Technical Glossary (1935 terms)

Standardized hardware and benchmark definitions across smartphones, laptops, CPUs, GPUs, SoCs, and tablets.

• titanium frame — A titanium frame is a chassis made of titanium, strong and light. [ DURABILITY ]
• tone mapping — The process of mapping HDR brightness into a display's range. [ DISPLAY ]
• tone-mapping — Processing that maps HDR data into a displayable image. [ CAMERA ]
• top model — The top model is the highest-specification version in a line. [ GENERAL ]
• top pick — A top pick is a product a reviewer most recommends. [ GENERAL ]
• touch input — Controlling a game through the device's touchscreen. [ GAMING ]
• touch latency — The delay between touching the screen and the device responding. [ DISPLAY ]
• touch sampling rate — How often a display samples touch input per second (Hz). [ DISPLAY ]
• trade-in — A trade-in exchanges an old device for credit toward a new one. [ GENERAL ]
• trade-up — A trade-up is moving to a higher-specification option. [ GENERAL ]
• transparency mode — A mode that lets outside sound into earbuds while you listen. [ AUDIO ]
• treble — The high-frequency part of audio, affecting clarity and sparkle. [ AUDIO ]
• treble response — How well a device reproduces high-frequency audio content. [ AUDIO ]
• tri-band Wi-Fi — Wi-Fi that can use 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz bands. [ CONNECTIVITY ]
• trickle charge — A low continuous charging current that tops up a fully charged battery and offsets self-discharge without overcharging it. [ BATTERY ]
• triple camera — A phone with three rear cameras covering several focal lengths. [ CAMERA ]
• tuned lens — A lens tuned with a partner brand for specific optical characteristics. [ CAMERA ]
• turbo charging — A branded fast-charging mode that boosts power to shorten charge times. [ BATTERY ]
• ultra-wide camera — A phone camera with a very wide field of view for broad scenes. [ CAMERA ]
• unboxing — An unboxing is opening a product for the first time, often on video. [ GENERAL ]
• under-display camera — A front camera placed beneath the screen so it needs no notch or hole. [ DISPLAY ]
• under-display fingerprint — A fingerprint sensor embedded beneath the display. [ DISPLAY ]
• undervolting — Lowering a chip's voltage to reduce heat and power while keeping clocks. [ CHIPS ]
• unlocked — A phone not tied to one carrier, accepting any SIM. [ CONNECTIVITY ]
• update policy — How long and how often a device receives software and security updates. [ SOFTWARE ]
• upgrade — An upgrade is moving to a newer or better version. [ GENERAL ]
• upload speed — How fast data can be sent over a network connection. [ CONNECTIVITY ]
• upscaling — Rendering at a lower resolution and scaling up to the native res. [ GAMING ]
• user manual — A user manual is the guide shipped with a product. [ GENERAL ]
• v-sync off — Disabling vertical sync, which removes frame-rate caps but can cause tearing. [ GAMING ]
• value — Value is the quality a product offers relative to its price. [ GENERAL ]
• value score — A Value score is a 0-100 DeviceBenchmark rating for that aspect of a device. [ GENERAL ]
• variable aperture — A lens whose aperture can change to control light and depth of field. [ CAMERA ]
• variant — A variant is a specific configuration of a product. [ GENERAL ]
• verdict — A verdict is the final conclusion of a review or comparison. [ GENERAL ]
• verdict winner — The verdict winner is the product judged better in a comparison. [ GENERAL ]
• version — A number identifying a specific release of software. [ SOFTWARE ]
• vertex shader — A shader that transforms 3D vertices into screen positions. [ GAMING ]
• video boost — A mode that enhances video quality through heavy processing. [ CAMERA ]
• video codec — The format used to compress and store video files. [ CAMERA ]
• video decode — Video decode is hardware playback of a compressed video stream. [ CHIPS ]
• video encode — Video encode is hardware recording of video into a compressed codec. [ CHIPS ]
• video mode — A camera setting tuned for recording video clips and motion. [ CAMERA ]
• video out — A port that sends video from a device to a display. [ PORTS ]
• video recording — Capturing a sequence of moving images together with sound. [ CAMERA ]
• video resolution — The pixel dimensions of a recorded video clip, such as 4K. [ CAMERA ]
• viewfinder — The screen or eyepiece used to frame and compose a shot. [ CAMERA ]
• viewing angle — How far off-axis an image stays accurate; OLED and IPS are best. [ DISPLAY ]
• vignette — Darkening at the corners of a photo or image frame. [ CAMERA ]
• virtual memory — Using storage space to extend available RAM, letting systems run larger workloads. [ MEMORY ]