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How to take a screenshot on Windows 10

February 18, 2021 by TurboGadgetReviews

Stay with us if you’ve been wondering how to take a screenshot on Windows 10. Who has never found himself preparing a document, a file or even writing an article and wished to know how to place snapshots in these to illustrate a point of view?

We believe that everyone has gone through this moment. Whether it’s time to prepare a complaint or an academic work, the pictures help to make everything easier and more visual.

Imagine a situation where you have to explain to a lot of people how to perform a certain job or how to access a company’s new work tool. Just by speaking, some may not understand it correctly, but when you offer a visual stimulus the process turns easier and understandable.

So, improving your knowledge about how to screenshot on Windows 10 is really important. Yes, that’s right! There is more than one way to do it and we are going to show you here how to perform each one. If you want to know more about it keep reading this article that we have prepared for you.

How to take a screenshot on Windows 10

What is a screenshot?

A screenshot or print is nothing more than “taking a picture” of a device’s screen to provide an explanation or proof of what you want to show.

This function is widely used on smartphones when you want to select content from a social network that does not allow saving, or when you need to send information from an offline application among other things.

The fact is that screen capture is part of our lives nowadays. But do you know how to use it? If you don’t, keep following our article for more useful information.

Ways to take a screenshot

Despite being a very useful tool, some people still don’t know how to take a screenshot on their mobile phone or computer. But, that ends now as we will teach you different ways for taking screenshots.

Using the capture tool

An easy and practical way to take a screenshot in Windows 10 is through its built-in “capture tool” located in the Start Menu. It is quite easy to use. Let’s see:

Press the Windows key on your keyboard – the one with the Windows logo;
Afterward, open the search box and type “Capture tool”. It will show up as in the following image:

Open the tool, click on the “New” button and start a new screen capture. This tool also allows you to choose the cut format: rectangle, free or full screen.

The captured image goes to the clipboard and you can paste it wherever you want. You can also take notes and share them via the tool itself. This is useful as you can choose to show all the information on it or hide something. This way, you’re protecting information that you do not want to show to others.

Using the Print Screen key

To get a sense of the importance of screen captures, all keyboards come with a “Prt Scr” key. Guess what it does? It captures the screen! That’s right, this key on your keyboard that you may not have even noticed, is just there to capture your computer screen.

When tap on the “Print Screen” key placed just above the “Insert” key on most keyboards, you will automatically take a screen capture and the image will be available to be pasted wherever you want using the “Ctrl + V” keyboard shortcut.

When you do this, you can attach the file in a social media dialog box, in Word, or in any other application you are using that allows pasting.

This option wins in the easiness in which the operation is performed. But note that is not possible to crop the image. Therefore, if you are going to use this method check that no personal information is being sent along.

Keyboard commands for taking screenshots

Some keyboard commands can be helpful to you when taking a “print screen”. So, to make your life easier we brought a short list with some. Let’s see:

Windows + Print screen

This is a very cool way to take a screen capture. By clicking on these two keys together your computer screen will briefly darken indicating that the screen capture was processed. Then you can find the capture in the Images folder on your computer.

Windows + Shift + S

When using the “Windows + Shift + S” command you will see that your screen will darken slightly and a menu bar will pop-up at the top offering some options for the capture.

This menu that appears when pressing that command, allows you to choose the precise way you want to take the screen capture, and with that, you can select only the information you want to send to others.

Alt + Print Screen

Another way to quickly capture the screen is by pressing the “Alt + Print Screen” keys together. This method, also, does not allow you to cut the image to hide sensible information.

But you have the option to capture and past it to Paint, doing your necessary editing there, and then save it in the desired folder. Below we will explain how to paste the image to Paint and save it later in a folder of your choice.

Screenshot on smartphone

Each passing day our life information is more and more on our smartphones. Currently, we’re using our phones even more than the computer. We hold meetings through them, investments, planning, and a lot of other things. Therefore, it is imperative to emphasize how to take the screen capture on the smartphone as well.

We brought you some ways to use screen capture in some common phone models, such as Apple, Samsung, Motorola, and Xiaomi.

Apple

To perform the capture on Apple smartphones, you have to be on the screen you want to capture and simultaneously press the on/off switch, and the biometric sensor. When doing so the screen will quickly darken indicating that the print was taken successfully.

Afterward, the image will appear as a thumbnail on the left side of the device, allowing its formatting according to the user’s taste. If you do not want to make any edits or send them immediately to third parties, you can find them later in the photo gallery.

Samsung

In the newer Samsung line, the screen capture can be done by pressing the on/off switch and the lower volume rocker switch. By doing this, the screen will quickly darken indicating that the print was successful.

If you’re using an older Samsung model, you should press the on/off button plus the home button instead.

Motorola

On Motorola devices, the screen capture is performed by simultaneously pressing the on/off switch and the volume down button. When performing this task, the screen will quickly darken indicating that the capture was successful.

On newer models with Android 10 or newer versions, you can also slide three fingers on the screen and perform the capture.

Xiaomi

In Xiaomi devices, it is possible to take a screen capture in two ways. One by using the on/off button and the lower volume rocker switch at the same time. The screen capture will be done and will then appear in the corner of the phone along with some options to edit or send.

The second option – if you have it activated in the phone settings – is to slide three fingers on the screen and perform the capture.

If you do not want to edit or send the image right away, it will be saved in your photo gallery, which can be accessed later.

How to cut the captured image?

As we stated above, some commands are quicker when taking a screen capture, but they fail to offer the user the option to cut the captured image preventing you from hiding sensible information. However, this is easily solved by pasting the snapshot in tools like Paint or even in Microsoft Word where you can edit it in your desired way.

When using Paint to crop the image you have the option to save it in a wide array of formats by clicking “Save as” and then selecting the desired format. You can also select the folder where you want the image to be saved.

Wrap Up

Fellow readers, we hope you enjoyed our tips on how to take screenshots in Windows 10, and hopefully everything got a lot clearer now. See you next time!

If you want to read this same article in Portuguese, click here.

Other related articles that may be interesting for you:

How to sanitize a phone

May 28, 2020April 19, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

In this article, we will cover the sanitizing subject in more depth. Stay tuned to properly learn how to sanitize a phone.

Your phone is a device you use regularly, wether to answer a call, text a message, check the latest news or even your Instagram or Facebook feed. It is with you all day and you take it everywhere, setting it down on counters, public benches, tables, and other unsightly places.

You may avoid close contact to other people and wash and sanitize your hands on a regular basis, but bacteria and viruses sitting on your phone will be brought right back to your face and hands as soon as you grab it to answer a call or text a friend, so you’re getting the contamination straight away.

Each time you touch your smartphone, you transfer bacteria to and from your hands, face, and from every surface where the cell phone has been placed.

The average phone can be the perfect hosting for all kinds of viruses and bacteria including E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus, COVID-19, among many others.

Also, apart from bacterial concerns, there are more visible signs of dirt resulting from the intensive daily use that starts degrading your phone looks. And you may want to restore the original fresh look to your device by giving it a good clean.

How to disinfect a phone

Few of us disinfect cell phones regularly, although It is advised by medical experts that you should clean your smartphone at least every day. And now more than ever, due to the Coronavirus pandemic disease.

Given that, you may ask: how to disinfect my cell phone without causing damage? That is exactly what we’re going to answer throughout this article.

What you shouldn’t use

There are certain substances you should completely avoid when disinfecting cell phones, at the risk of causing damage. Generally, household cleaning products should be put aside. Bleach, ammonia, harsh solvents like acetone, benzene, vinegar or alcohol in high concentrations. Also, don’t clean phone screen with products like Windex.

While you might see good results, these harsher methods may damage the screen moisture-repellent (oleophobic) coating that prevents fingerprint smudge and may even do harm to some internal components. And more, these may spoil the finishing of the phone’s metal surfaces, leaving uneven stains.

Also, even if your device is water-resistant, you should never wash it under running water.

How to clean phone case

Start by taking your device out of the protective case. Those cases are usually made of very resistant, safe-to-wash materials like plastic or TPU/silicone. Give it a good rinse using soap or dishwashing liquid in warm water and let it dry.

The market offers plenty of packs of disposable wipes specifically to properly clean and disinfect smartphone surfaces. But you can save some money just by moistening a soft cloth with a prepared mix of 40 percent isopropyl alcohol and 60 percent water. Isopropyl alcohol not only disinfects but has also a very quick evaporation time, making it ideal to be used in electrical devices.

Make sure you don’t let the liquid from the cleaning cloth leak into USB connectors, microphones or speaker holes.

How to clean phone screen without causing damage

Smartphone touchscreens are complex and sensitive pieces of technology and using abrasive or harsh products will likely damage the screen oleophobic coating as explained above. It may even cause micro-abrasions in the glass that will dull its glossy surface.

The best way to clean phone screen is to use neutral products. Soap and water is a good go and everybody has it in their homes. Moisten a lint-free microfibre cloth or a paper towel with hand soap and gently wipe it over the screen. Then, without letting it dry completely, wipe it off with a microfibre cloth moistened with clean water and repeat it a couple of times until you get rid of the soapy residue.

Apple and some other manufacturers also recommend using 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox disinfecting wipe, both to clean the phone screen and other hard, non-porous surfaces of the phone.

