All articles tagged with #external display
USB-C ports on modern smartphones do more than charge: they can power other devices, read flash drives and SD cards, connect keyboards, drive external displays, enable wired audio recording, support gaming controllers, and even power specialty gear like endoscope cameras and portable ultrasound devices.
Amazon discounts the 14-inch Blackview DCM5 triple portable monitor, turning a laptop into a three-screen setup with two 14-inch FHD panels. Compatible with laptops 13–17.3 inches from brands like Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Microsoft; weighs 3 pounds, 0.3 inches thick; plug-and-play with either dual USB-C power/signal cables or USB-C to USB-C plus USB-C to HDMI (external power needed). Flicker-free with anti-blue-light film for eye comfort. Usually $410, now $214 (about 48% off) ahead of Prime Day.
MacBook Neo has two USB-C ports with different speeds: the left port (USB 3, up to 10 Gb/s) supports external displays, while the right port (USB 2, 480 Mb/s) does not. macOS will alert you if a display is plugged into the slower port, as the laptop only supports one external display up to 4K at 60 Hz. Pre-orders are underway with US pricing from $599 ($499 for students), and the device launches March 11.
The XREAL One AR glasses are highly versatile, lightweight, and offer high-resolution displays that enhance productivity when used with an iPad Pro, serving as portable external displays with features like adjustable dimming, tracking modes, and ultra-wide support, all at an affordable price of $499.
Macs equipped with the standard M3 chip officially support only one external display with up to 6K resolution at 60Hz, according to Apple's tech specs. This limitation has existed since the first Apple silicon Macs with the M1 chip were released in 2020. However, users can connect multiple external displays to M1, M2, and M3 Macs with DisplayLink adapters as an unofficial workaround. The higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models with the M3 Pro chip support up to two external displays, while the M3 Max chip supports up to four external displays. The new MacBook Pro models are now available to order, with most configurations arriving on November 7. M3 Max configurations will be available later in November.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro no longer require an adapter to connect to an external monitor, as they now come with USB-C ports. This upgrade allows for connecting to a monitor that can display up to 4K HDR at 60Hz, eliminating the need for a Lightning to HDMI adapter. USB-C to HDMI or USB-C to USB-C cables are likely to work for this purpose. The iPhone 15 Pro seems to have full USB 3 support with DisplayMode alt mode implementation, while the lower-end iPhone 15 has USB 2.0 data speeds. Further testing is needed to determine if USB-C docks will work the same on the iPhone 15.
All models of the iPhone 15, including the iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, now support DisplayPort for up to 4K HDR video output to an external display or TV. This feature is made possible through the USB-C port on the devices, allowing for native 4K/60Hz video output to a DisplayPort-equipped display with a compatible cable. Alternatively, users can utilize Apple's USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to mirror video to an HDMI-equipped display, although HDR is not supported in this case. Previous iPhones with a Lightning port were limited to 1080p video mirroring.
The Motorola Razr (2023) is a midrange foldable phone that falls short of expectations. While it is cheaper than its pricier counterpart, the Razr+, it also comes with limitations. The external screen is small and lacks utility, and the cameras underperform compared to other devices in its price range. The phone's design and display are decent, but overall, it fails to impress and feels outdated. If priced competitively, it may find an audience, but for most people interested in a foldable flip-phone, other options like the discounted Galaxy Z Flip 4 would be a better choice.
The Moto Razr+ foldable phone offers a larger external display than Samsung's Z Flip 4, making it more usable and offering a more full-fledged Android experience. The phone's design is thinner and lighter than some of its competitors, but its camera performance is not as good as flagship phones. The phone uses a year-old Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, but its performance is still satisfactory. The main concern with foldable phones remains their long-term durability, but the Moto Razr+ offers some serious competition to Samsung's Z Flip 4.
Leaked renders of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 show that the phone will have two external displays, including a small display next to the dual cameras and a larger 3.4-inch display for notifications, widgets, and quick settings. The external display will be larger than the 3.3-inch screen found on Oppo's first clamshell device. The small external screen will show limited information, including the time, AR emojis, and battery life percentage. Samsung is making progress in improving the external display of its Galaxy Z Flip devices to keep up with competitors.
Renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 show two external screens, including a larger 3.4-inch display that would cover most of the front when the phone is folded. The larger display would show notifications, widgets, and quick settings without the user having to open the phone and can also be used as a viewfinder. The phone is expected to be released in August alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 5.