Category: Technologies

Samsung’s new Galaxy A54 5G has a lot in common with its predecessor, but you wouldn’t guess just by looking at it. The Galaxy A54 5G, which costs $450 ( 499, roughly converts to AU$915) and launches on April 6, brings a fresh design, new processor and updated camera to Samsung’s more wallet-friendly phone.

Based on the brief amount of time I spent with it, the new design appears to be the biggest change. That might not matter much if you plan to put a case on your device. But it suggests Samsung is doing more to close the gap between its premium and budget devices. That could be particularly important if Samsung wants to catch up to Google’s Pixel 6A, which I said might be the best-looking phone in its price range in my review.

Now playing:Watch this:Galaxy A54 5G: Hands-on With Samsung’s New Budget Phone

3:20

The Galaxy A54 5G’s new look

The Galaxy A54 5G has a new glossy finish that makes it feel more premium than last year’s Galaxy A53. The shiny back panel and matte edges remind me of the iPhone 11, and that’s a good thing.

You’ll also notice the camera bump is absent from the Galaxy A54 5G. Samsung replaced it with a floating camera setup similar to the one found on the Galaxy S23 lineup, giving it a more clean and consistent aesthetic. Looks aren’t the most important aspect of a phone, but it’s still great to see a sub-$500 device that doesn’t feel cheap.

It almost feels like Samsung is taking a page from Google’s book in terms of design. The $450 Pixel 6A, which is essentially a less expensive version of the Pixel 6, also has a glossy finish. And like the Galaxy A54 5G, the Pixel 6A inherits a camera design that’s similar to its premium sibling.

The Galaxy A54 5G has a 6.4-inch screen, making it slightly smaller than the 6.5-inch Galaxy A53 5G. I’ve always felt this size makes for a great medium between the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 and 6.6-inch Galaxy S23 Plus, and that remains true with the Galaxy A54.

By putting more of a focus on the Galaxy A54’s looks, Samsung addressed one of my biggest complaints about the Galaxy A53. I specifically said there was nothing “new” or “interesting” about the Galaxy A53’s design, so I’m glad to see that’s changed this time around.

My other gripe about the Galaxy A53 was its sometimes sluggish performance. The Galaxy A54 5G runs on a newer processor called the Exynos 1380, which is likely the successor to the Exynos 1280 found inside the Galaxy A53. I haven’t spent enough time with the Galaxy A54 5G to know whether this new chip brings significant improvements. But in my brief time with the device, performance seemed just fine. Apps opened and closed quickly, the camera launched almost instantly and the keyboard popped up right away.

Camera is the major difference between the Galaxy A54 and S23

There are many differences between Samsung’s A-series budget devices and its premium S-series phones. However, the camera system continues to be the biggest one. The Galaxy A54 5G has a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 5-megapixel macro camera. There’s no telephoto camera, so the Galaxy A54 5G only has a 10x digital zoom.

The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, has a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 10-megapixel telephoto camera. While the main and ultrawide cameras may sound similar on paper, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some noticeable differences in image quality. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip inside the S23 lineup, which has been optimized for Samsung’s Galaxy phones, likely plays a notable role in the way photos are processed.

You can’t use Samsung’s Expert Raw app on the Galaxy A54 5G either, which might be important for photography enthusiasts to consider. That said, the Galaxy A54 5G’s camera setup is just what you would expect on a phone of this price. It even has much more to offer than the $429 iPhone SE, which only has one 12-megapixel main camera with a 5x digital zoom.

Overall, the Galaxy A54 5G seems like a promising option for those seeking an Android phone that costs less than $500. But we’ll have to spend more time testing it before we know whether it’s worth recommending.

For the first time in more than a decade, you might need a different charger for your iPhone. Apple executives said the company plans to comply with European rules mandating that new phones all use the same common USB-C charging port. Most phones already use USB-C, with Apple being the main outlier.

When asked if Apple will move to USB-C, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the company has “no choice.” Apple will “comply with local laws” as it does around the world, Joswiak said during an appearance at The Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference in October.

That said, there’s still a lot we don’t know about how Apple will execute the transition to USB-C for the iPhone. Apple rarely discusses new products before announcing them, meaning we don’t have much insight on details like whether all new iPhones will get USB-C, or just those sold in Europe.

Apple declined to share further details regarding future plans to bring USB-C to the iPhone.

Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C charging port?

There’s a chance the iPhone 15 could have a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector, but it’s impossible to know until Apple releases its next iPhone. The EU’s rules say all mobile phones sold in the EU will need to have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. That means it’s unclear whether Apple will start the transition in 2023 with what will presumably be the iPhone 15, or wait until 2024.

But Chiew Le Xuan, a research analyst for Canalys, thinks the switch could come sooner rather than later.

“What we think is that Apple will bring Type C to the iPhone 15 series,” he said. “So, similar to what they did for the iPads [and] the Macs: They sort of just transitioned the whole product line.”

Apple has reportedly tested iPhone models with USB-C in the past. Bloomberg reported last May that Apple was testing future iPhone models with USB-C, as well as an adapter that would enable these iPhones to work with Lightning connections. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for TF International Securities known for his Apple predictions, also said Apple plans to convert the iPhone to USB-C in 2023.

It’s also worth noting that Apple is a member of the USB Implementers Forum, a nonprofit organization that was formed to further advance USB development and adoption.

What’s the reasoning behind the EU’s new rules?

The new mandate is part of an effort to simplify the charging experience for consumers and cut down on electronic waste.

“Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices,” reads a European Parliament press release.

The shift is also meant to help cut down on the roughly11,000 metric tons (12,125 tons) of annual e-waste resulting from unused chargers in the EU, the release says.

Now playing:Watch this:Apple Might Finally Bring USB-C to iPhone 15

5:03

Will all future iPhones adopt USB-C, or just those in Europe?

This is another question we won’t know the answer to until Apple releases future iPhone models. But Maurice Klahne, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research, thinks it seems likely Apple will transition the iPhone to USB-C more broadly rather than keeping it region-specific.

“It’s just simply too costly to make different devices for different regions,” he said. “And so Apple will likely make the switch everywhere all at once.”

What benefits does USB-C offer over Lightning?

The transition to USB-C could result in more perks and conveniences for iPhone owners. For example, you’d be able to use the same charger that powers other devices, like your MacBook laptop or iPad, to charge your iPhone. There’s also a broad accessory ecosystem for USB-C, considering it’s been standard on most electronics for the better part of the last decade. Plenty of Apple’s own products already rely on USB-C rather than Lightning, such as the iPad Air, iPad Pro and Apple’s lineup of MacBooks.

It’s possible the switch to USB-C could result in faster charging and data transfers, specifically on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Kuo has reported that only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will support high-speed data transfers over USB-C, for example.

Le Xuan agrees, saying Apple will likely do more to separate the regular iPhone 15 from its premium sibling this year.

“By then moving into a Type C switch, we will probably see some sort of differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max and the non-Pro Max in terms of charging speeds,” he said.

Will I need an Apple-specific USB-C cable?

You shouldn’t need an Apple-made cable to charge your iPhone when Apple makes the switch to USB-C. After all, that would defeat the purpose of the EU’s push toward a universal charging cable.

But the company could potentially make it so that Apple-certified USB-C cables offer benefits over noncertified alternatives. Kuo, for example, reports that Apple will likely optimize chargers that are part of the company’s MFi certification program to offer faster charging speeds. This follows a leak from ShrimpApplePro (who also leaked the Dynamic Island’s design early), which says cables without an MFi certification will be limited in charging and data transfer speeds.

Apple hasn’t spoken about its plans for the iPhone 15 or future USB-C charging cables beyond the comments made at The Wall Street Journal’s conference. But a move like this could help Apple boost its accessory ecosystem by maintaining some level of exclusivity as it embraces the switch to a universal iPhone charger.

“Even though their walled garden isn’t as walled anymore,” said Klahne, “they can still make these little adjustments to keep their iOS base more walled off from the general Android market.”

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in the September timeframe during its usual annual product launch event. Other than USB-C charging, rumors suggest new solid-state buttons are coming to the Pro models, while the Dynamic Island is expected to expand to non-Pro versions.

Install the Verum E-SIM application and be connected in most countries of the world!

The Verum E-SIM app makes the internet more accessible, provides a stable connection and offers the largest global coverage. Use the Internet in more than 140 countries around the world without buying a new SIM card every time and understanding the roaming system of a new provider.

Verum E-SIM offers a simple and intuitive interface that allows customers to buy Internet traffic directly from their device, quickly and easily select the amount and duration of the plan they need.

