Tag: Apple iPhone

Best Cameracentric Phones for Photography Enthusiasts in 2023

The modern world is dominated by pixels, lenses, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect shot. Having a smartphone with superb cameras instead of the actual camera is the trending nature of today’s generation. So, here, we present a lineup of smartphone marvels that aren’t just phones – they’re visual sorcerers, capturing moments with finesse and flair.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Say hello to the smartphone camera maestro that not only dances circles around its price tag but also throws some slick moves at the iPhone 15 Pro and casually outshines the iPhone 14 Pro Max without breaking a sweat. The flagship smartphone from Google is like the James Bond of the smartphone universe – smooth, suave, and armed with a camera license to thrill. The name is 8 Pro, the Pixel 8 Pro.

The Pixel 8 Pro doesn’t take photos; it gives them a spa day. With a new RAW capture feature, it unleashes the full potential of its 50MP sensor, making other cameras look like they’re stuck in a pixelated time warp. And if you’re feeling like the Spielberg of your own life, the pro controls mode hands you the director’s chair, letting you tweak and twist your images to perfection.

The camera mix is like a gourmet meal for your visual taste buds. It’s got a higher-megapixel wide-angle lens that’s sharper than your grandma’s wit, and a telephoto lens so good, it might as well have a superhero cape. Video? It’s taken a leap from Pixel 7 Pro, though it’s still trying to catch up with the iPhone Pro Max – like the underdog in a blockbuster movie, getting there but not quite stealing the spotlight.

With a design sleeker than a catwalk model, a screen mightier than a superhero’s punch, and the promise of software support for seven whole years (yes, you heard right), it’s basically the Benjamin Button of smartphones, ageing like fine wine. So, if you’re looking for a smartphone that’s more than just a status symbol, consider your search officially over. Cheers to the phone that’s as smart as it is pixel-perfect!

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the reigning monarch of camera phones, a visual virtuoso that laughs in the face of photographic challenges. With more lenses than a bug’s eyes and features that could make a Swiss Army Knife jealous, this phone is the superhero of snapshots – there’s no photo it can’t conquer. Sure, other phones might flex slightly better muscles in specific situations, but the S23 Ultra is the Virat Kohli of the camera world, handling everything from macro close-ups to nocturnal escapades to zooming in on the neighbour’s barbecue three blocks away.

The 12MP ultrawide and the dynamic duo of 3x and 10x 10MP telephoto sensors might feel like your old pals, but hold on to your selfie stick – the S23 Ultra throws a plot twist. Out with the old 108MP primary sensor, in with the new 200MP powerhouse, making Samsung the Beyoncé of smartphone photography, slaying the game with unprecedented resolution. The S23 Ultra’s 200MP Adaptive Pixel Sensor is like a maestro conducting a symphony of pixels, ensuring a consistent and jaw-dropping experience that would make even the toughest critics break into applause.

Now, for those who like to dive into the nitty-gritty of photography, the Expert RAW mode is your backstage pass, belting out up to 50MP of pure visual genius. Feeling a bit extra? Snap a 200MP still (in jpeg form), because why settle for anything less than the full sensor’s glorious detail? While other Android phones are stuck in the stone age, Samsung’s playing chess, ensuring your pics and videos get the red carpet treatment, leaving your followers in awe and envy. It’s a visual masterpiece in the palm of your hand. Say cheese, world!

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

 

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the Chuck Norris of smartphones. It’s a pocket-sized powerhouse thicker than a bowl of oatmeal but packs a punch that will leave you wondering if you accidentally bought a superhero’s gadget. Sure, it’s got some girth, but don’t let that fool you. The little beast boasts a footprint so compact, it’s practically doing yoga in your pocket. And photographers, rejoice! The camera and power combo is like a match made in tech heaven – an offer you can’t refuse.

I’m not saying it’s perfect, as there’s no pro mode for manual photography, but the automatic mode’s photo processing is like the Gandalf of phone photography – you shall not pass without capturing stunning shots. The 5x telephoto camera is like having a spyglass that sees further and clearer than your nosy neighbour peeping through the curtains. Beautiful natural blur on portraits? Say no more – the Pro Max has got your Instagram game covered.

