Category: Technologies

It took only about a decade, but Apple finally relaxed the App Store rules regarding retro game console emulators. Comically, the first Apple-approved emulator to launch under the relaxed rules, called iGBA, was banned by Apple just days after its launch due to copyright infringement.

The emulator, iGBA, was a knockoff of GBA4iOS, an open-source Game Boy Advance emulator for iOS that the developer created over 10 years ago. Since it was the only emulator available on the App Store during its short reign, it quickly rose to the top of the App Store charts following the news that emulators were back in town.

Representatives for Apple didn’t immediately respond for a request for comment.

GBA4iOS creator Riley Testut spotted the copy and wrote about the experience on Threads.

“So apparently Apple approved a knock-off of GBA4iOS — the predecessor to Delta I made in high school — in the App Store,” Testut wrote. “I did not give anyone permission to do this, yet it’s now sitting at the top of the charts (despite being filled with ads + tracking).”

Testut didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Testut would go on to say he was frustrated not with the developer but with Apple for allowing an obvious clone when his own Delta emulator, the successor to GBA4iOS, had been in TestFlight, Apple’s beta testing platform for iOS apps, for over a year. It also wasn’t difficult for developers to tell it was a phony. Mastodon user and iOS developer Jesús A. Álvarez showed that the code was virtually identical to GBA4iOS but with the licenses removed and advertising added, which is a violation of the GNU General Public License.

Apple confirmed that it removed iGBA from the App Store on Sunday for violating two Apple rules regarding spam (section 4.3) and intellectual property (section 5.2).

Changing time for app stores

The drama comes amid Testut’s efforts to release AltStore, a third-party iOS app store for users in the EU. His Game Boy Advance emulator, Delta, is set to be the store’s flagship app.

“I’ve been working with Apple to release AltStore as an alternative app marketplace for over a month now, and I’m disappointed to see that they’ve approved a knockoff of AltStore’s flagship app Delta in that time,” Testut told The Verge. “However, we’re still planning to launch Delta ASAP, and we’ll have more to share on that very soon.”

The developer of iGBA, La Spina, also told The Verge that it “did not think the app would have so much repercussion” and apologized to Testut.

The Apple App Store is undergoing a lot of changes lately. The EU’s Digital Markets Act is forcing Apple to allow third-party app stores, which is causing Apple to work overtime to ensure the platform remains secure. In addition, a US Department of Justice lawsuit is accusing Apple of stifling competition and violating antitrust laws in the name of security. In the lawsuit, the Justice Department alleges that Apple’s control over its platform prevents companies from doing things like launching competitor smartwatches or digital wallets on Apple’s platform.

The NBA Playoffs tip off Tuesday with the start of the play-in tournament. The top six teams in each conference have qualified for the actual playoffs, and teams seven through 10 must get through the play-in tourney to secure one of the final two playoff spots in each conference.

In the Western Conference, the play-in teams are the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls and Atlanta Hawks will battle it out in the Eastern Conference play-in tournament.

The Western Conference play-in games will be shown on TNT, and the Eastern Conference games will be on ESPN. Here’s everything you need to know to watch or stream the start of the NBA Playoffs.

What are the play-in tournament matchups?

In the West, the No. 7 Pelicans host the No. 8 Lakers, a game that will feature 23-year-old Zion Williamson going up against 39-year-old LeBron James. Next up is the No. 9 Kings playing host to the No. 10 Warriors. Steph Curry and the Warriors will need to win two games on the road to earn the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

In the East, the No. 7 76ers host the No. 8 Heat in a game that will feature reigning league MVP Joel Embiid, who just returned from injury near the end of the regular season, going up against Miami center Bam Adebayo and former playoff hero Jimmy Butler. In the game between the No. 9 Bulls and No. 10 Hawks, the focus will be less on big men and more on guards and wings such as DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine of the Bulls and the Hawks’ Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

What is the play-in tournament schedule?

