In an official post, Qualcomm announced that it has partnered with Google to offer OEMs the ability to provide support for up to eight years of OS and security updates. The first devices to benefit from this extended software update support will be Android smartphones powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset running Android 15.

The support will also extend to devices powered by the new Snapdragon 8 and 7-series chipsets launching later this year. The longer software update support window will allow users to get the most out of their investments in smartphones and extend the device's lifespan. Android OEMs will also have the opportunity to offer the latest features to their users throughout those eight years.

Additionally, the program will also include two upgrades to the mobile platform’s Android Common Kernel (ACK). This is important because the Kernel is the core of Android OS, and updating the ACK kernel will ensure OEMs can provide security updates for the entire eight-year period.

Seang Chau, VP and GM of Android Platform said, "Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s efforts to extend the lifespan of Android devices are a key step for increasing the longevity of smartphones. Through this collaboration, OEMs can more seamlessly update the software and security on their devices, ensuring a more secure and long-lasting Android experience for our users."

Qualcomm also noted that while it has paved the way for eight years of software update support, it will ultimately be up to Android manufacturers to decide which smartphones will take advantage of the extended update support.

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However, subsequent reports have pointed towards the fact that Apple may go ahead with a book-style foldable after all. Recently, details about the display of the Apple foldable surfaced suggesting that the foldable will feature a 5.49-inch outer screen and a 7.74-inch inner screen.

The latest information about the Apple foldable display is quite interesting, as the company has reportedly managed to eliminate the long-standing issue of display creases on foldable phones. According to Korean news outlet ETNews, Apple will be finalizing its component suppliers by the end of April this year for the foldable iPhone.

This also hints that Apple may be close to entering production of the foldable iPhone, with large-scale production likely beginning in the second half of 2025. The report also indicates that Samsung Display will be supplying the screens for Apple's foldable, corroborating a previous leak.

A source close to the matter stated, "Apple has decided to eliminate the crease at all costs, regardless of price, to differentiate its foldable phone from existing models. I understand that they eliminated the crease with new properties." It was previously reported that Apple wanted some technological uniqueness before entering the foldable market, and this could be exactly what they might have been looking for.

Display crease has been one of the biggest challenges for foldable phones. Despite years in the foldable smartphone market, brands like Samsung, Huawei, OPPO, and others haven't managed to eliminate them. Apple might have just beaten them to it.

Furthermore, the report states that Apple has opted for an inward folding design—essentially a book-style design—with US-based Corning providing UTG (ultra-thin glass) for the display. US-based Amphenol, which supplied hinges for MacBook Pro models, might supply the hinge mechanism for the foldable iPhone. Apple may release its first iPhone foldable in the second half of 2026.

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Now, CAD renders of the alleged Galaxy Z Fold7 have surfaced, and at first glance, the device looks strikingly similar to last year's Galaxy Z Fold6. The renders, courtesy of a collaboration between reliable leaker OnLeaks and Android Headlines, also reveal some interesting information about the device.

Reportedly, the Galaxy Z Fold7 will measure just 4.5mm thick when unfolded. Interestingly, when folded, it is tipped to measure just 9.5mm, including the camera bump. And when you take the camera bump out of the equation, it measures around 9mm. While the device may look similar to the Galaxy Z Fold6, based on the leaked measurements, it is about 1.1mm thinner than the Z Fold6, and even 0.4mm thinner than the Galaxy Z Fold6 Special Edition.

Despite its slim design, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is still not thin enough to beat the world's thinnest book-style foldable, the recently launched OPPO Find N5, which measures just 4.2mm. The report also adds that the Galaxy Z Fold7 will feature an 8.2-inch inner display, and 6.5-inch outer display, corroborating a previous leak.

Coming to the dimensions of the device, it is tipped to measure 158.4 x 143.1 x 4.5mm, suggesting a wider display than last year. The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor could power this year's foldable, but the battery is rumored to stay at 4,400mAh, the same as last year's Galaxy Z Fold6.

The cameras are expected to get an upgrade with a 200MP primary sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto cameras on the back. There is a rumor that Samsung may install a digitizer inside the Galaxy Z Fold7, however, the company is expected to ditch its old technology in favor of AES technology, used in Apple Pencil.

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Early graphics benchmarks of the iPhone 16e have appeared on the web, suggesting that the lower GPU count has affected its performance up to some extent. The device with the identifier "iPhone 17,5" running iOS 18.3.1 achieved a Geekbench Metal score of 24188, first spotted by MySmartPrice. That's a drop of about 13% compared to the Metal scores of iPhone 16 (27669) and iPhone 16 Plus (27772).

However, it may not translate to a noticeable difference in everyday usage, considering the binned A18 chip still has a 6-core GPU. Apple claims the 4-core GPU still has the muscles to handle "stunning graphics performance and unlocks next-level mobile gaming on the go, enabling graphically demanding AAA titles and hardware-accelerated ray tracing for more realistic lighting and reflections."

The benchmark results also reveal that the iPhone 16e has 8GB RAM inside, fueling previous estimates about its memory capacity. It is also the minimum requirement to run Apple Intelligence, as senior executive Johny Srouji confirmed last year.

Meanwhile, there is still a question mark around the size of the battery Apple has fitted into the device. Apple has managed to bump the battery life to 26 hours for video playback, four hours more than the iPhone 16 and up to 12 hours longer than previous models, including the iPhone SE 3 and SE 2.