The iPhone 15 range has joined the 21st century by adopting the USB-C port. It’s like Apple finally realised we’re not living in the era of dial-up internet anymore. Now, you can connect to monitors and camera accessories with the ease of a hot knife through butter. The price is up there in the stratosphere, but think of it as an investment in your happiness. The iPhone 15 Pro is like that reliable friend who never lets you down – powerful, long-lasting, and always ready for a good time.

Google Pixel 7a

The Google Pixel 7a – is the Cinderella of budget camera phones, proving that you don’t need a royal budget to capture breathtaking moments. In fact, it might just be the belle of the ball, giving its pricier sibling, the Google Pixel 7 Pro, a run for its money in the photo quality department. The 7a is priced at midrange money, so Google had to make a few sacrifices. Compared to its elder siblings, there are fewer cameras onboard, and wireless charging is a distant fairytale dream. But hey, who needs a magic carpet when you’ve got Google’s wizardry?

Google’s not one to flex muscles in the hardware gym; it prefers a PhD in cleverness. The Pixel 7a is no exception. Armed with the Google Tensor chip – think of it as the Dumbledore of smartphone brains – it boasts features like an under-display fingerprint scanner, unlocking your phone with a touch so discreet it’s practically a secret handshake. And let’s not forget the AI photo editing powers – it’s like having a personal Photoshop sorcerer in your pocket. Sure, it might not bench-press as much as its beefier counterparts, but the 7a is a camera ninja. 

Google’s software magic transforms it into a powerful shooter, snapping pics that make other budget phones blush. And who says budget can’t be stylish? The 7a mounts its stuff with a design so playful, it’s practically doing the cha-cha in your hands. So, while the hardware might be sipping a decaf, the Pixel 7a is a budget superhero, delivering a bang for your buck that feels more like a dynamite explosion. Who needs wireless charging when you’ve got brains, beauty, and budget brilliance?

Vivo X90 Pro

Tired of seeing the prominent names? Now, you’ll see a different name in the list. Armed with a 1-inch primary sensor that’s practically the Beyoncé of the camera world, the Vivo X90 Pro is the Picasso of smartphone photography. If cameras were superheroes, the X90 Pro would be the one with a cape and a dazzling smile. Accompanying this camera juggernaut is a 50MP telephoto sensor, a.k.a. the portrait lens with 2x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, because who needs limits when you can go wide and wild? 

Now, we’ll admit, there were a couple of bumps in the road when we first took this camera for a spin – the watermark on photos and the beauty mode for portrait shots were like uninvited guests at a party. Our advice? Disable those party crashers pronto. The Zero Shutter Lag feature is like having a magical genie that grants your photography wishes in the blink of an eye. Lighting is on point? It’s like catching the perfect moment before it even realises it’s perfect. And the sensor? Oh, it’s so high-quality, it practically moonlights as a professional photographer. 

And let’s not forget the selfie camera, a 32MP resolution wizard that turns every selfie into a masterpiece. The natural depth of field effect is like having a built-in Instagram filter that says, “I woke up like this.” The portrait camera is a rockstar, but let’s spill the beans – the bokeh effect is like having a backstage pass to a rock concert. The X90 Pro is a magic show in your hands, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. So, if you want a smartphone that’s more camera than a phone, say hello to the Vivo X90 Pro.

Expected Apple Products In October

When it comes to Apple, we all expect the company to launch its products in a lavish style. Apple fanatics are presented with highly produced launch events each year. Be it the iPhone or MacBook launch, Apple makes sure that it presents the best launch event to leave a lasting impression. Well, it looks like that won’t be the case this time around with the launch of its speculated iPad Pro and MacBook M2 Pro lineup. 

It was Bloomberg’s analyst Mark Gurman who suggested that Apple will be holding back on an in-person event for the new Macbooks, iPads, and Apple TVs, and instead just announce the devices via press releases. As we all know, September was pretty big for Apple as the ‘Far Out’ event introduced the new iPhone 14 lineup along with Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and 2nd Gen AirPods Pro. As an Apple fan myself, I was taken by surprise when news about the tech giant skipping the October event started doing rounds on the web. But I was then reminded that it won’t be the first time Apple opts for this release strategy. The tech giant occasionally announces major new products like AirPods Pro and AirPods Max via press releases, hence the move is not unprecedented. So, what are the new devices speculated to be launched by Apple in October? 

