A $699 tablet outrunning an iPad Pro in a CPU test sounds odd, but that’s what an early Geekbench 7 listing suggests for the iPad mini (2026). Its single-core score of 3,879 is about 8% above the 3,580 posted by the M5 iPad Pro 13. The Pro still wins on multi-core by 53%, with 15,126 points against the mini’s 9,870.

Apple announced the tablet this week with an OLED panel, an IP67 body, and iPadOS 27, and it goes on sale November 6. Pre-orders are open now at $699, €749, and £699.

OLED iPad Mini runs Geekbench 

The Geekbench listing shows the iPad running on A20 Pro with two performance cores clocked at 4.93GHz and three efficiency cores. It is the binned version of the chip available on the 128GB and 256GB model, while the 512GB variant gets the full six-core A20 Pro. Had it been the full A20 Pro on Geekbench, the difference in multi-core between the M5 iPad Pro 13 and the iPad mini (2026) could’ve been a little lower.

That said, the new model is substantially faster than the previous iPad mini. Geekbench posts its single- and multi-core scores at 2529 and 6741 points, which makes the new model over 45% faster in single-core and 35% faster in multi-core.

All in all, the result suggests the iPad mini (2026) should handle everyday tasks such as opening apps and browsing just as quickly as, or quicker than, some more expensive iPads. 

The difference could be more noticeable with heavier workloads such as video exports and rendering, where the additional CPU cores in the iPad Air 13 and iPad Pro 13 give them an advantage.

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When Apple launched the iPhone Air in September 2025, it became the thinnest iPhone the company had made. It also drew two complaints almost right away: the battery didn’t last as long as on the other models, and a single rear camera felt thin on a phone priced above the standard iPhone.

A fresh leak now suggests the company might address those issues in the iPhone Air 2. According to tipster Digital Chat Station, the next-iteration phone has two cameras and a battery larger than its predecessor. 

iPhone Air 2 Specifications (Rumored)

The iPhone Air 2 is said to have a 6.55-inch flat OLED with 1.5K+ resolution and a 120Hz LTPO panel. The new leak corroborates a previous one, which tipped a similar screen size. 

Inside, the phone is expected to use an A20-series chip built on a 2nm process. The battery is tipped at 3,500mAh, up from 3,149mAh in the first iPhone Air. That’s about 11% more capacity, and it would be welcome news for anyone who found the original’s battery life lacking, though the real-world gain will depend on how Apple tunes the phone.

Also, the rear setup will now have dual cameras of a 48MP main sensor and a new ultra-wide lens. This makes the camera count on par with the standard iPhone. And as usual, you can expect Face ID for unlocking.

What to expect on timing

According to reports, the iPhone Air 2 could launch in spring 2027, alongside the standard iPhone 18 and the iPhone 18e. The same report suggests the iPhone Air 2 could be the only ultra-thin flagship phone released in 2027. 

Pricing hasn’t surfaced, but with a bigger battery and an extra camera on the list, expect a higher price than the current iPhone Air. 

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Apple has opened India pre-orders for the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display, its first OLED and Touch MacBook, spanning 14- and 16-inch models with M5 Pro or M5 Max in Space Black and Silver. The India price list covers four starting configs with education savings on each. Units arrive from November 9 via apple.com/in and the Apple Store app.

MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR price and availability in India

Here are the starting prices for every base variant in India, with education savings where listed:

• 14-inch M5 Pro: Rs 3,49,900 (~$3,680); education Rs 3,31,900 (~$3,490)
• 16-inch M5 Pro: Rs 4,09,900 (~$4,315); education Rs 3,85,900 (~$4,060)
• 14-inch M5 Max: Rs 5,49,900 (~$5,790); education Rs 5,12,900 (~$5,400)
• 16-inch M5 Max: Rs 5,89,900 (~$6,210); education Rs 5,52,900 (~$5,820)

Pre-orders are live now. Availability begins November 9 in India, and eligible buyers can also pick up No Cost EMI plus up to Rs 15,000 (~$160) instant cashback on qualifying cards during the current promo window.

MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR specifications and features

Each model uses Apple’s tandem OLED PROLED XDR panel with Touch, Dynamic Island, up to 2,000 nits peak brightness, P3 and Adobe RGB color, and ProMotion up to 120Hz. M5 Pro and M5 Max bring up to 128GB of unified memory and storage up to 16TB, with Thunderbolt 5, Wi-Fi 7, and up to 24 hours of battery life on the larger configs.

The machines ship with macOS 27, landing after Apple’s recent iPad mini and 14-inch M6 MacBook Pro drops.

Would you pick the 14-inch M5 Pro starting config, or stretch for a 16-inch Max? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more

• MacBook Pro gets major upgrade with Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
• New M4 Macs up for pre-orders; Old Macs discounted
• MacBook Pro with touchscreen OLED may debut earlier than expected

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Apple has been continuously launching new devices, and after the iPad mini, MacBook Pro with M6, and iMac M6, it today unveiled its much-awaited first OLED notebook, the MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR Display. The 14- and 16-inch models bring tandem OLED and Touch to Mac for the first time, paired with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, Dynamic Island, and up to 24 hours of battery life.

MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR specifications and features

The headline change is PROLED XDR, a tandem OLED panel with up to 2,000 nits peak HDR and SDR brightness, a 10,000,000:1 contrast ratio, ProMotion up to 120Hz, and both P3 and Adobe RGB coverage. Touch is built into the panel rather than layered on top, and a redesigned hinge keeps the lid steady when you press the screen.

Dynamic Island lands on Mac as the home for Spotlight, Live Activities, and Siri AI, matching what earlier reports had pointed toward. Both sizes are lighter too: the 14-inch drops to about 3 pounds and the 16-inch to about 4 pounds.

Inside sit M5 Pro and M5 Max with up to 128GB of unified memory and storage up to 16TB, plus three Thunderbolt 5 ports, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, a 12-megapixel Center Stage camera, and a six-speaker system with 50 percent deeper bass. The machines run macOS 27 with Apple Intelligence, capping a redesign the October event preview had set up.

MacBook Pro with PROLED XDR price and availability

In the US, the 14-inch M5 Pro starts at $2,899 and the 16-inch M5 Pro at $3,399. M5 Max configurations start at $4,499 for the 14-inch and $4,799 for the 16-inch. Pre-orders began October 28 on apple.com and the Apple Store app in 30 countries and regions, with units arriving from Friday, November 6.

Would you pay the OLED Touch premium, or stick with the non-touch M5 Pro models still on shelves? Let us know in the comments below.

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• MacBook Pro with touchscreen OLED may debut earlier than expected

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Apple‘s first foldable iPhone is facing reports of inner display cracking, with affected units showing damage in at the same spot along the hinge. Now, a closer look inside the iPhone Duo suggests that a tiny hinge component could be responsible for at least some of these failures.

In his latest teardown, YouTuber Zack Nelson from JerryRigEverything took apart the iPhone Duo to investigate what might be causing the damage. After removing the inner display, he identified a particular hinge component directly behind the area where the screens have been breaking. He nicknamed it the “Pixel Pincher 9000” and suggested that it could be pressing against the display from behind.

The exact failure mechanism remains unconfirmed, but he suspects that a screw could be coming loose or a guiding component could be breaking off, allowing part of the hinge to poke into the back of the flexible display. Even a small protrusion could potentially damage the delicate panel as the phone is folded and unfolded.

The video host also demonstrated a separate problem: dust and sand can enter the hinge and accumulate behind the display. However, he believes this is different from the issue affecting brand-new iPhone Duo units. Dust particles could puncture the display at various locations, whereas the reported failures consistently occur around the same hinge component.

The distinction matters because it suggests that simply keeping the phone away from dusty environments may not prevent the specific cracking issue affecting some units.

Apple has acknowledged the display problem and advised affected customers to contact AppleCare for a replacement. However, the company has not explained what is causing the failures.

For now, JerryRigEverything’s teardown provides a plausible explanation rather than definitive proof. Confirming the suspected hinge defect would require examining affected devices and establishing exactly how the component interacts with the display during normal use.

(Source: JerryRigEverything)

Read more

• iPhone Duo hinge supplier rejects blame for display failures
• iPhone Duo sold out? 4 Foldables you can buy right now
• Samsung takes a jab at iPhone Duo, says Galaxy Z Fold 8 is “years ahead”

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Apple’s first foldable phone has already run into some early trouble, with reports of inner-display damage popping up just days after launch. As people started pointing fingers at the hinge, one of the key suppliers has come out with a pretty firm response, rejecting any blame and even floating the idea of legal action.

South Korean component maker FineMTEC (also called Fine M-Tec) put out an official statement titled “Official Position Regarding Customer’s New Product Quality Issue.” In it, the company said the recent quality problems reported with certain foldable phones weren’t caused by defects in the parts it supplied. FineMTEC makes the internal backplates and hinge-related metal plates that help support foldable OLED displays, and market reports have linked it to the iPhone Duo. Interestingly, the company never actually named Apple or the iPhone Duo in the statement.

FineMTEC stressed that figuring out whether a specific part is responsible for a problem in a finished product needs proper technical checks. Foldable phones use a complicated mix of components and precise mechanical design, so it’s not fair to single out one piece without a full investigation. The company also said its parts meet the customer’s technical specs and quality standards through strict control processes.

In a sharper part of the statement, FineMTEC said it’s considering civil and criminal legal action against anyone who writes or deliberately spreads false information that hurts its reputation and credit.

Meanwhile, Apple has admitted that a small number of iPhone Duo units are having issues with the inner display and is telling affected customers to contact AppleCare for free replacements. Users in several countries have reported cracks along the central crease or bright lines showing up after only a limited number of folds.

(Source)

Read more

• iPhone Duo sold out? 4 Foldables you can buy right now
• Microsoft’s 2021 Surface Duo 2 successfully runs iOS 26
• Samsung takes a jab at iPhone Duo, says Galaxy Z Fold 8 is “years ahead”

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Years after Microsoft gave up on its dual-screen experiment, a determined developer has given the Surface Duo 2 a pretty surprising second life by getting Apple’s operating system running on it. The result is a once-Android device that now looks and feels a lot like the Apple’s newly released foldable, without Apple having anything to do with it.

Developer SmuOS shared photos and details of the modified Surface Duo 2 with Windows Central. Even with a cracked display, the phone is running iOS 26.5.2. Because the developer used the official iPhone 17 Pro Max restore image, the system just identifies itself as that model.

Most of the interface scales reasonably well across the two screens and ends up looking similar to what you’d see on the new iPhone Duo or even an iPad. In Settings, for example, a sidebar sits on the left while the expanded options fill the rest of the space.

It’s not perfect, of course. The physical hinge bezel that splits the two displays is still a problem. In the Phone app, the 2, 5, and 8 buttons on the dialer get completely covered by that central gap. The same thing happens with notifications or text that lands right in the middle of the screen in other apps. Touch input works fine, but the whole thing is currently stuck at a modest 37fps.

SmuOS isn’t done yet. The plan is to get the Surface Pen working like an Apple Pencil, especially timely now that Apple has added Pencil support to its own iPhone Duo. There’s also interest in porting a newer iOS 27 build made for the iPhone Duo onto the Surface Duo 2 hardware.

What makes this interesting is that it’s not just simple emulation. The project involves booting Apple’s open-source XNU kernel with a custom UEFI loader on Snapdragon dual-screen hardware that Microsoft walked away from years ago. It’s still experimental and far from polished, but it shows how creative the modding community can be.

It also gives the original Duo line a pretty ironic new chapter at a time when Apple’s own product is already dealing with early hardware and software issues, including reports of screens breaking along the hinge within hours of use.

