The Samsung Galaxy S23 may now be one of the most secure smartphones around after the company released a new security tool that aims to protect users from zero-click attacks: those that don't require a victim's input.

The new Message Guard service will be available only on Samsung Galaxy S23 devices for now, covering threats seen in Samsung Messages and Messages by Google. 

Images in zero-click exploits contain malicious code that, on receipt, give the attackers access to the device. It's so surreptitious that, in theory, the victim could be asleep when the image is received, and all their data could be exfiltrated by the time they wake up in the morning.

Samsung Message Guard

In a blog post announcing Message Guard , Samsung noted such attacks have already been uncovered in the Apple ecosystem, when threat actors managed to compromise an endpoint by simply sending an image via SMS. 

While there's currently no evidence of such attacks being perpetrated on Android devices, Samsung believes that a pre-emptive strike is best.

Explaining how the feature works, Samsung described Message Guard as an “advanced ‘sandbox’, or a kind of virtual quarantine. 

“When an image file arrives, it is trapped and isolated from the rest of the device," Samsung explained. "This prevents malicious code from accessing your phone’s files or interacting with its operating system." 

"Samsung Message Guard checks the file bit by bit and processes it in a controlled environment to ensure it cannot infect the rest of your device,” Samsung explained.

The feature is turned on by default on all Samsung Galaxy S23 devices, so no interaction by the users is required. Samsung also said that the feature runs “silently and largely invisibly in the background”.

The company confirmed that the feature will make it to older Samsung phones (all models sporting One UI 5.1 or higher), as well as other text messaging apps later in 2023.

• Here's the best malware protection right now

The rumored iPhone 15 Ultra is expected to be Apple's priciest phone so far, but even that flagship will be dwarfed by the price an unopened, original iPhone has just achieved at auction – a record $63,356 (around £52,635 / AU$91,630).

Before you go rummaging through your drawers, the key to that high price was that the auctioned iPhone was "factory sealed", which means that even its cellophane wrapping is still intact. This is a big deal to collectors, which meant someone was willing to shell out the price of a Tesla Model 3 ($42,990 / £42,990 / AU$64,300) with enough spare to throw in a Subaru Impreza. 

A similar original iPhone sample was sold at auction in October 2022 for $39,339 (around £32,680 / AU$56,890), which means that their value is rising sharply. Back in 2007, a first-generation iPhone 8GB would have cost $599 – that means its price has risen by more than 105 times.

According to Business Insider, the phone's original owner Karen Green (a cosmetic tattoo artist) was given the phone in 2007 as a gift for starting a new job. There was just one problem; at the time, iPhones were tied to AT&T, and Green already had three phone lines tied to Verizon. So she left the phone unopened on a shelf for years.

A few years ago, Green heard about the rising prices of original iPhones and went on a daytime TV show called Doctor & the Diva to get it valued, where it was estimated to be worth $5,000. Since then, the prices of factory-sealed iPhones have sky-rocketed, hitting the $30k mark last year and now going for double that.

Naturally, the LCG auction house that sold this record-setting iPhone thinks prices will continue to rise. Its listing says that these types of examples are "widely regarded as a blue-chip asset amongst high-end collectors" and that "many believe the space is still in its infancy". Considering the prices achieved by other pieces of retro technology, like the Leica O-Series, it may well be right.

Analysis: Expensive, but far from the priciest

A combination of significance and rarity is a formula that sets auction houses ablaze – and while a factory-sealed original iPhone ticks both boxes, it's far from the priciest example of retro Apple technology.

An original Apple 1 computer, for example, was sold for $442,118 in December 2022, while just a few months earlier a prototype sold for nearly $700,000. Part of the reason for these incredible prices is that Apple made only 200 versions of the Apple-1, with only about 175 ever sold.

But even these holy grails of computing pale in comparison to a recent record set by vintage camera. In June 2022, the Leica-O stunned the photographic world by selling for a world record $15.1 million, which was almost five times its high estimate. Understandably, this made it the most expensive camera ever made.

That example was one of only 23 prototypes made by Ernst Leitz Wetzlar (the ultimate founder of Leica) and was apparently also the personal camera of Oskar Barnack, who invented the 35mm Leica camera. So until an original iPhone that was also the main phone used by Steve Jobs is discovered, the record for Apple phones could stay at the relatively lowly mark of $63,356.

If you're feeling dispirited that you didn't hold onto your original iPhone, you can lift your spirits by reading our Apple iPhone review from 2007 – which gave it four stars and concluded that "it could do more".

OnePlus officially lifted the lid on its OnePlus 11 flagship earlier this month, but the company also used the phone’s global launch event to tease the arrival of what is expected to be an alternative version of the same device.

Now, OnePlus has given us a better look at the cryptically-named One Plus 11 Concept ahead of its own global unveiling at MWC Barcelona on February 27 – and suffice to say, it looks more like a water-cooled gaming PC than a phone. 

Although appearing to resemble the standard OnePlus 11 in terms of basic dimensions (you can read our thoughts on the phone’s retro design in our full OnePlus 11 review), the One Plus 11 Concept adds both an illuminated squiggly line that zigzags across the device’s rear and a slightly larger camera cutout. 