Apple is expected to release the new iPad Pro with its powerful M2 processor. Besides the Pro model, the company is also expected to launch an entry-level iPad with a revamped design. Besides this, Apple is also expected to unveil three new Mac devices in 2022, and rumor mills had suggested it’ll be in October. The new Mac Mini and Mac Pro were also expected to be launched in October. While reports suggest that Apple has a whole slew of products to be launched in October, others reported that the company decided to skip an in-person event as the new products were not exciting enough to warrant one. None of these new products is a major departure for Apple as it will only be updating upon and building upon previously launched devices. The devices will get improved specifications as opposed to a complete revamp with a chip that was already announced back in June 2022. Hence, the decision to have a ‘soft launch of the new Apple hardware via press releases seems justified. 

Now, let’s have a detailed look at all the speculated devices to be launched in October by Apple. Readers must note that the following information is based upon rumors and reports around the internet. Apple might or might not release the products listed below in October as some devices are expected to be launched in early 2023. 

M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pro

Apple is expected to launch a revised version of 2021 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pro in October. It would be easy to assume that this new lineup will also come in the standard space gray and silver colors as new colors in the MacBook lineup would surely warrant an event. However, it was back in June when Apple made a darker aluminum finish MacBook called midnight. While this color was only available for the MacBook Air, it would be interesting to see it feature on the MacBook Pro lineup. Last year, Apple fans did not like that the USB-C MagSafe 3 cable only came in white/silver colors. The company had to then launch color-matching cables for space gray, starlight, and midnight variants of the MacBook. It is now expected that the new MacBook Pros will come bundled with color-matching cables.

Ultimately, the reason for this update is mainly internal. Apple introduced the M1 Pro and M1 Max processors back in October 2021 with the 14 and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The M2 was launched back in June with the MacBook Air. Hence, the same can now be expected from the MacBook Pro lineup with integrated MacBook M2 Pro and M2 Max. 

iPad Pro

iPad has garnered a strong fanbase through the years with Apple bringing the tablet form factor to a whole new level! Now, iPads are as powerful as MacBooks with strong computing prowess and the comfort of portability. Hence, the anticipation of the iPad Pro 2022 model is at all-time high thanks to rumors suggesting that it will launch in October. Sure, Apple puts a lot of effort into making sure that its new products do not leak before release but it is hard to avoid leaks these days. So, what does the rumor mill suggests? 

It has been reported on several portals dedicated to Apple news that the new Ipad pro model will come with wireless charging capabilities. Apple’s iPad charges via USB-C or Lightning, if the tech giant brings wireless charging to the iPad, it would bring it closer to the iPhone. All the newer iPhone models can be charged wirelessly, though the recent iPhone 14 Pro has been facing some issues with wireless charging due to its giant camera module. If the iPad enables wireless charging, the next step is arguably reverse wireless charging. This would allow you to charge your iPhone or AirPods by simply laying them on the back of your iPad, sounds interesting! 

It won’t be outlandish to guess that the new iPad Pro will come with improved performance. According to several reports, the 2022 iPad pro will come with Apple’s new M2 processor on board. Other improvements include a better modem for enhanced 5G capabilities and an improved camera setup. One of the first details floating on the internet was that Apple will continue the same size for the iPad Pro 2022 as the 2021 model. There have also been reports which suggest that the new iPad Pro will be coming with the MagSafe charger. It is only about time we see the new products by Apple!

No TouchID for future flagship iPhones?

Apple stunned the world with its recent launch event introducing the new iPhone 14 series. While Apple’s flagship devices have washed their hands clean off the TouchID, there have been several reports in the past that suggest that it will be making its way back. Ever since Apple moved to FaceID with its flagship offerings, Apple fans have speculated that the company will be implementing an in-screen fingerprint sensor on its devices. Android devices have been sporting the feature for years so fans expecting the same from Apple is only natural. But it looks like Apple has no interest to introduce the in-display fingerprint sensor in iPhones.

TouchID abandoned?

If you ask me, back in the day Apple’s home button with TouchID was its identity. The classic design surely ruled over millions of hearts as it brought a sense of familiarity through years of design retention. It was back in 2017 when Apple decided to move away from the classic design for its flagship offering with the iPhone X which introduced Apple’s FaceID, and of course, the notch. The same year, Apple also introduced the iPhone 8/8 Plus which kept the classic design and home button with TouchID. Cut to 2022, when the tech giant introduced the iPhone 14 lineup, all equipped with notches and FaceID. it’s been half a decade since Apple introduced FaceID and in my opinion, it is time for a change. But the tech giant doesn’t feel the same!

