooth-out skin, whiten teeth – even add eye makeup for the times you can’t be bothered. Upgrade to the pro version to avoid ads and the watermark that’s added to your final edit. Download on Android Download on iOS 7. Afterlight / Afterlight 2 Afterlight 2 is – in its own words – the “all-in-one feature-packed” photo editing app. Which, to be fair, sounds about right to us. It has all the options that you’d expect to see – crop, brightness, and exposure – as well as some things which are more advanced - selective hue/saturation, curves, clarify and tone. The great thing about this app is that it updates its content each month, and once you’ve paid the initial (very small) one-off payment, there are no extra subscription fees, even when there’s new features. Download on Android Download on iOS 8. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Our final app is another entry from Adobe, and it’s another winner. Imagine taking a lighting studio with you wherever you go, and you’ll get some idea of what is on offer with this app. The mobile version of the professional photo-editing app has everything you need to make your photos look as pro as possible, even on-the-go. You can edit photos in seconds or spend a bit more time and make fancy edits by adjusting lighting curves, exposure and more by simply sliding your finger across the screen. If you’re an Adobe Creative Cloud subscriber, you’ll be able to automatically back up your photos onto other devices as well. Adobe Photoshop Lightroom is a must if you’re serious about photography. Download on Android Download on iOS Got any other photo-editing apps you’d like to share with us? Did we miss out your favourite app? If so let us know in the comments section below…

If you’re ready to take the plunge on a brand-new iPhone but just need a little guidance in the right direction, you’ve come to the right place. For the different needs, budgets and lifestyles, there’s an iPhone ready to take on them all. Which iPhone suits what you need? Apple are certainly known for quality, seamless designs and top of the range tech, but how do their entry-level phones stack up against the more premium models? The best camera - iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max If you’re all about getting that perfect family photo the first time around, the iPhone 11 Pro makes it impossible to take a bad shot. Both the 5.8” iPhone 11 Pro and the larger 6.5” Pro Max feature three 12MP cameras on the back, making them the first iPhones to have a triple camera setup. Thanks to a combination of Wide, Ultra-Wide and Telephoto lenses along with 10x digital zoom, you can capture just about any scene. If night time photography is your passion, the new Night mode uses clever AI to bring detail to low-light shots automatically. That means getting that sweeping panoramic photo of the city skyline is as easy as pointing and shooting. And if you prefer shooting videos to taking photos, you can save all those holiday memories in 4K 60 fps quality. So, your footage stays future-proof. Elsewhere on the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, you get a gorgeous OLED display that makes gaming and movie-watching so immersive, you’ll forget you’re on the commute or in a busy café. Plus, the A13 Bionic Chip makes everything you do a piece of cake, no matter how many apps you flick between. Take a closer look at the Apple iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max Amazing all-rounder – iPhone 11 Launched in September 2019 alongside the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone 11 may be slightly cheaper, but you still get some incredible features. Just like the Pro options, the iPhone 11 has 12MP Wide and Ultra-Wide lenses, so you only miss out on Telephoto. Don’t worry about video, though – you can still capture flawless 4K footage that’s guaranteed to impress! Plus, you’ll definitely up your profile picture game with the TrueDepth camera’s ‘slofie’ function. You can also expect the same lightning-fast responses and effortless multitasking, as the iPhone 11 also features the state-of-the-art A13 Bionic Chip. The Liquid Retina HD display makes everything from action-packed movies to social media jump out of the screen with vivid, true-to-life colour. And if you love losing yourself in a box set on the way home from the office, Dolby Atmos audio places you at the centre of the action with 3D sound. Discover the amazing Apple iPhone 11 Performance and speed – iPhone XR They say it’s what’s inside that counts, so if you want a phone that you can rely on for a smooth and fast browsing experience, then the XR could be the one for you. It’s run by Apple’s A12 Bionic chip – one of the smartest, most powerful chips in a smartphone – and it’s complemented by a super-advanced Neural Engine, which makes use of machine learning to get better at fixing any bugs and speed issues it encounters over time. Freezing apps and loading screens will be a thing of the past. All this power doesn’t put a drain on the battery, though. Apple has made sure that the A12’s 4 efficiency cores (the ones which deal with everyday tasks) use up to 50% less power than the previous A11 chip. This means you’ll still get a huge 25 hours of talk-time from a single charge. Go ultra-efficient with the Apple iPhone XR Incredible photography – iPhone Xs and Xs Max When it comes to camera tech, you’re onto a winner with the iPhone Xs. It’s definitely one for tech lovers, and with a plus-size Max sporting a mammoth 6.5” edge-to-edge OLED display, it’s a head-turning device that’s packed with sharp, rich, beautiful colours. But the big thing to boast