OnePlus is calling this LED-based, Nothing Phone 1-esque rear design the “Flowing Back”, which we expect is intended to accentuate the standard OnePlus 11’s impressive gaming credentials. Once we’ve spent more time with the newly released flagship, it’ll almost certainly earn a spot on our list of the best gaming phones, owing to its 120Hz display, extremely fast 100W charging and Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor.

It’s hard to make out the Concept’s camera setup from the two images (and cryptic teaser clip) OnePlus has shared so far, but the phone does look to be sticking with its sibling’s three main sensors – telephoto, primary and wide-angle – albeit housing them in a larger cutout not dissimilar to that of the Vivo X90 Pro.

As exciting as the OnePlus 11 Concept looks, the jury is still out on whether we’ll actually be able to get our hands on the phone in reality. OnePlus has released special edition handsets before – the company has collaborated with Cyberpunk, Star Wars and Pac-Man on actual, purchasable devices – but the ‘Concept’ in this phone’s name suggests it may well remain just that. 

In any case, OnePlus has confirmed that it’ll be unveiling the OnePlus 11 Concept during its MWC Barcelona event on February 27. We’ll be on the ground at the show itself, so stay tuned to TechRadar for the latest updates. 

In the meantime, check out our review of the newly released OnePlus Buds Pro 2, as well as our breakdown of the best OnePlus phones to consider in 2023. 

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best phones money can buy in 2023, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the newly released device is completely free of bugs. 

Indeed, a Galaxy S23 Ultra owner has reportedly told SamMobile that the phone’s supposedly excellent camera stabilization isn’t working as expected, with video footage and, in some cases, landscape photos appearing shaky. 

While testing the device for our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra review, we found that Samsung’s latest flagship offered a consistent and impressive photography experience, so we’re a little surprised to hear that this user’s unit isn’t performing equally well. There’s a chance, though, that the issue is actually a bug that’s currently affecting multiple Galaxy S23 Ultra owners.

As SamMobile reports, this user's particular stabilization problem hasn’t arisen as a result of any physical damage to the S23 Ultra in question, and they're also reporting that their device is getting noticeably hotter each time they open the camera app. 

Comments made below SamMobile’s report from fellow S23 Ultra owners suggest the issue isn’t necessarily widespread – but a couple of users have nonetheless called for Samsung to update the camera app for other reasons. 

“My [S23 Ultra] doesn’t have stabilization issues,” reads one comment. “On 12MP pictures there is a lot of noise, though. The camera app needs an update, badly!”

So, even if the aforementioned stabilization issue is related to a single unit’s faulty camera sensor, rather than a software bug, we’d still expect Samsung to roll out a software update to smoothen out the S23 Ultra’s camera app experience across the board. 

A Galaxy of bugs?

If, however, this S23 Ultra stabilization problem does turn out to be a bug, its arrival follows another recent Galaxy-based bug brought about by One UI 5.1.

Several Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 owners have reported (via Samsung forums) that One UI 5.1 has tanked the battery life on their devices. One Galaxy S22 Ultra user, in particular, claims that their phone’s battery life was reduced to just 3.5 hours following the update. 

Eagle-eyed forum users have pointed out that Samsung Keyboard’s battery usage seems to have skyrocketed since One UI 5.1, which is likely to be the cause of the issue. 

As SamMobile reports, Samsung’s live chat support suggests clearing the cache and data for Samsung Keyboard and restarting any affected devices. In all likelihood, though, Samsung is preparing to roll out an automatic fix for the bug. 

For more on the latest Samsung phones, check out our full Samsung Galaxy S23 review, as all as our hands-on Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus review. 

The iPhone 15 leaks and rumors aren't showing any signs of stopping, and we now have new renderings of the Pro model of the flagship that's expected in September – a rendering which shows quite a few changes from the model currently on sale.

This comes via information obtained by 9to5Mac: the renders are based on details supplied by a "reliable case manufacturer", and this is a source that we're more likely than not to trust when it comes to previews of Apple hardware.

As for those differences from the iPhone 14 Pro, we've got thinner bezels around the sides of the screen, and a more rounded shape overall. The Lightning port has been swapped out for a USB-C one, which is something we were already expecting this year.

Curves and bumps

"The frame itself is also more curved than before, resembling the design of the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros and new M2 MacBook Air," writes 9to5Mac. "This could make the phone more comfortable to hold and less prone to accidental touches."

We've also got a thicker camera bump on the back, again something that's been mentioned in earlier rumors. We're probably looking at an upgraded rear camera module, though this leak only deals in the external aesthetics of the smartphone.

These renders match up with a leaked photo of the iPhone 15 Pro that emerged yesterday: it only shows the USB-C data and charging port on the phone, but there are also hints that the frame and edges of the device are going to be a little more rounded.

Analysis: further iPhone refinements

If these renders are accurate – and we've got no real reason to think that they aren't – it shows that we're in for a subtle shift in the design of the iPhone in 2023. This isn't going to be a year when Apple throws out tradition and does something significantly different.

From what we can tell from this leak, we like the direction Apple is going in with this, with the flatter and more angular edges of the iPhone 14 models getting rounded off a little. It's a friendlier looking phone than the ones that came before it.

As for the slimmer bezels (again previously predicted), that's always a win. It means more screen space in a phone that's the same size, although the resolution of the displays are unlikely to change – there are still going to be the same number of pixels.

