Latest news with #iPhone16ProMax


Tom's Guide
2 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I tried new AirPods features with the iOS 26 beta — and Apple missed an opportunity to add this killer feature
For the past couple of weeks now, I've been trying out as many new features I can find with the iOS 26 developer beta. For example, I've already explained the first thing I did after checking out the software's new Liquid Glass design. Soon after that, I checked out the new CarPlay experience to see what's new and different with Apple's car infotainment system. The next thing up on my list was to try out the new AirPods features that are included with iOS 26 update. Considering how Apple's AirPods are some of the best wireless earbuds on the market, it comes as no surprise that the company would look to add capabilities that make them even more helpful across different situations. I got to test out some of these new features with the iOS 26 beta release, but I'm still confused by one thing that Apple hasn't added — the ability to use the AirPods as a wireless microphone system. Honestly, I'm baffled because it seems like a no-brainer addition given the other things Apple has introduced with the beta software. For example, you can now use AirPods to control how you take photos and videos on your iPhone by simply squeezing on their stems. I tested out this exact feature on my iPhone 16 Pro Max with firmware version 8A293c on my AirPods Pro 2. While video recording, I can use these controls to start and stop recordings remotely. When you shoot as many videos as I do, this feature is helpful because I can put my iPhone on a tripod and then shoot a video of myself at a distance using its rear cameras as opposed to the front-facing one. I hear the usual start recording tone on my AirPods that indicates a recording has started, then the stop recording tone when I'm done. Again, this is a handy feature, but Apple's missing the ball with turning the AirPods into a wireless microphone that can be used for better audio quality because it's on me — and therefore better at picking up my voice. When I do start a video recording using these new gestures, the audio recording is still through my iPhone, so it sounds distant because I'm farther away. I don't understand why Apple doesn't make this addition because it would only make the AirPods better for shooters and creators. With the iOS 26 beta software, Apple says that the AirPods are getting 'studio-quality' audio recording. I can definitely tell that the firmware update enhances my audio quality because I tried this out while outdoors in the city with a phone call to a friend. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. They couldn't hear all the background noise that was around me, like the loud honking noises from the cabs and other traffic disturbances. Knowing that the microphones are delivering better results with audio, you would think that this could be applied to video recording as well — but it isn't, and I think it's a missed opportunity. I'm hopeful the AirPods gain this feature in subsequent iOS 26 updates, just because it could replace my existing DJI Mic system that I use. Apple can certainly have a big impact if the AirPods could effectively act as wireless microphones when recording video with an iPhone. In fact, it would be even better if Apple comes up with a lanyard attachment that could attach an AirPod to your shirt. It could also make the audio better for interviews to break up the audio into two separate tracks since two AirPods would be used as an audio source. Given the popularity of the AirPods for music listening, they could also become game-changing with video recording. What's interesting is that you can technically use AirPods as a wireless mic with an iPhone, but only through third party camera apps like FiLMiC Pro and BlackMagic Camera. At the same time, I suspect that these camera apps wouldn't have access to the same 'studio-quality' audio recording. Hopefully Apple sees this big opportunity and takes the time to add it in time for iOS 26's final release presumably this fall with the iPhone 17 launch.


India Today
3 days ago
- Business
- India Today
iPhone 15 Pro Max price drops by Rs 25,000
iPhone 15 Pro Max price drops by Rs 25,000 By Ankita Garg Reliance Digital is offering a massive discount on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Its price has dropped by Rs 25,000 on the site and an extra (up to Rs 10,000) bank discount offer is also available. As the iPhone 15 Pro Max is coming closer to being 1 year old, its getting cheaper. Reliance Digital site is selling its base 256GB model at Rs 1,34,900. The device was launched in India at Rs 1,59,900, which means that consumers are getting a massive discount of Rs 25,000 on Reliance Digital site. Additionally, there is also "up to" Rs 10,000 discount offer on IDFC, RBL and bank credit cards. This will further reduce the price of the phone, making it a steal deal for iPhone lovers. It is currently unknown when this offer will expire but this is a steal deal and one should not miss it. Comparatively, the iPhone 16 Pro Max was launched in India at Rs 1,44,900 (256GB model). People who don't have budget restriction can consider buying the latest model. Those who want to try and save some money, and even want a good Pro Max model should consider the iPhone 15 series. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is still a solid phone and is capable of offering a powerful raw performance. It is even eligible to receive AI features. The camera and battery life is also great for the price. There is no information on when the latest iPhone deal will expire. Hence, people are advised to buy the iPhone 15 Pro Max quickly if they have been planning to get one.


