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Apple debuts iPhone Air: Pro performance in slim design

Most power-efficient iPhone ever made

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Apple has officially debuted the iPhone Air, its thinnest iPhone ever that delivers the same pro-level performance.

It was launched alongside Apple’s latest iPhones, the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.

Rather than just a replacement for the “Plus” model in between the base and Pro variants, the iPhone Air is standalone model that marks the start of a new era.

Price wise, it sits right between the base model and the Pro models. But the iPhone Air delivers the same performance expected from such flagship device — or perhaps even better.

Breakthrough design

The phone features a grade 5 titanium design to pave the way for a strong and durable yet lightweight form factor at just 5.6mm thin.

It is also reinforced by Ceramic Shield 2 in front and Ceramic Shield at the back. In front is a 6.5-inch 120Hz Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion, 3,000 nits peak brightness, and Always-On Display capability.

Meanwhile, the plateau at the back is not just a camera bump; it houses some of the major components of the device, also helping the iPhone Air retain its thinness.

Adding to its incredibly thin and light build is the iPhone Air being only eSIM compatible.

Most power-efficient iPhone ever made

Complementing the unique design is the fact that the iPhone Air is power-packed with features. It is powered by high-performance A19 Pro, N1, and C1X chips, making it the most power-efficient iPhone ever made.

The efficient A19 Pro chip with a 6-core CPU and 5-core GPU improves performance and efficiency for everyday tasks. In particular, the GPU has an upgraded architecture to deliver next-level mobile gaming.

The neural accelerators inside the iPhone Air also can also reach up to three times the peak compute of the A18 Pro chip. Apple said that’s MacBook Pro-levels of compute on a handset, making the Air perfect for GPU-intensive workloads.

Moreover, the new Apple-designed N1 wireless networking chip enables Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and Thread. This also improves the performance and reliability of features like Personal Hotspot and Airdrop.

Furthermore, the C1X cellular modem uses 30% less energy but is even faster than the C1 modem found on the iPhone 16 models.

As for its battery life, the iPhone Air promises all-day use. It also comes with Adaptive Power Mode in iOS 26.

iPhone Air cameras

As for its cameras, the iPhone Air likewise has a 48MP Fusion Camera System with 12MP 2x Telephoto integration.

And with a large f/1.6 aperture, the rear camera also excels in challenging conditions, such as low light or at night.

In front is an 18MP Center Stage front camera that is the same across the iPhone 17 series. This front camera also enables ultra-stabilized video at up to 4K HDR.

iPhone Air accessories

Launched alongside the iPhone Air are accessories tailor-made for it, including two new cases.

The first is an ultra-thin translucent iPhone Air Case with MagSafe. The other is an iPhone Air bumper which matches the available colors of the new device.

Furthermore, there is a Crossbody Strap with embedded flexible magnets and stainless steel sliding mechanisms. This comes in 10 different colors.

Lastly, there is an iPhone Air MagSafe Battery that seamlessly attaches to the back of the device. This quickly charges the phone when its battery is low. When used together, users can get up to 40 hours of video playback.

iPhone Air price, availability

The iPhone Air starts at US$ 999 and is available in three storage configurations: 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB. Available colors are Space Black, Cloud White, Light Gold, and Sky Blue.

Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 12 with general availability starting September 19th.

News

Apple reportedly gives up on the Vision Pro

But Apple will continue to sell the current model.

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When they unveiled the Vision Pro in 2023, Apple touted the wearable as the next big thing after the iPhone. Now, almost three years removed from the launch, the Vision Pro hasn’t really taken over the coveted spot occupied by the iPhone. Apple, according to a report, is allegedly canning the short-lived wearable.

According to MacRumors, Apple has reportedly given up on making the Vision Pro a thing. The team handling the wearable has supposedly been subsumed by other teams within Apple.

If true, the wearable’s end is unfortunate but not surprising. Despite being out for years, the Vision Pro has sold only a little more than half a million units with numerous returns from customers. Most recently, Apple updated the wearable with the M5 chip, but the move hasn’t revitalized the device’s status in Apple’s lineup.

Most of the complaints about the device stem from its exorbitant price or its cumbersome battery pack. Besides costing a whopping US$ 3,499, the Vision Pro is also difficult to move around with, especially because of its total weight and a battery pack that can get in the way.

To be clear, Apple has not officially discontinued the Vision Pro yet. The company continues to sell the version with the M5 chip. Apple can also restart development in the future.

However, the meantime retirement on future development does coincide with the recent restructuring inside the company. Tim Cook recently decided to step down as CEO with John Ternus as his replacement. Canning the Vision Pro might be Ternus’ first step in redefining Apple according to his plans.

SEE ALSO: Apple Vision Pro gets M5 chip upgrade

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Apps

YouTube makes picture-in-picture mode free for everyone globally

The update is rolling out globally now.

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Picture-in-picture (or PiP) mode is a godsend for multitaskers. The feature lets users watch videos in a tiny floating window while doing other tasks. However, the feature isn’t readily available for all users. Or wasn’t, at least. YouTube is now rolling out PiP mode for free globally.

Previously, PiP mode was exclusive to YouTube users who pay for Premium or Premium Lite. It was also exclusive to the United States.

Now, YouTube is making the feature completely free for users all over the globe. It will be available for both iOS and Android versions of the app.

There’s still a catch, though. The free version is available only for “longform, non-music content.” The same goes for Premium Lite subscribers. Music is still an exclusive feature for those who pay for the regular version of Premium. Basically, there is no change for paying users or users in the United States.

Using PiP mode is simple. All you need to do is load up a video you want to watch in the background. Then, just exit the YouTube app and go about your other tasks. The video will be inside a floating, resizable window while you look at other things.

There’s no timeline on when the update will reach your device. However, YouTube has promised that it will roll out globally within the coming months.

SEE ALSO: YouTube remains top PH video platform; advertisers urged to continue investing

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Enterprise

OnePlus has reportedly merged with realme

Both brands were previously rumored for restructuring early this year.

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OnePlus 13

OnePlus has a problem. For a while now, rumors have swirled about the company’s dissolution. For their part, the company has continued to deny the reports, citing business as usual. Likely to their dismay, the reports just keep coming. Today, sources have hinted that OnePlus has merged with realme.

Back in January, it was rumored that OnePlus would be closing up shop this year. Since the company very quickly denied the rumors, the report hardly made waves. However, a suspected merger with realme is more difficult to debunk.

For one, realme is itself in a very interesting position. Also back in January, realme was reportedly moving back into being a sub-brand of OPPO. Coupled together with the OnePlus debacle, all this internal restructuring seems par for the course.

According to Digital Chat Station on Weibo, OnePlus and realme have already concluded the merger. The two brands have reportedly united their Chinese and international operations under one roof. Likewise, their marketing will be the same. Pete Lau will still be the main head for this new division.

As with anything of this nature, take this with a grain of salt. OPPO, OnePlus, and realme have not issued any official statements concerning a merger or a shutdown for any brand.

SEE ALSO: realme is reportedly going back to being an OPPO sub-brand

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