Apple said it will put the iPhone 16e up for pre-orders on February 21 at 5 am PST, and the device will be available from February 28. We will get a better idea of how the lower GPU count affects graphics-hungry workloads and everyday tasks once the device gets into the hands of more users.

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Now, details about the processor on the Galaxy Z Fold7 FE have popped up. According to The Bell, Samsung has begun the mass production of the 3nm Exynos 2500 processor. It is the same processor, which due to low yield, was scrapped last year. This is why, Samsung had to release the Galaxy S25 series globally with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset.

However, it appears that Samsung is more confident in the Exynos 2500's supply this time, even though reports suggest that the yield is still less than 50%. Samsung is tipped to use this SoC inside the Galaxy Z Fold7. But the report doesn't confirm whether it will be the flagship Galaxy Z Fold7 or the affordable Galaxy Z Fold7 FE. Industry sources suggest that it would be the Galaxy Z Fold7 FE.

Additionally, it is expected that the Galaxy S25 FE will also be powered by the Exynos 2500 processor, which corroborates a previous leak. Reportedly, with an initial production volume set at 5,000 units per month, Wafer testing could start as early as March, handled by Nepas Arc and Doosan Tesna.

An official familiar with Samsung Electronics' MX division said, "Considering that Samsung Electronics' MX division will unveil a new Galaxy foldable product in July or August, Exynos 2500 production should be completed by April at the latest." Another official claimed that "The initial quantity is 5,000 units per month, but it will decrease to 3,000 to 3,500 units per month in the future."

Furthermore, Samsung Electronics is also working on stabilizing the yield of the Exynos 2600 processor, which will be built on the 2nm process. If all goes well, next year's Galaxy S26 series will be equipped with an Exynos 2600 processor.

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Now, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has shared some inside information, suggesting that the shift by Apple to its in-house modem could happen as early as this year. According to a new post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Kuo said that all upcoming iPhone 17 models—including the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Plus, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max—will be equipped with Apple-designed Wi-Fi chips.

Previously, Kuo suggested that at least one model in the iPhone 17 series could feature an in-house modem, and the company is expected to transition to in-house chips over the next three years. However, as per the latest information, after ditching Qualcomm with the iPhone 16e, Apple is all set to part ways with Broadcom's Wi-Fi chips.

Currently, all iPhone models, including the iPhone 16 series feature Broadcom's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. Kuo noted that almost all 2025 iPhone 17 models, "will feature Apple's in-house Wi-Fi chips." The switch to Apple's in-house chips will not only help in cost reduction for Apple but "will enhance connectivity across Apple devices."

While current iPhone 16 models support Wi-Fi 7, they come with limited specifications. However, this year's iPhone 17 could leverage Wi-Fi 7's 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz bands simultaneously, enabling faster data transfer, better coverage, and reduced latency

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“It’s important to remember that if your bundled phone contract includes a handset, you’re essentially ‘paying it off’ with your monthly phone bills,” said Ernest Doku, Uswitch mobiles expert, “Once your initial contract ends, you’ve contractually finished paying off the phone. However, this won’t be reflected in your monthly payments, and you’ll continue to pay the same amount as before, if not more. If you already own a phone, switching to a SIM-only contract can save you a significant amount of money in the long run: they typically offer lower monthly rates since you’re not paying for a new phone.”

If you are not sure if you're out of contract yet, Uswitch advises texting ‘INFO’ to 85075 to find out. If you find that you are out of contract, you can hop onto mobile comparison websites, not necessarily Uswitch, to find the best deal that fits your needs. Also, it's worth asking friends and family which provider they are with, as you could both get perks by using a referral link.

Furthermore, Ofcom has made changes over the last several years aimed at making it really easy to switch to another provider and take your phone number with you. It's really as simple as following these three steps:

1. Text 'PAC' to 65075 for free, and you'll get a message back with your PAC code within two hours.
2. Find a deal you want to switch to and give your new network your PAC code.
3. The network will now transfer your number over to your new SIM, job done!

With the United Kingdom potentially on the verge of a recession and unemployment on the rise since last August, saving money where you can is a very prudent action. There are plenty of comparison websites available; just search for a 'mobile comparison website' in your preferred search engine and look for a website that you can trust.

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Apple is getting ready to show its newest device during an event on Wednesday, February 19th. Tim Cook revealed the date in a post on X, saying “Get ready to meet the newest member of the family,” alongside a GIF of the Apple logo.

Apple is widely expected to reveal the latest generation of its iPhone SE, which hasn’t seen a refresh since 2022. Last week, a report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman said the device will likely arrive in the “coming days.” Rumors suggest that it will come with some significant design changes, including a bigger screen, no home screen button, and Face ID instead of Touch ID.

It’s also rumored to feature an A18 chip that will enable Apple Intelligence and may come with the company’s first in-house cellular modem, according to Bloomberg. Leaks suggest that the iPhone SE could have an Action button too, and a single camera on its rear.

Correction, February 13th: A previous version of the article incorrectly stated the iPhone SE is rumored to have Touch ID, but it’s actually expected to have Face ID.

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Now, a fresh leak gives us a peek at the alleged color options of the upcoming Google Pixel 9a. According to Android Headlines, the Pixel 9a will be offered in Peony, Iris, Obsidian, and Porcelain colors. Notably, the device's frame appears to match the color of the phone.

The leaked images showcase the purported Google Pixel 9a from all angles. On the back, the flushed camera module will house dual cameras, tipped to be a 48MP primary and 13MP ultrawide lens. The Google Pixel 9a is expected to be powered by the Tensor G4 chipset and paired with 8GB of RAM.