It's also good to see Apple switching the iPhone over to USB-C, in line with the iPads, even if it might come with strings attached. It should mean devices like cables and chargers are easier to swap between Apple devices in the future.

• We've got some concerns about the iPhone USB-C port

If you've just installed iOS 16.3.1 and were disappointed to find only basic bug fixes for iCloud and Siri issues, fear not – a far more interesting iOS 16.4 update is en route, and the release of its developer version has revealed what's inside.

Naturally, the changes are a little more incremental than the bigger changes we saw in iOS 16, which arrived back in September 2022 and delivered an overhauled Home app, new lock screen features, and some fresh fonts and themes to choose from.

But there are some notable improvements in iOS 16.4, particularly if you're a fan of Apple's Podcasts or Shortcuts apps, new emojis, or keeping up with the latest news. There are also some HomeKit tweaks that should make it a little more reliable when controlling your compatible smart home tech.

Unfortunately, there's still no sign of a full launch for Apple Music Classical, which there were hints of in iOS 16.3, but the new software still has some significant new treats. So, in rough order of importance, here are all the features coming to iOS 16.4 – after a quick update on its availability.

iOS 16.4 release date: when will it be available?

If you're an Apple developer you can install the iOS 16.4 beta right now, by going to Apple's Developer website on your iPhone and heading to 'Software Downloads'.

This isn't recommended for casual users, though, as beta can bring bugs and performance issues. For most of us, Apple says the full release of iOS 16.4 will be released "later this Spring" (in other words, sometime between March and June).

5 new features coming to your iPhone in iOS 16.4

1. Push notifications from web apps

If you like to keep up with the latest news from your favorite web apps – which live in your browser, rather than the homescreen – then iOS 16.4 could be a handy update for you.

You can already add web app shortcuts to your homescreen (when on the website, just tap the arrow button in the top right, then choose 'Add to Home Screen'). But unlike native apps, these shortcuts haven't been able to send your push notifications – this will change in iOS 16.4.

If you choose to allow notifications, they'll appear just like the ones for apps you've installed, including on your lock screen, in notification center and on a paired Apple Watch, if you have one. Interestingly, you'll also be able to add web apps to your homescreen from third-party browsers (rather than just Safari).

It's a feature that could get overwhelming if you grant too many permissions, but you'll be able to manage them in them in the Notifications settings menu.

2. A ton of new emojis

You can never have too many emojis to choose from – and fortunately iOS 16.4 is adding 21 new options to our messaging arsenals.

Fittingly for our troubled times, we're getting a shaking face emoji, which looks handy for expressing shock or confusion at troubling news. Fans of animal emojis are also well catered for in iOS 16.4, with a donkey, moose, goose and jellyfish all joining the fray.

A slightly antagonistic 'pushing hand' emoji will also arrive to help you swiftly reject suggestions, while an array of new hearts (including pink, grey and light blue) will be on hand to help you patch up any offense you've just caused.

3. An improved Podcasts app

If you mainly feed your podcast habit in Apple's default Podcasts app rather than third-party ones, you'll see several small improvements to the overall experience in iOS 16.4.

Firstly, it'll become easier to find shows that are part of wider channels or networks. When you follow a show that's part of a channel (for example, a network that produces multiple shows, like Bloomberg or the BBC), you'll be able to see it in a new dedicated Channels section in your podcast Library.

This is handy, given that many podcasts are now part of wider networks that produce several shows around similar themes. When you tap on a channel, you'll see the shows you follow at the top, plus any subscription options that are available for that network.

Elsewhere, the app's 'Up Next' queue will include more options to help you manage it. These will include the option of rejecting an episode from Up Next, or touching and holding to show its artwork.

If you listen to the Podcasts app while commuting in your car, you'll also finally be able to access your Up Next and Recently Played queues in the CarPlay's 'Listen Now' section. An overhauled Browse tab will also show you hand-picked podcast recommendations to help you find your next podcast addiction.

4. A boost for Apple HomeKit

If you've found Apple HomeKit to be a little buggy and consistent with certain devices, iOS 16.4 could deliver some improved performance.

According to MacRumors, the software includes a HomeKit architecture update that was removed from iOS 16.2 due to some additional bugs that it unfortunately introduced. 

But the HomeKit update, which apple first announced during the launch of iOS 16, will seemingly return in iOS 16.4, and promises to bring more reliable communication between your Apple devices and your smart home kit.

The release also includes both manual and automatic software update support for Matter accessories, which are starting to arrive from the likes of IKEA. This means you should be able to update these accessories from within Apple's Home app.

5. New options for Shortcuts

Apple's Shortcuts app lets you combine multiple actions from different apps with one tap. For example, you could make one that turns on your iPhone's 'Do Not Disturb' function, then automatically switches it off when you leave a particular location.

In iOS 16.4, Apple is adding a lot more options to these Shortcuts to help you cook up some new automation recipes. Some of the new 'actions' include locking your device's screen, shutting it down, setting a VPN, silencing unknown callers or automatically triggering Night Shift, which automatically pushes the colors of your screen to the warmer end of the spectrum to make it easier on your eyes.

These features can also be useful if your favorite app lacks a particular option in its settings menu, as it lets you automate an action (for example, 'set True Tone') when opening the app.

