Chinese leaker Smart Pikachu on Weibo has now shared fresh information about the upcoming iPhone 17e. According to the leaker, Apple is preparing to begin mass production of the iPhone 17e this month. This report aligns with earlier information suggesting that Apple will kick off its 2026 product launch cycle with the iPhone 17e, alongside several refreshed iPad models.

All in all, we can expect the iPhone 17e to launch this spring. Last year’s iPhone 16e was released in late February. Smart Pikachu also said iPhone 17e gets a downclocked A19 chip.

However, the Chinese leaker also suggests that the iPhone 17e may feature Dynamic Island instead of a notch. This change would help Apple narrow the experience gap between its budget-friendly and premium iPhone models.

Another Chinese leaker, Digital Chat Station, echoed this claim in August last year, stating that Apple’s cheapest iPhone could launch with Dynamic Island and A19 chip. That said, these claims should still be taken with a pinch of salt.

The Korean outlet The Elec previously reported that the iPhone 17e would use the same OLED panels as the iPhone 16e, with slimmer bezels being the only difference. Since the iPhone 17e is a budget-friendly model, opting for slimmer bezels rather than Dynamic Island seems more likely, as it would help Apple better differentiate its affordable and premium iPhone lineups.

As for the screen size, the iPhone 17e is expected to feature a 6.1-inch OLED display. Smart Pikachu says Apple is keeping the refresh rate at 60Hz to help keep the price down.

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Posted Wednesday 7 January 2026 at 6:23 am AEST (my time).

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There are two changes in the January 2026 update for Telegram: visuals and AI. Starting with visuals, the messenger went full Liquid Glass on iOS/iPadOS 26, and received a lot of various glass-looking elements, fancy animations, and more. Telegram has already had some Liquid Glass elements before the latest update, and now, there are even more. The new design takes some time to get used to, but it makes the messenger look more at home on iOS 26.

The final part of the update is AI, and even such privacy-focused services like Telegram are not immune to it. With the latest feature update, Telegram can generate summaries of long posts in channels. AI-powered summaries also work in Instant View. Telegram says that the feature is powered by Cocoon, "a decentralized network designed to maximize privacy," and each summary request is encrypted to protect user data.

2025 has been rich in Telegram updates, with the messenger receiving 13 big updates and 75 new features. The Liquid Glass update was supposed to be the 14th update, but it arrived later because, as Telegram puts it, "Apple reviewers take holidays too seriously." Some of the latest additions include passkey support, live stories, music in profiles, checklists, gift auctions, and more. You can read more about the latest Telegram update in a post on the official website here.

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Posted Monday 5 January 2026 at 4:42 am AEST (my time).

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Image: Evan Blass

The Motorola Razr Fold is reportedly coming soon, according to prolific leaker Evan Blass. Details are scant at the moment. All the info we have is based on a single slide from a marketing deck that talks up the Fold’s camera system and displays, and squeezes in a mention of AI for good measure before proclaiming that it will set a “new standard for what’s possible in a foldable device.”

While we don’t have any specs for the Razr Fold, there’s very little we don’t know about the upcoming Motorola Signature, the company’s new non-folding flagship. Originally leaked as the Motorola Edge 70 Ultra, the rebranded Signature will pack three 50-MP camera sensors, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC, and either 12GB or 16GB RAM, depending on the configuration.

While it won’t quite reach iPhone Air levels of svelteness, the Signature will still be plenty thin and light at just 6.99mm and 186g. Add to that a 6.8-inch “Extreme AMOLED” screen, a 5,200mAh battery, 90W TurboPower wired charging, and 50W TurboPower wireless charging, and you’ve got a solid-seeming package. Any questions left unanswered should be resolved when the Motorola Signature officially launches on January 7th.

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Posted Monday 5 January 2026 at 4:41 am AEST (my time).

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"Word on the street is that Apple Fitness+ has big plans for 2026... stay tuned!" Apple said. The cryptic teaser shows people reading a fictional "Apple Fitness+ Times" newspaper, featuring different headlines:

• What's Apple Fitness+ Planning for the New Year?
• Something Big is coming to Apple Fitness+
• The Countdown begins. Apple Fitness+ 2026 is almost here.
• 2026 Plans still under wraps - for now.

The teaser also says that "Experts predict January will be one to watch," suggesting that new Fitness+ updates will arrive as early as next month, with new capabilities in tow for the Apple Watch. It won't be new for Apple as the company released new Apple Fitness+ features in January 2025, followed by 90+ Apple devices, software updates, and other announcements throughout the year.

Fitness+ has been around for five years and saw its largest expansion this month, when it arrived in 28 new markets globally, including Chile, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, Singapore, and Taiwan.

As per previous rumors, Apple allegedly wants to "replicate" your doctor with an AI agent. Its revamped Health app and AI agent will combine health data from different Apple devices (such as iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods) to generate personalized health recommendations.

The company also ran an Apple Health Study focusing on how mobile devices can help improve physical and mental health and explore connections across different areas of health. Speaking of AI, Apple's in-house voice assistant Siri, which is due for a major AI overhaul, is expected to get upgraded with iOS 26.4.

However, it's not clear at the moment whether the teaser is directly related to Apple's unreleased AI agent. The company usually unveils major updates for its products and services at the WWDC developer event in June, when it announces new versions of its operating systems. Let's wait and see what's store for Apple Fitness+.

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Posted Thursday 1 January 2026 at 4:15 am AEST (my time).

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SIM cards, the small slips of plastic that have held your mobile subscriber information since time immemorial, are on the verge of extinction. In an effort to save space for other components, device makers are finally dropping the SIM slot, and Google is the latest to move to embedded SIMs with the Pixel 10 series. After long avoiding eSIM, I had no choice but to take the plunge when the time came to review Google’s new phones. And boy, do I regret it.

The journey to eSIM

SIM cards have existed in some form since the ’90s. Back then, they were credit card-sized chunks of plastic that occupied a lot of space inside the clunky phones of the era. They slimmed down over time, going through the miniSIM, microSIM, and finally nanoSIM eras. A modern nanoSIM is about the size of your pinky nail, but space is at a premium inside smartphones. Enter, eSIM.

The eSIM standard was introduced in 2016, slowly gaining support as a secondary option in smartphones. Rather than holding your phone number on a removable card, an eSIM is a programmable, non-removable component soldered to the circuit board. This allows you to store multiple SIMs and swap between them in software, and no one can swipe your SIM card from the phone. They also take up half as much space compared to a removable card, which is why OEMs have begun dropping the physical slot.

Apple was the first major smartphone maker to force the use of eSIM with the release of the iPhone 14, and it makes use of that space. The international iPhone 17 with a SIM card slot has a smaller battery than the eSIM-only version, but the difference is only about 8 percent. Google didn’t make the jump until this year with the Pixel 10 series—the US models are eSIM-only, but they unfortunately don’t have more of anything compared to the international versions.

In advance of the shift, Android got system-level support for downloading and transferring eSIMs. But whatever can go wrong will go wrong, and it’s extremely annoying when eSIM goes wrong.

Please hold for support

There have been times when I swapped between phones on an almost daily basis—such was the nature of reviewing phones back when there were a dozen of them coming out every month. Never once in all those countless device swaps did I have a problem with my SIM card. As such, I managed to avoid contacting carrier support for years at a time.

In the three months since Google forced me to give up my physical SIM card, I’ve only needed to move my eSIM occasionally. Still, my phone number has ended up stuck in limbo on two occasions. Android’s built-in tools work better than they used to, and I can’t say what is responsible for the eSIM corruption. However, carriers bear the responsibility for how annoying this is to fix.

The first time, I was logged in to the mobile app for my carrier (T-Mobile). After a few minutes of back and forth with support, I was able to use the app to authenticate and get a new eSIM pushed to the phone. It was annoying but relatively painless. The second time a SIM transfer went sideways, I was not logged in to the app, and that was a problem.

When a mobile carrier needs to verify your identity for an account change, they all do the same thing: send a text message. And what happens if you don’t have a working SIM? That’s right—nothing. Without access to my account or phone number, I was stuck with no way to download a new eSIM. The only course of action was to go to a physical store to download an electronic SIM card. What should have been 30 seconds of fiddling with a piece of plastic turned into an hour standing around a retail storefront.

Maybe this isn’t a good idea

Many people have had the same phone number for years—even decades at this point. These numbers aren’t just a way for people to get in touch because, stupidly, we have also settled on phone numbers as a means of authentication. Banks, messaging apps, crypto exchanges, this very website’s publishing platform, and even the carriers managing your number rely on SMS multifactor codes. And those codes aren’t even very secure.

So losing access to your phone number doesn’t just lock you out of your phone. Key parts of your digital life can also become inaccessible, and that could happen more often now due to the fungible nature of eSIMs.

Most people won’t need to move their phone number very often, but the risk that your eSIM goes up in smoke when you do is very real. Compare that to a physical SIM card, which will virtually never fail unless you damage the card. Swapping that tiny bit of plastic takes a few seconds, and it never requires you to sit on hold with your carrier’s support agents or drive to a store. In short, a physical SIM is essentially foolproof, and eSIM is not.

Obviously, the solution is not to remove multifactor authentication—your phone number is, unfortunately, too important to be unguarded. However, carriers’ use of SMS to control account access is self-defeating and virtually guarantees people are going to have bad experiences in the era of eSIM. Enshittification has truly come for SIM cards.

If this future is inevitable, there ought to be a better way to confirm account ownership when your eSIM glitches. It doesn’t matter what that is as long as SMS isn’t the default. Google actually gets this right with Fi. You can download an eSIM at any time via the Fi app, and it’s secured with the same settings as your Google account. That’s really as good as it gets for consumer security. Between Google Authenticator, passkeys, and push notifications, it’s pretty hard to get locked out of Google, even if you take advantage of advanced security features.

