Smartphones
How to identify a safe Samsung Galaxy Note 7
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 exchange program for potentially dangerous phones is currently underway in the U.S., Europe, and the Philippines, among other countries. Early reports are encouraging for the South Korean electronics giant, with estimates that, around the world, over one million customers are now using new and safe Note 7 units.
We’ve covered the to-dos of the replacement process, as well as gave context to why the explosions have occurred. But we haven’t drilled down to tell you how to identify whether a brand-new Galaxy Note 7 unit is at risk. (As a rule, if you bought your device prior to the recall, then you probably have to return it; if it is no longer charging to full, or if you constantly see a notification telling you to return your phone as soon as possible, then do so.)
So how do you know if a Note 7 is safe or in need of returning to a store or a Samsung service location?
There are three ways, either one will suffice. But just to err on the side of caution, we recommend ticking all three boxes, especially since boxes can easily be altered and changing the color of system icons can be done by installing third-party software.
- Boxes of safe units have a black dot on them. Check out the image below to get an idea of what that black dot looks like.
New Galaxy Note 7s also have a green battery icon on their status bar and on their always-on and power-off screens.
Finally, you can run the IMEI or serial number against Samsung’s database. Do note that each country has their own IMEI checker (those who live in the U.S. should use this site, for example; users in the Philippines should proceed here instead). You can find a Note 7’s IMEI number on the retail packaging, by looking at the bottom part of the device’s rear panel, by going to Settings > About Device > Status and tapping IMEI Information, or by launching the phone’s dialer and keying in *#06#.
[irp posts=”9847″ name=”Samsung earned record profits despite Note 7 recall”]
Lifestyle
What a day at Masungi GeoReserve taught me about a smartphone’s durability
Captured through the lens of the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G!
Xiaomi Philippines brought the Redmi Note 15 Series to Masungi GeoReserve to see how it holds up when the terrain is uneven.
Through the REDMI Titan Quest, we were brought into limestone paths and forest trails where dust settles fast and footing rarely stays predictable.
The day started with uneven ground beneath my feet and a phone that stayed out of my pocket. At Masungi GeoReserve, there was no reason to baby anything.
I spent the morning hiking and climbing, stopping only when something felt worth capturing using the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ 5G.
Wide frames captured the scale of Masungi’s rock formations and open viewpoints.
Closer shots focused on textures, stone, and other details along the path. The 200-megapixel AI-powered camera system made it easy to move between 1x and 4x focal ranges as the light shifted throughout the day.
Power also never became a concern. With a 6,500mAh battery and 100W HyperCharge technology, the REDMI Note 15 Pro+ 5G kept up through hours of being outdoors.
Really ‘Titan Tough’
Durability showed itself early. Dirt clung to the device, and there were small knocks along the way that felt normal for a trail like this. Nothing cracked, of course.
A Titan Tough Durability Station later reinforced what the hike already proved; that dust and water resistance, and drop protection matter most in activities like this.
Designed for days like this, the REDMI Titan Structure, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and fiberglass back panels create a phone that feels ready for impact.
The Pro+ variant I’ve been carrying also supports drop resistance of up to 2.5 meters, which feels reassuring.
The Titan Quest builds on earlier REDMI Titan Lab durability tests, where toughness was measured under controlled conditions. On the trail, those results felt tangible.
Availability
The REDMI Note 15 Series is available through Xiaomi’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada. Select models come with bundled accessories, gift sets, and digital perks such as three months of Spotify Premium and a three-month 100 GB cloud storage plan.
The series includes Xiaomi Philippines’ No. 1 protection package, covering a four-year battery warranty, two-year liquid damage and exterior protection, and a two-year standard warranty.
News
Apple is reportedly considering a clamshell iPhone
They will likely wait if the first foldable will be popular.
Apple’s current foldable strategy is just one guy going “wouldn’t it be nice if we had a foldable phone” and everyone else nodding along. For years, Apple has constantly teased the development of its own entry into the market but failing to produce anything other than rumors. Now, while we’re still missing the mythical foldable, the company is reportedly considering a second foldable already: a clamshell iPhone.
Currently, all the previous rumors pointed to a traditional book-style foldable phone from Apple. The forecast says that the device might finally launch this year, but they do say that every year. In the meantime, according to Bloomberg, a clamshell version is already “under consideration.”
It hardly needs reminding that “under consideration” doesn’t mean anything other than “it might happen.” In contrast, the traditional foldable is probably in a “we’re just making sure everything is perfect” phase.
According to Bloomberg, Apple is likely evaluating whether there is enough demand for the first foldable. If, as the company predicts, it takes off, the company will want to capitalize on the hype immediately.
There’s a lot of expectations riding on Apple’s mythical foldable. Sometimes, it even feels like the unreleased phone has reached a point where it can’t possibly meet everyone’s standards. But, at the very least, we hope it does launch this year.
SEE ALSO: An analyst has revealed the iPhone Fold’s price, and it’s insane
Last year, Nothing offered a worthy alternative to the usual flagship brands. Though the Phone (3) edged closer and closer to flagship-level prices, the smartphone is still a decent performer through and through. This year, however, a Phone (4) is not in the works.
Through a new YouTube video, Nothing’s Carl Pei has confirmed that the brand will not release a Phone (4) this year. The Phone (3) will still be the brand’s flagship option throughout 2026.
Pei did not reveal any explicit reason why they couldn’t make a new flagship this year. However, he does say that he wants every upgrade to be meaningful.
Despite the lack of a flagship, Nothing’s work will continue through the (a) series. The brand will release the new Phone (4a), for which Pei is promising a revolution. He says that there will be significant upgrades which will push the series closer to a flagship-like experience. It will also have new designs.
Unfortunately, the new phone might not come cheap. Along with the phone’s announcement, Pei confirmed that prices might increase this year, as a response to spiking RAM prices. It’s unclear how much it’s changing, though.
At the very least, the (a) series is usually priced competitively. However, if the increases affect the entire lineup, the flagship’s prices might go up to even more concerning levels.
SEE ALSO: Nothing will no longer lock screen ads on the Phone (3a) series
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