Google will allow 'experienced users' to install Android apps made by unverified developers.

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Posted Thursday 13 November 2025 at 2:56 pm AEST (my time).

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Apple is no longer planning to launch a second-generation iPhone Air next fall and has “already sharply scaled back production of the first version,” The Information reports. The next Air is instead likely to launch in spring 2027 at the earliest, and will be upgraded with a second camera lens, according to a follow-up Information report.

The company launched the super-thin version of the iPhone in September, but it seemingly hasn’t proven to be a big hit, and Apple is apparently making some changes to its plans for the phone’s follow-up.

The Information says that the company was aiming to announce a new iPhone Air next fall that would be lighter and have more battery capacity than this year’s model. The new phone would also have gotten a vapor chamber, like the iPhone 17 Pro lineup this year. It’s not clear how many of those upgrades will be included in the version that eventually launches, which will apparently prioritize a second rear camera lens instead — the lack of an ultrawide was one of the main complaints in reviews of the Air from The Verge and others.

With no second-generation iPhone Air, Apple’s fall 2026 iPhone lineup will apparently consist of the iPhone 18 Pro and its foldable iPhone, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone 18E will launch in spring 2027, potentially joined by the new Air. The Information’s sources say it’s “still too early to tell” whether Apple can redesign the Air in time to launch that spring.

Update, November 11th: Added new details from a second Information report.

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Posted Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 12:57 am AEST (my time).

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The Galaxy S26 Ultra is expected to support 45W wired charging. It isn't as fast as what the Chinese OEMs are offering with their flagships, but it is something to boast about for Samsung, as it hasn't been done since the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Aside from wired charging, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is now also tipped to get an upgrade in wireless charging as well. According to a fresh report from South Korean publication ETNews, Samsung could finally upgrade the wireless charging on its Ultra phone from 15W to 25W.

An industry insider said, "All models in the previous S25 series supported 15W wireless charging, but models released next year will feature faster wireless charging." This could be a welcome upgrade for Samsung Galaxy owners, as the company has stuck with the 15W wireless charging support for the past six years.

Notably, the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26 Plus will also get an upgrade, from 15W to 20W wireless charging. Samsung has taken a cautious approach when it comes to batteries, after the Galaxy Note7 fiasco. So much so that the company now lags behind Apple, which offers Qi2 wireless charging support since the iPhone 16 series, enabling 25W charging.

Even the slim iPhone Air—whose future seems a bit cloudy—supports 20W wireless charging. But with 25W fast wireless charging, the Galaxy S26 Ultra would reportedly charge 40 times faster compared to 15W.

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Posted Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 12:56 am AEST (my time).

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Now, some interesting details about the Galaxy S26 and the Galaxy S26+ have surfaced, courtesy of SmartPrix. The details reveal the camera and battery specs for both models. Based on the latest info, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and S26+ could get new sensors for the primary and telephoto cameras.

Notably, both devices will feature the same camera setup, in which there will be a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultrawide camera, and a 12MP telephoto camera. For selfies, the Galaxy S26 and S26+ could feature 12MP sensors.

According to the report, Samsung has dropped plans for using 50MP Samsung ISOCELL S5KJN3 ultrawide cameras in both devices after the cancellation of the Galaxy S26 Edge. However, the 10MP ultrawide camera is finally getting an upgrade in the form of the 12MP Sony IMX564 sensor. This will help rectify the low-resolution image issues, which the models previously suffered because of the 10MP camera.

That's not all. The report also spills the beans about the battery capacities on the Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26+. It was previously rumored that the Galaxy S26 and S26+ could get a battery boost, and based on the latest information, it appears to be true. The base Galaxy S26 could feature a 4,300 mAh battery, while the Galaxy S26+ could come with a 4,900 mAh battery.

Compared to this year's 4,000 mAh on the Galaxy S25, the S26 appears to be getting a boost. On the other hand, the Galaxy S26+ could feature the same battery capacity. Furthermore, both the Galaxy S26 and S26+ are expected to feature a slim design. It seems like Samsung is trying its best to justify the price hike that is rumored for next year's Galaxy S26 series.

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Posted Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 1:51 am AEST (my time).

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Now, a couple of details have emerged straight from Samsung's home country, South Korea. According to a Korean daily, Chosun Biz, Samsung has reportedly resolved the issues surrounding the Galaxy S26 lineup, and the Unpacked event could take place as early as late January next year.

Notably, due to low sales and a lack of hype around the Galaxy S25 Edge, Samsung has reportedly decided to discontinue the "Edge" lineup and reintroduce the "Plus" model. Fast forward to now, according to a Samsung Electronics insider:

The hardware verification period was extended when the Edge model was removed and the Plus model was added, which almost delayed the launch, but this issue has been resolved, making a February launch possible next year.

The data from Hana Securities, as of August, reveals that the three-month sales of the Galaxy S25 Edge stood at 1.31 million units, which is a staggering 74% less than that of the Galaxy S25 Plus (5.05 million units). This clearly shows that people don't want a slim phone, but want a device that can last long and has all the features, since they are paying north of $1,000.

The report further adds that Samsung is facing some issues with the Exynos 2600 development. An insider has commented that only the base and Plus models of the Galaxy S26 series will come equipped with the Exynos 2600 processor. On the other hand, the Galaxy S26 Ultra will be shipped with the Snapdragon SoC worldwide.

Rumors have been floating around that Samsung could finally hike the prices of the next year's Galaxy S26 series, all thanks to the rising costs of internal components. For now, let us know in the comments below what you would prefer, an Exynos-powered Galaxy S26 Ultra or the one with a Snapdragon processor.

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Posted Tuesday 11 November 2025 at 1:50 am AEST (my time).

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When iPhone customers lose their phone or it is stolen, they can set a custom message in Apple's Find My app that appears on the lock screen. When lost, this message may include an email address or phone number to contact the owner.

According to the NCSC, threat actors may be using this information to send targeted phishing texts (smishing) through SMS or iMessage to the displayed contact information, claiming to be from Apple's Find My team and stating that their phone had been found.

"Losing your iPhone is always annoying. Not only is the device gone, but your personal data may also be lost," explains the NCSC.

"Once the initial panic has passed, most people are left hoping that someone honest will find it. But if scammers have your phone, they may try to exploit this hope. They send text messages or iMessages that appear to come from Apple, claiming that the lost iPhone has been found abroad."

The phishing message includes convincing details such as the phone's model, color, and any other information that can be extracted directly from the locked device.

"We are pleased to inform you that your lost iPhone 14 128GB Midnight has been successfully located," reads the phishing text.

