News

Artificial intelligence (AI) is not new – it has been evolving for over 70 years. However, recent advancements in compute power, the rise of AI applications like ChatGPT, the emergence of Agentic AI, and real-life use cases have created a perfect storm, driving unprecedented demand for data centers.Yet, this surge presents significant challenges for operators who must rethink infrastructure to keep up. A holistic approach to design is now essential to overcome operational inertia and ensure scalability.I recently chaired a panel at Data Centre World 2025, where industry leaders Niklas Lindqvist, Nordics General Manager at Onnec and Stefan Nilsson, Sales & Marketing Manager at Conapto shared their insights on the future of AI-ready data centers. Here are some key takeaways from our discussion.

Designing AI-Ready Data Centers

AI investment is accelerating, but traditional data center infrastructure is struggling to keep up. Unlike conventional IT workloads, AI tools are highly unpredictable and often require immense power and cooling capabilities.In some regions, such as Sweden, retrofitting existing sites is becoming increasingly unfeasible. Many Swedish facilities have been upgraded in recent years, making another wave of retrofits for AI impractical – both financially and spatially. For instance, AI requires increased height above racks for cooling solutions, which many legacy facilities simply cannot accommodate.Historically, data centers were designed for moderate-density, air-cooled environments, but AI demands high-density solutions with hybrid cooling methods. Operators must rethink their design philosophy, to ensure that new builds can support liquid cooling and other innovative technologies. Without this shift, retrofitting will remain costly, slow, and ultimately ineffective in supporting AI growth.

The Need for a Holistic Design Approach

A successful AI-ready data center must integrate both traditional and AI-specific infrastructure under one roof. Flexibility and scalability are paramount here. AI-ready facilities must accommodate a range of workloads, from low-density racks to 100kW+ liquid-cooled deployments. This is where a modular approach is key. Operators must be able to expand incrementally by adding power and cooling modules as demand grows. This strategy helps to align with customer-specific hardware needs and avoids unnecessary upfront costs.Operators must embrace a holistic design mindset. Power, cooling, and cabling cannot be treated as separate components – they must be integrated from the outset. Poor planning leads to capacity constraints, delays, and costly modifications.There is also a need for an “inside-out and outside-in” approach: operators must first understand computing needs and design the data center accordingly, while also considering space constraints and facility requirements. High-quality cabling is another crucial yet often overlooked element.Many operators prioritize speed to market and opt for second-tier cabling, but this short-term gain results in long-term operational headaches and frequent retrofits. Hyperscalers invest heavily in structured cabling strategies, and colocation providers must follow suit to remain competitive.

Sustainability: The Industry’s Biggest Challenge

Sustainability remains the most pressing issue facing the data center industry. Simply acquiring renewable energy certificates is no longer enough – operators must actively reduce their carbon footprint. One major consideration is location. Many data centers in the Nordics are built in remote areas where excess heat cannot be effectively utilized.In contrast, urban data centers offer opportunities to contribute to local infrastructure, turning AI into part of a circular economy. Many Swedish data centers are integrated with Stockholm’s district heating network, selling excess heat back to the city. This approach is made even more efficient with liquid cooling and internal cooling loops that ensure sustainability without compromising operations.Regional climate also plays a role in determining the best cooling strategies. For example, in southern Europe, where temperatures remain high year-round, immersive cooling systems may be more effective than traditional liquid cooling. Best practices in sustainability extend beyond cooling solutions.Operators must prioritize genuine renewable energy sourcing, heat reuse initiatives, and battery storage solutions that enhance grid stability. Sustainability must be embedded in every stage of AI data center design – treating it as an afterthought will only lead to inefficiencies and missed opportunities.

The Human Factor: Skills, Safety, and Community Engagement

As AI data centers boom, the demand for skilled professionals in power, cooling, and infrastructure design is outpacing supply. This skills gap presents a serious challenge, as AI facilities require expertise in handling high-power densities, advanced cooling systems, and complex network architectures. Undertrained workers in these environments pose significant operational risks.The rapid pace of AI-driven expansion also increases workplace safety concerns. Shortened build timelines can lead to accidents if proper safety protocols are not enforced. Proactive risk assessments, rigorous documentation, and meticulous planning are essential to maintaining a safe working environment. Operators today must prioritize worker safety as much as they do technological innovation.Community engagement is another critical aspect often overlooked. Data centers frequently face local opposition due to misconceptions about their environmental impact and perceived lack of community benefits – think ‘not in my backyard’. To counter this, operators must take an active role in educating the public about their role in digital infrastructure, sustainability efforts, and economic contributions.

Keeping Up with the AI Race

The rise of AI is transforming data center demands at an unprecedented pace, requiring operators to adapt quickly, and smartly. Meeting these challenges isn’t just about scaling up power and cooling; it’s about rethinking the entire approach to design. AI-ready data centers must be built with flexibility, efficiency, and resilience at their core, ensuring they can evolve alongside fast-moving technological change.Success will depend on more than just infrastructure – it will require a shift in mindset. Operators who invest in integrated, sustainable designs, prioritize skills development and safety, and engage with local communities will be best positioned to thrive in the AI era. Those who fail to take this holistic view risk falling behind in an increasingly competitive landscape. The AI race is on – and the data centers that power it must be ready to run at full speed.

We list the best web hosting services.

This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro's Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro

I probably look at my computer screen more than I look at my family members. And copious hours sitting at a desk have not done favors for my already wonky neck and shoulders. If you also feel some discomfort from typing and mousing the day away, you might want to invest in an ergonomic keyboard. The first time I tried a fully split, thumb cluster board, I knew I had found the answer to my particular problem. But it was tricky to figure out how to type on it. Other unibody boards with angled keys, such as Alice style keyboards, might make things more comfortable for you without requiring much relearning.I tried out more than 15 models of ergonomic boards and found a few that stood out. While there’s no single “best” option for everyone (since bodies are inherently different), this guide explores the options so you can find the best ergonomic keyboard for you.

Table of contents

Best ergonomic keyboards for 2025

What to look for in an ergonomic keyboard

How we tested ergonomic keyboards

Other ergonomic keyboards we tested

Best ergonomic keyboards for 2025

What to look for in an ergonomic keyboard

Alice vs split

Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two categories: unibody (or Alice) and split. The former is a single board with the two halves of the keys rotated about 30 degrees apart at the bottom. The separation forms an A-shaped space between the keys — which has nothing to do with why it’s called an Alice layout, it’s just a happy coincidence. This subtle tweak pushes your elbows away from your ribs while keeping a straight line from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using one, I pretty instantly felt more open along the front side of my body. This layout more closely resembles a traditional keyboard, so it should be easier for most folks to get used to than a fully split option.

Speaking of, split boards break the keys into two separate parts you can position individually. You can put them shoulder distance apart, bring them closer together or angle them as much as feels comfortable. You can also put your mouse between the halves, which may feel like an easier trip for your cursor hand and could potentially help with conditions like repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Personally, I like being able to put my current snack between the two parts. I've also found that pairing a split keyboard with a good ergonomic mouse has helped me even more, particularly a vertical mice.

Tenkeyless

You can find ergonomic keyboards with and without number pads. Not having those number keys on the right side lets you keep your mouse closer in, minimizing overall reach. But if you work with numbers a lot, you’ll likely want that pad included. Some programmable boards allow for the use of layers, which temporarily repurpose keys and can provide you with a ten-key option through clever remapping of letter keys.

Tenting and negative tilt

Tenting raises the middle of the keyboard up, so your hands move closer to a “handshake” position. Alice keyboards usually angle up towards the middle and always to a fixed degree, since the two sides are connected. Split boards often let you adjust the degree of tenting, going from flat to subtle to extreme lift.

You may have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the back of the board, raising the top keys higher than the space bar. Every set of hands is different, but for most people, pulling the backs of the hands towards the forearms increases strain. Negative tilt has the opposite effect by sloping in the other direction, lowering the top number keys while raising the edge with the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards offer an optional negative tilt. I found it was more comfortable to enable that feature when I’m standing, and I preferred to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.

Staggered vs columnar

This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly offset to the rows above and below it — so the A key is about halfway between the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters, in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.

Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach. Whether that’s true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare much better.

Programmable keys

With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Mac’s Command and Option keys to PC’s Start and Alt buttons. Those are what's called hot-swappable keys, meaning you just pull the old key off (usually with a provided key puller) and stick the new one on, no soldering required.

For some boards, remapping or programming keys using software is a crucial feature. Gaming peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes with the push of a single button, and we cover the best gaming keyboards in a separate guide. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. You’ll also be able to program those.

Other considerations

Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions. Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I won’t get too deep into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to the best mechanical boards, but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more responsive typing experience and are usually pricier.

You’ll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.

Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests, which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge: proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while detractors say they put pressure on the tendons in your wrist and can exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or you may find the pressure uncomfortable.

Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

How we tested ergonomic keyboards

All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out what’s out there and what’s worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that we’ve heard good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep amount of familiarity with the vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.

Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there. For subsequent updates to this guide, I have continued to acquire and test out new keyboards as they come on the market, adding and replacing the top picks as warranted. If and when Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, like the Sculpt, come back on the market, as a collaboration with Incase has promised, I'll try those models, too.

Other ergonomic keyboards we tested

Naya Create

I didn’t get to fully test the Naya Create keyboard, but I was able to try one out for a few minutes during CES this year. It’s one of the more customizable keyboards you’ll find. Not only is it a fully split, mechanical board with programmable keys, the thumb clusters sit just below two modular platforms that each accept a touchpad, rollerball, dial or a 3D joystick. These are meant to replace your mouse and other input devices, eliminating travel for your cursor hand. Each half of the keyboard body bends in two places to allow for precise tenting and, from my short time with the Naya, the hinges and the entire board felt solidly built. The Naya Create starts at $500 before you add on any of the mouse modules, but that’s not stopping people from ordering. According to Naya’s website, the first three batches of pre-orders sold out and the fourth batch will ship in July 2025.

Goldtouch Elite Adjustable

I remember wondering if something like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed when I first started testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t at the time, as far as I could tell, but now a connected yet adjustable split board is indeed a product you can buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the two halves feels like it will put up with a lot of use. A squeeze of the lever at the top of the keys lets you set the board just how you like, adjusting both the vertical tenting and the angle between the two halves. There’s no programming to speak of, just the ability to swap a few function keys like print screen and home.

Unfortunately, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Because of the extra keys at the outer edges, raising the middle edges upwards lifts the center keys considerably, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk instead of letting them rest. Holding them like that created extra neck and shoulder strain on my part, which is sort of the opposite of the goal. But if you’re not into tenting anyway and want a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works quite well.

Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard

The idea behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard is pretty ergonomic: put the trackpad between the two halves and minimize travel for your mouse hand. The distance between the two puts your elbows at a comfortable distance and keeps your wrist nearly in-line with your forearms. The build is excellent, with low profile mechanical switches that feel smooth and just the right amount of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, but gestures only work with Windows computers. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac here, so I don’t see Apple users getting much use out of the board. I also found myself wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — though they’re a good distance apart, a slight angle would keep my wrists fully unbent. There’s no tenting or negative tilt either, both of which could help a bit more, ergonomically speaking.

Logitech Wavekeys

While it's a perfectly fine and affordable Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wavekeys has minimal ergonomics. The keys rise up slightly in the middle and there's a comfortable wrist rest attached, but the layout is the same as any other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or keep your wrists straight.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-keyboard-130047982.html?src=rss

Microsoft shed 203 UK workers between June 2023 and June 2024However it still has more than 5,000 employees in the UKMicrosoft revenue grew by 15-16% in that year

Microsoft has reportedly cut 203 jobs from its UK workforce despite healthy financial performance, however it might not spell out disaster for the company.The figures come from account documents shared with Companies House (via City AM), revealing the company had reduced its headcount from 5,540 to 5,337 in the year to June 30, 2024.However, despite the small drop, Microsoft had grown its headcount from 4,955 in the previous year, so the UK footprint is still of a considerable size.

