If Bluetooth has ever crashed your Windows 10 computer and greeted you with the dreaded Blue Screen of Death (BSOD), you’re in luck because Microsoft has now released a fix. Some users started experiencing crashes after installing the January KB5009596 cumulative update.
Now, Microsoft has pushed the optional KB5011543 Preview cumulative update. Seems optional as it will most likely only affect enterprise users.
Solve the problem
Windows 10 versions affected by the vulnerability include Windows 10 21H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 20H2.
“After installing update KB5009596 or later, some organizations pairing Windows devices with Bluetooth devices may receive the error “Your device has encountered a problem and needs to restart. “Blue screen and ‘Stop Code: IRQ NOT LESS OR EQUAL’,” Microsoft said.
“Errors logged on the affected device will appear in the System log in Event Viewer and will be logged as ‘Microsoft-Windows-WER-SystemErrorRe Event 1001’ with the text ‘The computer has restarted from bugcheck. Error Checked as: 0x0000000a’.”
According to BleepingComputer, enabling specific CSP policies can affect the Bluetooth A2dp profile on some endpoints, resulting in BSOD.
Microsoft says there are two possible scenarios for the crash:
If a device that was previously paired with an audio device or phone via Bluetooth reboots after installing the update
After installing the update, the device is paired with another machine via bluetooth
The publication also found that those who currently cannot patch their systems but want to fix the problem can modify the Windows registry before installing KB5009596.
These are the instructions:
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Bluetooth\
Add the following registry keys: {0000110a-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb} and {0000110b-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb} to the ServicesAllowedList value
Obviously, taking a backup is crucial before making any changes to the Windows Registry.
If you’ve ever used a Mac, you’ve probably realized that Apple puts a lot of emphasis on making its computers easy to use, intuitive, and secure. Many of your Mac’s default settings help make using your device as easy and convenient as possible, but you also have many options to adjust settings and customize your experience beyond the defaults. If you want to enhance privacy and productivity on your Mac, you can change some MacOS settings. Here’s how to change them and why they’re important.
Here are eight MacOS settings you can change if you want to improve productivity and privacy. Let’s have a look!
Automatic software updates
Keeping your MacOS up to date is one of the easiest and most effective ways to stay safe and improve your online privacy. It’s important to keep your operating system up to date, as updates will patch known security holes and protect you from people who might exploit vulnerabilities on your Mac.
To enable automatic updates, click the Apple icon > About This Mac > Software Update > Automatically keep my Mac up to date. From the Advanced menu, you can also set your Mac to automatically download and install MacOS and app updates from the App Store.
hot corner
Hot Corners are customizable shortcuts that make it easier to navigate and activate certain features on your Mac. Once set up, accessing Hot Corners is as simple as moving the cursor to one of the four corners of the screen.
To activate hot corners, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Desktop & Screen Saver > Hot Corners. You can then choose your preferences for what to do with each corner of the screen.
Adjust battery settings
Mac‘s optimized battery charging features help you get the most out of your device’s lifespan. This feature learns your daily charging habits and pauses when it’s more than 80% charged until you need a battery-powered Mac.
To enable this setting, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Battery > Optimize battery charging.
Require password immediately after sleep or screen saver
Make sure your Mac is locked when you leave, and you need to enter your password to get back in after it goes to sleep or activates a screen saver. If you don’t enable this setting, anyone with physical access to your Mac can also access files on the device, any apps or services you’re signed into, and other information.
To enable this setting, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General. Then check the box next to Require password after sleep or screen saver starts and set it to Immediately.
Encrypt your disk with FileVault
Make sure your disk is encrypted so you can protect your files and sensitive information from loss or theft of your Mac.
To enable FileVault, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Security & Privacy > FileVault. Click the lock icon, enter your password, and click Open FileVault.
Enable night shift
Night Shift protects your eyes by shifting the display’s colors to the warmer end of the spectrum. You can set Night Shift to activate automatically from sunset to sunrise, on a custom schedule, or manually at any time.
