After almost a year of working properly and being cleanly distributed through the Play Store, a popular Android screen recording app has turned on its users, recording their calls, stealing files, and even listening in to the sounds of the device’s environment.
Cybersecurity researchers from ESET found the app, named iRecorder - Screen Recorder, which was added to the Play Store in September 2021, turned sour in August 2022.
In the year before malicious code was apparently added, more than 50,000 people had downloaded the app, the report said.
Unknown motives
The malware that was subsequently added is based on the open-source AhMyth Android Remote Access Trojan (RAT), but was heavily modified. ESET says whoever modified the code took their time to understand the code of both the app and the back end. ESET’s researchers dubbed the malware AhRat.
The threat actors behind the compromise are unknown, and so are their motives. But given the functionalities of AhRat, all things point to an espionage campaign, the researchers said. After all, besides the screen recording feature (which isn’t malicious), the app can record ambient audio picked up by the endpoint’s microphone, and exfiltrate files such as saved web pages, images, audio, video, document files, and more.
“The AhRat research case serves as a good example of how an initially legitimate application can transform into a malicious one, even after many months, spying on its users and compromising their privacy. While it is possible that the app developer had intended to build up a user base before compromising their Android devices through an update or that a malicious actor introduced this change in the app; so far, we have no evidence for either of these hypotheses,” ESET researcher Lukáš Štefanko said.
In other words, there’s a slight chance the app was taken over by malicious actors and used in a supply chain attack.
The iRecorder app versions 1.3.8 and older are not malicious, it was said, but if you updated it in the meantime, chances are - you’ve been compromised. The worst part is that the victims didn’t even need to grant the app any further permissions. The app has since been removed from the Play Store.
We all remember our first device, whether it was a groundbreaking iPhone, an indestructible Nokia, or a pioneering Motorola DynaTAC. In a short time, we’ve gone from making calls and sending texts on brick phones to playing 3D games and streaming live 4K video on shiny, sleek handsets. The smartphone is as much a fashion item and part of popular culture as it is a productivity device in 2023.
But how much have you been keeping up with the innovative handsets, and the technological advances that enabled them over the past forty years? It’s time to test your knowledge with our quiz!
Apple has only just dropped iOS 16.5, but already there’s a public beta for iOS 16.6, the finished version of which will probably land in the next month or so, based on past form. This doesn’t look to be one of the biggest iOS updates ever, but there’s one potentially very useful new feature.
That feature is iMessage Contact Key Verification, which Apple actually announced last year, but is only now activating. If you and the person or people you’re messaging both enable this feature, then you’ll be alerted if Apple detects a potential intrusion – for example, if the cloud servers your messages are carried on appear to have been breached.
Contact Verification Codes can also be compared and verified in person or over a FaceTime call. So, all this is essentially a way of verifying that you’re talking to the person you believe you’re talking to, and that no one is eavesdropping on the conversation.
(Image credit: Apple)
This is probably a level of security beyond what most people really need, especially as iMessage is already end-to-end encrypted. Indeed, when Apple announced the feature, it positioned this as something aimed at people facing "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists and government officials.
It’s a feature that’s designed to stop “an exceptionally advanced adversary, such as a state-sponsored attacker,” so this isn’t something you should – in theory – need to avoid garden-variety hackers. That said, it’s something anyone can enable, so if you want that extra peace of mind, the option is now there.
Or it will be, anyway – while the feature is now visible, it doesn’t appear to be functional yet, according to BGR.
Few features to find
Presumably, then, Apple is still getting it set up, but with it visible in this iOS 16.6 beta, it seems very likely that the iMessage Contact Key Verification feature will fully launch in the finished version of iOS 16.6.
This seems to be the only feature that has been found in this iOS 16.6 beta, and handily Apple hasn’t provided any release notes for the beta. So, there may be more features lurking in there, and there may be additional features added in subsequent betas or the finished iOS 16.6 release.