During this process, it’s important to never allow moisture to get into any openings. The image quality will also benefit from how clean phone screen is now.

How to clean phone speaker

Phone speakers collect a lot of dust and dirt particles over time. If you stay a lot of time without cleaning the speaker, not only it will collect a lot of germs but also the sound will start to get muffled.

The process will depend on the type of speaker grill your phone has. Using a soft and dry brush works in most cases, unclogging the grill holes and removing most of the accumulated dust. Also, rubbing a cotton swab in circular motions over your speaker holes can do the trick. Depending on the size of the holes, a fluffy microfibre towel can also be of great help.

Blowing out the remaining dirt with a compressed air can, specifically for office use is a good practice too. This step will help to remove the excess dirt that was pressed into the speaker from the mechanical cleaning. Don’t blow too close to the speaker at the risk of damaging it and the smartphone’s internal components.

Remember to never use any liquids. Phone speakers are very sensitive pieces and can be easily damaged.

How to clean phone camera lens

A dirty camera degrades your phone’s photographic capabilities in a way you cannot imagine. Giving it a good cleaning can do wonders for your photos. If they are getting blurry, if you’ve suddenly noticed a big decline in the quality and sharpness of your photos, it is likely the lens have fingerprint smudge or other kinds of debris.

There are specific cleaning kits available for sale, developed to the purpose of cleaning camera lenses including appropriate cleaning fluid and a thin microfiber cleaning cloth. Others include individually wrapped cleaning wipes soaked in cleaning fluid that will not only get the lenses clean but also get rid of bacteria too.

If you don’t have or don’t want to buy one of those specific kits, you can also clean the lenses by yourself. Always use thin microfibre cloths moistened with distilled water, that allows you to wipe down the lens with maximum care and without scratching.

A cotton swab moistened with distilled water can also get the job done and take off stubborn grime. Never use any kind of chemical-based products on your smartphone’s camera.

How to clean phone charging port

One of the main reasons for your phone not to charge or to charge intermittently is dust in the charging port. When you connect the charging cable, it prevents a good electrical connection by obstructing the connectors.

The most effective way to give it a good clean is to use a can of compressed air. Just point the nozzle facing the charging port and give it 1 to 2-second bursts. This is the method used by professionals. Take caution not to hold down the nozzle for more than 2 seconds to avoid damaging the port or some internal components.

If you want to save some money, a piece of cotton around a toothpick may actually work. Turn off the phone to avoid any electrical damage and have your smartphone screen facing down.

Then, insert the toothpick into the port and gently move it to the left and right while pushing upward at the same time, so it reaches the contacts. Always ensure that the cotton doesn’t fall and repeat the procedure until all the debris comes loose.

Never use paper-clips, pins, needles or any other metals to avoid the risk of making an electrical short circuit that could destroy your device’s mainboard.

Wrap Up

Having your phone clean is essential, not only for your health but to keep the device in good working order.

Disinfecting cell phones can be tricky, but in this article, you’ll learn the key aspects of how to sanitize a phone, the products and techniques you should employ and the ones you should avoid. Also, some in-depth tips on how to clean phone case, how to clean phone charging port, how to clean phone speaker, how to clean phone camera lens and the best way to clean phone screen.

Following these tips, you’ll not only get your phone properly sanitized, but you’re also helping it maintaining its value, protecting it from premature aging.

Check out other of our great resources, like The best way to clean a laptop

How to locate my phone

February 21, 2021April 17, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

The first thought that will come to your mind if you lose your smartphone will be: how to locate my phone? If you need to find out how to track a lost or stolen smartphone, you’ve come to the right place.

Losing your phone is a terrible experience, on par or even worse than losing your wallet with money, ID, and cards. The cost of the equipment, which can go up to a thousand dollars or more is a major concern, but having all of the sensitive data that can be found on your smartphone at hand and ready to be used by a stranger, is a nightmare.

And more, it cuts your access to the rest of the world by losing your contacts, your internet access, your home-banking capabilities, and think about all of that irreplaceable data you have stored. Your personal documents, your family photos and videos, and all of those messages you want to keep.

One day you put your phone on a store counter and forget it there, or you let it off your pocket without noticing when reaching for your wallet. There are countless ways you can lose your smartphone, misplace it or have it stolen. And it may happen in the blink of an eye.

Locate an Android device

Can you track Android phones? Yes, fortunately, you can track your Android phone. There are specific tools you can use to help you find the location of your Android device.

Find my device Android

How to locate my phone and what is the best app to find my Android phone? I bet you’ve asked yourself that question a bunch of times.

You can track a phone that is paired to your Google account and there is a fairly easy way to do it by using Google’s Find My Device service. It is Google’s native app for device location and what’s more, it’s free!

This assistant lets you remotely track your Android device in your computer or using another phone reporting its last known location, it can also make your phone ring for an easier finding, it can lock it, and even erase some specified data if that’s important for you in the case of a stolen device.

Find my phone Samsung

Samsung smartphones have their own specific location software: Find My Mobile. It can also be used to control your smartphone remotely and performs in a similar way as Android’s native app.

Find Android phone location from computer

Locate Android phone from the computer is an easy and straightforward procedure. You just need to open your web browser and:

Go to https://www.google.com/android/find
Log in to the Google account the phone you want to track is paired to
Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a map with your device’s last known location
From there you can also make the phone ring, you can lock it, and even erase its data

Locate an Android phone from another Android

You lost your Android phone and you don’t have access to a computer? You can locate your missing phone using a friend’s Android device.

To do so, go to the Play Store and install the Google Find My Device App. This app helps you locate your device on a real-time map. From there you can also ring your phone, lock it, and erase its data.

You can also find in the Play Store a bunch of third-party apps for the same purpose, but Google Find My Device does all the necessary.

If you want to make things simple, you can also go to https://www.google.com/android/find using your web browser and perform the required actions from there.

Locate an Android phone from iPhone

How to locate Android phone from iPhone? Despite most people thinking it is not possible to locate an Android phone from iPhone, in fact, there are some ways you can do it and we’ll show you how.

Unfortunately, Google Find My Device is not available in the iOS Store and so you cannot install it on your iPhone.

Find a lost Android smartphone without an app

Although, you can run this same service on an iPhone via Google’s website, without installing any app and just by following the next steps:

Open your iPhone’s web browser and type the following address: https://www.google.com/android/find
Log In using the Google ID present on the Android phone you want to track
Once you’re logged in, you’ll see a map with your device’s last known location
From here you can also make the phone ring, you can lock it and even erase its data

Also, this gives you further information such as the device model name, the remaining battery, the IMEI, and some other relevant information.

There are also some specific apps to locate an Android device using your iPhone. You can find them on the App Store, but most require to be pre-installed in the device you want to be tracked. Remember you should also have to give location access permission to those apps:

Find my Android phone with dead battery

Can I locate an Android phone with a dead battery? And how to locate an Android phone that is turned off?

A device with a dead battery will not respond to any attempts to locate it via Google’s Find My Device, Samsung’s Find My Mobile, or other third-party apps. However, you can track your missing smartphone’s last known location just before the battery died and it switched off.

Access Google’s Find My Device via app or web browser like explained above and then click on Location History. That will bring Google Maps Location History where you can pick a specified date and click Display timestamps to show where your smartphone has been and when.

This is particularly useful if your device was stolen as you can track all the places where your device has been until it got switched off.

Locate an iPhone device

Like Androids, iPhones can also be tracked. First, make sure you have the Find My iPhone feature enabled, so you can track your device if it is needed.

Locate iPhone for free

All iPhones come with the Find My iPhone app as standard and it is managed by the iCloud account. Since you notice your iPhone is missing, you should access https://www.icloud.com/find.

You can do it on your computer using the web browser and logging in to the iCloud using the Apple ID linked to the lost device.

You can either borrow an iOS device from a friend or other family member and sign in to the Find My iPhone app.

After you have signed in, you’re able to see your device and its current location. If the phone has been switched off or has a dead battery, its last known location will be shown on the map. If it’s powered on, it will appear on the map and sidebar as an iPhone with an active Home screen.

Find my iPhone from Android tablet or smartphone

If you don’t have access to a personal computer or to another iOS device, it is still possible to find your iPhone from an Android device.

You just have to open your web browser and access https://www.icloud.com/find. Then log in to the iCloud account using the Apple ID paired with the missing iPhone and then select the specified device under All Devices.

How to Enable Lost Mode

By selecting Actions > Lost Mode, you can remotely lock your device and prevent some actions like Apple Pay. It will still ring and be able to do phone calls. You can also display a custom message with a phone number where you can be reached.

Wrap Up

Few personal items we own are as precious as our smartphones, they become our whole lives. And losing it or having it stolen is a painful experience no one wants to go through.

You quickly realize how much important (and confidential) data is stored on your device, and to add to that stress you’re now cut off from the outside world with no internet access and without the possibility to access your contact list.

The first things that come to our mind are: How can I find my Android phone? How can locate my iPhone? How to find my phone for free? This article will give you some peace of mind and teach some procedures on how to locate Android phone as well as iPhones and save you from the nightmare of having a missing smartphone.

Don’t forget to check out our other useful resources:

Clearing cache in Android phone

June 26, 2020April 5, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

Should I clear cache memory? Clearing cache in Android phone is something you should consider. Read on to know more.

