What Do We Expect to See from the iPhone 14 Models

Apple is set to unveil the newest iPhone models during its event on 7 September 2022. Analysts and Apple fans have been buzzing about this launch event dubbed “Far Out”. For those of you who are in the market for a new phone, should you buy a new device right now or wait for the iPhone 14?

THE RUMORED IPHONE 14 PRO MAX

It is expected that Apple will add another 6.7-inch iPhone to its lineup this year. This phone will reportedly be a bigger version of the standard iPhone 14. Adding another 6.7-inch phone to the lineup could diminish the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s appeal. Is it necessary? Keep in mind that consumers are cutting back on spending.

To make the iPhone 14 Pro Max stand out, it is rumored that it will have a higher resolution camera, a new processor, and a redesigned camera module on the front. However, those who love bigger displays won’t have to splurge on the Pro Max as Apple is expected to release a 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Max as well this year.

With inflation putting a dent in smartphone shipments, companies like Apple may have to work harder to convince its consumers to spend more money on high-end models.

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN STANDARD AND PRO MODELS

If the rumors are true, iPhone 14 will have a new hole-punch and pill design for its camera module. This will be the first time Apple moves away from the iPhone X front-camera module look. The new design will be exclusive to the Pro models since the standard models will likely remain the same notch that iPhone 13 has. Analyst Ross Young also verifies this report.

A15 BIONIC CHIP FOR IPHONE 14 MODELS

Respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said Apple might steer away from tradition this year by releasing some iPhone 14 models with the same A15 chip as the iPhone 13. The A16 chip is believed to be reserved for the more expensive models such as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. As of now, it is unclear whether Apple will rebrand the A15 Bionic chip for the standard iPhone 14 phones or instead use the more powerful version found in iPhone 13 Pro.

UPGRADE ON THE FRONT-FACING CAMERA

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman claims that Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro will get a significant camera upgrade with the smartphone’s main sensor being improved to 48-megapixels. If this is accurate, this would be one of the biggest upgrades Apple has made to the iPhone in years.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

However, Gurman says that only the Pro models will get the 48-megapixel camera upgrade, while the standard iPhone 14 models will have the existing 12-megapixel main sensor. This is the same 12-megapixel main camera sensor since the release of iPhone 6s in 2015.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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Introducing Samsung’s First Glass-Screen Folding Phone

As I was scrolling through my Instagram feed, I got fascinated with how the latest Samsung Galaxy Z Flip looks like. It reminded me of my old Nintendo Advance SP. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the bygone SP, it is a handheld game console that can fit inside your pocket. Imagine having a smartphone that you can fold inside your pocket!

Introducing Samsung’s first glass-screen folding phone called Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. You read that right. Its glass display is its biggest selling point! This smartphone is made from Samsung Ultra Thin Glass, which “sets you up for an epic view with a smooth flat screen”. Other folding phones in the market such as Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold have used plastic displays. Hence, the Z Flip feels more premium and fragile as compared to its predecessors. It is a full-screen smartphone that fits in your pocket!

Its 6.7-inch display collapses into half, which will turn any heads whenever you use it. Aside from its physical attributes, another headturner is its unbelievable price. It carries an expensive price tag of $55.50/month for 36 months or $1,998.00 for a 256 GB unit. You may also get it from Samsung’s partner merchants such as Singtel. Singtel’s Combo 2 allows you to get the Z Flip for a monthly fee of $42.90 or Combo 6 for $99.90 per month. These combos are tied to distinct Singtel plans.

It costs more than the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus. Would you believe that it easily sold out throughout the world despite its hefty price? Well, it is true!

Another battle with the manufacturing of the Galaxy Z Flip is the ongoing prevalence of the Coronavirus-19. Just weeks after the unveiling of the Z Flip, Samsung had to shutdown their plant in South Korea after an employee tested positive of the illness. COVID-19’s widespread is taking a toll on the global technology industry and other businesses who are heavily reliant on the Asian supply chain. Disruptions in manufacturing and limitations in travel impedes the success of the current technological scene. The same challenge is felt by the Apple company.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Apple said that it is likely to miss the quarterly revenue guidance due to the COVID-19, which affects the Chinese consumers and the production capabilities inside China. These are unforeseen and uncontrollable circumstances that Samsung, Apple, and other businesses have to deal with these days.

