Global smartphone sales fell by 6.8% during the third quarter of 2021 as manufacturers an ongoing shortage of components in the industry, new figures have shown.
The ongoing shortage of key components in the mobile industry contributed to a decline on global smartphone sales during the third quarter of 2021.
Figures from Gartner show worldwide sales to end users fell by 6.8% as manufacturers struggled to get their hands on components such as radio frequency units, power management circuits, and other chips.
Smartphone sales
This had an inevitable impact on production schedules, leading to lower inventory and delayed product availability. This meant consumers had fewer choices at a retail level and may have delayed or abandoned purchases.
“Despite strong consumer demand, smartphone sales declined due to delayed product launches, longer delivery schedule and insufficient inventory at the channel,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner. “Supply constraints impacted the production schedule of basic and utility smartphones much more than premium smartphones.”
Indeed, the premium segment of the market actually increased during the three-month period. Samsung remains the world’s leading manufacturer with 20.2% of the market, a drop from 22.1% last year, but its share of high-end sales increased thanks to demand for its flagship handsets, including the Galaxy Fold.
Meanwhile Apple, which only competes at the premium end, saw sales rise by almost eight million units and its share rise from 11.1% to 14.2%. This was enough to see it reclaim second spot from Xiaomi, which fell to third despite increasing its share from 12.1% to 13%. – despite sales remaining flat. Vivo increased its share from 8.1% to 10.5%, while Oppo increased from 8.1% to 9.8%.
It’s unclear when the supply of components will return to normal, with some suggesting it could drag until as long as 2023.
Global smartphone sales fell by 6.8% during the third quarter of 2021 as manufacturers an ongoing shortage of components in the industry, new figures have shown.
The ongoing shortage of key components in the mobile industry contributed to a decline on global smartphone sales during the third quarter of 2021.
Figures from Gartner show worldwide sales to end users fell by 6.8% as manufacturers struggled to get their hands on components such as radio frequency units, power management circuits, and other chips.
Smartphone sales
This had an inevitable impact on production schedules, leading to lower inventory and delayed product availability. This meant consumers had fewer choices at a retail level and may have delayed or abandoned purchases.
“Despite strong consumer demand, smartphone sales declined due to delayed product launches, longer delivery schedule and insufficient inventory at the channel,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner. “Supply constraints impacted the production schedule of basic and utility smartphones much more than premium smartphones.”
Indeed, the premium segment of the market actually increased during the three-month period. Samsung remains the world’s leading manufacturer with 20.2% of the market, a drop from 22.1% last year, but its share of high-end sales increased thanks to demand for its flagship handsets, including the Galaxy Fold.
Meanwhile Apple, which only competes at the premium end, saw sales rise by almost eight million units and its share rise from 11.1% to 14.2%. This was enough to see it reclaim second spot from Xiaomi, which fell to third despite increasing its share from 12.1% to 13%. – despite sales remaining flat. Vivo increased its share from 8.1% to 10.5%, while Oppo increased from 8.1% to 9.8%.
It’s unclear when the supply of components will return to normal, with some suggesting it could drag until as long as 2023.
Global smartphone sales fell by 6.8% during the third quarter of 2021 as manufacturers an ongoing shortage of components in the industry, new figures have shown.
The ongoing shortage of key components in the mobile industry contributed to a decline on global smartphone sales during the third quarter of 2021.
Figures from Gartner show worldwide sales to end users fell by 6.8% as manufacturers struggled to get their hands on components such as radio frequency units, power management circuits, and other chips.
Smartphone sales
This had an inevitable impact on production schedules, leading to lower inventory and delayed product availability. This meant consumers had fewer choices at a retail level and may have delayed or abandoned purchases.
“Despite strong consumer demand, smartphone sales declined due to delayed product launches, longer delivery schedule and insufficient inventory at the channel,” said Anshul Gupta, senior research director at Gartner. “Supply constraints impacted the production schedule of basic and utility smartphones much more than premium smartphones.”
