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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.
Weight: 232g Dimensions: 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm Screen size: 6.8-inch Resolution: 1440 x 3120 Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 RAM: 12GB Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB Battery: 5,000mAh Rear camera: 200MP+50MP+12MP+10MP Front camera: 12MP
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the best Android phone of 2024, offering a titanium frame and stellar cameras that are a cut above almost anything else on the market right now.
Weight: 167g Dimensions: 147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm Screen size: 6.2 inches Resolution: 1080 x 2340 Chipset: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (US, Aus) / Exynos 2400 (UK) Memory: 8GB RAM (LPDDR5X) Storage: 128GB (UFS 3.1) / 256GB / 512GB (UFS 4.0) Battery: 4,000mAh Rear camera: 50MP+12MP+10MP Front camera: 12MP
Galaxy AI features are no longer exclusive to the Galaxy S24, but the newer phone does still offer superior power and longevity over the Galaxy 23.
For
Great screen
Superb update commitment
Compact powerhouse
Against
Overstuffed user experience
Galaxy AI features are no longer exclusive
Minor upgrades over S23
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Galaxy S24 Ultra are members of the same 2024 flagship smartphone family, but they look and feel surprisingly different. So which of these two phones is the best for you?
Having posted our reviews and spent a fair amount of time with both phones, we think we’re in a pretty good position to help you decide. While we have a definitive answer for which phone is objectively the better of the two, we also have a few noteworthy caveats to consider depending on your specific tastes and needs.
While one phone clearly outperforms the other by all key metrics, there are a couple of trade-offs to consider before you hit that ‘Buy’ button. Indeed, we would go so far as to suggest that the best phone here isn’t in fact the best for most people.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: specs comparison
Here’s an overview of how the Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S24 Ultra match up, spec for spec. As you can see, there are a surprising number of contrasting elements to consider.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: design and display
The Galaxy Ultra line has been on its own separate design path for some time now, and this year’s model is no different. The Galaxy S24 is a smaller device with rounded corners, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is huge and pointed. The Ultra is a good 15mm taller, 8mm wider, and 1mm thicker. It also weighs 65g more, which is a big difference.
This means that only the Galaxy S24 can be used one-handed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra demands all of your attention and both of your hands, as befits its power-user focus.
Both of these phones look quite a lot like their predecessors, albeit with some notable tweaks. The Galaxy S24 this year loses the curved rim for a flatter aluminum finish, making it look rather like the iPhone 15. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, meanwhile, switches to a new, more premium titanium alloy material for its frame, but otherwise essentially retains the look of previous Ultra phones. That means a flat top and bottom edge, but subtly rounded sides.
Besides having a tougher frame, the Galaxy S24 Ultra also features Gorilla Armor glass, which is more scratch-resistant than the Galaxy S24’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Both phones are IP68 rated though, which means they’re equally dust and water-resistant.
The Galaxy S24 benefits from reduced screen bezel sizes, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra has lost any sense of curvature and has completely flattened out its display.
On the color front, the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes in Onyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra leans into its new rugged material with Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange options.
One other major design difference, of course, is the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s bundled-in S Pen stylus. It continues to be a powerful tool for both productivity and artistic output, and it’s something you don’t get with the Galaxy S24.
What with the huge size difference, it should come as no surprise to learn that the Galaxy S24 Ultra display is much bigger than its sibling’s, though that gap has narrowed slightly. The Galaxy S24 screen has increased a little to 6.2-inches (up from 6.1-inches), while the Galaxy S24 Ultra screen has held fast at 6.8-inches.
There’s a considerable resolution disparity here, with the Galaxy S24 going with FHD+ and the Ultra model maxing out at QHD+. The smaller size of the Galaxy S24 screen helps negate that advantage, though.
Both screens can get to 2,600 nits in peak scenarios, which is extremely bright. The Galaxy S24 display has also closed the gap on the Galaxy S24 Ultra in offering LTPO panel technology, meaning it can scale between a 1 and 120Hz refresh rate as necessary, making it more energy-efficient.
Ultimately, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has what could be the best display of any phone on the market. It comfortably wins this round against its (still impressive) little brother on size and sharpness alone.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S24 : cameras
There’s really no contest when it comes to camera quality, with the Galaxy S24 Ultra beating the Galaxy S24 in almost every single department. The Ultra has four cameras to the S24’s three, for a start, with an extra 50MP 5x telephoto providing far greater zoom flexibility.
