Update: August 1, 2024 (3:10 PM ET): We have updated our iPhone 16 series rumor hub with a new leak about possible color options across the iPhone 16 lineup and information regarding Apple’s preventative overheating measures for the iPhone 16.

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Apple’s iPhone 15 series came out in September 2023. Now that the hype for those has died down, we’re moving on to the 2024 models — and there are already plenty of iPhone 16 rumors and leaks going around.

Apple made some significant changes to the 2023 iPhone lineup, including the addition of USB-C, the mute-switch-replacing Action Button, Titanium bodies instead of Stainless Steel on the Pro iPhones, Dynamic Island on the non-Pro iPhones, a periscope camera for the Pro Max model, and more. If you’ve been following Apple long enough, you’d know that most of these new features from the iPhone 15 series would most certainly be coming to iPhone 16 models. Additionally, what’s exclusive to the 2023 Pros would likely trickle down to the non-Pro variants this year. Keeping all that in mind, here’s what you can expect from the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.

Will there be an iPhone 16 series?

There’s no doubt Apple will launch new iPhones in 2024. The iPhone is not only the company’s best-selling product, but the cornerstone of everything it does. You can’t depend on a lot in this world, but a yearly iPhone upgrade is something we can expect almost as much as we can expect the rising of the sun.

A better question might be: will these new iPhones be called the iPhone 16 series? This is not nearly as assured, although we are pretty confident that’s what will happen. It’s been a long time since Apple didn’t use a new number for its yearly iPhone upgrade. In fact, the last time there was an “S” series iPhone was the iPhone XS and XS Max in 2018, nearly six years ago. Since then, it’s been a brand new number every year, so we’re pretty confident there will be an iPhone 16 release this year.

What is the most likely iPhone 16 series release date?

• Apple iPhone 13: September 14, 2021
• Apple iPhone 14: September 7, 2022
• Apple iPhone 15: September 12, 2023

Apple has been launching new iPhones in September since the iPhone 5. Barring the iPhone SE models, September is Apple’s preferred month for flagship announcements. It was only during the pandemic that Apple went off course and launched the iPhone 12 series in October. But if all goes as planned and there are no last-minute manufacturing hitches, the iPhone 16 series should arrive like clockwork in September 2024. It’s too early for even leaked details about a specific iPhone 16 release date, but we’ll update this article as and when we hear anything about it.

What rumored specs and features could the iPhone 16 series have?

Apple doesn’t reinvent the iPhone every year, but it almost always launches significant changes. Here are the things we expect to see later this year with the iPhone 16 series.

Design, display, and buttons

Apple made several notable design changes on the iPhone 15 series, and we expect the company to refine these going forward. We think Apple’s newly launched Action Button will make its way to the non-Pro iPhone 16 models this year. As we said earlier, bringing Pro features to base iPhone models is a practice Apple has followed for years. The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus (previously reserved only for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max) is a prime example of that. So, if you prefer the classic mute switch over the new Action Button, know that it will most likely disappear for good after the iPhone 16 lineup goes official.

Apple could equip the iPhone 16 series with yet another new button.

If one new button wasn’t enough, rumor has it that Apple will equip the iPhone 16 series with yet another button. According to a MacRumors report and frequent Apple leaker Mark Gurman, Apple internally refers to this new button as the “Capture Button.” It is expected to appear on the right side of the device, and Gurman says it could be used to shoot images and record videos. The Information says that the button will be a physical button that will be sensitive to both pressure and touch. The report mentions that lightly pressing the button will allow you to focus, while a firmer press will capture an image or start recording. It is said that you will also be able to swipe left or right on the button to zoom in or out.

All-in-all, it looks like the iPhone 16 series may come with as many as five buttons, including the power button, two volume buttons, the Action Button, and the new Capture Button. The button is said to be in testing across all four models within the iPhone 16 series, so it’s possible this will not be a Pro-only feature.

For the designs of the base iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus, we expect Apple to stick to the same screen sizes as last year. Display analyst Ross Young also suggests that Apple is only expected to bring high refresh rate screens to base iPhones in 2025. That means we might be stuck with 60Hz displays on the cheaper iPhones in 2024, which is profoundly disappointing, especially when you consider you can get a budget Android phone with a 90Hz display for less than $400 these days.

The overall footprint of the new 2024 iPhones could also be larger than ever

As for the Pro models, they could be larger than ever. Gurman and Young concur that Apple plans to increase the size of its two iPhone 16 Pro models by “a couple of tenths of an inch diagonally.” The new displays are expected to measure 6.3 inches and 6.9 inches for the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, respectively, making the Pro Max the largest iPhone ever. However, the Pro Max name might not stick around. According to 9to5Mac, the top-of-the-line iPhone could adopt the “Ultra” branding in 2024, which we heard in 2023, too — so take that rumor with a grain of salt.

