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Apple’s most affordable iPhone may be making a comeback, as the rumoured iPhone SE 4 is again tipped to arrive in early 2025 – and it may get a major display upgrade.
According to The Elec (translated using Gemini), known for its Apple rumours, the iPhone SE 4 will launch “early next year.” Moreover, the South Korean new site doubles down on the next-gen SE to finally swap out its LCD screen for an OLED display. This will be the first time an iPhone SE turns to OLED, which has been seen on Apple’s phones leading up to the iPhone 15 since 2017.
According to the report, Samsung and other suppliers are “competing to supply OLED panels for Apple’s upcoming iPhone SE 4.” Apparently, the next SE model will reuse the OLED panels from the iPhone 14. This is expected, as this is how Apple tries to keep the cost down.
This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the iPhone SE 4 arriving in 2025 with significant upgrades. That rumour suggested the next SE model would have an OLED panel and bring Face ID rather than the usual Touch ID.
As for further improvements, we may expect the new Action Button that also arrived on the iPhone 15 Pro. If this checks out, we may see Dynamic Island on the iPhone SE 4. Apple hasn’t changed the iPhone SE’s ageing design since its first iteration in 2016, and seeing as the tech giant tries to streamline its design updates with each annual release, the next SE model may make a giant leap in form factor.
Rumours also suggest that the smartphone will get a 48MP rear camera like the new iPhone 15. However, by the time it releases, the inevitable iPhone 16 this year may deliver an improved camera. That said, if past SE models are anything to go by, expect this to be the only shooter it boasts.
As previous reports suggest, the iPhone SE 4 will ditch its current design for a more modern look akin to the iPhone X or later. That means no 4.7-inch display with massive bezels or Touch ID. For now, only time will tell.
With the original iPhone SE officially being vintage, it’s about time Apple changed the design of its most affordable iPhone, especially nearly a decade later, if rumours about its 2025 launch are accurate.
On April 23rd, HP unveiled a series of AI-enhanced PCs in New Zealand, marking a significant shift towards integrating artificial intelligence into everyday computing.
Recognising the growing reliance on AI in various software and systems, HP has integrated its Core Ultra/Meteor Lake system with its Neural Processing Unit in these devices to optimise AI performance, compatibility, and efficiency.
The new range includes the HP Elite/Pro series laptops tailored for business users, Z by HP workstations for creative professionals, Pavilion PCs for budget-conscious consumers, Spectre 2-in-1 devices, and the OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop, which is ideal for both gaming and creative endeavors.
This article will cover everything you need to know about HP’s latest AI-enhanced PCs.
Late last year, Intel unveiled its Core Ultra chip, named Meteor Lake, which focuses on enhancing AI capabilities in PCs. Intel describes this development as its “biggest architectural shift in 40 years.”
The chip introduces several new technologies, with the most significant being the inclusion of a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) in its system-on-a-chip architecture. This is the first time Intel has integrated an NPU, which is specifically designed to handle AI workloads.
As a result, the NPU can carry the bulk of the workload when performing AI tasks, allowing the CPU and GPU to manage other functions. This integration is expected to improve application performance, extend battery life, and increase overall efficiency.
The majority of the device’s HP announced are equipped with Core Ultra chips meaning they have dedicated NPUs for enhanced AI integration. See below:
HP has released new PC solutions within its Elite and Pro series, now featuring AI capabilities powered by Intel vPro technology.
These systems are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5 and 7 processors, and additionally, HP has integrated its Smart Sense technology, which automatically adjusts the PC’s settings based on user behaviour to optimise performance and power consumption.
At the top of the range are the HP Elite 1040 Series Notebook PCs which offer up to 21 hours of battery life and significant improvements due to AI integration including 80% better graphics performance, 38% less power consumption for AI tasks, and 132% faster AI video editing than previous models.
Below that is the 840 Notebook range which is marketed as a device for enterprise workers in managerial-type positions. And at the bottom of the range is the 640-range designed for corporate and public sector organisations.
HP Pavilion The latest HP Pavilion PCs are targeted towards Gen Z customers. They include built-in AI engines and are developed with performance, mobility and quality in mind.
Z by HP
HP’s ZBook range is designed with creatives in mind. These mobile workstations are equipped with Intel Core Ultra 5,7 and 9 processors and dedicated AI units, they’re designed to ensure reliability, security, and mobility for creative professionals.
The devices released include the ZBook Power G11 designed to support demanding workflows such as 3D modelling and AI-powered content creation. It features a 16-inch premium design and is equipped with an NVIDIA RTX 3000 Ada Laptop GPU. The device can also be configured with NVIDIA RTX 500 and 1000 Ada Generation Laptop GPUs.
And the ZBook Firefly G11 which aims to combine professional performance with portability. Equipped with the NVIDIA RTX A500 Laptop GPU for AI-accelerated performance and features dynamic power efficiency and long battery life.
HP Spectre
The HP Spectre x360 14-inch and 16-inch 2-in-1 Laptops are powered by Intel Evo with Intel Core Ultra processors.
They include a 9 MP camera with low-light adjustment, built-in security with walk away lock and privacy alerts, adaptive screen adjustments for power efficiency, and automatic performance optimisation.
They also have powerful AI technology for efficient content creation and collaboration, audio tuning by Poly for clear sound, and a 2.8K OLED screen with IMAX Enhanced Certification for vibrant visuals.
OMEN Gaming Laptops
HP released its latest OMEN Transcend 14 Gaming Laptop which is not only designed for gaming but creative tasks like video editing as well.
It features an IMAX Enhanced Certified 2.8K 120Hz VRR OLED display and a lattice-less sky printed RGB keyboard. It weighs 1,637 grams and offers up to 11.5 hours of battery life, equipped with a type-C PD 140W adapter.
The device is powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU. It also includes an NPU for AI task
The chassis has been redesigned to incorporate a vapor chamber and Intel’s dual channel flow technology for heat management, all within a 12 mm base. And the audio system is tuned by HyperX.