We gave up the headphone jack. We gave up the microSD card. Is all this worthwhile to boost battery capacity by 8 percent? That’s a tough sell.

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Posted Tuesday 30 December 2025 at 4:27 am AEST (my time).

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For starters, the tech giants will offer an alternative in-app billing system for developers and present user-choice screens for browsers and search engines, prompting Android and iOS users to choose their preferred option. The new MSCA changes are part of the iOS 26.2 update in Apple's case.

Google has long allowed users to install third-party apps on their Android devices; however, some of Google's recent actions were seen as a major blow to app sideloading. MSCA has opened the gates for iOS developers to distribute apps through alternative marketplaces and process app payments outside of Apple In-App Purchase.

This is in line with the EU's Digital Markets Act, which forced Apple to allow app sideloading and third-party app stores in the region. However, both companies stressed that switching to third-party payment systems and marketplaces could introduce security risks, malware, fraud, scams, and privacy issues.

While the Cupertino giant is allowing authorized alternative app marketplaces, the apps published on these portals won't go through the App Review process. Apple has introduced Notarization for iOS apps distributed outside of the App Store to help protect kids from inappropriate content and scams.

This notarization is a baseline review involving automated checks and human review "that applies to all iOS apps and focuses on basic functionality and protecting users from serious threats," Apple said.

The company added that it won't be able process refunds for apps relying on alternative payment processing. A user's App Store history will only show digital purchases and subscriptions made through Apple's in-app purchase platform.

The iPhone-maker has prevented people from losing over $9 billion due to fraudulent transactions over the last five years and has rejected millions of app review submissions that fail to meet guidelines.

However, having tight control over the app ecosystem for one of the biggest smartphones on the market has its consequences. Time and again, Apple and Google face heat from app developers and competition authorities over app payment commissions and alleged monopolies.

That said, Apple will still charge developers a commission for apps on the App Store that use third-party payment systems or external websites. Similar is the case of Google, which will charge a Play Service Fees for external transactions.

Apple will charge a 5% Core Technology Commission (CTC) for apps distributed outside of the App Store "on the sale of digital goods and services, including paid apps." CTC differs slightly from the Core Technology Fee (CTF) that Apple has implemented in the EU.

You can read about Apple's and Google's MSCA changes in detail on their respective blogs.

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Posted Thursday 18 December 2025 at 5:59 pm AEST (my time).

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According to a new report by The Economic Times, citing people familiar with the matter, Apple has begun negotiations with Indian chip manufacturers to shift part of iPhone chip assembly and packaging to India.

The website claims that “exploratory” talks are ongoing between Apple and Indian semiconductor firm CG Semi. The company is reportedly building a semiconductor assembly and testing (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.

The report adds that the companies are still at the “very initial stages of discussion,” and that it remains unclear which chips would be packaged at the Sanand facility at this stage, though display chips are seen as the most likely candidates.

CG Semi is not as well-known in the semiconductor market as giants such as TSMC or AMD and has so far remained relatively obscure. The Economic Times described the situation as the “beginning of an uphill climb for CG Semi,” noting that if the deal materializes, the company will first need to meet Apple’s stringent quality standards. Apple is reportedly in talks with several other companies to diversify its supply chain.

iPhone display panels are currently supplied by Samsung Display, LG Display, and BOE, while display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) suppliers include Samsung, Novatek, Himax, and LX Semicon. These companies rely on chip fabrication and packaging facilities located in South Korea, Taiwan, and China.

Assembling and packaging iPhone chips is certainly more complex than assembling iPhone units. It remains to be seen if India's semiconductor firms can win Apple’s confidence.

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Posted Thursday 18 December 2025 at 4:27 am AEST (my time).

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According to the market intelligence firm's revised forecast report, global smartphone shipments in 2026 are expected to shrink by 2.1% due to rising memory costs, with Chinese device makers taking the biggest hit.

Counterpoint said that "this 2.1% decline translates into a 2.6%pt downward revision in our 2026 forecast, with key Chinese OEMs like HONOR, OPPO and vivo seeing the biggest deltas from previous estimates."

While the impact will be felt broadly, the low-end segment (below $200) will be impacted the most. Rising DRAM prices have already pushed the Bill of Materials (BoM) costs for the low-, mid-, and high-end segments by about 25%, 15%, and 10%, respectively. The firm expects the costs to rise further by around 10%-15% through the second quarter of 2026.

Device makers will try to avoid the situation by adjusting their prices and restructuring their portfolios. As a result, the average selling prices (ASPs) in 2026 are expected to increase by 6.9%, up from the 3.9% prediction from September.

Those who don't "have as much wiggle room to manage market share versus profit margins" could resort to different strategies, such as downgrading specifications, reusing old components, and pushing users towards pricier premium smartphones.

The firm's senior analyst, Yang Wang, said that steep price hikes are not sustainable in the low price band, adding that the OEMs will have to trim parts of their portfolios if "cost pass-through isn’t possible."

Counterpoint's stance echoes a recent report from TrendForce, which said that smartphones released in 2026 would feature less RAM due to rising memory costs, leading to a rise in 4GB RAM models and a significant blow to pricier 16GB RAM models.

Apple and Samsung, estimated to own 19% of the global market share each in 2026, are expected to take a fall of around 2% in their shipments. However, they are strong enough to withstand the storm over the next few quarters, according to the firm.

iPhone is already among the priciest smartphones out on the market; it crossed the $900 global average selling price earlier this year. It remains to be seen whether the stickiness of Apple's ecosystem will help the company navigate the rough waters next year.

Image via DepositPhotos.com

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Posted Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 5:18 am AEST (my time).

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High-end devices face significant price pressure, with industry-wide adjustments expected by mid-2026.

The future of smartphones is being heavily impacted by the ongoing DRAM shortages, with smartphone makers reportedly set to reintroduce 4GB smartphones in the future... as well as the return of the microSD card slot for (hopefully slightly cheaper) storage expansion.

In a new report from TrendForce, memory prices are projected to rise "sharply again" in Q1 2026, exerting "significant cost pressure on global end-device manufacturers".

Smartphone and notebook makers are compelled to increase their product prices and reduce, yes, reduce specifications.

TrendForce notes that memory is increasingly accounting for a larger share of the BOM (bill of material) costs in consumer devices like smartphones and PCs, where we've seen giants like Dell tell its staff that huge price increases on their laptops and desktop PCs are coming... and they aren't, and won't be, the only ones.

Apple has massive profitability, and the memory components in the total BOM for the iPhone are expected to "significantly increase" in Q1 2026, so much so that it could see Apple completely reevaluate its pricing strategies for

new iPhones and consider either removing, or removing price cuts on older iPhones.

On the Android side of things, smartphone makers aiming at the mid-to-low-end segments, where RAM is a crucial marketing differentiator and a significant part of the BOM, rising DRAM costs will push them to raise the launch prices of new smartphones in 2026. Not only that, but these companies will also need to change the pricing or lifecycle of existing models in order to minimize losses.

On the high-end and mid-range smartphones, DRAM capacities are expected to be cut down to minimum standards, which will slow down upgrade cycles. The most affected smartphones will be the lower-end handsets, where base models are expected to see a return of 4GB in 2026.

TrendForce also noted that rising memory costs will force notebook makers to adjust their product portfolios, procurement strategies, and regional sales strategies.

High-end ultra-thin notebooks that have mobile DRAM soldered directly onto the motherboard can't reduce costs by lowering specifications or replacing modes, with these models having stricter design limitations, making this segment the most prone to experiencing early, and "significant price pressure".

On the consumer notebook side of things, demand "remains quite responsive" to shifts in specifications and pricing, reports TrendForce, but they note that current stock levels of finished goods and inexpensive memory "help safeguard short-term profits". While prices might stay stable for now, medium- and long-term adjustments, such as lowering specification or raising prices are "inevitable".

TrendForce says that more significant price fluctuations in the PC market are coming by Q2 2026... which is right in time for Computex 2026.

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While you might be busy downloading iOS 26.2, what better time is there to talk about the iOS 26 features overall? The Liquid Glass design language and other major features steal the limelight, but there are several small and useful iOS 26 features you should know about.

Here's a roundup of numerous such features and changes you can find on iOS 26:

Note: These features are not arranged in any order of preference.

1. Swipe from anywhere on the screen to go back

For years, you have swiped from the left edge of the screen to go back to the previous page or menu on iOS. Apple has made things a bit easier, and now you can swipe left to right anywhere on the screen to go back, such as in the Settings app. However, this gesture may not work everywhere.

2. The alarm button of your dreams

Apple is done with the tiny Stop button for alarms. iOS 26 comes with revamped Stop and Snooze buttons that are big enough to see from your dreams. The Stop button also features a Lock Screen-style slider that makes it a bit harder to cancel the alarm during those sleepy mornings.

3. Set Snooze duration

You can also set the snooze duration for each alarm in the Alarms section. The snooze window can range from one to 15 minutes, depending on your preference. You can set the snooze duration while creating a new alarm or tapping an existing one.

4. Use AirPods to take pictures

Maybe your phone is mounted on a tripod, or you're on a solo trip with no one else to take photos. If you own a pair of AirPods, iOS 26 turns your wireless earbuds into a camera remote to take images and record videos from a distance.

The feature works with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods 4. You can go to Settings > Tap on your AirPods name > Camera Remote, and choose whether you want to use "Press Once" or "Press and Hold" the AirPods stem to trigger the shutter button.

5. Restore your iPhone without a Mac or PC

iPhone is getting more independent of Mac and PC with each iOS update. It can already store everything in the cloud, and with iOS 26, Apple has added a new feature that lets you restore your iPhone using another iPhone or iPad running iOS 18/iPadOS 18 or later version.

