Google’s Pixel Fold is nearing its release, but there may be a bit of a delay. After being announced at Google I/O in May, Google’s first foldable is just now getting some release updates, this time from AT&T and Verizon.
On Tuesday, AT&T announced that it will begin its own preorders for the Pixel Fold and introduced a deal that offered new and existing AT&T users the Pixel Fold for $25 per month without needing to trade in a device. To get that discount you will need to be on an unlimited plan and commit to a 36-month installment plan.
All told, the carrier is willing to cover $900, or half of the Pixel Fold’s regular $1,799 starting price for the 256GB model (not including taxes). Oddly, purchasing the 256GB model outright from the carrier is $1,880, or $81more than the unlocked version you could buy directly from Google.
Advertiser Disclosure
Advertiser Disclosure
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
Watch this: Pixel Fold Hands-On: A First Look at Google’s First Foldable
05:10
Verizon previously said it would begin accepting preorders for the foldable on June 20, and said the device would go on sale on June 27. Verizon is still taking preorders, starting on Tuesday, but it now says that “wide availability” won’t be until July 18.
Verizon’s deals are also not as aggressive as AT&T’s. Switchers can get up to $1,100 off the Pixel Fold while existing customers can get up to $900 off. Both options require a trade-in of “select” devices and need you to be on the carrier’s newest Unlimited Plus plan.
The longer-than-expected wait for Google’s first foldable is a bit of a surprise. Although Google did not announce an exact release date for the device during its launch, early preorders displayed a June 27 ship date. Recent shipping estimates on Google’s storehave the foldable not shipping until early to mid-August depending on color and storage option.
T-Mobile has yet to release its preorder or sale date but has said it will offer the device. The carrier did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by CNET.
Meta has made a change to the age requirement for its Quest headset users, allowing younger children to have their own account. The minimum age for a Meta account to use the virtual reality headset dropped from 13 to 10 years old, the company said in a blog post Friday.
Parents can create an account for their children and will have control over the apps they can download. Meta will also provide additional protections to these accounts from only showing age-appropriate apps to having the account automatically set to private and hidden from other users.
Meta’s current virtual reality headset is the $300 Quest 2, but the company already confirmed the Quest 3 will release later in the fall. The new hardware is expected to be a slimmer design, have new controllers and put a focus on mixed reality, which blends the VR world with the real world.
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
With Galaxy Z Flip 5 rumors starting to heat up, and a potential unveiling in July 2023 on the cards, Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals are much easier to come by. As it stands, it’s still one of Samsung’s flagship foldables, and while it’s cheaper than the phone and tablet hybrid Galaxy Z Fold 4, it’s still pricey with a list price of $1,000 and up. Thankfully, there are plenty of offers and deals out there that can help you snag one for less. Below, we’ve rounded up some of the best bargains available from both carriers and retailers, which includes no-strings-attached discounts on unlocked models, as well as deals that require a trade-in or new line of service.
The successor to 2021’s Galaxy Z Flip 3, the fourth-gen Z Flip retains the familiar vertical-folding design with a 1.9-inch cover screen on the outside and a 6.7-inch main display with 120Hz refresh rate. Notable upgrades this time around include a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 processor, a larger 3,700-mAh battery and a smaller overall profile. Its main camera still has a 12-megapixel resolution, though the sensor has been improved for better low-light performance.
We bestowed upon the Z Flip 4 the title of best compact foldable phone and it’s also one of the best Android phones in 2023, period. If you’re looking to get your hands on one of these clever foldables, there are a ton of Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals that you can shop right now.
If you prefer a larger foldable phone, check out our collection of the best Galaxy Z Fold 4 deals or hit up our main guide to all the current phone deals available from other brands.
What colors does the Galaxy Z Flip 4 come in?
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is available in bora purple, pink gold, graphite and blue color options as standard. However, if you order via Samsung’s online store, you can make the most of its Bespoke Studio to create your own color combination with various front, back and frame color options.
How much does the Galaxy Z Flip 4 cost?
At its full retail price, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 starts at $1,000. That gets you the base spec 128GB variant. US pricing for each model is as follows:
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (128GB): $1,000
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (256GB): $1,060
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 (512GB): $1,180
Be sure to check out all the Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals below for some ways to save on these retail prices.