Microsoft trims UK workforce

Microsoft Limited, the company’s primarily British arm, posted £9.62 billion in revenue in the 12 months leading up to June 30, 2024, marking a considerable 15% increase from £8.38 billion in the previous year.Microsoft as a whole generated $245.12 billion in revenue in the same period – itself a 16% increase over the $211.92 billion 2023 saw in revenue.One of the most notable regulatory things to have happened for Microsoft in the UK last fiscal year was the clearing of its partnership with OpenAI by the Competition & Markets Authority, which ruled that a full-scale investigation would not be required.However, more recently, two US Senators have raised concerns about both Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI and Google’s partnership with Anthropic.Despite the headcount reduction, Microsoft continues to expand its footprint in the UK, having announced plans for a new hyperscale data center near Leeds after the acquisition of a 48-acre site in June 2023, which had previously been used for a power station.This marks the third series of minor layoffs in 2025 (via layoffs.fyi), and a considerable slowdown from previous years.TechRadar Pro has asked Microsoft to share details of the nature of the redundancies, but we did not receive an immediate response.

You might also like

Check out the best job sites and best recruitment platformsMake yourself indispensable with the best online learning platformsMicrosoft shelves another $1bn data center project as tariff fears rise

The first leaked images from the Avengers: Doomsday set have appeared onlinePictures seem to show two legacy X-Men characters engaging in conversationThe photographs also reveal the return of a prominent supporting MCU hero

Filming is underway on Avengers: Doomsday – and, surprise surprise, images from its set have already leaked online.The cameras only started rolling on the highly anticipated Marvel movie in late March. However, despite the comic book giant's best attempts to keep everything in-house, some sneaky photographers have snapped some slightly spoiler-based pictures of what's being shot.Potentially big spoilers immediately follow for the next Avengers film. Do not proceed if you're actively avoiding them.

Wong (right), Benedict Wong's MCU character, has been spotted on the Doomsday set (Image credit: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus)

Last Friday (April 11), Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) fan account BuiltFromSmash posted a tweet with one of the aforementioned images attached to them.The photograph appeared to confirm the return of Wong, one of the MCU's most prominent supporting characters. He wasn't announced as part of Doomsday's initial 27-strong cast on March 26, but Marvel has teased that more cast announcements will be made in the months ahead. So, Benedict Wong's hero is unofficially the first addition to Avengers 5's increasingly sizeable ensemble.Wong's surprise return notwithstanding, the pictures also seemingly showed him interacting with James Marsden's Cyclops – one of many legacy X-Men heroes set to appear in Avengers: Doomsday. It's unclear what they're talking about but, according to some fans, it may have something to do with the apparent soon-to-be-constructed spaceship that was first teased by industry leaker UnBoxPhD.

Comment from r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers

Now, there are many, many spacefaring vessels in Marvel Comics that this spaceship could be.On Reddit, though, some MCU devotees think it'll be the Life Raft. In the comics, that spacecraft was used to relocate survivors from multiple universes to Battleworld during the Marvel Multiverse's destruction.Given that Doomsday and its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars will, as the films' directors Joe and Anthony Russo exclusively told me "draw inspiration" from both of Marvel's 'Secret Wars' comic series, the Life Raft seems like a safe bet from a speculation standpoint.If you want to catch up on what that might mean, there's a great deal on Marvel's Unlimited digital subscription right now.

Marvel Unlimited monthly subscription: was $9.99 per month now $4.99 at MarvelThe ultimate digital comics subscription for Marvel fans is offering new and returning customers 50% off their first month, which is much cheaper than a streaming subscription to watch all the best superhero movies. To gain access to a library of more than 30,000 comics, use the code 'SPIDEY50' at checkout. You're able to use the Marvel Unlimited app on all iOS and Android devices, including the web, too. But, be quick – the deal expires on May 5!View Deal

To me, my X-Men!

James Marsden's Cyclops (right) was snapped speaking to McKellen's Magneto (Image credit: 20th Century Fox)

As for the other leaked image, which was again uploaded to X/Twitter by BuiltFromSmash, it shows Marsden's Scott Summers discussing matters with Ian McKellen's Magneto.Considering these mutants have sparred in Marvel literature, and on the big and small screens, across the decades, it seems strange to see them on apparently amicable terms in the Marvel Phase 6 film. As BuiltFromSmash points out, though, there are rumors circulating online that Magneto is trying to assemble The Brotherhood of Mutants, a Magneto-led mutant supremacy group that resorts to extreme measures to fight human prejudice.If that's true, it's plausible that Magneto is trying to recruit Cyclops to join his fellow mutants in combating the threat from Robert Downey Jr's Doctor Doom or – whisper it quietly – to face off against The Avengers. Marvel detectives already think that Doomsday's plot will revolve around an X-Men versus Avengers storyline, so that's not out of the realms of possibility.Should that prove to be the case, it's also likely that Wong might be trying to convince Cyclops that an Avengers-X-Men showdown is a bad idea because, you know, multiversal incursions and all that.Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated to release on May 1, 2026. Expect plenty more set leaks in the weeks and months to come, then.

You might also like

'We take the comprehensive view': Joe and Anthony Russo drop big hint over Marvel heroes from Disney+ shows appearing in Avengers 5 and Avengers 6Marvel reportedly suffers big internal leak as supposed concept art for Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars appears online17 Marvel heroes I want to see added to the Avengers: Doomsday cast – Spider-Man, Ms Marvel, Wolverine, and more

Samsung has reportedly paused its rollout of One UI 7 on the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the Galaxy Z Fold 6This is said to be due to a bug that prevents users from unlocking their phoneThis delay might mean there's also a delay in other Samsung devices getting One UI 7

It's been a long wait for Android 15 on the best Samsung phones (notwithstanding the Samsung Galaxy S25 series, which launched with it). The update arrived on Google’s Pixel phones back in October, but it has only just started rolling out to Samsung’s flagships – and now a delay has set it back further.According to leakers @UniverseIce and @tarunvats33 (via Android Police), the One UI 7 update – which is Samsung’s take on Android 15 – has been halted for the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 globally.As for the reason, @UniverseIce claims that some people who downloaded the update found that their phones “could not be unlocked normally in some cases." ​So, that sounds like quite a significant issue, which would make sense given that Samsung has reportedly halted the update.

Unable to unlock

The reason for the delay in the Galaxy S24 push is that users of the official version of One UI7 of the Korean S24 series found that "they could not be unlocked normally in some cases." ​​​Samsung urgently reviewed the firmware withdrawal in other countries.Have you ever…April 14, 2025

It’s not clear how widespread this issue is, but if you already have the One UI 7 update and are experiencing it, we’d imagine Samsung is working on a fix as fast as possible.As for everyone else, you’ll probably have to wait a bit longer than expected to get One UI 7 – but at least, once you do, it will hopefully be working as intended.Sadly, though, this delay likely means there will be a delay in rolling out One UI 7 to other Samsung devices, too, so if you’re rocking an older or less high-profile handset, you might have a while to wait yet.That's all the more disappointing given that Android 16 might just be a couple of months away, so Samsung is in danger of slipping well behind.

You might also like

Best Samsung phones: top Galaxy handsets rankedSamsung Galaxy S25 Edge: latest news, rumors, and everything we know so farSamsung Galaxy Z Flip 7: latest news, rumors, and everything we’ve heard so far

The PS5 Digital Edition has seen price rises in some regionsThe price has gone up in the UK, Europe, Australia and New ZealandThe disc drive, however, has seen an overall reduction in price

As of today (April 14, 2025), the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition has been hit with another wave of price increases in some regions. But there is some good news for PS5 Pro owners looking to pick up the disc drive.Announced via an official PlayStation Blog post, Sony has confirmed that the PS5's price will be increased in the UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The company cited "a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates" as key reasons for the "tough decision."In the UK and Europe, there have been no price changes for the standard PS5. Otherwise, you can see the current changes here:

In slightly better news, especially for PS5 Pro owners looking to add a physical disc option to their setup, the price of the disc drive has been reduced. The new disc drive prices are as follows:

The new prices in these regions have been reflected on PlayStation Direct, Sony's official storefront for PlayStation products including the PS5. However, you may still have luck at other retailers if you're currently in the market for the console.For example, in the UK, Argos currently has the PS5 Digital Edition bundled with Astro Bot at a very wallet-friendly £339.99 right now. Currys is also yet to reflect the price increase, and the PS5 Digital Edition is still available here for £389. If you've been planning on picking up a PS5 soon, then, it may be a good idea to pounce now before the price increases are reflected across the board.

You might also like...

Marvel Rivals season 2 launch as it happened: our live coverage of the new seasonRazer PC Remote Play lets you stream games to your iPhone – and it could convince me to switch from my gaming PCThe Future Games Show Summer Showcase is back this year, just a couple of days after Nintendo Switch 2's launch

The April update for Windows 11 24H2 created a mysterious empty folderSome advised this could be deleted, but this isn’t actually the caseIf you delete the ‘inetpub’ folder, a security fix applied by the April patch won’t work, so you need to reinstate it if you removed the folder

Windows 11 24H2 users who were confused by a mysterious empty folder appearing on their system drive after applying the latest update for the OS should be aware that this is not a bug, but an intentional move – and that said folder shouldn’t be deleted.In case you missed it, last week Windows 11 24H2 received its cumulative update for April 2025, and it created an ‘inetpub’ folder that was the source of some bewilderment or annoyance for those who noticed it.You may also recall that some folks advised that it was fine to just delete the folder, not an unreasonable conclusion to reach seeing as it was empty, didn’t appear to do anything, and was related to Microsoft’s Internet Information Services (IIS) web server software for developers (and was appearing for those who didn’t have IIS installed).Still, at the time, I advised that you removed it at your own risk and that it might be best left alone – seeing as it was empty and appeared harmless (and also just because you never quite know what’s going on with Windows). It seems I was right, as Microsoft has now warned against removing the folder, as noted at the outset.Microsoft told Windows Latest that the folder is created as part of a security fix for a vulnerability that “can let local attackers trick the system into accessing or modifying unintended files or folders.”In its advisory for this security patch, Microsoft notes: “After installing the updates listed in the Security Updates table for your operating system, a new [inetpub folder] will be created on your [system drive]. This folder should not be deleted, regardless of whether Internet Information Services (IIS) is active on the target device. This behavior is part of changes that increase protection and does not require any action from IT admins and end users.”In short, it doesn’t matter whether you use IIS or not, you need to leave this folder alone. Without the folder being present, the mentioned security hole will remain present in Windows 11, offering attackers a potential opportunity to compromise your PC (at least if they are local to the device, meaning they have physical access).

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Melnikov Dmitriy)

Analysis: What if I’ve already deleted the folder, though?

This is an odd affair, and I assumed this was a bug when I wrote about it last week, since it seemed like a weird way of implementing a security fix. Of course, what Microsoft should have done is made it very clear in the release notes for this patch that it creates the folder and that users should leave it alone (while noting that it’s empty and harmless).As I already observed, though, it’s best to proceed with caution when tinkering with Windows. What’s particularly strange about this affair is that there are reports in the past of this same folder being created, so maybe this was part of the implementation of security patches in these cases too – who knows.What about if you’ve already deleted the folder? Well, in that case, you need to reinstate it, and Windows Latest is on hand with the solution. You need to open the Control Panel, then go into Programs > Programs and Features. On the left, you’ll see an option to ‘Turn Windows features on or off’ – click on this. Scroll down the alphabetical list of features and find ‘Internet Information Services’ and tick the box next to this, then click on the OK button.The folder will now be recreated. If you did delete it last week, be sure to complete these steps.

You may also like...

Windows 11 is getting a very handy change to the taskbar, as Microsoft takes a leaf from Apple’s Mac playbookWindows 11 fully streamlined in just two clicks? Talon utility promises to rip all the bloatware out of Microsoft’s OS in a hassle-free wayMicrosoft looks to be making a big change to how you install and log in to Windows 11 – and I’m not happy about it at all

Sony's new soundbars get US pricing, though no release dateSony Theater Bar 6: $649 | Sony Theater System 6: $769Continues a trend of pricing higher than the competition

Sony recently unveiled the US prices of its new TV line-up, and the price of its new OLED TV is way higher than the competition – and that's despite the same TV being right in line with the competition in the UK.It looks like the same pattern is happening with its new soundbars too. We don't have UK pricing yet, but the US pricing is pretty high by budget-to-mid-range soundbar standards.The new Sony Bravia Theater Bar 6, which is a 3.2.1-channel Dolby Atmos soundbar with upfiring speakers and a separate wireless subwoofer, will cost $649. The Sony Bravia Theater System 6 is a 5.1-channel surround system with soundbar, two rear speakers connected to a wireless box, and a subwoofer – and it'll cost $769.Don't get those two models confused despite the very similar names – the latter doesn't include upfiring drivers, although it does support Dolby Atmos decoding. Both soundbars supports DTS:X too.Sony's new Theater Rear 8 wireless rear speakers that can be added to soundbars (including the Bravia Theater Bar 6, but also the likes of the Sony Theater Bar 8) cost $449 for the pair.There's a lot of power and scale to the sound from these speakers – the Theater System 6 is 1000W – but they're not particularly high-spec, and these seem to follow Sony's trend of pricing its TVs and soundbars a little high in the US.