Indeed, the premium segment of the market actually increased during the three-month period. Samsung remains the world’s leading manufacturer with 20.2% of the market, a drop from 22.1% last year, but its share of high-end sales increased thanks to demand for its flagship handsets, including the Galaxy Fold.
Meanwhile Apple, which only competes at the premium end, saw sales rise by almost eight million units and its share rise from 11.1% to 14.2%. This was enough to see it reclaim second spot from Xiaomi, which fell to third despite increasing its share from 12.1% to 13%. – despite sales remaining flat. Vivo increased its share from 8.1% to 10.5%, while Oppo increased from 8.1% to 9.8%.
It’s unclear when the supply of components will return to normal, with some suggesting it could drag until as long as 2023.
Walmart's Black Friday Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 deals have landed today with a whopping $500 gift card up for grabs to those who pick up either a device on the AT&T or Verizon network.
And yes, before you ask - you can indeed stack this on top of a trade-in rebate, which currently stands at a maximum saving of up to $1,000. That means, potentially, you're looking at a free device here plus plenty of pocket money on the side to spend Walmart this holiday season.
In terms of sheer savings, this is easily one of the best Black Friday Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 deals we've seen so far, alongside Samsung's $100 discount and free pair of Galaxy Buds 2. For carrier value, the Walmart deal is definitely better, but Samsung's offer is also a good choice if you're looking for an unlocked device especially. Walmart will of course unlock your device eventually but you'll have to sign up to a pricey unlimited data plan at either Verizon or AT&T first to be eligible for the above gift card promotion.
Either way, you'll have a fantastic device being delivered to your door with either of these deals. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is definitely a great choice if you're looking for something compact and powerful, but also fairly reasonably priced. It's much cheaper than the bigger Fold 3 but still rocking that Snapdragon 888 chip inside as well as a very refined design for a foldable. It's not for everyone, but it's definitely worth considering if you like the idea of a clamshell form factor.
Outside the US? See more of today's best Samsung Galaxy deals in your region below.
Black Friday Galaxy Z Flip 3 deal at Walmart
Editors Choice
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: $500 gift card, plus up to $1,000 off with a trade-in at Walmart Walmart's offering a $500 gift card with all AT&T Galaxy Z Flip 3 purchases this Black Friday - a deal that stacks with the already fantastic trade-in rebate of up to $1,000 off. Easily one of the biggest discounts on this device yet, this is a great opportunity to bag yourself a cheap foldable and get a huge bonus on the side. Note, this deal applies to both AT&T and Verizon carrier devices and you'll need a select new unlimited data plan to be eligible.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3: $999$899.99, plus free Galaxy Buds 2 and wireless charger
Save $100 - Looking for an unlocked device? Samsung itself is offering the Galaxy Z Flip 3 with a nice $100 price cut and a free pair of Galaxy Buds 2 worth $109. Again, this is easily one of the best deals we've seen so far on this great device all year so definitely don't sleep on this one if you're looking to jump on the foldable bandwagon. Trade-in: get up to $600 off in addition
And, if you're looking for the latest early-bird promotions on other devices, we've got plenty more to check out on our main Black Friday phone deals page. Over there you'll find great prices on Google Pixels, iPhones, and even Galaxy Z foldable.
While most of the Black Friday phone deals have only been about 10-20% off, we now and then see a great reduction on the Oppo Reno 4 and Reno 4 Pro, two mid-range Oppo phones from 2020.
The Black Friday deals have cut over 50% of the price off these phones, with £280 slashed from the asking price of the Reno 4 and a whopping £400 from the Reno 4 Pro's cost - that's a lot of money off from phones that didn't cost too much to begin with.
(Not in the UK? Scroll down for deals in your region).