Best Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals
There are a ton of offers available right now that are designed to entice you into the world of foldable phones . We’ve rounded up the best Galaxy Z Flip 4 deals from carriers and retailers below so you know where to find the biggest savings.
We will continue to update this page as new offers become available, so keep checking back if your carrier or preferred retailer is not listed below.
Head straight to the source and score hundreds off your Galaxy Z Flip 4 order when you trade in your old phone at Samsung. Unlike some other retailers and carriers, Samsung’s trade-in offers vary quite a bit depending on what device you have. High-end iPhones will score you the most credit, worth up to $745, while Google Pixel phones and even Samsung phones will net substantially less. You can also trade in devices from other makers like Motorola and OnePlus. Cracked and damaged devices are also accepted, as are select tablets and smartwatches. You’ll also get a few other bonuses when you buy from Samsung, like four free months of YouTube Premium, six months of SiriusXM streaming and six months of Microsoft 365 Basic.
Verizon has possibly the best Z Flip 4 deal right now with up to $1,000 with trade-in and a new line, plus a free Samsung TV. Those switching their existing number over from another carrier will also get a free $200 Verizon gift card. Upgraders won’t get the switching credit and will get a lower $440 trade-in credit, but can still get in on the TV freebie. That promotion ends June 28, though, and is good for up to $400 towards the purchase of a select Samsung TV or projector.
Verizon is also offering some other bonuses with this purchase, including $80 off a pair of Galaxy Buds 2 Pro, up to $150 off select Galaxy Watch models and $310 off a Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE 5G, though you’ll need a service plan for those new smartwatch and tablet additions as well.
T-Mobile has quite a few deals on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 at the moment, but they vary a bit depending on which plan you have. You can save $800 if you’re adding a new line on a Go5G Plus plan, or $400 if you’re adding a new line on a different eligible service plan. Trade-in deals without the need to add a new line are also available for up to $350 off.
Get up to $800 off the Galaxy Z Flip 4 when you trade in your old phone at AT&T with a new or upgraded line on an eligible unlimited plan. The discount is applied over 36 monthly bill credits, dropping the equivalent monthly cost of the phone to under $6. One neat aspect of this trade-in deal is that the phone you hand over only needs to be worth $35 to get the boosted $800 credit, and it can be in any condition.
While Best Buy isn’t offering any deals on unlocked Z Flip 4 models, it does have its own trade-in program where you can knock hundreds off the price depending on what phone you hand over. Best Buy has also partnered with major carriers, and there are some discounts available on those models. Both T-Mobile and Verizon have the phone available at a $400 discount with activation and an eligible service plan. Trade in your old phone and you can get as much as $800 off.
There are no direct dollar discounts on the Galaxy Z Flip 4 at Amazon right now, though you can score 90 days of Amazon Music Unlimited with your purchase. Since we’ve seen prices drop as low as $770 at Amazon in the past, now is a bad time to buy the phone there.
Clocking the speeds of mobile devices in the most-visited theme parks across the country, mobile analytics company Opensignal said upload speeds are also “substantially faster” in a report published June 15.
“Faster than the national average download speeds around theme parks are an impressive achievement when taking into consideration how many guests visit them, which is likely to lead to network congestion,” the report said.
While the parks do offer Wi-Fi, Opensignal found users are spending less than 20% of their time actually connected to it.
So, which carriers offer the best experience in the most popular theme parks? Check out the stats from Opensignal below.
The last two sides with unblemished records in Group B face off in Paris tonight, as France host Greece at the Stade de France in this key men’s Euro 2024 qualifier.
Les Blues come into this clash off the back of a comfortable 3-0 win over Gibraltar, thanks to goals from AC Milan hitman Olivier Giroud and Paris Saint-Germain’s wantaway striker Kylian Mbappé, as well as an own goal from defender Aymen Mouelhi. That victory made it three straight wins for Didier Deschamps’ side as they underlined their status as favorites to finish the group as winners.
Greece also look in a strong position to qualify, following a big 2-1 win over the Republic of Ireland on Friday. Trabzonspor forward Anastasios Bakasetas scored a penalty then set up Giorgos Masouras for the winner after halftime to make it a perfect two wins from two games for Gus Poyet’s men.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.
Kylian Mbappé may not want to play for PSG but he seems happy enough in the red, white and blue of France.