HP also announced that its OMEN Transcend 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC has been upgraded with a 2.5K 240Hz OLED display option. Additionally, the OMEN 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC and Victus 16.1-inch Gaming Laptop PC have been updated with Intel® Core™ i7 HX processor (14th gen).
Relatively expensive but no titanium frame like S24 Ultra
AI features only guaranteed to be free through 2025
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus The Galaxy S24 Plus is ideal for anyone who wants a big, powerful Samsung phone but doesn’t want to overspend on the increasingly expensive Galaxy S Ultra series.
The Galaxy S24 family has landed with super-long update support and Galaxy AI in tow. The Galaxy S24 Ultra might get the lion’s share of attention in Samsung’s marketing, but you would do well to remember Samsung’s oft-forgotten middle child before buying a new smartphone. It has much more screen real estate than the baby S24, but it’s not as heavy or expensive as the monstrous S24 Ultra, offering a competent middle ground. Sure, it’s missing some Ultra-tier features like the S Pen and dual telephoto camera lenses, but the Galaxy S24 Plus has a lot to offer the right buyer.
What is it?The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is the mid-tier option in Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup, featuring a 6.7-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and a triple camera array.
Where can you buy it?The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is available unlocked directly from Samsung, but it’s also at all major carriers and retailers like Best Buy and Amazon.
How did we test it?I tested the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus for two weeks. The review unit was supplied by Samsung.
Is it worth it?The Galaxy S24 Plus is ideal for someone who wants a big, powerful Samsung phone withoutoverspending on the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
What I like about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
There’s a flat panel of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back, a flat aluminum frame between them, and three camera cutouts on the back. The phone is almost all display from the front — the OLED takes up 92% of the footprint, with a narrow, symmetrical bezel running all the way around. It is the flat slab smartphone, distilled to its most essential elements.
If you choose to fondle the S24 Plus caseless, you’ll be impressed with the build quality. The frame is extremely rigid, and the buttons are clicky and wobble-free. The iPhone-y flat edges don’t feel much different than the Galaxy S23’s rounded shape. Samsung did round off the edge where the frame meets the back, making it more comfortable to hold.
The Galaxy S24 Plus is the flat slab smartphone, distilled to its most essential elements. But the build quality is sublime.
The centerpiece of the Galaxy S24 Plus is the 6.7-inch OLED screen, which has been upgraded this year from 1,080p to 1,440 x 3,120. That’s the same resolution as the S24 Ultra, and the panel itself is only a tenth of an inch smaller. It’s still a 120Hz display with a great peak brightness of 2,600 nits, so it’s still a little off Samsung’s top dog in the specs race, but even phones with half as much luminance are pretty readable in direct sunlight, so you can bet this one is, too. The S24 Plus gives you an option if you want a larger screen than the baby S24’s (6.2-inch) but without going all the way to the S24 Ultra.
The Galaxy S24 Plus runs Android 14 out of the box with One UI 6.1 on top, and while we always like to see the latest version of Android, that’s not what makes this phone’s software special. Samsung and Google have been going back and forth as they strive to offer the longest Android software support, and Samsung has set a new milestone. All members of the Galaxy S24 family get a whopping seven years of OS and security updates. That means the Galaxy S24 Plus could be running Android 21 in 2031, putting it in line with the Pixel 8 series as the best update policy in the game. So far, our Galaxy S24 Plus has picked up its share of security patches, but we’re still waiting on One UI 6.1.1, which will add Galaxy AI wrinkles like the Portrait Studio.
Whether or not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will still be fast enough to run the show in seven years is uncertain. As it currently stands, this phone is ludicrously fast. Apps open immediately, multitasking is a breeze, and games render at the highest quality. Samsung phones have great speed in short bursts, but they (Galaxy S24 Plus included) tend to heat up quickly.
If you’re playing a high-end game for longer than a few minutes, you’ll lose some of your performance from thermal throttling. The graph above shows the worst-case scenario, keeping the SoC cranked to the max for 20 minutes. In some of these tests, the chip drops 30-40%. Luckily, Samsung’s overclocked version of Qualcomm’s 2024 flagship chip — dubbed the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy — has speed to spare. Even when it gets warm, the phone can handle the basics.
Of course, the elephant in the room on performance is that not everyone will get to enjoy the power of Snapdragon. In various global markets, including the UK and across Europe, the Galaxy S24 Plus is instead powered by the Exynos 2400. Thankfully, our testing has shown that unlike the darker years of the Snapdragon vs Exynos battle, Samsung’s own silicon actually holds up pretty well this time. Check out our Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 vs Exynos 2400 deep dive or watch the video below for all the nerdy data.
The battery life is not objectively amazing, but it’s improved from 2023’s Samsung flagships. I consider that a victory with the increase in display resolution from 1080p to 1440p. The battery growing from 4,700mAh on the S23 Plus to 4,900mAh on the S24 Plus helps there. You shouldn’t have any trouble making it through a day with the Galaxy S24 Plus. With a mix of browsing, messaging, games, and video, the S24 Plus has lasted roughly a day and a half with 7-8 hours of screen time during my testing. Two full days without a recharge was also possible, but only with careful battery management. That gives you some leeway as the battery loses capacity over the years, but you’ll probably need at least one battery swap if you use this device for the full seven years.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus camera review
The Galaxy S24 Plus camera setup has not seen any updates this year, so we’re still working with a 50MP primary, a 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide, just like the Galaxy S23 Plus. On the front, there’s a 12MP selfie camera. The Galaxy S24 Ultra adds a 5x telephoto lens, which is 50MP and can sensor crop for even more reach, as well as a 200MP primary camera. The base Galaxy S24 has the same camera setup as the S24 Plus.
