What happened to Samsung's promised call recording?
Question: Have you heard anything about Samsung's function for call recording?
Erik Mörner answers: When we tested the S25 series, not all features were available as they would be activated via software closer to the sales start. Just calling was such a feature we could test first on February 6, and then it worked in our test example of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but not in the other two models S25 and S25 Plus. At the same time, we received several reports from readers who did not have conversation recording in their mobiles in the S25 series.
What happened to Samsung's promised call recording?
Question: Have you heard anything about Samsung's function for call recording?
Erik Mörner answers: When we tested the S25 series, not all features were available as they would be activated via software closer to the sales start. Just calling was such a feature we could test first on February 6, and then it worked in our test example of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but not in the other two models S25 and S25 Plus. At the same time, we received several reports from readers who did not have conversation recording in their mobiles in the S25 series.
After asking Samsung about this, those who previously promised that the function was on the way, we got the answer that it was delayed and “hopefully would come soon”. However, we received no timetable or date. Since then, we have often had contact with Samsung's representatives in Sweden who, however, have only been able to assure that they are waiting for a message from the head office about when the function can be available. They refer to legal details that have not yet been resolved and we still have not received any schedule for when they can be resolved. It should be noted that conversation recording in Sweden is legal as long as at least one of the participants in a conversation knows that it is recorded and that Samsung's implementation that we tested follows these rules. Since then, however, the function has disappeared from our test copies of the S25 Ultra and is no longer available.
Fairphone without Google
Question: I have read your test from 2023 about Fairphone 5. A question: Which apps are pre -installed? I don't want Google to see everything I do, scan and send to the US.
Elias Nordling answers: Google's standard apps come pre -installed on the Fairphone 5 as on most other Android mobiles.
Google does not see and scan everything you do and send to the United States, but they use a unique number called ad ID that is on your mobile that records certain behaviors to send targeted advertising to that mobile. You can choose to remove your ad ID, and then get no less advertising, but randomly such rather than adapted to that mobile behavior.
If you do not trust Google regardless, there is a Google-free variant of Fairphone 5 that you can buy from their website:
https://shop.fairphone.com/faircphone-5-e operating systems
It contains no Google apps at all but has replaced them with open source options. This means that Google's app store also does not exist. It should be possible to install Bank ID and Swish via the alternative app store, but I have read about some users who have had problems with BankID. But in principle it should work.
Still Chromecast problems
Question: I factory reset my Chromecast when there was a problem, but despite updated Google Home app I don't get it started, is it just me who has that problem?
Erik Mörner answers: Yes, we have received a few single mail about it, but nothing to suggest further problems. If you have the latest version of the app, you should be able to start the device as new and connect to TV and your WiFi. Google's advice if you have continued problems is to contact their customer service for help.
New and cheap mobile
Question: I was going to ask you about tips on new mobile. The one I have is tough to charge and the banking app says it is no longer security updated. It's a moto G 5G Plus. Would like to have good battery and camera and decent with memory for under SEK 3000.
Elias Nordling answers: I see that you get a Moto G85 for under SEK 3000 right now. Then you get 256 GB of storage, a camera with larger sensor and optical image stabilization, and also an OLED screen with 120 Hz update which will feel like a huge lift.
What happened in the SMS failure?
Question: Three had a stop to SMS and MMS recently, do you know what happened? I am most curious about whether the problem was due to internal technical errors or external influences?
Erik Mörner answers: Hi, yes it was a short -term stop. It touched on SMS and MMS via the mobile network, but not, for example, iMessage in iPhone because it uses regular mobile data. The reason according to three was operational disruption due to a software update.
New smartphone for young people
Question: I read about Xplora's phone, is it new?
Erik Mörner answers: Hi, Xplora who usually makes smart watches for children has in the case of mobile manufacturer HMD produced the phone HMD Fusion X1. So it is not a brand new phone, but is based on the already launched phone HMD Fusion that we tested earlier. However, Xplora offers a number of adjustments so that you as a parent can handle how the child in question can use the phone. Just like with the watches, you handle everything via the Xplora app in your Android or iPhone.
Regarding the brightness of the screen
Question: In the test of Pixel 9A, it must be wrong regarding brightness (https://www.mobil.se/produktter/test-google-pixel-9a-billigler-mobil-forsvovsvart-fa-nackdellar/1622807)
It says “Maximum brightness of 1800 nits in direct sunlight and 2700 nits at HDR display”. On the contrary, it must be, right?
Elias Nordling answers: No, that's actually true. Today you differ at Peak Brightness and HBM. HBM stands for High Brightness Mode and Peak Brightness is often significantly higher than that. The reason is that the screen is unable to deliver Peak Brightness all over the screen at the same time. It is still useful, as HDR gives you whiter white on the screen so Peak Brightness is a measure of how sparkling white it can be in HDR movies so to speak.
HBM is instead the brightest screen can be turned up to the entire screen. The usual thing is that you cannot choose this brightness manually, but only if you have automatic brightness on and the screen becomes sunlit. Guess this brightness draws significantly more battery. So you could say that most mobiles have three different maximum brightness. What you get if you choose manual brightness and put the screen at 100 percent, the one you get if you have the screen on Auto and put your mobile in strong sunlight, and the brightest point that the screen can show when moving. We will try to make this clearer in our specifications for the tests.
Scraping paper on the mobile
Question: I have a new mobile from Xiaomi, and it was worst what many apps I didn't want that were pre -installed. Can I remove them or stop the phone to work then?
Elias Nordling answers: It takes a lot for the phone to stop working if you remove apps. Third -party apps like Tiktok and Facebook can almost always be removed. Xiaomi's own apps may not be uninstalling, but all but clean system apps can be disabled. Those who are critical for the phone to work, you can probably neither uninstall nor disable.
Females are entering
Question: It was talked about that females should make Nordic comeback, what happened to it?
Erik Mörner answers: Yes, it was in the summer of 2024 information if it started to come and I heard about how they started recruiting staff in the Nordic countries. However, the expandation seems a little delayed. Females have been available in Finland, but have recently expanded to Norway and Denmark and Sweden would be in turn. We have not noticed any official sales start yet, but it still seems to be going on. Females have no official Swedish website, however Finnish and Norwegian. The range of Honor models has also increased for us Swedes and more and more phones from females are coming in with both Elgiganten and Power.
At International Events, most recently in Barcelona in March, I have in recent years taken a closer look at all the latest Honor mobiles and there are high-quality units that can challenge the best even in the Swedish market. Right at MWC, Honor showed an ambitious AI venture as so many other manufacturers, has really good cameras and they are also at the forefront on foldable.
Small and not so expensive mobile
Question: My Huawei P20 Lite has crashed and now I need a new mobile that is small, has a good camera and is not so expensive. Is there one?
Elias Nordling answers: It is bad for small mobiles nowadays and those available are also usually expensive. My suggestion is that you look at the A models in Google's Pixel series. When Google Pixel 9A is now launched, Pixel 8A will be able to get price reduced. Google Pixel 9A is a little better but also a little bigger and clumsy. Pixel 9A costs SEK 5900, and Pixel 8A should be able to get hold of a few thousand dollars less.