Linnea Rheborg/Getty Images
France vs. Greece: When and where?
France take on Greece at the Stade de France in Paris on Monday, June 19. Kickoff is set for 8:45 p.m. CET local time in France (7:45 p.m. in the UK, 2:45 p.m. ET, 11.45 a.m. PT in the US and 4:45 a.m. AEST on Tuesday, June 20 in Australia).
How to watch the France vs. Greece game 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. 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.
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 a month — if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream the France vs. Greece game in the US
Monday’s game is on Fox Sports 1. If you don’t have the channel as part of your cable line up, it can be streamed via Sling TV, as well as other more expensive streaming TV services.
Sling TV’s Blue plan includes Fox Sports 1 making it a great option for those wanting to watch international soccer action. It’s $45 a month and includes over 40 channels, including other sports channels like ESPN.
Livestream the France vs. Greece match in the UK?
Broadcast rights in the UK for this game are with Viaplay, with kick-off set for 7.45 p.m. BST on Monday evening.
You’ll need to be a subscriber to Viaplay’s Total package to watch its Euro 2024 Qualifiers coverage, which is priced at 15 a month or 144 a year.
Viaplay currently has the UK broadcast rights to the United Rugby Championship, La Liga soccer, plus the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and Champions Hockey League.
Livestream the France vs. Greece match in the Canada
If you want to stream this game live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to all the Euro 2024 qualifiers this season.
A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$25 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, plus EFL Championship soccer, Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis.
As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there’s a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs.
Livestream the France vs. Greece game in Australia
Football fans Down Under can watch this match on streaming service Optus Sport, which has the rights to show select Euro 2024 qualifiers live in Australia this season.
With exclusive rights to screen Euro 2024 qualifiers live this season, as well as English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.
If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 a month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.
Quick tips for streaming Euro 2024 qualifiers using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming Euro 2024 Qualifiers 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.
A seemingly never-ending season comes to an end for England’s players today as they host North Macedonia at Wembley in this Euro 2024 qualifier.
Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions made light work of Group C’s bottom side Malta on Friday, as they eased themselves to a comfortable 4-0 win in Ta’ Qali, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold the stand-out player in a new midfield role.
While England’s passage to next year’s European Championships in Germany already looks secure, their opponents this evening have plenty of work to do if they’re to qualify for next summer’s tournament.
North Macedonia led Ukraine by two goals at half-time but collapsed in the second half to lose 3-2 in Skopje, leaving them in joint second in the group alongside Italy and Ukraine.
Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looked right at home in an advanced midfield role against Malta.
Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images
England vs. North Macedonia: When and where?
England host North Macedonia at Wembley Stadium in London on Monday, June 19. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. BST local time in the UK (2:45 p.m. ET, 11.45 a.m. PT in the US and 4:45 a.m. AEST on Tuesday, June 20 in Australia).
How to watch the England vs. North Macedonia game 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. 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.
ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 a month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 a month — if you get an annual subscription.
Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Livestream the England vs. North Macedonia game in the US
Monday’s game is on Spanish language service Vix Plus.
Vix Plus currently costs $7 a month, and as well as broadcasting UEFA club and international competitions, it also offers Spanish language soccer coverage of the US Women’s National Team, Mexico’s Women’s National Team, plus South America’s top domestic soccer.
Livestream the England vs. North Macedonia match in the UK for free
Terrestrial free-to-air station Channel 4 has the rights to show all of England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers live in the UK. Coverage of this match starts at 7 p.m. BST.
That also means you can stream the game for free via the Channel 4 website and the network’s All 4 app.
As well as being able to watch via a browser on your laptop, there are dedicated All 4 apps for the likes of Android, iOS, PlayStation, Xbox, Roku and Amazon Fire TV devices, plus a wide range of smart TVs.
Livestream the England vs. North Macedonia game in Canada
If you want to stream this game live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to DAZN Canada. The service has exclusive broadcast rights to every Euro 2024 qualifier this season.
A DAZN subscription currently costs CA$25 a month or CA$200 a year and will also give you access to the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Europa Conference League, plus EFL Championship soccer, Six Nations rugby and WTA tennis.
As well as dedicated apps for iOS and Android, there’s a wide range of support for set-top boxes and smart TVs.
