While some questions have been answered about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – the launch date is set for August 10, for example – there's still plenty that we don't know, including how much these phones are likely to cost.
Retailer listings published ahead of time and picked up by GSMArena show prices for these two phones that are marginally higher than the ones we saw for their predecessors last year. The difference isn't great but it is there.
Speculation about how much the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 will cost has been swirling for months, and while it's disappointing that Samsung hasn't been able to bring costs down, at least we're not seeing a huge price hike (according to this leak).
The price is right?
According to the unconfirmed retailer listings that have popped up, the Z Fold 4 will cost you €1,864 for the cheapest model, the one with 256GB of internal storage. That's an increase of €64 over the €1,800 starting price we saw for the Z Fold 3.
As for the Z Flip 4, that's apparently going to start at €1,080 for the variant with the 128GB storage, which is again a small increase – the 128GB Z Flip 3 that Samsung launched last year originally went on sale for €1,049.
You still need to convert those figures into your own currency – we haven't done that here as Samsung is unlikely to use a straight currency conversion – but expect small increases over the previous starting prices of $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,499 (Z Fold 3) and $999 / £949 / AU$1,499 (Z Flip 3).
Analysis: pricing is key
The price of any smartphone is an important factor in how appealing it is to potential buyers, but that's especially true when it comes to foldable phones: these handsets need to win over people who are used to their standard, affordable smartphone designs.
The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 actually managed to bring prices down compared with the models that came before them, so it's something of a shame that Samsung hasn't managed to repeat the trick in 2022.
That said, we can understand the challenges: folding phones are much more challenging to engineer than phones that use a traditional form factor, and then there are all the supply and labor problems brought on by the global pandemic we're living through.
With that in mind, it's actually impressive that Samsung has managed to keep pricing more or less the same – assuming that the information in this new leak is accurate of course. We'll find out for sure on August 10.
T-Mobile and Apple have launched a new tariff in the US for small businesses that combines devices, wireless connectivity, and enterprise-grade applications and support, hoping to capitalise on demand for flexible and mobile working.
Business Unlimited Ultimate+ for iPhone includes an iPhone 13 handset with 200GB of 5G data and Apple Business Essentials, a package of device management software, support and cloud backup and storage.
Organisations can set up and change employee plans when required, remotely wipe a lost or stolen device, and determine which apps and updates go to which employee devices.
5G FWA broadband
On top of this AppleCare+ provides 24/7 support and on-site repairs within four hours.
T-Mobile also offers unlimited Wi-Fi on selected airlines and inclusive roaming in 210 countries.
“Teaming up with Apple is just one more way we can support small businesses as they continue to be the source of countless jobs and innovations across America,” said Callie Field, President, T-Mobile Business Group. “
We’re always looking for ways to provide more value to our customers and working with Apple gives us the opportunity to tackle a whole new pain point for small businesses — IT management.”
"Apple is committed to helping small businesses thrive, and we’re proud of the longstanding relationships we’ve built with this community,” added Susan Prescott, Apple’s vice president of Enterprise Product Marketing.
“Apple Business Essentials helps small businesses manage the entire lifecycle of their Apple products — from device management and storage, to support and repairs — so they can focus on running and growing their business.”
The Oppo Find X6 could be one of the best phones of 2023 – or at least the Oppo Find X6 Pro might be. After all, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is currently taking up a spot on our list of the best phones, so there’s every chance its successor will do the same.
This upcoming line doesn’t have the same level of hype around it as the likes of the OnePlus 11, let alone the Samsung Galaxy S23 or iPhone 14, but there’s every chance it will be able to compete with them in terms of specs and performance, so the Oppo Find X6 is worth paying attention to.
So far, we haven’t heard much about this phone (or its likely Pro and Lite siblings), but we have heard a few things, all of which you’ll find below – and we’ll add to this article as soon as we hear more.
