Saturday, August 31, 2019

The best Bluetooth speaker of 2019 in the UAE: the best portable speakers for any budget

Best Bluetooth Speakers Buying Guide: Welcome to TechRadar's expert round-up of the bluetooth speakers you can buy in 2019. 

Bluetooth speakers are a great gadget to take to days at the beach, nights out in the garden, and picnics at the park. However, that doesn't mean a great portable speaker isn't extremely useful to have on hand at home while you take a relaxing bath or work in the garden.

That means, for many of us, we need to find a Bluetooth speaker that'll see us through all kinds of occasions. Luckily, we've created a guide to help you find which portable, Bluetooth speaker is right for you. 

All of our recommendations are based on our detailed audio reviews and our expert knowledge of the speaker space. So, if you’re looking for a new portable speaker, then stick with us and we’ll help you decide which device will be best for bringing an amped-up version of your music anywhere and everywhere to pair with your top smartphone.

If you’re worried you’ll have to pay a big premium for good quality audio, then think again. There are lots of options for great speakers that’ll cost as much as your weekly trip to the grocery store. The only problem when you’re choosing a new speaker is that there are so many good ones for you to pick from, which can be overwhelming. 

We’re here to help. Here are some of our favorite, portable, audio companions that’ll let you pump out the tunes whether you’re in the garden, at the beach, on the slopes, camping, cooking or anywhere in-between. 

How to pick out the best Bluetooth speaker

There are so many speakers on the market, it can be difficult to figure out which Bluetooth speaker you need. Although it may seem like the choice is endless, there are plenty with unique selling points that'll suit your needs. 

Some speakers are built with ultimate durability in mind, others are weather and waterproof for camping and tunes by the pool and some aren't fit for the outdoors and would look pretty inside your home instead. 

If you're having trouble figuring out which speaker might be best for you, start by picturing where you're going to use it and find a speaker that matches that setting. That means if you're a beach person, water- and dust-proofing are key.

If you're a party person, you might want the ability to connect two speakers together or a speaker with multi-point pairing that allows multiple devices to connect at a time. Battery life and sound quality are paramount for all speakers, and we've our best to take these in the utmost consideration when creating our list.

That said, here are 10 of our favorite Bluetooth wireless speakers, ranked by their price-to-performance ratio, that will surely work for you.

 The best Bluetooth speakers of 2019:  

While we weren't as impressed with the UE Boom 3 as we were with its predecessor, this is still the best Bluetooth speaker money can buy in 2019. This is a speaker that can get loud and not distort at higher volumes; be light enough to carry on a camping trip but remain durable enough to tumble in a bag unprotected. 

It's both water- and dust-proof, and now has a one-touch mix button that lets you pull up your favorite playlists without ever picking up your phone. 

There are certainly more detailed speakers out there (see: Bowers and Wilkins Zeppelin down below), but at a price that's relatively affordable to all, the UE Boom 3 hits all the right notes for the third year in a row. 

Read the full review: UE Boom 3

The Bose SoundLink Revolve is an excellent sound speaker for folks looking for true 360-degree sound. It’s great for sharing music during a party or for moving around the room without losing audio fidelity. However, the Bose SoundLink Mini II sounds slightly better and is slightly cheaper to boot. 

On the debit side, it’s also not fully dust or waterproof so you’ll want to think twice before bringing the Revolve to the beach. 

For half the price, the Wonderboom is a great speaker that is completely dust and waterproof and while it can’t match the audio fidelity or features of the Bose, it's still great for on-the-go listening. If bass is your game, the JBL Charge 3 is an excellent fully waterproof speaker that sounds great, but is big and heavy along with it.

Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Revolve

As a package, the JBL Charge 3 offers a compelling set of features and excellent sound quality to boot. It punches well above its weight, playing loudly and distortion-free. 

The Charge line of speakers have been on our shortlist of recommendations for a long time thanks to the way they combine great sound quality with the ability to charge your devices over USB. 