Here's the Pixel 9a in different colors:

Gallery: Google Pixel 9a

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The device is expected to go on sale on March 26. This year, the Pixel 9a might cost $40 extra in the USA compared to the Pixel 8a, with a similar price increase anticipated in the UK and European markets. Reportedly, the 128GB model of the Pixel 9a could cost $499, the same as the Pixel 8a. However, the 256GB model is rumored to cost $599, up from the Pixel 8a's $559.

The Pixel 9a could feature a 6.3-inch Actua AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate plus 2,700 nits and a resolution of 1080x2424 (FHD+). It could be juiced by a 5,100 mAh battery, making it the largest battery in a Pixel phone to date. Google may keep the charging speeds at 23W wired and 7.5W wireless.

The mid-range smartphone market is expected to heat up, as Apple is also rumored to debut its mid-range iPhone SE 4 soon. The iPhone SE 4 is speculated to feature a complete design overhaul, rock a 12MP TrueDepth selfie camera, and use the A18 chipset with support for Apple Intelligence.

Images via Android Headlines

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According to FNNews (via Jukanlosreve on X), Samsung is working on introducing silicon carbon batteries, which would allow the company to fit bigger batteries inside their next-generation smartphones. This could mean that the Samsung Galaxy S26 series could feature a 6,000-7,000 mAh battery. Reportedly, silicon carbon batteries are compact and allow for higher energy storage efficiency.

This wouldn't be the first time a Samsung phone features a 6,000-7,000 mAh capacity battery. The company's M-series and F-series phones, such as the Galaxy M51, are known to feature huge-capacity batteries. However, if Samsung uses silicon carbon batteries, the Galaxy S26 would become its first flagship series to include such a high-capacity battery.

While this technology may be new for Samsung, Chinese OEMs such as Xiaomi, VIVO, and ZTE have already started using silicon carbon batteries in their smartphones. The devices feature batteries between 6,000-7,000 mAh with fast charging speeds of 80W to 100W.

Although Samsung may not introduce 80W or 100W fast charging support on its flagship devices, the next generation phones will likely feature larger batteries exceeding 5,000 mAh. Internal sources show that Samsung Electronics is likely to increase the battery capacity inside their next-generation phones.

A Samsung official also stated, "If silicon anode material is used, the capacity increases, but there is a lifespan issue, so improvement is necessary. It has not been confirmed, but we are studying various improvement measures."

A Chinese IT tipster who goes by the name Ai Bingzhou also reports the Galaxy S26 series would be the first to be equipped with silicon carbon batteries.

Samsung has taken a cautious approach to increasing battery capacity, especially since it produces smartphones on a much larger scale. Ensuring product stability is a key priority, as the company wants to avoid another Galaxy Note7-like situation.

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It was earlier tipped that the Galaxy S25 Edge could be around 6.4mm thin. However, the latest leak now suggests that Samsung's slim phone will be even thinner than Apple's upcoming slim iPhone, the iPhone 17 Air/Slim.

According to reliable leaker OnLeaks (via SmartPrix), the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge will be just 5.84mm thin, making it significantly thinner than the rumored 6.25mm thickness of the iPhone 17 Air/Slim. Reportedly, the iPhone 17 Air/Slim forced Samsung to redesign the Galaxy S25 Edge, leading the company to ditch the previously rumored triple-camera setup. The device is now tipped to feature a 200MP primary and a 50MP ultrawide camera.

Now, another trusted leaker, PandaFlashPro on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has shared what they claim to be "confirmed" specifications for the Galaxy S25 Edge. The alleged specifications are as follows:

• Selfie camera:12MP
• Main camera: 200MP
• Display: 1.32mm display bezel with ProScaler support, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, 1-120Hz refresh rate, 2,600 nits of peak brightness, Under-Display fingerprint scanner
• Charging: 25W wired charging
• Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C 3.2 port,
• Other features: 12GB RAM, UFS 4.0 storage, Armor Aluminum frame, Thinner Vapor Chamber than Galaxy S25

Recently, a CQC certification revealed that the phone may feature a 3,900mAh battery. The phone will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and could be priced below $1,299. It remains to be seen if Samsung will equip the Galaxy S25 Edge with satellite connectivity features as its other Galaxy S25 siblings or not. Since these specs are not official, we would advise you to take the information with a pinch of salt.

Image via Depositphotos.com

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The rumor mill's most reliable sources have been pointing to a refresh for Apple's low-end $429 iPhone SE to land early this year, and Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reports that the launch could be coming "as early as next week."

The new fourth-generation iPhone SE ought to be the device's first significant makeover since 2020. It's said to be adopting a design similar to the iPhone 14—one of the iPhones with Face ID in a display notch, rather than inside the Dynamic Island—but with the internationally mandated USB-C port that was first added to the iPhone 15.

We don't know much about its internal specs, but like older iPhone SE models it will likely stick to a single-lens rear camera. Some reporting suggests the phone's 6.1-inch display model could shift to OLED to match the rest of the iPhone lineup, dropping the LCD panel technology from older models. It should also support Apple Intelligence, which would most likely mean either an A17 Pro chip (like the iPad mini 6 just got) or an A18 like in the iPhone 16. Both of these include 8GB of RAM, a consistent requirement for Apple Intelligence across the entire iPhone, iPad, and Mac lineup.