Most of the photos I took with the S24 Plus looked great. The phone evens out highlights and shadows reasonably well, and there’s very little noise. But if you didn’t like Samsung’s photo processing before AI came to town, you won’t like it now. The camera leans toward longer exposures with higher brightness and more vibrant colors. The resulting photos really pop (especially if you use Samsung’s new Ultra HDR option), but they can look a bit unnatural. The longer exposures make motion harder to capture, too. In fact, Samsung’s issues with moving targets is yet again a general issue, just like it was with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
You want Ultra-level specs for a cut priceThe Galaxy S24 Plus is $200 / £250 / AU$500 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, yet you still get an equally-powerful chipset, the same amount of RAM, the same charging capabilities, the same peak brightness, the same variable refresh rate, and even better battery life.You’re a fan of big phonesIf you’re after a big-screened Samsung phone that won’t weigh down your pocket, the Galaxy S24 Plus is as portable as 6.7-inch phones come.You want class-leading battery lifeThe Galaxy S24 Plus ranks among the best Android phones for battery life; if endurance is your primary concern, this is the phone to go for.
26 hours of battery! And, of course, AI-ready hardware
why this matters?
Portable devices are increasingly expected to deliver both high performance and long-lasting battery life, and Dell’s Intel XPS 13 exemplifies this balance.
Dell’s latest XPS 13 laptop is a compelling choice for those who need performance on the go. Dell highlighted significant upgrades under the hood, aiming to deliver more than just a sleek design.
The Dell XPS 13 now features Intel’s Core Ultra processors from the Series 2 lineup. This makes it more capable of handling heavy multitasking, intensive software applications, and other demanding tasks. Its dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) can perform up to 48 trillion operations per second (TOPS). This NPU boosts AI capabilities, enabling advanced tasks like generative AI for text and image creation, and faster photo and video editing.
Dell’s XPS 13 is now available with an OLED display.
OLED’s excellent contrast and deep, inky shadows demolish LCD screens.
Brightness and HDR performance are still OLED’s Achilles heel.
Dell’s XPS 13 is now available with an OLED display, and it’s gorgeous.
OLED remains strangely rare among laptops. All of today’s most popular phones, including Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy line, have embraced it in a warm, fuzzy, high-contrast hug. Yet few laptops have taken the same step, and those that have are typically large, powerful 15-inch models aimed at a niche audience.
A week with the Dell XPS 13’s OLED left me wishing the tech was more readily available on modern laptops. Yet its arrival in the XPS 13 might be a case of too little, too late.
The XPS 13 introduces a tandem OLED display, a first for any laptop, which not only delivers higher brightness but also extends battery life compared to traditional OLED screens. Combined with a claimed 26 hours of battery life while streaming on an FHD+ display, this makes the Dell XPS 13 a practical choice for those who need long-lasting performance, whether for work or media consumption, without constantly searching for a power outlet.
The laptop has a 13.4-inch InfinityEdge display, Intel Arc graphics, a 1080p webcam, Windows Hello support, and two Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports. Graphite and Platinum are the case color options.
OLED is self-emissive, which means each individual pixel creates its own light. This also means each pixel can be shut off entirely, achieving a deep, abyssal black that a typical LCD panel can’t match.
Most high-end laptops have great displays: the MacBook Pro 13, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4, and prior Dell XPS 13 all can impress with bright, vibrant images. Yet they fail when displaying photos or dark, atmospheric movies.
Starlit skies that should contrast the infinite darkness of space against brilliant points of light instead look hazy, as if a light fog had crept into the shot. Dell’s XPS 13 with OLED doesn’t have that problem. Shadows have true depth, providing a sense of presence and realism not found from competing LCD laptop displays.
This advantage isn’t just for 4K movies or high-res photos. On the contrary, I appreciate it most when doing what I’m doing at this very moment: writing.
The Dell XPS 13’s OLED looks distinct from LCD laptops. It’s as if the screen is not a screen at all, but instead a page ripped from an enchanted high-gloss magazine that can magically change form. It’s simply fantastic.
Dell XPS 13 vs. MacBook Pro vs. iPad Pro OLED’s downsides make it more of an alternative, rather than a straight upgrade, over the quality LCDs available in Apple’s MacBooks and in Lenovo laptops. In fact, Dell offers its own 500-nit 4K LCD for the XPS 13, and I can see why some would choose it. OLED makes sense in a home office with proper light control, but a brighter LCD could be preferable for travel.
Just a few days ago we heard that the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could be launching in October, and we’ve now had another indication that this mid-ranger is going to be making an appearance sooner rather than later.
According to 91mobiles, the Galaxy S24 FE has made its way through the certification process at the Buearu of Indian Standards (BIS), which is a compulsory step for gadgets before they go on sale to consumers in that country.
The product number used in the BIS filing is the same as we saw used on a support page on Samsung’s own site. It would seem that all the preparations are being put in place for the launch of this cheaper version of the Samsung Galaxy S24.
If you’re new to the FE (Fan Edition) series, it’s the label Samsung uses for more affordable versions of its flagships. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was launched in October 2023, so we’re getting close to the point where a successor is due.
We’ve already heard plenty in the way of rumors when it comes to the Galaxy S24 FE. It’s apparently going to get a bigger battery and a brighter display compared to the Galaxy S23 FE model, which would be two worthwhile upgrades.
However, there has also been talk that the camera setup on the new phone is going to be exactly the same as it is on the current model – so don’t expect much improvement in terms of the photo and video capture capabilities.
An October 2024 launch is something that’s been mentioned before, and would fit in with last year’s schedule. We didn’t actually get a Samsung Galaxy S22 FE – perhaps because the Galaxy S21 FE arrived rather late in January 2022.
We’ve even seen leaked renders showing off the look of the Galaxy S24 FE, and it looks as though there are going to be several colors to choose from.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could get a charging downgrade
This time, GizmoChina has spotted that the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE has been certified by TUV Rheinland, revealing in the process that it will apparently support 25W wired charging and 9W wireless charging.
Now, 25W is the same charging speed as you’ll get from the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, so it’s a shame that seemingly hasn’t been upgraded. But it’s not a surprise either, since even the standard Samsung Galaxy S24 only charges at 25W.
What is a surprise is the 9W wireless charging, because both the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and the Samsung Galaxy S24 support 15W wireless charging. So this would be a downgrade.
Wireless or reverse wireless? Now, it’s possible that the 9W speed is actually for reverse wireless charging (which allows you to use the phone to charge other devices), especially as its FCC certification mentioned that. But 9W reverse wireless charging would make even less sense, as that would be faster than the 4.5W offered by the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. So that doesn’t seem very likely.