With the Galaxy S24, you’re getting a 1/1.56″ 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP 3x telephoto.
As for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you’re getting a significantly larger and sharper 1/1.3″ 200MP main sensor, a similar-looking 12MP ultra-wide camera, a larger 10MP 3x telephoto, and an all-new 50MP 5x periscope telephoto.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: performance and software
We found both of these models to be extremely rapid, even beating the mighty iPhone 15 Pro Max in many respects. In both cases you can run high-end games at maximum graphical settings with rock solid 60 frames-per-second frame rates, run multiple windows in Samsung DeX, and watch your photo edits happen in real-time in Adobe Lightroom.
However, if you’re anywhere else in the world, the Galaxy S24 Ultra holds a clear performance advantage. This is because Samsung has opted to supply its own Exynos 2400 processor for the so-called international model of the Galaxy S24. It has stuck with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 on the international model.
As numerous benchmark tests have shown, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has a clear performance advantage over the Exynos 2400, particularly when it comes to the GPU. You won’t notice this performance difference in general use, as both of these phones are way faster than they need to be.
On the one hand, the Ultra technically has the greater performance headroom. On the other hand, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s chip is having to push around more pixels on that QHD+ display, which will at least partially nullify that GPU advantage on the International model.
You get more and greater storage options with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which comes in 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants. With the Galaxy S24, there’s just the 128GB and 256GB options in most regions. Australia also has access to a 512GB model, which would have been a nice option to have had elsewhere.
While there are hardware differences, these two phones run practically identical software in One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14. That includes access to Samsung’s all-new AI features, which are a constant across both phones. Once you locate these options, you’ll find that they’re a mix of the magical (AI call translation) and the somewhat disappointing (Voice Recorder transcripts), but it’s good that there’s parity between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24 at least.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: battery life
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a 5,000mAh battery, which is way bigger than the Galaxy S24’s 4,000mAh cell. Of course, the bigger phone also features a larger, sharper display, so some of that extra capacity is accounted for.
Even so, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the better stamina of the two. You’ll struggle to find a smartphone that lasts as long on a single charge as Samsung’s flagship. It outlasted both the iPhone 15 Pro Max and last year’s Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra by a couple of hours in our 5G web browsing test.
That’s not to say that the Galaxy S24 has poor battery life. It’s more than capable of lasting a full day of fairly intensive usage, which is a great result for such a compact phone. But the Galaxy S24 Ultra could well see you through a second day as well.
Samsung’s larger, more expensive phone also charges a little faster. With 45W wired charging support, it’ll get to 65% in around 30 minutes. In the case of the Galaxy S24, with its 25W charging support, it’ll get to 50% in the same time. Neither is the fastest within their weight class, and you’ll need to supply your own charging brick for both.
On the plus side, both phones support 15W wireless charging, as well as 4.5W reverse wireless charging, which is always a welcome provision.
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: verdict
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the company’s all-singing, all-dancing everything-phone, and a power-user’s dream. If money’s no object and you demand the very best, it’s already in the conversation for the best phone on the market, let alone the best Samsung phone.
Its camera system is the most comprehensive around, with the clincher being its phenomenal zoom capabilities. Meanwhile, there is no phone with a better display than the Ultra’s. Performance is unimpeachable wherever you are in the world, and its battery life is also among the best.
The Galaxy S24 is objectively an inferior phone. However, we’d still suggest that it’s a better buy for most people. It’s compact yet powerful, has a more than capable camera system, a fabulous display, and solid battery life. While we’re starting to have some real issues with Samsung’s congested software, in a straight comparison these two phones have identical UIs and access to the same novel AI features.
Choose the Galaxy S24 Ultra if you’re after the all-singing, all dancing everything-phone with the very best specs. This one is for the power user who spends large chunks of their day on their phone, consuming swathes of media when they’re not getting things done.
Go for the Galaxy S24 if you’re after something significantly smaller and cheaper. It’s ideal for the more casual phone user looking for a compact and classy phone that won’t stretch the pocket in any sense.
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.
When is the next Apple event or product reveal?
Expect the iPhone 16 to debut on September 9
The Apple Watch 10 could be revealed in the same month
We could even see the rumored AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2
Apple has revealed that the next Apple event will take place on September 9, which is traditionally the timing when Apple reveals new iPhones. This event will start at 10am PT/1pm ET/6pm BST on September 9, 2024, which is 3am on September 10 AEST.
We expect to see the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. And we could also get a new Apple Watch, and maybe even the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2.