(Sources: SmuOS | Windows Central)

Read more

• Apple launches its first foldable iPhone Duo with dual 120Hz displays, titanium build & A20 Pro chip
• iPhone Duo vs Galaxy Z Fold 8: Apple Finally Takes on Samsung

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Apple just dropped a quiet but solid refresh for its most accessible 14-inch MacBook Pro. They kept the familiar formula while slipping in a meaningful performance bump right when a lot of people are eyeing an upgrade.

The big change is the new M6 chip. Apple’s first 2 nm silicon for this machine packs a 12-core CPU (two super cores, four performance cores, and six efficiency cores) and a 12-core GPU. Compared with the previous M5 model, you’re looking at roughly 20-30% better performance depending on the task, with graphics and on-device AI workloads seeing the bigger gains.

Memory starts at 16 GB (configurable up to 32 GB) with bandwidth climbing to 170 GB/s, and storage options run from 1 TB to 4 TB. Pair that with the same 72.4 Wh battery and you get up to 24 hours of video streaming or 16 hours of web browsing.

Everything else stays pretty much the same, which is a little expected. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Mini-LED panel is unchanged: 3024 x 1964 resolution, 120 Hz ProMotion, and that strong 1,600-nit peak HDR brightness.

Ports are identical: three Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C), HDMI, MagSafe 3, SDXC card slot, and a headphone jack. You also get Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, the six-speaker system, and a 12MP Center Stage camera. The chassis is still 1.55 cm thick and weighs 1.55 kg, available in Space Black or Silver. A nano-texture display option is there if you want less glare, though it costs extra.

Pricing and availability:

Pricing holds the line at $1,999 for the base 16 GB / 1 TB configuration, the same starting point as the outgoing model. Bumping to 24 GB of memory adds $200, 32 GB adds $400, and the nano-texture finish is another $150. Pre-orders open tomorrow, October 28, with the first units shipping November 6.

(Source: Apple)

Read more

• MacBook Pro gets major upgrade with Apple M5 Pro and M5 Max chips
• New Mac Mini Lineup: What You Get With M6 vs M5 Pro

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The iPhone Duo is witnessing overwhelming demand all over the world despite a premium $1999 starting price. The first batch sold out within minutes, and the shipments for the second batch will reportedly begin late January 2026, as per some reports citing industry sources.

Amidst all the excitement, there are a growing number of iPhone Duo owners reporting critical issues with the inner screen and foldable mechanism. Apple said it was aware of “an issue impacting the inner display on a small number” of the phones and urged affected users to reach out to the company for a replacement.

If you are willing to get your hands on a foldable phone, there are actually some really good options out there — but only if you’re open to go outside the Apple ecosystem. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is arguably the best foldable phone right now, featuring matured hardware and great software experience. And there are more from Google, Vivo, and Oppo that we’ll discuss in this post.

5 Excellent foldable phones you can buy right now

1. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8

Samsung has been dominating the foldable smartphone segment. The latest one, Galaxy Z Fold 8, is the 8th generation of Galaxy foldables with robust hardware and a much refined software experience to deliver a mature folding experience.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is a passport-style foldable phone like the iPhone Duo. It has a 7.6-inch LTPO AMOLED inner screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3000nits, while the cover screen measures 5.5 inches. Samsung has applied tough protection on both sides — Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 3 on the front and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.

The Galaxy foldable is powered by a flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, which is fast enough for all your tasks, and efficient too. The chip delivers strong gaming performance as well, and the software is well optimized to deliver an excellent experience.

The rear camera module features two 50MP sensors — one is for regular shots and another one for ultrawide shots. The main (inner) screen and the cover screen have a 10MP sensor each. The Fold 8 is backed by a 4,800mAh battery and supports 45W wired and 20W wireless charging.

If you want a bigger foldable, definitely check out the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

2. Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Unlike the iPhone Duo and Galaxy Z Fold 8, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a traditional slab-phone aspect ratio. When folded, its 6.5-inch outer screen looks and feels very much like a regular flagship smartphone. When opened up, the inner display opens up into a large 8-inch canvas. Both are OLED panels that can reach a peak brightness of 3600nits and support 120Hz refresh rate.

The front side is protected using a ceramic glass and the rear side has Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The smartphone is IP68 rated, ensuring strong protection against water and dust, but it’s better to avoid them, especially on foldables. The phone has a triple camera setup on the back, which includes a 48MP primary camera, a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 10.5MP ultrawide unit. The inner and cover screens have a 10MP sensor each.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is powered by the in-house Tensor G6 chipset, which isn’t quite powerful as the Apple A20 inside the iPhone Duo and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 inside the Galaxy Z Fold 8, but it gets the job done very smoothly. For high-end gaming, you may want to look at other devices with more powerful GPUs. Furthermore, the device has a 4,800mAh battery and supports 30W wired and 25W wireless charging.

3. Vivo X Fold 6

The Vivo X Fold 6 is one of the most well-rounded book-style foldable phones on the market right now. It eliminates major compromises that are typically associated with foldable phones — regarding battery capacity and camera capabilities.

The Vivo foldable phone packs a massive 6,900mAh battery (only China gets 7,000mAh) — one of the biggest in a foldable phone. It supports 80W wired and 40W wireless charging as well as reverse wired and reverse wireless charging capabilities.

The camera setup is one of the major highlights of the Vivo X Fold 5. The rear module has a massive 200MP primary sensor, paired with a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens and a 50MP ultrawide unit. The selfie cameras on the inner display and the cover display have a 20MP sensor, although you can use the rear setup to take far better shots.

The bigger screen measures 8.02-inch, which offers plenty of space for multitasking, and the cover display measures 6.51-inch. Both are LTPO AMOLED panels and support 120Hz smooth refresh rate. The device boasts Dimensity 9500 Super processor and features robust connectivity specs, such as Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2.

4. Oppo Find N6

The Find N6 is another excellent book-style foldable phone with excellent camera capabilities. The rear setup features a powerful 200MP main sensor, joined by a 50MP periscope lens with 3x optical zoom and a 50MP ultrawide camera. The selfie cameras on the inner screen and the cover screen have a 20MP resolution.

The Oppo foldable phone is powered by a flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset — the same chip powers the Galaxy Z Fold 8. The cover screen measures 6.62-inch and the inner screen unfolds to a massive 8.12-inch canvas. Both are LTPO OLED panels and support 120Hz refresh rate. The cover screen is actually brighter: it can go up to 3600nits (vs. 2500nits on the inner screen).

The Find N6 is backed by a 6000mAh battery and supports 80W wired and 50W wireless charging. It also supports reverse wired and reverse wireless charging capabilities. The fingerprint sensor is integrated to the side button, just like other foldables on this page.

Read more

• Top 5 Alternatives to the Apple iPhone Duo
• Caviar launches ultra-luxury Black Edition iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo with no cameras
• Galaxy Z Fold 8 Sales Rise After iPhone Duo Launch

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Apple’s latest iPhone 18 Pro series has recorded a mixed start across major markets, according to new sales data. The premium lineup is performing better globally than its predecessor, although demand varies considerably by region. China has emerged as the strongest market, while the US and Japan have posted declines.

iPhone 18 Pro sales rise as China leads the way

According to Counterpoint Research, global sales of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max were 3.1% higher than the iPhone 17 Pro series during their respective first three weeks on sale. China recorded a 29% year-on-year increase, supported by better initial stock availability and higher prices for competing Chinese Android flagships.

The picture was less encouraging in other major markets. Sales in the United States fell 4% year-on-year, while Japan recorded a steeper 27% decline. Counterpoint attributed the softer US performance partly to limited design and feature improvements that may not justify the higher prices for some buyers. In Japan, currency exchange effects have also made the new models more expensive.

Regional differences reveal a mixed launch

The regional figures highlight how strongly China is contributing to the series’ overall growth. Without its performance, the global increase would have been considerably weaker.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max accounted for 56% of sales across the Pro lineup, down slightly from 57% for the iPhone 17 Pro Max during the comparable period last year. The change suggests that the larger model remains a major contributor, even as its share edges lower.

Overall, the latest figures point to a stronger global opening for Apple’s newest Pro phones, but the gains are far from uniform. China’s momentum is offsetting declines elsewhere, leaving the longer-term sales trend dependent on how demand develops in the coming weeks.

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Reports of the iPhone Duo’s screen cracking started appearing across social media within hours of the phone going on sale. While it’s a first-generation foldable phone, it’s also an Apple product. The company waited years to enter the foldable phone market, apparently fine-tuning the hinge mechanism and other aspects of the device to ensure a great user experience, as it usually does with its products.

However, the iPhone Duo has clearly failed to meet expectations in this regard. Apple has now responded to one of the issues in a statement to 9to5Mac, saying only “a small number” of units are affected.

“The response to iPhone Duo from early users has been incredibly positive, and we are seeing exciting things from developers who are rapidly updating their apps to take advantage of its unique form factor. We are aware of an issue impacting the inner display on a small number of iPhone Duo units. If users experience issues with their iPhone Duo display, they should contact AppleCare for a replacement.”

Based on public reports across Reddit and X, the iPhone Duo’s screen-cracking issue appears to involve a few dozen documented cases globally. However, the identical pattern of the defect suggests an early hardware vulnerability rather than isolated cases of user misuse. In fact, an analysis of the issue suggests that part of the hinge catches the display from behind when the phone is folded or unfolded, causing the damage.

Apple will likely improve the hinge mechanism in future generations to prevent this from happening again. Still, it’s surprising to see issues like this emerge after the company allegedly spent years fine-tuning the hinge mechanism.

And, of course, the problems aren’t limited to the hardware. The lack of proper widescreen optimization in apps and the issues with iOS itself suggest that the software experience is also falling short of Apple’s usual standards.

For now, it seems you don’t need AppleCare+ to get your iPhone Duo replaced if it develops this screen-cracking issue.

(Source: 9to5Mac)

Read more

• Apple reveals iPhone Duo repair costs: ₹1,49,900 for just the foldable screen
• iPhone Duo hands-on video shows unusually soft inner display over the hinge, raising durability concerns
• Top 5 Alternatives to the Apple iPhone Duo

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Apple has started rolling out iOS 27.2, the first big feature update since iOS 27 arrived in September. The release is live for every iPhone that runs iOS 27, including the new iPhone Duo, and iPadOS 27.2 is landing alongside it. Headline changes include five new Siri AI languages, smart suggestions in Messages, and Apple Pencil support for the iPhone Duo.

What’s new in iOS 27.2

The biggest upgrade lands in Siri AI, which now works in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish. Siri can also recall earlier conversations, so you can ask about a restaurant it suggested last week, and it pulls more personal context from photos in Messages, Calendar attendees, voicemails, and Safari history. A new Excluded Apps setting lets you pick, in one place, which apps Siri, Search, and suggestions can access. Siri AI still isn’t available in the EU or mainland China.

Messages gains context-aware suggestions that turn chats into actions, such as adding a dinner plan to Calendar or tracking a package. Apple Music switches to a black-and-white icon, Shared Albums in Photos get caption editing and expiry reminders, and Photos and Image Playground now tag AI-generated or heavily edited images with SynthID watermarks. Podcasts splits its Home tab into New Episodes and Continue Playing, the Apple TV app adds household profiles, and Multiview on iPhone can show up to four live sports streams. Group FaceTime calls also support Dual Capture now.

iPhone Duo owners get two exclusive extras: Apple Pencil (USB-C) support on both displays and Edge Light, which rings the screen with light to brighten your face on video calls. The Home app adds optional Lock After Closing and Door Left Open controls for compatible smart locks. Apple has also patched more than 160 security vulnerabilities, so updating soon is a good idea.

To install, head to Settings > General > Software Update.

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The iPhone 18e has been tipped to keep a 60Hz display since June, when a 2027 iPhone lineup leak listed it at 6.12 inches with an LTPS panel, while the iPhone 18 and iPhone Air 2 moved to 120Hz LTPO screens. A new leak now repeats that claim and fills in more of the phone. 