All eight play-in teams will be in action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tuesday, April 16

• No. 7 Pelicans vs. No. 8 Lakers, 7:30 p.m. on TNT
• No. 9 Kings vs. No. 10 Warriors, 10 p.m. on TNT

Wednesday, April 17

• No. 7 76ers vs. No. 8 Heat, 7 p.m. on ESPN
• No. 9 Bulls vs. No. 10 Hawks, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN

The winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 game in each conference earns that conference’s seventh seed. The loser will then play the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game on Friday for the eighth playoff spot in each conference.

What does the NBA playoff bracket look like?

The Boston Celtics earned the top spot in the East, and the Oklahoma City Thunder edged the defending champion Denver Nuggets for the top seed in the West. Here’s what the matchups look like for the 2024 NBA Playoffs that begin Saturday:

Saturday, April 20

• No. 2 New York Knicks vs. East No. 7
• No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic
• No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. West No. 7
• No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns

Sunday, April 21

• No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. East No. 8
• No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. West No. 8
• No. 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

How to watch the NBA play-in tournament

You can watch the play-in games on TNT and ESPN with a cable subscription or a live TV streaming service. Four of the five major services (all but Fubo) offer both channels. You can also watch the TNT broadcast of the Western Conference play-in games with Max.

The rest of the playoffs will be shown on ABC, ESPN, TNT and NBA TV.

All of the live TV streaming services above offer free trials, allow you to cancel anytime and require a solid internet connection. Looking for more information? Check out our live TV streaming services guide.

Samsung is once again at the top of the global smartphone market. The South Korean electronics maker surpassed Apple to become the number one smartphone company in terms of worldwide shipments, according to the International Data Corporation, coming after Apple previously claimed the top spot.

Samsung accounted for 20.8% of the global market in the first quarter of 2024, while Apple claimed 17.3%, the report says. Apple and Samsung have been vying for mobile dominance since the smartphone’s early days, and each of the two companies typically ships more devices than their competitors. But the IDC’s new findings are particularly noteworthy because Apple previously stole the number one position from Samsung last year, marking the first time the Galaxy phone maker wasn’t at the top of the market since 2010, according to the IDC.

Read more: The Best Galaxy AI Features to Try On Your Samsung Phone

Samsung and Apple are likely to stay at the top, the IDC report notes, but it also points to the expansion of brands that aren’t well-known in the US such as Xiaomi, Huawei, Transsion, Oppo, OnePlus and Vivo. Some of these companies have already released compelling new phones in 2024, such as Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra, which my colleague Andrew Lanxon called the “best camera phone” he’s ever used.

As these other brands gain traction, Samsung and Apple may be pushed to “expand” and “diversify,” Ryan Reith, group vice president with the IDC’s Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers, said in a press release. It’s unclear exactly what that means, but both companies are expected to make major phone-related announcements in the coming months.

Samsung, for example, typically announces new foldable phones and wearables in the late summer. However, leaks such as this report from blog SamMobile suggest the company could announce its new batch of foldables as early as July, similar to last year.

The Galaxy Z Flip and Galaxy Z Fold have become well-established within Samsung’s smartphone lineup. But rumors also suggest Samsung may be working on new versions of the Z Fold. The company is reportedly developing a high-end version that may be called the Galaxy Z Fold Ultra, according to the blog Galaxy Club, and a cheaper model, according to reports from Korean news outlets The Elec and ETNews. The company’s display division has also been flaunting new flexible phone concepts at the CES tech conference in Las Vegas over the past couple of years, raising questions about what’s next.

Apple is expected to announce its new iPhones in September as it usually does. Reports from Bloomberg and MacRumors suggest the phones will be a modest upgrade over the iPhone 15, with one of the biggest expected changes being the arrival of a dedicated video recording button.