Of the two, we’d think a wireless charging speed downgrade is more likely than a reverse wireless charging speed upgrade, but either choice would seem odd.
Of course, it’s also possible that this detail is wrong. Though that’s strange too, since certification agencies like TUV Rheinland are typically working with official information.
Still, we might find out what the phone’s actual charging speeds are fairly soon, as leaks suggest the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE could land in October.
What to expect
（Image from Galaxy S24）
The photos included in the filing don’t really tell us much about the phone, but the associated documents give its dimensions as 162 mm x 77.3 mm – for comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S24 measures 147 mm x 70.6 mm.
It looks as though the Exynos 2400 processor is going to be powering the phone, and there will be support for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and 5G, as you would expect. Reverse wireless charging tech, up to 9W, is also mentioned in the documentation.
Based on leaked renders we’ve already seen, it looks as though this handset is going to follow the design cues of the Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Plus, although the build won’t be quite as premium (and it’ll cost less as a result).
Given that support documents for the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE have already started popping up on Samsung’s websites, we shouldn’t have to wait much longer for the official unveiling – and we’ll of course keep you informed.
Keen to upgrade? Discover all of the top handsets in New Zealand and how they stack up
It might seem easy to pick out the best phones in New Zealand, but depending on your budget, your lifestyle and your personal preferences, you might want to do a bit of looking around for the perfect handset – especially when it comes to heavy-hitter brands like Apple, Google and Samsung.
There are so many options to choose from – so we’ve done the hard work for you. Below you’ll find our expert picks for the best smartphones in New Zealand. We’ve looked at a broad criteria of things, including price, performance, display, cameras and more, so chances are high that you’ll find what you’re looking for in this guide.
+Beautiful titanium design +Finally, USB-C connectivity +All new A17 Pro chip
Reasons to avoid
-Niche camera upgrades -No change to battery longevity or charging -3x telephoto zoom no longer Apple’s best
If you prefer the palm-friendly size of Apple’s 6.1-inch iPhones to its supersized Max devices, or the even bigger Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, then the iPhone 15 Pro is the best phone money can buy right now. The 15 Pro Max may have a slightly superior 5x periscope zoom lens, but in every other department, the iPhone 15 Pro can be thought of as exactly the same phone for a more digestible price.
For starters, this is an undeniably beautiful handset. The iPhone 15 Pro boasts a gorgeous titanium design that can withstand unwelcome drops more effectively than its predecessor, and the addition of a USB-C port makes this a more versatile device, too (in terms of both charging and compatibility).
The iPhone 15 Pro’s stunning 6.1-inch Super XDR OLED screen (with ProMotion) is unchanged from the (also excellent) iPhone 14 Pro, but this time, everything is underpinned by Apple’s all-new A17 Pro chipset, which delivers console-level gaming performance and supreme multi-tasking capabilities.
On the back, you’re getting a 48MP quad-pixel main camera lens, alongside a 12MP ultra-wide lens and 12MP telephoto lens that’s capable of 3x optical zoom. As mentioned, that last figure is bettered by the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but the iPhone 15 Pro’s overall camera setup still ranks among the best on the market – everyday users will find more than enough photographic power here.
+Better performance and battery life than ever before +Great cameras improve the photo quality over last year +Titanium frame and durable Gorilla Armor glass
Reasons to avoid
-Big and heavy – titanium didn’t help with that -Many new and great features are hidden beneath terrible menus -AI features are often useless and cause performance delays
Samsung has stuck to a tried-and-tested design formula with the Galaxy S24 Ultra it seems: it looks nigh-on identical to both its S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra predecessors. But that’s pretty much where the similarities end, because Samsung’s latest is a far more powerful – and far smarter – beast entirely, so much so it is realistically the best phone you can buy right now if you’re not an iOS loyalist.
To start, the S24 Ultra has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at its core, and this already impressive processor gets a further boost thanks to a collaboration between Samsung and Qualcomm for the former’s new device. The result, which Samsung calls the ‘Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Mobile Platform for Galaxy’, is a processor that can comfortably run multiple apps and games at once, without so much of a stutter. This new processor is also the brains behind Samsung’s on-device Galaxy AI capabilities.
Truth be told, the screen and battery of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra are pretty much identical to the model it replaces, but perhaps most importantly, the camera has received a small but significant upgrade. While the insane 200MP wide sensor makes a comeback, you’ll now find a new 50MP 5x zoom periscope camera (which replaces the S23 Ultra’s 10MP 10x telephoto lens). While the physical zoom capabilities have effectively been reduced, you’ll be able to pick out far greater detail in the images you take and, for our money, we’d take a more detailed photo over one that employs far too much zoom.
Naturally, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t a cheap phone, and you will have to dig deep if you want to own one.
+Durable design and more refined build +Powerful performance and productive features +Galaxy AI is pretty good, and getting better
Reasons to avoid
-Lacks innovative cover-display capabilities -Battery life is below average and charging is slow -IP48 protection does not mean it’s dust resistant
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 continues to improve upon Samsung’s brilliant work in the foldable screens department – and although improvements upon last year’s Z Flip 5 aren’t massive, it does have a more durable design and a powerful swathe of features. For its clamshell folding factor, we’ll happily call it the best compact phone you can currently buy in New Zealand.
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 oozes style, with a slightly different two-tone design approach to previous models that sees the camera lenses surrounded by colour rings. The screen on the back is brilliant to interact with, although the full phone experience is reserved for the unfolded screen. For the back screen, though, Samsung’s new live translation feature (which shows what you’re saying in a translated language on the back screen for the person you’re conversing with) is an absolute win.
Though the Z Flip 6 is a frontrunner in the foldable space on price and performance, those two points don’t ring as true when you put the Z Flip 6 against non-foldables at similar price points. With this in mind, if you’re going to get the Z Flip 6, you best be married to the folding form factor. Its cameras aren’t bad either – including 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide and 10MP selfie lenses – but you’ll want to gravitate to another phone if snaps are super important to you.
Additionally it’s only IP48 resistance rated (meaning it’s not resistant to dust) and battery life is below average.
