Pegatron will team up with an Indonesian manufacturer.. Photo: iFixit
iPhone 6s units with a TSMC A9 processor score two hours’ better battery life over those with Samsung chips in GeekBench test scores, but real-world gains of the “good” chip might be much less significant.
Several YouTubers have put the iPhone 6s TSMC and Samsung A9 chips to the test in real-world scenarios to get to the truth of Chipgate — and what they discovered was quite surprising.
Every iPhone launch just has to have a controversy. Photo: Apple
Not all iPhones 6s units are created equal, and yours just might have a weaker processor thanks to Samsung. Chipgate rocked the Internet with the revelation that Apple used two different suppliers for the A9 chips in its latest iPhones and one processor looks like a serious under-performer.
Even though Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s 14-nanometer A9 chips are bigger than Samsung’s 12-nanometer A9 chips, if you have an iPhone 6s with a TSMC chip, you might get an extra two hours of battery life on your device.
There’s no way to tell if you’re getting stuck with a Samsung A9 processor when you purchase your iPhone 6s in stores or online, but you can find out whether you got saddled with a crappier processor with some help from a couple of apps.
Here’s how to find the maker of the A9 processor in your iPhone 6s or 6s Plus:
The new Low Battery Mode in iOS 9 means your device will last even longer than before. Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac
A new controversy is brewing online after it’s been revealed that not all iPhone 6s units get the same amount of battery life. The apparent culprit? The new A9 processors, which power Apple’s latest iPhones and were sourced by two chip manufacturers.
Windows phones could be about to make a comeback. Photo: MicrosoftCould you fall in love with a Lumia? Photo: Microsoft
Microsoft’s new Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL have arrived, with high-end specifications, iris recognition technology, and the latest Windows 10 software. But do they have what it takes to persuade you to give up Android or iOS?
Should the Nexus 6P be your next smartphone? Photo: Google
Following their big unveiling in San Francisco this morning, Google’s new Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P are now available for pre-order. But should you buy one, or is your hard-earned cash better spent elsewhere?
To help you decide, here’s a handy comparison that shows you how Google’s latest devices stack up against the competition from Apple, Samsung, LG, Motorola, and more.
When you’re lining up for a brand new iPhone on launch day, the last thing you expect to see outside the Apple Store is a whole team of people from Samsung. But that’s exactly what iPhone 6s buyers in London were greeted by this morning.
Samsung sent a flock of people to gatecrash the iPhone 6s launch at the Apple Store on Regent Street to promote the Galaxy S6 edge and S6 edge+, and to hand out free goodies bearing Samsung’s “#NextisNew” slogan.
Pebble Time Round is the thinnest smartwatch so far. Photo: Pebble
Pebble’s latest smartwatch forgot it’s hip to be square.
The Pebble Time Round has a circular display that hopes to appeal to traditional watch wearers, and compete round rivals like the Moto 360 and Samsung’s upcoming Gear S2. Its all-metal design is also the thinnest and lightest Pebble has crafted to date.
If you think the A9 processor is fast, wait 'til you see the A10. Photo: Apple
The iPhone 6s is the fastest smartphone on the planet, but according to a new rumor, Apple is planning to make a huge leap with its A10 processor in the iPhone 7 that will turn the device into an unbelievable speed machine.
It seems a bit early to start talking about the iPhone 7’s processor when the 6s hasn’t even gone on sale yet, however, the Apple rumor mill has spit out a rumor claiming Apple’s A10 processor will boast 6 cores.
Is it fair to compare (adoption rates)? Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac
iOS 9 has been out for two days, and it’s already running on more than 20 percent of compatible devices, according to the latest data. In comparison, Google’s latest Android release, version 5.1 Lollipop, is running on just 5.1 percent of devices ten months after it made its public debut.
These figures highlight the staggering difference between updates on Android and iOS. But is it fair to compare adoption figures between these two platforms, and do users really care?
Join us in this week’s Friday Night Fight between Cult of Androidand Cult of Mac as we battle it out over this very topic!
Corning's could have a new Samsung-shaped rival in its future. Photo: Corning's
Not content with making displays, memory chips, storage, and whatever else for rival handsets, Samsung is reportedly looking to take on Corning’s with a shatterproof Gorilla Glass alternative — currently code-named “Turtle.”
Be careful how you unlock these Samsung devices; Apple might sue you.
Samsung might soon be legally forbidden from continuing to rip off Apple.
In a 2-1 decision today, a federal appeals court ruled that the monetary damages another court ordered the South Korean company to pay Apple last year wasn’t enough; it also had to stop using those design elements that infringe upon Cupertino’s patents.
A custom theme on the Galaxy Note 5. Photo: SamsungA custom theme on the Galaxy Note 5. Photo: Samsung
If it doesn’t look like your phone, it’s not your phone… apparently.