According to a support document, when your device (in recovery mode and connected to a power source) is placed near another device (unlocked and connected to Wi-Fi), you should see a "Restore Nearby [device]" message. Follow the steps to pair the devices and finish the restore process.

This feature is supported on the following devices, including iPads:

• iPhone 17 series, iPhone Air, iPhone 16 series, iPhone 16e, iPhone 15 Pro models
• iPad Pro M5/M4 models
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th/5th generations, iPad Pro 11-inch 4th/3rd generations
• iPad Air M3/M2 models, iPad Air 5th generation, iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad (A16)

6. Pinned Music in Apple Music

If your Apple Music library is stuffed with too many songs and albums, you can pin your favorite music to the top of the screen for quick access. This is similar to pinning your favorite contacts to the top of the Phone app.

You can also choose what happens to a pinned item when you tap it. You can configure it to open a playlist page, start songs in shuffle, or play them in order. Top and hold a playlist/artist page/album, then select the Pin Playlist/Pin Artist/Pin Album from the drop-down menu.

7. Lyrics Translation in Apple Music

Apple Music now offers Lyrics Translation for songs that are not in your native language. You can understand what the lyrics mean and how the words are pronounced. You'll find the Translations and Pronunciation button after you open the lyrics for a song in Apple Music.

Depending on the song, you can see the translated lyrics, see their phonetic pronunciation, and find an option to hide the original lyrics. The Lyrics Translation feature currently supports a limited number of song translations in the following language pairs: English to Chinese (Simplified), English to Japanese, English to Korean, Spanish to English, Korean to English, and Korean to Japanese.

Meanwhile, pronunciation support is available for select songs in the following scripts: Japanese to Romanized, Korean to Romanized, Punjabi to Romanized, Hindi to Romanized, Korean to Katakana, Cantonese to Jyutping, Chinese (Simplified) to Pinyin, and Chinese (Traditional) to Pinyin.

8. Lens cleaning hints

On iOS 26, iPhone can detect a dirty camera lens and display a message asking you to clean it to get the clearest possible photo. You can disable Lens Cleaning Hints by going to Settings > Camera, then turning off the toggle labeled "Lens Cleaning."

9. Estimated Time to Charge

After you connect a charger, the Lock Screen starts showing the estimated time to charge the battery to 80% capacity. You can get a better idea about the charging estimates by going to Settings > Battery. Here, you'll see a progress bar showing the estimated time to fast-charge to 80%, then trickle-charge to full capacity.

10. Convert 2D images into their 3D self

A party trick Apple has baked into iOS 26 is Spatial Scenes, a new feature that converts your regular 2D photos into their 3D versions. It gives you the feeling that you can look around the subject in the image and tilt your phone in different directions to change the perspective.

You can read our detailed guide on how to use Spatial Scenes on iOS 26.

11. Take screenshots in HDR

Apple has updated iPhone screenshots in iOS 26 to support HDR (High Dynamic Range), allowing the device to capture the full dynamic range of the content being displayed on the screen. You can read our detailed guide on using HDR Screenshots on iOS 26.

12. Customizable folder icons

In the Files app, you can add emojis and custom icons to your folders and make them easier to identify by picking different colors. All the changes you make to the folders are synced across your Mac and iPad.

13. Select specific parts of a message

A minor feature in the Messages app lets you select portions of the text from a single message bubble instead of the entire thing. This makes it easier to copy and share snippets of text from a long message. To use the feature, long-press a message in the Messages app, then tap on "Select."

14. Natural language search in Maps

When using Apple Maps, you can search for places by asking questions in natural language instead of entering keywords. For instance, you can ask Apple Maps to "find restaurants with Chinese food" in plain English.

Read our detailed guide to learn about other new iOS 26 features in Apple Maps.

15. Automatic Tint

iOS 26's redesigned look offers more tinting options for home screen icons and widgets. But iOS 26 can also automatically match the tint color of your apps and widgets to the color of your attached Apple MagSafe case.

To use the feature, long-press in the empty area on the Home Screen > Customize > Tinted.

The feature currently works with select colors of FineWoven, Leather, and Silicone cases. Moreover, iOS 26 can also match the tint to your iPhone's color if you don't have a compatible case.

16. Clear icons and widgets

The Home Screen now includes a new "Clear" customization option that makes all apps and widgets appear translucent, with no color tint. It adds a glass-like effect to the home screen, reflecting Apple's new Liquid Glass design language.

17. View event details right in Photos

The Info panel (aka the "i" button) in the Photos app can now analyze images to show more information, such as event details for concerts, sports, and other events.

18. Add to Home Screen

Safari has got a lot to offer with iOS 26. You can turn regular web pages into web apps by pinning them to your Home Screens. A page turned into a web app opens in full-screen mode without the Safari UI and appears in the App Switcher.

To use the feature, open a web page, tap the Share button, then tap "Add to Home Screen." You can type a custom name and choose whether you want to open it as a web app or as a regular page in Safari.

19. SharePlay on Phone calls

Apple's SharePlay feature is now supported in the Phone app on iOS 26. Already available on FaceTime, you can start screen-sharing sessions on a phone call and use applications that work with SharePlay.

Read our detailed guide on about 10 new features in the Phone app.

20. Easier pairing with DualSense controllers

You can connect a Sony DualSense controller to your iPhone automatically by plugging it into the USB-C port. iOS 26 also lets you pair multiple Apple devices with your DualSense or DualSense Edge controller, and you can switch between them through the controller or Bluetooth settings.

21. Accessibility Nutrition Labels

You can find out what accessibility features an app offers before downloading it to your devices. Apple has added Accessibility Nutrition Labels for apps and games on the App Store. These labels highlight accessibility features such as Voice Control, VoiceOver, Larger Text, Reduced Motion, and more.

22. Decentralized AirPlay experience

Apple has made some tweaks to how AirPlay works with HomePod speakers. When you AirPlay music to your HomePod, other iPhone users in your family can see what's playing, control the music, and switch which HomePod speaker is playing it.

23. Graph in three dimensions

If you use your iPhone to solve math problems, Calculator and Notes now support 3D graphs in Math Notes. You can create three-dimensional graphs by writing an equation starting with "z=."

24. Adaptive Toolbar in the Notes app

Apple has added several new "Adaptive" features to iOS 26, and the Adaptive Toolbar in the Notes app is one of them. It's a Liquid Glass-inspired upgrade from the static toolbar we see in iOS 18, where you can slide to reveal more controls that change depending on what you're editing.

25. Maintain multiple Journals

The Journal app was introduced last year, and Apple finally did it justice by bringing it to bigger screens. However, a small but useful addition to the Journal app is the ability to create multiple journals to write about different aspects of your life while keeping them separate.

26. Adaptive Power

Adaptive Power is a new built-in mechanism designed to save your battery life on those busy days, of course, using machine learning. Available on iPhone 15 Pro and later models, your device's ultimate goal is to stay afloat until you can make it to a charger.

You can know more about Adaptive Power in our detailed post.

27. Enhance Dialogue, Custom Speed Settings

If you find it hard to figure out what people are saying in a podcast, the Podcasts app now has a feature called Enhance Dialogue. As the name says, it uses machine learning and real-time audio processing to isolate voices from background noise and make them sound clearer.

After you open a podcast episode, tap on "1x" or the Speed & Audio Adjustments button, then tap on Enhance Dialogue. Here, you can also change the playback speed of the show. You can choose to enable or disable Enhance Dialogue and set different playback speeds for each show.

28. Password history

Since iOS 18, all your passwords are stored in a separate app called Passwords. Apple has updated the Passwords app to show a timeline of changes you have made to each account. This includes a history of previous passwords and passwords generated by the app. You'll find an option called "View History" when you open the credentials page for a website or app.

29. Time Zone Support

You can add time zones to your reminders after installing iOS 26. You can do so for new reminders or set a universal time zone for the entire Reminder app. Read our detailed guide on iOS 26 Reminders app features to know about adding time zones and other features.

30. Centralized Blocked List in Settings

There are times when we have no choice but to block people or those annoying marketing calls. In iOS 26, Apple has added a new unified blocked contacts list you can use to restrict people across the Phone app, Messages, FaceTime, and Mail.

To access it or add new names, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts.

31. Severe Weather Alerts for Significant Locations

You can get severe weather alerts on your device for locations your iPhone thinks are important based on your preferred routes. You'll have to press a few buttons to turn on this feature on your device.

1. First, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tap System Services.
3. Tap Significant Locations & Routes, then turn on the namesake toggle on the screen.
4. Go to Settings > Apps > Weather. Here, tap Location and select "Always."
5. Return to the previous screen and turn on Suggested Locations.
6. Now, open the Weather app > tap on the List icon in the bottom right corner > tap on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner.
7. Go to Notifications and turn on Severe Weather under Suggested Locations. Here, the Weather app might automatically show a prompt screen to enable the feature.

32. Operate your iPhone using your head

Apple added the Eye Tracking feature to iOS 18 last year. The latest software update lets you operate an iPhone using your head movements. You can read our detailed guide on how head tracking works on iOS 26 and how to use it.

33. Check your Sleep Score

If you have an Apple Watch, one of the useful additions Apple has made this year is the Sleep Score, a number that helps you understand your sleep quality and how to make it more restorative. Apple breaks down the 100-point sleep score into duration (50 points), consistency (30 points), and interruptions (20 points).

With iOS 26.2 and watchOS 26.2, Apple classifies the sleep score into the following updated categories: Very Low (0-40), Low (41-60), OK (61-80), High (81-95), and Very High (96+).

So, these are some of the small and useful changes you can find in the iOS 26 update. Overall, the latest iOS update is about major visual changes in the form of Liquid Glass, which are among the biggest Apple has pushed in years.

