New ways your phone can keep you safe in an emergency but you need to set up now

Smartphones are already deeply integrated in our daily lives , which presents a unique problem for the tech companies designing them: What can be done next?
So far, we’ve already seen companies like Apple and Google add lifestyle enhancements and current event-related features to their respective operating systems, such as contact tracing and easier screen-locks for mask wearers. Tap or click here to see how to get These features on your iPhone.


But beyond enhancements for COVID-19, how can a smartphone become an even more essential product for people to use? Google thinks it has the answer in the form of new safety check-ins, which can potentially help you out during emergency situations. lifestyle features like this potentially reduce violence and crime in the world?Forget what you’re doing — Google wants to know how you’re doingGoogle just released its new Personal Safety app in the latest update for Pixel 3 and 4 series smartphones. Here’s how it works: The app gives you the ability to upload emergency contact information for several people you know and trust. in a sticky situation, you can send an emergency alert to all these contacts at once with the push of a button.


At the same time, a more important feature called Safety Check is also rolled into the app. You can set your phone to perform “checks” at regular intervals, where you respond and let your phone know you’re safe. respond to one of these checks, the phone will automatically send out an alert without you having to do anything.
This is extremely significant for several reasons. People don’t always have access to their phones during emergencies, and should it be out of reach, there is often no way for a victim to call for help. With Safety Check, contacts are informed of your last immediate location, which can help pinpoint where you are to emergency services as well.

The update includes a few other new features that complement the Personal Safety app, including a battery monitor that drastically reduces power consumption as your phone gets closer to dying.
These new features have the potential to give people peace of mind when venturing outdoors again — especially now that quarantines are finally winding down in much of the world.


This is all well and good, but I don’t own a Pixel. What are my options?

Apple is already way ahead of you in terms of emergency options and contacts. You may not have access to safety check-ins, but Apple’s approach still makes it easy to get alerts out to your emergency contacts and emergency services.
Here’s how you can set up emergency contacts on your iPhone in the event of a crisis:
Open the Health app and tap your profile picture or initials if you don’t have a picture.Tap Medical ID. Tap Edit, then scroll to Emergency Contacts.Tap the add button to add an emergency contact.Tap a contact, then add their relationship. Tap Done to save your changes. Note that you can’t add 911 as an emergency contact, but don’t worry. Apple’s SOS call feature automatically dials 911 for you.


Here’s how to make one:
Press and hold the side button and one of the Volume buttons until the Emergency SOS slider appears. Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services. If you continue to hold down the side button and Volume button, instead of dragging the slider, a countdown begins and an alert sounds. If you hold down the buttons until the countdown ends, your iPhone automatically calls emergency services.

iPhone 7 models and earlier have slightly different instructions:
Rapidly press the side (or top) button five times.Drag the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency services.Once your call is complete, your emergency contacts will automatically be informed of your situation.


And if you’re looking for something more like the Personal Safety app, SafeTrek, Inc.’s Noonlight app works as an emergency button that you can hold in times of danger, and if you release it, it auto-dials 911 for you It’s available through theApple App store here, and you can also download it for Android smartphones on the Google Play Store here.
It also includes integration with the Tinder app, which is a major step forward for digital dating safety. Tap or click here to see apps and safety tips from an online dating expert.
In light of societal events and social unrest, it’s good to see tech companies putting the human element of their business model before trivial features and more advertising. Whether or not this trend continues remains to be seen. and socializing might feel a little less sketchy going forward.

It’s important to check your laptop battery’s health – here’s how

Batteries aren’t meant to last forever, including the battery that powers your laptop.
It’s important to keep an eye on your laptop battery’s health for that very reason: it can, and likely will, die at some point, and you don’t want to get stuck replacing it in a pinch. Plus, just because the battery has died doesn’t mean you need to buy a new laptop. Tap or click here for five signs it’s time for a new laptop.
Let’s take a look at how you can check the life of your laptop battery on both PCs and Mac laptops, brought to you by our sponsor, IDrive.


How and why laptop batteries dieMost laptops use lithium-ion batteries as the power source, and as a general rule, this type of battery tends to lose charging capabilities.
This can interfere with productivity — and also your laptop’s efficiency. Laptops are meant to be portable, but if you can’t move them from one place to the next without the battery dying, it can cause issues with how useful your device is to you .
This happens because your laptop battery is only equipped to handle a limited number of complete battery cycles or, in layman’s terms, the charging process in which your battery goes from 0% to 100% before it starts losing efficiency. it will lose efficiency, and so will older batteries as they age.


Your laptop battery can also lose efficiency if you’re partially charging it. Let’s say you regularly charge your laptop from 30% to 50%, or about 20% each time you charge it. completed one battery cycle because you’ve charged your laptop 100% in total.
You can’t just avoid charging your battery to cut down on the cycles you put it through, so it’s essential to check your battery’s health instead. Doing so will give you a good idea of ​​how much more abuse your battery can take and help prompt you to make some changes to preserve battery health.
But how do you do that?

