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The next-generation iPhones, likely to be called the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, are expected to launch in less than six months, and rumors about design changes are already swirling. The base-model iPhone 16 is expected to have redesigned cameras and the well-received action button from the iPhone 15 Pro. Now a new report suggests some iPhone 16 models will use a new screen technology that allows for thinner bezel borders, which might give users of the Pro model phones a slightly larger screen area.

The report, which comes from Korean publication The Elec and was translated by MacRumors, says display manufacturers have developed a new type of border reduction structure technology. This new manufacturing technique reportedly allows companies to create screens with more compact control circuitry, effectively allowing for a slimmer bezel. The bezel is the border that separates the phone’s screen from the actual edge of the device.

Read more: Best iPhone to buy in 2024

It’s unclear whether the new display technology would be added to the entry-level iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus or the more expensive iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, as MacRumors notes. Typically, however, Apple tends to introduce display improvements in its pro line of products, such as with the pro-motion display in 2021’s iPhone 13 Pro, before sometimes offering them in lower-cost models later on. Earlier leaks have also suggested the Pro model screens will grow somewhat, perhaps because of the now-rumored smaller bezels.

Apple representatives didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The new screen details help to round out the hardware features the iPhone 16 lineup will likely offer when it launches this fall. Though Apple doesn’t publicly acknowledge new iPhones until they’re released around September, the rumor mill tends to uncover their headline features beforehand. Last year, Apple’s headline features for the $999 iPhone 15 Pro were a new titanium frame, the action button and USB-C charging, each of which were rumored ahead of time.

Read more: iPhone 16: All the Major Rumors on Apple’s Next iPhone

Apple’s steady drumbeat of annual upgrades have become a hallmark of the iPhone, which is still the company’s best-selling product line. CNET’s Patrick Holland wrote that the iPhones “are defined by their refinements” in part because the improvements to cameras, screens and battery life add up for people who buy a new device every few years.

Aside from hardware improvements, Apple is also expected to announce upgrades to its iOS software powering the iPhones during its Worldwide Developers Conference starting June 10. Though Apple’s been tight-lipped about its iOS plans, rumors suggest the company will announce new AI features in response to the current craze powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini.

Apple is reportedly moving on from cars to… robots? After nixing its electric vehicle project in February, the iPhone maker is now eyeing personal robots that could follow you around your home, according to a report from Bloomberg.

The project is reportedly in its early stages, and it’s not clear if the products will ever become a reality. But now that Apple has called off its decade-long effort to build an electric car, home robots could be the company’s “next big thing,” people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg.

See also: The iPhone May Get a Big Dose of AI This Year. Here’s What to Expect

Apple didn’t respond to CNET’s request for comment.

In recent years, the tech giant has been exploring new ways to bring in revenue, especially as people hold onto their phones longer. It’s branched out into subscription-based services like Apple TV Plus and Apple Music, and released entirely new products like the Apple Vision Pro — which, with a $3,500 price tag and not much to offer out of the gate, will likely take years to achieve widescale adoption.

But home robotics could offer the company a new way to leverage artificial intelligence and have a foothold in people’s homes, Bloomberg notes. Along with a mobile robot, Apple has reportedly developed “an advanced table-top home device that uses robotics to move a display around,” the publication notes. That smart display is reportedly further along than the mobile robot, and “has been added and removed from the company’s product road map over the years,” according to the report, as executives have disagreed on whether to even pursue that product.

While Apple has been taking things slow when it comes deploying AI in its products and services, it could leverage any advancements in that area to boost its rumored robotics offerings. If the company did ultimately launch a home bot, it would join the ranks of Amazon’s $1,600 Astro robot, which can deliver snacks, patrol your home and follow you around while you’re on a video call.

Apple has similarly envisioned having its robot work as a videoconferencing tool that can navigate on its own, according to Bloomberg, and has even pitched the idea of having it do chores like washing dishes. Whether or not these more ambitious functions — or even the robots themselves — see the light of day is unclear. But if they do, it’ll likely be several years before you have an Apple robot roaming your home.

Apple released the first iOS 17.5 beta to public beta testers on Thursday, two days after the company released the beta to developers and about a month after the release of iOS 17.4. The latest beta brings a handful of new features, like more ways for people in the European Union to download apps, to the iPhones of some developers and beta testers.

We recommend downloading a beta only on something other than your primary device. Because this isn’t the final version of iOS 17.5, these features might be buggy and battery life may be short, and it’s best to keep those troubles on a secondary device.

If you’re a developer or public beta tester, here are some of the new features you might find in iOS 17.5 beta 1. Note that the beta is not the final version of iOS 17.5, so there could be more features to land on your iPhone when iOS 17.5 is released. There’s no word on when Apple will release iOS 17.5 to the public yet.