If you've just installed iOS 16.3.1 and were disappointed to find only basic bug fixes for iCloud and Siri issues, fear not – a far more interesting iOS 16.4 update is en route, and the release of its developer version has revealed what's inside.

Naturally, the changes are a little more incremental than the bigger changes we saw in iOS 16, which arrived back in September 2022 and delivered an overhauled Home app, new lock screen features, and some fresh fonts and themes to choose from.

But there are some notable improvements in iOS 16.4, particularly if you're a fan of Apple's Podcasts or Shortcuts apps, new emojis, or keeping up with the latest news. There are also some HomeKit tweaks that should make it a little more reliable when controlling your compatible smart home tech.

Unfortunately, there's still no sign of a full launch for Apple Music Classical, which there were hints of in iOS 16.3, but the new software still has some significant new treats. So, in rough order of importance, here are all the features coming to iOS 16.4 – after a quick update on its availability.

iOS 16.4 release date: when will it be available?

If you're an Apple developer you can install the iOS 16.4 beta right now, by going to Apple's Developer website on your iPhone and heading to 'Software Downloads'.

This isn't recommended for casual users, though, as beta can bring bugs and performance issues. For most of us, Apple says the full release of iOS 16.4 will be released "later this Spring" (in other words, sometime between March and June).

5 new features coming to your iPhone in iOS 16.4

1. Push notifications from web apps

If you like to keep up with the latest news from your favorite web apps – which live in your browser, rather than the homescreen – then iOS 16.4 could be a handy update for you.

You can already add web app shortcuts to your homescreen (when on the website, just tap the arrow button in the top right, then choose 'Add to Home Screen'). But unlike native apps, these shortcuts haven't been able to send your push notifications – this will change in iOS 16.4.

If you choose to allow notifications, they'll appear just like the ones for apps you've installed, including on your lock screen, in notification center and on a paired Apple Watch, if you have one. Interestingly, you'll also be able to add web apps to your homescreen from third-party browsers (rather than just Safari).

It's a feature that could get overwhelming if you grant too many permissions, but you'll be able to manage them in them in the Notifications settings menu.

2. A ton of new emojis

You can never have too many emojis to choose from – and fortunately iOS 16.4 is adding 21 new options to our messaging arsenals.

Fittingly for our troubled times, we're getting a shaking face emoji, which looks handy for expressing shock or confusion at troubling news. Fans of animal emojis are also well catered for in iOS 16.4, with a donkey, moose, goose and jellyfish all joining the fray.

A slightly antagonistic 'pushing hand' emoji will also arrive to help you swiftly reject suggestions, while an array of new hearts (including pink, grey and light blue) will be on hand to help you patch up any offense you've just caused.

3. An improved Podcasts app

If you mainly feed your podcast habit in Apple's default Podcasts app rather than third-party ones, you'll see several small improvements to the overall experience in iOS 16.4.

Firstly, it'll become easier to find shows that are part of wider channels or networks. When you follow a show that's part of a channel (for example, a network that produces multiple shows, like Bloomberg or the BBC), you'll be able to see it in a new dedicated Channels section in your podcast Library.

This is handy, given that many podcasts are now part of wider networks that produce several shows around similar themes. When you tap on a channel, you'll see the shows you follow at the top, plus any subscription options that are available for that network.

Elsewhere, the app's 'Up Next' queue will include more options to help you manage it. These will include the option of rejecting an episode from Up Next, or touching and holding to show its artwork.

If you listen to the Podcasts app while commuting in your car, you'll also finally be able to access your Up Next and Recently Played queues in the CarPlay's 'Listen Now' section. An overhauled Browse tab will also show you hand-picked podcast recommendations to help you find your next podcast addiction.

4. A boost for Apple HomeKit

If you've found Apple HomeKit to be a little buggy and consistent with certain devices, iOS 16.4 could deliver some improved performance.

According to MacRumors, the software includes a HomeKit architecture update that was removed from iOS 16.2 due to some additional bugs that it unfortunately introduced. 

But the HomeKit update, which apple first announced during the launch of iOS 16, will seemingly return in iOS 16.4, and promises to bring more reliable communication between your Apple devices and your smart home kit.

The release also includes both manual and automatic software update support for Matter accessories, which are starting to arrive from the likes of IKEA. This means you should be able to update these accessories from within Apple's Home app.

5. New options for Shortcuts

Apple's Shortcuts app lets you combine multiple actions from different apps with one tap. For example, you could make one that turns on your iPhone's 'Do Not Disturb' function, then automatically switches it off when you leave a particular location.

In iOS 16.4, Apple is adding a lot more options to these Shortcuts to help you cook up some new automation recipes. Some of the new 'actions' include locking your device's screen, shutting it down, setting a VPN, silencing unknown callers or automatically triggering Night Shift, which automatically pushes the colors of your screen to the warmer end of the spectrum to make it easier on your eyes.

These features can also be useful if your favorite app lacks a particular option in its settings menu, as it lets you automate an action (for example, 'set True Tone') when opening the app.

One of the biggest iPhone 15 leaks yet has just emerged, in the form of an actual photo, supposedly showing an iPhone 15 Pro.