How to check the battery life on your laptop

The steps you take to check your battery health will depend on your laptop type. Checking on the health of your battery on a MacBook is much simpler than checking the health of your battery on a PC laptop, which involves a much more laborious process. with the difficult one first.
You may also like: New ways your phone can keep you safe in an emergency
How to check the battery health of your PC laptop


Option 1: Use the Windows PowerShell terminal (Windows 8 or later).
You just have to use one simple command from the Windows Powershell terminal to check your battery health.Click the Start menu on your laptop.Search for PowerShell and then click on the PowerShell option that appears.Once it appears, type the following command: powercfg /batteryreport.Press Enter, which will generate a report that includes information on your battery health.Search for the folder in your user accounts directory with the name: C:\Users[YourUsername] to access the report.Note: Rather than searching for Powershell, you can opt to type “cmd” while pressing the Start button.Press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to run it in administrator mode.While in admin mode, type powercfg /batteryreport.Hit Enter.Go to Users\Your Username folder and look for the battery-report.html file to access the report.Following either set of instructions above generates a report containing a ton of information on your laptop, including information about your battery health. This report will be an HTML file, so all you have to do is double-click it to view the contents.
You can find the information about your battery health by scrolling down on the report to the Battery Information section. This section will include subsections with details on Design Capacity, Full Charge Capacity, and Cycle Count.
It also includes a subsection called Battery Life Estimates, which will give you a clearer picture of how long your laptop battery will last on a full charge, along with information on how long it would last on a full charge when it was new. Understand your battery’s life cycle.


RELATED: 4 ways to extend your Windows 10 laptop battery life
Option 2: Use Battery Report, which allows you to see your battery health (best for older laptops)
Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu.Choose Command Prompt (Admin). (Note: This opens Command Prompt as an administrator, which allows you to run a battery report for your laptop).When Command Prompt opens, type in the same command you use for Windows PowerShell: powercfg /batteryreport and run the report.This will do the same thing as the Windows PowerShell method: it will generate a report that includes information on your battery health, which can be found by searching in your accounts directory for a folder called C:\Users[YourUsername].
As with the PowerShell method, this report will show you information about your battery, along with the name, serial number, and chemistry type of the battery.


How to check the battery health of your Mac laptop

It’s surprisingly simple to check the health of your MacBook battery, especially when compared to checking the battery health on a PC laptop.
Hold the Option key and click on the Apple menu.Click on System Information.Scroll down to Hardware > Power > Cycle Count.
The “Cycle Count” section will give you a firm number of times your laptop battery has completed the battery cycle, and you can use this number to better understand where your MacBook battery is in its life cycle.
You’ll also find information on the full charge capacity, the charge remaining, and a ton of other information about your battery, including the serial number. This information is important because the battery cycles will vary with each model of the Macbook
As you can see in the screenshot above, the MacBook this was written on has a cycle count of 253, which may seem high, but it’s a MacBook Pro and MacBook Pros that were released in 2009 and later have 1,000 cycles on their batteries. MacBook is about a third of the way into the full battery life cycle.


But, if you complete a battery health check and find that your battery is at the end of its life cycle, don’t panic. There are plenty of replacement batteries available to keep your laptop up and running, and there are tons of ways to help preserve your overall battery life, which you can learn by tapping or clicking here.
Bonus: Protect your files with Kim’s pick for back upEvery once in a while, the computer you rely on can fail you. And if you don’t have a solid backup in place, you risk losing all your important files. That could be years of work and your precious memories gone. IDrive.
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Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max

Hoef jij niet per se de allernieuwste iPhone te hebben, maar wil je wel graag een toestel met alle moderne features? En dan het liefst met een groot scherm? Dan is de iPhone 12 Pro Max echt een aanrader! kun je altijd nog bij Swappie terecht voor een refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max!


Refurbished of tweedehands iPhone 12 Pro Max: wat is het verschil?
EEN Refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max is UitgeBREID GETEST ENDIEN NODIG GEREPAREERD. Een Tweede Hands iPhone 12 Pro Max Daarentegen, Wordt Simpelweg Verkocht Zoals Hij IS. hebt over de conditie van de iPhone. meegaat als de bedoeling is. Kortom, wil je een gebruikte iPhone 12 Pro Max kopen, kies dan voor een gereviseerd exemplaar!


Wat zijn de kenmerken van de iPhone 12 Pro Max?
De iPhone 12 Pro Max heeft net als de iPhone 13 Pro Max en de iPhone 14 Pro Max een schermformaat van 6.7 inch; het zijn de grootste modellen in het Apple assortiment. De iPhone 12 Pro Max is een stuk goedkoper dan de andere twee modellen en dus perfect voor wie een grote én betaalbare iPhone zoekt. De A14 Bionic chip waar de iPhone 12 Pro Max mee is uitgerust staat garant voor fantastische prestaties, en het slanke ontwerp van keramisch glas en chirurgisch RVS is een ware lust voor het oog. (en dus ook de Pro Max) was overigens de eerste iPhone serie die geschikt was voor draadloos opladen.


iPhone 12 Pro vs iPhone 12 Pro Max


De iPhone 12 Pro Max is net als de iPhone 12 Pro verkrijgbaar in de kleuren Pacific Blue, Gold, Graphite en Silver. Beide toestellen zijn verkrijgbaar met een opslagcapaciteit van 128GB, 256GB en 512GB. tussen deze twee modellen zit vooral in het formaat: de Pro Max is met zijn 6.7 inch display en gewicht van 228 gram een ​​stuk groter en zwaarder dan de Pro, die een 6.1 inch display en een gewicht van 189 gram heeft. graag een iPhone met een lekker groot scherm wilt is de iPhone 12 Pro Max een uitstekende keuze!


Welke voordelen heeft een gereviseerde iPhone 12 Pro Max van Swappie?
Wanneer je kiest voor een gereviseerde iPhone 12 Pro Max van Swappie, dan ben je verzekerd van:
Een betrouwbaar toestelOnderworpen aan een 52-staps control procedures.
 Minimal 80% battery capacityOf een nieuwe batterij tegen een kleine meerprijs.
 Een snelle leveringJe hebt je gereviseerde iPhone 12 Pro Max binnen 1 tot 3 werkdagen in huis.