The latest iteration maintains JBL's dominance in the portable Bluetooth speaker market.

Read the full review: JBL Charge 3

The Bose SoundLink Mini II is relatively ancient, having been released in June 2015. However, writing off the SoundLink Mini II because of its age would be a mistake, as it remains one of the best sounding wireless speakers. 

That said, it punches way above what its size would suggest, producing deep bass, sparkling highs and a lush midrange. While most wireless speakers sound OK, the Mini II proves that small speakers don’t need to compromise on sound, and other Bose conveniences like a charging pad. 

Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Mini II

When someone asks us for a recommendation for a waterproof speaker, the UE Roll 2 was always on the top of our list. We loved the Roll 2’s unique form factor, 50-foot wireless range and, obviously, it sounded good, too. Where it was lacking was in the bass department. Logitech, UE’s parent company, has fixed the Roll 2’s lack of bass by creating the appropriately named UE Wonderboom. 

In our eyes, the UE Wonderboom bests the Roll 2 in just about every way –except for the Roll 2’s handy bungee cord. Still, ignoring that, if you’re looking for one of the best waterproof Bluetooth speakers on the market today, it’s hard to do better than the UE Wonderboom. Plus, it comes in some interesting colors, including Avocado and...you guessed it, Unicorn.

Read the full review: UE Wonderboom

B&O created a hit with the Beoplay P2. It’s a well-designed speaker that’s extremely easy to use, has a well-built companion app, and it sounds great. On top of that, the speaker is ultra-portable without compromising on much bass content. Sure, you could get something a little bigger (and stereo) for the same price, but at this size the sound quality justifies the price. The smart gestures are a nice touch too, although we wouldn’t buy the device solely for that reason.

Read the full review: B&O Beoplay P2

The Marshall Kilburn might not appear to be the best choice in Bluetooth speakers. It’s large, heavy, doesn’t have USB charging and isn’t waterproof – plus, AED 1,299 is a lot to pay for a Bluetooth speaker. 

But none of this matters because the Kilburn sounds so darn good. 

Over a month's time, we fell in love with the Kilburn’s design, feel and pristine sound quality. There’s no other portable Bluetooth speaker on the market quite like it. It’s a head turner and conversation piece. It’s a piece of audio art that you’ll be proud to show off to your friends during a party. 

Read the full review: Marshall Kilburn

It seems just about every speaker company has a wireless speaker that can take the abuse of being outdoors and Bose, a company most well-known for its brand of excellent noise-canceling headphones, is no different. If you’re looking for something from Bose to take with you on your next hike, the AED 549 SoundLink Color II is the company’s only splash-proof speaker that can stand up to the elements with an IPX4 rating. 

Read the full review: Bose SoundLink Color II

Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2

Bringing bluntness over refinement, the JBL Flip 4 is a good Bluetooth speaker for the rugged outdoorsman in your friend circle. It’s rough, tough design makes it perfect as a portable speaker to accompany all aspects of your life while its sound is solid without worrying your home audio system.

It’s all weather friendly design is a win, but a lack of definition and distinction in the mid-range ultimately means its sound quality is not quite up to scratch when compared with some, more high-end portable speakers.

Read the full review: JBL Flip 4

The newest speaker in the Denon Envaya line is one of the first speakers to absolutely blow us away in 2018. It offers powerful, room-filling sound that will sound great to most ears, plus comes with an IP67 rating, make it both dust and waterproof. It's also built like a tank, making it one of the most durable speakers we've ever laid our hands on.

Despite a nearly flawless performance, the Envaya isn't perfect: While sound quaity is full, powerful and rich, it doesn’t have the treble bite some like and the buttons located along the side can feel stiff and difficult to operate. These are ultimately minor complaints, however, and the Denon Envaya remains a great Bluetooth speaker – easily one of the best you can buy this year.