Here is to hoping that we could all gradually recover soon!

Sources: 1 & 2

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The Best Prepaid SIM Card Options For Tourists

Let us be honest! In this day and age, it is hard to live without mobile data. Most of our daily lives center around the convenience of the Internet. Moreover, we find pleasure in sharing our adventures and experiences thru social media. This is why most jet-setters secure their pocket Wi-Fi before or after landing to their destination.

Having your own prepaid sim card with data allows you to navigate the area and to interact with the locals no matter where you are. If your foreign friends want to visit you in Singapore, here are some of the prepaid sim card options that you can suggest.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Firstly, it is important to note that there are only three main telecommunication companies in Singapore. These three include Singtel, Starhub, and M1. Lastly, these telecos offer tourist sim cards that can last you for a week or so.

The good news is that tourists can enjoy about 100 GB worth of local data and 100 local texts from all the three telecos. You read that right!

M1’s Tourist SIM, valid for 7 days, is priced at S$12. You can indulge on 500 minutes of local calls and 20 minutes of international calls. However, this sim does not include the roaming data.

Next up is Starhub! Starhub Travel Prepaid SIM will also take you back by S$12. It is the cheapest option with the most value. Why is this so? For one, it includes 500 minutes of local calls and 30 minutes of international calls. Additionally, it includes 1 GB worth of roaming data.

Lastly, you must highly consider the Singtel hi!Tourist EZ-Link SIM Card. This merges the need for transportation and communication. You see, this prepaid card has a stored EZ-link value of S$3. Buying a separate EZ-link card would cost you an additional of about S$15. What’s more? You can get multiple benefits tied to this prepaid card such as 25% off the Sentosa attractions.

The price of this prepaid card is S$18 including 500 minutes worth of local calls and 30 minutes of international calls. Moreover, it has 1 GB worth of roaming data. Imagine how much savings you can acquire by fusing all these services!

The bottom line is that different people can have different mobile usage when they travel. Examine your priorities and preferences when choosing the best prepaid sim card for your foreign friend.

Sources: 1 & 2

 

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Free Mobile Games To Spice Up Your Life

Entertainment does not have to come with an excessive price tag! You see, there are hundreds or even thousands of mobile games available for Android and iOS. A lot of these games are available for absolutely nothing.

Whether a game is ad-supported or fueled on a “freemium” model (i.e., offering the basic services for free and the advanced features at a premium), the following games will surely make your commute less boring. What are you waiting for? Spice up your life with these free apps:

FOR THE ADRENALINE JUNKIE

Need a dose of speed in your life? Look no further as you download Gameloft’s Asphalt series. People who enjoy racing games will be impressed by the Asphalt 8 and 9. Asphalt 8: Airborne was released in 2013 and Asphalt 9: Legends was released this year. These two installations involve dramatic chases and slow-motion collisions. The former involves cars that can perform outrageous aerial stunts in realistic tracks. While, the latter travels around the world to answer why you are legendary.

Personally speaking, I prefer Asphalt 8 as you can play with it offline. Both Android and iOS users can download these games for free!

FOR THE STRANGER THINGS ADDICT

Whether you are an avid fan of Netflix’s Stranger Things or not, you will enjoy the nostalgic vibe that the Stranger Things mobile game radiate. The game starts inside the Hawkins Lab whereby Chief Hopper sets out to find the missing children. Each character has a specific set of skills, which he or she can use to unlock a certain chapter of the game. Controls are simple as you can just tap to walk or interact (e.g., punch). When you are tired with tapping, you can drag your finger across the screen to move your character. You need to figure out how to defeat each enemy without dying!

It its essence, you are diving into an adventure game involving combat and puzzle solving. Best of all? It is completely free! It exists without ads and in-app purchases.

FOR THE MAKEOVER ENTHUSIAST

I, for one, can spend countless commuting time on home design games. I love building things from the ground up. Finding a game that puts a twist on interior design such as incorporating puzzles will impress me to the core! Fortunately, a friend of mine recommended that I download the “Matchington Mansion”. It is a no-cost puzzle game released by Firecraft Studios for both Android and iOS platforms.

The story starts with receiving a life-changing news. The player will inherit a massive mansion! The catch is, it is outdated and neglected. You are now on a mission to use your creativity and wits to decorate the house. Complete a series of puzzles to accomplish each task (e.g., revamping your bed). You may also visit your neighbors to unlock furniture and wall decoration options that are not readily available to you.

FOR THE ONE WHO LOVES MMORPG

MMORPG is short for Massively Multiplayer Online Role-playing Game. It combines role-playing video games with an option to interact with a vast number of players within a virtual world. Majority of the popular MMORPGs focus on traditional fantasy themes, often comparable to the in-game universe of Dungeons & Dragons. Some examples of globally popular MMORPGs include World of Warcraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Ragnarok. For the sake of this list, I am going to put a spotlight on the latter.

Ragnarok is back! It is mobile form, Ragnarok continues the adventure that you left behind 15 years ago. Southeast Asian fans can play the Ragnarok Mobile: Eternal Love game on Android or iOS devices for free.

The game is a faithful recreation of the original online game with most of its contents remaining intact such as the character’s jobs, costumes, and guild PvP. Players can access a wide varity of job classes including the brand new Blacksmith class. Furthermore, you may fight against other players in guild PvP to take advantage of the game’s real-time combat feature.

Please note that its attractive 3D world is relatively new. Launching last month, there is still a long way to improve!

Sources: 1 & 2

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Clever Tips To Keep In Mind When Buying A New Phone

Seeing a working landline set is always nostalgic for me. Do you remember when you are limited to making calls in your living room? Well, those days are long gone. These type of sets still exist, but the majority had switched to the portable smartphones.

When choosing the best device on the block, keep these factors in mind:

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU CAN REALISTICALLY AFFORD

Whether you are committing to a new phone on a postpaid plan or on its own, you should do your research first. Widen your knowledge to acquire the best possible specifications that money can buy. Take note of the processor, camera quality, and the batter life. You do not want to flush away your hard-earned money on devices that blow up while charging. The wise selection process will give your investment a significant amount of future-proofing.

Say you want to sign on high-end smartphones such as iPhone 7 or Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. Wait for the discounts offered during holidays or the Great Singapore Sale. These type of smartphones hold their resale value over time. Thus, they are easy to sell if you want to upgrade.

FOCUS ON THE BATTERY LIFE

The longetivity of your potential phone depends on many factors such as its screen size and its operating system. Any phone that can withstand nine hours of straight 4G LTE browsing has a decent batter life. Other determinants of the battery life includes the batter capacity. Look for a phone with at least 3,000 mAh.

Compare the endurance of the phone that you have been eyeing for by reading various tech reviews.

IDENTIFY THE NECESSARY FEATURES

A worthy investment includes features that are both necessary and desirable. As obvious as this may sound, high-end models includes almost everything that a user can ask for. However, you shall consider mid-priced models if your sole purpose is to do simple tasks such as calling and browsing. There are countless mid-priced models that have the premium features for the fraction of the fancy model’s price.

Remember that you must not pay for something that is beyond what you need.

IGNORE THE OVERWHELMING MEGAPIXELS

Our socially connected world embraces the relay of images on popular social media platforms. This is why many users believe that the second most important feature after the battery life is the camera megapixels. Talk about taking the perfect selfie!

But, tech experts beg to differ. Some believe that you must ignore the megapixels in favor of special features such as the dual lenses and lower aperture. Keep these things in mind when you are shopping.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Image Credits: pixabay.com

BONUS: AFTER-PURCHASE CARE

To prolong the life of your beloved phone or to prevent any costly damages, you must buy a case and a glass protector. I, for one, coat my iPhone with the famed tampered glass. Doing so will boost the phone’s resale value when you are ready for an upgrade.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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