Samsung Could Launch A Triple-Screen Galaxy Z Fold Next Year
The foldable smartphone market keeps evolving pretty rapidly. The competition has been on the rise, with more and more companies joining the race. Honor already proved to be one of the key players in this sphere by holding the record for the thinnest foldable smartphone. It is also spurring brands to experiment with new categories and fresh design as the category grows. Among these, Samsung seems to be upping the game, where there are rumors of developing a dual-folding Galaxy Z Fold, triple-screen device. More recently, there was a hint that such an innovative Galaxy Fold model could launch next year. This year was an incremental year for foldables from Samsung rather than a revolutionary one. The company has acknowledged this and promised a series of major upgrades in the coming year. From what it looks like, Samsung is readying to reboot the phone category of foldable with a very ambitious dual-folding design. It might be the potential standout regarding usability and versatility for such a device, fitting with the larger strategy of Samsung to make foldables a leader. Recently, Korean blogger yeux1122 reported on Naver that Samsung is indeed working on a new variant called the Fold Z (Triple). Unlike other folding phones, such as the Huawei Mate X2 with both an outward and inward-folding hinges, this model will sport a dual in-folding hinge mechanism. This would also allow Samsung to include a proper external display since one of the most common drawbacks with foldables is that the foldable screen usually acts as both the primary and external display. In this case, that would be separated, enabling better multitasking and general usability, hence making the device more versatile for everyday tasks. The innovative in-folding hinge design on both sides could also offer better durability and transitions between the various display modes. With this new release, Samsung is working on perfecting foldable technology to respond to consumers’ main pain points, such as poor external display customization and sometimes frailty in existing designs. If pulled off, this could very well set a new standard in the foldable market. Along with the triple-screen Fold Z, Samsung is said to be working on several other foldables. The blogger claimed there could be a Galaxy Z Fold 7 Special Edition, which will launch with the regular Galaxy Z Fold 7. This also coincides with a previous report pointing out that special editions may come in store for the Samsung foldable series-a clear indication of strategy from the brand to reach more users. That doesn’t sound like it’s all for Samsung in 2024. There are also rumors about the development of the Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE-a fan edition model that is expected to arrive alongside the standard Z Flip 7. As such, in expanding its foldables with both high-end and more affordable options, Samsung hopes to lock in its leading position within the foldables segment, capturing diverse consumer needs. If these reports prove to be true, 2024 may be the year of Samsung, whose new designs and more lineups would give it a leading edge in the industry of foldable phones currently being dominated by the Chinese. The bold moves by the company will also provide a benchmark for competitors in further advancements within this fast-growing sector. Via yeux1122
Apple iPhone SE 4 Now Expected To Launch In March
Tom O’Malley, an analyst with Barclays, and his team recently completed an Asia trip, where they met several electronics manufacturers and suppliers. Afterwards, in a recent research note, they said Apple will unveil the iPhone SE 4 by the end of the first quarter of next year, consistent with earlier speculation that an announcement could take place in March, the same month as the prior generation launched in March 2022. The new iPhone SE 4 will reportedly feature an iPhone 14 base model-like design. Key specs that have reportedly been included in the device: a 6.1-inch OLED display, Face ID, one single rear camera for a 48-megapixel main sensor, a USB-C port, and a newer A-series chip. The device may also feature 8GB RAM to support enhanced Apple Intelligence features. Most notably, the fourth-generation iPhone SE will feature Apple’s first in-house 5G modem, a move to significantly reduce its reliance on Qualcomm for cellular technology. Apple has been working on its own 5G modem since 2018, after relying on Qualcomm for several years. It would develop its proprietary modem to give Apple a tighter grip on hardware and the levers of cost. While Apple extended its deal with Qualcomm to provide modems for iPhones through 2026, the company is ramping up toward an all-in transition. Apart from the new iPhone SE 4, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo claims that Apple’s “iPhone 17 Air” will also include the custom 5G modem. In 2017, Apple sued Qualcomm over anticompetitive practices and unpaid royalties. Both companies settled the lawsuit in 2019. Apple then acquired a majority of