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The iPhone 17 will likely launch in a few months, but what if you need a new phone right now? Should you wait for the next iPhone? Definitely not. I can help you pick a phone that you'll love for years, and won't regret buying when you see what Apple has next.To buy a new phone, you need to answer three questions for me. Are you willing to sign a contract? Would you consider a pre-owned iPhone? Are you sure about getting an iPhone versus an Android? Here’s the best iPhone for you.Get an iPhone 16 Pro for free with a new contract on a wireless carrier(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)If you don't have $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,800 to spend on a new iPhone 16 Pro, you might consider signing up for a new contract with a wireless carrier. If you’re not entirely happy with your old carrier, most carriers will give you a free phone if you switch.With three months to go until a new iPhone arrives, I’m seeing wireless carriers clearing out inventory. In the US right now, all three major wireless carriers will give you a free iPhone 16 Pro for switching.You'll need to stay with them for two years (T-Mobile) or three years (AT&T and Verizon), depending on the carrier, and you’ll need to subscribe to an unlimited data plan, but it’s a good deal if those conditions fit your needs.Get an iPhone 13 Pro Max refurbished from Amazon or Best Buy(Image credit: Future)If you need to save money and don't want to sign up with a wireless carrier, you can also shop for renewed or refurbished devices. I've had a great experience buying used devices on Swappa.com in the US, but Best Buy, Amazon, and other major retailers sell refreshed products at a discount.I would recommend an iPhone 13 Pro or iPhone 13 Pro Max as the oldest refreshed iPhone you should consider. Those phones have a great reputation for battery life and performance. Also, Apple gave the iPhone 13 Pro a major camera upgrade over the iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone cameras haven't improved dramatically since.The iPhone 15 Pro is still available new, just not from Apple(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)If you want a new iPhone, I'd recommend the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro (including the Plus and Max models). Compared to the new iPhone 16 family, the only feature that you'll lose is the Camera Control button, and frankly… I think you're better off without it.In my experience, the Camera Control has been buggy and inconsistent. I prefer using the Action Button – first launched on the iPhone 15 Pro – to open the camera instead.I wouldn't buy a new iPhone older than an iPhone 15, because older iPhone models use Lightning for charging and cables, and you don't want to be stuck with an old connector on its way to the connector's graveyard.The iPhone 15 and newer iPhones use USB-C. This universal connector makes a huge difference when shopping for accessories or just borrowing a charger.Here's why I would avoid the iPhone 16e(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)The iPhone I would avoid is the new iPhone 16e. While it looks good on a spec sheet, in practice, the iPhone 16e compromises too much to make it a better choice than buying a slightly older iPhone 15.A new iPhone 15 is only $100 / £100 / AU$300 more than the iPhone 16e, but it offers a more iPhone-like experience. First of all, you get much better cameras – two sensors instead of one, including an ultra-wide lens.Second, you get MagSafe, which is a huge part of Apple's accessory ecosystem. MagSafe accessories include batteries, wallets, grips, cases, wireless chargers, and much more. I pop my iPhone sideways onto a wireless stand every night, and it becomes my Standby bedside clock. You can't do that without MagSafe.The OnePlus 13 will exceed your expectations, iPhone switchersThe OnePlus 13 can use MagSafe accessories thanks to this case (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)What if you want to venture outside Apple's walled garden? Have you been admiring the green grass on the Android lawn? Assuming you are coming from an iPhone, I have a suggestion that will be an easy transition to enjoy.These phones are a great choice today and will be fun to own for yearsThe OnePlus 13 is the best Android phone for iPhone switchers. OnePlus has an elegant interface that will be somewhat familiar and easy to pick up. The phone itself is polished and well-built, and it is impressively durable. I watched a OnePlus representative wash the phone in a dishwasher with plates and cups.The OnePlus 13 has incredibly fast charging and amazing battery life that will last you more than a full day. It performs as fast as any phone I've tested. Its cameras are excellent and produce photos that are stylish and unique, thanks to OnePlus's partnership with Hasselblad cameras.If you need a new phone right now, don’t wait until September. I don't expect any groundbreaking innovation from Apple this year, and these phones are a great choice today and will be fun to own for years. The iPhone 17 will arrive with a totally new look, and you can just shake it off and read the news from your brand new phone.You might also like...iPhone 17 Pro: latest rumors, tips and everything we’ve heard so farThe iPhone 17 could come with a nasty price hike – here's howReady for an iPhone upgrade? Here's why you (probably) don't need to buy a Pro