Read the full review: Denon Envaya (DSB-250BT)

  • Now need something to listen to? Check out our collection of the best podcasts

The best GoPro and action cameras in 2019

If you're looking for the best action camera, then you've come to the right place. Action cameras are unlike any other kind of camera. They're designed to be attached to helmets, surfboards, cars and other objects, and they're small, tough and simple to operate, with a lens that captures the world in high-definition video.

Their small size and dramatic POV ('point of view') footage has made them popular with extreme sports participants, who capture their adventures by attaching cameras to themselves or their equipment. They're also used by TV production companies where using a regular video camera would be impossible. 

You don't have to be an adrenaline-junkie or filming your own TV show. Action cameras are also great fun for the family, especially on days out or vacations when you simply want to hit record and document you time together. 

Who makes the best action camera though? GoPro is without question the market leader - in fact, they invented this whole action camera genre. They're not alone though, with a number of new rivals out there to tempt you. 

When it comes to key features on action cameras, most now shoot 4K footage, though some do these better than others, offering faster frame rates for buttery-smooth footage, while the very best action cameras have slick image stabilization systems to make the most of this. 

While action cameras are principally for shooting video, the best action cameras also shoot pretty decent still images as well, though don't expect anything better than a point-and-shoot compact camera. 

Other features to consider when looking for the best action camera include Wi-Fi, GPS and touchscreen control. These all bump up the price, and while they are invaluable in some situations, you can still get great footage without them.

Before we look at our top picks of the best action cameras you can buy right now, GoPro has just announced three new action cameras

The top of the range GoPro Hero7 Black replaces Hero6 Black and is our best action camera pick right now. We'd even recommend you now avoid the Hero6 Black. Don't get us wrong, it's not a bad action camera at all, it's very good, but with the price of the older model only a little less than the Hero7 Black, you're better off spending your money on the newer model. 

 While it may share pretty much of the same headline video specs as the Hero6 Black that it replaces, the Hero7 Black offers a number of big improvements. The most significant of this is the addition of GoPro's all-new HyperSmooth image stabilization technology. It really is very impress, delivering gimbal-smooth video footage. TimeWarp video is a further new feature, one that combines the idea of regular frame-by-frame time-lapse shooting (which you can still do separately) with HyperSmooth – essentially, a stabilised hyperlapse, while the user interface has been overhauled for a much better user experience. Delivering buttery-smooth 4K video footage the Hero7 Black is the best action camera you can buy. 

 Read our in-depth GoPro Hero7 Black review 

It may have been overshadowed by the new Hero6 Black, but the Hero5 Black still has a lot to offer. Shooting 4K footage up to 30fps, video footage is incredibly smooth, while the ability to shoot stills in raw format brings even more flexibility. Waterproof down to 10m without the need for a protective case, it's also simple to use, while the addition of a rear touchscreen, voice control and GPS make it one of the most feature-packed cams currently available.

Read our in-depth GoPro Hero5 Black review

Bullet shape cams might have fallen out of fashion recently thanks to GoPro and its box-shaped cameras, but the TomTom Bandit bucks the trend. In fact, the Bandit packs features that other manufacturers will need to follow if they're to keep up with this newcomer. Taking years of GPS experience, TomTom has built in a series of sensors that not only record location but speed and G-force too, so that when these sensors pick up that something exciting has happened they automatically tag the footage. Back in the pub and with the app open and connected, a quick shake of your phone and the app will automatically edit your footage ready for upload. It really couldn't be easier.

Read the full review: TomTom Bandit

Olymous TG-Tracker

The TG-Tracker's futuristic design is hard to miss with an ultra wide 204 degree lens fronting a 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor. Headline video resolutions include 4k at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps and an impressive 240fps at 720p for slow motion capture. This is an action camera ready for anything and even features a small LED video light built in. Sensors are the big news for the Tracker with GPS, compass, acceleration sensors plus a barometer and thermometer all capturing data from inside the compact case. The intel from these can all be displayed when viewing back the footage or in the video edit so you can show just how extreme you are. What's more, it's waterproof to 30m, features built in stabilization and can withstand temperatures down to -10C.

