Instagram now allows creators to earn money by writing Testimonials in the comments section.
Creators will self-identify as paid partners making endorsements transparent.
Paid testimonials will be pinned to the top of the comments section ensuring visibility.
Creators can track and manage their testimonials through their Creator Settings.
Instagram introduces new ways for creators to earn more. (Image credit – Instagram)
Instagramis rolling out a new way for creators to earn money by recommending products in the comments section of brand posts.
Metaannounced this update recently as part of its Partnership Ads program, introducing a feature called Testimonials. This feature allows creators to write paid endorsements in the form of short comments on brand posts and ads including Feed posts and Reels.
Brands already pay commenters or incentivise customers to leave positive reviews. However, for shoppers, it’s often hard to tell whether a comment comes from a genuine customer or a paid promoter.
Creators can now self-identify as paid partners with Testimonials. This makes the endorsement more transparent while also making creators accountable for the products they promote.
Since they are putting their names behind these products, they risk losing followers’ trust if they promote something that isn’t good.
Testimonials are short messages (under 125 characters) that creators submit to brands, which are then attached to relevant ads. Meta informed TechCrunch that the brands can partner with any eligible creator and all deals including pricing are negotiated directly between them. Payment happens outside of Meta’s platform.
Meta also explains the feature in a blog post, “Testimonials are text-only endorsements, which means that they’re fast to make and easy to stack on top of existing brand deals.[….] Write a short message (under 125 characters) that ties back to the brand campaign or a specific product. Send your written endorsement to the brand and they’ll make sure that it ends up on the correct ad.”
According to Meta, 40% of people on Instagram rely on creator recommendations when shopping.
These paid testimonials will be pinned to the top of the comments section once posted and the platform will ensure they stand out and get more visibility.
Creators can also track their testimonials under their Creator Settings, monitor how their comments are being used and even pull them if needed.
FAQs
Q1. What is the new feature Instagram has introduced for creators?
Answer. Instagram has introduced Testimonials, which allow creators to earn money by writing paid endorsements in the comments section of brand posts.
Q2. How do creators identify themselves in these paid endorsements?
Answer. Creators self-identify as paid partners with Testimonials, making the endorsement more transparent and accountable.
Q3. Where are these paid testimonials displayed on Instagram?
Answer. Paid testimonials will be pinned to the top of the comments section, ensuring they stand out and get more visibility.
Apple will introduce its own Wi-Fi chip in the iPhone 17 lineup replacing Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips.
Apple is working on in-house 5G modems (C1 chip) and Wi-Fi chips to reduce costs and improve device integration.
The custom Wi-Fi chip will be reportedly used across the entire iPhone 17 lineup including iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.
Caption – iPhone 17 Pro leaked renders. (Image credit – FPT on YouTube)
Apple justunveiled its C1 modem with the iPhone 16e but it appears that’s not the only new Apple-designed we will get to see this year. According to a new report, the iPhone 17 lineup will debut another in-house chip, this time for Wi-Fi connectivity. Here’s what we know so far.
Apple’s Wi-Fi Chip to Replace Broadcom in iPhone 17 Series
Apple has been working on some major connectivity projects. One is the in-house 5G modems, which include the newly launched C1 chip and future C-series successors. The other connectivity project involves Wi-Fi chips, which is an in-house solution aimed at replacing third-party suppliers.
Popular supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo recently shed some light on Apple’s in-house connectivity projects on X (formerly Twitter). Kuo writes. “Following Qualcomm, Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips will also be replaced by Apple’s in-house chips at a faster pace. My latest industry survey indicates that all new 2H25 iPhone 17 models will feature Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chips (vs. only the slim iPhone 17 will adopt Apple’s C1 modem chip). Beyond cost reduction, the switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will enhance connectivity across Apple devices.”