Expect design changes and smart software tools and features for these devices.
Lenovo’s ‘Flex’ series of laptops are affordable 2-in-1 convertible systems that offer claimed all-day battery life. That’s a simple and appealing proposition.
In practice, it’s all a bit more complicated. You see, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5, to give it its full name, is available in both 14-inch and 15-inch variants and with both AMD and Intel CPUs. And with various iterations of those CPUs.
It’s all a bit baffling if you’re buying, but the specific model showcased here is the 15-inch Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 powered by Intel’s latest 10th Gen processors, in this case an Intel Core i3-1005G1 chip.
Arguably, AMD’s laptop CPUs offer both better value and more performance right now. But given the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 remains pretty keenly priced and isn’t being pitched primarily on performance, that needn’t be an automatic deal-breaker.
Indeed, this laptop offers a very compelling all-round proposition. Along with that Intel CPU, the highlights kick off with a 15.6-inch touchscreen. It offers a FullHD 1,920 by 1,080 pixel resolution and IPS panel technology. As a ‘Flex’ model, that screen is hooked up to the IdeaPad’s chassis via a full 360-degree hinge and thus supports operation in full Tablet mode. Next up is a 128GB SSD. OK, that’s not a huge amount of storage, but it is a M.2 drive supporting the latest NVMe control protocol.
Other details include a decent 65 watt charger and claimed battery life of over 10 hours. You get it all at a great price on an attractive chassis with a high quality feel from one of the biggest brands in the industry, which is impressive. But inevitably, it’s not the whole story.
At this price point something inevitably has to give and as reviewed the most obvious weakness is the meagre 4GB of RAM. It doesn’t have a huge impact on your benchmark numbers. But if you’re partial, say, to running loads of browser tabs while you edit images – or some other typical multitasking scenario – you’ll quickly run out of system memory with only 4GB at your disposal, especially as some of that is pinched by the integrated graphics.
That’s a pity because in most other regards, this is a pretty nice portable. It’s good for that 10 hours-plus of claimed battery life, for instance. And the screen is accurate and pleasant to use, if a little dim. The keyboard is firm, crisp and pleasant to use.
Yes, there are a few tell tales of corning curing beyond the 4GB of RAM. The trackpad is a little small for this class of portable. The sound quality from the integrated speakers is fairly poor. The supplied charger is a barrel type rather than USB-C despite the fact that the Flex 5 has a USB-C port that supports charging (further connectivity includes two USB-A ports, HDMI and a full-size SD card reader). That’s sort of both a plus and a minus, but you get the broader point. This is a nice machine for the money.
Spec Sheet
CPU:1.2GHz Intel Core i3-1005G1 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 3.5GHz with Turbo Boost) Graphics:Intel UHD Graphics RAM:4GB DDR4 Screen:15.6-inch, 1,920 x 1,080, IPS, touch Storage:128GB M.2 NVMe SSD Ports:USB-C, 2x USB-A, HDMI, SD Card Connectivity:Lenovo AC Wifi, Bluetooth Camera:720p webcam Weight:4.4 pounds (2 kg) Size:14.08 x 9.37 x 0.7-0.8 inches (357.6 x 237.9 x 17.9-20.35 mm; W x D x H)
Design and features
Entry-level systems from the bigger brands have stepped up their game in design and quality terms in recent years and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is no exception. Granted, it’s not going to put the frighteners on an Apple MacBook Pro for sheer material class.
The 15.6-inch 1080p touch-enabled display, for instance, sports IPS panel technology and is housed in a high-quality metal enclosure with slim side bezels and a shuttered 720p webcam up top.The 360-degree hinge feels robust and the keyboard is stable and firm with only traces of flex and bounce.
Ports wise, Lenovo likewise has you well covered. On the left side of the chassis, you’ll find a full-sized HDMI socket, a barrel-type power connector, headphone jack and a USB-C port. The latter supports charging the laptop itself, mitigating the slight disappointment of the barrel connector. While we’d prefer the Flex 5 came bundled with a USB-C charger, support for USB-C charging at least means you can carry a single charger to keep multiple devices juiced up.
On the right, a pair of USB-A ports and situated next to a 4-in-1 card reader that supports full sized SD cards, plus MMC, SDHC and SDXC cards. That’s one less plug-in adapter you’ll need to carry, in other words. Other features worthy of mention are the 720p webcam located on the top bezel and complete with a physical shutter and support for an optional digital input pen.