Many Android users frequently ask themselves if they should, or not, clear the cache data and what is the outcome.

Clearing cache in Android phone

Knowing how to clear the cache on your phone can be very helpful.

Keep on reading to learn more about the most common questions on this matter:

what is cache data on my phone?;
the advantages and disadvantages of cache memory;
why to clear cache?;
what happens when cache is cleared?;
what is the best cache cleaner app for Android platforms?; and
how to clear cache in Android.

You will also be able to learn how to clean the Bluetooth or the DNS cache, please read on.

What is cache data on my phone?

Over time, when using your phone, the installed apps store bits of information to speed up the user experience.

The cache is a temporary storage file used by websites as well as applications to store some data on your device.

It contains references like where to store the settings or in which folder it should load or store the source file, as well as thumbnails of the images that are to be displayed in the application.

Advantages and disadvantages of cache memory

What is the purpose of cache files? Once you have already loaded a website or an application on your phone, thanks to the data stored in the cache file, it will load exceptionally fast when compared to the first time load.

For instance, when you’re using a web browser, it will save images you’ve seen so that they don’t need to be downloaded again and every single time the app needs them. Spotify stores streamed music in its cache file for faster (and offline) playback. This saves you time and data. It is the main advantage of the cache.

Every application has its own cache file and clearing that cache is a great way to free up space. Just keep in mind that the app will rebuild the cache as you use it, so clearing cache data on Android is just a temporary fix to get extra usable space on your device.

The downside is that over time, your phone is going to collect a lot of files you don’t really need and can take up to some gigabytes of usable storage space.

Is Android cache cleaner necessary?

Android cache cleaning is not necessary unless you’re running out of storage space on your phone and you need to free up some.

It can also be useful to do an Android cache cleaning if any of your installed apps are misbehaving, or if you think your phone has become laggy.

Does Android automatically clear cache?

No, Android does not automatically clear cache data. You have to perform it manually by yourself, following a couple of simple steps.

What happens when cache is cleared?

What does clearing cache do on Android? That’s a common question for many users. Apart from freeing up space – sometimes a lot of it – by erasing big amounts of data stored by the installed apps over time, clearing cache on Android phone may marginally slow down the websites you visit more often for the first time you load them. As well as the first time you load each app after the cache cleaning procedure.

You may also note some increase in mobile data usage, for instance when using apps as Facebook or Spotify. Like thumbnails and music you may have listened to previously are going to be downloaded again to your device.

How often should you clear cache on Android?

There is no described period for clearing cache in Android. You should perform it whenever your phone is getting out of storage memory, if you’re experiencing problems with some apps or if your phone is getting slower than usual.

How to clear cache in Android

There are several ways you can go through to clear cache in Android phone.

Clear all cache at once

1. To clear all cached data in the device, go to Settings > Storage and USB > Internal Storage > tap Cached Data and confirm you want to clear all cached data.

Now let’s take a look on how to do it for a specific app.

Clear cache on Chrome on Android phone or on any other app

Let’s see an example of doing it to clear cache on Chrome in a Android device. The steps are similar for any other app.

1. Go to Settings > Apps and select the app for which you want to clear cache. Then, in the App Info interface, tap on Storage > Clear Cache

2. You can use Recovery to wipe all cache data using Android clear cache bootloader. This will allow to do the Android clear cache at a partition level.

Please note that this is an advanced procedure and your device might become unusable if it is not done properly. Do this at your own risk.

If you choose to do so, follow the next steps:

Power off the device,
Press and hold the power and volume down button until the phone powers back on. If this doesn’t work, the button combination may be different on your device. Refer to the user documentation if necessary.
On some devices, the touchscreen may not work in recovery mode and you have to navigate using volume keys.
Go to Recovery and select it with a tap on the power button.
Go to Wipe cache partition and tap the power button to select it.
When it finishes, use the reboot option in recovery to boot your phone back into the OS. Your device will power up normally, and you’re all set!

3. Use third-party cache cleaning apps. There are a lot of cleaner apps available in the Google Play Store. Apart from removing cached data, they can help you remove unused APK files, and other forgotten junk files, helping you save free space.

Clear Instagram cache on Android phone

To clear the cache of Instagram on an Android phone the procedure is the same we already mentioned.

You can clear Instagram cache on your Android like on any other app.

Please scroll up just below and see the instructions to clear the cache on Chrome, you do it just the same way.

How to clear cache on Android 8.0 (Oreo) and following versions

In the past, you could clear cache on Android 7 on one single go but then Google removed the possibility for the user to clear all the cache at once.

If you want to clear the cache on Android Oreo (8.0), you have to do it one app at a time, as we explained before in this article.

The same applies if you’re looking to learn the cache on Android 9 (also known as Android Pie) and also for the Android 10 operating system.

What is the best cache cleaner app for Android?

Cleaner apps that actually live up to what they promise may be tricky to find. Some are useless and others may contain adware and other malware.

We are providing you a list of the ones worth using. Many are useful not only as cache cleaners but also brilliant performing other tasks like junk file removing, CPU overclocking, app disabling or task-automation.

Best Android cache clear app list:

Clear Bluetooth cache on Android

Bluetooth cache can take some of the precious storage space from your smartphone. Also, there are several Bluetooth issues such as being unable to find or pair with a car or an accessory, and also not being able to hear music or make and receive calls. Those can be solved by clearing the Bluetooth cache.

How to clear Bluetooth cache

Following, are the simple steps to clear your Bluetooth cache:

Open the “Settings” menu;
Scroll down, search for “Apps” or “Apps & notifications” and tap it;

Inside the “Apps” menu, click the 3-dot icon on the top-right corner;
Tap “Show system”;

Search for “Bluetooth” or “Bluetooth Share” and tap it;

Select the “Storage” option;

Under “Cache”, tap on “Clear Cache” – it will clear your device’s Bluetooth cache;

Reboot your smartphone.

If the above procedure didn’t solve your Bluetooth issues, try the following one:

Repeat all the steps mentioned above until you’re under the “Bluetooth” or “Bluetooth Share” app info;
Select the “Storage” option;

Under “Data”, tap on “Clear Data” to clear all Bluetooth data;

Reboot your device.

Note that this last procedure will disconnect and un-pair all your Bluetooth devices and you will have to pair each one manually right after.

Clear DNS cache on Android phone

If you’re regularly coming across a situation when some webpages that you often visit are failing to open on your smartphone’s browser, it’s probably due to corruption in the DNS cache.

How to clear DNS cache on Android through the web browser

It’s easy to clean the DNS cache on your Android device through your web browser. Just follow the ahead procedure:

Open your browser’s settings;
Clear browsing data and cache and that should do the job.

Or:

Open your device “Settings” menu;
Go to “Apps” or “Apps & notifications”;

Search the app list for the browser app you are using;

Go to “Storage”;
Tap on “Clear Cache”.

Clearing cache on an Android tablet

So you’ve learned different cache cleaning methods for your Android phone. How about clearing cache on an Android tablet?

Since they both use the same operating system, the procedures are exactly the same whether it’s an Android phone or tablet.

Wrap Up

As you use applications, they start storing files to reference later. Clearing cache on Android phone or clearing cache on Android tablet may help you to free up a lot of storage space, sometimes a couple of gigabytes or more.

While it is necessary or not to perform an Android cache cleaning will depend on your device’s free space and overall behavior.

The process of clearing cache in Android phone is simple and straightforward and it is explained in detail in this article, which we hope will be useful for you.

Don’t forget to check out our other useful resources:

Buy a Google Play gift card online

May 28, 2020April 3, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

So you want to buy a Google Play gift card online. There’s a great gift option for a number of reasons.

Not only Google Play is the largest app store in the world, but also a bookstore, a video store, and a music subscription service.

That makes Google Play gift cards a great present. Also bear in mind that for underage users this is the only way to buy content.

What is a Google Play gift card?

It is a gift voucher code that is issued by Google Play. Using this voucher code allows you to make purchases at Google Play Store, from where you can buy applications and games, videos, music, books and other digital content.

You can think of it as a cashback card with which you can buy your pretended content from Google Play Store and enjoy these services on your Smartphone.

Can I buy Google Play card online?

Just to be clear, let’s start by the beginning. Can I buy Google Play card online? Well, being a Google product, as some of you would imagine, yes. You can buy it online.

What can I purchase with Google Play?

Google Play is a very vast store filled with many options for everyone. And people ask themselves a lot: what can I buy with google play credit?

Let’s explore each kind of product you can get through the Google Play store and answer these questions:

Can I buy music on Google Play?
Can I buy movies on Google Play?
Can I buy books on Google Play?
Can I buy an Android app on Google Play?

Can I buy music on Google Play?

Yes, you can buy music on Google Play. It has a library of about 35 million songs and the sound quality is the same as iTunes or as the most well-known music platforms.

It also allows you to buy music from the old hits to the latest ones. You get to choose to buy separate songs or whole albums. The choice is all yours.

The music you purchase from the Google Play Music store is available on any mobile Android device with the Play Music app installed, as long as you use the same Google account on that device.

You can access your tunes anytime visiting the music.google.com website.

When you buy Google Play music subscription, you can access the world’s music ad-free through albums, charts, new releases, staff picks, and featured playlists.