To enable Night Shift, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Displays > Night Shift.
Do not disturb automatically
Use Do Not Disturb mode to eliminate daily distractions, or to make sure you’re not disturbed after get off work.
To automate Do Not Disturb on your Mac, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > Notifications > Do Not Disturb. From this window, you can set the feature to automatically turn on at a certain time of day, when mirroring to a TV or when the screen is locked, or when the display is asleep.
Change default web browser
Your Mac comes with Apple‘s Safari browser preinstalled. However, if Safari isn’t your browser of choice, you can easily change your default browser to Chrome or a more privacy-focused browser.
To change the default browser, click the Apple icon > System Preferences > General. Then set your preferred browser from the drop-down menu next to Default web browser. Just make sure you’ve downloaded the browser of your choice so it will show up in the dropdown when you make changes.
You’d be surprised how much battery life a single app can eat up, even if you’re not actively using the app. According to the Android Developers Blog, the next Android operating system, Android 13, will send you a notification when an app consumes a lot of battery during the day.
Android 13 is going well, with Google releasing the second developer preview of the next Android operating system on Thursday. Between Google’s official word and leaker speculation, we’ve learned a lot about how Android 13 builds on Android 12’s privacy features, user interface enhancements, and Material You design overhaul.
If you’re curious about the release date of Android 13, or if you’re wondering what new features are coming to your phone in the coming months (here are some of the best hidden features of Android 12). Let’s have a look!
Release date
While Google hasn’t publicly revealed a specific release date for Android 13, the Android Developers Blog provides a rough timeline for the release, with a beta release each month as of July. The July beta is listed as “near-final for final testing.”
Judging by precedent, Android 13 could debut a month after the final beta release. The fifth and final beta of Android 12 was released in September 2021, and Google officially released the app in October. In Android 11 (2020) and Android 10 (2019), the final beta dropped in August, and the OS landed on phones in September. So we can reasonably assume that Android 13 will arrive this August. If not, September is a safe bet.
Keep in mind that Google will be sending an Android update to its Pixel phones first (and possibly the rumored Pixel 7 along with Android 13).
New photo privacy features
Android 12 introduces a kill switch that lets you prevent apps from accessing your camera and microphone, and also adds the option to show apps your approximate location instead of your exact location.
It appears that Android 13 will support these privacy settings. According to Google’s Android developer blog, Android 13 will include a photo picker. This means that when apps want to access your images and videos, you can choose specific media files to share instead of granting access to all of them.
App needs your permission to notify you
The second developer preview of Android 13 introduces a new feature called Notification Permissions. In order to send you notifications, apps need you to give them your permission – you can say “no”.
Upgraded design with more color options
Your redesigned Material is the star of the Android 12 show, with a UI color scheme that automatically adjusts to the wallpaper you choose. Android 13 will add more color customizations to Material You. In Android 12, the adjustable color palette feature is only available for Google apps. But Android 13 will extend this feature to all apps, as long as the app’s developer agrees to design a monochrome alternate icon.
Citing a “trusted source” rumor, AndroidPolice says that Android 13 will allow you to choose more color customization options. These include “spritz,” a desaturated color scheme, and “expressive,” which combines hues that differ from the default hue your wallpaper chooses.
Adjust iOS Privileges
Flashlights on Apple’s iPhones have offered adjustable brightness for years, but rumors from Android analyst Mishaal Rahman suggest that Google will eventually integrate the feature into Android 13, allowing for some customization when you use your phone as a light source.
But Rahman said that many Androids currently don’t have the hardware needed to use this feature. Maybe the rumored Pixel 7 will. If you have a Samsung phone, though, Samsung’s software Overlay One UI already lets you adjust the flashlight brightness.
The latest version of Apple‘s mobile operating system brings some new features and settings related to your privacy and security. Apple’s latest mobile operating system – iOS 15.4 – is now available for public download. The fourth update to iOS 15 brings several new and enhanced privacy and security features to the iPhone, including several upgrades to iCloud Keychain, anti-tracking AirTag notifications, and more.