Today's best Oppo Reno 4 Black Friday deals
Oppo Reno 4: £499 £219 at Amazon (save £280) This mid-range phone is now very affordable in the sales, with a 56% reduction taking its mid-range price to a budget one. That's great for a fairly powerful 5G Android phone.
Oppo Reno 4 Pro: £699 £299 at Amazon (save £400) This is a huge reduction for a fairly powerful 5G phone - it's one of the best deals we've seen over Black Friday on a pretty good mid-range mobile.
The Oppo Reno 4 has a 6.4-inch screen, 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, a Snapdragon 765G chipset and a 48MP main camera.
The Reno 4 Pro has fairly similar specs, but its screen is bigger and curves at the edges - the handset also comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage instead of 8GB / 128GB like the non-Pro.
So which should you choose? Well now the Pro only costs £90, it's the no-brainer option - you get more storage, a faster phone and a bigger screen. Saying that, some people prefer mobiles with flat edges, or might not need double the storage, in which case the standard phone is fine.
More Oppo Reno 4 deals
We've collected the best prices for the Oppo Reno 4 and 4 Pro below - just note, the devices aren't available in all regions, so if you see nothing below it means there's nothing for you. Sorry!
The Black Friday week is now here and if you're in the market for a new smartphone, there is a huge wealth of deals available. Better still, we have an exclusive code just for you to make it all even cheaper.
Across all O2 and Three contracts from the retailer Affordable Mobiles, you can save £25 by using the code BFTR25. On top of the discounts and data boosts we're seeing from this retailer for Black Friday, this is a really nice additional saving.
This code can be used across any handsets that are on either of the two networks mentioned above. That means savings on Google Pixel 6 deals, the iPhone 13 range, Samsung's Galaxy S21 devices and plenty of other handsets.
You can find out more below including our picks of the best deals to use alongside this code. Don't find anything you like? Use our Black Friday phone deals guide to see the best of the rest.
Use this code to save on top handsets
Save £25 on all O2 and Three contracts from Affordable Mobiles with code BFTR25 This is a great way to bring already affordable Black Friday phone deals even further down in price. Use the code BFTR25 and you'll see the upfront cost of any O2 or Three phone contract fall by £25. That includes all of the top devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 range, iPhone 13 devices and the Google Pixel 6 duo.
The Black Friday sales are now over but as we cross over the weekend and into the Cyber Monday period, the best Google Pixel 6 deal continues to thrive, offering a market-leading price.
Right now, iD is offering the new Google Pixel 6 for only £26.99 a month and £19 upfront (when you use the code iDM10OFF). While that alone is impressive, making it one of the cheapest offers around, the data cap makes it even better.
That price is securing you a completely unlimited data, calls and texts plan. That is a brilliant price, especially when you consider the fact that an unlimited data SIM from iD would normally cost you £16 a month.
That effectively means you're only paying £282 for the Google Pixel 6 - £317 less than if you bought it SIM-free right now. Overall, we'd be surprised to see a much better offer than this.
Google Pixel 6: at iD Mobile | £19 upfront (with code iDM10OFF) | unlimited data, minutes and texts | £26.99/pm This is easily one of the best Google Pixel 6 deals we've seen since the device launched, somehow offering an entierly unlimited data, calls and texts plan at a bargain price point. Use the code iDM10OFF and you'll pay just £19 upfront and then the monthly costs follow at £26.99 a month.
Alternative Black Friday Google Pixel 6 deals:
Google Pixel 6: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £55 upfront| 105GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £26/pm Not a fan of the iD Mobile network? We've got another deal that will be a fantastic alternative. This deal from Mobiles.co.uk is on the Vodafone network and offers an 105GB of data cap for only £55 upfront and £26 a month. That's a fantastic price for this device and next to the iD deal above, is the next best price around for the Google Pixel 6.