GSMA finds mobile data traffic soars, but emissions dropped – a rare climate win in tech’s fast laneEurope leads the race in cutting mobile emissions, but Asia is closing in fastChina’s billion-plus 5G users just made a climate-friendly turn that could change everythingThe global mobile industry has managed to cut its operational carbon emissions by 8% between 2019 and 2023, despite a massive surge in data usage across the world, official figures have claimed.The GSMA Mobile Net Zero report found mobile data traffic grew fourfold during this period while mobile connections increased by 9%.In contrast, global emissions rose 4% during the same window - but the report makes it clear: the pace of progress must double if the sector is to align with net-zero targets by 2050.Improved energy efficiency and renewable adoption“Our findings show the mobile industry isn’t greenwashing or greenwishing, it’s green acting,” said Steven Moore, Head of Climate Action at the GSMA.“Emissions are trending in the right direction, but the pace of progress must now double.”Geographically, the momentum varies. Europe, North America, and Latin America are leading, having reduced emissions by 56%, 44%, and 36%, respectively, since 2019. Meanwhile, Asia and Africa are starting to show stronger engagement.There is a notable shift in China. As the world’s largest mobile market with over a billion 5G connections, China saw its operational emissions fall 4% in 2024.Despite these gains, GSMA is cautious about the road ahead - noting the 4.5% drop in emissions projected for 2024 is encouraging but remains below the 7.5% annual reduction needed through 2030 to stay on course for net zero.Decarbonization efforts across the industry are evident, with many operators taking deliberate steps to improve energy efficiency.These include shutting down outdated legacy networks and moving away from diesel generators, and operators are also turning to renewable sources, such as solar and battery storage.One area needing urgent attention is Scope 3 emissions, which stem from supply chains and manufacturing and account for over two-thirds of the sector’s footprint.Another growing area of focus is circularity. Consumers are showing rising interest in sustainability, with 90% of those surveyed by the GSMA saying they value device longevity and repairability, and nearly half indicated they would consider purchasing a refurbished phone next.Since refurbished devices produce 80–90% fewer emissions than new ones, this trend could play a role in emissions reduction, as the second-hand phone market, now expanding quickly, is expected to hit $150 billion by 2027.Despite the progress, the industry’s ability to sustain this trend depends heavily on external support.“To sustain this progress, we need broader support: better access to renewables, more policy certainty, and stronger collaboration across the ecosystem,” Moore stated.You might also likeThese are the best AI tools and best AI writersWe’ve rounded up a list of the best cloud hosting providersAMD unveils puzzling new MI355X AI GPU as it acknowledges there won't be any AI APU for now

There are a few undeniable truths in this world: the sky is blue, Mario Kart is always a good idea and Sony's 1000X line of headphones is amazing. The latter was proved true once again when Sony released the WH-1000XM6 edition of its wireless noise canceling headphones in May. The only downside is its price, coming in at $450 — $50 more than its predecessors launch price.

Amazon is throwing all of us a bone, though, and having a sale of sorts. Right now, you can get the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones and a $30 Amazon gift card for $448. Yes, that is $2 less than the headphones on their own. It's no secret that the "bundle" serves as a nice incentive to buy Sony's new headphones from Amazon, but, hey, a $30 gift card never hurt anyone.