However, iOS 26 is also about refining several existing apps and features. We have tried to cover these changes over the months through a series of articles around the Phone app, Camera app, Reminders app, Apple Maps, and other areas of iOS 26.

If you haven't got the update on your device yet, read about the 10 things you should do before installing iOS 26 and what the visual changes you'll immediately notice.

What do you think about iOS 26? Tell us in the comments.

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Posted Sunday 14 December 2025 at 11:42 am AEST (my time).

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This could happen with the smartphones expected to be released in 2026. Memory prices are soaring, and OEMs might be forced to water down device specifications to stay in the price war, according to leaker Lanzuk (@yeux1122) on Naver.

The claims are echoed by a recent report from the market intelligence firm, TrendForce, which said that "memory prices are projected to rise sharply again in the first quarter of 2026, exerting significant cost pressure on global end-device manufacturers."

The leaker said that smartphones with 16GB RAM might get closer to the point of extinction, and that 4GB RAM models are expected to increase significantly. In fact, there could be smartphones that are pricier even after being fitted with less RAM than their current counterparts.

Smartphones with 12GB RAM could be reduced by 40% and replaced by 6GB/8GB models. Meanwhile, 8GB models could see a 50% reduction and get replaced by 4GB/6GB models.

Price hikes are crucial in making or breaking a smartphone brand. We have recently learnt that Samsung is looking to continue using the same camera hardware for next year's Galaxy S26 to compete with Apple's price freeze on the base iPhone 17.

The memory market has reached this situation mainly because of the AI boom in recent years. Businesses and enterprises want more High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) for the AI data centers and servers. On the other hand, memory manufacturers are drifting away from consumer RAM as they see more incentive and profits in enterprise products.

Manufacturers don't have enough production capacity to cater to both consumer and enterprise markets. As a result, they are preferring HBMs over consumer DRAMs, driving prices through the roof.

The memory price surge is also affecting the laptop market. According to another TrendForce report, leading PC brands such as Dell and Lenovo have begun notifying customers of upcoming price hikes. Dell is expected to raise its prices by 15-20%, with the increase potentially taking effect as early as mid-December.

Micron announced earlier this month that it's exiting the consumer market and shutting down the popular storage and memory products brand Crucial. The price mess might spill into the second half of 2026, leading to price hikes if needed.

HP CEO Enrique Lores reportedly noted that RAM chips could eat between 15% and 18% of a typical PC's cost. With the memory chips taking up a larger share of the Bill of Materials (BOM) costs, Apple is expected to rethink its pricing strategy for newer models and consider reducing price cuts on older versions.

Image via DepositPhotos.com

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Posted Sunday 14 December 2025 at 3:17 am AEST (my time).

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Today, Apple officially released iOS 26.2 for iPhone 11 and newer devices, which includes new Lock Screen customizations for you to adjust the opacity level, as well as the ability to use AirDrop with people who aren’t in your contacts by sharing a one-time code with them instead. There are also new updates going out for macOS, iPadOS, visionOS, and watchOS.

On updated iPhones, the Reminders app now has an “urgent” option that will set an alarm for a task’s due time, while Apple Music added support for offline lyrics to go with downloaded songs, and a new Favorite Songs playlist inside top Picks. Live translation on AirPods is also finally coming to users in the EU after a delay over regulatory concerns earlier this year. There’s also support for Enhanced Safety Alerts in the US, which Apple says “can inform you about imminent threats such as floods, natural disasters, and other emergencies, with rich information like a map of affected areas and links to additional safety guidance.”

Podcasts with links

Image: Apple

 

iOS 26.2 also includes the Apple Podcasts update announced last month that automatically generates chapters for podcasts in English (when the creator doesn’t supply chapters themselves). Apple Podcasts also now has timed links, which appear at specified times in podcast episodes, such as when a host mentions another podcast.

The Vision Pro has fewer new additions in visionOS 26.2, with Travel Mode support extending to cars and buses now too, support for hand-drawn content with devices like the Logitech Music in compatible apps, and support for tables in Freeform so you can manage virtual reality spreadsheets. If you have an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD device, then tvOS 26.2 is available now too, with support for creating profiles without an Apple account, and a new age-restricted mode that will stick to the ratings limits set for that account.

Apple also released iPadOS 26.2 today, which brings back the drag-and-drop multi-tasking feature that was originally removed in iPadOS 26 when Apple updated the iPad’s windowing system. Now that it’s back, you can once again move around apps in your multi-tasking setup with the old drag-and-drop gestures. Along with that, iPadOS 26.2 also includes many of the same updates that were in iOS 26.2, including the new features in Apple Podcasts, urgent reminders, and the improved lockscreen customization options for Liquid Glass.

Finally, on Apple Watch, the most notable changes on watchOS 26.2 are the same Enhanced Safety Alerts feature added to iOS, and tweaks for the way scores are classified in Sleep Score.

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Posted Saturday 13 December 2025 at 5:25 pm AEST (my time).

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Apple is conflicted and as ever with such warnings, it’s hard to separate security from marketing — albeit privacy experts also flag Chrome’s credentials versus Safari (1,2). But Google is now fighting back. iPhone is the battleground, and the world’s most popular browser is targeting Apple’s users with its latest AI upgrade.

Per 9to5Google, “after teasing in September, Chrome for iOS is now more widely rolling out a built-in Gemini experience. Once available, the icon at the left of the address bar changes from the Google Lens camera to a page icon badged by the Gemini spark. The ‘Page tools’ sheet that slides up has two options: ‘Search screen’ and ‘Ask Gemini’.”

Safari versus Chrome
Apple

This is rolling out slowly. “Important,” Google says, “Gemini in Chrome is not available to all users at this time. We’re gradually releasing Gemini in Chrome, so it might not be available to you just yet.” For now, it’s U.S., English language iPhones only.

Gemini data harvesting
Surfshark

“We’re seeing it more widely available with Chrome 143 for iOS,” 9to5Google says. Given Apple’s privacy warnings, you should also note that the Gemini update doesn’t work in Chrome’s Incognito mode and Surfshark warns that “Gemini in Chrome collects the most user data among all browser-integrated AIs.”

This Chrome upgrade is critical for Google and Apple. While Gemini was the 10th most popular free iPhone app this year, ChatGPT was 1st. But Google’s strategy is to stitch Gemini through its multiple platforms in a way no one can match. And nothing is bigger for Google than Chrome, the world’s most dominant browser across all platforms.

Chrome is a potential trojan horse on iPhone, a front window for Google’s new AI-fueled ecosystem. And with Apple infamously lagging on the AI front, Safari needs a plan before Google’s hybrid AI browser starts eroding Safari’s market share. 

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Google is building on its Android safety features and announced a new addition called Emergency Live Video. As the name suggests, the feature lets you share a live feed of your surroundings with emergency services using your phone's camera.

A dispatcher can request your phone to share live video during an emergency call or text. Once you allow it, your Android phone will start the live stream, allowing the dispatcher to assess the situation quickly. The feature can help dispatchers to guide people through life-saving steps, such as CPR, while they wait for help.

"We designed the feature to be simple and secure, with no setup required. During an emergency call or text, if the responder determines that seeing the scene would be helpful and it’s safe to do so, they can send a request to your device," Google said describing the feature.

The search giant added that Emergency Live Video is encrypted by default, and you can cut off the live stream at any moment by tapping the "Stop Sharing" button. The safety feature has started rolling out in the US, as well as, some regions in Germany and Mexico.

Google notes that over 80% of emergency calls come from mobile devices. The latest safety measure builds on other features, such as Emergency Location Services, which allow first responders to determine the caller's location. Pixel smartphones and smartwatches can alert emergency services when the user ends up in a car crash or takes a fall.

While there is no word on when the feature will roll out to other countries, Google said it's working with public safety organizations globally to expand it. You'll need an Android device running Android 8 (or later) with Google Play services to support the feature.

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Posted Thursday 11 December 2025 at 5:37 pm AEST (my time).

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It's now being reported that the rumored upgrade won't happen, and Samsung will fit camera modules similar to this year's S25 standard model. One of the motivations behind the rumored move is to cut production costs, according to a new report.

For reference, the standard Galaxy S25 comes with a 50MP Wide-angle, 12MP Ultra Wide, and 10MP Telephoto camera on the back. The standard Galaxy S26 is expected to have a 50 MP Wide, 12 MP Ultra Wide, and 10 MP Telephoto camera, according to The Elec, citing camera module partners and related part suppliers working with Samsung Electronics.

An industry insider told the publication that Samsung's plan to add a larger rear camera to the S26 standard and subsequently raise the price was halted after Apple froze the price of the standard iPhone 17.

iPhone 17 launched this year with the same $799 price tag as iPhone 16, but doubled the base storage to 256GB and switched to an LTPO display.

Samsung now plans to reuse the camera module from the S25 while replacing some parts, such as the actuator. The image sensor accounts for the largest share of the camera module's cost. However, if Samsung keeps the pixel configuration the same, it will likely use the same sensor and keep the manufacturing costs low, an insider said.

It's said that Samsung will delay the production of the standard and 'Plus' models of the S26 series until early next year to rework the internals. Meanwhile, S26 Ultra is expected to enter mass production this month.

The South Korean giant is shying away from the "Edge" model after it failed to meet expectations, making way back for the "Plus" model in the S26 lineup, possibly in a new orange color. It was reported that the Galaxy S26 and S26+ will be powered by Snapdragon and Exynos 2600 chips, depending on the region, and Samsung might host its Unpacked event sooner.

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Posted Thursday 11 December 2025 at 3:02 am AEST (my time).

