Apple's rumored iPhone 14 could face bigger hurdles than almost any iPhone that's come before it.

Between COVID lockdowns in Shanghai, one of Apple's major iPhone manufacturing hubs, and an ongoing silicon squeeze, Apple's next major iPhone release might be grappling with manufacturing and delivery delays - or maybe not.

Trusted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo noted on Thursday that in his latest channel checks "Apple has not changed the shipping plan for the iPhone 14 models since the Shanghai lockdown."

As recently as April 28, Apple CEO Tim Cook noted during an earnings call that the company was "still monitoring COVID-related disruptions in China," but added, "...almost all final assembly factories have restarted. Also encouraged that the COVID case count in Shanghai has decreased in recent days." 

The information also tracks with news coming out of Shanghai, where there are reports of the COVID surge decreasing and China easing some restrictions around what's often known as "iPhone City."

So, this potential update is good news for iPhone fans and those eagerly awaiting the iPhone 14 (assuming it's called that).

In the same tweet, Kuo noted that the iPhone 14 Max is "running behind," which might be a problem since the larger iPhones often outsell the baseline and smaller models. While Kuo offers no reason for the rumored delay, there is still the issue of silicon shortages. They have mostly impacted Apple's ability to stock iPads, and appear to have impacted iPad sales, as well.

Cook characterized the silicon shortage, during that same earnings call, by saying: "In today's world, [it's] not possible for us to have a buffer on silicon. It rolls off the fab into a final assembly very quickly."

There might, however, be a different looming force in the iPhone 14's future. Kuo added a second rather cryptic tweet to this mini-report: "I believe iPhone 14's challenges will come from the demand side instead of the supply side."

A reference to the "demand-side" can only mean consumers and their interest in the iPhone 14.

Kuo did not elaborate or answer us when we asked on Twitter if he assigns this demand issue to increase economic pressures. But since consumers drive demand, we have to look at what might dampen it.

Inflation, which is at roughly 8% in the US, is rising around the globe and with it could come some inevitable belt-tightening. A new iPhone 14 might cost you anywhere from $699/£555 to well over $1,000/£794 (or more), depending on the model and storage configuration.

Many people will pay for these phones at an amortized rate over the course of two or three years. But a new phone can add $40/£31 to $50/£39 to a monthly cell service bill. When consumers are paying roughly double what they did for gas a year or so ago, might they hold off on discretionary purchases like a new iPhone 14?

Trade-in deals will help, as will all the offers cell-service producers put in place as the iPhone 14 potentially rolls out in September through December, so that could cushion the blow, too.

There are many unknowns here. First is the existence of an iPhone 14 and its variants. Our belief now is that we'll have at least an iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max. But there might also be the new iPhone 14 Max, a new model with even better cameras. That one, which needs more new, bespoke components, could be the delayed device (if it arrives at all).

We also don't know about the long-term impact of the now-easing Shanghai factory shutdowns. The question here is can Apple make up for lost time in order to stay on track?

While Apple might have stockpiled some commodity-level components for future iPhones, it is clear that the company is now facing the same silicon struggles as anyone else. Apple has never said that this has any material impact on iPhone availability and perhaps it won't. Only time will tell.

This is everything we know so far about the iPhone 14.

The iOS app ecosystem helps contribute millions to the economy and supports thousands of jobs worldwide, new research from Apple has claimed.

The mobile giant has released two reports, one commissioned by the company, analysing the impact of the App Store on the overall economy. 

The reports, from the Analysis Group (commissioned by Apple) and Progressive Policy Institute, seek to challenge that narrative that Apple is abusing its dominance App Store at the cost of rivals and developers. 

App Store benefits

Epic Games and others have attempted to argue that Apple is violating antitrust and other laws by charging developers a 30% cut of each sale and in-app purchases, given that iOS does not allow for alternative methods of downloading apps. 

"The iOS app economy continued its track record as an engine of economic growth and opportunity in 2021, supporting more than 2.2 million jobs in the US and helping small businesses find more success than ever," says Apple. 

According to the report from the Analysis Group, revenue for smaller developers – those who earn under $1 million per year and have fewer than one million annual downloads – increased by 113% between 2019 and 2021 globally. In the US, that number was 118%. (The research excluded those with under 1,000 downloads.)

This isn't the first time Apple has released research on the app store. Earlier in April, Apple released a report, also from the Analysis Group, showing that its own apps are "rarely the most popular app of a particular type," seeking to challenge the narrative that Apple privileges its own apps. 

And back in June 2021, Apple released a similar report showing the App Store facilitated around $643 billion in bookings and sales globally during 2020, a 24% rise over the previous year. 