We’ve also included a list of the things we most want from the Oppo Find X6 line, to make it as good as possible.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next line of flagship Oppo phones
When is it out? Probably March 2023
How much will it cost? Unknown
Oppo Find X6: release date and price
While there’s no news on the Oppo Find X6’s release date yet we can take a good guess, as the Oppo Find X5 and Oppo Find X3 lines (there was no Find X4) went on sale in March of their launch years.
So March 2023 seems highly likely for the Oppo Find X6 – along probably with the Oppo Find X6 Pro and Oppo Find X6 Lite, since the standard model, Pro and Lite were all announced at the same time in the Find X5 line.
The actual announcement could be in late February though, as it was with the Find X5 series. But either way, sometime towards the end of the first quarter of 2023 seems very likely for when we’ll see the Oppo Find X6.
The Find X6 will probably land a year after the Find X5 (Image credit: Future)
There’s no information on what the Oppo Find X6 line might cost, but the phones could have similar prices to the current models.
For reference then the Oppo Find X5 starts at £749 / AU$1,399 (around $920), the Find X5 Pro costs £1,049 / AU$1,799 (roughly $1,285), and the Oppo Find X5 Lite costs £399 / AU$799 (around $490).
The lack of US pricing is because Oppo doesn’t have much presence in the US, so don’t count on easily being able to buy the Find X6 line there.
In any case, the prices above probably won’t be exactly right for the upcoming models, but we doubt the Find X6 line will be much more expensive, as the Find X5 and Find X5 Pro are already on the pricey side for the specs they offer.
Oppo Find X6: news and leaks
The Oppo Find X6 might charge incredibly fast, as Oppo has unveiled both 150W and 240W charging tech – though it hasn’t confirmed that either technology will appear in this line of phones. The latter though can fully charge a 4,500mAh battery in just 9 minutes.
According to Nikkei Asia meanwhile, Oppo might start putting its own chipsets in smartphones from either 2023 or 2024, so there’s a chance these could be ready in time for the Oppo Find X6 line. Current models use a mix of Snapdragon and Dimensity chipsets, which are the main two chipset lines used by most Android phone makers.
It’s unclear whether Oppo’s own chipsets would be any better, but this switch could help the company avoid shortages and disruptions.
Oppo Find X6: what we want to see
The Oppo Find X5 line is largely impressive, but there are certainly ways that the Oppo Find X6 series could be a lot better, including the following.
1. A longer distance zoom
Even the Oppo Find X5 Pro has a disappointing zoom (Image credit: Future)
While the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a top-tier smartphone in many ways, it’s lacking on the zoom front, with just a 2x optical zoom. Most high-end handsets have at least three times, and some such as the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra go all the way up to 10x.
So we’d like to see at least 3x zoom on the Oppo Find X6 Pro – but even longer distance optical zoom, or a range of zoom levels, would be better. Ideally those changes would also come to the standard Find X6, as the Find X5 is stuck at 2x optical zoom as well.
2. Lower prices
The entire Oppo Find X5 line is quite expensive for what you get, particularly considering that Oppo doesn’t quite have the brand name appeal of Samsung or Apple. So if the company really wants to compete in 2023 then we’d like to see lower prices for its next wave of phones.
That’s especially true for the Find X6 and Find X6 Pro, as they’re sure to be competing with heavy hitters like the Samsung Galaxy S23 line and the OnePlus 11 Pro.
3. Water resistance
The Oppo Find X5 lacks water resistance (Image credit: Future)
The Oppo Find X5 Pro has water resistance, but the standard Oppo Find X5 doesn’t, despite carrying a fairly high-end price.
We can live with no water resistance on the Lite model, but we really want to see some on both the Oppo Find X6 and the Find X6 Pro, as many rivals at these sorts of prices do have it, and when you’re spending that sort of money you don’t want to have to fear a little rain.
4. A microscope camera
The Oppo Find X3 Pro had an unusual camera setup in that it included a microscope camera, which let you take super-close-up pictures of tiny details. We were disappointed to find this absent from the Find X5 line, as while it’s a bit of a novelty it works well and helped the Find X3 Pro’s cameras stand out.