Let’s take a look at some of the new privacy and security features and settings that come with iOS 15.4.
AirTags have the potential to be abused by thieves and stalkers to track unsuspecting victims. Over the past few months, Apple has released several new updates to iOS to help prevent AirTags from being used to track people, and that continues with the release of iOS 15.4.
When setting up AirTag with iOS 15.4, you will now receive a notification that your AirTag is linked to your Apple ID, essentially warning you that the AirTag can link back to you if you try to use it to track someone. The notice also states that using AirTag in this way to track someone is considered a crime.
You can add notes to saved passwords
In iOS 15.4, you can now annotate usernames, emails, and passwords you save in iCloud Keychain. To access it, open the Settings app and do the following:
1. Enter Password and verify yourself.
2. New, tap the account you want to leave a message for.
3. Finally, click Add Note and enter your note.
When you’re done, click Done in the upper right corner, and you’ll save the notes for these credentials.
Safari will no longer save passwords without usernames
If you’re having trouble finding a password for a website you know is saved through iCloud, it may be because iOS saves the same password but no username. Without a username, the password won’t appear on your keyboard when you visit the site, but iOS 15.4 aims to fix that.
Now, when you try to save a password without a username in Safari, you’ll get a popup asking you to enter your password. The notification says “To save this password, please enter your [website] account username” and you’ll see a text field where you can enter your username or email.
You can hide those password security suggestions
It’s best not to duplicate passwords across accounts, and Apple is firm about this, which is why when you go to Settings > Passwords, you may see Security for compromised, easily guessed, or reused passwords suggestion.
Alerts are a good thing, but if you don’t want to be reminded every time you enter your password settings, you can hide them: go to an account, then click the X icon in the upper right corner of the alert. In the popup that appears, click Hide to get rid of them Safety advice. If you want to see security advice again at any time, go to Hidden Security Advice in Password Settings.
When you’re a first-time iPhone buyer, you’re used to using an Android phone, which can lead you to start not using an iPhone. But everyone knows the power of the iPhone. There are a few ways to make your iPhone feel more like your old Android phone, whether you’re using the iPhone SE, iPhone 13, or any other Apple phone, to Androidize your iPhone. Here’s how to make it feel more like an Android device, check it out!
Create custom home screens with widgets and smart stacks
Widgets, customizing your home screen, are a convenient way to keep information at your fingertips, but perhaps more importantly, you can create a completely personalized experience.
You can add individual widgets, or create so-called smart stacks, which will rotate in a series of widgets based on the widget you interact with and the time of day. Place widgets on the iPhone screen by long-pressing on empty spaces. I usually do this above the app in the dock. Tap the plus sign in the upper left corner and drag and drop the widget onto your screen.
You can’t install themes or launchers, but you can still customize the look of your iPhone
If you’re used to creating custom app icons, you’ll be happy to know that your iPhone can also support custom icons. You’ll need to use the Shortcuts app to achieve your custom look, and be prepared to invest some time in each new creation. So instead of using the existing Mail, Safari or Messages app icons, you can replace the default icon with the AOL Mail icon or any photo you want.
Chat with your Android friends using FaceTime
In iOS 15, you can FaceTime with friends and family who don’t have an Apple device. Like the other tips on this list, it probably won’t make your iPhone feel more like your old Android phone. But it can help with the transition, as it provides an easy way to video chat with Android friends without having to install a new app.
FaceTime calls work a little differently when you’re communicating with users of non-Apple devices. You need to generate a link that they can click or tap to join the call from a web browser. Just open the FaceTime app and tap the Create Link button to get started.
Miss Google’s keyboard? You can download your favorite or learn some iPhone keyboard tips
Google’s keyboard, Gboard, is loved by many Android users. You can also install third-party keyboards on your iPhone, although you may find them less powerful than their Android counterparts. If you want to give it a try, you can use Gboard for Android on your iPhone. However, if you find that a third-party keyboard doesn’t solve the problem, you can make the most of your iPhone’s keyboard.