+Exquisite design and excellent build +High-quality cameras +Always-on display +New Dynamic Island
Reasons to avoid
-Still just 3x optical zoom -Premium price
Google’s latest high-end phone takes what we love about the Pixel series and supercharges it. With a new rounded design (including a camera bar that separates it from every other phone on the market) and a huge amount of RAM, the Pixel is better than ever this year. Just note that this year the larger model is called the Pixel 9 Pro XL, whereas it was previously called the Pixel Pro.
Google’s Pixel phones are celebrated for their brilliant and easy-to-use operating systems which are backed entirely by the Google Suite of apps. Underpinning the device is the Tensor G4 chip, the latest SoC built by Google and Samsung exclusively for the Pixel range, with a screen size bump over last year’s Pixel 8 Pro. Google’s camera hardware and software is also extremely impressive (including 50MP wide, 48MP telephoto, 48MP ultrawide and 42MP selfie lenses) and is well worth considering if you’re after beautiful, easy-to-take snaps. There’s also 37W fast charging for the first time, a significant bump from 30W fast charging on the previous Pro model.
The device also comes with the best of Google’s AI smarts, but you will have to put a lot of trust into Google if you want to use them. The Gemini Nano model runs on-device as a new virtual assistant, with a new Google Studio for generating AI images, and most notably a new tool that organises your screenshots and allows you to search for the text and image contents inside of them.
There are, however, performance limitations with the Tensor G4 chip when you put it in competition with similarly expensive phones powered by Snapdragon silicon. It’s still a great phone, but you may notice more lag if you put it in competition with the Samsung Galaxy S24+ or S24 Ultra.
What is the best phone in New Zealand in 2024? While there’s no ‘best’ phone among the phones listed above, there might just be a brilliant pick for you to consider. When it comes to being a one of the best all-rounders, the iPhone 15 Pro takes the top spot, but if you’re after a similarly powerful alternative, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is well worth considering (especially for its camera performance).
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL makes for a brilliant third option too, if you want Android hardware and an Apple-like software experience. If the price is your biggest concern, you should absolutely consider the Samsung Galaxy A55, or the standard iPhone 15 if you’re a fan of iOS.
Are they blocking you, or is there another explanation?
If your calls and texts aren’t getting through to someone, there’s a chance your number might have been blocked.
But don’t jump to conclusions just yet. It’s just as plausible that the person’s phone you’re trying to reach has been turned off or is out of service.
There are a few telltale signs that indicate you’ve been blocked, but they’re not 100% foolproof. Still, until you’ve tried out these methods to test whether your number has been blocked, don’t fret too much.
Try calling the person you think blocked your number
One of the easiest methods to figure out if you’ve been blocked is to simply call the person you think blocked you. By paying attention to how many rings, if any, there are before being sent to voicemail, you can figure out what’s going on.
If you hear multiple rings before being sent to voicemail, the person on the other end has likely just missed your call. Only a few rings or a ring interrupted by the voicemail prompt indicates your call has been rejected.
When you call someone and immediately get their voicemail, this means their phone is currently turned off. If the call is perpetually ringing, it’s possible the person has never set voicemail up and isn’t able to take your call at the moment.
If you’ve been blocked, look for a single ring followed by the person’s voicemail. If you leave a voicemail at this point, it’ll be directed to a special voicemail area for blocked numbers, not the person’s regular voicemail.
To double-check your findings, call the number in question from someone else’s phone.
Try calling the person you think blocked you from someone else’s phone to see if you can get through. If you have a work phone or home phone with a different number to your phone, you can use that. Otherwise, you’ll need to borrow a friend’s phone.
There’s a chance the person you’re calling could answer. But we’re hoping for the default response to an unknown (or even known) number: not answering and letting it go to voicemail.
If you get multiple rings or no rings before reaching voicemail — compared to one ring before voicemail — that’s a pretty solid indication you’ve been blocked. If you get some type of “unavailable” message from both your phone and someone else’s phone, the person might have changed their number.
Before trying this method, you should be prepared with what to say or ask if the person you think blocked you answers the phone. Furthermore, be ready for the person to potentially hang up on you or not explain why you’re blocked. If someone blocked your number, the best thing you can do is give the person space.
For anyone who doesn’t want to make a call for fear of the person actually picking up, there’s one more method you can try.
See what happens when you send a text message
This method is easier for seeing if you’ve been blocked on iMessage for iPhone, but it’s also possible to discern some details from Android messages. On iPhone, you’ll typically see ‘Delivered’ or ‘Read’ under a message you send. If you don’t see any text below your message, one of two things is going on. You’re blocked, or their phone is currently in Do Not Disturb mode. Once the person turns off Do Not Disturb, a message will appear if you haven’t been blocked.
If your iMessage bubbles turn green when they’ve always been blue, that’s another indicator that your number might be blocked (or that the person switched to Android).
It’s a bit harder to tell if you’ve been blocked from sending a text from an Android phone. If you get an “unable to send message” response, you could be blocked, or the issue could be related to a connection or billing issue.
Checking ‘suggested contact’ recommendations might be a more foolproof method for Android users.
You’ll first have to delete the person in question’s number (make sure you write it down somewhere if you don’t want to lose it). Then, search for their name in your contacts. They probably haven’t blocked you if you see them pop up as a suggested contact. If you don’t, you’ve likely been blocked.
Don’t pester someone who’s blocked you
It can hurt if you find out a friend or family member has blocked you. You might be angry, embarrassed, sad, or any combination of these emotions, but it’s important not to act rashly and continue contacting the person who blocked you from other phones or apps. It’s possible the person who blocked you could need a little space before unblocking you and having a mature conversation, but you have to be willing to give them that space. On the other hand, that person might keep you blocked for a while, and it’s up to you to make peace with that and respect people’s privacy.
The iPhone 16 Pro is set to succeed 2023’s iPhone 15 Pro, introducing over 30 new features and improvements to Apple’s high-end smartphones. With many users adopting two-year upgrade cycles, plenty of iPhone 14 Pro owners will be looking to upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro, so this guide breaks down every major difference you should be aware of between the two generations based on rumors.