Maar liefst 2 jaar garantie op je aankoopGaat je iPhone binnen de garantietermijn kapot, dan repareren we deze of je krijgt een nieuw toestel.
 Optionele Swappie Care verzekeringOnze eigen iPhone vervangservice.
14 dagen bedenktijdMocht je niet tevreden zijn, dan kun je het toestel gewoon retourneren.


Ja, ik heb interesse in een refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max !Een refurbished iPhone 12 Pro Max tegen een betaalbare prijs?
Die bestel je heel snel en gemakkelijk via Swappie. Mocht je toevallig nog een oude iPhone 8 of nieuwer hebben liggen, dan kun je indien gewenst ook je gebruikte iPhone inruilen. Ben je er nog niet uit of je dat wel wilt, dan kun je natuurlijk ook op een later tijdstip je oude iPhone verkopen.

Everything You Need to Know About iPhone Batteries

In Apple’s iPhones, it is fair to say that the battery is a bit of a mystery box. Unlike some of its competitors, it’s non-removable, so you have to trust that what you are getting is actually good. When shopping for a refurbished iPhone, a good battery is just as important as a sleek appearance.


Fortunately, you don’t have to stay in the dark. In this guide, we will answer some commonly asked questions regarding iPhone batteries, from understanding good capacity levels to the typical performance of an iPhone battery across different models.


Everything mentioned in this guide is applicable to all current and recent models of Apple smartphones. Where necessary, we’ve pointed out how different models function when it comes to their batteries. Generally speaking, though, this comprehensive iPhone battery guide will be helpful regardless of whether you’re looking to purchase an iPhone 7, or iPhone 11.Understanding iPhone Battery CapacityWith the release of iOS 11.3 in 2018, Apple introduced a new feature that can tell you quite a lot about the capacity and function of your battery: Battery Health. It describes exactly how long your iPhone should last between charge cycles, on a scale of 0% to 100%.


Your phone’s maximum battery capacity goes down over time. New iPhones typically come with a 100% capacity, but charge cycles and potential damage (like exposing your phone to extreme temperatures) reduce the capacity.
As your battery’s health declines, so does its ability to deliver maximum performance.

What iPhone Battery Capacity is Considered Optimal Condition?

You might think that because your iPhone’s maximum capacity begins at 100%, it’s the only condition that can be considered optimal. However, that’s not quite true. Apple considers any iPhone with a battery capacity of 80% or above to be in optimal condition.
In fact, Apple feels so strongly about battery health that its 1-year warranty covers any battery at 80% capacity or more. It’s not unusual to see iPhones that, after one year, still have a battery capacity of 95% or above.


The reason is a type of fail-safe: Apple builds its batteries with excess capacity, meaning that it doesn’t actually use all of its potential operating power when its Battery Health states 100%. Even when it is at 80%, your phone is still operating in optimal conditions.
How to Check the Battery Status of Your iPhoneOn any iPhone with iOS 11.3 or later installed, you can find your battery capacity by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. It’s important to note that this feature is only available for the iPhone 6 and any models that came after it.
In your Battery Health screen, you’ll also see an important secondary metric: Peak Performance Capability. Because of the above-mentioned nuance, this screen might actually be more important than capacity.
If your battery runs optimally to support all of your apps, you will see a simple message that your phone is operating at normal peak performance. should be replaced.
If you see the warning message, your phone will still function, but the time between charge cycles will be significantly shorter. The message only appears when your battery capacity is at 79% or below.


How to Extend Your iPhone’s Battery Life and Performance

Apple has tried to extend the battery life of their phones through something called performance throttling, or performance management, which caused some controversy a few years ago. Performance management throttles your phone’s performance on your behalf to keep the iPhone running and conserve battery. turn it off manually, but your iPhone’s battery will run out very quickly if you do so, since the iPhone will be operating close to its limits.


Instead, it makes sense to take these few simple steps that can extend your phone’s battery life, courtesy of Apple:


Stay on the latest iOS upgrade. Every major upgrade comes with new features to preserve and extend battery life.Try to keep your phone in temperatures between 16 and 22 degrees celsius on average. Anything above or beyond might be damaging to your lithium battery.Avoid excess heat when charging. Some cases or surfaces can cause your phone to heat up, which can damage the battery. Check it while it is charging to make sure it stays cool.Store your phone half-charged. Emptying the battery completely could cause it to fall into deep discharge, which will cause significant damage.Turn on auto-brightness. The brightest screen settings tend to drain your battery quickly, which forces you to go through charge cycles quickly and lose battery health.Check your background activity in Settings > General > Background Refresh. Too many apps running in the background will drain your battery.How iPhone Batteries Perform Based on Individual ModelsWhen researching used iPhones, battery life and performance are probably among your top considerations. You can look at factors like the processing speed or RAM, but how much does that really tell you about the phone’s actual user experience?


