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Tech News
Apple discontinued the iPhone mini line, but a community of users is reportedly still holding onto their devices rather than upgrading to larger current models. Owners describe accepting tradeoffs like degraded battery life, limited storage and overheating in exchange for keeping the smaller form factor.
A leak reported that an Android manufacturer may revive an 'Ultra' flagship model, reversing a broader industry trend of brands shifting toward 'Pro Max' naming for their top-tier phones. Specific details about the company or device's specifications have not been confirmed.
A reader survey asked which $2,000 foldable phone people would rather buy, and a majority chose an existing foldable device over Apple's rumored dual-screen 'iPhone Duo' concept. The poll suggests persistent skepticism toward foldables in general, with voters still preferring an established competitor's design.
Apple's first foldable phone, the iPhone Duo, went up for preorder Friday starting at $1,999 and exceeding $3,000 for the 2TB model. Apple said demand was 'extraordinary,' with launch-day pickup inventory gone and some online delivery dates pushed into late January.
IDC reports smartphone shipments dropped 22% in the September quarter, the steepest decline the research firm has tracked, as manufacturers raised prices and cut cheaper models. IDC attributes the surge to memory chip prices rising roughly 350% over the past year amid heavy demand from AI companies.
Apple opened pre-orders for its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, on Friday, and delivery estimates quickly slipped to roughly three months out. The $1,999 device features a 7.6-inch folding display and an A20 Pro chip, and competes with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold line.
Android Authority released its latest weekly collection of Android wallpapers, sourced from both readers and its own team members. The feature is a recurring series offering free downloadable wallpaper images for phone users.
IDC reports China's overall smartphone shipments fell 15.4% year-over-year in Q3 2026, with Apple's iPhone shipments down 4.3% but its market share rising to 17.8% from 15.8% a year earlier. Huawei posted the strongest results, growing shipments 17.3% year-over-year to capture 21.1% share, while Wiko's shipments collapsed 74%.
OnePlus has released a new smartphone featuring a 9,000mAh battery, a notably large capacity compared to most flagship phones sold globally. The device is currently available only in China, meaning customers in Western markets such as the US and Europe cannot purchase it through official channels.
Counterpoint Research reports smartphone shipments dropped 20% year-over-year in Q3, the weakest third quarter since 2012, as DRAM and NAND price surges pushed retail phone prices up 20% this year. Despite falling shipment volumes, Samsung and Apple both grew market share, with Samsung reaching 23% and Apple hitting 22%—its highest-ever Q3 share—even before releasing the base iPhone 18.
Counterpoint Research reports worldwide smartphone shipments dropped 20% in the third quarter of 2026, the lowest level since 2012, as a shortage of DRAM and NAND chips pushed phone prices up roughly 20% this year. Samsung and Apple both gained market share—23% and 22% respectively—but each still saw shipments decline year-over-year, while Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices by $100 and Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro line launched $100 higher than its predecessor.
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.