Read more: You Should Really Download iOS 17.4.1 Right Now

Download apps from sites… but only for people in the EU

According to MacRumors, iOS 17.5 beta 1 introduces the ability to download apps right from a developer’s website instead of through an app store. However, this feature will only work for people in the EU. Apple announced this capability on March 12, alongside other EU-specific developer features, like the ability to choose the design of in-app promotions.

This is the latest EU-specific feature to come to iPhone users. When Apple released iOS 17.4 in March, a big part of that update was allowing people in the EU to download alternate app stores in order to comply with the Digital Markets Act.

Podcast widget changes color

With iOS 17.5 beta 1, your Podcast widget will change color depending on the artwork of whatever podcast you’re listening to at the moment. So if the podcast you’re listening to has red artwork, the widget will turn red.

This aesthetic feature was in some early iOS 17.4 betas, but Apple removed it from that update’s public release. In iOS 17.4, Apple also brought transcripts to podcasts which makes the audio media more accessible for more people.

Books app counter tool

It appears iOS 17.5 beta 1 also wants to help people achieve their reading goals. With the update, the Books app gets a counter in the top right corner of the app’s homepage. If you tap this counter, the app takes you to your Reading Goals menu. This menu shows you how much time you’ve spent reading today. There’s also a button here that reads Explore the Book Store which opens the Book Store.

At first, Books sets your daily reading goal for five minutes a day, but you can change this goal to anywhere between 1 minute or the absurd 1,440 minutes (24 hours) a day — I like to read, but that feels a little aggressive.

Those are a few of the new features some developers and beta testers will see in the first iOS 17.5 beta. That doesn’t mean these are the only features coming to the next iOS update, or that these changes will stick when iOS 17.5 is released to the public. As of now, there’s no word on when Apple will release iOS 17.5.

For more on iOS 17, here’s what to know about iOS 17.4.1. You can also check out what was included in iOS 17.4 and our iOS 17 cheat sheet.

Looking to snag a sleek, new foldable phone? Now’s the perfect time. Not only has Samsung’s Galaxy AI update rolled out for last year’s Galaxy phones, but with rumors that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is on the horizon, you can also score a great deal on the current Galaxy Z Flip 5 foldable phone if you act fast. The 512GB model regularly lists for $1,120, but you can score one now for just $900 at Amazon, essentially giving you a free storage upgrade for the same price that the 256GB model is going for right now. We’re not sure how long this sale will last, so it’s best to act fast if you want to snatch it at this price.

The AI upgrade means this phone will be able to use features like Circle to Search, Chat Assist and more. The phone also sports the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a big cover screen and an upgraded hinge that eliminates the gap when closed, along with a solid battery life that should generally get you through the day and some improvements to the camera over its predecessor. If you’ve been holding out on this compact phone due to the price, this deal can shave off a big chunk of change and is packed with plenty of storage for your photos and videos.

You can check out other Galaxy Z Flip 5 deals before you buy, or if this model doesn’t suit you, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best phone deals happening now.

Picking a new smartphone can be daunting, especially when you see the prices of some of the best phones on the market. But most people don’t have to spend thousands to get a great device, and the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a prime example of that. Even at its usual $450 asking price, it’s a bit of a bargain. But if you order today Amazon will sell you the black version for just $350. We would suggest that you order yours soon though, this deal is a limited-time offer, which means that it isn’t going to stick around forever.

When we reviewed the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G last year, we found it to have a big, vibrant display and enjoyed the option to expand its storage using a microSD card. The price is a key factor here as well, although those who want to get the fastest phone with the best camera might want to look elsewhere. That being said, at this price, it’s hard to go wrong.

Buyers will get a 6.4-inch display with 128GB of storage and an under-display fingerprint scanner. The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery and a sleek design that feels great. And all in a rather lovely black finish that might even be a dark blue in the right light.

The Samsung Galaxy A54 5G is a bit of a steal, but we know it won’t be to everyone’s liking. If you fall into that category, we’re sure that our list of the best phone deals will have the perfect option for you.

Things don’t get easier for the English Premier League’s bottom club. Sheffield United are tasked with a tough trip to Anfield on Thursday to take on title contenders Liverpool.

The Blades claimed a rare point away at Fulham at the weekend, but remain rooted to the foot of the table and come into this clash 10 points adrift of safety.

With the championship now very much a three-horse race against Arsenal and Man City, Liverpool will be relishing what looks on paper to be a kind fixture. The Reds have beaten their opponents in each of their last six meetings, conceding just once in those encounters.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live, wherever you are in the world.

Liverpool vs. Sheffield United: When and where?

