News
iPhone XR takes the spot for best-selling smartphone of 2019
A lot of people are really into iPhones
Canalys’ latest sales figure for 2019 is surely a piece of good news for Apple. Last year, iPhone XR took the no. 1 spot for the best-selling smartphone globally, beating all other smartphones by a wide margin.
Apple’s recent pricing strategy has worked in favor of the company. Their 2018 “budget” smartphone — iPhone XR — lead the pack among the company’s best-seller. With the company lowering the price even further than 2019’s iPhone 11, many people were attracted by the prospect of owning an iPhone.
The iPhone 11 also did well, securing the top two in the global top 10 smartphones for 2019. Furthermore, the device crushed its competitors by a wide margin in the global top 10 smartphones for Q4 2019.
The lowered price of Apple’s smartphone helped the company sell their products even if they were released a long time ago. For example, 2017’s iPhone 8 grabbed the 7th spot for the whole of 2019, and the 5th spot for Q4 2019. Interestingly, iPhone 7 placed 9th for 2019 even if Apple phased it out a long time ago.
Apple’s flagship device — iPhone 11 Pro — didn’t make it to the list for the whole 2019. Still, it placed 3rd for the list of Q4 2019.
Samsung’s budget devices lead the pack for Android devices
Meanwhile, the best-selling Android smartphone globally for 2019 was Samsung Galaxy A10. This is unsurprising, given the marketing and specs poured on this entry-level device. Overall, the device landed the third spot for the best-selling smartphone globally. Its improved variant, the Galaxy A10s, landed the 7th spot for the best-selling smartphone last Q4 2019.
Other Galaxy devices made the cut for the best-selling smartphone too. Galaxy A50 and A20 took the 4th and 5th spots, respectively. These mid-range devices pack great specs for a decent price, making them a favorite among people with a limited budget.
Then, there’s the flagship Galaxy S10+, which finished last in the global best-selling smartphones for 2019.
Meanwhile, both the Galaxy A20s and A30s sold well during the last Q4 2019, taking the 8th and 9th spots, respectively. Clearly, Samsung’s decision to revamp its A-series worked well for the company facing serious competition against Chinese manufacturers.
Xiaomi makes a dent
The only Chinese manufacturer to make a dent in the global best-selling smartphones for 2019 was Xiaomi. Only one of its devices sold well for the whole of 2019. Redmi Note 7 made it to the 6th spot, which is a testament to the device’s popularity.
Xiaomi’s follow-up to the Redmi Note 7 — Redmi Note 8 — didn’t make it to the global best-selling smartphone for 2019. However, the device had a much better standing for Q4 2019, grabbing the 6th spot. Its bigger brother — Redmi Note 8 Pro — snatched the 10th spot last Q4 2019.
Dominated by trio
Overall, the list of global best-selling smartphone was dominated by three companies. Only Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi managed to grab a spot for the top 10 best-selling smartphones. One company noticeably absent from the list is Huawei. This is not surprising given the effect of the continuing US trade ban impacting the sales of Huawei smartphones.
Other companies like OPPO, Vivo, and OnePlus were absent from the list. Only time will tell if one of their devices could make the cut in future list for the top 10 best-selling smartphone worldwide.
Gaming
Leaked Grand Theft Auto VI footage surfaces online
The leakers says they are protesting the game’s lack of a physical release.
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.
Accessories
Apple is working on AirPods with built-in cameras
References to the wearable were spotted inside a new macOS beta.
The launch of operating system betas is a cause of celebration for those digging into what’s next for a brand. No other company does that better than Apple. Today, Apple released a new release candidate for macOS Tahoe 26.7. As expected, the release has a treasure trove of references to unreleased devices, including a new type of AirPods with built-in cameras.
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. The references include a slew of unreleased iPads, Macs, and HomePods. Since these devices are already expected to come out, they’re hardly worth nothing. This includes the iPhone 18 series. If anything, the references confirm the iPhone Ultra, the rumored entry into the foldable market, but that’s it.
Now, the more interesting inclusion is a pair of AirPods with cameras. Despite the controversies surrounding cameras on smart glasses, Apple is reportedly building audio-based wearables with cameras themselves.
In a short demo video (also obtained from the macOS beta via MacRumors), the AirPods can apparently “save” things that it sees, including a book you might want to search for later. In that way, the built-in camera acts more like a voice assistant, rather than a recording device.
Though the references don’t confirm a launch date, it’s likely that the camera-based AirPods will come out sometime soon. After all, why would a blatant reference be inside a publicly available beta?
SEE ALSO: The iPhone 18 might sell out for an unexpected reason
News
Samsung might be working on an even wider foldable
The success of the Galaxy Z Fold8 is pushing Samsung to its next steps.
The passport-sized Galaxy Z Fold8 might be one of the best ideas for a foldable ever. Hardly anyone thinks that Samsung’s latest foldable type was a misstep for the brand. Other companies are even rumored to bring out their own passport-sized foldable soon. Now, Samsung is reportedly going further in the same direction by working on an even wider foldable.
Compared to traditional book-style foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold8 has a more squarish shape when folded. Naturally, the phone’s unfolded state is more rectangular, allowing for more screen real estate for full-screen content. It feels much more immersive to watch movies and shows on the foldable.
Now, according to ETNews, Samsung is working on an even wider foldable, potentially for next year. Though sparse on more technical details, the report hints that the next iteration will focus on better video playback, which does indicate a better aspect ratio.
Though foldables have been under the spotlight for a while now, this year might be the moment that the segment reaches its maturity. A lot of brands today have worthy alternatives for foldables. Some are also working on passport-style ones. Apple, the last holdout among the big names of the industry, is rumored to launch its first foldable later this year. There is no better time to try a foldable than this year.
SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Review
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