IGN Plus members can score a free Steam key of EvilVEvil for PC! This cooperative shooter throws waves of enemies at players in a wide variety of environments, making for an action-packed experience that you don't want to miss. You can control numerous vampires and utilize their abilities to work together and stop the enemies before you. Keys for this reward are limited, so don't wait to claim yours!Claim a Free EvilVEvil Key!IGN Plus Games: EvilVEvilSee it at IGN RewardsEvilVEvil sets you in a world filled with vampires, and it's up to you to eradicate Zagreus and his devoted cultists. This first-person shooter offers a wide range of customizable options for your vampire, allowing you to boost their strengths to make up for any weakness. Weapons are moddable, which means you can tweak them with upgrades to deal with certain foes. You can tackle each enemy in any way you'd like! Additionally, you can even join up with two friends to experience a fast-paced co-op experience. If you think you can take on the hordes alone, though, have at it. EvilVEvil has a wide range of objectives to complete throughout its missions, so you'll have plenty to accomplish as you shoot through the story.These codes will not last forever, so be sure to claim your EvilVEvil key now while supplies last!About IGN PlusIf you're unfamiliar with IGN Plus, it's the ultimate subscription to get the most out of your IGN experience! Some of the perks include no ads across IGN, unlimited maps and checklists for games, free games each month, and even discounts at IGN Store! Learn more and try IGN Plus today.

Samsung has debuted its latest midrange phones, the Galaxy A36 and A26, which have larger displays, more powerful processors and, inevitably, new AI features. The phones cost $400 and $300, respectively, and go on sale in late March.The company also unveiled the Galaxy A56 phone, priced at $500, which will be available later this year. The A56 has a bigger display than last year's Galaxy A55, new AI capabilities and camera improvements, Samsung says.Arriving on the heels of the $599iPhone 16E, Apple's idea of an affordable phone that'sfar from cheap, all three new Samsung Galaxy A phones seem to prove a phone-maker can still make a device that's truly affordable and flexes new features likeAndroid 15 and One UI 7. All the phones are built to last, with six years of OS and security updates, Samsung's Knox Vault for device security and privacy, and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.Samsung's announcement comes just ahead of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Here's everything to know about the Galaxy A36, A26 and A56.Samsung Galaxy A36: $400 The Galaxy A36 5G costs $400. SamsungAt 8.2mm thick and 196 grams, the Galaxy A36 5G is thinner and lighter than last year's A35 5G, which was 7.4mm thick and weighed 209 grams. Like last year, the phone packs a 5,000 mAh battery, but now features 45-watt super fast charging, which Samsung says can charge the phone nearly 70% in 30 minutes. (CNET will test this once we check out the devices ourselves, so stay tuned.)Thinner bezels bump the display to 6.7 inches, compared to the A35's 6.6 inches. The A36 features a 120Hz refresh rate, and an increased peak brightness of 1,900 nits, ideally making it easier to see the screen even if you're in a brightly lit environment. Both the front and back feature Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus Plus, which Samsung says improves durability. The company says they're all "FHD+" resolution, which usually means 2,220x1,080 pixels.Cameras get an upgrade, too, with support for HDR video recording on the 50-megapixel main camera. Like last year's phone, the A36 also features an 8-megapixel ultrawide and 5-megapixel macro camera. The front camera goes from 13 to 12 megapixels, but supports 10-bit HDR video recording. It's worth noting that more megapixels doesn't automatically mean a better camera.HDR support can help images and videos have a wider dynamic range (the difference between the brightest parts of an image and the darkest parts) and look more detailed and colorful. For nighttime shots, Samsung says larger pixels serve up sharper, more vibrant images with minimal noise, even in extremely low light -- larger pixels can gather more light and have less image noise. Stay tuned to CNET's tests to see how the camera performs. The Galaxy A36 5G runs Android 15 and OneUi 7. SamsungYou'll find AI features on the A36 like Google's Circle to Search, which can now also translate on-screen text and identify music. Samsung debuted these new capabilities on its flagship Galaxy S25 lineup in January. AI-powered photo editing tools include an enhanced Object Eraser that now lets you select multiple objects to be removed, and a Filter feature that lets you create a custom filter based on any photo. For example, if you have a shot of a sunset and you like the tone of the image, you can apply that filter to other photos, too. Edit Suggestion will use AI to analyze an image and serve up recommendations to improve it, like removing shadows or reflections.The A36 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, versus the Exynos 1380 featured on the Galaxy A35. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Samsung says there's also a larger cooling system to better dissipate heat and optimize for gameplay and streaming.The Galaxy A36 will be available on March 26 in black and lavender. An exclusive lime version is also available through Best Buy.Read more: Best Android Phone for 2025Samsung Galaxy A26: $300 The Galaxy A26 5H costs $300. SamsungThe (even cheaper) Galaxy S26 is also thinner than its predecessor, measuring at 7.7mm compared to the Galaxy A25's 8.3mm. It also gets a bigger FHD+ display, thanks to reduced bezels, matching the A36's 6.5 inches. It shares a 120Hz refresh rate.While last year's A25 featured a glass front and plastic back, the A26 steps things up with Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on both the front and back, just like the A36. The frame remains plastic. Like last year's model, the A26 features a 50-megapixel wide-angle camera, 8-megapixel ultrawide camera and 2-megapixel macro camera, as well as a 13-megapixel selfie camera. The Galaxy A26 5G is the cheapest of the three new A series phones from Samsung. SamsungDespite the lower price, you'll still get AI features like Photo Edit Suggestion and Object Eraser, as well as Circle to Search. The A26 runs the Exynos 1380 chipset, and comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has expandable memory up to 2TB, and packs a 5,000 mAh battery.The A26 will become available March 28, and is only available in black.Read more:These Are the Best Camera Phones for 2025Samsung Galaxy A56: $500To complete the trio, the Galaxy A56 has a 6.7-inch display and a 5,000 mAh battery, which, like the A36, supports 45-watt charging. The A56 is powered by the Exynos 1580 chipset and also has a larger vapor chamber to help you play games and watch videos for longer.The A56 has a 50-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and a 5-megapixel macro camera. The selfie camera has a 12-megapixel sensor compared to the Galaxy A55's 32-megapixel front-facing camera, which took either 12- or 8-megapixel images after pixel binning. The selfie camera also gets 10-bit HDR support, and a Low Noise Mode helps to take sharper low-light photos, Samsung says.A feature only available on the A56 is called Best Face, which can help you nail a group photo by choosing the best expressions on up to five people and then combining them into one image. This is similar -- in name and in execution -- to Google's Best Take feature on the Pixel series. The A56 also gets an enhanced Object Eraser and Filter capabilities.Samsung hasn't yet shared color options for the A56, and has only said it'll be available later this year.Samsung Galaxy A56, A36 and A26 specs Samsung Galaxy A56 5GSamsung Galaxy A36 5GSamsung Galaxy A26 5G Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate 6.7-inch AMOLED; FHD+; 120Hz refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; FHD+; 120Hz refresh rate6.7-inch AMOLED; FHD+; 120Hz refresh ratePixel density TBDTBDTBDDimensions (inches) 6.39 x 3.05 x 0.29 in6.41 x 3.08 x 0.29 in6.46 x 3.05 x 0.3o inDimensions (millimeters) 162.2 x 77.5 x 7.4 mm162.9 x 78.2 x 7.4 mm164 x 77.5 x 7.7 mmWeight (grams, ounces) 198g (6.94 oz.)195g (6.89 oz.)200g (7.05 oz.)Mobile software Android 15Android 15Android 15Camera 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 5-megapixel (macro)50-megapixel (wide), 8-megapixel (ultrawide), 5-megapixel (macro)50-megapixel (wide), 8-megapixel (ultrawide), 2-megapixel (macro)Front-facing camera 12-megapixel12-megapixel13-megapixelVideo capture TBDTBDTBDProcessor Exynos 1580Snapdragon 6 Gen 3Exynos 1380RAM + storage 8GB + 128GB6GB + 128GB6GB + 128GBExpandable storage NoneNoneNoneBattery 5,000 mAh5,000 mAh5,000 mAhFingerprint sensor TBDTBDTBDConnector USB-CUSB-CUSB-CHeadphone jack NoneNoneNoneSpecial features Galaxy AI, OneUI 7, Circle To Search, Best Face, Object Eraser, 6 generations of Andoid OS, 6 years of software and security support, IP67 water and dust resistance, 10-bit HDR recording, 1,200 nits peak brightnessGalaxy AI, OneUI 7, Circle To Search, Object Eraser, 6 generations of Andoid OS, 6 years of software and security support, IP67 water and dust resistance, 10-bit HDR recording, 1,900 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass Victus PlusGalaxy AI, OneUI 7, Circle To Search, Object Eraser, 6 generations of Android OS, 6 years of software and security support, IP67 water and dust resistance, 10-bit HDR recording, Gorilla Glass Victus PlusUS price starts at $500 (128GB)$400 (128GB)$300 (128GB)UK price starts at Converts to 400Converts to 320Converts to 240Australia price starts at Converts to AU$805Converts to AU$645Converts to AU$485

