Apple launched the much-awaited iPhone 14 series in the previous month, and if the rumours are true, the company is planning to come up with a new smartphone, the iPhone SE 4th Generation. The upcoming budget smartphone from the house of Apple is expected to arrive with a 6.1-inch LCD and a notch placed in the centre.
Apple will introduce its next SE model in 2024, and the phone is rumoured to have a similar look to the iPhone XR. The latest predictions about the iPhone SE 4th generation as been made by Ross Young, Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) analyst, who has a great history of accurate predictions about Apple’s plans.
Also, according to some reports, the 4th generation of the iPhone SE will feature Dynamic Island as it is expected to be launched in 2024, when almost all of the new iPhones will feature Dynamic Island. As of now, the dynamic island is only featured on the pro devices of the iPhone 14 series – iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
As you know, the festive season sales are upon us. Not just Flipkart and Amazon, but various other individual brands will also be hosting their festive sales and offering big discounts on smartphones across the market. Be it Samsung or the iPhone, users have a number of options to choose from. The festive season brings a reason to spend the big bucks for smartphones on your wishlist, hence we wanted to look at the premium segment of phones. Here are the best phones to buy in India under Rs 75K during this festive season:
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Cannot talk about flagship devices and leave the Z Flip 4 hanging. The device comes usually comes at a price of Rs 89,990 but is selling under 75K during the festive season. The selling point of the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is surely the folding dynamics of the device, but that’s not all there is as it comes with a powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. The display has a resolution of 2640 x 1080 coupled with a 120Hz refresh rate. Another main attraction of the device is the smaller 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display at the back of the device which allows users to check notifications and click pictures whenever the device is folded. Check out five reasons to go for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – HERE
You can buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 from Amazon – HERE
Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13’s 128GB variant was being sold on Flipkart for under Rs 50K during the first few days of the Big Billion Days sale. However, right now the same device is being sold at Rs 60K. But since we’re looking at devices under Rs75K, recommending the 256GB variant of the iPhone 13 is an easy task. It is a powerful device that comes with Apple’s flagship A15 bionic chip. The same chip currently powers the iPhone 14’s standard variants. The device comes with two 12MP cameras with the primary lens offering OIS and the secondary being an ultra-wide lens. People looking for a camera-centric device can definitely go for the iPhone 13.
You can buy the Apple iPhone 13 from Flipkart – HERE
iQOO 9 Pro 5G
Move over Samsung and Apple cause iQOO is not playing around with the iQOO 9 Pro 5G! The device comes packed with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. The processor is backed by 12GB RAM and 256GB storage coupled with a sharp HDR 10+ compliant AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1400. While these specifications are enough for some users to jump on and buy the device, it also comes with a 120W ‘FlashCharge’ support which can juice up the device from 0 to 100 in 20 minutes. The device also comes with support for 50W wireless charging. The device is packed with a 50MP primary lens which comes with Gimbal OIS and another 50MP camera with an ultra-wide lens. A 16MP telephoto lens with OIS is also present here.
Any Samsung device with a Snapdragon processor is easy to recommend. Samsung’s built quality coupled with the power of Snapdragon chipsets makes it the perfect combination which delivers the best performance to the user. The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is now available on Amazon at a price of just over 60K for the 128GB variant. Being a flagship device, it comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. It runs on Android 12 out of the box with Samsung’s One UI 4.1. Camera-centric users will have a lot to play around with as it comes with a 50MP primary camera with dual pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera is also present here with Super-Steady video support, and a 10MP telephoto lens. It can record videos up to 8K in resolution. The only minus point of the device is the 3700mAh battery which can be quickly charged with 25W support.
Since Apple launched the iPhone 14 series at the Far Out event, it has been trending all over the world as it was one of the most awaited launches of the year. However, right after the launch of the iPhone 14 series, people noticed there’s not much to explore in the iPhone 14 (we’re not including the pro series iPhones and the all-new iPhone 14 Plus) except for a few substantial changes from last year’s iPhone 13.
The iPhone 14 is probably one of the best iPhones in the current market, but at first glance, it appears like a renamed replica of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 has numerous notable upgrades, including a vibrant display, excellent cameras, safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection and, of course, a slightly more powered A15 Bionic chipset.