Move the cursor by pressing and holding the space bar until the key disappears, turning it into a trackpad of sorts. Here’s a post with beautifully animated images showing you how it works.
Create custom text replacement shortcuts by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement. This makes it easier to type swear words, or quickly enter information like your email address.
You can swipe to type on your iPhone’s keyboard, just like you can on almost any Android keyboard. If it doesn’t work, make sure it’s turned on by going to Settings > General > Keyboard > Swipe typing and making sure the switch is on.
You’re not locked into Apple‘s default apps. Switch to Google’s apps
You are lucky.
Google does a great job of keeping the same apps you know and love on Android updated on iPhone. Instead of linking you to every Google app, I’ll point you to the Google Developers page in the App Store, where you can find all the apps for the iPhone (or iPad).
If you don’t like Siri, use the Google Assistant
One app that Google offers on the iPhone worth mentioning is Google Assistant. For those who wish to use Google’s virtual assistant instead of Apple, you can download and install a dedicated app. You need to create a shortcut in the Shortcuts app that will launch Google Assistant using Siri.
With Google Assistant installed on your phone, open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus sign to create a new shortcut. Click Add Action > Apps > Assistant > Ask Google and turn off Show When Run. Name the shortcut “Hey, Google” or “OK, Google”.
Face ID isn’t perfect. Here’s how to make it even better
If you’re switching from an Android phone with fingerprint unlocking, you might get frustrated if Face ID doesn’t always recognize your face and unlock your iPhone in the right amount of time. My suggestion: add an alternate look like Scanning your face a second time does the same; it’s the equivalent of scanning four fingerprints in an old Android phone, not just one. To scan your face again, open Settings > Face ID & Passcode and tap Set Alternate Appearance.
With Apple announcing its Mac Studio, iPhone SE 3, Studio Display and more at its March 2022 event, the release of iOS 15.4 follows a week later and is available for your iPhone SE, iPhone 6S and later. Released in September 2021, iOS 15 brings SharePlay, widgets, Focus mode, and more to iPadOS, all with a productivity theme. But since then, Apple has been pushing the .1 update in full force, as 15.1, 15.2, and 15.3 all bring bug fixes and improvements to your iPhone and iPad.
With that in mind, here are five features you can familiarize yourself with when iOS 15.4 downloads to your device, let’s take a look!
1. Face ID with mask
While Apple has introduced a feature that allows your Apple Watch to verify your identity by unlocking your phone, that doesn’t help those who don’t have a watch. In iOS 15.4, you can enable an additional feature that requires you to scan your face while wearing a mask. The Face ID hardware will then recognize your eyes and facial features to unlock your phone.
2. iPadOS 15.4 Universal Controls
This was announced at WWDC, Apple’s annual developer conference in 2021, but was delayed from the second half of 2021 to the release of iPadOS 15.4. As long as you have a specific iPad model and a Mac running macOS 12.3 Monterey, you can use the mouse cursor on both devices so you can drag and drop your content seamlessly.
3. New emoji
The new update wouldn’t be the same without the new emoji, and this time you can use a bunch. From greetings to gender-specific pregnancy, and many new gestures, your WhatsApp and Twitter messages have plenty to choose from.
4. Better AirTag anti-tracking measures
When you set up the new AirTag in iOS 15.4, you’ll see a pop-up stating that using it to track people is a crime, making users aware of its misuse around the world to date. There’s also a better way to manage its notifications through the Find My app, so you can configure time-tracking when your alerts arrive, while deciding whether to send them all at once or at a certain time of day.
5. Notes in iCloud Keychain
Since 2019, with the release of iOS 13, you’ve been able to save and sync your passwords in iCloud. But 15.4 allows you to add notes to your custom iCloud password via iCloud Keychain.
While this may sound like a small feature, it’s important because other password apps have been around for years, and the convenience of adding a few extra reminders to these sections can be helpful, especially if you have a lot of accounts for the same site.