Can I buy movies on Google Play?

You can also use your gift cards to buy movies on Google Play. This service offers movies and television shows for purchase or rental, depending on availability.

Most content is available in high definition video and some are already available in Ultra-HD 4K. It can be watched through your Android device or at the Google Play website, through an extension for the Google Chrome web browser.

How to buy movies on Google Play?

To purchase your favorite movies on Google Play you just need to search for it in the library, select it and confirm your action.

Can I buy books on Google Play?

Yes! You can purchase and download ebooks and audiobooks from Google Play. This service offers over five million titles, and Google claims it to be the largest ebooks collection in the world.

You can read the books you purchase on a dedicated Books section on the Google Play website, through the use of a mobile app available for Android and iOS, through the use of select e-readers that offer support for Adobe Digital Editions, through a web browser and reading via Google Home.

How to buy books on Google Play

In the exact same way as you proceed to buy movies, you just need to select your desired book(s) in the library and confirm your action. It’s simple!

Can I buy an Android app on Google Play?

There are a bunch of Android apps and games you can buy on Google Play using a Gift Card. You just have to buy a Google Play voucher.

What is Google Play redeem code?

Google Play redeem code is the code associated with each card. Note that the card’s code can be found on the back of it by scratching the grey stripe with a coin.

Basically, when you buy a Google Play voucher, it has a 16-digit code imprinted in the backside which you have to scratch to reveal. Once you’ve scratched the Gift Card, enter the gift code on the Google Play Store.

How to redeem a Google Play gift card on Android phone

Start by opening the Google Play Store app on your Android device.
Open the menu by tapping the menu icon (the one with three lines) in the upper left-hand corner.
Scroll down and tap “Redeem.”
Just enter the provided redeem code and tap “Redeem”.
Confirm your action and enjoy your credit!

How to redeem Google Play gift card on computer

Open your web browser and go to the Google Play store website.
Choose “Redeem” on the left-hand side of the webpage.
Enter the provided redeem code.
Confirm and enjoy your credit!

Is there a Google Play purchase limit?

Google has recently added a new feature to the Play Store that allows you to set and manage your budget for premium apps, books, movies, games, and in-app purchases.

This new feature helps you monitoring and controlling your expenses in the app store. It doesn’t impose an absolute Google Play purchase limit when you want to buy Google Play credit.

To set a budget, simply open your Google Play Store app on your Android device and tap the hamburger menu. Then go to “Account” and then to “Purchase History”. From there, you can set an upper limit to your budget.

Where to buy Google Play gift card

Where to buy Google Play gift card? Looking to buy a Google Play gift card to surprise a friend or to offer as a gift? They are a lot easier to find than you might think.

Where to buy Google Play cards online

There are many online shops providing redeem codes you can purchase. Buying google play card online is easy.

Buying google play card online is a great way to offer content to a friend.

Where can I buy Google Play cards near me

You can find Google Play gift cards in a variety of technology stores and generic retailers near you.

Use Google’s Store locator to find stores near you: https://play.google.com/retail-locator

Where to find cheap Google Play cards

There are a lot of online stores offering discounts and selling cheap Google Play cards. Also, unwanted Google Play gift cards are listed on sale every day and sold at a reduced price on some websites. Be aware of the best deals.

Is it possible to get a Google Play redeem code for free?

Yes, you can get a Google Play redeem code for free without using Google Play redeem code generator and other illegal Google Play redeem code cheat.

There are a lot of trusted websites and apps where you can take surveys, watch video ads, get daily bonuses for logging in, and that will help you earn many points per day which you can trade for free redeem codes.

Also, there are some games available where you can earn free coins that can be exchanged for free Google Play redeem codes.

Wrap Up

Google Play gift cards are an excellent approach for Android users to acquire premium apps, books, movies, and music. You can purchase these cards from various online and offline retailers.

By reading this article you can learn a lot about what is a Google Play gift card and the best ways to follow when you want to buy a Google Play gift card online and have the best deal.

Android Virus Checker: Do you need it?

May 28, 2020April 1, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

Android has grown a lot during the last ten years and became the most used operating system, therefore, making it an attractive target. Do you need an Android virus checker?

Software enterprises are usually pushing a virus scanning app of some sort. However, Android and other mobile platforms have their roots in the modern era when programmers understood the dangers of the internet, and so by its very own nature, the system is much more secure than a desktop computer running Windows.

So it is questionable whether these security apps are really needed. Probably, Android already got what it’s needed to keep your device safe.

Android’s open design is inherently more prone to malware than iOS, but despite that, it comes with several smart built-in security measures to protect your phone or tablet.

For its nature, Android makes it impossible for any app to be installed without your explicit permission. The ability to install apps from other sources rather than the Google Play Store is even disabled by default. And for principle, all apps in the Play Store are trusty and won’t harm your device.

But, more important, you should know Android already has its own native malware scanner which is constantly monitoring all of the running apps in the background, warning you if there is some malicious attempt. Also, it runs a safety check on apps from the Play Store before you download them. It is Google Play Protect and you can check it by going to Settings > Google > Security > Google Play Protect.

Do Android Viruses exist?

If you’re asking “do Android viruses exist”, yes, they do. There’s no running from the fact that Android viruses do exist and Android phones can get viruses and malware. Viruses are often associated with computers, like a desktop or laptop computer running Microsoft Windows.

However, with the increasing popularity and use of smartphones and tablets and the personal data they contain, viruses and malware have started to target these devices.

Does Android phones get viruses?

Android phones do get viruses. It is also true the fact that the vast majority of known Android viruses have been installed on the back of dubious apps, apps you will no longer find in the Google Play Store and you can only get through external *.APK download platforms.

There is no review of the code, and no need for the developer to give up their personal information. While this makes developing software easier, it definitely makes for software that is much more insecure and troublesome.

That said, a little caution when installing apps from other sources than the Play Store should be taken to keep your device clean and healthy. If you only install apps from secure and reputable sources, it is highly unlikely that your phone may become infected.

How do Android phones get viruses?

The most common way for a smartphone or tablet to get infected is by installing apps from dubious sources. If the app contains a virus or malware embedded in its code, it will diffuse to the device’s operating system. And there are a lot of Android apps with viruses outside the Google Play Store.

E-mails are also a possible way for your phone to get a virus. Reading an e-mail would not cause any harm, but opening an attachment, like a text file, an Excel spreadsheet or even a PDF that contains a virus or malware, will contaminate the whole smartphone’s OS.

There is also Android malware from websites that may put your phone at risk by making attempts to remote control it, or to phish private information from it. Avoid visiting insecure or suspect webpages, usually related to piracy or other illegal activities. That will highly reduce the risk of getting Android virus from web browsing.

Android virus sending text messages is also a possible way to infect an Android phone. If you receive a text message with a link to an Android application package (.APK) file containing a copy of a piece of malware, it can also harm your device. You should never open links or attachments from messages of unknown senders.

What to do when you see a generic Android virus warning?

Generic Android virus warning is usually fake. A pop-up window will appear and warns you that your Android is infected with a virus, and invites you to run a scan to remove the malicious software from your device.

Never follow that procedure! It will redirect you and induce you to install some malware that will probably harm your phone and infect your Android with a virus.

Keep in mind that most of the time when you really have a virus on your Android device, you won’t be advised by any warnings.

Best Android virus scanner

Despite being very secure by its very own nature as explained above, you may be interested in rising your device’s security level to a fool-proof extent. Those are some of the best Android virus scan you can find:

Bitdefender Anti-Virus Free
Avast Mobile Security
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
McAfee Security and Power Booster Free
AVG

They all provide a bunch of useful features to keep your Android with maximum protection.

Scan Android for virus online

Tired of installing and uninstalling virus scanners on your phone? You can opt to scan Android for virus online.

It’s a good alternative as the installation is not required and it would work from the phone’s browser. Also, they are free, so you don’t need to pay for a license or even do regular updates.

Like the installed versions, they will help you to figure out whether there is a virus on your phone and they will also search for spyware or malware and remove it.

Some good online virus scanners you can use without installation:

How to clean Android virus

Aside from sluggish performance and decreased battery life, one of the most commonly known symptoms of an Android virus is that the web browser is redirecting to a gambling site, a porn site or you are experiencing dodgy pop-ups.

In such instances, the first step to do is clear your browser cache in the browser’s own settings menu.

If the problem persists, uninstall any suspicious apps you don’t remember downloading or that you got outside the Google Play Store.

Run an Android virus removal tool, it’s the most certain mean of confirming malware on a device. If the first scan doesn’t find anything, you may want to download a second anti-malware app and try again.

If none of the above-stated solves your problem, you may need to take a more drastic option and perform a factory reset, which will clear all your device’s data and restore it to the original settings.

List of Android viruses

There are millions of Android viruses. Here are the top ten of the most common viruses out there. Top Android viruses list 2019:

FakeInst:
OpFake
SNDApps
Boxer
GinMaster
VDLoader
FakeDolphin
KungFu
Basebridge
JIFake

Most of these viruses were found in dozens of Android apps which are available to download outside the Google Play Store, on third-party websites.

iOS vs Android malware statistics

Android devices are nearly 50 times more likely to be infected by malware than iOS devices. The fact that Android is open source makes it more vulnerable. Its open design is inherently more exploitable than iOS.