Speaking of the displays, the iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to get Samsung Display’s new M14 OLED panels, ET News reports (h/t: Phandroid). As a result, they should be brighter than ever, last longer, and could be more energy efficient.

A rumor from Ice Universe (via MacRumors) suggests that the bezels on the iPhone 16 Pro will be even thinner than the bezels on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. If true, this would mean that the bezels will be narrower than 1.52mm. To accomplish this, it is rumored that Apple will rely on Border Reduction Structure (BRS) technology. A newer rumor suggests the iPhone 16 Pro Max (or Ultra) might also have crazy-thin bezels — so small it will be almost like they’re not even there. Ice Universe, the source for this leak, says the iPhone 16 Pro Max might end up being “the world’s closest smartphone to a borderless sci-fi form factor.”

We have also seen a few dummy units around, giving us a fair idea of what the lineup will look like. Leaker MajinBu reshared comparison pics of the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro as against the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and the size difference on the Pro iPhone is very apparent year-on-year.

Sonny Dickson also shared dummy units of the entire iPhone 16 series, corroborating the difference in screen sizes, the vertically placed cameras, the Action button, and the Capture button on all four phones.

Dickson later shared better-quality dummy units of the series, which you can see at the top of this section. Those dummy units show off the redesigned camera modules on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, as well as just how large the Pro Max (or Ultra) is.

If you’re wondering about the colors coming to the series, analyst Ming-Chi Kuo shared that he believes most of the existing colors will be brought over from the iPhone 15. However, he claims that the iPhone 15 Pro’s “Blue Titanium” could be replaced by a rose color on the iPhone 16 Pro models, and the iPhone 16 could drop yellow in favor of white.

Sonny Dickson‘s latest leaks show us what the color options on the iPhone 16 might look like. The images showcase a new set of iPhone 16 and 16 Pro dummy units, which appear more refined than previous ones Dickson has shared, indicating that they might closely resemble the final product.

Among the colors shown for the non-Pro iPhone 16, there’s a rich green and an appealing blue alongside Apple’s staple pink/rose gold option. Even the traditional black and white colors look more saturated this time around, reminding us of the iPhone X.

As for the colors on the Pro iPhones this year, we can see the return of a white and a natural titanium color variant. What’s new this year is the deep black option, which could be a stark departure from the subtler hues that Apple’s Pro iPhones generally go for. Interestingly, Disckson’s leak only shows three colorways for the iPhone 16 Pro phones, but we can expect the fourth color to be a variation of the Gold/Rose Gold/Purple colorways that we’ve seen in the past.

It’s worth remembering that these dummy units might not perfectly represent the final finish, but they give a good idea of the color palette we can expect.

iPhone 16 series camera specs

There are a number of rumors already swirling around about iPhone 16 camera specs. Apple introduced a new tetraprism zoom lens on the iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2023, which, according to Apple analyst and trusted informer Ming-Chi Kuo, could come to both the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, The Information claims the tetraprism zoom lens could also appear in the cheaper models.

Meanwhile, Haitong International Securities analyst Jeff Pu claims that Apple will add a 48MP ultrawide shooter to the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. Ming-Chi Kuo also reiterates this with more details, noting that the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max could jump to a 48MP 1/2.6-inch sensor with 0.7µm pixel size and 6P lens assembly for its rear ultrawide camera. The output would be 12MP, so with pixel binning, the effective pixel size would be 1.4µm. If true, this would be a significant resolution upgrade compared to the 12MP ultrawide sensor currently used on iPhone models with a 1µm pixel size.

Further supporting the possibility of an ultrawide upgrade to 48MP is a rumor from Weibo tipster OvO Baby Sauce OvO. In addition to an improvement to the ultrawide, the tipster also says the Pro Max’s main camera will be based on an advanced custom 48MP Sony IMX903 sensor.

Other expected specs and features

Based on Apple’s behavior in the past two years, we expected that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus would get the A17 Pro chip Apple is now using in the iPhone 15 Pro phones, while the iPhone 16 Pro lineup could see a brand new A18 chip.

However, Jeff Pu (via MacRumors) has suggested Apple might change up its strategy this year. He claims that all four new iPhone 16 series phones might be equipped with A18 series chips. Pu also expects the chips to be manufactured by TSMC on its second-generation 3nm process instead of the first-generation 3nm process used on the A17 Pro chip.

More recently, code discovered in Apple’s backend by MacRumors seems to confirm that all four iPhone 16 models will feature the new A18 family chips. The code uses internal model numbers to refer to the new iPhones, and this time they all start with “iPhone17,” indicating a unified chip generation across the lineup.