Changing the record 

While the provenance of these reports means they can't be taken at face value, Apple likely does have a point. 

The ease of downloading apps from the App Store, in the knowledge that someone at Apple has checked them, has opened up whole news worlds, aided by the quality of the iPhone as a tool. 

Whole industries, such as Instagram influencers and ride-hailing from an app, have grown in large part out of the iOS ecosystem. 

However, does Apple deserve to take 30% of those transactions? A lot of developers, big and small, would argue now – and that's the crux of the issue for Apple. 

While the company has had success against Epic in court, changes have been made to the App Store to let developers send viewers to outside websites to sign-up customers. 

• Upgrade your iPhone with the best iPhone apps

Qualcomm chief executive Cristiano Amon believes sales of high-end smartphones will be unaffected by any economic slowdown, telling the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that he sees room for growth even in the current climate.

Sales of smartphones slumped by 12.5% during 2020 as retailers closed their doors and consumers delayed purchases, however, the reopening of marketplaces and the availability of 5G handsets at more price points contributed to a 6% increase in 2021.

However ongoing challenges concerning component shortages, supply chain disruption, and lockdowns in China have conspired to threaten any further growth.

Smartphone sales

These issues have been compounded by wider macroeconomic and geopolitical factors affected the global economy, with the mobile industry fearing that consumers might postpone or abandon smartphone purchases.

Qualcomm is the market leader in smartphone chips but has a near-monopoly in the premium segment, supplying various components including processors and modems, to manufacturers. It is expanding its technological capabilities and entering new areas like augmented reality (AR).

Amon said that the maturity of the smartphone market meant that there was limited scope for growth, the pandemic had elevated the role of connectivity and mobile technology, meaning there was a demand for more advanced handsets and new features.

“People are looking to have better phones, with more capabilities,” Amon is quoted as saying. “Those are things that may keep the mobile market stable even in the face of inflation and with the risk of a slowdown.”

There is some strength to the argument, given prospective buyers of premium devices might be less affected by the rising cost of living, while premium handsets have been more insulated from the shortage of components.

However, despite Qualcomm’s optimism, Bloomberg reports that Apple plans to keep iPhone production levels static in 2022, asking suppliers to assemble around 220 million devices this year.

Industry observers believe the second half of 2022 will offer more favourable conditions to all manufacturers but Apple, the world’s second largest, will benefit from high brand loyalty and the launch of the iPhone 14 later this year, which is expected to be more of a technological leap forward than the current flagship model.

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Via Reuters

For a while it was looking like Samsung might have some major foldable phone competition this year, with its upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 having the Google Pixel Fold to compete with, but now that looks unlikely to be the case.

According to The Elec, Google has delayed the launch of the Pixel Fold. Apparently, the company had planned to launch it in the fourth quarter of this year, so a delay presumably means it won’t land until 2023, but the report doesn’t get that specific.

The site claims that according to “people familiar with the matter” the delay is simply down to the Pixel Fold “not being as complete as Google wishes.”

It’s not really clear what they mean by that, but with a foldable phone essentially being a whole new product type, complete with tricky aspects – notably the foldable screen itself, and the hinge – it’s likely that some part of the device isn’t as polished as Google would like.

Samsung’s current lead in the foldable market is partially down to a willingness to release unpolished products in the first couple of generations, but it seems like Google isn’t willing to do that, and with more competition than Samsung had when it entered the market, that’s probably a wise choice.

Still, this is just one source claiming that the Google Pixel Fold has been delayed, so there’s still a chance that we’ll see it this year.

Analysis: we saw this coming

While we’d take this delay claim with a pinch of salt, it’s very believable, in fact it’s something that we recently predicted.

During Google IO 2022, the company seemingly either announced or teased just about everything it has planned for the year, including distant products like the Google Pixel 7. In fact, the company even gave a first look at the Pixel Tablet – a slate that won’t be launched before 2023.

Yet the Pixel Fold was nowhere to be seen, which led to the obvious conclusion that this foldable phone is a long way from launch. So if you want a foldable this year, Samsung’s upcoming offerings are likely to be the best options.

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Via GSMArena

If you don't really understand why camera phones need to have 108MP or even 200MP sensors, when your old iPhone with a 12MP camera was just fine, then Samsung has a video you should watch. If you're a cat fan it might be worth a glance too.

Samsung has shared a video about its new 200MP camera sensor - this was announced in late 2021 but hasn't been used in a smartphone so far. Maybe Samsung is gearing up to use it in the Galaxy S23 line, judging by the existence of this new advert.