The Sony Theater Bar 6 is a replacement for the Sony HT-G700, a model that cost $599 when it launched in 2020. For its replacement to add upfiring speakers and to only cost $50 more given that inflation has totaled over 20% since then in the US means the price rise isn't too bad in a vacuum.But the issue here is really how much higher the US price is likely to be than the UK price. We don't have that yet, but the UK launch price of the HT-G700 was £449 – that equated to $560 at the time, and that price included sales tax. The street price in the UK also tends to drop more regularly on Sony soundbars.As I alluded to above, we're seeing the same kind of story with the Sony Bravia 8 II TV, which the company's new top-tier OLED TV, and is priced much higher in the US than the UK.In the UK, the Bravia 8 II is priced very slightly higher but basically in line with its competitor, the LG G5, at 55 inches – and is cheaper than the G5 at 65 inches. In the US, however, the Bravia 8 II costs $600 to $1,100 more than the LG G5 or the Samsung S95F, depending on size.

There's a question over whether Sony has priced these with the expectation of needing to include tariff costs – but the company hasn't confirmed this, and there's no real reason to think so, other than the prices being so out of line with the competition.But as I said above, Sony has a frustrating habit of doing this in the US, and the soundbar prices fit right in with what we've seen from the company in the past.Will the soundbars be worth the price anyway? I've heard them both in action, and the Bravia Theater System 6 (the surround one) offers a very impressive scale of sound, plus a great party trick (literally) that I think Sonos should steal.The Theater Bar 6 is also impressively punchy, though in my demo I had concerns that it was a little compressed in the mid-range. We'll have to wait for a full review to be sure, but with the Samsung HW-Q800D having a street price very close to the Theater Bar 6, I suspect the Sony may be edged out on value by the better-specced Samsung.I wanted to see Sony come out swinging with aggressive prices for these bars, and really take our list of the best soundbars by storm – the competition is good for everyone. These prices seem just a little too high – but we'll wait on our reviews for final judgment.

You might also like…

Check out our list of the best Dolby Atmos soundbarsOwning a soundbar has been a game-changer for me – here are 5 cheap options I’d recommendSetting up the Sonos Arc Ultra soundbar was one of the worst tech experiences of my life, but damn it sounds incredible

Google Workspace unveils host of new AI toolsGoogle Docs gets new audio overviews, "help me refine" toolsGoogle Sheets and Meet also see new upgrades

Taking your Google Workspace files to the next level should soon be easier than ever thanks to a host of new updates.The company revealed a number of AI-powered office software upgrades at its Google Cloud Next 25 event designed to give users a productivity and creativity boost when they need it most.Among the new launches are new audio tools in Google Docs which can create listenable versions of your document, as well as upgraded analysis tools for Google Sheets to help get the most out of your data.

Help me...with everything

(Image credit: Google Workspace)

Google Workspace says its new audio tools for Docs will allow users to spot any issues in the wording or flow of their work, giving a whole new perspective on the document.Described as, "a completely new way to interact with your content", users will be able to generate a full audio version of a document, or a podcast-esque format that sees two different voices going back and forth covering the key points.Docs is also getting a "help me refine" tool, which will offer users helpful tips and suggestions on how to spice up your content. This could include ways to strengthen an argument, improve the structure of a piece, or make the key points clearer, as well as helping make sure formatting is consistent throughout."The goal isn't just to fix the document, but to help you become a more effective communicator over time," Google Workspace says.

(Image credit: Google Workspace)

Elsewhere, Google Sheets will soon see a new "help me analyze" tool to help users wade through large amounts of data whenever they need it.The company says the tool will offer guidance to get you started on a new spreadsheet, as well as pointing out interesting trends, suggesting next steps, and creating clear, interactive charts to bring your data to life.Lastly, for anyone needing extra help catching up (or listening in) to a Google Meet video conferencing call, Gemini in Meet will now help users get up to speed on anything they might have missed. Its upgraded Gemini features will also look to provide extra clarity on certain points, as well as offering recaps and suggestions on how to get your point across better."As AI reshapes our world, we’re focused on making powerful technology genuinely useful and accessible, and bringing it into the flow of your everyday work," Yulie Kwon Kim, VP, Product - Workspace, noted."This is AI built for the reality of work today, not some fantasy of the future. Our announcements represent the next step in bringing helpful AI tools for work to everyone."

You might also like

Microsoft Teams is finally adding a tiny but crucial feature I honestly can't believe it never hadWe've rounded up the best productivity tools around right nowAt last — one of the most annoying Google Docs, Sheets and Slides sections is getting a lot simpler to use

Sennheiser Accentum Open have an open-ear design28 hours of battery life in total€89.90 (about £100 / £78 / AU$161)

Sennheiser has announced a new set of earbuds in its Accentum range of great mid-range headphones: the Sennheiser Accentum Open.As the name suggests they have an open-style design so you're not putting a tip into your ear and cutting yourself off from the world around you – and they come with good battery life and an impressively low price tag.This particular design are just like AirPods 4, in that they sit right outside the ear canal (and have stems, like AirPods) – they're not like the earclip or around-ear sports designs you get from some of the best open earbuds.They look like they'll undercut the AirPods on price, though, with a costing around $100 / £78 / AU$161 based on their European launch price.

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

Sennheiser Accentum Open: key features and pricing

Sennheiser says that the Accentum Open have been calibrated to offer "a rich and detailed sound", and they have been designed to deliver environmental awareness without compromising the quality of that sound.Battery life is a promised 28 hours including the charging case, and those 28 hours should be comfortable: the Accentum Open are lightweight with a slim stem so they shouldn't feel too weighty in your ears.The earbuds have multipoint Bluetooth, and there are touch controls built in for easy audio navigation and adjustment.In our Sennheiser Accentum True Wireless review, we found that the sound lacked a little energy, but that they were good overall. Perhaps the 11mm drivers and different acoustic design here will deliver something closer to the awesome value of the Sennheiser Accentum Plus headphones.The Accentum Open have only been announced in Europe so far, with a price tag of €89.90. As I mentioned above, that's roughly $100 / £78 / AU$161 – we'll update this story with official pricing elsewhere once Sennheiser reveals it.

You might also like

I’m slowly being converted into a cuff-style open earbuds fanatic, thanks to this top effort from SoundcoreThe best headphones of all kindsThe best earbuds for every budget

An Ikea franchise company suffered a ransomware attackThe incident cost Fourlis Group millions thanks to operational disruptionRansomware is steadily rising in popularity

An attack on Ikea franchise company Fourlis Group cost the firm over €15 million ($17 million), it has revealed.Cybercriminals breached the company’s systems just two days before Black Friday 2024, one of the biggest trading days of the year - impacting Fourlis Group assets in Romania, Greece, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.At the time of the attack, it wasn’t clear which parts of Fourlis were impacted, but it has now been revealed that online Ikea stores and customer management system were disrupted. The hacker’s intrusion is said to have lasted over two weeks, creating “serious gaps at a critical commercial period,” local media (translated, originally in Greek) reported.

Monitor your credit score with TransUnion starting at $29.95/monthTransUnion is a credit monitoring service that helps you stay on top of your financial health. With real-time alerts, credit score tracking, and identity theft protection, it ensures you never miss important changes. You'll benefit from a customizable online interface with clear insights into your credit profile. Businesses also benefit from TransUnion’s advanced risk assessment tools.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

A qualitative burden

Vasilis Fourlis, the group’s chairman of the board of directors, confirmed that there was “no doubt that there was also a qualitative burden,” and that the firm is making “a huge effort to reverse the situation”.Affected systems were restored very quickly, without any personal data leaked and without the payment of a ransom, it added, noting further attacks targeted the company, but were successfully deflected.Ransomware attacks surged in 2024, and the retail industry was a top target, as downtime for these organisations is seriously costly, and they tend to hold large amounts of personally identifiable information on their customers, like names, email addresses, shipping addresses, and payment information - all of which can be leveraged or sold on the dark web.It’s not clear what the initial point of entry was in this attack, but thanks to the rise in AI, cyberattacks are now much more accessible to criminals, who can use the technology to send out more sophisticated attacks at a higher rate than ever before.The Fourlis Group has reportedly invested a million euros into digital infrastructure, and has transferred some IT systems and cybersecurity capabilities in-house following the incident.Via Capital.gr (translated, originally in Greek)

You might also like

Take a look at our picks for the best malware removal software aroundCheck out our choice for best antivirus softwareOne of the most powerful ransomware hacks around has been cracked using some serious GPU power

New gadgets from Motorola could be on the way very soonThe Moto Watch Fit looks to be similar to the Apple WatchThere are also some Moto Loop Earbuds in the leak

Motorola is best known for its smartphones as far as consumer gadgets go, with more flip foldables on the way later this month, but it seems the company is also busy working on a cheap competitor to the Apple Watch and some wireless earbuds.This is according to a new leak from well-known tipster @evleaks, who has posted an image showing the "Moto Watch Fit" and the "Moto Loop Earbuds". We don't get any other details here, such as pricing or a potential launch date.Motorola has dabbled in both of these product categories before, with devices like the Moto Watch 40 and the Motorola Moto Buds+, but the two gadgets shown in this leak appear to have some differences from what we've seen before.The Loop Earbuds in particular look like a break from the norm, with open, circular stems. This being Motorola, they're bound to be inexpensive and offer plenty of value for money, but they're unlikely to offer the highest levels of audio fidelity.

Taking on the Apple Watch

The Moto Watch 40, which launched last year (Image credit: Motorola)

Judging by the appearance of the Moto Watch Fit, with its square-ish display and its fabric strap, this is designed to go head to head with the Apple Watch – perhaps specifically the Apple Watch SE 2, which starts from $249 / £259 / AU$399.Motorola's most recent smartwatch, the Moto Watch 40, launched last year: it has a tall, rectangular 1.57-inch screen, up to 10 days of battery life between charges, and features such as heart-rate monitoring and sleep tracking.You can pick up the Moto Watch 40 for around $65 / £65 / AU$150 at the time of writing, so the Moto Watch Fit would do very well to undercut that price. It may be substantially more expensive, while staying cheaper than the best Apple watches.Given the screen we can see on the Moto Watch Fit in this leak, it looks as though Motorola will once again go with its own custom software for the wearable. As with previous models, it should be compatible with both Android phones and iPhones.

You might also like

The best Motorola phones on the market, ranked by our expertsThese are the best smartwatches you can buy right nowPhones, computers, and chips are now exempt from US tariffs

Samsung has officially lifted the lid on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, with the new plus-sized smartphone having been unveiled – alongside the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra – at the first Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event of 2024. They're also all out now.You'll find our full verdict on Samsung's latest Plus-sized model in our Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review, but if you’re after a quick, bird’s-eye overview of the new phone, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we break down everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, from its price and availability to specs and features. If you’re interested in learning how the Galaxy S24 Plus stacks up against its siblings, check out our Samsung Galaxy S24 vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comparisons.