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman recently shared his latest edition of the Power On newsletter where he shared that Apple has no plans of bringing back the TouchID anytime soon. According to Gurman, and leaks over the internet, Apple tested the under-screen TouchID in recent years. The resources utilized in testing the under-screen TouchID feature surely will not go to waste as Apple might implement it in the future. Will it happen with the iPhone 15 coming next year? Not at all! In fact, noted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has tweeted that the under-display fingerprint sensor will not make its way to the iPhone even in 2024. This means that we tentatively have over two generations of the iPhone to go before we can possibly see the feature.

But the question to ask here is whether we really need this feature. the answer for me is definitely yes! Android devices have been rocking the in-display fingerprint sensor for years now and it’s only about time that Apple brings this feature to iPhone! Technology moves at a fast pace and Apple has a lot of catching up to do. The company’s obsession to provide quality features at its own pace is commendable for sure but come on hurry up a little!

Next iPhone and Mac lineup to feature advanced TSMC chips

Apple only recently introduced the iPhone 14 lineup and rumour mills have started reporting that the work for the iPhone 15 lineup has already commenced. The latest iPhone series did bring some refreshing changes but kept them exclusive to the Pro and Pro Max models. This has fueled rumours that next year, even the standard iPhone 15 lineup will include Pro Features like Dynamic Island and the latest chip. While the rumours cannot be confirmed or denied as they are not officially clarified, some reports suggest that Apple is planning to use updated 3nm chipsets from Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC in next year’s iPhones and Macbooks.

TSMC chips in iPhone and Mac

A recent report revealed that Apple is planning to use the Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC’s latest chip for the upcoming iPhones and Macbooks. The A17 mobile processor, expected to power the iPhone 15 lineup is currently under development. It will reportedly be mass-produced using TSMC’s N3E chipmaking tech. However, there hasn’t been any confirmation from Apple about the same. TSMC chipmaker controls 54% of the global market for contractually produced chips. They supply to multiple tech firms including Apple and Qualcomm.

The news of Apple using TSMC chips for its next big iPhone and Mac lineup comes around the time when Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen has warned the world that the semiconductor industry faces volatile challenges. Taiwan is home to TSMC which is the world’s largest chipmaker. It is also a prominent producer of semiconductors used in cellphones, data centres, washing machines, etc.

Tsai did not clarify what challenges the industry is currently facing but since the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shortage of chips has been a major problem. The shortage of chips hampered the production of cars and many consumer electronics. The Taiwanese chip manufacturing firms have also taken a hit from the soaring inflation, recession fears and the impact of the war in Ukraine. However, the President is adamant that Taiwan stays the leader in advanced chips.

Spice Up Your iPhone With A New Look

Creating a customized iPhone home screen is always in trend as people use the same few apps every day and seem visually bored, which is obvious for every individual, but not everyone’s aware of it and if you’re one of them, then take a look at the following article.

Personalizing things according to your intelligence or individualized style has its magic, and when you have an opportunity to do the same with your iPhone or iPad where you can change nearly any app icon on your iPhone or iPad using the built-in Shortcuts app, then why not go ahead and do it? 

Here’s how to customize your iPhone’s app icons using the Shortcuts app? But before you go ahead, make sure you have got the following things.

  • Updated device to at least iOS 14 or iPadOS 14
  • The pre-installed Shortcuts app
  • The pictures that you want to use for new icons

Once you confirm the above three things, follow these steps:

  • Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus sign in the top-right corner. If you’re unable to find the app instantly on your home screen, swipe left till you reach the app library and type Shortcuts into the top search bar.

 

  • Select Add Action

 

  • Then search for the Open app, and tap on it.

 

  • Tap Choose, and you’ll see a list of apps. Select the app you want to customize.

 

  • Select the three dots in the top-right corner to open an options menu and give the shortcut a name; you can make this the app’s actual name or a nickname. Lastly, tap Add to Home Screen. 

 

  • Tap the default icon next to the name to choose your new app icon. You can choose to Take Photo to snap a new picture, or Choose Photo to use an image you’ve saved to your Photos app, or Choose File to pick a picture in your device’s Files app and tap Add in the top-right.

Congrats! You’ve now got a new and fully functional app icon on your home screen. You might see two different icons for the same app. You can also hide the original app icon, so you’ll just have the new one visible.