Gurman suggests that Apple could raise the $429 starting price of the new iPhone SE to reflect the updated design. He also says that Apple's supplies of the $599 iPhone 14 are running low at Apple's stores—the 14 has already been discontinued in some countries over its lack of USB-C port, and it's possible Apple could be planning to replace both the iPhone 14 and the old SE with the new SE.

Apple's third-generation iPhone SE is nearly three years old, but its design (including its dimensions, screen size, Home button, and Lightning port) hearkens all the way back to 2014's iPhone 6. Put 2017's iPhone 8 and 2022's iPhone SE on a table next to each other, and almost no one could tell the difference. These days, it feels like a thoroughly second-class iPhone experience, and a newer design is overdue.

Other Apple products allegedly due for an early 2025 release include the M4 MacBook Airs and a next-generation Apple TV, which, like the iPhone SE, was also last refreshed in 2022. Gurman has also said that a low-end iPad and a new iPad Air will arrive "during the first half of 2025" and updated Mac Pro and Mac Studio models to arrive sometime this year as well. Apple is also said to be making progress on its own smart display, expanding its smart speaker efforts beyond the aging HomePod and HomePod mini.

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According to the leak, Google may start pre-orders for the Pixel 9a in Europe starting March 19, with the device going on sale from March 26. Notably, the release timeline for the Pixel 9a is similar to what was previously leaked for the US.

Coming to the pricing of the device, it was earlier tipped (via Android Headlines) that Google may increase the price of the Pixel 9a by $40 compared to the Pixel 8a. The 128GB model of the Pixel 9a is speculated to cost $499, while the 256GB model could cost around $599. While the price of the 128GB model is the same as the Pixel 8a, the Pixel 9a might cost $40 more, i.e., $599, for the 256GB model, as the 256GB model of the Pixel 8a was priced at $559.

Now, according to Dealabs, the Pixel 9a could cost €549 for the base 128GB model in Europe, whereas it will cost £499 in the UK—the same price as its predecessor. However, for the 256GB model, both Europe and the UK will get a similar £40/€40 price hike as in the US ($40). So, the 256GB model will cost £599/€649 in the UK and Europe, respectively. While both storage and RAM models will be offered in Obsidian and Iris colors, the base model of the Pixel 9a is tipped to get two new color options—Porcelain and Peony.

As for the specs, the Google Pixel 9a is expected to be powered by the Tensor G4 chipset, feature a 6.3-inch Actua AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate plus 2,700 nits, and a resolution of 1080x2424 (FHD+), a 48MP + 13MP dual camera setup, and a 5,100mAh battery inside. There are also rumors that the Pixel 9a could offer an IP68 rating and a 13MP selfie camera.

Image via Android Headlines

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In the wider tablet market as a whole, Canalys reported that worldwide tablet shipments rose by 9.2% compared to 2023. There were 147.6 million units shipped in 2024. Canalys said growth was seen in all regions except North America.

“As the PC market pivots toward a commercial refresh cycle, there is also a recovery in demand for tablets,” said Himani Mukka, Research Manager at Canalys. “A recent Canalys survey of channel partners found that 52% of those that sell commercial tablets expect their shipments to increase in 2025, with 32% expecting flat performance and just 16% anticipating a decline.”

With the figures in for 2024, we can see how much of the market share the top five tablet vendors managed to capture. In first place with the iPad is Apple, which holds 38.6% of the market share. The second is Samsung, which is 18.8%; the third is Huawei, at 7.3%; Lenovo is fourth at 7.1%; Xiaomi is fifth at 6.2%; and others make up 22% of the market.

All of these players saw annual growth. Xiaomi had the highest at 73.1%, while Others declined by 0.1%, suggesting that the big five are entrenching their positions in the tablet market. Apple saw moderate growth of 5.3%, and Samsung saw 8.2%.

A rumor from December suggested that Apple could be working on a big iPad with a folding display with a potential release in 2028. It'll be interesting to see what Apple's market share will be by then and whether such a device would help the iPad lineup stay popular.

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It's ironic, but we here at WIRED have long been fans of wireless charging. Not having to fumble with cables is nice! Most wireless charging devices these days follow the Qi (pronounced chee) standard, which has taken its time reaching ubiquity. (The user experience has not always been great.) The Wireless Power Consortium, which manages the charging protocol, announced the next-generation version called Qi2 in early 2023, and we're finally starting to see devices supporting it. It promises perfect alignment, with the potential for accessories to bridge the Android and iPhone divide.

Sadly, Qi2 has not rolled out as quickly or widely as we expected this year. As of August 2024, there is only one Qi2-certified Android phone, the HMD Skyline (6/10, WIRED Review), and we were dismayed to find that it did not work with some older Qi chargers. Is Qi2 coming unstuck?

What Is Qi2?

Qi2 is the new open wireless charging standard from the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), and it brings important upgrades over the original Qi standard. The headline is the Magnetic Power Profile (MPP), which is based on Apple’s MagSafe technology. (Apple was involved in developing the Qi2 standard.) This allows Qi2-branded devices to add a ring of magnets to ensure perfect alignment with chargers and allow for faster charging speeds.

There is another standard, the nonmagnetic wireless charging Extended Power Profile (EPP). This has led to some confusion. Per WPC's Paul Golden, EPP refers to a device that complies with the specification, but it is not officially Qi2 and thus cannot use the logo or be referred to as a Qi2 device. Golden told WIRED in an email that such devices “would carry the Qi logo, not Qi2, and packaging and/or marketing materials have a required statement that the device does not contain magnets. Any device labeled Qi2 is MPP and must include magnets.”

