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  • How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    How does the iPhone 16e camera compare to its family?

    Every time a new iPhone launches, Sebastiaan de With, the brains behind the Halide camera app, takes a close look at its camera features. Recently, Apple introduced the iPhone 16e, boasting a fresh 48-megapixel standalone camera. De With explored how it holds up against the cameras in Apple’s top-tier iPhone 16 lineup.

    iPhone 16e Camera Basics

    At first glance, the iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, and iPhone 16 Pro all seem to share the same 48-megapixel Fusion camera, capable of snapping 1x and 2x photos. But a closer peek reveals differences. The iPhone 16 Pro has a wider f/1.78 aperture, while the iPhone 16 and 16e use an f/1.6 aperture. Unlike the iPhone 16, the 16e misses out on sensor-shift stabilization, proving these cameras aren’t identical.

    De With explains that Apple paired the iPhone 16e’s modern A18 chip processing with an older, smaller camera part. With only one Wide lens, it skips extras like Macro mode, spatial photos or videos, Night mode for Portraits, and video perks like Cinematic or Action modes. Fancy options like ProRAW are also absent.

    Picture Quality Check

    In a side-by-side test with the iPhone 16 Pro, the 16e leaned toward warmer tones and showed a tighter view. Its smaller sensor grabbed fewer details, especially in dim light, where the difference stood out. The 2x shots looked rougher, with processing that didn’t impress de With.

    While the iPhone 16e doesn’t match the iPhone 16 Pro or even the iPhone 16, it’s closer to older non-Pro iPhones or the iPhone 14 Pro. The lack of sensor-shift stabilization hurts it the most, making low-light and night photos less sharp.

    Still, de With found charm in the 16e’s grainy, moody sensor—a fun contrast to the 16 Pro’s bigger, clearer one. “It’s got a cool feel, as the younger crowd might say,” he noted. For the full scoop and photo comparisons, check out de With’s detailed review on the Lux website.

  • What we know about the iPhone Air’s new look

    What we know about the iPhone Air’s new look

    Apple is gearing up to launch its slimmest phone ever, the iPhone 17 Air, sometime later this year. People have been buzzing about how thin it might be compared to the 6.9mm iPhone 6. Now, fresh leaks are giving us a clearer picture of what’s coming.

    For months, guesses about the iPhone 17 Air’s size have bounced around. A recent tip from leaker Ice Universe says it could be just 5.5mm thick—a number analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also mentioned back in January. Another expert, Jeff Pu, thought it’d be closer to 6mm. Screen size rumors vary, too. Kuo suggested a 6.6-inch display, but Ice Universe claims it’ll match the 6.9-inch screen of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, sharing the same shape and edges as the iPhone 16 Pro Max. They even shared a video showing a possible sneak peek of the phone.

    Last Friday, YouTuber iDeviceHelp teamed up with leaker Majin Bu—who’d shown similar designs earlier—to drop a video. They say their mockups of the standard, Pro Max, and Air models come from secret Apple papers. Watching it, I couldn’t help but notice how the Air’s super-thin edge reminded me of the 5.1mm M4 iPad Pro—the thinnest Apple gadget so far.

    One cool detail stands out: the mockups show a camera bar running across the back, kind of like a Google Pixel. It’s unclear if it’s just for looks or does something special, but I like it. My iPhone 15 Pro wobbles on my desk, and this bar—shown on the 17 Pro Max mockup—seems to fix that a bit. The cameras still poke out, though, so it’s not a total win.

    The rest of the design looks familiar—buttons in the usual spots (except for the iPhone 16E, missing its Camera Control button), plus a USB-C port and speakers on the bottom. Up front, expect the Dynamic Island and Face ID. We’ll have to wait until September—Apple’s big reveal time—to see how close these guesses are.

  • New MacBook Air boasts huge speed boost over Intel model, but check the details

    New MacBook Air boasts huge speed boost over Intel model, but check the details

    Apple is making a bold statement about its latest MacBook Air, powered by the M4 chip. They claim it’s up to 23 times faster than the older Intel-based version. Sounds amazing, right? But there’s more to the story, so let’s break it down.

    First, Apple tested a 2025 MacBook Air with a 10-core M4 chip and 32GB of memory against a 2020 model with a 4-core Intel Core i7 and 16GB of memory. Both had top-notch 2TB storage. This means they compared the new laptop to the best Intel MacBook Air ever made, which makes sense for a fair test.

    Next, the huge 23x speed jump comes from one specific task: using a feature called Super Resolution in Pixelmator Pro, an app Apple now owns. This tool uses smart tech to make a 4.4MB image sharper and clearer. So, that impressive speed claim is tied to this one job, not everything you might do on a laptop.

    Apple’s detailed note says they ran this test in January 2025 on pre-release 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs with the M4 chip, comparing them to the Intel model. The results show how the new MacBook Air performs in this unique situation.

    What about everyday tasks? Apple shared more examples:

    • Crunching numbers in Excel is up to 4.7x faster than the top Intel model and 1.6x faster than the M1 MacBook Air.
    • Editing videos in iMovie is up to 8x quicker than the Intel version and 2x faster than the M1.
    • Fixing photos in Photoshop is up to 3.6x speedier than Intel and 2x faster than M1.
    • Browsing the web is up to 60% quicker than a similar Intel PC, with tougher tasks up to 2x faster.

    These numbers feel more practical for most people. While the 23x claim might sound like a stretch, it’s clear that any MacBook Air with an M1 chip or newer leaves Intel models in the dust. If you’ve been waiting to upgrade, this could be your moment. You can order the new MacBook Air now on Apple’s website, with deliveries starting March 12.

  • New MacBook Air arrives this week: what’s coming?

    New MacBook Air arrives this week: what’s coming?

    Apple’s boss, Tim Cook, dropped a hint about a fresh product this week with a quick video saying, “There’s something in the Air.” The “Air” clue and the timing suggest we’re about to see new MacBook Airs with the M4 chip.

    • Design – The new MacBook Air will stick to two sizes: 13 inches and 15 inches. Don’t expect a big makeover—there’s no buzz about a new style. The last design update was in 2022, so the look should stay familiar, just like today’s models.
    • Screen – Apple’s fancy mini-LED screens are for the MacBook Pro, so the MacBook Air will likely keep its usual Liquid Retina Display (think LED). The MacBook Pro recently got a matte display option, and while it might show up on the Air, it’s not a sure thing—it could stay a Pro-only perk.
    • M4 Chip – The M4 chip is already in the MacBook Pro, iMac, iPad Pro, and Mac mini, so it’s no shock it’s coming to the MacBook Air. It’s got up to 10 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and a 16-core Neural Engine. Built with a super tiny 3-nanometer process, it’s made for Apple Intelligence. It’ll beat the M3, but don’t expect a huge leap—think about 25% better performance.
    • Memory – Last year, Apple bumped the MacBook Air’s starting memory to 16GB from 8GB. That’s staying the same for the new ones—no changes here.
    • Battery – Thanks to the M4’s efficiency, battery life might get a boost. For example, the 14-inch M4 MacBook Pro lasts up to 24 hours streaming video or 16 hours browsing online.
    • Camera – The MacBook Pro’s new 12-megapixel FaceTime camera could come to the Air. It has Center Stage to keep you in focus during video calls and Desk View to show off your desk from above.
    • Ports – Right now, the MacBook Air has two Thunderbolt 3 ports. The new ones might jump to three Thunderbolt 4 ports for faster connections.
    • Price – The M3 MacBook Air starts at $1,099, and no price hikes are rumored for the M4.
    • Old Models – The M2 MacBook Air, priced at $999, might get swapped for an M3 version—or stick around if upgrading costs too much.
    • Surprise “Air” Stuff? – The M4 MacBook Air is the star, but Apple could sneak in updates for other “Air” products like the iPad Air or AirTags next year.
    • Launch Details – No big event is planned—expect a press release and videos, with the MacBook Air possibly out tomorrow!
  • New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    New MacBook Air reveal could happen soon — Here’s When

    Now that the iPhone 16e is out for customers, Apple seems ready to share its next big thing any day now.

    MacBook Air Gets a Boost

    Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says Apple might unveil new MacBook Air models with the M4 chip as soon as this week.

    “I think the M4 MacBook Air will show up as early as this week,” Gurman posted on X today. “Stock is running low, and Apple’s gearing up for a Mac announcement soon.”

    He also mentioned this in his Power On newsletter today.

    Look out for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs powered by the M4 chip, which has a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU. Apple already added M4 chips to the MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini last October, and tests show it’s up to 25% faster than the M3 chip for heavy tasks. Last fall, Apple bumped the base RAM in MacBook Airs from 8GB to 16 GB. The top RAM choice might jump to 32GB this time. Battery life should last longer, too.

    Cool Camera and Display Upgrades

    Following the MacBook Pro’s lead, the new MacBook Air will likely get a 12-megapixel camera with Center Stage. This keeps you in the frame during video calls, even if you move. It might also include Desk View, showing both your face and your desk from above. These features work in apps like FaceTime and Zoom and were once only on iPads or Macs with a Studio Display.

    The new models could have three Thunderbolt 4 ports (up from two Thunderbolt 3 ports) and support two external screens, even with the lid open. A nano-texture display, which cuts glare with a special coating, might come too—though Apple could save that for the MacBook Pro to keep them different. No big look changes are expected. The MacBook Air got a fresh design in 2022.

    When and How?

    If these MacBook Airs drop this week, expect a press release on Apple’s Newsroom site and maybe a YouTube video. There could be a surprise or two as well!

  • Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Three features missing from the slim iPhone 17 Air

    Apple’s upcoming iPhone 17 Air is set to impress with its super-thin and lightweight look. However, this sleek design comes with a few trade-offs. Rumors suggest that this phone will miss out on three features many iPhone fans are used to: a bottom speaker, an ultra-wide camera, and a SIM card slot in some regions.

    Single Speaker Setup

    Last year, The Information shared that the iPhone 17 Air will likely have just one speaker, built into the earpiece at the top. Recent 3D images of the phone seem to back this up, showing only a few small openings at the bottom—probably for microphones, not a speaker.

    Camera Changes

    Similar to the iPhone 16e, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to come with a single 48-megapixel rear camera. This main camera will handle regular 1× shots and offer a 2× zoom that feels almost as good as optical quality. However, it won’t have the Ultra Wide camera for those wide 0.5× shots. The good news? Skipping this extra lens could mean more room inside for a bigger battery.

    No More SIM Slot

    Apple began dropping the physical SIM card slot in the U.S. starting with the iPhone 14 in 2022, switching to digital eSIMs instead. The iPhone 17 Air is expected to follow this trend in the U.S., and it might go even further. According to The Information, Apple could remove the SIM slot in more countries this year, meaning the iPhone 17 Air may rely on eSIMs worldwide.

    In short, the iPhone 17 Air’s slim design looks exciting, but it means letting go of a few familiar features. Fans of loudspeakers, ultra-wide photos, or physical SIM cards might need to adjust to these changes. Still, the trade-offs could pave the way for a fresh, lightweight iPhone experience.

  • New iPhone 17e might arrive next year in a yearly pattern

    New iPhone 17e might arrive next year in a yearly pattern

    Apple could roll out an iPhone 17e next year, possibly in February, according to a fresh consumer report. This lines up with a tip from a trusted leaker who says hints of this phone are already popping up in China’s supply chain.

    iPhone 16e Kicks Off a New Trend

    A report from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP) suggests the iPhone 16e is the start of a yearly lineup of budget-friendly “e” models in Apple’s main series. After launching the regular iPhone 17 in September, Apple might unveil the iPhone 17e in February 2026. The report explains:

    It looks like “e” phones could stick around. After the big iPhone 17 debut in September, we think Apple will bring out an iPhone 17e around this time next year. This is similar to how Google releases its “a” models a few months after its spring flagship launches.

    Meanwhile, a leaker on WeChat, Fixed Focus Digital, shared news of a “new project codename” spotted in Apple’s supply chain. They believe it’s likely tied to the iPhone 17e. This leaker was also the first to call the iPhone 16e by name last December, while others thought it’d just be another iPhone SE.

    Why This Matters

    Before these rumors, we guessed last week that an iPhone 17e might drop in early 2026, around February. A cheaper “e” model mid-year could shake up Apple’s lineup and spark more excitement than rereleasing the same phone in a new color, something Apple has done before. It’d also give buyers a clearer idea of when to expect a new budget option, unlike the unpredictable timing of past iPhone SE releases.

    That said, this depends on the iPhone 16e doing well. If sales flop, the “e” line might fade away like the iPhone “mini” or the “Plus” model, which we don’t expect to see in the iPhone 17 family. The iPhone 16e’s sales numbers will likely clue us in on its future.

    iPhone 16e Hits Stores Soon

    The iPhone 16e comes with a 6.1-inch OLED screen, Face ID, an A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, a USB-C port, an Action button, and a 48-megapixel camera with 2x zoom. It also has Apple’s new 5G “C1” modem. It’ll be available starting February 28 in stores and for pre-order deliveries.

  • iPhone 17 Pro to shine with better video tools

    iPhone 17 Pro to shine with better video tools

    The iPhone 17 series is still about seven months from hitting the shelves, but chatter about it is already buzzing. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, who shared some insights in his weekend newsletter called Power On, Apple is set to highlight the iPhone 17 Pro’s upgraded video skills when it’s revealed later this year. He didn’t spill the beans on exact details, though.

    Here’s what he mentioned:

    In previous years, Apple put more effort into boosting the camera’s photo-taking powers. This time, they’re switching gears to focus on video upgrades. The aim for the 2025 iPhone lineup is to pull in vloggers and video makers, encouraging them to ditch separate cameras and rely on the iPhone for more of their projects. Expect Apple to push these video features when the new phones launch in September.

    Over time, iPhones have already gained cool video tools like Action mode for steady shots, Cinematic mode for that blurry background effect, and other neat tricks. Several reports also suggest the iPhone 17 Pro will sport a fresh look for its rear cameras. A supposed sneak peek of the design showed a big rectangular camera strip with rounded edges on the back. Word is, it’ll pack three 48-megapixel cameras.

    Gurman also dropped a reminder that Apple’s first foldable iPhone is still on track for 2026. With these updates, it seems Apple’s cooking up something exciting for video fans and creators alike!

  • iPhone 16e comes with iPhone 16 camera, but misses some extras

    iPhone 16e comes with iPhone 16 camera, but misses some extras

    The iPhone 16e is unique in Apple’s lineup as the only model with a single rear camera. It uses the same 48-megapixel Wide lens as the iPhone 16, but it doesn’t include all the camera tricks found in its sibling.

    What the iPhone 16e Camera Offers

    The 48-megapixel Fusion lens on the iPhone 16e gives you a regular 1x view and a 2x zoom option. However, it skips the Telephoto lens, so no extra zoom levels are available. It also lacks an Ultra Wide lens, meaning wide-angle photos and close-up macro shots aren’t possible. With just one lens, you can’t capture spatial images or videos either.

    You still get handy features like True Tone Flash, Photonic Engine, Deep Fusion, and Smart HDR 5. But it misses out on advanced portrait options like Focus Control and the newest Photographic Styles. In Portrait mode, you can tweak the focus after snapping a picture, but unlike the iPhone 16, you can’t tap to switch the focus to a different subject.

    Missing Style and Video Options

    The latest Photographic Styles, which let you set a consistent look for all your photos, are exclusive to the iPhone 16, 16 Pro, and Pro Max. The 16e only offers older filter options instead. For video, it doesn’t have Cinematic mode or Action mode, though it does include the new Audio Mix feature.

    Front Camera Comparison

    The front cameras on the iPhone 16 and 16e are nearly the same, with one catch. The 16e skips Cinematic mode, Photographic Styles, and Depth Control for Portrait shots, which the iPhone 16 includes. In short, the iPhone 16e delivers solid camera basics with its 48-megapixel lens, but it leaves out some of the fancier tools and creative options you’d find on the iPhone 16. It’s a simpler choice for those who don’t need all the extras.

  • iPhone 16e: New features without some expected ones

    iPhone 16e: New features without some expected ones

    The new iPhone 16e comes with some interesting features but also leaves out a few expected ones. One highlight is the Visual Intelligence feature, which you can now use on the iPhone 16e even without a special camera button. Instead, you can activate it through the Action button or in the Control Center. This means you can quickly snap photos or use other visual tools without needing a dedicated button.

    Apple has made it clear on their site that you can use the Action button for lots of things, like calling friends or opening apps. However, if you were hoping for MagSafe, you’ll be disappointed; the iPhone 16e doesn’t support it. This means no MagSafe chargers, cases, or wallets for this model. But don’t worry, you can still charge your phone wirelessly with standard Qi charging, just not as fast as with MagSafe.

    Price-wise, the iPhone 16e starts at $599 for the 128GB model, making it the cheapest iPhone you can buy right now. This is a bit more than what the old iPhone SE cost, but you get a more modern look, a powerful A18 chip, Face ID, and more storage to start with. Here’s how the pricing lines up:

    • iPhone 16e – $599
    • iPhone 15 – $699
    • iPhone 15 Plus – $799
    • iPhone 16 – $799
    • iPhone 16 Plus – $899
    • iPhone 16 Pro – $999
    • iPhone 16 Pro Max – $1,199

    You can pre-order the iPhone 16e starting Friday, and it will officially be available from February 28. Apple also shared a detailed 12-minute video on YouTube to introduce the iPhone 16e, giving everyone a good look at what to expect.

    The iPhone 16e features include a 6.1-inch OLED screen with a notch for Face ID, the new A18 chip, a single 48-megapixel camera, a USB-C port, and an Action button. It also comes with Apple’s new C1 modem for better 5G performance. So, while the iPhone 16e might not have everything you’d expect from an iPhone, it offers a balance of cost and modern features for those looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.