Livestream the England vs. North Macedonia game in Australia
Football fans Down Under can watch this match on streaming service Optus Sport, which has the rights to show select Euro 2024 qualifiers live in Australia this season.
With exclusive rights to screen Euro 2024 qualifiers live this season, as well as English Premier League, German Bundesliga and Spanish La Liga games, streaming service Optus Sport is a particularly big draw for Aussie soccer fans.
If you’re already an Optus network customer you can bag Optus Sport for a reduced price, with discounts bringing the price down to as low as AU$7 a month. If you’re not, a standalone monthly subscription to the service starts at AU$25.
Quick tips for streaming Euro 2024 qualifiers using a VPN
With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming Euro 2024 qualifiers 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.
You’ll need more than just a good eye and decent equipment to create a great photograph. Editing is where raw, unpolished images are transformed into works of art, and right now, StackSocial is offering a great deal on software that makes it easier than ever. Luminar Neo uses AI to help you compose, grade and structure your pictures like a pro, and right now you can score lifetime access, plus add-on and preset bundles, for just $80, which saves you $320 compared to the usual price. There’s no set expiration, so we don’t know how long this offer will last. We’d recommend making your purchase sooner rather than later if you don’t want to miss out on these savings.
Adobe Photoshop is the most popular photo editing software out there, but it takes months of training to be able to truly use it effectively. Luminar Neo offers tons of the same functions and features, but is much easier to use thanks to the AI assistance. You can use it to improve the detail and clarity of a photo, adjust the lighting and composition or even remove and replace entire objects. It comes with tons of incredible presets that allow you to transform your photos with the push of a button.
It’s also compatible with both Windows and Mac devices, and can be used as a plug-in for Photoshop and Lightroom. This deal also includes tons of helpful add-ons, such as the Soulful Panoramas add-on, which allows you to completely replace your skies with 10 different presets, or the Bokeh Dreams add-on, which contains 10 unique overlays to give your images a cool and cozy atmosphere. And with lifetime access, you won’t have to worry about recurring subscription costs.
Apple released iOS 16.6 beta 3 to public beta testers Friday, less than two weeks after the company announced the forthcoming iOS 17 at its Worldwide Developers Conference. While iOS 16.6 has a few new features, we expect this update to consist of mostly bug fixes and security patches because of iOS 17’s fall release.
New iOS features can be fun, but we recommend only downloading a beta on something other than your primary phone just in case the new software causes issues. Apple also provides beta testers with an app called Feedback. Testers can notify Apple of any issues in the new software with the app, that way the problem can be addressed before general release.
Here’s what could be coming to your iPhone with iOS 16.6.
“With iMessage Contact Key Verification, users who face extraordinary digital threats … can choose to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend,” Apple wrote in a news release at the time.
The first iOS 16.6 beta appeared to include some of the framework for Contact Key Verification, but with iOS 16.6 beta 2, that seems to have disappeared. If you went to Settings and searched for “Contact Key Verification” in the first iOS 16.6 beta, you could see an option for the feature. But that option vanished in the second iOS 16.6 beta.
More Beats Studio Buds icons
The second iOS 16.6 beta adds two new color icons for Beats Studio Buds, according to the website Gadget Hacks. The new color icons are for the ivory and transparent Beats Studio Buds, so if you have either of those earbuds you should see those icons on your iPhone with the latest beta.
New iCloud for Windows prompt
Gadget Hacks also reports iOS 16.6 beta 2 adds a new prompt when you try to log into iCloud for Windows when your iPhone and Windows computer aren’t on the same Wi-Fi network. The new prompt reportedly advises you to use a different network and that your iPhone and Windows computer need to be on the same network.
Apple hasn’t announced a release date for iOS 16.6. Apple might include more features in iOS 16.6, and there’s no guarantee that these features will be included in the update.
Apple announced a number of new software updates at its Worldwide Developers Conference, including the iPhone’s next software version, iOS 17. While the software brings a lot of new and exciting features to your iPhone, Apple said it won’t be available to the general public until the fall.
I switched to iOS from Android about a decade ago, and I’ve been testing iOS 16 betas since last year. While iOS 17 doesn’t fulfill all my iOS wishes, it has some new features that I’m really looking forward to.
Here are the cool and useful new iPhone features I’m most excited about in iOS 17.