Qi2 is also fully backward compatible, so you can charge an older Qi Android phone or MagSafe iPhone on a Qi2 charger. We have tested several, and this seems to hold true. We also expected any old Qi chargers to charge Qi2 devices, albeit at slower speeds, but it turns out that is not true. The HMD Skyline, for example, did not work with several old Qi chargers we tested, and it seems this may be par for the course. We will have to wait for more Qi2 phones to find out, but with heavyweights like Google and Samsung failing to adopt Qi2 in their latest flagships it might be awhile.

Benefits of Qi2

Wireless charging with Qi2 brings several improvements over the original Qi standard.

Greater efficiency: Wireless charging relies on electromagnetic coils. One or more induction coils in the charging base create a magnetic field and transmit energy. A smaller coil in your phone or other device harvests it. The coils must be aligned for energy to flow between them and the magnets in the new Magnetic Power Profile ensure perfect alignment so less power is lost. When coils are misaligned, energy is often lost as heat, which is also not good for battery health.

Faster charging: The Qi standard was originally limited to 5-watt charging speeds, but Qi2 allows certified phones to charge at 15 watts (just like MagSafe). We expect this charging rate to increase as the Wireless Power Consortium works to improve the Qi2 standard, but probably not until 2025. Some manufacturers already offer speedier wireless charging, such as OnePlus and Xiaomi, but you have to use a specific wireless charger to see those gains.

Wider compatibility for accessories: Any Qi2 charger can charge any Qi2 device, so you can buy a single charger capable of juicing up an iPhone or Android phone. For Qi-supporting phones that lack magnets, you will likely soon be able to buy a case with a magnetic ring that works with Qi2 (as you can currently with MagSafe). Sadly, the outlook for old Qi chargers and MagSafe accessories is not as bright, because some of them won't work with Qi2 phones and you likely won't know until you try them.

Other improvements Qi2 brings over Qi include wider device compatibility (from tablets to wearables), adaptive charging so chargers can talk to devices to supply the power they need instead of having a fixed power output, and enhanced safety with better heat management and foreign object detection.

Expect a Delayed Wave of Qi2 Devices

Before a device can bear the Qi2 logo, the Wireless Power Consortium must certify it in its independent labs. The MPP Qi2 specification includes charging rate, magnet strength, and device compatibility. The Qi2 logo promises that the device meets the WPC’s exacting standards. It is likely that, as with the original Qi standard, there will soon be devices available that have not passed through the official Qi2 certification process.

Apple’s iPhone 15 range supports Qi2, and accessory makers like Anker, Belkin, Nomad, and Mophie have all released Qi2 wireless chargers. You can expect a much wider range of Qi2 accessories to land soon, and we expect some more Android manufacturers to jump on board in 2025. Phones typically have a two-year lead time, so that may account for the delay in Qi2 adoption in 2024. The WPC hopes that Qi2 will unify wireless charging and finally provide the universal global standard we have been waiting for, but we are no longer feeling quite so optimistic.

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What exactly is wrong with the batteries in some of Google's Pixel 4a phones still out there? Google has not really said. Now that many Pixel 4a owners are experiencing drastically reduced battery life after an uncommon update for an end-of-life phone, they are facing a strange array of options with no path back to the phone they had.

Google's "Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program," announced in early January, told owners that an automatic update would, for some "Impacted Devices," reduce their battery's runtime and charging performance. "Impacted" customers could choose, within one year's time, between three "appeasement" options: sending in the phone for a battery replacement, getting $50 or the equivalent in their location, or receiving $100 in credit in the Google Store toward a new Pixel phone. No safety or hazard issue was mentioned in the support document.

Ars has reached out to Google about the Pixel 4a battery updates and appeasement options provided and will update this post with any response.

The curious kernel

Google did not explain why only certain devices were affected, but Hector Martin—of Asahi Linux, open source Kinect drivers, and other fame—took apart the update's binary kernel and has some guesses.

Martin points out that the updated Pixel 4a kernel has these interesting characteristics:

• It seems to have been built by a Google engineer "on their personal machine, not the proper buildsystem."
• There is no source provided, as would normally be required of a Linux kernel build, though it may only need to be provided on request under the GNU General Public License.
• The maximum charge voltage of certain battery profiles changes from 4.44 volts to 3.95, which would mean batteries cannot charge to anywhere near their former potential.
• There are two main battery profiles, with distinct "ATL" and "LSN" markers; Martin suggests they relate to Amperex Technology Limited and Lishen, manufacturers of battery cells.
• LSN-tagged batteries assigned the "debug" profile can see capacity reduced from 3,080 milliamp hours (mAh) to 1,539 mAh.

Two hours on a charge or less

One Ars staffer who had a Pixel 4a still in use received the update. They saw their battery life drop from "Still working" to "Two hours on a charge," in their estimation. They had chosen the Google Store credit option before the update arrived and before the battery life drop became apparent. Once chosen, a different appeasement option could not be selected.

Others have noted all but unusable battery life on their phones, as seen on subreddit threads and blog summaries.

Even technically savvy Pixel owners will have a hard time avoiding the update. Google last week removed all of the Pixel 4a's factory images from its website, preventing owners from rolling back their firmware without having to go hunting for an image (or convert to a third-party offering, like LineageOS). With no source and debug code posted for the tweaked kernel, third-party firmware providers cannot easily incorporate the battery fixes.