Google Pixel 6: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £109 upfront | 30GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £23/pm This is a brilliant price for the Google Pixel 6, knocking the monthly costs down even further than the plan above. Here you'll pay £109 upfront but then after that, your monthly costs will come down to just £23. For that price, you'll get a pretty decent 30GB of data. This works out as one of the cheapest options around for the device.
Google Pixel 6: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £65 £25 upfront (with code TR40) | 150GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £30/pm This deal balances out the costs a lot better than the two above, plus it is also lands you with more data. You'll be paying £30 a month and then with the code TR40, you will only pay £25 upfront. For that price, you will get 150GB of data. While it is more expensive than the two deals above, it will likely be the best option for a lot of people.
What is the Google Pixel 6 like?
The more affordable of Google's two latest devices, the Google Pixel 6 will stand out to those that want a powerful smartphone at a more affordable price point.
While it won't compete with the flagships of the world, there is a lot of promising specs on board. The 6.4-inch FHD+ display, while not as impressive as some other more expensive devices, will look bright and clear. That paired with the 90Hz refresh rate will provide a fluid move as you swipe around the phone's interface.
Google promises a 24 hour battery life from the 4524mAh battery and up to 30% charge in 30 minutes. That paired with the 8GB RAM 'Google Tensor' processor means this device will be capable of operating most apps without lag or any major trouble.
Google has fully committed to the security of this device, using end-to-end security along with anti-phishing and malware protection, multi-layer hardware security and plenty more.
The Black Friday sales are well and truly here and for those after a new smartphone, there are a few deals standing tall above the rest. One of those comes from iD Mobile, offering a price that feels almost too good.
Right now, iD is offering the new Google Pixel 6 for only £26.99 a month and £19 upfront (when you use the code iDM10OFF). While that alone is impressive, making it one of the cheapest offers around, the data cap makes it even better.
That price is securing you a completely unlimited data, calls and texts plan. That is a brilliant price, especially when you consider the fact that an unlimited data SIM from iD would normally cost you £16 a month.
That effectively means you're only paying £282 for the Google Pixel 6 - £317 less than if you bought it SIM-free right now. Overall, we'd be surprised to see a much better offer than this.
However, if you're not all too keen on the iD Mobile network, we have some exclusive prices on the Vodafone network which might be better suited.
Google Pixel 6: at iD Mobile | £19 upfront (with code iDM10OFF) | unlimited data, minutes and texts | £26.99/pm This is easily one of the best Google Pixel 6 deals we've seen since the device launched, somehow offering an entierly unlimited data, calls and texts plan at a bargain price point. Use the code iDM10OFF and you'll pay just £19 upfront and then the monthly costs follow at £26.99 a month.
A Vodafone alternative Black Friday offer:
Google Pixel 6: at Mobiles.co.uk | Vodafone | £99 £59 upfront (with code TRR40) | 105GB data | unlimited minutes and texts | £26/pm Not a fan of the iD Mobile network? We've got another deal that will be a fantastic alternative. This deal on the Vodafone network comes with an exclusive code for TechRadar readers, offering upfront costs at just £59 when you use the code TR40. Next to that, you're only paying £26 a month. While that is a really affordable price, you'll get a huge 105GB of data on Vodafone.
What is the Google Pixel 6 like?
The more affordable of Google's two latest devices, the Google Pixel 6 will stand out to those that want a powerful smartphone at a more affordable price point.
While it won't compete with the flagships of the world, there is a lot of promising specs on board. The 6.4-inch FHD+ display, while not as impressive as some other more expensive devices, will look bright and clear. That paired with the 90Hz refresh rate will provide a fluid move as you swipe around the phone's interface.
Google promises a 24 hour battery life from the 4524mAh battery and up to 30% charge in 30 minutes. That paired with the 8GB RAM 'Google Tensor' processor means this device will be capable of operating most apps without lag or any major trouble.
Google has fully committed to the security of this device, using end-to-end security along with anti-phishing and malware protection, multi-layer hardware security and plenty more.