That being said, there could still be a difference in the processors that the non-Pro and Pro iPhones 16 models get. Even within the same generation, the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus could get the A18 chip, while the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max could come equipped with an A18 Pro chip with better or more GPU cores.

We’re inclined to think all iPhone 16 models could get new chips because iOS 18 is expected to lean heavily into Apple Intelligence features. Many of these features will work on-device, which will require powerful specialized chips called neural processing units (NPUs). The A17 Pro already has an NPU, but we think Apple would want all iPhone 16 models to have something better to make them powerful AI machines.

Elsewhere, the battery capacity of at least the base iPhone 16 is expected to increase. Thanks to leaked images of the iPhone 16 battery, we can see its capacity is about 200mAh more than the iPhone 15. Also, we see that the battery is encased in metal, which could help cut down on overheating problems users faced with the iPhone 15 series:

Meanwhile, the storage tiers of the iPhone 16 series could remain the same as the iPhone 15 series, but there may be some shuffling in RAM. Pu suggests that the base iPhone 16 could finally get 8GB of RAM, compared to the base iPhone 15’s 6GB of RAM. The iPhone 15 Pro models already have 8GB of RAM, so Apple would probably stick with the same for the iPhone 16 Pro models.

The base iPhone 16 could also make the jump to Wi-Fi 6E, finally.

The iPhone 16 Pro, instead, could get an upgrade to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X75 modem, as Pu notes. The base iPhone 16 could retain the Qualcomm Snapdragon X70 modem, which is present on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

We also expect Apple to infuse generative AI into its products in 2024. The company is reportedly integrating AI features in iOS 18 in partnership with OpenAI (owners of ChatGPT). While that deal is essentially done, there have also been rumors of Apple working with Google to bring Gemini features to iPhones, too. Given that the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24 series all heavily focus on AI smarts, it’s pretty much a given that Apple will need to respond in the iPhone 16 series, but we don’t know yet what that will look like.

When the iPhone 15 series launched, it was initially plagued with overheating issues. Apparently, Apple has learned its lesson as The Information reports the company is adding a larger graphite sheet inside the chassis to prevent the issue from reoccurring.

What might the iPhone 16 series’ price be?

• iPhone 15: Starts at $799
• iPhone 15 Plus: Starts at $899
• iPhone 15 Pro: Starts at $999
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: Starts at $1,199

In 2023, Apple increased the price of its Pro Max model by $100. You could buy the base 128GB iPhone 14 Pro Max for $1,099 in 2022, but the iPhone 15 Pro Max underwent big changes and starts at $1,199 for a 256GB model. We expect Apple to stick to the new $1,199 price and higher base storage for the iPhone 16 Pro Max.

As for the rest of the lineup, it’s tough to say if Apple will keep prices unchanged or increase them. We aren’t hearing about huge upgrades just yet, so the iPhone 16 series could also end up starting at $799. We’ll be better positioned to predict prices later this year. For now, though, it’s probably a safe bet to assume pricing will remain unchanged. You can be assured that Apple will not lower any prices.

Should you wait for the iPhone 16 series?

If you’re looking to pick up a new flagship iPhone right now, you don’t need to wait until September. The current iPhone 15 lineup has plenty to offer and will not be dramatically outdated when the iPhone 16 series launches. There are also some terrific Android alternatives out there, should you be interested in switching teams.

You can buy the iPhone 15 (), iPhone 15 Plus (), iPhone 15 Pro (), or iPhone 15 Pro Max () depending on your budget and what you need. You may also find good deals on the new iPhones at major carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon, or you could pick up the phones for free with some carriers.

If you are interested in making the jump to Android, there are also plenty of great options. The Google Pixel 8 () would be a great Android alternative to the iPhone 15, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus () or OnePlus 12 () will deliver a lot more than an iPhone 15 Plus. If you want an iPhone Pro model, the Pixel 8 Pro () or Galaxy S24 Ultra () will really impress you.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Update: June 9, 2024 (10:30 AM ET): We have updated our iPhone 16 series rumor hub with alleged images and information related to the battery.

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Apple’s iPhone 15 series came out in September 2023. Now that the hype for those has died down, we’re moving on to the 2024 models — and there are already plenty of iPhone 16 rumors and leaks going around.

Apple made some significant changes to the 2023 iPhone lineup, including the addition of USB-C, the mute-switch-replacing Action Button, Titanium bodies instead of Stainless Steel on the Pro iPhones, Dynamic Island on the non-Pro iPhones, a periscope camera for the Pro Max model, and more. If you’ve been following Apple long enough, you’d know that most of these new features from the iPhone 15 series would most certainly be coming to iPhone 16 models. Additionally, what’s exclusive to the 2023 Pros would likely trickle down to the non-Pro variants this year. Keeping all that in mind, here’s what you can expect from the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.