Sony released the WH-1000XM6 headphones three years after their predecessor, but the new model quickly proved to be worth the wait. We gave the M6s a 94 in our review thanks to features like improved sound and better active noise cancelation. One of the best things about this model compared to the M5s is the return to a folding design — I love my M5s but it's very annoying that they don't shrink at all. The M6s are also very comfy and have a wider headband for easy wear. This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/this-amazon-bundle-includes-the-sony-wh-1000xm6-headphones-and-a-free-30-gift-card-144511508.html?src=rss

Summer is finally here — at least for those of us north of the equator — and you might be planning to spend more time outdoors. Thanks to a swathe of great handheld devices, it's never been easier to play some fantastic indie games wherever you might be, so you can soak up the sun while unlocking achievements.

There are a bunch of intriguing new indies you can check out right now, as well as a significant update for a certain thirst-inducing roguelite that's still in early access. I've also a few upcoming titles in this, the latest edition of our indie roundup. One of them has a Steam demo that you might end up spending several enjoyable hours with.

Before we get started, a quick word of warning: Your wishlist and resolve are about to be tested as the Steam Summer Sale starts next week. I mean, good luck in advance with the bargain hunting!

New releases

I have to hold my hands up, I was skeptical about Rematch. When it was revealed that Sloclap — the team behind martial arts games Absolver and Sifu — was making an action-focused soccer game, I had some doubts that it would work. Rematch looked like the studio had taken Rocket League and retrofitted it with human characters. And with both that car soccer game and EA Sports FC 25 as competition, Sloclap was really going to have to do something special to break through. I think the studio might have just pulled that off.

Rematch is entirely skill-based with no stat upgrades for your character. You control one player throughout the match, and you'll transition between attacking and defending while rotating the goalkeeper role with teammates. The action is very fluid and fast, and the controls are responsive (they'd have to be). Like in Rocket League, the ball doesn't go out of bounds. There are no fouls or offsides either.

I've really enjoyed my first dozen or so games of Rematch. I came to realize that I'm more effective in a midfield/playmaker role or even as the goalkeeper than as an attacker. I haven't been able to get the hang of using the twin-stick controls to aim and shoot at the goal well enough as yet, but I've figured out a way to both help my team and have fun.

There are some bugs that the developers are racing to fix and the lack of cross-play at the jump is a bit disappointing (Sloclap says it ran into some technical issues there, but getting that sorted is a top priority for the team). Still, Rematch feels like a very sticky game that I imagine many folks are going to sink dozens of hours into. It's already off to a strong start — it surpassed a million players on its first day.

Rematch is out now on Steam, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. It's on Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

After some delays, it's finally time to date everything in Date Everything! As the title of this dating sim from Sassy Chap Games and publisher Team17 suggests, you can romance anthropomorphized versions of things around your home. There are more than 100 voice-acted characters you can woo, from the doors and wall, to a mouse trap and dust bunny behind a couch, to fire and air. Things get pretty meta, as you can also date the devs, the game itself and "your overwhelming sense of existential dread."

There are multiple endings for each character and around 70,000 lines of dialogue, so there's plenty to explore here. Reviews have been generally positive, with praise for the writing and design. I can't wait to see the reactions of my seatmate when I'm playing it on my next flight.

Date Everything! is out now on Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Lost in Random was received fairly well a few years back and now a roguelite spinoff has arrived. Lost in Random: The Eternal Die is out on Steam, Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

This is a run-based action game with an isometric perspective and some permanent progression. So, it's very much Hades-coded, though it gives the genre a gothic storybook spin with a dice-rolling element.

Speaking of which (and in case you missed it), the third major early access update for Hades II arrived this week. Oh, sure, there are new bosses and combat options and so on. All of that's great.

But for many fans, the biggest addition this time is proper character art for Narcissus. Unsurprisingly, he's hot and he knows it.

Upcoming

From time to time, I’ll start playing a demo and very quickly feel that GIF of Ralph Wiggum from The Simpsons pop into my head. You know, the one where he goes "Haha, I’m in danger!" (the GIF is actually from a crossover Family Guy episode in which characters from that show visited Springfield, fact fans). Such is the case with Ball x Pit, a game that I am already certain is going to absorb many, many hours of my life.