But as we’re not aware of any functional changes in this current build, there’s probably no need to download it. And while it will definitely be worth grabbing the finished version, we might not see many new features until iOS 17.
There is a way to “brute-force” fingerprints on Android devices and with physical access to the smartphone, and enough time, a hacker would be able to unlock the device, a report from cybersecurity researchers at Tencent Labs and Zhejiang Unversity has claimed.
As per the report, there are two zero-day vulnerabilities present in Android devices (as well as those powered by Apple’s iOS and Huawei’s HarmonyOS), called Cancel-After-Match-Fail (CAMF) and Match-After-Lock (MAL).
By abusing these flaws, the researchers managed to do two things: have Android allow an infinite number of fingerprint scanning attempts; and use databases found in academic datasets, biometric data leaks, and similar.
Cheap hardware
To pull the attacks off, the attackers needed a couple of things: physical access to an Android-powered smartphone, enough time, and $15 worth of hardware.
The researchers named the attack “BrutePrint”, and claim that for a device that only has one fingerprint set up, it would take between 2.9 and 13.9 hours to break into the endpoint. Devices with multiple fingerprint recordings are significantly easier to break into, they added, with the average time for “brute-printing” being between 0.66 hours and 2.78 hours.
The researchers ran the test on ten “popular smartphone models”, as well as a couple of iOS devices. We don’t know exactly which models were vulnerable, but they said that on Android and HarmonyOS devices, they managed to achieve infinite tries. For iOS devices, however, they only managed to get an extra ten attempts on iPhone SE and iPhone 7 models, which is not enough to successfully pull off the attack. Thus, the conclusion is that while iOS might be vulnerable to these flaws, the current method of breaking into the device via brute force won’t suffice.
While this type of attack might not be that attractive to the regular hacker, it could be used by state-sponsored actors and law enforcement agencies, the researchers concluded.
After rumors that Samsung might be switching its in-house browser app's default search engine from Google to Bing – perhaps in time for the Galaxy S24 – a new report suggests that the change is no longer happening, which is no doubt a relief to Google.
This comes from the Wall Street Journal (via The Verge), and like the original rumor, there's not a whole lot to go off. The WSJ says that an internal review into whether Samsung should jump from Google to Bing has now been suspended, with Samsung apparently worried about disruption for users and souring its relationship with Google.
Those clearly negative aspects of any potential switch made the idea of it pretty inconceivable in the first place, though it sounds as though Samsung was thinking about it – perhaps impressed by the swift rolling out of various Bing AI features.
Staying number one
Another factor to consider in all of this is that we're talking about Samsung's own Internet Browser app: Google would of course still have been front and center in Chrome for Android. Nevertheless, the move would've made plenty of headlines.
We know that Google actually pays Apple to be the default search engine in Safari, an arrangement that's perhaps easier to swallow for Apple as it doesn't have a search engine of its own. Google then rakes in billions in ad revenue through searches run on iOS (and indeed Samsung handsets).
All that said, the WSJ cites "people familiar with the matter" as saying that Samsung "isn't permanently closing the door" on switching to Bing in the future – so Google executives might have some work to do yet.
Analysis: search is changing
One of the ways in which OpenAI and ChatGPT have changed the tech landscape is in giving Microsoft an intelligent chatbot that can return better search results in some situations. Google has since plugged its own Bard chatbot into various products, including its flagship web search engine.
That means that in future years, we might be spending less time opening up a web browser and typing out our queries, and more time interacting with a bot to get the information that we need. That in turn is likely to impact advertising revenues – both for Google and for web publishers.
It's difficult to predict how this is all going to play out, but we might get to a point where it's not so important for Google to be the number one search engine in Samsung's Internet Browser or Apple's Safari, if it's attracting users in other ways. In fact, it's something of a surprise that it's taken this long for web search to evolve beyond its original form.
There are all kinds of uncertainties going forward around how these bots grab their information and how the human beings who provide the content get compensated, but it's going to be interesting to see how the search landscape changes – and whether or not Bing (or anyone else) can truly challenge Google.