But Apple is expected to introduce significant new software features for the iPhone that are powered by AI, according to Bloomberg. That could be an important part of its effort to keep the iPhone exciting and appealing as Android rivals continue to release new foldable phones. It would also help the iPhone remain competitive with Android after Samsung and Google have released their own AI-fueled features and services on their popular Galaxy and Pixel lines.

Editors’ note: CNET used an AI engine to help create several dozen stories, which are labeled accordingly. The note you’re reading is attached to articles that deal substantively with the topic of AI but are created entirely by our expert editors and writers. For more, see our AI policy.

Regardless of why you want to learn a new language, teaching yourself can be a challenge, especially when your schedule is packed. But there are great apps out there that can guide you through learning a new language on your schedule, at your own pace, right from your phone. One of our favorite language-learning app options, Babbel, offers an online school type of experience that caters to all types of learners.

Usually lifelong access to Babbel’s 14 language courses would run you $599, but right now you can snag a lifetime subscription to Babbel for just $150Act quick, this deal ends on April 17.

Babbel’s extensive language software includes Spanish, French, Italian, German, Russian, Swedish, Indonesian, Portuguese and more. The lessons are short and to the point, allowing you to practice in 10- to 15-minute intervals that can fit into any schedule. Real-life topics include travel, family, business, food and others. A variety of skill levels are available, ranging from beginner to advanced, so the program can grow with you as you improve.

The speech-recognition technology will give you immediate feedback on pronunciation, so you don’t just learn to read and write but how to listen and speak, as well. You’ll also get personalized review sessions to reinforce what you’ve learned. The program works across desktop and mobile devices. Although the internet is required most of the time, there is also an offline mode available where you can access courses, lessons and reviews without Wi-Fi, so long as you download them beforehand. Babbel also syncs your progress across your devices so that you can jump in from wherever is most convenient.

Becoming fluent in a new language is a great way to stay engaged in learning, and the transferable skills you gain can open a lot of doors for leisure, work and beyond. Note that while you can access this program on as many devices as you want, this subscription offer is available only for new users.

Babbel is a great value when compared with other online courses, especially with this current discount. So whether you’re a lifelong learner or just want to pick up some basics for your globetrotting adventures, this is a solid deal.

Read more: 11 Items to Add to Your Travel Checklist for a Smooth Trip

The next flagship Google phone, the Pixel 9, could come with more connectivity capabilities including sending messages through satellites, if a new rumor is proved true.

The Google Pixel 9 will use the next generation of its in-house Tensor chipsets, the Tensor G4, which will have a Samsung Exynos 5400 modem, a source told Android Authority. While this isn’t too surprising to hear Google may stick with an Exynos modem (last year’s Pixel 8 and its preceding Pixel 7 use an Exynos 5300 modem), the rumor suggests this means the Pixel 9 will be able to connect through satellites.

To date, only Apple’s iPhones have widely been able to communicate through satellites, which use the proprietary Emergency SOS system to send text messages relayed through Apple-manned operators to summon emergency services. Others have tried to launch similar offerings — for instance, chipmaker Qualcomm unveiled Snapdragon Satellite at CES 2023 as a proprietary solution that manufacturers could opt to install in their phones, though none did and the offering quietly shuttered at the end of last year.

Read more: Satellite Messaging: The 2023 Phones Trend That Wasn’t (Yet)

Instead, Apple’s Emergency SOS aside, the trend of satellite connectivity seems like it will follow a slower and more open pathway. Qualcomm debuted its Snapdragon X80 modem at MWC 2024, which supports the general NB-NTN (non-terrestrial network) standard of satellite connectivity within the 3GPP Release 17 set of communication standards (along with some future standards coming in the unfinalized Release 18). In short, this should open up device manufacturers using the modem to many more satellite solutions.