Digital Chat Station, the same tipster behind the earlier report, says the iPhone 18e has a 6.12-inch 60Hz LTPS OLED display, so you still won’t get 120Hz on the cheapest iPhone in the lineup.

What else the leak says

Apple is said to power the iPhone 18e with a 2nm A20 chip, an expected upgrade from the 3nm A19 chip in the iPhone 17e, which launched in March at $599 with 256GB of base storage. The screen grows by only a small amount, since the iPhone 17e has a 6.1-inch display.

The camera setup is relatively simple too. It’s said to have a single 48MP rear camera like the iPhone 17e. The front camera may move up to 24MP, according to the leak.

The leaker says the iPhone 18e will arrive in 2027. This corroborates a previous report that suspected a launch in spring 2027, separate from the iPhone 18 Pro models and the foldable iPhone Duo. 

If the leak holds, you’d get a newer chip and possibly a better selfie camera, but you’d give up the smoother scrolling that the iPhone 18 is expected to have. Apple kept a 60Hz screen on the iPhone 17e too, and this leak suggests the company isn’t changing that approach for the next model. 

Apple hasn’t announced anything about the iPhone 18e, so treat these details as unconfirmed. The leak doesn’t mention pricing either, so you’ll need to wait for more reports on that.

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Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S26+ offer two different approaches to the premium smartphone experience. Apple’s flagship focuses on its A20 Pro chip, an upgraded camera system with variable aperture, and iOS 27, while Samsung combines a large, high-resolution AMOLED display with Android flexibility and Galaxy AI features.

Both are powerful options, but the right choice depends on your priorities, from photography and gaming to battery life and software preferences.

Design and Display

The iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion technology, an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, and an Always-On display. Its compact size makes it easier to handle with one hand, while the Dynamic Island and iOS interface offer a familiar experience for existing iPhone users.

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ takes a different approach with a larger 6.7-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits. Its larger screen is better suited to watching videos, reading, gaming, and multitasking.

Choose the iPhone if you prefer a more compact flagship. Samsung is the better fit if screen size and resolution are higher priorities.

Performance and Software

Apple’s A20 Pro powers the iPhone 18 Pro, bringing a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, and a 16-core Neural Engine configuration. The phone runs iOS 27 and supports Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, with features designed around personal context and privacy.

The Galaxy S26+ uses the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, paired with Samsung’s One UI software and Galaxy AI tools. Its features focus on simplifying everyday tasks, assisting with content creation, and making photo editing easier. Android also provides more flexibility in customization and file management.

Both phones should handle demanding games, multitasking, and AI-assisted tasks. The iPhone is appealing to users invested in Apple’s ecosystem, while Samsung offers more Android flexibility.

Cameras

The iPhone 18 Pro features a triple 48MP rear camera system, including a main sensor with variable aperture, an ultra-wide camera, and a telephoto camera. Variable aperture gives users more control over light and depth of field, while the telephoto camera supports 4x optical zoom and up to 8x optical-quality zoom. It also offers advanced video recording features, making it attractive to content creators.

The Galaxy S26+ features a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. Its camera system covers everyday photography, landscapes, and zoom shots, while Galaxy AI adds tools for editing images after capture.

The iPhone has the advantage in high-resolution supporting cameras and creative controls, while Samsung offers a capable, versatile setup for everyday use.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Apple lists up to 36 hours of video playback for the iPhone 18 Pro’s eSIM-only model. It supports Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Apple’s C2 cellular modem.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S26+ supports Wi-Fi 7 and offers a larger body that accommodates a 4,900mAh battery and 45W wired charging. Actual endurance will depend on usage, network conditions, and settings.

Price and Verdict

In the US, the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB, while the Galaxy S26+ starts at $1,199.99 for 256GB. Samsung’s 512GB option is listed at $1,399.99.

The iPhone 18 Pro is the better choice for users who prioritize camera controls, high-end video recording, Apple’s ecosystem, and a more compact design. The Galaxy S26+ makes more sense for those who want a larger, sharper display, Android customization, Galaxy AI features, and fast wired charging.

Neither phone is an outright winner for everyone. If you already use a Mac, Apple Watch, or other Apple devices, the iPhone is a natural fit. If you prefer Android and consume lots of video or play games on your phone, the Galaxy S26+ deserves serious consideration.

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Apple’s OLED iPad Mini finally launches, and it’s thinner, tougher, and packed with A20 Pro power. The compact tablet swaps to an OLED Super Retina XDR panel, an IP67 body, and stronger AI performance on iPadOS 27. Here’s a look at everything that’s packed inside Apple’s newest and most compact iPad.

iPad Mini specifications and features

The 8.5-inch Super Retina XDR OLED panel is the biggest jump on this iPad Mini, with a 2316 x 1512 resolution at 326 ppi, 600 nits for everyday content, and 1,200 nits peak for HDR. Nano-texture glass is optional on higher storage configs if you want less glare for outdoor reading and Apple Pencil work.

Under the glass sits Apple’s A20 Pro chip, which the company rates up to 60% faster for CPU tasks, up to 2.7x for graphics, and up to 4.5x for AI versus the previous A17 Pro iPad mini, in line with the same silicon wave that powered the iPhone 18 Pro.

The chassis is just 5.4 mm thin and about 255 g on Wi-Fi (263 g cellular), with an IP67 rating that finally brings real water and dust resistance to the mini line. Acoustic Display speakers push sound through the panel so there are no speaker holes, Touch ID stays in the top button, and the 12-megapixel front camera now sits on the landscape edge for better video calls.

The rear 12-megapixel camera shoots 4K60 with a new adaptive flash, while Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Apple Pencil Pro support, and iPadOS 27 with Siri AI round out the package. Cellular models use Apple’s C2 5G modem and are eSIM only.

iPad Mini price and availability

The iPad Mini comes in color options, such as Midnight and Starlight. The new tablet is priced as follows:

• 128GB Wi-Fi: $699 | €749 | Rs 82,900
• 256GB WiFi: $799 | €879 | Rs 94,900
• 512GB WiFi: $999 | €1,129 | Rs 1,18,900

• 128GB Cellular: $849 | €919 | Rs 1,00,900
• 256GB Cellular: $949 | €1,049 | Rs 1,12,900
• 512GB Cellular: $1,149 | ~€1,299 | Rs 1,36,900

Pre-orders begin October 28, and sales start November 6.

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Just days after Apple’s first foldable phone hit shelves, repair specialists have already cracked it open. Early teardown videos from channels like REWA Technology and Phone Repair Guru show a device that looks nothing like a regular iPhone on the inside. Apple clearly designed this one from the ground up around the folding form factor.

The biggest surprise is the dual-battery setup. There’s one cell in each half of the phone: a larger 2,962 mAh pack and a smaller 1,921 mAh one for a combined 4,883 mAh. Both are held down with electrically activated adhesive. Apply a low charge and the special glue releases, letting technicians lift the steel-cased batteries out cleanly. The phone keeps running if one battery is disconnected.

The logic board is a full redesign. The familiar stacked “sandwich” layout from recent iPhones is gone. The main board is smaller, with the A20 Pro chip sitting right next to 12 GB of RAM and touching a vapor chamber for better heat control under load. A secondary board connects the two halves through a flexible cable. The USB-C port is fully modular and held by just a couple of screws, so swapping it should be relatively straightforward. Rear cameras are also pretty accessible.

Getting to the foldable inner display is a different story. Technicians have to remove both the rear panel and the outer display before they can even reach the batteries and screen assembly. The inner OLED is locked down with a lot of adhesive and connected by delicate ribbon cables that also feed the under-display selfie cameras.

On top of the glossy layer sits a matte nano-textured film that helps hide the crease and cut glare, but it adds another layer of complexity. Replacing the spring-loaded hinge or the inner display itself looks like it’s going to be time-consuming and expensive.

Apple has already put out an official repair manual covering batteries, displays, the hinge, and the Touch ID button. Some parts, like the modular charging port, score well for serviceability. Others are still delicate and costly. Owners are being told to keep a protective case on the phone and seriously consider AppleCare+ or similar coverage, because screen or hinge repairs won’t be cheap.

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(Sources: REWA Technology | Phone Repair Guru)

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Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, went from launch-day hype and markups to actual discounts surprisingly fast in some Chinese channels. User reports and platform listings show the phone is now available below its official starting price in certain regions, mainly through big e-commerce subsidy programs.

According to feedback across platforms, the iPhone Duo has dropped under its initial retail price in parts of China. Pinduoduo has added it to its “10 Billion YuanSubsidy” channel (only available in select regions), knocking roughly 200–300 yuan (roughly $30-$45) off the launch price. On launch day the phone was going for 1,500–2,000 yuan (roughly $220-$300) above retail in secondary markets. Just two days later, some listings are already undercutting the official price.

That said, many Apple Stores across the country still have no walk-in stock. And if you try to order from Apple’s official website with delivery, some configurations are still showing wait times stretching into January next year.

The base 256GB model launched at 15,999 yuan in China (roughly $2400), with higher storage options priced up from there. The quick shift from scarcity premiums to modest discounts shows the gap between limited official supply and more flexible availability through e-commerce and authorized retailers in certain areas.

Longer-term demand still looks strong according to analysts. IDC previously estimated Apple’s first foldable could ship more than 10 million units in its debut year and potentially take around 40% of the global foldable market by 2027. Goldman Sachs is similarly upbeat, projecting 13 million units in 2026 and as many as 33 million in 2027.

While official channels remain tight, the early appearance of below-list pricing in eligible regions gives some buyers a slightly easier way in. Exact discounts and availability still vary by location and platform, and the supply situation is still settling as Apple works through the backlog.

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(Via)

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Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, has people talking about more than just the dual-screen design. How you actually hold and use the thing day to day matters a lot, and Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple is working on a new “Reachability” feature specifically for it.

The idea is simple: let you shift the main content on the outer screen left or right so it better matches how you naturally grip the phone, including if you’re left-handed.

People were worried that the outer display’s interface and control placement might feel awkward for lefties. Now Gurman suggests those concerns might be overblown. Feedback from some left-handed users apparently shows the outer screen hasn’t really gotten in the way during normal use. On the bigger inner screen the issue is even smaller, since most people just use both hands there anyway.

This new mode is basically an evolution of the Reachability feature Apple has had for years (the one that pulls everything down on tall iPhones so your thumb can reach). For the Duo, it’s focused on horizontal shifting of the primary interface elements on the outer display, giving you more flexibility based on how you hold the phone when it’s folded.

Analysts are still pretty bullish on the product. IDC previously estimated Apple’s first foldable could ship more than 10 million units in its debut year and potentially grab around 40% of the global foldable market by 2027. Goldman Sachs is in a similar ballpark, projecting 13 million units in 2026 and as many as 33 million in 2027.

As the iPhone Duo starts reaching more people, little software refinements like this Reachability update show Apple is still polishing the experience beyond the initial hardware. More details on when it ships and exactly how it works should come out as development continues.

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Zack Nelson from JerryRigEverything has given Apple’s first foldable the usual rough treatment, and the results highlight a couple of weak spots that go beyond just forcing the phone to bend the wrong way.

Apple’s IP68 dust and water rating needs a bit of real-world context. In the video, Nelson buried the Duo in sand, dirt, and soil. Afterward, the phone simply wouldn’t close all the way.

Debris had worked its way into the titanium hinge from a few different spots, and even the magnets couldn’t pull the two halves shut against the grit. Heavy contamination like that isn’t an everyday situation, but it does show a potential soft spot for beach days or dusty environments.

The inner flexible display has a nano-texture coating that does a decent job of hiding scratches compared with many glossy foldable screens. Under extreme pressure, though, it’s still fragile.