Apple has been paying attention to the rise of ChatGPT, Google Bard and other similar tools: so far this month the company has posted 28 job opportunities in the field of AI, which gives us a clear indication that Apple is ready to invest in this technology.
As spotted by 9to5Mac, one of the listings is for a Visual Generative Modeling Research Engineer. The role will be part of "a group that will shape the way generative AI technologies transform Apple's mobile computing platforms", the description says.
That sounds fairly ambitious to us. It's not clear exactly what these roles mean for users, but the number of roles that are now open and the language used in their descriptions would point to Apple taking generative AI very seriously.
AI with everything
There's plenty of artificial intelligence embedded into Apple products already of course – whether it's finding photos of your cat or recognizing Siri voice commands – but this seems likely to be on a whole new level in terms of what it's capable of.
Recent reports suggest that Apple knows it's falling behind the likes of OpenAI, Microsoft and Google in the AI race, and we've already written about the response that's needed from Apple if it wants to compete in this particular area.
Apple CEO Tim Cook is on record as saying that recent advances in generative AI are "very interesting" but has also said that Apple is going to be "deliberate and thoughtful" in its approach to the technology – so watch this space.
Analysis: apply here
You can search for AI-related jobs at Apple yourself, and you can see they cover a whole host of different teams and job titles. As you would expect, you need a lot of talent, experience and passion to meet the requirements for one of these posts.
The language is different across the various listings, but we've spotted references to " the next generation of natural language understanding capability of Siri" and "the pivotal shift of AI technologies that is leading the revolution in human-computer interaction".
That's the sort of language that makes us think Apple is taking generative AI very seriously. Whether or not Siri will morph into a ChatGPT-style bot remains to be seen, but it's one of the possibilities that this latest batch of job listings point to.
Apple knows that if it doesn't move fast on AI, someone else will. OpenAI just launched ChatGPT for iOS, while there are numerous other third-party tools that can bring top-tier artificial intelligence tools to your Apple products right now.
The Google Pixel Fold is now official, though you won't be able to buy it until next month, and it sounds as though the company is open to the idea of developing foldables in other form factors in the future as well.
This comes from Google Pixel product manager George Hwang speaking to Tom's Guide at Google I/O 2023: in response to a question about flip foldables, Hwang said that the Pixel team is "definitely looking" at "different types of devices, different types of technologies".
This is by no means a confirmation that Google is bringing out a Pixel Flip in the near future, something like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 or the Motorola Razr 2022 – but Google certainly seems open to bringing out other foldables in the future.
Focus on the Fold
In the same interview, Hwang said that the team at Google was currently very much focused on making sure that the Pixel Fold is the best it can be – "from the design to the apps as well as the cameras" in his words.
That suggests that the classic foldable form factor is going to be the one that keeps Google busy for the foreseeable future. It's by no means easy to get right, and it makes sense to try and perfect the Google Fold before moving on to the Google Flip.
Several manufacturers in our list of the best foldable phones make foldables in two different form factors – Samsung being the perfect example – and it means that those in the market for a new foldable have more than one type to choose from.
Analysis: setting foldable standards
Tom's Guide previously published another article off the back of its interview with Google Pixel product manager George Hwang, and it gives us more context to the development and the launch of the Google Pixel Fold, unveiled on May 10.
"Our focus was on ensuring that we brought the best device all around," says Hwang, producing a handset that would deliver the "greatest experience for a foldable phone to our users" – and that meant reworking the architecture of the device from scratch, redesigning components such as the cameras to suit.
Google is claiming that the Pixel Fold has the most durable hinge on a foldable yet, based on an extensive testing process. The outer display was designed to give the most phone-like experience possible too, so that users only have to open up the foldable when they need the full 7.6-inch display.
As for why Google is so far behind Samsung on foldables – with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 imminent – Hwang says it was a question of getting the right hardware, software, and apps in place and working together. From our first impressions, we'd say Google got the combination just about right.