Google released the first Android 15 beta on April 11, 2024, with Android 15 beta 2 following on May 15, and the Android 15 Beta 2.1 coming in on May 20. This falls in line with the Android 15 release timeline Google published when the Developer Preview 1 rolled out. While all this is great, you might be wondering when your phone will get the Android 15 update.

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Samsung’s next Unpacked event is just over a month away, and we’re starting to see official signs of upcoming devices the company is expected to launch. The Galaxy Watch 7 series is somewhat of a no-brainer when it comes to guessing what’s next from Samsung’s stable. We’ve been hearing Galaxy Watch 7 rumors for a while, but the wearable showed up on FCC last week, revealing some new details we weren’t aware of before.

Credit: Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Update: May 19, 2024 (03:42 PM ET): We have updated our iPhone 16 series rumor hub with a rumor about the color options for the iPhone 16 series.

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Apple’s iPhone 15 series came out in September 2023. Now that the hype for those has died down, we’re moving on to the 2024 models — and there are already plenty of iPhone 16 rumors and leaks going around.

Apple made some significant changes to the 2023 iPhone lineup, including the addition of USB-C, the mute-switch-replacing Action Button, Titanium bodies instead of Stainless Steel, Dynamic Island on the non-Pro iPhones, a periscope camera for the Pro Max model, and more. If you’ve been following Apple long enough, you’d know that most of these new features from the iPhone 15 series would most certainly be coming to iPhone 16 models. Additionally, what’s exclusive to the 2023 Pros would likely trickle down to the non-Pro variants this year. Keeping all that in mind, here’s what you can expect from the iPhone 16 lineup in 2024.

Wow! It’s been a packed two days of announcements from Google. From infusing Gemini AI into everything to new updates across the Android ecosystem, Google I/O 2024 has kept us very busy, and we’re sure, like us, you are also still trying to wrap your head around all the news. So we thought it would be best to get you a complete breakdown of all the major announcements from ground zero, a.k.a Google headquarters.

Our very own C. Scott Brown has scoured Google I/O and all the experiences it has to offer. He’s all set to round up all the big reveals Google made and everything he saw at the event, including live demos of Google’s new products, in a livestream we’re hosting on our YouTube channel. The best part is that you can not only watch him wrap up Google I/O live but also ask him questions about everything you may or may not have heard about Google’s lofty plans for the future.

So tune in today, May 15, at 2 PM ET on our YouTube channel, or just come back here and hit play on the video embedded above to watch our Google I/O 2024 livestream. We’d love to hear what you thought of all the new reveals, so don’t be shy and make sure to share your opinions here or in the chat during the stream.

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A German district court has ordered a sweeping sales ban on Lenovo and Motorola devices in the country. Motorola, a subsidiary of Chinese tech giant Lenovo, is now prohibited from selling all of its phones that have a WWAN or Wireless Wide Area Network module that powers mobile internet access via cellular networks. That means all Moto phones, including the latest Edge 50 lineup, will not be available to purchase in Germany.

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As expected, OpenAI is all set to make some important ChatGPT and GPT 4 announcements later today. The company has scheduled a “Spring Updates” livestream on its own website for 10 AM PT (1 PM ET).

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Folks using a Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone — there’s a new update heading your way. The company has started pushing out the May update for the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in the US and Europe.

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Google Messages is preparing a small but useful new feature that will prevent you from seeing messages from blocked contacts anywhere on the app.

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OpenAI has been brewing up a new Google Search competitor, as per reports. The ChatGPT-powered search engine was previously expected to launch on May 9, but it looks like the company now wants to one-up Google’s all-important announcements next week.

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It looks like Samsung is resuming the One UI 6.1 rollout for the Galaxy S22 series after putting a pause on its rollout last week. According to tipster Tarun Vats, a new One UI 6.1 build is now rolling out to users in South Korea. The firmware carries version numbers S908NKSU3EXE1/ S908NOKR3EXE1/S908NKSU3EXD7 and weighs around 3.2GB.

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Google is adding a handy new feature to Wear OS that will help parents better manage and monitor their child’s smartwatch usage.

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Motorola’s next foldable phone — the Razr Plus (2024), also expected to be called the Razr 50 Ultra in some markets — might come in at the same price as last year. A new leak with screenshots of the phone’s price from a European retailer shows that it could cost €1,200 (~$1,289) in the region. That’s the same price as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, aka the Razr Plus (2023).

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Folks using a Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone — there’s a new update heading your way. The company has started pushing out the May update for the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in the US and Europe.

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Google Messages is preparing a small but useful new feature that will prevent you from seeing messages from blocked contacts anywhere on the app.