Latest newsThe Samsung Galaxy S24 line is out now. Check out our Samsung Galaxy S24 review, Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review for our thoughts on all three devices.Plus, Samsung has now started rolling out the first update for these phones, adding a vividness slider and improving the cameras.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: specs

Here’s an at-a-glance look at the key Samsung Galaxy S24 specs boasted by the Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: price and availability

Out nowStarts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus was announced at Samsung’s latest Galaxy Unpacked event on January 17 and all three new devices began shipping on January 31, so they're out now.Pricing for the Galaxy S24 Plus starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 for the base configuration (12GB RAM / 256GB storage), and rises to $1,119.99 / £1,099 / AU$1,899 for the model with 12GB RAM / 512GB storage.If you're interested, you can see our best Galaxy S24 deals page for a roundup of the current best deals.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: colors

The Galaxy S24 (middle) and Galaxy S24 Plus (left, right) (Image credit: Samsung)

Available in Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Marble Gray and Onyx BlackAdditional color options expected post-release

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is available in four colors: Amber Yellow, Cobalt Violet, Marble Gray and Onyx Black. Three more color options – Sapphire Blue, Sandstone Orange and Jade Green – will become available for the new phone at a later date through Samsung.com exclusively.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: design and display

Image 1 of 5The Galaxy S24 Plus rear panel (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)Image 2 of 5The Galaxy S24 Plus display (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)Image 3 of 5The Galaxy S24 Plus USB-C port (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)Image 4 of 5The Galaxy S24 Plus side profile (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)Image 5 of 5The Galaxy S24 Plus top-down profile (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

More durable Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame6.7-inch QHD+ AMOLED 2X display

On the design front, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus looks a lot like its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus, though it does have slightly flatter edges and narrower bezels (it follows the lead of the Galaxy Z Fold 5 in that respect). The new phone’s new QHD+ display is a touch larger, too, measuring 6.7 inches against the Galaxy S23 Plus’ 6.6-inch screen (taking the S24 Plus’ overall measurements to 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm), and it also boasts a (supposedly) more durable Enhanced Armor Aluminum frame.That new 6.65-inch screen size plays host to a dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a variable 1-120Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S23 Plus, by contrast, uses a 48-120Hz refresh rate.The Galaxy S24 Plus also gets a peak brightness of 2,600 nits, which marks a hefty increase over its predecessor’s 1,205-nit peak brightness.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: cameras

The Galaxy S24 Plus' triple-lens rear camera array (Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)

Similar camera hardware to the S23 PlusBut offers more AI-powered editing tricks

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus retains its predecessor’s 50MP wide lens (f/1.8), 12MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2), 10MP telephoto lens (f/2.4, 3x optical zoom), and 12MP selfie camera (f/2.2) – but it does boast some neat new AI-powered capabilities over the Galaxy S23 Plus.In a similar manner to Google’s best Pixel phones, the Galaxy S24 Plus lets you move or remove people and objects in photos and instantly make slo-motion videos using AI, with tools like Generative Edit and Instant Slow-Mo also on hand to provide more scope for photographic creativity.The new Plus gets the same video capabilities as the Galaxy S24 and S24 Ultra – meaning you can shoot in up to 8K at 30fps – and Samsung’s iPhone-beating Portrait mode returns from the S23 Plus, too (as do features including Astrophoto, Astro Hyperlapse and Super HDR selfie video).For more details, check out our breakout article looking at the Samsung Galaxy S24 cameras.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: performance & software

All Galaxy S24 models, not just the Galaxy S24 Ultra (above), have ray tracing support (Image credit: Samsung)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset in the US, Exynos 2400 elsewhereBoth chipsets facilitate new AI-enhanced assistance

The chipset powering the Galaxy S24 Plus will depend on the region in which you buy the phone. Those in the US will get a Galaxy-tuned version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, while those in Europe and other regions will get Samsung’s Exynos 2400 chipset.Given that Samsung’s Exynos-powered Galaxy S22 phones were noticeably less powerful than their Snapdragon-equipped US equivalents, this news might understandably concern anyone who qualifies for the Exynos 2400 instead of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. But fear not! This time around, we’re confident that the gap between the two chips is much slimmer than before. Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 will inevitably edge the Exynos 2400 when it comes to on-paper benchmark scores. But early results promise similarly impressive real-world performance from the latter chipset, so we don’t suspect there’ll be much in it this year.Elsewhere on the performance front, a larger vapor chamber means the Galaxy S24 Plus boasts much better heat dissipation than its predecessor, and the new phone also gets ray tracing support (might the Galaxy S24 Plus be one of the best gaming phones of 2024?).

Live Translate on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus (Image credit: Samsung)

The real ace in the hole for the Galaxy S24 Plus, though, is its AI capabilities. Irrespective of which chipset the phone ships with, the S24 Plus offers a whole host of helpful AI tricks (under the banner term 'Galaxy AI') that Samsung believes give it the edge over comparably priced handsets. Among the new features are Live Translate – i.e. real-time two-way call translation – Note Assist, Chat Assist, Tone Tweak and Circle to Search. We’ll be taking these features for a spin as we test the Galaxy S24 Plus for review.Beyond AI, on the software front the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus runs Android 14 with Samsung's One UI 6.1 overlay at launch. As of April 2025 it has had some small software updates, while One UI 7 with Android 15 is about to roll out for it, but has reportedly been held up due to a bug.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: battery

Uses a 4,900mAh battery

The Galaxy S24 Plus uses a 4,900mAh battery, which marks a 200mAh increase over the S23 Plus’ 4,700mAh battery. That said, we’re not expecting the new phone to offer significantly better real-world battery life than its predecessor. In our testing, we found that the Galaxy S23 Plus could comfortably last for almost two days, so we’re anticipating something similar from the Galaxy S24 Plus. We’ll confirm as much in our upcoming review of the phone.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: outlook

Minor upgrades on paper might not make the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus seem that compelling in the face of others on our best Android phones list. But a tweaked design and an injection of AI abilities could mean the S24 Plus becomes more than the sum of its parts. Expect the Galaxy S24 Plus to be the phone to get if you're not into the Galaxy S24 Ultra but want a little more screen space and sharpness over the standard S24.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 series bring in a trio of new phones to take on the best form Apple and Google. There's the compact Samsung Galaxy S24 (which we'll focus on here), the larger Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus and the fully-loaded Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.Regardless of model, those all-important Galaxy AI features persist across all three new entries, as do qualities like color selection. While it may be the S24 Plus that gets the most notable upgrades over its predecessor, the standard S24 still promises to deliver with a new larger display, boasting slimmer bezels and improved brightness, a new chipset and a reworked, hardier design, plus more, and it's out now.We've fully reviewed the biggest and best new Galaxy phone, as you'll see in our Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review; and it's one heck of a smartphone that might be exactly the Android device you want. As for the other phones, you'll find our full verdicts in our Samsung Galaxy S24 review and Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus review. As of April 2025, Samsung had also started rolling out One UI 7 with Android 15 for these phones, but a bug has reportedly halted the rollout.

(Image credit: Future | Roland Moore-Colyer)

Samsung's Galaxy S phones consistently land themselves on our shortlist of the best phones, so we've got high hopes for all three new Galaxy S24 devices, so stay tuned to see where they rank.

Samsung Galaxy S24 cheat sheet

New Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) | Exynos 2400 for Galaxy (RoW) chipset offering more power & power efficiency.Larger 6.2-inch display with narrow bezels and smaller front camera punch hole than the Galaxy S23.Dynamic refresh rate now spans 1Hz to 120Hz – up from 48Hz to 120Hz on S23.A higher peak brightness of 2,600 nits, beating last year’s model.New 2x sensor-cropped optical zoom adds greater versatility to rear camera design.Seven generations of OS and security updates, matching that of market leader Google.Revised design boasts 10% stronger Armor aluminum frame and better ergonomics.Larger 4,000mAh battery, up from 3,900mAh on the S23.Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399.Out now as it shipped on January 31.

Samsung Galaxy S24: specs

Here a Samsung Galaxy S24 specs comparison with all three new devices side by side:

Samsung Galaxy S24: release date and price

Starts at $799 / £799 / AU$1,399Available to buy now

The Samsung Galaxy S24 launched alongside the Galaxy S24 Plus and Galaxy S24 Ultra at a dedicated Galaxy Unpacked event in San Jose, California on January 17. Samsung Galaxy S24 preorders for all three models kicked off on the same day, with the phones going on sale two weeks later on January 31, meaning they're out now.If you're interested, you can see our best Galaxy S24 deals page for a roundup of the top options.

The Galaxy S24 comes in three storage variants, 128GB, 256GB and 512GB, with Australia skipping the 128GB model available in markets like the US and UK, and instead gaining a higher capacity 512GB model, priced at AU$1,599. The 128GB model sells for $799 / £799 and the 256GB build costs $859 / £859 / AU$1,399. This marks a notable reduction in price year-on-year for the base 128GB S24 in the UK, with its predecessor costing £50 more at launch, at £849.

@techradar

♬ love song (hesitations) (sped up) - Lofuu & Shiloh Dynasty & dprk

Samsung Galaxy S24: design and display

New One-Mass Design languageStraighter sides10% stronger Armor AluminumLarger, brighter 6.2-inch display

From a distance, the Galaxy S24 looks like its predecessor, but the newly-named One-Mass design language is most apparent in the new straighter sides this that S24 adopts, along with the fact that frame is no longer glossy, but lightly textured. For their latest phones, it would seem Apple and Samsung have met in the middle design-wise, meaning both phones look much more like one another this generation.That new frame is also hewn from 'enhanced' Armor Aluminum, which Samsung says is 10% stronger than before. Both the front and back of the phone are clad in Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and the phone retains its IP68 dust and water resistance too.As for the Samsung Galaxy S24's colors, this year all three devices come in the same quartet of finishes, with the caveat that the names for the Galaxy S24 Ultra color's are preceded by the word 'Titanium', rather than the descriptors the other two phones use. In the case of both the S24 and S24 Plus you can pick the phone up in Onyx Black, Marble Gray, Cobalt Violet or Amber Yellow, while three additional Samsung.com-exclusive options manifest as Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue and Jade Green.

The S24 has pleasingly thin bezels and a tiny punch hole front camera. (Image credit: Future | Roland Moore-Colyer)

Although a little taller, the size and weight of the S24 haven't changed much from that of its predecessor, which is particularly impressive when you consider that the screen has grown to 6.2-inches. Samsung has achieved this, not only by way of that flatter frame but thinner bezels than we've ever seen from the company, and they're now uniform too. Additionally, the punch hole front camera is smaller, making the viewing experience that little more immersive.Samsung finally figured out how to bring the full 1Hz to 120Hz adaptive refresh rate of the Ultra to the S24 and S24 Plus this generation, making for a more power efficient display (the S23's screen ranged from 48Hz to 120Hz), while peak brightness across the range now hits an impressive 2,600 nits (with a high brightness mode of 1,600 nits). Previously, the S23's screen topped out at 1,750 nits and 1,200 nits, respectively, so expect greater outdoor visibility and improved HDR visuals.

Samsung Galaxy S24: software

Samsung One UI 6.1 atop Android 14 at launchPromised seven generations of OS & security updatesNew 'Galaxy AI' features throughout

One of the first phones to run Samsung's One UI 6.1 user experience, the S24 adopts the familiar software look and feel of its predecessors. However, now there are 'Galaxy AI' branded threads running throughout.New features like Circle to Search show a tight collaboration with Google that grants users the ability to search anything on-screen after simply long-pressing the home button. Tone Tweak – now built into the Samsung Keyboard – can analyze typed sentences and suggest alternatives, depending on the tone you're trying to strike, while generative wallpapers ensure you can get something new a truly unique on a regular basis, just by relying on the new AI smarts of the S24.Real-time two-way translation across both written text and spoken word – even in calls – is now a native part of the Galaxy S experience too.Samsung previously led in the realm of Android updates, until Google crashed its party with the impressive offerings afforded to its latest Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro. But with the S24 range, the scales have been balanced, with the company now committing to seven generations of both operating system and security updates; which would carry users up to Android 21 and, presumably, One UI 13.1.Since launch, Samsung has started updating the Galaxy S24, and as of April 2024 the One UI 7 / Android 15 update had started rolling out, but a bug has reportedly caused Samsung to halt the roll out. Still, Android 15 should be available soon.

Samsung Galaxy S24: cameras

50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP 3x telephoto rear camerasNew 2x optical zoom optionProVisual AI EngineAI-based Edit Suggestions

The trio of rear cameras (and the front-facing punch hole camera) look, on paper, to comprise the same set of sensors at the same focal lengths as with the previous Galaxy S23. So what's new?The main buzzword in the S24 photographic arsenal is its 'ProVisual AI Engine', which promises to more intelligently enhance shots by way of noise removal, more vivid and accurate colors and improved quality in low light shooting; all staple areas of improvement that Samsung and pretty much every other phone maker works on with each new generation of phone camera.Perhaps more impressive than improved gyro-based stabilization and more versatile 2x optical zoom focal length (using sensor cropping), is the suit of new AI editing that comes to the S24's photographic experience.