Read the full review: Olympus TG-Tracker

How often do you take an action cam underwater? Most people never will, so in some regard the YI 4K ActionCam is about cutting corners, but what it leaves out – GPS, voice control, auto-upload, and raw shooting – are hardly core features. In fact, it gives as much as it takes, with a large and responsive touchscreen, a big battery and a fast file transfers. It may lack a few niceties – and we would include lens distortion correction and image stabilisation in that list – but the YI 4K Action Cam remains a great value addition to any adventurer's kit bag.

Read the full review: YI 4K Action Camera

All action cameras are now promising 4K at 30fps, but Sony’s effort is about a lot more than just resolution and frame rate. The diminutive FDR-X3000R's biggest claim is Balanced Optical SteadyShot (B.O.SS) image stabilization, which works across all resolutions and recording modes. It also includes an underwater housing – a rarity in the action camera market – and comes with a wearable, mountable live view remote, a smartwatch-sized contraption that allows the FDR-X3000R to be operated from afar, and its images previewed in real time.

Read the full review: Sony FDR-X3000R

Garmin Virb XE

The original Garmin Virb introduced motion sensors and GPS tracking to action cameras, adding an extra element to capturing the action, like the TomTom Bandit. Building on the solid foundation of the original Virb, Garmin has revisited the design, losing the bullet shape and remodeling the camera around the popular 'box' style. This new shape makes chest mounting far easier and, as with the original, the build quality is excellent. The XE offers increased video quality, it's waterproof without an additional case, features Wi-Fi along with compatible app and software, this all makes the Virb XE one of the best action cameras at present.

Read the full review: Garmin Virb XE

GoPro Hero4 Session

The Hero5 Session follows on from the Hero4 Session, stripping back the action camera concept to its basics, but sharing many of the same specs as the Hero5 Black. That includes 4K video capture up to 30fps, image stabilisation, voice control and is waterproof down to 10m. The large Record button on the top starts and stops recording so there's no worrying about different modes and options – that's all handled by the app (though it does have a simple menu system if you wish). Back to basics, but still captures the quality of video that you'd expect from GoPro.

Read the full review: GoPro Hero5 Session

The SJCAM SJ7 delivers some good-looking footage, especially when shooting in 4K. However, this budget GoPro Hero5 rival doesn't boast the sort of professional features offered by the biggest name in the action camera game, such as voice activation, GPS and the ability to make quick and easy video clips via a smartphone app. If you want a action camera that delivers strong footage at a fraction of the price though, then the SJCAM SJ7 Star is worth a look.

Read our in-depth SJCAM SJ7 Star review

While the Hero 7 Black is the top of the GoPro pile, the Silver fills the void beneath this and while it can’t quite pull off all the fancy tricks as its big brother, it’s priced far aggressively, especially once you see just how much tech you still get. 

This includes stabilised 4K video recording, waterproofing down to 10m, together with a 2-inch touchscreen on the back and Voice Control that allows you to instruct the camera to perform almost all main functions without you raising a finger. A fine choice for first-time users. 

We can't all afford a GoPro Hero7 Black, but you can still grab yourself a relatively recent GoPro Hero model if you're on a budget. Understandably, this cost-effective alternative misses out on a handful of features, like 4K video recording and HyperSmooth stabilization, but it still captures good Full HD footage and is waterproof straight out of the box, with the 2-inch touchscreen that graces the back making it just as simple to operate as its bigger brothers. 