This image, which was shared by @URedditor on Twitter (via WCCFTech), doesn’t give us a complete look at the phone, but it does reveal what might be the biggest design change we’ll see with the upcoming model.

Specifically, the bottom edge of the phone is shown, and it includes a USB-C port. This is something that has long been rumored for the iPhone 15, and which Apple will have to add to iPhones within the next couple of years due to new EU laws. This is the closest thing yet to confirmation that we’ll see this change as soon as this year.

The source additionally claimed to MacRumors that USB-C will be used by all four iPhone 15 models, and that Apple is planning to replace the E75 Lightning Controller with an E85 Port Controller for the iPhone 15 series.

There’s no explanation given of what that will mean, but it suggests that only Apple-approved chargers and accessories will work with the port, as has also recently been rumored.

While the USB-C port is the focus of this leaked image, there are some other details to note too. For one thing, the phone shown appears to have a brushed metal finish, which is different to what you’ll find on the iPhone 14 series. That could be down to the rumored switch to titanium for the Pro models in the iPhone 15 series.

Finally, the frame is slightly more curved at the edges than on the current models, which is something else we’d previously heard might be planned.

We would, of course, take this leak with a pinch of salt, especially as the source doesn’t have much of a track record yet, but it certainly looks like it could be the real deal.

Analysis: the switch to USB-C is a good move – if done right

Moving to USB-C could allow for much higher data transfer speeds than Lightning supports, as well as meaning that the millions of USB-C cables and plugs most people have already will be compatible with their iPhones. But neither of those things are guaranteed.

Apple would have to choose to support higher transfer speeds and current leaks suggest that while the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max – or iPhone 15 Ultra as it might be called – will indeed offer higher speeds, the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus won’t.

As for the move to USB-C offering wider compatibility with charging cables, well, there might be restrictions and limits there too, since leaks suggest Apple might not support all USB-C chargers and accessories.

It will be interesting to see how much control the EU’s new rules will actually allow Apple to have, but we might find ourselves with a new port that – especially in the case of the non-Pro models – brings very few tangible upgrades. Which would be a shame, because this could be an easy way for Apple to significantly improve on the current best iPhones.

Google’s Gboard is the default keyboard on many of the best Android phones, and the baked-in app is getting a much-needed refresh in the coming weeks. 

Specifically, the Gboard toolbar – that’s the list of icons above the number keys – is being updated (H/T Android Police), with beta testers reporting that you’ll soon be able to customize this row of icons with more than four options. 

In its current guise, the Gboard toolbar plonks an immovable ellipses menu icon between the settings and voice search buttons. In its updated form, this ellipses becomes a button showing four squares with rounded corners, and is moved to the left-hand side of the toolbar.

That redesigned menu houses all the shortcuts that aren't currently in the toolbar, so you can drag and drop them to replace toolbar shortcuts. That's long been the case, but now, rather than being limited to four toolbar shortcuts, you’ll be able to add as many shortcuts as you like – including new emoji and language switcher options – and the voice search button will no longer be locked in place. See the redesigned toolbar in action by comparing the pictures below. 

In addition to these cosmetic enhancements, Google is also working on adding a Privacy menu to Gboard’s settings. Essentially, it’ll feature most of the settings that were once housed in the Advanced menu, but it’s nice to see Google introducing a dedicated space for keyboard-related data collection. 

These Gboard updates are now available to anyone on Google’s Beta program – the new version is 12.6.06.491625702 – but those not already enrolled can get involved by tapping the Join button on Gboard’s Play Store page.

Alternatively, we’d expect to see Google rolling out the updates as part of its next Android software update (which could come anytime in the next few weeks). 

For more info on getting the best out of your Android phone, read our guides on how to make custom emojis on Android, how to screenshot on Android and how to record your screen on Android for free (all three guides apply to the best Android tablets, too).

You might understandably have thought that the Galaxy FE line was dead. After all, we never got a Galaxy S22 FE, but there are numerous leaks suggesting that we will get a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE – and that it’s coming later this year.

So in this article we’ve collected all of those leaks and rumors, which include details not just of the release date, but also of the phone’s possible specs and features.

You’ll find all of that below, and we’ll update this article whenever we hear anything credible about the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, so check back soon.

Cut to the chase

• What is it? The next mid-range Galaxy S model
• When is it out? Probably sometime in the second half of 2023
• How much will it cost? Unknown, but likely at least $699 / £699 / AU$999

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE release date and price

• Might launch sometime between August and December
• Likely to cost at least $699 / £699 / AU$999

First of all, some questions remain over whether we actually will see a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE at all. While it has leaked a number of times, some other sources claim it’s not coming. For example, Yogesh Brar tweeted in late March 2023 that “there is no Galaxy S23 FE in the development chain unlike what the recent rumors have been pointing.”

Still, we wouldn’t give up hope, because South Korean publication Hankooki claimed in February 2023 that there will be a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and that it will land in August or September of this year. They added that apparently it will land in place of the Samsung Galaxy A74, so we might still get one less Samsung phone this year, it just might not be the FE that’s in line for the chopping block.

Since then, we’ve heard from another source that the Galaxy S23 FE will land in October, November or December. So there’s slight disagreement on when the phone will land, but multiple sources point to a launch sometime in the second half of 2023. Though one source suggests it could slip into early 2024.