Earlier, Apple planned to make at least 6 million more units by the end of the year and asked its suppliers to increase the production of the iPhone 14 as the company expected strong demand. However, within a 4-weeks of the launch date, due to lower demand, the company decided to reduce the production of the iPhone 14.
The sales of the lower-priced iPhone 14 are not strong enough, while the sales of the over-priced iPhone 14 Pro models are getting more robust. Of course, due to the little to no price difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models. Also, the lowered price of the iPhone 13 plays a huge role in the game as it remains on sale for a reduced price.
The company has priced iPhone 14 at ₹79900 and the iPhone 14 Plus at ₹89900, which is very close to the price range of the iPhone 14 Pro models, which are loaded with a brand-new always-on display with Dynamic Island, a 48-megapixel wide camera, and the new A16 Bionic chip. Whatever the reason, Apple will surely make a profit out of it.
Its been months since Apple fanatics have been expecting the company to host the October event. The tech giant is expected to release a number of products like the latest iPad lineup and the Mac lineup before 2022 wraps up. Now, reports are suggesting that Apple may decide to skip the October event altogether and introduce the latest product lineup through multiple press releases. If true, it will be the first time in years that the American tech mogul skips the October event.
Apple October event likely cancelled
The latest Apple September event ‘Far Out’ introduced the latest iPhone 14 & Apple Watch lineup. The company also introduced second-generation Apple AirPods Pro which is currently being loved by Apple fans for its accessibility features. A similar event was expected for the launch of Apple’s iPad and Mac lineup but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has decided to go a different route. According to the report, the remaining updates of the Apple products do not warrant a highly produced show coupled with hands-on experience for attendees afterwards. The events similar to ‘Far Out’ require pre-planning and post-production which could all be wasted if the products don’t live up to the hype. So, are the remaining Apple products for 2022 not exciting enough? we’ll let you decide!
Expected products
Some of the expected upcoming products from Apple in late 2022 are 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models. Mac Mini with M2 and M2 Pro is also expected along with iPad Pros. The MacBooks are expected to come housing M2 Pro and M2 Max chips whereas two iPad Pros are expected to be launched in the 11 and 12.9-inch sizes. Apple is furthermore also expected to update the Apple TV set-top box with an A14 chip and RAM boost. In all honesty, all the upcoming Apple devices seem like mere updates as opposed to something that should be showcased through a big event.
Another thing hinting toward the October event getting cancelled is that the company has not revealed any promotional material like ads and social media posts hinting at it. This won’t be the first time Apple will opt out of an event to release its products. A few years ago, the company announced a whole slew of products through press releases.
The latest iOS 16 brings a handful of new features to the iPhone. The new features include a redesigned lock screen, an editing/delete option in Messages, a battery indicator and more. However, one of the most asked features missing in the iPhone was haptic feedback while typing. Apple listened to its fans and added the feature in iOS 16. But it looks like the haptic feedback feature is a double-edged sword.
iOS 16 haptic feedback
Apple recently shared a support document titled “Change how your iPhone keyboard sounds or vibrates when you’re typing”. Apple, In this support document, had explained how to turn on the iPhone keyboard vibration. It is the very first time Apple is allowing users to turn on haptic feedback while typing, a feature long present in Android devices for years. Many fans were excited that Apple is finally introducing the feature including me. I would recommend for every iOS 16 user turn on the feature but Apple shares that it will come with a price.
The devil was in the details when it comes to Apple’s announcement of the haptic feedback feature. Right below the instructions to turn it on, in fine print, Apple says “Turning on keyboard haptics might affect the battery life of your iPhone.” it surely took me by surprise as a feature like haptic feedback should not have a significant effect on the battery life, but Apple doesn’t think the same. Adding fuel to the fire, the company has also not explained any further about how big is the impact on the battery life. A confusing aspect over here is while the company claims haptic feedback affects the battery life, it has not included it in the Lowe Power Mode. This means that when Low Power Mode is enabled, keyboard haptics will not be disabled even though it drains power. The actual impact of the haptic keyboard on the iPhone’s battery life is yet to be seen.