How To Use Your iPhone To The Fullest – Tips & Tricks

Everyone likes to do things in a nick of a time unless you fancy following a snail lifestyle. Grasping a handful of tips and tricks will always help you save your time and do things quickly. Coming back to the actual point, if you’re a proud owner of the iPhone or if you’ve recently purchased an iPhone with the latest iOS 14 software downloaded, this feature is for you as we’re presenting the best hands-on iPhone tips and tricks to make your day to day life more effortless than ever.

Customize your pre-written default text messages:

Nowadays, due to the pandemic, most people are looking for excuses to fill their extra time, and that’s the only reason your random classmate called you last week but are you really interested in receiving his/her annoying calls again? If no, here’s a tip for you. Instead of completely ignoring your classmates or family members, the best you can do is reply to them with a customized text message. 

Every iPhone has three pre-written options: Sorry, I can’t talk right now, I’m on my way, and Can I call you later? And an option that lets you type your text. But if you want them to know you’re really busy, just overwrite the other three options with something interesting so that people will assume you’re busy-busy somewhere else.

To overwrite those three options, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and tap phone
  3. Tap Respond with Text
  4. Pick the option you want to edit
  5. Type in new text, done

Edit Screenshots in a smart way:

People often share screenshots with their loved ones, friends or colleagues, sometimes for a fun purpose and sometimes for work but do you know you can edit your screenshot right before you save or share it?

To edit your screenshots, follow these steps:

  1. Take a screenshot
  2. Tap on the thumbnail of the screenshot that appears at the bottom left of your screen
  3. Now crop your screenshot, doodle on it, add highlight parts, and even more.
  4. When you’re done editing the screenshot, tap on the done option, or tap the share icon to share it with someone.

Avoid getting ducked by your phone with Alternative Face ID:

You spend almost half of your day with your mobile; still, most of the time, your device fails to recognize your face just because you’ve clean shaved your beard or you’ve changed your hairstyle and look for an evening party. No one likes to get duck by their phones, and after several attempts, it gets annoying and gets you down after a while, but what if I tell you there’s a solution to get over such an issue right in your iPhone.

To add an alternative face ID, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Scroll down and tap Face ID & Passcode
  3. Enter you password
  4. Select Set Up an Alternative Appearance
  5. Tap on get started and follow the instructions
  6. Scan your alternative appearance, done

Cut down unwanted notifications:

A single undesired notification can ruin your evening date, family time or a business meeting, and we all know getting your concentration back on something is a complicated task. In such cases, the Do Not Disturb feature can be your saviour; it is one of the most-used features on the iPhone, but do you know there’s more to explore with this feature, especially when you do long commutes. While driving, staying focused is necessary, and if in such situations you get a call or notification, it will divide your focus in two. To avoid such scenarios, turn on Do not disturb while driving; this feature will help your iPhone detect acceleration, and it will automatically connect to your vehicle’s Bluetooth. It will also send an auto-reply text to anyone who tries to contact you.

To turn on this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap on Do Not Disturb 
  3. Select Do not disturb while driving
  4. Choose automatically or while connected, done

Speed up your iPhone’s charging:

We all know iPhones are marvels of manufacturing, but their batteries can degrade over time. Turning on aeroplane mode while plugging in your iPhone to charge is an old trick; along with this one, you can turn on the battery optimizer if you find your battery is beginning to degrade.

To turn on this feature, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap on Battery 
  3. Select Battery Health 
  4. Choose Optimise Battery Charging, done

Scan QR codes in a second:

Every time you want to scan some sort of QR code or make the payment online at a local store, you look for a QR scanner or some specific payment app, and during peak hours, it really gets to your nerves. In such urgent situations, iPhone’s inbuilt QR scanner can help you toss the issue. If you want to launch the phone’s inbuilt QR code scanning feature in seconds, launch Control Centre by swiping down from the top right of the screen. Here, you’ll see the small QR code button. Tap on that, and now you can quickly scan a code.

Create Shortcuts for Emoji:

Whenever you’re chatting with someone, we all like to give quick replies and most of the time; we prefer to use emojis to express our feelings in a fast way, but finding emojis in seconds is a tricky task if you’re not aware of their exact placement in your keyboard. To make emojis easier to find, you can create text shortcuts for them just by typing a specific text. For instance, you can put LOL as the shortcut for the face with tears of joy and then every time you type LOL, this particular emoji will appear on a screen.

