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This free iOS update brings one must-have feature to the iPhone 13

This free iOS update brings one must-have feature to the iPhone 13

Stuff.tv13-05-2025
Just when you thought the latest smartphones could do it all, they gained the ability to talk to the sky. Sort of. From the iPhone 14 range onwards, Apple began including satellite connectivity tech in its handsets for emergencies. And now, thanks to the free iOS 18.5 software update, these capabilities are available to anyone still using the iPhone 13.
Now, this isn't quite the full-fledged Apple Emergency SOS satellite service you get on the iPhone 14 and above. Instead, it's 'carrier-provided' satellite support. Right now, this means T-Mobile's Starlink-powered messaging service. When other carriers begin offering a similar service, they'll also be supported by the feature on iPhone 13 devices.
If you're a T-Mobile user with any of the iPhone 13 models – Mini, Pro, Pro Max, or the regular one – you can now send messages via satellite. That's provided you're in the US and you hop on the trial before it wraps up in July.
While it's not quite the red-button, save-me-now Emergency SOS feature that newer iPhones enjoy, this is down to hardware limitations on the iPhone 13. It's still the kind of must-have feature that gives your older device a new lease on life. You don't need to be stranded up a mountain for this feature to matter – dodgy reception on the motorway when you've broken down could justify it.
The rest of iOS 18.5's additions are much more minor. Apple's newest Pride wallpaper for 2025 is now available. Parents can now get pinged when their kid tries to outsmart Screen Time with the passcode. And there's a fix for the Apple Vision Pro app showing a black screen, which is very niche unless you're a Vision Pro early adopter.
Apple's free iOS 18.5 update is free and rolling out now to all compatible iPhones. If you're in the US on T-Mobile, you can try out the satellite messaging service on iPhone 13 devices or newer at no cost before the trial ends in July.
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Apple's cheap iPhone just got even cheaper on Amazon Prime Day
Apple's cheap iPhone just got even cheaper on Amazon Prime Day

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Apple's cheap iPhone just got even cheaper on Amazon Prime Day

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There's no denying the OnePlus Nord 5's value – but I wish it hadn't ditched this one key feature
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Stuff.tv

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  • Stuff.tv

There's no denying the OnePlus Nord 5's value – but I wish it hadn't ditched this one key feature