So we’d love to see it make a return – perhaps with some improvements – for the Oppo Find X6 line.
5. Wider availability
The Oppo Find X5 and its siblings aren’t sold in the US, which is a real shame, as they’re excellent smartphones that are sure to appeal to many people there.
It’s probably unlikely that the situation will change for the Oppo Find X6, as gaining a foothold in the country likely isn’t easy, but we’d love to see Oppo try.
Ericsson has completed its €6.2 billion acquisition of cloud-based communication specialist Vonage in a move that will allow it to expand beyond telecoms and into enterprise services.
The deal was first agreed back in November but had been subject to an investigation by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.
Now that the probe has concluded without any impediment, Ericsson has finalised the largest transaction in its history, building on the $1.1 billion takeover of edge networking firm Cradlepoint in 2020.
Ericsson Vonage
The Swedish telecoms equipment manufacturer believes there is an opportunity for it to diversify revenues and to add value by integrating its 5G technology into Vonage’s cloud-based communication tools and services.
Vonage offers cloud-based unified communications services to businesses but 80% of its annual $1.4 billion revenue comes from the Vonage Communications platform (VCP) which used is used by more than 120,000 businesses.
The VCP offers APIs that allow developers to embed high quality communications, whether its text, voice, or video, into their applications without the need to invest in infrastructure.
Ericsson believes it can bring cellular connectivity and other technologies to this platform, enhancing the power of the tools that Vonage offers and allowing telcos to benefit from their investments in 5G through new services.
In addition to increasing R&D spend, Ericsson plans to offer Vonage’s unified communications services to its operator partners as white label products, expanding their offerings and increasing revenues.
“In the future, network capabilities will be consumed and paid for through open network APIs, creating the opportunity for unparalleled innovation,” said Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm. “We have already launched the first network API, Dynamic End-user Boost, based on existing 4G infrastructure … and we aim to launch the first 5G network APIs in the coming year.
“We will continue to create new, enhanced applications and services for enterprises, while driving continued innovation on Vonage’s UCaaS and CCaaS applications, helping businesses create new digital experiences for better communications, connections and engagement.”
The acquisition also strengthens Ericsson’s presence in the US, where it is a partner for the major operators, and has manufacturing and development operations.
It looks like Samsung could be taking a quality over quantity approach to the cameras on some of its upcoming phones, as a report suggests that the Galaxy A54, Galaxy A34 and Galaxy A24 will all have one fewer lens each than their predecessors.
Specifically, TheElec claims that none of these phones will have a depth sensor, leaving them with triple-lens setups where the Samsung Galaxy A53, Galaxy A33 and Galaxy A23 all have quad-lens camera configurations.
That’s good news, as while a decent depth sensor isn’t a total waste of time, (as it can aid with portrait shots and the like), the ones on cheap and mid-range handsets tend to be total filler that add little to nothing to the camera’s performance.
Of course, if Samsung was removing the depth sensors but keeping everything else the same that wouldn’t be great either, but according to this report the company will focus on strengthening the core camera offering. So presumably the money saved by not including a depth sensor will be pumped into the other lenses or sensors.
Speaking of which, apparently the Samsung Galaxy A54 will have a 50MP primary camera, a 5MP ultra-wide one, and a 5MP macro one, while the Galaxy A34 is said to have a 48MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro. Finally, the Galaxy A24 will supposedly get a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro.
In terms of megapixel numbers then the Samsung Galaxy A24 will oddly be in the best shape if this is right, despite presumably being the cheapest of these phones, while the most premium – the Galaxy A54 – reportedly has the fewest total megapixels.
But that just goes to show that megapixels aren’t everything either. If they were then Apple’s 12MP handsets wouldn’t keep ranking among the best camera phones.
As well as potentially leading to camera improvements, ditching the depth sensor could also reduce costs – though whether those savings will be passed on to consumers remains to be seen.
As for when you might be able to buy these phones, the Samsung Galaxy A34 will apparently land in March, with the Galaxy A54 said to land in April. There’s no word on when the Samsung Galaxy A24 might launch, but the Galaxy A23 landed in March of this year, so a launch around March 2023 seems likely.