Samsung unveiled the Exynos 5400 ahead of MWC 2024, focusing on 5G advancements without officially clarifying its satellite capabilities. The Exynos 5400 will support the same Release 17 NTN standards, according to Android Authority’s source, though they didn’t offer any additional specs or other information to suggest how Samsung’s newest modem may improve the Pixel 9’s conventional wireless connectivity. Pixel owners have complained about erratic connectivity in recent Pixel phones, as Android Police noted, and attributed it to the Exynos modems, which Google switched to using in the Pixel 6 to pair with its Tensor chipsets rather than the Qualcomm modems it had used in its prior handsets.

Android Authority’s source did suggest that the Exynos 5400 would be paired with other devices slated to use the Tensor G4 beyond the Pixel 9 — including the next generation of Pixel Fold devices as well as a 5G tablet, codenamed “clementine,” which Google is purportedly in the early stages of developing. Presumably, these devices will be able to connect through satellites as well.

Samsung hasn’t elaborated on any satellite connectivity capabilities of the Exynos 5400, though satellite network company Skylo did certify the modem for use with its satellites shortly after MWC 2024. The year before, Samsung announced that it had simulated satellite communications using its Exynos 5300 modem and planned to incorporate two-way texting as well as exchanging images and video over satellite into future modems.

Neither Samsung nor Google responded to a request for comment by time of publication.

While last year may not have been the year of satellite-to-phone connectivity that I originally anticipated at the outset of 2023, the potential of using satellites to boost connectivity in remote areas outside the range of mobile networks remains promising. For now, Apple retains its advantage and Emergency SOS is another feather in the iPhone’s cap, but it’s still only usable in an emergency and only carries text. Future connectivity solutions, like the as-yet unrealized satellite solutions proposed by Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T, seek to let users send multimedia messages and make voice and video calls beyond mobile networks.

The iPhone 15 series has been around for several months now, while the rumored iPhone 16 will only arrive in the fall. If you’re currently considering an upgrade to Apple’s latest iPhone lineup, it’s surely worth knowing how each of the four models stack up. Apple’s iPhone 15 lineup includes a base iPhone 15 and a larger iPhone 15 Plus, which offer comparable specs to one another. The series also includes the higher-end iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the later boasts a few differences that make the Pro Max stand out more than it has previously. Apple unveiled all four at its Wonderlust event in September, alongside the Watch Series 9 and the Watch Ultra 2.

For starters, the Dynamic Island, the shape-shifting cutout introduced in iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, is now standard across the entire iPhone 15 series. The entire lineup has also now switched to USB-C for charging. But that’s where the similarities end, more or less, with each iPhone model standing out via its design, camera and other features.

For instance, colors vary across the entry-level and Pro lineups. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus come in brighter color options like pink, yellow, green and blue along with a darker black. However with the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max now coming in a titanium chassis, those phones come in darker shades that Apple is labeling natural titanium, blue titanium, white titanium and black titanium.

Additionally, Apple eliminated the toggle switch on the Pro models in favor of what it calls the “Action button.” Essentially, it’s a multifunction button that lets you program it for a wide range of tasks, like taking a photo or launching a timer.

That USB-C port arrives to the iPhone 15 line after a European Union mandate, and will allow the iPhone to make use of the same charging cables that power Android phones, recent iPads and other electronics. While all four models use USB-C charging as a standard, the speed of data transfer varies between base and Pro models. Only the Pro models support USB 3, which offers faster 10Gbps speeds. But if you want to take advantage of those faster speeds, you’ll need to buy your own USB 3 cable since Apple ships all phones with just a USB 2 cable.

As for the cameras, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus have two cameras on the back, while the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max get three. You get a 48-megapixel wide lens, which has telephoto capabilities, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens with either regular model. The Pro models feature a 12-megapixel telephoto lens complete with 3x optical zoom. You can also shoot at multiple focal lengths with the Pro models: 24mm, 28mm and 35mm.

Further to that, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has its own exclusive camera perk via the upgrade to a new telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, the most that has ever been included on an iPhone.