Google has unveiled new figures on how many people use different versions of Android, and surprisingly, the most popular version is from 2019.
Published by Google's Android Studio platform for app developers, these figures show a breakdown of how many people are currently using each version of Android.
According to the figures, 24.3% of users are on Android 11, the newest version of the operating system that's widely available... but 26.5% are on Android 10, which launched in 2019. Then there's 18.2% on Android 9, and the previous versions all have fewer users - interestingly, it seems 0.2% of users are still on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean from 2012.
Clearly Android phone users aren't desperate to upgrade their mobiles every year, which is why we've still got users on nearly-decades-old software, and why the newest version of the operating system isn't the most widely used.
While we generally see quick uptake in new versions of iOS, it's not the same for Android - though it's worth noting that Android 12 isn't included, despite the new Pixel 6 phones coming with the software, which suggests the stats are a bit outdated.
Analysis: a laissez-faire Android update cycle
Stats show that iOS users tend to update their devices very quickly, with the vast majority of users on the newest version. That's certainly not the case for Android users, as these stats show.
That could be down to one of the most popular aspects of Android, which is its ease-of-use - it doesn't nag you to update to the new version all the time, and you're not missing out on key features if you don't upgrade.
The fragmented user base of Android shows that it's okay to upgrade when you want to without the user experience being marred in any kind of way.
Saying that, Google should be raising eyebrows at the fact its newer updates aren't being taken up as enthusiastically as previous updates - it suggests users aren't too keen on the new features of each version.
Too many people consider too few options when thinking about changing their phone network. Lebara mobile was once primarily known as a good option for those interested in international calls and a contract-free approach. But things have moved on. Lebara is now a great fit for anyone who wants a good deal from their mobile network.
We’re bringing this up today because Lebara is currently running a brilliant Black Friday sale, offering 50 per cent off all its monthly fees for the first six months. And you can get that unbeatable discount whether you opt for a 12-month contract or a rolling 30-day plan you can easily leave at any time.
Right now we’d recommend signing up for a Lebara 12-month deal. This is still far shorter than many other mobile contracts, and the prices are extremely persuasive.
As mobile data hogs, we are immediately drawn to Lebara’s Unlimited Data deal. This offers uncapped data, unlimited calls and texts, and 100 international minutes, for just £11.25 per month in the initial 6-month period when you opt for a 12-month contract, or £12.50 for the first 6 months on 30-day rolling plans.
There’s no catch here, as Lebara provides the same coverage as Vodafone, and offers 5G on all its plans — you will of course need a 5G-ready phone too. Lebara doesn’t do mid-contract price increases, and there are no fees for roaming in the EU either. An unusual added extra, free roaming also extends to India.
And, unlike some alternatives, you get those 100 minutes a month for international calls. This covers 41 countries, including some that command high per-minute call costs from other networks, like Australia, Thailand and the United States.
If we were to choose a Lebara deal this Black Friday, it would probably be Unlimited Data.
More ways to spend even less
(Image credit: Lebara Mobile)
However, perhaps you want more international minutes than we do, want to spend less or don’t need unlimited data. For that we’d recommend Lebara’s 15GB data plan, which includes unlimited international calls as well as unlimited UK calls and texts.
It costs just £6.75 for the first six months as part of Lebara’s Black Friday deal. If you have friends and family members who live outside the UK who you want to call, and not simply over WhatsApp, the potential savings here are mind-blowing.
There are even cheaper options for those who don’t use their phone as much or want a second SIM to make the most of Lebara’s specific benefits. Its 2GB plan may be all you need, and costs £2.25 for the first six months with a 12-month plan, or £2.50 on rolling 30-day terms.
For the price of a supermarket sandwich you get 2GB mobile data, 1000 UK minutes, 1000 texts and 100 international minutes. You could end up paying more than this for a one-minute phone call to the US or Australia from another network.
Where’s the catch?