Stuff Verdict A keenly priced all-rounder that takes great photos and isn't short on power or battery – but the OnePlus Nord 5 isn't the design standout its predecessor was, and rivals have it beat in a few areas Pros Ample everyday performance and real-world battery life Quality cameras for a budget phone, especially if you're a selfie addict OxygenOS is still a slick, streamlined take on Android Cons Glass/polycarbonate build feels like a step back from Nord 4's metal Beaten on CPU power and battery capacity Early days for AI Plus Mind software Introduction The Nord series has been diluting down OnePlus' smartphone best for multiple generations now. Earlier efforts tried to redefine how much tech you could expect from a cheap phone, while the outgoing Nord 4 went against the grain on the design front. When the inevitable Nord 5 teaser campaign kicked off, the big question was which way it would go. 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Design & build: face in the crowd Let's rip the band-aid off right away. If last year's metal-sculpted Nord 4 was a deliciously distinctive bit of industrial design, the Nord 5 is altogether more generic – especially in Phantom Grey (ie black). The Dry Ice (blue) I was given for testing has a bit more personality, and the Marble Sand is easily the most visually appealing of the three. With flattened sides and a new look camera island at the rear, it does feel like OnePlus has taken more than a page from the Apple school of phone design. I also feel the firm has taken a step back on the materials front, using polycarbonate (ie plastic) for the frame and Gorilla Glass 7i for the rear panel. The Nord 4's textured unibody just feels more high-end in comparsion. That's not to say the Nord 5 feels cheap, mind. This phone has some real heft, weighing in at 211g, and the frosted finish means it's not nearly as slippy as some glass-backed phones can be. An IP65 rating promises a decent amount of protection from the elements, too – although not as much as the cheaper Poco F7. The Nord 5 is the first OnePlus phone to leave China or India with the firm's new Plus key, which replaces the signature alert slider at the top left side. It's got a similar set of skills to Apple's Action button, letting you change volume modes, activate do not disturb, open the camera app (and act as a shutter button while you're there), turn on the flashlight, record a voice note, take a screenshot, or open the translate app. Although the software update had yet to land in time for me to test it, a shortcut to OnePlus' AI Mind Space is also on the way. It's not the first note-taking, screenshot searching journal app I've seen, so it'll be interesting to see whether it does anything different. I can't fault the under-display fingerprint sensor, which is as quick and accurate as any capacitive sensor you'll find on a budget phone. 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The photo gallery can erase background distractions, remove reflections, and generationally recompose tightly cropped shots. If those sound familiar, it's because you'll find them on most modern phones – and they perform about as well as I've seen elsewhere, too. OnePlus' long-term software commitments don't change if you buy budget instead of premium; you're getting the same four years of new Android generations and six years of security patches here that you'd get on a OnePlus 13. That's very respectable, given most affordable phones still top out at three years, but it's still worth remembering Google has pledged seven years for the (slightly more expensive) Pixel 9a, should you want to hold onto your handset for longer. Performance & battery life: stays in its lane This might be the first time OnePlus has used an 8-series Snapdragon chipset in a Nord phone, but it's not the 8 Elite you'll find in today's flagship phones. Nor is it the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 used in the Poco F7. Here you're getting the older 8s Gen 3, which admittedly is still aimed at a price point higher than what OnePlus is asking for the Nord 5. Paired with either 8 or 12GB of RAM (my review unit had the latter) and up to 256GB of on-board storage, this is still a potent phone – as the benchmarks below show. However, I can't overlook the performance gap to the 8s Gen 4, which is anything from 5-20% depending on the test. Single-core differences aren't huge, but multi-core and gaming show the newer chip taking the lead. If you want maximum raw performance for your cash, it's something to consider. OnePlus Nord 5 benchmark scores Geekbench 6 single-core 1947 Geekbench 6 multi-core 4890 Geekbench AI 2953 PCMark Work 3.0 18578 3DMark Wild Life Extreme 3235 3DMark Solar Bay 5416 That said, I found the Nord 5 perfectly responsive in daily use, with fast app loads, no sluggishness when multitasking, and animations that were as smooth as you like. There's still enough oomph for 3D games to make use of the 144Hz refresh rate, with Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile both proving perfectly playable. A large vapour chamber helps keep thermal throttling in check, too. Used as a daily driver, the Nord 5 also lasts longer than its 5200mAh battery would suggest. Sure, you can now get phones with considerably more cells, but I was seeing a day and a half between charges for the most part. Only a full day spent on 5G, with lots of GPS navigation and use of the cameras, necessitated a charge before bedtime. While you don't get a charger in the box, the Nord 5 plays nicely with OnePlus' 80W SuperVOOC power bricks. Half an hour over USB-C is enough for 65%, while a full charge took just over 45mins. I like that OnePlus has added bypass charging, too; it means I could game while plugged in without introducing extra heat, or having any negative impact on long-term battery health. OnePlus Nord 5 verdict In isolation, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a compelling cut-price handset. You're getting a bright, colourful display, very capable front and rear cameras, and a smooth-running version of Android that doesn't overload you with bloat in the way many cheap smartphones do. A handful of play-friendly specs add extra gamer appeal, and it's great to see the customisable Plus key not being reserved for the firm's top-tier models. The move away from metal makes this much less of a design stand-out than its predecessor, though. Combined with the redesigned rear camera island, the Nord 5 really looks quite generic. You could argue the same about the Poco F7, but that has a much bigger battery, newer generation chipset, and better water resistance – for less money. If phone photography isn't your top priority, it's the obvious choice. Stuff Says… Score: 4/5 A keenly priced all-rounder that takes great photos and isn't short on performance or battery life – but the OnePlus Nord 5 isn't the design standout its predecessor was, and rivals are arguably more compelling. Pros Ample everyday performance and real-world battery life Quality cameras for a budget phone, especially if you're a selfie addict OxygenOS is still a slick, streamlined take on Android Cons Glass/polycarbonate build feels like a step back from Nord 4's metal Beaten on CPU power and battery capacity Early days for AI Plus Mind software OnePlus Nord 5 technical specifications Screen 6.83in, 2800×1272, 144Hz OLED CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 Memory 8/12GB RAM Cameras 50MP, f/1.88 w/ OIS + 8MP ultrawide rear 50MP, f/2.2 front Storage 256/512GB on-board Operating system Android 15 w/ OxygenOS 15 Battery 5200mAh w/ 80W wired charging Dimensions 163x77x8.1mm, 211g

I'm monitoring Prime Day deals, and these are my favourite offers
I'm monitoring Prime Day deals, and these are my favourite offers