In iOS, the source code isn’t released to app developers and the owners of iOS devices aren’t able to modify the code themselves either. The iOS operating system is designed to limit access to core functionality and the ability to execute actions and code that would interact with core functionality. Doing so makes iOS less versatile but more secure and less likely to get infected.

Also, Apple is strict on getting its users to keep their operating system up-to-date, while most Android devices with more than a couple of years are running on security-obsolete Android versions.

Wrap Up

Bear in mind that there isn’t a 100% secure device or operating system. Android viruses are by no means as prevalent as media outlets want you to believe, and your device is much more at risk of theft than it is a virus.

But it is true, Android viruses do exist, and some caution has to be taken when installing non-official apps, as there are a lot of Android apps with virus.

Also, bypassing suspect webpages to avoid android malware from websites is a wise move. So, do you need an Android Virus Checker? Despite the efficiency of Android’s own native malware scanner, a decent third-party antivirus app can provide you some extra peace of mind.

Don’t forget to check out our other useful resources:

How does Android Beam work?

June 28, 2020March 31, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

In this article, you’ll be learning how does Android Beam work so you can take advantage of it when you want to exchange information between two phones.

What is Android Beam

Android Beam was introduced back in Android 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). It is a feature that uses NFC technology to wirelessly transfer data between two compatible Android phones or tablets.

According to Google representatives, it is an Android feature that enables just about any type of proximity-based interaction.

It is a short-range connection, meaning both devices should be together, back-to-back. The sender’s device screen must display which files are to be shared and the receiver will be presented with the option to accept or deny the file transfer. You can use Android Beam to share directions between smartphones, website links, photos, videos, and other media.

Now that you know what is Android Beam, let’s have a more in-depth look at this technology.

What is Android Beam App

The Android Beam app lets you send directions, webpage links, contact info, photos, videos, and even navigation directions to another NFC phone or tablet.

There are some Android Beam apps available for download in the Google Play Store. Some will require payment but others are free to use.

What is Android Beaming Service

Android Beaming Service

Sometimes it can be time-consuming just to share a couple of files between two phones. Android Beaming Service is designed to provide access to file transfer without the need of pairing both devices via Bluetooth or even by an external cable. That enables a quick and effective way to connect two devices.

What is Android Beam Function

Its main function is to quickly transfer files and other content to a second phone or tablet as long as it features NFC and it is running Android 4.0 or newer.

What does Android Beaming Service do

Beam is designed to be exceedingly easy and quick to use. For instance, if you want to share some pictures, a video, or even a Google Maps direction with a friend, you can instantly share those directions with Beam. You just need to pair your phone to your friends, and a “Touch to Beam” prompt appears on your screen.

How to do Android Beam

The first and most important thing before going any further is to check whether your smartphone or tablet supports NFC. This can be found within the Connectivity Settings menu, alongside Wi-Fi and Mobile Data. Also, it needs to be running at least Android 4.0 (or newer), to support Android Beam.

Can Android Beam to iPhone

Yes, it is possible to quickly and easily transfer data from Android to an iPhone. There are a lot of apps that are designed to serve exactly the purpose of transferring data, not via NFC but via Wi-Fi from two different operating systems: Android and iOS.

You just need to download the appropriate application both from the Google Play Store and from the Apple Store. You have some free apps available like Zapya, that will do the job.

Android Beam to PC

If your computer is connected to a local wireless network, one of the easiest ways to transfer files to an Android device and vice-versa is to set up wireless transfer. These services specialize in porting information through your wireless network and onto a mobile device. Once you set it up, it is a simple and quick way to transfer data between your phone and your personal computer.

Android Beam for PC

There are some apps you can install on your phone to connect to your Windows 10 PC via Wi-Fi. Even Microsoft has a dedicated app for the purpose: Your Phone Companion – Link to Windows. There are also third-party apps available that will do the job.

How to Use Android Beam

To transfer data between two Android devices, you should take the following procedures:

Start by checking your device’s NFC support. Go to Settings > Connected Devices and then select the Connection Preferences option. If you find an NFC option, it means your device supports it. Then, you just have to tick the switch next to NFC to enable it. Under the Connection Preferences menu, you may also find an Android Beam option. Select it and tick the switch to On to enable Android Beam.

After enabling NFC, you just need to select the data you want to transfer to the other Android device.
In this final step, just displace both devices together, back-to-back, with the content you want to share displayed on the screen to activate Android Beam. If it’s able to be sent, the screen of the source phone will shrink down and a “Tap to Beam” text will display at the top. Now you just need to confirm the content transfer. Once the files transferring done, a warning confirmation tone will play. If for some reason, the transfer has failed, a more negative sound will play.

Android Beam file location

Once the transfer is completed, tap the incoming file on the receiver Android device. Doing so will confirm that you wish to open the sent file.

Android Beam WiFi password

You can also use Android Beam to share your Wi-Fi password with your friends or guests. Anyone who turns up at your house will be able to connect to your network without effort with the Android Beam WiFi password.

You just need to download InstaWifi through the Play Store. Then enter your network information and tap Write to Tag (with the tag in close proximity) to complete the job. Any of your guests with an NFC-equipped Android device can then simply tap the tag as they walk by to get connected to your local Wi-Fi.

Wrap Up

Since its inception, Android Beam has been growing as an easy and quick way to transfer data between Android Phones. Also, NFC is getting more popular nowadays and covering a bunch of mid-range to high-end phones as a standard feature.

In this article, you get a clarified explanation on how does Android Beam work, how to use Android Beam it and some of its great features and capabilities.

Don’t forget to check out our other useful resources:

What is a Google Cardboard?

June 28, 2020March 31, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

If you came here you’re probably wondering what is a Google Cardboard. Read on and your doubts will be cleared.

What is the Google Cardboard?

The Google Cardboard is a virtual reality (VR) platform and it’s named after it’s viewer, where you insert your smartphone.

You can buy a pre-manufactured viewer which is quite affordable or you can even build your own version. Specifications are available from Google so you get it right.

Now that you know what is a Google Cardboard, let’s learn how to use it.

Google Cardboard: where to buy?

Before anything else, you need to get a Google Cardboard.

The easiest and most convenient way is to buy a ready-made product. And most of them are quite affordable.

If you prefer going offline you can buy google cardboard in store.

If you prefer to get it online and haven’t figured out the google cardboard to buy, check out the following options:

Google Classicboard by Google

Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!

If you want the classic and basic version of the Cardboard, get this one, by Google itself. In fact, it’s a pack of 2 units which makes it even more affordable.

Awesome portable cardboard (Certified by Google)

Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!

Let’s move on to a very popular Cardboard in Amazon. Not only it is a great option by itself but it scores strongly on probability. You can fold it to take less space and it even has a sturdy case to keep it safe. If you plan to carry it with you, check it out.

You’ll also be happy to know that it will fit a large range of phones, Android and iPhone included.

If all of these weren’t enough qualities, it’s also one of the few 3D VR Glasses to be certified Works with Google Cardboard (WWGC).

There’s also a range of colors for you to choose from to better match your tastes and on top of that, it’s still very affordable.

Top-of-the-line cardboard

Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!

It’s far from the most affordable but its quality and possibilities shine through and make it an Amazon bestseller.

This is the unit you have to buy if you want an awesome virtual reality experience. This headset allows you to play games and watch movies and is compatible with a large range of phones.

It’s comfortable to wear as it is expected to be used for longer periods.

After you’ve chosen the Google Cardboard to buy and you’ve ordered it, learn how to use it.

Do it yourself: Google Cardboard template

If you want to opt for building out your own Google Cardboard, you can do it with ease.

The instructions and Google Cardboard template are readily available so you don’t have to figure it out for yourself.

Without further due, check out Google’s guide.

Lenses for google cardboard

If you’re going to build your own, remember to get lenses for Google Cardboard. It’s just one component but a crucial one.

Click the image to check the price on Amazon now!

Google Cardboard Compatible phones

Like with many apps and functions, it’s important to make sure if you have a device that is featured on the Google Cardboard Compatible phones list.

Maxbox VR, which sells its own Google Cardboards has compiled a list of Cardboard compatible phones, you can check it here.

Other than that, the best option is to check out the specifications of each Cardboard. Scroll up to check 3 awesome options.

Google Cardboard on iPhone

Ok, so you’re an iPhone user. Don’t worry, there’s an app that allows you to run Google Cardboard on iPhone, too. Download it here.

Google Cardboard instructions: How to use Google Cardboard

The Google Cardboard viewer is actually pretty simple to use.

You start by inserting your smartphone in the back of the Google Cardboard viewer and then you view the content through the lenses.

Your smartphone needs to feature a gyroscope and Android’s version should be 4.1 or higher but these days it’s highly unlikely that your phone wouldn’t meet these requirements.

Before even starting, you have to download the Google Cardboard app in the Google play store.

Now let’s dive into the Google Cardboard instructions on how to use Google Cardboard:

Open the Cardboard app;
To pair your phone with your viewer, on the right, tap the Right arrow.
Use your phone’s camera to scan the QR code on the Cardboard viewer. You might need to remove the cardboard sleeve to find the QR code.
Open the top flap of the viewer.
Lift the flaps toward you and press them against the fasteners on the sides.
Put your phone inside the viewer, and then close the top flap.
Before you look through the viewer, look at an object that’s far away.
Close your eyes as you bring the viewer up to your face.
Follow the instructions on the screen to begin using Cardboard.