When Nelson bent the open phone against its natural fold direction, the frame itself held up and didn’t snap. The AMOLED panel, however, took permanent damage: first a green line, then more lines, until the screen stopped responding completely. Replacing that inner display is reportedly around $1,000.

Nelson pointed out that he’s been testing foldables since the first generation nearly seven years ago, and most of them survive his routine. The iPhone Duo did not. The outer Ceramic Shield 2 display behaved more like a normal iPhone, picking up only faint marks at the higher Mohs hardness levels.

The combination of a hinge that can let in debris and a flexible screen that doesn’t like being flexed the wrong way means owners will probably want to treat the Duo with a bit more care, especially when it’s open or around sand and dirt.

None of this means the phone is going to fall apart during normal daily use. It just underlines the usual trade-offs that come with foldable designs and why a few extra protective habits are worth considering. The full video with the scratch, dirt, and bend tests is up on the JerryRigEverything channel if you want to see exactly how it played out.

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Wireless earbuds have become the default choice for listening to music, taking calls, and watching videos on the go. Among the different types of wireless earbuds, TWS models have become quite popular, thanks to their compact design and sheer convenience. There are no wires to get in the way, and the charging case makes them easy to carry around wherever you go.

If you are also looking for a new pair of TWS earbuds, there are plenty of options to choose from. You get budget earbuds with decent ANC as well as premium options that offer top-notch sound quality and more advanced features. We have curated eight of the best TWS earbuds you can buy across different price segments to suit your music needs.

How to choose the best TWS earbuds in 2026

The first thing to consider while buying a pair of TWS earbuds is the sound quality. Look at the driver size and tuning, but don’t assume a larger driver automatically means better sound. Bass-heavy earbuds can be more enjoyable for certain types of music and movies, while a more balanced tuning is better if you listen to podcasts, vocals, and different genres.

ANC is another important factor if you regularly commute or work in noisy environments. A good ANC system can take the edge off traffic, office chatter, and aircraft noise, making it easier to focus on your audio. Battery life, microphone quality, comfort, and water resistance are also worth considering, particularly if you plan to use your earbuds for calls or workouts.

8 best TWS earbuds in 2026

Realme Buds T310

Realme is a go-to choice for budget TWS earbuds, and the latest Realme Buds T310 is a good pair to consider under Rs 3,000. They offer 46dB hybrid ANC, a 12.4mm dynamic driver, 360-degree spatial audio, dual-device connectivity and up to 40 hours of total playback. They also have an IP55 rating and a low-latency mode, which means you can get a rough use and don’t worry about any noticeable audio lag.

OnePlus Nord Buds 4

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 is a step ahead of the Realme Buds T310, and they offer a better ANC support and longer battery life. They use 12mm titanium-coated drivers and offer up to 52dB of active noise cancellation, along with six microphones for calls and up to 54 hours of total playback with ANC switched off. You also get the latest Bluetooth 6.1 support, which means there won’t be any connectivity errors.

Oppo Enco Air 5 Pro

The OPPO Enco Air 5 Pro succeeds the Enco Air 3 Pro, and they get the much-needed improvements. You get up to 54 hours of playback, 55dB ANC, a 12mm titanium-coated driver and triple-mic AI-assisted calling. The earbuds also support dual-device connectivity across Android, iOS and Windows. As for the sound, this time around, Oppo has opted for a bass-heavy audio, however, you get to tune the sound with custom EQ.

OnePlus Buds 4

The OnePlus Buds 4 step things up with a dual-driver setup comprising an 11mm driver and a 6mm driver, along with dual DACs and support for LHDC 5.0. They also offer 55dB adaptive ANC and dual-device connectivity, while battery life reaches up to 45 hours with ANC off. It also has support for 47ms low-latency, which means there won’t be any noticeable audio lag.

Apple AirPods 4

The AirPods 4 make the most sense if you already live inside Apple’s ecosystem. The H2 chip, Voice Isolation, Personalised Spatial Audio, and tight integration with Apple devices make them convenient for iPhone users. The sound quality is pretty good too, and you get ANC and transparency mode with the ANC version. They are also IP54-rated for dust, sweat and water resistance.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are meant to deliver incredible sound and come with a ton of features including, enhanced 11mm drivers, adaptive ANC, 360 Audio, adaptive EQ, six microphones, and Bluetooth 6.1. They are also IP57-rated, giving them better protection against dust and water than many competing premium earbuds. Battery life reaches up to 30 hours with ANC off, although that drops to 26 hours with ANC enabled.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The AirPods Pro 3 is one of the most complete earbuds on this list. They offer great sound, strong ANC, and fantastic call quality. The earbuds also feature built-in heart rate sensing, which is quite unique. If you want premium earbuds that handle music, calls, fitness and everyday use, the AirPods Pro 3 are a solid choice. For iPhone users, the AirPods Pro 3 are a no brainer.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Gen 2

If you have the budget for AirPods Pro 3 and can stretch it a bit further, you can grab the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Gen 2. They sound phenomenal, and come with support for Bose’s immersive audio experience, Snapdragon Sound, and aptX Adaptive. However, unlike other earbuds on this list, these are a bit bulkier, but that’s due to the amount of tech packed inside. You get impressive ANC, up to six hours of battery life without the case, and IPX4 rating for water resistance.

What’s the best budget earbuds in 2026?

The Realme Buds T310 are the best budget option in this list, as they feature 12.4mm drivers, 46dB ANC, spatial audio, and 40 hours of battery life at an affordable price.

What’s the best earbuds overall in 2026?

The OnePlus Buds 4 are the best overall choice for most Android users because they balance sound quality, ANC, battery life and connectivity without moving into flagship pricing.

What’s the best premium earbuds in 2026?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 are the best premium earbuds as they prioritise sound and noise cancellation over other features. You can also consider the Apple AirPods Pro 3 as they offer great sound and a fantastic call quality.

Which earbuds have the best battery life?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 and Oppo Enco Air 5 Pro are the best earbuds for battery life, as they both offer up to 54 hours of playback with their cases and ANC turned off.

So, which of these earbuds is your pick? Let us know in the comments below.

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Apple’s first foldable phone only went on sale yesterday (October 23), and a handful of owners are already reporting problems with the inner display.

Photos and posts started showing up on Reddit and X within hours of launch. Almost every case looks the same: a crack or a bright line of dead/bright pixels running right along the fold, near the hinge.

One of the more detailed accounts comes from an owner in Australia. He said he’d only had the phone for about six hours and had opened it fewer than 20 times. While showing it to a friend, he felt something under the screen near the internal hinge, heard a clear crack as he kept opening it, and the display split along the fold. There were no marks on the screen or the outside of the hinge that suggested anything had been caught or damaged. An Apple Store swapped the phone out for him on the spot.

Similar photos have also appeared from China (where the Duo launched a bit earlier). Some of those look like they might be from demo units that get handled a lot, so it’s harder to know exactly what happened. A few early reviewers who deliberately folded their units hundreds of times haven’t reported the same issue, but that sample is still small.

It’s still way too early to say how common this is. And honestly, some early hiccups like this are almost expected with a first-generation foldable. The important part is whether affected owners get their devices fixed or replaced free of cost. Apple hasn’t said anything publicly yet as of writing. They’d probably be collecting the affected units for analysis, which could lead to manufacturing tweaks in later generations.

If the phone fails under normal use, it should be covered by the standard one-year warranty. Anyone who got theirs on launch day also has the usual two-week return window. Outside of that, though, an out-of-warranty inner display replacement is listed at $999, so anyone without AppleCare+ could eventually face a steep bill if the issue appears later.

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(Sources: Reddit | Ice Universe on X)

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Chinese tipster @Kang recently claimed that Apple is testing a “foldable giant tablet,” and the overall design might take some cues from Huawei’s MateBook Fold. The report lines up with earlier predictions from analyst Ming-Chi Kuo that Apple is aiming for a foldable iPad around 2028.

When unfolded, the device is expected to offer an 18- to 20-inch display area while still staying relatively portable when folded.

Kuo has said before that this foldable iPad would use an ultra-thin glass (UTG) cover. Corning’s Gorilla Glass is expected to supply the glass materials exclusively, while General Interface Solutions (GIS) would handle the critical backend work, including cutting, edge treatment, quality checks, and packaging. These same suppliers are already linked to Apple’s broader foldable efforts, including the upcoming foldable iPhone.

For some context, Huawei’s latest MateBook Fold (powered by the Kirin X90 Plus) launched in August 2026 with a starting price of 24,999 yuan. It has an 18-inch dual-layer OLED foldable screen that measures just 7.3 mm thick on one side when fully opened. It comes in Sky White, Phantom Black, and Streamer Gold, has a built-in stand, and supports a stylus. When folded, it takes on a more compact notebook-like shape.

Earlier reports from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman described a similar idea of a large foldable that could essentially work like two iPad Pros side by side, with a big focus on keeping the crease as invisible as possible. If the device does arrive in 2028, first-year shipments have been projected at a fairly modest 0.5-1 million units, reflecting both the technical challenges and the likely high price tag of a large-format foldable.

Whether Apple ends up borrowing design ideas from Huawei’s already-shipping product or goes its own way is something we’ll only know closer to any actual launch.

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(Source)

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The iPhone Duo starts shipping tomorrow, and if you were able to snag one in the blink-and-you-miss-it pre-orders, getting a case is a no-brainer for a device that starts at $2,000. You might not want to cover up a phone that looks this good, but if you decide to go caseless, be prepared for Apple’s premium repair costs.

Finding the right case for a foldable isn’t quite the same as picking one for a regular iPhone. It needs to cover two halves of the device, account for the hinge, and allow the phone to open and close freely. Some cases also add features such as kickstands, while others keep things simple to avoid extra bulk.

One thing to keep in mind before choosing is that we haven’t tested these cases ourselves. The recommendations below are based on their designs, listed features, and manufacturers’ claims, so consider them a starting point rather than a final verdict.

What to look for in an iPhone Duo case

The hinge is one of the first things to consider. Some cases cover it with a movable section, while others leave it exposed. An early hands-on video showed an unusually soft inner display over the hinge, so hinge protection is worth considering before you settle on a case.

Your daily use matters, too. If you plan to watch videos or make FaceTime calls with the phone propped up on a desk, a built-in kickstand can save you from carrying a separate stand. The Duo can already stand on its own when partly open, but a case with an adjustable stand gives you another way to position it on a desk or kitchen counter.

MagSafe compatibility is another thing to check. The Duo supports MagSafe charging, and most of the cases on this list have built-in magnets for compatible chargers and accessories.

Apple Pencil support is also coming, but there’s a catch. The phone will support the USB-C Apple Pencil, which connects through a cable rather than magnetically. You therefore don’t need a case with a magnetic Pencil attachment.

The best iPhone Duo cases

Best official option

Apple’s own iPhone Duo Case costs $79 and uses two separate pieces, one for each half of the phone. It covers the front and back while keeping the overall design thin and light. The case comes in sand and navy blue.

Since it’s made specifically for the Duo, you won’t have to worry about whether the buttons and cutouts line up properly. Apple keeps things simple here, with protection for both halves but no extras such as a kickstand.

Best for videos and FaceTime

The Apple iPhone Duo Folio with Kickstand costs $129 and uses Apple’s TechWoven technical fabric. Unlike a full-coverage case, it protects the back without wrapping around the edges.

Its kickstand sits flush against the case when not in use and props the phone up at different angles when you need it. You can also continue using MagSafe charging with the stand open. The folio comes in taupe and navy blue.

This makes it a good option if you regularly use the Duo as a small screen on a table. The open edges do mean less protection against drops than a case that wraps around the phone.

If you prefer leather, Nomad also sells a Traditional Leather Folio for the Duo at the same $129 price.