about on this phone is the camera. If you thought the iPhone X had the best camera on an Apple device, the upgraded Xs can do it all AND more. It’s even better at low-light photography, thanks to its sensor’s ability to fit in larger pixels that can take in more light. You’ll also get to pick the ‘TrueDepth’ focus level after you’ve taken any pictures in portrait mode, so you can tweak the blurred background to perfection. You get a massive 512GB of internal storage on the device to store all those portraits and selfies, too. That’s over half a Terabyte! And, coupled with the same A12 Bionic processor as the behemoth XR, you can be confident knowing it won’t slow you down any time soon. Buy the incredible Apple iPhone Xs and Apple iPhone Xs Max The stunning edge-to-edge iPhone X Released in September 2017 for iPhone’s 10th anniversary, the X really was a game-changer for the mobiles, and despite it being around for over 2 years, we’re still amazed at all the tech powering it. The biggest upgrade to previous iPhones is generally the screen. The advanced ‘Super Retina’ picture quality and 82% screen-to-body ratio, held together by the iconic notch (which is now recognisable in a lot of the latest smartphones), makes the display one of the most vivid we’ve ever seen on a phone. It’s 5.8 inches of stunning OLED, and you’ll be completely mesmerised by any game or Netflix series or you decide to binge on it. That screen helps to show off the amazing photos you can take, too. Thanks to a 12MP telephoto dual lens on the back, and a 7MP camera facing you, your pictures will be full of colour and detail every time. The sleek and compact iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus The more entry-level option here (by Apple’s premium standards anyway), this iPhone offers nearly all of the fantastic features from its bigger counterparts, but in a more manageable, sleek glass frame. If you’re one to avoid the chunkier handsets because they can be clumsy to use – especially one handed – then the iPhone 8 has a comfortable 4.7-inch screen that’s much easier to handle. You won’t find yourself missing out on Apple’s famous quality either. It still boasts an incredible Retina HD screen display, and is even capable of fast wireless charging. You can get 50% battery in just 30 minutes – perfect if you’re constantly on the move. If you prefer more screen to play with, you could go larger with the iPhone 8 Plus. You get a more satisfying 5.5-inches to watch your favourite films on, but Apple have also added a second camera, letting you take amazing photos with that cool bokeh effect everyone’s loving at the moment. Check out the Apple iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus

Everyone needs some Insta-goals, so we’ve pulled together our top Instagram profiles for all the things that truly matter, Food, Fitness, Tech and Fashion. FOOD: Pie Fiends, Look Jo Further No pie is ever too pretty to eat, right? Well, we’ve met our match with this one. Jojo Harrington is a woman with a tasty-mission: to bake the perfect pie. And from scrolling through her Instagram, we’d say she’s doing a scrumptiously good job so far. But what we really want to know, is what she does with all her pies, and how we can get our finger-licking hands on them. Follow @jojoromancer FITNESS: Join the Kayla movement Bodybuilder, fitness model, best-selling author AND over 7 million followers: it’s safe to say Kayla Itsines is one of those over-achievers we love to hate. Even more annoying, she's only 26. The Australian trainer has abs we’d only have if we painted them on. Just scroll through her Instagram and you’ll see how sickeningly healthy she is: mini workouts, transformation photos and recipes to help you take care of your body. So if you’re looking for fitness inspo - this is the girl for you. Follow @KaylaItsines TECH: Media mogul Marques If you thought Kayla was doing well for her age, meet Marques Brownlee. At the tender age of 16, Brownlee started out making screencasts and software tutorials. Today, the 24-year-old commands millions of views on his tech-and gadget-focused YT channel; his iPhone 7 unboxing video reaching up to 9.9 million views. Get following tech lovers! Follow @MKBHD FASHION: Susie’s style bubble Susie Lau is fashion blogger royalty. Known for blunt bangs and colourful clothing, Susie started her blog back in 2006 and is now one of the most well-respected fashion bloggers around. Rather than just a stream of #OOTDs, Lau's Style Bubble platform is peppered with passionate essays on fashion that have earnt her a reputation as a leader in the industry. Follow @susiebubble And one for the lads looking to sharpen their style game.... Joey London is about as dapper as they come. With his uncanny resemblance to Zayn Malik and suave form, Joey’s snaps will get you itching to travel, as well as buy a whole new wardrobe. Follow @joeylondonstyle