Fortunately, other metrics exist as well. One is Geebench’s Performance benchmark, which standardises all iOS devices to compare their performance directly against each other. The results, from highest to lowest performance, are as follows:
iPhone 11 Pro Max – 1,330iPhone 11 – 1,280iPhone XS Max – 1,110iPhone XR – 1,108iPhone 8-922iPhone 7-742iPhone 6S – 542iPhone 6-308Battery life is another important component when comparing iPhone models. The review specialists at AnandTech reviewed the battery life of each iPhone model from the last few years. They based their comparison on the amount of time a phone would be able to leverage a full charge when on WiFi.
iPhone 11 Pro Max – 15.58 hoursiPhone 11 – 14.03 hoursiPhone XR – 12.95 hoursiPhone 8 Plus – 11.83 hoursiPhone XS Max – 10.31 hoursiPhone 7 – 9.22 hoursThe trends for both performance and battery life tend to be linear. Each new model tends to be more powerful than those that came before it and comes with new features that preserve and extend its battery life. 
The bottom line is that newer models, regardless of whether their capacity is below 100%, tend to have longer battery life than their older counterparts and will be useful for longer as a result.


Refurbished iPhones vs. Other Phones: Who Wins the Battery Battle?Of course, you may be looking beyond iPhones. In that case, how battery life and performance compare between Apple’s products and its competitors is an important question to ask.
For new phones, Apple generally wins out. In both the performance and battery life benchmarks referenced above, iPhone models place above their counterparts from Android and Google from the same year.
But what about refurbished phones? Here, it’s still better to trust iPhones over other refurbished phones. Generally speaking, iPhones retain about 15% more value per year than even their best Android counterparts. Performance doesn’t reduce as fast and the screen doesn’t get damaged as easily.


All in all, the iPhone tends to win the battery battle. Not only does it start out strong, it also retains its strength for longer. That’s what makes it such a good choice for anyone looking for a refurbished smartphone.

What Can You Expect From a Swappie Refurbished iPhone?

At Swappie, we guarantee that every refurbished iPhone has a battery with at least 80% capacity, meaning that it will work and perform like a new iPhone. You don’t have to worry about replacing the battery to get the performance you want. standards are not guaranteed by other iPhone resellers. If you are unlucky, you could end up with a battery that has a capacity lower than 80%, significantly reducing its performance and remaining lifespan. It’s important to consider these things before committing to a purchase.


Especially in older models, even a perfectly functioning battery will not be as effective as it would be in a newer model.As shown above, an iPhone 7 lasts more than 6 hours less than the newest model.Keeping your expectations in line with reality can Help you make a purchase that works well for both you and your phone. 
So now that you have read our complete guide to iPhone batteries, we hope that you feel more confident with your knowledge. If you’re interested in checking out Swappie’s selection of refurbished iPhones, you can find them here.

How to Sell Your Old iPhone: The Complete Guide to Selling Your iPhone to Swappie

If you are considering selling your old iPhone, you are not alone. In fact, you are one of many in a growing community of people exploring the world of re-homing their old devices. The reasons for doing this ranges from maximizing the return on their initial investment to preserving our environment. Selling a phone to a company can seem like a strange thing and leave you with many questions. In this article I will answer the most common questions and concerns we hear about selling an old iPhone. take a look at some of the many reasons why people across the globe turn to Swappie when they want to sell their used iPhones.


How do I choose the right company to sell to?

No two mobile phone resellers are exactly alike. They vary widely in service and support, with companies offering sales processes ranging from smooth and simple to lengthy and laborious. The key to avoiding a long, difficult sales process is to know exactly what you are looking for in a company that buys and resells old phones.
If you are not familiar with Swappie, you may be wondering what qualities make our company stand out from the crowd. While the list of reasons is lengthy, we believe it is our quick and easy sales process that keeps customers across the globe coming back to us to sell their old phones. Below are 10 factors which make Swappie’s sales process as pleasant as it is.


1) SimplicitySelling a phone to a company should be as easy as 1-2-3! Here at Swappie, our goal is to keep the process as smooth and simple so you can receive your payment as quickly as possible. There are three steps to selling your phone to us: filling in the form, packing your phone and mailing it. First, fill out Swappie’s online sales form and print out your DHL label. Next, carefully pack your phone to protect it during shipping. Finally, schedule a pickup or take your package to a DHL service point for shipment.
2) SpeedYou can complete the three steps above in a matter of minutes. It typically takes 1-3 business days for Swappie to receive your phone and most phone inspections are completed within 2-3 business days. Once the inspection is complete, payment will be made to the bank account you listed in your form. Some customers receive payment within the same week that they shipped their old phone.
3) ConvenienceSwappie makes it possible for you to easily sell your phone from the comfort of your home or office. All you need is a small box, some packing material and a printer. Once you’ve taken a few minutes to fill out the form and send us your package, you can expect swift payment for your old phone.


4) SecuritySelling your old phone to Swappie is a safe and secure process. All of our shipments are handled by DHL, the world’s largest logistics company, who you can count on to take extensive care in protecting their shipments. All payments are made via direct bank transfer, which is the safest and fastest way to send payments. Most importantly, should you decide to cancel the sale before payment has been made, you can let us know and we will send your phone back to you in the same condition we received it.
5) ProfessionalismWhen you sell your phone to Swappie, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are dealing with an experienced team of industry professionals. In fact, the Swappie concept was born years ago when the company’s founders had a poor experience with an online used phone dealer. The founders established Swappie to give people across the world a safe and secure marketplace for buying and selling used phones.
6) FairnessSwappie strives to pay customers fair market value for their used iPhones. We follow the latest market trends to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve based on your phone’s model and condition. We will pay you via direct bank transfer to ensure that you receive your money as quickly as possible.


