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Apple deliberately slows down older iPhones because of battery issues

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Apple finally confirmed what most people have been saying when new updates are pushed to older iPhones.

For a few months now, iPhone owners discovered that benchmark scores of their units fall as they get older. There’s talk that started on Reddit and thanks to Geekbench’s data, they where able to connect the dots. To their surprise, older iPhones become faster after the battery is replaced. How can that be?

With all the conspiracies floating around, Apple finally gave an answer through Business Insider through a representative:

Our goal is to deliver the best experience for customers, which includes overall performance and prolonging the life of their devices. Lithium-ion batteries become less capable of supplying peak current demands when in cold conditions, have a low battery charge or as they age over time, which can result in the device unexpectedly shutting down to protect its electronic components.

Last year we released a feature for iPhone 6, iPhone 6S and iPhone SE to smooth out the instantaneous peaks only when needed to prevent the device from unexpectedly shutting down during these conditions. We’ve now extended that feature to iPhone 7 with iOS 11.2, and plan to add support for other products in the future.

It turns out that Apple is limiting the iPhone’s processor on purpose. It’s a feature rather than a bug designed to help prevent old iPhones from shutting down abruptly. The reason? Old batteries.

Apple reasons that if an iPhone draws more power than what the battery can handle, it’ll suddenly shut down, which could also explain why your good old iPhone from three years ago simply gives up sometimes. To solve this, iOS controls how much power an old phone with an aging battery can use to perform functions.

This debunks (for now) the popular belief that Apple is deliberately slowing down older iPhones to encourage customers to buy new models, especially when there’s a new one coming out.

Apple is happy about their fix and they’ll soon roll it out to other products soon.

If you happen to have an iPhone that’s already three years old, you might want to check the battery’s health. Rechargeable batteries have a limited lifespan, so replacement is an option.

SEE ALSO: Chinese woman returned her iPhone X for faulty Face ID

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News

Smart announces postpaid offers for Samsung Galaxy Z8 series

Pre-order now for exclusive perks

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The newly-launched Samsung Galaxy Z8 series is now available via Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity. Pre-orders for Samsung’s latest foldables are available from July 22 to August 13.

Pre-ordering will allow customers to get exclusive storage upgrades, trade-in savings, and flexible payment options. Plus, they can get three months of complimentary Samsung Care+.

Moreover, customers can maximize their devices with Smart’s All-New Postpaid Plans+, which come with UNLI App Bundles, UNLI 5G for 12 months (in select areas), Open-Access Data, and high priority on the Smart network.

Galaxy Z8 Series

With Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1999, subscribers can get the following devices through straight payment or 24-month, zero-interest installment using participating credit cards (Metrobank, Security Bank, BPI, UnionBank, HSBC, and RCBC):

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra (512GB): PhP P101,600 or PhP 5,021/month
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 (512GB): PhP 91,100 or PhP 4,500/month
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8 (512GB): PhP 65,100 or PhP 3,217/month

Customers can pre-order the latest Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series via smart.com.ph/galaxypreorder or at the nearest Smart Store.

In addition, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series is also available through Infinity Plan 5000 and Infinity Plan 8000.

These packages come with unlimited data, calls, and texts, roaming-ready connectivity, and exclusive Infinity privileges. 

Through the Samsung Trade-In Program, customers can also reserve their preferred Galaxy Z8 Series device and complete their trade-in at participating stores once the devices officially launch.

Eligible smartphones can be traded in for up to PhP 14,000 off.

New Samsung Galaxy Watches also available

Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Lastly, Smart Postpaid and Smart Infinity are offering the new Samsung Galaxy Watch9 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2.

Compatible smartwatch users can also add on Smart Device Link, which enables their smartwatch and phone to share one mobile number and plan inclusions.

First-time subscribers can enjoy the service free for six months, when they activate until September 30.

With the Smart Postpaid Plans, subscribers can save up to 20% compared with the suggested retail price when they bundle a Samsung Galaxy Watch with their new Samsung Galaxy Z8 Series device.

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Entertainment

Resident Evil movie reboot finally gets a scary trailer

Can you spot the Easter eggs for longtime fans?

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After briefly losing its way in the middling fifth and sixth entries, the Resident Evil series rediscovered its way back to the survival horror genre with the seventh entry onwards. However, the series doesn’t have the best reputation in Hollywood with its lackluster reviews. Now, the Hollywood series wants to right the ship with the upcoming reboot, simply titled Resident Evil.

Much like the gaming franchise’s renaissance, the upcoming film heads to the survival horror genre with a frightful caper. Medical courier Bryan (Austin Abrams) is tasked with delivering a vital organ to somewhere outside Raccoon City. Along the way, he runs over a rabid woman, who just disappears when he steps out to check.

Forced to seek help at a nearby shack, he finds himself in a struggle for survival when he discovers monstrous beings lurking around. It gets worse when he returns to the city and finds it overrun with the zombie outbreak.

The trailer has a few Easter eggs, including a typewriter, one of the most traditional ways that the game series uses to save games. Director Zach Cregger (Weapons) promises that the movie itself will have more Easter eggs for longtime fans of the series.

Resident Evil will premiere in theaters on September 18.

SEE ALSO: Resident Evil Veronica announced for 2027 release

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News

Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Watch9: Price, availability in the Philippines

Prices start at PHP 24,990

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Galaxy Watch9, Galaxy Watch Ultra2

Samsung has officially launched the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 and Galaxy Watch9 in the Philippines alongside the new Galaxy Z8 Series.

The new wearables expand Samsung’s smartwatch lineup with upgraded health tracking, AI-powered wellness features, and faster performance. The Galaxy Watch9 is designed for everyday health and fitness, while the Galaxy Watch Ultra2 caters to users looking for a more rugged smartwatch for outdoor adventures.

Here’s how much they cost in the Philippines.

Pricing

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

  • PHP 44,990

Galaxy Watch9

  • 40mm — PHP 22,990
  • 46mm — PHP 24,990

Availability

Pre-orders begin on July 23 through Samsung Philippines and authorized retailers. Both smartwatches will be offered in multiple color options depending on the model. 

Pre-order offers

Customers who pre-order either smartwatch can enjoy several launch offers, including:

  • Up to 15% off
  • Up to 36 months of 0% installment plans with participating banks
  • Up to 50% off through eligible trade-ins
  • Up to 36% off Samsung Care+ device protection 

Galaxy Watch9

The Galaxy Watch9 is Samsung’s latest everyday smartwatch. It features the company’s newest health and wellness platform with AI-powered insights, comprehensive health tracking, and everyday activity monitoring.

Powering the experience is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Wear Elite platform, which promises faster performance while supporting Samsung’s latest wellness features. The watch is available in 40mm and 46mm sizes.

Galaxy Watch Ultra2

The Galaxy Watch Ultra2 builds on Samsung’s premium outdoor smartwatch with a durable titanium construction, improved comfort, and new sport tracking modes such as Trail Run and Diving.

Like the Galaxy Watch9, it runs on the Snapdragon Wear Elite platform and supports Samsung’s latest AI-powered health and wellness tools. 

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