Intel’s smartphone modem business, for more patents and expertise that would catapult its modem project. The current iPhone SE that was released in March 2022 starts at $429 in the U.S. It keeps a very similar design to the iPhone 8, including a Touch ID button, thick bezels, and a Lightning port, which are all features now considered ancient next to modern iPhones. It’s expected that this new model will be a considerable upgrade, so the price might just increase accordingly. If the rumours of the March release is true, the new iPhone SE 4 will make its debut in the upcoming months at an Apple event. With increasing competition in budget smartphones and Chinese smartphone makers offering flagship specs in mid range phones, Apple will have a tough time selling iPhone SE 4. Via Macrumors Images: 91Mobiles
Google is integrating Android into Chrome OS to compete with the iPad
Google is using its massive resources to take on one of its nagging challenges: winning the tablet market competing with Apple’s iPad. Though Android and Chrome OS have succeeded in their areas, neither has been successful enough to dislodge the iPad where their functionalities overlap. To change this, Google is apparently working on an initiative that goes a long way in ensuring that Chrome OS is fully transitioned into Android, creating a unified platform that would better match the demands of productivity and media consumption in tablets. Android would be the epitome of flexibility: powering everything from phones and TVs to tablets and smart devices. Chrome OS, on its part, mainly focused on laptops, some of which are tablets. But neither has yet been able to decisively conquer the tablet market space. Android lacks strong productivity features and Chrome OS just isn’t optimized for hassle-free media consumptions. Even after Google’s efforts to improve both systems to fill those gaps, neither has come near to achieving Apple’s success in bridging both use cases. Google plans to address these shortcomings by taking a different route. Instead of the new OS, the company aims to shift Chrome OS over to Android. According to sources, future Chromebooks will run on an advanced version of Android, starting with Google’s rumoured Pixel Laptop. This aligns in such a way that Google gets to combine its development efforts and create a unified operating system for its hardware products. Earlier this year, Google hinted at its plans by announcing that Chrome OS would adopt more Android components, such as the Android Linux kernel and frameworks. Chrome OS already uses some Android-based technologies, like the Fluoride Bluetooth stack, so this transition isn’t entirely surprising. However, new developments include a redesigned Chrome browser for Android with extension support and a Linux terminal for running apps, enhancing Chromebook functionality on Android. Even with this change, Google has the challenging task of making Chrome OS feature-competitive with Android. Improvements like improved keyboard and mouse integration, support for external monitors, multiple desktops, and even a new windowing system are on their way with Android 15. In some ways, these features are already part of Google’s Android-for-laptops effort, where it looks to boost productivity on its tablets, like the upcoming Pixel Tablet 2. This unification would greatly push Android in terms of increasing its users and, by virtue of it, attracting more developers. The bigger base of users would mean that more revenue-making opportunities lie ahead for the developers and more apps for consumers. With Apple being very conservative in bringing truly useful productivity features to its iPads without cannibalizing the MacBooks, Google has a huge gap left in the market to brand its Android-powered devices as the ultimate choice for mobile productivity. Via Android Authority
Asus Announces its Beast Gaming Phones; The ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro Featuring Snapdragon 8 Elite
The Asus ROG Phone 8 took a step closer to being user-friendly last year with the introduction of an IP68 rating and the telephoto camera. But as for its gaming heritage, Asus sticks to it by turning performance up several notches with this year’s Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro. Asus has now revealed their new flagship gaming smartphones; Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro, featuring a new processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite. The basic variant features up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM (9,600Mbps) and 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage and stands in direct competition with the Pro version, which at least breaks through its limits in capacities – up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. According to Asus, the Snapdragon 8 Elite is capable of delivering a 45% improvement in CPU performance, a 40% faster GPU, and a 40% faster NPU than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the preceding ROG Phone. Cooling has been upgraded in these phones