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iPhone 12 camera module can’t be easily replaced

Requires an Apple-exclusive tool

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iPhone 12

While reviewing the repairability of the iPhone 12, iFixit — known for DIY iPhone fixes — found that when the camera module is transferred to another iPhone 12, it becomes entirely unusable. According to the report, Apple could be trying to make clamp down on third-party repairs.

Furthermore, an internal training guide from Apple suggests that this isn’t a hardware defect. Rather, it’s a software change that could be intentional in nature. It adds that authorized personnel can leverage Apple’s proprietary cloud-linked System Configuration app for the camera as well as display.

The team at iFixit tried to use the camera module on a different iPhone 12 and while it worked initially, practical usage was “miserable”. The camera starts lagging, finds trouble shifting to a wide-angle lens, and often becomes unresponsive completely.

Thankfully, the issue is exclusive to iPhone 12 right now and the elder sibling, the iPhone 12 Pro, works flawlessly after a swap. Considering the issue is exclusive to one model, it’s possible that the issue is unintentional and the company could roll-out an update with a fix. However, the revelation doesn’t help Apple’s long battle against self repairing.

The iPhone 12 launched alongside the iPhone 12 Pro in mid October. A smaller version that carries the same internals — the iPhone 12 Mini — is coming on November 13.

Watch our iPhone 12 Review

News

HUAWEI Pura X View is 2026’s first WIDE slab-type smartphone

2026’s first non-foldable WIDE smartphone makes its surprising debut

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

It seems like the WIDE smartphone craze is getting out of hand.

Surprise, surprise! Out of nowhere, HUAWEI reveals the Pura X View — 2026’s first WIDE smartphone that does not fold at all.

Tied to WIDE

With the massive success of HUAWEI’s Pura X Max as well as the newly-released Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8, it’s hard to ignore the sudden trend behind WIDE smartphones. Let alone, Apple’s much-awaited iPhone foldable (dubbed the “iPhone Ultra”) will be announced in less than a month.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Opposed to the usual tall and narrow form factor, the Pura X View comes in a wider body with a 16:9.5 aspect ratio. Display bezels are extremely narrow too at just 1.09mm and StB (Screen-to-Body) ratio reaches a whopping 96.1%.

This wider than usual body means better ergonomics with better content consumption — from images, books, documents, all the way to movies and shows, as well as games.

While it has a smaller 6.39-inch display, the Chinese electronics giant says it has greater content area compared to 6.9-inch flagship smartphones.

Other display feats include a 2160Hz PWM Dimming, resolution of 2232 × 1320, and max brightness of up to 6500 nits.

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Despite all these, HUAWEI still managed to put a monstrous 7000mAh battery capacity inside its super slender 6.68mm chassis — which also happens to be lightweight at only 201 grams.

Unfortunately, at the time of this writing, HUAWEI did not reveal every bit of spec on their website.

Pricing and Availability

The HUAWEI Pura X View comes in four colorways: Illusion Dark Night, Zero-degree White, Leap Shadow Red, and Linen Ash.

It’s currently open for pre-orders in China alongside three configurations:

  • 12+256GB
  • 12+512GB
  • 12+1TB

Just like its unrevealed specifications, HUAWEI did not reveal the exact pricing of the Pura X View.

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Samsung might launch the Galaxy S26 FE next week

A new event is hinting at the smartphone’s debut.

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It wasn’t too long ago when Samsung launched the new Galaxy Fold and Flip series. Historically, the brand is done for the year after two major Galaxy Unpacked events. However, if you’re still hankering for a few more morsels of Galaxy devices, Samsung is hosting another event next week, which might mean the debut of the Galaxy S26 FE.

This week, Samsung has just released an official invite for a Galaxy Event on August 27. The invite itself looks like a tray with two glasses of matcha and a coaster in between them. It’s visually similar to a modest camera setup, hinting at a new smartphone coming during the event.

Because Samsung has already filled its usual quota of flagships and foldables, it’s highly likely that the event is meant for the Galaxy S26 FE. The Galaxy FE series is Samsung’s way of extending the life cycle of the current generation of Galaxy phones, while also catering to another segment of the market.

As for what the Galaxy S26 FE might hold, it looks like AI might be a prime focus. Samsung confirms that the invite graphic has AI-generated images. The text accompanying the graphic also indicates that AI will be a part of the event.

It’s only a week left before the August 27 event, so we’ll get to know more about everything soon.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Review

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Gaming

Leaked Grand Theft Auto VI footage surfaces online

The leakers says they are protesting the game’s lack of a physical release.

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We’re nearing the dreaded date that all game publishers are rightfully fearing: the launch of Grand Theft Auto VI. Since we’re so near, it’s only right that Rockstar Games starts teasing their upcoming game, which is officially happening later this month via a special presentation on Netflix. However, ahead of that highly anticipated date, a leaker has apparently leaked the footage in protest of the game’s lack of a physical release.

Let’s parse that out piecemeal. First up, Rockstar Games is scheduled to release an extended first look at Grand Theft Auto VI through Netflix on August 27. If you don’t have the platform, the publisher will release the same footage on more public outlets six hours later. The footage will represent our biggest peek at the game after months of relative silence.

Secondly, a leaker has released the said footage ahead of time. Now, this isn’t the first time that a major leak spoiled details about the game. Previously, a leak was the first to reveal that the sixth entry in the series is getting two playable protagonists.

Third, the why: The leaker says that they will continue to reveal more information about the game to protest the game’s lack of a physical release. Like new PlayStation games next year, Rockstar Games does not plan to release a disc version of the game.

The footage itself

And, finally, the leak itself. Rockstar Games is currently issuing DMCA notices against anyone posting the leaked footage. It lends credence to the authenticity of the footage but also ensures that we can’t post the leaks themselves.

If anything, there are two reportedly legitimate clips, while others were seemingly generated with AI. The first clip has Jason, one of the two protagonists, playing basketball in his hideout, which gives him a stat boost. The clip confirms the return of minigames you can play in between missions.

The second clip sees Jason fight with a truck driver after a traffic incident. He kills the driver with a wrench, which earns him a two-star wanted level and summons a police chase as the series often does.

There’s not much to glean from these two short clips. In fact, it’s hard to say whether this footage represents the final release or something left over from previous leaks. Thankfully, Rockstar Games is releasing the official extended look soon on August 27.

After that, Grand Theft Auto VI launches on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19.

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