Both iPhone 15 Pro phones can shoot spatial video, which is essentially a 3D video that can be viewed on Apple’s forthcoming Vision Pro headset.

And like the iPhone 14 line, the iPhone 15 line includes different processors depending on the model. The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will run on the A16 Bionic chip, which debuted last year on the iPhone 14 Pro. Meanwhile the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max phones will ship with the new A17 Pro chip, which Apple says will make the higher-end iPhone better suited for graphics and gaming.

To check out more differences between the different iPhone 15 models, check out our specs chart below.

iPhone 15 series compared

	iPhone 15	iPhone 15 Plus	iPhone 15 Pro	iPhone 15 Pro Max
Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness	6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels	6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels	6.1-inch OLED; 2,556×1,179 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate	6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels; 120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate
Pixel density	460 ppi	460 ppi	460 ppi	460 ppi
Dimensions (inches)	2.82 x 5.81 x 0.31 in.	3.06 x 6.33 x 0.31 in.	2.78 x 5.77 x 0.32 in.	3.02 x 6.29 x 0.32 in.
Dimensions (millimeters)	71.6 x 147.6 x 7.8 mm	77.8 x 160.9 x 7.8 mm	70.6 x 146.6 x 8.25 mm	76.7 x 159.9 x 8.25 mm
Weight (grams, ounces)	171 g (6.02 oz.)	201 g (7.09 oz.)	187 g (6.6 oz.)	221 g (7.81 oz.)
Mobile software	iOS 17	iOS 17	iOS 17	iOS 17
Camera	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (3x optical)	48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel telephoto (5x optical)
Front-facing camera	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel	12-megapixel
Video capture	4K	4K	4K	4K
Processor	A16 Bionic	A16 Bionic	A17 Pro	A17 Pro
RAM/storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB	256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage	None	None	None	None
Battery	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 20 hours of video playback (16 hours streamed)	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 26 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed)	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 23 hours of video playback (20 hours streamed)	Undisclosed; Apple claims up to 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed)
Fingerprint sensor	None (Face ID)	None (Face ID)	None (Face ID)	None (Face ID)
Connector	USB-C (USB 2.0)	USB-C (USB 2.0)	USB-C (USB 3.0)	USB-C (USB 3.0)
Headphone jack	None	None	None	None
Special features	5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island	5G (mmw/Sub6), IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island	5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 3x optical zoom	5G (mmw/Sub6), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 rating, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent)
US price off-contract	$799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB)	$899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB)	$999 (128GB, $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB)	$1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)
UK price	799 (128GB), 899 (256GB), 1,099 (512GB)	899 (128GB), 999 (256GB), 1,199 (512GB)	999 (128GB), 1,099 (256GB), 1,299 (512GB), 1,499 (1TB)	1,199 (256GB), 1,399 (512GB), 1,599 (1TB)
Australia price	AU$1,499 (128GB), AU$1,699 (256GB), AU$2,049 (512GB)	AU$1,649 (128GB), AU$1,849 (256GB), AU$2,199 (512GB)	AU$1,849 (128GB), AU$2,049 (256GB), AU$2,399 (512GB), AU$2,749 (1TB)	AU$2,199 (256GB), AU$2,549 (512GB), AU$2,899 (1TB)

Best Buy’s outlet sale event can help you save some big bucks on many different products like laptops, TVs, vacuums and more. Shopping clearance and open-box items can save you some major cash, so if you’ve been eyeing something, be sure to check out the massive outlet event happening at Best Buy right now. You can get up to 50% off on clearance, open-box and refurbished items. Act fast before your favorites sell out.

With so many pages of sale items, you may feel a little overwhelmed. To save you some time and make sure you have access to the best discounts available during this sale, we’ve rounded up a few standout deals. These are our top picks right now.