Also consider

Though not technically a action camera, DJI's new Osmo Pocket is still going after the same audience. While it's not as rugged as dedicated action camera rivals, the Osmo Pocket has a clever trick up its sleeve in the shape of a built-in gimbal. Gimbals as designed to counteract unwanted movement and help you shoot super-smooth videos - while GoPro's Hero7 Black has some clever image stabilization tricks, there's no substitute for dedicated hardware. The Osmo Pocket features three-axis stabilized gimbal and measures just four inches tall. The 1/2.3-inch sensor is capable of recording 12MP still images and 4K video footage up to 60fps, while there are built-in dual microphones that use advanced noise-canceling algorithms, which DJI says should ensure that you capture high-quality audio to match your footage. 

Read our full DJI Osmo Pocket review here

Lara vs Alvarez live stream: how to watch tonight's boxing online from anywhere

Cuban-American fighter Erislandy Lara tonight gets a chance to avenge his 2014 split-decision defeat to Canelo Alvarez - this time with a square-off against his older brother Ramon. With a title up from grabs, it should be a compelling fight, so be sure to follow our Lara vs Alvarez live stream guide carefully.

As well as the WBA Super Welterweight belt being up for grabs, tonight's showdown will also see the winner get to face WBA "gold" champion Michel Soro.

Originally from Guantanamo, Cuba and now living and training in Houston, Erislandy "The American Dream" Lara comes into tonight's fight off the back of a frustrating draw against then-WBA ‘regular’ titleholder Brian Castano back in March.

That fight came after a split-decision defeat for the southpaw against Jarrett Hurd in a clash for the WBA, IBF and IBO junior middleweight belts in April last year.

His opponent tonight is Mexico-based 33-year-old Ramon Alvarez who has a mediocre record of 28-7-3 going into tonights fight, and is some way short of the calibre of his brother Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. Having only won five of his last nine fights, any sort of result here against Lara will be regarded as a shock.

Among the night's undercard action is middleweight Kyrone "Shut It Down" Davis (13-2, 5  taking on Alexis Gaytán while unbeaten Cuban prospect Joahnys Argilagos takes on  Julio García in a super flyweight battle.

To catch everything online, you've come to the right place. Read on to find out how to stream Lara vs Alvarez live anywhere in the world.

  • Motor racing fan? Find out how to get an F1 live stream no matter where you are

Watch a Lara vs Alvarez live stream from anywhere in the world

Keep scrolling to see how to watch the boxing in the US. But if you're worried about being away from your country and missing your domestic coverage of the Lara vs Alvarez fight, then fear not, there's a way to watch that doesn't involve trying to find a grainy, illegal feed.

How to stream Lara vs Alvarez live in the US

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How to watch Lara vs Alvarez in the UK

How to watch Lara vs Alvarez in Australia

How to watch AEW All Out: live stream All Elite Wrestling online from anywhere

It has been quite the summer for All Elite Wrestling with Fyter Fest in June and Fight for the Fallen in July but the promotion has one more big PPV event before its live TV show begins airing on TNT in October - and it's going All Out.

Yep, it's time to watch AEW All Out, and with this handy guide you can discover how to live stream all the action no matter where you are in the world.

All Out’s main event will see Chris Jericho take on Adam “Hangman” Page to determine the promotion’s first champion. In the AAA Tag Team Championship, the Lucha Brothers will defend their title against the Young Bucks in a ladder match and Kenny Omega will take on Pac (formerly known as Neville in WWE). The Buy-In pre-show is also worth tuning in for as it will feature a Women’s Casino Battle Royale with the winner receiving a shot at the inaugural women's title.

Overall All Out’s main card is pretty stacked and whether you’re rooting for Chris Jericho or Adam “Hangman” Page to win the AEW World Championship, we’ll show you how to live stream the full event online from anywhere in the world so you don’t miss a minute of the action. Keep reading to see how to watch All Out.

Live stream AEW All Out from outside your country

Scroll down if you’re reading this in the US, Canada or the UK as we’ve described you’re watching options in much more detail down there.