Looking for the most recentregular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.Lights, camera, sports action!Connections: Sports Editionpays tribute to Sunday's Oscars with a sports movie-themed puzzle. Read on for hints and the answers.Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut onSuper Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online. Read more:NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of BetaHints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsHere are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.Yellow group hint: "You're killing me, ____" is a famous quote from itGreen group hint: Yellowstone starBlue group hint: Count to 10Purple group hint:Sunday's ceremony.Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groupsYellow group: Characters in "The Sandlot"Green group: Kevin Costner filmsBlue group: Sports films with numbers in the name.Purple group: Sports films nominated for best picture.Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English WordsWhat are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle for March 2, 2025, #160. NYT/Screenshot by CNETThe yellow words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is characters in "The Sandlot." The four answers are Benny the Jet, Hambino, Smalls and The Beast.The green words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is Kevin Costner films. The four answers are Bull Durham, Draft Day, Field of Dreams and Tin Cup.The blue words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is sports films with numbers in the name. The four answers are Eight Men Out, Million Dollar Baby, Mr. 3000 and Rocky II.The purple words in today's ConnectionsThe theme is sports films nominated for best picture. The four answers are King Richard, Moneyball, Rocky and Seabiscuit.

Several popular Microsoft programs crashed but were restored in about a half hour on Saturday, including Outlook, 365 and others. Photo by FotoRieth/PixabayMarch 1 (UPI) -- Microsoft Outlook, 365 and other services crashed Saturday, affecting tens of thousands in the United States and millions globally before services were restored in less than an hour.The brief outage prevented millions of global users from accessing their Microsoft Outlook emails with most of those affecting being incapable of connecting with the server.AdvertisementOutage reports for Outlook spiked quickly starting shortly before 3 p.m. EST and peaking with a total of 35,390 reports in the United States shortly afterward, according to Downdetector.Up to 25,037 Microsoft 365 subscribers in the United States also reported outages shortly after outage reports for Outlook began flowing in, Downdetector reported.Both services were restored in about half an hour, KWQC reported.Outages reported for Outlook cited a server connection as affecting 61% causing most of the issues with Outlook, followed by website problems, 20%, and app issues, 19%.Microsoft 365 outage reports cited login issues, 43%, followed by problems with Outlook, 36%, and Microsoft Exchange, 21%.Microsoft Teams and the Microsoft Store also were affected by the outages, which affected millions of users globally, the Daily Mail reported.AdvertisementThe outages spurred a flurry of social media complaints, but Microsoft officials did not comment on the outages as of 5 p.m. EST.As of late 2024, more than 400 million people use Outlook to send and receive emails and manage their calendars, according to Clean Email. That amounts to 4.38% market share for email platforms.Apple Mail leads with 53.7% share and Gmail is second at 30.7%.Read More

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Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kUpdate #2 [Sun 2nd Mar 2025, 12am]: Sega has shared another update confirming Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles 2 will be coming to the "Nintendo Switch family of systems" and other platforms in North America and Europe on 5th August 2025.To celebrate this news, it's released a new trailer showcasing the Entertainment District Arc in the Story Mode. It's also been confirmed digital pre-orders will kick-off on 3rd March 2025 for multiple platforms, with Switch pre-orders to follow "later".Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kWatch on YouTube Here's some Sega PR about the various editions of the game (digital and physical) and the save data bonuses on offer:Digital Deluxe Edition (64.99 MSRP)Those who order the Digital Deluxe Edition will unlock the following:- Base game -2 Kimetsu Academy Character Unlock Keys Kyojuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui- 4 Character Unlock Keys Tengen Uzui, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Gyomei Himejima- VS Mode System Voice: Upper Rank Demons Set Akaza, Daki, Gyutaro, Gyokko, and Zohakuten- 3 Battle Attire Costumes Tanjiro Kamado's Kimono (Entertainment District), Inosuke Hashibira's Kimono (Entertainment District), and Tengen Uzui's Shinobi Attire- Pre-order bonuses: Advanced Access* The ability to play the game starting on July 31, 2025, and 2 Character Unlock Keys** Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri KanrojiDigital Standard Edition (54.99 MSRP)The Digital Standard Edition features the following:- Base game -2 Kimetsu Academy Character Unlock Keys Kyojuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui- Pre-order bonus: 2 Character Unlock Keys** Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri KanrojiPhysical Edition (54.99 MSRP)A physical edition for The Hinokami Chronicles 2 will also be available to pre-order. This version includes:- Base Game -2 Character Unlock Keys*** Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji*Must pre-order the Digital Deluxe Edition prior to August 5, 2025. Not available for Nintendo Switch.