Following Qualcomm, Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips will also be replaced by Apple’s in-house chips at a faster pace. My latest industry survey indicates that all new 2H25 iPhone 17 models will feature Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chips (vs. only the slim iPhone 17 will adopt Apple’s C1 modem…
Previous reports suggested that Apple’s custom Wi-Fi chip would be introduced in some iPhone 17 models, but the latest update suggests that it will now be used across the entire iPhone 17 lineup including the iPhone 17, 17 Air, 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max. With this move, Apple will phase out Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips in its 2025 iPhones.
Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo says Apple’s new Wi-Fi chip will “enhance connectivity across Apple devices.” While details are still vague, this could mean better battery life similar to the C1 modem’s efficiency improvements and reliable Wi-Fi connections.
Apple recently unveiled its in-house C1 chip. (Image credit – Apple)
Launching its first-ever modem, Apple writes, “Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon — including C1 — the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life.”
Some reports indicate that we can expect even deeper optimisations in future Apple devices since Apple is now controlling both 5G and Wi-Fi chips.
FAQs
Q1. What is Apple’s new Wi-Fi chip for the iPhone 17 lineup?
Answer. Apple will introduce its own Wi-Fi chip in the iPhone 17 lineup, replacing Broadcom’s Wi-Fi chips.
Q2. When will the new Apple Wi-Fi chip be available in iPhones?
Answer. The custom Wi-Fi chip will be used across the entire iPhone 17 lineup, starting in 2025.
Q3. What are the expected benefits of Apple’s in-house Wi-Fi chip?
Answer. The switch to in-house Wi-Fi chips will enhance connectivity across Apple devices and could mean better battery life and more reliable Wi-Fi connections.
The OPPO Watch X2 officially launched in the global market.
Features include ECG, heart rate, blood oxygen and wrist temperature sensors along with sleep apnea detection and hypertension risk assessment.
Available in Lava Black, Summit Blue and Silver Moon colours.
Prices in China range from 2,499 to 2,699 yuan and globally from SGD 499 to SGD 549.
OPPO has introduced the Oppo Watch X2. (Image credit – Oppo)
At its big Oppo Find N5 launch event, OPPO also introduced a high-end smartwatch the OPPO Watch X2. In case it reminds you of another smartwatch, that’s because it’s essentially a rebranded OnePlus Watch 3, which was unveiled earlier this week. The only difference between the two is that the Watch X2 comes in Summit Blue with a slightly tweaked bezel design. The rest of the features remain the same for both.
Here’s all there is to know about the smartwatch.
OPPO Watch X2 – Key Features
OPPO Watch X2 Key Features explained. (Image credit – Oppo)
The OPPO Watch X2 sports a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 466×466 resolution and an impressive 2,200 nits peak brightness for excellent visibility in all conditions. It’s protected by sapphire crystal with a Mohs hardness rating of over 8 ensuring high resistance to scratches and impacts.
Adding to the premium feel, the watch includes a pyramid-textured rotating crown for effortless navigation.
Under the hood, the Watch X2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 wearable platform, paired with a BES2800BP processor for better power efficiency. It comes with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage, running ColorOS Watch 7.0 in China and Wear OS 5.0 for global models.
The 648mAh battery, supported by OPPO’s Glacier battery technology, ensures solid battery life –
Full smart mode: Up to 5 days
Long battery mode: Up to 16 days
For connectivity, the watch supports independent eSIM, allowing users to make calls and browse the internet without needing a phone. The Chinese variant also includes a standalone WeChat app, enabling messaging and voice calls directly from the watch.
OPPO Watch X2 – Advanced Health & Fitness Tracking
Health tracking is a big focus for OPPO with the Watch X2. The smartwatch is packed with sensors, including the following –
ECG electrodes
8-channel heart rate sensor
16-channel blood oxygen sensor
Wrist temperature sensor
It features a 60-second health check that monitors 14 key health indicators covering heart health, sleep quality and mental well-being. Additionally, it includes sleep apnea detection, real-time SpO2 monitoring and vascular health assessment.