"To view the current location of your device, please click the link below: <phishing url>"

"If you did not initiate a lost device report or believe this message was sent in error, please disregard it or contact our support team immediately."

Phishing text stating a lost iPhone was found
Source: NCSC

The phishing message contains a link to the alleged Find My website that shows the device's location. 

However, instead of leading to Apple's official website, it redirects to a phishing page with a login prompt that mimics Apple's Find My website. When victims enter their Apple ID and password, the credentials are sent to the attackers, giving them full access to the account.

Phishing page impersonating Apple's Find My website
Source: NCSC

The cybersecurity agency explains that the scammers' real goal is to remove Apple's Activation Lock. This security feature is used to link an iPhone to its owner's Apple ID and prevents others from erasing or reselling it.

Since there is no known method to bypass this lock, criminals rely on phishing attacks to trick users into giving their credentials.

The NCSC says it is unclear how the attackers obtained the target's phone number, but it could be from the SIM card in the device or from the custom message displayed on the lock screen when a device is marked as lost.

The agency also recommends the following:

•     Never click links in unsolicited messages or enter Apple ID details on external websites.
•     If a device is lost, immediately enable Lost Mode through the Find My app or iCloud.com/find to secure it.
•     Use a dedicated email address if displaying contact details on a lost device's lock screen.
•     Keep the device registered to your Apple account to keep Activation Lock enabled.
•     Ensure your SIM card is protected with a PIN to prevent misuse of your number.

The NCSC advises users to ignore any text messages like these, stating that Apple will never contact customers via SMS or email to report a found device.

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Apple's inclusion of satellite connectivity in the iPhone, such as Emergency SOS Via Satellite, has proven to be extremely useful in a difficult situation. However, while handy when a cellular signal is not available, it can always be improved to expand what it offers to consumers.

In Sunday's "Power On" newsletter for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman writes about some of the satellite-centric features that Apple is working on. This includes expanding the functionality of satellite connectivity so it can be used by third-party apps.

This will apparently involve the creation of an API for app developers to use. However, it's warned that not every single Apple-created satellite feature will be made available in this way.

Expanding the existing Messages via Satellite function is also a possibility. Apple is reportedly trying to add support for photos, bringing it beyond basic text messages.

Likewise, Apple is also apparently hoping to make Apple Maps work with it. While satellites are used for positioning data, Gurman's post implies that map data could be delivered to the user over the satellite connection.

Establishing that connection is also intended to be improved. Currently, users are expected to be in an area with an unobscured view of the sky, and are instructed to physically point the iPhone in the vague direction of in-view satellites.

However, Apple wants this to be a more "natural usage" process for users. This would entail allowing the iPhone to connect to satellites while in a pocket or a car, without necessarily requiring the user to handle the iPhone in a specific way.

Doing so should allow for updates to the various satellite-based features to occur without user intervention.

To help get this underway, Apple's 2026 iPhone range is anticipated to include 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) support more broadly. Specifically, allowing for cellular towers to use satellites for increased device coverage.

Continued satellite expansion

The claimed inbound satellite features are a continuation of Apple's work to expand its non-cellular offerings to consumers.

When it comes to non-emergency-based new features, there was an initial hint of what was to come in the iOS 26 developer beta back in June. Weather Updates via Satellite would receive weather updates in a similar manner to Emergency SOS via Satellite.

The iPhone would pull in updated weather data and relevant alerts for the user's location. This would be handy for hikers, campers, climbers, and sailors who depend on accurate local weather forecasts in areas that may not have reliable cellular service.

As for hardware support, Apple confirmed at its September 9 "Awe Dropping" event that the satellite features for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 will continue for another year at no additional charge.

Earlier, in May 2025, Apple expanded its carrier-provided satellite features to all iPhone 13 models as part of iOS 18.5.

As for the actual satellite connection itself, that may also be improved. While Apple currently relies on Globalstar's aging spacecraft, there are ever-present murmurs that Apple could end up working with Starlink in the future.

Apple has invested a hefty $1.1 billion in Globalstar, but that hasn't stopped the rumors of Globalstar selling itself off to a potential suitor. The more probable buyer is Starlink-owner SpaceX, not Apple, as the iPhone maker is reportedly keen to avoid becoming a carrier and face that regulartory burden. 

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Apple did increase the selfie camera's megapixel count to 18MP, but no 24MP cameras were served to any of the iPhone 17 lineup models, not even the Pro models. Tides have now turned towards the next year's iPhone 18 series. A new report now suggests that the iPhone 18 series could feature 24MP selfie cameras.

According to the latest JP Morgan equity research report seen by MacRumors, Apple could introduce another update to the selfie cameras on next year's iPhone 18 series. While 18MP is still a noteworthy upgrade, along with the new Center Stage camera with a square design that allows for automatic zooming and framing of the subject, the 24MP would be significant.

Also, not only the Pro models, but the report says that the entire lineup, which includes the iPhone 18 and the iPhone Air 2, will receive the upgraded selfie camera. The square sensor provides a wider field of view, and the added megapixel count will only improve the quality of selfies that you can take using the front cameras on the upcoming iPhone 18 series.

That's not all. The JP Morgan report also states that the upcoming and much-rumored Apple foldable will be the first foldable in the industry to pack a 24MP under-display camera. Additionally, the budget second-gen iPhone 17e and third-gen iPhone 18e will continue to use the 12MP selfie shooters.

Quite a lot of upgrades are planned by Apple for its devices, and it could fit with the new launch schedule, where the standard iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e won't launch till early 2027.

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Posted Saturday 8 November 2025 at 1:39 pm AEST (my time).

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Google’s Gemini model will be used by Apple to handle Siri’s summarizer and planner functions specifically. The planner functions can synthesize information and execute complex tasks. Apple plans to treat Google as a behind-the-scenes technology supplier, meaning its iPhone users will never know that Apple is depending on the maker of Android to power its AI.

The 1.2 trillion parameter custom Gemini system is a big advance from the 150 billion parameter model that’s currently used for the cloud-based Apple Intelligence. Bloomberg also mentioned that the Google model will run on Apple’s own Private Cloud Compute servers, which means it’ll be separate from Google’s infrastructure.

The new voice assistant that is planned for iOS 26.4 is apparently code-named Linwood and the effort to fix Siri with a third-party model is known internally as Glenwood. The new Siri is expected to be released next spring and using Gemini to power it is only an interim solution, with Apple admitting it has fallen behind in AI.