**Only available until the game launches on August 5, 2025.***Only available in the limited time launch version of the physical edition.Bonuses for Linking Save DataFinally, the following bonus items will be available for those with save data from either Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles or Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!. Bonuses for -The Hinokami Chronicles save data:- 6 Kimetsu Academy Character Unlock Keys Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, Shinobu Kocho, and Giyu Tomioka- Bonuses for Sweep the Board! save data:- 1 Character Unlock Key Hinatsuru, Makio, and Suma- 3 Battle Attire Costumes Hinatsuru (Meal Prep), Makio (Meal Prep), and Suma (Meal Prep)- All three serve as one playable character- Please note the respective save data must be linked through the same platform users purchase The Hinokami Chronicles 2.Update #1 [Mon 9th Dec 2024, 12:35pm]:Subscribe to Nintendo Life on YouTube797kSega has released an announcement trailer and confirmed the game for "the Nintendo Switch family of systems" a name which is fast becoming the go-to for anything releasing on Switch but compatible with the next console sometime in 2025. The game will also come to all other major platforms.Here are some details from the official PR, you can check out our original story below that.The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a thrilling arena fighter from the team at CyberConnect2 that builds upon the original Hinokami Chronicles, whose cumulative physical game shipments and digital copies sold has exceeded 4 million units worldwide.The sequels Story Mode will pick up where the previous entry left off, allowing fans to once again put themselves in the well-traveled shoes of Tanjiro Kamado. This time, fans will be able to relive many of the exciting moments from Entertainment District Arc, Swordsmith Village Arc, and Hashira Training Arc.The VS Mode playable roster is larger than ever, with over 40 playable characters to choose from! That includes Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji, two Hashira who bravely fought against two Upper Rank demons of the Twelve Kizuki.Players can expect all characters from the original Hinokami Chronicles to make a return in the base roster, including the demons that were added in the free post-launch updates and the Entertainment District Arc characters that were originally part of the first games paid DLC. The nine Hashira, the highest rank of the Demon Slayer Corps., will also join the game as playable characters.Original Story:Image: SEGAIf you played the Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles video game and were wondering when Tanjiro and his demon-slaying buddies would be returning, we've got an update.Aniplex has announced the second chapter of this game - officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba The Hinokami Chronicles 2. It will be playable at Japan's Jump Fest this year (taking place between 21st and 22nd December 2024). The second chapter will cover the Entertainment District Arc and follow through to the Hashira Training Arc.No platforms or release date has been revealed just yet, but the first game was released on the Switch in June 2022. We called it a solid adaptation of the hit anime and manga series, awarding it eight out of ten stars.A party game called Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board! was also released on the Switch this year. Devilishly goodYou might also know him as BylethA new free update is available nowDj vuWould you be interested in the sequel? Let us know in the comments.[source gematsu.com]Related GamesSee AlsoShare:05 Liam is a news writer and reviewer for Nintendo Life and Pure Xbox. He's been writing about games for more than 15 years and is a lifelong fan of Mario and Master Chief. Hold on there, you need to login to post a comment...Related ArticlesNintendo Highlights Four Brand New Games "Coming Soon" To SwitchMarch is going to be an exciting monthWe're Losing Our Minds Over This New Retro 'Terminator 2' GameI'll be back... I need to change my pantsRound Up: The First Impressions Of Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds 'Closed Network Test' Are InHere are some thought so far...'Pokmon Champions', A New Battle-Focused Game, Announced For Switch And MobileStay tuned for more info!