(Image credit: Future | Roland Moore-Colyer)

AI editing suggestions now offer to dress appropriate shots with a portrait effect – even if they weren't taken in portrait mode, generally remaster the qualities of an image's color and contrast or, more practically, intelligently remove reflections in a scene. Generative fill adds in pixels where there weren't originally any when, for example, straightening up a skewed shot, and the S24 even lets you move and resize subjects in a scene, promising to seamlessly paint in the space they were moved from; a feature that feels decidedly similar to the Pixel 8 series' Magic Editor.Smaller tweaks, like being able to view almost any video in your gallery in slow motion by long-pressing during playback (which relies of frame interpolation to offer up to 120fps slow-mo) and – through Samsung's well-established collaborations – allowing for HDR capture and review natively from third-party apps, like Instagram, all sweeten the capture experience on the S24.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Performance & battery

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or Exynos 2400 for Galaxy chipset8GB RAM (LPDDR5X) on all modelsAll storage now UFS 4.04,000mAh battery w/ 25W wired fast charging

After a brief reprieve where Galaxy S phones came running the same silicon wherever you bought one in the world, the company is up to its old tricks again of splitting the heart of the Galaxy S24 series by region. Stateside, users get Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (but an enhanced 'for Galaxy' variant), while S24 and S24 Plus models in markets outside the US – including the UK and Europe – come with Samsung's own new Exynos 2400 'for Galaxy' (the S24 Ultra gets the 8 Gen 3 globally).While we can't say for sure how big a disparity there is between these two 3nm chipsets at this stage, previous splits have shown that Qualcomm's chipset usually reigns supreme, with weaker power efficiency and thermal performance holding previous Exynos chips back. That said, Samsung may have finally addressed previous shortcomings with the Exynos 2400 and there's even talk of better battery life from this new chip, by comparison to Snapdragon-toting S24s; something we're eager to test in review.One range-wide upgrade is the move to faster and more efficient UFS 4.0 storage across all three storage builds of the S24. The Galaxy S23's dirty little secret was that the base 128GB build ran on older and less elegant UFS 3.1 storage; no longer. You also get 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, whichever variant you opt for.While charging remains the same for the S24 (25W wired and 15W wireless), Samsung has increased battery capacity to 4,000mAh, narrowing the gap between the standard and Ultra Galaxy S phones to closer than it's ever been.

Samsung Galaxy S24: Outlook

Overall, the Galaxy S24 appears to be an iterative step over its predecessor, at least on paper. But a few design tweaks and more importantly a big dose of practical AI features could make for an impressive phone. It may not have the glitz and glamour of the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but the standard Galaxy S24 is keenly-priced and well equipped, meaning it may just be a viable contender for a spot on our best phones list.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is official, with Samsung having debuted the new foldable alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy Watch 7, Galaxy Watch Ultra and Galaxy Ring at its latest Galaxy Unpacked showcase.We've now fully tested the Galaxy Z Flip 6 for ourselves, and you can check out our thoughts on this best foldable phone contender in our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.However, if you're after a more condensed rundown of the new phone's release date, price, specs and features, we've included those details below. So, read on for everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The latest clamshell foldable from SamsungWhen is it out? Pre-orders from July 11, shipping from July 24How much does it cost? From $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799What upgrades does it have? A new 50MP camera, a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a bigger batter, and improved durabilityDoes it look different? Apart from some minor design tweaks and new colors, it's a similar-looking phone to the Galaxy Z Flip 5

Release date and price

Samsung launched the Galaxy Z Flip 6 (left) and Galaxy Z Fold 6 (right) at Unpacked in June (Image credit: Future)

Samsung revealed the Galaxy Z Flip 6 at its latest Galaxy Unpacked showcase on July 10, 2024. Galaxy Z Flip 6 pre-orders are now open, with the phone set to begin shipping on July 24. In Australia, shipping will begin on July 31.The Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099.99 / £1,049 / AU$1,799 for the model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, rising to £1,149 / AU$1,999 for the model with 512GB of storage. We'll update this section with further US pricing when we have it.Below, you'll find a full breakdown of Galaxy Z Flip 6 pricing, alongside a breakdown of Galaxy Z Flip 5 pricing for comparison.

As you can see, the starting price for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is $100 / AU$150 higher than that of the Galaxy Z Flip 5, though you do get 12GB RAM instead of 8GB with the newer phone. UK pricing remains unchanged across both storage variants.

Specs comparison

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 (left) and Galaxy Z Flip 5 (right) (Image credit: Future)

Here's how the Galaxy Z Flip 6 stacks up against the Galaxy Z Flip 5 in terms of specs.

Improved durability and sanded edges

Image 1 of 3(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3(Image credit: Future)

Same dimensions and weightColor-matched rings around the rear camera lensesSanded finish on the sidesVastly improved durability

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 doesn't look all that different from the Galaxy Z Flip 5, but there are some minor changes to its design.The phone once again boasts two displays – specifically a 3.4-inch cover screen and a 6.7-inch folding screen (more on these later) – and it measures 72 x 85 x 15mm when folded and 72 x 165 x 7mm when unfolded. The Galaxy Z Flip 6 also weighs the same as its predecessor, at 187g.In terms of what's new, Samsung has added some neat-looking colored rings around the Galaxy Z Flip 6's rear camera lenses, and the phone's sides (or edges) are now sanded, rather than reflective (as they are on the Galaxy Z Flip 5).

(Image credit: Future)

The biggest upgrades to the Galaxy Z Flip 6's design come in the durability department. Samsung says the Armor Aluminum frame encasing the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is now 10% stronger than before, while the phone's hinge and edges have also been toughened up.Perhaps best of all, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 gets an IP48 dust- and water- resistance rating, which betters the water-only IPX8 rating of the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola Razr 2024, but falls just short of the Galaxy S24’s totally dust-proof IP68 rating. Essentially, an IP48 rating means that the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is protected against particles over 1mm in size.

New colors

(Image credit: Future)

Launch colors are Silver Shadow, Mint, Yellow and BlueMore Samsung-exclusive colors to follow soon

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is available in four (mostly) new launch colors: Silver Shadow, Mint, Yellow and Blue. Three more colors – Crafted Black, White and Peach – will be made available exclusively via Samsung.com in the comings weeks.For reference, the Galaxy Z Flip 5 launched in Mint, Graphite, Cream and Lavender, with Gray, Blue, Green and Yellow shades being offered at a later date on Samsung's site.

Brighter main display

Image 1 of 2(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2(Image credit: Future)

Same display sizes and panel typesBut a new peak brightness of 2,600 nits for the main display

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 boasts two displays: a 3.4-inch, 60Hz AMOLED cover screen (720 x 748) and a 6.7-inch, Full HD+ AMOLED foldable screen (2640 x 1080), with the larger of the two getting an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate. Those are the same displays as you'll find on the Galaxy Z Flip 5, though Samsung has boosted the peak brightness of the Galaxy Z Flip 6's screens from 1600 nits to a Galaxy S24-rivalling 2,600 nits.

New 50MP main camera, upgraded 12MP ultra-wide camera

(Image credit: Future)

New 50MP main camera12MP ultra-wide has been optimized with software

The chief hardware upgrade for the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is a new 50MP main camera, which replaces the 12MP main camera from the Galaxy Z Flip 5.This larger sensor is joined by the same 12MP ultra-wide camera as before, though Samsung says it's been optimized to perform even better on the Galaxy Z Flip 6.Essentially, Samsung's latest clamshell foldable boasts the same main and ultra-wide cameras as on the Galaxy S24 Plus, and you'll also get the latter's ProVisual photography engine, too, which should automatically improve your shots.On the software side, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 introduces Auto Zoom – which automatically finds the correct zoom length when you're not operating the phone manually – as well as Portrait Studio and new zoom toggle for Camcorder Mode.

Faster chipset, bigger battery

(Image credit: Future / Axel Metz)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsetMore RAM than before4,000mAh battery

The Galaxy Z Flip 6 is powered by Qualcomm’s top-end Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which is the same chipset you'll find inside almost all of today's best Android phones.Samsung has also upgraded the new phone's RAM capacity from 8GB to 12GB, and added the first-ever vapor cooling chamber in a clamshell foldable, so you needn't worry about the Galaxy Z Flip 6 struggling for performance (whether you're keen to use it for gaming, streaming or general browsing).On the endurance front, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery, which is notably larger than the 3,700mAh battery in the Galaxy Z Flip 5. Presumably, this larger capacity will deliver longer battery life, though we'll have to put it to the test in our full Galaxy Z Flip 6 review.Charging speeds are the same, though. Like its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 offers 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

Galaxy AI upgrades aplenty

(Image credit: Future)

New Galaxy AI features including Sketch to ImageSeveral foldable-specific optimizations

Samsung is introducing several new Galaxy AI features with the Galaxy Z Flip 6, as well as a host of foldable-specific software optimizations.Among the new tools is Sketch to Image, which lets you turn your scribbled Samsung Notes drawings into more developed pieces of art.The Flex Window on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 can now be customized with generative wallpapers and ambient weather animations, though you're still able to pick from the usual mix of clock, calendar and timer widgets.Interpreter has been optimized for the Galaxy Z Flip 6, too. The feature now utilizes the internal and external displays, so you can conduct live, two-way translated conversations with someone opposite you. Previously, you both had to gather around the same screen.Of course, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 also gets the usual smorgasbord of existing Galaxy AI features, including Circle to Search, Chat Assist, Note Assist and Edit Suggestion.Out of the box, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 runs One UI 6 with Android 14, but as of April 2025, Android 15 is about to roll out for the phone, though has reportedly been held up by a bug.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6?

(Image credit: Future)

At first glance, the Galaxy Z Flip 6 looks to have brought plenty of iterative upgrades over the Galaxy Z Flip 5 – not least a new 50MP camera, a faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a bigger batter and improved durability.As such, it's likely to be an objectively better phone than its predecessor, but we're hesitant to pass judgement until we've put the Galaxy Z Flip 6 through our full review process (as a reminder, you can read our early thoughts on the new device in our hands-on Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 review).Mind you, if you're not coming at this guide as an existing Galaxy Z Flip owner, and are instead considering whether to make the Galaxy Z Flip 6 your first foldable phone purchase, then we think it's got a great chance of ranking alongside the best foldable phones (and indeed the best Samsung phones) released so far. Stay tuned for our comprehensive verdict in the coming weeks.

You might also like

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 reviewBest foldable phonesSamsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 review

A new report claims Apple is developing two new Vision Pro headset modelsOne version will apparently be lighter and more affordableThe other will connect to a Mac for a lower-latency experience

Despite its technical brilliance, Apple’s Vision Pro headset has struggled to sweep consumers off their feet, with serious questions being raised about the future of the virtual reality (VR) headset. In spite of this potential crisis, though, Apple apparently has a plan to right the ship and get the Vision Pro back on track.At least, that’s according to Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman’s latest Power On newsletter. There, Gurman says that Apple is working on two new Vision Pro models that could shake up the device and potentially give it a new foothold in the industry.Neither of these models will be simple refreshes. While Gurman says that Apple had previously considered a few minor tweaks – like changing the headset’s chip from the M2 to the M5 chip – Apple is apparently now mulling more ambitious plans.Instead, Apple is “now looking to go further,” Gurman says, with one device that is both cheaper and more lightweight than the current Vision Pro, which should make it both more accessible to consumers and reduce the neck strain that can sometimes occur after long periods of use.The second Vision Pro in development is “more intriguing,” Gurman believes. Supposedly, this model will connect directly to a Mac, which will allow for greatly reduced latency. Some Vision Pro headsets are being used in surgery and in flight simulators, Gurman says, which are two areas where reduced latency will be incredibly important.

Addressing two key problems

(Image credit: Apple)

Interestingly, Gurman likens the second Vision Pro to a product Apple reportedly canceled in January: a set of lightweight glasses outfitted with augmented reality (AR) capabilities that would be tethered to a Mac. The ultimate goal for Apple is to create an entirely wireless pair of AR glasses that a user can wear all day, but it will take many years before that device is ready for prime time.Still, even if the next Vision Pro isn’t as lightweight as a pair of glasses, anything that reduces its weight will be a welcome change. I don’t own a Vision Pro myself, and one of the main reasons is that I’ve heard the stories of the pain caused by wearing it for too long. If I’m going to make a significant investment in a product like this, I want to be able to use it without risking soreness after just a few hours’ usage.The other reason I’ve steered clear is the eye-watering price, with $3,500 feeling incredibly steep when the Vision Pro is still in its early stages. I know I’m not alone here, with multiple reports suggesting that sales of the device have been very slow.If Apple can address both of those problems, I might finally be tempted to fork out for a Vision Pro, particularly for its Ultrawide Mac Virtual Display mode. We've previously described that as a "lightbulb moment" for the device, given it gives you a massive 32:9 aspect ratio – the equivalent of two displays side-by-side. That would definitely be more enticing on a headset that's more comfortable, and also potentially not too much more expensive than buying an extra monitor.I’m not entirely convinced yet, but at least Apple seems to be heading in the right direction.