Best for rough use

The OtterBox Defender Series Pro XT is a rugged, two-piece case with a pressure-fitted frame, port covers to keep out dust and dirt, and a raised edge to keep the screen off flat surfaces. It also has built-in magnets for MagSafe chargers and accessories.

The hinge cover moves as you open and close the phone, then lies flat when the Duo is unfolded. That gives you hinge coverage without getting in the way of normal use.

Protection comes at the expense of size, so expect this case to feel bulkier than Apple’s options. It’s worth considering if you frequently drop your phone or use it in rough environments.

OtterBox also offers the Lumen Clear MagSafe Case for the Duo if you’d rather have a transparent design with less of a rugged look.

Best clear case with a stand

Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid Pro S from its Mag Fit range combines a clear case with a circular kickstand. The stand supports both portrait and landscape orientations, making it useful for watching videos or keeping the phone upright during calls.

The transparent design also lets you show off the Duo’s Night Sky or Star White finish without switching to a folio-style cover.

Spigen has other options, including the Tough Armor Pro and Slim Armor Pro. If you want both a kickstand and hinge protection, the Slim Armor Pro S is another model to consider.

One drawback with clear cases is that the plastic can turn yellow over time. The case may not look as transparent after a year of use as it does when new.

Best clear case with hinge protection

The Tech21 EvoCrystal MagSafe uses a one-piece design with an auto-closing hinge cover. The cover moves with the phone as you fold and unfold it, protecting the hinge without requiring a separate piece for each half.

Tech21 says its FlexShock material absorbs impact energy and helps protect the phone through multiple drops. Built-in magnets also maintain compatibility with MagSafe chargers and battery packs.

The version listed for the Duo comes in Black Tint, which lets some of the phone’s finish show through. If you want a transparent case with hinge coverage but would rather avoid a two-piece design, the EvoCrystal MagSafe is worth a look.

Best slim case

Pitaka’s iPhone Duo cases cover both halves of the phone while leaving the hinge exposed. They support MagSafe and come in several finishes, including patterned designs named Moonrise, Sunset, and California Dream.

The Aramid Fiber Case is the option to consider if keeping the phone thin and light matters more to you than covering every part of it. There’s an obvious trade-off, though. With no case protection over the hinge, that area remains exposed to knocks and scratches. This option makes more sense if you’re careful with your phone and comfortable with the added risk.

Best leather case

The Burton Goods Heritage Leather Case for the iPhone Duo uses a leather hinge section and rare-earth magnets to help pull the phone shut. If you’d prefer something closer to a wallet cover, Burton Goods also sells a Pocket Book leather case for the Duo.

Sandmarc has a leather case for the phone as well, giving you another option to compare before buying. 

Leather develops a different look with regular use, gradually changing color and showing signs of wear. Some people like that character, while others prefer a case that looks the same over time. If you fall into the first group, Burton Goods is worth considering.

How to choose the right iPhone Duo case

The Apple iPhone Duo Case is the simplest option if you want an official case without extra features. For watching videos or making calls with the phone propped up, consider Apple’s Folio with Kickstand or Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid Pro S.

The OtterBox Defender Series Pro XT is the better fit if you want a rugged case, while the Tech21 EvoCrystal MagSafe combines a clear design with a covered hinge. Pitaka makes more sense if you prefer a slim profile, Burton Goods is worth considering for leather, and CASETiFY gives you more room to personalize the phone’s appearance.

Availability is still uneven, with some retailer listings showing cases as unavailable. Delivery estimates for the phone itself also reportedly moved into late January after pre-orders opened. If you can’t find your preferred case right away, it may be worth waiting rather than settling for one you don’t really want.

If you’re still weighing up whether Apple’s foldable is worth $1,999, you can also compare it with these five foldable alternatives before making a decision.

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When Apple showed off its first foldable iPhone last month, one big promise felt a little incomplete. The company said Apple Pencil support would show up “later this year,” which left a lot of early buyers wondering just how long “later” really meant. That wait is getting a lot clearer, and it’s shorter than most people expected.

The iPhone Duo starts shipping this Friday, October 23, on iOS 27.1. At launch, the Pencil won’t work. But according to 9to5Mac and analyst Max Weinbach, full Apple Pencil support is already up and running in the iOS 27.2 Release Candidate that started rolling out this week. The public version of 27.2 should land around Monday, October 26.

That means anyone who gets a Duo on day one and updates right away should have stylus support within a few days. People already on the RC build have it now. Weinbach even showed it working on his unit after installing the candidate, with drawing, annotating, and navigation all functioning on both the inner and outer displays.

There’s one important catch: the Duo only works with the Apple Pencil that has USB-C. The fancier Pencil Pro and older models aren’t compatible. The USB-C version pairs and charges with a cable instead of snapping on magnetically, which actually makes sense given the Duo’s design doesn’t have a good magnetic spot for the Pro.

This is the first time any iPhone has supported Apple Pencil at all. On a big foldable canvas, that suddenly opens up proper note-taking, sketching, and document markup in apps that support it, making the Duo feel a lot more iPad-like for productivity while still folding down into a regular phone when you need it.

Apple’s original “later this year” wording had a lot of people assuming a December update, which is usually when bigger feature drops land. Getting it in 27.2 is a nice surprise for the people who managed to grab one of the limited launch units. Pre-orders were intense, and plenty of buyers are looking at delivery windows that stretch well into 2027.

If you’re one of the lucky ones getting a Duo this week, the Pencil wait is going to be measured in days, not months.

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(Source)

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Caviar, a company known for creating luxury modifications of popular electronics, has announced its World Treasures collection. The new line uses Apple’s recently released foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, as its base.

For this collection, Caviar replaces the standard factory casing of the device with high-end materials, including 950 platinum, 18-karat gold, jewelry enamel, and natural diamonds. The internal hardware and specifications of the iPhone Duo remain unchanged.

Design Details

The collection consists of four distinct models, each featuring a design based on different cultural or artistic traditions. The highest-priced model is the Dali, available for $90,290. Its exterior is constructed from 18-karat gold, shaped into asymmetrical, flowing lines intended to reference the surrealist art of Salvador Dalí. The design incorporates violet jewelry enamel between the gold ridges, and the standard Apple logo on the back is recreated using 36 natural diamonds.

Priced at $80,290, the Jingtai Blue model utilizes an 18-karat gold frame to enclose a detailed floral pattern. The back panel is made using multicolored cloisonné enamel against a blue background, a design choice that mimics the traditional Chinese Jingtai Lan enamel techniques developed during the Ming dynasty.

The remaining two models, the Qasr Al Noor and the Omkara, are both priced at $73,000. The Qasr Al Noor model is the only one in the collection to use a 950 platinum body instead of gold. The metal is machined with symmetrical arabesque patterns inspired by Middle Eastern palace architecture.

The Omkara model features an 18-karat gold body centered around an Om symbol. The central medallion uses red jewelry enamel and is framed by 36 diamonds, with lotus flower motifs carved into the surrounding gold relief.

Due to the materials and the hand-finishing required for the metalwork and gem setting, production is strictly limited. Caviar plans to produce only seven units each of the Dali, Omkara, and Qasr Al Noor models.

The Jingtai Blue model will have a slightly larger production run of eight units. Each modified iPhone Duo is delivered in a wood and leather presentation box, which is housed inside a lockable outer case finished with 24-karat gold plating.

In related news, Caviar has recently launched ultra-luxury Black Edition versions of the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo without cameras, along with a premium iPhone 18 Pro collection featuring 24K gold, titanium, and carbon fiber.

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(Caviar)

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Early units of Apple’s first foldable phone are already out in the wild, and they’re revealing a bit more about how the display actually feels, just days before official shipping starts.

The iPhone Duo is due to begin shipping on Friday, October 23. A few customers have already received their units early, and hands-on videos making the rounds online are highlighting something a little unexpected about the crease. At Apple’s launch event the crease looked barely noticeable, but these newer clips suggest the company hasn’t completely solved the classic foldable-screen issue.

Apple went a different route from competitors like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8. Instead of relying mainly on ultra-thin glass for a harder surface, the iPhone Duo uses a softer cover layer that can be replaced relatively cheaply if it gets scratched. That choice, combined with the hinge design, makes the screen feel especially soft right above the hinge.

When you drag a finger across that central area, the crease becomes clearly visible and you can even feel it as a slight dip. Leave the display alone, though, and the crease is barely noticeable under normal viewing conditions, at least on brand-new units. This soft-touch feel seems consistent across the early units that have shown up so far.

How well this design will hold up long-term is still an open question. On a lot of foldables the crease tends to get more pronounced the more you fold and unfold the phone over time. Once wider shipping kicks off on Friday we should start seeing more detailed videos and longer-term user feedback. Until then it’s still too early to say how the display will look and feel after months or years of daily use.

Apple is using a nano-texture finish and specialized adhesives to try to keep visual disruption and stress on the display layers to a minimum. Early hands-ons at the event generally called the crease less intrusive than on rival devices. The newer customer videos just add a bit of nuance: the crease is subtle when the screen is sitting still, but that soft feel over the hinge is a distinctive trait of Apple’s first foldable.

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(Source: Ice Universe)

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Apple just expanded its Self Service Repair program to cover some of its newest flagships, giving owners more ways to fix things themselves instead of heading straight to an authorized service center.

According to 9to5Mac, the Self Service Repair Store now stocks genuine replacement parts and tools for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, Mac Studio models with M5 Max and M5 Ultra chips, and Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro chips. The program, which started in 2022, lets eligible users in places like the US, Canada, and Europe buy or rent official parts and tools while following Apple’s detailed repair guides.

For the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, the available parts include the back glass, battery, bottom speaker, rear camera, display, enclosure, front camera, logic board, main microphone, SIM tray, Taptic Engine, and top speaker.

Once you pick a specific repair, you can see exactly which parts, tools, and consumables you’ll need and buy them individually. Optional tools cover everything from adhesive cutters and suction cups to nylon probes, adhesive removers, torque screwdrivers, and replacement screws.

One detail that stands out: the camera module for the iPhone 18 Pro series is priced at $249, the same as the previous generation, even though the new models add a variable-aperture system. If you return the original camera, you get a $59.76 credit, bringing the effective cost down to $189.24.

Mac Studio owners get a wider selection, including Thunderbolt ports, USB-C ports, fans, speakers, SSD modules, logic boards, and power supplies. The Mac mini list is shorter, covering fans, speakers, logic boards, batteries, and power supplies.

This move continues Apple’s slow but steady push toward supporting independent repairs. You’ll still need specialized tools and some technical know-how (tool rentals usually run about $49 for seven days), but having genuine parts available gives skilled users a real option to keep their latest devices going without a trip to the Genius Bar.

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(Source)

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Apple could be preparing a noticeable design change for its next standard iPhone. Newly surfaced images offer a glimpse of the upcoming smartphone’s possible appearance, although they appear to be AI-generated rather than actual photographs of the device. The phone is rumored to arrive separately from Apple’s Pro models.

iPhone 18 could adopt a wider rear camera design

The images show a design that differs from the iPhone 17’s familiar vertical dual-camera arrangement. Instead, the alleged iPhone 18 features a wider, horizontally oriented camera module spanning the upper portion of the rear panel. The two cameras remain vertically stacked within the broader module, accompanied by the flash and additional sensors.

If this design materializes, the revised camera module would mark a noticeable visual change for Apple’s standard iPhone lineup. The images also depict silver, pink, and dark blue finishes, although these colors have not been confirmed. The phone is still expected to retain a dual-camera system comprising a 48-megapixel primary sensor and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, without a dedicated telephoto lens.

Apple is rumored to be changing its traditional launch schedule by releasing the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable iPhone Duo in fall 2026, with the standard iPhone 18 arriving in spring 2027. According to industry-related reports cited by MyDrivers, production of the standard model could begin in late November.

