Apple Intros Devices Leasing
"Apple Upgrade" is the company's new program for leasing its devices, in partnership with Klarna. Leasing options include one or two years for iPhones. For an iPhone 17, a two-year lease is $23/month while a one-year lease runs $33/month. At the end of the lease term, customers can pay the remaining amount to buy the phone outright, return the phone to lease a newer model, or return the phone and leave the program. This program replaces the "iPhone Upgrade Program" and "iPhone Payments". However, Apple will continue to offer other financing options. For example, when paying with an Apple Card credit card, Apple offers 0% APR financing over two years, which comes to $33.29/month, at the end of which the customer owns and can keep the phone. Mobile network carriers also offer their own monthly financing programs. Apple Upgrade leasing rates can also be reduced with a qualified (and fully-owned) trade-in device.
Use of Duress Password to Wipe Phone at Border Lands Man in Court
The US Department of Justice is attempting to prosecute someone for giving border agents a "duress password" when they asked to search his phone. The duress password is a feature of the privacy-focused GrapheneOS that immediately wipes all data from the phone instead of unlocking it. GrapheneOS is an open-source project that aims to be Android-app-compatible and can be loaded onto certain Pixel phone models. The man, an Atlanta resident who had been vacationing in the Dominican Republic, was returning home when he was pulled aside for questioning at the Atlanta airport by Customs and Border Patrol agents. He had been placed on a terrorism watch-list for protesting the "Cop City" police training center in the Atlanta area. The Justice Department is basing its case on a law against destroying property to prevent it from being seized.
Google Improves its Switch-to-Android Tool
Google has announced that select Pixels and new Samsung foldable phones will be the first Android phones to come with a new and improved, built-in transfer tool for users switching from an iPhone. The new tool can wirelessly transfer your Google Account, passwords, Wi-Fi credentials, and even your eSIM. This is in addition to data already supported by such tools, including photos, videos, contacts, messages, and calendar. Google says the new tool will come to more Android devices soon.
Mophie Intros Power Banks with Integrated Cables
Mophie has introduced four new Powerstation Plus power banks with integrated USB-C cables plus another USB-C port for dual-device charging. They come in two sizes: "mini 5K" with 5,000 mAh capacity, and "10K" with 10,000 mAh capacity. The higher-end Signature series is made with premium materials and offers faster charging (20 or 30 watts). The top-end 10K model has two cables and can charge three devices at one time. The Signature Series sell for $45–60. The Standard Series offers 15 or 20 watt charging speeds. Those sell for $30–40. All four are available now from Amazon or mophie.com.
New Report Shows AT&T and Verizon Catching up to T-Mobile
Opensignal has released a new edition of its semiannual report on mobile network performance. It gives T-Mobile top marks in most categories, but with a much slimmer margin than in recent years. All three national network operators were within just a few percentage points in most categories such as "reliability" and "coverage". The big differences came in the data speed categories, where T-Mobile was observed to have average overall download speeds more than double that of the other carriers. Looking only at 5G connections, T-Mobile's download speeds were 38% faster than Verizon and 11% faster than AT&T. T-Mobile's overall upload speeds were roughly 55% better than its competitors, but just around 11% better when looking only at 5G uploads. The most dramatic improvement has been AT&T's 5G download speeds, which have improved 21% in just the past six months. Opensignal collects its data from the phones of people who have the Opensignal app installed on their phone.
Samsung Remixes Foldables Lineup with Shorter Book Model
Samsung has launched its eighth-generation lineup of foldable phones, introducing a new form factor that it calls the Z Fold8, while the form factor of last year's Z Fold7 lives on as the new "Z Fold8 Ultra". The new Z Fold8 is 34mm shorter and 9mm wider than Samsung's traditional "Fold" form factor, with new screen sizes of 7.6" for the inner display and 5.5" for the cover. All three new models upgrade to Qualcomm's new Snapdragon Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip, and Samsung's new Flex Titanium technology, intended to reduce the display "crease" common on foldable phones. The Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra maintains the exact same dimensions and display sizes as last year's Fold7, but has several upgrades, including a better wide-angle camera (50 megapixel vs. 12), larger battery (5,000 mAh vs. 4,400), faster charging (45W wired / 20W wireless), and a low-reflection display finish. Once again, it sees a $100 price hike, now starting at $2100. The new Galaxy Z Fold8 has most of the features of its larger sibling, differing only in main camera resolution (50 megapixel vs. 200), dropping the 3x telephoto camera, and battery size (4,800 mAh vs. 5,000, still larger than last year's Fold7). It starts at $1,900. The Galaxy Z Flip8 is largely similar to last year's Flip7, but 0.6mm thinner and 8g lighter. It also has new AI features available on the cover display. It also sees a $100 price hike, now starting at $1200. All three models will come in Graphite and Cream, plus various shades of purple/pink for each model, and various shades of green exclusively from samsung.com. The lineup ships August 7th. Pre-orders start today, and include up to $200 in credit toward accessories.