The A36 5G is being released alongside the A26, both of which feature AI enhancements and improvements to the camera, audio, display, and battery.

Looking for help with today's NYT Mini Crossword puzzle? Here are some hints and answers for the ... [+] puzzle.Credit: NYTIn case you missed Saturdays NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you can find the answers here:Its another lovely, lazy Sunday to sit around and solve word puzzles. Well, actually its still Saturday, but the Sunday crossword is already live (Im still not really sure why the New York Times publishes the Sunday and Monday puzzles so much earlier) so well just pretend its Sunday for the purposes of this post, and we have the Sunday Mini Crossword to solve!The NYT Mini is a smaller, quicker, more digestible, bite-sized version of the larger and more challenging NYT Crossword, and unlike its larger sibling, its free-to-play without a subscription to The New York Times. You can play it on the web or the app, though youll need the app to tackle the archive.Spoilers ahead!ACROSS1- Role for Timothe Chalamet in "A Complete Unknown" DYLAN6- Makeup for the cheeks ROUGE7- Well, shucks! AWGEE8- Serious devotee FIEND9- Appropriate rhyme for "stressed," for students TESTDOWN1- Unfortunate status for an email you meant to send last week DRAFT2- "Gadzooks, that hurt!" YOWIE3- Winter Olympics sleds LUGES4- Writers representative AGENT5- Have to have NEEDToday's MiniScreenshot: Erik KainDespite having fewer words than yesterdays Mini, I thought this one was harder. Or I was just off my game. 1-ACROSS was simple enough, since A Complete Unknown is a new movie about Bob Dylan. But then 2-ACROSS I kept thinking BLUSH instead of ROUGE. Even when I skipped it and got to 3-DOWN and LUGES, the U was in the right spot for BLUSH but it clearly wasnt the right answer. I guess Im not much of a makeup guy! In any case, this took me just about ten seconds longer than yesterday, at 1:48.How did you do? Let me know on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.If you also play Wordle, I write guides about that as well. You can find those and all my TV guides, reviews and much more here on my blog. Thanks for reading!