The watch also offers a hypertension risk assessment, developed in collaboration with Fuwai Hospital and Omron. It evaluates hypertension risk after seven days of continuous use, making it ideal for people with a family history of high blood pressure or stressful lifestyles.
For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch X2 supports over 100 sports modes including 11 specialised workouts like running posture analysis and an advanced badminton mode. It features dual-frequency GPS for precise route tracking and integrates with outdoor navigation apps for seamless route imports.
SpO2 tracking: spot checks, all-day Mind and Body Relaxation, ECG Analyzer (Depends on the country), Vascular Health (Arterial stiffness), Fall detection, Wrist temperature
OHealth application with Health Insights, Support Google Health Connect service; Sync to Strava
The OPPO Watch X2 is available in Lava Black, Summit Blue and Silver Moon colour variants.
Here’s the market-wise pricing breakdown –
China –
Lava Black – 2,499 yuan (approx $343 or INR 29,715)
Silver Moon – 2,599 yuan (approx $356 or INR 30,900)
Summit Blue – 2,699 yuan (approx $370 or INR 32,085)
Global Market:
Lava Black – SGD 499 (approx $374 or INR 32,315)
Summit Blue – SGD 549 (approx $411 or INR 35,550)
The Watch X2 is already available for purchase in Singapore, while sales in China start on February 26.
FAQs
Q1. Are the Oppo Watch X2 and the OnePlus Watch 3 the same?
Answer. The OPPO Watch X2 is essentially a rebranded OnePlus Watch 3 with a Summit Blue colour variant and a slightly tweaked bezel design.
Q2. What are the key display features of the OPPO Watch X2?
Answer. The OPPO Watch X2 sports a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a 466×466 resolution and an impressive 2,200 nits peak brightness.
Q3. What advanced health and fitness tracking features does the OPPO Watch X2 offer?
Answer. The OPPO Watch X2 includes ECG electrodes, an 8-channel heart rate sensor, a 16-channel blood oxygen sensor, wrist temperature sensor and offers sleep apnea detection and hypertension risk assessment.
Q4. What is the battery life of the OPPO Watch X2 in different modes?
Answer. In full smart mode, the battery lasts up to 5 days. In long battery mode, it lasts up to 16 days.
Q5. What are the pricing and availability details for the OPPO Watch X2?
Answer. The OPPO Watch X2 is available in Lava Black, Summit Blue, and Silver Moon, with prices in China ranging from 2,499 to 2,699 yuan and globally from SGD 499 to SGD 549. Sales in China start on February 26.
The OPPO Find N5 launched as the slimmest foldable yet measuring 4.21mm when unfolded and 8.93mm when folded.
Features – a large 8.12-inch 2K foldable OLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, a 5,600mAh battery with 80W fast charging and new O+ Connect for Mac for seamless file sharing and remote desktop access.
It is available globally in Misty White and Cosmic Black colours.
Available for pre-order from February 20th with sales starting February 26th.
Oppo officially unveils its next foldable device. (Image credit – Oppo)
OPPOhas officially launched its latest foldable smartphone Oppo Find N5 for global markets and China. The company had promised this release and it’s finally here with some impressive specs and features.
At the launch, SVP and Chief Product Officer of OPPO Pete Lau said, “Find N5 unlocks the potential of folding phones, putting tablet and laptop experiences in our hands. It’s impossibly thin and light, and ColorOS 15 is precision-tuned to do more across two immersive displays, with AI-powered tools, and advanced integration with Macs. Find N5 doesn’t close doors, it opens them, unfolding the potential of all your tech while keeping you connected all day and beyond.”
Billy Zhang, President of Overseas Marketing, Sales and Services of OPPO at the launch event. (Image credit – Oppo Newsroom)
Here’s all there is to know about the device including its price and availability.