In addition to the iOS 15.4 update for iPhones, which brought new emojis, anti-tracking features for AirTags and a neutral Siri voice, the company also released a software update for the Apple Watch. The software wasn’t highlighted at the company’s “Peek Performance” event last week, focusing on Apple TV, Apple Fitness Plus, heart rate detection, and more. The software, called WatchOS 8.5, is the fifth major update that Apple has offered free to Apple Watch users since WatchOS 8 was released last fall.
When is the release date for WatchOS 8.5?
WatchOS 8.5 was released on Monday, March 14th alongside iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4.
So how to download WatchOS 8.5?
You must download iOS 15.4 to your phone before you can upgrade your Apple Watch. You can download iOS 15.4 by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Download and Install. Once done, the software will restart your phone. Then you can go to Watch App > General > Software Update. Apple Watch updates are usually scheduled at night, and people tend to take them off to charge.
Heart rhythm detection improvements
One of the most popular features of the Apple Watch is its health monitoring feature. There are many stories about the Apple Watch identifying and alerting people to heart problems before they feel symptoms. In WatchOS 8.5, Apple said, it improved software to detect atrial fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat that could signal a major risk of stroke. The new detection software is already available in the U.S., Chile, Hong Kong, South Africa and Apple says “more regions where the feature is available.”
More Apple TV
Another welcome feature of the Apple Watch is its ability to act as a passcode device, authorizing sign-in to apps like Microsoft’s Authenticator and business sign-in software Okta. Now, Apple says that WatchOS 8.5 users will be able to authorize purchases of TV episodes and movies through its Apple TV iTunes Store service.
Better Apple Fitness Plus
Apple is also adding $10 a month to Apple Fitness Plus, offering new features for users with disabilities. It has added health features to the Apple Watch, such as wheelchair exercise detection. Apple Fitness Plus will now offer optional audio commentary describing the movements of the visual demonstration during the workout.
Are you looking to upgrade to a MacBook Pro 14 or 16, or you’re entering desktop territory by pre-ordering the newly released Mac Studio. You can even keep an eye out for the rumored M2 MacBook Pro that may arrive later this year. But before you buy a new MacBook, you can get some money by selling your old Mac to help cover the cost of your new Mac. However, you will need to migrate your data to the new Mac and wipe the old Mac clean first.
Whether you give your Mac to a friend or family member, recycle it, or donate it to an organization, you need to wipe your personal information and files before separating from it.
Here’s how to remove all traces of your data and restore your old Mac to its default factory settings, let’s take a look!
1. Sign out of your account
First, you need to log out of all accounts. Now you have to quit three apps individually – Music, TV and Books. Open any of these applications and go to Account > Authorizations > Deauthorize This Computer. You will need to enter your Apple ID and password, then click the Deauthorize button.
Next, you need to turn off Find My Mac and sign out of iCloud. Go to System Preferences > Apple ID, click iCloud in the left panel, and uncheck Find My Mac. Next, click on Overview in the left panel, then click the Exit button.
Finally, you need to exit Messages. Open the Messages app, go to Messages > Preferences, click the iMessage tab, and then click Sign Out.
2. Bluetooth unpairing
If you’re giving your old Mac to your kids or someone else in the house, it’s a good idea to unpair any of its Bluetooth devices so your mouse or keyboard can control the new Mac without interfering with the old one. Go to System Preferences > Bluetooth, hover over the device you want to unpair, click the X button to the right of its name, then click Remove.
3. Reset NVRAM
NVRAM is the memory your Mac uses to save the settings it needs before loading MacOS: things like screen resolution, time zone, volume, and startup disk selection. Sometimes these files can get corrupted, so give your Mac’s next owner a fresh start by resetting the NVRAM. To do this, turn off your Mac, then turn it on and immediately hold down four keys simultaneously: Option, Command, P, and R. You can release the keys after about 20 seconds. That’s it! Your Mac’s NVRAM has been reset.