We've got more leaks of the upcoming Motorola Razr 2023 foldable to bring you – and it looks as though the smaller screen on the outside of the device is going to be capable of running full apps and even supporting a keyboard.
This comes from well-known tipster Evan Blass (via 9to5Google), who has posted a pile of images and videos of the flip phone ahead of its official unveiling. We can see apps and games running full screen on the cover display, and a keyboard popping up.
There's what looks like a mapping app on show here, as well as an app that appears to be TikTok. One of the videos shows a user tapping away on the cover screen keyboard to respond to a contact in an instant message conversation.
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(Image credit: Evan Blass)
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(Image credit: Evan Blass)
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(Image credit: Evan Blass)
On the cover
These photos and videos look very much like official promotional materials designed by Motorola, so we'll probably see something like them when the phone is unveiled. That's rumored to be happening around August time, a year after the Razr 2022.
This sort of full app support for the cover display is a welcome feature: it matches what we've seen on previous Razr flip foldables, and it's something that you don't get on similar phones from other manufacturers (like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4).
From what we've heard so far, it sounds as though the 2023 version of the Motorola Razr is going to be a significant upgrade over its predecessor, and we've already seen pictures of the handset showing off the larger cover screen this time around.
Analysis: what's in a name?
Evan Blass is a leaker with a strong track record and we don't have any reason to doubt the information and the media that he shares. In the same tweet thread as the images and video, Blass has also outlined how the branding of the Razr 2023 is going to work.
As has been hinted at previously, we're apparently going to get two Razr models in 2023, differing in terms of specs and price, if not design. Blass says that the more premium phone will be the Razr Plus in the US and the Razr 40 Ultra everywhere else.
That Razr 40 Ultra name has come up before. Presumably the standard models will be the Razr in the US and the Razr 40 in other regions – we'll have to wait and see which of the rumored specs apply to which of the handsets.
It's a somewhat confusing approach, and we're not entirely sure the reason for it – but it's something Motorola has been doing for years. The recent Motorola Edge 40 Pro, for example, is known as the Edge Plus in the United States.
Google’s Pixel Pro 8 might benefit from a new built-in thermometer, if the latest leak from the grapevine proves correct.
Android Police spotted a leaked video, purportedly of the next-gen Pixel Pro, which comes from 91mobiles and @Za_Raczke on Twitter, showing off the handset front and back – and that new sensor.
👀 Take a look at this first ever real life recording of the upcoming Pixel 8 Pro and its new thermometer sensor in my new leak, exclusively on @91mobiles!https://t.co/Sbpc9Y6rbaMay 18, 2023
See more
The video clip (which you can watch below) is about the sensor which measures your body temperature. You use it by holding the sensor close to your skin, and basically moving it across your forehead to your temple.
The smartphone’s temperature sensor can be used on objects, too, not just your body.
We can see that the design of the Google Pixel Pro 8 is very much in the same vein as the Pixel Pro 7. There are slight differences, like the rear camera configuration, which has all the cameras grouped together in the pill housing (but the raised strip across the back with the cameras in it remains the same).
We can expect more leaks on the Pixel Pro 8 in the near future as @Za_Raczke tells us that “this is only the beginning”.
Analysis: Tepid take
This is a bit of an odd one. The leak tells us Google is pretty much treading the same path as the Pixel Pro 7 with the Pro 8, and the major addition into the mix here is one that’s, well, of dubious value – or at least a niche thing.
Okay, so there are times when it’s useful to take your temperature, like when you’re ill, just to make sure you aren’t really burning up. But you can just use a thermometer for those (likely) pretty rare occasions – although admittedly, scanning your skin is a less intrusive way of going about measuring your temperature than a traditional (stick under your tongue) thermometer.
It’s quick and convenient, certainly – providing you don’t get misreads and have to do it repeatedly. Accuracy will, of course, be key to how this new feature goes down, and past implementations of temperature sensors on phones haven’t exactly been a big hit (like the Galaxy S4, way, way back).