OPPO Find N5 – The Thinnest Foldable Yet
Newly launched OPPO Find N5 measures just 8.93mm thin when folded and is lightweight at just 229g. (Image credit – Oppo)
At just 4.21mm when unfolded, the Find N5 is barely thicker than a USB-C port and when folded, it’s 8.93mm. This makes it the slimmest book-style foldable phone available. For comparison, the Honor Magic V3 measures 4.35mm when open and 9.3mm when closed, while the Galaxy Z Fold6 is 5.6mm and 12.1mm, respectively.]
The glass variant weighs 229g, while the leather version is slightly heavier at 239g. OPPO has also added an alert slider for quick control.
OPPO Find N5 – Stronger and Slimmer Hinge
Caption – Oppo Find N5 has a Titanium Flexion Hinge that ensures 36% more rigidness despite being 26% smaller in size. (Image credit – Oppo)
The Find N5 features a titanium flexion hinge, made with aerospace-grade 5 titanium alloy using advanced 3D printing. The thinnest part of the hinge is just 0.15mm, about the width of a human hair. Compared to its predecessor, the hinge is 26% slimmer yet 36% more rigid.
It also boasts TÜV Rheinland Reliable Folding Certification, tested for 100,000 folds.
OPPO Find N5 – Key Features
Oppo Find N5 comes with two large flagship displays. (Image credit – Oppo)
The Find N5 sports a large 8.12-inch 2K foldable OLED display with an adaptive 1-120Hz LTPO panel, ultra-thin glass (UTG), and up to 2,100 nits peak brightness. OPPO has also improved the crease—it’s now 10% narrower and 30% shallower than before.
The outer display is a 6.62-inch FHD+ OLED panel, also with a 1-120Hz LTPO refresh rate and up to 2,450 nits peak brightness, protected by Ceramic Guard.
Both screens support high-frequency 2160Hz PWM dimming (up from 1440Hz in the previous model) and are stylus-compatible.
Under the hood, the Find N5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage in the global model.
Find N5 has a 5600mAh OPPO Silicon-Carbon Battery. (Image credit – Oppo)
Battery-wise, it packs a 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery with 80W fast charging, reaching 100% in just 42 minutes. It also supports 50W wireless charging, a feature missing from its predecessor.
Running on Android 15 with ColorOS 15, OPPO promises five years of security updates. The latest ColorOS brings optimised multitasking, AI call summaries, and an upcoming AI-powered search feature for documents.
OPPO Find N5 – O+ Connect for Mac For Seamless File Sharing and Remote Desktop
Oppo Find N5 comes with O+ Connect for Mac. (Image credit – Oppo)
With the Find N5, OPPO is introducing O+ Connect for Mac, making file transfers and remote desktop access seamless. This feature allows users to view, move, search and delete files from their Mac without needing to copy them first. Wireless transfers are fast—100 photos can be moved from a phone to a Mac in just eight seconds.
A standout feature is Remote Mac Control, which lets users turn the Find N5’s 8.12-inch display into a MacBook extension. Fold the phone at 90°, and the bottom half becomes a touchpad or a keyboard. The feature also works in split-screen mode, allowing users to drag and drop files from the Mac desktop straight into apps like WhatsApp.
Enable the Remote Mac Control feature on the Oppo Find N5. (Image credit – GSMArena)
An upcoming update will let users access Mac-stored files directly from the phone’s Files app, removing the need for a remote connection. Windows users can check out Oppo Connect, which enhances the integration between OPPO phones and Windows PCs.
The OPPO Find N5 comes in Misty White and Cosmic Black for the global market, priced at SGD 2,499 (around USD 1,867 / Rs. 1,61,770). It will be available from February 28th.
In China, an additional Dusk Purple leather variant is available. Pricing in China is as follows:
Tecno has upgraded its Universal Tone technology by increasing the skin tone database from 268 to 372 patches.
It also improved the Multi-Skin Tone Color Restoration Engine for more accurate colour reproduction.
Tecno developed a custom colour card for Saudi Arabia with 187 unique skin tone patches.
The upgraded Universal Tone will debut in the Tecno Camon 40 series at MWC 2025.