7) SustainabilitySelling an old phone to be refurbished and resold helps the environment by reducing electronic waste, and reduces the amount of raw materials needed to build another phone from scratch.You also reduce the mining of valuable materials.Many people do not realize that mobile phones contain traces of copper, silver, and even gold! In fact, a growing number of countries are encouraging citizens to sell or recycle their old cell phones and electronic devices.
8) SupportStrong customer support should be the cornerstone of success for any mobile phone reseller. Although you can expect the sale of your phone to go smoothly, you may still have questions or concerns before, during, or after the sale process. are guaranteed a swift response from a highly trained iPhone specialist. Swappie offers exceptional customer service and makes every effort to respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.
9) TrustworthinessDetermining whether a phone reseller is trustworthy or not can be difficult.

 One of the best ways of checking a company’s reputation is to research their reputation online through reviews and comments. Generally speaking, a large percentage of highly favourable reviews indicates that the company is trustworthy.
The Swappie team is proud to have excellent customer ratings and a solid reputation for responding to customer questions and concerns. Three out of every four customers give Swappie a five-star rating and the majority of the remaining customers give a four-star rating. With thousands of online reviews by customers, this is a testament to Swappie’s dependability.


10) ExperienceIdeally, the iPhone reseller you choose should have several years of experience and a proven track record of success in the refurbished mobile phone industry. Swappie’s expertise is reflected not only in it’s excellent reputation, but also indicated by its growth and strong international presence. With over 200 skilled employees and a worldwide presence, Swappie has the resources to handle your iPhone inspection and payment efficiently

.Are there any limitations I should abut know before I sell my old iPhone?
Swappie accepts nearly all iPhone models in a range of conditions. However, there are some exceptions. Specifically, your phone should be intact and should be a model that was manufactured within the last several years. Below is a summary of phone types that Swappie will not purchase, or may only offer minimal payment for.Phones with severe damage. Examples include phones with dysfunctional motherboards or phones that have sustained water damage.


Swappie accepts nearly all iPhone models in a range of conditions. However, there are some exceptions. Specifically, your phone should be intact and should be a model that was manufactured within the last several years. Below is a summary of phone types that Swappie will not purchase, or may only offer minimal payment for.
Phones with severe damage. Examples include phones with dysfunctional motherboards or phones that have sustained water damage. iPhones older than iPhone 6. We also do not buy the iPhone 6 Plus or stolen phones. Our organisation operates according to high ethical standards. Please, do not try to sell us any phone that has been stolen. We will pass the case on to the relevant authorities.
It is good to note that the world’s top iPhone resellers continually update their policies to reflect current market trends and changes. For this reason, make sure you check Swappie’s website for up-to-date information before proceeding to ship your phone.


What should I do before I sell my iPhone?

Once you decide to take advantage of the benefits of selling your phone to Swappie, there are just a few steps that you should take before packing and shipping your phone to us. For safety and security reasons, make sure you do the following three things:
First, request that your current service provider terminates your contract to avoid continued charges.
Next, clear your phone’s memoryof all stored information, such as contacts and personal data.
Third, remove your phone’s SIM card and store it in a secure location or cut it up.
The last step is to find a box and protective packing material to ship your phone to Swappie. You can then wrap the box with bubble wrap and place it inside another slightly larger box for safe shipment. You can also choose a small box that allows you sufficient room to wrap and pack your phone.

A Familiar Hue with a Twist: iPhone 15 Pro to Bring Back Popular iPhone 12 Color

The leaks about Apple’s next big launch are in full swing. The iPhone 15 lineup, which is expected to be unveiled this September, will reportedly add a color option that should be familiar to us.

Following the success of Alpine Blue on the iPhone 12 Pro , a variant in Dark Blue would now be introduced to the iPhone 15 Pro, according to rumors.


Change of materials, change of colorsA rather distinctive color has been leaked by Unknownz21 (via MacRumors). This source has a good reputation and has previously provided accurate details about iPhones and other Apple devices, such as the Vision Pro. Now, their contribution joins the long list of rumors that will undoubtedly result in the iPhone 15 lineup coming in more new colors than ever before.

Let’s remember that until now, we were expecting the distinctive color for the iPhone 15 Pro lineup to be a crimson red. Traces and rumors of a blue color did appear However, what is clear and key to understanding this year’s colors is the change in materials for the iPhone 15 Pro.


If we take into account the leaks, this year’s Pro lineup will be the first to introduce titanium as the material for the phone’s frame. Therefore, the new blue shade will be used on an unprecedented material for Apple, and it should provide a brushed finish that is distinct from the stainless steel company has used in the past, which results in a shinier and more uniform appearance.


While this color is reminiscent of the blue tone used in the iPhone 12 Pro, it is expected to be darker this time and include a higher amount of gray to complement the titanium finish more effectively. Titanium is a material that often pairs well with dark colors .
While blue would be the definitive color for this generation of the iPhone, we expect Apple to continue offering silver and space gray options. However, both colors may differ significantly from previous generations due to the material change. In fact, there are suggestions that Apple may consider launching a model with a raw, untinted titanium finish, similar to what we already see in the Apple Watch Ultra, for example.

And is that goodbye to the Vermillion iPhone?

Regarding the crimson color for the iPhone 15 Pro, it appears that Unknownz21 has not seen any indications of this color being in development. However, according to the leaker, the blue color has been used in several iPhone 15 Pro prototypes, suggesting that Apple may be exploring specific shades and finalizing the finish before mass production of the device.
That being said, it is also true that using a particular color during the production validation stage does not necessarily mean it will be the color for the launch. we might see two new colors instead of just one.