Light Making a Flip Phone
The Light Phone company has revealed the Light Flip phone, a simple phone with the functionality of its Light III phone, reworked into a flip form factor without a touch screen. Its clean, minimalist design includes a number pad, d-pad, three soft keys below the display, and home + volume keys on the side. It supports predictive T9 text entry as well as voice-to-text and audio messaging. Instead of an outer display, it has only a notification light on the outside. Its built-in apps include Alarm, Calculator, Calendar, Directory, Directions, Hotspot, Music, Notes/Voice Memo, Podcast, Weather, Authenticator (2FA), and Timer. The company is also launching a developer program to facilitate additional apps. The hardware includes a 2.8-inch OLED display, 5G, 12 megapixel camera (with 50 megapixel sensor), 1,800 mAh battery, IP54 dust and water rating, USB-C, and a 3.5mm headset jack. Also new is a service plan option from the company, starting at $39/month with a two-year contract, covering the phone itself and service. Alternatively, it's available unlocked for $299. It has excellent support for all major US networks. It will be available in six color options, with the first batches shipping April 2027.
OnePlus Officially Exits US Market
Oppo has confirmed that it will cease launching new OnePlus-branded devices in the North America and Europe. The company will continue to provide service and support for OnePlus customers in those regions. To provide promised software updates, the company will roll out Oppo's ColorOS flavor of Android to OnePlus Android devices, replacing OxygenOS. In Europe, the company is refocusing its Oppo brand, but the move amounts to a full retreat from the US market.
Google Relents on Third-Party App Stores in the US
Google and Epic have abruptly ended their prolonged legal battle over third-party app stores, with Google agreeing to a far more permissive model than the one it announced in March. Now, Google will allow third-party app stores to be downloaded via its own Google Play Store, instead of requiring more cumbersome side-loading. Further, Google will give third-party app stores access to the Play Store's catalog of apps (although individual app developers can opt out from this). Both of these concessions were part of the original court order issued in 2024, which Google had been fighting in court ever since. It has now withdrawn from that fight, and told the court it is ready to comply as soon as next week. These new policies only apply within the US for now. Developers of third-party app stores must still adhere to a number of security and policy requirements set by Google.
Samsung Reveals New Foldable Screen Tech
Samsung has announced "Flex Titanium", a set of materials designed as a new backing system for the flexible OLED displays on foldable phones. Samsung claims it will provide "enhanced durability and reduced crease visibility". It will be used on the next generation of Samsung's own foldable phones, set to be announced July 22. Flex Titanium consists of two distinct, titanium-based parts: a titanium plate designed to eliminate "air gaps between the [display] module and adhesive", and a "titanium-alloy film" that sits directly below the OLED panel. The plate has "micro-patterned holes" in the folding section for flexibility. The film is "less than 30% the thickness of a human hair, enabling a slimmer display panel", while "offering 20 times greater mechanical stiffness than plastic films".
Apple Releases First iOS 27 Public Beta Version
Apple's "2027" OS software has now entered public beta testing. Those who wish to participate can now opt in to Apple's beta program (if they haven't already) and update to an early version of iOS 27 on their iPhones. As usual, Apple cautions that the software "may contain errors or inaccuracies and may not function as well as commercially released software". Apple says they "strongly recommend installing on a secondary system or device". iOS 27 includes a new Siri AI, and other AI improvements. It also promises to be faster, even on older iPhones. These beta OS versions come with a Feedback Assistant app for reporting any issues to Apple.