Google Cardboard on iPhone

Ok, so you’re an iPhone user. If you’re wondering if you can use Google Cardboard, don’t worry.

Yes, there’s an iPhone app that allows you to run Google Cardboard on iPhone, too. Download it here.

iPhone order from oldest to newest

June 28, 2020March 23, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

In this article, we’re reviewing iPhone order from oldest to newest.

Since Apple released the first iPhone they’ve been a gadget that many have loved.

Compare all iPhone models

If you aren’t sure which iPhone you should get, keep reading. We will help you choose by reviewing each model so you can compare all iPhone models.

iPhone

In 2007, Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the very first iPhone. It was also referred to as the iPhone 2G (to distinguish it from its successor, the iPhone 3G) or even to iPhone 1.

This device set new standards in the phone market and introduced the smartphone concept as we know it today. The iPhone was the debut of the “big-size” touchscreen, that years later became standard across every smartphone and also established design precedents. There had been smartphones available before the iPhone, but all of them with smaller LCDs and physical keyboards.

It featured a 3.5-inch LCD display which may seem tiny by today’s standards but was immense considering the phones available in 2007. With a resolution of 480×320 and 163ppi (points per inch), it was incredibly sharp.

It was available in 3 storage variants of 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB, which was almost “infinite” space for 2007. A 2-megapixel rear-camera was also included which made a great impact on the world of portable photography.

Other specs included a 400 MHz S5L8900 CPU, 128MB of RAM, a 1400 mAh battery and also offered Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

In conclusion, it is safe to state that the first iPhone had a key influence over the phone industry and set the standards for future devices until the present day.

iPhone 3G

This is the second-gen. iPhone. It was launched in 2008 and was the successor of the first iPhone. It wasn’t much different from its predecessor, featuring the same LCD display with a resolution of 480×320 and 163ppi (points per inch) and the same S5L8900 CPU clocked at 412Mhz, offering also 128MB of RAM. The rear camera was also the same of the previous model.

It was available in both 8GB and 16GB of storage capacity. The dimensions of the iPhone 3G were marginally larger than those found on the original iPhone. The battery was slightly smaller, offering just 1150 mAh.

The device included some new hardware features such as 3G network availability and GPS navigation. When it was launched, the iPhone 3G featured iPhone OS 2.0 which introduced a major innovation: the App Store.

iPhone 3GS

Introduced in 2009, the 3GS was a major update compared to the previous 3G, despite the same form factor. It was introduced with the iPhone OS 3.0.

The S added to its predecessor’s name, stands for Speed, as this new improved model claimed to be twice as fast with it’s 600 MHz ARM Cortex-A8 CPU and PowerVR SGX535 GPU. RAM memory was boosted to 256MB and a new storage option of 32GB was available.

The rear camera was upgraded to 3 megapixels and it’s now capable of video recording (VGA @ 30fps). This model also introduced voice control and a digital compass.

Its LCD display while having the same dimensions and resolution, it’s now capable of being operated with multiple fingers (multi-touch). It offers a 1219mAh battery.

iPhone 4

The fourth-generation iPhone, succeeding the 3GS was unveiled in 2010. It introduced an all-new sleek design with a metal frame and a glass rear panel.

While maintaining the same size and aspect ratio of its predecessors, the iPhone 4 got an improved LCD display with a resolution of 960×640 and a pixel density of 326ppi (points per inch) named Retina Display.

Other specs. included an 800 MHz single-core 32-bit ARM Cortex-A8 with a PowerVR SGX535 GPU, 512MB of RAM and offered up to 32GB of internal storage.

The iPhone 4 moved a big step up in the camera quality department with its new 5-megapixel lens with an illuminated sensor. It was the first iPhone to have a front-facing camera and was able to record High-Definition Video (720p) @ 30fps. It also featured an LED flash.

This smartphone came with the iOS 4 which also marked the arrival of FaceTime chat and was powered by a 1420 mAh battery.

iPhone 4S

2011 marked the launch of the iPhone 4S. It was an upgraded version of the 4 in may key areas. S stands for Siri, Apple’s personal assistant that debuted in this new device and has been included in all iPhone generations since then.

While the Retina Display is the same that was introduced in the previous iPhone 4, the camera, once again, represented a big step up from its predecessor, now with an incredible resolution of 8 megapixels and capable of recording Full-HD (1080p) video with image stabilization.

It is now available in up to 64GB of storage while the CPU is now a Dual-Core 32-bit ARM Cortex-A9, clocked at 800Mhz with a slightly uprated GPU and the same 512MB of RAM.

It introduced the iOS 5 operating system. On the iPhone 4S, texting could be aided by the voice assistant, which allowed speech-to-text.

iPhone 5

The iPhone 5 was released in 2012 and it’s the 6th generation iPhone. It introduced a new design, thinner and lighter than previous models and featured a new all-aluminum frame instead of metal. It was 18% thinner, 20% lighter, and had 12% less overall volume than its predecessor, despite having a bigger LCD display with 4-inches and a resolution of 1136×640 at 326 ppi.

It was the first time Apple increased the screen size since the launch of the first iPhone model in 2007.

The rear camera set-up is the same as its predecessor with it’s Sony 8-megapixel lens. The front camera was upgraded to 1.2 megapixels and it’s now capable of recording in HD (720p).

Storage options stayed unchanged, but RAM was doubled to 1GB of memory. Another big thing about the iPhone 5 is the introduction of 4G LTE connectivity.

It featured a 1.3 GHz dual-core processor, and a tri-core PowerVR SGX543MP4 running at 266 MHz for improved performance. Was powered by a 1440 mAh battery and run on Apple’s iOS 6.

iPhone 5s and 5c

2013 have seen the arrival of two new iPhones: the 5s and 5c. While the 5s was marketed to the high-end market, the 5c was basically a reskinned iPhone 5, meant to be slightly more affordable and featured a less premium construction with a polycarbonate plastic shell and a thicker body. It was offered in several different color options.

The 5s truly represented the seventh generation of iPhone devices. It maintained almost the same external design as its predecessor and received a new white/gold color scheme.

This phone’s internals were vastly upgraded in comparison to the previous model, now offering a 64-bit 1.3 GHz dual-core Apple Cyclone CPU and a PowerVR G6430 GPU with 4 cluster@450MHz. It was the first 64-bit processor to be used in a smartphone.

The 5s also introduced the TouchID and was the first iPhone that could be unlocked via a fingerprint sensor located in the home button.

It offered 1GB of RAM and 3 storage variants: 16, 32, and 64 GB. The iPhone 5s’s camera was capable of recording FullHD video (1080p) and featured an 8 megapixel Sony sensor. It introduced the capability of recording slow-motion video and had a 2 tone dual-led flash for improved color balance.

Both the iPhone 5s and 5c were supplied with iOS 7.

iPhone 6 and 6 Plus

Introduced in 2014, this eight-generation saw, yet again, an improvement in screen sizes, jumping in size to a 4.7-inch High-Definition (HD) 1334×750 with 326ppi (points per inch). The 6 Plus has gone even further, offering a Full-HD 5.5-inch LCD display with 1920×1080 (401ppi).

It was the thinnest iPhone to date with just 6.9mm for the 6 and 7.1mm for the 6 Plus.

The 6’s internal specs were almost identical to those of the iPhone 5s. They both featured a 1.4 GHz dual-core 64-bit ARMv8-A with a PowerVR Series 6 GX6450 GPU and 1GB of RAM. Storage was available in 16 GB, 32 GB (iPhone 6 only), 64 GB and, for the first time, 128 GB.

They both included an 8-megapixel rear camera with the capability of recording video in FullHD (1080p) now with 60 fps (frames per second). In addition, 6 Plus also offered optical image stabilization.

The iPhone 6 was powered by an 1810 mAh battery, while the iPhone 6 Plus features 2915 mAh. They both came with the iOS 8 operating system.

iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

Unveiled in 2015, the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus looked almost identical as its predecessors. But in terms of hardware, there were major changes. Its chassis was also uprated, and a stronger 7000 series aluminum alloy was used, preventing many previously reported cases of bending, one of the known drawbacks of the iPhone 6.

Alongside the existing gold, silver, and space gray options, a new rose gold color option was also introduced.

The main camera was improved and now features a 12-megapixel Sony Exmor RS IMX315 sensor, capable of 4K video recording @ 30fps while the front-facing camera features a 5-megapixel sensor.

The RAM was also doubled from 1 GB to 2 GB and the dual-core 64-bit ARMv8-A CPU was now clocked at 1.85 GHz.

Despite having the same displays as the predecessors, they now feature 3D Touch. Sensors were embedded in the screen’s backlight layer measuring the firmness of the user’s touch input by the distance between it and the cover glass. It allowed the device to distinguish between normal and more forceful presses.

They were available with 16, 64, and 128 GB of internal storage using NVM Express (NVMe) technology for improved performance.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

This was the tenth generation of iPhones and was introduced in 2016. With essentially the same design as its predecessors, this new generation added new color options and IP67 rating for dust and water protection.

It was the first iPhone without the 3.5mm headphone jack and as a result, it received a lot of criticism.