In short, this all seems a bit out of left field. Is a thermometer top of your wish-list for the next Google Pixel Pro? Is it even on your wish-list for that matter? Nope, ours neither. Ahh, well.
BT has announced it will be reducing its workforce by up to 40% by the end of the decade. Given that its current workforce of employees and contractors is roughly 130,000 strong, that would mean up to 55,000 people may be laid off.
BT Chief Executive Officer Philip Jansen said that by the end of this decade, the company will have a "much smaller workforce" and a "significantly reduced cost base". In the next decade, BT will be “a leaner business with a brighter future,” Jansen added.
The media are also saying that BT is focused on expanding its fiber network which, unlike the current copper network, will be more reliable and would require less maintenance. Just migrating to fiber could help BT reduce its workforce by 15,000 people.
New hardware and software
Furthermore, BT will be adding more artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for its customer support department, which will also help it cut down on staff. Finally, general company restructuring will also help it reduce its workforce.
In its latest yearly earnings report, the company reported a 12% decrease in profit, hitting £1.7bn.
Earlier this week, it was reported that Vodafone is looking to reduce its workforce by roughly 10%, or 11,000 jobs. The process would take roughly three years. Vodafone's new CEO Margherita della Valle said the company was looking to “simplify” itself, and job cuts are part of that plan, as she claims the company’s performance “has not been good enough”.
"To consistently deliver, Vodafone must change,” she said. "My priorities are customers, simplicity and growth. We will simplify our organization, cutting out complexity to regain our competitiveness."
The company recently reported €45.7 billion in sales, a small rise, but also reported a fall in pre-tax profits, leading analysts to expect a “broadly flat” financial year for the company.
The Google Pixel 7a was unveiled at Google I/O 2023 and is available to buy now – but is this mid-ranger the right buy for your next smartphone? Or would your money be better spent elsewhere? We're here to help you make the right call.
You get the Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage with the Pixel 7a. It has a 6.1-inch, 90Hz screen with a 2,400 x 1,080 pixel resolution, while the camera on the back of the device is a dual-lens 64MP+13MP affair. It's available in Snow (white), Charcoal (gray), Sea (blue), and Coral (orange).
Not bad specs at all, but the successor to the Google Pixel 6a is no different to any other smartphone in that it has its strengths and weaknesses – and it's important to weigh them up before you commit to a purchase.
3 reasons to buy the Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a has that distinctive Pixel look (Image credit: Valerio Porcu)
1. It's as powerful as the Pixel 7 Pro
The Pixel 7a comes running the same Tensor G2 processor that you'll find inside the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro, which means you can expect the same kind of performance as well (albeit with less RAM). When a mid-range phone runs as fast as the current flagship in the same range, it's a strong selling point for the handset.
In our Pixel 7a review, we said that the phone performed "incredibly well", and it's clearly one of the main reasons to buy the phone rather than skip it. You'll have no problem editing photos, playing games, and putting the phone up against other demanding tasks.
Every mid-range phone is a series of trade-offs to get the price down from the flagship level, and we're pleased that Google has decided not to compromise on the chipset inside the Pixel 7a. It also means the phone should last you several years before you start to notice any sluggishness or slowing down.
2. It's available at a mid-range price
The Pixel 7a comes in at an official price of $499 / £449 / AU$749 – not bargain basement, but nowhere near the money you'll pay for a top-end flagship. For comparison, the Pixel 7 Pro costs $999 / £949 / AU$1,599 if you go with the model with the most internal storage, which is more or less double the money.
You can make a substantial saving on the Pixel 7a, and bear in mind that it has the same processor as the Pixel 7 Pro, as we've just mentioned. Over time we might see even more in the way of discounts and special offers applied to the phone, too.
As always when considering a phone upgrade, you need to balance how much you can (or want) to spend, against the sort of performance levels and features that you want in return for your investment. When it comes to the Pixel 7a, Google has managed that balance pretty well, and you shouldn't be disappointed by the value.
