News

Apple lowers iPhone supplies this year, worried about not selling enough

From 100 million to 80 million in demand

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Despite earning numerous accolades for brilliance, the iPhone X fell short on the sales bracket. Even if it was one of the best phones last year, power wasn’t enough to deliver profits.

Cutting their losses, Apple is now preparing for a new slate in 2018. Unlike its usual release schedule, the company is reportedly launching three new iPhones this year. Besides the usual iPhone size, this slate includes a new 6.1-inch and 6.5-inch iPhone. This marks a stark departure for Apple, who conventionally releases phones below six inches.

Besides the size, leaks also indicate that this year’s batch will rock three cameras in one package.

Despite the pioneering design, Apple remains wary with their upcoming demand for the year.

According to reports, Apple has warned its supply chain that it is ordering up to 20 percent fewer parts for 2018’s releases.

Last year, Apple estimated their demand to go up to 100 million units sold. Unfortunately for Apple, 2017 came and went without a bang. With Apple’s new supply plans, their expected demand this year goes down to just 80 million units, at least.

Additionally, Apple also warned its suppliers that the company hopes to launch its OLED models at an earlier date from last year. Besides granting them more time on the shelves, the earlier release date frees the company up to focus more on a future LCD variant.

Based on previous leaks, the unconventional LCD screen will adorn a cheaper 6.1-inch iPhone. According to the same sources, Apple is still struggling with LCD optimization before the unit comes out in the market.

Regardless, 2018 is a strange time for Apple. Coming off a revolutionary but disappointing 2017, the company looks to continue the hype train while remaining wary with projected sales.

SEE ALSO: Apple iPhone X’s camera lens breaks too easily, users report

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iPhone Duo: Price, availability in Singapore

Apple’s first foldable iPhone arrives in Singapore.

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iPhone Duo

Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone market with the iPhone Duo, its first-ever foldable iPhone. It uses a passport-style design that opens into a larger display while retaining a conventional smartphone experience when closed.

Price and availability

The iPhone Duo starts at SGD 3,099 in Singapore for the 256GB model.

Here’s the full Singapore pricing:

  • 256GB — SGD 3,099
  • 512GB — SGD 3,399
  • 1TB — SGD 3,999
  • 2TB — SGD 4,899

The iPhone Duo comes in Star White and Night Sky. Apple will make it available starting October 23.

A foldable design built around two displays

The iPhone Duo has a 5.4-inch outer display when folded and a 7.6-inch main display when opened. Both displays share the same aspect ratio, allowing iOS to transition smoothly between the two orientations.

The rear chassis uses Ceramic Shield, while the front display gets Ceramic Shield 2. The phone is also IP68-rated for dust and water resistance.

Its hinge uses carbon fiber supports and magnets. Apple also designed the camera plateau with a curved edge that flows into the rear chassis.

A20 Pro powers the foldable experience

The iPhone Duo runs on the A20 Pro, the same chip found in the iPhone 18 Pro series. Apple says it delivers 35 percent better sustained performance than the iPhone 17 Pro.

It also comes with the new C2 cellular modem, which provides up to 50 percent faster uploads. The foldable can be used in different configurations, including tent mode and partially folded like a book.

A 48-megapixel camera system

The iPhone Duo gets a 48-megapixel Fusion Main camera alongside a 12-megapixel 2x telephoto camera. A 12-megapixel Center Stage camera handles selfies and video calls.

Apple also places the front camera under the display for a cleaner inner-screen experience.

Battery life that lasts beyond a day

The iPhone Duo offers up to 31 hours of video playback using its inner display and up to 44 hours when using the outer screen.

Charging is also fast. Apple says a 20-minute charge can replenish half the battery, while a five-minute charge can provide up to five hours of video playback.

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Gaming

Kirby and the World Beyond is Kirby’s first open-world game

Kirby and the World Beyond launches in the spring of 2027.

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Apple isn’t the only company doing a “One More Thing” today. In today’s Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled its next major project, Kirby and the World Beyond. To celebrate Kirby’s 35th anniversary next year, the lovable pink blob is getting an open-world game.

In the latest effort to make all of its franchises into open-world games, Nintendo is plopping Kirby into a much larger map. Now, if you’ve seen the trailer, you might have had a pesky thought: “Wow, for an open world game, this one seems… sparse.” After all, Kirby looks like he’s trapped in one small map with King Dedede as the sole boss.

Well, that’s because he is trapped. After an attack sends Kirby cannonballing into the clouds, his squishy exterior busts a literal hole in the sky itself.

Yes, Kirby is in The Truman Show. (Not really, but you get the idea.)

A mystical being appears and gives Kirby a magical sword, which he uses to completely dismantle the fake sky and discover the world beyond. The trailer conveniently cuts off as Kirby begins to explore this whole new world, but we’re beyond excited.

After the hero entered the 3D space in Forgotten Land, Kirby and the World Beyond takes the next step and gives the protagonist a much more massive playground to eat and fight. If Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, and Donkey Kong Bananza are any indication, this should be a worthy addition to your Switch collection.

Kirby and the World Beyond drops on the Switch 2 sometime in the spring of 2027.

SEE ALSO: Metroid finally returns to its 2D roots in new Metroid Ravenous

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Metroid finally returns to its 2D roots in new Metroid Ravenous

The new 2D side-scroller comes out next year.

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Metroid, the iconic franchise that lent its name to the Metroidvania genre, is finally coming back to its 2D roots. In the latest Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled the series’ latest 2D outing, Metroid Ravenous.

Sapped from her energy, Samus finds herself trapped underground by a group of mysterious kasa-touting beings. She must struggle against treacherous enemies and puzzles in a quest to emerge once again on the surface and face her foes.

But she won’t be powerless. She will have energy-sapping abilities of her own. The trailer even has her pick several creatures and seemingly drain them of their energy. Since this is a classic Metroidvania, this might be how Samus gets abilities to get her across the map.

It’s a unique take on the formula that will surely provide its fair share of epic moments, if the trailer can be believed.

Beyond that, the trailer reveals little more. Thankfully, the wait won’t be long. Metroid Ravenous will be available on the Switch 2 starting January 28.

In the meantime, Metroid Dread is still available on the original Switch and the Switch 2. The Switch 2 version even maximizes the console’s mouse mode.

SEE ALSO: Here’s a list of big games coming to the Switch 2

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