Stuff.tv

time10 hours ago

  • Stuff.tv

I'm monitoring Prime Day deals, and these are my favourite offers

In case you hadn't heard, Amazon Prime Day is back for 2025! It's a day (well, actually four days this year) where Prime members get exclusive access to a boatload of special deals. Amazon has confirmed it's coming back for 2025 on 8 July – so things are in full swing now. And I'm covering all the deals you can shop, after doing the past 20 Amazon sales. Deals will be available on items including electronics, video games, movies, toys, clothing, sporting goods and outdoor gear for patios, gardens and the like. All items will qualify for one-day delivery. Amazon promises there will be 'hundreds of thousands' of products on offer. Prime Day is now in full swing, and there are plenty of deals to shop from. Surprisingly, there are quite a few Apple devices already discounted. But I've also spotted loads more across various categories of tech, and have picked out the best in both the US and UK for your shopping pleasure. 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The best offer on the running watch is on Amazon UK, where you can save 34% on the watch. The price is down to £119 from the usual price of £180. Over on Amazon US, it's also discounted – down from the regular price of $200 to $169. It's not quite as much, but still a decent saving of $31. Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $75/£92 Head in hands moments don't come much bigger than realising you've lost your keys, but Apple came to save the day. AirTags are Apple's answer to 'Where did I put my [insert easily lost item here]?' Powered by the same technology that makes Apple Maps less of a nightmare, AirTags use Ultra Wideband tech. You get Precision Finding, which means your iPhone can lead you to your lost item with the accuracy of a homing pigeon. Right now, you can bag £27 off a four-pack of Apple's AirTag trackers – bringing the price from £119 to £92. Or, you can save $25 on the AirTag four-pack from Amazon US at $75. While buying in the multipack is the best value for money, even if you might not lose as many things as me. Apple AirPods Pro 2: $199/£189 After a new set of wireless earbuds? Apple's top-tier AirPods are an excellent choice. We awarded them a perfect five stars in our Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) review. We praised AirPods Pro 2 for noise cancellation, versatility, and convenient feature set – all of which saw improvements in the second-generation. Right now, you can bag the AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) for $199 at Amazon US – that's an excellent saving of $50 from the regular ticket of $249. Or on Amazon UK, you can score them for an even better £189, which is a decent £40 saving. Beats Studio Pro: $250/£199 This cheaper pair of Apple over-ear headphones were launched in 2023 – two years after the AirPods Max. What's more, they're basically the same as AirPods Max inside – even capable of wired lossless audio, which AirPods Max aren't. They offer USB-C charging, 40 hours of battery, and personalised spatial audio support with head-tracking. Plus, you get improved noise cancellation (with transparency) thanks to a new custom chip and completely redesigned hardware. Right now, they're down to $250 on Amazon US – $100 off the regular price. Over on Amazon UK, they're a much better £199 – £151 off the regular price of £350. This isn't the cheapest I've soon them, so I expect they'll go down more as we approach Prime Day. Marshall Tufton Bluetooth Speaker: $315 Marshall is extremely popular for Bluetooth speakers, and the Tufton is no exception. Right now, the speaker is discounted by $135 on Amazon US – down to $315 from the regular price of $450. It comes in a moody Black and Brass colourway, which Marshall claims looks particularly fetching next to 'modern industrial interiors' and against natural textures. The brass accents are a nice change from the standard finishes on speakers. It's designed for in and outdoor use and comes with Bluetooth 5.0 and 20-plus hours of rechargeable battery life. There's even a rear-facing driver for extra oomph. Fitbit Inspire 3: $80/£69 For those seeking a dedicated fitness tracker, Fitbits still remain one of the most popular options. The Fitbit Inspire 3 is known for its simplicity, reliability, and robust suite of fitness tracking features, including sleep analysis and continuous heart rate monitoring. It's perfect for individuals looking to enhance their fitness journey without breaking the bank. And right now, it's cheaper than ever. On Amazon US, you'll find it discounted to $80 – $20 off the regular price. Meanwhile in the UK, it's down to £69 from £85 in an almost equal saving of £16. Ninja Double Stack XL: $220/£229 If you often need to prepare food quickly, then an air fryer is a must. The Ninja Double Stack XL appeals a great deal for this, letting you cook in two drawers at once. While that's nothing new, the real draw (pun fully intended) comes in the fact that the fryers are stacked – so it takes up much less room on your counter. In fact, it still manages a huge 9.5L capacity for plenty of food. The version on sale ahead of Prime Day has copper handles as opposed to the usual silver, so looks pretty smart. It's now £229, which is a great