This video teaches us the usefulness of its new sensor in the best possible way: with cats. We see a team of engineers use the ISOCELL HP1, as it's called, to photograph some fluffy little cats, before one such shot is blown up to massive proportions for a billboard picture.

The message behind this is pretty clear: 200MP pictures are high-res enough to be turned into giant billboard images. Of course, not many people actually want to take pictures that are this big, but at least the messaging makes sense.

Analysis: cats

Lots of the time, when tech companies unveil new components like camera sensors, chipsets or neural processing units, the gadgets are way too techy to make sense to the average person.

That's why Samsung is using cats in its videos: it gives us something cute to look at, and shows in easy terms why some people might find a 200MP sensor useful.

Xiaomi did the same back in 2019 when it unveiled the Mi Note 10, the first smartphone with a 108MP camera - during the launch event it wheeled out a massive picture of a cat that was shot on the device.

Admittedly the shot that Samsung chose to blow up on the billboard is a bit of a weird one - the cat looks rather squished - but we're still happy because we like cats. 

Rumors suggest Motorola is launching a 200MP camera phone in July 2022, and Samsung is expected to debut one before too long too, since it makes the sensors - given Xiaomi's precedent for using the highest-megapixel cameras possible, it likely won't be far behind either. So hopefully soon every street in every city will be lined with cat billboards.

• How to use Single Take mode on Samsung phones

It sounds like the iPhone 14 is going to bring a fair few changes from the iPhone 13, something we're all for, and one thing I'd love to see is an Always-On Display... if Apple can crack something that Android manufacturers seemingly can't.

An Always-On Display - or an AOD, as the feature is commonly shortened to - is a feature that shows some important pieces of information on your phone's display when it's not in use. Generally, this means the time, the battery percentage, and any new notifications that you need to see.

The vast majority of Android manufacturers offer phones with this feature, and it's something that even Apple does support in its newer Apple Watches, though currently neither iPhones nor iPads offer if.

But if the next iPhone does support this useful tool, Apple will need to learn from Android makers.

The Always-On gambit

When they work well, Always-On Displays can be pretty useful - when they don't, they can be an irritating feature that I've come to quickly deactivate. So far, I don't think I've tested a phone that does it just right.

I've tested ones that are good. Google Pixel phones, for example, have a useful feature so that if you tap on a notification icon, you can see some extra information - this saves you from having to unlock your phone to see if that WhatsApp message is an important communique from your mom, or just the nth comment in a busy and boring group chat.

Lots of AODs offer some great customization too - the Oppo Find X5 Pro and OnePlus 10 Pro let you create line drawings based on portrait pictures, then use these sketches as your always-on display. Most other phone brands also let you put images, either your own photos or ones from a pre-designated list, to create a distinctive AOD.

But there are lots of problems that certain AODs face. They can increase battery drain quite significantly on certain phones, and I've also faced issues on loads of devices where they sometimes fail to load all the time.

So far there hasn't been a good mix between functionality and aesthetics, and for an AOD to be perfect, it needs to be both. That's where Apple could step in.

The iPhone 14 Always-On Display

Apple has shown a clear focus on software functionality in the last few years, introducing widgets in iOS 14 and actually making them useful sometime later. But design has also been important: consider iPadOS, which was a spin on iOS that makes the interface better designed for larger tablet screens, and the introduction of system-wide dark mode to Apple's devices.

If Apple could dip into both these points of interest, it could design an Always-On Display that looks good and works well - is that too much to ask?

There's no certainty that Apple is looking to introduce an Always-On Display to the iPhone 14, despite display tech changes making it much more plausible. But it is a surprising area where Apple hasn't caught up to Android makers, due to the (potential) usefulness of the feature, so we'd like to see it soon... if Apple can crack the code.

• iPhone 14 leak points to a price bump – but for a good reason

The leaks continue for Samsung’s upcoming smartphone, the Galaxy Z Fold4. This time, notable Android tipster Ice universe on Twitter revealed that the phone’s screen is slated to have a less prominent crease.

Ice universe claims the crease will still be there to some extent when the phone is unfolded, but at least it’ll be better than before and somewhat smoother. It may surprise you to hear that the crease on the Fold4 phone is such a big deal that a prominent leaker would talk about it as if it were a new feature. The thing is, the crease has been plaguing Samsung's Fold phones since the first iteration.

A consistent problem

The original Galaxy Fold launched with a plastic cover protecting the main screen, which had a very prominent crease. An annoying glare would come from the crease, regardless if you were using the phone inside or outside. Samsung has been working on fixing this design flaw but has yet to fully overcome it.