(Image credit: Lebara Mobile)
With prices this competitive you expect there to be a catch around the corner, but there isn’t. There’s no credit check, you can use your data for mobile hotspot tethering and you don’t have to commit to a 12-month contract if you don’t want to.
However, we’d advise you don’t hang around on this one. Have a browse through Lebara’s website before December 3, because that’s when the 50% off Black Friday discounts end. For the best deal, consider a 12-month plan as you get an additional 10% off — and this stacks on top of the Black Friday savings.
There will be a Christmas sale afterward, but we’ve been tipped off that the best savings are to be had during this Black Friday period.
The full details are available on the Lebara website, but can also sign up using the Lebara app, available for Android and iOS. This is a must-have once your Lebara SIM arrives as it lets you see how many minutes and megabytes are left on your monthly allowance.
No phone is immune to issues, and one issue that might be affecting your iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro is a lack of sound from the receiver when you make or receive a call.
Apple has determined that a small number of iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro handsets may have this issue, as a result of a component that might have failed on the receiver module.
The good news is that Apple has also announced that it will repair affected phones for free. So if it’s a problem your iPhone is suffering, then you can get it fixed at no cost.
To do so, you can send your iPhone to an Apple Authorized Service Provider, make an appointment at an Apple retail store, or arrange a mail-in service to the Apple Repair Center. Full instructions for all of those options are linked from Apple’s page detailing the sound issue.
It’s worth noting that according to Apple only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro are affected – not the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro Max, or any other model. The company also claims that only phones manufactured between October 2020 and April 2021 may be encountering this problem.
Of course, even if you bought your handset after April your phone could still be affected if it was manufactured earlier.
This free repair is available worldwide for two years from the purchase of the device, but Apple may restrict repairs to the country or region that it was purchased from – so if you now live in another country that could be a stumbling block.
Apple will also examine your iPhone prior to repairing it to confirm that it’s eligible, and if there are any other issues that affect the ability to repair the receiver, such as a cracked screen, then these will need to be fixed first. It sounds like the repair service will likely carry out these repairs too, but you may be charged for them.
(Image credit: Apple)
Analysis: another step towards making repairs painless
A free repair for a manufacturing fault isn’t unusual to see – after all, it’s Apple’s responsibility, but it’s still sure to be appreciated by those affected, and it comes hot on the heels of another repair initiative Apple unveiled.
The company recently announced that it would soon allow users to repair their own iPhones, which is handy for anyone who doesn’t want to send their phone off for repair.
You’ll soon be able to acquire replacement parts and tools from an official online store, and Apple will also supply manuals to help you carry out the repair. This could potentially save both time and money – and mean you’re never parted from your phone.
Of course, only those with the relevant technical skills should attempt their own repairs, but it’s a big step towards making iPhone repairs less annoying for folks who can't access Apple's network of Authorized Service Providers and less expensive if folks believe they can do fixes themselves.
Samsung on March 29 launched the Galaxy S8 and S8+, and the smartphones have already won over the tech media all around the globe. However, there are many that have been criticizing Samsung’s decision to stick with a single camera module, having 4GB of RAM and so on. But I feel Samsung S8 has more features in favour than against.
I am not a Samsung fanboy, but we have to accept that Samsung has done what we always wanted to see in Samsung smartphones. Be it a lighter version of the UI, removal of home button, much advanced AI, a Snapdragon 835 SoC, or anything else. Unlike to Apple, Samsung has actually made things better ('new') over the years.
When it comes to the Galaxy S8, there are tons of alluring features like the new immersive display, wireless charging, beautiful design, microSD support, and so on. There are still some features that have gone missing from many lists but are genuinely useful. I have listed the five ignored reasons to buy the Galaxy S8 apart from what we have already noticed.
When it comes to the Galaxy S8, there are tons of alluring features like the new immersive display, wireless charging, microSD support, beautiful design, and more. There are still some features that have gone missing from lists but are genuinely useful.