Apple is reportedly working on its own 1 trillion parameter cloud-based model that it hopes to have ready for consumer applications as early as next year and it could replace Gemini. Notably, the Gemini-powered Siri is unlikely to be available in China due to the country’s ban on Google offerings.

In China, Apple is expected to use in-house models along with a filter developed by Alibaba. Apple has also been looking at a partnership with Baidu for its AI offerings in China.

Source: Bloomberg

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Posted Friday 7 November 2025 at 3:29 am AEST (my time).

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Google is in the process of purging Assistant across its products, and the next target is Google Maps. Starting today, Gemini will begin rolling out in Maps, powering new experiences for navigation, location info, and more. This update will eventually completely usurp Google Assistant’s hands-free role in Maps, but the rollout will take time. So for now, the smart assistant in Google Maps will still depend on how you’re running the app.

Across all Gemini’s incarnations, Google stresses its conversational abilities. Whereas Assistant was hard-pressed to keep one or two balls in the air, you can theoretically give Gemini much more complex instructions. Google’s demo includes someone asking for nearby restaurants with cheap vegan food, but instead of just providing a list, it suggests something based on the user’s input. Gemini can also offer more information about the location.

Maps will also get its own Gemini-infused version of Lens for after you park. You will be able to point the camera at a landmark, restaurant, or other business to get instant answers to your questions. This experience will be distinct from the version of Lens available in the Google app, focused on giving you location-based information. Maybe you want to know about the menu at a restaurant or what it’s like inside. Sure, you could open the door… but AI!

While Google has recently been forced to acknowledge that hallucinations are inevitable, the Maps team says it does not expect that to be a problem with this version of Gemini. The suggestions coming from the generative AI bot are grounded in Google’s billions of place listings and Street View photos. This will, allegedly, make the robot less likely to make up a location. Google also says in no uncertain terms that Gemini is not responsible for choosing your route.

How far is 500 feet?

The robot will, however, get involved with the spoken directions. Currently, Google Maps and other navigation systems use vague instructions like “turn in 500 feet.” However, these announcements often arrive far too late to be useful, and can people accurately gauge 500 feet while driving? The Gemini-based solution is to give instructions with landmarks.

Instead of only using distances for turns, Gemini might use a gas station, restaurant, or recognizable sign to help you find your turn. Again, Google says its database of hundreds of millions of locations with accompanying Street View images helps ensure the directions are accurate. Gemini can also alert you to possible slowdowns along your route even if you don’t have Maps open.

Google’s driving alerts for accidents and other traffic complications will also be tied into Gemini. So you’ll be able to just say “there’s an accident” or “traffic jam ahead,” and Gemini will make the report as if you used the multi-step reporting process manually. Gemini in Maps can also connect to other Google services, like adding events to your calendar. And that request can be lumped in with navigation or map-oriented instructions.

If you’re running Google Maps on your phone, Gemini could arrive in the coming days. For those using Android Auto or Google built-in, the rollout will begin “soon.” No, Google doesn’t have anything more specific on that, but that group will get Gemini sooner than Apple Car Play Maps users. Google says it’s still evaluating how to integrate Gemini’s hands-free features with Apple’s more limited platform.

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Posted Thursday 6 November 2025 at 2:59 am AEST (my time).

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I’ve been as much of a thin phone skeptic as anyone. Why would I give up on camera specs and battery life just to shave a couple of millimeters off a phone’s waistline? I asked pretty much exactly that when I first saw Samsung’s Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year.

But the Motorola Edge 70 may have made me a convert. It’s a cheaper take on the S25 Edge or iPhone Air, out now in the UK and Europe for £699 / €799 (around $920), but it “will not be a US device,” according to Nicole Hagen, Motorola’s head of global product marketing.

It’s just a third of a millimeter thicker than the Air — an all but imperceptible difference — but meets some of that phone’s failings head-on by offering a bigger battery and more durable design. It introduces a few new flaws of its own, but as a blueprint for where thin phones go next, this makes more sense to me than Apple’s and Samsung’s offerings.

We are truly in silicon-carbon battery season, because this is the second time in as many weeks that I’ve found myself praising a manufacturer for fitting a high-capacity battery into a small space. While the Oppo Find X9 Pro uses the novel battery tech to cram an unusually large 7,500mAh cell into a regular-sized phone, Motorola has instead employed it to fit a regular-sized battery into an unusually thin phone.

The Edge 70’s 4,800mAh battery is as big as many flagships’, breezing past the iPhone Air’s “all-day battery life” to last well into a second day. It won’t last a full two days unless you use it lightly, but heavier users will struggle to run the phone dry in a single day.

The silicon-carbon battery fixes the single biggest fear most prospective buyers have about this year’s wave of thin phones, comfortably outclassing the 3,149mAh battery in Apple’s Air or the 3,900mAh cell in Samsung’s Edge. Those phones force buyers to give up battery life. Motorola’s does not.

The Edge 70 tops up quickly with 68W wired charging, and 15W Qi wireless is also available. There isn’t Qi2 support, though Motorola includes a magnetic plastic case with the phone in EMEA if you’re jealous of the Qi2-enabled Pixel 10 phones.

The camera bump isn’t too thick, and I like the way it slopes out of the body.

 

It’s six credit cards thick, if that helps any.

 

That blue button is a shortcut for (you guessed it!) AI stuff.

 

Slim as the case is, it inevitably detracts from just how thin the Edge 70 feels. I’ve only used Samsung and Apple’s thin phones in passing, and after sticking with this phone for a week, I was surprised to find that thin feeling never really got old. I marvel at the phone every time I pick it up, that it can be so thin, so light, so comfortable in the hand.

I’m sure the Air and S25 Edge feel much the same. Where Motorola diverges is in how it built the Edge 70, with an aluminum frame and textured silicone rear that feels less vulnerable than the glass backs of its rivals. This is the only phone of the three to have both an IP68 rating and meet the tougher IP69 standard, and it also meets the MIL-STD-810H military testing standard for durability.

That’s not to say the Edge 70 is indestructible — far from it, especially since the Gorilla Glass 7i used on the screen is more vulnerable than the ceramic-hardened versions on those other phones. But free of the fear of shattering the back, I’ve found myself more carefree about using the phone as is, rather than trapping that thin design in a bulky case.

The camera accents match the AI button.

So that’s that; the Edge 70 has solved thin phones for good. If only, eh? It may have improved on some of Samsung and Apple’s failings, but not all of them — and it introduces a few of its own.