Tecno upgrades its Universal Tone technology. (Image credit – Tecno)
Tecnointroduced a camera technology called Universal Tone designed to improve skin tone accuracy back in 2023. The aim of the new tech was to ensure a more natural representation of all complexions in photos. The company since then has continued refining the tech and even launched a web tool to help users identify their true skin tones with a single click.
But it appears Tecno is in no mood to slow down and is taking things even further. The company has now announced an upgraded version of Universal Tone featuring a larger skin tone database and an improved Multi-Skin Tone Color Restoration Engine for even more precise colour reproduction.
Universal Tone Upgrade – What’s New?
The biggest upgrade is in the Multi-Skin Tone colour card, which now features 372 patches, up from 268 in the previous version. This means Universal Tone now has more skin tone data to work with ensuring that your photos look even more natural and lifelike.
Caption – The upgrade includes a custom colour card featuring 187 unique Saudi skin tone patches. (Image credit – Tecno)
While this update improves skin tone accuracy globally, Tecno has also developed a regional colour card specifically for Saudi Arabia.
Created in collaboration with the University of Leeds (UK) and Dar Al-Hekma University (Saudi Arabia) in late 2024, this custom colour card includes 187 unique Saudi skin tone patches, ensuring a better representation of the region’s diverse complexions.
The upgrade can upgrades boost skin tone accuracy by over 50%. (Image credit – Tecno)
Along with the expanded dataset, Tecno has enhanced its Multi-Skin Tone Color Restoration Engine with two key upgrades –
CCM Skin Tone Calibration Algorithm – Now trained on the updated dataset for even more accurate colour calibration.
Spectrum-Based Automatic White Balance (AWB) Algorithm – Helps correct colour shift issues in monochromatic photo settings, improving exposure and white balance when multiple skin tones appear in the same frame.
According to Tecno, these upgrades boost skin tone accuracy by over 50%, which makes Universal Tone its most advanced skin tone optimisation technology yet.
The new and improved Universal Tone will make its debut in the Tecno Camon 40 series, which is set to launch at MWC 2025.
FAQs
Q1. What is the Tecno’s Universal Tone technology?
Answer. Universal Tone is a camera technology designed to improve skin tone accuracy.
Q2. What are the key upgrades in the Multi-Skin Tone Color Restoration Engine?
Answer, The upgrades include the CCM Skin Tone Calibration Algorithm, now trained on the updated dataset for more accurate colour calibration and the Spectrum-Based Automatic White Balance (AWB) Algorithm, which helps correct colour shift issues and improve exposure and white balance.
Q3. Where will the upgraded Universal Tone technology debut?
Answer. The upgraded Universal Tone technology will debut in the Tecno Camon 40 series, which is set to launch at MWC 2025.
Q4. What improvements did Tecno introduce to the Univeral Tone tech?
Answer. The upgraded version features a larger skin tone database with 372 patches (up from 268), and an improved Multi-Skin Tone Color Restoration Engine for more precise colour reproduction.
Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S25 Edge earlier this year at the Galaxy Unpacked event. However, details about the phone have more or less remained limited. Now, new leaks revealed what materials the device could feature, making it stand out from the rest of the Galaxy S25 series. Here’s what we know so far.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge Could Have a Ceramic Back
According to a recent Sammobile report, the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Edgecould feature a ceramic back.
Ceramic is known for being highly scratch-resistant but it can also be more brittle than glass, meaning it may crack more easily if dropped on a hard surface. In contrast, the other models in the S25 series come with Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which has proven to survive drops from head height onto concrete.
Despite these concerns, the Galaxy S25 Edge is said to be much lighter than the Ultra model, reportedly weighing just 160 grams, according to Ice Universe. Samsung may have opted for ceramic to help reduce weight, as advanced ceramic materials can be lighter than glass while still offering durability.
Moreover, leaks suggest that the middle frame of the S25 Edge will be made of aluminium similar to the base and plus models in the series.