Table of ContentsTable of ContentsWhats the difference?A-series performance2025s bargain Galaxy phones?Get ready, because Samsungs new Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 smartphones are the Galaxy phones you should pay attention to this year, as after the lukewarm Galaxy S25 series, they both feel like genuine upgrades, and worthy of your money even if you own last years models. I had a short time with both phones, and this is why they impressed me.Samsung Galaxy A36 (left) and Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThere are distinct differences between the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56, and unlike the Galaxy A35 and Galaxy A55, this time theres a real noticeable advantage to buying the more expensive phone of the two, but well come back to that in a short while. First, its important to understand the visual and design differences between them.Recommended VideosBoth phones have the same 6.7-inch AMOLED screen, but the Galaxy A56 has a brushed metal chassis and it feels much higher quality than the A36s plastic frame, which lacks the brushed effect and desirable metallic shine. Samsung has shaved fractions from the bezel, making it a tiny bit smaller, but it has retained the raised Key Island section on the side which makes the buttons on both phones easier to locate and press. Both phones are slim, light, and relatively easy to use with one hand.1 of 6Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A56 (left) and Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Andy Boxall / Digital Trends The slightly uncomfortable to hold nature of the Galaxy A55 has been banished, and both phones have a great in-hand feel. The cameras are arranged vertically in the top corner on the back of both phones, but the A56 has a flat metal surround instead of the A36s plastic surround. Theres a definite family look to the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56, which do resemble the Galaxy S25, but are different enough that they have a distinct A-series character.RelatedSamsung has brought back a beloved color scheme from its past for the A-series. Several colors have a fantastic iridescent finish, just like the old Galaxy Note 10s Aura Glow color. Its subtle until you get it in the right light when the pearl-like finish comes to life. Itd normally be the one Id instantly recommend, but Samsung has done a great job with providing a variety of good-looking alternatives, making it a harder choice than usual.Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Galaxy A36 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 processor, while the Galaxy A56 has a Samsung Exynos 1580 processor inside. In the short time I had to compare the two, navigating around the One UI 7 software didnt reveal any performance difference, until I tried out the cameras. The Galaxy A56 with the Exynos 1580 switches between the wide-angle and main camera much faster than the Galaxy A36. I was informed its twice as fast, and the turn of speed is a joint effort between the processor and the AI.Although I wasnt able to play any, the Galaxy A56 will be the one to choose if mobile games are important to you according to Samsung, and if the camera apps performance is anything to go by, Im inclined to believe it. Itll be a feature well be paying close attention to when we review the phones. Each comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space, and theres a 15% larger vapor chamber for improved cooling compared to the previous series.1 of 6Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A36 (left) and Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Samsung Galaxy A36 (left) and Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital Trends Both phones use a 50-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a 5MP macro camera, but the Galaxy A56 gets a 12MP wide-angle camera, while the Galaxy A36 makes do with an 8MP wide-angle. There are some unique special features on the A56, likely enabled by the Exynos chip. These include an upgraded AI ISP, Best Face mode, and an Auto Trim mode for video, which creates a highlight reel from your recorded videos. I was pleased to see the same brilliant image editing tools introduced on the Galaxy S25 arrive on the Galaxy A-series phones too.Theres good news on the software, as both phones use Samsungs latest One UI 7 over Android 15. Its easily Samsungs best version of Android yet, and impressed a lot on the Galaxy S25 series. How about Galaxy AI? Samsung hasnt made a big deal out of it here, with Circle to Search and Samsungs excellent object eraser in the Gallery app being the highlights. The Now Brief is nowhere to be seen, but you do get the Now Bar on the lock screen. Samsung will provide major software and security updates for six years.Samsung Galaxy A36 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsIve saved the best upgrade to last. Samsung has added 45W wired charging to the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56, and states a 30 minute charge will take the 5,000mAh battery to about 65%, and on to 100% in 68 minutes. This means the A-series phones have faster wired charging than the Galaxy S25, and matches the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Galaxy S25 Ultra. However, neither have wireless charging.I came away from my time with the Galaxy A36 and Galaxy A56 impressed with both. The colors make the most of the design, theres an IP67 dust and water resistance rating on both, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, a good turn of speed in the software, and some desirable feature updates over the last models. I love that I can see and feel a difference to last years models, and that Ive already discovered a tangible reason to buy the more expensive one. Its what I want to see from an annual update, especially in the often challenging mid-range, where updates can be harder to implement.Samsung Galaxy A56 Andy Boxall / Digital TrendsThe Samsung Galaxy A36 costs 399 British pounds, or about $505, while the Galaxy A56 is 499 pounds which is around $635, and both will be available to pre-order from March 2 with a release date of March 19. A U.S. release hasnt been confirmed, but the previous A-series did eventually arrive, so its highly likely the new models will come soon too.Editors Recommendations