Some Pixel 4a owners have reported that, even after a battery swap, their devices have the same limited battery capacity. This would affirm Martin's suggestion of a faulty battery cell type and that batteries with those same cells are still being used in replacements. (Martin's post provides serial numbers one can look for on the battery part to indicate the cell manufacturer.)

$30 per year to receive $50

As seen on a wiki page on the Pixel 4a battery program hosted by repair advocate and YouTube creator Louis Rossman, and noted by Pixel 4a owners on Reddit (and the Ars staffer), the $50 credit offered by Google is paid out through vendor Payoneer.

Signing up to be paid through Payoneer requires providing a Social Security number or other identification, birth date, and checking account details to a financial services firm most non-business owners would not recognize. Payoneer notes on its site that it charges a $30 annual account fee for accounts that receive less than $2,000 in 12 months. It is seemingly left up to Pixel 4a owners to close out their Payoneer accounts after receiving their credits.

Choosing the $100 Google Store credit might seem the better option, but there is a caveat there, too. The discount applies only to Pixel phones and only to devices that are not otherwise on sale.

The big question: Why?

As we noted when Google first announced the update, a lot of Pixel 4a batteries are now four to five years old. Some have been kept as secondary (or "junk drawer") phones, and many are already at diminished capacity, especially when at low charge levels and in cold conditions. If every Pixel phone this old received a battery-minded final update, intended to prevent sudden shutdowns (akin to Apple's originally unannounced iPhone slow-down fixes), there wouldn't be quite the amount of outcry and confusion there is now.

But Google has not said why certain Pixel 4a phones are "Impacted Devices" and others are not. It has not clarified what issue is so notable or severe as to push an automatic update to a phone from 2020, such that its battery life is all but decimated. No news or community reports have surfaced yet of Pixel 4a devices causing fires, or even simply failing to function, after four years. It's an automatic update with a strong fix, but for what?

Google's support page only states that the update will "improve the stability of their battery's performance." This is true in the sense that, if you stop using a severely capped Pixel 4a entirely, its battery can provide a stable amount of output (none) into the future.

Google support staff have suggested to more than one 4a owner that yet another future update could force a factory reset and automatic update. That hasn't come to pass, at least in the timelines suggested by support staff. But all of this raises the question as to how this confusing process is better than a traditional recall, if there really is some kind of danger, to device or human, with a certain set of batteries.

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First, Vivaldi Translate, which launched in June 2021 with Vivaldi 4.0, is finally coming to iOS. Vivaldi Translate is built on Lingvanex, a company that offers AI tools for translating text, documents, and speech across more than 100 languages. When you update to 7.1, you'll find the translate icon right next to the reload button.

There's also an improved Speed Dial that features sections for popular sites and those you visit frequently. Speaking of improvements, version 7.1 brings a quicker way to save your favorite sites. Now, in the context menu, there's a new "Add page to..." option, allowing you to save a page to your device home screen, Start Page, Bookmarks, or Reading List.

Before 7.1, the default search engine for Vivaldi on iOS was Bing, but that is changing. According to Vivaldi:

To keep Vivaldi free and independent, we’ve made a small but important update: changing some of our default search engines. These adjustments are part of our efforts to support the ongoing development of the browser. Our partner search engines that generate revenue for us are Startpage, Ecosia, DuckDuckGo, and Qwant. As part of this setup, we also made changes to ensure that ad attribution works correctly. This is needed for us to be paid by our partners.

Vivaldi on iOS now supports sharing tabs to another synced device with a feature called "Send Tab to Device," similar to what's available in 7.1 on Desktop. Other updates include Paste and Go/Search, which lets you navigate or search directly from your clipboard without extra steps.

Custom Zoom Levels make reading on your phone or tablet more comfortable by allowing you to set a preferred zoom level for every page. You can now share links straight from the Address Bar’s context menu without disrupting your workflow.

Sync settings have also improved, letting you rename devices to stay organized. Additionally, Search Suggestion Settings give you more control over how suggestions appear in the Address Bar. You can find out more on the Vivaldi Blog.

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Vodafone recently announced that they have achieved a groundbreaking feat by making the world's first satellite video call from a remote area with no network coverage. The most remarkable aspect of this achievement is that it did not require a specialized smartphone. Instead, the world's first satellite video call was made on a regular smartphone. This innovation will allow people in remote areas and locations where the network coverage is jumpy to make video calls, access the internet, and use messaging services, without needing specialized equipment.

Vodafone's engineer, Rowan Chesmer, was the one who made the world's first satellite video call to Margherita Della Valle, Vodafone Group CEO, from a remote mountainous location of Wales—a place that has never seen mobile broadband before. The call was made possible thanks to Vodafone's partnership with AST SpaceMobile, a company that operates BlueBird satellites that relay signals from space to Vodafone's newly built space-to-land gateway. The service replicates the experience of existing 4G and 5G mobile networks.

Margherita Della Valle said:

Vodafone’s job is to get everyone connected, no matter where they are. Our advanced European 5G network will now be complemented with cutting-edge satellite technology. We are bringing customers the best network and connecting people who have never had access to mobile communications before. This will help to close the digital divide, supporting people from all corners of Europe to keep in touch with family and friends, or work, as well as ensuring reliable rural connectivity in an emergency.

Tim Peeke, the first British astronaut to visit the International Space Station in 2015 and conduct a spacewalk, appreciated Vodafone's achievement and also highlighted the importance of being able to see family and friends from remote locations.