Liverpool host Sheffield Unitedat Anfield on Thursday, April 4. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. BST local time, which is 2:30 p.m. ET or 11:30 a.m. PT in the US and Canada, and 5:30 a.m. AEDT in Australia on Friday morning.

How to watch the Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedgame online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. So if your internet provider or mobile carrier has stuck you with an IP address that incorrectly shows your location in a blackout zone, a VPN can correct that problem by giving you an IP address in your correct, non-blackout area. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Canada, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedin the US

Thursday’s Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedmatch is streaming on Peacock. You’ll need a Peacock Premium or Premium Plus account to catch the game live.

Livestream the Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedgame in the UK

Premier League rights in the UK are split between Sky Sports, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports. The Manchester City vs. Aston Villa game is exclusive to TNT Sports — showing on its TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 2 HD channels.

Livestream the Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedgame in Canada

If you want to stream Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedlive in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to Fubo. The service has exclusive rights for this Premier League season.

Livestream the Liverpool vs. Sheffield Unitedgame in Australia

Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Apple Arcade, a CNET Editor’s Choice Award pick, added three new games to its growing library in April, including a service exclusive title. The service has familiar and classic games, as well as exclusive titles you can play for $7 a month ( 7, AU$10). You can find many of these games in the App Store, but they have paywalls and ads that might hinder your gaming experience. You can play each game without paywalls and ads by using an Apple Arcade subscription.

You can play these games, in addition to others like Crayola Adventures and Bloons TD Battles 2 Plus, on Apple Arcade now.

Puyo Puyo Puzzle Pop

Developer: Sega

The latest installment in this unique tile-matching puzzle series is exclusive to Apple Arcade. This installment features an original story with more than 24 playable characters from across the series, in addition to the gameplay fans have grown to enjoy. You can challenge up to four players worldwide in matches, or you can play Endless Mode to climb to the top of the leaderboards.

If you’re new to this series, you have to line up four tiles, called Puyos, to make them disappear. This is a head-to-head battle game, so when you match four Puyos, you can send blank Puyos to block up your opponent’s board.

Mizuki Hosoyamada, the Puyo Puyo series producer, said in an email to CNET that the series’ head-to-head battle gameplay was a sensation in Japan when the original title was released in 1991. It was so popular that there are now professional Puyo Puyo players.

“I feel that all these factors come together to make Puyo Puyo the unique and popular series it is,” Hosoyamada said.

Super Monsters Ate My Condo Plus

Developer: PikPok

In this wacky, BAFTA-nominated puzzle game, your goal is to feed condo units to four different kaiju — named Lady Ferocious, Reginald Starfire, Mr. Shigoto and Boat Head who, you might have guessed, has a boat on his head. The Kaiju and condos are color-coordinated, and you’ve got to feed the right condos to the corresponding monster. If you feed too many condos to the wrong kaiju, it’s game over, and we can’t allow these tacky condos to stand. Did you see the weird gray vinyl floors in that one? Hideous.

Sago Mini Trips Plus

Developer: Sago Mini

According to a study published in the National Institute of Health, gaming in small intervals could benefit a child’s developing brain. And this collection of interactive games could spark creativity and build early literacy skills in young gamers. You can travel and explore far-off lands, like desert islands and the big city, and go on fun adventures. This title includes Sago Mini Road Trip, Boats, Planes and Trains.

You can access these titles and others now on Apple Arcade for $7 a month or $50 annually. You can also try Apple Arcade for free for one month with your first sign-up, or you can get a three-month free trial when you buy a new Apple device. To access Apple Arcade, open the App Store on your iOS or iPadOS device and tap the joystick in the menu bar.

It’s been a busy few months for the smartphone industry. The year kicked off with a slew of new phones such as Samsung’s Galaxy S24 lineup, the OnePlus 12 and 12R, Oppo’s Find X7 Ultra, and the global launch of the Xiaomi 14 series. But there are still plenty of new phones to expect in 2024, provided Apple, Samsung and Google follow their usual patterns.

Samsung, for example, usually introduces new foldable phones around August, while Apple typically holds its annual iPhone launch event every September. Google follows in October with new Pixels.

Read more: Best Phones of 2024

As for what to expect, artificial intelligence will likely be a big theme in this year’s phones. We’ve already seen that with the Galaxy S24 family, which is the first to include Samsung’s new Galaxy AI features, as well as last year’s Pixel 8 series.

Generative AI, or AI that can generate content when prompted based on training data, had a breakout moment in 2023 thanks to the success of ChatGPT. But 2024 will test how truly useful these AI-powered features are, particularly when it comes to smartphones.

Aside from new AI-powered features, we’re expecting companies like Apple, Samsung and Google to continue improving the cameras and processors inside their upcoming phones.

