The 100x zoom fairy tale: smartphone focal lengths and optical zoom explained

The 100x zoom fairy tale: smartphone focal lengths and optical zoom explained

Smartphones equipped with optical zoom are very much in vogue today – as are the total fantasy values that manufacturers print on their advertising campaigns for maximum engagement. What does “100x” even mean under such circumstances? We investigate the question of focal lengths, zoom levels, and optical zoom in smartphones.

Learn guitar with apps: the best on Android and iOS

Learn guitar with apps: the best on Android and iOS

Learning a musical instrument is a huge time investment. We’ve all heard of the 10,000 hours theory, but with the latest apps and digital learning tools, you can turn your practice time into something that is both enjoyable and rewarding. It’s never too late to pick up the guitar and start tickling those strings. Here are the best apps for learning guitar on Android iOS.

ISO sensitivity and dual ISO in smartphones: Are they important?

ISO sensitivity and dual ISO in smartphones: Are they important?

ISO 409,600 – that’s what Huawei used to advertise with fervour for the P30 Pro and P40 Pro. At the same time, some professional DSLRs, which are several times more expensive that the handsets, “only” achieve ISO 102,400. So do Huawei’s smartphones deliver four times the performance in night shots? And is ISO sensitivity that important for smartphones? Spoiler alert: No! There may be just one exception.

How to transfer images from the iPhone to a Windows PC

How to transfer images from the iPhone to a Windows PC

In the past, transferring photos from an iPhone to a Windows-based PC proved to be a real pain. These days, whoever wants to transfer photos from the iPhone to the PC has several options. It is no longer necessary to download iTunes for Windows, which is a welcome addition. Also, an iCloud subscription is not considered compulsory, but another possible option.

Infrared camera in smartphones: how to shoot great infrared photos (with any smartphone)

Infrared camera in smartphones: how to shoot great infrared photos (with any smartphone)

The Photochrom mode in the OnePlus 8 Pro received very little attention initially before it was finally ‘rediscovered’ and caused quite a ruckus. Some might say that this is a kind of X-ray vision, where you will be able to snap photos through plastic and even through clothes, but that is not the whole story.

Gaming smartphones: do gaming modes actually boost performance?

Gaming smartphones: do gaming modes actually boost performance?

What would happen if we overclocked our smartphones? The idea sounds absurd at first and used to be the domain of gaming PCs, but more and more manufacturers are integrating “game” or “gaming” modes into their Android devices that supposedly boost or optimize the performance of their smartphones when a game is fired up. How does it actually work and the more important question is: does it work? This guide holds the answer to this most pressing question.