After hearing rumors about a mid-range Google Pixel phone for months, we’ve got our first look of the phone. Last week, Russian website Rozketed got their hands on some pictures and details about the device. While Google hasn’t confirmed that this is the real deal (or that a mid-range Pixel is on the way), we’re fairly certain Rozketed is on the right track, as it accurately leaked the Pixel 3 XL earlier this year.

The device – internally known as “Sargo” – looks very much like the Pixel 3. However, the report suggests that the device has a plastic back instead of glass used in the Pixel 3. And it will have a headphone jack.

Credit: Rozetked

As per the report, the device features a 5.56-inch full HD display, which is the same size as the Pixel 3. The phone uses a mid-range Snapdragon 670 processor along with 4GB RAM. However, a spec sheet from the AID64 hardware testing app hints at a Snapdragon 710 chip powering the device. As per an earlier rumor, it’s quite possible that this might be Sargo’s cousin, “Bonito.”

This suggests we might end up with four Pixel 3 phones in total – the fourth being a budget Pixel 3 XL for folks who want a cheaper version of Google’s larger flagship.

The new processor means that the phone might not have Google’s proprietary visual core chip, and therefore not include certain photography features like Super Res Zoom . The visual core will require modification of the chip and I suspect that the company will skip that expensive process for a mid-range device.

The phone reportedly houses a 2,915mAh battery. It’ll have a 12-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera. This is almost the same set up as the Pixel 3, apart from the fact that the flagship version has two front cameras. We’re not sure at the moment if Google will use the same sensor as the Pixel 3 on the mid-range variant.

The first rumors about the mid-range Pixel appeared back in April. The report suggested that Google is targeting price-sensitive countries like India with the device. The new report suggests that the mid-range Pixel should land early next year.

The mid-range Pixel could tempt phone buyers on a budget if its camera turns out to be as good as that on the Pixel 3. But as we’ve learned from the past few iterations of the Pixel, they come with their fair share of performance issues . So Google will need to tighten its quality control if it wants these to sell in large numbers.

This year’s Pixel phones have been criticized for performance issues – particularly about them not having enough RAM to handle multitasking . That could be a cause for concern with the mid-range Pixel 3, as it’s reportedly getting lower-grade specs.

The mid-range Pixel 3 is expected to be priced somewhere between $400-500. It’ll go head-to-head against the likes of the OnePlus 6T and the Asus Zenfone 5z. Google will have to work hard to convince users to buy its next phone solely for the camera, as the competition clearly has an upper hand in terms of specs.

Will you hold out for a budget Pixel 3, or are you considering buying something else? Let us know in the comments.

How to turn on your iPhone’s ‘Low Power Mode’ quickly and easily

Welcome to Plugged Basics, a collection of tips, tricks, guides, and advice on how to easily get the most out of your gadgets, apps, and other stuff.

One of my favorite iPhone features is Low Power Mode. Seriously.

For those not in the know, the mode saves battery life by reducing a number of processes, including email fetching, background app refresh, and automatic downloads. It’s been a lifesaver, especially if your phone has a substandard battery. Like mine.

My ageing iPhone guzzles its way through charge like hungry hungry hippos gobble their way through marbles. This means I have Low Power Mode on the majority of the time, otherwise my phone wouldn’t make it to the afternoon.

Waiting for the battery to hit 20 percent and getting a notification to turn Low Power Mode on just won’t cut it. But going into Settings every single time to turn it on is a massive hassle, especially when the iPhone switches to normal mode once the battery is charged to 80 percent.

Luckily though, we’re here to show you an easy way to turn Low Power Mode on and off.

Step #1: head to settings

I’m sure you know that logo well.

Step #2: select Control Center (or Control Centre if you’re in the UK)

Step #3: go into Customize Controls

Step #4: click on the ‘plus’ icon next to Low Power Mode

Step #5 (optional): organize where Low Power Mode shows up on the Control Center

You can drag and drop where Low Power Mode will appear when you swipe up to summon Control Center.

It operates in rows of four, so, if you place it fifth on the list, it will appear in the first place of the second row.

Step #6: swipe up to show Control Center and live your best Low Power Mode life

So, there you have it!

While it’s not rocket science, having the option to quickly turn Low Power Mode on makes a big difference – especially if your iPhone is nearing the end of its life. Enjoy!

Want more Plugged Basics? Let us know what you’d like to learn about in the comments.

Report: Apple considered making a low-cost streaming TV dongle

For years, Amazon, Google, and Roku have been battling it out in for the top spot in the video streaming market with their affordable dongles. But it seems that a new competitor might join the fight: Apple.

According to a report from The Information , the company considered building a low-priced streaming dongle to get an edge over the competition in the streaming space. However, it’s unclear if Apple’s plans ever got past this stage and on to the drawing board.

The Apple TV, which was first introduced in 2007, has always been a premium option among streaming accessories, with a price tag of over $149. The current version costs $149 for the non-4K model and $179 for the 4K model. Meanwhile, Google’s Chromecast costs $ 35 for a 1080p-capable version, while the Ultra, with 4K output, costs $69.

And it looks like consumers might be interested too: a report by data analytics firm Thinknum suggests that Apple TV’s sales in the US for the holidays are better than that of Google Chromecast.

The company is also considering launching its own streaming service with shows produced in-house. It plans to offer this service to Apple device owners for free , and is expected to launch in 100 countries in March next year. If those plans really are on the cards, a cheap streaming dongle could help it reach more viewers.

It’s too early to tell if Apple will ever end up making a TV dongle, and it’s hard to tell whether the company will be able to make an inexpensive one. Considering the company’s ‘affordable’ iPhone XR costs $749 – far more than some top-end Android phones – the dongle likely won’t come as cheap as a Chromecast or a Fire Stick.