Pocket-lint Daily - First next-gen smartphone launches

Good morning. By Chris Hall | Monday December 12 2022 Good morning!  - If you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [Facebook]([Twitter]([Instagram]( [Website](  Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro are official: First next-gen phones are launched XIAOMI What's happened? Xiaomi has officially [unveiled the Xiaomi 13 and 13 Pro](, new phones that offer plenty of high-end features - including a new Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. Why does it matter? Both of the Xiaomi phones make use of that brand-new Qualcomm chip which means you won't find either of them wanting for performance. What's my take? This is very much the start of the 2023 run of devices. While announced for China now, we'd not expect the Xiaomi 13 to launch globally until February 2023 at the earliest - likely as part of an MWC event. Xiaomi's aim now seems to be the first to market with the latest hardware - Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 - and this is just the start for the Xiaomi 13. We're expecting many more models over the next year. The Pro is the model that's the most interesting, with more advanced cameras and 120W charging. We also love that green colour, so can't wait to get this phone in to test.  Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs confirmed by Chinese regulator SMARTPRIX / ONLEAKS What's happened? Samsung's flagship Galaxy S23 Ultra has [popped up in a Chinese TENAA regulatory filing](, confirming some specs and causing confusion about others. Why does it matter? Samsung isn't expected to announce its next line of Galaxy S phones for a little while yet, but the company is already going through the motions of getting ready for the big unveiling. What's my take? The Samsung Galaxy S23 launch will be one of the largest in the Android smartphone world, with the expected date to be in early February. This latest update confirms a modified version of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a 6.8-inch display for the Ultra and a battery that's likely to be listed as 5,000mAh. There's some confusion on the cameras though, with the database suggesting a 108-megapixel main camera, while some other rumours have suggested a move to 200-megapixels. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one - but I also can't help feeling that Samsung is going to have to work hard to justify the jump to 200MP. I'm going to want to see real performance gains  Skullcandy PLYR headset review: Some missing links POCKET-LINT What's happened? Skullcandy might be more typically associated with teenage kicks and affordable, funky headphones, but it's branched into the world of gaming headsets this year. We've been using its top-range PLYR headset for a few weeks and have found it an interesting mixed bag, with one big elephant in the room. Our quick verdict Skullcandy has slipped up by skipping a wireless dongle for the PLYR - it makes an otherwise fairly solid headset very hard to recommend to any serious gamer. [Read our review.](  In Case You Missed it Now Musk wants to raise [Twitter limit to 4,000 characters](. --- New twist in Xbox Activision saga - [EU claims FTC statement is untrue](. --- There's $150 saving on the Pixel 6a right now, [coming in at just $299](. That's a third discount for the black, white or green pure Android phone with a 6.1-inch FHD+ screen, 128GB of storage and a 12MP camera.  From The Gear Loop PABLO GUERRERO/UNSPLASH The best winter hiking boots: Sturdy footwear designed for snow, ice and freezing conditions. [Read more.](  And finally... POCKET-LINT Smart Christmas lights: How to add voice controls and more to your Christmas lights with Alexa, Google Home or Siri. [Read more.](  Have you checked out our weekly podcast that comes out every Friday? It's packed with news, interviews, and top things to get. You can subscribe to the Pocket-lint Podcast via [iTunes]( and [Spotify](,  or access it on the web via [Acast](. In this edition, we talk about the EE Pocket-lint Awards 2022 and discuss all the winners. [Listen to the latest episode today.]( Thanks for reading - if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? Get them to [sign up here.]( [The Trust Project] [Why you can trust Pocket-lint]( You are subscribed to this email as {EMAIL}. Click here to modify your [preferences]( or [unsubscribe](.