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OpenAI has been brewing up a new Google Search competitor, as per reports. The ChatGPT-powered search engine was previously expected to launch on May 9, but it looks like the company now wants to one-up Google’s all-important announcements next week.

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It looks like Samsung is resuming the One UI 6.1 rollout for the Galaxy S22 series after putting a pause on its rollout last week. According to tipster Tarun Vats, a new One UI 6.1 build is now rolling out to users in South Korea. The firmware carries version numbers S908NKSU3EXE1/ S908NOKR3EXE1/S908NKSU3EXD7 and weighs around 3.2GB.

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Google is adding a handy new feature to Wear OS that will help parents better manage and monitor their child’s smartwatch usage.

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Motorola’s next foldable phone — the Razr Plus (2024), also expected to be called the Razr 50 Ultra in some markets — might come in at the same price as last year. A new leak with screenshots of the phone’s price from a European retailer shows that it could cost €1,200 (~$1,289) in the region. That’s the same price as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, aka the Razr Plus (2023).

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Folks using a Samsung Galaxy S24 series phone — there’s a new update heading your way. The company has started pushing out the May update for the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in the US and Europe.

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Google Messages is preparing a small but useful new feature that will prevent you from seeing messages from blocked contacts anywhere on the app.

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OpenAI has been brewing up a new Google Search competitor, as per reports. The ChatGPT-powered search engine was previously expected to launch on May 9, but it looks like the company now wants to one-up Google’s all-important announcements next week.

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It looks like Samsung is resuming the One UI 6.1 rollout for the Galaxy S22 series after putting a pause on its rollout last week. According to tipster Tarun Vats, a new One UI 6.1 build is now rolling out to users in South Korea. The firmware carries version numbers S908NKSU3EXE1/ S908NOKR3EXE1/S908NKSU3EXD7 and weighs around 3.2GB.

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Google is adding a handy new feature to Wear OS that will help parents better manage and monitor their child’s smartwatch usage.

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Motorola’s next foldable phone — the Razr Plus (2024), also expected to be called the Razr 50 Ultra in some markets — might come in at the same price as last year. A new leak with screenshots of the phone’s price from a European retailer shows that it could cost €1,200 (~$1,289) in the region. That’s the same price as the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, aka the Razr Plus (2023).

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Amazfit is best known for its affordable yet reliable range of fitness trackers and smartwatches. In January, the company entered the smart ring race with the Amazfit Helio, beating the Samsung Galaxy Ring to the punch. Now, months later, the Helio smart ring is finally ready for its US release.

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Pixel phone users can expect a second April update with a fix for network and connectivity issues plaguing their devices. The update started rolling out to Pixel 8 and Pixel 7 devices on Verizon late last week. The carrier has also posted a changelog that confirms that the new April Pixel update “provides performance improvements for LTE call/data and network issues.”

A few weeks back, we investigated widespread reports of Google Pixel 7 and Pixel 8 series owners complaining about network-related issues following the March 2024 update. Users said that their phones randomly missed calls and that text messages arrived in batches throughout the day. We reached out to Google multiple times to get an official response but didn’t receive an update from the company.

Now, Google is also reportedly sending emails to affected Pixel users acknowledging the network and connectivity issues and informing them about the upcoming fix.

“We’re starting to push an update to Pixel 7 and newer phones. This includes network stability and performance improvements. This update will roll out globally to the regions and carriers impacted over the coming weeks,” Google wrote in its email to a Reddit user.

According to Verizon’s changelog, the new April Pixel update once again includes the month’s security patch, which rolled out to Pixel phones a while back. It comes with software version AP1A.240405.002.B1. Verizon Pixel users who received the update are reporting that the new software has fixed the issue of missed calls and slow text messages.

“So far it has fixed the connectivity and reception issues that have been having recently,” said one user.

“I sideloaded it two days ago, for now no issues with recieving calls and messages. Fingers crossed it lasts,” said another.

If you haven’t received the new April update as an OTA on your Pixel devices yet, you can manually sideload the package from here. Our guide provides instructions on sideloading an OTA.

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Samsung India is reportedly offering a free, one-time screen replacement to users with select Galaxy phones experiencing the green line issue.

Reports about a green line appearing on Samsung phones have been ramping up lately. We’ve also received multiple emails from our readers stuck with green lines on their Galaxy flagships. However, this isn’t a new issue. We found complaints on Reddit that date back to last year. More recently, Galaxy S21 series users have been reporting the appearance of a green line on their devices following software updates.

It seems Samsung has taken note of the issue, at least in one country. In India, Samsung is now offering a free display replacement for Galaxy S20, Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note 20, and Galaxy S22 phones affected by the green line issue. However, Samsung’s replacement policy only applies to these devices if they were purchased within the last three years.