There’s no news yet on what the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE might cost, but the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE started at $699 / £699 / AU$999, so pricing for the new model might be similar. We’d be surprised if it was any less than that though.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE design and display

• Design will probably be similar to the Samsung Galaxy S23
• Likely to have a larger screen than the S23

So far there haven’t been any leaked Samsung Galaxy S23 FE renders, or any real details of its design, but based on past form we’d expect it will look a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S23.

That would mean a flat screen with a punch-hole camera at the top, a fairly plain back in a selection of colors, and a trio of rear cameras towards the top left corner. Unlike the previous FE, these probably won’t be housed in a camera block – rather, they’ll likely be individual floating lenses like the Samsung Galaxy S23 has.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will probably also have an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning you can submerge it up to 1.5 meters deep in water for up to 30 minutes.

However, it’s possible it will have a plastic back. The S21 FE did but then so did the standard Samsung Galaxy S21, whereas the Galaxy S23 uses glass. So we’re uncertain whether Samsung will cut costs by switching to plastic or whether it will mirror the standard S23 here.

For the display, based on past form that will probably be larger than the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23. It will possibly be a 6.4-inch 1080 x 2340 one like the Galaxy S21 FE, but that’s just speculation. What we’re almost certain of is that it will use AMOLED and have a 120Hz refresh rate, as there are no likely alternatives to that which wouldn’t be a step down from the S21 FE.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE cameras and battery

• Could have the same 50MP main camera as the Galaxy S23
• 12MP ultra-wide and 8MP telephoto (with 3x zoom) are also rumored
• Battery could be 4,500mAh with 25W charging

One early Samsung Galaxy S23 FE leak pointed to it having a 50MP main camera, which is likely to be the same 50MP sensor as the standard Galaxy S23 has.

Since then, we’ve heard the same spec from another source, while a third (leaker @Tech_Reve) also claimed the same, but added that it will have a 12MP ultra-wide camera, an 8MP telephoto (with 3x optical zoom), and a 12MP front-facing camera.

Those are similar camera specs to the standard Samsung Galaxy S23, but that phone’s telephoto camera uses a 10MP sensor.

As for the battery, we’ve only heard from one source on that, but they claim that the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE will have a 4,500mAh battery, likely with 25W charging. That would be the same size and charging speed as the Galaxy S21 FE, and a larger capacity than the Samsung Galaxy S23. It’s likely to also support wireless charging, but there’s no news on that yet.

Samsung Galaxy S23 FE specs and features

• Might use the same Exynos 2200 chipset as the Galaxy S22
• Could have 128GB/256GB of storage
• RAM is rumored to be a choice of 6GB and 8GB

If you were hoping the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE would have the same chipset as the Galaxy S23 then you might be out of luck, and this could be one of the biggest disappointments with this phone.

We’ve heard from both leaker @Tech_Reve and from SamMobile that it will have an Exynos 2200 chipset, and that every region will get that same chipset.

That’s the chipset used in some places by the Samsung Galaxy S22, so it’s getting on a bit now, and is significantly worse than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in the standard Galaxy S23. Though perhaps if Samsung uses this it will also help the company keep the price down.

Beyond that, both of these sources have also said the S23 FE will come with a choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage, and 6GB or 8GB of RAM.

It’s likely based on the S21 FE that the available combinations will be 6GB/128GB and 8GB/256GB, but no details on that have been leaked yet. It’s also a safe bet that the phone will support 5G, and have an under-display fingerprint sensor.

The next generation of 5G connectivity is here. This week, Qualcomm introduced its new Snapdragon X75 chipset; which it proclaimed is the world’s first smartphone modem to support 5G Advanced standard. 

Don’t blame yourself if you haven’t heard of 5G Advanced before as it’s a brand-new technology that won’t even be out until 2024. All you really need to know right now is that the new standard aims to improve the latency, coverage, mobility, and power efficiency of 5G resulting in better mobile performance overall. The goal of this chip, according to the announcement, is to provide fast connectivity to “rural, suburban, and dense urban communities” alike. By the looks of it, Qualcomm is equipping the new chipset with everything it needs to achieve its proclaimed high performance.

Speed and reliability

It sports the “world’s first 10-carrier aggregation” for frequencies on the mmWave signal spectrum. Without getting too deep into the super specifics, carrier aggregation technology combines separate spectrums (in this case, 10) into one for faster speeds. The Snapdragon X75 can also do five-carrier aggregation for signals found on sub-6 Ghz bands. On those low frequencies, the chipset will be able to send and receive signals at the same time thanks to its FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) capability.

Aside from speed, the company took care to ensure reliability as well as battery longevity. The Snapdragon X75 comes with the Qualcomm Advanced Modem-RF Software Suite to help your phone find signals in enclosed environments like elevators or subways.

Debuting in the chipset is Smart Transmit Gen 4 “to allow for fast, reliable and long-range uploads”. Included in the fourth generation package is support for Snapdragon Satellite so devices will continue to have a connection in far out, rural areas.

Qualcomm is pairing up its new 5G PowerSave Gen 4 with its RF Power Efficiency Suite to boost a smartphone's battery life, although the announcement doesn't go into exact detail about how it will achieve this. Additionally, the company combines its mmWave and sub-6 Ghz transceiver with the fifth-generation QTM565 antenna modules to reduce “board complexity [and] power consumption."