The Sammobile report further mentions, “We still don’t know whether the phone’s back is entirely ceramic or a version of glass with fused ceramic material. Regardless, it appears different from the other Galaxy S25 series phones, which use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back. Samsung might have done this to reduce the phone’s weight.”
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge – Expected Specs
Previous rumours have hinted that the S25 Edge is expected to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. While there is a 7-core version of the chip, leaks indicate that the S25 Edge will feature the 8-core version, the same one used in the other S25 models. The same has been confirmed by a recent Geekbench listing.
The phone is also rumoured to have a 3,900mAh battery, which is 100mAh smaller than the base model. This super-slim flagship is reportedly less than 6mm thick and is expected to launch in the second quarter of this year.
While there is no update on the exact launch date, we can expect more details should emerge soon.
FAQs
Q1. What is the back material of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge expected to be?
Answer. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is expected to feature a ceramic back, which is highly scratch-resistant but can be more brittle than glass.
Q2. What is the expected weight and frame material of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?
Answer. The device is said to weigh just 160 grams and will have an aluminium middle frame, making it lighter than the Ultra model.
Q3. What are the expected specifications of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge?
Answer. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is rumoured to run on the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, have a 3,900mAh battery, and be less than 6mm thick, with a launch expected in the second quarter of this year.
The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro was spotted in the Geekbench listing revealing key features.
The phone is confirmed to feature a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, Adreno 810 GPU, 12GB of RAM and Android 15.
Expected features – 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED panel, a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera, a 50MP front camera and a 5000mAh battery with 50W fast charging.
Nothing has confirmed that the upcoming Phone (3a) series will feature a Snapdragon chip, and now a Geekbench listing has revealed more details. Confirming the earlier rumours, we can now confirm that the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 will be powering the upcoming Nothing flagship device. Here’s a quick look at the recent reveal.
Nothing Phone (3a) Pro Spotted In Geekbench. (Image credit – FoneArena)
The listing shows the model number A059P, which matches the camera test video from the camera sample’s EXIF data. It confirms the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, an Adreno 810 GPU, 12GB of RAM and Android 15.
Meanwhile, at the recent Nothing x Snapdragon community preview, participants could build a dream phone with 100 credits, revealing some possible specs for the Phone (3a) Pro. These included the following –
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC
3 Android OS updates & 4 years of security updates
120Hz FHD+ AMOLED screen with 2500 nits peak brightness
5000mAh battery with 50W fast charging
Nothing Phone (3a) – Previously Leaked Camera Details
Previous leaks suggest that the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro will feature a 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED panel and up to 2500 nits peak brightness.
In terms of cameras, Nothing has been confirmed that the phone will sport a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens and a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera that supports 6x lossless zoom and up to 60x ultra zoom.
The primary sensor is said to be a 1/1.95-inch Sony Lytia LYT-600 sensor. On the front, the device is expected to feature a 50MP selfie camera promising high-quality imaging for both photos and videos.
FAQs
Q1. What chipset does the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro use?
Answer. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is confirmed to feature the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, as revealed in a Geekbench listing.
Q2. What are the key camera specs of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?
Answer. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro will feature a 50MP main camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, a 50MP 3x periscope telephoto camera with 6x lossless zoom and a 50MP front camera.
Q3. What are the expected features of the Nothing Phone (3a) Pro?
Answer. The Nothing Phone (3a) Pro is expected to have a 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED panel, a 5000mAh battery with 50W fast charging, 12GB of RAM and Android 15.
Apple may switch from titanium to aluminium for iPhone 17 Pro frames.
The shift to aluminium could be driven by environmental concerns and manufacturing difficulties with titanium.
Apple is reportedly testing an advanced version of wireless reverse charging for the iPhone 17 Pro.
iPhone 17 Pro leaked renders. (Image credit – FPT on YouTube)
It is not a surprise that we are already getting multiple reports on the iPhone 17 Series even when the launch is still months away. A new leak suggests that Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro models might not be as durable as the iPhone 16 Pro or even the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Here’s what the latest reports say.
iPhone 17 Pro To Use Aluminum Instead of Titanium?