However, if you’re abroad this weekend and unlucky enough to be in a country where the only way to catch the wrestling is via some dodgy, illegal stream you’ve found on Reddit - or if you discover your home coverage is region blocked where you are - then we have a top tip to get a much better way to watch.

How to watch AEW All Out: USA live stream

Wrestling fans in the US can stream AEW All Out on the Bleacher Report Live app (B/R Live app) for $49.99. Purchasing a B/R Live pass will allow you to watch the full event on a wide variety of streaming devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Android TV but you can also download its mobile apps for iOS and Android if you prefer to watch on your smartphone or tablet. 

Alternatively you can also watch AEW’s PPV event on DirecTV or Dish for the same price. 

How to get an AEW All Out live stream in Canada

If you live in Canada and want to watch AEW’s All Out, you’re in luck as B/R Live is also available there. The PPV event will be priced the same as it is in the US at $49.99. However, it looks like you can save a bit by watching All Out on Fite TV as the network will only charge $39.99 for full access to the PPV. 

How to live stream AEW All Out in the UK

If you’re trying to watch AEW All Out in the UK this weekend, ITV Box Office has you covered. You will have to order the event through Sky or Virgin Media for £14.95 to watch it on cable but you can also watch it on Fite TV or on PS4 for the same price. You’ll also be able to watch the hour long Buy-In pre-show for free on ITV4 and ITV Box Office before the main event begins at 1am BST. 

AEW All Out card in full

- AEW World Championship: Chris Jericho vs. Adam "Hangman" Page

- Kenny Omega vs. PAC

- AAA Tag Team Championship: Lucha Brothers (c) vs. The Young Bucks (Ladder Match)

- Cody vs. Shawn Spears (w/Tully Blanchard)

- Best Friends vs. Dark Order (Winner gets a buy in for the tag team championship tournament)

- Joey Janela vs. Jimmy Havoc vs. Darby Allin

- Riho vs. Hikaru Shida

- Women's Casino Battle Royale (Winner receives a shot at the inaugural women's title) Confirmed entrants: Britt Baker, Jazz, Sadie Gibbs, Teal Piper, Big Swole, Aerial Monroe, Brandi Rhodes, Nyla Rose, Allie, Yuka Sakazaki, Ivelisse

- Private Party vs. Angelico & Jack Evans (The Buy-In pre-show)

Lomachenko vs Campbell live stream: how to watch today's boxing online from anywhere

Vasyl Lomachenko is the world's best pound-for-pound boxer. Luke Campbell is the Olympic gold medalist going for a shot at the gold. London's colossal O2 Arena is the venue. It's looking like an unmissable showdown and you won't need miss a second of the action, no matter where you are in the world, by following our Lomachenko vs Campbell live stream guide below.

Lomachenko's reputation as a legend still operating in the boxing ring will only grow further should he add a third world lightweight title to his collection at the O2 tonight.

Widely regarded as the world's best boxer, the 31-year-old Ukrainian won a world title in his third professional fight, became a two-weight champion in his seventh and a three-weight world champion by the time of his twelfth - all this on top of his fearsome amateur record of 396 wins to one loss.

Lomachenko's last outing in the ring saw him retain his unified lightweight world title in a dominating display against Anthony Crolla in April. Tonight brings another British challenger and a pop at the vacant WBC title, but former Olympic champion Luke Campbell should bring a greater challenge this time out.

Campbell, (20-2, 16 KOs), 31, may have lost his only previous title fight two years ago against Jorge Linares for the WBA title, but he lost on a contentious split points decision and has shown plenty evidence he's ready for another stab at the top level.

Below you'll find all the options for watching tonight's fight. No matter where you are in the world you can get a Lomachenko vs Campbell live stream online. ESPN+ is showing it in the US, but you'll need our help and a VPN if you're somewhere that isn't showing the boxing.

How to watch the boxing with a VPN if you're away from your country

Below we've listed all of the best places to live stream the Lomachenko vs Campbell fight online in the US, UK and Australia.