It’s also worth noting that the Flex 5 ships as standard configured withWindows 10Home in S Mode. The sales pitch for S Mode is that it boosts performance and improves security. The latter is almost certainly true given it only allows software from theMicrosoftapp store to be installed. The downside, of course, is that it only allows software from the app store to be installed, excluding the vast majority of the huge ecosystem of Windows compatible apps and software that’s accrued over the years. That includes noAdobesoftware, no Apple apps, no non-Microsoft video conferencing apps, none of those handy little legacy apps.
S Mode is also streamlined to reduce CPU and memory usage, the latter being especially relevant for a laptop with just 4GB. Long story short, S Mode can make a lot of sense for schools and businesses, but is probably too restrictive for more general home and business users. However, it is the work of around five minutes to turn S Mode off via the Microsoft Store, so it shouldn’t be an impediment to anyone considering this system.
Performance
As a content consumption device, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 usually gets the job done. The combination of the dual-core Intel Core i3-1005G1 chip, 128GB M.2 SSD and 4GB of RAM delivers a responsive experience within certain confines. With a few tabs open in a browser and editing a text document, for instance, all is well.
Up the tab count and run some image editing in parallel, however, and you can run out of memory and into relative trouble. Of course, having a modern M.2 SSD helps enormously when that happens and files are being swapped to main storage. But we’d still prefer to have 8GB in this class of device.
By other metrics, performance is about as mixed as you might expect given the market positioning. The 15.6-inch 1080p IPS display has good colours and viewing angles, but lacks brightness. The dual 2 watt Dolby-powered speakers, meanwhile, deliver weak, thin audio lacking in much by way of dynamic range. And for the record, don’t expect to go gaming with the entry-level Intel integrated graphics.
Benchmarks
Here’s how the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 performed inour suite of benchmark tests: 3DMark: Sky Diver:3,761;Fire Strike:919;Time Spy:N/A Cinebench CPU: 743 points GeekBench 5:1,058 (single-core); 2097 (multi-core) PCMark 10 (Home Test):3237 points PCMark 10 Battery Life:9 hours and 43 minutes Battery Life (TechRadar movie test):11 hours and 50 minutes
Battery life
At this price point, battery life can often fall victim of cost cutting. Happily, the Flex 5 is configured with a fairly hefty 52.5Wh battery.
That translates into nearly 12 hours of video playback and nearly 10 hours in the more demanding PCMark battery test. That’s enough for all-day operation at school or the office or plenty of movies on a long-haul flight. Support for charging via USB-C also makes it easy to ‘borrow’ some power should you find yourself running low.
Buy it if…
You want a versatile all-rounder at a reasonable price The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 offers a very wide range of features and functionality, including USB-C connectivity and multi-format memory card reading, at an attractive price point.
You want touchscreen, 2-in-1 functionality on a large screen The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 combines touchscreen and 2-in-1 tablet convertible functionality with a large 15.6-inch screen. It truly is a jack of all trades that does it all, albeit with a few compromises.
You need all-day battery life At nearly 12 hours of video playback, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 certainly has long legs. Even running more demanding applications, you can expect nine to 10 hours of battery life.
The iPhone 14 is a very good phone for the money, offering improved cameras, a faster A15 Bionic chip and fun Action mode for video capture. But at this price, we’d like to see a telephoto zoom and 120Hz display. Some may want to get the iPhone 14 Plus instead for its larger screen and bigger battery.
Pros
+Excellent cameras
+Vibrant display
+Fast A15 Bionic performance
+Impressive Action mode video
Cons
-Still just 60Hz refresh rate
-No optical zoom
-Lack of SIM card slot will annoy some
Whether you already own one, or are considering upgrading to an older, cheaper iPhone, the iPhone 14 is a strong pick even a year and a half after it first launched.
Some may prefer the bigger iPhone 14 Plus if you want a larger screen and longer battery life. And the iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 14 Pro Max, plus the latest iPhone 15 series, offer more exciting features like an always-on display, Dynamic Island, 120Hz refresh rate and telephoto zoom.
But the iPhone 14 still features welcome updates like a revised design and improved display, camera and performance. My iPhone 14 review breaks down all the pros and cons so you can decide if this is the right handset for your needs.
iPhone 14 specs
Row 0 – Cell 0
Row 0 – Cell 1
Price
from $799
Display
6.1 inches (2532 x 1170 pixels, 60Hz)
CPU
A15 Bionic
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Cameras
12MP wide (f/1.5), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4), 12MP front f/1.9
The iPhone 14 design is not what I’d call fresh. It’s basically a carbon copy of the iPhone 13, complete with the notch.