3. It has Pixel exclusives in Android
If you don't own a Pixel phone then you might not know that Google adds some exclusive features to the version of Android that it loads on these phones, including the Pixel 7a. This is a reason to buy the Pixel 7a as opposed to something from another manufacturer like Apple or Samsung.
For example, you get a Now Playing lock screen widget that identifies songs that are playing, Shazam-style. There's a Recorder app for quickly recording and automatically transcribing audio, and a special Night Sight low-light mode available in the camera.
Speaking of software, bear in mind too that Pixel phones always get Android updates first: When Android 14 rolls out to the masses later this year, you can be sure that the Pixel 7a is going to be one of the first in line to get it – which means you'll be get all the latest features and security fixes as quickly as possible.
3 reasons to skip the Pixel 7a
You can pick up the phone in four colors (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
1. The battery life isn't great
The battery inside the Google Pixel 7a has a capacity of 4,385 mAh, and based on our testing, it's rarely able to last a full day between charges. Having to plug in a smartphone every night isn't great, but it's better than having to hunt around for a charger and a mains socket during the day as well.
Wireless charging is offered, which is good, but the wired charging tops out at 18W: not only are you going to have to recharge the Pixel 7a regularly, you're going to have to wait a while for the battery to replenish, too – 45 minutes or so to get from zero to 50%.
It may be that you have phone chargers available at all times of the day, and you're not particularly fussed about battery life. However, we think it's a priority for a lot of people when it comes to smartphones – and if you don't want to have battery anxiety on a regular basis, it might be best to pass on the Pixel 7a.
2. You only get three years of updates
We've already talked up the benefits of Android on a Pixel phone, so it's time to mention one of the negatives: the Pixel 7a is only guaranteed to get software updates for three years, which means after that point you won't be getting any new features and won't have access to the latest version of Android.
It's worth mentioning that you get security updates for another couple of years after that, so you won't suddenly become a prime target for hackers. As far as the main Android updates go though, it's three years and then that's it.
Compare this to iPhones, which get six years of guaranteed updates: buy an iPhone 15 later this year, and you'll still be getting new versions of iOS in 2029. Perhaps you think you'll be upgrading from the Pixel 7a inside three years anyway, but it's a factor to consider.
3. The Pixel 8 will be here soon
Google hasn't said anything official about the Pixel 8 or the Pixel 8 Pro, but we're certain that they must be on the way. If these phones arrive a year after the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro made their bow, then we're looking at a launch around October time (and we might get the Pixel Watch 2 appearing at the same event).
We should see a step up in power, assuming Google will have its Tensor G3 processor ready by then, and according to rumors the Pixel 8 phones could come with up to 12GB of RAM. In other words, they're likely to be significantly more powerful than the Pixel 7a.
There are always new phones around the corner, of course, so you can't keep putting off an upgrade for this reason alone – but if you have the capacity in your budget, and you want a true flagship as your phone of choice, then it might be worth skipping the temptations of the Pixel 7a and waiting for the Pixel 8 instead.
The Google Pixel 7a was unveiled at Google I/O 2023 and is available to buy now – but is this mid-ranger the right buy for your next smartphone? Or would your money be better spent elsewhere? We're here to help you make the right call.
You get the Tensor G2 processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage with the Pixel 7a. It has a 6.1-inch, 90Hz screen with a 2,400 x 1,080 pixel resolution, while the camera on the back of the device is a dual-lens 64MP+13MP affair. It's available in Snow (white), Charcoal (gray), Sea (blue), and Coral (orange).
Not bad specs at all, but the successor to the Google Pixel 6a is no different to any other smartphone in that it has its strengths and weaknesses – and it's important to weigh them up before you commit to a purchase.
3 reasons to buy the Pixel 7a
The Pixel 7a has that distinctive Pixel look (Image credit: Valerio Porcu)
1. It's as powerful as the Pixel 7 Pro
The Pixel 7a comes running the same Tensor G2 processor that you'll find inside the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro, which means you can expect the same kind of performance as well (albeit with less RAM). When a mid-range phone runs as fast as the current flagship in the same range, it's a strong selling point for the handset.