StandBy mode
StandBy mode can show you what you’re listening to, the time and more.
Patrick Holland/CNET
With iOS 17, you get a new mode called StandBy. If you enable this mode on your iPhone while it’s charging and in landscape mode, your phone can act as a smart display. It will be able to display the time, widgets, Live Activities and more in this mode.
This feature is helpful, especially if you charge your phone in your kitchen while you cook or on your bedside table at night, but it won’t work for all iPhones. Right now, only the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max can use this feature effectively because of these models’ always-on display. Earlier iOS 17-compatible iPhones can use StandBy mode, but your screen will turn off at a certain point.
72-hour passcode grace period
Have you ever changed your passcode, and forgotten what it is later when trying to log into your device? In iOS 17, your old passcode can be used for 72 hours to reset your new passcode in case you forget what you set it as. This new feature will surely save people — myself included — a big headache.
Autocorrect gets an improvement
Your iPhone’s keyboard in iOS 17 will get an upgrade. The keyboard will use a transformer model, similar to what OpenAI uses in its language models, so it’ll better predict what you’ll type next, whether that’s a name or a curse word. Autocorrect will also be able to help with grammar, similar to word processing software like Microsoft Word.
While this is all very cool and helpful, my big takeaway is I won’t have to retype swear words multiple times in order to get them to stay in a message. I’ve probably wasted entire days of my life correcting words like “duck” and “shot” back to my intended curse, so I’m excited to save myself that time.
New Journal app
Journaling can help you manage stress, achieve your goals and more, and your iPhone will get a new journaling app, called Journal, later this year with iOS 17. Other journaling apps are out there already, but Apple’s will use on-device machine learning to create personalized prompts to help you out. You’ll also be able to schedule notifications to remind yourself to write. The app keeps all entries private with on-device processing, end-to-end encryption and the ability to lock the app.
The icon for the new Journal app in iOS 17.
Apple
If you’re more comfortable typing than using a pencil or pen and notebooks, this app could help you get into, and stay consistent with, journaling. Even if you already journal regularly, you could get some benefits from the app. I’ve been journaling for years, and while I won’t give up my notebooks or pencils, I’ll probably use this app to help me reflect on my day when I can’t think of what to write — it happens more often than you might think.
New Messages improvements and features
Messages gets some upgrades with iOS 17, too. The new Check In feature, for example, lets you quickly and easily tell a family member or friend that you made it to your destination. And if you’re a parent you can use this new feature to make sure your child made it safely to their friend’s house.
You will also be able to jump to the first message you haven’t seen in a conversation in Messages with iOS 17. This can be especially helpful if you’re in a lively group chat. Imagine you go into an hour-long meeting and come out to find the group chat you’re in with your friends has 50 notifications. With iOS 17 you can go back to the first unread message and read all the context of the latest drama. After all, no one likes spoiled tea.
And if you want to reply to a specific message in Messages, you can also swipe on that message to reply to it directly. Before you had to long hold on the message and select Reply.
You can also create stickers for messages from your photos. Apple calls these Live Stickers, and you’ll be able to add effects to these stickers and save them in your iPhone for quick access later. Now you can make your pet’s side-eye into a fun sticker — your pet will probably still be annoyed.
New Contact Posters
Contact Posters aim to make your contact cards more compelling.
Apple
A fun new feature that iOS 17 brings to your iPhone is Contact Posters. Think of these posters as highly customizable contact cards. On previous iOS versions, you could differentiate contacts with their own ringtones and thumbnail photos on your phone. Contact Posters takes this further, letting you customize contacts with emoji pictures, editing the color and font of contacts and more.
Apple also said Contact Posters will be available for third-party calling apps, not just your iPhone’s contacts.
This feature feels like the integration of Apple’s customizable lock screens with Contacts, and it makes me think Apple will one day let you customize other apps and features on your iPhone. Hopefully Apple will continue to give people more customization options in the future, like letting you edit the display, color and font for different chats in Messages.
In iOS 17, if you go to Settings > Passwords > Password Options, there is a new option called Clean Up Automatically under Verification Codes. If enabled, this option will automatically delete messages in Messages and Mail that contain verification codes after you’ve inserted the code using AutoFill.