The Galaxy Z Fold3, for example, got rid of the plastic covering and replaced it with Samsung’s own Ultra-Thin Glass. The hinge was also improved upon as it was made to be more durable than before. Despite the improvements, the crease is still there, if not as noticeable.

It’s not like this issue is impossible to solve, either. Chinese tech company Oppo launched a phone in China that completely eliminated the crease. And if you go back a little further, you’ll find Motorola’s 2019 Razr phone accomplished the same task thanks to a clever hinge design.

Judging by previous release dates, the Galaxy Z Fold 4 is expected to arrive sometime during late summer 2022, so there’s still time for changes to be made and then subsequently leaked.

A year of leaks

We've seen a steady flow of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 leaks throughout 2022, and things have only ramped up as we get closer to the expected launch date. TechRadar has a curated list of all of the leaks that have occurred this past year. They describe a foldable device with a 7.56-inch main screen and a 6.19-inch cover screen. The phone may also sport the same 10MP optical zoom camera found on the Samsung Galaxy S22.

Hopefully, Samsung can figure out the creasing problem in time for the official launch, so we don’t have to deal with an annoying line down the middle. 

If you’re interested in learning about other foldable phones, TechRadar has a best of 2022 list.

After the powerful mini mobile that was the Xiaomi 12, we're already looking to see what the future may hold: and unless mathematics fundamentally changes in the next few months, it's likely the Xiaomi 13 which is up next.

Unlucky for some? Not really, as four is the number deemed as bad luck in China, where Xiaomi is from.

We don't know too much about this phone just yet, as there are plenty of Xiaomi phones we're expecting to see before it, including the Xiaomi 12 Ultra, Xiaomi 12T and plenty of Redmi and Poco devices too.

But as the next true flagship handset from the company, the Xiaomi 13 is naturally where our thoughts are drifting, especially because it'll be a big competitor to the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone 14.

This article is where we'll list any big leaks or rumors when they occur, but before any of those show up, we're also going to post a wish-list of what we want to see in the Xiaomi 13.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next flagship Xiaomi phone
• When is it out? Either late 2022 or early 2023
• How much will it cost? Several premium phones at different prices

Xiaomi 13 release date and price

Xiaomi often launches its new flagship phones at the end of the year in China, but waits until February or March before making them available worldwide - and that's just for the 'main' phone, with Lite and Ultra versions often launched later.

For that reason, it's hard to pin down a vague release window for the phones, let alone a more concrete release date - but we'll likely start to hear leaks that give us more information before too long.

Because Xiaomi's phones come in a family, there will be a range of mobiles hitting various price points. You can expect a Lite version for budget users, a 13T series towards the end of 2023 at a mid-range price, and the Xiaomi 13, 13 Pro and 13 Ultra will likely all be premium handsets, with the Ultra touting a super-high price.

Xiaomi 13 news and leaks

We haven't heard many leaks about the Xiaomi 13... but we have heard some.

The key one so far is that a fan website called Xiaomiui has found model numbers for four upcoming Xiaomi flagships (two of which are Chinese versions of the other two) - it claims these are for the Xiaomi 13 and Xiaomi 13 Pro, and further suggests that the discovery of these model numbers suggests that the handsets will be launching sooner than expected.

We're not entirely convinced that these are for the Xiaomi 13 series, or at least that the devices will launch early - that wouldn't give the Xiaomi 12T series enough time to breathe - but it shows that excitement is growing for the new series.

What we want to see in the Xiaomi 13

Here's our wishlist for the Xiaomi 13, looking at previous phones from the company and other things going on in the mobile industry.

1. A telephoto lens

Xiaomi tries to position its phones as being champions for photography and videography, but the lack of a telephoto lens really hampers their chops in these departments.

Telephoto lenses are generally used for zoom photography, but they're also great because they create a more attractive depth effect, and also let you close the distance to subjects without having to move. Both these reasons are just as important for filming as they are photographing.

While Xiaomi sometimes does pack telephoto lenses in its top-end phones, the standard Xiaomi 12 didn't get one, and Lite and T versions usually don't either. But we'd like to see Xiaomi commit to more widespread use of zoom lenses to really give its phones a chance at competing with the Samsung Galaxy S series.

2. A lower minimum price

Xiaomi offers Lite versions of its flagships for people who can't afford the pricier family members, but it doesn't launch them at the same time. You're often left waiting months for a budget alternative, and usually about six months for the T version, which is a mid-range spin on the flagship.