With the launch of the new iPhone 14 and the iOS 16 update, the internet is currently filled multiple comparisons between Apple and Android. Loyal Android users are quick to point out that their beloved OS brings in features quicker than Apple’s iOS. In fact, a few days back I had written an article noting down all the iPhone features that Android has had for years. However, I wanted to look at the other side of the coin to explore if Apple has any software features which Android doesn’t have. And boy if I was surprised! Here are some iOS 16 features that Android 13 still doesn’t have:
Live Text in Videos
We all know that Android sports the ‘copy text from photo’ feature through Google Lens. Apple was late to adopt that feature. But, with iOS 16 users can copy text from videos. Users can easily just pause the video, and select text to copy and translate or share it. Android does not have this feature in its native format or through any third-party applications.
Safety check
I know that Pixel devices come with a safety check feature. But, Apple’s safety feature is designed to help domestic abuse victims, whereas the Pixel safety check is for the user alone. In iOS 16, users can revoke privacy access given to other users in case of domestic violence. Android 13 does not come with a feature of this sort.
Edit/Undo message
WhatsApp, Telegram, Messenger and many similar applications come with the option of deleting the message. However, users cannot edit a sent message in either of the above-mentioned apps and also the Android built-in message app. iOS 16 has given Apple users the option to edit and undo a message.
Lockdown Mode
The ‘Lockdown Mode’ as serious as it sounds is an extreme security mode. Once enabled, the lockdown mode limits functions and enhances security feature which safeguards the device from any spyware attack.
Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS are two different forces to reckon with. While on one hand, some Android fans are vocal about their dislike of iOS, Apple loyalists love to stick by it. However, there are some cross-platform supported apps in both operating systems. Apple’s Music application works on Android just fine and all Google applications like Drive, Chrome, and more are supported on Apple devices. With the recent launch of the iOS 16, Google has announced that it will be releasing new widgets for the iPhone.
Google’s new widgets for iOS 16
The iPhone lock screen has been updated with the release of iOS 16. Users can now customize the lock screen by tapping on the ‘Customize’ option. This is a new way for users to interact with the iPhone rather than having a lock screen which only showcases notifications. Google in its official blog post stated, “Your Lock Screen is the first thing you see when you pick up your phone, and Lock Screen widgets for lots of Google apps are on the way. You’ll be able to unlock your device to access your favourite Google features with just one tap — and even see some updates right on your Lock Screen.” Here are the details of the upcoming widgets:
Chrome
Google will be rolling out a lock screen widget that allows users to launch Chrome instantly. Users will be able to search using voice commands or launch the incognito mode through the widget itself.
Drive
The dedicated lock screen widget for Drive allows users to access their files easily. A single tap on the Drive widget in iOS 16 will allow users to open starred files, folders and suggested files in an instant.
Google Search
This is more of an obvious addition to the Google iOS 16 widgets. Users can instantly enter their queries in the Google Search widget. Users will also get an option to search with voice or camera features.
Gmail
Gmail has also been added to the Google iOS 16 widgets. The widget showcases new messages in the user’s inbox automatically. The inbox messages can be customized as per categories too.
Hurray, finally, we have a new iPhone, but to our disappointment, there’s nothing new except the pro models who played the role of a night watchman really well. Everyone expected a lot from Apple, but the Cupertino-based company surprised us with something different this time. Instead of focusing on new iPhones and AirPods, Apple pushed the workforce toward the Apple Watch Ultra.
To be frank, the Apple Watch Ultra is not made for you. Don’t get us wrong, but it’s not for everyone, actually, and we’re not saying it just because it has an ultra-big price tag of ₹89,900. The Apple Ultra Watch is made for a specific target audience, such as athletes or those who aspire to push beyond their limits. The unique design of the watch provides a secure and comfortable fit for every adventure.
“Inspired by explorers and athletes from around the world, we created an entirely new category of Apple Watch designed for new and extreme environments — it’s the most rugged and capable Apple Watch yet. Apple Watch Ultra is a versatile tool that empowers users to push their boundaries with adventure, endurance, and exploration,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.
The ultra-expensive watch from Apple is made from aerospace-grade titanium and provides the perfect balance of weight, durability, and corrosion resistance. It has all the features of a standard Apple Watch, plus a 49mm titanium case, the biggest and brightest Apple Watch display of all, the best battery life of any Apple Watch, a water depth and temperature sensor.