(Image credit: Future)
Analysis: less is more
This news is promising, assuming this report is accurate, as while a quad-lens camera might make for a good bullet point on the specs box, the actual quality of the cameras is likely to be improved by this change.
Ideally, it would be good to see Samsung go even further and ditch the macro cameras on those phones. Macro lenses on cheap phones also tend to be filler, and as these are reportedly just 5MP we’re not optimistic that they’ll be any good. So it would be nice to see Samsung either skip the macro lens or focus on making it actually worthwhile.
But this is a step in the right direction anyway and could help these handsets compete with the best cheap phones – most of which currently have either triple or quad-lens cameras, with some filler.
With iOS 16 almost here we’re not expecting too much more from iOS 15, but one – possibly final – update has just landed in the form of iOS 15.6, and it includes both a new feature and some fixes.
As usual, an iPad software update has landed alongside it, dubbed iPadOS 15.6, and the changes are the same in both.
The headline feature is the ability to now restart, rewind, pause and fast-forward live sports games that are already in progress from the TV app. This isn’t something that will benefit everyone but it could be a very useful improvement for sports fans.
Beyond that, the iOS 15.6 and iPadOS 15.6 update is mostly about bug fixes. These include a fix for an issue where Settings may continue to display that device storage is full even when it’s not, a fix for an issue that may cause braille devices to slow down or stop responding when navigating text in Mail, and a fix for an issue in Safari where a tab may revert back to a previous page.
So if you’ve been experiencing any of those problems then this update is well worth grabbing as soon as possible.
As usual, though, the update also includes security patches, so even if you haven’t experienced these bugs and don’t care about the TV app update, we’d still recommend downloading it as soon as possible, to keep your device safe and secure.
The update should be available now for all eligible devices, which includes anything that can run iOS 15 or iPadOS 15. Specifically, that’s the iPhone 6S and up on the iPhone side, and the iPad mini 4 and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and all iPad Pro models on the tablet side.
You should be able to find the latest update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update, (if you’re not automatically prompted to download it anyway), but if it’s not visible then check back later or tomorrow, as it might take a while to land on every device.
Analysis: next stop iOS 16
Given that iOS 15.6 has landed around two months after iOS 15.5, it might well be the last version of iOS 15 we get, since iOS 16 is expected roughly two months from now in September.
It’s possible that we’ll see an iOS 15.7 a month or so down the line, but we wouldn’t count on it, and either way, iOS 16 will almost certainly be the next big update.
So what can you expect with that? Well, Apple has already announced iOS 16 and launched betas of the software, so we know a lot of what will be on offer. This includes customizable lock screens, improved notifications, an ‘Undo send’ feature for Messages, improvements to the Focus mode, a redesigned Home app, and a whole lot more.
Basically, this is an update fitting of having a whole new number attached to it, so it’s one you’ll want to download. It also looks like a significantly bigger update than Android 13, which is also expected later this year.
Huawei says medium-term developments in 5G technology will deliver mobile broadband speeds of up to 10Gbps within five to ten years, unlocking a new generation of industrial use cases.
The Chinese tech giant uses the term "5.5G" to describe future advances that bridge the gap between the current generation of mobile technology and 6G networks which are due to be commercially available as early as 2030.
It argues the headline speed will be achieved through wireless technologies like MIMO, through higher spectrum efficiency, and higher order modulation, and as part of a wider connectivity ecosystem that comprises advances in fibre, Passive Optical Network (PON), and Wi-Fi 7.
5.5G network vision
When combined with advances in microprocessors, storage, cloud computing and other areas of IT infrastructure, Huawei believes 5.5G will unlock a new generation of intelligent, interconnected, and scaled services for businesses by breaking free of existing technological bottlenecks.
It believes the potential for robotics, industrial applications, and massive IoT deployments is vast.
