RIEM News LogoRIEM News

Articles tagged with "smartphones"

  • Planning to buy iPhone 18? Apple may delay the base model until 2027

    Apple is reportedly planning to change its traditional annual iPhone release cycle by extending the lifecycle of its base iPhone models to 18 months. Starting with the iPhone 18, which may be delayed until spring 2027, Apple will split its iPhone launches into two phases: premium models will continue to debut in the fall, while standard and lower-cost models will arrive several months later. This shift marks the first time in over a decade that Apple might go a full year without releasing a new base iPhone generation, allowing more time for each model to remain relevant and reducing internal competition between Pro and non-Pro devices. In early 2026, Apple plans to introduce the iPhone 17e, a budget-friendly addition to the iPhone 17 family featuring upgrades like the A19 chip, Dynamic Island design, smaller bezels, and a front camera with Center Stage support, but retaining a single rear camera and lacking Pro-level display features. Meanwhile, the premium iPhone 18 Pro

    IoTsmartphonesApplemobile-technology5Gchip-technologyfoldable-devices
  • eSIM adoption is on the rise thanks to travel and device compatibility

    eSIM technology, despite being available for over a decade, had a modest global adoption rate of around 3% last year, expected to surpass 5% this year. However, industry analysts, startups, and investors remain optimistic about its growth, largely driven by increased travel and expanding device compatibility. The adoption has been boosted by major phone manufacturers like Apple and Google integrating eSIM features into their devices, with Apple notably releasing an eSIM-only iPhone 17 model in multiple countries. Smartphone penetration with eSIM capabilities reached 23% in 2024, with the U.S. leading at 41%. While initially a feature of premium devices, eSIM is gradually appearing in mid- and low-range smartphones, especially as Chinese manufacturers such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo begin supporting eSIM following China's telecom providers' recent rollout of eSIM services. Travel is a significant catalyst for eSIM adoption, with over half of eSIM users employing it for connectivity while abroad, appreciating its

    IoTeSIMmobile-technologyconnectivitysmartphonestelecomtravel-technology
  • The iPhone Air is so light, I forgot it was in my pocket

    The iPhone Air, Apple’s thinnest phone at just 5.64 millimeters and notably light at 12 grams less than the iPhone 17, impresses with its sleek, exquisite design and comfortable handling despite its large 6.5-inch screen. Its thinness makes it easy to carry—often forgotten in a pocket—and sturdy enough to withstand minor drops and accidental pressure without damage. While the phone’s build invites use without a case to preserve its slim profile, Apple offers a lightweight bumper case and a shoulder strap accessory for added protection. However, the iPhone Air’s slimness comes with trade-offs, particularly in battery life and camera capabilities. The phone tends to heat up during intensive gaming or video streaming, and while its battery suffices for moderate daily tasks like calls, video watching, and browsing, heavy users may need Apple’s $99 MagSafe battery pack to comfortably last through the day. The camera system is limited to a single 48-megapixel rear

    IoTsmartphonesbattery-lifeMagSafemobile-technologyAppleportable-devices
  • iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and everything else announced at Apple’s hardware event

    At Apple’s recent hardware event, the company unveiled its new iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, featuring larger screens, improved camera systems, and design changes such as a rectangular rear camera bar and a switch from titanium to aluminum on the Pro model’s frame. The iPhone 17 offers a 6.3-inch 120 Hz display, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and starts at $799 with 256GB storage, while the Pro and Pro Max models are priced at $1,099 and $1,199 respectively. Apple also introduced the iPhone Air, its thinnest phone ever at 5.6 mm thickness, replacing the Plus model with a 6.6-inch 120 Hz ProMotion display, a sleek design, and a $999 price point. This device positions Apple competitively against slimmer smartphones from Samsung and Huawei and may hint at a future foldable phone

    materialssmartphonesAppledisplay-technologycamera-systemswearable-technologymobile-devices
  • iPhone 17, iPhone Air, AirPods Pro 3, and everything else announced at Apple’s hardware event