Vodafone is planning to roll out the technology for its users across Europe sometime between late 2025 and 2026. Up until now, only Apple iPhones (starting with iPhone 14) have been able to communicate with satellites for emergency text services. Recently, T-Mobile US and Elon Musk's SpaceX also started testing Starlink satellites to offer text services on Android phones from Samsung and Google.

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Samsung said that not many were using these features of the S-Pen, which led to the decision to drop the Bluetooth functionality from the S-Pen. Besides, the company also cited cost-cutting as a reason, though this move did not result in a price reduction—the base model costs the same as the previous year's Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Recently, Samsung posted a story on its own Insights blog, which created an atmosphere of confusion. Notably, the blog mentioned that users could purchase a Bluetooth S-Pen separately and use it with Galaxy S25 Ultra to enjoy all of the lost Bluetooth functionalities. The blog noted:

The Bluetooth-enabled S Pen (now sold separately) acts as a remote control within select apps to help maximize productivity. Simply press the button on the side of the pen to activate the Air Actions menu and view all the available gestures.

Interestingly, an S-Pen with Bluetooth functionality for the Galaxy S25 Ultra was spotted on Amazon UK. However, the same S-Pen wasn't available on the Amazon US website.

Now, Samsung has officially confirmed to Android Authority that the blog post contained an error and that the Galaxy S25 Ultra doesn't support Bluetooth S-Pen interactions, regardless of the S-Pen model used, including the S-Pen Pro. The blog has now been updated, with misleading section 7 removed altogether.

While most air gesture features were rarely used, the camera remote control was a handy option, especially when taking a group selfie. Thankfully, there are other ways you can take photos remotely with your Galaxy S25 Ultra, which we have detailed in this post. You can also grab the official Galaxy S25 series wallpapers in high quality from here.

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Given Apple's tight control over the iPhone's software development, it has been a trend over the years that iOS updates are quick to reach the majority of iPhones just months after release. This year's case is also nothing different.

Apple has released the updated market share numbers for iOS 18, which give an idea of what percentage of iPhones are running the latest software update. Here are some key takeaways:

• 76% of all devices (including iPhone 14/15/16 series) released in the last four years run iOS 18.
• 68% of all devices run iOS 18.

The previous version, iOS 17, still has a double-digit device usage share, with over 19% of all devices launched in the last four years and overall running iOS 17. Apple mentions that the usage share is "measured by devices that transacted on the App Store on January 21, 2025."

We can compare these numbers with iOS 17's usage share from last year when Apple reported "76% of all devices introduced in the last four years use iOS 17" and "66% of all devices use iOS 17."

It's worth noting that the previous numbers were based on "devices that transacted on the App Store on February 4, 2024." In other words, iOS 18 has taken a 2% lead despite the numbers being revealed a few weeks earlier.

Apple has also shared market share data for iPadOS 18 as well and here are some takeaways:

• 63% of all devices introduced in the last four years run iPadOS 18.
• 53% of all devices run iPadOS 18.

The numbers show that the market share of iPadOS 18 isn't as high as its iPhone counterpart. Adding to that is the fact that about 28% of all iPads are still running the iPadOS 17 update from 2024.

Past numbers suggest that iOS updates usually achieve an adoption rate of about 90% around June every year. So, we'll have to wait see how things unfold for iOS 18 in the coming months. Meanwhile, Apple continues to build new features for its devices, and the iOS 18.3 update is due for a release.

In your free time, you can read our detailed guide about 25 small and useful features in the iOS 18 update.

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"Kiwi Browser is now archived. It will no longer be maintained after January 2025," Granal said on Discord. The browser had been pulled from the Google Play Store by the time of writing, but its latest version is available on GitHub to download.

"Browsers are very complex to maintain and they require long commitment, I started Kiwi as a side-project, and it's almost 7 years now. I just wanted extensions on mobile for myself," Granal said in a separate message.

"The "problem" is that Kiwi gets 1 million downloads per month, that's "too much", so the users accumulate over time, and they all want something new and updates (which is reasonable)."

The web browser's demise comes after over half a decade of existence. Turning back a few pages in Kiwi's history reveals the Chromium-based Android web browser was first launched in April 2018 and added support for Chrome extensions in April 2019. However, it was in April 2020 that Kiwi Browser became fully open-source.

In addition to supporting Chrome extensions, the browser offered features like Night Mode, built-in ad blocking, performance improvements, support for easy one-handed usage, and an optional bottom address bar.

"The extensions code for Kiwi Browser has now been integrated into Microsoft Edge Canary," Granal added. Those interested can follow the instructions laid out by the founder to install the extensions on Edge Canary for Android:

To install extensions on Microsoft Edge Canary:

 

1. Open Microsoft Edge Canary and go to Settings > About Microsoft Edge.
2. Tap the Edge build number (e.g., xx.0.2487.0) 5 times to enable Developer Options.
3. In Developer Options, select Extension install by id.

 

To find the extension ID:

 

1. Open the Microsoft Edge Web Store.
2. Locate and select the desired extension.
3. Copy the ID from the URL (e.g., for Bitwarden, the ID is jbkfoedolllekgbhcbcoahefnbanhhlh from the URL ending).
4. Paste the extension ID into the Extension install by id field.
5. The extension will install.

You can continue to use the latest Kiwi Browser installation until it works. The founder has suggested looking for alternatives such as Mozilla Firefox, Vivaldi, and Edge Canary. An out-of-date web browser will lack new features and be vulnerable to unwelcome security risks.