We’re also seeing significant savings on some of the best TVs on the market. There are several pages of discounts on open-box options, including the sleek Samsung Frame and high-end LG OLED models with hundreds off regular prices, or if you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, Best Buy has a 43-inch Insignia Fire TV starting at just $126. If you’re seeking more home appliances, you can save up to 60% on open-box options, including a Whirlpool smart top-load washer that’s currently available for $800, which is $285 off its original $1,035 price tag.

There’s no shortage of phone accessories available at Best Buy. OtterBox is a popular brand that’s often recommended by our experts. If you’re looking for a hard shell case for your iPhone 14 Plus, you can grab this OtterBox Fre case for $70.

And if you’re willing to go the refurbished route, you have even more options. There are Apple AirPods Pro available for $170 and Beats Studio Buds Plus available for just $80. These options come with other perks, including three free months of Apple TV Plus.

The affordable Google Pixel 7A is a great way to get a flagship-like phone without paying flagship prices. And though a number of Pixel 7A deals have popped up of late, the current $150 discount at Amazon is the best we’ve seen to date. With Google I/O 2024 confirmed for May and a Pixel 8A likely to be on the way, the Pixel 7A is down to just $349 there for a limited time, marking a new all-time low for the device. Note that while there are no on-screen or coupons required here, this is a price that might not stick around for all that long so make sure to factor that into your buying decision. Missed out? Best Buy’s matching the $349 price and Google has also slashed the price by $150, too.

Even though the Pixel 7A is designed to be an entry-level device, it’s still plenty powerful and has already taken the crown as the best phone under $500. It’s powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip, the same chip found in the Pixel 7. It also has a 64-megapixel camera and a 6.1-inch, 90Hz display, plus nice extras such as face unlock and wireless charging — notable upgrades over previous Pixel A phones, which help close the gap between the affordable Pixel line and more premium flagships. Mixed usage battery life should be up to 24 hours, too.

If the Pixel 7A model isn’t quite what you’re looking for, there are plenty of Google Pixel deals across the whole range. Prefer your phones to have an Apple logo on the back? Our list of the best iPhone deals is just waiting to save you some money.

The iPhone 16 and 16 Pro aren’t expected until September but there are already a host of rumors flying around about Apple’s next superphones. From larger display sizes to new processors, the next iPhones could pack a suite of upgrades. But I’m a photographer, so it’s the cameras I’m most excited about.

Apple has always packed the iPhone with some of the best cameras you can get in a smartphone and the iPhone 15 Pro Max, with its 5x optical zoom, remains one of the best camera phones money can buy right now.

Read more: Best iPhone to Buy in 2024

But competition is fierce, particularly in the photography arena, so Apple will be looking for ways to keep the phone’s photo-taking skills top notch. So let’s dive into what the rumor mill has been saying about the cameras on the iPhone 16 range.

A new physical camera button

The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max brought a new “Action” button to the outer edge of the phone which allows you to customize it to perform various actions like launching the camera or taking a voice memo.

But MacRumors suggests that an additional button will appear on the next model, aimed specifically at photographers. The button will act as a camera shutter, with multiple levels of sensitivity allowing for a half press for focusing and a full press for taking an image. Rumors also suggest the button will recognise swipe gestures, with left or right swipes letting you zoom in or out.

While the volume buttons have been able to activate the camera shutter for some time, this new button would bring deeper camera controls and allow you to operate the iPhone more like a compact digital camera.

Better zoom for all Pro models

According to Apple analyst Ming Chi Kuo, the base iPhone 16 Pro will be equipped with a 5x optical zoom lens. This was something only found on the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max so it’d be good to see the same zoom level offered in a smaller, more pocket-friendly package.

But it’s possible that both phones will get an upgrade, with some earlier rumors suggesting the iPhone 16 Pro Max will get a “super telephoto” lens offering zoom levels beyond the current 5x range. While this would be a welcome addition to sports or wildlife photographers who rely on long zoom levels, these rumors circulated in summer of last year — before we even saw the launch of the iPhone 15. So take them with a hefty pinch of salt.