    At Apple’s recent hardware event, the company unveiled its new iPhone 17 lineup, including the standard iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max, alongside the introduction of the ultra-thin iPhone Air, which replaces the Plus model. The iPhone 17 features a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, starting at $799 with 256GB base storage. The Pro models received design updates such as a rectangular rear camera bar and a switch from titanium to aluminum bands. Apple also introduced “TechWoven” phone cases made from higher-quality woven materials. Notably, Apple did not announce a foldable phone, trailing competitors like Google. The new iPhone Air is Apple’s slimmest phone ever at 5.6 mm thickness, featuring a 6.6-inch 120Hz ProMotion display and priced at $999. This

    materialssmartphonesAppleiPhone-17wearable-technologydisplay-technologymobile-devices
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else announced at Apple’s hardware event

    At Apple’s recent hardware event, the company unveiled its iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max, and a new ultra-thin iPhone Air model that replaces the Plus variant. The iPhone 17 features a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, and new color options. The Pro models received design changes such as a rectangular rear camera bar and a switch from titanium to aluminum for the screen band. Pricing starts at $799 for the base iPhone 17 with 256GB storage, $1,099 for the Pro, and $1,199 for the Pro Max. Apple also introduced “TechWoven” phone cases made from high-quality woven materials. The iPhone Air stands out as Apple’s thinnest phone ever at 5.6 mm thick, featuring a 6.6-inch screen and priced at $

    materialssmartphonesApple-Watchwearable-technologymobile-devicesdisplay-technologybattery-technology
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple’s upcoming hardware event on September 9 is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 lineup, including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, alongside updates for the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 is rumored to feature a larger 6.3-inch 120 Hz display, a 24-megapixel front camera, and new color options like purple and green. The Pro models may see a redesign with a rectangular rear camera bar and a centered Apple logo, while the iPhone 17 Pro might switch from a titanium to an aluminum frame to reduce weight and cost. The Pro Max is expected to have a thicker body to accommodate a larger battery. Pricing is anticipated around $800 for the base model, $1,100 for the Pro, and $1,250 for the Pro Max, with fewer storage options available. A notable highlight is the rumored introduction of the iPhone Air, potentially replacing the Plus model as Apple’s th

    materialssmartphonesApplebattery-technologydevice-designdisplay-technologymobile-devices
  • Venezuela’s president thinks American spies can’t hack Huawei phones

    Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro recently showcased a Huawei foldable smartphone gifted by China’s President Xi Jinping, claiming it to be “the best phone in the world” and asserting that American intelligence agencies cannot hack it. However, cybersecurity experts and evidence suggest otherwise. A U.S.-based vulnerability researcher noted that Huawei’s devices, running on its proprietary HarmonyOS and hardware, may actually be easier to hack due to the relative newness and immaturity of its code compared to established platforms like iOS and Android. Huawei devices, including the Mate X6 model, require regular security updates, and the company has acknowledged vulnerabilities and malware infections on its products. Historically, U.S. government agencies have targeted Huawei for espionage. In 2014, the NSA reportedly hacked Huawei’s servers and implanted backdoors, gaining access to the company’s internal communications and product information. Documents revealed that the NSA aimed to exploit Huawei products to infiltrate networks worldwide. Given this history, it is highly likely that

    IoTcybersecurityHuaweismartphonesmobile-operating-systemshackingespionage
  • Honor’s slim Magic V5 foldable is fun to use, minus the huge camera bump

    The Honor Magic V5 foldable phone competes in the race for the thinnest foldable device, boasting an 8.8mm thickness when folded. However, this slim profile is offset by a large, protruding camera bump that affects handling comfort and causes the phone to wobble when unfolded and placed on a flat surface. Despite this design drawback, the device features a sturdy build with IP58 and IP59 dust and water resistance ratings, a durable second-generation Honor Super Steel hinge, and a carbon fiber reinforced inner panel for enhanced durability. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Magic V5 offers a 6.43-inch front display and a 7.95-inch unfolded main screen, both with high resolutions and LTPO technology supporting dynamic refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz for smooth navigation. The phone’s screen is bright, reaching up to 5,000 nits, making it well-suited for reading and media consumption. It houses a