Samsung India offers a ONE-TIME FREE SCREEN REPLACEMENT for select models(within 3 years of purchase) experiencing GREEN LINE issue, even if your warranty’s expired!

Applicable Models:
•S20 Series
•Note20/Ultra
•S21 Series(Excluded FE)
•S22 Ultra(SM-S908E)

Repost to help pic.twitter.com/t1Au0zthlE

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Xiaomi-backed Black Shark was one of the few dedicated gaming smartphone brands out there, but it hasn’t released a new gaming phone since 2022. Rumors have been around for years now that the company has shuttered its smartphone business but it never confirmed its exit from the industry. We also reached out to Black Shark over the course of the last two years and haven’t received a response from them. Now, out of the blue, Black Shark has up and launched a smart ring.

The machine translation of Black Shark’s post on Weibo announcing the launch points to a wearable similar to Oura Ring and Galaxy Ring, only much cheaper. The Black Shark ring costs 599primaryn (~$ $82).

Its main purpose seems to be exercise management and health monitoring during sleep. The company’s Weibo posts refer to the ring’s ability to record steps, distance, and energy consumed. Users can choose from three modes — running, walking, and cycling.

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I’m a millennial, and when I was a teenager, phones were cool. They didn’t have touchscreens, app stores, or high-end cameras. Even mobile internet was a rarity. But they were tough as nails and came in various funky form factors, something far removed from the ubiquitous slabs we’ve all become accustomed to now. So when a device like “The Boring Phone” is announced, it takes me back to the sweet ol’ days of living off text messages, monophonic ringtones, and no social media.

No, it’s not an April Fool’s Day joke playing out too late. HMD, the maker of Nokia mobiles, Heineken, and Boston-based streetwear curators Bodega have partnered up to create this transparent flip phone with holographic stickers that’s “made to take you back in time.” It sure did take me back to my childhood.

The Boring Phone gives off all kinds of 90s vibes. It is essentially featureless and as basic as they used to come. It sports a 2.8-inch QVGA display inside and a 1.77-inch cover screen outside. To be clear, this is not a foldable flip phone. It’s the old-school flip, complete with a physical keyboard and no touchscreen whatsoever.

Update: March 8, 2024 (2:32 PM ET): We have updated our iPhone 16 series rumor hub to include leaked CAD renders for the iPhone 16 Pro.

Every year, Google launches two flagship Pixel phones and they’re never made equal. However, there’s even more reason to be disappointed about the differences between the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro — Google’s current crop of premium Android handsets.

Just yesterday, we were told that the vanilla Pixel 8 model would not be getting one of the biggest attractions of the Pixel 8 Pro — the Gemini Nano AI model. It appears that Google will skip adding the on-device AI to the base Pixel 8 owing to some “hardware limitations.”

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Google has released two new and exclusive wallpapers for Pixel fans and they are all about minty fresh beaches.

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We’ve been hearing about new cross-device features Google is readying for a while now. We’ve now found more evidence suggesting how the new “Call Transfer” cross-device feature could function across linked Android devices.

It looks like there might be an issue with the latest Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 release. According to 9to5Google and some other users on Reddit, sideloading the newest update is soft-bricking Pixel devices.

The publication reports that while sideloading for QPR3 Beta 2 works typically, any attempts to restart Pixels once the process is complete results in the device being stuck on the Google logo.

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Big tech companies are getting their ducks in a row to comply with Europe’s Digital Markets Act. The new competition rules came into effect on March 6, following which the likes of Google and Meta have announced how they plan to comply and what’s changing for end users.

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Google has detailed its plans for complying with Europe’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), which came into effect on March 6. The policy is one that targets and holds accountable larg tech companies and their services — “gatekeepers,” — as it calls them. Everything you’ve been hearing about Apple allowing app sideloading on iPhones and iPads, interoperability of messaging services like Signal and WhatsApp, upfront choices for Android users, and more — all come under the purview of the Digital Markets Act.

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Google is rolling out a document scanner to the Files by Google app (h/t Mishaal Rahman). The feature seems to be part of a server-side update. That means you won’t need to install a new version of the app to get it. We can confirm that the feature is visible on version 1.2729.610141523.0 of the Files by Google app on Pixel phones.

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Google is now rolling out Fast Pair for modern Google TV devices more widely. The feature was first announced in 2022 but only made its way to the Chromecast with Google TV last month.

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Samsung is rolling out a fresh update to the Galaxy Watch 6 lineup. Reddit users spotted the update via SamLover and collectively agreed that the new feature it adds is absolutely pointless. Honestly, it’s hard not to agree with the popular opinion.

The update with version numbers ending with “AXB7” is now rolling out to the Bluetooth variants of the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. The software is only available in South Korea for now but should reach other regions soon. While it brings a crucial March 2024 security patch, it also adds a pointless ability to display exercise data from the watch on a TV.