Here’s a look at the most anticipated phones from the industry’s biggest players in 2024. The list below includes phones that seem likely to debut this year based on previous launch patterns, and we’ll continue to update this list as new rumors and reports emerge.

Read more: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra Could Be Doing So Much More With AI

Apple

iPhone 16 lineup

What to expect: Apple launches new iPhones every September, and we have no reason to believe this year will be any different. All iPhone 16 models are expected to get upgraded microphones to improve Siri performance, according to well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. The change would come as Apple is said to be ramping up the iPhone’s AI features, Bloomberg reports.

Otherwise, the iPhone 16 family is rumored to get a new A18 chip from Apple, with the Pro models getting a version called the A18 Pro Bionic, analyst Jeff Pu reports, according to MacRumors. Apple may also bring the Action button to all iPhone 16 models, not just the Pro, according to Bloomberg. The camera on the regular iPhone 16 Pro is also expected to get a tetraprism telephoto lens like the iPhone 15 Pro Max, Kuo also reports, meaning it would likely have a 5x telephoto zoom instead of 3x. And there may even be a new dedicated button for capturing video, as Bloomberg also reports. Read our full iPhone 16 rumor roundup.

Why we’re excited about it: The iPhone 16 sounds like it will be a modest upgrade over the iPhone 15 family, but I’m interested in seeing Apple’s take on how AI can improve the smartphone experience. Siri is expected to be a big part of that, and I’m looking forward to Siri evolving into more than just a quick way to set timers or check tomorrow’s weather forecast.

iPhone SE 4

What to expect: Apple’s next budget-friendly iPhone could get an overhaul, if reports from MacRumors and TF International Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo turn out to be true. Apple may use a modified version of the iPhone 14’s chassis for the next iPhone SE, meaning it would have a 6.1-inch screen compared with the current version’s 4.7-inch display, according to MacRumors.The site also reports that modern features like Face ID, the Action button and USB-C charging are also coming to the next iPhone SE.

As for timing, the iPhone SE’s launch pattern is a bit more difficult to predict than its standard iPhones. Apple launched the first iPhone SE in 2016 but didn’t release a second model until 2020. The third-generation iPhone SE came in 2022, leading to some speculation that its successor could arrive in 2024. But MacRumors’ intel suggests it could be on track for a 2025 launch.

Why we’re excited about it: Apple’s tiny iPhone is in need of an upgrade. While it runs on the same A15 Bionic processor as the iPhone 14, its iPhone 8-like design is starting to feel dated. A modern version of Apple’s more affordable iPhone with a larger screen — and hopefully a secondary camera — would be much appreciated.

Samsung

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6

What to expect: If Samsung keeps with its regular routine, we can expect to see the Galaxy Z Fold 6 around August. However, gadget blog SmartPrix reports that it may occur in July this year, as was the case in 2023. It’ll probably include Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI just like the Galaxy S24 lineup.

The company also usually makes minor design improvements with each Z Fold generation. This year, Samsung could give the Galaxy Z Fold 6 a boxier shape with flat edges, reports SmartPrix, which collaborated with well-known gadget leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer (known as @OnLeaks on X) to publish what it claims are renders showing what the phone could look like.

A Samsung patent has generated speculation that the Galaxy Z Fold 6 could get an S Pen slot for the first time, which would make it much easier to stow and quickly access the stylus. The Galaxy Z Fold 5 doesn’t come with an S Pen in the box, so hopefully the inclusion of a dedicated slot on the Z Fold 6 would mean that would change.

However, since this is just a patent, it’s unclear if this reflects Samsung’s actual plans for future Galaxy Z Fold devices. What’s perhaps more exciting is the idea that Samsung could be launching multiple versions of the Galaxy Z Fold. The company is reportedly coming out with a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6, according to Korean news site The Elec, while Galaxy Club reports that an even more premium Galaxy Z Fold 6 Ultra could be in the works.

Why we’re excited about it: The original Galaxy Z Fold was among the first foldable phones you could buy when it launched back in 2019, and Samsung has refined its design and functionality over the last couple of years. Samsung’s Won-Joon Choi also teased that the company is tailoring Galaxy AI features for specific types of devices, like foldables and tablets, rather than just copy-and-pasting what’s already available on the Galaxy S24 lineup. With that in mind, I’m looking forward to seeing whether Samsung has anything exclusive and new to bring to the next Galaxy Z Fold in terms of software.