In 2022, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro as the successor to the popular iPhone 13 Pro, introducing an always-on display, the Dynamic Island, a 48-megapixel camera, the A16 Bionic chip, longer battery life, and more. Two years later, the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to offer at least 60 upgrades. All of the changes the iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to feature compared to their 2022 predecessor are listed below.
The design of the iPhone 16 Pro is expected to be a relatively significant evolution over the iPhone 14 Pro, iterating on the titanium frame and slightly rounded edges introduced on the iPhone 15 Pro models last year.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
Surgical-grade stainless steel chassis
Aerospace-grade titanium chassis
Glossy frame with squared-off edges
Brushed frame with contoured edges
Ring/Silent switch
Action button
Thermal design with copper heatsink and black foil battery casing
New thermal design with graphene heatsink and metal battery casing
More repairable design
Lightning port
USB-C port
Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple color options
Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, and Desert Titanium color options
To accommodate larger displays, both iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to grow in height and width. In addition to last year’s increase in depth, the devices are due to be considerably larger, but with a notable reduction in weight thanks to the adoption of a titanium frame.
Both iPhone 16 Pro models are expected to feature larger displays than their predecessors, pushing the iPhone 16 Pro Max to be the biggestiPhoneever offered. There are also reportedly improvements to the underlying OLED technology in store, in addition to last year’s slimmer bezels, making for a noticeable overall display upgrade.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
6.1- or 6.7-inch display
6.3- or 6.9-inch display
Slimmer borders around the display
More efficient OLED display with brighter micro-lens technology
Performance
The iPhone 16 Pro models are rumored to bring notable improvements in processing power, including a3nmApple silicon chip and 33% more memory.
Enhanced neural Engine with “significantly” more cores to support Apple Intelligence more effectively
Dedicated AV1 decoder
6GB memory
8GB memory
Connectivity
Connectivity is also due to get a significant upgrade on the iPhone 16 Pro, bolstering the device’s 5G, Wi-Fi, Thread, and Ultra Wideband specifications.
Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip (connects from 3x further away)
Precision Finding forFind Myfriends
Cameras
The iPhone 16 Pro models are slated to receive a range of substantial camera enhancements, such as a larger main camera sensor, a 48-megapixel sensor on the ultra wide camera, and a dedicated hardware button for photography and videography on the side of the device.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
1/1.28-inch main camera sensor
iPhone 16 Pro: 1/1.28-inch main camera sensor iPhone 16 Pro Max: 1/1.14-inch main camera sensor (12% larger)
Sony IMX-803 main camera sensor
iPhone 16 Pro: Sony IMX-803 main camera sensor iPhone 16 Pro Max: Sony IMX-903 main camera sensor with stacked design for better performance, a 14-bit Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) for high-quality image data conversion, and Digital Gain Control (DCG) for better dynamic range and noise control
7P main camera lens
8P main camera lens
48-megapixel super-high-resolution photos
24- and 48-megapixel super-high-resolution photos
Telephoto camera with second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization
Telephoto camera with larger sensor, folded tetraprism design, optical image stabilization, and autofocus 3D sensor-shift module
77mm maximum focal length
120mm maximum focal length
13mm, 24mm, 28mm, 35mm, and 120mm focal length picker
0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 3x optical zoom
0.5x, 1x, 2x, and 5x optical zoom
4P telephoto camera lens
5P telephoto camera lens
12-megapixel ultra wide camera with f/2.4 aperture
48-megapixel ultra wide camera with f/2.2 aperture, 48-megapixel ProRaw support, and improved low-light performance
5P ultra wide camera lens
6P ultra wide camera lens
Anti-reflective coating on camera lenses
Smart HDR 4
Smart HDR 5
Portrait mode with Focus and Depth Control
Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control
Night mode and Night mode portraits
Improved Night mode and Night mode portraits
Support for new JPEG-XL format
Shoot and instantly transfer 48-megapixel ProRAW images to Mac via USB 3
Record video directly to an external drive
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 30 fps
ProRes video recording up to 4K at 60 fps with external recording
Support for 3K video at 120 fps with Dolby Vision
Action mode
Improved Action mode and low-light video
Log video recording
Academy Color Encoding System
Record spatial video forApple Vision Pro
Capacitive “Capture Button” with force-sensitive half-press and sliding gestures to trigger photography and videography features
Batteries and Charging
The iPhone 16 Pro models could receive some major improvements in battery technology and charging, sporting bigger, denser batteries and faster charging capabilities.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
Setting to prevent charging above 80%
Battery manufacture date, first use, and cycle count information in Settings
Single-layer battery technology
Stacked battery technology for increased energy density and prolonged lifespan
iPhone 14 Pro: 3,200 mAh battery iPhone 14 Pro Max: 4,323 mAh battery
iPhone 16 Pro: 3,355 mAh mAh battery iPhone 16 Pro Max: 4,676 mAh battery
Up to 27W wired charging
Up to 40W wired charging
15W charging viaMagSafe
20W charging via MagSafe
Other Features and Changes
One of the major differences between the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro is support for Apple’s new suite of AI features called Apple Intelligence.
iPhone 14 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro
Apple Intelligence support with iOS 18.1, plus a suite of exclusive AI features
Microphone
Upgraded microphone with improved signal-to-noise ratio and water resistance
Improved audio quality on phone calls
USB 2 transfer speeds (up to 480Mb/s)
USB 3 transfer speeds (up to 10Gb/s, 20x faster)
DisplayPort support for up to 4K HDR video output
Up to 1TB of storage
Up to 2TB of storage
Release Date
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are expected to be announced at Apple’s”It’s glowtime” eventon Monday, September 9. Pre-orders are likely to open on Friday, September 13, with launch following one week later on Friday, September 20. For more information about the iPhone 16 Pro models,see our comprehensive roundup.
Will It Be Worth Upgrading?