The rumored specifications include Apple’s A20 chip, 9GB of RAM, iOS 27, 256GB of base storage, an 18-megapixel front camera, IP68-rated dust and water resistance, and Apple’s C2 modem. These details remain unconfirmed. Delaying production could help Apple manage component costs, ease manufacturing pressure, and spread iPhone launches across the year.

The revised schedule could also give Apple a new product to promote during the first half of 2027. Do you prefer the rumored wider camera module over the iPhone 17’s vertical camera layout?

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Apple is preparing another hardware announcement as it continues its busy October release schedule. The upcoming showcase is expected to focus on Mac computers and tablets, with several product upgrades rumored. The company has invited members of the media to Los Angeles for a hands-on experience.

Apple could unveil new MacBook Pro models

Apple’s October 28 event carries the tagline “Pro and Tell,” hinting at new MacBook Pro models. The event begins at 10 AM Pacific Time, or 10:30 PM IST, and was confirmed by Apple marketing chief Greg Joswiak. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company could introduce a touchscreen MacBook Pro with an OLED display, marking a major change for its laptop lineup.

The rumored high-end models are expected to retain 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes while replacing the existing notch with a Dynamic Island. A reinforced hinge could help keep the display stable during touch interactions, while a lighter design is also anticipated. Apple may retain the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips in these premium models, rather than introducing newer processors immediately. Separately, the entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro could receive an M6 chip, replacing the M5 processor used in the current version. Touch input is expected to complement the traditional keyboard and trackpad rather than replace them.

Apple could also refresh its 24-inch iMac with an M6 chip, although major exterior changes are not expected. The updated desktop would offer a newer processor while retaining its familiar all-in-one design.

The iPad mini 8 is another anticipated announcement. Rumors point to an OLED display, a potential move to the A20 Pro chip, and a redesigned speaker system intended to improve water resistance. Apple could also reposition the front-facing camera for landscape use, matching the orientation of other recent iPad models. These changes may push the tablet’s price higher than its predecessor, which launched at $599 in the US.

Apple has not officially confirmed the rumored hardware specifications or pricing. The new products could become available for preorder on October 28, with sales potentially beginning November 6.

Which rumored Apple device are you most excited to see?

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Apple’s first foldable has been generating a lot of hype since it was announced last month, but the official repair prices for India just dropped, and they’re raising some eyebrows.

The biggest shock is the inner display. If you crack the foldable screen and you’re out of warranty (and don’t have AppleCare+), Apple wants ₹1,49,900 to replace it. That’s nearly half the phone’s ₹2,99,900 starting price, and only a little less than what an iPhone 18 Pro costs at launch. There’s also an “other damage” category that goes even higher, at ₹2,24,900, roughly 75% of a brand-new Duo.

Here’s the rest of the list:

• Outer display: ₹42,900
• Outer display + back glass: ₹55,900
• Rear camera: ₹26,900
• Battery: ₹24,900
• Back glass: ₹20,900
• Cover layer: ₹5,900

AppleCare+ does soften the blow quite a bit. The plan itself costs ₹51,900 and drops an inner-display repair to ₹8,900. Outer display or back glass incidents fall to ₹2,500 each, the cover layer is ₹1,900, and battery service is free. If you buy the phone, add AppleCare+, and grab a first-party case, you’re looking at roughly ₹3.5–3.6 lakh out the door. Even then, every covered incident still comes with a service fee, and the plan doesn’t cover theft or loss.

For comparison, Samsung’s published spare-part prices for the Galaxy Z Fold 8 are noticeably lower in several areas. The main screen assembly is listed at around ₹54,130 (or ₹35,490 for a component-level repair), while the back glass/cover and battery are both around ₹2,300. Motherboard prices vary by storage, but nothing comes close to Apple’s highest “other damage” figure.

Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo start today (October 16), with sales beginning on October 23.

Display replacements within the first few months of regular use are surprisingly common on Galaxy foldables, even after years of hinge and backplate refinements. The iPhone Duo is a big step forward for foldables, but it’s still a first-generation product. Getting AppleCare+ might be the smarter move instead of just hoping for the best.

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(Sources: 1, 2, 3)

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Shopping for a foldable phone in 2026 means looking beyond Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series. Apple has entered the market with the iPhone Duo, Google has updated its Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and Honor’s Magic V6 brings a 6,660mAh battery to its book-style design. Samsung has also split its Fold lineup, giving buyers a choice between the taller Z Fold 8 Ultra and the wider, shorter Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Each phone approaches the foldable experience a little differently. Some prioritize a large inner display and multitasking, while others put more emphasis on battery life, cameras, or a familiar software experience. There is also a considerable difference in what you’ll pay, particularly if you’re considering Apple’s first foldable or Samsung’s top-end model. 

Here are the five foldable phones worth considering in 2026.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra keeps the tall, narrow design Samsung introduced with last year’s Galaxy Z Fold 7, now under a new name. Its 8-inch inner display gives users plenty of room for multitasking, while the 6.5-inch cover screen handles everyday tasks without requiring the phone to be unfolded. Both displays support 120Hz refresh rates, and the inner panel reaches 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Samsung has also added an anti-reflective coating to the inner screen.

The phone runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, with 12GB or 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. It ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, bringing Samsung’s software features to the larger folding display.

Camera hardware is another major part of the package. The rear setup includes a 200MP main camera with 2x optical-quality zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide camera that replaces last year’s 12MP sensor, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x zoom. Both displays also have their own 10MP selfie cameras.

Samsung has increased battery capacity to 5,000mAh, up from 4,400mAh on the Fold 7, although charging speeds remain at 45W wired and 20W wireless. The phone weighs 215g and measures 4.1mm thick when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded, keeping its weight close to that of its predecessor.

All of this comes at a high price. In the US, the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage version costs $2,099, while the 512GB model is priced at $2,299. Buyers who need more memory and storage can get the 16GB RAM and 1TB version for $2,699, making it the most expensive phone on this list.

The price also makes durability worth considering. The phone is the first large-screen Samsung foldable to fail JerryRigEverything’s durability test, and Samsung’s official screen replacement prices reach $639 if the inner display is damaged. The launch coverage has the remaining specifications.

Those who prefer a wider, shorter design can save some money with Samsung’s standard Galaxy Z Fold 8. It starts at $1,899.99, weighs 201g, and has a 7.6-inch inner display. Its rear camera system uses two 50MP sensors but lacks a dedicated telephoto lens.

Apple iPhone Duo

Apple’s first foldable gives iPhone users a way to move to a larger screen without leaving iOS. The company unveiled the iPhone Duo on September 9, with pre-orders opening on October 16. Sales begin on October 23 in more than 70 countries and regions, followed by another 28 markets on October 30.

Apple has priced the phone close to Samsung’s premium foldables. The 256GB model costs $1,999, the 512GB version costs $2,199, and the 1TB model comes in at $2,599. At the top of the range, the 2TB version costs $3,199. The starting price is $100 below the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and $100 above the standard Galaxy Z Fold 8. 

The iPhone Duo has a 7.6-inch folding OLED display inside and a 5.4-inch OLED screen on the outside. Both support 120Hz ProMotion and reach 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Apple has also used a nano-texture finish on the inner display to reduce glare. Early hands-on reports suggest the matte finish makes the crease difficult to see, while the selfie camera beneath the display is barely noticeable when not in use.

The frame and hinge cover use grade 5 titanium, with Ceramic Shield glass on the front and back. The phone also has an IP68 rating. However, its build comes with a trade-off: at 254g, it is considerably heavier than Samsung’s standard Galaxy Z Fold 8, which weighs 201g. The iPhone Duo measures 11.3mm when closed and 5.2mm when open.

Apple has made a few other choices worth knowing about before buying. Touch ID is built into the side button, with no Face ID support, and the phone uses eSIM exclusively rather than offering a physical SIM tray. Apple Pencil support is also due later this year.

Powering the phone is Apple’s A20 Pro chip, with a six-core CPU, a seven-core GPU, and vapor chamber cooling. The iPhone Duo runs iOS 27 and has two 48MP rear cameras for main and ultra-wide photography. It supports up to 2x optical-quality zoom but does not include a dedicated telephoto camera. A 12MP front camera handles selfies.

Apple has split the battery between the phone’s two halves and rates it for up to 31 hours of video playback on the inner display or up to 44 hours on the outer display. Fast wired charging can bring the battery to around 50 percent in roughly 20 minutes, and MagSafe wireless charging is supported.

The larger screen also brings changes to iOS. Version 27 adds split-screen apps, drag-and-drop between applications, and saved app pairs, making it easier to use two apps together on the folding display.

Honor Magic V6

For anyone who would rather have a larger battery than a thinner spec sheet, the Honor Magic V6 is worth a look. Its global version packs a 6,660mAh silicon-carbon battery, the largest among the book-style foldables covered here. It supports 80W wired charging and 66W wireless charging, while Chinese versions come with even larger 6,850mAh and 7,150mAh batteries.

The phone also has a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip paired with 16GB of RAM. Its 7.95-inch inner display runs at 2172 x 2352 resolution, while the cover screen measures about 6.5 inches. On the software side, it uses MagicOS 10 based on Android 16.

Honor has made several claims about the phone’s durability, too. The Magic V6 carries IP68 and IP69 ratings, and its hinge uses steel rated at 2,800MPa. According to Honor, the hinge has been tested for 500,000 folds, while the crease is 44 percent shallower than on the previous Magic V5.

Despite the large battery, the phone remains relatively thin. It measures 4.1mm when unfolded and between 8.8mm and 9mm when folded, depending on the version, with weight ranging from 219g to 224g. 

The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 64MP periscope telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and CIPA 6.5 stabilization. Both displays have 20MP selfie cameras. 

Availability is the main hurdle for buyers outside China. Honor does not sell the Magic V6 in the US, and prices in other markets are considerably higher than its Chinese starting price of ¥8,999. In the Philippines, it costs ₱119,999, or roughly $2,140, while the price in South Africa is R40,000. Even at those prices, it can be considerably cheaper than Samsung’s top model. Our comparison with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra puts the price difference at about $800 in Honor’s favor.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Google’s Pixel 11 Pro Fold takes a different approach from Samsung’s foldables, pairing a large folding display with Google’s version of Android and a long software support commitment. It starts at $1,899 for 256GB of storage, which is $100 more than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s starting price. The 512GB model costs $2,019, while the 1TB version is priced at $2,249.

Every configuration comes with 16GB of RAM and Google’s Tensor G6 chip. The phone ships with Android 17, and Google promises seven years of operating system updates, security updates, and Pixel Drops. Buyers can choose between Obsidian and Olive color options.

Google has also reduced the phone’s weight and thickness. At 239g, it is lighter than the previous model’s 258g, while its body measures 10.1mm when folded and 5mm when unfolded. The inner display measures 8 inches, and the cover screen is 6.5 inches. Both reach 3,600 nits of peak brightness, which Google says is about 20 percent higher than on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold retains an IP68 rating, and Google describes its new construction as three times stronger than the previous generation. Battery capacity has gone in the opposite direction, dropping from 5,015mAh to 4,806mAh. Google still quotes more than 24 hours of battery life, with 30W wired charging capable of reaching 50 percent in 30 minutes. Qi2.2 magnetic wireless charging is also supported at up to 25W.

For photography, the phone has a 48MP main camera, a 10.5MP ultra-wide camera and a 10.8MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. Each display also gets a 10MP selfie camera. Google has added HiLight to the Pixel 11 Pro series, a customizable notification light on the back of the phone.

Our Pixel 11 Pro Fold launch piece details the changes from last year’s model. If you’re deciding between Google’s foldable and Samsung’s wider Fold, our Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs Galaxy Z Fold 8 comparison details their specifications, cameras, and prices.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Not everyone needs a tablet-sized screen in their pocket. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 folds a regular-sized smartphone in half, making it a more compact alternative to the book-style models on this list. It starts at $1,199.99, which is $100 more than the Galaxy Z Flip 7.