    materialsenergysmartphonesfoldable-technologybattery-technologycarbon-fibercharging-technology
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple is expected to hold its annual hardware event on September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup alongside updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 series will include the standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models, featuring notable upgrades such as a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen for the base model with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 24-megapixel front camera, and new color options like purple and green. The Pro models may see a redesign of the rear camera layout into a rectangular bar spanning the device’s width, with the Apple logo centered for aesthetic balance. The iPhone 17 Pro might switch from a titanium to an aluminum frame to reduce weight and cost, while the Pro Max is expected to have a thicker body to house a larger battery. Pricing rumors suggest the iPhone 17 at around $800, the Pro at $1,050, and the Pro Max at $1,250

    materialssmartphonesAppleiPhone-17battery-technologydevice-designmobile-technology
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple is expected to hold its annual hardware event on September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup alongside updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 series will include the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, with notable changes such as a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen on the base model, a 120Hz display, and a 24-megapixel front camera. The Pro models may feature a redesigned rear camera layout with three lenses arranged in a rectangular bar and a centered Apple logo. A significant material change is anticipated for the iPhone 17 Pro, potentially replacing the titanium band with aluminum to reduce cost and weight. The Pro Max model is expected to be thicker to accommodate a larger battery. Pricing rumors suggest the base iPhone 17 will start around $800, the Pro at $1,050, and the Pro Max at $1,250, with fewer storage options available compared to the previous generation.

    materialssmartphonesAppleiPhone-17battery-technologydevice-designmobile-technology
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple is expected to hold its hardware event on September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup alongside updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 series will include the standard 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models, with notable changes such as a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen on the base model and a 120Hz display, up from 60Hz. The front camera is rumored to be upgraded to 24 megapixels, and new colors like purple and green may be introduced. The Pro model might feature a redesigned rear camera layout with a rectangular bar spanning the phone’s width, and a shift from a titanium to an aluminum frame to reduce weight and cost. The Pro Max is expected to have fewer upgrades but could include a thicker body to house a larger battery. Pricing is anticipated to start around $800 for the iPhone 17, $1,050 for the Pro, and $1,250 for the Pro Max,

    materialssmartphonesiPhone-17Apple-hardwarebattery-technologydisplay-technologymobile-device-design
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple is expected to hold its annual hardware event on September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup along with updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 series will include the standard iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max models, featuring notable upgrades such as a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen for the base model with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 24-megapixel front camera, and new color options like purple and green. The Pro models may see a redesign of the rear camera layout and a material change from titanium to aluminum for the Pro’s frame to reduce weight and cost. The Pro Max is expected to have a thicker body to accommodate a larger battery. Pricing rumors suggest the iPhone 17 will start around $800, the Pro at $1,050, and the Pro Max at $1,250, with fewer storage options available on the Pro model. In addition to the main lineup, Apple might

    materialssmartphonesAppleiPhone-17battery-technologydevice-designconsumer-electronics
  • iPhone 17, the ‘thinnest iPhone ever,’ and everything else we’re expecting out of Apple’s hardware event

    Apple is expected to hold its annual hardware event on September 9, unveiling the iPhone 17 lineup alongside updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods. The iPhone 17 series is rumored to feature notable changes, including a slightly larger screen (an increase of 0.2 inches from the iPhone 16), a higher refresh rate display (upgrading from 60Hz), and a 24-megapixel front camera. New colors like purple and green may be introduced. The iPhone 17 Pro could see a redesigned rear camera layout with a rectangular bar spanning the device’s width and a shift from a titanium to an aluminum frame, potentially reducing cost and weight. The Pro Max model is expected to have fewer upgrades but a thicker body to accommodate a larger battery. Pricing estimates suggest the base iPhone 17 around $800, the Pro at $1,050, and the Pro Max at $1,250. Additionally, Apple may launch the ultra-thin iPhone Air

    materialsenergyIoTsmartphonesApplebattery-technologywearable-technology