4. Factory reset
You will need to put your MacBook into recovery mode to erase all data and reinstall MacOS. To enter Recovery Mode on an Intel-based Mac, restart it and immediately hold Command-R. Once you see the Apple logo, you can release the keys.
Next, you will see the MacOS Utilities window. Select Disk Utility, click Continue and select your startup disk – unless you renamed it, it will most likely be labeled Macintosh HD or something like that. Next, click the Erase button at the top of the Disk Utility window and fill in the following two fields:
Name: Choose a name for the fresh new volume.
Format: Select APFS.
If you’re trying to sell an older Mac with a mechanical hard drive instead of a solid-state drive, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) for formatting.
Next, click Erase Volume Group and when Disk Utility finishes, exit Disk Utility. You should return to the MacOS Utilities window. (If not, restart your Mac again, holding down Command-R as it restarts.) From the MacOS Utilities window, select Reinstall MacOS and follow the instructions to install the operating system. After you reinstall MacOS, the Setup Assistant will greet you, and you can log out and shut down your Mac. That’s it!
Google has announced the limited release of Android 13 Developer Preview 1, codenamed Tiramisu with a focus on dessert. This latest version of the Android operating system will introduce several new color themes, enhanced privacy and security features, lock and home screen updates, and more.
As long as you have a compatible phone, you can connect your device to your computer and use Google’s Android Flash tool to easily download and install Android 13 Developer Preview 1. Note: The Android 13 Developer Preview can sometimes be unstable! Here’s how to download and install the Android 13 Developer Preview on your phone, let’s take a look!
Which phones is the Android 13 Developer Preview available for?
Google is expected to release Android 13 this fall. It will then be available on a variety of Android phones, but currently you can only install the Android 13 Developer Preview on many compatible Pixel devices: Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4A, Pixel 4A 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5A and 5G , Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, if your device isn’t on this list, you’ll have to wait for a later version of Android 13, be it public beta or public release.
Backup your Android device first
By default, your Pixel backs up automatically whenever you’re connected to Wi-Fi and your phone has been idle and charged for 2 hours, but you can also back up manually at any time. To back up your Pixel, go to Settings > Google > Backup and tap Back Up Now .
Now you need to enable USB debugging and OEM unlock
To install Android 13 on your Pixel, you’ll need to connect your phone to your computer via USB, which requires your Pixel to be unlocked and USB debugging enabled. While it’s easy to unlock your phone, to enable USB debugging, you’ll need to unlock the developer options first.
1. To unlock the developer options, go to Settings > About phone and tap Build number seven times. Enter your password when prompted and a new developer options menu will appear in system settings.
2. Now, enable USB debugging. Go to Settings > System > Developer options and turn on USB debugging. In the notification that appears, briefly describe what USB debugging means, click OK.
3. While you are still in developer options, turn on OEM unlocking. This will unlock your device’s bootloader, which is what loads the operating system. Once unlocked, you will be able to choose a different operating system to boot from.
Refresh your device with the Android Flash Tool in Chrome
There are two ways to flash the Android 13 Developer Preview system image on the Pixel using a computer, but for simplicity, we’ll use the Android Flash tool, which only works with some web browsers. Additionally, your computer must have 10GB of free storage to function properly.
If all is well, connect your Pixel to your computer via USB, unlock the device and visit the Android Flash Tool website in Chrome and do the following:
1. First, click Get started at the bottom of the website.
2. Next, click Allow ADB Access in the popup that appears (if any ad blockers are present, turn them off).
3. Now click Add New Device, select your device from the list and click Connect.
4. On your Pixel, check the box next to Always allow from this computer and tap Allow to give the Android Flash Tool access to your phone.
5. Back on your computer, click “Developer Preview 1” under “Popular Versions”.
6. Click Install to build, and then click OK.
The pop-up that appears will warn you that installing Android 13 will factory reset your phone, but that’s not a problem if you have a Pixel backed up. Make sure you don’t touch your phone or disconnect it from your computer during this process, or you could brick your phone. If you get another popup on your computer that mentions accepting the Android 13 version, do the following:
1. Click Start in the pop-up window that appears on your computer.
2. Go back to your Pixel, use the volume keys to select Unlock Bootloader, then tap the side key, which will cause your phone to reboot.