1/5 Invisible home button
If you have already taken a close view at the Galaxy S8, then you must be searching for the old-style home button seen on Samsung phones. So, if the display is taking up all the area and fingerprint sensor is moved to the back, then where’s the home button?
Most other smartphones without a home button come with on-screen buttons. To stand out of the crowd, Samsung buried a pressure sensitive sensor under the display. It gives a subtle vibrating response that feels like pressing a physical button, and trust me its not gimmicky.
2/5 Actually Useful Bixby virtual assistant
I know Samsung had a lost case in terms of smartphone software—S-voice is one of the examples of its gimmicky software. But Bixby is nothing like what we have seen in the past. It seems like the manufacturer has learnt from its mistake.
Bixby is based on a different concept when compared to Google Assistant, Microsoft’s Cortana and Apple’s Siri. Apart from acting as a knowledge bank for all of your questions, Bixby works as a helping hand for your in-phone actions. It actually understands what you are doing on your smartphone and which apps you are using, offering assistance within apps to help you fasten up your tasks by analyzing trends in your behaviour.
For instance, you can ask Bixby to send a video or picture you are looking at to anyone in your contacts without even leaving the app. This really helps in making the experience easier, and enhances multitasking.
3/5 It’s secure: Fingerprint, IRIS scanner and facial reco…
Like any Android smartphone, the Galaxy S8 also has basic level of security features like a pattern, pin, fingerprint. Taking it a notch higher, IRIS scanner is something that is the future of smartphone security. I agree that Microsoft has already introduced the feature in Lumia 950 and 950XL but it didn’t work that well.
Moreover, it has a new facial recognition feature that is being called gimmicky by many, but at least Samsung was brave enough to bring this feature in its flagship.
4/5 Samsung Pay in India
First of all, it is not something new when it comes to mobile payment options. But when it comes to India, Samsung Pay is the first such service to hit Indian shores. With a sudden emergence in the digital payment scene in India, this service is something that will be adopted by many in coming years. It is safe, easy to use and fast.
It lets Samsung smartphone users to pay for their transactions by waving the smartphone near a supported POS machine. This eliminates the use of card and keeps your payment information discreet.
5/5 It’s waterproof- IP68 certification
Once again, the feature is not limited only to Galaxy S8, and is added to many other smartphones including the latest iPhone 7. My point here is that Samsung has been pretty consistent with this feature, and I am glad it is used in the latest flagship as well. When you are spending hoards of cash on a smartphone, you do expect something like this. Keeping this fact in mind, I count this feature as a big reason that adds up to the value of this beautiful looking smartphone.
It sounds like the tech events of 2021 aren't all over yet; not only are the Xiaomi 12 and an unknown Motorola mobile rumored to be coming, but Honor has confirmed the day its next Android phone will debut is December 1.
The company shared on its official Weibo page (that's a Chinese social media platform) a teaser for the early-December event, and also confirmed the device would be the Honor 60, which is obviously the successor to the Honor 50.
The post mentions "dreams of the stars" and "stars all over the sky", and the video teaser uses lots of night-sky imagery; perhaps this refers to a cosmic-themed design, or astrophotography modes, or both.
Judging by the post on Weibo, this will be a China-only launch, where we'll only hear about availability and pricing in China, but the phone itself will likely come to other regions over time.
The Honor 50 did just this, and in fact it only debuted in Europe some weeks before this Honor 60 teaser. This might make it seem like the next device has been really rushed out, but in fact it's just that the Honor 50 took a while to come west.
If there's anything interesting shown off at the Honor 60 event, we'll make sure to bring it to you.
Analysis: will the Honor 60 make waves?
When it was Huawei's sub-brand, Honor used to make waves in Europe. Since leaving Huawei, despite making lots of progress in China, Honor has struggled to reclaim its old glory in the west.