Everything you see here and more will find its home in the company’s other big reveal: the third-generation Qualcomm Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) Platform which adds its own performance features like Tri-Band Wi-Fi 7.

Availability

Now the big question is when are we going to see any of this? The answer: later this year – maybe. 

According to Quaclomm, the Snapdragon X75 is currently available for “sampling” for phone manufacturers. It expects to see “commercial devices” with the chipset to launch sometime in the “second half of 2023.” However considering that 5G Advanced isn’t slated to release until 2024, that’s a rather hopeful prediction. Not only that, there’s the question of whether or not phone carriers will be able to fully support the Snapdragon X75. T-Mobile, which has the largest area of 5G coverage in the US, barely began rolling out three-carrier aggregation for its 5G network just a few months ago. Cool tech, but it’ll be a while until we see take off.

Be sure to check out TechRadar’s list of the best phones for the year if you’re in the market for a new device. 

WhatsApp is making some minor changes to its Android app, although they’re clearly handy additions (even if one of them is still in beta testing right now).

The tweaks inbound with the latest release version of the Android client include the ability to add captions when sharing a document via WhatsApp, as WABetaInfo reports.

Along with that comes a big increase in the number of photos and videos you can send at once in a conversation. Previously, the limit for this was 30 pieces of media, but that has been upped to 100 (which should be plenty enough for anyone – we’d hope).

Another change to the release version of the Android app means users can now have longer group names (up to 100 characters in total), and a group description that informs people about the purpose of the group.

As for the change that’s still in beta, this pertains to an already existing feature, namely Disappearing Messages (which, as the name suggests, vanish after a set period of time if you select this option).

Also spotted by WABetaInfo, the fresh Android beta has a Kept Messages facility. It allows you to save certain Disappearing Messages (as opposed to the whole chat) and keep them for later reference.

Analysis: Some convenient and handy additions

These are all convenient touches for WhatsApp on Android, meaning that, for instance, you don’t have to screenshot disappearing messages (a somewhat controversial feature, as we’ve discussed in the past) to keep hold of them – rather, they can just be saved out. Remember, this one is still in beta, and by the sound of things, it’s rolling out in stages in preview as not every tester is seeing Kept Messages. (There’s no guarantee any beta feature will make the cut for the final release, though).

It's also a useful piece of functionality to be able to attach captions to documents, allowing you to provide a bit of info on the file being shared. Regarding the new features that have arrived with the release version of WhatsApp on Android, currently, they are still rolling out across the userbase, so you may not have them right now – but they’ll be turning up soon enough.

Via Android Police [1, 2]

Apple's Pay Later service is apparently now just weeks away for US customers, but rumors suggest the tech giant will make you jump some significant hurdles before granting you its financial help.

The Pay Later service, which was announced in June 2022 but is still in testing, will let you split any Apple Pay purchase into four zero-interest payments over six weeks. But Bloomberg says you'll need to prove that "you've been a good customer in the past" based on your spending history and "even which of the company's devices" you own.

Apple will also apparently check "whether customers have applied for an Apple Card credit card" and what other cards are linked to their Apple Pay accounts. In other words, you'll need a good credit score and preferably a solid record of buying things from the Apple Store to earn access to Apple's 'buy now, pay later' (often referred to as 'BNPL') service.

Needing to qualify for BNPL credit isn't anything new, but having to prove that you've been a good customer to a tech giant like Apple is less common. Apple Pay Later is significant because it'll be the first time that Apple will use its own in-house payment platform, making it a fully-fledged financial services company.

Apple Pay hasn't been without its controversies, with Apple currently locked in discussions with EU antitrust regulators over a charge that it's been restricting access to third parties who want to develop mobile wallet services for iOS devices. But more important to existing iPhone owners will be the financial help Pay Later promises to bring – which is unfortunately pretty limited.

With Pay Later, which will be US-only at launch, you'll be able to split Apple Pay purchases into four equal payments over six weeks, with no interest or any fees. According to Bloomberg, you'll simply be asked how much you'd like to borrow in the Apple Pay app and it will return with an approved amount.

While that could be handy for those who want to split the cost of a pricey purchase (for example, an Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (2023)) across a couple of credit card billing cycles, it doesn't really improve on existing options from the likes of Paypal or Affirm (which offer 0% interest over longer periods).

Analysis: Welcome to the Bank of Apple

It's a sign of the times that Apple's biggest area of expansion and innovation in 2023 is seemingly in financial services, rather than the products that have made it the world's most valuable company. 

We recently heard rumors that Apple's iPhone Subscription service is still en route despite delays, and it now seems that Apple Pay Later could also launch soon. Both services are a response to a cost-of-living crisis that has put Apple products beyond the reach of many. But they'll also be a handy financial boost for the tech giant, which takes a small cut from every Apple Pay transaction.

Some of those Apple earnings may take a hit if the EU does indeed decide that the tech giant has been blocking rivals from gaining a foothold in its iOS mobile wallet, with a potential fine reported to be as high as $39bn. But Apple will likely remain undeterred from pursuing its mobile payments side hustle – and that's good news for Apple Pay fans who've been waiting for its Pay Later service to launch.