3. The software will start downloading, which may take a few minutes depending on your internet connection.
4. After the installation process is complete, click Start in the pop-up window that appears on your computer.
5. Again, back on your Pixel, use the volume keys to toggle to Lock Bootloader, then tap the side button.
6. Finally, on your computer, click Done and your phone will restart as usual.
If all went well, “Installation Complete” should appear in the Android Flash Tool. This means that the Android 13 Developer Preview is installed and you can safely disconnect your Pixel from your computer. After your Pixel reboots, you’ll see a notification that you’re now running the Android 13 Developer Preview. Click OK and set up your phone like a brand new phone.
The latest iPhone SE debuted on Tuesday at Apple’s “Peek Performance” event. The most notable updates to the affordable iPhone are 5G connectivity and Apple‘s latest mobile chipset. Aside from minor cosmetic changes, the third-generation iPhone SE looks identical to the previous-generation model launched in 2020. The phone still has a 4.7-inch screen and huge top and bottom bezels. It also retains the Home button with Touch ID, which is great for people who don’t want to use facial recognition to unlock their phones. Let’s take a look at the new features of the iPhone SE 3!
5G connectivity: Sub-6 yes, mmWave no
The most exciting new feature of the iPhone SE is support for faster data transfer speeds over 5G networks. However, the iPhone SE doesn’t support all types of 5G — it can’t connect to parts of the network that use the fastest mmWave type of 5G, which is currently found mostly in city centers and stadiums. As carriers continue to build out their 5G networks in 2022 and beyond, we’re still figuring out which networks the iPhone SE can connect to. Currently, we know that the iPhone SE can use C-band frequencies in the 3.7GHz to 3.98GHz range, which is already available for US carriers.
AT&T has confirmed that the iPhone SE will not support the 3.45GHz mid-band that will be added to its 5G network later this year and that only the best phones of 2022 will be able to connect to.
A15 Bionic Chipset: Better Performance, More iOS Updates
First introduced with the iPhone 13 series in September, the A15 Bionic chipset is Apple’s most advanced mobile chip. In addition to 5G connectivity, it also offers some new tricks for the iPhone SE. It should also support the same iOS update lifespan as the iPhone 13, which could be extended by seven years or more given how often Apple updates its oldest phones right now.
On the camera side, the new chipset should allow the iPhone SE to take better photos than its predecessors, but only because of computational photography improvements and AI tricks. The new phone has the same cameras as the 2020 model: a 12-megapixel, f1.8 rear camera and a 7-megapixel, f2.2 front-facing camera.
Even with the same A15 Bionic processor, the iPhone SE’s 3GB of RAM should slow down gaming performance and apps compared to the iPhone 13 Pro’s 6GB.
New glass back
The new iPhone SE looks almost unchanged from the previous model, but glass has replaced the all-aluminum back of the previous version. While the new glass back is an elegant touch, it’s unclear if it will change the shape of the new iPhones, making them incompatible with existing cases and accessories.
While we haven’t gotten a full review of the new iPhone SE, it does lack some features and polish. Its lower-resolution LCD display can’t deliver crisp, colorful pictures like the sharp OLED screens on the iPhone 13 series. While the new budget phones share the same chipset, the iPhone 13 has more RAM, more storage, and a larger battery with wireless charging.
The iPhone SE’s single rear camera is also better than the additional lens on the iPhone 13 series, with the iPhone 13 Pro featuring an ultra-wide-angle and 12-megapixel 3x optical zoom camera. Android users considering switching to a cheaper iPhone might be disappointed, as budget phones from Samsung and Motorola often feature two or even three rear cameras. If you just want your iOS phone to use some apps, watch some shows, and take some daylight photos, the iPhone SE should give you the right basics.