I like to keep my messages and email tidy, and this feature will surely help me in that pursuit. When I open Messages or Mail I want to see messages from my friends and family, not random messages filled with code.
Make a grocery list in Reminders
To access this feature you have to upgrade your Reminders app after upgrading to iOS 17. The app will prompt you to upgrade when you open it the first time after downloading iOS 17. Afterward, there are a few steps to make a grocery list.
In iOS 17, the Reminders app can sort your grocery list for you.
Getty Images
1. Open a new reminder. 2. Tap the three dots (…) in the top-right corner of your screen. 3. Tap List Info. 4. Tap Standard next to List Type to select Groceries.
Once enabled, Reminders will automatically separate different grocery items into sections like Produce and Breads & Cereals.
I usually use Notes to make a grocery list, and it works fine. But my list is typically a jumbled mess that doesn’t adhere to rhyme or reason, which means I backtrack through the store to grab something I forgot about. This feature should make it easier to keep track of what I need from certain sections of the store, saving me the time and frustration of walking through the store two or three times.
Conversation Awareness on AirPods
The second-generation AirPods Pro are getting a few new upgrades with iOS 17, like Adaptive Audio and Personalized Volume, to give you a better listening experience, but Conversation Awareness is the new feature I’m most excited about.
With Conversation Awareness, second-generation AirPods Pro will recognize when you start talking, lower the volume of your music, reduce background noise and amplify the voices in front of you. No more fumbling with your AirPods or iPhone to turn down the volume to say “Hi” to someone.
This is another feature Apple will hopefully build and expand upon. A future version of this software might allow your AirPods to recognize when someone within a certain range is talking to you and lowers the volume automatically.
No more ‘Hey, Siri’
You don’t need to say, “Hey, Siri” in iOS 17 if you don’t want to.
James Martin/CNET
On iOS 17, you no longer have to greet Siri to activate it. With the update, you can just say “Siri” and the digital assistant will activate and listen for any questions or commands you might have, similar to how you can address Amazon’s digital assistant, Alexa.
You can also still greet and be respectful to your digital assistant; that way if there’s a robotic uprising in the future, the robots might leave you alone because you were nice to their great-grandparent, Siri. I know what I’m picking.
Back-to-back Siri requests
You’ll also be able to ask Siri back-to-back requests with iOS 17. So once you activate Siri, you can ask your digital assistant to send a text to your partner, then ask Siri to set an alarm for later without having to say “Hey Siri” or “Siri” again.
This will make talking with Siri feel more conversational, and for me, it’ll help me keep my train of thought when I’m asking for Siri’s help.
AirTags can be shared with more people
AirTags are a good way to keep track of personal items, like your wallet or luggage. With iOS 17, AirTags can be registered with more than one person, making it easier for friends and family to keep track of items. The update also allows multiple people to use the same item, like a piece of luggage, without changing trackers.
AirTags can be registered to more people in iOS 17.
Apple/CNET
The new feature can also cut back on some minor AirTag annoyances. If you’re with someone who carries an AirTag with them, you’ll receive a notification that an unknown AirTag is traveling with you. While these notifications can help people guard against unwanted tracking, receiving these warnings can be tedious if the AirTag belongs to your partner or a friend.
The Maps app gets a boost
Apple’s Maps app is getting an upgrade with iOS 17. With the update, you’ll be able to download a map for a specific area, access turn-by-turn navigation, see estimated times of arrival and more while offline. Apple also said park trails in the US will be easier to find and EV drivers will be able to see charging station availability within the app.
Being able to use Maps offline can be very helpful if you’re a hiker and hiking an unknown trail, or if you’re visiting or driving through a remote area. This new feature, as well as the iPhone 14’s Emergency SOS via Satellite and the Apple Watch Ultra, makes it feel like Apple is making a push to make products for all your home, office and outdoor digital needs.
In Maps on iOS 17, you can select how large of an area you want to download.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Sharing is easier with AirDrop and NameDrop
With iOS 17, you’ll be able to share content more easily with others using Airdrop and a new functionality called NameDrop.
With the next iOS version, you won’t need to stay in range of another person to finish sharing content with them via AirDrop. If you’re AirDropping a lot of files and it’s taking a while, as long as you started the process within range, you don’t have to stay in range for the transfer to finish. You’ll also be able to start listening to music or watch a video with others via SharePlay by bringing your iPhones together.