with a 57% larger graphite sheet, meaning that the phones will run several degrees cooler than the 8 series. Then, of course, there is the still enhanced active cooling that does more than just keep temperatures low. Once again, high-quality first-party accessories make the ROG series stand out as one of the top gaming phones around. It also comes with an AeroCase which can be optionally used with the Chill Case featuring “Audio Redirection” to redirect sound from bottom-firing speaker to the front. With the top-front speaker, the sound heard is an improved stereo sound. The AeroActive Cooler X Pro takes it further with a built-in subwoofer, offering 2.1-channel audio. It’s a feature that has been seen on the AeroActive Cooler 7 but was indeed missing from last year’s Cooler X. The Cooler also boasts two physical shoulder buttons alongside the AirTriggers on the phone. Its cooling capabilities have been remarkably improved through larger fan blades (12.5% bigger) and greater thermal compound for 29% better cooling performance. The 6.78″ AMOLED displays on the Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro carry over from last year, with FHD+ resolution, up to 1,600 nits of brightness in high-brightness mode (2,500 nits at peak), and 107% DCI-P3 color coverage. A new 185Hz refresh rate is also an option this year using Game Genie (165Hz was the option last year), supported on select titles. There’s also a second sort of display on both models. Both the ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro boast AniMe Vision, a grid of mini-LEDs that lets you customize the phone’s appearance. The ROG Phone 9 now includes 85 LEDs (a huge leap from four RGB LEDs on its predecessor), and the ROG Phone 9 Pro boasts 648 LEDs, nearly double the 341 LEDs of the 8 Pro. The AniMe Vision on the Pro model has more than enough resolution to display Chinese and Japanese text. You can also upload GIFs for custom animations. But coolest of all? You can play games on the AniMe Vision display! It’s preloaded with four retro-style games-that work based on Breakout, Snake, Invaders, and one more-that you control with the AirTriggers. On the practical side, the Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro pack 5,800mAh batteries, 300mAh more than the previous model. This upgrade ensures at least 4. 5 hours of heavy gaming on a single charge. Asus claims the battery will maintain at least 80% of its original capacity even after 1,000 charge cycles—roughly equating to three years of daily use. Of course, there’s also fast charging via USB-C at up to 65W; wireless charging even reaches 15W. Again, though, the improved battery capacity slows charging speeds a few ticks – taking 46 minutes to go from 0 to 100% with a wired connection, compared to 39 minutes for its predecessor. Both phones still pack a 50MP main camera using the 1/1.56″ Sony Lytia 700 sensor. Upgraded the 6-axis hybrid gimbal stabilization to correction of +/-5°, up from +/-3°. The back ultra-wide camera stays with its 13MP resolution, and the selfie shooter is still 32MP (with an RGBW sensor and a 22mm lens). The big differences here are on the telephoto module. The Pro model retains from last year the 3x 32MP telephoto camera, which took down the 1/3″ sensor, while in the standard ROG Phone 9, it is completely absent and replaced with a 5MP macro camera. That’s even a step back from the ROG Phone 8, which had included a telephoto lens. Both the models still retain the 3.5mm headphone jack that Dirac has tweaked for great sound quality. Dirac Virtuo binaural audio appears on both the handsets along with support for aptX Lossless, and is Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified. Asus has also improved its software support policy, promising two OS updates and five years of security updates—one year more than the ROG Phone 8 received. Pre-orders for Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro are open starting today while shipping begins the next day in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. Shipments in Europe, including the UK, will start in December, while in the US launch will happen in January 2025 with further details. As for the pricing, The Asus ROG Phone 9 starts at $999 while the Pro version will set you back at $1200. Source: ASUS
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra To Cost More Than Its Predecessor