And if the rumors and speculation about a cheaper version of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and an S Pen slot turn out to be true, Samsung may be addressing some of our biggest criticisms about the Z Fold with its next model.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6

What to expect: Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 5 represented a big leap over the Z Flip 4 thanks to its larger cover screen, which makes it possible to use the device without having to open it. As such, there’s a chance we won’t see dramatic design changes in the Galaxy Z Flip 6, which will likely debut around August if Samsung maintains its usual schedule.

But we are expecting to see it inherit some of the Galaxy S24’s characteristics, such as a new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and Galaxy AI features. However, as is likely to be the case with the Galaxy Z Fold 6, there’s a chance Samsung will customize Galaxy AI features specifically for the Z Flip 6.

Why we’re excited about it: With its larger cover screen and sleeker design, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 is already one of our favorite foldable phones. With the Galaxy Z Flop 6, I’m hoping to see more use cases for the cover screen and a lower price.

Google

Google Pixel 9 and 9 Pro

What to expect: Based on what we’ve seen with the Pixel 8 family and Galaxy S24 lineup, it’s probably safe to assume we’ll be seeing even more new AI-powered features on the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro. Late last year, Google introduced its AI model Gemini, which runs on the Pixel 8 Pro to power features like conversation summaries in the Recorder app. The model also powers some of the new Galaxy AI features on the Galaxy S24 lineup, including those found in the Samsung Notes and Voice Recorder apps. More recently, Google said it’s bringing Gemini Nano to the regular Pixel 8 as a developer option, too. It seems plausible that Google would build on that by adding more AI-fueled capabilities to its next Pixels.

Otherwise, we can likely expect routine upgrades like a new Tensor processor and camera improvements. Ross Young, CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants, also says the new phones will have larger screens than the Pixel 8 generation, according to a post on X, although a more recent report from Hemmerstoffer and MySmartPrice suggests the Pro model will have a smaller 6.5-inch display. The Pixel 9 Pro may also get a refreshed design with flat edges that resembles the iPhone, according to that same report.

Why we’re excited about it: Google’s Pixel phones are usually among CNET’s favorite phones of the year. The Pixel 8 generation felt like an early look at Google’s new AI-focused direction for smartphones, and I imagine Google will apply learnings and feedback from the Pixel 8 to the Pixel 9. Plus, given that the Pixel 8 Pro’s camera didn’t impress CNET reviewer Andrew Lanxon the way he had hoped, I’d like to see Google make up for that with the Pixel 9 Pro.

Google Pixel 8A

What to expect: Google’s cheaper Pixel phone will likely have a lot in common with the Pixel 8, if Google maintains the same approach it’s taken with the Pixel 7A and Pixel 6A. That means it could have the same Tensor G3 processor as the Pixel 8, along with a very similar design to match. Renders that claim to show what the Pixel 8A will look like, which come from well-known leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer and were published by the site SmartPrix, indeed suggest the phone will look nearly identical to the Pixel 8.

Google’s A-series phones typically differ from its standard Pixel phones in their cameras and screen sizes, so there’s a chance that will once again be the case in 2024. Google has announced its A-series phones at its Google I/O conference in May in the last two years.

Why we’re excited about it: Google’s Pixel A phones, especially the Pixel 6A and Pixel 7A, raised the bar for phones that are priced under $500. Both of those devices offer an experience that closely matches that of their flagship siblings, making it hard to justify purchasing Google’s pricier phone. I hope the Pixel 8A lives up to its predecessor with an eye-catching design, a great camera and smooth performance.

Based on the rumors, reports and announcements so far, this year’s phones should bring a balance of new AI features and updates to existing staples like performance and design upgrades. Although AI still has to prove its purpose in phones, the idea of software features that truly bring something new and useful to phones is refreshing.

Motorola’s premium Edge phones don’t get a lot of attention, and it’s too bad, as they occupy an interesting sector of the flagship phone market. While they don’t offer the rock-bottom prices of the Moto G line, nor the folding flip-phone design of the Razr and Razr Plus, they keep the curved-edge screen design alive with functional specs and a clean build of Android.

Edge phones don’t have the name recognition of Samsung’s Galaxy phones nor Google’s Pixel line, but they do have a secret weapon: The phones frequently go on sale, at times dropping to nearly half off their original price. For instance, in the case of the Motorola Edge 2023, it’s dropping from its $600 list price to $350 this week.

Read more: Best phone to buy in 2024

I took it with me on two winter vacations where its sleek design, fast 68W charging and grippy vegan leather back all made it handy to carry with me. The phone’s camera take decent photos, especially compared to phones regularly priced $400 and under. The Motorola Edge is a good option for someone who’s looking for an all-around phone that’s “cheap” but doesn’t feel cheap.