“As [digitisation] takes hold, intelligent applications will see large-scale commercialisation and computing resources will be located across multiple clouds," said David Wang, chairman of Huawei’s ICT Infrastructure Management board. “Enterprises need to make use of computing power from multiple clouds at lower costs, with greater agility and flexibility.”
To accelerate the development of ‘5.5G’, Huawei wants the industry to develop a common roadmap within the frameworks of standardisation bodies like 3GPP and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
“As we move towards the 5.5G era, all industry players need to work together to bring standards to maturity and cultivate a thriving industry,” he said.
Although Huawei has endured many well-documented struggles in the US, the UK and in other markets, it is still a highly influential player in the world of telecommunications and IT, especially when it comes to networking technology.
It hopes that by establishing a leadership position in such standardisation it can maintain this influence despite any geopolitical difficulties. This will prove especially important in 6G, where Huawei hopes to launch its first compatible products by 2030.
Here are the best 5G phone deals if you're looking for the current speed champs
Recently we heard a rumor that Samsung would announce its next wave of devices on August 10, and now we know that rumor was right, as the company has just confirmed that the next Samsung Unpacked event will happen then.
The company has shared a teaser video which – as well as including the date – also very clearly shows a foldable phone that looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, so this is almost certainly the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.
As if that wasn’t clear enough, the video also includes the text “unfold your world,” while in an accompanying Twitter post, Samsung wrote “Watch something greater than before unfold.” So we’re certain that at least one foldable will land on August 10, and almost certain that the Galaxy Z Flip 4 specifically will.
Aug 10.2022 > TodayWatch something greater than before unfold at https://t.co/D6nxwskXj1. #SamsungUnpacked pic.twitter.com/xopUxDhpRZJuly 19, 2022
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But that phone probably won’t be alone, as it’s heavily rumored that we’ll also see the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 Pro on that date.
Speaking of which, we’ve also now seen what appear to be a leaked press render of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, shared by PriceBaba. The site claims to have obtained this from industry sources, and the phone in the image looks very similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3.
We’d take this picture with a pinch of salt, especially because the camera design doesn’t quite line up with an earlier image shared by MySmartPrice. Still, leaks suggest the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will look remarkably similar to its predecessor, so this render probably isn’t too far off the mark even if it’s not completely accurate.
With the phone almost certainly being unveiled on August 10, we should find out the truth soon.
(Image credit: PriceBaba)
Analysis: an August 10 announcement, but when will they go on sale?
While the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4, Galaxy Z Flip 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will probably all be unveiled on August 10, they’re unlikely to ship on that day.
We don’t know for sure when they will ship, but Jon Prosser – a leaker with a mixed but respectable track record - previously pointed to August 26. That’s especially notable because they correctly leaked the August 10 announcement date – a date which they say is also when pre-orders will open.
You don’t have to wait even until then to register your interest though, as three mystery Galaxy devices, including a smartphone, a smartwatch, and earbuds, are available for reservation now in the US, and if you do so you unlock a credit of up to $200 to use on your pre-order. So you can make what's likely to be one of the best Samsung phones a little more affordable.
At least, a leaked teaser image shared by Evan Blass – a leaker with a great track record – strongly points in that direction.
The image includes what appears to be a blurred picture of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 alongside the August 10 date. It also mentions that this will be a Galaxy Unpacked event, which is what Samsung usually calls its big launch events.
**THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN EDITED TO OBFUSCATE CERTAIN DETAIL**See what I did there? pic.twitter.com/BrH4sT99yUJuly 18, 2022
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There’s no sign of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 but based on past form we’d fully expect that to land at the same time. It’s also likely that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will land at this event, so August 10 could be a busy day for Samsung fans and tech journalists.
TechRadar will of course cover the launch event in full whenever it does happen, but you should also be able to tune into a live stream if you’d like. That tends to be the case and this teaser image specifically mentions that the event will be live on Samsung.com.
Analysis: August 10 looks highly likely
If this was the only evidence of an August 10 announcement we’d think there’s a high chance it was accurate. After all, Blass is a very reputable leaker, and the shared image looks convincing enough.