To give phone fans on a budget something to buy straight away, we'd like to see the standard Xiaomi 13 start for less than the $749 / £749 that the Xiaomi 12 started at. It's okay if that's a Xiaomi 13X (there was a 12X but it didn't go on sale globally) - we just want a mid-range phone to tide us over until the T series.

3. Cleaner software

We've moaned about Xiaomi's MIUI Android fork since recorded history began, and though fixes have been made (and Xiaomi is no longer the worst offender), the smartphone operating system still isn't perfect.

One issue we have is bloatware, as the company's phones usually have a few pre-installed third-party apps that you generally end up deleting. The other issue is that the phones can often have quite buggy software, with functions crashing or breaking more frequently than they do on rival phones.

For the Xiaomi 13 to be a true flagship that rivals the Galaxies and iPhones of the world, Xiaomi needs to make MIUI a premium operating system that's clean, has useful extra features and doesn't fall apart all the time.

4. Continued design improvements

The Xiaomi 12 was the first flagship from Xiaomi that could really catch the eye - it had a softly-textured rear, came in lovely pastel colors and utilized a two-tone design that made for an appealing look.

We'd like to see Xiaomi continue this trend of making attractive smartphones, perhaps with some bolder color choices (we're always fans of red or gold devices), or with a redesigned camera bump that made more of a statement.

5. A simultaneous launch

While the Xiaomi 12 series launched in China in December 2021, it was only months later that it went on sale in the rest of the world - by that time, the hype had died down for the phone after its initial debut.

Xiaomi isn't the only company which launches early in China, and it's not the only company which suffers due to this derailing of the hype train.

That's especially the case with Xiaomi trying harder and harder to be a bigger player in the phones space - Huawei only became a giant when it realized it needs to debut its product with a big fanfare for the entire world, not just for one region.

With that in mind, we'd like to see the Xiaomi 13 launched, and released, for all regions of the world in one go - like how Samsung and Apple operate. We don't want to be bored of the phone before it ever goes on sale.

• What are Xiaomi phones? A brief overview of the company and its smartphones

If you were hoping to buy an iPhone 14 or one of its siblings during the usual September launch window, you might be in for a challenge, as it’s possible that one or more models could either be delayed or only initially available in small numbers.

That’s because, according to a Nikkei Asia report, Apple’s Chinese component suppliers have fallen behind schedule, due to Covid lockdowns.

Apple is now apparently trying to make up for lost time by asking suppliers to speed up their processes, but according to “multiple sources with direct knowledge of the matter” we could see the manufacturing schedule and initial production volumes of the iPhone 14 line be affected.

Currently, all four iPhone 14 models are apparently in the engineering verification test (EVT) phase, and if they were on schedule they’d be done with this phase by the end of June, but reportedly at least one model is around three weeks behind schedule.

It sounds like Apple is trying its best to get things back on track, but if the company fails, then at least one model might launch late or in more limited quantities.

Analysis: get your orders in early

Based on this news it sounds like it could be worth putting in your pre-order as soon as it’s possible to do so, since that might lessen any possible delay in getting the iPhone 14.

That said, it’s possible that this information is wrong, or that Apple will manage to make up for lost time. And if not, waiting a few extra weeks probably isn’t the end of the world, especially if Apple puts the phones in reviewers' hands on schedule, as you’ll be able to see just how good the iPhone 14 line really is before parting with your cash.

That’s all the more significant since the iPhone 14 line might be slightly more expensive than the iPhone 13 line – so you’ll want to be very sure that they’re actually worth buying.

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Via GSMArena

If you've been thinking about buying the official Google Pixel 6 phone case, you may want to reconsider for the time being, as users are reporting some pretty serious issues in regards to the case's quality. Those include rapid yellowing and warping, while some users claim it doesn't even fit the phone out of the box.

The Verge reports that owners of the Pixel 6 are taking to sites like Reddit and Amazon to share their grievances about the quality of the official case. Some of these posts have gained a good amount of traction, including complaints about the rapid yellowing of the case and Amazon reviews stating the case has become warped.

Worse still are the reports of the case not fitting the phone at all, even brand new out of the box.

TechRadar staff writer Hamish Hector hasn't escaped some of these issues, either. As an owner of the official Google Pixel 6 phone case, he writes: "When I bought my Pixel 6 I also ordered the official case and I’ve had them both since just after the phone launched at the end of October last year. 

I have the black case and can’t tell if it’s turning yellow or picking up dirt, but it is definitely starting to warp around where the power and volume buttons are. It’s nothing too major right now, but disappointing for sure especially as it’s from the same people that make the phone."