The curved display and body

The Edge 2023’s premium feel starts with its 6.6-inch curved display, which reminds me of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge I used as my work phone. Most flagship Android phones have flat screens, but Motorola opted for a screen that rounds over the edge of the side. While this type of screen draws mixed opinions, I do enjoy that I can use the display edges to scroll through articles and texts without covering up anything on the flat portion of the screen. Motorola also lets you set up the display’s edge to light up for notifications when the phone is face down, which reminds me of the long-gone notification lights on BlackBerry phones.

And while those throwback features are nice, Motorola also equips the Edge with a modern 144Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling look smooth. It’s close to what I see in gaming-focused phones. Its 360Hz touch sampling rate — how fast it responds to finger taps — is also nice for fast games like Dead Cells, even though this is not considered a gaming phone by any stretch. By comparison, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s touch sampling rate is double that at 720Hz, while the Edge exceeds the Samsung Galaxy S24’s 240Hz rate.

An important caveat to the Edge’s stylish design: I found a few scratches on the screen within days of carrying the phone in my pockets, and a more appeared throughout my travels. Nothing that a good screen protector can’t prevent, but get that installed before taking the phone everywhere you go.

I am however mixed on whether I’d want to place the Edge in a case, mostly because the vegan leather back of the phone feels so nice. It smooths out the camera bump on the handset while providing a touch of character, distinguishing it in a phone industry otherwise dominated by metal or glass backsides. Motorola recently added this same casing to its cheaper Moto G line, and I’m all for more companies experimenting with how a phone feels in the hand alongside how it looks.

Adding to the Edge’s feel is its lightness, as its 168g weight is noticeably easier to carry than other similar size phones. For instance the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus weighs 197g despite having a nearly identical-size screen, and it’s also lighter than the Pixel 7A, which weighs 193g even though it has a smaller 6.1-inch display. This is another trend I’d love to see in more, because if phones keep getting bigger, making them lighter so they don’t weigh down pockets or handbags would be the next best way to improve how we carry them.

Scenic photography

The Motorola Edge is not the best camera that I’ve used among phones that start at $600, but its 50-megapixel main camera paired up with a 13-megapixel ultrawide is capable of capturing colorful scenes in bright and indoor environments.

During a California trip in December, I took the Motorola Edge to the deserts of the Joshua Tree National Park and seaside at Venice Beach. All of my photos show off the textures of the rocks and Joshua Tree plant life, along with the waves seen on a cloudy day in Venice Beach, respectively.

And while I look rather tousled from the Venice Beach wind in this selfie taken with the 32-megapixel front-facing camera, the image captures details in my skin’s texture and strands of hair.

Below is a photo I took during a nighttime walk at a Palm Springs street fair. Notice the faint details of dark palm trees in the background and how that contrasts with the crowds and various booths.

However indoor photos taken in dim lighting appear to struggle. For instance, while the decorations inside of this photo of the Falcon Bar in Long Beach look clear, the bottom left of the photo has visible distortion in the shadows.

Seeing the Edge struggle in low-light reminds me a common nuisance found on other phones that are regularly $400 and less, where photos taken with night mode end up applying a lot of noise reduction blur.

Video quality is decent, with options to shoot at 4K and 30fps or 1,080p at 60fps. It’s not doing anything groundbreaking for a $600 phone, but can grab videos for sharing with friends or posting on social media. While Motorola touts the Edge’s video stabilization feature, the footage I recorded walking the Venice Beach pier still looked shaky. It’s viewable, but I wouldn’t put its stabilization feature anywhere near the level that Asus provides to its Zenfone line or on the Pixel 7A.

When taking into account the Edge’s original $600 price, I would sooner recommend the Pixel 7A or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE for photography, but when considering it as a $350 phone, the Edge is quite a deal.

Fast charging, but not a powerful phone

The Motorola Edge’s 68-watt charging could be its best feature, even as we see new 2024 phones like the OnePlus 12R bring 80W charging speeds to phones that cost $600. That’s because while the OnePlus uses its own proprietary charger to achieve those speeds. Motorola’s 68W speeds work with nearly any compatible USB-C charger. During a 30-minute wired charging test, I was able to take the phone from 0% to 69% in 30 minutes. The 15W wireless charging isn’t nearly as dramatic, but it’s nice to have an option that could took the phone from 21% to 45% during a 30-minute wireless charging test.

The Edge has a 4,400-mAh battery, that’s smaller than the 5,000mAh size I see in a lot of Android phones, but I easily got through a day of use on a single charge. In CNET’s YouTube streaming drain test — in which the phone’s battery is charged to 100% and I stream a video over Wi-Fi for 3 hours checking the battery every hour — the Edge depleted from 100% to 72%. That’s faster than the same test on the Galaxy S23 FE, which ran down to 77%, and the Pixel 7A which depleted to 85%. The FE has a bigger 4,500-mAh battery, while the 7A has a comparably sized 4,385-mAh battery.