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One UI 8 introduced AI-powered Photo Assist features that allowed users to edit photos using AI. One UI 8.5 enhances this experience by letting users generate new image variations continuously, without interruption. Users can continue editing without saving each iteration; once finished, they can review all versions in the edit history and choose their favorites.

Another notable addition in One UI 8.5 is the improved Quick Share, which can recognize people in photos and proactively suggest sharing them directly with those contacts.

One UI 8.5 also introduces Audio Broadcast, enabling seamless communication with nearby LE Audio-supported devices using Auracast. Previously, Auracast supported only media audio. With this update, users can now broadcast their voice using the Galaxy phone’s built-in microphone—useful for events and group activities.

The enhanced Theft Protection feature now automatically locks the screen if there are multiple failed attempts to verify the user’s identity via fingerprint, PIN, or password.

The One UI 8.5 beta program is currently available for Galaxy S25 series users in Germany, India, Korea, Poland, the UK, and the U.S. Interested users can join the beta program through the Samsung Members app on their Galaxy smartphones.

Recently, Samsung leaker Tarun Vats shared the complete One UI 8.5 changelog on X, you can check it out below.

Galaxy AI:

• Continuous image generation: Keep creating without stopping. Photo Assist now lets you generate AI images using different Photo assist features without saving each iteration. When you’re done, you can review all your creations in your history and pick your favorites.

Bixby:

• Smarter device control: Talk to Bixby in your own words. Bixby is now better at finding the setting or feature you need, even if you don’t use exact commands or feature names. Just say what you need and let Bixby do the rest.
• Ask anything, anytime: Whether you need a quick answer or detailed information, just ask Bixby for an instant response. There’s no need to spend time on multiple searches or switching between apps.
• Conversation history: Looking back at past conversations with Bixby is easier than ever. You can now access your conversation history from the side panel in the Bixby app.

Connectivity:

• Storage share: Access your files anywhere. Files from your other Samsung phones, tablets, and PCs are available in the My Files app on your phone. You can also access your phone’s tiles on other Samsung devices, even your TV.
• Quickly connect to Smart View devices: Connect to your favorite display faster. You can now add a shortcut on your home screen to instantly mirror your phone’s screen to a TV or other display device.
• Enhanced Auracast features: It’s easier than ever to listen to and broadcast sound with Auracast. Options for both broadcasting and listening are now located in the Audio broadcast menu in Settings.
• Voice broadcasts: Broadcast your voice to people around you with Auracast. In addition to media sound, you can now broadcast your voice using your phone’s built-in microphone.

Battery and Power:

• Revamped battery info: See your battery use more clearly. The redesigned Battery settings screen makes it easier to check remaining time, charging status, and daily usage over the past week.
• Improved Power saving: Use Power saving to make your battery last longer without charging. Choose Standard for moderate savings and customizable limits, or choose Maximum to tum off all non-essential features and make your battery last as long as possible.

Accessibility:

• Easily control Bluetooth hearing aids: Access settings for your Bluetooth hearing aids directly from the Accessibility shortcut. A pop-up will appear that lets you change your hearing program, turn Ambient sound on or off, and more.
• Control magnification with mouse or keyboard: Keep what you need magnified in view with these new options. You can make the magnified area follow the cursor as you type or move when you change focus using the keyboard. When using a mouse, you can make the magnified area shift as you move the pointer to the edge of the screen.
• Dwell action and Corner actions: The Auto action after pointer stops feature has been divided into 2 features. Dwell action lets you set custom actions when your mouse stops moving for a certain amount of time. Corner actions let you set a different action for each corner of the screen.

Even more improvements:

• More customizable quick panel: Arrange your quick settings just the way you like them. You can now add, remove, reorder, and reorganize controls in the quick panel.
• Early alerts for reminders: Get alerts before reminders are due to make sure you don’t forget important tasks. You can choose how far in advance to get an alert for each reminder.
• Partial screen recording: Include only what you need in your screen recordings. You can now select only the part of the screen that you want to record.
• Calculator nudges: Save time on calculations. Numbers and formulas copied to your clipboard will be suggested when you open Calculator so you can enter them with a quick tap.
• Keep window sizes in DeX: DeX now remembers your app window sizes and positions. When you open an app again, it appears just as you left it.

Clock:

• Weather alarm background: Wake up to an alarm that gets you ready for the day’s weather. Your alarm screen can now show the current weather conditions as a background when it rings.
• Time zone converter: Compare time zones at a glance. The new slider in the Clock app makes it easy to check the time difference between places around the world.

Samsung Health:

• Enhanced weekly reports: See a fuller picture of your health each week. Weekly reports now include data from your medication tracker and mindfulness sessions.
• Upgraded Sharing Experience: Share your workouts your way. Mix and match your exercise stats with photos from your workout to create the perfect social media post.
• Start meditations from your watch: Find calm right from your wrist. You can now start favorite or recommended meditations directly on your Galaxy Watch without picking up your phone.
• Antioxidant measurements from your watch: Check your antioxidant levels anytime. Measure directly from your Galaxy Watch even if it’s not connected to your phone. Works with Galaxy Watch 8 and Galaxy Watch Ultra.

Security and privacy:

• Theft protection: Keep your phone and data safe in case it is lost or stolen. Turn on Failed authentication lock to automatically lock the screen in case there are too many failed attempts to verify your identity using your fingerprints, PIN, pattern, or password. Identity check also protects even more settings before.
• Turn off Auto blocker temporarily: If you need to temporarily disable Auto blocker’s security protection, a new option lets you turn it on automatically 30 minutes later, so you don’t forget.

Quick Share:

• Avoid unwanted sharing requests: You can now set Quick Share to only receive files from other devices signed in to your Samsung account or Google account.
• Photo sharing suggestions: Share photos with the right people faster. When you share pictures that include friends or family, Quick Share can recognize who’s in them and suggest sharing directly with those people.

Home and Lock screens:

• Automatic Lock screen layout: Wallpapers with pictures of people or pets now fit perfectly every time. When you choose a photo for your Lock screen, the layout adjusts automatically so the clock and widgets don’t cover important parts of the picture.
• More customizable clock fonts: Personalize your Lock screen clock. You can now adjust the thickness of more font styles to match your preferred look.

Weather:

• Enhanced weather widget: Quickly check upcoming precipitation in the Weather widget on your Home screen. The widget now shows a graph if precipitation is expected in the next few hours.
• Pollen index: Check how much pollen is in the air to help manage your allergies. You can check pollen levels for trees, grass, and ragweed.

Overall, One UI 8.5 appears to be a refinement-focused update that enhances practical daily usability for Galaxy users. Check the official announcement here on Samsung's website.

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Posted Tuesday 9 December 2025 at 6:29 pm AEST (my time).

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According to Smart Pikachu on Weibo, Apple may introduce under-display Face ID to the iPhone 18 lineup by developing a new type of micro-transparent glass.

The leaker did not specify which 2026 iPhone models will receive under-display Face ID. Still, based on previous rumors, it is most likely to appear on the Pro and Pro Max variants, as the feature involves significant technical and engineering challenges.

While exact details remain unclear, MacRumors notes that this is similar to existing industry techniques that use micro-perforated or nano-patterned glass to selectively enhance IR transmission.

The leaker also added that Apple has asked its supply chain partners to accelerate production, which could be another indication that we might finally see under-display Face ID on the iPhone 18 Pro series.

Yet, we should take such claims with a pinch of salt, as there have been conflicting rumors about whether the iPhone 18 Pro will feature under-display Face ID. In May, The Information reported that Apple plans to move Face ID under the screen on the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while adding a small hole in the top-left corner of the display for the selfie camera.

Analyst Ross Young also stated on X that some iPhone models launching in 2026 will feature under-screen Face ID, though Apple will still retain a smaller notch. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman likewise reported that Apple plans to use a smaller Dynamic Island on its 2026 iPhone models.

If the rumors about Apple changing its iPhone release cycle are to be believed, we should expect the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max to drop in September 2026, alongside the company’s first foldable iPhone.

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Posted Tuesday 9 December 2025 at 3:43 am AEST (my time).

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Chinese leaker Instant Digital claims that Apple plans to launch its first foldable iPhone as an eSIM-only device, removing the physical SIM tray altogether. That said, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard reports suggesting that the iPhone Fold may follow the same path as the iPhone Air.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman previously reported that next year’s iPhone Fold will be a “super-thin” device, essentially resembling two titanium iPhone Air units placed side by side. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo echoed the same statement earlier in January.

Removing the SIM tray could help Apple make the device thinner and lighter, which is basically the same goal the company is expected to pursue for future iPhones. However, the move also comes with drawbacks, including limited global eSIM support and a more complicated experience when switching to a new device.

This could be a significant challenge for Apple in mainland China, where the company is expected to sell most of its foldable iPhones. Yet, many consumers there still prefer using physical SIM cards. After Apple launched the iPhone Air in China, it had to partner with China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom to enable eSIM support. Customers still need to visit their local carrier’s store to activate the eSIM on their device.

According to previous reports, the iPhone Fold is expected to debut in September 2026 alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. If it sounds a bit weird, that’s because Apple wants to overhaul its release strategy and shift to a biannual iPhone launch cycle in 2026.

What are your thoughts on an eSIM-only iPhone Fold? Would this influence your decision to buy one? Share your opinion in the comments below.

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Posted Saturday 6 December 2025 at 3:25 am AEST (my time).

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Almost every technological innovation of the past several years has been laser-focused on one thing: generative AI. Many of these supposedly revolutionary systems run on big, expensive servers in a data center somewhere, but at the same time, chipmakers are crowing about the power of the neural processing units (NPU) they have brought to consumer devices. Every few months, it’s the same thing: This new NPU is 30 or 40 percent faster than the last one. That’s supposed to let you do something important, but no one really gets around to explaining what that is.