While maintaining the same megapixel ratings, the cameras were improved and the 7 Plus for the first time features a dual-camera setup with a telephoto lens, being capable of 2x optical zoom. It also added portrait mode.

The LCD displays had identical sizes and resolutions to iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, but with an improved screen-to-body ratio and a better color gamut and increased brightness.

For processing data, it used the Apple A10 Fusion 64-bit system-on-chip, which consists of two low-power cores and two high-power cores (only two cores are used at any point in time). Base models started at 32 GB of storage and gone up to 256 GB.

The device was launched with the iOS 10.0.1 operating system.

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were released in 2017. This was the eleventh generation of iPhones. While being similar to their predecessors, the smartphones had glass backs instead of the complete aluminum housing, enabling the use of Qi inductive charging. It was the first iPhone with wireless charging capability.

The LCD display was the same as the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, but now featuring true-tone display which improved the viewing experience by automatically reducing blue-light exposure and making adjustments based on surrounding ambient lighting.

It featured a 12-megapixel main camera capable of capturing 4K video @ 60fps (frames per second). The iPhone 8 Plus upgraded the main camera for a wide-angle lens with up to 10X digital zoom or 2X optical zoom. Is had a second, telephoto lens similar to the one found on the iPhone 7 Plus, but with improved depth-of-field and lighting effects in Portrait mode.

The performance was improved by the use of a 2.39 GHz hexacore 64-bit CPU and 3GB of RAM for the 8 Plus – while the iPhone 8 still offered 2GB. Both models came with 64 GB and 256 GB storage options.

Both the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus were shipped with the iOS 11 operating system.

iPhone X

Unveiled in 2017 alongside with the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, the iPhone X introduced a gorgeous full-frame OLED LCD display with very slim bezels and without “chin”, covering almost the entire front face of the phone – apart from the notch.

The home button was suppressed and replaced with Face ID – a new type of authentication based on facial recognition. This created a major change in the user experience, as users now need to swipe up with the finger to close apps and switch between screens. Getting rid of the Home button means there is no more Touch ID.

The iPhone X had a 5.8 inch Super Retina display with True Tone technology, which uses ambient light sensors to adapt the display’s white balance to the surrounding ambient light.

This device featured 2 rear cameras. A 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with f/1.8 aperture, with support for face detection, high dynamic range and, optical image stabilization. It was also capable of capturing 4K video at 24, 30 or 60 fps (frames per second). A secondary, telephoto lens features 2X optical zoom and 10X digital zoom with an aperture of f/2.4 and optical image stabilization. It also had a quad-LED True Tone flash.

It had 3GB of RAM, 64GB or 256GB of internal storage and a Hexa-core 64-bit CPU clocked at 2.39GHZ.

This iPhone was launched with iOS 11 and featured Aniemojis, which are emojis that move on the screen and that can be created using an avatar based on your own face. It made the iPhone X more fun.

iPhone XS and XS Max

These new phones were introduced in 2018 and marked the twelfth generation of iPhones. The design was similar to the iPhone X launched in the previous year, with a full-frame OLED display. The X and the XS were almost identical in size, except the XS was marginally lighter while the XS Max is larger. It had a 6.5 inch OLED display.

The key difference to the previous year model is the A12 Bionic chip built with a 7-nanometer process. It was more efficient and increased the processing power while decreased the battery drain. They were equipped with 4GB of RAM and 64GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage.

They both used dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and one 7-megapixel front-facing camera. Despite the same megapixel rating, both cameras were improved in comparison to the previous models, having now bigger sensors.

The XS and XS Max were rated IP68 for dust and water resistance under IEC standard 60529, with Apple specifying a maximum depth of 2 meters and up to 30 minutes of submersion in water. It was an improvement over the IP67 rating of the iPhone 8 and iPhone X

Both phones were launched with the iOS 12 operating system.

iPhone XR

Launched in 2018 like the XS and XS Max, the XS was targeted to the entry-level market and was meant to be more affordable than the rest of the line-up. It was designed to be a budget option for the iPhone XS.

Unlike its more expensive siblings with they OLED displays, this phone had a 6.1-inch “Liquid Retina” IPS LCD display with 1792×828 (326 ppi).

It was available in three storage capacities of 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB had 3GB of RAM and a 2.49 GHz hexacore 64-bit CPU.

In contrast to the XS, it had just a rear single camera and didn’t feature an optical zoom lens. Although, the iPhone XR offered an adjustable depth of field through software.

It was powered by a 2942 mAh battery and came with iOS 12 installed.

iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max

The thirteenth generation, launched in 2019, had seen the arrival of 3 models. The iPhone 11 was marked as the entry-level and was the least expensive of Apple’s annual line-up, making the phone slightly more affordable but still offering a great bunch of features.

Along with the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, the iPhone 11 used Apple’s A13 Bionic processor, which contains a third-generation neural engine. It had a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display, unlike the 11 Pro which had a 5.85-inch OLED and the 11 Pro Max with its huge 6.46-inch OLED display.

The iPhone 11 included a dual-lens 12MP rear camera array and supported 4K video at up to 60 fps and 1080p slow motion at up to 240 fps. Only the primary lens had optical image stabilization. The iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max both included a triple-lens 12 MP rear camera array capable of 2x optical zoom

iPhone 11 had three internal storage options: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max had internal storage options of 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. They all included 4 GB of RAM and were all rated with IP68 water and dust-resistance, along with dirt and grime.

The battery capacity ranged from 3110mAh for the iPhone 11, 3046mAh for the 11 Pro and 3969mAh for the 11 Pro Max.

They all shipped with the iOS 13 operating system.

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Low Priced iPhones For Sale

April 8, 2021March 14, 2020 by TurboGadgetReviews

Today, you can get a whole bunch of not-so-new Low Priced iPhones for sale. Previous models are still very usable today, offering nice cameras, good all-round specs, and a premium overall quality and feel that Apple surely knows how to deliver. You can get one for a surprisingly affordable price.

And, of course, the flawless iOS experience. The Apple operating system is so well optimized it doesn’t feel like it’s aged much when considering the models from the last 5 years. In some areas like display quality and camera set-up, many older iPhones are still on par with today’s medium to high-spec devices.

If you are on the market for a new smartphone, but you’d prefer not to spend big money on the very latest releases, we have a suggestion. Why not consider the now affordable flagships from previous years?

Especially if you’re not planning on doing some heavy-duty gaming on the device. They can still run most latest games in HD resolution and medium quality settings. Most Apple iPhones were revolutionary pieces of technology and are still relevant today.

In a hurry? The iPhone 6S Plus is the best choice for an affordable iPhone if you value a bigger screen and longer runing times; if you prefer higher performance, smaller size and lighter chassis, opt for the iPhone 8.

Discount iPhones for sale

Before we take a look at some awesome discount iPhones for sale, it’s important that you understand that many of them might be refurbished units.

There’s nothing wrong with refurbished units, in fact, they can be a great opportunity for the buyer.

What does “Refurbished” or “Renewed” mean?

A refurbished phone has been used before. Maybe it was returned to the retailer or manufacturer for a refund by a customer or came off a lease.

Many companies have a policy of trading their equipment from time to time, even if they’re performing without any issues.

If that gets you worried, don’t run off just yet. Read a bit more and you’ll feel a lot safer on these options.

Make sure you understand the difference between used and refurbished.

A product sold as used is sold as is, without any repair done or parts replaced. A refurbished product is quite different.

Before being sold as a refurbished model is thoroughly checked. Components with defects are repaired or replaced. Afterward, it is inspected. If it performs as expected, it’s good to be sold again as a refurbished unit.

That’s great news. Although it was previously used before, you can rest assured. Before being sold again as a refurbished product it’s examined and tested properly.

On top of that, you have a warranty to back it up.

Yet another great reason to buy one of these products is their price. Refurbished price often cost considerably less than the original price it carried.

You can read more about it in Amazon’s policy.

Affordable iPhones comparison table

	iPhone 6S Plus	iPhone 7 Plus	iPhone 8
Display	5.5-inch	5.5-inch	4.7-inch
CPU	1.85 GHz Dual-Core	2.34 GHz Quad-Core	2.39 GHz Hexa-Core
RAM	2 GB	3 GB	2 GB
Storage	16, 32, 64, or 128 GB	32, 128 or 256 GB	64, 128 or 256 GB
Cameras	12-megapixel front 5-megapixel rear	12-megapixel front 7-megapixel rear	12-megapixel front 7-megapixel rear
Battery	2750 mAh	2900 mAh	1821 mAh
Dimensions	6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inch (158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm)	6.23 x 3.07 x 0.29 inch (158.2 x 77.9 x 7.3 mm)	5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 inch (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Weight	6.8 oz (192 g)	6.6 oz (188 g)	5.2 oz (148 g)

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Cheap iPhone 6S Plus

Key features

Display: 5.5-inch 1920×1080 IPS
CPU: 1.85 GHz Dual-Core 64-bit
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 16, 32, 64, or 128GB
Cameras: 12-megapixel front and 5-megapixel rear
Battery: 2750mAh
Dimensions: 158.2 mm (6.23 in) x 77.9 mm (3.07 in) x 7.3 mm (0.29 in)
Weight: 192 g (6.8 oz)

The iPhone 6S Plus was officially unveiled on September 9, 2015, during a press event in San Francisco. It was the second iPhone (following the 6 Plus) to offer a big LCD display with a 5.5-inch and 1080×1920 (401ppi) Full-HD resolution.

