News
Apple users take longer to upgrade than before
Four years now, rather than three
Last year, Apple’s performance drastically fell. People cared less about the latest iPhones. After the new year, the company fell behind Samsung and Huawei in the sales column. Now, Apple is facing a mountain to climb if it wants to regain its old dominance.
However, a new analytics report does not bode well for the iPhone maker. According to Bernstein analyst Toni Sacconaghi, Apple users are taking longer to upgrade their phones: four years, up from last year’s three.
The report also notes a marked 19 percent decrease in units sold this year. Because of the longer upgrade cycle, Sacconaghi expects only 16 percent of current iPhone users to buy new ones this year.
During Apple’s heyday, fans usually came in droves to line up for the next iPhone. Who doesn’t remember the gargantuan lines on launch day? Diehard fans usually wanted new iPhones as soon as they came out. Now, the story is changing. People are hanging on for much longer.
Apple’s head honcho has noticed the trend as well. In last month’s investor’s note, Tim Cook blamed the newly implemented battery replacement program. Because of 2017’s planned obsolescence controversy, Apple created a new replacement program, allowing for a longer iPhone life cycle. As a result, the company is now feeling the controversy’s huge fallout.
Of course, the battery replacement program is just one piece of the puzzle. Sacconaghi reveals the most obvious culprit: Apple’s exorbitant pricing scheme. As mentioned last year, Apple glorified their pricing, citing it as a key to victory. Unfortunately, an increase in returns per unit also results in fewer units sold.
Now, with the current upgrade cycle, iPhone 6 users will likely upgrade this year. iPhone X newcomers, however, will likely skip out on Apple’s newest launches this time around.
Xiaomi maintains its great value proposition with its tablet offerings. In 2023, it was the Xiaomi Pad 6. This time, in 2024, it’s the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4.
Price and availability
The tablet will be available in two variants and are priced as follows:
- 12+512GB — PhP 39,999
- 8+256GB — PhP 33,999
It comes in classic Black and White colors.
Meanwhile, the accessories are priced as follows:
- Focus Pen — PhP 3,499
- Touchpad Keyboard — PhP 6,499
Discounted from May 3 to 9
Naturally, these will be available at special slashed prices from May 3 to 9 on the Shopee exclusive online sale.
- 12+512GB — PhP 37,199
- 8+256GB — PhP 31,199
Buyers will get free Redmi Buds 4 Active (valued at Php 999) for every checkout of the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro.
Unboxing the tablet and its accessories
Like the tablet that preceded it, the 6S Pro came with a generous accompaniment of accessories. Other than the tablet itself, there’s the Cover, Touchpad Keyboard, and the Focus Pen.
Watch the unboxing below.
@gadgetmatch This is our favorite Android tablet right now! #XiaomiPad6SPro #Xiaomi
Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 specs
- Display — 12.4” 144Hz 3K display, supports Dolby Vision
- Processor — Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Battery — 10,000mAh, 120W HyperCharge
- RAM and Storage — 8GB+256GB / 12GB+512GB
- OS — Xiaomi HyperOS
- Cameras — 50MP main (4K, 60 FPS video), 2MP depth, 32MP front (1080p, 30 FPS video)
- Connectivity — USB 3.2 Gen 1, Bluetooth 5.3, WiFi 7
- Audio — Six (6) speakers, support for Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res, Hi-Res wireless
Here’s a quick excerpt from our review:
“The Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 has a mouthful of a name with a feature set that’s just as packed. It’s a device made for many purposes. It’s both a workmate, a creative companion, and a relaxation buddy.”
Huawei’s P Series is now Pura. The company says the rebrand represents a new chapter. But the Pura essentially is the same lineage as the P Series — expert mobile photography and fashion forward. Now, the Huawei Pura 70 Series has been confirmed to come to the Philippines.
The Huawei Pura 70 series has three phones: the Huawei Pura 70, Huawei Pura 70 Pro, and Huawei Pura 70 Ultra. Pricing are as follows
The Huawei Pura 70 (12GB+256GB) is priced at PhP 47,999. It comes in Black, White, and Pink. Meanwhile, the Huawei Pura 70 Pro (12GB+512GB) retails for PhP 59,999 which comes in Black and White. Last and surely not the least is the Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (16GB+512GB) that comes in Black and Green. This one retails for PhP 79,999.
Pre-orders are live as of May 2, 2024. Every pre-order comes with the following:
- Mystery Gifts Worth PhP 17998
- 1-year Accidental Damage Protection Worth PhP 3999
- Deposit PhP 1000 Get PhP 3000 Token
The Pura 70 Ultra will come with an Inbox Magnetic case while the other two models have a Magnetic Case Worth PhP 1999.
Huawei Pura 70 Series
The Huawei Pura 70 Series is a reinvention of Huawei’s camera-toting lineup. The new smartphones again promise huge improvements to the world of smarthpone photography.
The series is equipped with a new generation of Ultra Lighting camera system. Combined with the industry’s first HUAWEI XD Motion Engine, it can activate the Ultra Speed Snapshot feature and easily capture fast moments.
The Huawei Pura 70 Ultra also equipped with the industry’s first Ultra Lighting Pop-out Camera. It’s an original retractable camera structure; achieving a thin one-inch image sensor and a large aperture in a compact body, bringing a revolutionary imaging system.
Both HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro and HUAWEI Pura 70 Ultra feature the new Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera. It promises to produce clear images from distant buildings to close details. Thanks to its periscope telephoto aperture of F2.1, it offers superb light-gathering ability and better telephoto image quality, achieving full focal HD photography across the entire focal length.
SEE ALSO:
Huawei Pura 70 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions
GadgetSnaps: Huawei Pura 70 Pro in Shenzhen
The pandemic turned facemasks into a fashion trend. While most brands fought over who could present the most stylish way to protect yourself from the virus, tech companies rushed to pack the most features into a light wearable. Because the pandemic introduced health risks that the world barely understood, most of these products aren’t the safest around. Now, years after introducing its RGB-infused mask, Razer finds itself in trouble over disproven claims.
In 2021, Razer introduced the Zephyr. It was cyberpunk-looking facemask that supposedly carried N95 filters. Over the years, the company failed to have its claims certified. What’s worse, critics analyzed the product and found that the filters did not, in fact, keep 95 percent of particles away. (That’s why an N95 mask is named as such.)
Today, the Federal Trade Commission is asking over US$ 1.1 million in refunds to customers who purchased a Zephyr in the past. According to the proposal, Razer misled consumers by claiming the mask had N95 filters. The company also never submitted the product for testing. Though Razer eventually removed the claims, it wasn’t enough.
Additionally, the proposal is seeking US$ 100,000 in damages and a ban on Razer from selling and marketing any further health-inspired products in the future.
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