Experts envision a future of secure, personal AI tools with on-device intelligence, but does that match the reality of the AI boom? AI on the “edge” sounds great, but almost every AI tool of consequence is running in the cloud. So what’s that chip in your phone even doing?

What is an NPU?

Companies launching a new product often get bogged down in superlatives and vague marketing speak, so they do a poor job of explaining technical details. It’s not clear to most people buying a phone why they need the hardware to run AI workloads, and the supposed benefits are largely theoretical.

Many of today’s flagship consumer processors are systems-on-a-chip (SoC) because they incorporate multiple computing elements—like CPU cores, GPUs, and imaging controllers—on a single piece of silicon. This is true of mobile parts like Qualcomm’s Snapdragon or Google’s Tensor, as well as PC components like the Intel Core Ultra.

The NPU is a newer addition to chips, but it didn’t just appear one day—there’s a lineage that brought us here. NPUs are good at what they do because they emphasize parallel computing, something that’s also important in other SoC components.

Qualcomm devotes significant time during its new product unveilings to talk about its Hexagon NPUs. Keen observers may recall that this branding has been reused from the company’s line of digital signal processors (DSPs), and there’s a good reason for that.

“Our journey into AI processing started probably 15 or 20 years ago, wherein our first anchor point was looking at signal processing,” said Vinesh Sukumar, Qualcomm’s head of AI products. DSPs have a similar architecture compared to NPUs, but they’re much simpler, with a focus on processing audio (e.g., speech recognition) and modem signals.

The NPU is one of multiple components in modern SoCs.

Credit: Qualcomm

As the collection of technologies we refer to as “artificial intelligence” developed, engineers began using DSPs for more types of parallel processing, like long short-term memory (LSTM). Sukumar explained that as the industry became enamored with convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the technology underlying applications like computer vision, DSPs became focused on matrix functions, which are essential to generative AI processing as well.

While there is an architectural lineage here, it’s not quite right to say NPUs are just fancy DSPs. “If you talk about DSPs in the general term of the word, yes, [an NPU] is a digital signal processor,” said MediaTek Assistant Vice President Mark Odani. “But it’s all come a long way and it’s a lot more optimized for parallelism, how the transformers work, and holding huge numbers of parameters for processing.”

Despite being so prominent in new chips, NPUs are not strictly necessary for running AI workloads on the “edge,” a term that differentiates local AI processing from cloud-based systems. CPUs are slower than NPUs but can handle some light workloads without using as much power. Meanwhile, GPUs can often chew through more data than an NPU, but they use more power to do it. And there are times you may want to do that, according to Qualcomm’s Sukumar. For example, running AI workloads while a game is running could favor the GPU.

“Here, your measurement of success is that you cannot drop your frame rate while maintaining the spatial resolution, the dynamic range of the pixel, and also being able to provide AI recommendations for the player within that space,” says Sukumar. “In this kind of use case, it actually makes sense to run that in the graphics engine, because then you don’t have to keep shifting between the graphics and a domain-specific AI engine like an NPU.”

Livin’ on the edge is hard

Unfortunately, the NPUs in many devices sit idle (and not just during gaming). The mix of local versus cloud AI tools favors the latter because that’s the natural habitat of LLMs. AI models are trained and fine-tuned on powerful servers, and that’s where they run best.

A server-based AI, like the full-fat versions of Gemini and ChatGPT, is not resource-constrained like a model running on your phone’s NPU. Consider the latest version of Google’s on-device Gemini Nano model, which has a context window of 32k tokens. That is a more than 2x improvement over the last version. However, the cloud-based Gemini models have context windows of up to 1 million tokens, meaning they can process much larger volumes of data.

Both cloud-based and edge AI hardware will continue getting better, but the balance may not shift in the NPU’s favor. “The cloud will always have more compute resources versus a mobile device,” said Google’s Shenaz Zack, senior product manager on the Pixel team.

“If you want the most accurate models or the most brute force models, that all has to be done in the cloud,” Odani said. “But what we’re finding is that, in a lot of the use cases where there’s just summarizing some text or you’re talking to your voice assistant, a lot of those things can fit within three billion parameters.”

Squeezing AI models onto a phone or laptop involves some compromise—for example, by reducing the parameters included in the model. Odani explained that cloud-based models run hundreds of billions of parameters, the weighting that determines how a model processes input tokens to generate outputs. You can’t run anything like that on a consumer device right now, so developers have to vastly scale back the size of models for the edge. Odani says MediaTek’s latest ninth-generation NPU can handle about 3 billion parameters—a difference of several orders of magnitude.

The amount of memory available in a phone or laptop is also a limiting factor, so mobile-optimized AI models are usually quantized. That means the model’s estimation of the next token runs with less precision. Let’s say you want to run one of the larger open models, like Llama or Gemma 7b, on your device. The de facto standard is FP16, known as half-precision. At that level, a model with 7 billion parameters will lock up 13 or 14 gigabytes of memory. Stepping down to FP4 (quarter-precision) brings the size of the model in memory to a few gigs.

“When you compress to, let’s say, between three and four gigabytes, it’s a sweet spot for integration into memory constrained form factors like a smartphone,” Sukumar said. “And there’s been a lot of investment in the ecosystem and at Qualcomm to look at various ways of compressing the models without losing quality.”

It’s difficult to create a generalized AI with these limitations for mobile devices, but computers—and especially smartphones—are a wellspring of data that can be pumped into models to generate supposedly helpful outputs. That’s why most edge AI is geared toward specific, narrow use cases, like analyzing screenshots or suggesting calendar appointments. Google says its latest Pixel phones run more than 100 AI models, both generative and traditional.

Even AI skeptics can recognize that the landscape is changing quickly. In the time it takes to shrink and optimize AI models for a phone or laptop, new cloud models may appear that make that work obsolete. This is also why third-party developers have been slow to utilize NPU processing in apps. They either have to plug into an existing on-device model, which involves restrictions and rapidly moving development targets, or deploy their own custom models. Neither is a great option currently.

A matter of trust

If the cloud is faster and easier, why go to the trouble of optimizing for the edge and burning more power with an NPU? Leaning on the cloud means accepting a level of dependence and trust in the people operating AI data centers that may not always be appropriate.

“We always start off with user privacy as an element,” said Qualcomm’s Sukumar. He explained that the best inference is not general in nature—it’s personalized based on the user’s interests and what’s happening in their lives. Fine-tuning models to deliver that experience calls for personal data, and it’s safer to store and process that data locally.

Even when companies say the right things about privacy in their cloud services, they’re far from guarantees. The helpful, friendly vibe of general chatbots also encourages people to divulge a lot of personal information, and if that assistant is running in the cloud, your data is there as well. OpenAI’s copyright fight with The New York Times could lead to millions of private chats being handed over to the publisher. The explosive growth and uncertain regulatory framework of gen AI make it hard to know what’s going to happen to your data.

“People are using a lot of these generative AI assistants like a therapist,” Odani said. “And you don’t know one day if all this stuff is going to come out on the Internet.”

Not everyone is so concerned. Zack claims Google has built “the world’s most secure cloud infrastructure,” allowing it to process data where it delivers the best results. Zack uses Video Boost and Pixel Studio as examples of this approach, noting that Google’s cloud is the only way to make these experiences fast and high-quality. The company recently announced its new Private AI Compute system, which it claims is just as safe as local AI.

Even if that’s true, the edge has other advantages—edge AI is just more reliable than a cloud service. “On-device is fast,” Odani said. “Sometimes I’m talking to ChatGPT and my Wi-Fi goes out or whatever, and it skips a beat.”

The services hosting cloud-based AI models aren’t just a single website—the Internet of today is massively interdependent, with content delivery networks, DNS providers, hosting, and other services that could degrade or shut down your favorite AI in the event of a glitch. When Cloudflare suffered a self-inflicted outage recently, ChatGPT users were annoyed to find their trusty chatbot was unavailable. Local AI features don’t have that drawback.

Cloud dominance

Everyone seems to agree that a hybrid approach is necessary to deliver truly useful AI features (assuming those exist), sending data to more powerful cloud services when necessary—Google, Apple, and every other phone maker does this. But the pursuit of a seamless experience can also obscure what’s happening with your data. More often than not, the AI features on your phone aren’t running in a secure, local way, even when the device has the hardware to do that.

Take, for example, the new OnePlus 15. This phone has Qualcomm’s brand-new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which has an NPU that is 37 percent faster than the last one, for whatever that’s worth. Even with all that on-device AI might, OnePlus is heavily reliant on the cloud to analyze your personal data. Features like AI Writer and the AI Recorder connect to the company’s servers for processing, a system OnePlus assures us is totally safe and private.

Similarly, Motorola released a new line of foldable Razr phones over the summer that are loaded with AI features from multiple providers. These phones can summarize your notifications using AI, but you might be surprised how much of it happens in the cloud unless you read the terms and conditions. If you buy the Razr Ultra, that summarization happens on your phone. However, the cheaper models with less RAM and NPU power use cloud services to process your notifications. Again, Motorola says this system is secure, but a more secure option would have been to re-optimize the model for its cheaper phones.

Even when an OEM focuses on using the NPU hardware, the results can be lacking. Look at Google’s Daily Hub and Samsung’s Now Brief. These features are supposed to chew through all the data on your phone and generate useful recommendations and actions, but they rarely do anything aside from showing calendar events. In fact, Google has temporarily removed Daily Hub from Pixels because the feature did so little, and Google is a pioneer in local AI with Gemini Nano. Google has actually moved some parts of its mobile AI experience from local to cloud-based processing in recent months.

Those “brute force” models appear to be winning, and it doesn’t hurt that companies also get more data when you interact with their private computing cloud services.