Don’t get me wrong, the aluminum and glass body is solid and fairly attractive — and you get the same tough (removable) Ceramic Shield front and tough glass back, along with IP68 water resistance. But you’ll probably be jealous when you see the iPhone 14 Pro’s Dynamic Island, which replaces the notch with a smaller and interactive cutout for alerts and live activities.
The iPhone 14 colors are Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Red and Yellow. We tested the paler blue model, which is an attractive cornflower blue shade. Apple announced the iPhone 14 in yellow on March 7.
The iPhone 14 remains compact and fairly light, weighing 6.07 ounces and measuring 5.78 x 2.82 x 0.31 inches. That’s actually a bit lighter than the iPhone 13’s 6.17 ounces, although that model was a slightly thinner 0.30 inches.
In a somewhat controversial move, Apple removed the SIM Card slot from the iPhone 14, relying on eSIMs only. Fortunately, it’s easy to add a line of service in the Settings app, and you can have up to eight 8 SIMs on your phone with two active at any given time (say one for personal and one for business). There are some smaller and international carriers that don’t yet support eSIM, but the technology is gaining traction.
iPhone 14 review: Cameras
The iPhone 14’s main camera doesn’t get the bump to 48MP that the iPhone 14 Pro series does, but it does feature enhanced cameras in its own way. The main 12MP wide camera has a larger sensor than the one in the iPhone 13, with 1.9 micrometer pixels and a faster f/1.7 aperture. As a result, you should expect better action shots and low-light performance.
The iPhone 14 also packs an ultrawide camera that’s rated to capture 4x more of a scene and deliver 2x better low-light performance. And the TrueDepth camera offers autofocus for the first time along with a faster f/1.9 aperture. To help capture brighter images across the board, there’s a new computational photography feature called Photonic Engine.
iPhone 14 review: iOS 16
The iPhone 14 runs iOS 16 by default, and there’s a lot to like in this new software update. You can customize the lock screen with widgets, photos and more. Other highlights include the ability to unsend texts and edit them, a replacement for passwords called Passkeys, a new Fitness app and (finally) the return of the battery percentage indicator.As of fall 2024, the iPhone 14 series is able to update to iOS 17, and iOS 18 once it’s out of beta. Unfortunately, no iPhone 14 models are capable of using Apple Intelligence once it’s available.
iPhone 14 review: Emergency SOS via satellite and crash detection
Apple will launched two key safety features for the iPhone 14. The first is Emergency SOS via satellite, which combines new antennas and software to connect to satellites when you can’t get a cellular or Wi-Fi signal. You’ll then get help from emergency services to your location, or can send your location to a contact. This is available for free for three years after the phone’s activated, meaning that you’ll at least make it to 2025 before needing to pay for this service.
During a demo, the iPhone 14 locked onto a satellite quickly, and the phone walks you through a series of questions so Apple can tell dispatchers everything they know about your condition and exact location.
The second safety feature is Crash Detection, which leverages the iPhone 14’s improved accelerometer and gyroscope to detect whether you’re in a car crash. From there, it can automatically dial emergency services, as well as notify your emergency contacts you designate.
In one iPhone 14 Crash Detection test by a YouTuber, the feature worked well during simulated crashes using a remote-controlled vehicle. Both times, the iPhone began its countdown to automatically call emergency services before being canceled.
iPhone 14 review: Verdict
The iPhone 14 is the best iPhone for most people, but despite that, it’s not that exciting. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max get the biggest upgrades this year, including always-on displays, a clever replacement for the notch and a 48MP main camera.
The iPhone 14 delivers fantastic-looking photos and video; the display is stellar; and you get performance that still beats the best Android phones — except for the new Galaxy S23. Action mode is another plus if you’re looking for super smooth video. Plus Apple may be offering easier access to repairs for this generation, giving the iPhone 14 a surprise advantage over the iPhone 13.
If you’re not wedded to iOS, Samsung’s Galaxy S22 is better in some ways, as it offers both a telephoto zoom lens and 120Hz display — two features Apple reserves for its Pro models. But the S22’s cameras and performance aren’t quite as good as the iPhone 14. You can check out our detailed comparison between the phones in our iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 face-off.
If you want longer battery life and a bigger display, you might want to wait for iPhone 14 Plus, but overall the iPhone 14 is a great — yet safe — choice.