To set shortcuts for emojis, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap on General
  3. Select Keyboard > Text Replacement
  4. Tap on the + icon at the top-right

Close all the browser tabs in one go:

We don’t comprehend how many browsing tabs we’ve opened while looking for something on the internet, which leads to the opening of the way to many tabs, which later on breeds draining your battery. Luckily, the iPhone has a feature to close all the tabs in one go; you just have to scroll down on the tabs button at the bottom-right. Then you’ll see two options there, New tab and Close X tabs; choose the one you want. In addition to that, you can set it to close your tabs after one day, week, month, or leave it on manual mode.

Control your screen time usage:

We often use our iPhones to the fullest and then feel guilty about that, but the iPhone has taken care of that. When you can’t minimize or control your phone usage, you can quickly chop off the time you spent on social media, online shopping, or scanning headlines with the help of Screen Time. 

To enable screen time, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone
  2. Tap on Screen Time
  3. Select App Limits and then Add Limit
  4. Tap a category and add the time
  5. Tap the Top Left Arrow to Save, done.

Apple launches lighter, sleeker and stronger iPhone 12 series!

American tech giant Apple has launched the latest iPhone series around the world. The new iPhone 12 will be available in three variants apart from the standard one. These include the iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and an affordable option, the iPhone 12 mini.

Apple launched the phones at its virtual “Hi, Speed” event which was live-streamed on its official YouTube channel as well as its website. CEO Tim Cook took the centre stage where he announced the latest lineup of the iPhone, as well as the latest HomePod mini.

The iPhone 12 will run on Apple’s latest operating system, the iOS 14. All phones will also have complete 5G support. While the iPhone 12 is still a 6.1-inch device with an OLED Super Retina XDR screen, the iPhone Pro Max will span 6.7 inches. That, as well as the 6.1-inch iPhone Pro, will be equipped with an OLED Super Retina XDR display with 10-bit Colour Depth. The iPhone 12 Mini, on the other hand, gets a 5.4-inch OLED screen. All phones will also carry over the notch from their predecessors, though none have a 120Hz refresh rate.

Apple has made the iPhone 12 stronger by giving it a “ceramic shield”. Essentially a stronger protection material for the display screen than conventional materials, the “shield” is claimed to be four times tougher than other smartphone glasses.

Apple has equipped the iPhone 12 Mini and the iPhone 12 with a dual-camera setup that includes a 12MP wide and a 12MP ultrawide lens, while the iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max get triple cameras each that offer an additional 12MP telephoto camera with 4x optical zoom. The Pro models also borrow the LiDAR from the iPad Pro models.

The LiDAR Scanner offers the ability to measure light distance and use pixel depth information of a scene. This technology delivers faster, more realistic AR experiences and improves autofocus by 6x in low-light scenes for more accuracy and reduced capture time in photos and videos. This advanced hardware, combined with the power of the Neural Engine of A14 Bionic, also unlocks Night mode portraits, rendering a beautiful low-light bokeh effect.

The entire series will be powered by Apple’s latest A14 Bionic chip. It is the first chip in the world to be built on the 5nm technology. It gets a hexacore CPU along with a quadcore GPU. Its Neural Engine also now gets 16 cores, increasing its performance by 80 percent, taking it up to 11 trillion operations per second! The iPhones get 4GB RAM and are offered with an option between 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage.

Coming to the HomePod, it is integrated with Apple’s latest S5 chip which makes it more of artificial intelligence than a simple smart speaker. Combined with Siri, the HomePod mini offers a chance for users to transform their homes into complete smart homes, quite like living in a Tony Stark mansion!HomePod mini makes controlling smart home accessories easier than ever with simple voice commands for Siri to turn off the lights, change the temperature, lock the doors, or set a scene. HomePod mini is the perfect home hub, providing access to smart home accessories while at home or away.

A new Intercom feature offers a quick and easy way for family members to connect with each other at home. One person can send an Intercom message from one HomePod to another — whether in a different room, a specific zone, or multiple rooms throughout the home — and their voice will automatically play on the designated HomePod speaker. Intercom works with iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay, so everyone in the household can get Intercom notifications and send Intercom messages from the backyard or on their way home.