The cameras are the most obvious compromise, though less than you might think. The 50-megapixel main camera isn’t bad, even doing a decent job in dim conditions, though the combination of dark skies and bright lights at an evening soccer game proved too much for it to process perfectly. Unlike the iPhone Air, you get an ultrawide lens alongside it, though there’s still no telephoto — what looks like a third camera is really only a light sensor. You can get a half-decent telephoto for less in the likes of the Galaxy S25 FE or Xiaomi 15T Pro.

Simple photos in bright light come out well from the main camera.

 

The room was dimmer here, but there’s still plenty of detail.

 

This market scene is mostly well lit, but some of the lights are blown out.

 

It handled this restaurant lighting well.

 

And did a great job capturing the various colored lights here.

 

This, however, is… not what my cat’s face looks like.

 

The main camera struggles with the stadium lights at this Arsenal game.

 

And the ultrawide does even worse.

 

Simple photos in bright light come out well from the main camera.

Spec-heads might also take umbrage with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset inside. It’s not a bad chip, but you’ll find flagship silicon in similarly priced devices. It’s plenty of power for most people, but on paper it’s less capable than other phones at this price, even if competitive gamers are likely the only ones who’ll notice.

Expect lots of preinstalled apps.

 

And a few ads for apps you haven’t installed.

 

This looks like my lockscreen, but it’s an ad too.

 

Motorola’s take on Android is the bigger problem, and it’s probably the only version of the operating system getting worse.

Quite simply, a £699 phone — hell, any phone — shouldn’t ship packed to the rafters with ads and bloatware. There are at least 14 Motorola-branded apps preinstalled, and other apps including Candy Crush Saga, Microsoft Copilot, Monopoly Go, Pinterest, and something called Toon Blast.

Worse, the first slot in the app drawer is taken up by a games “folder” that actually just suggests more time-killers I should download, including gems like Block Blast! and Stack Ball. Above that, a suggestions row dynamically recommends three of my own apps I’m likely to need at that moment in time based on my past behavior (which is useful enough), along with a fourth app I don’t have and never want, ranging from payment app MoneyGram to the musical Simply Guitar.

I’m not done yet! The Live Lock Screen is the most egregious of all. Suggested during setup, this replaces your lock screen with a cycling stream of images paired with links to articles from the web on a predefined set of broad interests like “food” or “tech.” These are ads in disguise, but every three or four, you’re rewarded with something more overt — usually a full-screen banner advertising Temu.

It’s easy to turn all of this off and uninstall the apps, but it shouldn’t be there in the first place. Motorola is embarrassing itself by including it.

All the phones’ colors come with a small Pantone swatch on the back.

 

I’m not sure if the way its compromises shake out make the Edge 70 a better phone than the iPhone Air. But as I look forward to where this form factor might go next, Motorola’s phone feels like a better blueprint than Apple’s, and suggests that adopting a silicon-carbon battery is what’s required to elevate the Air’s second generation.

The Edge 70 preserves battery life while shaving down the bulk, and feels just tough enough to risk going case-free so all that hardware R&D doesn’t go wasted. The cameras are basic, but so are the iPhone’s, and it may be underpowered, but who’s buying the year’s third-thinnest phone and hoping for a powerhouse? You want it to feel great and last all day, and on that count, the Edge 70 has nailed it.

Photography by Dominic Preston / The Verge

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Posted Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 6:22 pm AEST (my time).

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• Your Android phone may be lying to you about signal strength, showing more network bars than it actually should.
• Telecom providers can exploit a hidden Android feature to show you an “inflated” signal strength.
• AT&T and Verizon have already been spotted using this tactic.

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Posted Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 4:33 am AEST (my time).

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Apple is working on a low-cost Mac laptop powered by an iPhone chip that it plans to launch in the first half of 2026, according to Bloomberg. The laptop will also have a “a lower-end LCD display” and a screen size that’s “slightly below” the 13.6-inch screen on the current MacBook Air. The laptop will be sold for “well under $1,000,” Bloomberg reports, and the laptop’s price will “fall in a similar range” as the approximately $600 cost for an entry-level iPad and a Magic Keyboard Folio.

So far, laptops with Apple Silicon have used M-series chips. But Apple’s tests have found that the iPhone chip “can perform better than the Mac-optimized M1 used in laptops as recently as a few years ago,” Bloomberg says. The new laptop will have an “entirely new design” and will be aimed at more casual users, students, and businesses.

Earlier this year, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo similarly reported that Apple was developing a more affordable MacBook with an A-series chip. Kuo said that the laptop would be powered by the A18 Pro chip found in the iPhone 16 Pro lineup and would come in a range of colors including silver, blue, pink, and yellow.

The company has also “finished work” on a MacBook Air powered by its recently-introduced M5 chip that it plans to release early next year, Bloomberg reports. MacBook Pros with M5 Pro and M5 Max are in the works, too.

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Posted Wednesday 5 November 2025 at 4:05 am AEST (my time).

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ZDNET key takeaways

• Spyware can secretly track, record, and steal data from your phone.
• Watch for strange behavior, data spikes, or unknown apps as warning signs.
• Use antivirus tools, update often, and avoid untrusted app sources.

Spyware is a threat to your personal security and privacy that you may not know is on your smartphone.

But what is spyware? It's a form of malware, often packaged as a legitimate mobile application, that may steal your information, track your location, record your conversations, monitor your social media activity, screenshot your actions, and more. It may land on your handset through phishing, as a fake mobile application, or via a once-trustworthy app updated over the air to become an information stealer.

Similarly, a remote monitoring app promoted for parental use or work purposes could be abused to become a privacy invader rather than a legitimate service.

Our guide will run through different forms of malicious software that could end up on your iOS or Android handset, the warning signs of infection, and how to remove spyware from your smartphone. We will also discuss stalkerware and other ways threats closer to home may spy on you -- and what you can do about it.

What is spyware?

Spyware comes in many forms, and it's helpful to know the basic differences before you tackle infections on your handset.

Nuisanceware is often bundled with legitimate apps. It interrupts your web browsing with pop-ups, changes your homepage or search engine settings, and may also gather your browsing data to sell to advertising agencies and networks.

Although considered malvertising, nuisanceware is generally not dangerous or a threat to your core security. Instead, these malware packages focus on generating revenue by forcing ad views or clicks.

There's also generic mobile spyware. These forms of malware steal operating system and clipboard data, as well as anything of potential value, such as cryptocurrency wallet data or account credentials. Spyware isn't always targeted and may be used in spray-and-pray phishing attacks.

Spyware may land on your device through phishing, malicious email attachments, social media links, fraudulent SMS messages, or physical device tampering.