NameDrop is a new functionality that lets you share contact information with another person by bringing your iPhone or Apple Watch close to their device.
Sensitive content warnings
This new iOS 17 feature is meant to help protect you from any unwanted nude images or videos you might run across. You can blur those images or videos before you view them, and this feature will be available in Messages, AirDrop, Contact Posters in the Phone app, FaceTime messages and third‑party apps, according to Apple.
Looks like some guys on dating apps will have to figure out how words work and not just send unsolicited nudes to people.
Apple released iOS 17 to developers Monday, and beta testers will be able to download a beta version of the software in July — here’s how you can sign up to be an iOS beta tester. Apple plans on releasing iOS 17 to the general public in the fall.
This advertising widget is powered by Navi and contains advertisements that Navi may be paid for in different ways. You will not be charged for engaging with this advertisement. While we strive to provide a wide range of offers, this advertising widget does not include information about every product or service that may be available to you. We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information in the featured advertisements is up to date, each advertiser featured in this widget is responsible for the accuracy and availability of its offer details. It is possible that your actual offer terms from an advertiser may be different than the offer terms in this advertising widget and the advertised offers may be subject to additional terms and conditions of the advertiser which will be presented to you prior to making a purchase. All information is presented without any warranty or guarantee to you.
With the Galaxy Z Fold 4, Samsung made a few changes that went a long way in improving the way its book-style foldable functions as a regular phone. That includes a better camera that’s on par with the Galaxy S22’s, a slightly improved design and a fresh processor. But there are plenty of ways Samsung could further upgrade its large-format foldable phone. And considering Samsung is facing new competition from the upcoming Google Pixel Fold, I hope it takes action.
The biggest change I’m hoping to see in the Galaxy Z Fold 4’s successor (which will likely be called the Galaxy Z Fold 5, though we don’t know that for certain) is more software that takes advantage of its foldable shape. Having a giant screen that fits in your pocket is great. But Samsung needs to provide a more convincing argument if it truly wants foldables to be appealing to more than just early adopters.
The Galaxy Z Fold is on its fourth generation, yet foldables still haven’t had the breakout moment Samsung has been waiting for. Although sales of foldable phones are growing, they will only account for 1.1% of the overall smartphone market in 2022, according to projections from the International Data Corporation.
Samsung is holding its next Unpacked event next month in South Korea, so it’s possible we’ll hear more about the next Z Fold then. Here’s everything I’m hoping to see from the Galaxy Z Fold 5 next year.
More software features
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 offers a giant screen that fits in your pocket. But it needs more than that to win people over.
James Martin/CNET
Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold’s design is what makes it noteworthy. But impressive hardware doesn’t mean much without the software to go with it. Samsung has done a lot to improve the way apps work across the Z Fold’s 7.6-inch inner display in the years since its launch. For example, the Z Fold 4 has a dock that sits at the bottom of the screen for quickly accessing apps, as well as the ability to use the bottom half of the screen as a touchpad when in Flex Mode.
The problem is that these features don’t do a great job at convincing users why they should want a foldable phone in the first place. Instead, they just make the process of using apps on the Z Fold slightly easier and more convenient.
I don’t think any company has answered that question adequately just yet, but I have seen some promising attempts. Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2, for example, turns into a digital book when you open the Kindle app, complete with page-turn animations. It’s worth remembering, however, that the Surface Duo is different from the Z Fold since it consists of two separate displays joined together by a hinge. That could change with Microsoft’s next Duo, however, according to a report from Windows Central. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is also a much better phone overall thanks to its superior camera and smoother software improvements, among other benefits.
Google is also thinking about ways to leverage both the outer and inner screens on its forthcoming Pixel Fold for tasks like language translation. Though we have yet to use the Pixel Fold extensively, it’s refreshing to see ideas that feel new when it comes to how software conforms to foldable devices. Hopefully Samsung will take note.
Samsung was among the first to release a foldable phone, meaning it’s had a longer lead time than most competitors in this department. That’s another reason why I’m hoping to see more ambitious features from Samsung in future versions of the Galaxy Z Fold.
A larger cover screen
The Google Pixel Fold.