There are dozens of important tips and tricks you need to master in Monster Hunter Wilds, but they all pale in comparison to learning how to use your weapon effectively. All 14 are available right from the start and each one completely changes the flow of a hunt. Experienced hunters will be familiar with most of them, but there are some new aspects to take into account this time around. If you plan on playing with friends especially then you will want to make sure youre not holding the team back by just spamming attack. Before you put a new weapon on your wishlist, check out this quick weapons guide for Monster Hunter Wilds.CapcomAs mentioned, there are 14 weapons in Monster Hunter Wilds. We will give you a basic idea of each ones strengths, weaknesses, and playstyle but the best thing you can do to decide is take on into the training area and try it out.Recommended VideosGreat SwordIf you like a slow weapon that packs a massive punch, the Great Sword is still the king. This is the iconic weapon of the franchise capable of high-damage charge attacks and a block. You need to be brave and account for your slow swing speeds to land a hit, but once you do, it will count.RelatedLong SwordA sword so long even Sephiroth would be jealous. This weapon allows you to perform perfect dodges and counterattacks more like an action game. It also has nice wide, sweeping attacks for smaller mobs and hitting multiple parts of a monster at once. Landing hits builds a spirit gauge you can spend on a special combo that buffs your attack.Sword and ShieldIf youre new to the series, this is a great weapon to start with. It has fast attacks with the sword and shield, a decent block, dodge, and is the only weapon that lets you use items without having to put your weapon away first.Dual BladesFor something a bit more fancy, the Dual Blades are just as fast but have more layers to consider. They give you a Demon and Archdemon gauge that buffs your attack power and speed as you build each one up. If you want to be fast and aggressive, give these a whirl.HammerThe Hammer is a lot like the Great Sword, only dealing blunt damage that can quickly tire a monster out or stun it if you target the right body parts. Youre not as slow with this weapon and have a dodge, but no guard.Hunting HornThis weapon is one best saved for veterans or players who are part of a dedicated squad. The horn plays different tunes that buff yourself and other hunters in addition to attacks, meaning you need to pay attention to the entire battlefield and know which buffs to trigger when.LanceIf you fancy yourself a tank, pick up the Lance. This weapon lets you attack from relative safety behind your big shield at the expense of speed and damage. What it lacks in damage, however, it makes up for in targeted damage. You can easily wound and exploit a monsters limbs with precise thrusts.GunlanceThe Gunlance is basically what it says on the tin. You still have the heavy shield, but now focus on shooting explosive shells. It gives you a lot more range to work with and has a dodge.Switch AxeThis weapon feels ripped right out of Bloodborne.You can use it as a heavy axe or transform it into a more nimble sword. Each one has their strengths, such as being able to cause explosions, but neither are the best in their class. If you want to be as versatile as possible, go with this.Charge BladeAnother transforming weapon, the Charge Blade also has an axe mode as well as a sword and shield. Most consider this the most difficult weapon to master in the series since using one mode powers up the second and each has their own complete combo list to internalize.Insect GlaiveVerticality is better in Monster Hunter Wilds than ever before. The Insect Glave will let you leap and sping around the environment and make mounting monsters a breeze. You will need to snag parts of monsters with your Kinsect during fights to buff yourself otherwise you will deal very little damage.Light BowgunThe first pure ranged weapon, this bowgun keeps you light on your feet and has a fast rate of fire for great DPS if you can keep the monster in your sights. Landing hits build up a gauge you can spend on a Rapid Fire ability to unload all at once. Just make sure you come stocked with ammo.Heavy BowgunWe suggest saving the Heavy Bowgun for party hunts since it is most effective from long-range while others draw aggro. You do have an auto-guard just in case, but an ideal run with this weapon will have you sniping from a distance with the correct ammo type to bring down your target.BowThe Bow is unique compared to the other two ranged weapons. It uses your stamina to draw and fire but encourages you to stay somewhat close since a perfect dodge will completely refill your stamina. The coolest feature, though, is the tracer shot. Once you land this, all the arrows you shoot after will home in on that spot. Eventually, the tracer explodes for even more damage.Editors Recommendations