A bad case for a great phone

While we were fans of the Pixel 6 in our review of Google's latest flagship smartphone, citing its affordability and excellent camera as reasons to buy, it's a shame that the official case hasn't been up to the same level of quality.

It's especially disappointing considering the case isn't exactly cheap. At $30 / £25 / around AU$42, it's pricier than unofficial cases that are even sturdier, such as the Caseology Vault, which we've included in our list of the best Google Pixel 6 cases you can buy.

It's worth noting that not every official Google Pixel 6 case will face the issues outlined above. But for the time being, we'd recommend erring on the side of caution and opt for a more reliable unofficial case. Either that, or potentially wait for Google to release an updated version. 

However, at present, there's no guarantees as to whether or not the tech giant will plan to release an updated case. We do think Google should consider it, though, especially as the official case carries the Google name and branding. As a company that's no stranger to making high-quality products, we feel it's in its best interests to address the current issues that some Pixel 6 owners are having with the official case.

• Love Google phones? Here's everything we know about the Google Pixel 7

The Samsung Galaxy S line is made up of largely fantastic phones, but one issue that has long affected them is the use of a different chipset in different parts of the world, with one of those chipsets inevitably being weaker. Now though, it looks like Samsung might finally be addressing that issue.

According to Naver (a South Korean news site), Samsung is creating a "dream team" of around 1000 employees to build a chipset designed specifically for Galaxy smartphones.

Now, this apparently won’t be ready in time for the Samsung Galaxy S23 or even the Galaxy S24, but supposedly the resources required in developing this new chipset means Samsung won’t make Exynos chipsets for those phones, relying purely on Qualcomm Snapdragon ones worldwide.

In other words, every model of the Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 might have a Snapdragon chipset, rather than some regions getting Snapdragon and others getting a Samsung-made Exynos one, as we’re seeing with the Samsung Galaxy S22 line.

This custom chipset then would apparently be complete in 2025, so possibly in time for the Samsung Galaxy S25. It’s not totally clear whether we’d then see another chipset split with the launch of this, but this isn’t the first we’ve heard of Samsung building a custom chipset.

Around a week earlier another report said similar, noting that the decision was a response to the poor thermal management of both the Exynos 2200 and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipsets, which suggests Samsung would look to only offer this custom model once it’s ready.

Of course, this is just a rumor for now, but it’s a promising one. Samsung’s Exynos chipsets tend to perform worse than comparable Snapdragon ones, so a move to Snapdragon everywhere for a couple of years would benefit buyers who are usually lumbered with Exynos.

Then, if this custom chipset is as good as Samsung must be hoping, we might see the Galaxy S25 onwards have a better chipset than any other Android phone.

Analysis: The Exynos difference

You might be wondering how this new chipset will be any different from an Exynos one. After all, Samsung already makes Exynos chipsets and sticks them in its phones. But the difference is that while those are used in Galaxy phones, they’re also offered to other phone makers, so they’re designed to be general purpose.

This new chipset meanwhile would be built from the ground up for Galaxy smartphones, a bit like what Apple does for its A-series chipsets.

Then again, the fact that Samsung’s general-purpose chipsets can’t typically match Qualcomm’s, even when stuck in a Samsung phone, suggests it might be worth keeping your expectations in check.

• Check out the best Samsung phones

Via SamMobile

It’s time for Apple’s lightning port to die. You know it, I know it, and Apple knows it.

Nobody likes change, even though change is a fundamental, almost DNA-level part of technology and innovation. However, a decade after Apple unveiled the lighting port and associated cables with the iPhone 5, we’re ready for a more universally accepted port and plug.

The lightning port is now a decade old and its introduction on September 12, 2012, was met with a similar concern. You see, the tiny 8-pin connector was elbowing aside Apple’s much wider (and widely-used) 30-pin connector that predated the introduction of the iPhone.

An entire industry was built around that connector. If you owned an iPod of any generation right up to the iPod touch 5th Generation, you probably also had a dock, possibly from Griffin, that connected to big speakers. It was not uncommon to walk into someone’s house and pop your iPod or iPhone into their speaker dock to fill a party with the prog-rock sounds of your personal playlist.

End of another port era

News of Apple discontinuing the 30-pin connector was met with alarm. We all owned multiple 30-pin charging cables and accessories.

When the iPhone 5 shipped in 2012, Apple did its best to assuage concerns by offering a free 30-pin connector-to-lighting port plug adapter. I still have a few in my drawer.

Accessory manufacturers were a little less panicked than users. They were still selling speakers, docks, third-party charging cables, and adapters to millions of legacy iPhone, iPad, and iPod owners.