In any case, it is clear that Apple is planning a significant number of changes for this generation of the iPhone. New materials, a new mute button, distinctive finishes, much-improved battery life, periscope cameras in the Pro Max model, and a long list of enhancements will make the iPhone 15 something special. Therefore, no matter which color we choose, we will be facing a highly notable release in the annals of iPhone history this coming September.

Is your iPhone battery drained? Learn how to troubleshoot charging issues and extend its lifespan

With how much we use our iPhone on a daily basis, something of vital importance is that it offers us a good battery life . Whether due to charging problems or due to the use or configuration of the same, we could see how the battery runs out faster than we would like. Fortunately, the situation has an easy solution.
Let’s start with two scenarios. One in which the iPhone presents irregularities when charging and another in which the battery lasts less than expected. For both we can improve the situation quite easily.
How to troubleshoot iPhone charging problemsIt is not common, but sometimes we can find some irregularity during the charging process. Faced with this situation the first thing to do is simply turn off the iPhone and turn it back on. Then, in order, this is what we can do:
Check the charging port: let’s make sure that the charging port is free of dust, dirt or any debris. If necessary, let’s use a soft toothbrush or toothpick to clean it very carefully.
Try another cable and charger: if the error persists, try using another cable and charger to rule out the possibility that they are the cause of the problem. If our iPhone charges correctly with another cable and charger, we may need to replace them. hand, we can also try charging another iPhone with the same charger to see where the error is coming from.Update the software: software updates always bring fixes and improvements. It could be that an update will put an end to the irregularities. We can check this in Settings > General > Software update.Reset the iPhone: with a full backup of all information, we can try to completely reset the phone and, before restoring the backup, see if the iPhone charges. clean install.If none of the above steps work, it is possible that the error comes from something related to the hardware. In this case, it is best to contact Apple technical support or go to an Apple Store where, with specific tests, we can find out what is happening and fix it.
How to extend iPhone battery lifeIn the second scenario, where battery life is less than expected, we have a good amount of resources.There are many recommendations circulating on the web in this regard.From all of them, let’s pick out the ones that work:
Let’s activate the low power mode: the low power mode temporarily reduces or disables some functions of our iPhone to extend battery life. We can activate it in Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode or by asking Siri.Enable automatic brightness: the screen is one of the components that consumes the most energy, leaving it to the system to regulate the brightness, we will ensure maximum autonomy. We can do this in Settings > Accessibility > Display and text size > Automatic brightness.
Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data: Whenever possible, use Wi-Fi connections instead of mobile data, as using mobile data can drain the battery more quickly, especially with heavy connectivity use.Take care of the iPhone’s temperature: exposure to extremely high or low temperatures affects performance and battery life. Avoid, above all, leaving your iPhone in the sun, inside a hot vehicle, or in very cold environments.

Activate airplane mode in low coverage areas: if we are in an area with low signal coverage, activating airplane mode can prevent our iPhone from constantly searching for a signal and consuming battery in the process. While we can use Wi-Fi calling to remain reachable or AirDrop to send files.Replace the battery if necessary: ​​all batteries, not just iPhone batteries , degrade over time. It is something inherent to technology and something we can’t avoid in any way. If the battery capacity has decreased significantly, consider replacing it with a new one.

With these tips and solutions, we can troubleshoot charging problems and extend the life of our iPhone battery very easily.As we said the battery is a consumable part and its capacity will naturally decrease over time.However, by taking care of our iPhone and following some good practices, we will be able to enjoy longer battery life and better performance to enjoy our iPhone all day long.

The Apple products you shouldn’t buy this month: July 2023 edition

Don’t let a busy six months of updating fool you into thinking that everything Apple is fresh Bloomberg/Getty Images With half of 2023 behind us, it’s been a very busy year for Apple, kicking off with a January refresh of the Mac Mini and MacBook Pro that equipped these systems with the latest-generation Apple Silicon M2, M2 Pro, and M2 Max processors. The first 6 months of 2023 also saw Apple update the MacBook Air and roll out the M2 Ultra to the Mac Pro, finally updating that behemoth system and completing the move away from Intel.

But what about the iPhone,the AirPods Pro, the Apple Watch, and the iPad and iPad Pro?   

And as for the Vision Pro mixed reality headset, well, that’s not going to launch until early 2024.


Also: The best Apple Watches right now

But don’t let a busy six months of updating fool you into thinking that everything Apple is fresh. That’s not the case, and there are still a few Apple products that you should avoid buying right now, either because they’re in line for a refresh, or they’re just not going to get updated because Apple is phasing them out.


The ‘Naughty’ list13-inch MacBook Pro: This is now overpriced for what you’re getting. Unveiled a year ago at WWDC 2022, this is due for a refresh to an M2 Pro or M2 Max chip.13-inch MacBook Air: With an M2 version of the MacBook Air now available for only $100 more, it doesn’t make sense to be buying one based on the M1 chip anymore.

24-inch iMac:Now that the M1 chips have been superseded by the M2, Apple is asking a lot of money to pay for a Mac that could see a refresh in the next few months.

iPad Mini: Released in September 2021, it’s worth keeping in mind the age of this tablet.