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While no details about specifications were disclosed, Chinese CQC certification has now spilled the beans about the battery and charger capacity of the phone, and spoiler alert: the specs are disappointing. According to the CQC certification, the Galaxy S25 Edge has a rated battery capacity of 3,786mAh, which could be marketed as 3,900mAh. Earlier it was rumored that the Galaxy S25 Edge may feature a battery between 4,700-5,000mAh range, but later speculation suggested a range of 3,000-4,000mAh, which has now proven correct.

Additionally, the CQC certification also revealed that the device will support 25W fast wired charging—a downgrade from the 45W fast wired charging support available on other Galaxy S25 models.

With these specifications, it remains to be seen how Samsung is going to justify the high price tag, as the slimness of the phone could be a tough selling point, especially given that other specs are comparable to the Galaxy S25 and S25+.

It was earlier rumored that the Galaxy S25 Edge could feature a triple camera setup with a 200MP primary camera, 50MP ultrawide, and 50MP 3.5x telephoto camera. However, now that the phone is officially revealed to feature a dual camera setup, it would be interesting to see which of the three cameras will make it to the final production model.

Let us know in the comments below if you are considering purchasing the Galaxy S25 Edge, or do you think the compromises made for a slim profile aren’t worth it?

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Gemini Live is Google's response to OpenAI's ChatGPT Advanced Voice Mode. Launched in August 2024, it allows hands-free conversations with Gemini, even when your phone is locked or the app is running in the background. Google confirmed that the latest Gemini update will be available on Pixel 9 series phones, with plans to expand to Pixel 6 and later models.

Another update, Gemini Deep Research, is also coming to Pixel. First introduced in December 2024 as part of the Gemini 2.0 update, it was initially available on the web exclusively to Gemini Advanced subscribers in English.

Now, Google is bringing it to mobile, with Pixel devices getting it first. Deep Research helps users browse through hundreds of websites to generate a report with key findings, complete with links to original sources for further learning.

Gemini Deep Research will be available to Advanced subscribers on Pixel in the coming days. If you own a Pixel 9 Pro, you’ll get a 12-month subscription to Gemini Advanced, which includes Deep Research. To be eligible for this offer, you must purchase and activate a Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, or Pixel 9 Pro Fold between August 7, 2024, and October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Finally, Google announced an update for Gemini: Circle to Search with AI Overviews. Circle to Search allows you to quickly search the web by circling, scribbling, or tapping on content displayed on your screen. AI Overviews provide AI-generated summaries of search topics, integrated into Google Search, though there were some hiccups when it was first introduced.

With Gemini's latest update for Pixel, circling or tapping content on your screen will now display an AI overview for that content. For example, circling an image of a cat could pull up a description of the highlighted content.

Additionally, Circle to Search can recognize content like phone numbers, URLs, and email addresses, allowing you to take action, such as making a call, navigating to a URL, or composing an email.

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As per Samsung's official newsroom post, the 16GB RAM and 1TB storage variant of the Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available for purchase in South Korea through the company's website. This model will cost KRW2,249,500 (roughly $1,566) and will only be available in Titanium Jet Black color. However, on the Chinese official website, the 16GB model is available for ¥13,699 (roughly $1,881).

The Galaxy S25 series introduces several new AI features and Android goodies, to take the user experience to the next level. Samsung also mentioned that it decided to freeze the prices of the Galaxy S25 lineup, at least in the home country, to "lower the purchasing burden and focus on popularizing Galaxy AI so that more customers can experience the new Galaxy S25 Series."

Samsung also shared that the pre-sales for the Galaxy S25 series will run from January 24 to February 3, with the official launch set for February 7. During this period, interested buyers can also book the 16GB RAM variant of the Galaxy S25 Ultra.

For now, when we checked the official Samsung US, and Samsung India websites, but did not find any news regarding the Galaxy S25 Ultra 16GB RAM model. It is unclear whether this 16GB RAM model will arrive in other countries or remain exclusive to South Korea and China. Meanwhile, Samsung also teased another addition to the Galaxy S25 series, the Galaxy S25 Edge. It is expected to launch in the second half of this year and is rumored to cost under $1,300.

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Finding the difference between the three devices is quite difficult, considering how little Samsung has changed in one year. The smartphone is powered by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, which boasts up to 40% better NPU performance for AI processing, up to 37% faster CPU, and up to 30% better GPU, with a few exclusive features like improved ray tracing. Besides, Samsung is now offering 12GB of RAM across all storage configurations—no more 8GB variants.

You will also receive Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, new colors, video recording in LOG, and slightly different camera rings.

Samsung is also adding more AI features to OneUI 7 (it is based on Android 15 with the promise of 7 OS upgrades). New features include Audio Eraser for noise removal in videos and improved Gemini interaction with Samsung, Google, and third-party apps. The latter lets you ask complex questions and request actions, like finding your sports team's schedule and adding it to your calendar.

Other than that, the Galaxy S25 is almost identical to the Galaxy S24. The same display, the same cameras, the same battery, the same storage variants, the same charging speed, etc.

Here are key changes summed up in a list:

• Newer and faster Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy processor
• Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support
• New colors
• 12GB of RAM in all configurations
• Slightly different camera design
• Video recording in LOG

And here is a more detailed spec-by-spec comparison with key changes highlighted in bold:

The Samsung Galaxy S25 is now available for preorder on the official Samsung website. You can also preorder the smartphone on Amazon and receive a $100 gift card. Shipments begin on February 7, 2025.

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