How to watch the Lomachenko vs Campbell live stream in the US

How to live stream Lomachenko vs Campbell in the UK

How to live stream Lomachenko vs Campbell in Australia

How to live stream college football this weekend on ESPN+ and from anywhere

The summer sun is starting to wane, the leaves have a tinge of brown. Fall is upon us and that means only one thing - a new football season! While you'll have to wait a few more days for the NFL, the NCAA season is now underway and there's a flurry of intriguing games taking place this weekend. We'll tell you how to live stream college football today and, in particular, on ESPN+.

So what games are here to get the football juices flowing? The trio of match-ups all kick off with Syracuse at Liberty in Virginia at 6pm local time. It's Liberty’s first season as a bowl eligible FBS team, so the Flames will be keen to make a hot start in front of their own fans.

The other two games on ESPN+ get going at 7pm ET / 4pm PT with Stephen F. Austin going to  Baylor and Nicholls at Kansas State.

The all-Texas showdown sees the much fancied Charlie Brewer at QB for the home team. Under the seasoned leadership of coach Matt Rhule, they've transformed from one of the worst teams in the NCAA to a real dark horse.

The K-State Wildcats are welcoming (if that's the right word) the Louisiana-based Nicholls players for a game brimming with determination after last year's fixture. Kansas will be favorites once again, but can Nicholls upset the odds like they did in overtime in 2018?

It's going to be a great evening of college football action and you can live stream all three games on ESPN+. Keep reading to discover the details and to see how to watch even if you're outside the US this Saturday.

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How to watch college football in the US

How to live stream college football outside the US

If there is no official broadcast option in your country or you're abroad on holiday today, then you’ll need to use a VPN service to dial in to a location in the US that does have coverage.

A VPN is perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location. They're surprisingly easy to use, too! We’ve tested hundreds of VPNs and can recommend ExpressVPN as the best VPN currently available: 

Linux driver patches hint at AMD Renoir to support LPDDR4X memory

Great news this weekend for APU fans out there – while the AMD Navi GPUs and Ryzen 3rd generation chips are currently taking over the computing world, it doesn’t mean that the company has forgotten about its integrated graphics users.

In a recent report by Tom’s Hardware, it looks like AMD’s next generation APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) might come with LPDDR4X-4266 memory support. If true, this means that AMD Renoir will have a higher maximum data rate than AMD Picasso.

The report came a day after serial hardware leaker KOMACHI_ENSAKA shared on Twitter two recent Linux driver patches, the first of which showing AMD Renoir with LPDDR4X-4266 memory support and the second showing the APU touting the LPDDR4 variant’s more impressive 4,266 MHz speed.

Considering that Picasso, AMD’s current mobile APU, only accommodate DDR4-2400 modules that maxes out at 2,400 MHz, that’s a huge bump in data transfer rate. Putting that into further perspective, the LPDDR4 format maxes out at 3,200 MHz.

If these Linux patches are indeed the real thing, AMD Renoir will be the first AMD chip that supports LPDDR4X.

Improved performance

In any case, how accurate any of these leaks are will come to light when AMD Renoir comes out. It’s slated to replace AMD Picasso in 2020.

What does this mean exactly for potential AMD Renoir users? To start, faster memory delivers improved performance, so we could potentially experience better gaming experience. Additionally, since LPDDR4X boasts an almost 50% I/O voltage reduction, it should offer a more efficient power consumption. 

This is in addition to the fact that AMD Renoir will be based on Zen 2 architecture and fabricated on 7nm process, which means that it will be thinner and have less power consumption than Picasso’s 12nm chips. 

Of course, there’s also speculation that Renoir will run with Vega 10 graphics, instead of AMD’s latest Navi graphics, possibly to ensure that the new APUs will roll out faster. That is, if previous Linux patches are also to be believed.

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