Tom's Guide
3 days ago
- Tom's Guide
I used to repair phones — here's the 3 things you should do when looking for a refurbished phone
There's no getting past the fact that many of the best phones command top dollar — sometimes more than $1,00 when you're talking about premium handsets like the Galaxy S25 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max. However, there's more than one way to get your hands on a great phone for less — and one of the easiest is to buy a refurbished device. Refurbished phones differ from second-hand phones in that they've been previously used but then returned to the manufacturer, who then inspects the phone and repairs any flaws. Even though refurbished phones go through an inspection process, they can still carry a bit of a stigma with consumers wary of using someone else's returned device. That caution is understandable. But it's easy to avoid a bad experience with a refurbished phone with a bit of preparation. I used to work as a phone engineer in a Samsung repair store, and part of my job was to refurbish old and broken phones for resale. I also repaired phones that people brought in, and that's exposed me to some hair-raising sights in my time. But now that I'm with Tom's Guide, I want to help you find the best device within your budget. So here's the three things you need to do before buying a refurbished phone. One of the biggest pieces of advice I can give when it comes to looking for a refurbished phone is to look for a well-known and reputable store. This might seem obvious, but trust me — it is easy to become blinded by what appears to be a good deal. What you want to look for are either good reviews, a reputable brand or being an official affiliate. Reviews can be tricky to gauge, particularly in an era when it's hard to separate genuine customer feedback from fake posts. Still, there are some things to look out for. When reading customer reviews, see how varied they are; if they all say the same thing, then there's something a bit suspicious going on. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. It's also worth checking several sources for reviews other than just Google to see if the same comments keep turning up. And because I think it's important to hold a phone before buying it, I tend to steer clear of online-only outlets. This is where affiliates and known brands come into play, for instance, Samsung's Re-Newed line of phones. Not only will you get the phone you want, you'll also have a pretty solid warranty. Both Samsung and Apple offer a full year's warranty on their refurbished devices. These warranties will cover defects in materials and workmanship, but it is still worth checking the device over for any damage and testing functionality. Another reason to favor phone makers for refurbished devices is that they have access to official parts. Trust me — you want your refurbished phone to have the official parts. Some outlets will use third-party parts for a variety of reasons, whether it's because they're easy to acquire or they cost less. However, that can be a hidden cost for you instead. Non-official parts tend not to work quite as well as the official ones. For instance, third-party batteries can struggle to hold the right amount of charge, while third-party displays may not have the right touch sensitivity. Usually, companies will be forthright about what kind of parts they use for their refurb, but this is another reason why you want to make sure that the warranty supplied with the device covers this. You can test a lot of this yourself by dialing *#7353# into your keyboard on an Android device, or #0# on a Samsung phone, which will bring up a testing menu. Unfortunately, iPhones don't have a specific app for testing the device, which is why I would hesitate to get a refurbished iPhone from a source that's not an Apple-approved affiliate. It is standard practice when repairing a phone to fully wipe and refresh all software on it; the same is true for a refurbished device. This is done for several reasons, though it's usually to install a new OS version onto the phone. With that said, it is important to always check to make sure the phone is wiped properly before you buy it. The best way to test this is to try and set the phone up and see if it allows you to add your account. You don't have to actually add the account details, but you need to know the option is there. The next thing to do is to check that the IMEI in the device is legit. That's a two-step process where you check that the IMEI printed on the device and the one in the software match. This isn't always possible as the back glass is often removed or replaced. Even if there is no IMEI on the back, you still need to check the internal IMEI to make sure the phone isn't listed as lost or stolen. The fastest way to find the IMEI number is to dial *#06#. I would also check to make sure this number matches the one in the settings, if you can set the phone up. If they don't match, then do not buy the phone, but if they do, then you can turn to several different IMEI checker services to see if the device has been listed as stolen. There's a lot to know when buying a refurbished device, but it can be one of the best ways to get a new phone at a better price. Hopefully, these tips will help you find the best product. We also have breakdowns on how you can protect your new phone to make sure it lasts as long as possible


Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available for just Rs 87,000 on Flipkart; know how to grab the deal
Apple's Glowtime event introduced the iPhone 16 series, sparking excitement among tech enthusiasts ready for an upgrade. In India, the iPhone 16 is priced at Rs 79,900, while the iPhone 16 Plus comes in at Rs 89,900. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now For those seeking premium options, the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are available at Rs 1,19,900 and Rs 1,44,900, respectively. An attractive highlight for Indian customers is Flipkart's trade-in program, which offers substantial savings when exchanging older devices for the latest iPhone models. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Flipkart deal: Check exchange offer The iPhone 16 Pro Max, featuring 256GB of storage and a sleek Black Titanium finish, is now available on Flipkart at a discounted price of Rs 1,32,900. However, customers have the opportunity to make this premium device more affordable through Flipkart's trade-in program. By exchanging an iPhone 15 Pro in good working condition, buyers can enjoy a substantial discount of Rs 45,900. This impressive reduction effectively lowers the cost of the iPhone 16 Pro Max to just Rs 87,000, making it a highly attractive deal for those upgrading to the latest Apple technology. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max exchange deal iPhone 16 Pro Max specifications: Camera, processor, display, and more Design and display The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch screen—the biggest on any iPhone to date. Weighing 227 grams (approximately), the smartphone comes with thinner bezels and always-on 120Hz ProMotion displays. Chipset Powered by the advanced A18 Pro chipset, the iPhone 16 Pro Max features 2nd-generation 3nm transistors. The 6-core GPU offers 20% faster performance compared to the A17 Pro, with 2 performance cores and 4 efficiency cores, improving speed by 15% while reducing power consumption by 20%. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The A18 Pro also supports next-gen machine learning, faster USB 3 speeds, and ProRes video recording. Camera enhancements The triple rear camera system has received significant upgrades. The iPhone 16 Pro Max features a new 48MP fusion camera with a second-generation quad-pixel sensor, eliminating shutter lag in 48MP ProRAW and HEIF photos. It also supports 4K120 video capture. A 48MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus is included, along with a 12MP sensor and a 5x telephoto lens with a 120mm focal length. Audio improvements New audio capabilities have been introduced in the iPhone, including Spatial Audio capture during video recording. The Audio Mix feature uses machine learning to distinguish background sounds from speech, while "In-frame mix" isolates the voice of the person on camera, offering a studio-like recording experience. Battery performance While the exact battery size hasn't been disclosed, Apple claims significant improvements in power management and capacity. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is said to offer the longest battery life ever seen on an iPhone, thanks to these optimisations.


Phone Arena
6 days ago
- Phone Arena
iPhone 17 Pro Max: 7 new features Apple might introduce in September
iPhone 17 Pro Max Redesigned Rectangular Camera Bump iPhone 17 Pro Max 48MP Periscope Telephoto Receive the latest Apple news Subscribe By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy 24MP front-facing camera The iPhone 17 Pro Max is also rumored to upgrade the selfie camera. According to leaks, the entire iPhone 17 lineup will jump from 12MP on the front camera to 24MP. A brand-new sensor is expected, and the upgrade would allow for higher-quality photos from the selfie cam, now getting more on par with photos taken from the rear camera. Vapor Chamber Cooling iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max A19 Pro chip iPhone 17 Pro Max 12GB of RAM iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 17 Pro Max Aluminum frame iPhone 17 Pro Max is rumored to come with an aluminum frame this time, instead of titanium (which is on the Curiously, theis rumored to come with an aluminum frame this time, instead of titanium (which is on the iPhone 15 Pro and 16 Pro). The back of the phone is said to have a new "part-aluminum, part-glass" design. The new design decision, if true, would be interesting to justify given titanium is a more premium and durable material. Which one of these rumored iPhone 17 Pro Max features are you most excited about? Redesigned Rectangular Camera Bump 48MP Periscope Telephoto 24MP front-facing camera Vapor Chamber Cooling A19 Pro chip 12GB of RAM Aluminum frame All of the above Other (In the comments) Redesigned Rectangular Camera Bump 0% 48MP Periscope Telephoto 0% 24MP front-facing camera 0% Vapor Chamber Cooling 0% A19 Pro chip 0% 12GB of RAM 0% Aluminum frame 0% All of the above 0% Other (In the comments) 0% Grab Surfshark VPN now at more than 50% off and with 3 extra months for free! Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer The iPhone 17 Pro Max will be the beast of the iPhone 17 series, expected in September. The biggest and most feature-rich (and most expensive) iPhone from the lineup has been in multiple leaks thus far, giving us an idea of what we can expect from it when it expected to still be the biggest from the lineup and the one with the most advanced hardware: the phone for power iPhone users. Here are the 7 biggest changes it may bring, according to rumor about the's new camera bump has been going around for quite some time. Apple may decide to ditch the original iPhone design in favor of a more sci-fi-looking camera bump taking almost the entire top section of the rumored to exclusively feature a vapor chamber plus a graphite sheet for cooling. This would be an improved cooling system over last year. The better heat dissipation, combined with the rumored A19 Pro chip which is more powerful and efficient, theshould be able to maintain higher performance for a longer period of said to be powered by Apple's next-gen A19 Pro chip. This processor will reportedly be manufactured using TSMC's newer 3nm process. Expect improved performance and better power efficiency, which should also help with longer battery life Something that Apple has been postponing with iPhones is more RAM, and even thecomes with only 8GB of RAM. Rumor has it thewill improve on this aspect and feature 12GB of RAM for the increasing needs of Apple Intelligence . More RAM would allow for better multitasking as well.