It's a shame Pay Later's interest-free loans aren't offered beyond six weeks – considering you'll also need to start paying it off just two weeks after purchase, this could limit its early popularity. 

But the move to being a fully-fledged financial lender, which has apparently involved Apple creating a separate business to handle approvals, is a huge one for the company, so it may simply be starting cautiously. With the service having now been tested with employees in recent months, Bloomberg says Apple Pay Later should arrive "in the coming weeks". In the meantime, you can get prepared by checking out our guide to the best personal finance software.

We’ve had a long wait for the Oppo Find N2 Flip. This clamshell foldable was first unveiled in China back in December, but the phone has finally launched globally, and it looks like the delay may have been worth it. 

For starters, the Find N2 Flip costs just £849. It’s unlikely to launch in the US and we're still waiting to learn about its Australian availability, but for reference that converts to around $1,025 / AU$1,485.

That’s extremely affordable by foldable phone standards, with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – which is one of its main rivals and also on the affordable end of the foldable phone pricing spectrum – starting at $999.99 / £999 / AU$1,499.

So, in the only region where we have confirmed pricing for the Oppo Find N2 Flip, it costs a lot less, and that’s with 256GB of storage, while the Z Flip 4’s starting capacity is just 128GB. To get 256GB with that phone you’ll have to pay $1,059.99 / £1,059 / AU$1,649.

If you’re tempted by the Oppo Find N2 Flip then UK buyers will be able to pre-order it from a variety of retailers and carriers, including EE, O2, Amazon and Argos, starting from today (February 15).

The phone is set to ship on March 2, and you’ll be able to choose between Astral Black and Moonlight Purple shades. Plus, buyers will get a Google One 100GB free trial for six months.

Just about everything else on the Oppo Find N2 Flip has been known since its Chinese launch, but in case you missed that, highlights include the largest cover screen of any foldable flip phone, at 3.26 inches, plus a 6.8-inch 1080 x 2520 foldable AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip also has a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide camera, a 32MP selfie camera, a 4,300mAh battery, 44W charging, a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 9000 Plus chipset, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and it supports 5G.

The Oppo Find N2 Flip seems to be built to last too, as it’s been tested to withstand over 400,000 folds, and it comes with the promise of four years of major operating system updates and five years of security updates.

Analysis: a major rival to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 with one big flaw

Given how much more affordable the Oppo Find N2 Flip is than the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, it could be a major competitor to Samsung’s latest clamshell foldable.

In fact, if it wasn’t coming from a smaller brand, this could easily be the most mainstream foldable phone yet, especially given that it has a bigger cover screen than the Z Flip 4, along with more megapixels on its main camera, a larger battery, and faster charging.

However, there’s one big problem – the Oppo Find N2 Flip almost certainly won’t ever come to the US, so it’s not much of an option in one of the world’s biggest smartphone markets. Still, for those who can buy it, this could well be one of the very best foldable phones.

Apple’s adoption of the touchscreen in its first iPhone proved a watershed moment for the technology’s mainstream appeal, and the company may be preparing to take things one step further with future iPhone models and, potentially, its first foldable iPhone.

As first spotted by Apple Insider, Apple has been granted a patent for the development of touch-sensitive, solid-state buttons that would allow users to navigate an iPhone using its edges, rather than its display alone. 

Titled “Electronic Devices With Display And Touch Sensor Structures,” the patent details how “control circuits, batteries and other components” would sit within “the walls” of an iPhone chassis. These walls “may have opaque portions and transparent portions," the document continues, which “may include opaque plastic, metal, fiber-composite materials and layers of other materials.”

We’ve previously reported on rumors suggesting that the iPhone 15 – specifically, the Pro and Ultra models – might get haptic volume and power buttons that don't physically move, and this new Apple patent adds further fuel to that fire. 

Even more interesting, though, is Apple’s solution for solid-state buttons on a potential foldable device. Alongside basic illustrations of what may as well be a foldable iPhone, Apple explains how touch sensors would sit within “sidewalls” (as opposed to conventional walls) made up of “thin metal lines that are sufficiently small to be invisible to the eye."

Analysis: A more efficient display option?

In the new patent, Apple even goes as far as to explain why haptic, imperceptible buttons might be preferable to physical buttons in future iPhones. "It can be challenging [on conventional phones] to gather touch input from a user and to display images for a user efficiently," the document reads. "For example, when a user supplies touch input to a touch screen display, the user's hand may block images that are being displayed on the display."

"In gaming applications and other applications,” Apple continues, “it may be desirable to use a touch sensor on the rear surface to gather touch input while displaying associated visual information on a display on the opposing front surface of [the] device."

It’s worth noting that this isn’t the first time Apple has flirted with the idea of touch-sensitive iPhone buttons. We reported on the possibility of a wrap-around display for the iPhone 8 way back in 2016, but today’s iPhone 14 line still maintains a conventional chassis structure. 

That said, even if Apple doesn’t reinvent the touchscreen with its next crop of iPhones, it’s exciting to see that the company is actively accounting for foldable mobile designs in its new patent applications. Perhaps, then, it won’t be too long before the tech giant debuts a device that can compete with the best foldable phones on the market – though we're not expecting to see an iPhone Flip for at least a few years yet.