Advanced spyware, sometimes also classified as stalkerware, is a step up from basic spyware. Unethical and often dangerous, this malware is sometimes found on desktop systems but is now more commonly installed on phones.

Spyware and stalkerware may be used for the following purposes:

•     To monitor emails, SMS, MMS messages, and other forms of communication sent and received
•     To intercept live calls to eavesdrop across standard telephone lines or Voice over IP (VoIP) applications
•     To record environmental noise
•     To hijack camera functions to take photos and videos
•     To screenshot mobile device activities and send them to a controller
•     To track victims via GPS
•     To hijack social media apps such as Facebook and WhatsApp
•     For keylogging, account compromise, and data theft

Stalkerware is typically used to spy on an individual and monitor what they do, say, and where they go. Stalkerware is commonly linked to cases of domestic abuse.

Finally, there's government-grade commercial spyware. Pegasus is one of the most well-known variants, sold to governments as a tool for combating terrorism and for law enforcement purposes. Pegasus was ultimately found on smartphones belonging to journalists, activists, political dissidents, and lawyers. Unless you're part of a group of specific interest to ethically challenged governments, it's unlikely that commercial-grade spyware will impact you due to its high cost and the expense of individually selecting and targeting victims.

What are the warning signs of someone trying to install spyware?

There are signs to watch for that might indicate a spyware or stalkerware operator is targeting you.

Finding yourself the recipient of odd or unusual social media messages or emails might be part of a spyware infection attempt. You should delete these without clicking on any links or downloading any files.

The same is true for SMS messages, which may contain links to trick you into unwittingly downloading malware. For example, you could receive an SMS failed delivery notice or a payment "request" that's masked to appear to come from a well-known service. Sometimes these will just be phishing attempts or spam, but they may also have a darker purpose.

To catch you unaware, phishing messages will lure you into clicking a link or running software that hosts a spyware or stalkerware payload. If the malware is being loaded remotely, user interaction is required, and so these messages might try to panic you -- for example, by demanding payment to a tax office or bank. Messages could also use spoofed addresses from a contact you trust.

When it comes to stalkerware, initial infection messages may be more personal and tailored to the victim. Physical access to a handset may be necessary. Unfortunately, installing some variants of stalkerware or advanced spyware can take nothing more than a few seconds.

If your phone goes missing or is out of your possession for a period of time and then reappears with settings or changes you do not recognize, this may indicate that your device has been tampered with.

What are the signs that spyware is on my phone?

Depending on the type of mobile malware, there are signs you can watch out for that may indicate your smartphone has been compromised.

You may experience unexpected handset battery drain, overheating, and strange behavior from your handset's operating system or apps. Settings such as GPS and location functions may turn on and off unexpectedly, or you may experience random reboots and unexplained crashes.

If you suddenly are using far more cellular data than usual, this could also indicate that information is being sent from your smartphone without your knowledge or that remote connections are active.

In addition, you may hear unusual noises or distortion during phone calls -- although this could simply be due to poor reception, it may also be a sign of interception.

You may also have trouble completely turning off your device.

Specific forms of spyware designed to generate fraudulent revenue may be able to obtain sufficient permissions to affect your bank balance. If you are signed up for services or premium SMS plans and you know you didn't consent to them, this could be a sign that spyware is on your device.

Keep an eye on your credit cards for any signs of suspicious payments, as well as any cryptocurrency wallets you own.

An important point to mention is that sometimes spyware or other forms of malicious software might end up on your device via an initially benign app. There have been cases of developers releasing a genuine, useful app in official repositories, such as a currency converter or weather app, and then -- after a large user base has been gathered -- the developers twist the app's functions through a software update.

Unfortunately, there's little that the average user can do if an app is updated with data-stealing and other malicious functions. However, if you recently downloaded a mobile app and now your phone is displaying odd behavior, consider removing it and running a malware scan.

What other signs of spyware might I see on my devices?

Surveillance software is becoming more sophisticated and can be difficult to detect. However, not all forms of spyware and stalkerware are invisible, and it is possible, in many cases, to find out if you are being monitored.

Android

One telltale sign on an Android device is a setting that allows apps to be downloaded and installed outside of the official Google Play Store.

If this setting is enabled, it may indicate tampering and jailbreaking without your consent. Not every form of spyware and stalkerware requires a jailbroken device, though.

This setting is found in most modern Android builds in Settings > Security > Allow unknown sources. (This varies depending on the device and vendor.) You can also check Apps > Menu > Special Access > Install unknown apps to see if anything appears that you do not recognize, but there is no guarantee that spyware will show up on the app list.

Some forms of spyware also use generic names and icons to avoid detection. For example, they may appear to be useful utility apps such as calendars, calculators, utilities, or currency converters. If a process or app appears in the app list that you are not familiar with, a quick online search may help you determine whether it is legitimate.

iOS

iOS devices that aren't jailbroken are generally harder to infect with malware than Android handsets, unless a spyware developer is exploiting a zero-day or unpatched vulnerability.

However, the same principles apply: with the right tool, exploit, or software, your device could be compromised either with physical access or remotely. You may be more susceptible to infection if you have not updated your iPhone's firmware to the latest version and you do not run frequent antivirus scans.

Both iOS and Android phones, however, will typically show some sign of a malware infection.

Will there always be symptoms of a spyware infection?

Unfortunately, no. Advanced spyware and stalkerware may hide themselves well, disguised as legitimate system apps or services, and may limit power usage to avoid detection. 

How can I remove spyware from my device?

By design, spyware and stalkerware are hard to detect and can be difficult to remove. It is not impossible in most cases, but it may take some drastic steps on your part. Sometimes, the last resort may be to scrap your device and start again.

When spyware is removed, especially stalkerware, operators may receive an alert indicating that the victim's device has been cleaned. Should the flow of your information suddenly stop, this would be another clear sign to the attacker that the malicious software has been removed.

Do not tamper with your device if you feel your physical safety may be in danger. Instead, reach out to the police and supporting agencies.