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Verizon has a sweet deal on offer for first-time subscribers of its home internet plans. To celebrate Mario Day on March 10, the carrier is giving away free Nintendo Switch units to those who sign up for a new 5G Home Internet Plus plan.

Moreover, the company is also offering an extra “on us” promotion that lets subscribers choose between a $200 Target gift card or a Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go. These will be available in addition to the free Nintendo Switch Neon Blue and Neon Red Joy-Con.

To redeem the offer, you’ll need to activate and maintain eligible 5G Home Plus services in good standing for 65 days. The plan costs $45 per month and gives you high-speed downloads, 4K streaming, a router and Whole-Home Wi-Fi kit, unlimited Verizon cloud storage for up to five users, and a five-year price guarantee.

Moreover, Verizon will also cover any early termination fees up to $500 when you leave your current provider.

Once you subscribe to Verizon’s 5G Home Plus plan, you’ll need to redeem the Nintendo Switch offer within 60 days or by no later than August 31, 2024.

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Apple has been forced to open up its walled App Store garden for the first time ever. The company is now rolling out iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 with changes to app policies in the European Union. This is the fourth big iOS 17 update since the software was released in September.

Thanks to the EU’s famous Digital Markets Act, Apple now lets users download and use alternative app stores in the region. EU users can also set these third-party app stores as the default on their devices. There are a couple of different alternative app stores that will be available very soon, including Setapp, Epic’s iOS games store, and more.

iOS 17.4 also introduces alternative payment systems, third-party browser engine support, and NFC access for banks and payment providers other than Apple on iOS and iPadOS. All these features will be available only in Europe, while Apple’s stance remains unchanged in the rest of the world. These changes to Apple’s policies will make using iPhones and iPads starkly different in Europe compared to the rest of the world.

Following are the iOS 17.4 update release notes Apple is sharing with its EU customers:

Residents of the European Union will now have new options to:

• Install apps from alternative app marketplaces
• Install web browser with alternative browser engines
• Manage your default web browser the first time you open Safari
• Use alternative payment options for apps in the App Store with the external purchases badge
• Some options require developer support

iPhone and iPad users in the US and other parts of the world will see a different changelog that does not mention the EU changes.

Other changes common to all users on iOS 17.4 include transcripts in Apple Podcasts, new emojis, Music recognition, Siri message announcements, Stolen Device Protection, updated Battery Health settings, and more.

Humane is pumping Red Bull-fueled energy and enthusiasm into its AI Pin showcase at MWC. The compact, square-shaped device invokes a sense of intrigue, even if it’s been shown off for months.

Created by two former Apple executives, Imran Chaudhri and Bethany Bongiorno, the Humane AI Pin first appeared on the tech scene last year, but it’s only available for pre-order, with shipments scheduled for March. At $700, it promises to free you from the distractions of your smartphone’s screen and offers an avant-garde way of computing — one that might be hella cool but, at the same time, quite restrictive as a standalone device.

“It’s essentially something that allows you to be more present and gives you a sense of freedom, mainly because of the AI operating system that we built up on top of Android core that allows it to really do a lot of work for you and really engage AI so you don’t have to manually do a lot of operations,” Chaudhri tells us as he demos the Humane AI Pin to me and my Android Authority colleagues away from its heavily crowded booth.

Humane's CosmOS takes advantage of multiple Large Language Models.

As I understood from our chat, the basic idea of the AI Pin is that it gives you a screen-free experience. You tap it to summon the AI and issue a voice command, asking it to read out your emails, summarize your texts, fetch your calendar events, find information on the internet, recognize objects and scenes in front of you, and much more. The AI can either answer back in its not-so-humane voice or project text on your hand using a tiny green laser projector.

Humane’s CosmOS — the software at the heart of the AI Pin — takes advantage of multiple Large Language Models, including Open AI’s ChatGPT. If like me you’re wondering how it handles the infamous AI hallucinations that result in inaccurate information, the company has a solution.

There is no app support on the Humane AI Pin.

“The piece about hallucination, there’s just a lot of work going on from Open AI as well as us. The way our architecture works is we go out and find the right thing you’re looking for. If it’s information that you want we try and get you the best and most accurate answers. Hallucination is something that comes when you go directly from the LLM. We don’t go directly from the LLM, we get it from the broader internet,” explains Chaudhri. It all seems very radical and well thought out until the impracticalities start to set in.

What I find unsettling is that there is no app support on the Humane AI Pin. The company has a few partnerships, including Slack, Tidal Music, Microsoft, and Google. So if you want to play music, you can only do so from Tidal. If you want to store photos and videos shot with the 13MP camera, you can only back them up on Humane’s own cloud services and sync them with Google Photos. Essentially, if you want your Humane AI Pin to interact with or get your information from other apps you use on a daily basis, you’re out of luck, at least for now.