In our Pixel 7a review, we said that the phone performed "incredibly well", and it's clearly one of the main reasons to buy the phone rather than skip it. You'll have no problem editing photos, playing games, and putting the phone up against other demanding tasks.
Every mid-range phone is a series of trade-offs to get the price down from the flagship level, and we're pleased that Google has decided not to compromise on the chipset inside the Pixel 7a. It also means the phone should last you several years before you start to notice any sluggishness or slowing down.
2. It's available at a mid-range price
The Pixel 7a comes in at an official price of $499 / £449 / AU$749 – not bargain basement, but nowhere near the money you'll pay for a top-end flagship. For comparison, the Pixel 7 Pro costs $999 / £949 / AU$1,599 if you go with the model with the most internal storage, which is more or less double the money.
You can make a substantial saving on the Pixel 7a, and bear in mind that it has the same processor as the Pixel 7 Pro, as we've just mentioned. Over time we might see even more in the way of discounts and special offers applied to the phone, too.
As always when considering a phone upgrade, you need to balance how much you can (or want) to spend, against the sort of performance levels and features that you want in return for your investment. When it comes to the Pixel 7a, Google has managed that balance pretty well, and you shouldn't be disappointed by the value.
3. It has Pixel exclusives in Android
If you don't own a Pixel phone then you might not know that Google adds some exclusive features to the version of Android that it loads on these phones, including the Pixel 7a. This is a reason to buy the Pixel 7a as opposed to something from another manufacturer like Apple or Samsung.
For example, you get a Now Playing lock screen widget that identifies songs that are playing, Shazam-style. There's a Recorder app for quickly recording and automatically transcribing audio, and a special Night Sight low-light mode available in the camera.
Speaking of software, bear in mind too that Pixel phones always get Android updates first: When Android 14 rolls out to the masses later this year, you can be sure that the Pixel 7a is going to be one of the first in line to get it – which means you'll be get all the latest features and security fixes as quickly as possible.
3 reasons to skip the Pixel 7a
You can pick up the phone in four colors (Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
1. The battery life isn't great
The battery inside the Google Pixel 7a has a capacity of 4,385 mAh, and based on our testing, it's rarely able to last a full day between charges. Having to plug in a smartphone every night isn't great, but it's better than having to hunt around for a charger and a mains socket during the day as well.
Wireless charging is offered, which is good, but the wired charging tops out at 18W: not only are you going to have to recharge the Pixel 7a regularly, you're going to have to wait a while for the battery to replenish, too – 45 minutes or so to get from zero to 50%.
It may be that you have phone chargers available at all times of the day, and you're not particularly fussed about battery life. However, we think it's a priority for a lot of people when it comes to smartphones – and if you don't want to have battery anxiety on a regular basis, it might be best to pass on the Pixel 7a.
2. You only get three years of updates
We've already talked up the benefits of Android on a Pixel phone, so it's time to mention one of the negatives: the Pixel 7a is only guaranteed to get software updates for three years, which means after that point you won't be getting any new features and won't have access to the latest version of Android.
It's worth mentioning that you get security updates for another couple of years after that, so you won't suddenly become a prime target for hackers. As far as the main Android updates go though, it's three years and then that's it.
Compare this to iPhones, which get six years of guaranteed updates: buy an iPhone 15 later this year, and you'll still be getting new versions of iOS in 2029. Perhaps you think you'll be upgrading from the Pixel 7a inside three years anyway, but it's a factor to consider.
3. The Pixel 8 will be here soon
Google hasn't said anything official about the Pixel 8 or the Pixel 8 Pro, but we're certain that they must be on the way. If these phones arrive a year after the Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro made their bow, then we're looking at a launch around October time (and we might get the Pixel Watch 2 appearing at the same event).