Maybe take what you can get?

There’s plenty of interest in local AI, but so far, that hasn’t translated to an AI revolution in your pocket. Most of the AI advances we’ve seen so far depend on the ever-increasing scale of cloud systems and the generalized models that run there. Industry experts say that extensive work is happening behind the scenes to shrink AI models to work on phones and laptops, but it will take time for that to make an impact.

In the meantime, local AI processing is out there in a limited way. Google still makes use of the Tensor NPU to handle sensitive data for features like Magic Cue, and Samsung really makes the most of Qualcomm’s AI-focused chipsets. While Now Brief is of questionable utility, Samsung is cognizant of how reliance on the cloud may impact users, offering a toggle in the system settings that restricts AI processing to run only on the device. This limits the number of available AI features, and others don’t work as well, but you’ll know none of your personal data is being shared. No one else offers this option on a smartphone.

Samsung offers an easy toggle to disable cloud AI and run all workloads on-device.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

Samsung spokesperson Elise Sembach said the company’s AI efforts are grounded in enhancing experiences while maintaining user control. “The on-device processing toggle in One UI reflects this approach. It gives users the option to process AI tasks locally for faster performance, added privacy, and reliability even without a network connection,” Sembach said.

Interest in edge AI might be a good thing even if you don’t use it. Planning for this AI-rich future can encourage device makers to invest in better hardware—like more memory to run all those theoretical AI models.

“We definitely recommend our partners increase their RAM capacity,” said Sukumar. Indeed, Google, Samsung, and others have boosted memory capacity in large part to support on-device AI. Even if the cloud is winning, we’ll take the extra RAM.

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Posted Friday 5 December 2025 at 3:45 am AEST (my time).

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Researchers in the US have found that owning a phone at the age of 12 was associated with an increased risk of depression, obesity, and insufficient sleep, compared to not having one.

The iPhone launched less than 20 years ago, so for many kids now entering their teenage years, they've only ever known a world with phones. Studies like this are trying to tease apart the effects.

"Our findings suggest that we should view smartphones as a significant factor in teen health, approaching the decision to give a child a phone with care and considering potential impacts on their life and health," says child and adolescent psychiatrist Ran Barzilay, from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The data from 10,588 young people, collected as part of an ongoing study on adolescent brain development, provided a snapshot of participants' health at age 12, together with some evidence for the differences that getting a phone (or not) over the next year might make.

The researchers factored in other variables, such as demographics and socioeconomic status, and found that at age 12, nearly 6.5 percent of those with phones had been given a diagnosis of depression, compared to roughly 4.5 percent without phones. That's a seemingly small but meaningful statistical difference.

For obesity, the respective figures were roughly 18 percent of smartphone users compared to 12 percent of 12-year-olds without these devices.

As for sleep, 47 percent of 12-year-olds with phones reported insufficient sleep (less than nine hours a night) compared to 31 percent of their phone-less peers.

The researchers want to see further measures taken to protect kids from the potential harms of phones. (Bruce Mars/Unsplash)

Kids who had a phone by age 13 were more likely to report mental health problems (including depression) and insufficient sleep than those who didn't. However, there was no noticeable change in obesity risk over that year.

The researchers admit that phone use can have benefits, as other studies have shown, but they want to see more done to make sure that these devices are used responsibly.

"For many teens, smartphones can play a constructive role by strengthening social connections, supporting learning, and providing access to information and resources that promote personal growth," says Barzilay.

"Likewise, some families may view a smartphone as a necessity for safety or communication."

There are some nuances in the data. For example, depression was measured as any period of depression during the life of the child so far, so it may have occurred before they got a phone, in some cases.

It's also not possible to draw any conclusions about cause and effect in an observational study like this, but the strength of the associations – plus the changes that were recorded between ages 12 and 13 as some kids got phones and others didn't – are worth investigating further.

The findings tie in with what we know about adults and smartphones: that these devices can elevate stress, leave us feeling more distracted and drained, and reshape the way our brains are wired.

In future studies, the researchers want to look at how much screen time and different types of apps affect these results, how the findings might extend over longer periods of adolescence, and what countermeasures could be put in place.

"It's critical for young people to have time away from their phones to engage in physical activity, which can protect against obesity and enhance mental health over time," says Barzilay.

The research has been published in Pediatrics.

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The order gave smartphone makers 90 days to pre-load new phones with its new Sanchar Saathi app which could not be "disabled or restricted", sparking privacy and surveillance concerns.

The government argued the move was necessary to verify the authenticity of handsets, but cybersecurity experts said it impinged on citizens' right to privacy.

Withdrawing the order on Wednesday, the government cited the app's "increasing acceptance". It came after Apple and Samsung had reportedly resisted the directive to pre-install it on their devices.

So far 14 million users have downloaded the app, reporting 2,000 frauds daily, and on Tuesday alone 600,000 new users registered - a tenfold spike, according to India's telecom ministry.

But the order - passed last week but made public on Monday - to make the registration mandatory had led to a major backlash from several cybersecurity experts.

Smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung also resisted the directive to pre-install the app on their phones.

Sources told the BBC the companies were concerned the directive was issued without prior consultation and challenged user privacy norms.

While the order has now been withdrawn, India's Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia dismissed concerns that the app could be used to increase surveillance.

"Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app," Scindia said.

The government's decision to reverse the order was welcomed by digital advocacy groups.

"This is a welcome development, but we are still awaiting the full text of the legal order that should accompany this announcement, including any revised directions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024," the Internet Freedom Foundation said on X.

"For now, we should treat this as cautious optimism, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed." 

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Google is following through on its pledge to split Android versions into more frequent updates. We already had one Android 16 release this year, and now it’s time for the second. The new version is rolling out first on Google’s Pixel phones, featuring more icon customization, easier parental controls, and AI-powered notifications. Don’t be bummed if you aren’t first in line for the new Android 16—Google also has a raft of general improvements coming to the wider Android ecosystem.

Android 16, part 2

Since rolling out the first version of Android in 2008, Google has largely stuck to one major release per year. Android 16 changes things, moving from one monolithic release to two. Today’s OS update is the second part of the Android 16 era, but don’t expect major changes. As expected, the first release in June made more changes. Most of what we’ll see in the second update is geared toward Google’s Pixel phones, plus some less notable changes for developers.

Google’s new AI features for notifications are probably the most important change. Android 16 will use AI for two notification tasks: summarizing and organizing. The OS will take long chat conversations and summarize the notifications with AI. Notification data is processed locally on the device and won’t be uploaded anywhere. In the notification shade, the collapsed notification line will feature a summary of the conversation rather than a snippet of one message. Expanding the notification will display the full text.

Google also says AI will help to reduce notification overload in Android 16, part 2. This will build on the notification grouping from the first Android 16 release by gathering lower-priority notifications and silencing them. These items will be organized into batches, like news and promotions, where they can be safely ignored until you want to take a closer look.

Material 3 Expressive came to Pixels earlier this year but not as part of the first Android 16 upgrade—Google’s relationship with Android versions is complicated these days. Regardless, Material 3 will get a bit more cohesive on Pixels following this update. Google will now apply Material theming to all icons on your device automatically, replacing legacy colored icons with theme-friendly versions. Similarly, dark mode will be supported across more apps, even if the devs haven’t added support. Google is also adding a few more icon shape options if you want to jazz up your home screen.

By way of functional changes, Google has added a more intuitive way of managing parental controls—you can just use the managed device directly. Parents will be able to set a PIN code for accessing features like screen time, app usage, and so on without grabbing a different device. If you want more options or control, the new on-device settings will also help you configure Google Family Link.

Android for all

No Pixel? No problem. Google has also bundled up a collection of app and system updates that will begin rolling out today for all supported Android devices.

Chrome for Android is getting an update with tab pinning, mirroring a feature that has been in the desktop version since time immemorial. The Google Messages app is also taking care of some low-hanging fruit. When you’re invited to a group chat by a new number, the app will display group information and a one-tap option to leave and report the chat as spam.

Google’s official dialer app comes on Pixels, but it’s also in the Play Store for anyone to download. If you and your contacts use Google Dialer, you’ll soon be able to place calls with a “reason.” You can flag a call as “Urgent” to indicate to the recipient that they shouldn’t send you to voicemail. The urgent label will also remain in the call history if they miss the call.

Google also says it’s adding yet another AI-powered feature to stop scams. Circle to Search, which is available on most modern Android phones, lets you highlight anything you come across to check for scams. It’s unclear how accurate it will be, though. This feature plugs into AI Overviews to assess the risk and provide suggestions.

Android devices are also getting a raft of new accessibility options. Those who use a mouse with AutoClick can now set custom hover times. You’ll also be able to launch TalkBack voice control in Gboard with a two-finger tap. Voice Access, which lets you control the phone UI by voice, is also getting easier to use. Rather than tapping things to launch it, you’ll be able to tell the phone’s Gemini assistant by voice to “start Voice Access.”

Gemini is also making an appearance in Google’s Guided Frame camera feature, but this one is only for Pixels. Guided Frame helps those with low or no vision take photos by offering voice descriptions of what’s in the frame. With the new update, Guided Frame will use Gemini to summarize the shot’s content. This should allow for more detailed descriptions and hopefully not too many hallucinations.

The widely available Android feature updates will roll out over the coming weeks. Pixel owners should begin getting update notifications for the new Android 16 build over a similar timeframe. There will also be manual update files on Google’s developer site. Non-Pixel phones will get the new Android 16 whenever OEMs get around to it, but there may not be much overlap with the features Google has announced for Pixels.

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Posted Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 12:12 pm AEST (my time).

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Hackers poking around in iOS 26 recently uncovered something Apple definitely didn’t intend anyone to see: every modern iPhone is running the operating system Apple’s upcoming “iPhone Fold” will likely use. Which means these phones are—right now—already capable of running a full, fluid desktop experience.