Samsung Teases New Foldable Shape Coming Soon
Samsung has set July 22 as the date for its next big Galaxy phone announcement. This is typically the time of year Samsung reveals new foldable phones, with last year's announcement coming one year ago. A statement from Samsung mentioned that the introduction would "build on its leadership in foldables" and include "new form factors". On social media, Samsung has released a series of posts and ads that promise a "new shape", with visuals implying that the Z Fold8 will be noticeably shorter and more compact than previous models. As usual, Samsung is offering an incentive to "reserve the latest Galaxy device(s)" ahead of announcement. This year's incentive is a $30 credit on samsung.com, to be used toward a different device such as an accessory.
Boost Files For Bankruptcy
Dish Network has filed for bankruptcy. The business is just one part of EchoStar, but includes both Boost Mobile and the company's Dish television business. The company invested in cellular radio spectrum for decades without building a network. When T-Mobile merged with Sprint, Dish took over the Boost brand and promised the FCC, as a condition of the merger approval, that they would establish Boost as a full fourth national network operator. Then last year, Dish gave up on that project. Dish's financial roadmap this year was tied to a planned sale of radio spectrum licenses to AT&T. An unexpected delay in that sale has forced the bankruptcy.
OnePlus Appears to be Winding Down as a Brand
In some countries, the OnePlus web site has started redirecting potential customers to Oppo-branded products instead of OnePlus products. (OnePlus is owned by Oppo.) This hasn't started yet in the US, where Oppo doesn't currently operate. But OnePlus has already scaled back its US operations, with none of its last few generations of phones being picked up up by any US carrier.
FCC Announces Upper C-Band Spectrum Auction
The FCC today announced a major new auction of 160 MHz of "prime mid-band spectrum", ideal for 5G and 6G wireless service. The spectrum on offer covers the Upper C-Band; specifically, 3.98–4.14 GHz. This is adjacent to the Lower C-Band spectrum auctioned off between 2019 and 2023 and deployed in the US for 5G in band 77. This will create one large band spanning 440 megahertz (3.70–4.14 GHz), creating potential new opportunities for faster 5G (and 6G) networks, with greater capacity. Pending a July 22 FCC vote to formally approve auction rules, the auction will take place in 2027. Auction winners must help pay relocation costs for the current users of the spectrum: satellite operators. The auction structure will also help pay the aviation industry for the replacement of older radio altimeters operating in the nearby 4.2–4.4 GHz band, that could be subject to interference from 5G operating in the band being auctioned off. The transition schedule has the new band going live as early as December 2030 for top-75 markets, and in remaining markets as soon as July 2031.
Supreme Court Restricts Geofence Warrants
The US Supreme Court has ruled that "an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy in his cell-phone location information." This finding places a higher legal burden on law enforcement agencies seeking "geofence warrants" that ask tech companies for the identities of all people with an active cell phone in a given area, at a certain time. Those agencies must now obtain a full search warrant and show probable cause. The case that prompted the ruling involved a bank robbery in Virginia. The case was cold until police asked Google for cell phone location data that led to a suspect.
WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Usernames
The WhatsApp messaging app has started letting people reserve unique usernames. WhatsApp has, until now, exclusively identified users by phone number. The introduction of usernames will let people message each other without revealing their phone number. For now, people can only reserve their chosen username; full implementation of usernames will come later this year. The rollout will be phased gradually. WhatsApp will notify users via the app when usernames are available in their country. A special option for creators, small businesses, and organizations will let them claim their existing Instagram or Facebook username on WhatsApp. (WhatsApp is owned by Meta, which also operates Facebook and Instagram.)
Rocket Lab Buys Iridium
Space launch provider Rocket Lab has reached a deal to acquire Iridium, one of the larger established providers of global satellite connectivity for mobile devices. This better positions Rocket Lab to compete with SpaceX and its Starlink network. It also follows Amazon's purchase of GlobalStar, one of Iridium's major competitors. Starlink, GlobalStar, and Iridium have all recently introduced new D2D (direct to device) services that let smaller devices such as cell phones connect directly to their satellite networks, providing coverage in cellular "dead zones". Iridium holds licenses for valuable L-band radio spectrum. "Rather than simply continuing the Iridium network, Rocket Lab will build upon it to scale into untapped markets and pioneer new space-based services to the benefit of global customers." The $8 billion deal is expected to be completed in mid-2027.