Benefits of the Verum E-SIM application: 

• 29 tariff plans for every taste and budget: you can freely use mobile Internet in several countries, on the whole continent, or immediately select the “World” tariff;
• Quality: enjoy a secure internet connection without interruption anywhere in the world;
• Easy to install: in a few clicks, the profile setting will be successfully completed;
• Easy to sync: you won’t lose traffic if you log into your account on another device;
• No contracts or long-term obligations: you can stop using the service at any time.

Powered by eSIM (Embedded SIM) technology, the Verum E-SIM app is ideal for both business and personal use. Boldly step into the future with Verum E-SIM – a new generation solution that allows you to forget about problems with Internet access!

Verum E-SIM is available on all iOS devices that support eSIM technology, including:

• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (7th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation)

Although many of the new phones have wireless charging capabilities, a lot of them don’t come with wireless charging pads. Which is frustrating to say the least when you’re spending a good chunk of change on a new phone. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on a high-quality wireless charging pad. There are some great deals right now on chargers for both Android and Apple phones. A couple of which cost less than $15 and three that cost less than $20. We’ll update this story as new deals appear.

Not that this list is limited to budget Qi wireless charging pads, most of which don’t include a power adapter. If you’re looking for more wireless chargers, we have a list of the best Qi wireless chargers that includes models that can charge multiple devices at the same time (a smartphone, Apple Watch and earbuds with a wireless charging case) along with portable magnetic wireless batteries (MagSafe-compatible) and even wireless phone chargers you can mount in your car.

Read more: Best Wireless Charger for 2023

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Anker 315 Wireless Charger

$15 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Anker Wireless Charger, 315 Wireless Charger (Pad), 10W Max Fast Charging, Compatible with iPhone 13/12 Series, Samsung S22, AirPods, Samsung Buds, Google Buds, and More (Wall Charger Not Included)

Over the years, Anker has sold a few different budget Qi wireless charging pads. There’s nothing terrible fancy about its 315 Wireless Charger, but it delivers up to 10-watt charging speeds for Android smartphones and 7.5 watts for iPhones, and it does look fairly sleek with a slim design (it also has some grippy material on top so your phone doesn’t slide off).

It’s not a super fast charger but it’s fine for those who charge their phones overnight. A USB-C cable is included, but you will need to supply a power adapter (you’ll want one that’s capable of delivering 10 watts or more to get the higher charging speeds).

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

Best cheap wireless charging pad with power adapter

$17 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

The latest version of Belkin’s wireless charging pad offers up to 15-watt fast charging (a power adapter and cable are included). Only certain Android phones are compatible with that 15-watt wireless charging speed, and the pad only charges iPhones at 7.5 watts. It does have some rubber grips embedded into the slim puck to keep your phone from slipping of the pad.

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Baseus Mini Magnetic Wireless Charger

Value wireless charge with strong magnets

$20 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger, 15W Mini Lightweight Charger with N52 Strong Magnets & Aerogel-Made Casing for an Upgraded Temperature Control for Magsafe Compatible with iPhone 12/13/14 Series

The Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger or Baseus Magnetic Charger for MagSafe as it’s called on Amazon, is a slim Qi wireless charging puck that sticks securely to MagSafe-enabled iPhones (or MagSafe-enabled cases). You can also just let an Android rest on top of it for charging (or a set of earbuds with a wireless charging). It charges iPhones at up to 7.5 watts and Android devices at up to 15 watts.

No power adapter is included, but a USB-C cable is integrated into the puck. A 20-watt PD fast charger is recommended.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand

Best cheap wireless charging stand

$16 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand

Anker makes its newer PowerWave 2 charging stand that offers faster charging speeds and comes with a power adapter for around $35. But if you already have a power adapter, the 313 Wireless Charging Standing will work just fine for most people, particularly if you’re mainly charging overnight. It offers up to 10-watt wireless charging for Android devices and 5-watt wireless charging for iPhones. No power adapter is included.

Mophie

Mophie Stream Pad Plus Qi wireless charging pad

Best value charging pad from Mophie value (Update: Low stock)

$11 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for mophie Charge Stream Pad+ – 10W Qi Wireless Charge Pad – Made for Apple iPhone Xr, Xs Max, Xs, X, 8, 8 Plus, Samsung, and Other Qi-Enabled Devices – Black

This Mophie Qi wireless charging pad retailed for over $50 when it first came out in 2018 (I still use it today). It’s now down to $11 in black. This charges iPhones at 7.5 watts and Android phones at up to at 10 watts. It’s not the latest and greatest charging pad, but it’s cheap.