saving of £40 from the usual price of £269. Over on Amazon US, it's discounted by a slightly lower amount of $30 to $220. Dreame L40 Ultra robot vacuum: $600/£750 Dreame's L40 Ultra robot vac offers an incredibly powerful 11,000Pa Vormax suction. Its MopExtend RoboSwing technology reaches up to 4cm deep into corners and under furniture, while the innovative TriCut brush efficiently handles hair tangles. The all-in-one base station delivers true hands-free maintenance, self-emptying for up to 75 days and even cleaning its own mops with 65°C hot water to maintain peak hygiene. Using OmniDirt Detection Technology, the L40 Ultra identifies and tackles challenging messes like oil or sauce spills with targeted cleaning routines. The robot's camera and five-channel colour sensing system ensure no dirt goes unnoticed, while its smart navigation creates detailed four-level maps for efficient route planning. You also get customisable cleaning modes for different rooms and voice control support via Alexa, Siri, and Google Home. And ahead of Prime Day, this robot vacuum is an absolute steal! Over on Amazon US, it's down by 60% from the regular price of $1500 to $600 – which is an excellent saving. Those in the UK can also grab the vacuum for less than its usual prime. On Amazon UK, the dust-sucker is down to £750 – which is a decent price for this machine. Dyson V8 Plus cordless vacuum: $350/£249 Dyson's V8 Plus cordless vac is a great go-to weapon against household grime, delivering strong suction and a whole lot of convenience. It runs up to 40 minutes on a single charge and comes with a few handy attachments, including a crevice tool and motorised cleaner head. It's not Dyson's latest or most powerful, but it still punches well above its weight for small flats. And right now, you can score this vacuum for even less ahead of Prime Day. On Amazon US, it's reduced by 26% from $470 to $350 – which is a tasty saving of $120. And over on Amazon UK, it's even cheaper. You can grab the cordless vac for £249 instead of the usual ticket of £330 – a decent saving of £81. Ring Battery Video Doorbell: $50/£80 Ring's new Battery Video Doorbell promises to give you a better look at your visitors. It's all thanks to a new Head-to-Toe HD video feature, borrowed from the Pro options. Ring has given this doorbell a 150-degree by 150-degree field of view that'll let you catch everything. It's a 66% taller view than what you got with the old model, which makes it handy for checking out deliveries on your doorstep – if you've shelled out for the Ring Protect subscription, of course. Alongside the taller view, you get Colour Night Vision, Customisable Motion Zones, real-time alerts, Live View, and Two-Way Talk. And if you've opted into the Ring Protect subscription, you'll get Smart Alerts, Rich Notifications with photo previews, and cloud storage for up to 180 days. And right now, you can pick up the doorbell for even less ahead of Amazon's major sale. Amazon US has the best saving, where the Ring Battery Doorbell is reduced from $100 to $50 – an excellent half price deal. On Amazon UK, it's down to £80 instead of £100 – which isn't the best saving, and I expect Amazon to drop the price even more after Prime Day starts on 8 July. Blink Outdoor Camera 4 (3-pack): $100 Improving upon my favourite security cam (the Blink 3), the new 4th-gen camera offers even smarter features, while still keeping things affordable. I'd go as far as saying the latest Blink makes it harder to justify splashing out on pricier alternatives. The big upgrade here is on-device Person Detection – solving the problem of distinguishing between a suspicious character and animals in your garden. Beyond the brains, there's solid brawn too: upgraded motion detection with dual zones, a much wider field-of-view, and improved low light performance so your night footage. While you'll need a subscription for Person Detection, everything else is available without one. And there's never been a better time to nab the few months old Blink Outdoor Camera 4. Ahead of Prime Day, you can score a 3-pack from Amazon US for $100 – that's 62% off the regular price of $260, and brings the multipack down to roughly the price of one camera at its launch price. Unfortunately, those in the UK miss out on the savings for now and can only bag it at the regular price of £190. Reolink Argus 4 Pro: $150/£150 If you're looking for a smart security camera with all the bells and whistles (and no subscription price), Reolink's Argus 4 Pro is a top pick. It's armed with dual 4mm lenses that deliver a sprawling 180-degree view in 4K UHD. Reolink's dual-lens setup eliminates blind spots and distortion issues that have plagued other cameras. With Reolink's ColourX technology, the Argus 4 Pro captures full-colour images even in low light. Right now, it's discounted on Amazon UK – down to £150 from the regular price of £180. Plus, you can take an extra 5% off with promo code: G7FE4L72. Over on Amazon US, it's down to $150 from the regular price of $200. Some of these deals are likely to improve (go lower) as we get closer to Prime Day. But for others, this is the best price I've seen – including previous sales like Black Friday. This page will be updated as we get closer to Prime Day.

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