Perhaps being more prescient than others. Logitech told WiredUK at the time, “You can still find Logitech speaker dock products in retail that work with older Apple devices, but we're getting ready for a wireless Christmas.” In other words, Logitech foresaw the rapid rise of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi-enabled audio. Wireless charging, however, was still not a thing.

A necessary change

Apple’s reasoning for dropping the 30-pin connector was obvious back then. First, a plug with no moving parts would be cheaper and easier to manufacture. Also, the company was making more powerful devices and needed to cut down the number of charge-and connectivity-related components to make room for, for instance, larger batteries and other more useful components (better and more powerful A-series chips, more sensitive and sophisticated haptics, and far more powerful, larger, and high-resolution screens). Maybe Apple just wanted to make space for the NFC contactless payment technology.

If and when Apple does kill the lightning port, though, the reasons will not entirely revolve around technology considerations.

As I write this, the European Union is pressuring Apple to stop using its proprietary charging system, which requires the proprietary lighting cable. This is not because the EU prefers USB-C, but because doing so would potentially cut down on E-Waste. While the EU’s measure is not binding and Apple “expressed concern,” I suspect Apple will fall into line within one or two iPhone update cycles. Rumors now point to a USB-C port not on the iPhone 14, but maybe for the iPhone 15.

I do think it’s possible that Apple could surprise us and introduce the USB-C port on one iPhone 14 model, maybe the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Whatever Apple does, though, our world will not come crashing down around us because Apple discontinued the lighting port.

We'll survive

First of all, we survived Apple sunsetting the 30-pin connector. I recall there being something approaching panic before, during, and directly after the iPhone 5 launch, but it subsided quickly. We had our old cables if we still wanted to use them with old devices, but our new ones shipped with new cables (and adapters – those were the days). Plus, the iPhone 5 sold out within days of launch. I guess we all decided back then we could live with the change.

In short order, we had just as many excess lighting cables as we once did 30-pin connector ones. Soon, we were discovering that while these cables were lighter and easier to carry, they were no less prone to wear and tear than the previous cables. Have you ever seen a lighting port cable “turtle neck”? You know, when the cable sheath starts to break down and bunch up right before the business end of the cable? Or maybe you’ve seen the collar that sits right behind the 8-pin plug crack.

Right, these plugs are not some precious things we need to cherish and protect.

The lighting cable and port (oh, yes, the port that often gets so stuffed with dust and debris that you can no longer charge your phone without first digging out the muck) have had their time.

What Logitech presaged back in 2012, the wireless future has come to pass not just for audio, backup, and data transfers. Current (iPhone 13) and future iPhones will feature wireless charging, MagSafe-style. Maybe we should be asking ourselves if future iPhones even need a port. Apple is clearly already asking that question.

When Apple does introduce its first USB-C  iPhone, followed by the iPad, you should welcome the change. Not only will the port open up some new fast-charging capabilities, but you will notice that the cables you have for any number of other gadgets produced within the last five years now also work with your new iPhone.

This is a win, so get over it.

Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom are exploring how wind can power 5G mobile sites in order to reduce emissions and help operators cope with soaring power costs.

The site in Dittenheim in Bavaria has been part powered by 12 square metres of solar panels for more than a year. Now the two companies have added a wind turbine capable of providing up to 5 kilowatts of additional power.

The combination of the two sustainable power sources means the site can theoretically run independently of its connection to the conventional electrical power grid, so long as weather conditions allow.

Wireless power

The power system is integrated into the same management system as Ericsson’s radio access network (RAN) equipment which simplifies the installation and control process, with the software driving automation, reducing the risk of hazards, and allowing for the optimum use of energy saved in batteries.

Moving forward, the partners will add additional capabilities and ways to store excess energy and explore how fuel cells can replace the need for emergency diesel generators.

“At Ericsson, we are committed to working with our customers to support them in cutting their carbon emissions,” said Heather Johnson, vice president for sustainability and corporate responsibility at Ericsson. “This partnership is a great example of how we’re achieving this through our best-in-class energy efficient equipment, which can be operated entirely with renewable energy.”

Even before the recent rise in energy prices, mobile operators have been looking at ways to make their networks more efficient in order to minimise the impact of rising data consumption and fulfil sustainability commitments. Renewable energies are critical in this endeavour, although 5G itself is a more power-efficient standard by design.

A recent report from the GSMA found the mobile industry had made significant process in decoupling data traffic from electricity use and carbon emissions, with 62% of the sector set to reduce emissions by the end of this decade. Furthermore, half of the industry has committed to reaching net zero by 2050 of earlier.