For the most part, rumors about Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra have been quite exciting, but talk of a potential price increase is less welcome. Kudos to the reports that had speculated that Samsung could make its flagship even costlier. According to Weibo leaker Setsuna Digital, the top-tier Galaxy S25 model will have a production cost that is upwards of at least $110 more compared to the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Yet another leaker, Jukanlosreve, thinks that price hikes are “inevitable.” Setsuna Digital here is much more reserved in its evaluation and expresses that it is “likely to raise prices in many regions.” If Samsung were to pass on the full rumored increased costs to consumers, the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be around $1,409. That would put it hundreds of dollars more expensive than competitors such as the $1,199 iPhone 16 Pro Max or the $1,099 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, possibly affecting the purchasing choice of many Samsung customers. However, the relationship between production costs and retail prices is not always easy. Instead, Samsung is expected to hike up the price by around $50, to maintain profit margins by absorbing part of the added costs. Alternatively, Samsung may prefer keeping the price the same to maintain competitiveness against its top competitors. The Galaxy S24 Ultra already experienced a US dollar-priced hike of $100 from the 2023 version of the Galaxy S23 Ultra. A second price hike for two successive years would certainly be unpopular among buyers, although Samsung may have required that to maintain profit margins at a time when production costs are rising. While the leak doesn’t make it clear why the Galaxy S25 Ultra costs more in production, other rumors do. There’s speculation that the new Snapdragon 8 Elite chip will cost more due to the silicon’s expense, and new features such as a bigger screen, a higher resolution ultrawide camera, and variable-zoom telephotos could factor in. Samsung has officially announced that the Galaxy S25 series will launch in 2025, though the exact date is still unclear. However, based on past trends, it’s likely to debut in January. Besides the rumored Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus and S25 Ultra coming to the next Galaxy Unpacked event, there’s a possibility of the new model Galaxy S25 Slim too. Source: Weibo Image credit: Ice Universe
Galaxy S25 Ultra Dummy Leaked; Gives Us A First Look At Samsung’s 2025 Flagship
As we step closer into the new year, rumors on the new wave of Android flagships do create a hefty buzz, and it all starts with the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra and its S25 series phones. Samsung hasn’t said much officially, but leaks and renders are handing over early views for enthusiasts. The latest leak displays dummy units of the Galaxy S25 Ultra and gives early hints about its design. Shown in black and white, these units feature a rear camera setup that looks to carry most of the previous model’s design. However, there is one design change. The cameras have concentric rings which seem more similar to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 style rather than the Galaxy S24 Ultra. This subtle change comes with the new visual element while maintaining Samsung’s iconic premium feel. A closer inspection reveals a notable ergonomic enhancement. The Galaxy S25 Ultra seems to have more curved edges than the chiseled Galaxy S24 Ultra. While the corners retain a sharp radius, this refinement may make the device easier to hold and grip. Previous Ultra iterations, such as the S24 Ultra, were often panned for being less friendly to the hand, so this tweak should be well received by the masses. Flatter side edges are further visible at the sides, though a proper side-profile view might offer a clearer look. From the front, the design looks less remarkable, mostly because there is no display on the dummy unit. However, the screen is almost flat from this angle and follows the flat frame to keep its language intact, a design principle applied by other recent Samsung flagships. One flaw with the dummy unit is the screen protector, which features easily noticeable bubbles. This could be concerning for some, yet it is worth noting that Samsung won’t be shipping devices in such condition. In fact, just like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, the S25 Ultra is unlikely to come with a pre-installed screen protector. As with any leak, it’s important to take these details with a pinch of salt. While dummy units often reflect the final product’s design, they aren’t definitive. However, the features seen in this leak align with earlier rumors and renders, suggesting some credibility. Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S25 series sometime in early 2025, probably on one of Samsung’s annual launch dates. Until that time, though, fans will have to depend on leaks and rumors for a glimpse of what might just prove to be the most significant Android flagship release of the year. If all these claims are true, it seems the Galaxy S25 Ultra could be a highly refined and ergonomically improved upgrade. Source & Images: @Jukanlosreve
Xbox Cloud Gaming: Stream Your Games on TVs, VR & More