YouTube streaming drain test

Phone	1 hr.	2 hr.	3 hr.
Motorola Edge (2023)	90%	81%	72%
Google Pixel 7A	96%	90%	85%
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE	94%	85%	77%

The Edge’s overall performance is a weak point compared to 2024 phones and other $600 phones released last year, and is more in line with $400 smartphones. In Geekbench 6 and 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark tests, the Edge’s score was closer to the $400 Moto G Stylus 5G than it was to the Pixel 7A or the Galaxy S23 FE.

Benchmark testing: Motorola Edge (2023) vs. Google Pixel 7A vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE vs. Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

Phone	Geekbench 6.0 Single Core	Geekbench 6.0 Multi Core	3DMark Wild Life Extreme
Motorola Edge (2023)	1,019	2,289	696; 4.17 fps
Google Pixel 7A	1,439	3,560	1,855; FPS did not show
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE	1,620	3,982	2,588; 15.50 fps
Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)	714	2,497	609; 3.7 fps

That might be due to the phone running on a MediaTek Dimensity 7030, as opposed to the 7A’s Tensor G2 or the S23 FE’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. I didn’t notice particularly slow performance when it came to using apps or multitasking, and perhaps this is an area that inadvertently helps the Edge achieve a decent battery life.

Even though I referenced how gamer-friendly the Edge’s display was earlier, I would avoid cranking up all of the performance settings available in some Android games.

Motorola Edge might be just enough phone, but has competition

Last year’s Motorola Edge has a lot to offer, as long as it happens to be on sale at $350 or $400. When it is, you have a phone with a sleek and light design, decent cameras, fast charging and enough performance to get through most tasks without a hiccup. The Edge just received an update from Android 13 to Android 14, and should receive Android 15. It will also get security updates through Sept. 2026.

These software timelines are short compared to the Galaxy S23 FE’s four years of software updates and five years of security updates.

However there’s a lot of competition among Android phones between $300 and $600. For instance, the Pixel 7A is also on sale this week, discounted from $499 to $374. Meanwhile Google I/O is coming in May, where we will likely see the debut of the Pixel 8A — which could come with an even deeper price cut for the Pixel 7A. And while Samsung isn’t bringing the Galaxy A55 to the US this year — which traditionally hits the $450 price — the company is instead bringing the $300 Galaxy A25 stateside. That latter move makes some sense, as Samsung’s $200 A series phones often break into US sales charts that are otherwise dominated by Apple’s iPhone.

But that might be exactly why the Motorola Edge is a compelling deal when it’s available for $350 or $400. At this discount, you have a phone that includes a lot of comparable features to other $600 phones, alongside a few compromises that are more forgivable at the lower sale price.

Motorla Edge (2023) vs. Google Pixel 7A, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)

	Motorola Edge (2023)	Google Pixel 7A	Samsung Galaxy S23 FE	Moto G Stylus 5G (2023)
Display size, resolution	6.6-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 144Hz refresh rate	6.1-inch OLED; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 60/90Hz	6.4-inch AMOLED display; 2,340 x 1,080 pixels; adaptive 120Hz refresh rate (60-120Hz)	6.6-inch LCD display; 2,400×1,080 pixels; 120Hz refresh rate
Pixel density	402 ppi	361 ppi	466 ppi	399 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	6.2 x 2.8 x 0.3 in.	6.00 x 2.87 x 0.35 in.	6.22 x 3.01 x 0.32 in.	6.41 x 2.9 x 0.37 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	158.5 x 72 x 7.6 mm	73 x 152 x 9.0 mm	157.9 x 76.4 x 8.1 mm	162.8 x 73.8 x 9.3 mm
Weight (ounces, grams)	168 g (5.9 oz.)	193g (6.81 oz.)	209 g (7.4 oz.)	202 g (7.13 oz.)
Mobile software	Android 13	Android 13	Android 13	Android 13
Camera	50-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	64-megapixel (main), 13-megapixel (ultrawide)	50-megapixel (main), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 8-megapixel (telephoto)	50-megapixel (main), 8-megapixel (ultrawide)
Front-facing camera	32-megapixel	13-megapixel	10-megapixel	16-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	8K	4K
Processor	MediaTek Dimensity 7030	Tensor G2	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Snapdragon 6 Gen 1
RAM + Storage	8GB + 256GB	8GB + 128GB	8GB + 128GB, 256GB	4GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 128GB; 6GB RAM + 256GB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	Yes
Battery	4,400 mAh	4,385 mAh	4,500 mAh	5,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Side	Under display	Side
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	None	None	None	Yes
Special features	5G, Moto Gestures, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos, NFC	5G (5G sub6 / mmWave), IP67 rating, 18W fast charging, 7.5W wireless charging	Wireless PowerShare, Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Samsung Knox with Samsung Knox Vault, IP68 water resistance	Stylus, Moto Gestures, stereo speakers
Price off-contract (USD)	$600 (256GB)	$499 (128GB), $549 (128GB + mmW)	$600 (128GB)	$400 (128GB)
Price (GBP)	N/A	449 (128GB)	599 (128GB)	Converts to 317 (128GB)
Price (AUD)	N/A	AU$749 (128GB)	AU$1,099 (128GB)	Converts to AU$590 (128GB)