You might also like

Vision Pro at one – I love Apple's revolutionary headset, so why do I hardly ever use it?Report: Apple is stopping work on a pair of smart glasses that would have connected to the MacThe best VR headsets in 2025: top virtual reality headsets from Meta, Valve and more

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 is now official. Revealed at a Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event on July 10, 2024, this new flagship foldable phone builds upon the formula of its predecessor, the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but brings in more power, a tweaked design, and a host of artificial intelligence features baked in. People expecting new cameras and a titnaium design may be left disappointed, as on paper Samsung hasn't really made any significant changes. But a lot of little tweaks can add up to a big deal. For our verdict on the new Fold, check out our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 review.Below we'll breakdown the main upgrades the Galaxy Z Fold 6 brings to the table and whether it looks set to get a spot on our best foldable phones list.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The latest flagship Samsung foldableWhen is it out? July 24, 2024 / July 31 for AustraliaHow much will it cost? It starts at $1,899 / £1,799 / AU$2,749What are the core upgrades? New Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip tuned for Samsung, a bigger battery, a shorter and wider designIs it tougher than the Fold 5? Yes. The hinge has been upgraded and the Armor aluminium is stronger

Release date and price

(Image credit: Future)

I have some bad news: the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has jumped up from that of its predecessor. In the US, the starting price has risen from $1,799 to $1,899. In the UK it's jumped by £50, from £1,749 to £1,799. Australians will need to pay an extra $150 as the price has risen from AU$2,599 to AU$2,749. Now the Galaxy Fold phones were never cheap, but the price hike may be difficult to swallow when the likes of the Google Pixel Fold and OnePlus Open undercut the Fold 6 but hundreds. However, Samsung is pitching the Fold 6 has a high-end device and it comes with a whole lot of feature that could justify the high ticket price. Just bear in mind, that Samsung once again doesn't bundle in an S Pen like it does with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. As for the release date, in the US and UK, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 went on sale in the US and UK on July 24, with Australia needing to wait for July 31.

New Snapdragon chip

(Image credit: Future)

As is the case with all new Samsung Galaxy phones, the Fold 6 gets a new chipset. And like the Galaxy S24 series, the new Fold has access to Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, only it's not a standard off-the-shelf slice of silicon but one tuned for Samsung. Now the previous Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip was no slouch, or indeed the Gen 1. I know this as I've been using a Galaxy Z Fold 4 for some time and it's never felt slow. So the touted 14% boost in CPU performance and 25% jump in GPU performance in benchmarks, does not stir me. However, ray-tracing performance is up by 53%, which should deliver more visually impressive gaming, and add in a 1.6x larger vapor chamber and the Fold 6 could deliver high performance for longer than the Fold 5. And a 41% jump in neural processing performance means the Fold 6 looks set to power snappy responses from its baked-in AI tools; more on those later. It would have been nice if Samsung up the RAM of the Fold 6, but it sticks to 12GB. Likewise storage coms in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variations. Check out the specs table below for more information and how the phone compares to its rivals, and do read my breakdown of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 specs for a deeper look and analysis.

A shorter, wider design and display

(Image credit: Future)

At a quick glance you'd be forgive for thinking the Galaxy Z Fold 6 was identical to its predecessor. But Samsung has shortened the phone's hight and made it a little wider. As a result, the cover display is bigger by 0.1 inches. That might sound inconsequential but it makes the display that bit more usable in one hand when the Fold 6 is folded shut.

Image 1 of 3(Image credit: Future)The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a more durable hinge.Image 2 of 3(Image credit: Future)The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a more durable hinge and a shorter but wider cover display. Image 3 of 3(Image credit: Future)The Galaxy Z Fold 6 has a more durable hinge.

It's long been an issue with reviewers and myself that the cover display on the Fold phones feels too tall and narrow to be easily usable; Samsung may have fixed that with this design tweak. The Fold 6 is also slimmer and by a millimeter or two, and weighs 239g to the Fold 5's 252.3g. As such, the new Fold feels that bit nicer in the hand. Add in an improved dual-rail hinge that can better withstand shocks and pressure, along with a 10% improvement in the 'Armor Aluminium' chassis, and you're looking at a tougher overall foldable phone.

(Image credit: Future)

The range of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 colors is also pleasant if a little uninspired. I like the look of the pink model and the gray-meets-sliver of the Shado Silver option, but the navy version is basic. Exclusive through Samsung, there's also a 'Crafted Black' option and a white color; I've not seen these in the metal and glass, but neither shade sets one's pulse racing.

Clever cameras and a stealthy upgrade

(Image credit: Future)

It's arguably a little disappointing that Samsung didn't take the 200-megapixel main camera found on the Galaxy S24 Ultra and put it into the Galaxy Z Fold 6 , given the latter phones price. Insead the South Korean tech giant has suck with a 50MP main camera much like the one it gave the Fold 5.However, a Samsung representative explained to me that give the AI processing and improved image signal processing, there's no need for a higher resolution main camera sensor. Be that as it may, but I tend to think the more megapixels to play with the better. The telephoto camera has also stuck to a 10x telephoto camera with a 3x zoom. That's fine but it's not likely to compete with something like the 5x optical zoom of the iPhone 15 Pro Max's periscope camera. However, the ultra-wide camera is new. Despite sticking to a 12MP sensor, aperture and pixel size, Samsung says the camera has improved low-light photography thanks to a dedicated image signal processing unit. And it can now capture HDR photos. A small upgrade, but add in AI features and you're still looking at a rather flexible camera system, especially when you add in there's the front-facing camera and an under-display camera on the foldable display. All this is helped by Samsung's ProVision engine having an overall upgrade, which should deliver better photos that are more balanced in terms of colors and contrast.

AI features baked in

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the box, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is running Android 14 with One UI 6.1.1 on top of it. So you'll get features like enhanced lock screen customization and Magic Compose that'll serve up smart responses to messages with different tones. But the significant thing here is the implementation of Samsung's Galaxy AI. We've already see this with Generatvie Edit on the Galaxy S24 series, which lets you basically recompose a photo using AI to fill in the gaps or get rather artistic with a real-world shot. For the Galaxy Z Fold 6 these features have been retooled to work on the foldable display. This means Circle to Search can address search queries across the tablet-like screen on the Fold 6. That screen can also be used to better tweak photos with the Smart Select, a AI-powered image overlay and selection tool, and the new Sketch to Image tools, which recognises S Pen scribbles as trying to put sunglasses on an image of a dog, for example. There's now a new transcription feature for the Note app that can provide a summary of one's notes. And a new Composer feature in the Samsung Keyboard can generate text based on simple keywords for emails, social media posts and comments.Probably the smartest new AI feature is how the Interpreter app can work across the Fold 6's displays by providing a conversation mode that shows two-way translations of the main and cover displays, the idea being it aids more natural interactions between two people speaking different languages. Live Translation also works in third-party apps.Since launch, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 has had small updates, with its first major update (to Android 15 and One UI 7) due imminently as of April 2025, though a bug has reportedly delayed it.

A battery boost, but charging remains static

(Image credit: Future)

Take a deep breath as the Galaxy Z Fold 6's battery has been boosted by a whole... 400mAh. Ok, so that's not a lot as it puts the Fold 6's battery at 4,400mAh compared to the Fold 5's 4,000mAh. But this is notable as the Fold 6's more-powerful chip and AI features means it's silicon heart will likely be running harder and faster for longer, meaning it needs more energy. So that 400mAh could make the difference between a phone that last a day and one that gives up the ghost mid commute home. I'm a little disappointed that the charging is still stuck at 35 watts when wired, as that's not fast at all, But then again, the Fold 6 can apparently charge to 50% in around 30 minutes, which ins't bad and may help prolong the battery's health.

Should you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 6?

(Image credit: Future)

Having fully reviewed the Galaxy Z Fold 6, which achieved a hefty 4.5 out of 5 stars from Editor-at-Large Lance Ulanoff, I think it's safe to say the new flagship foldable phone is the one to get if you want a top-tier foldable experience. There's an argument that it doesn't deliver quite enough for people to upgrade from the Galaxy Z Fold 5, but for newcomers to foldables it may just be the high-end phone to get. Ulanoff noted that the "Galaxy Z Fold 6 is Samsung's most comprehensively thought-out foldable to date" and the combination of a cleaner design and AI features make it very appealing indeed. The cameras leave a little to be desired, but they still deliver solid phone photography. The price is the only real sticking point. If you baulk at the high price tag, may I suggest waiting a few months and the Black Friday sales as that's when we tend to see price cuts on the Fold series.

More Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 articles

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 priceSamsung Galaxy Z Fold specsSamsung Galaxy Z Fold colors

Microsoft is testing new features for Defender for EndpointThe features will block traffic from and to undiscovered endpointsThe goal is to minimize malicious lateral movement

Microsoft wants to minimize the risk of undiscovered endpoints by adding a new feature to its Defender for Endpoint product, which will automatically block all traffic to and from such devices.Such devices are a major security risk because they can bypass monitoring, lack security controls, and potentially serve as entry points for cyberattacks or data exfiltration.The company is currently testing a new capability that will contain the IP addresses of devices that have not been discovered or onboarded to Defender for Endpoint.

Monitor your credit score with TransUnion starting at $29.95/monthTransUnion is a credit monitoring service that helps you stay on top of your financial health. With real-time alerts, credit score tracking, and identity theft protection, it ensures you never miss important changes. You'll benefit from a customizable online interface with clear insights into your credit profile. Businesses also benefit from TransUnion’s advanced risk assessment tools.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Automatic protection

"Containing an IP address associated with undiscovered devices or devices not onboarded to Defender for Endpoint is done automatically through automatic attack disruption. The Contain IP policy automatically blocks a malicious IP address when Defender for Endpoint detects the IP address to be associated with an undiscovered device or a device not onboarded," Microsoft said."Through automatic attack disruption, Defender for Endpoint incriminates a malicious device, identifies the role of the device to apply a matching policy to automatically contain a critical asset. The granular containment is done by blocking only specific ports and communication directions."We do not know yet when the feature will be released for the users, but we do know that it will be available on Defender for Endpoint-onboarded devices running Windows 10, Windows 2012 R2, Windows 2016, and Windows Server 2019+.Microsoft also explained that there is a way to stop the product from containing different IP addresses by restoring the connection. That can be done via the “Contain IP” menu in the “Action Center”, which will have an “Undo” button.Via BleepingComputer

You might also like

Microsoft Defender will now warn users about insecure Wi-Fi networksTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

Android 15 – or Vanilla Ice Cream as it was codenamed – is finally here, as following multiple developer previews and public betas, the finished version has now been rolled out, albeit only on select handsets so far.Below, you’ll find all the news and details about Android 15, including its features, plus when you can expect to see it on your handset and the phones that are set to support it.Check back here soon too, because we’ll be updating this article whenever there’s new information about Android 15.

Latest newsAndroid 15 has started rolling out to the Galaxy S24 series, the Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Galaxy Z Flip 6, but a bug has caused a delay.

Cut to the chase

What is it? The next major version of AndroidWhen is it out? Now on Pixel and OnePlus, coming soon to other devicesHow much will it cost? This will be a free update

Android 15: release date

Android 15 is out now (Image credit: Google)

Android 15 rolled out in mid-October, though initially only to Pixel devices.This timing wasn't too surprising, since Android 14 launched properly on October 4, 2023 (as did Android 12 in 2021), though Android 13 landed on August 15, 2022.Since the initial launch, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R got Android 15, and Samsung has started rolling Android 15 out to its phones too, beginning with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. However, a bug has halted Samsung's rollout at the time of writing.

Android 15: compatibility

Google Pixel phones – specifically the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold – were unsurprisingly the first phones to get Android 15. So if you have one of these, you can update to Android 15 now.Since then, the OnePlus 12 and OnePlus 12R have also been updated to Android 15, and Samsung has started rolling out Android 15 to its phones too.But Android 15 is likely to launch on many more devices soon (more on these below).