A larger image sensor

According to a MacRumors story, covering claims from Weibo user Digital Chat Station, the iPhone 16 Pro’s main camera could have a larger image sensor. This would apparently be 1/1.14 inches in size, making it bigger than the 1/1.28-inch sensor found on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.

A larger sensor captures more light and image information allowing for better details, dynamic range and improved low light performance so it’d be great to see such a large size increase. And it’d be smart for Apple to up its game here as phones like the Xiaomi 14 Ultra are already using even larger image sensors of 1/0.98-inches (known as 1-inch type) for their main cameras.

Higher-resolution ultrawide cameras

The iPhones’ ultrawide cameras have felt a little neglected in the past few generations, with the resolution remaining at 12 megapixels since the iPhone 11. But a report from noted analyst Jeff Pu, seen by 9to5Mac, says the ultrawide cameras on both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max will get a significant bump up to 48 megapixels.

Vertical camera arrangement

Various rumors and leaked renders suggest that the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus models will have a vertical camera layout, rather than in the diagonal form seen on the iPhone 15. It’d make the design look more similar to the iPhone 12, but there’s a bigger reason this may happen beyond simple aesthetics.

A vertical camera layout like this would allow the phones to more easily shoot spatial video, using information from both cameras to create a 3D-like effect. It’d make sense, as Apple brought spatial video shooting to the iPhone 15 Pro range, but not to the base iPhone 15 models, likely due to the camera layout.

While spatial videos look just like regular 2D videos when played on your iPhone, they’re designed to give a 3D effect when viewed on Apple’s Vision Pro headset.

Other things we want to see

Apple’s WWDC event takes place June 10 where the company is expected to take the wraps off iOS 18. AI is predicted to be a big part of the new software and it’s highly likely that AI skills will extend to the camera. The iPhone’s camera already uses AI to varying degrees in its computational photography, skin tone reproduction, depth mapping and even down to the auto settings it uses when taking an image.

But deeper AI would allow for better scene recognition — and therefore better use of settings and processing to take nicer-looking images. I’ve also been impressed at the AI object removal seen on the Google Pixel range and it’s possible we’ll see similar AI-based editing tools on the next iPhone.

Speaking of editing, it’s possible Apple may introduce more ways to edit video on the phone, in particular when shooting using Log on the 15 Pro and Pro Max. Log video is designed to look flat and gray when shot as it gives a better base for editing and adding color and contrast back in later.

Right now you have to transfer that footage to an iPad or computer to edit your Log videos in software like BlackMagic’s DaVinci Resolve, so it’d be good to see Apple introduce more ways to process Log footage on the phone. Perhaps even to introduce its own range of “LUTs” — presets used to quickly apply color and contrast to videos — into the iPhone’s edit tools.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to help create some stories. For more, see this post.

The more phones, tablets and other devices we have, the more ways we need to keep them all charged and ready to go. Sure, many of them come with a charger in the box but as iPhone buyers know all too well, not all of them do. So when you get the chance to add a couple of 20-watt USB-C chargers to your arsenal of accessories at a discount, you take note — and right now is that time. Amazon will now sell you two Anker 20W USB-C chargers for just $13, and you’ll even get a couple of USB-C cables included as well.

Getting a single charger and cable at this price would make for a good day, so getting two is impressive. Each charger has a 20-watt USB-C port, which is plenty for fast charging even the latest iPhones. A legacy USB-A port is also included for those who need it. The two USB-C cables are both 5 foot long and come in an understated black finish — no neon-colored cables here, folks.

While this deal doesn’t require any coupons or discount codes, it is listed as a limited-time offer which means that it could end at any moment and without warning. Factor that in when planning that purchase, and do it soon to make sure you don’t miss out.

Now that you’re sorted at home, maybe it’s time to reconsider your charging solution when you’re on the road as well. Our collection of the best generator deals will ensure you’re never without power, no matter where you get to.