From a performance standpoint, that shouldn’t be surprising. At Apple’s September 2025 event, the company claimed the A19 Pro chip inside the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 Pro offers “MacBook Pro levels of compute.” And that iPhone chip is reportedly destined to power a cheaper MacBook in 2026. The line between Apple’s hardware is being further blurred, then—but what’s wild is that the software side of things has blurred completely too. It’s just that nobody realized.

For years, Apple has insisted that iOS and iPadOS are distinct, despite sharing code and habitually borrowing each other’s features. But a self-proclaimed “tech geek” on Reddit who got iPad features running on an iPhone claimed they’re not merely similar—they’re essentially the same: “Turns out iOS has all the iPadOS code (and vice versa; you can for instance enable Dynamic Island on iPad).”

The hack relies on an exploit that tricks the iPhone’s operating system into thinking it’s running on an iPad. That unlocks smallish tweaks such as a landscape Home Screen, an iPad-style app switcher, and more Dock items. But it also provides transformative changes such as running desktop-grade apps that aren’t available for iPhone, full windowed multitasking, and optimal external display support. All without Apple Silicon breaking a sweat.

Deskblocked

The exploit is already patched in the iOS 26.2 beta, and the Redditor accused Apple of locking out iPhone users and artificially limiting older devices to push upgrades. But are things really that simple?

It’s not like the “phone as PC” dream is new. Android’s been chasing it since DeX debuted in 2017. Barely anyone cares. So why should Apple? Perhaps the concept is a niche nerd fantasy. And there’s the longtime argument that if you want to do “proper” work, you need a “proper” computer. If even an iPad can’t replace a computer, how can an iPhone?

In June, after 15 years, the iPad got key software features, including resizable and movable windows.

Except, as WIRED demonstrated, an iPad can replace a computer for plenty of people—you just need the right accessories. It therefore follows the same is true for an iPhone running the exact same software. But where will any momentum for this future come from?

Android 16 is technically ready for another crack at desktop mode, with a new system that builds on DeX. But even now, having finally escaped beta, it’s buried in developer settings. That might be down to the grim state of big-screen Android apps, or the desktop experience itself feeling, politely, “rocky.”

Paradoxically, Apple appears to be further ahead despite never announcing any of this. It already has a deep ecosystem of desktop-grade iPad apps. And the iPad features running on iPhone already look polished. Sure, some interface quirks remain, and you might need to file your fingers to a point to hit window controls. But the performance is fast, fluid, and snappy. So if the experience is this good, why is Apple so determined to hide it?

Profit by Design

One argument is practical. Apple likes each device to be its own thing, optimized for a specific form factor. It’s keen to finesse the transition between platforms rather than have one device to rule them all. A phone lacks a big screen and a physical keyboard. Plugging those things in on a train isn’t as elegant as opening a MacBook or using an iPad connected to a Magic Keyboard. However, with imagination, you can see the outlines of a new ecosystem of profitable accessories for a more capable iPhone.

But Apple hasn’t got where it has by selling accessories nor by making a market for others to do so. Most of its profits come from a long-running strategy to nudge people into buying more hardware that coexists. It doesn’t want you to choose between an iPhone, an iPad, a MacBook Air, and an iMac. It wants you to buy all of them.

But if an iPhone can do iPad things, maybe someone won’t buy an iPad. If iPads act too much like Macs, people might not buy as many Macs. Strategically chosen—if sometimes artificial—limits and product segmentation have pride of place in Cupertino’s rulebook. A convergence model could knock user experience and simplicity; but Apple would likely be more fearful of how it could negatively impact sales.

Hidden Potential

That all said, perhaps there is another explanation: Apple is saving this for an inflection point—the iPhone Fold. Rumors suggest that Apple has solved the “screen crease” problem and will in 2026 ship a foldable with a 7.8-inch, 4:3 display that’s similar to (but sharper than) the iPad mini’s.

A tablet-sized display that doesn’t let you multitask like on an iPad would be absurd, especially on a device likely to cost two or three times more than an actual iPad mini. Doubly so if Apple puts last year’s iPhone chip into a MacBook that will have a full desktop environment and support at least one external display.

And for anyone fretting about being forced into a more desktop-style iPhone, Apple already solved that problem. It killed the Steve Jobs vision of the iPad that sat between two computing extremes by letting users switch modes. The iPhone could follow suit, defaulting to its original purist mode while allowing power users to tap into windowing and external device support.

These hacks, then, have given us a window into the iPhone Fold operating system and other aspects of a possible Apple future. They show that iPad features on iPhone already look slick and make complete sense. And the crazy thing is they’re in your iPhone’s software right now. Next year, they’ll almost certainly be unleashed on the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever made. The question is whether Apple will let regular iPhone users have them, too.

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Posted Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 4:52 am AEST (my time).

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Credit: Samsung

Samsung has a new foldable smartphone, and it’s not just another Z Flip or Z Fold. The Galaxy Z TriFold has three articulating sections that house a massive 10-inch tablet-style screen, along with a traditional smartphone screen on the outside. The lavish new smartphone is launching this month in South Korea with a hefty price tag, and it will eventually make its way to the US in early 2026.

Samsung says it refined its Armor FlexHinge design for the TriFold. The device’s two hinges are slightly different sizes because the phone’s three panels have distinct shapes. The center panel is the thickest at 4.2 mm, and the other two are fractions of a millimeter thinner. The phone has apparently been designed to account for the varying sizes and weights, allowing the frame to fold up tight in a pocketable form factor.

Huawei’s impressive Mate XT tri-fold phones have been making the rounds online, but they’re not available in Western markets. Samsung’s new foldable looks similar at a glance, but the way the three panels fit together is different. The Mate XT folds in a Z-shaped configuration, using part of the main screen as the cover display. On Samsung’s phone, the left and right segments fold inward behind the separate cover screen. Samsung claims it has tested the design extensively to verify that the hinges will hold up to daily use for years.

Precision Engineering in Every Fold | Galaxy Z TriFold

While this does push the definition of “pocketable” for some people, the Galaxy Z TriFold is a tablet that technically fits in your pocket. When folded, it measures 12.9 mm thick, which is much more unwieldy than the Galaxy Z Fold 7‘s 8.9 mm profile. However, the TriFold is only a little thicker than Samsung’s older tablet-style foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 6. The 1080p cover screen measures 6.5 inches, which is also quite similar to the Z Fold 7. It is very, very heavy for a phone, though, tipping the scales at 309 g.

A flagship phone with more screen

The extra heft and hinge get you a much larger main display, clocking in at 10 inches and 2160 x 1584 pixels. The 120 Hz foldable OLED can run three apps side-by-side in portrait orientation, and it supports the full version of Samsung DeX for a more PC-like interface without the need for an external monitor. However, you may not get much use per charge with the screen unfurled and running multiple apps. The device has a triple-cell battery system that comes out to 5,600 mAh, which is only a bit larger than batteries in smartphones that only have to power one small screen.

Each segment is a slightly different thickness.

Credit: Samsung

On the inside, the Galaxy Z TriFold is essentially identical to Samsung’s Z Fold 7. There’s a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM. The camera setup looks unchanged from the Z Fold 7, helmed by the 200 MP sensor we see on most Samsung flagships today. It’s backed up by a 12 MP ultrawide and a 10 MP 3x telephoto. Like the smaller foldable, the camera module protrudes quite a lot from the back of the phone.

Samsung plans to launch the Galaxy Z TriFold in South Korea on December 12, with other Asian markets following in the ensuing weeks. A US launch is on the agenda for the first quarter of 2026, but there’s no pricing available yet. The Korean price will be KRW 3,590,400, which works out to a little shy of $2,500, or $500 higher than the Galaxy Z Fold 7. So expect something in that range if you want to get your hands on the Galaxy Z TriFold next year.

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Posted Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 4:49 am AEST (my time).

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As you may know, Apple introduced some Emergency SOS via Satellite features when it launched the iPhone 14 in 2022. It lets you text emergency services, send and receive messages, use the Find My app to update your location, or text roadside assistance, all via satellite. These features are only available in some Countries, but they have saved many lives.

The first of the new features that Apple is prepping is an API that will allow third-party app developers to access the satellite framework in iOS, and use it for their own app. But this doesn't mean that every feature or service will be available to all apps.

Next is Satellite-powered maps. GPS uses Satellite, and works offline. So, what's the big deal? Well, navigation doesn't work offline in Apple Maps, unless you have downloaded some maps already. That's what Apple wants to bring, satellite connectivity to Apple Maps, for navigation. Satellite-powered navigation could be a lifesaver if you don't have cell coverage in an area and want to find your way to the nearest gas station, hotel, etc.

Currently, Emergency SOS via Satellite is limited to text messages. Apple is working on improving this, by allowing users to send photos via satellite. This could help rescuers understand the situation better, identify a place by landmark, or perhaps to help them prepare better, for example, the medical condition of the person in need of assistance, the state of their injury if any, etc.

Apple's current Satellite features require an unobstructed view of the sky, you have to point your iPhone in the direction of a Satellite for the phone to connect and transmit data over the Satellite. The Cupertino company wants to enhance this experience, by letting users stay connected to Satellite even if their iPhone is in a pocket, or a car, or even indoors. This "natural usage" approach could come in handy if a user is injured or otherwise unable to reach/use their phone, let alone point it at the sky.

Finally, Apple wants to add support for Satellite over 5G, the next iPhones will reportedly support 5G Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), which will allow cell towers to use satellites for increased coverage.

Google recently added support for live video during emergency calls on Android.

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Posted Tuesday 2 December 2025 at 3:59 am AEST (my time).

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