Apple has given the iPhone 12 a base price of $799 while the mini retails at $699. The iPhone 12 Pro and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be offered for $999 and $1099 respectively.

iPhone SE 2 for 2020 Announced | Prices Start At $399

With the looks of an iPhone 8, it packs more modern specs to match the performance

Apple has finally taken the covers off the new iPhone SE 2. The iPhone is the cheapest offering from the house of Apple and the prices start from $399 for the 6GB storage version. But with the looks of it, most of the people will mistake it for an iPhone 8. Well, it would take some really trained eyes to differentiate it from the iPhone 8. 

Starting with the screen, it features a 4.7-inch screen, yes the most friendly iPhone size, large bezels on the top and button and the now missing home button with Touch ID. This design has been consistent since the arrival of the iPhone 6. So the SE second generation is the fifth device to carry this design and Apple has really mastered this design over the years.

Apple says it will be available for pre-order from April 17th onwards and start shipping from the 24th of April. Depending on the on-board memory, you have a 128GB variant priced at $499 and a 256GB model $549. Moreover like any other iPhone, it will ship with one year of Apple TV Plus. The iPhone SE second generation will be offered in three colours – Black, White and Product Red. 

What’s New?

Now don’t get this wrong but the new iPhone SE is basically an iPhone 8, but it packs a better camera, hardware and specifications. The surprise here is the A13 Bionic chip, which also powers the latest iPhone 11 and 11 Pro models. 

What this means that the new iPhone will have a long life from the time you pick it up from the shelves. In fact, it now will claim the life of the iPhone 8 which it is replacing. However, Apple has said that the iPhone 8 Plus will be available in some select markets only. These select markets could include price-sensitive markets like India too.

With the new A13 processor, the camera on the new iPhone SE has gained some new features. It gets a single 12-megapixel camera on the back along with a flash. Apple claims that with the A13 chip on board, the new SE offers improved Smart HDR photography, which combines multiple shots into a single image to massively improve the lighting and detail. 

The surprise here with the single-camera is the portrait mode technology. Apple has named it ‘monocular depth-sensing’ (just better software detection) which uses machine learning to detect depth and faces. But it also raises doubts on the subjects as it should work on humans but cannot really say how it would be on pets or other objects. Lastly, the camera is blessed with Apple’s optical stabilization which claims to provide ‘cinematic’ stabilization. The camera can record 4K video at 60fps. What a delight for creators who shoot on their phone. On the front, the selfie camera comes with a 7-megapixel sensor. The front camera can also do portrait effects. Apple is achieving the same results what others have been trying to do with multiple cameras. Good move Apple. 

The Hardware

Most of the parts of the new iPhone SE are identical to the iPhone 8. You can expect a similar battery life. However, Apple has not revealed any numbers for the battery on this one. The screen is Apple’s 4.7-inch IPS LED Retina display with True Tone colour. It might sound different, but it is the exact screen as we have already seen on the iPhone 8. Moreover, Apple says the cases made for iPhone 8 will fit the new iPhone SE with ease.   

Now here is something that would leave some waiting for more. In the days of blazing-fast charging times, Apple’s new SE comes with a puny 5W charger in the box. Although, it has support for 18W fast charging, as well as support for Qi wireless charging. What you won’t see is a headphone jack, the 3.5mm jack has been ditched. Apple will ship with Lightning headphones in the box. 

What else? Some modern specs like support for Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit LTE and dual-sims (e-sim for the second one). It has now support for Haptic Touch, which is a replacement for Apple’s 3D Touch. Apple is sure to lift some hopes despite the current pandemic situation.  This $399 iPhone is sure to appeal a lot of buyers, especially the ones who have been a fan of the screen size but wanted some better specs. Apple has finally addressed the problem. Last but not least, the new iPhone SE will secure its user with software updates over the years to come. 

iPhone SE 2 Specifications

  • Screen: 4.7-inch True Tone display
  • Rear cameras: 12-megapixel single 6-element lens, features OIS, flicker sensor for white balance, focus pixels, HDR, and portrait mode for people, video recording at 4K/60fps
  • Selfie camera: 7-megapixel camera
  • Dimensions: 67.3 x 138.4 x 7.3mm, 148 grams
  • Processor: A13 Bionic 
  • Memory: TBD
  • Storage: 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB
  • Battery: TBD
  • OS: iOS 13
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Gigabit LTE, Dual SIM with eSIM
  • Biometric authentication: second-generation Touch ID fingerprint sensor
  • Wireless charging, Lightning connector, 5W charger included
  • IP67 protection
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