According to reports, Apple may switch from titanium to aluminium for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max frames. Apple supply chain analyst Jeff Pu revealed in an investor note obtained by MacRumors that the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature aluminium frames instead of the titanium used in recent Pro models.
One exception could be the rumoured iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to replace the Plus model and might still feature a titanium frame.
Aluminium is lighter but also less durable than titanium. When dropped on hard surfaces, aluminium tends to scuff more easily, while titanium is far more resistant to damage.
If Apple does switch to aluminium, the iPhone 17 Pro models would not only be less durable than their predecessors but also less durable than the Galaxy S25 Ultra and possibly other upcoming flagship phones.
Apple’s shift to aluminium could be driven by environmental concerns. Aluminum has a lower carbon footprint than titanium and Apple is working toward carbon neutrality by 2030. MacRumors speculates that Apple could market the iPhone 17 models as their first carbon-neutral iPhones.
Titanium is also harder to manufacture, which could be another reason for the switch. That said, this is still a rumour, so it’s best to take it with a grain of salt for now.
Wireless Reverse Charging Could Finally Arrive on the iPhone 17 Pro
Apple has been working on wireless reverse charging for years but the feature has never been fully activated on any iPhone. It remains a drawback for Apple since the feature has been quite common on Android smartphones.
According to 9to5Mac sources, Apple is developing an advanced version of reverse wireless charging, and a new leak suggests it’s currently being tested on iPhone 17 Pro prototypes.
Apple was reportedly aiming to introduce this feature as early as the iPhone 14, but it still hasn’t been activated in any model yet. Now, leaker Instant Digital claims Apple is actively testing it for the iPhone 17 Pro. The report says, “Apple has tested the 7.5W reverse charging function on the iPhone 17 Pro. I don’t know if it will be opened for use this time.”
What Is Wireless Reverse Charging?
Reverse wireless charging allows a phone’s wireless charging coil to work both ways. This means your iPhone could charge another device such as AirPods, Apple Watch or even another iPhone. Many Android brands including Samsung, Xiaomi, Google Pixel, OnePlus, Nothing and Sony already offer this feature on at least one of their models.
If the current rumours are true, this could be a highly anticipated addition for Apple users who have been waiting for reverse charging on iPhones for years.
FAQs
Q1. Why might the iPhone 17 Pro be less durable than the iPhone 16 Pro?
Answer. Reports suggest that Apple may switch from titanium to aluminium for the iPhone 17 Pro frames. Aluminium is lighter but less durable than titanium, making the iPhone 17 Pro potentially less resistant to damage.
Q2. Why Apple is switching to aluminium for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Answer. Apple’s shift to aluminium could be driven by environmental concerns as aluminium has a lower carbon footprint than titanium. Apple is working toward carbon neutrality by 2030.
Q3. What is wireless reverse charging being tested for the iPhone 17 Pro?
Answer. Wireless reverse charging allows a phone to charge other devices wirelessly. Apple is developing an advanced version of this feature and is currently testing it on iPhone 17 Pro prototypes.
Q4. Which models might still feature a titanium frame in the iPhone 17 lineup?
Answer. The rumoured iPhone 17 Air, expected to replace the Plus model, might still feature a titanium frame, even though the iPhone 17 Pro models may switch to aluminium.
Apple has discontinued the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 Plus after the launch of the iPhone 16e.
The company also removed the iPhone 14 from its website, though it will still be available through retail partners.
The iPhone 16e has been launched raising the entry price for a new iPhone to $599.