The iPhone 15 Pro was a fairly significant upgrade over the iPhone 14 Pro in 2023, introducing a titanium chassis, slimmer bezels, the Action button, and a USB-C port. The iPhone 16 Pro will build on these upgrades, offering larger displays, the Capture button, and improved cameras. With at least 60 upgrades likely to be in store, many iPhone 14 Pro users will find upgrading to an iPhone 16 Pro model worthwhile.
The rumored specs of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple has confirmed that its next major product showcase will take place on September 9. Titled ‘It’s Glowtime’, the event will almost certainly bring official news of the iPhone 16 lineup, which we expect to include the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max.
We reckon we’re not the only ones looking forward to seeing the official specs of Apple’s highest-end smartphones, as the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro Max were the two best-selling smartphones worldwide in 2023.
If, as we predict, resource-heavy AI in the form of Apple Intelligence lands on the iPhone soon, it will be crucial for Apple to ensure that its very best iPhones have the power to handle these new features.
Naturally, leaks and rumors regarding the spec sheets of the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max have been circulating for a while, and below, we’ve rounded up the most relevant predictions regarding Apple’s next powerhouse phones.
We expect to see some changes to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max in the chipset and storage capacity departments, but nothing as revolutionary as on the software side of things.
The new Pro iPhones will likely receive a new ‘A18 Pro’ SoC, offering a boost in performance when compared to the A17 Pro chip found in the previous generation, especially when it comes to AI.
According to Geekbench, the iPhone 15 Pro saw an 11.4% increase in single-core CPU performance and a 7.5% increase in multi-core CPU performance compared to the iPhone 14 Pro, with similar changes for the Pro Max.
If the trend continues, we can expect a small but noticeable improvement in performance for the supposed ‘A18 Pro’ – we will, of course, do our own testing once we have the new iPhones in-hand.
As for RAM, we aren’t expecting any change from last year, and one leak even specifically paired the A18 Pro with 8GB of RAM. This has raised questions over the iPhone 16 Pro’s ability to handle AI, though with the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus tipped to match the Pro models at 8GB of RAM, it could just be that Apple Intelligence is optimized for this amount of memory.
There may be a bit more movement when it comes to storage. We expect to see the same 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB options present, though one leaker with a mixed record suggests a 2TB option will join the lineup.
It’s worth noting that the iPhone 16 Pro Max will likely continue to eschew the 128GB option its smaller sibling starts with, and instead come with 256GB as a minimum.
The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will probably still sport OLED panels with a 1-120hz adaptive refresh rate (which Apple terms ‘ProMotion’), but there are some suggestions that the size of these panels could be changing.
In April, leaker Sonny Dickson shared images through X (formerly Twitter) which seemed to show prototypes of the iPhone 16 lineup, with the Pro models both measuring 0.2 inches larger than the previous generation.
This same amount – 0.2 inches – was suggested by another leak in October 2023. Other leakers suggest that part of the increase could be due to reduced bezels, which MacRumors proposed could be the thinnest ever on a smartphone.
We expect Apple will fill that larger frame with a slightly larger battery, with the iPhone 16 Pro’s battery increasing from 3,290mAh to 3,355mAh and the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s battery increasing from 4,422mAh to 4,676mAh.
Camera upgrades
(The iPhone 15 Pro Max Image)
In the case of the iPhone 16 Pro, this larger frame is also rumored to make room for a 5x telephoto lens inherited from the Pro Max, an improvement on the present 3x lens.
Any potential parity hinges on whether the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get the ‘super telephoto’ camera suggested by an old leak, which could finally allow Apple to challenge the 10x lenses used by Samsung and Huawei.
Other rumored iPhone 16 Pro camera upgrades include a larger sensor, a bump from 12MP to 48MP for the ultra-wide camera, a new artifact-reducing lens coating, and a ‘stacked camera’ design that could allow the capture of much more light. The front camera is unlikely to change, meaning any sharper selfies would be the product of better software or AI.
What happened at the last Apple Event?
WWDC 2024 revealed big upgrades to iOS, macOS, wachOS and more
Apple Intelligence is Cupertino’s push into AI
A smarter Siri with generative AI powers
Apple Vision Pro finally gets global launch dates
Apple’s last event was at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 10, 2024. We’ve seen official updates for all of Apple’s major software platforms.
These include smarter features for iOS (and new game modes), more flexible fitness tools for macOS, and watchOS and… Errrm… Local calculator application for iPadOS 18. If you want to try out early versions of these updated operating systems, check out our guide on how to download the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone, and how to download the watchOS 11 beta on your Apple Watch.
But most notable was the release of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s big move into consumer-focused artificial intelligence; So bring AI tools and services to iphones, ipads, and Macs while keeping user data as private as possible.
With ChatGPT, Siri gains a lot of intelligence, allowing users to naturally talk to the virtual assistant and let it understand them better. On top of that, the smart Siri will be deeply integrated, allowing you to type questions into Siri and switch between voice and text by double-tapping the bottom of the screen.
With the Pixel 9 Pro XL, Google is reinventing the flagship. The new ultra-premium flagship delivers sensible upgrades and positions the Pixel as a proper and even better alternative to the iPhones and Galaxies of the world.
One of those rivals is none other than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which is Samsung’s best conventional smartphone released in 2024 so far. The S Pen-clad flagship is one of the most versatile phones of the year, and could definitely give the Pixel 9 Pro XL a run for the money.
From a design perspective, we get an aluminum and mostly flat design with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, which is the clear design choice these days. From a visual standpoint, it follows the signature Pixel design style.
There’s a redesigned camera strip at the back, a bold moving away from the distinct 3D Visor look of previous Pixels. The rear back panel is a classy matte one, while the frame has that glossy look going for it. We dig that, it looks quite mature and classy.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra employs a mostly flat titanium frame, which still features an ever-so-slight curvature for enhanced ergonomics. It’s Samsung’s largest traditional phone released thus far in 2024, with a completely flat 6.8-inch screen up front. Of course, just like previous Galaxy devices, this one comes along with the S Pen tucked into its silo right out of the box.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is lighter than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but it’s slightly wider and taller. This essentially means that while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is technically the heavier phone, it’s slightly more single-hand friendly, as it is narrower.