The Ultra Watch is the most-rugged product Apple has ever made and comes only in one variant. The watch has a customisable action button that offers instant access to various valuable features. The rugged watch has a built-in Siren that has 86-decibel of loudness and can be heard up to 600 ft away, indeed a helpful device when someone is lost or injured.
The watch has a Wayfinder watch face with Night Mode that can be transformed into a live compass. The Ultra Watch also brings three new bands – Trail Loop, Alpine Loop, and Ocean Band. The dual-frequency GPS of the Ultra Watch allows the watch to deliver accurate distance, pace and route calculations. Besides these features, the watch is also loaded with all-new Crash detection, Sleep tracking, Fall detection, SpO2 and more.
We’re just two days away from the Apple ‘Far Out’ event which is expected to introduce the next generation of iPhone to the world. This year-round, a significant upgrade is anticipated amongst fans with the latest iPhone 14 line-up. While leaks have been all over the internet about the upcoming devices months before any official announcements, there naturally has been no confirmation about the same from Apple, only fueling the hype more & more. Read below to learn about what is expected from the latest iPhone 14 series:
iPhone 14: Latest A16 chip
Reports on the internet suggest that the iPhone 14, like its predecessors, will be receiving a processing chip upgrade. Apple will be introducing its latest powerhouse processor, the A16 chip; however, leaks also suggest that only the pro variant of the iPhone 14 will feature the newest chip, whereas the regular variants will opt for an A15 Bionic chip, the same as the iPhone 13. The A15 Bionic could be clocked higher than last year’s devices.
iPhone 14: Goodbye Mini
Leaks suggest that Apple will be ditching the mini variant of the latest iPhone 14. While the mini line-up has had vocal supporters ever since its inception with the iPhone 12, there simply haven’t been the sales that suggest it is a successful outing for the tech giant. Apple is expected to release two 6.1-inch devices and the pro line-up, which will be 6.7-inches.
iPhone 14: Finally, a bigger camera?
Apple has long stuck around with the 12MP wide-angle main camera, which is beloved by many fans around the world. However, it looks like the company is now opting for a much larger 48MP sensor. While a welcoming change, it is rumoured that the significant camera upgrade will be reserved for the pro variants, similar to the chipset upgrade.
iPhone 14: Notch upgrade
Apple has long been criticized for its standard notch, while the competing Android smartphones have long opted for a smaller one. It looks like the company is now ready for a significant change with its notch design and will now feature a sleeker pill-shaped notch. However, this change is currently being reserved for the pro models of the iPhone 14 series, and the regular iPhone 14s will sport the classic notch.
Often, major tech releases are spoiled by endless leaks and rumours prior to their official introduction. Sometimes, this works well for the brand, and other times, it is chaotic. In a very recent leak, details of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro Max have been revealed.
Apple usually includes four variants in its high-end lineup – iPhone Mini, iPhone, iPhone Pro, and iPhone Pro Max. We could witness a change in this year’s dropout. Apple can drop the iPhone Mini, and the gap between the Pro and non-Pro models can be widened. The two models can likely have a 6.1 and 6.7-inch screen.
One of the exciting aspects of the leak is that it suggests that the two phones are rumoured to switch to a punch-hole and pill design. The two iPhone variants will also see a thicker camera bump due to the upgraded sensor.
Talking about the processor, the regular iPhone 14 models are expected to retain the same A15 Bionic chipset from the iPhone 13, but the Pro models can see a boosted chipset that does not belong to the A-family. To know more about the processor, you will have to be updated with our articles since Apple can talk about the new chipset at the WWDC event today.
iPhone 14 is expected to run on iOS 16 and can come with iOS 16.1 pre-installed. The software would be receiving software updates for many years to come. TrendForce also reports that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro will receive a massive 50% increase in RAM compared to their previous models. Based on this, Apple can market the product as having the ‘pro-level performance’ at an affordable price.
This year’s lineup could support satellite communications for emergency communications. This will allow the users to reach out for help in no-service zones if any accident occurs.
Apple has not confirmed the release date; however, the company has a habit of releasing its lineup during the fall. It typically reveals the smartphones during an event that takes place in September. We can expect the same for this one too.
