Apple's iPhone Duo foldable has two 48-megapixel rear cameras, a main and an ultrawide, but lacks the dedicated telephoto camera found on the iPhone 18 Pro. Both phones can crop into their 48MP sensors for 2x zoom, but only the 18 Pro offers up to 8x 'optical quality' zoom via its 4x telephoto lens. The Duo also omits variable aperture, another headline feature of the 18 Pro, relying instead on a fixed aperture like earlier iPhones.
A tech explainer details how modern smartphones rely on multiple proximity sensors to handle tasks like dimming the screen during calls, detecting when a phone is in a pocket, and supporting other automated behaviors. The piece traces how sensor-heavy design became standard after the original 2007 iPhone, noting that manufacturers have since competed to add more sensors, including some novelties like external temperature readers once found on certain Google Pixel phones.
Comparison of Apple's iPhone Duo and Xiaomi's 18 Fold shows both have 7.6-inch inner and 5.4-inch outer screens at 120Hz, but Xiaomi claims 4,000-nit peak brightness versus Apple's 3,000 nits. Apple uses a titanium frame, Ceramic Shield glass and IP68 rating with a 2nm A20 Pro chip and 12GB RAM, while Xiaomi's aluminum-framed phone weighs less at 219g, lacks a listed IP rating, and runs a 3nm XRING O3 chip with 16GB RAM.
India's National Payments Corporation has delayed its planned October 15 introduction of a 0.4% fee on UPI merchant transactions above ₹2,000, citing the festive shopping season. NPCI did not announce a new date for the rollout. The fee, first announced last month, had drawn opposition from retailers and petrol station operators, some of whom threatened to stop accepting UPI payments.
A technology explainer outlines why smartphones running CarPlay or Android Auto often heat up during drives. Contributing factors include wireless charging, direct sunlight or heater vents, simultaneous use of GPS navigation, streaming audio, and background apps, plus the combined load of Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and cellular radios running at once in wireless setups.
A tech advisory recommends that buyers of budget Android phones prioritize certain baseline specs: at least a 5.6-inch AMOLED display with 1,000 nits peak brightness, a minimum of 6GB RAM (8GB for gamers), and 128GB storage with 256GB preferred if expandable storage isn't available. It also advises checking processor age and performance reviews before purchasing to avoid sluggish performance.
Phreak.ing has introduced an internet phone switch offering configurable call handling options, including do-not-disturb, voicemail forwarding, and intercom-style auto-answer settings via star codes. The service also lets users disable typing indicators and read receipts for messaging privacy.
Android phones rely on built-in GPS alongside wireless signals and device sensors to pinpoint a user's location and direction. A setting called Location Accuracy Service, previously known as Google Location Services, can be enabled to sharpen this accuracy, particularly indoors or in crowded areas where GPS signals are weak or blocked.
Samsung is facing a broader memory chip shortage affecting device shipments industry-wide, but strong demand for its Galaxy Z Fold 8 foldable phone has helped the company maintain its position as a top smartphone shipper. The strength of this product lineup is credited with cushioning the company against the wider supply constraints.
OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 16 in China, its first flagship since exiting the US and European markets earlier this year. The phone features a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset, up to 1TB storage and 16GB RAM, a 9,000mAh silicon-carbon battery, 100W wired and 50W wireless charging, and a 185Hz OLED display. It also gets a camera upgrade with a 200-megapixel main sensor and a glowing LED accent on its back panel, starting at ¥5,699 (about $850).
In a new essay, Amos Batto argues that the Linux phone market, which stalled after the 2020 launches of the Purism Librem 5 and PINE64 PinePhone, is now positioned for renewed growth. He points to improvements in mobile Linux interfaces like Plasma Mobile and Phosh, plus better distro support for Android-kernel hardware, as key changes since the earlier stagnation.
A technology guide examines the practical considerations for US consumers who import foreign smartphones rather than buying domestic models. It highlights compatibility concerns with carrier bands, certified features like VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling, software update schedules, and warranty support as key factors buyers should evaluate before purchasing.
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