Over 20 months is a long time in tech. Would you pay full price for an iPhone 13, which was released at the same time? No, you wouldn’t.Joining the iPad Mini is the iPad Air. Released in March 2022, this isn’t as old as the Mini — but it’s still over that 12-month mark, making it a dubious buy for the price.

iPhone SE: This handset is now well over a year old, and while it could be 2024 before we see an update released, it’s worth bearing in mind that the current model was released in March 2022.

 iPhone 14: Sure, it’s still less than a year old, but we’re into the final few months before the iPhone 15 makes its debut, and if you’ve held out this long buying one, then perhaps it makes sense to make your existing handset last a few more months until the fall. Apple Watch and Apple Watch Ultra: Like the iPhone 14, these are in the final few months before being updated; if you can, I’d suggest waiting for the updated versions that will release this fall.The ‘nice’ list2023 Apple Mac ProThis monster system finally gets the Apple Silicon treatment. With a starting price of $7,000, it’s not cheap, but once you start adding the extras it’s a lot cheaper than its predecessor.


Apple M2 Ultra chip, with 24-core CPU and up to 76-core GPUUp to 192GB of unified memory32-bit Neural EngineUp to 8TB of storage 2 x HDMI2x10Gb EthernetRack or desk mounting options2023 Apple MacBook AirApple’s “thin and light” laptop gets bumped up to a 15-inch display and an M2 chip.
15.3-inch LED-backlit display with IPS technology2880-by-1864 native resolution at 224 pixels per inch8-core CPU with 4 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores10-core GPU16-core Neural EngineApple’s “starter” Mac gets the M2 Apple Silicon treatment, bringing it into 2023.


Apple M2 or Apple M2 Pro chipTwo Thunderbolt 4 ports (M2) or four Thunderbolt 4 ports (M2 Pro) Two USB-A ports (up to 5Gb/s)HDMI portGigabit Ethernet port (configurable to 10Gb Ethernet)3.5mm headphone jack8- to 12-core CPUs10- to 19-core GPUs8GB to 32GB unified memory256GB to 8TB storageAlso: This $75 dock turns your Mac Mini into a Mac Studio (sort of)
Apple’s M2-powered MacBook Air is a powerhouse of a laptop, offering a huge performance boost over the older Intel-powered MacBook Air, such as 15 times faster video editing — yes, video editing on a MacBook Air! — and up to 18 hours of battery life.

Review: Apple MacBook Air (M2, 2022): Sleeker, faster — and more expensive


The 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display features over 500 nits of brightness, P3 wide color, and support for 1 billion colors.Next-generation M2 8-core CPU with 8-core GPU and 8GB of unified memoryUp to 18 hours of battery life1080p FaceTime HD camera, three-mic array, and four-speaker sound system with Spatial AudioA MagSafe charging port, two Thunderbolt ports, and a headphone jackWeights just 2.7 pounds2nd-gen AirPods ProThe second-generation AirPods Pro are a major upgrade over the previous model, giving Apple’s premium buds a massive lead over the competition.


Also: AirPods Pro might be an inexpensive solution to your hearing loss

Active Noise Cancellation reduces unwantedd background noise.Adaptive Transparency lets outside sounds in while reducing loud environmental noise.Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you.Multiple ear tips (XS, S, M, L)Touch control lets you swipe to adjust volume, press to direct media playback, answer or end calls, and press and hold to switch between listening modes.Sweat- and water-resistant for AirPods Pro and charging case.MagSafe Charging Case with speakerCase features a lanyard loop.

Also: Adaptive Audio listening mode is coming to AirPods Pro 2
Blowing away the competition, Apple’s AirTags are the perfect gift for someone who constantly loses things. You can add them to your luggage, your bike, your remote, or even your moving boxes — the possibilities are endless. 
Also: How to find out if an AirTag is tracking you
Well-made, robust, and with a  replaceable battery, these will make lost keys or wallet things of the past.

The best phones you can buy right now, based on hands-on testing

ZDNET’s team of mobile experts tested the latest phones on the market and curated a list of the best options, all of which offer stellar cameras, performance, battery life, and unique feature We’ve officially hit the halfway point of 2023, and there’s already been a handful of fantastic smartphone releases, including one with a 200-megapixel camera, the return of the Motorola Razr, and Google’s very first foldable.
And if the annual timeline holds true, with Samsung a month away from launching its next big thing and Apple readying new iPhones come fall, even more great phones are on the way.


Also: Best Android phones you can buy right now
For smartphone shoppers today, ZDNET’s team of subject matter experts has compiled the definitive list of top phones you can buy right now based on our hands-on testing. Our pick for the best phone overall is the Samsung Galaxy S23, thanks to its large display , long battery life, and 256GB of base storage. Check out all of our picks for the best phones of 2023 below, no matter your budget or your preferred phone manufacturer. 


best phones of 2023Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultrabest phone overallSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra tech specs: Screen size: 6.8 inches | Storage: Up to 1TB | Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy | Panel type: WQHD+ Edge | Color: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender | Battery life: 5,000 mAh | Water and dust resistant: yes Samsung’s new Galaxy S23 Ultra is undeniably the most complete smartphone you can buy right now. It’s built with a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display that produces vibrant visuals both in the brightest and dimmest environments, a reliable 5,000mAh battery, four cameras at the rear to help you capture a variety of shots, and an overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chipset.


That last bit is especially important given how much more powerful yet efficient the new Ultra flagship is, even when compared to last year’s S22 series. In my ZDNET review, I mentioned that “the mobile platform brings meaningful improvements to the Galaxy phone experience, while Samsung’s done its part to optimize the S23 Ultra with a larger vapor cooling chamber and more efficient back-end processing. 
Together, you get a phone that’s powerful enough for any type of user, including mobile gamers.” For a smartphone that’s not made specifically for gaming, that’s as high praise as it gets, right?