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra should get Android 15 (Image credit: Aakash Jhaveri)

For Samsung, the Samsung Galaxy S24, Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy S23 line, Galaxy S22 line, and Galaxy S21 line should all get Android 15. As should Samsung’s foldable phones from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 onwards, including the yet-to-be-released Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6.Many Galaxy A models will also get Android 15, such as the Galaxy A24, A33, A34, A53 5G, A54 5G, and A73, among others.Numerous phones from other brands should also get Android 15, with highlights including the Sony Xperia 1 V, Sony Xperia 5 V, Xiaomi 13, and Motorola Razr Plus 2023. Motorola has also now rolled a beta version out to select Edge 50 devices, so the Motorola Edge 50 series should soon get the finished version of Android 15 too.That’s by no means all the phones that we expect to get Android 15. As a general rule, if your phone is mid-range or above, and will be no more than two years old at the launch of Android 15, it will probably get the update. Many older and cheaper phones will too, though.You can also expect to see Android 15 on many Android tablets, such as the Pixel Tablet (which already has it) and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 series.

Android 15: features

Android 15 won't be the same on every device, as different manufacturers will put their own twist on it. Plus, Google is sure to keep adding to Android 15 with smaller updates ahead of Android 16. But below, you'll find the key features that have already launched for it or that we expect.

Private Space

(Image credit: Android Police / Google)

Android 15 also includes a native version of Samsung’s Secure Folder feature, giving non-Samsung phones the ability to hide sensitive apps in a separate, hidden area called Private Space.Private Space requires a PIN, pattern, password, or biometrics to access, and contains its own instance of the Google Play Store, which you can use to download apps you don’t want anyone else using your phone to know you have or be able to open.These apps will appear only within the Private Space, making this a handy feature if you ever pass your phone to someone else.

Theft Detection Lock

Android 15 also ups your phone's security with a 'Theft Detection Lock', which uses AI to detect whether the phone has been grabbed out of your hands by a thief. If it suspects this has happened, it will automatically lock the handset.

Saved app pairs

(Image credit: Android Police / Google)

If you make much use of split-screen modes on your Android device, you probably have certain pairs of apps that you tend to use together, such as YouTube and Chrome. And with Android 15, you can save these pairs, so you can automatically launch the two side-by-side.

App archiving

(Image credit: Android Authority / Google)

Android 14 already had an app archiving feature, in which the Google Play Store will automatically archive apps you don’t often use, in order to claw back storage space. But this version of it only works within the Play Store, and you can’t manually choose to archive an app.With Android 15, you can choose which apps to archive – a process which removes part of the app without fully uninstalling it, so you don’t lose the icon on your home screen, and nor do you have to fully set it up again next time you launch it, but you can still get some storage space back.

Battery health percentage

The battery health screen hidden in Android 14 QPR2 beta 2 (Image credit: Android Authority / Mishaal Rahman)

One small but extremely useful new feature we might see in Android 15 is a battery health percentage. This would allow you to see the estimated percentage of charge the battery can currently hold compared to when it was new, so you’d have a clear indication of how worn out your phone’s battery is.That can be beneficial in particular when trying to diagnose whether increased battery drain is due to a worn-out battery of some misbehaving software.It’s a feature you’ll already find in iOS, and an inactive version of it has been found hidden in an Android 14 update by Android Authority and Nail Sadykov (the editor of the Google News Telegram group). So, it’s definitely a feature Google is working on, and it's a likely candidate for Android 15.That said, it wasn't available on day one, so it could arrive as a future update to Android 15.

An 80% charge limit

(Image credit: Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority)

Also on the battery front, Android 15 comes with the ability to set an 80% charge limit. This can help maintain the health of your phone's battery, as overcharging is bad for a battery's longevity.

Partial screen recording

With Android 15, you can choose to only record certain apps when using the native screen recording feature. That means if you swipe away from the app, then whatever else you do on the phone won't be recorded.

Predictive Back

The Predictive Back interface on a Pixel phone (Image credit: Google / Future)

Another Android 15 feature is Predictive Back, which lets you preview the results of a gesture navigation before committing to them.This feature technically already existed in Android 14, but it was an optional developer feature there. Now, gesture previews will occur by default in compatible apps.

Lock screen widgets

The in-progress Communal Space (Image credit: Android Authority / Mishaal Rahman)

Android hasn’t natively supported lock screen widgets since Android 4.2, but they might be coming back with Android 15, as while it isn't available in the initial Android 15 release, a hidden ‘Communal Space’ feature has been found in an Android beta. Spotted by Android Authority, this unfinished feature would let you add widgets to a Communal Space on the lock screen.However, there are a couple of big caveats here. First, there’s currently only support for Google Calendar, Google Clock, and the Google app, though it’s likely more apps would be supported in time for launch.Second, this appears to currently only be designed for devices with Hub mode, which right now means just the Pixel Tablet. So it could be quite limited.

Bluetooth Auracast

The Pixel Buds Pro don't support Auracast – but the next ones might (Image credit: TechRadar)

A recent Android 14 update has lots of code mentioning Bluetooth audio sharing hidden in it, which strongly suggests that Bluetooth Auracast support is in the works.This is a feature that lets you share the audio you’re listening to on your phone – be it music, a podcast, or whatever else – with other people around you over Bluetooth. It allows multiple Bluetooth headphones or earphones to tune into the same audio stream, so you could for example listen to an album in sync with a friend.The code that’s been spotted mentions the use of QR codes to let other people tune into what you’re listening to, so they wouldn’t have to go through the usual Bluetooth pairing process either.

Easy mode

(Image credit: Android Authority / Google)

If you’re reading this then you probably don’t need Android to be any simpler, but some less tech savvy people in your life might, and Google is seemingly working on a feature to help with that.A hidden settings page for a new feature called 'easy pre-set' has been spotted by Android Authority in a recent Android beta, and code strings explain that this feature would optimize the Android UI for “improved readability and ease of navigation,” by “enlarging icons and text, adding contrast and bold, and adding navigation buttons to the bottom of the screen.”So, this would likely benefit not just those who are less comfortable with tech, but also people with impaired vision or dexterity. The feature doesn’t work yet, but it may well land as part of a future Android update.

A DeX-like desktop mode

We're not so sure we'll see this feature, but Android Authority reports that Google is working on a polished desktop mode that can be shown on an external display when you plug your phone in with a USB-C cable, and the site has also spotted that display output via USB-C has been activated on the Pixel 8 in a recent Android 14 beta.This doesn't provide the rumored polished desktop experience, but it could be a step towards delivering that with a future Android update, be that an Android 15 feature drop or Android 16.

The ability to find lost offline devices

While Android already lets you track phones and other devices when they're online, we might finally be able to track offline devices with a future version of Android, going by some code spotted by Android Police.This would work by keeping Bluetooth beacon signaling active, even when the phone is switched off.

Screen recorder alerts

Android 15 includes tools that let apps tell if the screen is being recorded, so you could potentially get alerted when your screen is being recorded, to ensure no one is invading your privacy. That said, it seems this relies on developers baking the feature into their apps.

Consistent volume

Another tweak in an Android 15 developer preview improves volume control, to help users "avoid audio loudness inconsistencies" across apps. So, in other words, the volumes of your various apps should be more consistent and need less adjustment.This has since rolled out as a developer tool, so it requires developers to enable it in their apps.

Bug fixes

Android 15 of course also has plenty of bug fixes. In its release on Pixels, this includes a fix for an issue causing devices to reboot, a fix for an issue preventing connection with Bluetooth devices, and loads of other bug fixes.

You might also like

iOS 18: latest news, rumors and predicted release dateSamsung Galaxy S25: what we want to seeGoogle Pixel 9: price, camera, and everything you need to know

Every week, there's a new AI trend, but this viral ChatGPT image-generation prompt might be a step too far - turning our beloved pets into humans.As a dog dad who treats my French Bulldog, Kermit, like an absolute prince, the idea of seeing him as a human made me feel uneasy. My focus at work, however, is creating good content, and if that means I need to see my dog as a human, then I'll suck it up and take one for the team.If you want to cut to the chase, here's the prompt: "Can you create an image of this dog/cat as a human?" You'll need to upload an image of your pet, and ChatGPT may ask follow-up questions to get a better idea for the image generation.Once you've uploaded your image and asked your prompt, it's time to wait for the result...

I don't want to see this

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)

I uploaded a photo of Kermit to ChatGPT, and after a considerable wait (please make the image generation quicker, OpenAI), I got to see my furry friend as a human. I wasn't quite prepared to see a grown man sitting on the yellow armchair Kermit likes to frequent, and I immediately felt a sense of uncanny valley.Sat on Kermit's throne was what appeared to be a happy-go-lucky man in his early 20s, wearing a yellow t-shirt with a frog on it. Kermit is three years old, which would line up with the age of ChatGPT's image, but apart from that, I'm not really convinced AI has captured him in human form.Just to see what another dog would look like, I asked TechRadar's Editor-In-Chief, Marc Mclaren, to do the same for his black Labrador, Rigby. Weirdly, Rigby as a human looks fairly similar to Kermit, despite being a completely different breed. Marc's response to the ChatGPT image was, "Pretty spot on to be honest. The son I never had."You know, the more I think about the concept of seeing your pet as a human, the more it makes me feel uneasy. Last year, I got to see Shazam's AI-powered collar in action, and while I'm now convinced that product might be vaporware, I left the impressive demo questioning what it means to be a pet owner.You see, you get a connection with your dog that's completely different from any human relationship you have in your life. A dog is your best friend; it revolves its whole life around your existence, and it understands despite the inability to verbally communicate.Shazam's idea of adding a voice to man's best friend completely overlooks the emotional connection you have with your animal, instead introducing technology to attempt to vocalize feelings.Now, why am I talking about an AI voice collar? Well, I feel like even the concept of imagining a dog as a human overlooks what a dog is in the first place. I get this is just a fun trend, but I have a feeling I'll struggle to look at Kermit in the same way for the next few days, as he sleeps on my lap, sleeps in my bed, and cries for food at dinner time.

What about a human as a dog?

(Image credit: Future / ChatGPT)

After feeling a bit revolted by the human version of my little pup, I decided to creep myself out some more by asking ChatGPT to turn a photo of me into a dog.You can do the same by asking, "Can you create an image of this human as a dog?" Again, ChatGPT may ask for extra context to determine the breed, etc.At first, ChatGPT took a while to determine what a bald man with a beard would look like in dog form. It took so long, in fact, that the image generation tool completely failed altogether.I tried again, and after a considerable amount of time, ChatGPT showed me an image of what appeared to be a Labrador or a Golden Retriever with a human beard. I looked at the image, shrieked, and decided that was enough ChatGPT image generation for the day.I think imagining an animal as a human or vice versa might be my least favorite ChatGPT trend yet, although I fully expect to see another even creepier trend appear on social media by the end of the week.

You might also like

Will Adobe's AI agents cause the death of creativity?I refuse to jump on ChatGPT’s Studio Ghibli image generator bandwagon because it goes against everything I love about those moviesSpotify is about to be flooded with AI-made ads, and I wonder if it will make much of a difference to businesses

Mythic Quest has ended after four seasons at Apple TV+Season 4's finale episode will premiere next week with a new ending The executive producers have thanked Apple TV+ in a statement

I bring disappointing news, because Mythic Quest season 4 is the end of the road for the hit comedy series. It's one of the best Apple TV+ shows for a reason, and we're all sad to see it go.TechRadar contributor Samuel Roberts called it a "masterpiece", and it's one of the many reasons we crowned Apple TV+ as Streaming Service of the Year in 2024.According to exclusive reports from Variety, Mythic Quest has not been renewed beyond its fourth season and a statement has been released thanking Apple TV+ as well as the cast, crew and fans.“Endings are hard. But after four incredible seasons, ‘Mythic Quest’ is coming to a close,” series executive producers Megan Ganz, David Hornsby and Rob McElhenney said. “We’re so proud of the show and the world we got to build – and deeply grateful to every cast and crew member who poured their heart into it.They added: "To all our fans, thank you for playing with us. To our partners at Apple, thank you for believing in the vision from the very beginning. Because endings are hard, with Apple’s blessing we made one final update to our last episode – so we could say goodbye, instead of just game over.”

What do we know about the final episode of Mythic Quest season 4?