• If your tests are showing a slow connection you should check out the best 5G phones 

The arrival of the iPhone 14 may see Apple finally taking its selfie cameras seriously – but it could come at a price that puts off some buyers.

That's according to Korean news site ET News, which has published the latest in a series of reports on the Apple supply chain, looking at the camera modules Apple is said to be using for the front-facing snapper.

There's a lot to dig into here. Apparently, Apple has ditched the manufacturer it was originally planning to use for these components, and will instead use LG Innotek, which was slated to produce the front cameras for the iPhone 15 range. 

At the same time, Apple has decided to designate this camera as a 'high-end' component, where previously they were regarded by the company as 'low-end' ones.

It's not clear what change LG's stewardship will actually bring to the camera – maybe the sensor will have a higher resolution or be physically larger, or perhaps the lens will see some improvements in a bid from Apple to improve the performance.

All this sounds great for fans of selfies – Apple is seemingly taking the front camera more seriously, and is using parts in the iPhone 14 that were destined for future iPhones. Not only that, but the report says these parts mean the front-facing cameras will facilitate autofocus, something Apple's selfie snappers haven't previously supported. 

We can get behind this, as iPhones haven't always been the best for selfies. But it also sounds like there's a catch.

According to the ET News report, the front-facing camera modules that are now going to be used in the iPhone 14 cost about three times more than the equivalent parts used in the iPhone 13 – that's a cost that will likely be passed onto customers, meaning the mobile could be a bit more expensive than we expected.

With the iPhone 14 still some months away, we'll have to wait until the launch (likely in mid-September) to find out if the phone does indeed get a big selfie camera upgrade, and if that's reflected in the price.

Analysis: not the only upgrade

Not only is the iPhone 14's front-facing camera supposedly getting an improvement, but we've been hearing about a redesign in this area too.

Lots of rumors and renders suggest that the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Plus, which would be the two top-end models of the four-phone family going on past form, won't have notches like previous iPhones - as previous renders show - but will instead have punch-hole cut-outs to house their front-facing cameras, as many Android phones have.

We assumed that this change was being made in order to make the iPhones look more attractive – notches are very dated – but perhaps it's to facilitate new sensors or lenses too, and if Apple really has changed the designation of its front-facing cameras from low- to high-priority components, we're all for it.

Street View is turning 15 years old and to celebrate Google is updating the smartphone version of the feature.

From today you can boot up the Street View app on your iPhone or Android smartphone and you’ll be able to look back through Google’s archive. Don't have it installed? You can find it on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store

Just like time traveling with Street View on the PC, start by dropping into the location you want to see a past version of. Then, at the bottom of your screen look for the pull-out menu bar and you should see “See more dates” at the top of it.

Click on this and you can scroll back to various points in time – though be warned that for some places your options will be a lot more limited than others. 

It all depends on how many times the Street View recording equipment passed through the location. For busy areas it could be over a dozen times, while a small lane in the middle of the countryside might have only been traveled along once.

Celebrate Street View turning 15 

While you might not want to throw a piece of software a birthday party, there are other ways to celebrate Street View turning 15. Namely, using it to explore some amazing places.

You can visit the White House while it’s all decorated for Christmas, or take a stroll around Japanese landmarks while the cherry blossom is in bloom. For a more unique mode of transport, hop on a boat and visit a Floating Market in Thailand; or dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

Bored of Earth? Take a trip up to the International Space Station.

You could also take a trip into the past using the time travel feature. While some locations have been recorded more than others, a lot of spots have at least a couple of times you can travel between, so you can reminisce about what they used to look like.

If exploring aimlessly isn’t your style, why not challenge your geography skills in a game of Geoguessr instead. This third-party website places you in a random spot on the planet using Google Map’s Street View, but doesn’t tell you where.

It’s your job to use your geography and language skills to identify local landmarks, signs, flora, and fauna to accurately guess where in the world you are. There are even game modes where you can face off against other Geogussr players.

While it can take some practice to get good, we have a few early game tips. 

For starters, you can try to work out which side of the road you’re driving on, and also where the sun is relative to you. In the Northern Hemisphere the sun will be south of you, and to the north of you in the Southern Hemisphere. Brushing up on your flags and alphabets is handy, too – you don’t need to become fluent in Korean or Arabic, but being able to recognize their alphabets will help.

You could also check out some other cool Google Maps tricks. We have a guide that’ll teach you about five things you didn’t know Google Maps could do. And when you’re done with that, be sure to check out our follow-up that teaches you about five more hidden Google Maps features.