The S23 Ultra proves just as much of its worth through unique specs and features, ones that truly matter to day-to-day usage. That includes the base storage of 256GB (versus the industry’s 128GB standard), the integrated S Pen that gives you enhanced precision and inputs, Samsung’s five-year commitment to security updates, and even Samsung DeX, its mobile-to-desktop service that turns your S23 Ultra into a full-on computer when connected to a monitor or TV.

Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra prosMost complete smartphone experience money can buyReliable quad-camera setup256GB base storage leads the competitionIntegrated S Pen stylus for enhanced functionalityconsPhone can be unwieldy for some, especially with a caseFast charging is still capped at 45WPricier than most Android phonesiPhone 14 Pro MaxBest iPhone overall
pros & consprosExcellent battery life and camera performance4K and Dolby Vision supportWi-Fi 6 supportSatellite SOS and crash detectionconsSatellite SOS requires monthly feeVery expensive, especially at larger storage capacitiesmore details
iPhone 14 Pro Max tech specs: Screen size: 6.7 inches | Storage: Up to 1TB | Processor: A16 Bionic | Panel type: Super Retina XDR | Color: Midnight, Space Black, Purple, Deep Purple, (Product)RED, Silver, Starlight | Battery life: 29 hours | Water and dust resistant: Yes

The iPhone 14 Pro Max is part of Apple’s latest lineup of smartphones, and it continues to prove why the company dominates the mobile space. The 6.7-inch display uses Apple’s Super Retina XDR panel for bright colors, finer details, and enhanced contrast. supports 4K resolution for video playback as well as Dolby Vision for HDR.But perhaps the most intriguing visual feature is the new Dynamic Island, which transforms that notch of dead space on previous models into a notification hub.


During testing, ZDNET Editor-in-Chief Jason Hiner remarked that “Despite its silly name, Dynamic Island is both functional and elegantly designed. And there are now subtle and useful new animations for a whole host of activities, from FaceID unlock to AirPods pairing to live sports scores.”


New sensors are also present on the Pro iPhone, allowing users to use Apple’s new crash detection feature, which automatically knows when you’ve been in a car accident or have fallen and contacts emergency services. The 14 Pro Max is also equipped with the new satellite SOS system, which allows you to call for help even if you don’t have LTE service. 


Just as important is the up graded battery , now giving you up to 29 hours of use on a full charge. And with fast charging, you can get up to 50 percent battery with just 35 minutes of charging; which is perfect for when you forgot to charge overnight and need to top up on your lunch break or during a work meeting.

Can’t decide between the Pro and Pro Max? You can read our full comparison to see what differences there are between the two models.
Review: iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max

We’ve officially hit the halfway point of 2023, and there’s already been a handful of fantastic smartphone releases, including one with a 200-megapixel camera, the return of the Motorola Razr, and Google’s very first foldable.


And if the annual timeline holds true, with Samsung a month away from launching its next big thing and Apple readying new iPhones come fall, even more great Smartphoneare on the way.

iPhone 15 could be getting a big battery boost, and it really needs it

What does almost every iPhone owner want? Yes, that’s right, a bigger battery
Ask any iPhone owner what they want, and the most common response won’t be a thinner and lighter handset, a better camera, or a display that’s so sharp that you’ll never want to look at the real world again. Top of most iPhone owner’s want list is, and always has been, a bigger battery.


Also: iPhone overheating? Here are 8 potential causes and their solutions
Well, a bigger battery could be coming to the iPhone 15 if the rumor being reported by ITHome (via 9to5Mac) turns out to be true. In fact, if the details are accurate, this is a massive jump.


iPhone 15: 3877mAh (up 18.2% compared to the iPhone 14)

iPhone 15 Plus: 4912mAh (up 13.6% compared to the iPhone 14 Plus)

iPhone 15 Pro: 3650mAh (up 14.1% compared to the iPhone 14 Pro)

iPhone 15 Pro Max: 4852mAh (up 12.2% compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max)

A battery with a bigger capacity means a battery that’s physically bigger, roughly in proportion to the capacity increase.

Since Apple is unlikely to want to make the iPhone 15 much bigger than the existing models, it means that Apple’s found a way to free up space Inside the iPhone 15.


Also: The best MagSafe battery packs right now 
Anyone who has torn down an iPhone will tell you that it’s pretty crammed in there, so how could Apple free up space for a bigger battery? A thinner display would be one way, and tweaking the chassis to free up a free cubic millimeters of room would be another way, as might make the new iPhone a little thicker — and by little, I mean fractions of a millimeter thicker. 


So, this bigger battery, along with what we can expect will be a more efficient A17 Bionic processor built using a 3-nanometer manufacturing process powering the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models (it’s likely that the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus will use the A16 Bionic chip that currently powers the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models) will mean longer runtime between recharges.


Also: Battery bad after installing iOS 16.5? Try these 7 tips


But there’s another benefit that comes from a bigger battery, and that’s reduced battery wear.
Every time a lithium ion battery is recharged, it suffers some internal chemical wear. This is normal and there’s nothing that can be done about it, we can’t change the laws of physics. Many iPhone owners become concerned about battery wear when they notice a drop in their battery health score. 


The bigger the capacity of a battery, the longer a charge will last, which in turn means few recharge cycles per year, which means less wear on the battery.


Also: Here’s what Apple doesn’t want you to know about your iPhone’s battery


This should — and I want to use this “should” rather loosely because we’ve ventured deep into speculation based off of a few numbers on a Chinese website — mean that a battery will have a longer lifespan before needing to be replaced. 
All of which is better for the consumer, and the planet.