According to Bongiorno, “There will be more (partnerships) coming out.”

“We do know people want things like Spotify, they want WhatsApp, these are all things that are on our prioritization list and a list of things we want to bring to the platform. We’re also working on an SDK, which will allow developers to build for our platform. We think that’s a really critical part of our software and the direction we are headed,” she says.

While the lack of app support is troubling, so is the nature of the device itself. The AI’s spoken responses and even projected text on the hand are not the most private ways of using a personal device. If you want the responses from the pin to be truly safe from prying eyes and ears, you’ll have to pair it with Bluetooth headphones or earbuds.

Then there’s the case of network connectivity and transferability. The Humane AI Pin has to be used with a subscription that includes a standalone T-Mobile phone plan, complete with its unique phone number. If you want the pin to receive and read out messages to you, the sender must send the texts to the pin’s phone number, not the primary number you use on your phone. There’s no way to transfer calls, messages, and other notifications from your phone to the pin.

The pin is a standalone device that works independently. It isn’t an accessory like your smartwatch or a pair of smart glasses. Also, if you ever decide to pass or sell the AI Pin to someone, you won’t be able to do so until the company starts supporting the feature.

It's hard to make a case for the Humane AI Pin right now.

“We know that over time, people are going to want to share their Pins. That’s not something we’re supporting right now. but it is something that we know people want, and we’ll be adding more features there over time,” says Bongiorno.

The OnePlus Watch 2 is getting ready to make its debut at MWC 2024. While OnePlus has already shown us what the smartwatch looks like, and an FCC listing has revealed some of its features, we still don’t know details about its availability.

Update: February 22, 2024 (2 AM ET): We’ve updated the Pixel Fold 2 rumor hub with newly leaked renders of the phone. Read on for all the latest.

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Original article: There was a long trail of rumors and leaks before the Google Pixel Fold launched. By this time last year, we had already seen renders of Google’s first foldable phone and were aware of many other aspects of the phone. However, the Pixel Fold 2 has mostly remained an enigma — until now. Thanks to our sources, we finally have some details to share about Google’s second foldy boi. We’ve got the low down on the Pixel Fold 2’s specs, design, and other hardware. Read on for all the latest.

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Google is adding a small but handy new feature to Android TV devices in the US. Over the next few weeks, the Google TV interface will show a quick access row to help users discover new TV shows and movies to watch in a faster way.

The new quick access row will feature buttons like “Play next,” “Free Live TV,” “Top Selling Movies,” “Popular Movies and Shows,” and “Trending on Google.” These buttons will allow users to jump to new content without having to switch between multiple apps.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like the new quick access row in Google TV will be available outside of the US just yet. If you’re in the US and don’t see the new feature, you’ll have to wait for a few more days before Google completes its nationwide rollout.

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Google introduced the Gemini Android app recently. It gives Android users an option to switch from Google Assistant to Gemini and make it the default AI helper on their phones. However, it looks like Google is getting ready to phase out Assistant completely and replace it entirely with Gemini.

If you don’t already have the Google Assistant app on Android and download it now from the Play Store, you get Gemini AI by default. Even the app icon says Gemini instead of Google Assistant. What’s strange is that if you also downloaded the standalone Gemini Android app, you’ll now see two instances of Gemini on your apps list.

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Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series with several AI smarts on board. All the AI capabilities of the phone come under the Galaxy AI umbrella. We already know that Samsung plans to extend Galaxy AI support to older phones, but the company just confirmed that it’s now looking to add Galaxy AI smarts to its wearables.

In an editorial published by Samsung’s President & Head of MX Business, TM Roh, the company revealed that it’s optimizing Galaxy AI for various categories of devices across different services.

“In the near future, the select Galaxy wearables will use AI to enhance digital health and unlock a whole new era of expanded intelligent health experiences. Samsung will keep enriching and expanding Galaxy AI experiences across categories through collaborations with more industry-leading AI partners,” Roh explained.

We’ve already seen Galaxy AI features expand to the Galaxy Buds for things like Live Translations and Interpreter mode. However, the mention of new AI-powered health features suggests it is ready to step onto the Galaxy Watch lineup. We could also possibly see AI-powered experiences on the upcoming Galaxy Ring — a new category of wearables Samsung is entering.

Roh’s editorial also suggests we’ll be seeing a lot from Galaxy AI in the future. “We’re only getting started. While developing the Galaxy S24 series, we had many ideas and concepts that we wanted to bring to life. Galaxy users will be able to enjoy more Galaxy AI features that build on these ideas and concepts over time as Samsung continuously enhances and grows the mobile AI experiences,” he wrote.