But there are other signs pointing to August 10, as well. For one thing, Jon Prosser – a leaker with a more mixed but generally solid track record – had previously said that would be when we’d see the Flip 4 and Fold 4.
For what it’s worth, Prosser also claims that both of these handsets will hit stores on August 26, just over two weeks after they’re announced – though pre-orders will apparently open immediately.
At least, a leaked teaser image shared by Evan Blass – a leaker with a great track record – strongly points in that direction.
The image includes what appears to be a blurred picture of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 alongside the August 10 date. It also mentions that this will be a Galaxy Unpacked event, which is what Samsung usually calls its big launch events.
**THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN EDITED TO OBFUSCATE CERTAIN DETAIL**See what I did there? pic.twitter.com/BrH4sT99yUJuly 18, 2022
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There’s no sign of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 but based on past form we’d fully expect that to land at the same time. It’s also likely that the Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro will land at this event, so August 10 could be a busy day for Samsung fans and tech journalists.
TechRadar will of course cover the launch event in full whenever it does happen, but you should also be able to tune into a live stream if you’d like. That tends to be the case and this teaser image specifically mentions that the event will be live on Samsung.com.
Analysis: August 10 looks highly likely
If this was the only evidence of an August 10 announcement we’d think there’s a high chance it was accurate. After all, Blass is a very reputable leaker, and the shared image looks convincing enough.
But there are other signs pointing to August 10, as well. For one thing, Jon Prosser – a leaker with a more mixed but generally solid track record – had previously said that would be when we’d see the Flip 4 and Fold 4.
For what it’s worth, Prosser also claims that both of these handsets will hit stores on August 26, just over two weeks after they’re announced – though pre-orders will apparently open immediately.
Android apps often collect all sorts of data about you and your device, like name and location, as well as sometimes having access to your photos or messages, among other things. So, it’s vital that you understand what degree of access an app is going to have before downloading it, something that's now been made that much harder to understand.
That’s because Google recently rolled out a new feature called 'Data safety', which requires app developers to disclose the data that their apps collect, whether the data is being shared with third-parties, and the app’s security practices. That sounds like a promising step, and if this was just an addition it would be, but Google is also quietly removing the app permissions list from store listings.
This change wasn’t announced by the company but has been spotted by Mishaal Rahman (senior technical editor at Esper).
That app permissions list was automatically generated by Google, which although accurate, wasn’t always clear about why specific permissions were needed or data was collected.
This new Data safety screen should, in many cases, be a lot clearer, since app developers can explain why they need various kinds of data, but because it’s down to those developers to fill in, there’s also a risk that the information could be incomplete or inaccurate.
Having both the Data safety and permissions screens would be more comprehensive, but could also make for a cluttered and confusing listing, so we can see why Google might choose only to show one; it's just unclear whether this was the right call.
In most cases, this probably won’t be too much of a problem, although unscrupulous app developers will now have more freedom to hide the data collection practices of their apps, which is a definite worry.
Google has warned that if the Data safety screen isn’t complete and accurate then apps could have their updates blocked or even be removed from the Play Store, but it’s not clear how quickly or comprehensively Google will spot and take action against offenders.
Analysis: Google’s not alone in leaving it up to developers
(Image credit: Future)
While this is a troubling move, it’s similar to something Apple is already doing, with its privacy ‘nutrition labels’, which app developers are required to complete. The Washington Post , however, found that these labels too were often inaccurate, so there’s no reason to think Google’s alternative won’t suffer the same fate.
The one advantage Android users have over iOS users in this situation is that they’re not limited to the Google Play Store, and while generally that’s considered the safest place to get apps, Rahman points out that third-party app stores like the Aurora Store still shows the app permissions list – something which it’s able to do because Google still collects this data behind the scenes.
As such, if you’re worried about this change then sourcing an alternative app store offering the insights and assurances you need might be worth looking into. Of course, most Android users probably won’t know this is an option and will take the data shown on the Google Play Store listings at face value – which may no longer be fully accurate and complete, even among the best Android apps.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 aren't expected to break cover until next month – at the next big Samsung hardware launch event – but we now have some rumors relating to the 2023 successors to these foldables.