Samsung has made the new model thinner and lighter than any previous Flip. It weighs 180g and measures 6.1mm thick when unfolded, compared with 6.5mm for the Flip 7. The phone has a 6.9-inch inner display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 4.1-inch cover screen. Its frame uses Armor Aluminum, and it carries an IP48 rating.

The cover screen gets much of the attention in this generation. Gemini can launch supported tasks directly from the smaller display, while Now Brief shows personalized cards. Users can also create custom cards with text prompts, allowing them to tailor the information displayed without opening the phone.

The hardware changes are more modest. The battery remains at 4,300mAh, with 25W wired and 15W wireless charging. Samsung has also kept the same 50MP main camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera from last year’s model.

The processor depends on where you buy the phone. Some markets get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, while others receive Samsung’s Exynos 2600. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 runs Android 17 with One UI 9, and Samsung lists support for up to seven major OS updates. As with the other recent Samsung phones, there is no charger in the box, and the phone lacks an SD card slot.

The Galaxy Z Flip 8 went up for pre-order in July and began shipping on August 7. If you’re upgrading from a Flip 7, our Flip 8 vs Flip 7 upgrade piece explains what has changed. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 vs Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 comparison is also worth checking if you’re considering a rival flip with a bigger battery and faster charging.

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The rich, dark Burgundy finish on some iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max units is apparently lightening up noticeably. Hands-on images highlight the color shift, and it’s hard to ignore.

A Reddit user named Low-Ad9343 posted photos showing the difference. He bought his Burgundy iPhone 18 Pro on September 19 and by October 9, only about three weeks later, the aluminum surface had shifted from that deep burgundy to a lighter, brighter red.

In the comments, a few people floated the idea that something chemical might be reacting with the colored aluminum, but there’s no solid proof of that yet.

The affected user took the iPhone to an Apple Store, and the staff told him they’d check with an engineer and get back to him by Monday, October 12. It’s still unclear whether Apple saw this as a warranty issue and offered a replacement.

This isn’t the first time something like this has come up. The iPhone 18 Pro models collect dust around the camera modules that’s hard to clean and becomes clearly visible on the Burgundy and Black models. Cleaning is possible, but the dust keeps coming back, requiring regular cleaning. It also risks scratching the camera lens covers with dust particles.

What’s different now is that the color shift looks permanent. Similar complaints showed up last year with the Cosmic Orange iPhone 17 Pro models.

Apple hasn’t said anything officially about a manufacturing problem. We still don’t know what’s causing it or how many phones are actually affected. People have speculated about heat or UV exposure, but nothing’s been verified.

Until more details come out, it’s another reminder that the long-term stability of these anodized finishes on recent iPhones is still an open question.

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(Source: Reddit)

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Apple has unveiled its fourth-generation Apple TV 4K, bringing several upgrades to its streaming device. It is priced at $299 and features a faster processor with AV1 support, hands-free voice controls, and an updated remote with Find My integration. Preorders are now open, with shipping scheduled to begin on November 13.

Apple TV 4K Specifications

The hardware features three built-in far-field microphones for hands-free voice control without using the remote. Apple has also integrated its new Siri AI assistant, powered by Apple Intelligence, which can answer questions about currently playing content, including cast details, age ratings, and awards. Responses appear in a small on-screen overlay without interrupting playback.

Because the device is actively listening for wake words in the living room, Apple said that microphone data is processed in a Secure Exclave separated from the main tvOS system. Any queries that require cloud processing are routed through Apple’s Private Cloud Compute, which the company says does not store user data.

Internally, the Apple TV 4K runs on the new A19 chip. This provides a 50% increase in CPU performance and doubles the GPU performance compared to the prior generation. For video streaming, the most relevant hardware addition is a dedicated AV1 decoder. AV1 is a video codec that allows for high-quality streaming at lower bitrates, which helps maintain image quality on slower internet connections.

The Siri Remote retains its standard aluminum design but now includes a built-in speaker and an ultra-wideband chip. This brings it into the Find My network, allowing users to track it down using Precision Finding on an iPhone or make it play a sound when it gets lost in the couch.

For audio, the new box supports a four-speaker surround sound configuration if paired with matching sets of Apple’s HomePod (2nd gen) or the newly mentioned HomePod Mini 2.

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Apple is officially getting into the smart home hardware business. Today, the company announced the Apple Home Collection, a new line of accessories developed alongside LG Electronics and Schneider Electric. The lineup covers the standard basics of home automation: security cameras, a video doorbell, a smart lock, and smart thermostats.

Specifications & Pricing

These devices offer a simpler setup process compared to existing third-party alternatives, eliminating the need to download manufacturer-specific apps or create separate accounts. They can be paired directly with an iPhone using a single tap, with all settings and controls accessible through the Apple Home app. Apple also confirms that all device data is protected by end-to-end encryption, preventing Apple, LG, and Schneider Electric from accessing camera feeds or usage information.

For security, the collection relies on hardware built by LG. The $249.95 Video Doorbell uses a dual-camera system: a 2.5K lens for the main view and a 1080p lens pointed downward at packages. The camera lineup also includes a $399.95 Floodlight Cam, a $299.95 Outdoor Cam, and a $199.95 Indoor Cam. The indoor model includes a physical privacy mechanism that automatically tilts the lens down and away when the first person in the household arrives home. Video storage is tied to iCloud+, so there is no separate camera subscription required.

On the access front, the $349.95 LG Smart Deadbolt Lock uses Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology. This allows the door to unlock automatically as a user approaches with a compatible iPhone or Apple Watch. Because it supports the Aliro standard, the core unlocking functions process locally and will still work if the home’s internet goes down.

For climate control, Apple is offering two $199.95 thermostats, one made by LG and the other by Schneider Electric. Rather than relying on manual schedules, they use an Adaptive Temperature feature that adjusts based on the location data and usage habits of the household’s iPhones. In the US, the thermostats can also sync with compatible utility plans to shift heavy heating or cooling to off-peak hours.

Under the hood, all of the new devices support Thread and Matter. They also include a quality-of-life update for smart home users: if you change your router’s Wi-Fi password, the accessories will automatically update their network credentials. For users who don’t want to wire a doorbell or thermostat themselves, Apple is partnering with ADT to offer paid professional installation.

Availability

The Apple Home Collection will start rolling out in December, with some accessories arriving in early 2027. However, the ecosystem’s central hub, the newly announced HomeView display, will not be sold in the European Union at launch due to ongoing regulatory issues regarding Apple’s AI features.

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Apple has introduced the HomePod Mini 2. It keeps the spherical design of the original but updates the internal hardware, adds a new lighting effect on the top panel, and integrates Apple’s upcoming Siri AI features. It also costs $149, a $50 increase over the previous model.

Apple HomePod Mini 2 Specifications

The device will support an upgraded Siri AI, although the feature won’t be available at launch. Apple says it will arrive through a future software update, bringing more natural conversations and support for complex requests.

The HomePod Mini 2 will also be able to access personal information from compatible iPhones and iPads that support Apple Intelligence. For example, you can ask Siri to find a recipe shared through email or play a song received in a text message.

Apple says personal data will be handled securely through on-device processing or its Private Cloud Compute system. Those without an Apple Intelligence-compatible iPhone or iPad will still benefit from improved conversational capabilities, but won’t have access to personal context features.

Inside, the speaker runs on the S10 chip. Apple says this processor manages real-time audio adjustments for volume and dynamic range. The speaker still works alone or in a stereo pair, but Apple is adding a new home theater configuration.

If you own the new 4th-generation Apple TV 4K, you can link four HomePod speakers together. The system automatically calibrates the audio based on where each speaker is placed in the room. You can also now set the HomePod Mini 2 as the default audio output for a Mac.

On the outside, the top touch surface has been redesigned with a feature Apple calls Sound Glow. Instead of just showing the standard Siri animation, the top panel now changes color to match the album art of the music you are playing and pulses along with the audio.

For smart home use, the device continues to function as a home hub. It includes sound recognition to listen for smoke or carbon monoxide alarms and send alerts to your phone. It also supports face recognition for Apple’s newly announced Home Collection video doorbells, allowing the speaker to announce who is outside.

Availability

The HomePod Mini 2 comes in pink, green, blue, white, and midnight. Pre-orders are open now, and it will be available in stores on October 30th.

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Apple has announced its new smart home display, the Apple HomeView, revealing its price, features, and release date. The device was announced at the company’s Welcome Home event. It costs $299, comes with a 7-inch display, and will begin shipping on November 13.

The Apple HomeView has a domed speaker base with the display attached by a stainless steel hinge, allowing you to tilt the screen to get a better viewing angle. It comes in four colors: silver, starlight, rose pink, and space gray.

Apple is also selling a wall-mounted version in silver and space gray for the same $299 price. It uses the same 7-inch display but requires a separate Schneider Home mount. The Power Mount USB-C Wall Connector costs $59.95, while the Power Mount AC Wired is priced at $79.95.

Siri AI and face recognition

The Apple HomeView runs Siri AI, the updated version of Apple’s assistant that arrived on iPhones with iOS 27 on September 14. The feature is still in beta on the HomeView and currently supports English only.

Pairing the display with an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone or iPad lets Siri AI retrieve information from apps such as Messages and Calendar. If you don’t have a compatible device, you can still use Siri AI for general knowledge questions and conversational replies.

The HomeView can recognize up to six people by face, so each person gets a separate Home Screen with their own apps and widgets. Shared photo albums and music, though, remain accessible to everyone in the house, including guests.

Meanwhile, Messages and Calendar content appear only when the HomeView recognizes your face and your paired iPhone or iPad is nearby and has been unlocked recently. Apple also says camera and microphone data is processed in Secure Enclave on the A18 chip, keeping it inaccessible to software, apps, users, and Apple itself.

Display, audio, and smart home features

The 7-inch display can adjust its brightness from 500 nits down to 0.3 nits. Its interface also adapts to your distance from the screen, showing basic information when you’re across the room and more details when you move closer.

As for audio, you get two full-range drivers in the display and a down-firing woofer with two passive radiators in the base. The system supports Spatial Audio, and you can group the HomeView with HomePod, HomePod mini, and AirPlay-compatible speakers for music throughout your home. There’s also a way to transfer music from your iPhone by holding the phone near the display.

Other features include FaceTime calls with Center Stage, Intercom messages for individual rooms or the entire house, and Find My support. The display can also turn web recipes into step-by-step instructions, complete with hands-free timers, so you don’t have to keep reaching for your phone while cooking.

The HomeView also serves as a control panel for compatible smart home devices. You can check camera feeds, adjust lights and thermostats, lock doors, and close blinds using the touchscreen or Siri. Its Home Camera face can show up to nine camera feeds simultaneously.

With an iCloud+ subscription and compatible cameras, the HomeView can identify activity involving people, pets, packages, and vehicles. It can also describe HomeKit Secure Video clips, letting you get an idea of what happened without watching each recording. If it detects a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm, it sends an alert to your iPhone, iPad, or Apple Watch.

The device works with Apple’s new Home Collection accessories developed with LG Electronics and Schneider Electric, along with Matter-compatible accessories.

Apple HomeView Price and Availability

Apple HomeView is available to pre-order today in Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, the UK, and the US, with a starting price of $299. Pre-orders in Singapore open on Thursday, October 15, at 9 a.m. SGT, while customers in South Africa can buy the device through Apple Authorized Resellers. Shipments begin on November 13.

The European Union is missing from the initial launch markets because Siri AI is not yet available in iOS there. Apple says it is working with the EU to find a way forward.