The Honor 50 didn't solve that issue, possibly because its staggered launch made it hard to know when or where it was out.
Plus, the phone was good, but not great, and it perhaps wasn't priced competitively enough to make it really stand out in a crowded market.
It's early days for the company though, at least in its new skin, and it'll likely take a fair few lessons from the Honor 50 in designing the Honor 60. Hopefully we'll see something really impressive on December 1.
It sounds like the tech events of 2021 aren't all over yet; not only are the Xiaomi 12 and an unknown Motorola mobile rumored to be coming, but Honor has confirmed the day its next Android phone will debut is December 1.
The company shared on its official Weibo page (that's a Chinese social media platform) a teaser for the early-December event, and also confirmed the device would be the Honor 60, which is obviously the successor to the Honor 50.
The post mentions "dreams of the stars" and "stars all over the sky", and the video teaser uses lots of night-sky imagery; perhaps this refers to a cosmic-themed design, or astrophotography modes, or both.
Judging by the post on Weibo, this will be a China-only launch, where we'll only hear about availability and pricing in China, but the phone itself will likely come to other regions over time.
The Honor 50 did just this, and in fact it only debuted in Europe some weeks before this Honor 60 teaser. This might make it seem like the next device has been really rushed out, but in fact it's just that the Honor 50 took a while to come west.
If there's anything interesting shown off at the Honor 60 event, we'll make sure to bring it to you.
Analysis: will the Honor 60 make waves?
When it was Huawei's sub-brand, Honor used to make waves in Europe. Since leaving Huawei, despite making lots of progress in China, Honor has struggled to reclaim its old glory in the west.
The Honor 50 didn't solve that issue, possibly because its staggered launch made it hard to know when or where it was out.
Plus, the phone was good, but not great, and it perhaps wasn't priced competitively enough to make it really stand out in a crowded market.
It's early days for the company though, at least in its new skin, and it'll likely take a fair few lessons from the Honor 50 in designing the Honor 60. Hopefully we'll see something really impressive on December 1.
Ericsson is to acquire cloud-based communication specialist Vonage for €6.2 billion in a move that will allow it to bring more of its 5G expertise into the enterprise market and expand its service portfolio for businesses.
The deal is the largest ever made by Ericsson and builds on the $1.1 billion takeover of edge networking firm Cradlepoint last year.
The Swedish telecoms equipment manufacturer believes there is an opportunity for it to diversify revenues and to add value by integrating its 5G technology into Vonage’s cloud-based communication tools and services.
Cloud communications
Vonage offers cloud-based unified communications services to businesses but 80% of its annual $1.4 billion revenue comes from the Vonage Communications platform (CVP), which is used by 120,000 businesses.
The VCP offers APIs that allow developers to embed high quality communications, whether its text, voice or video, into their applications without the need to invest in infrastructure. Ericsson believes it can bring cellular connectivity and other technologies to this platform, enhancing the power of the tools that Vonage offers and allowing telcos to benefit from their investments in 5G through new services.
“The core of our strategy is to build leading mobile networks through technology leadership. This provides the foundation to build an enterprise business,” said Börje Ekholm, Ericsson CEO.
“The acquisition of Vonage is the next step in delivering on that strategic priority. Vonage gives us a platform to help our customers monetize the investments in the network, benefitting developers and businesses. Imagine putting the power and capabilities of 5G, the biggest global innovation platform, at the fingertips of developers.
“Today Network APIs are an established market for messaging, voice and video, but with a significant potential to capitalise on new 4G and 5G capabilities. Vonage’s strong developer ecosystem will get access to 4G and 5G network APIs, exposed in a simple and globally unified way. This will allow them to develop new innovative global offerings.
"Communication Service Providers will be able to better monetize their investments in network infrastructure by creating new API driven revenues. Finally, businesses will benefit from the 5G performance, impacting operational performance, and share in new value coming from applications on top of the network.”
The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of 2022.