As per The Elec (via Android Central), both phones are going to come running the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 mobile processor. That CPU hasn't been announced yet, but it should become official before the end of 2022.
What's more, according to the sources that The Elec has spoken to, the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is likely to come with a triple-lens rear camera, including a 50MP main sensor. The current Galaxy Z Fold 3 handset offers a 12MP+12MP+12MP rear camera.
Supply and demand
This new report also suggests that the foldables Samsung launches in 2023 might not be as easy to get as the 2022 equivalents: the shipments target has been "set conservatively" at 10 million units in total, compared to 15 million units for the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
Most of those units will be the Flip, with Samsung expecting the clamshell foldable to account for 8 million of those 10 million sales. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 are thought to have shifted a little over 7 million units in terms of sales.
The Elec cites the rising prices of raw materials, economic uncertainty, and the continuing effects of the global coronavirus pandemic as reasons why the number of target shipments will be lower in 2023 – but there's still time for Samsung to raise its targets again.
Analysis: price is key to future foldable success
Foldable phones are engineering marvels, and it's no surprise that prices for the first iterations of these devices have been very high – what with them having displays that actually bend in the middle without breaking.
At the time when they were launched, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 were retailing for $1,799 / £1,599 / AU$2,499 and $999 / £949 / AU$1,499 respectively. The new models due next month might knock those prices down slightly as Samsung's production processes get more efficient, but if they do, it's unlikely to be by much.
That's a lot of money to spend on a smartphone, even if you are getting a lot back in return (especially when it comes to the Z Fold 3 and its huge 7.6-inch screen). A large proportion of people simply aren't going to be able to justify the cost of a foldable phone, looking at where the pricing is right now.
Costs should come down over time – that's what usually happens with technology – but issues relating to the pandemic and global supplies might well affect that. Until these foldables get more affordable, they're likely to remain a niche choice.
We're hoping that the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is going to get its official unveiling next month, and in the meantime we've got a leaked image showing off the foldable clamshell smartphone from the side.
The picture, courtesy of 91mobiles, looks like it comes from the promotional material that Samsung is presumably preparing. As expected, it doesn't seem as though there are going to be a huge number of aesthetic changes from the previous version.
Alongside the tagline "Next Galaxy", the Galaxy Z Flip 4 appears in a new purple shade that Samsung is apparently calling Bora. It's a color that is rumored to be coming to several other Samsung devices in the near future.
All in the details
While the design of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is thought to be similar to that of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3, it's unlikely to be identical: in the leaked image you can see the side buttons are larger and more pronounced this time around.
The camera lenses also look to be sticking out further than on the previous model, while the overall design is not quite so tapered. We're hoping that means camera upgrades as well as extra battery capacity for the Galaxy Z Flip 4.
While this image doesn't tell us a whole lot about the upcoming foldable phone, it's more evidence that the handset is coming soon. We're expecting to see a host of new Samsung devices at the same event, including some smartwatches.
Analysis: bring on the foldables
Foldable phones are continuing to edge closer and closer to becoming mainstream devices – both Google and Apple are rumored to be working on their own foldable handsets, which is a promising sign for the future of the form factor.
However, the rise of the foldable owes an awful lot to Samsung. Without the yearly releases of the Z Fold and the Z Flip handsets, consumers wouldn't have much choice in this category at all, bar occasional offerings from Huawei and Xiaomi.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold is the more conventional foldable, opening and closing like a book, and we're expecting to see the Galaxy Z Fold 4 alongside the Galaxy Z Flip 4 whenever Samsung decides to hold its next hardware showcase.
By all accounts, they should be the best foldable phones we've seen yet, and we're hoping the prices are going to be appealing as well. August is shaping up to be an important month for the near future of foldable phones.
Deutsche Telekom has sold a 51% stake in its GD Towers business for €17.5 billion, becoming the latest major European telco to divest some control of its passive mobile infrastructure assets to a third party.