The ‘force touch’ is having a makeover… You may remember back in 2014 when Apple announced one of its most exciting screen features on a range of its devices: 3D Touch. Known as ‘force touch’ amongst the geeks and manufacturers, this innovative tech was a game-changer for the touch screen. Beforehand, most of our devices’ touch screens had no measurement of pressure, which allowed for a few ‘long press’ features but (as the name suggests) took some time to activate. Force touch was able to remove that problem, offering the features as soon as you press the screen a little harder. Historically, Android handsets have only sported the ‘long press’ feature, introduced on the Android 8 Oreo OS. But we’ve heard that the latest OS update Android Q might be finding its own way to incorporate some pressure-touch tech. The idea is that if you press harder on an Android app, it’d offer you different shortcuts to certain areas of it – the ‘Compose an email’ section of a mail app, for example. That’s long been a feature on Apple devices (since the first ever Apple Watch was launched and on iPhone since the 6s in 2015), so we’re excited to see a more seamless approach to app shortcuts on Android going forward. We’re not quite sure how this’ll work yet, is the only caveat. Being an OS update there wouldn’t be any hardware changes to existing Android phones, which could mean that it’ll only be a feature for new Android phones once Q is rolled out. The detail on this is still a little hazy, though, and we wouldn’t be surprised if Google found a clever workaround to put some similar tech onto our current phones. We’ve seen them surprise us before! Take a look at our Android deals here

We recently got to try out Samsung's latest mid-range releases, the A80 and A70 smartphones, at their incredible Milan launch event in April. See our first impressions... Getting to grips with the Galaxy A80Samsung have only just finished wowing us with the Galaxy S10 Series, but they went ahead and gave us another amazing range of devices anyway – the Galaxy A range. We were lucky enough to get out hands on one of Samsung’s new additions, the mid-range Galaxy A80, which has some pretty serious specs under the hood. 6.7 inches of edge-to-edge screen That’s right, the screen on the Samsung Galaxy is 6.7 inches of uninterrupted display, so there’s plenty of space whether you love getting wrapped up in your favourite films or getting lost in a mobile adventure game. And when we say uninterrupted, we mean it. It’s the first Galaxy on offer that doesn’t have the infamous notch, so you can enjoy the whole Super AMOLED screen like you’re meant to, with all the images and colours in stunning, vibrant detail. It doesn’t just look amazing though, it’s also able to handle multitasking, so you won’t have to pause your YouTube binge to reply to your messages. What about the camera? Make that cameras. No notch doesn’t mean no selfie camera, and this camera’s another Samsung first. That’s right, it’s the first ever pop-up camera in a device, but not only that, it also has a rotating triple-lens system which means your selfies will now be in the same outstanding quality as any other photos you take. We tried it out in a few different places, and were happy to see that the results were just as good even in low-light conditions. There’s a 48MP main sensor, which is the default when you open the camera app, but you can easily switch to the 8MP ultra-wide camera for those big group shots or picturesque landscape scenes. The third camera has a 3D depth sensor, which is what allows you take those professional looking photos with a blurred background. So, now every photo you shoot for your Instagram will be amazing quality, whether it’s a simple selfie or portraits of the pooch. One touch lets you access everything Unlocking the new A80 is super convenient, with the on-screen fingerprint scanner. With just one touch, everything is available without having to compromise on space or design. Biometrics, or fingerprints are nice and secure too, so you can be confident that the only person who’ll be able to access your phone is you. A battery to power it all, for longer Whether you love spending hours on addictive mobile games, or you use your commute to catch up on your favourite shows, the A80 has a 4,500mAh ‘Intelligent Battery’ which automatically adapts to your routine and saves power, to make sure there’s enough to get you through the day. We love that this isn’t just another power hungry device, because this clever battery has got your back. It looks as good as it feels For a mid-range phone, this really does feel like a premium design. From the glass body to the metal frame, it feels great in the hand and you don’t feel like it’s going slip through your fingers when you’re taking photos. It comes in three different colour variations too; Black, Pink and White, all of which complement the design and we’d be happy to have any of them. All of that with the addition of the futuristic pop-up camera, this beautiful phone definitely gets our stamp of approval. Not forgetting the Galaxy A70Another splendid addition to the Galaxy family is the A70, which isn’t to be missed. It has a similar dual-glass build with a metal frame, the only difference is the absence of the pop-up camera, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive. It also uses a triple-lens system, which gives you the ability to capture stunning photos whether it’s the middle of the day or night. The main 32MP camera along with the 3D-depth camera is what gives you those gorgeous portraits, and gives your subject perfectly framed focus. And, if it’s not perfect, the Intelligent Camera software automatically finds your best shot, and gives you a heads up if it’s not the best picture. It’s also got the same on-screen fingerprint technology as the A80, so you can relax knowing that everything is protected from prying eyes. The A70 has a slightly smaller battery, but it’s still capable of up to 25W fast charging, so you’ll never be left waiting for some extra juice. The tech specs – under the hood · Octa-core · 8GB RAM · 128GB internal storage · 3,700 mAh battery Check out our Samsung Galaxy A70 deals So, are you as excited as we are for the newest additions to the Galaxy family? Keep your eyes peeled because the new Samsung Galaxy A range will land in Carphone Warehouse soon.