Apple has officially discontinued the iPhone 14 Plus. (Image credit – Apple)
Apple just launched its first new product of the year, the iPhone 16e. However, the company has also discontinued two iPhone models including the iPhone SE and iPhone 14 Plus alongside the new launch. Moreover, it was noticed that Apple also removed the iPhone 14 from its website. Here’s what we know so far.
iPhone 16e Replaces Three Existing Models
Many expected Apple to call its new budget-friendly iPhone the iPhone SE but instead, the company went with the iPhone 16e, as some rumours had suggested. With this launch, Apple has officially discontinued:
iPhone SE
iPhone 14 Plus
The iPhone 14 has also been removed from Apple’s website but Apple says it will still be available through retail partners.
This move significantly raises the entry price for a new iPhone. The iPhone 16e starts at $599, which is much higher than the $429 starting price of the iPhone SE.
While the 6.1-inch OLED display makes the iPhone 16e a solid replacement for the iPhone 14, fans of larger screens will now have to spend more on the iPhone 15 Plus or a higher-end model.
The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus debuted in September 2022 as part of Apple’s annual smartphone refresh, sitting just below the higher-end Pro models. When discontinued, the iPhone 14 was priced at $599, and the iPhone 14 Plus at $699, which were reduced from their initial launch prices of $799 and $899, respectively.
On the plus side, Apple’s lineup is now simpler and more streamlined. However, users looking for a budget-friendly iPhone or one with a Home button will now have to consider refurbished models instead.
FAQs
Q1. When were the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus introduced?
Answer. The iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus were introduced in September 2022 as part of Apple’s annual smartphone refresh.
Q2. What were the prices of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus at the time of their discontinuation?
Answer. At the time of their discontinuation, the iPhone 14 was priced at $599, while the iPhone 14 Plus was available for $699.
Q3. How the current prices of the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus compare to their original launch prices?
Answer. The discontinuation prices of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus were $599 and $699, respectively, reduced from their original launch prices of $799 and $899.
Applehas officially introduced its first-ever in-house 5G modem C1 marking a big shift away from Qualcomm’s chips. After years of development, Apple is now using its own cellular modem in its latest entry-level iPhone, the iPhone 16e, which replaces the iPhone SE lineup.
Apple describes its new modem as “Expanding the benefits of Apple silicon, C1 is the first modem designed by Apple and the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity. Apple silicon including C1 the all-new internal design, and the advanced power management of iOS 18 all contribute to extraordinary battery life.”
The company credits Apple silicon, the C1 modem, a redesigned internal structure and iOS 18’s advanced power management for the iPhone 16e’s impressive battery life.
One big reason Apple is developing its own modems is licensing fees, but there’s also a focus on efficiency. As Apple puts it, C1 is the “most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone”, which could lead to better battery life compared to previous models using Qualcomm chips
Apple’s biggest challenge will be delivering on its promise of “fast and reliable 5G connectivity.” In the past, iPhones used both Intel and Qualcomm modems, but customers preferred Qualcomm’s performance. This eventually led to Intel selling its modem business to Apple.
For now, Apple is only using C1 in the iPhone 16e, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro still rely on Qualcomm modems. This suggests Apple is testing C1’s real-world performance before expanding it to flagship models.
Will we see Apple’s own modem in next year’s iPhone 17 lineup? Or will the company take more time to refine it? Only time will tell.
One thing is certain, Apple has just taken control of yet another key part of the iPhone’s hardware, moving further away from reliance on external suppliers.
FAQs
Q1. What is Apple’s C1 modem and why is it significant?
Answer. The C1 modem is Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, marking a shift away from Qualcomm’s chips. It is described as the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, delivering fast and reliable 5G cellular connectivity and contributing to improved battery life.
Q2. Why is Apple developing its own modems?
Answer. One big reason Apple is developing its own modems is to reduce licensing fees. Additionally, the C1 modem focuses on efficiency, being the most power-efficient modem ever on an iPhone, which could lead to better battery life compared to previous models using Qualcomm chips.
Q3. Which iPhone models currently use the C1 modem?
Answer. For now, Apple is only using the C1 modem in the iPhone 16e, while the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro still rely on Qualcomm modems.