Now, here are some removal options:

• Run a malware scan: There are mobile antivirus solutions available that can detect and remove spyware. This is the easiest solution available, but it may not be effective in every case. Cybersecurity vendors including Malwarebytes, Avast, and Bitdefender all offer mobile spyware-scanning tools. This is the easiest option for run-of-the-mill infections.
• Use a dedicated spyware removal tool: You can also try using software specifically designed to detect and remove spyware. However, be careful to download tools only from reputable firms and official sources, as one of the most common ways to distribute malware is to disguise it as antivirus software.
• Delete suspicious apps: Examine the list of installed apps on your handset and remove any you don't recognize, as well as any you don't use anymore.
• Check device administration: Found within advanced security settings, you can check to see if any suspicious apps have administration permission levels. If so, you can try to remove them, although this could mean you need to restore your handset to factory settings.
• Reboot in Safe mode: Restarting your smartphone in Safe mode will prevent third-party software from operating. On Android handsets, you can usually do this by long-pressing the power-off button and selecting Safe mode. This can allow you to safely uninstall apps -- but it is not a failsafe solution against advanced spyware variants.
• Update your operating system: It may seem obvious, but when an operating system releases a new version, which often comes with security patches and upgrades, it can -- if you're lucky -- cause conflict and problems with spyware. Keep this updated.

If you have found suspicious software on your handset, consider the following:

• Change your passwords, enable biometrics: If you suspect account compromise, change the passwords of every important account you have. Many of us have one or two central "hub" accounts, such as an email address linked to all of our other services. Remove access to any such hub services you use from a compromised device. For added security, consider changing your account passwords on a PC and forcing a logout on other devices, and enabling biometric authentication to prevent physical handset tampering.
• Create a new email address: Known only to you, the new email becomes tethered to your main accounts. If stalkerware is involved, this should be an option you consider if it is safe. It can help you wrestle back control of your accounts in a discreet and quiet way without alerting anyone.

What can I do about advanced, commercial spyware?

Government-grade spyware can be more difficult to detect. However, as noted in a guide on Pegasus and other forms of commercial-grade malware published by Kaspersky, there are some actions you can take to mitigate the risk of being subject to such surveillance, based on current research and findings:

• Reboots: Reboot your device daily to prevent persistence from taking hold. The majority of infections appear to be based on zero-day exploits with little persistence; therefore, rebooting can hamper attackers.
• Disable iMessage and FaceTime (iOS): As features enabled by default, iMessage and FaceTime are attractive avenues for exploitation. A number of new Safari and iMessage exploits have been developed in recent years.
• Use an alternative browser other than Safari or default Chrome: Some exploits do not work well on alternatives such as Firefox Focus or the Tor Browser.
• Use a trusted, paid VPN service and install an app that warns when your device has been jailbroken. Some AV apps will also perform this check.
• GrapheneOS: It is also recommended that individuals who suspect a Pegasus infection make use of a secondary device, preferably running the Android-based GrapheneOS, for secure communication.

How do I keep spyware and stalkerware off my device?

Unfortunately, no mobile device is completely protected against the scourge of spyware. However, we have provided some tips below to mitigate the risk of future infections:

• Protect your device physically: Your first line of defense is to maintain adequate physical controls. Modern smartphones allow you to set PIN codes and patterns or use biometrics, including fingerprints or retina scans, to prevent your handset from being physically tampered with.
• Update your operating system: When updates are available, install them promptly. They contain security fixes and patches and are one of the most important defenses against malware.
• Use antivirus software: Mobile antivirus solutions can detect and remove spyware. Running frequent scans will help protect your handset.
• Only download apps from official sources: Most spyware and malware are found outside Google Play and the App Store, so be cautious about installing apps from third-party websites.
• Enable app security: Enable built-in scanners that check any new app installs. On Android, you can find this setting in Security and privacy > App security.
• Check permissions: You should monitor what permissions have been issued to what apps, and when. On Android, this can be found in Security and privacy > Permission manager. If you haven't used an app for a while that has extensive permissions, consider deleting it. If any apps appear more intrusive than necessary, remove them.
• Watch out for malicious links: Mobile malware is often spread through phishing and malicious links on platforms such as social media services. These links may urge you to download apps from outside of Google Play or the App Store and may be disguised as everything from antivirus software to streaming services.
• Do not jailbreak your device: Jailbreaking not only voids your warranty but can also allow malicious apps and software to have a deep foothold in your operating system, which may make removal extremely difficult or impossible.
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA): When account activity and logins require further consent from a mobile device, this can also help protect individual accounts. (However, spyware may intercept the codes sent during 2FA protocols.)

Source

As Mark Gurman noted in his Power On newsletter, the new Siri “will lean on Google’s Gemini model” and aims to introduce features like AI-powered web search. Yet, it remains to be seen if Apple users would embrace an AI assistant powered by a Google model, or “that it can undo years of damage to the Siri brand.”

To prepare Siri for its launch in March next year, Apple is reportedly paying Google to develop a custom Gemini-based model to power the assistant. This model will run on Apple’s private cloud servers, but that doesn’t mean the Apple ecosystem will suddenly be filled with Google services or Gemini features already available on Android devices.

Instead, Siri will rely solely on a Google-developed AI model, which will power new AI features for Apple users within the Apple interface. Gurman added that neither company is expected to publicly discuss the partnership.

It was previously reported that Apple was in talks with Anthropic to use its Claude models to power Siri. However, given Apple’s long-standing relationship with Google over their search deal, the company ultimately decided to go with Google’s AI models instead.

While Apple’s iPhones are selling like hotcakes in the global market, the devices still lack robust built-in AI features compared to their Android counterparts.

Moreover, Gurman said the release of the revamped Siri will coincide with the launch of Apple’s new smart display, which will be available in both speaker-based and wall-mounted versions. Apple also plans to unveil the latest versions of its operating systems at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June 2026, while bringing major updates to Apple Intelligence.

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Posted Monday 3 November 2025 at 6:08 pm AEST (my time).

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Apple's long-delayed Siri revamp could be powered by Gemini as the Cupertino-based tech giant 'leans' on Google to power the big upgrade to its voice assistant, according to a new report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apart from the Siri upgrade, Apple is also said to power a new AI-powered web search feature using Gemini.

Reportedly, Apple had held a bake-off earlier in the year between Anthropic and Google and while it found Claude models better, Gemini made better financial sense for the company. Apple already has a search partnership in place with Google where the Gemini maker pays the company to have its search engine as default on iPhone. Apple is now said to be paying Google to create a custom Gemini-based model which can run on its private cloud servers.

Gurman, however, points out that using Gemini does not mean that iPhones would get 'flooded' with the AI features found on Android devices. Instead, Siri will be powered by a model which can provide AI features that users expect along with an Apple user interface.

As for the launch timeline, Apple is still said to be planning to roll out the new Siri revamp in March next year, which could be accompanied by the release of new smart home products.

Notably, the Siri revamp was first unveiled at Apple's WWDC 2024 conference where the company showed the voice assistant's abilities regarding on-screen awareness, personal context understanding, and cross-app actions. If this were to have materialized, it would have helped the voice assistant become a "hands-free" controller for the iPhone, as Apple intended.