I didn't get to the Ball x Pit demo until after Steam Next Fest ended, but it's still available until the full game goes live later this year (it's coming to Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch too). After playing the demo, it’s easy to see why publisher Devolver Digital dedicated the entire Summer Game Fest edition of its Devolver Direct showcase to this project from indie developer Kenny Sun and half-a-dozen collaborators.

Ball x Pit is a blend of Breakout and Vampire Survivors with base-building elements. As you play the brick-breaking survival levels, you'll earn resources you can use to build out your homestead, which feeds back into the projectile chaos. It's an absorbing loop, but the real fun for me comes in the pit.

Here, your character will (either manually or automatically) fire magic-infused balls at enemy tiles while avoiding their attacks and making sure the bad guys don't reach the bottom of the screen. You'll collect more projectiles and passive upgrades throughout your run. The real magic happens when you're able to fuse together a pair of balls to combine their effects. So, a ghost ball that passes through enemies instead of bouncing between them might also deliver a laser attack to other baddies in the same row or column.

It's already apparent that the gameplay here will run deep. There will be a host of levels, characters and upgrades to unlock. I really can't wait for Ball x Pit to entirely ruin my productivity.

I loved the Goosebumps books and TV show as a kid, so a stealth game based on the series caught my eye. In Goosebumps: Terror in Little Creek (from PHL Collective and publisher GameMill Entertainment), you'll try to avoid monsters in a nightmarish town but if you run into any, you can defend yourself with your slingshot.

This game includes puzzles and an original story with multiple endings, while the art style looks charmingly old-school. It's coming to Nintendo Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X/S and Steam on August 29.

Let's close things out for this week with the latest look at PowerWash Simulator 2. I enjoyed the first game immensely, and the new trailer shows off some more fresh features that are coming to the sequel, which is slated to hit PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S later this year.

This time around, you'll be able to abseil or use a scissor lift to get to grimy, hard-to-reach spots. Multi-stage jobs are also new in PowerWash Simulator 2, and there will be a public restroom (ick) to make pristine. In addition, you'll be able to buy and restore antique furniture for your home base, while your pet kitties can join you on cleaning jobs. Cute!This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/silky-soccer-romancing-everything-and-other-new-indie-games-worth-checking-out-110055973.html?src=rss

Purple and green said to be in contention for the iPhone 17Apple still hasn't made a decision about which to includeThe phones are expected to be launched in SeptemberWe could be just three months away from the launch of the iPhone 17, if Apple sticks to its usual schedule, and the latest rumor is that there are two new colors in competition that are being considered for the upcoming handset.As per well-known tipster @MajinBuOfficial, those colors are purple and green – with purple apparently the shade that Apple executives currently prefer. It sounds as though it's not yet certain which color will get approved, or if they'll both be arriving.The iPhone 16 launched last year is available in ultramarine, teal, pink, white, and black, so there's quite a selection to choose from. It's likely that one or two of those colors will be dropped to make way for purple or green.We're also expecting the iPhone 17 Pro range to have a different color selection: a previous rumor has suggested that sky blue is in the running for the more expensive handsets in the range, though again the talk is that no final decision has been made.What comes next?iPhone 17: Purple and Green Colors in Testing as Potential New Shade for 2025Full Article:https://t.co/jZJJoUHBsf pic.twitter.com/1in8R6dDa5June 20, 2025Aside from the colors, we've heard a lot of unofficial leaks and rumors about what the iPhone 17 range might bring along with it this September. The screen size is said to be growing to 6.27 inches, for example, thanks to smaller bezels.However, there has been talk that the base iPhone 17 model could launch with the same A18 chipset inside the iPhone 16. That would be a disappointment, but it's something Apple has done before, with the iPhone 14.MagSafe charging speeds might be improved meanwhile, and of course there's the revamped, new-look iOS 26 software update to look forward to – we're just hoping that the handset doesn't go up in price.The iPhone 17 is expected to arrive with the new iPhone 17 Air (replacing the iPhone 16 Plus), as well as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models. We will of course keep you posted on any more rumors and leaks between now and September.You might also likeHere's why you don't have to wait for the iPhone 17The iPhone 17 Air may have a small battery, but don't worry5 key upgrades I want from the iPhone 17