Both phones match each other’s endurance against the elements with an IP68 water and dust resistance. This means you can dunk each phone for up to half an hour in up to 1.5m of water, and they’ll live to tell the tale.
Colors-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives in Obsidian, Porcelain, Rose Quartz, and Hazel colors (black, white, pink, and green).
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange.
Display Differences
Although the displays of the two phones will differ slightly in terms of overall size, they aren’t that much different.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inchSuper Actua screen with a dynamic refresh rate of 1 to 120Hz. It’s a high-end QHD+OLED screen that can hit 3,000 nits of peak brightness, building upon the 2,400 nits that the Pixel 8 Pro could achieve. That’s spectacular and beats the Galaxy S24 Ultra in this one key area.
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also comes with a 6.8-inch screen, also a QHD+ one with smooth 1-120Hz refresh rate. Samsung is also participating in the brightness wars, so its latest flagship can hit upwards of 2,500 nits of peak brightness in the right ambient conditions. However, that’s not enough to beat the new top Pixel.
As per our display benchmarking test, the Pixel 9 Pro XL crushes the Galaxy S24 Ultra in terms of peak brightness: we measured 2052 nits on the Google phone, while the Galaxy could only hit 1280 nits, which is a massive difference. However, the Galaxy has that anti-reflective coating over the display, which kind of evens things out.
However, the minimum brightness is lower on the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL can’t really match it.
Display Measurements:
Screen measurements
Color charts
Maximum brightnessHigher is better
Minimum brightness(nits)Lower is better
Color temperature(Kelvins)
Gamma
Delta E rgbcmyLower is better
Delta E grayscaleLower is better
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
2052 (Excellent)
1.9 (Good)
6731 (Excellent)
2.26
1.39 (Excellent)
4.98 (Average)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
1280 (Excellent)
1.1 (Good)
6543 (Excellent)
1.93
2.86 (Good)
6.45 (Average)
Regarding biometrics, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra both come with a fast and accurate ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. That’s a major upgrade over the previous fingerprint iterations with older Pixels, which all had optical scanners (slow and not very accurate).
Performance and Software
Just like previous Tensor chips, this one is betting heavily on on-device AI and machine-learning, shifting the focus away from raw performance. AI is all the rage with the Tensor G4, delivering a specialized environment for all things artificial intelligence.
And indeed, all Pixel 9 devices arrive with Gemini Nano with multi-modality, which is exclusively run on the Tensor G4. Google says this one is the most capable on-device AI model, which is capable of not only understanding text and speech, but also images and audio.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra, on the other hand, comes along with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, which is pretty much one of the top choices in 2024 as far as raw performance comes. Aside from besting our synthetic benchmark tests, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is one of the more efficient chips out there despite being based on a 4nm manufacturing process.
As per our synthetic benchmark tests, it’s the Galaxy S24 Ultra that decidedly takes the throne. Both in the CPU and GPU-centric tests, it’s the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 inside the Galaxy phone that’s much faster. However, the Tensor G4 isn’t that far off in the Geekbench single-core test, but the Google chip steps off on the wrong foot in the gaming tests.
There’s a massive amount of 16GB of RAM on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, more than enough to accommodate all on-device AI necessities. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes along with 12GB of RAM, which is plenty-ish, but might not be quite future-proof given the massive hardware requirements of AI that will only grow in the coming years.
Storage-wise, the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB storage options, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Both Samsung and Google now have a top-of-the-line seven-year software update policy in place. This means that the Pixel 9 Pro XL will be supported until 2031, which is just as long as the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Surprisingly, the Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t come with Android 15 out of the box. The next software update is coming this year, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL arrives with Android 14 out of the box. The same applies to the Galaxy S24 Ultra which comes along with One UI 6.1 (based on Android 14), but Samsung will probably release One UI 7 based on Android 15 not long after Google officially pushes the software out.
Camera
The Pixel 9 Pro XL is equipped with a 50MP primary camera that features an aperture of f/1.68 and a substantial sensor size of 1/1.31″.
Both the ultra-wide and 5X telephoto are 48MP cameras with fairly large apertures, measuring f/2.8 and f/1.7. Despite lacking dedicated cameras for those specific zooms, the Pixel 9 Pro XL boasts optical-quality zoom at both 2X and 10X, thanks to sensor-cropping and hybrid zoom.
The Pixel 9 Pro XL has a plethora of AI and software features on board: Pro controls, Add Me, Macro Focus, Night Sight, Astrophotography, Portrait Mode, Face Unblur, Long Exposure, Action Pan, Real Tone, Panorama, Top Shot, and Frequent Faces. Both devices also support the AI-powered Magic Editor, Magic Eraser, Best Take, Photo Unblur, Zoom Enhance, and Portrait Light.
In the case of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, we got the same camera as the one on the S23 Ultra… but with a twist. Instead of a 10MP periscope camera with 10X optical zoom, we got a 50MP telephoto with 5.0X optical zoom. This turned out to be an upgrade, as the device still hit the same 100X Space Zoom levels, but delivered arguably better zoom quality, which is key in such scenarios.
Battery Life and Charging
The Pixel 9 Pro XL comes with a 5,060mAh battery, which is just a negligible upgrade over the previous model’s 5,000mAh battery. Paired with the efficient Tensor G4, the next top Pixel phone should deliver excellent battery life, more likely than not better than the Pixel 8 Pro. Or, at least, we hope so!
The Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 5,000mAh battery which delivers superb battery life in concert with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It fares pretty well in our custom battery tests, setting high standards for all other flagships to follow in 2024.
Summary
The Pixel 9 Pro XL shapes to be the phone to get if you’re into AI in 2024, with sensible upgrades and notable improvements in most key areas that matter. With a fresher design, decent performance, a pretty great camera, and the best AI suite in late 2024, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly one of the best phones of 2024 so far.
At the same time, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly the best alternative and easily one of the best phones released in 2024. It usually aces just about any category you can think of.
Which one is better? Objectively speaking, it’s the Galaxy S24 Ultra that’s the better all-around phone that brings more versatility to the table. That’s better bang for the buck, and that’s what matter at the end of the day.
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