Instead, Siri is now relying on ChatGPT for answering more difficult queries from users, and the voice assistant is facing growing competition from a wave of AI startups.

Meanwhile, Apple is said to unveil iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27, and more at the company's WWDC event next year. The new software versions are said to be accompanied by major updates to Apple Intelligence and the broader AI strategy.

On April 1, Apple will also mark 50 years of its existence, and the company is planning a number of launches to mark that milestone. Among the major launches slated for next year is the first foldable iPhone that the company could unveil at the September launch event. The phone is reported to come with the company's in-house C2 chip, ditching the Qualcomm modem instead.

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Despite being a vast repository of personal information, smartphones used to have little by way of security. That has thankfully changed, but companies like Cellebrite offer law enforcement tools that can bypass security on some devices. The company keeps the specifics quiet, but an anonymous individual recently logged in to a Cellebrite briefing and came away with a list of which of Google’s Pixel phones are vulnerable to Cellebrite phone hacking.

This person, who goes by the handle rogueFed, posted screenshots from the recent Microsoft Teams meeting to the GrapheneOS forums (spotted by 404 Media). GrapheneOS is an Android-based operating system that can be installed on select phones, including Pixels. It ships with enhanced security features and no Google services. Because of its popularity among the security-conscious, Cellebrite apparently felt the need to include it in its matrix of Pixel phone support.

The screenshot includes data on the Pixel 6, Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 family. It does not list the Pixel 10 series, which launched just a few months ago. The phone support is split up into three different conditions: before first unlock, after first unlock, and unlocked. The before first unlock (BFU) state means the phone has not been unlocked since restarting, so all data is encrypted.

This is traditionally the most secure state for a phone. In the after first unlock (AFU) state, data extraction is easier. And naturally, an unlocked phone is open season on your data.

This blurry screenshot appears to list which Pixel phones Cellebrite devices can hack. Credit: rogueFed 

At least according to Cellebrite, GrapheneOS is more secure than what Google offers out of the box. The company is telling law enforcement in these briefings that its technology can extract data from Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 phones in unlocked, AFU, and BFU states on stock software. However, it cannot brute-force passcodes to enable full control of a device. The leaker also notes law enforcement is still unable to copy an eSIM from Pixel devices. Notably, the Pixel 10 series is moving away from physical SIM cards.

For those same phones running GrapheneOS, police can expect to have a much harder time. The Cellebrite table says that Pixels with GrapheneOS are only accessible when running software from before late 2022—both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 were launched after that. Phones in both BFU and AFU states are safe from Cellebrite on updated builds, and as of late 2024, even a fully unlocked GrapheneOS device is immune from having its data copied. An unlocked phone can be inspected in plenty of other ways, but data extraction in this case is limited to what the user can access.

The original leaker claims to have dialed into two calls so far without detection. However, rogueFed also called out the meeting organizer by name (the second screenshot, which we are not reposting). Odds are that Cellebrite will be screening meeting attendees more carefully now.

We’ve reached out to Google to inquire about why a custom ROM created by a small non-profit is more resistant to industrial phone hacking than the official Pixel OS. We’ll update this article if Google has anything to say.

Source

Developers can now submit additional items to App Review when their existing submission is already under review. According to the company's updated submission guidelines, developers can submit one or more In-App Events in a separate submission if they have an app version under review.

They can submit an app version addressing a critical bug, separate from the existing custom product pages under review. Developers can also submit one or more Game Center features in a separate submission from an app version under review. The items could be leaderboards, achievements, challenges, and other stuff.

Apple has doubled the number of custom product pages, and app developers can now publish up to 70 custom pages at any given time. Custom product pages showcase the features of apps or games through app previews, screenshots, and other marketing materials.

Developers can make these pages more discoverable on the App Store by adding relevant keywords to each custom product page. When people search for these keywords, the App Store will show the app's custom product page in the search results instead of its default product page, Apple said.

The iPhone-maker has also updated Offer codes to support all In-App purchase types, including consumable, non-consumable, and non-renewing subscriptions, in addition to auto-renewable subscriptions. Offer codes let developers give users a taste of their app's or game's features for a limited time, either for free or at a discount on in-app purchases.

Offer codes are built on top of another feature, promo codes, offering more customer eligibility options, expiration dates, and a limit of up to one million codes per quarter. Apple said that promo codes will stop supporting in-app purchases starting March 26 next year.

Developers will no longer be able to create promo codes for in-app purchases in App Store Connect. However, users can redeem existing promo codes until they expire. Apple added that developers can continue using promo codes to offer free app downloads.

The App Store is like a mini ecosystem in itself, but it sometimes lands the company in trouble. Being home to millions of apps and games, it's often a common target for bad actors and fraudsters. Speaking of which, Apple claims it has saved users from losing over $9 billion due to fraudulent transactions over the last five years.

Source

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Posted Friday 31 October 2025 at 5:11 am AEST (my time).

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Besides new icons, which, interestingly, look slightly different from what Microsoft recently showcased alongside the rejected variants, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint now support Apple's new Liquid Glass design language, introduced with iOS 26 and iPadOS 26. You will notice the new keyboard, an updated floating bar with Home, Create, and Browse tabs. The search button has been moved to the bottom, again, to align with Apple's new design principles.

Another change in the updated apps is filters for templates. Now, when creating a new document using a template, you can filter and switch between different categories for quick search. For example, Flyers, Resumes, Invoices, and more. This makes finding the necessary template much faster, with no need to scroll a single long list of templates.

The Liquid Glass redesign, alongside template filters and new icons, is now publicly available on iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and visionOS 26, starting with app version 2.102 and newer. You can find Microsoft's announcement post here. However, if you struggle with accessing Microsoft's services, it's because Azure is currently suffering from a massive outage, which took down plenty of companies' websites and services.

You can download Word for iOS here, Excel here, and PowerPoint here in the App Store.

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Posted Thursday 30 October 2025 at 12:10 pm AEST (my time).

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Throughout 2025, Google has been extremely busy adding new features and safety measures to Messages, and it doesn't look like they're slowing down anytime soon. We've seen everything from sensitive content warnings for images and videos arrive, to a revamped gallery picking interface, fixing group chat icons, and much more. Now, Google is reportedly working on some smaller quality-of-life upgrades.

First spotted by Android Authority, Google Messages could get a trash folder in an upcoming update, in addition to the archive feature. The outlet found several bits of new code that specifically mention a trash can, trash folder, or "trashed conversations."