We should see a step up in power, assuming Google will have its Tensor G3 processor ready by then, and according to rumors the Pixel 8 phones could come with up to 12GB of RAM. In other words, they're likely to be significantly more powerful than the Pixel 7a.
There are always new phones around the corner, of course, so you can't keep putting off an upgrade for this reason alone – but if you have the capacity in your budget, and you want a true flagship as your phone of choice, then it might be worth skipping the temptations of the Pixel 7a and waiting for the Pixel 8 instead.
This comes from South Korean site Chosun (via Android Authority), which cites the tech industry as the source of this date.
Apparently, the next Samsung Unpacked event will happen then, with both phones in attendance. If it does, we’d see an earlier launch than normal, as Samsung’s foldables typically land in mid-August.
You should of course take this date with a pinch of salt, especially as this would be a bit earlier than normal, but we’ve heard similar claims elsewhere. Back in April, leaker @Tech_Reve claimed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 might land in July, and shortly after that, SamMobile claimed we’d see them in the last week of July – which fits with July 26.
Still shipping in August
All that said, that almost certainly won’t be when these phones actually ship, with Chosun saying that August 11 is the date when you’ll actually be able to get them in your hands. That too would be earlier than normal though.
Finally, this report adds that the unveiling will apparently happen in South Korea, which would be a change for Samsung, as it typically launches its foldables at an event in the US.
Of course, wherever the event is held it’s sure to be streamed live online, so you’ll be able to tune in from anywhere in the world, and we’ll be covering all the announcements here at TechRadar too.
This comes from South Korean site Chosun (via Android Authority), which cites the tech industry as the source of this date.
Apparently, the next Samsung Unpacked event will happen then, with both phones in attendance. If it does, we’d see an earlier launch than normal, as Samsung’s foldables typically land in mid-August.
You should of course take this date with a pinch of salt, especially as this would be a bit earlier than normal, but we’ve heard similar claims elsewhere. Back in April, leaker @Tech_Reve claimed that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 might land in July, and shortly after that, SamMobile claimed we’d see them in the last week of July – which fits with July 26.
Still shipping in August
All that said, that almost certainly won’t be when these phones actually ship, with Chosun saying that August 11 is the date when you’ll actually be able to get them in your hands. That too would be earlier than normal though.
Finally, this report adds that the unveiling will apparently happen in South Korea, which would be a change for Samsung, as it typically launches its foldables at an event in the US.
Of course, wherever the event is held it’s sure to be streamed live online, so you’ll be able to tune in from anywhere in the world, and we’ll be covering all the announcements here at TechRadar too.
Over the last few days, a growing number of Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 6 users (including owners of the Pro models) have reported that their phones are overheating and suffering from drastically reduced battery life.
That sounds like quite the problem, especially as battery life isn’t amazing on these phones to begin with. But Google has been quick to respond, as posting on the company’s support site, a community manager has said the following:
“We have received reports of Android devices becoming overheated and seeing accelerated battery drain. We identified the root cause of the issue being a recent Google app backend change that unintentionally resulted in these issues. We have rolled out a fix that should begin to take effect for impacted users immediately. No user action is needed.”
So, within a few days, Google has both acknowledged and seemingly fixed the issue, which is impressively fast, at least. It sounds from the statement like the fix should automatically be applied to the Google app, which has been identified as the culprit, so if you’re still having issues, you probably won’t do for much longer.
The latest in a long line of Pixel problems
Sadly, this isn’t the first issue that Pixel phone users have reported. In fact, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were so plagued with bugs that we dedicated an entire guide to fixing or working around them.
Those initial bugs now have official fixes (for the most part), and the Google Pixel 7 series hasn’t been quite as issue-ridden, but these phones still seem to have more than their fair share of problems, with Android Authority collating a list of over a dozen Pixel 7 bugs.
No phone lands bug-free, but Google’s recent handsets seem to have more of them than the majority of the best phones. So it’s a good thing the company also seems quick to respond to the more serious ones, at least in the case of the issue above.
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