smartphones

A Dutch survey finds that 8 in 10 people aged 16 to 34 believe their smartphone use harms their everyday life. The finding has drawn attention for showing how sharply younger users themselves judge the impact of constant phone use on sleep, focus and social time, fuelling ongoing debate about screen habits and digital wellbeing.

Huawei's latest smartphone chip is closing the performance gap with leading competitors, according to industry coverage. The development signals continued progress by the Chinese tech firm in domestic semiconductor design despite export restrictions limiting its access to advanced foreign chip technology.

Huawei has released what it calls the world's slimmest and largest foldable smartphone, continuing its push into high-end foldable devices. The announcement is drawing attention as Huawei showcases its hardware design capabilities despite ongoing US sanctions that have limited its access to advanced chips, with observers watching how the device competes with Samsung and other foldable rivals.

Discounts on the iPhone 17 are drying up as Apple's price increases spread across markets. Reports from Forbes and other outlets indicate retailers are pulling back promotional pricing, meaning buyers who waited for deals may now pay closer to full price. The story has been picked up widely, fuelling discussion about rising smartphone costs and whether consumers should buy now or hold off for future promotions.

Qualcomm has announced two new flagship smartphone chips: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 and a new higher-tier 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6. The company describes both as flagships, with the differences between them relatively minor, mostly confined to improved AI processing, video capture and gaming performance.

Honor has launched the Magic 9 Pro Max in China, a flagship smartphone that stands out for its unusually large camera system, developed in collaboration with ARRI, and an oversized battery. The device also features a Snapdragon chip and a bold new design. Coverage is focused on how far Honor is pushing hardware limits to differentiate its premium phones in a competitive Chinese market.

Apple's new iPhone XS Max, the company's largest iPhone to date, will start at $1,449 for the 512GB storage version, making it the most expensive iPhone ever sold. The pricing has drawn wide attention and commentary, with many noting how far flagship phone prices have climbed and debating whether buyers will pay a premium for the bigger screen and storage.

Qualcomm is taking on Apple's latest chip in what is shaping up as a renewed battle over mobile and computing silicon. The week also brought news on Apple's front, including a fitness tracker, updated Macs and other product developments. The rivalry matters because Qualcomm's chips increasingly power Windows laptops that compete directly with Apple's Mac lineup, setting up a contest over performance and battery life claims.

Attention is turning to how young South Korean children are when they first begin using smartphones, with reports highlighting exposure starting in the toddler years. The topic has fuelled wider debate about screen time, child development and parenting habits in one of the world's most connected countries.