This suggests that Google is preparing a trash bin that'll arrive in a future update.

It's worth mentioning that Google Messages is pretty feature-packed and already has an extremely helpful text archive option.

You can set the app to archive messages by default instead of deleting them. That way, even if you accidentally delete a message, you can jump back into your archived chats and restore it. However, these take up space, and the archive never gets deleted.

The way things work now is you can delete a message, and it's gone for good, or archive it, which will hide it but stay on your device permanently. Apparently, Google wants a middle ground between the two.

 While we're not sure how the new trash folder will work in Google Messages, it'll probably function similarly to the Trash in Gmail, where everything you delete is stored for 30 days before being automatically deleted. Google could also make it customizable with a set time limit, but we'll have to wait and see.

It's important to remember that just because we see signs of a feature in an app teardown doesn't automatically mean it'll become a new feature. Google could decide to scrap this idea entirely. That said, it sounds super helpful and will make the Archive feature truly an archive while allowing users to delete everything else without worrying that it'll be gone forever. While waiting for this to arrive, check out these 9 Google Messages features everyone should know.

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According to a new report from Korean outlet The Bell, Apple plans to increase the standard iPhone 18’s memory to 12GB. The company has reportedly asked Samsung to boost the supply of LPDDR5X memory chips for its next-generation iPhone models.

Samsung’s LPDDR5X chips are currently available only in 12GB and 16GB variants. Meanwhile, the Korean outlet reports that Apple is also in talks with SK Hynix and Micron to supply a portion of its memory chips for the iPhone 18 series.

This suggests a few potential scenarios. First, Apple may choose to keep 8GB of RAM in the base iPhone 18 while adopting faster memory chips. In this case, Samsung’s 12GB and 16GB LPDDR5X chips would remain exclusive to the Pro models. However, another scenario, based on the new report, suggests that the base iPhone 18 could finally see its memory increase to 12GB.

Given Apple’s history of differentiating iPhone models through hardware specifications, if the company decides to increase the iPhone 18’s memory to 12GB, we can likely expect the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max to land with 16GB of RAM. The current iPhone 17 Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max all come with 12GB of memory.

The demand for higher RAM in smartphones is mostly driven by power-hungry AI features. If Apple launches an AI-enabled version of Siri with the iPhone 18 series, it could justify increasing the memory.

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Posted Sunday 26 October 2025 at 4:42 am AEST (my time).

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The warning comes from Microsoft and it’s aimed at Windows 10 PCs that have now fallen off support with the OS reaching end-of-life on Oct. 14. But at most that affects 400 million users, likely a much lower number than that given an additional year’s support is freely available. Meanwhile, a billion smartphones are running that risk.

Microsoft is highlighting “the hidden dangers," where “unsupported systems aren’t just outdated, they’re unprotected. ” Windows is squarely in every hacker’s crosshairs, but we live with a mobile-first threat landscape.

Your phone is the digital key to your life — and it’s constantly at risk.

“At any given point in the year, over 50% of mobile devices are running outdated OS versions, and a significant number are compromised or infected,” Zimperium says. Half that number can update, they just haven’t. But between 25% and 33% of smartphones now in use are running outdated versions of Android or iOS and can’t update.

Source

The lawsuit, which was spearheaded by British academic Dr. Rachael Kent, argued that Apple holds a “100% monopoly” over app distribution on iPhones and iPads due to its exclusive control over the App Store and restrictive policies on in-app purchases. The CAT found that Apple's commission practices indeed shut out competition in the app distribution market, resulting in “exorbitant profits” at the expense of developers and consumers. Members of the claimant class were declared entitled to damages, with the exact amount to be determined in a coming hearing.

Many developers have scrutinized Apple's 30% tax over the years as monopolistic and excessive. Although the company has now modified its commission model, it continues to face legal setbacks in other regions, such as the U.S. and the EU as well.

In response to the lawsuit, Apple's spokesperson said to Reuters that the company will appeal the ruling, rejecting the tribunal’s findings as a “flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy.” It highlighted the role of the App Store in providing a secure platform for consumers and developers alike, supporting innovation and privacy protection. Apple also added that 85% of developers pay no commission, relying on alternative arrangements or free apps, and argues that the fees are justified by the extensive services it offers developers.

If ruled against Apple, the lawsuit could set back Apple billions in the U.K. alone, with similar cases pending worldwide, which could potentially pressurize Apple to reexamine its App Store commission model.

Via Reuters

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Posted Friday 24 October 2025 at 8:12 am AEST (my time).

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Apple’s iPhone Air was the company’s most interesting new iPhone this year, at least insofar as it was the one most different from previous iPhones. We came away impressed by its size and weight in our review. But early reports suggest that its novelty might not be translating into sales success.

A note from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, whose supply chain sources are often accurate about Apple’s future plans, said yesterday that demand for the iPhone Air “has fallen short of expectations” and that “both shipments and production capacity” were being scaled back to account for the lower-than-expected demand.

Kuo’s note is backed up by reports from other analysts at Mizuho Securities (via MacRumors) and Nikkei Asia. Both of these reports say that demand for the iPhone 17 and 17 Pro models remains strong, indicating that this is just a problem for the iPhone Air and not a wider slowdown caused by tariffs or other external factors.

The standard iPhone, the regular-sized iPhone Pro, and the big iPhone Pro have all been mainstays in Apple’s lineup, but the company has had a harder time coming up with a fourth phone that sells well enough to stick around. The small-screened iPhone mini and the large-screened iPhone Plus were each discontinued after two generations.

None of this means the iPhone Air is in immediate danger of disappearing; if Apple discontinues it instead of releasing a follow-up, it’s most likely to happen next September when the company introduces its next round of hardware updates. The engineering work Apple did to make the Air work could also be reused in other products, including a possible foldable phone that rumors have said is coming.

But if the Air is really selling as slowly as these reports indicate, it would strongly suggest what some Air skeptics believed from the beginning: that people will gladly carry around a couple extra ounces of phone if it means better battery life and a more flexible camera.

It doesn’t help the Air that both the iPhone 17 and the iPhone 17 Pro are strong refreshes. The regular iPhone 17 gets a high-refresh-rate ProMotion screen for the first time while doubling the base storage from 128GB to 256GB without increasing the price. And the iPhone 17 Pro is the opposite of the iPhone Air—it’s both thicker and heavier than its immediate predecessors, but it delivers a significant camera upgrade and excellent battery life.

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Posted Friday 24 October 2025 at 3:06 am AEST (my time).

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