News
iPhone XR is the top-selling phone around the world
It single-handedly defeated Xiaomi and Samsung
Over the last few years, the smartphone has rapidly evolved and we’ve seen veteran brands like LG and HTC become ruins in no time. All this while new entrants like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Realme have made huge strides.
However, there’s one brand that still hasn’t changed anything in the last decade. Apple continues to follow a year-long refresh cycle and all new iPhones are unveiled in September. On the other hand, the affordable and midrange segment are seeing new launches every couple of weeks.
And yet, the best-selling phone in the first half of 2019 is iPhone XR. According to analyst firm IH Markit Technology, that iPhone model has defeated even Samsung’s much cheaper Galaxy A10 offering.
Apple shipped 13.6 million units worldwide during the first quarter of this year. It then shipped another 13.3 million in the second quarter. That total of 26.9 million is more than double the 13.4 million units shipped by the budget Samsung Galaxy A10.
This is in-line with Apple’s strategy. The iPhone XR starts at US$ 749, a price significantly lower than the iPhone XS and XS Max. Recent price cuts in a few markets like India have also contributed massively to rising sales.
Apple’s iPhone 8, released in 2017, and iPhone XS Max were also among the top smartphones for the first half of the year.
“Compared to the Android-based smartphone makers, Apple maintains a relatively small model lineup,” said Jusy Hong, research and analysis director. “This means that Apple’s total sales volume is divided among fewer models. As a result, each of Apple’s iPhone models tends to generate higher shipment numbers than comparable Android smartphones, such as those sold by Samsung.”
Considering these sales figures, we expect Apple to unveil an iPhone XR successor this week.
Gaming
Call of Duty drops the PlayStation 4 starting with its next game
Is this the beginning of the end for the PlayStation 4?
When can we declare that a console is officially dead? Is it as soon as the launch of the next generation? Is it when games no longer come out on the console? Recently, Call of Duty has confirmed that the next game will not be available anymore on the PlayStation 4, which presents an important question: Is the PlayStation 4 officially dead?
Call of Duty is one of the most persistent gaming franchises today. The last entry, Black Ops 7, is still available for the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Both consoles were launched over twelve years ago. (If that doesn’t make you old, the current generation was launched almost six years ago.)
As such, the franchise is one of the last stalwarts keeping the past generation alive. This week, Call of Duty, via a post on X, confirmed that the next game will not arrive on the PlayStation 4. Presumably, this also means the Xbox One.
Not sure where this one started, but it’s not true. The next Call of Duty is not being developed for PS4.
— Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) May 4, 2026
Currently, we don’t have details about the upcoming game yet. But a new entry is confirmed to arrive later this year.
With the departure of the Call of Duty franchise, it’s fair to ask what will become of the old generation moving forward. Over the years, developers have started shying away from the PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One. Since the franchise still maintains a steady fan base today, a lot of PlayStation 4 users might be forced to make an upgrade to play the latest entry.
SEE ALSO: PC Game Pass gets cheaper, but Call of Duty delays are coming
News
TCL CSOT Unveils ‘APEX Pixel’ innovations at SID Display Week 2026
Breakthroughs in display technologies
Pushing the boundaries of display physics, TCL CSOT has officially launched its APEX Pixel framework at SID Display Week 2026.
This unified innovation path targets the microscopic architecture of pixels across FMM OLED, Inkjet-printed (IJP) OLED, and LCD panels to redefine clarity, power efficiency, and color volume.
The Super Pixel revolution
The highlight of the showcase is the Super Pixel technology for mobile FMM OLEDs.
By increasing sub-pixel density by roughly 1.8%, TCL CSOT has achieved sharpness comparable to WQHD standards while slashing power consumption by 25%.
Key mobile prototypes on display include:
- 6.9-inch Ultra-Clarity Display: Features a 2608×1200 resolution with a 0.5mm top bezel
- 165Hz High-Refresh Panel: Utilizes a Real RGB layout to boost motion smoothness by 40% over standard 120Hz screens
- Ultra-Low Power 8T LTPO: A 420PPI powerhouse that reduces SoC power draw by a quarter.
IJP OLED and the Tri-Fold Future
TCL CSOT continues to lead the transition toward Inkjet-printed (IJP) OLED.
By utilizing the world’s first 8.6-generation IJP line, the company has debuted a 28-inch Foldable and Portable IJP OLED Monitor.
This “Real Stripe” RGB display features a tri-fold design that expands from a 16-inch footprint to a 28-inch workspace.
IJP OLED allows for larger light-emitting areas, occupying 50% to 60% of the pixel. This leads to a significantly enhanced luminous efficiency compared to traditional evaporation methods.
RGBC: The New Standard for LCD
For large-scale cinema experiences, TCL CSOT introduced RGBC Four-Color Technology.
By adding a Cyan sub-pixel to the traditional RGB matrix, the 85-inch WHVA Ultra LCD TV achieves a staggering 131% of the BT.2020 color gamut.
This hardware-level shift allows for more saturated hues and finer resolution rendering that traditional three-color pixels cannot replicate.
Through APEX Pixel, TCL CSOT is no longer just chasing size, but perfecting the very atoms of the digital image.
News
iPhone 17 is the best-selling phone of 2026 so far
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 series didn’t make the top ten list.
With more than a quarter of the year done and dusted, it’s time to figure out which smartphone has taken the early lead in the charts. According to the numbers, it can’t get any clearer. The iPhone 17 is currently dominating the charts.
According to Counterpoint Research, the bestselling smartphone in the world as of the first quarter is the base iPhone 17. The model took 6 percent of the global share in unit sales. Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max and Pro took the second and third spots, respectively. Only a bit surprisingly, Apple rounded out its quarter with the iPhone 16 taking the number 6 slot.
The stranger thing is Samsung’s presence on this list. The South Korean brand took five spots on the top 10 list. However, none of them are of the Galaxy S26 series. All of them are from the Galaxy A series: in order, Galaxy A07 4G, A17 5G, A56, A36, and A17 4G. (The Galaxy S26 series narrowly missed the top 10.)
That makes nine. The final spot was taken by the Xiaomi Redmi A5.
Going only by the last two paragraphs, you’ll likely assume that the midrange market is rightfully dominating the charts in the months following the Christmas season. However, the iPhone 17’s dominance confirms that Apple has not lost its stride.
Plus, with the iPhone 17e only just having launched, Apple might continue its run well into 2026.
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