That’s the tagline for a new Samsung ad that hopes to remind iPhone users they can’t customize iOS, and should therefore choose a Galaxy smartphone instead.
Just two days after Apple unveiled its new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus, Samsung already has an ad that taunts them for their lack of wireless charging, while simultaneously promoting the new Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+.
Apple's back on top again. Photo: AppleTim Cook doesn’t care. Photo: Apple
Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.
Apple was reminded of this after its keynote on Wednesday when rivals Samsung and Sony took to Twitter to mock the length of its presentation — and its new iPhone 6s.
Samsung has been taking a beating from Apple as of late, and apparently it’s taking its toll.
According to a new report, Samsung is responding to its diminishing smartphone sales not by fixing the root problem of its lack of originality and low quality reputation, but rather by sacking 10 percent of its workforce instead.
Samsung's new smartwatch could hit Apple Watch where it really hurts. Photo: SamsungSamsung’s new smartwatch could hit Apple Watch where it really hurts. Photo: Samsung
Samsung’s new Gear S2 smartwatch is its first to support third-party Android devices, and the South Korean company is reportedly looking extend its reach even further by supporting rival platforms, too.
Modern mobile phones need a lot of power; chances are we’ve all got an external battery pack (or at least a second cable and wall plug) tucked away in a bag somewhere that will charge up our Android and iOS mobile phones while we’re on the run.
The thing is, those things need to be taken along with you when you leave the house. If you’re like me, though, that requires a heck of a lot of cognitive overhead and pre-planning.
The whole point of the Nipper, this tiny new mobile phone charger that uses two AA batteries to give you a bit of juice when needed, is to always be available.
Consumers aren’t bored of the iPhone 6 yet. Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Android
Apple’s iPhones might be on the verge of a big refresh this month, but that doesn’t make them any less appealing to those looking to take a break from Android.
In Europe, 27 percent of smartphone shoppers swapped their Android for an iPhone last quarter, while 9 percent of consumers made the same switch in the U.S.
Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic hope to appeal to traditional watch wearers. Photo: SamsungGear S2 and Gear S2 classic hope to appeal to traditional watch wearers. Photo: Samsung
After teasing the new Gear S2 smartwatch during its Galaxy Note 5 unveiling earlier this month, Samsung has confirmed all the juicy details we’ve been waiting for.
The new wearable will be available in two flavors — the Gear S2 and Gear S2 classic — both of which have round faces and are aimed at consumers who “prefer more timeless watch design.” But will the devices be good enough to trip up the Apple Watch?
The battle to win Apple's chip orders is hotter than ever. Photo: Apple
Taiwan’s top court ruled in favor of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company in a lawsuit involving a former employee who allegedly leaked trade secrets to Samsung.
The accused party — TSMC’s former senior director of R&D, Liang Mong-song — allegedly helped Samsung catch up in the chip-fabrication business and win orders for Apple’s A-series processors..
Samsung's method of innovation is way different than Apple's. Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns/Flickr
Apple and Samsung are bitter rivals in the tech industry that make a lot of the same type of products, but when it comes to innovation, the two are complete opposites.
Arno Lenior is one of the few people on the planet who’s worked at both companies, and while Samsung gets a bad rap for copying Apple’s products, the former Apple marketing director reveals that in many ways, Samsung takes innovation just as seriously as they do in Cupertino, otherwise it would have never been able to go from a company that sold rice nearly 100 years ago, to transforming into one of the world’s top TV and smartphone manufacturers.
Now that Lenior left Samsung back in May, MarketingMag sat down with the Australian marketer to get his viewpoints on innovation and how it’s become part of the mindset at Apple.
Cover up the logos and you can hardly tell them apart. Photo: Steve HemmerstofferCover up the logos and you can hardly tell them apart. Photo: Steve Hemmerstoffer
HTC appears to have given up on its own design language in an effort to make its next flagship smartphone an iPhone clone. Leaked images of the so-called HTC Aero look almost identical to an iPhone 6, with the same flat form factor and protruding camera.
Samsung has already run out of test drive handsets. Photo: SamsungSamsung has already run out of test drive handsets. Photo: Samsung
Samsung has been forced to postpone its Ultimate Test Drive promotion that gives iPhone owners the opportunity to try out its latest devices free for 30 days. The South Korean company says it ran out of test drive devices in just a few hours after “overwhelming demand.”
Apple's giant iPad could give 2-in-1's a big boost.
Concept of Apple’s giant tablet.
Apple fans are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the company’s giant iPad Pro that’s been swimming through the rumor mill for years now, but Samsung is already preparing its answer for the new tablet that will likely be aimed at pros and enterprise use.