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It’s been almost a month since the iPhone 18 Pro hit the market, and the new burgundy finish is already showing up everywhere. I spotted quite a few of them while traveling last week. But if you’re still holding off on buying one, whether for the new looks or because you think the specs are worth upgrading, you might want to read what’s new one last time. 

At first glance, the iPhone 18 Pro looks almost identical to its predecessor, with the new colors and a smaller Dynamic Island being the most noticeable differences. There are more changes under the hood, though, including the A20 Pro chip and a larger cooling system. The catch here is that these upgrades come with a $100 price increase. iPhone 18 Pro now starts at $1,199 in the US versus $1,099 for its predecessor. 

So is paying more worth it? Here’s how the iPhone 18 Pro compares with the iPhone 17 Pro and whether the upgrades justify the higher price.

The camera

Let’s start with the hype for the iPhone 18 Pro. Every model from the iPhone 14 Pro through the iPhone 17 Pro used a fixed f/1.78 aperture, meaning the lens opening could not physically change. The iPhone 18 Pro introduces a 48MP Fusion Main camera with a mechanical aperture that adjusts between f/1.48 and f/4 using six laser-cut blades. It is the first iPhone with a physically adjustable aperture. 

You can let the Camera app choose the aperture automatically or select from four settings yourself. Apple has also added manual controls for aperture and shutter speed, along with white balance and a histogram.

The wider f/1.48 aperture lets in about 45% more light than the previous f/1.78 lens, based on the difference in aperture area. This can help in dim environments and produce a shallower depth of field for portraits. At f/4, the smaller opening keeps more of the scene in focus, which can be useful for landscapes, group photos, and shooting in bright daylight. The iPhone 17 Pro relied on software to approximate some of these effects.

Apple has made a few other camera changes on the newer phone:

• Smart Focus tracks your subject while you shoot.
• Night mode works faster.
• Cinematic effects now support up to 60 fps.
• 4K Dolby Vision HDR time-lapse recording is available.
• Apple Reference Image saves an untouched original with verification data, allowing a photo to be verified as a real capture rather than an AI-generated image.

Apple didn’t bother to meddle with the ultrawide and front cameras, while the telephoto camera retains the 4x and 8x optical-quality zoom options introduced with the iPhone 17 Pro. Which is to say, the main camera is the sole major camera upgrade on the iPhone 18 Pro. 

Performance

The iPhone 18 Pro runs on Apple’s A20 Pro, built on a 2nm process, compared with the 3nm A19 Pro in the iPhone 17 Pro. Both phones have 12GB of RAM, but the newer chip pairs a six-core CPU with a seven-core GPU. Apple says the GPU is up to 40% faster than the previous generation, while memory bandwidth has increased by 50%.

The A20 Pro also has two 16-core Neural Engines, which doubles the AI processing capacity of the previous chip. This extra hardware supports Apple’s next generation of on-device AI features, including the new Siri AI.

Cooling is another important part of the upgrade. The iPhone 17 Pro introduced a vapor chamber, but the iPhone 18 Pro uses a newer version attached directly to the chip, with three times the surface area of the earlier design. Apple says this improves sustained performance by up to 40%.

Benchmark scores back Apple’s claim, and this means better performance on demanding tasks, such as extended gaming sessions, 4K video exports, and intensive AI processing. These workloads can heat a phone and cause its performance to drop over time, so better cooling can help the iPhone 18 Pro maintain its speed for longer.

For everyday use, however, the difference is likely to be smaller. The A19 Pro is already powerful enough to handle current apps and games, so the A20 Pro’s biggest advantage is the extra performance headroom it provides for future software and more demanding tasks. This will be useful if you plan to keep the phone for four or five years.

Battery and charging

Apple says the iPhone 17 Pro can last for up to 33 hours of video playback, while the eSIM-only iPhone 18 Pro can go up to 36 hours. The newer model also charges faster, reaching 50% in about 15 minutes compared with around 20 minutes for the iPhone 17 Pro using a 40W adapter.

There are two things to keep in mind, though. First, the 36-hour rating applies to the eSIM-only version sold in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico and eight other markets. Buyers elsewhere should check the specifications of the version available in their region. Second, Apple’s battery figures are estimates rather than independent test results. 

The iPhone 18 Pro also includes Apple’s C2 modem, which the company says consumes 15% less energy than the C1X and supports mmWave 5G in the US. Its N1 wireless chip adds Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread support. 

Design and display

There is little difference between the two phones’ displays. Both have a 6.3-inch OLED panel with 120Hz ProMotion and up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness, along with an aluminum unibody. The iPhone 18 Pro weighs 211 grams versus 206 grams on its predecessor, while the overall dimensions are mostly the same—you can use your iPhone 17 Pro’s case, if you wish to. 

A noticeable hardware change is that the Dynamic Island is smaller on the newer model and can show up to three Live Activities at once, up from two. Also, Apple hid the Face ID camera under the screen and relocated it to the top left, and the rear glass panel now matches the color of the surrounding camera area.

The available colors show a more noticeable visual difference. The iPhone 18 Pro comes in Black, Silver, Glacier, and Burgundy. Black returns after being absent from last year’s lineup, while iPhone 17 Pro’s signature Cosmic Orange is no longer available.

Apple has also added a 2TB storage option, the first for an iPhone. 

iOS 27 and Siri AI

The iPhone 18 Pro ships with iOS 27 and the latest generation of Apple Intelligence, including the new Siri AI. But the software alone is not a strong reason to upgrade, since iOS 27 became available as a free update on September 14, four days before the phone went on sale.

The hardware difference is in how much AI processing the phone can handle locally. The A20 Pro’s Neural Engines and higher memory bandwidth give it more capacity for on-device tasks. Apple’s May roundup of expected iPhone 18 Pro upgrades had already pointed to the camera, performance, battery, and AI as the main areas of change.

Price: what the extra $100 gets you

The iPhone 17 Pro launched at $1,099 for the 256GB model, while the iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for the same storage capacity. Apple’s installment plan puts the newer model at $49.95 per month over 24 months. The price increase is smaller than some buyers expected after an IDC forecast in June suggested the price could rise by $200.

For the extra $100, you get the variable-aperture main camera, the A20 Pro chip, improved cooling, a higher battery rating, and faster charging. The display, overall design, and zoom range remain largely the same.

The iPhone 17 Pro is now a generation old, which could make it a better deal as retailers and carriers reduce its price. Check current offers before deciding, since a discount could make the price difference between the two models considerably larger than Apple’s original $100 gap.

Who should upgrade?

iPhone 17 Pro owners: Most can stick with their current phone. The display, size, zoom range, and everyday performance remain similar, so the camera is the main reason to upgrade. It may be worth the cost if you regularly shoot in low light or want the new aperture and manual controls. People who play demanding games or edit 4K video on their phones may also benefit from the improved cooling.

iPhone 16 Pro owners: The upgrade makes more sense because you get two generations of changes. The iPhone 17 Pro introduced an aluminum design, a vapor chamber, 48MP resolution across all three rear cameras, and 4x and 8x telephoto zoom. The iPhone 18 Pro adds the new chip, larger cooling system, adjustable main camera, and longer battery rating on top of those changes.

iPhone 15 Pro owners or anyone with an older model: The iPhone 18 Pro brings more substantial improvements in camera capabilities, performance, battery life, and storage. If your current phone is starting to feel dated, moving to the newer model could be more worthwhile than upgrading every year to get one set of changes at a time.

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A new supply-chain leak suggests Apple is tweaking its ultra-thin iPhone Air for a second generation that aims to look even sleeker while fixing one of the first model’s biggest complaints.

According to Korean tipster yeux1122 on the Naver forum, the iPhone Air 2 is expected to come in at around 5.2 mm thick. That’s 0.4 mm thinner than the original’s 5.6 mm.

Normally you’d expect a thinner body to mean a smaller battery, but Apple is reportedly working on higher-energy-density cells that could actually push capacity past the first Air’s 3,149 mAh. Some earlier rumors floated a number closer to 3,500 mAh, which would hopefully translate to better real-world battery life.

The titanium frame that made the first Air feel so light is expected to stick around. The phone is also said to pick up the smaller Dynamic Island matching the iPhone 18 Pro models, which would free up a little more screen space.

The original Air’s single rear lens got a lot of flak. Leaks now point to a dual setup: a 48MP ultra-wide sitting next to a 48MP main sensor. That should give people more options for landscapes, group shots, and general creative shots.

Inside, the Air 2 is expected to pack the same A20 Pro chip that’s lined up for the iPhone 18 Pro models, plus an upgraded N2 wireless chip and Apple’s custom C2 baseband. Those pieces are supposed to work together to keep power consumption and heat under control.

All of this is still just rumor territory, so things could change. The iPhone Air 2 is widely expected to land in spring 2027 alongside the regular iPhone 18 and the more affordable iPhone 18e. It looks like Apple is focused on polishing the ultra-thin idea rather than just repeating the first generation’s compromises.

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(Source: yeux1122)

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Apple has confirmed that it will hold a special event on October 13, with the tagline “Welcome home.” The announcement follows a late-September rumor that Apple would use the date to showcase new smart home products.

Apple also published an official teaser video for the event, which you can watch below.

The earlier reports named three devices: the long-rumored HomePad (could also be called the Home Hub), the HomePod mini 2 speaker, and a new Apple TV 4K box. Apple hasn’t confirmed any of them yet, but the “Welcome home” tagline fits the lineup. All three are expected to support the new Siri AI, so you should expect to see a lot of it during the event.

What to expect from the HomePad

The HomePad is the product most of us are waiting for. It’s expected to have a 6-inch square display, and Apple is reportedly making two versions. One is meant to sit on a desk or countertop, and the other is meant to be mounted on a wall. 

On the desk version, the base is expected to have a built-in speaker, with a metal arm holding the screen up. Apple hasn’t shown any of this yet, so the event is where you’ll see how the two versions actually differ.

HomePod mini 2 and Apple TV 4K are overdue

The HomePod mini 2 and the new Apple TV 4K have both taken a long time to arrive. Apple released the original HomePod mini in 2020, which means the speaker has gone about six years without a successor. The latest Apple TV 4K came out in 2022, so that box is four years old. Both are also expected to support Siri AI, which is one reason to expect them to launch alongside the HomePad.

If you’ve held off on buying either one, the October 13 event is the date to watch. Apple’s event takes place on Tuesday, October 13, and we’ll update this story as more details come out.

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Just a few weeks after the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max started shipping, some owners started posting about what looked like weird color shifts around the rear camera module, especially on the new Burgundy models.

Turns out it’s not permanent discoloration or a finish defect. After digging through the Reddit threads and comments, it seems to be dust and fine debris collecting in the hard-to-reach spots between and around the camera lenses. Because the Burgundy finish is so deep and rich, that dust shows up much more clearly than it does on Silver or Glacier. A lot of people initially thought it was some kind of permanent mark because cleaning didn’t seem to fix it for good.

The reality is simpler: wipe it with a microfiber cloth or a bit of isopropyl alcohol and the marks disappear. But the second the phone goes back in a pocket or bag, the dust starts collecting again. That’s why it keeps coming back.

Constant wiping means you’re repeatedly rubbing any tiny grit that’s sitting there across the camera glass, which raises the risk of micro-scratches over time. And while alcohol works in a pinch, using it regularly could theoretically affect the adhesive holding the camera glass in place, and it’s probably not something you want to do if you’re worried about keeping the warranty clean.

So the real takeaway isn’t that Apple has a manufacturing problem. It’s that the Burgundy color, combined with the camera module’s design, just makes everyday dust a lot more visible. If you’re thinking about getting that color, you’ll probably need to wipe the camera area more often than you’re used to. If you already have one and the “discoloration” is bothering you, a proper clean will clear it up; just know it’ll likely return until the next wipe.

Not a defect. Just a color that doesn’t hide the mess as well as the others.

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(Source: Reddit)

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