(Image credit: Apple)

Unlike regular TV shows which only get one ending, Mythic Quest has been allowed to respawn and try again, very reminiscent of video games and a fitting send off.According to Variety, an updated finale episode with a brand new ending will premiere next week on Apple TV+. This might provide some sort of relief for disappointed fans, considering the season finale did end on a cliffhanger.So, we might be getting a satisfying end. Or, an even more frustrating one, depending on how benevolent the creators were feeling. You'll have to wait and see for yourself when the new episode drops.An air date for the new episode hasn't been confirmed beyond "next week", frustratingly, but if it's following in the footsteps of Mythic Quest's previous release schedule, it may arrive on Wednesday, April 23.

You might also like

Apple TV+ unveils the trailer for a new comedic sci-fi series that sees Alexander Skarsgård as a sentient AI cyborgSlow Horses season 5: everything we know so far about the popular Apple TV+ show's returnEverything new on Apple TV+ in April 2025: The Studio, Your Friends and Neighbors, Government Cheese, and more

Newly uncovered Geekbench benchmarks suggest the rumored Motorola Razr Plus could best the Galaxy Z Flip 7 specs-wise The new Razr Plus could sport the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and 16GB of RAMThe Galaxy Z Flip 7 in turn may only get 12GB of RAM, and either the Snapdragon 8 Elite or Exynos 2500 chipset.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 hasn’t even been confirmed by Samsung yet, but it already seems like a powerful rival is on the way in the form of the rumored 2025 Motorola Razr Plus.According to newly uncovered Geekbench benchmark reports, this year’s rumored Motorola Razr Plus model comes equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, the Adreno 830 GPU, and an impressive 16GB of RAM.The Geekbench report – spotted by Xpertpick – also suggests the phone will run an Android 15-based operating system, most likely a version of Motorola’s Hello UI Android wrapper.Those specs – while still unconfirmed – could give the also unannounced Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 7 a run for its money. As we previously reported, the Galaxy Z Flip 7 could come with either a Snapdragon 8 Elite or Samsung’s own Exynos 2500 chipset.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 is our pick for the best flip phone currently available (Image credit: Samsung)

The Snapdragon 8 Elite would be a safe bet to match or exceed the same chipset found in the Razr Plus – it’s typical for Samsung phones to come with special “for Galaxy” versions of Qualcomm chipsets.However, a Galaxy Z Flip 7 equipped with the Exynos 2500 chipset wouldn’t have such a certain edge over the Razr Plus – issues with Samsung’s Exynos chipset platform are well documented, and have prevented the tech giant from fitting its flagship phones with its own chipsets for the past few years.That’s not to mention that the Galaxy Z Flip 7 is expected to launch with 12GB of RAM to the Razr Plus’ rumored 16GB – that difference could give the Razr Plus an edge for multitasking and on-device AI processing.Additionally, the current gen Motorola Razr Plus starts at $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$1,700, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 starts at $1,099 / £1,049 / AU$1,799. Assuming neither phone sees a price hike with their next iteration, that’ll be another win for the Razr Plus.As PhoneArena notes, Motorola is expected to release the new Razr lineup, which will launch as the Razr 60 lineup outside of the US, on April 24 – so we don’t have too long to wait to find out the actual specs of this new foldable.Until then, the above is effectively entirely based on rumors – still, it’s always nice to hear of phone makers challenging Samsung in the foldable space. Let us know if you’re looking forward to either of these phones in the comments below.

You might also like

Samsung’s One UI 7 update reportedly delayed due to a serious bug, extending the wait for Android 15‘It will take time for foldables to become mainstream’: OnePlus defends decision to delay the OnePlus Open 2 and bow out of the foldable phones race in 2025Google's new Android update will give your devices a battery boost – plus a helpful new feature for Google Wallet

For anyone who misses the way smartphones used to work, Samsung has announced two new "rugged" Galaxy devices, the Galaxy XCover 7 Pro and the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro, that feature removable backplates and user-replaceable batteries.

The Galaxy XCover 7 Pro is designed for enterprise customers, but it comes packed with some of the same Galaxy AI features Samsung has been pushing on its flagship smartphones, including Google's Circle to Search and Object Eraser. The phone uses a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, has a brighter screen and comes with a 4,350mAh battery, but the reason to buy it are all the ways Samsung's made it tougher and more customizable than the average phone. That includes IP68 water and dust resistance, MIL-STD-810H certification for drops, programmable buttons, built-in pogo pins as another charging option and a battery you can replace yourself just by popping off the back of the phone.

Samsung

The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro has a 10.1-inch screen and uses the same Snapdragon chip as the XCover 7 Pro, but the tablet offers even more options when it comes to charging. Samsung says the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro can be used without a battery inside if it's connected to a dock and you can also hot-swap batteries on the tablet without turning it off. You'll get to enjoy many of the same durability benefits as the XCover 7 Pro, and the IP68 water and dust resistance extends to the Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro's S-Pen stylus, too.

Samsung

Neither of these devices are for normal people by any means, but they are good illustration of how formerly common-sense features like batteries you can replace yourself have become niche. We got lighter and sleeker flagship phones in the process, but one has to wonder whether XCover owners are the ones actually living the good life.

The Galaxy XCover 7 Pro will be available to order on May 8, 2025. The Galaxy Tab Active 5 Pro is schedule to be released in "early June," according to Samsung.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsungs-latest-rugged-devices-are-keeping-old-school-mobile-traditions-alive-120056640.html?src=rss

Potential PS5 buyers in Europe, the UK, Australia and more will now need to fork over up to 100 more AUD, EUR and other local currencies for a console. Sony has announced a series of price hikes for the PS5, blaming "a backdrop of a challenging economic environment, including high inflation and fluctuating exchange rates." The company last raised PS5 prices across these markets in 2022.

Only the PS5 Digital Edition's cost changes in Europe and the UK. It will increase to €500 ($570) from €450 ($513) in Europe and to £430 ($567) from £390 ($514) in the UK.

Prices for the Digital Edition and PS5 with disc drive are rising significantly across the board. The Digital Edition is increasing to AUD $750 (USD $475) from AUD $650 (USD $412) in Australia. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the PS5 with disc drive is now NZD $950 (USD $558), up from NZD $900. Those new prices go into effect immediately, so hopefully, you did some shopping over the weekend if you wanted a new PS5.

In contrast, Sony is reducing the cost of purchasing the add-on disc drive. Buyers will pay €80 in Europe (down from €120) and £70 in the UK, down from £100.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/playstation/ps5-prices-are-increasing-across-europe-uk-and-australia-123025793.html?src=rss

Laboratory Services Cooperative confirmed suffering a data breach in October 2024An investigation uncovered that the crooks stole sensitive dataThe information has not yet surfaced on the dark web

Laboratory Services Cooperative (LSC), a significant US-based laboratory for healthcare providers, has revealed it suffered a data breach and lost some member information.In a press release published on its, LSC said it identified “suspicious activity” within its network on October 27, 2024. It notified the police and brought in third-party cybersecurity experts to analyze the incident and assess its effects.The investigation concluded in February 2025, and showed that “certain LSC patient and worker-related data might be affected.”

Monitor your credit score with TransUnion starting at $29.95/monthTransUnion is a credit monitoring service that helps you stay on top of your financial health. With real-time alerts, credit score tracking, and identity theft protection, it ensures you never miss important changes. You'll benefit from a customizable online interface with clear insights into your credit profile. Businesses also benefit from TransUnion’s advanced risk assessment tools.Preferred partner (What does this mean?)View Deal

Payment info stolen

According to BleepingComputer, roughly 1.6 million people are affected. The stolen data has not yet leaked online, and no one claimed responsibility just yet.The data stolen varies from case to case, LSC says, adding that it may include contact details (names, addresses, phone numbers, emails), as well as medical and clinical information (date(s) of service, diagnoses, treatment, medical record number, lab results, patient/accession number, provider name, treatment location, and related-care details), health insurance information (plan name, plan type, insurance companies, and member/group ID numbers), and most worrisome - billing claims and payment data.The data could also include claim numbers, billing details, bank account details (bank name, account number, routing number), billing codes, payment card details, balance details, and similar banking and financial information.Furthermore, crooks may have taken people’s Social Security numbers, driver’s license or state ID numbers, passport numbers, dates of birth, demographic data, student ID numbers, and other forms of government identifiers.“For LSC workers, the information involved may also include details about their dependents or beneficiaries if that information was provided to LSC,” the press release reads.LSC acts as a cooperative, meaning it's owned and governed by its member physicians and clinics. The breach mostly affects people who did tests through some Planned Parenthood centers that use LSC for their testing, it was said.

You might also like

Thousands of healthcare records exposed online, including private patient informationTake a look at our guide to the best authenticator appWe've rounded up the best password managers

The Wheel of Time's cast hope that they'll return for a fourth seasonAmazon hasn't renewed the high fantasy series for another installment yetThe Prime Video show's best-rated season indicates that it should be, though

The Wheel of Time's cast aren't sure if Amazon will continue to weave its incredibly dense source material into a fourth season.Speaking to TechRadar before the show's third season began airing in mid-March, Josha Stradowski and Daniel Henney revealed they hadn't heard if the high fantasy series would be renewed again. It's possible, then, that The Wheel of Time's third season could mark the end of the road for Prime Video's TV adaptation.However, Stradowski and Henney, who play Rand al'Thor and Lan Mandragoran, are holding out hope for some good news once the Amazon TV Original's latest chapter ends. And, with season 3's final episode due to be released this Thursday (April 17), there's a chance that a season 4 announcement could be made in the hours or days after its arrival on one of the world's best streaming services."We don't know much," Henney told me when I asked if anyone had informed them about the show's renewal. We're just hopeful and have all of our fingers crossed.

Season 3's trippy fourth episode was the Prime Video Original's best entry yet (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

"Season three is something we're incredibly proud of," Henney continued. "Watching it back, I couldn't be happier with how it turned out. I'm sure Josha will agree that this is The Wheel of Time we set out to make.""Yeah, we're confident [that a fourth season will be greenlit]," Stradowski added."When I was reading the book series, it wasn't until book four [The Shadow Rising, which season three is based on] that I thought 'Wow, okay, now I understand why so many copies have been sold'. I feel like season three is where we found our form, so we've all got our fingers firmly crossed."

May the Light protect you

Poring over the viewership data for season 3 like... (Image credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

It's hard to determine if one of the best Prime Video shows (in my view, anyway) will get a fourth outing.For starters, Amazon rarely reveals official viewing figures for any of its new movies or shows. On the off-chance that it does, it's usually to boast about the millions of people who tuned in to watch the premiere of a new TV Original or the debut of any of the new Prime Video movies it develops in-house.The best information we have from a viewership perspective, then, is from third-party sources, such as audience engagement experts Nielsen. Companies like this are our best bet at understanding how The Wheel of Time season 3 performed, albeit with a couple of caveats.Indeed, Nielsen's weekly viewing figures only take a project's US audience into consideration. Additionally, their data is based around the number of minutes viewed, which can somewhat skew the figures when trying to work out how many people actually watched the show.

The tapestry of Episode 7. pic.twitter.com/g8UBcloijWApril 13, 2025

All of that said, Nielsen hasn't released any numbers for season 3 yet. The audience aggregation firm releases figures one month behind where we're at in the calendar. For example, the latest weekly Top 10 information comprises viewership data for the week running March 10 to 16. At the time of publication (April 14), that's around 30 days ago.With The Wheel of Time's third season not debuting until March 13, it'll be a few more days before we find out how well its three-episode premiere performed. That'll give a clearer picture as to whether a fourth season will be greenlit.There is hope that Amazon's TV retelling of Robert Jordan's best-selling novels will get another installment, though. Based on its Rotten Tomatoes score, season 3 is the highest-rated entry yet, with general audiences (82%) and critics (97%) loving what they've seen. Compared to season 2 (80% and 86%) and season 1 (61% and 81%), this season is by far the best since the show made its debut in August 2021.I was similarly effusive in my praise for this chapter, too. In my review of The Wheel of Time season 3, I called it "a spellbinding return to form for Prime Video's fantasy TV underdog". Based on this season's seven episodes to date, which I really enjoyed, I'd be gutted if it's canceled just as it's starting to get really interesting, too.

You might also like

'There's a reason why we do it': The Wheel of Time showrunner responds to fans who are still upset over the Prime Video show's plot alterationsLearn more about The Rings of Power season 3Or get the lowdown on Invincible season 4