Adobe on Thursday revealed a third member of its Firefly family of generative AI technologies, a tool to rapidly try out different color schemes for illustrations.

With the “recolor vectors” tool, you upload a vector graphic file like a logo, illustration or, in Adobe’s example shown off during a Firefly live meetup, a mandala. Firefly then generates a quartet of illustrations, each with a new and, ideally, pleasing combination of colors.

“Firefly gets me into the realm of colors that I like … then I can tweak it from there,” said Adobe product evangelist Paul Trani in the demo. “This is such a pain in Illustrator to try to recolor all of this.”

Adobe isn’t the first to supply generative tools, a newly creative aspect of artificial intelligence technology. But its moves are important since Adobe is the top supplier of software to help creative professionals and amateurs.

The company launched its Firefly project earlier in March and has been gradually expanding access to the beta products to those who sign up on a waiting list. The first two tools let you turn a text prompt into an image and style text in rich new ways.

Adobe plans to make the vector recoloring tool available “in the next couple weeks,” spokesperson Taylor Skelton said Thursday.

You can guide the vector recoloring tool with sample images such as taxis, galaxies, butterflies and neon lights that already have colors you like. It works in conjunction with Adobe Illustrator software and its included artwork recoloring tool.

One of Firefly’s main selling points: the artificial intelligence technology was trained on Adobe’s own library of imagery and other licensed or public domain material so businesses won’t have to worry about copyright or trademark problems. Adobe also worked to counteract bias in training data and screen out potentially troublesome subject matter like sex and violence.

Adobe has been adding tens of thousands of Firefly beta testers each day, the company said. “Soon we’ll have all #adobefirefly beta participants accepted,” Firefly leader Alexandru Costin tweeted Wednesday.

Editors’ note: CNET is using an AI engine to create some personal finance explainers that are edited and fact-checked by our editors. For more, see this post.

Less than a week after Apple released iOS 16.4 to the public, the company has rolled out the first beta version of iOS 16.5. Bug fixes, security updates and new features, like new emoji and Voice Isolation in calls, were released with iOS 16.4. The first iOS 16.5 beta, which came out Thursday, has some patches and a few features as well.

New iOS features can be fun, but we recommend downloading a beta only 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, which they can use to notify the company about any issues in the new software. That way, problems can be addressed before general release.

Here are the new features beta testers can try now with iOS 16.5 beta 1.

Apple News gets a Sports tab

The Apple News app launched in 2015, and the first iOS 16.5 beta brings a Sports tab to the app for the first time. The tab can be found in the toolbar across the bottom of your screen when you open the app. Before, the toolbar displayed tabs for Today, News Plus, Audio, Following and Search. The iOS 16.5 beta 1 gets rid of the Search tab to make room for the Sports tab.

Ask Siri to start a screen recording

With iOS 16.5 beta 1, you can ask Siri to start a screen recording for you. Prior to this beta, you had to go to add the screen recording tool to your Control Center, then turn on the tool manually. Now you can ask Siri. This could save you time, since you won’t have to edit out the beginning and end of your videos where you turn the recording on and off.

There’s no word on when iOS 16.5 will be released to the general public. There’s also no guarantee these beta features will be released with iOS 16.5, or that these will be the only features to come out with the update.

For more, check out what’s new on your iPhone with iOS 16.4 and how to become an Apple beta tester so you can try out new iOS features before others.

Now playing:Watch this:iOS 16: Powerful Features You May Have Missed

6:28

If you have a 5G-compatible iPhone running the new iOS 16.4 and use Google Fi for your phone service, you are finally able to connect to 5G. After not offering the capability for years, Google confirmed this week that Apple’s devices on its MVNO network gained the new capability with Apple’s latest software release.

The update enables 5G support for any 5G-capable iPhone, which includes the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 lines as well as the most recent iPhone SE. As per Google Fi’s support page, to turn on 5G you will need to download and install iOS 16.4 and then head to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. From there, tap on the section labeled Voice & Data or Cellular, tap on your Google Fi number and select 5G Auto.

Google Fi uses T-Mobile’s network, so enabling this setting will allow you to connect to that 5G service in the US.