The iPhone’s design changes every year, sometimes in big ways, and other times more subtly. The iPhone 16, if rumors are true, will fall into the latter category.

Among the biggest expected changes is the addition of new buttons for both models. Otherwise, the Pro versions could get slightly larger screens, while the standard model may get a redesigned camera module. None of these reports have been confirmed or acknowledged by Apple, so we’ll have to wait until September to know what’s truly in store for the iPhone 16.

The iPhone’s design has largely remained the same over the last couple of years, aside from the iPhone 15 Pro’s titanium build and the iPhone 15’s color-infused glass. It also removed the SIM card slot from new iPhones in the US starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, meaning new iPhone buyers must rely on electronic SIMs. But arguably the biggest overhaul in recent memory came in 2020 when Apple changed the iPhone’s shape by giving it flatter edges, starting with the iPhone 12.

Now, here’s what we’re expecting from the iPhone 16. Apple did not immediately respond to CNET’s request for comment.

Read more: AI Is Changing Our Phones, and It’s Just Getting Started

iPhone 16 may get a new camera bump

Apple may switch up the camera arrangement on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, according to MacRumors. The cameras will reportedly be stacked vertically on both phones, similar to the iPhone 12.

It’s unclear why Apple would change the positioning of the cameras on the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus specifically. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, on the other hand, are expected to keep the same camera bump design, according to 91Mobiles, which claims to have obtained drawings of the phones’ design.

When Apple shifted from a vertical arrangement to a diagonal one starting with the iPhone 13, it said doing so made it possible to fit a larger module in the device, as noted in CNET’s review. It’s possible that it no longer needs to position the cameras in that way to fit the iPhone 16’s sensor, but this is just speculation at this point.

Action and camera capture buttons for the iPhone 16

Expect your next iPhone to come with more buttons.

The iPhone 16 is reportedly getting a dedicated button for shooting video, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, although it’s unclear if it would be available on all phones or just the Pro models. At the same time, Apple is expected to expand the Action button to all iPhone 16 models, Bloomberg also reports. Both buttons will be capacitive, according to MacRumors.

The Action button, which can be used as a shortcut to launch the camera or turn on Do Not Disturb among other tasks, is currently exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. In addition to extending the Action button to the standard iPhone this year, I’m also hoping Apple expands what it can do. For example, as my colleague Patrick Holland writes, the ability to trigger different actions with multiple presses could open up a bunch of possibilities.

Read more: The iPhone May Get a Big Dose of AI This Year. Here’s What to Expect

Larger sizes for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max

The iPhone Pro’s screen size has remained the same for years, but that could soon change. Both the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max models are expected to include bigger screens, according to reports from Bloomberg, well-known analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, MacRumors and Display Supply Chain Consultants CEO Ross Young.

The iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max currently measure 6.1 inches and 6.7 inches respectively. If the reports from Young and MacRumors end up being true, the Pro’s screen could end up measuring 6.2 or 6.3 inches, while the Max could be 6.8 or 6.9 inches. That may not sound like a big difference. But in a device as small as a phone, even a fraction of an inch can go a long way.

Apple hasn’t updated the iPhone’s screen size of its Pro Max iPhone since 2020 when it introduced the 6.7-inch iPhone 12 Pro Max to replace the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max. The Pro model also got a size bump that year, growing to 6.1 inches compared to the 5.8-inch iPhone 11 Pro.

Read more: Best iPhone to Buy in 2024

iPhone 16 possible colors

Apple may have a couple of new color options in store for the iPhone 16 Pro, if rumors turn out to be true. The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max may come in space black, gray, rose and white colors, according to a leak that surfaced on the Chinese social network Weibo. The rumor was reposted by a notable leaker who goes by the alias ShrimpApplePro on X. That would differ from the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s color options, which include natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium and black titanium.

All told, the iPhone 16 and 16 Pro sound like they will be an incremental upgrade over the iPhone 15. Check out our full preview of what we’re expecting from the iPhone 16 to learn more about what we may see from the camera and other key areas.