The successful bid came from a consortium comprising DigitalBridge and Brookfield, both of which have experience in the field and have promised to invest in the business to further monetise the tower assets in Germany and Austria.
The deal provides Deutsche Telekom with an opportunity to reduce its debt and further its ambition to achieve a majority stake in T-Mobile USA, while it retains significant minority rights as a 49% shareholder in GD Towers.
Tower sale
The operator will remain the anchor tenant and will benefit from any future revenue growth in the business.
“Deutsche Telekom once again delivers on its strategic agenda. We crystalize the value of our tower assets, thereby creating value for our shareholders,” said Tim Höttges, CEO of Deutsche Telekom.
“At the same time the deal allows us to continue improving Deutsche Telekom’s undisputed network leadership in Germany and benefit from further value upside of the towers business through our retained 49% stake.”
Many operators have sought to either sell or spin off their tower assets in recent years, hoping to raise funds to invest in new networks. A sale generates immediate capital, while a separate entity or joint-venture can be more effective at monetising the infrastructure than if it stays in house.
Meanwhile, private equity firms and third-party investors who can take a long term view appreciate the predictable returns and the scope for growth given the expected explosion in demand for mobile data and 5G services.
Spanish firm Cellnex has a growing portfolio of assets across Europe, including those formerly owned by Three’s parent company CK Hutchison, while Vodafone has spun off its towers into Vantage Towers, a business which went public last year.
“This represents a great opportunity to invest in a highly attractive tower portfolio, with highly contracted cash flows and strong upside potential,” elaborated Sam Pollock, Managing Partner at Brookfield and CEO Infrastructure. “Brookfield is already a leading global infrastructure investor, with approximately 200,000 telecom tower and rooftop sites under management globally. We hope to bring that experience and expertise to this new partnership, for the benefit of our customers in Germany, Austria and beyond.”
“The combination of Deutsche Telekom’s leading mobile network and market position, alongside one of the largest real asset managers in the world in Brookfield, combined with the digital infrastructure domain expertise of DigitalBridge, creates a team of unmatched capabilities to support GD Towers as it grows to meet the evolving network demands of enterprises and consumers across Europe,” added Marc Ganzi, CEO of DigitalBridge.
From what we’ve heard so far, it sounds like the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will be very different phones to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max, with more changes than we usually see on Pro models. But with the iPhone 15 line, Apple might significantly differentiate between the Pro and the Pro Max as well.
That’s because, according to Ming-Chi Kuo – an analyst with a great track record for Apple information – the iPhone 15 Pro Max might get a periscope camera, while the iPhone 15 Pro would be left with a more conventional telephoto one.
A periscope camera is able to zoom further, and we’ve heard rumors of one being added to the iPhone for a long time. But Kuo has additional information here, saying that it would likely offer either 5x or 6x optical zoom (up from 3x on Apple’s current telephoto modules), and that it would use a 12MP sensor and have an f/2.8 aperture.
That still wouldn’t be a match for the 10x optical zoom offered by the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, but it would certainly make for a big upgrade.
However, it’s an upgrade that you’d apparently only get if you opted for Apple’s biggest and most expensive iPhone – going Pro isn’t enough, you’d need to go Pro Max.
The standard iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Max meanwhile may well continue to lack any sort of telephoto lens, and could be less powerful too, given that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Max will reportedly have worse chipsets than the Pro models this year.
Analysis: a fracture that could heal
This split could make each of Apple’s iPhone 15 models feel vastly different to one another, but there might be at least a little more unity with the iPhone 16 line, as Kuo claims that for those phones both Pro models will get a periscope camera – and that it will be a similar one to what we see on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
So perhaps we’ll return then to the main split being between the Pro models and the standard models, but you never know, Apple might have other features or upgrades up its sleeve that it could reserve for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Either way, for the next couple of years at least it sounds like there could be lots more to choose between the different iPhone models – which might mean fewer new ones end up on our lists of the best iPhones and best phones, since some may be significantly better than others.
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