Xbox Cloud Gaming Introduces “Stream Your Own Games” Feature. Microsoft today is announcing a long-awaited feature for Xbox Cloud Gaming: the ability to stream some games you already own. Starting today, players can take advantage of the feature on a range of platforms, from TVs to Meta Quest VR headsets to supported browsers on phones, tablets, and PCs. This rollout is available in all regions for Xbox Cloud Gaming, and compatibility will be extended to Xbox consoles and the Windows Xbox app by next year. Requirements and Supported Games In order to use this, the user will need an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Unlike in the previous system, where this streaming could only happen on games available on Game Pass, this rollout lets users stream their own games. At launch, 50 games will be supported, with more coming onboard over time. Some of the top titles include Cyberpunk 2077, Stray, The Witcher 3, Baldur’s Gate 3, NBA 2K25, and some Final Fantasy titles, to name a few. They can be streamed through the “stream your own game” category on Xbox Cloud Gaming. However, there are some limitations. According to an Xbox spokesperson, the feature only supports games that were digitally purchased. This means that players with physical copies, such as Farming Simulator 25, cannot stream those titles, though they can still use remote play if the disc is inserted into an Xbox Series X. Limitations of the Feature While this update gives players much more freedom, it also hints at the slow incorporation of an all-digital gaming world from Xbox. While its benefits include having access to most existing cloud-based features, the disadvantages would lie in areas characterized by slow or unstable Internet connections-thus limiting gamers’ ability to access said features. On the flip side, this change of course allows Xbox to grow its cloud gaming service without having the expenses associated with licensing titles that are available on Game Pass. The distribution rolls into Xbox’s broader strategy of making gaming more accessible across different devices, an idea that the company spelled out in detail through its recent ad campaign. The central theme here is that any device can be an “Xbox,” basically turning TVs, phones, and VR headsets into a gaming platform. Interestingly, it comes just a day after Sony started public testing cloud gaming on the PlayStation Portal. Many have criticized Sony for missing an opportunity to launch this device and not having the cloud gaming, leaving this move as perhaps one with good timing to show off leadership and innovation on Xbox’s part when it comes to cloud gaming. Source: Xbox
iPhone 17 Air Rumors: Apple’s Boldest and Thinnest Smartphone Yet
Rumors surrounding the upcoming iPhone 17 Air hint that it might take away the title of being the thinnest iPhone ever from the iPhone 6. According to Macrumors, the next-generation device will set a new benchmark for ultra-slim smartphones with a combination of advanced engineering and innovative materials that will enable this practically insane thin design. Breaking the iPhone 6 Record Being Apple’s thinnest smartphone for nearly a decade since its release in 2014, the iPhone 6 measured an impressive 6.9 millimeters. Its sleek, four-sided design made for a hallmark of its generation, consonant with aesthetics and portability. But with the purported release of the iPhone 17 Air, Apple takes that thinness game to a new height, no doubt to be as thin as 5.8 millimeters, a reduction of nearly 16% from that of the iPhone 6. Revolutionary Design Features Apple is known for pushing design limits, and the iPhone 17 Air appears to continue this tradition. iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a titanium alloy chassis, which is lighter and stronger than the aluminum used in earlier models. Additionally, Apple is expected to employ cutting-edge OLED display technology that eliminates traditional display layers, further reducing thickness. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature a 6.6 inch display. Apple has reportedly designed a battery of the future: layered lithium-ion cells. This design allows for a slim power source without affecting its battery life since this is one such concern to ultra-thin devices. While pursuing thinness is impressive for Apple, one cannot help but wonder about the trade-offs being made. Critics argue that an ultra-slim design might compromise durability and internal space for key components such as cameras and speakers. However, sources do indicate that the iPhone 17 Air will boast better durability through its titanium build and advanced shock-absorption technology. Apple will reportedly even introduce a new, smaller version of its Taptic Engine to preserve the brand’s signature taptic feedback while minimizing the available inner space. The camera system reportedly includes periscope-style lenses to maintain high-quality images in a more compact module. Though there has been no official word from Apple on the iPhone 17 Air, the company is expected to showcase the device in its annual keynote event in September 2025. If the rumor pans out, the iPhone 17 Air might simply redefine the norms of smartphone design, further taking forward the cause of slimness and functionality in industry standards. As rumors spread, even the possibility of the iPhone 17 Air being the thinnest iPhone to date is creating much excitement among fans for future Apple innovations. Via Macrumors Image: Apple Hub