John Kim/CNET
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is slightly wider than its predecessor, which makes it feel more like a regular phone when closed. However, I’d like to see Samsung take that a step further with the Galaxy Z Fold 5. The upcoming Pixel Fold made me realize how useful it feels to have a cover screen that nearly matches the shape and width of the display on a regular, nonfolding phone. Though I’ve spent only a few minutes with the Pixel Fold, that was enough time to see how using apps could feel more natural on a broader screen.
That said, I imagine making the screen too wide could present some challenges for Samsung, given that doing so would likely impact the shape and aspect ratio of the interior screen too.
An embedded S Pen
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 support the S Pen, but you have to buy it separately.
Patrick Holland/CNET
The S Pen could help Samsung address that critical question of who the Galaxy Z Fold is for. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 and 4 both support the S Pen, but you must buy it separately and there’s no storage mechanism for it. Instead, Samsung should bundle the S Pen with the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and add a way to conveniently store it within or attach it to the device.
Doing so could make the Galaxy Z Fold 5 even more useful for taking notes, sketching and editing documents. That might not be important to everyone, but it could make the Z Fold more appealing to the productivity-oriented crowd that Samsung seems to be targeting. It would also make the Z Fold’s high price a bit easier to swallow since you’ll be getting more for your money.
Samsung hasn’t discussed its plans for the Galaxy Z Fold series. But a report from The Elec says Samsung has cited the addition of an S Pen slot as a key challenge that must be overcome to make foldables more popular. That means Samsung may at least be thinking about bundling the S Pen with its future foldables.
A less noticeable crease
The Galaxy Z Fold 4’s crease still stands out.
James Martin/CNET
Samsung has gradually refined the Z Fold’s design over the years, but the crease hasn’t gone away just yet. Although it’s not always visible, you can feel the crease when running your finger across the screen. Reducing the crease could make the Galaxy Z Fold feel more like a regular tablet when opened.
Samsung may be the leader when it comes to foldable phones, but other companies are making quick progress when it comes to shrinking the crease. Take Huawei and Oppo, the latter of which is one of the world’s biggest smartphone makers.
The screen on Huawei’s Mate XS 2 wraps around the front of the device so that it can function as a regular phone when folded and a tablet when opened — a design that makes the crease barely existent. CNET’s Sareena Dayaram tried Oppo’s new Find N2 foldable, writing that she “hardly ever saw or felt the crease.” These advancements make me wish I saw more progress from Samsung in this regard. There’s a chance Samsung may be looking into how to address this, considering The Elec’s report also suggests Samsung is interested in reducing the Z Fold’s crease.
A thinner design
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 still feels thick when closed.
James Martin/CNET
Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 has a sturdy build and a wide cover screen. But it still feels cumbersome to use as a regular phone when closed. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 measures 0.5 to 0.6 inch thick when folded, whereas the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S22 both measure roughly 0.3 inch thick. That extra bulk might not bother those who primarily use their Galaxy Z Fold unfolded in tablet mode. But it’s another barrier to adoption for those who aren’t yet convinced of the promise of foldable phones.
If a leak turns out to be true, Samsung may be planning to address the Galaxy Z Fold’s thickness. A well-known leaker who goes by the alias Ice Universe recently tweeted that the Galaxy Z Fold 5 will have a new water drop hinge. In a Twitter post replying to Ice Universe’s tweet, display analyst Ross Young said this type of hinge could make the device 0.3mm thinner.
A lower price
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 is significantly more expensive than your average nonfoldable phone at a regular price.
James Martin/CNET
With a regular price of $1,800, calling the Galaxy Z Fold 4 expensive might be an understatement. You’ll get a discount when trading in an old device, with Samsung listing the 256GB model for $900 with an eligible trade-in. But that still lands at the high end of the spectrum compared to many nonfolding phones, like those in the Galaxy S22 lineup and Pixel 7 family.
Samsung is at least aware of this conundrum. “It’s definitely a challenge that we are tackling, and we will need to tackle,” TM Roh, president and head of Samsung’s mobile experience business, said in an interview with CNET earlier this year regarding the Z Fold’s price.
Foldable phones are still a nascent part of the broader smartphone market, but changes like these could push them closer to becoming viable alternatives to our everyday devices. Samsung helped popularize the big-screen phones we use today with its first Galaxy Note phone back in 2011. It’s trying to do the same with foldables, but there are clearly still challenges to overcome.