It was huge in its time and it is still fairly average and perfectly usable by today’s standards. It’s still plenty sharp and bright, on pair with the best IPS screens available on the phones nowadays. With natural-looking colors and solid contrast levels for an LCD. You can happily use your iPhone 6S Plus outside without eye-effort, even in the brightest sunlight.

The camera is still other of this phone’s highlights. It features a 12-megapixel resolution main camera and each pixel in its sensor is 1.22-microns with backside illumination, which increases the amount of light captured, and a reduction of noise in low-light photos. Still, it offers optical image stabilization (OIS) for an even better output. It is able to capture sharp and detailed images in pretty much all lighting conditions, being still on par with many medium-to-high specced phones of today.

Its A9 Dual-Core processor offers a perfectly fine user experience, doing anything you need from web browsing to 1080p video streaming without effort. It is still capable of running almost any game as long as it’s not in full-resolution and best quality settings.

This phone was launched with iOS 9 operating system. Since then Apple has released an update to iOS 9.1, iOS 9.2 and, more recently, iOS 9.3. This later version brought with it a bunch of new features, including Night Shift, lockable notes, some improvements to the Apple Health dashboard, Apple CarPlay, Apple News and 3D Touch.

Maybe not the cheapest iPhone 6S Plus but a great phone nevertheless.

Pros:

Great Camera
High-Quality Display
Affordable
3.5mm Headphone Jack present

Cons:

Storage can’t be expanded

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Cheap iPhone 7 Plus

Key features

Display: 5.5 inch 1920×1080 IPS
CPU: 2.34 GHz Quad-Core 64-bit
RAM: 3GB
Storage: 32, 128 or 256GB
Cameras: 12-megapixel front and 7-megapixel rear
Battery: 2900mAh
Dimensions: 158.2 mm (6.23 in) x 77.9 mm (3.07 in) x 7.3 mm (0.29 in)
Weight: 188 g (6.6 oz)

The iPhone 7 Plus was announced on September 7th, 2016 but it’s still a popular choice today. It features the same magnificent IPS LCD as the 6S Plus, mas now with thinner bezels for a better screen-to-body ratio. It’s a crystal-clear display, very sharp and with high brightness levels that won’t let you down when using under direct sunlight.

Cameras are now a step forward in relation to the predecessor, offering even better low-light performance, thanks to a wider f.1/1.8 aperture lens that lets in more light. Also, it has OIS (optical image stabilization) for improved results in low-light conditions, reducing blur and shaking.

But the biggest improvement is the new secondary telephoto lens. This is the first iPhone featuring a dual-camera setup, now being capable of zooming 2x without losing any details or generate image noise. The telephoto lens is great for capturing landscapes, landmarks, and objects that are far away. You get better detail and improved exposure.

This model offers great cameras that are still capable of doing magnificent shots and comparable to the ones offered by the medium-high marketed phones these days.

The iPhone 7 was the first generation of iPhones featuring an IP67 rating for dust and water protection which is a nice protective for extra peace of mind.

Unfortunately, it was also the first iPhone without a headphone jack. A step that was not well regarded by many users.

Performance-wise, it is still very impressive and can perform an array of tasks without any kind of lag, even CPU intensive ones. It is almost as powerful as many high-end devices available on the market today. Apple’s A10 Fusion chipset is still highly capable. The phone is also very energy-efficient, a big plus for battery life.

Battery capacity may not seem that much at 2900mAh, but thanks to the mentioned above-average energy efficiency it will go all day long (and then some) on a single charge.

This device, in general, has held up remarkably well over time. In most aspects, it is still a midrange beater. If you’re after a high-quality camera with zoom lens in a well put together device with a premium package, look no further and get an iPhone 7 Plus.

Is this the cheapest iPhone 7 Plus? Well, you get a great phone, that’s for sure.

Pros:

Awesome Camera
Performance still on par with the best
Good battery life
Feels premium on the hand

Cons:

No headphone jack

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iPhone 8

Key features

Display: 4.7-inch 1334×750 IPS
CPU: 2.39 GHz Hexa-Core 64-bit
RAM: 2GB
Storage: 64, 128 or 256GB
Cameras: 12-megapixel front and 7-megapixel rear
Battery: 1821mAh
Dimensions: 138.4 mm (5.45 in) x 67.3 mm (2.65 in) x 7.3 mm (0.29 in)
Weight: 148 g (5.2 oz)

Apple did some changes to the iPhone 8 design compared to its predecessors. It now has a glass back instead of the all-aluminum housing. This makes this device capable of using Qi inductive charging. It was the first iPhone with wireless charging capability. However, it still looks every bit like an iPhone, of course.

The iPhone 8 remains a good value for those who want iOS and are not willing to pay the premium for it. It still packs a ton of good features like a lightning-fast A1 Bionic processor. It was Apple’s first attempt at integrating neural engine functionality into their SoC (system-on-a-chip).

It now has 6 cores, 2 high-performance and, 4 high-efficiency and also Apple’s first, custom, 3-core graphics processor. You can virtually run everything with this phone without a fuss, including the latest game releases.

The display is Apple’s Retina. An IPS LCD with 4.7 inches and a resolution of 1334×750. Despite not being as impressive as the latest Apple OLED Liquid Retina, it still offers incredible clarity and brightness, with great sharpness levels and color accuracy. The only downside is the screen-to-body ratio which is completely dated for today’s standards with its big bezels.

Don’t be fooled by thinking the 12-megapixel rate is not a big thing compared to what’s on the market nowadays. With the camera on the iPhone 8, you can expect some of the best-looking photos you’ve seen from a phone. The sharpness and the definition in all lightning conditions are outstanding and the overall detail is nothing less than superb.

The iPhone 8 still offers some of the advantages of a modern iPhone for much less than any new iPhone. If you don’t mind the “classic” iPhone looks with thick bezels around the display, there is not much more to complain about this device. Great performance, outstanding cameras, and Apple build quality is what you’re getting. And in almost every other aspect you still get a phone on par with the best.

Pros:

Outstanding Camera
Stellar performance
Classic premium iPhone design

Cons:

Big, old-fashioned screen bezels
No 3.5mm headphone jack

Comparison iPhone 6 and 7 and 8

Depending on your needs and on your budget, you may have a tough choice between these three generations.

The iPhone 6S Plus offers you plenty of good features for a low cost. It has a great build quality and premium feel, takes awesome shots and still delivers a great overall user experience. It is still a capable device for regular everyday use. Also, it still has a headphone jack, which is useful for many.

If you are entering the iOS world and want an affordable device, this is a great all-rounder.

If you need a bigger screen and a better screen-to-body ratio, the iPhone 7 Plus offers 5.5 inches of vivid display. Still on par with many of today’s smartphones in terms of size and aligning with the best IPS LCDs ever made in its quality. It is very sharp and offers high brightness levels that won’t let you down when using under direct sunlight.

The cameras are impressive too. With optical image stabilization and a secondary telephoto lens, it’s capable of 2x optical zoom. The main camera itself takes magnificent shots in all lighting conditions. The device features an IP67 rating for dust and water protection.

The iPhone 8 offers an experience that is closer to what you can find in a current iPhone model but without paying a premium. With this phone, you’ll get wireless charging and even a better camera than the one on the iPhone 7. It is as capable as most top-end models of today, taking impressive shots in all conditions.

But, its main asset is its lightning-fast A1 Bionic processor that is capable of handling any task or game without effort. If you are a gamer and processing power is of key importance, you should make the effort of paying a little more and consider the iPhone 8.

iPhone Comparison: Battery Life

Now let’s do an iPhone comparison on battery life.

The iPhone 6s Plus features a rechargeable, non-removable lithium-ion 2750 mAh battery with up to 24 hours of talk time on 3G. It also offers up to 12 hours of Wi-Fi use on 3G, LTE and, Wi-Fi, up to 14 hours of HD video playback and up to 80 hours of audio playback.

iPhone 7 Plus comes with a 2,900 mAh battery. It is one of the reasons this Plus version is a step forward over the standard iPhone 7, offering more hours of talk-time and also a lot more screen-time. It was a good improvement over the iPhone 6s Plus, not only having a bigger battery but also being more power-efficient. It comfortably lasts a full day on a single charge.

With 1821 mAh, the iPhone 8 battery lasts almost the same as the iPhone 7, offering less battery life than the 7 Plus. Despite the upgraded and more powerful internals, there is not a considerable gain in battery drain as the CPU is very power-efficient. It now has 6 cores, 2 high-performance, and 4 high-efficiency, low-powered cores.

Wrap Up

In this article, you’ll find a brief history of the iPhone line-up. It’s the iPhone order from oldest to newest, the launch dates, specifications and specific innovations of each model.

There is also a more in-depth review between the iPhone 6s Plus, 7 Plus and iPhone 8, which we consider being the most interesting previous iPhones still available now.

After reading this article, we hope it is easier for you to pick the model that best suits your needs from the low priced iPhones for sale.

For more information on iPhones, check out our awesome article on all iPhone models yet and our other useful resources: