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  • Does low power mode make your iPhone slower?

    Does low power mode make your iPhone slower?

    Low Power Mode isn’t a new thing for iPhone users. It was first introduced with iOS 9 back in 2015. Now and then, I come across complaints online about new iPhones running slowly, and often, Low Power Mode is turned on. Let’s explore how this feature impacts your iPhone’s performance.

    How Does Low Power Mode Work?

    Low Power Mode is designed to help your iPhone last longer when you’re away from a charger. When you turn it on, it cuts down on power use by turning off or limiting various features.
    iOS will suggest turning on Low Power Mode when your battery hits 20%, but you can switch it on anytime you want.

    Here’s what Apple says about it:

    Low Power Mode helps your iPhone or iPad when the battery is low. It makes the battery last longer before you need to charge it, but some things might work slower or not update as quickly. Some tasks might not work until you turn off Low Power Mode or charge to 80% or more.

    You can see if Low Power Mode is active by checking if the battery icon in your Status Bar is yellow.

    What Changes When Low Power Mode is On?

    Apple has a list on its site detailing what changes:

    • Turns off or limits 5G use
    • Sets Auto-Lock to 30 seconds
    • Reduces screen brightness and limits refresh rate to 60Hz on ProMotion devices
    • Turns off Always-On Display for supported iPhones
    • Reduces visual effects
    • Stops background activities like downloads, iCloud syncing, backups, and email fetching

    Does It Slow Down Your iPhone?

    Yes, it does. Although not officially stated by Apple, Low Power Mode also reduces your iPhone’s speed. Your iPhone’s chip has performance and efficiency cores. Normally, it uses all cores, favoring performance cores for heavy tasks. But in Low Power Mode, it mostly uses the slower efficiency cores to save energy.

    For example, in a benchmark test with Low Power Mode off, the iPhone 16 Pro Max’s A18 Pro chip scored:

    • Single-core: 3341
    • Multi-core: 8270

    With Low Power Mode on, the scores drop significantly:

    • Single-core: 1384
    • Multi-core: 4093

    This shows that your iPhone might run at about half speed with this mode active.

    Conclusion

    While Low Power Mode can extend your battery life, especially when your phone is idle, it’s less effective during active use. It’s best to use Low Power Mode only when necessary. Remember, this feature is also available on iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches.

  • Big changes coming to iPhone design this year

    Big changes coming to iPhone design this year

    Apple is planning some big changes to how the iPhone looks this year, according to leaks from a popular Weibo account.

    A user known as “Digital Chat Station” mentioned that the iPhone’s design is going to change a lot in 2023. The “iPhone 17 Air” is said to have a new look with a long, bar-shaped camera setup on the back. Meanwhile, the Pro versions are expected to sport a wide, horizontal grid-like design.

    Recently, another leaker, Jon Prosser, showed off a picture of what the iPhone 17 Pro might look like. It shows the three back cameras in a triangle, but inside a new, wide bar that stretches across the phone’s back. The iPhone 17 Air is also expected to have this same kind of camera bar.

    Back in November, Wayne Ma from The Information hinted that the iPhone 17 Pro models would have a back made partly of aluminum and partly of glass. The upper part would be aluminum, housing a larger rectangular camera bump, while the lower part would still be glass for wireless charging.

    In addition to these design shifts, there’s talk of a new, big foldable iPhone coming soon, which could shake up the market. Digital Chat Station has a track record of being right about things like the iPhone 12 mini’s screen, the iPhone 15’s camera upgrades, and the size of the iPhone 16 Pro.

    We can expect to see these new iPhone 17 models hit the market in the fall, as usual.

  • Will the new iPhone SE have more space?

    Will the new iPhone SE have more space?

    The iPhone SE 4 is set to hit the market this week, bringing with it a new look, a powerful A18 chip, and complete support for Apple Intelligence. But there’s one thing many are wondering: will it finally have more storage than the 64GB we’ve seen before?

    Will the iPhone SE 4 Still Start at 64GB?

    When the iPhone SE 2 came out in 2020, it started with 64GB of storage for $399. You could pay more for 128GB or 256GB if you needed extra space. The current iPhone SE 3 from the same year has the same starting storage but at a slightly higher price of $429.

    There’s been talk around, including a not-so-reliable leak from a Chinese store, suggesting the new model might stick with 64GB (as reported by MacRumors). But I wouldn’t trust this information too much since it might just be a guess while we wait for Apple’s official word.

    The Case for More Storage

    Apple Intelligence, a new feature, needs about 7GB of storage on your phone. That’s quite a lot, especially if you only have 64GB to start with. Given this, it seems reasonable to expect that Apple might bump up the base storage to 128GB for the iPhone SE 4. Apple has adjusted hardware for new features before, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they do it again.

    While I might be wrong, I’m betting on a larger base storage for the new iPhone SE.

    Looking at Other iPhones

    It’s worth noting that Apple moved away from offering 64GB as the lowest storage option on its top-tier iPhones starting with the iPhone 13 in 2021, which suggests a trend towards providing more storage out of the box.

    In conclusion, the iPhone SE 4 could be the model where Apple decides it’s time to offer more than just 64GB right from the start, aligning with the needs of modern smartphone users and its own technological advancements.

  • Apple’s edge in the race for home Robots as Meta joins the game

    Apple’s edge in the race for home Robots as Meta joins the game

    A recent report hints that Apple and Meta might soon be rivals in the world of humanoid robots. Meta, known for social media, is reportedly pouring a lot of money into building robots that can help with tasks around the house. If Apple moves forward with its home robot plans, it could have a big upper hand over Meta.

    Apple’s Robot Dreams

    When most people hear “robot,” they picture a sci-fi helper that looks human and handles chores—a sort of robotic assistant. Apple is said to be working on something like this. Last year, Bloomberg called it a “skunk-works project,” meaning a small team is experimenting with it, separate from Apple’s usual products. I’ve said before that this kind of robot might take ten years or more to become real. A recent update suggests even a simple tabletop robot could be years away, despite cute designs like a table lamp.

    Meta’s Push into Humanoid Robots

    According to Bloomberg, Meta is excited about AI-driven humanoid robots and sees them as a major focus. The company is investing heavily in this area, aiming to create robots that act like humans and assist with physical tasks. Meta is starting with household chores and has already begun talks with robotics firms like Unitree Robotics and Figure AI. On Friday, Meta told its staff about the new robot team. Interestingly, the first robots might not carry Meta’s name. Instead, Meta wants to supply the AI brains for robots made by other companies, though Meta-branded robots could come later.

    Could Apple and Meta Clash?

    I still think fully capable home robots are a long way off. But if multiple companies start competing, things could speed up. Meta’s entry might push Apple to take its robot project more seriously, moving it from a side experiment to a bigger priority.

    Apple’s Big Advantage

    Having a humanoid robot at home might feel strange or even creepy for many people. It could be like having a stranger in your house—one with cameras everywhere. Apple’s strong focus on privacy and its trusted reputation could give it a major edge in winning over customers.

  • Apple might upgrade its top music subscription

    Apple might upgrade its top music subscription

    Apple could be planning to make its best music subscription even better, following in the footsteps of Spotify’s new strategy. According to reports from Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw, Spotify is crafting a higher-priced version of its music service. This new offering, tentatively named Music Pro, is set to include superior audio quality, concert ticket perks, and tools for subscribers to remix songs. The cost? About $6 more per month than the current subscription fee, bringing the total to around $17.

    Spotify’s move to introduce a premium tier isn’t new; they’ve been wanting to match Apple Music’s high-quality audio for some time now. However, since Apple Music already provides lossless audio without an extra charge, Spotify needs more than just better sound to justify the price hike.

    One idea they’re exploring is selling concert tickets directly through the app, a unique yet problematic market due to the complexities of ticket sales online. Additionally, the ability to remix or adjust songs like a DJ could be a significant draw for users.

    On the Apple side, they’ve been offering advanced audio features like lossless audio and Dolby Atmos without additional cost. However, there’s talk that Apple, along with Amazon, might be considering premium tiers for their apps, including music services. This would be a shift from Apple’s current approach of enhancing services without increasing prices.

    Apple has only raised the price of Apple Music once, from $9.99 to $10.99 a month back in 2022. If they decide to add more expensive tiers, they might include features like exclusive access to music stems for use in apps like GarageBand and Logic. Apple has already tested this concept in its creative workshops at retail stores but not as a take-home feature.

    While nothing is set in stone, the idea of Apple charging more for these advanced features could signal a new direction in how they monetize their streaming service. This could depend on what unique offerings they can bring to the table to make the extra cost worthwhile for subscribers.

    Source

  • Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Testing begins for iOS 18.5 as Siri’s new features might face delays

    Apple has started testing iOS 18.5 internally since early February, according to visitor logs from MacRumors. This news comes as a surprise because of recent reports about possible delays in Apple’s plans for Siri’s new smart features.

    Normally, spotting iOS 18.5 in testing wouldn’t stand out. However, Mark Gurman from Bloomberg recently shared that Apple might push back or limit some of Siri’s upcoming Apple Intelligence upgrades until iOS 18.5. The reason? Bugs and other technical challenges are slowing things down.

    These new Siri features were first expected to launch with iOS 18.4. They include things like understanding what’s on your screen, knowing more about your details, and giving better control within apps. For instance, at WWDC 2024, Apple showed how Siri could check a user’s mom’s flight details or lunch plans by pulling info from emails and texts.

    The first iOS 18.4 beta should come out this week. Gurman says some of Siri’s smart features might still make it into iOS 18.4, but they could be off by default. There’s also a chance Apple will add them in later beta versions to give developers more time to fix issues.

    Apple’s website hints that iOS 18.4 will be available in April after beta testing. However, with the reported bugs and possible delays in Siri’s upgrades, this timeline might change. Looking ahead, the first iOS 18.5 beta is expected in April, with a full release likely in May, following Apple’s usual update pattern. To use Apple Intelligence, you’ll need an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or any iPhone 16 model.

    Source

  • Apple’s big iMac plans might skip what consumers really want

    Apple’s big iMac plans might skip what consumers really want

    Apple made headlines back in 2023 when they officially announced that they wouldn’t be updating the 27-inch iMac to Apple Silicon. However, they hinted at the possibility of a larger iMac, potentially with a 32-inch screen. But recent updates from tech analyst Mark Gurman have cast some doubt on these plans.

    Apple is known for keeping its cards close to its chest, following a philosophy set by Steve Jobs who believed in the power of surprise in product launches. The company rarely comments on rumors or future product plans, sticking to a standard response of not discussing unannounced products.

    However, in an unusual move, Apple confirmed in November 2023 that they had no plans for an Apple Silicon version of the 27-inch iMac. This statement left room for speculation about a larger iMac model. Given that screens much larger than 27 inches are now standard, the idea of a bigger iMac seemed logical.

    In today’s tech world, 27-inch monitors are often used in setups with multiple screens, suggesting a demand for even larger, standalone displays. Yet, some argue that buying a Mac mini with a separate, large monitor would serve the same purpose as a large iMac, offering flexibility in screen size and setup.

    Despite this, many fans of the iMac’s all-in-one design expressed disappointment with the idea of having to hide a computer behind a monitor. They cherish the simplicity and elegance of having everything integrated into one device.

    Gurman’s latest comments, however, are not particularly encouraging for those hoping for a consumer-grade larger iMac. His statement suggests that Apple might only consider a larger screen for professional models like an iMac Pro, leaving regular consumers out in the cold.

    Terms like “probably” and “eventually” do little to excite those eager to upgrade from their older 27-inch models without settling for a smaller 24-inch version. For current owners of the Intel-based 27-inch iMac, this news might be disheartening, as they wait for an Apple Silicon upgrade that matches their expectations in size and functionality.

  • Apple’s Big 2025 Start: What’s coming this week?

    Apple’s Big 2025 Start: What’s coming this week?

    Apple is all set to reveal its first big product of 2025 this Wednesday. The company’s CEO, Tim Cook, shared the news on social media last week. Although we don’t have all the details yet, there’s a good chance it’s the new iPhone SE.

    New iPhone SE: What to Expect

    Based on what we’ve heard, the new iPhone SE might be the star of the show. Here’s what’s likely coming:

    • A larger 6.1-inch OLED screen
      A switch to USB-C for charging
    • A high-quality 48MP back camera
    • Face ID for unlocking your phone
    • And it might be the first iPhone with Apple’s own 5G modem

    There’s talk that Apple might give this iPhone SE a new name, calling it the iPhone 16E. Tim Cook hinted that “the newest member of the family” is on the way, which could mean this new naming might happen.

    Other Possible Reveals

    Apart from the iPhone, Apple could surprise us with:

    • A new MacBook Air with the latest M4 chip
    • An 11th generation iPad with the A17 Pro chip, bringing new smart features
    • An iPad Air with the M3 chip and a new Magic Keyboard

    These might not launch right away but could be part of the early-year announcements.

    Don’t Hold Your Breath For

    While Apple has lots planned for 2025, some products won’t make it to the early launch:

    • AirTag 2, expected around mid-2025, will offer better tracking
    • A new smart home hub, possibly named ‘HomePad’, might be delayed beyond March
    • High-end computers like the M4 Ultra Mac Studio and Mac Pro are slated for a summer reveal at WWDC.

    So, keep your eyes peeled for Wednesday’s event; it’s shaping up to be an exciting start to Apple’s 2025 product lineup.

  • New chip for MacBook Pro before iPad Pro

    New chip for MacBook Pro before iPad Pro

    Apple plans to put its latest M5 chip into the MacBook Pro in the fall, with the iPad Pro following in early 2026, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This is a change from what was expected before, based on how they rolled out the M4 chips last year.

    Before we see the M5 MacBook Pro, Apple will update the Mac Studio and Mac Pro with the current M4 chips. These updates might come out around the big developer conference in June 2025.

    The M5 chip will have a new kind of ARM design and will be made using a very tiny 3-nanometer technology from TSMC. Instead of going for an even smaller 2-nanometer tech, which would be pricier, Apple chose this for cost reasons. But the top models of the M5 will still be a big step up from the M4, thanks to a special 3D stacking method that makes the chips cooler and more efficient.

    This 3D stacking or SoIC technology stacks the chips one on top of the other, which helps with heat and power use. Apple has been working closely with TSMC on this new tech, which also uses some cool new materials for the chip’s package.

    There’s already talk in Apple’s code about the M5 chip. One report says that Apple will use this chip not just in new devices but also in their servers to make AI features better, both on your device and online.

    Source

  • New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    New MacBook Air with M4 chip coming soon

    Apple is gearing up to release new MacBook Air models equipped with the latest M4 chip by March, at the very latest, according to insights from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. This timeline aligns with last year’s launch of the M3 MacBook Air.

    MacBook Air in Blue

    Gurman shared these details in his recent Power On newsletter, although he hasn’t pinned down the precise launch date for the new 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Airs. Just a week ago, he hinted that the new models would hit the market “within weeks.”

    There’s been buzz about these new MacBook Airs for some time. Initially, they were expected to be Apple’s first big reveal of the new year. However, the spotlight might now go to the iPhone SE 4, which is set to be unveiled this Wednesday.

    Apple actually gave us a sneak peek of these upcoming M4 MacBook Airs back in December. When they released the macOS Sequoia 15.2 update, it included references to new machines listed as “Mac16,12” and “Mac16,13.” These codes hinted at the “MacBook Air (13-inch, M4, 2025)” and “MacBook Air (15-inch, M4, 2025).”

    Since that discovery, everyone’s been waiting for these new MacBook Airs to drop. Gurman also noted last week that supplies of the current M3 MacBook Airs are running low, which usually means new models are on their way.

    Source

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